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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 432nd FS  USAAF 1943 |
Pilot Captain Frederick A. Harris, O-1699231 (MIA / KIA) Glendale, AZ MIA October 31, 1943 at 4:00pm MACR 1192 Pilot History Frederick Alden Harris was nicknamed "Square Loop Harris". On September 2, 1943 assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS). During June or July 1943 assigned to the 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels" as a P-38 pilot. On August 21, 1943 claimed two aerial victories over Dagua. Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-1-LO serial number 42-66595. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 432nd Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Clover". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710-91 serial number 42-93729 and V-1710-89 serial number 42-29716. Armed with 20mm cannon maker unknown serial number 58347 and four .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 222452, 222800, 113233 and 222767. Mission History On October 31, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No 15) piloted by 1st Lt. William T. Ritter on a weekly altitude test flight. Flying at 13,000' at slow speeds, the plane vibrated excessively. After descended to 10,000' and the right propeller began to fluctuate. Flying to 3,000', he continued to experience fluctuations with the right propeller then the right engine lost power but landed safely and reported what he experienced on Form 1-A an notified Captain Harris of the difficulties. Harris believed the vibration was caused by loose drop tanks and had them tightened then decided to test the plane himself. At 3:59pm took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No 15) piloted by Captain Frederick A. Harris on a local test flight over Buna Bay. This plane was seen to crash into the sea off Cape Sudest on the north coast of New Guinea roughly 1-2 miles off shore at approximately 4:10pm. The out of control plane was observed to crash by the 1913 Searchlight Company. An object was seen to come from the plane while it was still 300' to 500' but observers were unable to determine if it was part of the plane or the pilot attempting to bail out. When Harris failed to return he was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, a search mission was flown by P-38 pilots Major Tomkins, Lt. Gholson and Lt. Rundell north of Buna Bay then south to Oro Bay and five miles out to sea without result. Meanwhile, an L-4 piloted by Lt. Mayo with Lt. Hedrick searched the same without result. Not even an oil slick was observed. On November 1, 1943 another search was flown by Lt. Mayo with Lt. Hedrick that spotted an oil slick a mile off Cape Sudest that was believed to be from the missing plane. This same area was searched by the U.S. Navy (USN) but no trace of the pilot or plane was found. Memorials Harris was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. As the flight was non-combat, he did not earn the Purple Heart, posthumously. Harris is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frederick A. Harris USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-5-LO Lightning 42-66595 "66595 (475th FG, 432nd FS) crashed into Buna Bay off Cape Sudest, New Guinea Oct 31, 1943. Pilot killed. MACR 1192." Missing Air Crew Report 1192 (MACR 1192) created November 30, 1943 Hall of Valor Project - Frederick A. Harris (Silver Star Citation) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frederick A. Harris FindAGrave - Capt Frederick Alden Harris (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 19, 2021
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 P-38  Map Oct 31, 1943  MIA 1 Missing |
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