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| USAAF 5th AF 71st TRG 82nd TRS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot 1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr., O-796103 (MIA / KIA) Baltimore County, MD Crashed April 9, 1944 at 3:05pm MACR none 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 42-20355. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History On November 24, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (82nd TRS) "The Strafin' Saints". No known nose art or nickname. According to the logbook of 1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. he flew a P-38Q between March 17, 1944–April 8, 1944, likely P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355. On March 17, 1944 took off piloting a P-39Q Airacobra from Cape Gloucester Airfield on a flight to Finschafen Airfield. Later that same day took off from Finschafen Airfield on a flight to Dobodura. On March 20, 1944 took off from Dobodura piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on a flight back to Finschafen Airfield. Later the same day took off from Finschafen Airfield on a recon and strafing flight off Erima and Madang area, strafed two trucks and supples. On March 21, 1944 took off from Finschafen Airfield piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on a flight to Dobodura. On April 5, 1944 took off from Dobodura piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on flight to Saidor Airfield. On April 8, 1944 took off from Saidor Airfield piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on an armed recon over Alexishafen to Hansa Bay. When lost, engine V-1710-85 serial number unknown. Armed with a single 37mm cannon, two .50 caliber machine guns makers makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On April 9, 1944 took off from Saidor Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. as one of five P-39 Airacobras on an armed reconnaissance mission over the north coast of New Guinea. The formation included: 2nd Lt Thomas B. Sellers, 2nd Lt Michael F. Moffitt and Captain George R. Karr flying top cover with Lt. Diffenderffer and Lt. Sellers at minimum altitude as the strafing element. At 3:05pm, while flying approximately two miles out to sea off Ulingan Harbor, this Airacobra was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and exploded in midair. The gunfire was believed to be from a "coastal battery" on the ground. The only remaining trace of the crash was burning oil and gasoline on the surface of the water. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Diffenderffer was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Diffenderffer is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. On November 22, 1946 his name is listed on the McDonogh Remembers Memorial at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD. On June 16, 1995 he had a military funeral and a memorial marker added Arlington National Cemetery at memorial section H site 313-B due to efforts of his nephew, Ross B. Diffenderffer Jr. Relatives Claude A Diffenderffer (father died 1944) Susan C Diffenderffer (mother died 1943) Ross B. Diffenderffer (brother died 1991) Ross B. Diffenderffer Jr. (nephew) Claude A. Diffenderffer IV (great-nephew) References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - C. A. Diffenderffer, Jr USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra 42-20355 Casualty File, Frames 343 and 344 Microfilm A0912 Flight Record (Logbook) 1st Lt. Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. March 17, 1944–April 8, 1944 M/Sgt. W.E. Ursprung Journal April 10 - Lt. Diffederfer [Diffenderffer] was shot down [April 9] by Jap ack ack this afternoon. PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Claude A. Diffenderffer (grave photos) ArlingtonNationalCemetery.net - Claude A. Diffenderffer Arlington National Cemetery Website - Claude A. Diffenderffer via Wayback Machine February 19, 2001 FindAGrave - 1Lt Claude A Diffenderffer, Jr (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - Lieut Claude Augustus Diffenderffer, Jr. (ANC memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Claude A Diffenderffer Jr. (Green mount Cemetery) Thanks to Ross B. Diffenderffer Jr. 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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 P-39  MIA 1 Missing |
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