|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USMC VMF-214 |
Pilot Captain Robert Thomas Ewing, O-011353 (MIA / KIA) Lafayette, IN MIA September 16, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 17527. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214) "Black Sheep". No known nose art, nickname or squadron number. Mission History On September 16, 1943 at 1:00pm took off from Banika Field piloted by Captain Robert Thomas Ewing to escort TBF Avengers bombing Ballale. Around 2:50pm, as the bombers commenced their bombing runs over Ballale enemy Zeros attacked and the escorting fighters engaged them. This fighter was last seen diving to attack a group of Zeros over the target. When this Corsair failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). VMF-214 Squadron Report, page 6 (16 September 1943): "Captain Robert T. Ewing, Flight Officer for Squadron 214, was leading another division. They were scissoring over the bombers at 23,000 feet. They were intercepted by 16 zeros. Capt. Ewing started a run in a diving turn to the right with full gun. He crowded towards Lts. Paul A. Mullen and Warren T. Emrich, his second section, who were on his left. Lt Robert W. McClurg, Capt. Ewing's wing man, crossed over to try and get into position, but three of them were going too fast for him, so he lost them. Capt. Ewing continued to crowd over towards Lt. Miller, evidently trying to get into position to fire. Mullen kept sliding over 'till he saw a zero in a steep dive on a Corsair below. He cut out under Ewing, made a pass at the Zero and got in a short burst. Mullen and his wing man Emrich, made a 130 degree turn to the right and looked for Ewing's Corsair but couldn't find it. Apparently these two were the last who saw Capt. Ewing, as he did not return from the flight - although he was not in any trouble when last seen." Memorials Ewing was officially declared dead on January 10, 1946. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References The Black Sheep (2000) page 208 VMF-214 Squadron Report, page 6 (16 September 1943) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 26, 2022 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
