USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
41st
FS
via Aerothentic.com
1943
Ron Williams 2001
Justin Taylan 2003
Pilot 2nd Lt. George Philip Gafffney
Jr., O-687424 (MIA) Madison, WI
MIA March 11, 1944
MACR 3308
Pilot History
George P. Gaffeny went missing on his 13th combat mission.
Aircraft History
Assigned to the 41st Fighter Squadron.
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 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, he 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 ha crashed in the mountains, likely in poor weather.
Wreckage
Crashed near Sawan in the Finisterre
Mountains, near the Saidor Gap. Researched by Bruce Hoy during a US Army CILHI wreck survey. Villagers reported two wrecks in the area, a P-47
and an L-4. Years later, a helipad
was cleared near the site and it was later visited by Richard
Leahy and Alfred
Hagen in 1998, who first visited the crash site, and confirmed the Serial Number.
Recovery of Remains
Later, US Army CILHI visited the site, and recovered
remains. His pistol and 50 caliber machine gun recovered from
the plane are part of the PNG
Museum Collection.
Gaffney was buried at Arlington Cemetery on June 9, 1999. His widow and daughter, Patricia Gaffney were in attendance.
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
P-47
MIA
Resolved
