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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 347th FG 339th FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Victor H. Whistler, O-740614 (MIA / KIA) WI MIA September 30, 1943 MACR 742 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1375. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-66864. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 347th Fighter Group (347th FG), 339th Fighter Squadron (339th FS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710-91-89 (left) 42-94107 (right) 42-300091. Weapon serial numbers not noted in Missing Air Crew Report 742 (MACR 742). Mission History On September 30, 1943 took off from Fighter 2 Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. Victor H. Whistler on an escort mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville. The weather was fair. Over the target, attacked by Zeros. Last seen by his wingman, Lt. E. E. Pafford going into a dive and was hit, afterwards he was unable to find his leader. This P-38 was last seen at 10,000-15,000' at 2:40pm at a location roughly 35 miles east of Shortland headed towards Villa Lavella. Another report by flight leader Lt. Howie reported contacting Whistler on the radio while south of Segi, and received an answer. He asked for Whistler's position, but static was so strong it was not known if there was a reply. He believed his P-38 was in the area, as the first contact was strong, indicating he might be in the immediate vicinity. Memorials Whistler was officially declared dead on the day of the emission. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Whistler is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at New Haven Cemetery in Connorsvillem WI at lot 45 block 5. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-5-LO Lightning 42-66864 "66864 (347th FG, 339th FS) shot down by Japanese Zero near Villa LaVella, Solomons Sep 30, 1943. Pilot KIA. MACR 742." Missing Air Crew Report 742 (MACR 742) American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - Victor H. Whistler FindAGrave - 2Lt Victor H Whistler (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lt. Victor W “Vic” Whistler (photo, memorial marker photos) 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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