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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 39th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Thomas J. Lynch, O-338066 (WIA, survived) Catasauqua, PA Crashed June 16, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39 Airacobra serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On June 16, 1942 took off from either 14-Mile Drome or 12-Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Thomas J. Lynch on a patrol mission over Port Moresby. Flying alone behind the formation, Lynch was trying to join up with other U.S. fighters over Rigo when bounced by a pair of A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Although Lynch managed to evade them, he was intercepted by four others and damaged by gunfire. Maneuvering to escape, he eventually shook off the Zeros and tried to reach 7-Mile Drome. Before he reached the runway, his engine exploded and he bailed out from only 800' altitude over the bay off Port Moresby [either Bootless Bay or Fairfax Harbor] and broke his arm. Injured and fearing sharks, he deliberately did not inflate his life vest to swim better. Found by a local in a canoe, he was helped to shore and later that same day, returned to duty with the 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). References P-39 Airacobra Aces of WWII (2001) pages 14-15 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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