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Pilot Captain Joe Y. Copenhaver, O-729136 (MIA / KIA) MT MIA March 5, 1944 MACR 4091 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1871. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as F-5B-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-67360 photographic reconnaissance version. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710 serial numbers 42-94133 and 41-30806. Mission History On March 5, 1944 at 9:40am took off from Nadzab Airfield pilted by Captain Joe Y. Copenhaver to conduct a visual reconnaissance over the Tadji area. This aircraft failed to return and was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage On September 19, 1962 this aircraft was located by by an Australian Patrol Officer (kiap) and a team from U.S. Army CILHI recovery mission "3-1962". A large portion of the site had been washed away by the headwaters of the Sepik River. The only visible parts remaining were radio parts, a wing tip and a piece of metal showing the U.S. star insignia. A retractable landing gear from the main wreckage was found downstream roughly 155 yards. No human remains were found at the site. Memorials Copenhaver was officially declared dead on February 5, 1946. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - F-5B-1-LO Lightning 42-67360 Missing Air Crew Report 4091 (MACR 4091) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joe Y. Copenhaver FindAGrave - Capt Joe Y Copenhaver (tablets of the mission) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - F-5B Lightning 42-67360 Thanks to Edward Rogers and Robert Piper for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 16, 2025
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