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  F6F-5 Hellcat Bureau Number 58675  
USN
USS Enterprise CV-6
VF-20

PacificWrecks.com
USN 1943
Pilot  Ensign Joseph E. Cox, O-300730 (MIA / KIA, BR) Nampa, ID
Crashed  September 6, 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-5 Hellcat bureau number 58675.

Wartime History
Assigned to USS Enterprise (CV-6) to Fighting Squadron 20 (VF-20). No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On September 6, 1944 took off from USS Enterprise (CV-6) piloted by Ensign Joseph E. Cox on a mission against Yap. At the start of a strafing run, suffered a mid-air collision with F6F Hellcat 58713 over Yap. Both aircraft crashed and neither pilot bailed out. When this plane failed to return listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F6F Hellcat 58471 (MIA) and F6F Hellcat 58713 (MIA).


Wreckage
Postwar, this crash site was located and his remains were recovered. During 1991, USCG Timothy Schubert removed a piece of wreckage with "BU NO 58471" from the crash site and sent the information to the Department of Defense (DoD).

Memorials
Cox was officially declared dead the day of the mission. During 1949, his remains were buried at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa, ID at plot R-220-1.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5 Hellcat 58675
"58675 (VF-20) crashed on Yap Island Sep 6, 1944 during attack on Japanese radio station."
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1944 - F6F-5 Hellcat 58675
NARA Headstone Applications, 1925-1963 - Joseph E. Cox
FindAGrave - Joseph Edward Cox (photos, grave photo)
MissingAirCrew - Hellcat Crash Site #1-Yap Island

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Last Updated
November 18, 2024

Tech Info
F6F

MIA
MIA
1 Missing
Resolved
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