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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-11 VMSB-132  P. Meado Oct 4, 2011  P Welch Jun 3, 2015 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Frank L. Christen, O-010199 (POW / MIA, BNR) Jerseyville, IL Gunner Pfc Glenn Shattuck, 359311 (MIA / KIA, BNR) Granby, CT Crashed December 16, 1942 at 11:00pm Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 1080. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-3 Dauntless bureau number 03258 Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to 1st Marine Air Wing (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11), Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 (VMSB-132) "Crying Red Asses". No known nickname, nose art or markings. On December 15, 1942 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank L. Christen with gunner Jackson on a dive bombing mission against Munda. The formation also included SBDs from VMSB-142. Over the target, this aircraft dive bombed a dump area. On December 16, 1942 at 10:30am took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank L. Christen with gunner Pfc Glenn Shattuck as one of four SBDs led by Lt. McEniry on a dive bombing mission to attack a group of transports reportedly unloading on the southeastern coast of the Russell Islands. No transports were found, but on the return trip a two masted schooner was spotted in Hooper Bay off the northwest coast of Pavuvu and the formation dive bombed with all bombs missing the vessel. Afterwards, all four SBDs returned safely. Mission History On December 16, 1942 at 9:05pm took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank L. Christen as one of seven SBDs on a night dive bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Munda and Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation was led by Lt. McEniry with Lt. Skinner, Lt. Jackson, Lt. Christen, Lt. Simpson, TSgt Humprey and SSgt Wallof with two pilots from VMSB-142. Over the target, Lt. Jackson and Lt. Christen became separated from the formation and spotted a destroyer or light cruiser off Munda and were targeted by heavy anti-aircraft fire. Dive bombing, Lt. Jackson claimed a direct hit while Captain Christen dropped flares then dive bombed the ship, and was never seen again. The rest of the formation was unable to find the ship and instead bombed Munda Airfield and returned to land on December 17, 1942 at 12:30am. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, this SBD was retuning from the mission in a torrential rain storm and at 11:00pm crashed or ditched into the sea near Tetepare Island (Tutipari). Gunner Shattuck died on impact and likely went down with the aircraft when it sank. Fates of the Pilot Pilot Christen survived unhurt and plane's life raft and used it to paddle to a nearby small island that was uninhabited. Next, he used the life raft to paddle to Tetepare Island (Tutipari) arriving in the afternoon of December 18, 1942. Ashore, he ate coconuts but was spotted by two Japanese lookouts stationed on the island that shouted to him. Christen attempted to evade capture by climbing a large tree near a jetty but was found and captured. Afterwards, he was transported to Munda and As a Prisoners Of War (POW) of the Imperial Japanese Army, he was transported to Munda and interrogated over two days. During his questioning, civilian war correspondent Sukemitsu Ishihara acted as an interpreter because he spoke English. His ultimate fate is unknown, likely he was executed or died in captivity at Munda or elsewhere in the South Pacific. Christen remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). During late December 1943, his interrogation was captured in the Cape Gloucester area and translated to English by Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) No. 260 dated January 12, 1945 in Interrogation Reports On American, Appendix 1 PW Interrogation Report. Although not named, the details match Christen. The report notes "the names of the individuals are omitted and have been communicated directly to the service concerned... It is recognized that the statements of any PW may have been obtained by torture." Although USMC Casualty Card - Frank L. Christen, 010199 (Card No. 2 Front) notes "Christen may have been captured and interviewed by the Japanese" it is unclear if these details were ever relayed to his family. Memorials Both crew were officially declared dead on December 17, 1943. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Christen was promoted to the rank of Captain, posthumously. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville, IL. Shattuck earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker on his mother's grave at Granby Cemetery in Granby, CT at B-65. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-3 Dauntless 03258 listed as written off 5/15/42 [sic] USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List December 1942 - SBD Dauntless 03258 pilot Lt. F. L. Christen NARA of World War II Prisoners of War does not list Christen as an official POW of the Japanese but this is not uncommon for Allied personnel captured in the South Pacific Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) - Frank L. Christen (Page 5) "Above decedent and (1) other crew of SBD-3 Plane # 03258, were lost over Munda Bay 16 Dec 42. For purposes of mem, area of death code is #3H (Solomons)." USMC Casualty Card - Frank L. Christen, 010199 (Card No. 1 Rear) "CS #354 fr Hd, MAG-11, 1st MAW, FMF, dated 12-20-42 rec’d 1-18-43 states that this man failed to return from attack mission on the evening of 17 Dec 42. (ehs)" USMC Casualty Card - Frank L. Christen, 010199 (Card No. 2 Front) "Do Not Release This Information. Div of P.