Pilot Capt Louis J. Connelly, O-890002 (MIA / KIA) TX
MIA May 4, 1942
Pilot History
Connelly flew with "Pappy" Gun in the Philippines as part of the Philippines Air Lines (PAL).
Aircraft History
Shipped overseas to Australia. Assigned to the 6th Photo Reconnaissance Group, 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron.
Mission History
Originally, this mission was planned for May 2, 1942 but was cancelled.
Rescheduled for May 4, this F-4 took off from Townsville via 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) on a photo reconassiance mission over Rabaul. This Lightning failed to return. Reported as missing over Lae.
Ralph K. Watts diary via F-4 Lost on a photo reconnaissance raid to Rabaul on May 4, 1942:
"Tuesday May 5, 1942 - Well I got my plane out of the tullies today. It is a wash-out from the cockpit to the front end. We hope to get the materials and get her flying eventually. Well yesterday was bad day. Capt. Conolly is 24 hour overdue. He was sent to Rabaul and never returned. There are three possibilities. (1) The Japs got him. (2) He made a forced landing on land or sea. (3) He bailed out and landed on land or sea. We are hopeing for the best but it looks doubtful. He may be our first combat death."
That day, there was bad weather reported over Lae. Enemy action from Lae does not list a claim or sighting for a Lightning over Lae.
Memorials
Declared dead the day of the mission, Connelly is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
ABMC lists pilot's surname as "Connelly". Other sources list it as "Connely" or the date of the loss as May 4, 1942 incorrectly.
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information
F-4 Lost on a photo reconnaissance raid to Rabaul on May 4 1942
They Fought With What They Had page 143
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Last Updated
October 2, 2009
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