I just received a package from the National Archives containing Stanley M. Rovinsky's service record.  The photocopied pages show scorch marks from the 1972 fire, but they are completely readable.
 
This new information, although it answers a lot of questions, leaves the  dissapearance of B25 41-30566 on the early morning of 1/14/44 a mystery.  The reason MACR # 1668 was missing from the National Archives was due to an ongoing investigation into the incident.   Fortunately, MACR # 1668 is nicely summarized in the documentation I received.
 
The last time B25 41-30566 was seen was when it took off from Sterling Island at 0245, 14 January 1944.  The weather was clear and the control tower reported that the plane was in no difficulty during take-off, according to Capt. William S. Southern, Assistant Operations Officer, 70th BS (M).
 
Flight officer James F. Gage, wingman for Lt. Lemmon (pilot of B25 41-30566), took off second but was not able to make contact with the lead ship.  The summary continues "It was believed by headquarters that the plane crashed after departure.  However, Tokyo radio reported that one Mitchell bomber was shot down and since only one B-25 was lost on this raid on 14 January, 1944, it appears likely that the plane reported by the Japs and the aircraft in question may have been one and the same.  If they were shot down in this area and there were surviving members of the crew, they were doubtlessly taken prisoner by the Japanese and were never reported as such and either died or were killed subsequently at a time and place that is unknown".
 
There is also a recommendation that the entire crew receive the Distinguished Flying Cross (from Major Wylmot E. Paxton, Air Corps, commanding the 70th BS (M).  The recommendation goes on to say "At the same time the crew was about to strike, a Torokina radar station picked up an emergency I.F.F. "blip" from a position toward Rabaul.  Night fighters were reported by other aircraft in that area on that night".
 
The recommendation dor the DFC was declined by the commanding General 13 Air Force.
 
It also seems as if Stanley M. Rovinsky was with the 390th BS (M) through August, 1943, which is why there is no mention of him in the book 'Bombs Away' by Harrold V. Larson, which covers the 70th BS history prior to 8/43.
 
I also need to have a side-line discussion with Kevin Anderson about the number of missions flown and Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters, as it seems as if Stanley only flew 35 missions prior to 1/14/44 and I now have the documentation for his award requests.
 
Steve
 

Great stuff, Steve. This is the type of information we'd all like to receive on our relatives and veterans.

Remind me how many Air Medals/clusters Stanley had received? With the award requests, do you have the actual text from the General Orders? I know I do for the Air Medal and OLC for my uncle.

Kevin Anderson

Kevin,
 
Stanley was awarded the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.  The recommendation for the DFC stated that he had flown 35 missions.  There are several official request forms for the Air Medal & Clusters - there also seems to be some requests for an additional Air Medal - but Stanley was awarded Clusters 'in lieu' of an additional Air Medal.
 
I still have to go through all of the documentation - my one year old twins were sick this weekend so I had little time - I'll go over the medal recommendations and summarize for you...
 
What I want to do is clarify a timeline of Stanley's training in the States and his overseas service so I can identify additional sources of information...
 
Steve