Sone Gardens: Remains of Wilburton soldier killed in 1942 plane crash in Papua New Guinea were returned home for burial

First Lieutenant Harry L. Moy, 25, of Wilburton, was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 1942, while serving with the United States Army Air Corps in the Southwest Pacific.

His name appeared in a New Year’s Day release published by the McAlester News-Capital, on December 5, which listed 47 U.S. servicemen who perished across several theaters of war, including the South and Southwest Pacific.

Lt. Moy, a native son of Wilburton and the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony “Tony” Moy, was stationed with the 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy). On the day of the incident, Moy was aboard a B-17E Flying Fortress (tail number 41-9194) that departed from Jackson Airfield--known to servicemen as “7 Mile Drome”--ust outside Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The aircraft tragically crashed into terrain near Moitaka, between 5 Mile and 7 Mile Dromes, shortly after takeoff.

All nine crew members aboard the B-17 were killed. Among them were Pilot 1st Lt. Robert K. Freeman and Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Clinton L. Smith. Lt. Moy, believed to be serving as the aircraft’s navigator, was listed among the fallen in U.S. Army records.

Although exact details of the mission were never released, Army officials confirm that such flights were often carried out as long-range bombing runs, training exercises, or strategic repositioning under harsh conditions.

Port Moresby, the site of Moy’s final deployment, was a key Allied stronghold during the New Guinea Campaign—an essential fight to halt Japanese advance toward Australia.

Lt. Moy’s distinguished service earned him posthumous commendations, including the Air Medal, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Following the crash, Moy’s remains were recovered and repatriated to the United States. He was laid to rest at Wilburton City Cemetery, where his gravestone is inscribed with the solemn honor: “1 LIEUT AIR CORPS WORLD WAR II.”

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