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| USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 35th FS  Robinson June 1, 1942 |
Pilot 2nd William G. Hosford, O-430815 (KIA, BR) Franklin, MA Crashed June 1, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39F-1-BE Airacobra serial number 41-7200. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Aircraft History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On June 1, 1942 at 11:05am took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd William G. Hosford as one of thirteen Airacobra to intercept a formation of Japanese aircraft including eighteen G4M1 Bettys escorted by nine A6M2 Zeros. During the air combat, this Airacobra was shot down over Fairfax Harbor and he was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, his remains were recovered and postwar transported to Hawaii for permanent burial. Memorials Hosford was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section B, site 516. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William G. Hosford USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39F-1-BE Airacobra 41-7116 FindAGrave - Lieut William Gordon Hosford (grave photo) Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 175–178 (June 1, 1942) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 30, 2024 |
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