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| USAAF 5th AF 8th PG 36th PS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Joseph S. Lovett, Jr., O-430933 (KIA, BR) Columbus, OH Crashed May 3, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39D-BE Airacobra serial number 41-6909. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Pursuit Group (8th FG), 36th Pursuit Squadron (36th FS) "The Flying Fiends". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On May 3, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Morsby piloted by 2nd Lt. Joseph S. Lovett, Jr. on a mission to intercept incoming Japanese bombers. The formation included ten Airacobras. The Japanese G3M2 Nell were flying in two groups flying in a "V" formation of six bombers each. After attacking the formation at 9:00am, this Airacobra was last seen in a terminal dive. Lovett was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains After the crash, a portion of Lovett's remains were recovered and postwar transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Lovett was declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. Lovett has an unknown burial likely in a private cemetery in his hometown in the United States. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39D-BE Airacobra 41-6909 "6909 condemned Apr 30, 1945" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39D Airacobra 41-6909 Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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