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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMO-251 "Thunderbolts / Lucifer's Messengers" |
Pilot 1st Lt. James B. Sturgis, O-26811 (MIA / KIA) Corydon, IN MIA January 20, 1945 at 2:05pm Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 6354. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 57531. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14), Marine Observation Squadron 251 "Thunderbolts / Lucifer's Messengers" (VMO-251). This aircraft had no known nickname, nose art. Assigned squadron number 4. When lost, engine number P-1906. Mission History On January 20, 1945 took off from Guiuan Airfield on Samar Island piloted by 1st Lt. James B. Sturgis on a mission to strafe Japanese trucks and vehicles on Luzon. This aircraft was part of the division led by Major Humberd with section leader Inglehart. While strafing a truck north of Muntinlupa (Muntinglupa) on the western edge of Laguna de Bay. During the attack at 2:05pm, F4U Corsair 57169 piloted by 1st Lt. Nick A. Sigan collided with this aircraft head on at an altitude of less than 1,000' with both aircraft crashing in flames and exploding when they hit the ground. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search After the crash, other Corsairs in the formation circled the crash sites but did not observe any sign of life the crashes. Memorials Sturgis was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References Previously, Sturgis force landed FG-1D Corsair 13316 on October 10, 1944 and survived with minor injuries. USMC Casualty Card - James B. Sturgis (Front) "20 Jan 45 Killed in Action at Laguna de Bay, Samar Is [sic Luzon], Philippine Is. ** SC War Diary SC#57128 rec'd 24 Feb 45 fr VMO-251, MAG-14, 1st MAW for Jan 45, rec'd 27 Feb 45. ** remains not recovered. Body not recovered. (Back) *** RAD#21140 fr SC#55171 rec'd 25 Jan 45 fr CO, MAG-14 to SECNAV rec'd 25 Jan 45 states man died 20 Jan 45 as result of plane crash at Manila area, P.I. 015181. Change in status taken from SC War Diary SC#57128 rec'd 24 Feb 45 fr VMO-251, MAG-14, 1st MAW, for Jan 45 recd 27 Feb 45 Cert of death rec'd fr zone 13 Feb 45. (rp) SecAdmRep-Jag 3rdEnd-NROM-dated 28 Feb 45 rec'd 6 Mar 45. (mk) MAG#14, 1st MAW, CS#39 14 Feb'45, 20 June'45 (EE) See correspondence in case regarding possible cremation. (ECC&EPE) ** Determined non-recoverable by field board 15 Nov 49 (vab)." *** While strafing a truck north of Muntinglupa, on the western shore of Laguna de Bay, Lt. Sigan & Lt. Sturgis collided in mid-air & crashed in flames, exploding when they hit ground." Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 57531 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List January 1945 - F4U-1D Corsair 57531 NARA VMF-124 War Diary January 1 to 31, 1945 pages 3 (pilot roster), 11-12 (January 20, 1945) (Page 11) "20 January, 1945. Today we racked the Jap's motor pool on Luzon to the extent of twenty-one trucks and three sedans, plus one 35-foot motor launch, as follows: (Page 12) "20 January, 1945 (Cont'd) The came the bad news. Major Humberd and his section leader, Inglehart, landed and reported that at 1405 o'clock, while strafing a truck just north of Muntinglupa, on the western shore of Laguna de Bay, Sigan and Sturgis collided head-on, at less that one thousand feet altitude, and crashed in flames. Both planes appeared to exploded when they hit the ground. Neither pilot was seen to leave his plane, nor was any sign of life visible to the other pilots when they examined the scene. As a matter of record, Sigan, Nick A. 1st Lt. (026767), USMCR, was flying plane bearing Squadron Number Two; Engine number P-17656 and Bureau Number 57169. Sturgis, James B, Jr. 1st Lt. (026811), USMCR was flying plane number Four; Engine Number P-19061; and Bureau Number 57531. Both pilot have been reported as 'Killed In Action'." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James Becker Sturgis FindAGrave - 1LT James Becker Sturgis, Jr (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 July 2, 2022 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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