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| USAAF 10th AF 80th FG 90th FS  USAAF 1943 |
Pilot Captain John B. Ruckstuhl, O-348861 (MIA / KIA) St. Louis, MO Crashed November 2, 1943 MACR 1083 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructor Number 16073. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-1-CU Warhawk serial number 42-104601. Wartime History Assigned to the 10th AF (10th AF), 80th Fighter Group (80th FG) "Burma Banshees", 90th Fighter Squadron (90th FS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine V-1710-13 serial number 43-10681. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 361210, 363667, 352320, 362587, 360331, 461538. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from Jorhat Airfield in India piloted by Captain John B. Ruckstuhl on a strafing mission against Maingkwan in Burma. The weather was good with good visibility. Last seen at 1:45pm three miles south of Maingkwan. When this aircraft failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, a search led by Captain Willard J. Webb was flown by four P-40s and a B-25 Mitchell searched for the crash site and pilot without results and presumed the plane crashed into the jungle and was not visible. Memorials Ruckstuhl was officially declared dead January 15 1946. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-1-CU Warhawk Serial Number 42-104601 "104601 (80th FG) lost in China Nov 2, 1943. MACR 1083" St. Louis Globe "Betrothal Told Luncheon Guests" February 14, 1943 St. Louis Post Dispatch "4 Reported Missing Now Listed As Dead" January 29, 1946 Missing Air Crew Report 1083 (MACR 1083) created November 4, 1943 80th Fighter Group - Battle Casualties not due to enemy action (Microfilm frame 0060) "Ruckstuhl 2 November 1943 - Capt. John B. Ruckstuhl, 90th Squadron, who went into a low strafing pass south of Maingkwan with the other two planes of his flight, was not seen again when the flight reassembled after the pass. Smoke was seen rising through the trees but the jungle was so thick it was impossible to make any observations." 80th Fighter Group - Group Pilot Casualties 8 Sept 43 – 7 Sept 44 (Microfilm frame 0061) "Battle Casualties not due to enemy action - Ruckstuhl" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John B. Ruckstuhl FindAGrave - Capt John Beckers Ruckstuhl (photo, tablets of the missing photo) Fold3 - John B Ruckstuhl (photo) 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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