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| USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 36th FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt Devin H. Gilchrist, O-737063 (MIA / KIA) Summit County, OH Crashed December 26, 1943 at 3:00pm MACR 2026 Aircraft History Built by Republic at the Indiana Division of Republic Aviation in Evansville, IN. Constructor Number 391. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D Thunderbolt serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 26, 1943 took off from Nadzab Airfield (No 1 Runway) piloted by 2nd Lt Devin H. Gilchrist as part of the fighter cover over Cape Gloucester. Over the target, a number of Japanese fighters intercepted. As the formation made a 180 degree turn, this aircraft was seen descending with a couple of puffs of black smoke coming from the exhaust as the engine apparently cut out. Also lost was P-47D pilot Heckerman was also lost one and a half miles north of Silimati Point around 3:20pm. Gilchrist bailed out, and was last seen swimming in the water with his life vest inflated, about four miles northwest of Silimati Point, the east of Cape Gloucester and west of Borgen Bay. An assault boat was seen heading for him when last sighted. Memorials Gilchrist was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Devin H. Gilchrist USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-3-RA Thunderbolt 42-22640 "22640 (8th FG, 36th FS) shot down by Japanese fighter 5 mi NW of Silimati Point, New Britain Dec 26, 1943. MACR 2026. Pilot KIA" American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Devin H. Gilchrist FindAGrave - 2Lt Devin H Gilchrist (tablets of the missing photo) Thanks to Kenneth D. Wilson for constructor number 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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 P-47  Map Dec 26, 1943  MIA 1 Missing |
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