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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-11 VMF-213 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder, O-14464 USMCR (rescued) Bakersfield, CA Ditched April 25, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1 Corsair bureau number 02187. 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 April 25, 1943 at 10:00am took off from Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Milton N. Vedder as one of twelve F4Us on a mission to escort SBD Dauntless dive bombers to Vila Airfield on Kolombangara. The Corsairs meet the SBDs over Savo Island then escorted them to the target area, but thick clouds prevented the SBDs from finding the target. Regardless, four F4U Corsairs led by Major Peyton, with Lt. Vedder, Lt. Eckart and Lt. Peck conducted a strafing attack against Vanga Vanga and barges off Kolombangara. The four Corsairs dove to 2,000' over the Blackett Strait then made four strafing runs at tree top height over Vanga Vanga and barges (two runs over the village and two runs over the cove). The Corsairs left the area with smoke rising then climbed to 3,000' for the return flight. South of Vangunu Island, the Corsairs spotted a formation of planes at high altitude and climbed to 14,000' using clouds to hide their approach before intercepting G4M1 Bettys escorted by three layers of Zeros. Despite their numeric disadvantage, the four Corsairs claimed to shoot down six Zeros with Vedder claiming two and to break up the bomber formation bound for Tulagi or Guadalcanal. In fact, none of the Zeros were lost and the Bettys were on a bombing mission against a suspected coastwatcher location in the central Solomon Islands. During the air combat, Vedder was hit by gunfire wounded by 20mm fragments in his right thigh. Damaged, he at an altitude of only 500' and landed in the sea. Also lost was F4U Corsair 02399 pilot Lt. Eckart (MIA). The other two Corsairs returned to Guadalcanal. Fates of the Pilot Vedder landed in the sea south of Vangunu Island, and managed to deployed his life raft and paddled towards shore where he met friendly forces who took him to the Allied coastwatcher who reported him to be safe. Rescue On April 27, 1943 Vedder was successfully rescued by PBY Catalina and flown to Tulagi and later returned to duty. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1 Corsair 02413 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1943 - F4U Corsair 02413 NARA VMF-213 War Diary page 1, 6-8 (April 25, 1943), 8 (April 27, 1943 rescue) (Page 8) "1525-1815 Escorted Dumbo [PBY rescue] mission to New Georgia to pick up Lt. Vedder who had been rescued by the natives after being shot down. Eight F4Us, Major Weissenberger and Major Leary's flights." NARA "PBY Rescues Downed Pilot Lt. M.N. Vetter [sic Vedder], USMC" (NARA 428-NPC-1940, 76277) USMC Casualty Card - Milton N. Vedder (Front) "History: 25 Apr 43 Wounded in action at New Georgia Solomon Is. *** Fr War Diary S.C.File #23081 fr VMF 213, MAG 11, 1st MAW rec'd 5/31/43" (Rear) "*** 20mm wound in outer portion, rt thigh. Rep of Med Sur fr USNM#4, Auckland, New Zealand dated 12/16/43 re'd 1/25/44 states man adm to this hosp 12/7/43." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 4, 2024 |
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