Pilot  F/O Wilfrid J. Desilets, Jr., T-60814 (Worcester, MA)
MIA  August 18, 1943

Mission History
Took off on an misson to escort C-47s to Wau. This aircraft and P-47D 428144 entered a cumulus clouds over the Owen Stanley mountains. Both aircraft were lost and became the first weather related P-47D Thunderbolt "razorbacks" losses in New Guinea.

Wreckage
Desilets' aircraft remained MIA until 1996, when the crash site was located by Alfred Hagen near Arabuka at 8,000' on Mount Strong. 

Recovery of Remains
Later, the remains were recovered by US Army CILHI, coded PNG-89.

Memorials
Remains were recovered and identified. He was buried at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts  in June 1999. Also, he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Black Sunday
B-25 Down Hunt For A Hero  footage appears in the documentary

Contribute Information