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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 41st FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. John E. Bomar, O-386459 (survived) Spartanburg, SC Crashed August 15, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39N Airacobra serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws". No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On August 15, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby pilot 2nd Lt. Frank J. Topolcany on a escort mission over Tsili-Tsili. Intercepted a formation of Japanese planes including twelve Ki-48 Lilys from 208th Hiko Sentai (208th Flying Regiment) escorted by twenty-two Ki-43 Oscars from 59th Hiko Sentai (59th Flying Regiment) and twelve Ki-43 Oscars from 24th Hiko Sentai (24th Flying Regiment). During the air combat, this Airacobra was hit by gunfire from a Ki-43 Oscar. Damaged, Bomar bailed out and landed unhurt with his Airacobra crashing nearby. Fate of the Pilot Bomar was guided back to Tsili-Tsili and returned to duty on August 22, 1943. Memorials Bomar later was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and the Air medal with oak leaf cluster and survived the Pacific War. Bomar passed away January 18, 1999 at age 79. He is buried at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg, SC. References PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39 Airacobra piloted by Bomar History 41st Fighter Squadron, August 15, 1943 FindAGrave - John Earle Bomar (obituary, grave photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers 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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