|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 348th FG 341st FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Leonard G. Leighton, O-665582 (MIA / KIA) MIA August 16, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Republic. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D Thunerboult serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) "Black Jack". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On August 16, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Leonard G. Leighton as one of thirty-two P-47D Thunderbolts from the 340th Fighter Squadron (340th FS) and 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) on a mission to escort twenty-four C-47 Dakotas transporting aviation fuel and supplies to Tsili-Tsili Airfield. Also providing escort were twelve P-38 Lightnings from the 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron which had only recently begun operations in New Guinea. The 5th Air Force was providing a stronger fighter escort for the C-47s following the loss of two to Japanese Army fighters the previous day on August 15, 1943. All of the twenty-four C-47s landed safely at Tsili Tsili Airfield. While unloading was underway a Japanese aircraft consisting of 33 Ki-43 Oscars and 3 Ki-51 Sonias from Wewak arrived over the area and attempted to attack the transport at Tsili Tsili Airfield. The escorting fighters, including this P-47 enraged in dogfights against "Zeros" [Ki-43 Oscars] and numerous claims were made on both sides. Lost during the air combat was this P-47. Damaged in the combat was P-38 piloted by Blythe that made a landing at Tsili Tsili Airfield. The Japanese report losing two pilots. The Japanese attack was thwarted and no transports were lost. This marked the first the combat use of the P-47 Thunderbolt in the New Guinea theater. American pilots claimed a total of 15 planes. The 340th Fighter Squadron claimed one. The 341st Fighter Squadron claimed two and the 431st Fighter Squadron claimed twelve. Everette Frazier writes in "Saga Of Tsili Tsili, Vol. II": "I was watching the fight from the top of a small hill, marking down the location of any down planes on my map and photographs. A P-47 pilot got the first kill, but almost at the same time he was shot down..." Presumably this was Lt. Leighton, the only Allied loss during this mission. Recovery of Remains Later, the body of Lt. Leighton is recovered by an (Australian?) Army patrol and buried beside his aircraft. Later, his remains were recovered and postwar were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorial Leighton was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The precise burial location of his burial is unknown, likely he is buried in a private cemetery in the United States, not a national cemetery or overseas cemetery. References 341st Fighter Squadron microfilm frame 2005 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-47 Thunderbolt pilot Leighton Saga Of Tsili Tsili, Vol. II by Everette Frazier page 113 Thanks to Edward Rogers 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
|
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
