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USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 41st FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt Richard D. Kimball, O-661329 (survived) Crashed April 12, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39D-1-BE Airacobra serial number 41-38402. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws". No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On April 12, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Richard D. Kimball to intercept Japanese aircraft. North of Port Moresby, shot down. Kimball managed to bail out and when he landed became tangled in a tree, until locals came to his aid. He returned to his squadron eight days later. Fighter Cover May 16, 1943 issue: "On landing, his parachute became tangled in a tree, and he hung there, trapped and helpless until friendly natives came to his rescue. For eight days, he walked up and down the mountains, guided by the natives who made it a practice not to follow along streams or level terrain." Memorials Kimball passed away on July 25, 1977 at age 56. He is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Eastport, MI. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard D. Kimball USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39D-1-BE Airacobra 41-38402 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39D Airacobra 42-38402 41st FS History "Fighter Cover" May 16, 1943 issue includes an account of Kimball's bail out and return to duty Last Major Japanese Air Raid Over Port Moresby Operation I-Go: April 12, 1943 FindAGrave - Richard D Kimball (grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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