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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-11 VMSB-132  USMC 1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert H. McArdle 0-011818, (MIA / KIA) Akron, OH Gunner Pfc Albert Ray Irion, 410386 (MIA / KIA) Snyder, TX Crashed June 30, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 2733. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-5 Dauntless bureau number 10822. 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 squadron number. Mission History On June 30, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 1st Lt. Robert H. McArdle as one of twelve SBDs led by Captain J. H. Stock plus eighteen TBFs with fighter escort strike Vila Airfield on Kolombangara. Over the target, this SBD was last seen by his section leder entering his dive. When this plane failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost is SBD-3 Dauntless 4550 pilot 1st Lt. G. B. Herlihy (survived) and SBD-5 Dauntless 10814 pilot Captain J. H. Stock (survived), SBD-4 Dauntless 06966 pilot 1st Lt. McGuckin (survived), SBD-3 Dauntless 06636 pilot 1st Lt S. K. Otterson, SBD Dauntless 06951 pilot 1st Lt. R. D. Bachtel (survived). Fates of the Crew Gunner Lasseigne managed to get out of the plane and swam to shore. Memorials Both crew were officially declared dead on July 1, 1945. Both earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Both are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Relatives Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-5 Dauntless 10822 U.S. Navy Loss List Summary Sheet - SBD-5 Dauntless 10822 NARA Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 132 War Diary June 1, 1943 to August 31, 1943 pages 5-6 (Page 6) "The third plane [that went missing] was piloted by 1st Lt. R. N. McArdle and was last seen by his section leader entering the dive. Lt. McArdle and his radio gunner Pfc A. R. Irons [sic Irions] did not return from the strike, and are still missing." The Evening Standard "Lieutenant McArdle Is Believed Dead" July 12, 1943 page 8 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert H. McArdle FindAGrave - Capt Robert Henry McArdle (photos, news) American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Albert Ray Irion FindAGrave - USMC PFC Albert Ray Irion (news) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 28, 2024 |
 SBD MIA 2 Missing |
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