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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-24 VMF-215 "Fighting Corsairs" |
Pilot 2nd Lt. John James Knight Jr., USMCR O-024932 (POW / MIA, BNR) Emmetsburg, Iowa Crashed January 14, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 17722. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 24 (MAG-24), Marine Fighting Squadron 215 "Fighting Corsairs" VMF-215. No known nickname or nose art. On January 10, 1944 and January 11, 1944 Knight made familiarization and engine run-in test hops in this Corsair at Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella. On January 12, 1944 Knight suffered propeller damage while landing at Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. Afterwards, the damaged propeller was immediately repaired he took off and landed at Barakoma Airfield by 4:55pm. Mission History On January 14, 1944 took off at 6:05am from Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella piloted by 2nd Lt. John J. Knight Jr. and landed at 7:15am at Torokina Airfield on Bougainville for a mission briefling. At 8:40am took off from Torokina Airfield with F4U Corsair pilot 1st Lt. E. J. Hernan to investigate an explosion on Gonnango Island that proved to be negative and returned at 9:20am. At 10:10am took off again from Torokina Airfield on a mission to escort SBD Dauntless dive bombers and TBF Avengers on a bombing mission against Rabaul. During take off, F4U Corsair 17899 pilot Captain G. S. Stidger (KIA) crashed and was killed. Fitzgerald's plane was hit by a P-40 landing and damaged. Smith's plane had a mechanical failure and aborted the mission. At 11:15am rendezvoused with the bombers and proceeded on a direct course to Rabaul. Over the coast of New Ireland, the formation was intercepted by 60-70 Zeros and a dog fight unfolded to and from the target. VMF-215 claimed 19 shot down and 6 probables. Knight failed to return and was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Damaged by gunfire, F4U Corsair 17896 pilot 2nd G. Kross who bailed out at Torokina and was hospitalized with shrapnel injuries and shock. the rest of the corsairs returned by 5:30pm. Fate of the Pilot Knight was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). Transported to Rabaul he was detained at Rabaul POW Camp and declared dead as of February 21, 1944. Memorials Knight was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He was officially declared dead on February 21, 1944. Knight is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References Note, another Rabaul POW had the same name, U.S. Navy AOM2c James Knight, Jr. 6024803 from PBY-5 Catalina 08436 lost January 9, 1944 and captured and died in captivity at Rabaul around January 10, 1944. Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 17722 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List January 1944 - F4U Corsair 17722 J. J. Knight NARA Marine Fighting Squadron 215 War Diary January 1944 pages 7-8 (Page 7) "0600 Flight: Took off 0605; landed Torokina at 0715; briefed and took off at 1010. (Page 8) "January 14, 1944 (cont'd) Knight, J. J. and Moore did not return from the flight." NARA Aircraft Action Report (AAR) VMF-215 Report No. 10 January 14, 1944 NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - John J. Knight Jr. date of report 01/14/1944 / last report date 02/21/1944 / status: died as POW, not above causes USMC Casualty Card John James Knight, Jr. (Updated) (Front) "Remarks: Killed when Jap transport Kokai Maru was attacked by Allied aircraft N.W. of New Hanover Is. [sic, this is false, likely executed]" (Rear) "Certificate of death received Feb 14, 1948 boy not recovered. determined non recoverable by field board 14 Jul49. -gcw." USMC Casualty Card John James Knight, Jr. (Oldest) (Front) "Place of Casualty: Rabaul, New Britain / Date and Source of Report: CasDiv Memo 1435-45, 2135-70 DGU-881 -rm dtd 23 Apr 46 rec'd 24 Apr 46." (Rear) "History: 14 Jan 44 Missing in action over Rabaul, New Britain ***AirMailGram #270418 fr CO MAG 14 to SECNAV CD #33966 rec'd 2-15-44." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John James Knight Jr. date of death listed as February 21, 1944 FindAGrave - 1Lt John James Knight, Jr (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 8, 2022 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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