Pilot  1st Lt John Guttel, O-367709 (Boston, MA)
Crashed  August 21, 1943

Pilot History
Guttel had flown approximately 110 combat missions prior to his loss.

Norbert "Norb" Ruff recalls in Ruff Stuff page 128:
"John Guttel was one of the few Jewish pilots [in the 80th FS]. Guttel was part of one of the most costly missions flown by the 80th on August 21, 1943; one that still affects Norb today. None of the other pilots who returned from this mission knew what had happened to them."

Mission History
Took off from 3-Mile Drome near Port Moresby around 10:00am to escort bombers to to bomb Dagua and But near Wewak. One of sixteen 80th FS P-38s providing close escort for the bombers.

Part of a four fighter element led by Norbert "Norb" Ruff. When Ruff's aircraft experienced an oil failure and he was forced to aboard and return to base alone, and turned the flight over to Guttel.

There were scattered clouds over the target and an overcast en route over the mountains. The formation was attacked by between 20 and 40 Ki-43 Oscars about 15 miles south of Dagua, eleven of which were claimed to have been shot down (Japanese records indicate 7 losses, and 6 pilots killed). This P-38 was lost in the engagement. One P-38 smoking badly was seen in the vicinity of Dagua. It went through the clouds at 1000ft and was not seen again.

Three P-38 was lost in aerial combat over Wewak: P-38G piloted by Feeman, P-38G piloted by Krisher and this aircraft.

References
Ruff Stuff page 128
Japanese Army Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces appendix

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