Carol Eugene Domer was born on February 28, 1920, on the Domer family farm, located about two and three-quarter miles southeast of Centralia, Kansas. He was the son of Robin R. Domer Sr. and Isa Reynolds Domer. His mother died when he was three years old, and two years later his father married Florence Gaston, who raised Carol as her own. Carol’s father died in 1938, leaving Florence as his stepmother and closest maternal figure. He had one brother, Robin R. Domer Jr., and extended family including an uncle, Estey Domer of Mayetta, and an aunt, Mrs. Florence Shoemaker of Vermillion.

Growing up on the family farm, Carol attended Centralia schools, graduating from high school in 1938. He went on to graduate from Chillicothe Business College in Missouri and later worked in Chicago, Illinois, as an assistant auditor in the YMCA’s auditing department. He was also an active member of the Centralia Congregational Church and its Sunday School.

Military Service and Training

Carol was called to selective service in October 1941 but was honorably discharged within a week so that he could enlist in the Army Air Corps on October 14, 1941, at Camp Grant, Illinois. At the time of his enlistment, he was employed as a bookkeeper and cashier and was single with no dependents.

He began his military training at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, followed by air corps technical school at Lowry Field, Colorado, where he graduated before advancing to bombardier training. He trained at Barksdale Field, Louisiana, and also spent time in South Carolina. Additional training took him to Willow Run, Michigan, and then to Hickam Field, Hawaii, before deploying to the Pacific Theater. Carol qualified to serve as both a bombardier and a navigator.

By early 1942, he was with the 320th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomb Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces. At the time of his final mission, however, he had been temporarily assigned to the 319th Bomber Squadron.

Final Mission and Death

On January 1, 1943, Staff Sergeant Domer volunteered for a mission with the 90th Bomb Group when another crew member was unable to fly. His aircraft, a B-24D Liberator named Corsair (#41-23752), departed from 7 Mile Drome, Papua New Guinea, to bomb the Japanese air base at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul, New Britain Island.

The bombing run was completed successfully, but during the return flight all four engines began to fail. Accounts differ on the cause—some reports attribute the failure to mechanical problems, others to heavy anti-aircraft fire. The Corsair ultimately ditched in the Pacific Ocean near Kawa Island in the Louisiade Archipelago, southeast of Papua New Guinea.

Carol, serving as the tail gunner on this mission, was trapped in the bomb bay and killed during the ditching. Staff Sergeant Fred Diggs, another volunteer on the flight, was rescued but died en route to medical care. They were the only two fatalities among the 11-man crew; the others survived and were rescued. Carol was declared Missing in Action, and his name is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.

Aftermath and Remembrance

The news of his death reached his family on January 23, 1943, marking the third wartime loss for the Centralia community. The War Department sent telegrams and letters of condolence, including one from General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, honoring Carol as a “gallant soldier of the United States Army whose name is now indelibly recorded on the rolls of our nation’s honored dead.”

A memorial service was held on February 14, 1943, at the Centralia Congregational Church, with multiple pastors, community leaders, and musical performances honoring his life. His estate, consisting of $5,000 in real estate and $8,000 in personal property, was left to his brother Robin.

In recognition of his service and sacrifice, Carol was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Recovery Efforts Decades Later

For nearly sixty years, the location of the Corsair remained unknown. In February 2002, former crew radio operator Staff Sgt. Roy Rhodes provided coordinates to a recovery group, leading to the discovery of the aircraft in 90 feet of water. Later that year, Rhodes learned that Carol’s remains had been located inside the wreckage.

Because of established protocols between the Australian and U.S. governments, immediate recovery was delayed. In July 2002, the 90th Bomb Group requested the U.S. Army make every effort to recover his remains. The Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii (CILHI) confirmed plans to include the site in its 2003 operations schedule, noting the challenges posed by the underwater recovery.

Legacy

Staff Sergeant Carol Eugene Domer’s story is one of dedication, skill, and sacrifice. From his Kansas farm roots to the skies over the Southwest Pacific, his life reflected commitment to duty and service. Though his final resting place remains beneath the waters near Kawa Island, his memory is preserved in his hometown, on the Tablets of the Missing in Manila, and in the hearts of those who honor the men who gave their lives so that others might live in freedom.

