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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 433rd FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Carl A. Danforth, O-746057 (MIA / KIA) IN MIA January 23, 1944 at 11:25 MACR 2136 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1050. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-66539. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum". No known nose art or nickname. On October 23, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura Airfield No. 15) piloted by 2nd Lt. John C. Smith on a mission over Rabaul. During the air combat, claims a Ki-43 Oscar, his fifth aerial victory and became an ace. When lost engine serial numbers V-1710-91289 serial numbers 42-93866(?) and 42-29930. Weapon serial numbers listed in Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 2136. Mission History On January 23, 1944 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura Airfield No. 15) piloted by 2nd Lt. Carl A. Danforth on a mission to escort B-24s over Wewak. Danforth was flying on the wing of Captain Richard D. Kimball. The weather was scattered cumulus clouds at 5-10,000' with good visibility. Over the target, their formation engaged in a dog fight with Ki-61 Tonys and "Zekes" (sic, Ki-43 Oscars). This P-38 was last seen five miles east of Boram Airfield at the start of the combat. No radio contact was made. When this P-38 failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost are P-38H 42-66852 (MIA) and P-38J 42-67152 (MIA). Search Afterwards, no search was made for this aircraft. Memorials Danforth was officially declared dead on January 17, 1946. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Danforth also has a memorial marker at Rice Cemetery in Elkhart, IN at section 26. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Carl A. Danforth USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-1-LO Lightning 42-66539 Missing Air Crew Report 2136 (MACR 2136) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Carl A. Danforth FindAGrave - 2Lt Carl A Danforth (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Carl A Danforth (memorial marker photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38H Lightning 42-66539 Stars & Bars (1995) page 361 (Smith, John C. 10/23/43 / P-38H 42-66539 / Rabaul) 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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 P-38  Map Jan 23, 1944  MIA 1 Missing |
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