Pilot  1st Lt. Francis S. Love, O-736269 (MIA / KIA) Dexter, Iowa
Lost  November 2, 1943
MACR  1315

Aircraft History
Constructors Number 7282

Mission History
Took off from Dobodura and flew as fighter cover for B-25s attacking shipping in Simpson Harbor at Rabaul. The flight encountered flak and fighters over the target, and continued to the south towards the mouth of the Warango River, the P-38s engaged about 20 Zekes and Oscars. Lt. Love was lost on the mission, presumably in air combat.

Wreckage
Wreckage discovered on Clifton Plantation south-east of Tobera Airfield where it impacted vertically at high speed. There was not much of this wreck left, and was not recognized as American or a P-38 by the initial US Army CILHI investigation.

Recovery of Remains
Later, the wreck's identity was revealed and a full MIA investigation completed in 1999. Recovery work was completed in 2001. Love's 1936 Dexter, Iowa class ring was found at site. A funeral service was held September 27, 2002.  Six classmates, including Doris Wilson Neal, attended.

Bryon Weesner adds:
"At first he was not going to be allowed to be a pilot because of his size (a rather slim individual and short at 5 foot 4 inches). The vault cover photo was specially made for him by Wilbert Vault Companies, he was one of the first Veterans to have a vault personalized. “Boys of Humpty Doo” which was a nickname used by the 49th Fighter Group because of their main air camp in Australia on the Humpty Doo cattle ranch.

References
49th Fighter Group - Aces of the Pacific, pages 80-81

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