Aviation Cadet John D. Bailey during flight training
On December 18, 1944 took off piloting P-47D Thunderbolt
42-28513 on a strafing mission against Sanga Sanga Airfield. Over the target, hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed a few yards from the southern end of the runway. His squadron mates observed him in the cockpit with his head against the instrument panel, likely unconscious. In fact, he was survived and captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and died or was executed in captivity and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA) to this day.
Credit: USAAF via Paula Johnson-Marsolek Date: circa 1942
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