USAAF
13th AF
347th FG
68th FS
(44th FS Detachment)
Pilot 1st Lt. Raymond A. Morrissey, O-660180 (MIA / KIA) IL
MACR 605
Missing February 13, 1943
Pilot History
Morrissey earned the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Purple Heart.
AIrcraft History
The MACR lists this aircraft's serial number as 41-14110 with engine V-1650-1.
Mission History
Took off from Fighter 2 on Guadalcanal to escort 6 B-24s escorted by 4 P-38s and 7 P-40s to attack shipping in the Shortland-Kahilli-Buin area.
On the way to the target, 3 P-40s and 2 P-38s aborted the mission due to engine trouble, leaving the B-24s with an escort of 2 P-38s and 4 P-40s: escorting.
This force is attacked by 39 enemey fighters over the target including Zeros and floatplanes. This fighter fails to return.
Justin Taylan adds:
"I researched this mission at the Tokyo Defense archives. The following Japanese aircraft attacked: 11 Rufes (one aboarted) of 802nd Kokutai, 20 Zeros of the 252nd Kokutai and 9 Zeros of the 204th Kokutai. A total of 39 Japanese aircraft."
Memorials
Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.
References
Other sources list this aircraft as P-40F Serial Number 41-14102 (condemmed November 23, 1943)
Guadalcanal and the Origins of the 13th Air Force, pg 180-181
Vampire Squadron, page 25-26
Kodochosho, 802nd Kokutai, February 13, 1943
Kodochosho, 204th Kokutai, February 13, 1943
Kodochosho, 252nd Kokutai, February 13, 1943
P-40
MIA
