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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| USAAF 13th AF 4th PRG 17th PRS  17th PRS c1943  17th PRS c1943 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Charles B. Roberts, Jr., O-726474, (MIA / KIA) Gwinnett County, GA MIA May 8, 1943 MACR 620 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-7114. Converted from a model P-38G Lightning into a F-5A photographic reconnaissance version. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as F-5A-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-12680. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 4th Photo Reconnaissance Group (4th PRG), 17th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (17th PRS). Both sides of the nose had "680" in white (the last three digits of the serial number) forward of the camera window. The propeller spinners were painted with three rings of color. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V1710-55, V1710-51 serial numbers 42-32318 and 42-28572. This aircraft was not armed with any weapons, only aerial cameras. Mission History On May 8, 1943 at 9:20am took off from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles B. Roberts on a photographic reconnaissance and visual search mission over Buka. The weather was low broken clouds from 1,000' to 12,000' while north of Kolombangara Island was a low overcast with ceiling of zero. Last seen on take off headed north. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Roberts was officially declared dead on December 17, 1945. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Roberts earned the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Posthumously, he earned the Purple Heart and was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. References World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles B. Roberts, Jr. USAF Serial Number Search Results - F-5A-1-LO Lightning 42-12680 "12680 (17th PRS, 4th PRG) lost May 8, 1943, Solomon Islands. MACR 620" YouTube "With The 17th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron on Guadalcanal" includes footage of this aircraft at Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal during February 1943 0:18-0:37 footage of this aircraft near the 17th PRS sign Missing Air Crew Report 620 (MACR 620) created August 21, 1943 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles B. Roberts Jr. FindAGrave - 1Lt Charles B Roberts, Jr (tablets of the missing photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 28, 2025
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 F-5  Photo Archive  MIA 1 Missing |
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