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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 431st FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert J. Smith, O-746205 (MIA / KIA) NC Crashed November 16, 1943 at 10:15am MACR 1422 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1248. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-66737. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710-89 serial number 42-93999 and V-1710-91 serial number 42-29957. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 1422 (MACR 1422). Mission History On November 16, 1943 at 7:20am took off from Dobodura Airfield No. 12 piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert J. Smith as part of "Red Flight" flying the no. 4 position on a fighter sweep over Wewak. The weather was clear with overcast above 20,000'. Over the target, the formation was attacked from above and the P-38s dove away with "Zeros" [sic Ki-43 Oscars] that followed them southward towards the Sepik River before they gave up the chase. Last seen by P-38 piloted by Major Franklin A. Nichols at 10:15am approximately ten miles north of the Sepik River. The cause of the loss was unknown. When this aircraft failed to return, Smith was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Smith was officially declared dead December 15, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Smith is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-5-LO Lightning 42-66737 "66737 (475th FG, 431st FS) MIA at New Guinea Nov 16, 1943. Pilot KIA. MACR 1422." Missing Air Crew Report 1422 (MACR 1422) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert J. Smith FindAGrave - 2LT Robert J Smith (tablets of the missing) 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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 P-38  Map Nov 16, 1943  MIA1 Missing |
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