B-17 Flying Fortress, 19th Bomb Group, 93rd Squadron. On 1 July 1942, after dropping a load of bombs on a Japanese target at Kendari in Celebes and destroying three Zero fighters, a bullet-riddled American Flying Fortress returned to Australia having flown 600 miles with only one of her engines functioning properly. Maj Weldon H. Smith of San Francisco, commander of the bomber, his controls badly damaged and three engines useless, Major Smith was unable to find a cleared space on the Australian coast and was forced to make a crash landing. One of the wings struck a tree and the Fortress rolled over on Its side and burst into flames. Three of the crew were killed and the other six were injured. Killed were Sgt. Glover J. Bourke, radio operator of Topeka, Kans.; Corp. Robert A. French, assistant radio operator of Brownwood, Tex.; and Corp. Bryson C. West, gunner of Oakland, Fla. For his remarkale skill and courage in bringing the fortress home, Smith was awarded a cluster to his Distinguished Flying Cross. Lieut. Everett Davis of Eastland, Tex.; and Lieut James A. Hilton of Onida S. D., were awarded Soldiers' Medals for rescuing their comrades from the burning bomber. All members of the crew received Purple Hearts, posthumous awards going to Bourke, West and French.

A good report in lieu of a MACR, see it here Pacific Wrecks↗.

FindAGrave memorial for Robert A. French↗ enlisted in Florida and was residing in Marion County Florida where you find Ocklawaha. In one paper his mother is reported in Longwood, Fl.

FindAGrave memorial for Glover J. Burke↗ enlistment records list this soldiers Home of Record as Shawnee County, Kansas.

FindAGrave memorial for Bryson C. West↗ the marker indicates he is from Missouri.

FindAGrave memorial for Robert Sosa French↗ of San Antonio. In the paragragh above the report list one of the dead as Robert A. French from Brownwood, Texas. When in fact Robert A. French was from Florida. This same report showed up in several newspapers nation wide and in Brownwood it somehow was reported to be Robert S. French, possibly Robert Sosa French from San Antonio. Anyway, Robert S. French was included on the Coggin Park Memorial for WWII dead, but the only enlisted WWII veteran named Robert S. French found in Texas is Robert Sosa French 1921-1961.  

I do not know who is responsible, the military probably since this was early in the war and casualty identities was their responsibility especially to the next of kin. That must have been awful for the French family.