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| USAAF 7th AF 21st FG 531st FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. William John Fenker, O-692898 (MIA / KIA) OH MIA June 3, 1945 at 11:00am MACR 14646 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 122-31712. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-51D-20-NA Mustang serial number 44-63986. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the Central Pacific and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 7th Air Force, 21st Fighter Group, 531st Fighter Squadron. Nicknamed "Ramblin' Rebel". When lost, engine V-1650-7 serial number V-328744. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 14646 (MACR 14646). Wartime History On June 3, 1945 took off from Motoyama No. 1 (Chidori, Central Field) on Iwo Jima, piloted by 1st Lt. William John Fenker as "Yellow 3" without a wingman on a dive bombing and strafing mission against Chi Chi Jima. Weather was scattered clouds over the target and excellent, aside for a few thin clouds over the center of the island. Over the target, bombed radio station no. 7. During the bomb run, Fenker's bomb hit the target and he climbed away with no anti-aircraft fire observed. Afterwards, Fenker called on the radio to ask permission to make a strafing run against a ship on the southwest coast of the island, and no further contact was heard from him. No oil slick or smoke was observed around the island. Memorials Fenker was officially declared dead on the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) at court 7. Fenker is also memorialized on a memorial plaque at Remembrance Park, in front of Converse Hall ( ROTC Building) at Ohio State University commemorating students who died in service. The memorial is located slightly to the northeast of Ohio Stadium (The Famous "Horseshoe"). References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-51D-20-NA Mustang 44-63986 "63986 (531st FS, 21st FG) lost from unknown case after strafing ship at Chichi Jima in Bonin Islands Jun 3, 1945. MACR 14646. Pilot killed." Missing Air Crew Report 14646 (MACR 14646) was created on June 3, 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William J. Fenker FindAGrave - 1Lt William J Fenker (tablets of the missing) 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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