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| USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 36th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt Frederic T. Burley, O-792101 (KIA, BR) East Orange, NJ Crashed October 11, 1943 at 8:45am MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39 Airacobra model and serial number are unknown. Likely, this aircraft was a P-38Q model serial number 42-????? (last five digits unknown). Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS) "The Flying Fiends". No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On October 11, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt Frederic T. Burley as one of four Airacobras flying a gunnery training mission. Burley was flying as the element. During a strafing run, this Airacobra lost control and crashed near the beach to the south of Bootless Bay near Tubusereia. Pilot Burley was killed in the crash. Afterwards, his remains were recovered. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of Burley were recovered and buried in Port Moresby. Postwar, his remains were transported to Hawaii for permanent burial. Memorials Burley was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Previously, he earned the Air Medal. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section D site 426. Wreckage Until the early 1970s, the wreckage of this aircraft remained at the tide line off Tubusereia. Ray Fairfield adds: "I only waded ashore to it once. There was nothing to salvage other than the guns - corroded right away. This one ditched between the tide lines in Tubusereia area, I had a .30 caliber machine gun from it, and Bill Chapman had the 37mm Cannon when I left PNG. Both had live rounds up the spout!" References PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39 Airacobra pilot Burley Attack and Conquer (1995) page 313 FindAGrave - 1Lt Frederic T Burley (grave photos) Thanks to Ray Fairfield 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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