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Pilot 2nd Lt. Donald C. Dittler, O-430924 (MIA / KIA) Madeira, OH MIA November 22, 1942 MACR 16287 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E Warhawk serial number 41-5613. On December 22, 1941 assigned to Project "X". Disassembled and shipped overseas bound for the Philippines. Instead shipped to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) "Fighting 49ers", 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 22, 1942 took off from 3 Mile Drome (Kila) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Donald C. Dittler as one of four P-40s escorting A-20s and RAAF Beaufighters on a mission against Lae. Between Kutuna and Cape Ward Hunt, the formation came under attack by six A6M2 Zeros and a dog fight ensued. Possibly, shot down over the Buna area. The rest of the formation returned at 6:40pm. When this plane failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Dittler was officially declared dead on February 6, 1946. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References World War II Army Enlistment Records - Donald C. Dittler USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E Warhawk 41-5613 Missing Air Crew Report 16287 (MACR) was created retroactively circa 1946-1948 RAAF Casualty Card - Type unknown 22 Nov 42 New Guinea "455. Dittler, Donald O. 1st Lt. O-430924 22 Nov 42 [sic, relates to P-400 Airacobra AP377] Protect & Avenge (1995) pages 90-92 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Donald C. Dittler FindAGrave - 1Lt Donald C Dittler (tablets of the missing) 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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