Luganville

Shortly after takeoff from Luganville-Norsup Airport, the twin engine airplane adopted a nose up attitude then stalled and crashed into the sea off Luganvilled. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/O William Lauchlan,
Sgt Stephen Bishop,
F/O Lister Mulholland,
Sgt Maxwell Walker,
Sgt John Cornish,
Lac James Ferguson,
Ac1 Noel Fowler.

The seaplane departed Luganville on a SAR mission after another Catalina was missing. It failed to return to base and was officially declared Missing In Action as well. The crash site was located in early 1944 on the island of Espiritu Santo. The wreckage was rediscovered on 14 January 1992. All eight crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Maurice S. Smith, pilot,
Ens Edward W. Riepl,
Cpt Clifford M. Pindell,
Amm1 James W. Pearson,
Arm2 William Riley Pipes,
Arm1 Merlin Jack Rich,
Amm1 William H. Osborne,
Amm2 Vernon H. Stolz.

The four engine airplane departed Luganville Airport, Vanuatu, on an operation to Tulagi, Nggela Islands. While approaching the target area, the airplane was shot down by Japanese fighters and crashed into the sea. All 9 crew members were killed.
Crew (11th BG):
Lt Rush E. McDonald, pilot,
2nd Lt John J. Heard, Jr., copilot,
Cpl Joseph H. Wood, bombardier,
2nd Lt Homer W. Vail, navigator,
Sgt William L. Hammack, flight engineer,
Sgt Richard C. Inman, flight engineer,
Cpl Leroy Payne, radio operator,
S/Sgt James E. Briggs, air gunner,
S/Sgt Daniel L. Cross, air gunner.