&P. Memo dated 6Feb45 (Confidential Serial #20C3745) rec’d in CasDiv 8Feb 45 indicates that Lt. Christen may have been captured and interviewed by the Japanese. Even if so interviewed it is highly probable that he died or was killed shortly afterwards as he has never been confirmed as a POW. (mk)" USMC Casualty Card - Glenn Shattuck, 359311 (Card No. 1 Rear) CS #354 fr Hd, MAG-11, 1st MAW, FMF, dated 12-20-42 rec’d 1-18-43 states that this man failed to return from attack mission on the evening of 17 Dec 42. (ehs) Has gov’t Ins. (mk) Cert of death rec’d from BuM&S 3-3-44 (mvn) Body not recovered. Determined non-recoverable by field board 30Jul49. (tvl) Given name [on card] changed to read Glenn after review of case. MFE." ATIS Intelligence Report, 8 Area Army Group Intelligence No. 9 covering period 16-20 December [1942] issued by 8 Area Army Force Staff Section. "Statements of a prisoner of war captured at MUNDA - As of 15 December, on Guadalcanal Island, there are approximately 30,000 Navy Personnel, Air Unit, 10-15 B-17 heavy Bombers, 10 Airacobra fighters, 10 Lockheeds, 50 Grumman F4Fs (Navy Airplane), 25 SBC Carrier Bombers (Navy Airplanes)... Air unit personnel has diminished considerably and particularly reinforcements for carrier bomber personnel are few. They make 3 or 4 runs a day and are very tired." NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 War Diary October 13, 1942 to April 30, 1943 page 16 "On December sixteenth, Lt. McEniry led an attack group on an transport reported unloading on the south east coast of the Russells. Other pilots of this group were; Lieutenants Simpson, Eck and SSgt Wallof, time 1030-1235. No transports located, but on return trip a two masted schooner was found in Hooper Bay, off the North west coast of Pavuvu. All planes dove: score: four misses. Lt McEniry led his second attack of the day, time 2105-2430, on shipping, or the field [Munda Airfield] at Munda Bay. Other pilots of the strike were: Lieutenants Skinner, Jackson, Christen, Simpson, TSgt Humphrey, and SSgt Wallof. Also two pilots from VMSB-142. Lieutenants Jackson and Christen located a large destroyer or light cruiser in the bay (after becoming separated from the attack group) and attacked same. Lt. Jackson scored a direct hit. Lt Christen, after releasing his flares, dove on the ship. Lt. Jackson saw the beginning of Lt. Christen's dive, but was not able to see him again. Heavy AA was received from the ship. the remaining pilots of the attack group were unable to locate any shipping, so they unloaded their bombs on the enemy air base at Munda. Second Lieutenant F.L. Christen and his radio gunner, Pvt. Glenn N. Shattuck, failed to return from the strike. Five pilots from VMSB-132 were grounded this date by Dr. Roy J. Johnson with "pilot's fatigue". Hartford Courant "Granby Man Missing" January 2, 1943 "Granby, Jan. 1. –(Special.)– Word that Private Glenn Shattuck, 25 of the Marines is missing in action reached his family New Year's Eve [December 31, 1942]. He is the youngest son of Mrs. Isabelle Shattuck and Town Clerk Edwin Shattuck. Private Shattuck enlisted in the Marines last February and is the first Granby man in the armed forces to be listed as missing. He was last reported in action in the Pacific area. After basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he attended radio school in Texas. Before enlistment he was employed by the Niles, Bement and Pond Division of Pratt and Whiteny in Hartford. He is a graduate of Simsbury High School. Besides his parents he has three brothers, Tax Collector Earle Shattuck and Allan Shattuck, both of Granby, and Theodore Shattuck of Simsbury and three sisters, Mrs. Robert Dunne, Mrs. Herbert Fowler and Mis June Shattuck, all of Granby." Nippon Times "6-Foot U.S. Airmen Weeps In Captivity" by Sukemitsu Ishihara March 22, 1943 page 1, 2 "UNNAMED BASE IN THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC [Munda, New Georgia] –– Many a Japanese soldier in action on the Southern Front has breathed his last with the cry, “Damn it crash that American plane!” How often have we clenched our teeth on seeing monstrous Boeing-17 bombers [Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress] that bombed our positions ignoring the glaring streaks of our searchlights and our anti-aircraft gunfire. Intense hostility burns in the hear of every soldier of the Imperial Forces who has seen his dears comrades-in-arms made victim of the United States warplanes." History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1952) page 123 "Thereafter [After December 12, 1942], the Munda Field [Munda Airfield] was struck almost daily - by everything form fighter bullets to B-17 bombloads." Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency - WWII Report for Illinois (Unaccounted For) - Christen, Frank L. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Frank L. Christen FindAGrave - Capt Frank Leonard Christen (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Frank Leonard Christen (memorial marker photo) date of death listed as December 7, 1943 [sic] Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency - WWII Report for Mass (Unaccounted For) - Shattuck, Glenn American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Glenn Shattuck FindAGrave - PFC Glenn Shattuck (tablets of the missing photo) date of death listed as December 17, 1943 [sic] FindAGrave - Glenn Shattuck (obituary, memorial marker photo) Thanks to Richard Dunn and Edward Rogers for additional research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 26, 2024 |
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