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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 40th FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. William H. Owen, O-742883 (MIA / KIA) Los Angeles, CA MIA October 27, 1943 MACR 1245 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 42-20019. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 40th Fighter Squadron (40th FS). No known nose art or nickname. When lost engine V-1710-85 serial number 42-96208. Armed with 37mm cannon maker unknown serial number 5759 plus four .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial number 661502, 506007, 661477 and ?08120. Mission History On October 27, 1943 took off Nadzab Airfield piloted by 2nd Lt. William H. Owen on a patrol mission over Lae and Kaiapit. The weather was scattered cumulus clouds 2,000' to 3,000' with 2/10 coverage. At 5:55pm last seen by 1st Lt. Carl E. Nelson north of Zagahemi on the Huon Peninsula. This Airacobra appeared to be struggling before engaging in air combat with Japanese fighters. When this plane failed to return and was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search Despite extensive searches of the area, no trace of this aircraft or the pilot was be found. There was a report of a life raft between But and Dagua, but it was not found during the official search. Memorials Sparks earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He was officially declared dead December 14 1945. Sparks is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William H. Owen USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra 42-20019 "20019 (35th FG) lost Oct 27, 1943. MACR 1245" Missing Air Crew Report 1245 (MACR 1245) created October 29, 1943 pages 1-12 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William H. Owen FindAGrave - 2Lt William H Owen (tablets of the missing) 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  Map Oct 27, 1943  MIA 1 Missing |
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