SOURCES

Courier Tribune

2 April 1942

page 1

News of Men in Service

Carol Domer, Centralia soldier, has been transferred from Lowry Field, Denver, to Barksdale Field, near Shreveport, La. He is in the air corps.

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Courier Tribune

25 Jan 1943

page 1

A Centralia Boy Killed

Believed Serving as Bobardier in the SOuthwest Pacific

(Centralia Correspondent)

For the third time Centralia has been struck by the tragedy of this war. Robin R. Domer received word Saturday that his brother, Carol Eugene Domer, had been killed in action in defense of his country.

…

The telegram stating that Carol had been killed was sent from Washington Saturday to Robin R. Domer, by Adjutant-General Ulio. It read: The Secretary of War desires me to express deep sympathy in loss of your brother, Carol Domer was killed in action in defense of his country in Southwest Pacific area. Letter follows.”

Carol Eugene Domer was called in selective Service in October, 1941, was honorably discharged about a week later to enlist in the air corps. He started his training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo, from there went to Lowry Field, Colo. where he graduated from the air corps Technical School. He then continued his training as a bombardier in the Bomber squadron at Barksdale, La., with a short while at south Carolina. His next station as Willow Run, Mich. Then he was stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii for quite a while and as far as is known was sent to Australia and as far as the brother and mother know, was still serving as a bombardier.

He was born February 28, 1920 at the Domer farm 2 3/4 miles southeast of Centralia. His mother passed away when he was three years of age. Mrs. Florence Gaston became the wife of his father, Robin R. Domer, Sr., when he was four years old and was a mother to him from then on. His father died in 1938.

Carole received his schooling in the Centralia school, graduating from high school in 1938. He attended and graduated form Chillicothe Business College, went to Chicago and was in the auditing department as assistant when he went into the service for his country. He was a member of the Congregational church of Centralia and until he left was active in the Sunday School. He leaves one brother, Robin R. Domer, who is in the First National Bank of Centralia, an uncle, Estey Domer of Mayetta, and an aunt Mrs. Florence Shoemaker of Vermillion.

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Courier Tribune

11 Feb 1943

page 6

Centralia

A Memorial Service Sunday

Will Honor Carol Domer,

Killed in Action

There will be a memorial service Sunday morning at 11:00 at the Congregational church in memory of Carol Domer, Centralia soldier who was killed in action.

The program will include the prelude, “Meditation,” by Morrison; Processional, “Faith of Our Fathers,” Invocation by Rev. T. C. Cocks; the choir response, “Hear Our Prayer,” Responsive Reading, Rev. C. Z. Allsbury; anthem, ”There is No Death,” by O’Hara with Miss Lela Brown as soloist.

Rev. t. K. Bosworth, Douglass, Kansas, former pastor here, will have the topic, “From Boyhood to Manhood” followed by the hymn, “No Shadows Yonder.” b. L. Lohmuller will give “What a Patriot’s Life means tot he State.” This will be followed by the anthem, “Recessional,” by DeKeven, with Miss Elizabeth Brigham ha soloist.

“The Value of a Patriot to the Community,” will be the topic of Rev Allsbury, followed by the hymn, “My Jesus As Thou Wilt” Rev. t. C. Cocks will discuss, “The Loss of a Patriot’s Passing,” The Hymn, “Crossing the bar,” by Tennyson will be followed by the benediction given by Rev. Cocks, and the sounding of taps.

———

Official messages which the family has received include the following sent to Carol’s brother, who was listed as the person to whom notices were to be sent.

From the Chief of Staff of the War Department

2 Feb 1943

Robin C. Domer,

Centralia, Kansas.

I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy on the death of your brother who was killed in action. Carol. E. Domer was a gallant soldier of the United States army whose name is now indelibly recorded on the rolls of our nation’s honored dead. As time passes, I hope that you will derive some consolation in the realization that your brother gave his life that others might live as free men. Again my deepest sympathy to you and to other members of the family. Faithfully yours, gen. George Marshall, chief of staff.

