USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
36th FS
Pilot Captain T. W. Hornsby
Force Landed May 27, 1942
Mission History
Ten 36th FS P-39s took off on a midmorning alert to intercept an incoming raid of 15 A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kokutai over Port Moresby, in two formations of nine and six aircraft. Only fourteen Airacobras were in position to intercept them.
Hornsby was apparently accidentally shotdown by his friend Lt. Wyatt Exu flying another Airacobra. [See Pat Robinson's, "The Fight for New Guinea" p.85-87]. Hornsby force landed on the beach at Rigo, and was later returned to duty safely.
References
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information.
P-39
