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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-24 VMF-211 "Avengers" |
Pilot 1st Lt. Nathaniel R. Landon, Jr., O-014680 (MIA / KIA) Mount Kisco, NY Crashed January 14, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 17807. 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 211 (VMF-211) "Avengers". No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On January 14, 1944 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by 1st Lt. Nathaniel R. Landon, Jr. on a mission to escort SBD Dauntless dive bombers over Rabaul. This Corsair was in the second division led by 1st Lt. C. E. Moore, Jr. as element leader with element wingman 1st Lt. M. R. Tutton. Over the target, Lakunai Airfield was closed in by weather so the bombers switched to the secondary target, Japanese shipping. The strike was credited with 9 direct hits on 7 transports and a direct hit on a possible light cruiser and possible destroyer. Also, 20 near misses that likely caused damage. It was estimated that 5 of the 7 transports were sunk. The U.S. planes encountered intense anti-aircraft fire of all calibers and were intercepted by successive waves of fighters including what was claimed to be Zekes, Hamps and Tonys. When Landon failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Landon was officially declared dead on January 15, 1946. He earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart, posthumously. Promoted to the rank of Captain, posthumously. Landon is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section MH site 353. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 17807 U.S. Navy Loss List Summary Sheet - F4U-1A Corsair 17807 NARA VMF-211 War Diary January 1944 page 8 (Page 8) "Lt. N. R. Landon, Jr. is Missing In Action. He was last seen over Rabaul, apparently not in any trouble." NARA VMF-211 Aircraft Action Report (AAR) No. 9 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - N. R. Landon Jr. FindAGrave - 1LT Nathaniel Ruggles Landon Jr. (tablets of the missing) Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Nathaniel Ruggles Landon (grave photos) FindAGrave - Capt Nathaniel Ruggles Landon Jr. (memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 9, 2024 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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