Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  P-38L-5-LO Lightning Serial Number 44-25455  
USAAF
13th AF
18th FG
12th FS

Pilot  F/O Gerald R. Shannon, T-002716 (MIA / KIA) Kittanning, PA
MIA  January 20, 1945
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-6459. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38L-5-LO Lightning serial number 44-25455. This aircraft had a natural aluminum finish. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 18th Fighter Group (18th FG), 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS). No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On January 20, 1945 took off from Lingayen Airfield piloted by F/O Gerald R. Shannon on a strafing mission against Japanese forces. During the mission, this aircraft experienced difficulties and was observed to crash and explode on impact 21 miles north-northeast of Lingayen Gulf at roughly Lat 6° 10'N, Long 120°  19'E. No trace of the aircraft or pilot was seen. When this aircraft failed to return, Shannon was listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Shannon was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Shannon is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Relatives
Laurence Trulick (mother's cousin was Shannon)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Gerald R. Shannon

USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-25455
January 1945 USAAF Overseas Accident Reports does not list this aircraft or pilot
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Gerald R. Shannon
FindAGrave - FLt O Gerald R Shannon (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
February 18, 2020

 

Tech Info
P-38

MIA
MIA
1 Missing
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram