|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 80th FS  USAAF 1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Jennings L. Myers, O-743483 (MIA / KIA) NC MIA December 22, 1943 at 10:10am MACR 2284 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1142. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-66631. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF),8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS) "Headhunters". Nicknamed "My Gal Sal". Tail letter "C". When lost, engines serial numbers 42-93778 and 42-29785. Weapon serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 2284 (MACR 2284). Mission History On December 22, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Dobodura No. 15) piloted by 1st Lt. Jennings L. Myers on a mission to escort B-25 Mitchells over Boram Airfield near Wewak. The weather was overcast at 7,000' to 8,000' with light rain over the entire area. Over the target, the formation was jumped by enemy fighters and this P-38 sustained damage to the both engines. Returning from the mission, this P-38 was observed by P-38 Lightings from the 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron that called to the pilot over the radio but received no reply. This P-38 was observed in a long power glide flying towards the ocean with the right engine feathers and the left engine turning but only under partial power, flying parallel to the beach on the north coast of New Guinea at low altitude. At 10:10am, this P-38 ditched parallel to the coastline near Murik and the mouth of the Sepik River. The ditching was observed by P-38 piloted by Major Meryl M. Smith who immediately made a diving turn and buzzed it, observing the tail sticking out of the water and believed he saw the pilot wading ashore in knee deep water wearing his life vest. Smith buzzed the beach and area for approximately 15 minutes but did not observe the pilot again. The ditched P-38 sank after his first pass. Other pilots reported this P-38 had tail letter "C" indicating it was assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron to pilot Myers. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost is P-38J 42-67142 (MIA). Search Immediately after the crash, radio calls were made to "Gardenia" the PBY Catalina in the area to report the downed fighter, but did not establish contact. The next day, Major Meryl M. Smith led a search mission with P-38 piloted by Lt. Ratajski from the 475th FG, 432nd FS, arriving over the Murik area at 9:30am and searched until 10:20am without results. Nothing was observed on the beach where the plane ditched. Native canoes were sighted in Karau Lagoon with natives. At 9:50am, eight P-38s from the 80th Fighter Squadron arrived in the same area to continue the search before departing towards Wewak. The wreckage of a B-25 tail vertical stabilizer painted white was observed near the mouth of the Karau Lagoon. Afterwards, routine searches were flown by fighters and bombers over the Wewak area. No trace of this aircraft or the pilot was ever observed. Memorials Myers was officially declared dead on January 20, 1946. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Myers is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Ahoskie Cemetery in Ahoskie, NC. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-1-LO Lightning 42-66631 "66631 (8th FG, 80th FS) damaged by fighter and later ditched into mouth of Sepik River, New Guinea Dec 22, 1943. MACR 2284" Missing Air Crew Report 2284 (MACR 2284) American Battle Monuments Commission 2284 (ABMC 2284) - Jennings L. Myers FindAGrave - 1LT Jennings L Myers (tablets of the missing) FIndAGrave - Lieut Jennings Leary Myers (photos, memorial marker photo) Attack & Conquer (1995) pages 135-136 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 P-38  Map Dec 22, 1943  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
