Pacific Wrecks - F4U-1 Corsair Bureau Number 02384

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

F4U-1 Corsair Bureau Number 02384

USMC
MAW-1
MAG-11
VMF-213

Pilot 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder, O-14464 USMCR (rescued) Bakersfield, CA
Crashed July 2, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1 Corsair bureau number 02384. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the United States Marine Corps (USMC), 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11), Marine Fighting Squadron 213 (VMF-213) "Hell Hawks". No known nickname, nose art or squadron number.

Mission History
On July 2, 1943 at 7:00am took off from from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder as the No. 3 plane in the second division of four Corsairs led by Lt. Treffer on a "Rendova Patrol" with the first divison of four Corsairs led by Captain Cupp. At 9:45am the formation of eight F4Us arrived on station at 10,000' and patrolled over Rendova. At 10:00am as the formation turned for home, Vedder's plane developed engine trouble and he was forced to bail out. After opening his parachute, his wingman, G. V. Hodde until he landed in the sea and was observed to be safe. The rest of the formation landed safely in the Russell Islands landing at 10:30am.

Rescue
Afterwards, a crash boat was sent to his rescue.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1 Corsair 02384
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1943 - F4U Corsair 02384
NARA VMF-213 War Diary July 1943 page 4
(Page 4) "July 2, 1943... At this time Vedders' plane developed engine trouble and he was forced to bail out. His wing man followed him down and saw him land safely in the water and a crash boat go to the rescue."

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Last Updated
July 4, 2024

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