AIrcraft History
Built by Vought. This aircraft was possibility Bu No 17127 instead.

Mission History
Took off from Banika Field at 1:00pm to escort mission. As the bombers commenced their bombing runs against Ballale around 2:50, Zeros attacked and the escorting fighters engaged in combat.

This fighter was last seen diving to attack a group of Zeros over the target, and never returned from the mission.

VMF-214 Squadron Report, page 6 (16 September 1943):
"Captain Robert T. Ewing, Flight Officer for Squadron 214, was leading another division. They were scissoring over the bombers at 23,000 feet. They were intercepted by 16 zeros.

Capt. Ewing started a run in a diving turn to the right with full gun. He crowded towards Lts. Paul A. Mullen and Warren T. Emrich, his second section, who were on his left. Lt Robert W. McClurg, Capt. Ewing's wing man, crossed over to try and get into position, but three of them were going too fast for him, so he lost them.

Capt. Ewing continued to crowd over towards Lt. Miller, evidently trying to get into position to fire. Mullen kept sliding over 'till he saw a zero in a steep dive on a Corsair below. He cut out under Ewing, made a pass at the Zero and got in a short burst. Mullen and his wing man Emrich, made a 130 degree turn to the right and looked for Ewing's Corsair but couldn't find it.

Apparently these two were the last who saw Capt. Ewing, as he did not return from the flight - although he was not in any trouble when last seen."

Memorials
Declared dead on January 10, 1946. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
The Black Sheep page 208
VMF-214 Squadron Report, page 6 (16 September 1943)

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009

F4U

MIA