Pacific Wrecks - P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt Serial Number 42-22941

P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt Serial Number 42-22941

USAAF April 1943

Pilot 2nd Lt Samuel C. McFarland (survived) Reading, PA
Ditched February 21, 1944
MACR none

Aircraft History
Built by Republic at the Indiana Division of Republic Aviation in Evansville, IN. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt serial number 42-22941. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 58th Fighter Group (58th FG), 69th Fighter Squadron (69th FS). No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On February 21, 1944 took off piloted by 2nd Lt Samuel C. McFarland on an escort mission. Returning, this aircraft's propeller went out and was last seen over the Ayutosen Maru (The Gona Wreck). Afterwards, this P-47 ditched roughly 30' from the shore with the tail rudder visible above water.

Rescue
Afterwards, a search party found the pilot on the beach near Opi and returned him to the squadron.

Memorials
McFarland died October 25, 1942 at age 72. He is buried at Spies Zion Cemetery in Reading, PA.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Samuel C. Mc Farland
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt 42-22941
FindAGrave - Samuel Clinton McFarland (photo, grave photo)

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Last Updated
May 5, 2025

P-47