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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 9th FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. George C. Haniotis, O-746098 (MIA / KIA) Okmulgee, OK MIA November 5, 1943 at 12:40pm MACR 1074 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-7089. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38E-2-LO Lightning serial number 42-12655. On June 17, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-2-LO Lightning. On August 2, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-5-LO Lightning. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". Assigned to pilot Gerald R. "Jerry" Johnson. Nicknamed "Sooner" with squadron number 83. When lost engines V-1710-53-49 serial numbers 42-110550 and 42-110165. Armed with four .50 caliber machine guns serial numbers: 107817, 103527, 103507, 52785 with 20mm cannon serial number 802. Mission History On November 5, 1943 took off from Kiriwinia Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. George C. Haniotis as part of "Red Flight" flying as wingman for flight leader P-38H Lightning Number 79 pilot Captain Richard I. "Dick" Bong on an mission to escort B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission against Rabaul. The weather was high overcast with scattered cumulus clouds with 2/10th buildup en route. Over the target, two Zero were spotted and the P-38s dove to attack. Haniotis was lost for a couple minutes then rejoined Bong. During another engagement at 12:30, Haniotis was back on Bong's wing then was lost again, likely attacking another Zero. Last seen roughly five miles northwest of Vunakanau Airfield by pilots 1st Lt. Douglas E. Barrett and 2nd Lt. Stanley W. Johnson. As Bong was over Tobera Airfield leaving the area, someone called Bong over the radio twice and asked if he had left the area. Bong believed the voice was Haniotis. Both times Bong responded, but there no acknowledgment. The last call was at 12:40pm. When this aircraft failed to return, Haniotis was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). The reason for his loss was unknown. Memorials Haniotis was officially declared dead on December 15, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Haniotis is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George C. Haniotis USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38F Lightning 42-12655 "redesignated P-83F-2-LO Jun 17, 1942, then P-38F-5-LO Aug 12, 1942 / 12655 (49th FG, 9th FS, "Sooner") lost in New Guinea Nov 5, 1943. MACR 1074" Missing Air Crew Report 1074 (MACR 1074) created November 7, 1943 lists aircraft as P-38E-2-LO Lightning American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) George C. Haniotis FindAGrave - 2Lt George C Haniotis (tablets of the missing photo) World War II Memorial Registry - George C. Haniotis (photo) Protect & Avenge page 206 (map), 213 (November 5, 1943) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 P-38  Map Nov 5, 1943 (MACR 1074) Map November 5, 1943 (Protect & Avenge)  MIA 1 Missing |
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