|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 13th AF 18th FG 12th FS  USAAF 1942  Peter Moore 1944 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert "Jug" F. Russell, O-760490 (MIA / KIA) Wilmington, DE MIA November 11, 1944 at 9:30am MACR 13291 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-4126. At the factory, completed with an unpainted aluminum finish with olive drab on the upper nose and inner sides of the engine nacelles for anti-glare. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-15-LO Lightning serial number 44-23122. 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), 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS) in bare aluminum finish. Squadron number 229 was painted on the nose and tail booms. On the right engine outer side was "Tessie" in block letters with an outline. When lost, engines V-1710-89 serial numbers V1710-01 serial numbers left A-049621 right A-049363. Armed with a 20mm cannon maker and serial number unknown plus four .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. On November 10, 1944 took off from from Wama Airfield on Morotai armed with a 1,000 pound bomb and 300 gallon drop tank as one of 33 P-38s from the 18th Fighter Group (18th FG) on a mission to attack a large Japanese transport protected by two light cruisers and four destroyers inside Ormoc Bay off Leyte. The formation arrived in the early afternoon and was attacked by eight Ki-43 Oscars that were driven off with two damage. During the attack, heavy anti-aircraft fire shot down three P-38s and seriously damaged another. The Lightnings scored two direct hits on the transport that immediately sank and claimed to hit a Japanese destroyer, incorrectly. After the mission the P-38s landed at Tacloban Airfield on Leyte. Mission History On November 11, 1944 took off from Tacloban Airfield on Leyte piloted by 1st Lt. Robert F. Russell on a fighter sweep westward. At 9:10am over Cebu intercepted by seven Zekes with two shot down. Next intercepted by a formation of over 50 Zekes between northern Negros and Panay. During the air combat, Russell claimed an aerial victory claim for a fighter. Major Robert H. Smith shot at two Zeros off Russel's tail. During the combat, 1st Lt. Christopher Squire radioed Russell to "get out of the area" and he acknowledged. This P-38 was last seen over the northern tip of Negros. When the plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Missing Air Crew Report 13291 (MACR 13291) page 5, Eyewitness Statement by Major Robert H. Smith: "About 930 I, Major Smith, shot two (2) Zekes off of Lt. Russell’s tail. I was immediately forced to turn because two (2) more Zekes were coming in at me. This was the last time Lt. Russell was seen." Missing Air Crew Report 13291 (MACR 13291) page 9, Eyewitness Statement by 1st Lt. Christopher A. Squire: "Lt. Russell and I were engaged by ten (10) Zekes. In the ensuing dog fight I was unable to maintain visual contact with Lt. Russell for more than two minutes. When I had lost visual contact I called Lt. Russell on the radio and told him to get out of area. Lt. Russell acknowledged. I received no further messages from Lt. Russell after that time and believed him to be safely enroute to the Leyte base." Search No search was conducted after his loss as the formation of P-38s flew to Leyte and then returned to base on Morotai. A message was sent to search units based at Leyte and Filipino guerrilla units in the area to alert them to the possibility this pilot had landed in their area. Memorials Russell was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Russell is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Relatives Lawrence L. Russell (father died 1974) Mildred S. Russell (mother died 1977) George G. Russell (brother died 2012) Phillip Russell Richard Russell References World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert F. Russell USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-15-LO Lightning 44-23122 "23122 (18th FG) lost Nov 11, 1944. MACR 13291" USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Russell, Robert F. page 165 (PDF page 172) Weekly Status and Operations Report (Form 34) 12th Fighter Squadron November 11, 1944 Missing Air Crew Report 13291 (MACR 13291) created November 19, 1944 Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) Robert F. Russell The Merrill Daily Herald "Lt. Russell Is Reported Missing In Leyte Battle" page 1, column 2 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert F. Russell FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert Frederick Russell (photos) 13th Fighter Command in World War II page 266 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 P-38  Map Nov 11, 1944  Photo Archive  MIA1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
