Pilot History
On April 18, 1943 Whitaker flew a P-38 Lightning during the "Yamamoto Mission" flying top cover in the first flight, as section leader Kittel's wingman.

AIrcraft History
Engines V-1710-55 serial numbers (left) 43-32018 (right) 42-2?368. Weapon serial numbers not recorded.

Mission History
Took off from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal as one of two escorts for a F5A Lighting on a photo reconnaissance over Kahili Airfield (Buin) on Bougainville. During the mission, the escorting P-38s had considerable difficulty keeping up with the faster F5A. Weather was reported as fair and visibility poor.

MACR 613: "It is thought that his plane simply 'gave out'. He bailed out about 45 miles west of Keita on Bougainville and is thought to have parachuted safely. (page 5) Thought to have landed safely, in enemy territory, presumably somewhere on eastern half of island [Bougainville] (page 2).

In fact, he was shot down by an A6M Zero piloted by PO Sekiya of the 582nd Kokutai. Whitaker bailed out roughly 45 miles west of Kieta near ofshore islands.

Memorials
Officially declared dead on January 19, 1946. Officially declared non-recoverable on October 7, 1948. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
13th Fighter Command in World War II pages 139, 148
Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information

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Last Updated
October 16, 2009

P-38

MIA