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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 39th FS |
Pilot Lt. Robert G. Rose (survived) Motley County, TX Crashed June 25, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39 Airacobra serial number unknown. Likely, this aircraft was a P-39F Airacobra. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On June 25, 1942 took off from 12 Mile Drome near Port Moresby pilot Lt. Robert G. Rose to intercept enemy planes then overhead, when this plane struck a log at the end of the runway and went hurtling into a river. Flaming gasoline splashed over the plane, ammunition and the surrounding water. During the crash, Rose was knocked unconscious. Rescue At great personal risk, three U.S. Army 96th Engineers General Service Regiment (Colored) Cpl Harvey M. Crandle, Pfc Julius S. Franklin and Pvt James Scott plunged into the river, swam to the blazing plane and pulled the unconscious pilot to safety. On March 13, 1943 the three soldiers were decorated with the Soldier's Medal for Heroism and each personally decorated by U.S. Army Brigadier General Dwight F. Johns. Carlos Dannacher adds: "This was most likely the Laloki River which crossed between the 12 mile strip and the 14 mile strip. It was more like a large creek and could be waded in places. In June 1942 the 39th was flying from 12 mile. 14 mile was just under construction. If the 39th was taking off, it had to be from east to west so that any failures on take off would certainly slice into the river. There was no river at the east end of 12 mile. Among other things in the box were some orders of pilots returning to the USA, most of them Java veterans, in October 1942. At the bottom, Rose was also listed. So he must have been badly injured in this crash. Edward Rogers adds: "Nothing is mentioned about such an incident in Samuelson's book, Love, War, and the 96th Engineers (Colored): The World War II New Guinea Diaries of Captain Hyman Samuelson. On June 6 when he was still at Moresby. He did leave Port Moresby prior to June 25 which explains why he doesn't mention it then." References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert G. Rose NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harvey M. Crandle, 34032728 NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Julius S. Franklin, 34090216 NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James Scott, 14015626 Previously, Rose crash landed P-39F Airacobra 41-7121 on June 6, 1942 at 12 Mile Drome and survived unhurt. Yank Vol. 1, No. 13, September 9, 1942 "Hero Medals to three Negros for Saving Pilot in Blazing Plane" V Fighter Command "Negros Decorated For Saving Life of 39th Pilot" March 21, 1943 via Edward Rogers Thanks to Carlos Dannacher and 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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