USAAF
13th AF
347th FG
339th FS
Pilot 2nd Lt. Joseph Finkenstein, O-730433 (MIA/KIA) Los Angeles, CA
MIA February 14, 1943 "Saint Valentines Day Massacre"
MACR 585
Mission History
One of ten P-38s that took off from Fighter 2 (Kukum) to escort nine PB4Y Liberators attacking shipping off southern Bougainville. Also escorting were twelve F4U of VMF-124.
Over the target, the formation was attacked by enemy fighters and floatplanes over the target.
Engaged in combat from 10:00 - 13:00 local. Failed to return, possibly a mid-air collision (with P-38G piloted by White) in the vicinity of Shortland.
Memorials
Finkenstein was declared dead on December 15, 1945. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
Thanks to Paul A. Roales for MACR
Guadalcanal and the Origins of the 13th Air Force, pg 182
ABMC lists Finkenstein as 1st Lt.
P-38
MIA
