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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 9th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Frederick J. Sibley, O-659191 (MIA / KIA) Du Page County, IL MIA July 10, 1943 at 1:45pm MACR 15081 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 322-3380. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38G-13-LO Lightning serial number 43-2271. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V1710-55-51 serial numbers 42-31996 and 42-28224. Armed with a 20mm cannon and four .50 caliber machine guns, makers and serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 15081 (MACR 15081). Wartime History On July 10, 1943 took off from Horanda Drome (Dobodura No. 4) piloted by 1st Lt. Frederick J. Sibley as one of three P-38s of "Yellow Flight" led by 1st Lt. Richard I. Bong with 1st Lt. Walter M. Markey on a mission to escort C-47s transports over the Salamaua to Mubo area. The weather was strata clouds from 10,000' up to 25,000' with 8/10 coverage and cumulus clouds over the mountains. The trio covered the area until 1:25pm then returned following the coast and flying at low altitude of 50' to 100' over the sea. This P-38 was last seen by 1st Lt Richard Bong north of Cape Ward Hunt approaching Hercules Bay while about to cross the coast the three planes were still in formation. After flying another 20 miles, this P-38 was not seen again and Bong circled in hopes he would catch up and called him over the radio without response. When this P-38 failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search After landing, Bong informed the controller of the loss and he tried to contact Sibley over the radio without response. Later that afternoon, Bong and Captain William F. Haney took off on a search mission over the area he was last seen and searched for an hour and a half but found no trace of the plane or Sibley. Memorials Sibley was officially declared dead the day of the mission and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Sibley is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Frederick J. Sibley Pilot Roster, 9th Fighter Squadron 1942-1943 via Edward Rogers USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38G-13-LO Lightning 43-2271 "2271 (49th FG, 9th FS) missing near Cape Ward Hunt, New Guinea Jul 10, 1943. Pilot missing." Missing Air Crew Report 15081 (MACR 15081) created July 12, 1943 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frederick J. Sibley FindAGrave - 1Lt Frederick J Sibley (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 April 19, 2021
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 P-38  Map July 10, 1943  MIA 1 Missing |
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