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| USAAF 5th AF 348th FG 342nd FS |
Pilot 1st Lt James H. Pratt, O-665442 (MIA / KIA) Ingham County, MI Crashed December 26, 1943 at 5:00pm approximately MACR 4474 Aircraft History Built by Republic at Farmingdale, NY. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt serial number 42-8095. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS) "Scourgers". No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine R-2800 serial number 42-125024. Mission History On December 26, 1943 took off piloted by 1st Lt James H. Pratt on a mission to escort bombers over Cape Gloucester. At 18,000' off the southwest coast of New Britain, the formation encountered Japanese fighters and bombers and engaged in air combat. Missing Air Crew Report 4474 (MACR 4474) page 3 Statement by 1st Lt. Wynans E. Frankfort: "At approximately 1650 hours, Lt. Pratt was seen to peel off into a long steep dive after a Japanese fighter, and disappeared into the clouds at about 6,000'." This P-47 was lost near Sakar Island to the west of Cape Gloucester. Possibly, this P-47 was accidentally shot by Allied anti-aircraft fire. When this plane failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search An extensive search by US Navy PBY Catalina searched the area for three days and PT Boats and U.S. Navy ships covered the area searched while on other missions. Other 348th FG fighters also searched the area for fourteen days. Nothing was ever found. Memorials Pratt was declared dead on January 16, 1946. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. Pratt is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - James H. Pratt USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-47D-2-RE Thunderbolt 42-8095 "8095 (348th FG, 342nd FS) possibly shot down by friendly AA fire near Sakar Island, New Britain Dec 26, 1943. MACR 4474. Pilot KIA. The MACR wrongly lists this loss as being in 1944." Frame 264 microfilm A0808. Aircraft believed to have been shot down by Allied anti-aircraft fire, possibly shot down by friendly AA fire Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 4474 incorrectly lists this loss as 1944 [sic December 26, 1943] PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-47 Thunderbolt 42-8095 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - James H. Pratt FindAGrave - 1Lt James H Pratt (tablets of the missing) 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  MIA 1 Missing |
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