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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-11 VMF-112     D. Letourneau 1999 |
Pilot SSgt James A. Feliton, 288737 (survived) Crashed January 31, 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 11983. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to the 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11), Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112) "Wolf Pack". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History Mission History On January 31, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by SSgt James A. Feliton as one of eight Wildcats on a mission to escort twelve SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VMSB-233 on a mission to dive bomb Japanese transports including Toa Maru 2 bound for Vila on Kolombangara Island. As the target was 250 miles away, fuel would only permit the Wildcats 15 minutes before they must return. After take off, two Wildcats abort due to mechanical issues. The formation was led by F4F Wildcat pilot Lt James L. Secrest with F4F Wildcat pilot 1st Lt. J. P. Lynch, F4F "impatient Virgin 03520 pilot 1st Lt Jefferson DeBlanc, F4F Wildcat 11983 pilot SSgt James A. Feliton, F4F pilot J. B. Maas and F4F Wildcat pilot T. C. Hughes, Jr. As the target was 250 miles away, fuel would only permit the Wildcats 15 minutes before they must return. Over the Toa Maru 2 the Wildcats encountered Japanese planes and engaged in a dog fight. Japanese F1M2 Pete floatplanes were escorting the transports plus "Zeros" [sic Ki-43-I Oscars from 11th Sentai, 3rd Chutai. De Blanc claimed two F1M2 Peted and three Zeros [Oscars] shot down. Low on fuel and he was attacked by Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Sgt Takeo Takahashi set on fire and forced to bail out over Vella Gulf. Also lost was F4F Wildcat 11983 piloted by SSgt James A. Feliton (survived). Feliton was last seen attacking one of the enemy planes engaging DeBlanc. His plane was attacked by Ki-43 Oscar pilot Sgt Takeo Takahashi. Damaged, Feliton bailed out before his Wildcat crashed into a swampy jungle area near Vila on Kolombangara Island. Also lost was F4F "impatient Virgin 03520 pilot 1st Lt. Jefferson J. DeBlanc (survived). Fate of the Pilot Descending in his parachute, Feliton hit a large tree and fell to the ground badly shaken up. The next day, Feliton was located by men loyal to coastwacher Josselyn. He was transported to Reverand Silvester on Vella Lavella and reunited with 1st Lt. Jefferson J. DeBlanc who was also shot down, then both returned to Henderson Field. On February 21, 1943 promoted to the rank of Technical Sergeant and evacuated to Espiritu Santo. Wreckage During 1999, Feliton's Wildcat was identified by Dennis Letourneau in a swampy area on Kolombangara Island. The plane had crashed, exploded and burned. Dennis Letourneau adds: "Wreckage lies in a swampy area on the north shore of Kolombangara Island. Evidence of the fire that burned around the wreckage is still evident on the surrounding vegetation. Some of the original blue paint and the bureau number were still visible." References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F-4 Wildcat 11983 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List F4F-4 Wildcat 03523 [sic 11983] VMF-112 SSgt Filton [sic Felton] USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List F4F-4 Wildcat 11983 NARA Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-112) War Diary October 15, 1942–February 13, 1943 pages 81-82, 102 (Pilot Records) (Page 81) "31 January 1943... 3. Lt. Secrest's flight. of Lts Lynch, DeBlanc and StfSgt Feleton [sic Feliton] and Lts Maas and Hughes escorted a striking force of TBF and SBD to attack shipping on [sic in] Vella Gulf." (Page 82) "January 31, 1943 (Cont) It is fervently hoped the friendly natives have reached him [DeBlanc] before the enemy patrols. Staff Sergeant Feliton was also with Secrest and DeBlanc and was last seen by Lt Secrest making a run on one of DeBlancs attackers. Lt Lynch believes he saw him parachute into Vella Gulf [sic, this was Deblanc]. Although the particulars concerning Staff Sergeant Feliton are meager on this particular contact all returning pilots praised his aggresiveess and skill in the combat. All the SBD and TBF returned safely. Score: Lt. DeBlanc - - - - - 2 Flat Biplanes [F1M2 Petes], 1 (3) Zero Fighter Lt. Maas - - - - - - 1 Zero Fighter Lt Lynch - - - - - - 1 Zero Fighter Lt DeBlanc and StfSgt Feliton - - Missing In Action." Toa Maru No. 2 by Charles Darby Conservation Development Services, New Zealand Thanks to Jefferson DeBlanc and Dennis Letourneau for additional information 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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