Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank, California. Constructors Number 1254. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines V-1710-91 serial number 42-93782 and V-1710-89 serial number 42-29972. Weapon serial numbers 20mm cannon 58249, .50 caliber machine guns 113136, 113286, 113123 and 223028.

Mission History
On October 17, 1943 took off from North Borio Airfield (Doboudra No. 12) near Dobodura to intercept incoming Japanese A6M Zero fighters. This P-38 was last sighted by 2nd Lt. Robert E. Hunt roughly 10 miles off shore northeast of Oro Bay making a pass on the enemy formation.

When Hedrick failed to return he was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost are P-40N 42-104991 (MIA), P-38H 42-66561 (MIA), P-38H 42-66836 (rescued), P-38H "We Dood It" 42-66908 (survived).

Search
Afterwards, a search failed to find any trace of this aircraft or pilot.

Memorials
Hedrick was officially declared missing the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Missing Air Crew Report 1419 (MACR 1419)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward J. Hedrick
FindAGrave - 1Lt Edward J Hedrick (Tablets of the Missing)
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional 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
September 26, 2018