Robing R. Domer

Centralia, Kan.

It is with profound regret that I inform you that your brother, Sergeant Carol E. Domer, air corps, died on January 1, 1943 in the southwest Pacific area. This confirms my recent telegram to you announcing his death.

The official casualty report states that your brother was killed in action in defense of his country. The date and place of burial and other particulars are not given. Casualty reports contain few details. They are of necessity meager as the circumstances and pressure under which forces operate during warfare do not permit the collection and reporting of full details of a casualty. In the event additional information is received, you will be notified promptly. I extend my deepest sympathy.

J. A. Ulio

Adjutant General

——

Lost Flier’s Mother

At Centralia, Mrs. Florence Domer, who is the step-mother of Carol Domer, rearing him as her own son, from the time he was four years of age, keeps a little poem pinned up and draws comfort form it. The poem “Lost Flier’s Mother,” is by Frances Eleanor Schluneger and appeared in the Kansas City Poetry magazine.

I hold your message close to my,

my son

Long days you had been lost and

still I walked

Among my friends as I have always done

And helped at little tasks and smiled and talked

They said, “She does not mourn her son at all,

Who has been dead, no doubt, long days at sea!”

How could they know my Faith, serene and tall,

Had touched god’s hand, petitioning, and He

Had smiled, remembering your was, and spread

His swift protecting fingers on your head.

___________________

Courier Tribune

4 Mar 1943

page 1

War Hits town Hard

…

Centralia has been hit repeatedly. Carol Domer, air service, was killed in action. George Guilford, serving with the merchant marine, is missing in action. Orville Edman was listed as missing for a yer, now is reported as a prisoner of the Japanese governemnt on the Philippine Islands.

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Courier Tribune

26 April 1943

Page 2

Probate Court Proceedings

The will of Carol Eugene Domer, who lost his life in the South Pacific area has been admitted to probate by petition of Robin R. Domer, a brother and sole heir-at-law. It consists of $5,000 in real estate, $8,000 in personal property. Robin R. Domer was named administrator. Inventory was filed and approved. There was an order of distribution.

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THE SABETHA HERALD, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, Page 6A

59 years following crash, plane carrying Centralia airman found

By Patty Locher
Sabetha Herald Staff

Sixty years ago last month, a Centralia family received a telegram from Adjutant General Ullo in Washington, D.C., which read, “The Secretary of War desires to express deep sympathy in the loss of your brother Carol Eugene Domer was killed in action in defense of his country in Southwest Pacific area latter follows.”

The telegram was received by Carol’s only brother, Robin R. Domer Jr., who was three years old when Carol was then three years old. This was the third time since that news reached the Centralia community grieved for the loss of one of its own. “Bob” or “R.R.” Domer is now a resident of the Apostolic Christian Home of Sabetha, his wife, Rose, lives in the AC West Village Apartments.

On Jan. 1, 1943, Staff Sgt. Domer was flying as a volunteer on a mission with the 90th Bomb Group when the four-engine B-24D, named “Corsair” experienced failure of all four engines during the return flight after successful completion of a bombing mission to the Japanese base, Vunakanu airfield, Rabaul, New Britain Island.

In 2002 an account of the ill-fated last flight of the “Corsair” was published by one of its former radio operators, Staff Sgt. Roy Rhodes. He also provides details of communications concerning the recent successful underwater search for “Corsair.”

On Feb. 2, 2002, after providing details of the location of the downed aircraft, Rhodes received word from a recovery group that Corsair had been found, in 90 feet of water. Subsequently, Rhodes received additional information that Sgt. Domer’s remains had been discovered in the sunken aircraft.

Because of established protocol between the Australian and U.S. governments, no action would be taken to recover Sgt. Domer’s remains until a decision was made by the U.S. Government following a “survey” of the situation.

In a July 2002 letter to the Department of the Army in Hawaii, the 90th Bomb Group requested that every effort be made to recover Sgt. Domer’s remains so that a proper burial can be made.

A response from Johnie E. Webb Jr., Deputy to the Commander of the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI), stated that the case will be incorporated “into the operations plan for next year”—2003. The depth of the water at the reported site makes the recovery effort somewhat of a challenge, but CILHI has been developing its underwater excavation capability in recent years, the letter stated.

