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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 39th FS  USAAF c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. George E. Morgan (survived) Force Landed July 16, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-7084. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38E-2-LO Lightning serial number 42-12650. On June 17, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-2-LO Lightning. On August 2, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-5-LO Lightning. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History On September 17, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 16, 1943 at 1:55pm took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. George E. Morgan as one of four P-38s escorting a single F-4 Lightning from 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS) on a reconnaissance mission over Madang. The four Lightnings were led by Lt. Denton with Lt. Andrews and Lt. Steele and 1st Lt. Morgan. Arriving over the target, Morgan aborted the mission due to engine trouble. Morgan force landed near Akoma village at the mouth of the Purari River near the southern coast roughly 40 miles from Kerema. Other sources state he force landed at Urika Island off the southern coast of New Guinea. On the return flight, the rest of the formation encountered bad weather with extremely low visibility. Lost was P-38 piloted Steele (MIA). When Morgan failed to return from the mission, he was listed as Missing In Action. Fate of the Pilot Morgan landed unhurt and was found by local people and brought to missionaries from Samoa and stayed with them for several days, and attended their church on Sunday July 18, 1943. He was then taken to Terapo Airfield to await rescue. Rescue On July 19, 1943 rescued by a DH.82 Tiger Moth piloted by F/Sgt Flannery from No. 1 Rescue and Communication Unit (1 RCU) flown back to Port Moresby and returned to duty. Afterwards, Morgan wrote his mother and Mary about his experiences on this mission both letters are published in Relentless Pursuit pages 160-162. "July 21, 1943 - Dear Mom, Had an interesting day at work today [July 16, 1943]. I took part in a darn good fight. Although I shot at plenty of them, I didn't shoot any down myself, but I saw others that did. Went to church last Sunday [July 18, 1943] under very unusual circumstances. I was staying with some missionaries. A middle-aged couple from Samoa had charge of the place. At church, I was the only white person. There were about a hundred natives. The woman had only grass skirts on, and the men had cloth skirts. The missionary couple from Samoa wore regular clothes. I was their 'guest'. for about 3 days, and they really treated me wonderfully. Love, George" "July 22, 1943 - Dear Mary, Those 3 days I was a 'guest' of a couple of missionaries weren't bad at all, but I don't want to go through it again. Yesterday [July 22, 1943], I was in a nice fight, but I wasn't lucky enough to get one. Although we got off to a bad start, we did OK before it was over. Tell Perry he should have been here, I know he would have enjoyed it." Memorials Morgan was promoted to the rank of Captain and died May 31, 1945. He is buried at Memphis National Cemetery at section H, site 5832. Relative Mary Martin (Morgan's daughter) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George E. Morgan USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38E-2-LO Lightning 42-12650 "redesignated P-83F-2-LO Jun 17, 1942, then P-38F-5-LO Aug 12, 1942 / 12650 SOC Apr 1, 1944" 39th Fighter Squadron Diary - July 16-19, 1943 RAAF No. 1 Rescue and Communications Squadron Operations Record Book July 18-July 19, 1943 "18-7: To Terapo - Lt. Morgan (USA) 100 lbs freight backloading 100 lbs freight 19-7: To Terapo - Lt. Morgan (USA) 100 lbs freight" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38H Lightning piloted by Morgan Relentless Pursuit (2015) pages 160-162 FindAGrave - George E Morgan (photo, grave photos) Thanks to Edward Rogers for 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
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