Former Pilot  Lt. Charles W. Borders
Former Crew Chief Sgt. Eugene F. Behnkendorf

Aircraft History
One left side of the cockpit was the nose art "San Antonio Rose" and the right side, "Jackie and Norma".  Six bomb insignia were painted on the nose, and one Japanese flag. 

Wartime History
This aircraft was delivered to the USAAF on April 29, 1943.
Sent overseas May 27, 1943 to the "South Pacific". Its first known assignment was with the 82nd Tactical Recon Sqadron at Dubodura, Finschafen, Saidor, Owi and Biak. During this period, it was flown by Lt. Charles W. Borders, who flew 56 combat missions in this plane. Crew chief was Sgt. Eugene F. Behnkendorf.

Abandoned At Tadji
Next, it was transfered to the 110th Tactical Recon Sqn at Tadji. It was stricken from service (reason unknown) on May 21, 1945, and abandoned.

Recovery & Display
Recovered by the Goroka Branch of Air Force Association in 1967 from Tadji. The wreck was disassembled and loaded onto RAAF Caribou transport, and taken to Goroka, where it was displayed at the showgrounds in town.  After the plane was vandalized, it was put into storage.  It was not until the early 1980's, thur the efforts of volunteer Rick Giddings that it was properly mounted on a pole and displayed again at J.K. McArthy Museum.

References
Aircobra Advantage, by Rick Mitchell and letter from Rick Giddings.

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P-39