Aircraft History
Built by Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, New York as a model G-36 with manually operated folding wings. Delivered to the United States Navy (USN) as F4F-4 Wildcat bureau number 03472. Shipped overseas to the South Pacific.

Wartime History
Assigned to squadron VF-28 "Wolves". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On July 18, 1943 took off from Banika Island in the Russell Island Group piloted by Lt(jg) James H. Waring on a mission to escort B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville. Over the target, intercepted enemy fighters. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Waring was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Waring earned the Purple Heart, posthumously.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F-4 Wildcat 03472
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1943 F4F-4 Wildcat 03472 VF-28 Lt. Waring
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James H. Waring
FindAGrave - LtJG James H Waring (tablets of the missing)