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| USN USS Cowpens (CLV-25) AG-22 VF-22  USN 1944 |
Pilot Ensign George B. Whitehouse, 0-378943 USNR (MIA / KIA) Paris, France MIA December 14, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Contract Number NOa(s) 846. On May 29, 1944 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-5 Hellcat bureau number 58607. On June 8, 1944 assigned to Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet (ComAirPac). Wartime History During August 1944 assigned to USS Cowpens (CLV-25) to Air Group 22 (AG-22), Fighting Squadron 22 (VF-22). No known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On December 14, 1944 between 12:39pm–12:43pm launched from USS Cowpens (CLV-25) piloted by Ensign George B. Whitehouse armed with 5" High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR) as one of six Hellcats on Strike 1-E against Legaspi Airfield at Legaspi (Legazpi). Over the target at 1:10pm, they spot twelve undamaged planes plus previously damaged planes and claimed ten single engine planes and a single twin engine plane as destroyed. They also damaged the runway and anti-aircraft gun positions. This Hellcat was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed nearby and it was believed the pilot did not survive the crash. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). On June 30, 1945 officially stricken off charge by the Navy. Memorials Whitehouse was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Whitehouse is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Saint Mary's Episcopal Churchyard in Portsmouth, RI. Whitehouse is also memorialized at City Hall in Rhode Island. References Note, some sources list this loss as F6F-5 Hellcat 72311 incorrectly. Aircraft History Card F4F-5 Hellcat 58607 via Records of the CNO, OP-NAV-501D, Records of Aircraft History Cards, 1911-1949 Reel 45 image 2098 via Emil Buehler Naval Aviation Library, National Naval Aviation Museum Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) - George B. Whitehouse (Page 5) "Report of Casualty - Air Combat [sic anti-aircraft fire]" Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5 Hellcat 58607 [bureau number incorrect] USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List does not list F6F-5 Hellcat 58607 NARA "[History of] U.S.S. Cow pens (CLV-25) page 9 (Page 9) "14-16 December [1944] Task Group 38.1 conducted strikes against Luzon." NARA "War Diary of the U.S.S. Cowpens (CVL 25) 1 December 1944 to 31 December 1944" pages 12-13 (Page 12) "Thursday 14 December 1944 .... One VF [this F6F Hellcat]] was lost to antiaircraft fire." (Page 13) "Thursday 14 December 1944 (continued)... 1239-1243 Launched 6 VF armed with rockets to attack LEGASPI field. 1656-1700 Landed 5 VF from Legaspi attack group. F6F.5 #58607, piloted by Ensign G. B. WHITEHOUSE, USNR, did not return, having been hit by AA at 7000 feet, and crashed on Legaspi field in a dive. Pilot was not seen after the crash anded explosion which followed." NARA "Report of Air Ops Against Luzon Is Philippines December 14-16, 1944" pages 2, 4, 7, 9 (photo), 18, 22 (Page 2) "December 14, 1944... On the last strike of the day over Legaspi one VF [this F6F Hellcat fighter] was shot down by AA fire and crashed just off the field. It is not believed that the pilot survived the crash." (Page 4) "Strike: Strike 1-E / No. of Planes: 6 / Losses: 1 VF [this F6F Hellcat] (Page 7) "14 December 1944: 1239-1243 - Launched Strike 1-E - 6 VF [F6F Hellcats] catapult. 1656-1700 - Landed Strike 1-E - 5 VF, (1 VF missing from strike)." (Page 18) " Date: 14 Dec [1944] / Name: Ens George B. Whitehouse, (A1)L, USNR, JNo 378943 / Circumstances: Shot down by AA fire over Legaspi Airfield, Luzon, P.I. Pilot is not believed to have survived crash." (Page 22) "III. Medical 2. The following casualty resulted among the personnel of Air Group Twenty-Two: Whitehouse, George Bruer, Ensign, (A1)L, USNR, JNo 378943, was hit by antiaircraft fire over southern Luzon while flying an F6F-5, Bureau No. 58607. The plane was seen to burn and crash, with no likelihood of the pilot’s survival." NARA Fighting Squadron Twenty-Two (VF-22) War History pages 5-6, 31-32, 37 (Page 5-6) "E. Loss of Personnel... 12-14-44: Ens. George Bruen Whitehouse, (A1)L, USNR, of New York City, killed in action." (Page 31) "On 14, 15 and 16 December [1944], the squadron accomplished photographic missions and strikes against airfields of southeastern Luzon, resulting in 12 enemy planes destroyed and five damage on..." (Page 32) "...the ground. The purpose of this series of strikes was to keep Jap planes out of the air during the invasion of Mindoro. Two 500-ton ships were sunk. On 14 December [1944] Ens. George Whitehouse of New Port, R.I., was killed when his plane was struck over Legaspi Field. Apparently wounded, Whitehouse flew for several miles before crashing onto a small island. (See reference 16 of part III)." (Page 37) "(16) Squadron casualty file." Tallahassee Democrat "GF Whitehouse Dies in Action" December 31, 1944 page 9 "Ensign George F Whitehouse, 22, USN, has been officially reported killed in action in the South Pacific area. Whitehouse is the son of Mr and Mrs Sheldon Whitehouse, who live in New York and make their winter home at El Destino plantation, near here. Whitehouse was a naval pilot and attended Yale university before he entered the s service. He received his wings at the Pensacola Naval Air station." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George B. Whitehouse FindAGrave - Ens George Bruen Whitehouse (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - ENS George Bruen Whitehouse (memorial marker photo) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Personnel Profile no specific pr Uofile on George B. Whitehouse Thanks to Sheldon Whitehouse 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 September 27, 2026 |
 F6F  MIA 1 Missing |
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