The initial stages of the recovery effort were reported in a more recent letter from CILHI, and the outlook for the successful recovery of Sgt. Domer’s remains is hopeful.

Carol Domer was born Feb. 28, 1920, on a farm one and a half miles southeast of Centralia, the son of Robin R. Domer Sr. and Isa Reynolds Domer. His mother died when he was three. His father married Mrs. Florence Gaston when Carol was about five years old, and he thought of her as his mother as he grew up there.

He grew up on the farm east of Centralia, graduating from Centralia High School in 1938. He had graduated from business college in Chillicothe, Mo., and was working as assistant auditor at the YMCA in Chicago, Ill., when he was called to selective service in October 1941. A few days later he was honorably discharged so he could enlist in the Army Air Corps.

Carol’s military training took him to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., for basic, Lowry Field, Colo., for air corps technical school, Louisiana for training as a bombardier, and South Carolina for further training.

He was in training at Ypsilanti, Mich., when Bob and Rose Domer and their young son Robin III visited him before he departed for further training in the Hawaiian Islands, and then reported for duty in the Pacific Theater near Australia.

Rose Domer said that Carol didn’t take furlough to return to Kansas before reporting for his assignment as a bombardier, and that Michigan visit was the last time they saw him.

Carol was qualified to serve as both a bombardier and a navigator. He served as a bombardier until November 1942, at which time the Armed Forces leadership ruled against enlisted personnel serving in that capacity. He then served as a member of the ground support force until early December of the same year.

Because of attrition rates resulting from accidents, combat casualties, promotion and transfers, the Armed Forces leadership reversed their decision and allowed non-commissioned officers to volunteer for flying duties as navigators or bombardiers.

According to Rhodes’ report, Sgt. Domer was one of two volunteers on the flight, due to crew members having an impacted wisdom tooth, and one member missing the flight briefing and the transportation to the plane. The other volunteer was Staff Sgt. Fred Diggs, who was “almost unconscious and was moaning heavily” after being pulled from the wreckage by a crew member. Sgt. Diggs died enroute to a distant medical hospital several hours later.

The two volunteers were the only fatalities among the 11 flight crew members. According to the accident reports, Sgt. Domer died trapped in the bomb bay after the crash into the Pacific Ocean near Kawa Island of the Louisiade Island group near New Guinea.

An article in the Jan. 17, 1976, United Press International report stated that the plane was hit heavily by flak. The Rhodes account talks about the engines quitting but does not mention battle damage. The crew navigator’s report, included in Rhodes’ account, mentions a loss of power to all engines.

Rose Domer said that Sgt. Domer was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, which was sent to her.

Sgt. Domer’s father had died in 1938, and both then a Centralia banker, was Carol’s closest immediate family member at the time of Carol’s death. Carol also was survived by his stepmother.

This article includes excerpts from an untitled turn article by (and) Verbatim that appeared in the Dexter, Mo., January 1943 and January 1976 articles from the Centralia Journal, excerpts from an account, “Corsair’s Last Flight” by R.R. Rhodes (radio operator on the flight), and information provided by Rose Domer, wife of Sgt. Domer’s brother, Robert R. Domer Jr. “Bob” or “R.R.” Domer is a resident of the Apostolic Christian Home in Sabetha. Rose lives in AC West Village.

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Third War Death To Centralia

For the third time Centralia has been struck by the tragedy of this war. Robin R. Domer received word Saturday that his brother, Carol Eugene Domer, had been killed in action in defense of his country.

The first blow came when Mrs. Lenora Edman received a message her son, Orville Edman, was missing in action on Corregidor, the Philippine Islands.

The second time was not long ago when Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Guilford received a message from the government their son, George Edward Guilford, was missing in action. This was not much over a month ago. How true that “War always takes the best.”

The telegram stating that Carol had been killed was sent from Washington Saturday to Robin R. Domer, by Adjutant General Ulio. It read: “The Secretary of War desires me to express deep sympathy in loss of your brother, Carol Domer was killed in action in defense of his country in Southwest Pacific area. Letter follows.”

