Pilot History
George P. Gaffeny enlists in the USAAF during March 1942. He married Ruth Christenson on August 13, 1943. Deployed to New Guinea, arriving on December 24, 1943 and was stationed at Nadzab Airfield. Later, he was hospitalized in Australia with malaria, then returned to duty at Gusap Airfield. He flew 12 combat missions, before being lost on his 13th combat mission.

Aircraft History
Assigned to the 41st Fighter Squadron, tail code 91.

Mission History
Took off from Gusap Airfield on an escort mission over Wewak. Over the target, Gaffney engaged an enemy fighter and got separated from his group. He followed the coast of New Guinea and landed at Saidor Airfield, where he refueled and had his plane checked for damage. There was none. He claimed one fighter destroyed.

Later that afternoon, Gaffney took off to from Saidor Airfield to return to Gusap Airfield, crossing over the Finisterre Mountains. He never arrived, and was declared MIA. In fact, he had crashed in the mountains, likely in poor weather.

His wife, who was pregnant with his unborn daughter, was notified he was missing in action on March 25, 1944. Gaffney was officially declared dead on January 18, 1946 and is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

Wreckage
Crashed near Sawan in the Finisterre Mountains, near the Saidor Gap.

During a US Army CILHI wreck survey, villagers reported two wrecks in the area (this P-47 and an L-4, circa 1997). Later, a helipad was cleared near the site and it was later visited by Richard Leahy and Alfred Hagen on June 26, 1998.

During October 1998, US Army CILHI visited the crash site, and recovered remains, his pistol and a 50 caliber machine gun was recovered for the PNG Museum.

Gaffney's remains were positively identified during Janaury 1999, and US Army board of inquerry confirms the findings on March 11.

Memorials
A memorial service was held in Madison, WI on June 5, 1999 and Gaffney was buried at Arlington Cemetery on June 9, 1999. His widow and daughter, Patricia Gaffney were in attendance.

Relatives
Patricia Gaffney (daughter)
Born June 22, 1944 after he father was missing in action.

References
Wisconson State Journal "Madison WWII Combat Pilot Was Long Los, But Now is Found" May 30, 1999
Washington Post "Sorrow Is Laid to Rest" June 10, 1999
Army Times "Patricia Gaffney Buries father's remains" June 28, 1999
Patricia Gaffney Online Event on December 4, 1999
Forty of the Fifth, profile 25
41st Fighter Squadron DVD interview with Patricia Gaffney
Greatest Generation Speaks Gaffney tells her story

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
October 6, 2009

P-47

MIA
Resolved