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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-12 VMF-313  USMC December 1944 |
Pilot Major Theodore Olsen, 0-7476 USMCR (KIA, BR) Bisbee, AZ Crashed December 13, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Goodyear Aircraft Corporation in Akron, Ohio as model V-166B with fixed wings. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as FG-1A Corsair bureau number 14531. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC). Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Group 12 (MAG-12), Marine Fighting Squadron 313 (VMF-313) "Lily Packin' Hellbirds". No known nickname or nose art. On December 2, 1944 at 7:30am part of the squadron's air echelon that took off from Emirau Airfield on a flight to Hollandia and at 1:30pm took off for Owi Airfield where they spent the night. On December 3, 1944 at 8:00am the Corsairs took off from Owi Airfield bound for Peleliu Airfield and at 1:30pm took off again bound for Tacloban Airfield arriving at 5:00pm. Mission History On December 13, 1944 at 5:30am took off from Tacloban Airfield piloted by Major Theodore Olsen as one of six Corsairs from the squadron plus two Hellcat night fighters from Marine Fighting Squadron (Night) 541 to patrol over a U.S. convoy south of Leyte bound for Mindoro. In the predawn darkness with poor visibility and a low ceiling, crashed on take off is FG-1A Corsair 14531 pilot 1st Lt William Ervin Bradley (KIA) and crashed on the left side of the runway and hit a tent, jeep and then collided with fuel trucks and vehicles causing a fire and killed four or five personnel on the ground and wounded Captain John Pratt, Group Intelligence Officer and 1st Lt. William B. Watson, Squadron intelligence officer. Due to the fire, two Corsairs behind were unable to take off. After take off, this Corsair was last seen and was reported as Missing In Action (MIA). Recovery of Remains On December 15, 1944 in the morning Olsen's body was recovered by a PT Boat in the San Juanico Strait and no trace of his plane or wreckage. It was believed he attempted to bail out at low altitude and struck some portion of the plane as he bailed out and was knocked unconcious or died at sea. Postwar, his remains were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Olsen was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery plot G, grave 606. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - FG-1A Corsair 14436 NARA Marine Fighting Squadron 313 (VMF-313) War Diary December 1944 pages 9-10 (Page 9) "0530: Olsen, Hamity, Jarrett, Bardley [sic Bradley], McDonald and Lindsey were to make a predawn take off with two night fighters to patrol assault convoy heading for Mindoro. The weather was murky, visibility poor, and a low ceiling of thin mist clouds at about 500 feet." (Page 10) "0600: Major Theodore Olsen (07476) failed to join up on the flight and has not been heard from. 14 December 1944. 0800: Major Olsen officially reported as missing." 15 December 1944 1030: Report on Major Olsen missing since 0600, 13 December, 1944: His body was picked up by a PT boat in San Juanico Strait between Leyte and Samar Islands. The plane was not located and it is believed that he attempted to bail out at low altitude and was struck by some portion of the plane. Cause of the accident is undetermined." FindAGrave - 1LT William Ervin Bradley (photo, grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated September 8, 2026 |
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