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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USN USS Belleau Wood VF-30 |
Pilot Lt. Russell E. Stephens, 116841 (POW, survived) Crashed May 13, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as Model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-5 Hellcat bureau number 72525. Wartime History Assigned to USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) to Fighting Squadron 30 (VF-30). Mission History On May 13, 1945 took off from USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) pilot Lt. Russell E. Stephens on a mission against Japan. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew Stephens was captured and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). He survived until the end of the Pacific War and was liberated from Tokyo POW Camp (Shinjuku). Henry Sakaida adds: "I contacted Stephens, he sent me his memoirs. He died in Mesa, AZ in 2004" References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5N Hellcat 72525 NARA Russell E. Stephens Prisoner of War Data File Thanks to Henry Sakaida for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 19, 2021 |
 F6F  POW 1 Prisoner |
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