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| USN USS Yorktown (CV-10) VF-88 |
Pilot Ensign Wright C. Hobbs, O-355123 USNR (MIA / KIA) IN MIA August 15, 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 78244. Wartime History Assigned to USS Yorktown (CV-10) to Fighting Squadron 88 (VF-88). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On August 15, 1945 in the early morning took off from USS Yorktown (CV-10) piloted by Ensign Wright C. Hobbs as one of eleven Hellcats on a strike against the Shibaura Power Plant in Tokyo. As the formation approached the target, Yorktown radioed that Japan had officially surrendered and the strike was ordered to salvo their ordnance and return to the carrier. As the Hellcats were turning, their formation was intercepted by Japanese Navy fighters including A6M5 Zeros and J2M3 Jacks from the 302 Kōkūtai (302 Air Group) based at Atsugi Airfield. During the dogfight, four Hellcats were shot down including this plane. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was F6F Hellcat 77458 pilot Ensign Mandeberg (MIA), F6F Hellcat 79592 pilot Lt(jg) H. Harrison (MIA) and F6F Hellcat 78065 pilot Lt(jg) Joseph G. Sahloff (MIA). Memorials Hobbs was officially declared dead August 16, 1946. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Hobbs is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 3. He also has a memorial marker at Albright Cemetery in Kokomo, IN at section 3. Research Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5 Hellcat 78244 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List August 1945 - F6F-5 Hellcat 78244 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Wright C. Hobbs FindAGrave - Ens Wright Cox “Billy” Hobbs Jr. (photos, courts of the missing) FindAGrave - Wright Cox “Billy” Hobbs Jr. (photos, memorial marker photo) Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-45 (1998) by Henry Sakaida page 80 (August 15, 1945) "The last major dogfight of World War 2 occurred on 15 August 1945 when VF-88 Hellcats encountered a mixed formation of Zeros and 'Jacks' of the 302nd AG near Atsugi. In a running dogfight, four Hellcats were lost. Two hours later the Emperor broadcast his surrender announcement..." 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  MIA 1 Missing |
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