USAAF
5th
AF
35th FG
39th FS
Late 1941
Pilot Lt. Thomas J. Lynch (WIA)
Crashed June 16, 1942
Mission History
Took off from either 14-Mile Drome or 12-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Behind the formation, Lynch was trying to join up with other American fighters over Rigo area. His lone fighter was 'bounced' by a pair of A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kokutai. Escaping them he was then set upon by four more and damaged. Maneuvering to escape, he eventually shook off the Zeros and attempted to make it back to 7-Mile Drome to land.
Before he reached the strip, his engine exploded, forcing him to parachute into the bay off Port Moresby [unclear if Bootless Bay or Fairfax Harbor] from a height of 800' and broke his arm. He did not inflate his life jacket, so as to swim better for fear of sharks. He was assisted by a local with a canoe, and brought to shore. Later that day, he returned to the 39th Fighter Squadron.
References
P-39 Airacobra Aces of WWII page 14-15
P-39
