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Pilot 1st Lt Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr., O-430078 8th AsG, Headquarters (MIA / KIA) Oak Park, IL MIA August 16, 1944 MACR 15310 Pilot History Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr. was born to parents Joseph Rodney Swetting Sr. and Dorothy May (née Trickey) Swetting in Berlin, Wisconsin. Prewar, he resided in Columbus, Ohio and Oak Park, IL and attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI) class of 1941. Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-430078. During May 1944, based at Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, CT. Later in 1944 sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). In New Guinea, assigned to the 8th Service Group (8th SrG), Headquarters Company and was on detached service (DS) to the Far East Air Force Combat Replacement and Training Center (FEAF-CRTC). On temporary duty (TD) at 267th Replacement Depot based at Nadzab Airfield No. 1 (APO 713-1). His is also listed as assigned to the 91st Replacement Battalion, AAF. Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39N-5-BE Airacobra serial number 42-19016. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the Far East Air Service Command (FEASC), 63rd Service Group (63rd SrG), 482nd Service Squadron, detachment. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine V-1710-85 serial number 42-100282. Weapon serial numbers not listed in Missing Air Crew Report 15310 (MACR 15310). Mission History On August 16, 1944 at 10:30am took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 1 piloted by 1st Lt Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr. on a local test flight. The weather was reported to be Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited (CAVU). Last seen on take off and when this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This plane was deemed to have two hours of flight time and took off without a drop tank. At the time of loss, 1st Lt Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr., O-430078 was assigned to the 8th Service Group, Headquarters but was on detached services (DS) to Far East Air Force Combat Replacement and Training Center (FEAF-CRTC). His loss was noted as not being on duty with FEAF-CRTC nor with one of their aircraft. Therefore, this plane was likely remained assigned to the 63rd Service Group (63rd SrG). Search At 2:00pm, Nadzab Airfield No. 1 communication notified all surrounding airfields within range and Air Sea Rescue about the missing plane. On August 17, 1944, no information was received about the missing plane. Memorials Swetting was declared dead the day of the mission. Since the flight was non-combat, he did not earn the Purple Heart, posthumously. Swetting is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Oakwood Cemetery in Berlin, WI at plot Oakwood 39, 15, 10. References Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Historical Roster Database - Joseph R. Swetting Jr. Roster ID 11895 Class of 1941 Hartford Courant "Army Pilot's Stunt Costs $1500 Fine: Bradley Field Court Penalized Lieutenant Swetting For Low Flying Over Houlton, Me" May 16, 1944 page 1 The Boston Globe "Army Flyer Fined $1500" May 16, 1944 page 9 The News-Messenger "Acrobatic Flier Confined To Base" May 17, 1944 page 8 The Courier-Journal "Pilot Pays High Price For Stunting Too Low" May 18, 1944 page 14 USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39N-5-BE Airacobra 42-19016 Missing Air Crew Report 15310 (MACR 15310) created circa 1945 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Joseph R. Swetting Jr. FindAGrave - 1Lt Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr. (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - 1LT Joseph Rodney Swetting Jr. (memorial marker photo) 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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 P-39  MIA 1 Missing |
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