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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 8th FS  Wilkinson Egimbari 2001  Phil Bradley 2009 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert L. Howard, O-661765 (survived) Fresno, CA Crashed November 8, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E Warhawk serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS). Assigned to pilot William "Bill" Day. Assigned squadron number "61". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 8, 1942 took off 3 Mile (Kila) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert Howard on a mission. While attempting to land at Myola, this P-40 overran the landing and crashed into trees near the camp area of the Australian Army 2/6 Field Ambulance. Fates of the Pilot Howard survived the crash with only minor injuries and later returned to duty. Rescue Soon after the crash, he was rescued by soldiers from the Australian Army and walked the Kokoda Trail back to Port Moresby and returned to duty two days later. Wreckage The wreckage of this P-40 remains near Myola including the engine, wing with "U.S. Army" still visible on the lower surface of the wing and a piece of armor plate. References The date of the crash is unclear, possibly November 7, 1942, November 8, 1942 or November 9, 1942. NARA War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert L. Howard USAF - P-40E-1 Form 34 8th Fighter Squadron, November 1-7, 1942 "One lost later not mentioned before, was believed due to same cause." Protect & Avenge (1995) page 87 "The next day [November 7, 8 or 9, 1942], rookie 2 Lt. Bob Howard failed to get enough power out of #61, the Warhawk he had borrowed from veteran Bill Day for the morning mission. Only minutes from 3 Mile, #61 seized up and Howard attempted an emergency belly landing on the tiny supply flight strip on the southern slope near Myola. The fighter slid off the wet runway and slammed into the undergrowth. He emerged from the wreck with minor abrasions and was soon found by an Aussie patrol who escorted him back down the trail [Kokoda Trail] to the Port Moresby dispensary. Howard was on flight duty at 3 Mile two days later when expressed his regrets to Day for the loss of the new plane." Flightpath Magazine "Kokoda Walk Warhawk" August 2012 FindAGrave - MAJ Robert Lawrence Howard (photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers and Phil Bradley 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
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