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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMF-222 "Flying Deuces"  USMC c1943 |
Pilot Captain William "Willie" Deen Moore, O-010281 (MIA / KIA) CA MIA September 13, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the United States Navy (USN) as F4U-1 Corsair bureau number 17435. 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 14 (MAG-14), Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) "Flying Deuces". This aircraft had no known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On September 13, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island at 6:10am piloted by Captain William "Willie" D. Moore on a "Moonbeam" patrol mission over Vella Lavella. The formation encountered an enemy force including 15-30 Zeros and Ki-61 Tonys escorting at least eight G4M1 Bettys. Intercepting the attacking force, the Corsairs managed to swing the enemy away from Barakoma. During the combat, Moore claimed an enemy Zero shot down. When this aircraft failed to return the pilot was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F4U Corsair piloted by Major Carnagey who bailed out due to battle damage and was forced to bail out over Barakoma Airfield. Memorials Moore was officially declared dead on January 10, 1946 and earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1 Corsair 17435 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 - F4U-1 Corsair 17435 lists loss location as Ballale in error NARA War Diary VMF-222 September 1943 page 8 "September 13 [1943] 0610 take off, Carnagey's Fifth and Moore's Third Divisions, "Moonbeam" patrol over Vella Lavella. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William Deen Moore FindAGrave - Capt William Deen Moore (photo, tablets of the missing) USMC Aviators page 64 (pilot 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 5, 2023 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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