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| USAAF 5th AF 6th PRG 25th PRS  Stuckey Dec 27, 1943   Phil Bradley 2002  Justin Taylan 2003  Gail Parker 2006 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas "Tommy" H. Roberts, O-794504 (MIA / KIA) Hot Sulfur Springs, CO Crashed January 12, 1944 MACR 2287 Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra serial number 42-19949. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (6th PRG), 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (25th PRS). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On January 12, 1944 at 10:32am took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Thomas "Tommy" H. Roberts on a local flight. Although listed as a non-combat flight, it is likely Roberts intended to overfly Shaggy Ridge to drop candy and cigarette to his buddies in the Australian Army Australian Army 2/16th Battalion that he had served with the prior month. This aircraft was last seen headed inland with a one hour supply of fuel. When it failed to return, Roberts was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search An extensive search was conducted by various types of aircraft between January 13, 1944 until February 12, 1944 covering the area to the north of Port Moresby to Kokoda, the sea to the south and coastline of New Guinea. No trace of the plane or pilot were observed. Wreckage Reportedly, this wreckage of this Airacobra was located post war and Roberts remains were buried at the site by the Australian Army. The exact location of the wreck is not noted in their report. Memorial Roberts was officially declared dead the day of the mission. For his actions between December 27-28, 1943 Roberts earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Relatives Ted Roberts (brother of Thomas Roberts) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra 42-19949 "19949 (6th FG) lost Jan 12, 1944, SW Pacific. MACR 2287" Missing Air Crew Report 2287 (MACR 2287) AG 201 Roberts, Thomas H. 29 August 1949 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas H. Roberts FindAGrave - 1Lt Thomas H Roberts (tablets of the missing) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39Q Airacobra 42-19949 Forty of the Fifth Profile 35 "The Hunter in Tommy Roberts" pages 103-108 On Shaggy Ridge pages 136-137, 139, 145, 152, 157-158 After the Battle Issue 135 "The Tommy Roberts Story" by Gail Parker Thanks to Phil Bradley and John Douglas 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
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