USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
36th FS

Pilot 1st Lt. Grover D. Gholson, O-431862 (survived)
MIA May 29, 1942

Mission History
Shot down in a dogfight with Tainan Kokutai A6M2 Zeros, east of Port Moresby, near Rigo.

Grover Gholson wrote on April 17, 1978 to Bruce Hoy:
"On May 29th, intercepted Zeros at around 20,000 feet. While making a climbing pass at one, my P-39, I stalled out and spun. While coming act of the spin, my plane was hit. I suffered bad burns on both arms, and bailed out about 20 miles inland from the coast."

Wreckage
Bruce Hoy adds:
"Wreckage of the P-39 is off the Rigo Road, about 35 kms down the coast just wreckage only."

Contribute Information

P-39