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  P-39N-5-BE Airacobra Serial Number 42-18807 Nose H
USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
41st FS

Former Assignment
8th FG
80th FS

Click For Enlargement
USAAF August 1943
Pilot  1st Lt. Carey J. Wooley, Jr., O-726872 (WIA, survived) Bogue Chitto, MS
Crashed  August 25, 1943
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39N-5-BE Airacobra serial number 42-18807. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS). Later, assigned to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) with squadron letter H on the fuselage and a white tail. No known nose art or nickname.

On August 7, 1943 took off piloted by Erick W. Kyro and when returning to land, suffered a landing accident at 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Afterwards, repaired and returned to duty and later operated from Tsili Tsili Airfield.

Mission History
On August 25, 1943 took off piloted by Carey J. Wooley. When landing, this Airacobra suffered a landing accident at Mallett near Tsili Tsili Airfield, destroying the aircraft and slightly injuring the pilot. Ultimate fate unknown.

Memorials
Wooley was promoted to the rank of Major and was assigned to 261 Base Unit, Army Air Force (AAF). For his World War II service, he earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Medal. Wooley passed away November 11, 1969 at age 49. He is buried at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, TX at section U.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Carey J. Wooley, Jr.
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Wooley, Carey J. Jr. page 206 (PDF page 213)
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39N-5-BE Airacobra 42-18807
August 1943 USAAF Overseas Accident Reports - 42-18807
FindAGrave - Carey Judson Wooley Jr. (photo, news)
Thanks to Erick W. Kyro for additional information

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Last Updated
August 23, 2022

 

Tech Info
P-39
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