Pilot  Lt. Dolphus Ransome Dawson, II (Kingston, NC)
Former Pilot  Lt. Richard Eugene Smith, O-725368
Crashed  December 4, 1943

Aircraft History
Constructors number 1414. Assigned to the 35th FG's 39th FS, with nose number 33. It was originally piloted by Lt. Richard E. Smith, who nicknamed it "Japanese Sandman II" as it replaced his original P-38F "The Japanese Sandman" that damaged. He flew it until the 39th FS replaced their Lightings with P-47s, and turned the aircraft over to the 47th FG, 431st FS based at Dobodura.

Mission Landing
Piloted by Lt. Dawson, this P-38 took off on a training exercise and suffered mechanical difficulties. It force landed in bush near Embi #2 Airfield.

Wreckage
Reported by Frank Egiembari to patrol officer Dave Pennefather in 1985, Smith's name was found on the side of the cockpit, preserved after all the years. In 1986, former pilot Richard E. Smith visited New Guinea with his wife Dorine. Their trip included a visit this wreck and sitting in the cockpit for one last time. Today, Smith's name and seven "kill" markings are still visible on the nose.

Recovery of Tail & Booms
In late 2000, the tail booms and various fittings were recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS, where they will either be restored or used in other restorations. HARS. Since then, the booms in storage at Bankstown, and were loaned to Classic Jets, then part of lawsuit between HARS and Classic Jets over their ownership. Today, the components are moved to Precision Aerospace, where they are stored outdoors.

The recoverd portions are now owned by Gerald Yagen.

Relatives
Kari Dawson-Ekeland (daughter of Dawson)
"He didn't go by Junior he used II. He retired from the USAF as a Major, went on to get a PhD and was a Econ Professor and rancher. Interestingly I was under the assumption that my Dad had been shot down but that may have been latter in his career. He passed away in 1995. His brother Roy Dawson was a navigator in the military. His Childen are: Anita Armold, Danielle Neal, Kari Dawson-Ekeland and Dolphus R. Dawson III."

References
Pacific Ghosts CD-ROM - includes this wreck prior to recovery
Thanks to Richard E. Smith, Kari Dawson-Ekeland, David Pennefather, Robert Greinert and Gerald Yegan for additional information

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