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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMF-111  USMC 1942 |
Pilot 1st Lt. David K. Allen (KIA, BR) Glen Elder, KS Crashed April 14, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, New York as a model G-36 with manually operated folding wings. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4F-4 Wildcat bureau number 11789. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14), Marine Fighting Squadron 111 (VMF-111) "Devil Dogs". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 14, 1943 took off Tafuna Airfield (Tutuila, Pago Pago Airport) on Tutuila Island (Tuituila) piloted by 1st Lt. David K. Allen on a routine flight. After take off this Wildcat crashed, killing the pilot on impact. Recovery of Remains After the crash, his body was recovered and buried in a civilian cemetery on Tutuila Island. His grave included the bent propeller from his crashed Wildcat. During his funeral, his VMF-111 squadron mates were the bearers at his funeral including 1st Samuel B. Folsom. Postwar, his remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Allen was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He was permanently buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Glen Elder, Kansas. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F-4 Wildcat 11789 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1943 F4F-4 Wildcat 11789 VMF-111 News "Hero of Air Battle Dies on Routine Job" June 10, 1943 "South Pacific, June 10 (Delayed) (AP) - First Lieut. David K. Allen of Glen Elder, Kas., a Marine fighter pilot who had survived the heaviest fighting in the Solomon campaign and was credited with destryoing a Japanese plane, was killed when his plane crashed while taking off on a routine hop here. Among his comrades who served as bearers at his funeral was First Lieut. Samuel B. Folsom, of Peabody, Mass." FindAGrave - David K Allen (grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 19, 2024 |
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