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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 7th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Irving Wilson Voorhees, Jr., O-428418 (MIA / KIA) Queens, NY MIA November 30, 1942 MACR none Pilot History Voorhees was born in Jackson Heights in Queens, NY. His father, Dr. Irving W. Voohees was a surgeon. He graduated from Princeton University and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1941. During November 1941, he was stationed on Oahu. On December 7, 1941 his aircraft was destroyed on the ground before he could take off and two of his friends were killed in the attack. During August 1942, Voohees was assigned to the 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron and began flying combat missions over Darwin then New Guinea. On November 22, 1942 Voohees earned the Silver Star, "For gallantry in action over Buna, New Guinea, November 22, 1942.” Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40K-1-CU 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) "Fighting 49ers", 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 30, 1942 at 1:00pm took off from 3-Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Irving Wilson Voorhees, Jr. as one of sixteen P-40E Warhawks of the 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) flying top cover for twelve P-40E Warhawks armed with 500lbs bombs from the 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS) on a mission to bomb Buna village. "Green Flight" was led by Carl Aubrey with wingman P-40E pilot 1st Lt Voorhees with element leader Don Lee and wingman P-40K Warhawk pilot 2nd Lt. John C. Johnson. Flying at 8,000', the formation was searching among the clouds for P-40s from the 8th Fighter Squadron to escort. At 2:45pm over the Dobodura area, the 8th Squadron radioed that they were under attack by A6M2 Zeros from 252 Kokutai west of Buna village. The two pairs of escorting P-40s drifted apart and were attacked from above by Zeros. According to Captain Nelson, who was not in the dogfight, the combat was in the vicinity south of Embi Lakes, within a thirty mile radius of Dobodura Airfield. Voorhees was credited with one enemy fighter shot down. Two other pilots: Lt. Paul J. Slocum of the 7th Fighter Squadron and and Lt. Furlso S. Wagner of 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) also claimed one enemy fighter shot down each. In fact, the intercepting Japanese only lost two Zeros shot down. Voorhees was shot down by A6M2 Zeros south of Buna. Also lost were P-40K pilot Johnston and P-40K pilot Wesley. Memorials Voorhees was officially declared dead on December 12, 1945. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. During September 1945, Dr. Irving W. Voohees established a memorial scholarship in honor of his son at Princeton University. Relatives Dr. Irving W. Voohees (father) References The Evening Independent "Lt. Voorhees Dies on Battlefront" January 5, 1943 Princeton Alumni Weekly - Volume 46 - Page xliii September 28, 1945 "Another event of the day was the presentation to the University by Dr. Irving W. Voohees ’01 and honorary ’41 of a scholarship in memory of his son Bill Voorhees, our first casualty, preference to be given to a son of ’01 in lineal descent or of ’41." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Irving W. Voorhees Jr. (MIA) History 49th Fighter Group Casualty File PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-40 Kittyhawk piloted by Voorhees Protect & Avenge page 94-95 49th Fighter Group page 30 Thanks to Edward Rogers for research and analysis 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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