Carol Eugene Domer was called in Selective Service in October, 1941, was honorably discharged about a week later to enlist in the air corps. He started his training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., from there went to Lowry Field, Colo., where he graduated from the air corps Technical School. He then continued his training as a bombardier in the Bomber Squadron at Barksdale, La., with a short while at South Carolina. His next station was Willow Run, Michigan, where he was stationed at the time he was sent to Australia and as far as is known was still serving as a bombardier.

He was born February 28, 1920, at the Domer farm 2½ miles southeast of Centralia. His mother passed away when he was three years of age. Mrs. Florence Gaston became the wife of his father, Robin R. Domer, Sr., when he was four years old and was a mother to him from then on. His father died in 1938.

Carol received his schooling in the Centralia school, graduating from high school in 1938. He attended and graduated from Chillicothe Business College, went to Chicago and was in the auditing department as assistant when he went into the service for his country. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Centralia and until he left was active in the Sunday School.

He leaves one brother, Robin R. Domer, is in the First National Bank of Centralia; an uncle, Eteley Domer of Mayetta; and an aunt, Mrs. Florence Shoemaker of Vermillion.

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Find a Grave

SGT Carol Eugene Domer V

Veteran

Birth

28 Feb 1920

Centralia, Nemaha County, Kansas, USA

Death

1 Jan 1943 (aged 22)

At Sea

Monument

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines

Plot

Tablets Of The Missing

Memorial ID

56759933

Carol served as a Sergeant & Tail Gunner on B-24D #41-23752, 319th Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

Carol normally served with the 320th Bomber Squadron but has assigned to this mission with the 319th.

He resided in De Kalb County, Indiana prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 14, 1941, prior to the war, at Camp Grant, Illinois. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Bookkeeper and/or cashier and also as Single, without dependents.

B-24D #41-23752 took off, with a crew of 9, from 7 Mile Drome, Central Province, Papua New Guinea on a bombing mission over Vunakanau Airfield, near Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

After a successful bombing run, and while returning to their base, multiple engines began to start having problems and they finally had to ditch near Kawa Island, Mine Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.

Carol, who had been killed in the ditching, was declared “Missing In Action” and went down with the B-24 into the sea.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # 36300581

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Airmen who perished on B-24D #41-23752:

Diggs, Frederick T ~ S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, TN

Domer, Carol E ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, IN

The rest of the crew survived the ditching and were rescued.

( Bio & Crew Report by: Russ Pickett )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***I would like to thank Luella Hinrichsen Find A Grave ID 47218988 for adding his place of birth to this memorial***

_____________

From Perplexity

On January 1, 1943, there was an Allied bombing run targeting Vanakanau (Vunakanau) Airfield near Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. This mission involved aircraft from the U.S. Fifth Air Force, which conducted frequent raids on Japanese airfields, including Vunakanau and Lakunai, in an effort to weaken Japanese air strength and infrastructure in the region. The raids were part of a broader Allied campaign to isolate and neutralize Rabaul, a major Japanese base in the Southwest Pacific.

During this particular mission over Vunakanau, American bombers encountered only light and inaccurate anti-aircraft fire at first, but soon faced interception by Japanese fighters, notably “Zekes” (Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters). In dogfights over the airfield, one B-25 bomber was shot down by enemy fighters, and Allied crews reported shooting down several Japanese aircraft in turn. The bombers, flying in formation low over the target, dropped parafrag bombs and conducted strafing runs targeting aircraft, dispersal areas, and revetment zones on the airfield. The 345th Bomb Group claimed the destruction of more than twenty Japanese planes on the ground at Vunakanau, and air combat resulted in additional losses for both sides. Most of the attacking bombers returned safely to base after a short, intense engagement over the airfield.ibiblio

This mission exemplified the low-level, aggressive bombing and strafing tactics developed by Allied air forces during this period, intended to inflict maximum damage quickly and minimize exposure to anti-aircraft and fighter defense. The attack formed part of ongoing efforts throughout 1943 to suppress Japanese operations at Rabaul and reduce its capacity as a forward base for enemy aircraft and shipping.ibiblio