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| USN USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) VF-18   Stan Gajda 1983  Peter Flahavin 1995 |
Pilot Ensign Alfred F. Smith (MIA / KIA, BR) NJ Crashed December 8, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 26088. Wartime History Assigned to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) to Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 8, 1943 took off from USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) on a mission against Nauru Island. Over the target, shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed vertically between two anti-aircraft positions. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Stan Gajda adds: "The Japanese managed to shoot down two American planes on Nauru. [This aircraft and TBF Avenger 47589]". Wreckage The crash site of this Hellcat remains on Nauru Island. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of Smith were recovered and transported to Hawaii for burial. Memorials Smith was officially declared dead on December 9, 1943. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Smith's remains were located after the war and are buried at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl) at Plot P Row 0 Grave 802. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 26088 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List December 1943 - F6F Hellcat 26088 FindAGrave - Ens Alfred Francis Smith (grave photo) Thanks to Stan Gajda and Peter Flahavin for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 19, 2024 |
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