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| USN USS Langley (CVL-27) CAG-23 VF-23  USN c1940 |
Pilot LCDR Merlin Paddock (MIA / KIA, BR) Osmond, NB Crashed April 16, 1945 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 78022. Wartime History Assigned to the USS Langley (CVL-27) to Carrier Air Group 23 (CAG-23) to squadron VF-23. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 16, 1945 at 9:00am took off from USS Langley (CVL-27) piloted by LCDR Merlin Paddock off Okinawa armed with a single 500 pound bomb on a fighter sweep and bombing mission over Kanoya Airfield at Kagoshima on Kyushu Island in Japan. Over the target, this aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Paddock was last seen bailing out and his parachute observed to open over southern Kagoshima. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Recovery of Remains During 1948, Paddock's remains were recovered and transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Paddock was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Osmond Cemetery in Osmond, NB. Relatives Marjorie Paddock (wife) John Irving (brother) Ruth Voorhees (sister) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5N Hellcat 78022 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1945 - F6F Hellcat 78022 NARA "U.S. S. Langley War Diary April 1945" page 24 "16 April [1945] L-15 day 0900 launched 8 VF for Sweep No. 1 over KAGOSHIMA. 1318 recovered 7 VF from Sweep No. 1 over KAGOSHIMA. Plane No. 14 of VF-23, Bureau No. 78022 piloted by Lt.Comdr. M. PADDOCK, U.S.N., CAG 23 was shot down by enemy A. A. fire over southern KAGOSHIMA. Pilot bailed out and parachuted seen to open." NARA "Aircraft Action Report VF-23 16 April 1945 Report No. 98" page 1-4 [Page 2] "VF-23 Lt. Comdr. Merlin PADDOCK, USN hit by A/A - bailed out over Kagoshima Airfield Kyushu, Japan. Chute seen to open at 1500 ft. Missing In Action" [Page 3] Map of Fighter Sweep Over Kagoshima and Ichiki Fields 16 April 1945 [Page 4] Intense medium and light A/A was encountered over the target during the dive, pullout and on retirement, originating from positions emplaced in the hills just west of the field. FindAGrave - LCDR Merlin Paddock (grave photo) A War To Be Won "The tragic story of Merlin Paddock as remembered by an enemy pilot and his widow" by Henry Sakaida November 30, 2017 Thanks to Henry Sakaida for additional 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 November 18, 2024 |
 F6F  Photo Archive  Map April 16, 1945  MIA 1 Missing Resolved |
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