Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank, California. Delivered to the U. S. Army serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On May 14, 1943 took off from Dobodura on an intercept mission. Intercepted by Japanese fighters, this P-38 received a burst of machine gun fire to its right engine. Bauhof bailed out and the aircraft crashed roughly 20 miles east of Cape Sudest off Oro Bay. Afterwards, friendly aircraft observed the parachutist swimming in the sea and being attacked by sharks. Bauhof was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Fate of the Pilot
An American crash boat immediatly went out to rescue Bauhof but the pilot was not found.

Memorials
Bauhof was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
Previously, Bauhof survived the force landing of P-38G Lighting 42-12866 on February 20, 1943
49th Fighter Group History, frame 480
Pilot Roster, 9th Fighter Squadron 1942-1943 via Edward Rogers
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Arthur R. Bauhof
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38 Lightning piloted by Bauhof 14 May 1943
Thanks to Keith Hopper for additional information

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Last Updated
September 26, 2018