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| USN VF-27 |
Pilot Ensign William T. Clifton, O-157440 USNR (MIA / KIA) Maize, KS MIA August 4, 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 12139. Wartime History Assigned to USS Suwannee (CVE-27) to Fighting Squadron 27 (VF-27) "Kangaroos". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On August 4, 1943 took off from the Russell Islands piloted by Ens William T. Clifton as one of eight Wildcats on a mission to escort a PBY Catalina over Enogai on New Georgia Island. As the Catalina attempted to land, the formation was intercepted by Japanese aircraft and this Wildcat was never seen again. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F4F Wildcat 12090 piloted by Lt(jg) Irvin E. Rink (MIA). Memorials Clifton was officially declared dead on January 8, 1946. He earned the Air Medal and the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. He also has a memorial marker at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg, NC. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4F-4 Wildcat 12139 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List August 1943 F4F-4 Wildcat 12139 VF-27 Ens William T. Clifton American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William T. Clifton FindAGrave - William Thomas Clifton (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - William Thomas Clifton (photo, memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 12, 2023 |
 F4F  MIA 1 Missing Resolved |
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