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| USN USS Saratoga (CV-3) VB-3  Pierre Duperoux 1997  Nicolas Duprey 2001 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Liston Rhodes Comer, 99883 (KIA, BR) Cape Girardeau, MS Gunner ARM3c James Owen Walker, 6641856 (KIA) WA Crashed December 5, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 1388. Delivered Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-3 Dauntless bureau number 06603. Assigned to an unknown squadron with squadron code 918. Wartime History Assigned to USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Bombing Squadron 3 (VB-3). No known nickname or nose art. Likely, assigned a two digit fuslage code. Mission History On December 5, 1942 took off from Tontouta Airfield on on New Caledonia piloted by Lt(jg) Liston Rhodes Comer with gunner ARM3c James Owen Walker on a training mission and crashed into Mount Mou near Nouméa. Afterwards, the remains of the crew were recovered. Wreckage This SBD crashed onto the side of Mount Mou. Until the 1980s, the crash site was largely intact with the wings and fuselage connected. By 2000, the tail section had broken off and slipped 49' / 15m further downslope. Nicholas Duprey adds: "One years ago I found a identification plate with the name of James Owen Walker, we have send a request at the Military Personal Record, and they send us the informations we have already send to you. After we have send a request at the naval Historical center, and we have received the report yesterday: the pilot was Liston Rhodes Comer, the plane was a SBD-3, and you was right, it crashed during a training mission, the cause of the crash is unknown, it was a plane of the USS Saratoga. We have also send a request at Veterans Affairs Center to try to find the next of kind of this guy, but we have to wait." The rear fuselage has the squadron number "918" but this is likely a marking from a prior squadron assignment, as VB-3 used two digit fuselage codes in late 1942 when lost. Jim Sawruk adds: "For VB-3, they never used 3 digit fuselage codes so this must be from another unit. The dual landing assistance stripe had been used by VB-3 & I think VB-6 at one time. This may be late in 1942." Recovery of Remains After the recovery of remains, both were transported to the United States for permanent burial. Memorials Both of the crew were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Comer was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 12, site 3220. Walker was buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at plot B, grave 231. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-3 Dauntless 06603 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List - SBD-3 Dauntless 06603 incorrectly listed as lost December 29, 1942 on Efate Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Liston R. Comer (grave photos) FindAGrave - Liston Rhodes Comer (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - James O Walker (grave photo) Thanks to Nicholas Duprey and 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 November 26, 2024 |
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