Paul Carey Wells
First Lieutenant Paul C. “Carey” Wells was a Marine pilot with VMSB-241.
He was shot down over Vunakanau, Rabaul area, on 10 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-23084
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 20, 1921
at Mount Vernon, NY
Parents
Frank Henry Wells
Cecile (Carey) Wells
Education
A. B. Davis High School (1939)
Choate Prep (1940)
Williams College (ex-1944)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
February 6, 1942 (enlisted)
May 4, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
137 Brookside Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Frank H. Wells
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-241
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 10 February 1944, Wells and Staff Sergeant Cornelius T. Wood flew their Dauntless dive bomber (SBD-5 #28570) in a heavy strike on Vanukanau Airfield near Rabaul. Although the bombers achieved their goal – “the bombing seemed to do maximum destruction to the airfield” reported another squadron – they paid for their success with Wells and Wood. After releasing its bomb, the Dauntless “was last seen in a smoking dive headed for a ridge just southeast of airfield,” according to a Marine Corps casualty report.
On his first strike over Vanukanau, Carey was hit by AA fire and never knew what hit him... followed him down and saw his plane crash over the target... Carey got it just after going into his dive and at least had the grace of a quick and painless end..."
Historian Bruce Gamble concurs: “Wells never pulled out of his dive, an indication that he was unconscious or dead when his Dauntless plunged straight into the target.”
Officially, Wells and Wood were posted as missing in action – as the USMC casualty report continues, “The plane referred to as having been seen to crash & burn was not definitely identified, as additional aircraft were missing the same night.” However, neither man was ever seen or heard from again, and both were declared dead on 17 January 1946.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Frank H. Wells.
Location Of Loss
Wells and Wood were last seen over Vunakanau Airfield, near Rabaul.
