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  F6F-3 Hellcat Bureau Number 25940  
USN
VF-38

Pilot  Lt(jg) Wayne C. Presley, O-099691 USNR (MIA / KIA) CA
Force Landed  September 16, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Grumman as Model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 25940. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to Fighting Squadron 38 (VF-38). No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On September 16, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield piloted by Lt(jg) Wayne C. Presley as part of the escort for 24 TBFs and 31 SBDs attacking Ballale Island. The escort consisted of 13 Hellcats from VF-38 and 11 from VF-40, in addition to other F6F, F4U, P-40, P-38's making up a total of 71 escorting fighters. Over the target, 40-50 intercepting Zeros and Tonys were met, and heavy anti-aircraft over the target. This aircraft was observed to crash in the sea, and pilot is listed as MIA.

Memorials
Presley was officially decleared dead on January 9, 1946. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with Gold Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Presley is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 25940
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 - F6F-3 Hellcat 25940
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wayne C. Presley
FindAGrave - LtJG Wayne Clarence Presley (tablets of the missing)
Thanks to Frank Olynyk for additional information

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Last Updated
December 18, 2021

Tech Info
F6F

MIA
MIA
1 Missing
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