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| USN VBF-94 |
Pilot Lt. Ralph E. Boggs, O-156883 (KIA, BR) AR Crashed July 24, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Chance Vought Aircraft Division in Stratford, Connecticut. Constructors Number 81319. Delivered to the United States Navy (USN) as F4U-4 Corsair bureau number 81319. Wartime History Assigned to USS Lexington (CV-16) to squadron VBF-94. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 24, 1945 took off from USS Lexington (CV-16) piloted by Lt. Ralph E. Boggs on a mission over Japan. Over the target, this Corsair began a strafing run between Maisaka to Arai. Over Maisaka, this Corsair was hit by 75mm anti-aircraft guns at Benten Jima. Damaged, this Corsair was observed emitting black smoke from the engine and turned back to Imagire at the mouth of Lake Hamana, then flew to Maisaka and came back to Imagire when the engine caught fire before it crashed at the western side of Hamana Bridge near Imagire to the east of Arai. Wreckage After the crash, the cockpit section landed on the bridge while the wings and engine landed elsewhere. The pilot's body landed several meters to the east, thrown out of the cockpit, with the left leg severed from the him and his face damaged. Search On July 25, 1945 a search aircraft B-17H Flying Fortress 43-38882 searched for this aircraft but was also shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed northwest of Arai. Recovery of Remains A few minutes after the crash, a motorcycle with side car from the Kempei Tai (military police) arrived and removed the pilot's body. Afterwards, Boggs body was buried nearby along with the deceased crew of B-17H Flying Fortress 43-38882 near the crematorium at Arai. Postwar, Boggs remains were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Boggs was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Boggs was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at Q-285. Boggs also has a memorial marker at Oakland Memorial Cemetery in Clarksville, AR. Relatives Guice Howell (nephew of Boggs) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-4 Corsair 81319 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List July 1945 F4U Corsair 81319 FindAGrave - Lt Ralph Edwin Boggs (grave photo) FindAGrave - Ralph Edwin Boggs (memorial marker photo) "A Dumbo Fort was lost on July 25 1945" by Minoro Kamada July 3, 2016 Thanks to Minoro Kamada for research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 3, 2021 |
 F4U-4  Map July 25, 1945  MIA 1 Missing Resolved |
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