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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-25 VMJ-253 |
Pilot ? Navigator Ltj(g) Thomas Jorgensen, O-106018 USNR VP-11 (MIA / KIA) Springfield, IL MIA November 15, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Douglas. Constructors Number 4367. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-78?? (last two digit unknown). On May 9, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as R4D-1 bureau number 01648. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 25 (MAG-25), Marine Utility Squadron 253 (VMJ-253). No known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On November 15, 1942 took off from Espiritu Santo on a flight bound for Henderson Field on Guadalcanal as one of six scheduled but two experienced engine trouble and did not fly the mission. Aboard was navigator Lt(g) Thomas Jorgensen who was a U.S. Navy PBY Catalina pilot acting as navigator for the flight. While on approach to land, this aircraft exploded over Savo Strait with the wreckage falling into the sea between Savo Island and Guadalcanal. The entire crew were listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Officially, this aircraft was stricken off charge on November 30, 1942. Jim Sawruk adds: "A PBY officer Lt(jg) Thomas Jorgensen was the navigator on this flight. He may have been from VP-11 but not 100% sure yet. It has been a very long time since I ran across it. I think this aircraft originated at Espiritu Santo and was one of 6 DC-3 type aircraft scheduled for this day. Some did not get off due to engine starting problems and I think it was 2 that suffered from this. [The crash] occurred on 15 Nov'42 when a R4D-1 BuNo. 01648 crashed in Savo Sound while approaching Henderson Field." Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Jorgensen also has a memorial marker at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Logan County, IL at plot WH 1-58-2. References Note, the date of this loss is listed as November 12, 1942 or November 13, 1942 but November 15, 1942 is the correct date. It is possible this R4D took off from Guadalcanal bound Espiritu Santo. Navy Serial Number Search Results - R4D-1 01648 "01648 (MSN 4367) to US Navy May 09, 1942 - MAW-2 [sic MAW-1]/VMJ-253. SOC Pearl Harbor Nov 30, 1942." USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List November 1942 - R4D-1 01648 VMJ-253 11/15/1942 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas Jorgensen FindAGrave - LtJG Thomas Jorgensen (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Thomas Jorgensen (memorial marker photo) date of death listed as November 16, 1942 [sic] Thanks to Jim Sawruk for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated March 1, 2024 |
 R4D  MIA 1 Missing |
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