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| USAAF 13th AF |
Pilot 2nd Lt Maurice G. Henderson, O-730483 (KIA, BR) Shreveport, LA Crashed January 12, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39L Airacobra serial number 42-4637. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On January 12, 1943 took off from New Caledonia piloted by 2nd Lt Maurice G. Henderson as one of two Airacobras on a training flight over the central mountain range. When the pair failed to return both were listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was P-39K Airacobra 42-4393 (KIA). Wreckage Afterwards, the crash site of both planes were located and remains of the pilot recovered. Later, the engine was recovered from the crash site and moved to Nouméa. Memorials Henderson was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Pacific Campaign Medal with one Battle Star, American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. On October 21, 1947 permenantly buried at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport, LA. Also, a memorial plaque at the former town hall at Nouméa commemorates the loss of both pilots with the engine recovered from the crash site. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Maurice G. Henderson USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-1-BE Airacobra 42-4637 FindAGrave - 2LT Maurice G. Henderson (grave photos, obituary, news) The Shreveport Times "Shreveport Flier Dies In South Pacific Mishap: Was One of Two Brothers Who Became Army Pilots" January 17, 1943 page 3 "He was pilot of a P-38 [sic P-39] army pursuit plane..." The Shreveport Times "Rites Today For First of Our War Dead: Military Funeral WIll Be Held For Lt. Henderson" October 21, 1947 page 14 The Shreveport Times "Lt. Henderson Buried Here with Honors" October 22, 1947 page 3 "Lt. Henderson was killed Oct. 12, 1943 when his P-38 [sic P-39] fighter plane crashed on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific." 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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