|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 9th FS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Francis S. Love, O-736269 (survived) Dexter, Iowa Crashed July 13, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38 Lightning model and serial number unknown. Likely, this aircraft was a P-38G or P-38H model. 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). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 13, 1943 took off from Dobodura piloted by 2nd Lt. Francis S. Love on a mission. During the flight, Love's windscreen fogged up, forcing him to bail out in the vicinity of Hercules Bay near the mouth of the Mambare River to the west of Cape Ward Hunt. This P-38 was last by the formation making a 150° turn to the right and headed out to sea. It is believed that the pilot had by then already bailed out, possibly due to engine trouble. Fate of the Pilot In fact, Love landed unhurt. Later, he was rescued by a Piper L-4 roughly 25 miles up the coast from Cape Ward Hunt and returned to duty. On November 2, 1943 took off piloting P-38G Lightning 42-12848 and went Missing In Action (MIA) in air combat approaching Rabaul. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Francis S. Love PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38 Lightning piloted by Love American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Francis S. Love "1LT Love's remains have been recovered and identified. His name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial." FindAGrave - Francis Schuyler Love (photo, grave photo) Thanks to Keith Hopper for additional information 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 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
