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| USAAF 13th AF 18th FG 419th NFS Detachment "A" |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert J. McDonald, O-746138 419th NFS (MIA / KIA) MI MIA April 18, 1944 at 10:15am MACR 3739 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-10-LO Lightning serial number 42-67788. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 18th Fighter Group (18th FG), attached to the 419th Night Fighter Squadron (419th NFS), Detachment "A". When lost, engines: V-1710-89 and V-1710-91 serial numbers A-035710 and A-035710. Mission History On April 18, 1944 took off from Piva Airfield on Bougainville piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert J. McDonald armed with a single 500 pound bomb as one of three P-38s on a bombing and strafing mission against anti-aircraft guns and coastal guns in the Buka-Bonis area. The flight was led by Lt Donald Dessert with Lt. Robert LaCroix plus this aircraft. Over the target, this P-38 was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the right engine and set on fire over Sorum Point on Bougainville. McDonald successfully parachuted from the burning airplane at approximately 10:15am. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Ten minutes later, a PBY Catalina arrived to attempt a rescue covered by P-40s and P-38s but did not spot him and the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. Memorials McDonald was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-10-LO Lightning 42-67788 Missing Air Crew Report 3739 (MACR 3739) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert J. McDonald FindAGrave - 2Lt Robert J McDonald (tablets of the missing photo) 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  MIA 1 Missing |
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