|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMF-222 "Flying Deuces" Former Assignments VMF-214 "Black Sheep"   Wilson Dec 15, 1943 
  USMC January 1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert "Bob" W. Wilson (survived) Damaged December 15, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U Corsair bureau number 17884. 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 11 (MAG-11), Marine Fighting Squadron 214 "Black Sheep" VMF-214. Fuselage code 884 (last three digits of the bureau number). No known nickname or nose art. This Corsair operated from Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella. On December 4, 1943 during the afternoon took off from Barakoma Airfield piloted by Lt. Bartl on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) "Cherry Blossom Patrol" over Empress Augusta Bay. This was the only mission flown with the squadron. When VMF-214 ended their tour of duty, transfered to Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) "Flying Deuces". Mission History On December 15, 1943 in the predawn darkness while taxing at at Barakoma Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Robert "Bob" W. Wilson the left brake was stuck closed but he managed to mechanically release it and opted to continue the mission. At 5:10am took off on a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) "Cherry Blossom Patrol" over Empress Augusta Bay and was on station by 5:45am with the 1st Division led by Gordon and 3rd Division led by McLean. The patrol was canceled early and the formation was instructed to land at 6:50am at Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. During the landing, the left brake failed and atop the marston matting (PSP) surface, the Corsair veered to the right and went off the runway and nosed over. Instinctively, pilot Wilson pulled back on the stick and inadvertently triggered the machine guns, causing them to fire into the ground. The Corsair came to rest upside down in a drainage ditch partially submerged in 2-3' of rain water and damaged the outer right wing. Rescue Trapped inside the cockpit underwater, Wilson tried to hold his breath before loosing consciousness. Immediately, American personnel raced over and attempted to lift the tail to free the pilot. Someone managed to open the canopy and free Wilson, who survived unhurt aside from sinuses filled with water and ash from the soil. Wreckage Damaged, this Corsair was flipped right-side up, stripped for usable parts and later dragged to the bone yard area at Torokina Airfield. During January 1944, the Corsair was placed near P-39 "Sweet Talk" 351 and F4U Corsair 02576. Later, the cowls were removed. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Relatives Gary Wilson (son) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 17884 Robert Wilson Log Book - December 15, 1943 "cherry blossom patrol, pancake Torokina, ground looped into canal [drainage ditch]" NARA VMF-222 War Diary December 1-31, 1943 (Page 8) "Dec. 15... Wilson crashed on landing but he was not badly injured and his plane went on its back in the ditch alongside the runway. At 0940, these same divisions, without Wilson, took off to patrol..." USMC Aviators (2012) pages 71-73, 78-79 (artwork, photos), 84 (log book December 1943) Thanks to Bruce Gamble for December 4, 1943 mission details Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 15, 2022 |
 F4U  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
