Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Construction Number 20580. Delivered to the U. S. Air Force.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines R-1830, serial numbers: CP 360128 and CP 360158. During late 1944, this C-47 was used by the rear echelon station on Noemfoor Island. Departed Noemfoor on December 23, 1944 arriving at Finschafen Airfield to pickup P-38 Lightning parts not available on Noemfoor or Biak Island.

Mission History
On December 24, 1944 took off from Finschafen Airfield piloted by Pomplun at 6:45 on an administrative flight bound for Noemfoor Island for P-38 parts not available on Noemfoor or Biak. Aboard were passengers from the 8th Fighter Group. This C-47 was lost en route.

Search
Two 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group P-38, one piloted by Lt. Meyers the other piloted by David M. Macaulay departed Noemfoor on a search mission, searching around Japen, along the north coast of New Guinea, past Wakde and Tadji ending at Hollandia with nil sighting. No further searches were made by Meyers due to mechanical difficulties with his aircraft. Macaulay covered the area between Hollandia and Finschafen, also Lae to Nadzab but found no trace of this C-47.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially killed on December 24, 1944. All are memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
8th Fighter Group microfilm A07497 for crew and passenger details
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) does not list Charles W. Cotton, 18063297
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - C-47 Dakota 43-16114

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018