USN
MAG 11
VMTB-233
Pilot 1st Lieutenant James W Boyden (MIA / KIA)
Crew PVT Arthur Patrickus (MIA / KIA)
Crew PFC Willie Cleo Thompson (MIA / KIA)
MIA February 14, 1944
Aircraft History
The plane had the markings '111' on its side.
Mission History
Took off from Torokina,
to drop aerial mines into Simpson
Harbor from 800' at
a very slow speed. A total of six
Avengers went down that day, including this aircraft and TBF
47506, TBF
06311, TBF
24340,
TBF 25327, TBF 25316.
Wreckage
Sunk near eastern side of Lakunai Airfield. The wreck was fairly intact when discovered, but after the 1994 eruption when boats moored nearby it, it was broken in half by an anchor. Still today, it is recognizable as an Avenger.
References
Winston D. Wilson nephew
of Thompson.
Avenger
MIA
