USAAF
5th AF
6th PRG
8th PRS
Via Rocker
Pilot 1st Lt. Paul O. Staller, O-427023 (WIA/KIA) PA
Crashed August 13, 1942
Mission History
Took off from Horn Island in mid/late afternoon bound for Port Moresby. Lost, Staller found himself over Misima and circled the island in the dark. He crashed into a mountain. He survived the crash, but was wounded and later died of the injuries suffered.
Wreckage
Crashed on Misima. The crash site was found, and his body was recovered (during the war?).
William Bartsch visited this crash site in 1979:
"August 17 - Misima - Found, after 35 minute hike wreckage in a deep gully, two V-12 engines and a piece of the plane, but not identifiable. We think its a P-38 probably as they had two V-12 liquid cooled engines. (No photos taken - not remarkable)."
Memorial
Staller is buried at Manila American Cemetery: Plot A Row 16 Grave 155
References
Thanks to Robert Rocker and William Bartsch for additional information.
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