Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank, California. Constructors Number 1839. Converted from a model P-38G Lightning into a F-5B-1 photographic reconnaissance version. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as F-5B-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-67328. 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). No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines model V-1710-91 serial number 42-94353 and Model V-1710-89 serial number 42-30850.

Mission History
On April 18, 1944 took off from Bougainville piloted by 1st Lt. William E. Herzog on a photographic mission bound for Kavieng on New Ireland. This aircraft was believed to be lost between Buka and Kavieng.

Relatives
Richard Zeni adds:
"Last contact was with ship on takeoff. There also was a report stating that a chute in the trees at Fatsigan Island (where is this island can't find it on maps) which results were negative. The niece wants to put a closure on her uncle. Can you help with any information?"

Memorials
Herzog was officially declared dead on January 23, 1946. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. Herzog earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, posthumously.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - F-5A-10-LO Lightning 42-67328
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - F-5B Lightning 42-67328

Last Updated
February 18, 2020