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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 7th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. John F. Crowley, O-794472 (MIA / KIA) Elmhurst, NY Crashed January 23, 1944 MACR [no number] Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N Warhawk serial number 42-?????? (last six digits unknown). Disassembled and shipped overseas 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. When lost, engine and weapon serial numbers unknown. Mission History On January 23, 1944 took off from Guasap Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. John F. Crowley flying high cover on a patrol mission over Wewak. The "Red Flight" flight leader was P-40N pilot 1st Robert DeHaven with wingman P-40N pilot Marion Hawke. This aircraft was element leader with wingman P-40 pilot Jack Suggs. Over the target, intercepted by Japanese fighters, Crowley dropped to a low altitude near the surface of the sea. Crowley was observed flying at 1,500' when he nosed over and crashed into Dallman Harbor near Cape Moem and was not seen to bail out. Several pilots and crews observed Crowley's plane hit the water and he was the only aircraft lost on mission. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Likely, this aircraft was shot down by Ki-43 Oscar pilot Nongo. Moments later, this Oscar was shot down by 1st Robert DeHaven. Memorials Crowley was declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Crowley is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) to this day. Wreckage The wreckage of a P-40N Warhawk upside down underwater might be assicated with this loss. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - John F. Crowley 49th Fighter Group microfilm C0131 frame 2104 News "Lt. J. F. Crowley Army Fighter Pilot Elmhurst Man Killed In New Guinea" 1944 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-40 Kittyhawk piloted by Crowley Missing Air Crew Report [no number] MACR [no number] created April 1, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC) - John Francis Crowley FindAGrave - 1Lt John Francis Crowley (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing) Protect & Avenge (1995) page 229-230, 355 (index Crowley) 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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