Pacific Wrecks - R4D-5 Bureau Number 12406

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

R4D-5 Bureau Number 12406

USMC
MAW 2
MAG-25
VMJ-353

Pilot ? (KIA)
Passengers 23 (KIA)
Crashed June 8, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Contract AC-20669. Construction Number 9178. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-1-DL Skytrian serial number 42-23316. On March 11, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as R4D-5 bureau number 12406.

Wartime History
On April 26, 1943 assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 2 (MAW-2), Marine Air Group 25 (MAG-25), Marine Utility Squadron 253 (VMJ-253). No known nickname, nose art or squadron number.

Mission History
On June 8, 1943 took off from Tontouta Airfield near Nouméa on New Caledonia pilot unknown on a flight with twenty-four aboard including personnel from U.S. Navy (USN) Carrier Air Group 11 (CAG-11) returning from rest and recuperation (R&R). Everyone aboard was killed in the crash.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47A-1-DL Skytrain 42-23316
Navy Serial Number Search Results - R4D-5 12406
"12406 (MSN 9178) ex USAAF 42-23316. To US Navy Mar 11, 1943 - MAW-3 Mar 31, 1943 - VMJ-353 Apr 26, 1943 - HDN/MAG-25 May 31, 1943. Crashed on takeoff near Toutouta Jun 8, 1943. 24 killed."
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List June 1943 - R4D-5 12406
NARA "Marine Aircraft Group 25 War Diary June 1, 1943–July 1, 1943 does not mention loss on June 8, 1943
NARA "Marine Utility Squadron 253 War Diary June 1–30, 1943 does not mention a loss on June 8, 1943
Eleven "Planes In Peril Part 1" (2014) by by George Retelas 29:29 - 29:54 recollections of pilot "Bill" Strahan about the loss of CAG-11 personnel returning from R&R aboard this aircraft

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Last Updated
January 9, 2024

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