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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-12 VMF-215 "Fighting Corsairs"  USN 1942 |
Pilot Captain Jack Arnold Nichols, O-010292 (MIA / KIA) Newton, IA MIA July 30, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1 Corsair bureau number 02375. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), Marine Fighting Squadron 215 "Fighting Corsairs" VMF-215. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 30, 1943 at 12:20pm took off from Guadalcanal piloted by Captain Jack A. Nichols as the element leader of the the first division led by Major Neefus as one of fifteen F4Us from VMF-215 on a mission to fly a fighter sweep and escort for nine B-24D Liberators on a bombing mission against Kahilli Airfield on southern Bougainville. After take off, F4U Corsair pilot Captain Downs aborted the mission due to an oil leak. The escort included sixteen P-38 Lightnings, sixteen Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40 Kittyhawks from No. 16 Squadron and 40+ U.S. Navy (USN) F4U Corsairs. Over the target, the formation found Kahilli Airfield covered by clouds and the formation diverted to bomb Ballale Airfield instead. Meanwhile, A6M Zeros took off from Ballale Airfield climbed above and released two phosphorus bombs in an attempt to break up the Allied formation. Over the target, anti-aircraft fire was severe, but the bombers dropped 22 tons of bombs. Departing the area, A6M Zeros attacked when the formation. Near Ghizo Island, this Corsair was seen to be shot down by A6M Zeros and appeared to be under control when last seen. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). The RNZAF made no claims and had two planes slightly damaged. Search Afterwards, searches by his squadron failed to locate any trace of the plane or pilot. Memorials Nichols was declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablet of the missing. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1 Corsair 02375 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1943 - F4U 02375 NARA VMF-215 War Diary July 1943 page 6 (Page 6) "On the way back near Gizo Island [sic Ghizo Island] Capt. J. A. Nichols was seen to have been shot down by 0's [A6M Zero]. He seemed to have control of his plane and it is hoped that he made a safe water landing. Searches have started for him. No pilot or squadron got a 0 in his sights. Five pilots made a landing at the Russell Islands." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Jack Arnold Nichols death listed July 31, 1943 (sic, July 30) FindAGrave - Capt Jack Arnold Nichols (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 27, 2023 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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