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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-12 VMSB-143 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Dan Regis Meulpolder, O-023237 (MIA / KIA) Pella, IA Gunner Pfc James Westley Raun, 490972 (MIA / KIA) Oakland, CA Crashed January 29, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-40. Constructors Number 5514. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as TBF-1C Avenger bureau number 47748. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 143 (VMSB-143) "Rocket Raiders". No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On January 29, 1944 took off from Munda Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Dan R. Meulpolder on a bombing mission against Tobera Airfield. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Both crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Meulpolder earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Purple Heart, posthumously. Raun earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. References News "Abandon Hope For Safety of Dan Meulpolder" Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBF-1C Avenger 47748 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List January 1944 - TBF-1C Avenger 47748 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Dan Regis Meulpolder American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James Westley Raun FindAGrave - 1LT Dan Regis Meulpolder (news, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - PFC James Westley Raun (tablets of the missing) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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