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| USAAF 5th AF 6th PRG 8th PRS  Ruff c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Charles E. Bateson, III, O-432230 (MIA / KIA) Rye, NY MIA October 8, 1943 MACR 794 Pilot History Charles E. Bateson, III was born at January 14, 1916 in Rye, NY and worked as a salesman textile industry. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 30, 1937 to Troop K, 101st Cavalry ( Squadron A) in New York, NY. On April 23, 1941 enlisted as an aviation cadet. Afterwards, assigned to the 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group, 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters". Next, transferred to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Purple Heart, posthumously. Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1415. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-66904. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG), 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines V-1710-89 and V-1710-91 serial numbers 42-94161 and 42-30146. Wartime History On October 8, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Charles E. Bateson, III on a mission to escort F-4 Lightning piloted by Holton over the Madang area. Bateson was last seen over the Madang area and failed to return. Possibly, his last radio message was at 3:20pm when a ground station recorded "Bandits 5. Let's get them." This message was not heard by aircraft in the flight. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This aircraft has never been found or identified. The unidentified wreckage of P-38 wreckage on Siar Island or P-38 wreckage at Nobnob could possibly be associated with this aircraft. Memorials Bateson was officially declared dead on December 15, 1945. He Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Bateson is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records Charles E. Bateson Trd USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-5-LO Lightning 42-66904 "66904 (8th PRS, 6th PRG) shot down by fighter in Madang area, New Guinea Oct 8, 1943. Pilot MIA. MACR 794." Missing Air Crew Report 794 (MACR 794) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles E. Bateson III FindAGrave - 1Lt Charles Edward Wagstaffe Bateson, III (obituary, tablets of the missing photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38H Lightning 42-66904 The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force (1999) by Stanaway and Rocker pages 160 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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 P-38  MIA 1 Missing |
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