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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMSB-236 |
Pilot Major Earl P. Paris, Jr., USMCR (rescued) Gunner TSgt Alden E. Christiansen, 357425 USMCR (rescued) Crashed December 1, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 3296. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-5 Dauntless bureau number 11002. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14), Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 236 (VMSB-236) "Black Panthers". No known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On December 1, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield piloted by Major Earl P. Paris with gunner TSgt Alden E. Christiansen armed with bombs as one of sixteen SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VMSB-236 on bombing and strafing attack against anti-aircraft guns and installations in the vicinity of Ballale Airfield and Kara Airfield on Bougainville. The formation was mixed formation of U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) planes including 48 SBD Dauntless dive bombers and 24 TBF Avengers. The formation found southern Bougainville covered in clouds and instead diverted to strike Ballale Airfield on Ballale Island. Over the target, this SBD was hit by anti-aircraft fire and possibly seen to crash. When this aircraft failed to return both crew members were officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was SBD-5 Dauntless 35976 (MIA). Fates of the Crew Other planes in the formation observed three in the water roughly 2-3 miles southwest of Ballale Island. One person [likely a one of the crew members of SBD-5 Dauntless 35976] was observed to land on the runway of Ballale Airfield. In fact, both bailed out and landed in the sea between the Shortland Islands and Fauro Islands. On December 4, 1943 they were spotted off Tomase Island. Rescue On December 7, 1943 in the morning, PBY Catalina commanded by LCdr G. E. Garcia (C. O. of VP-23) took off on a mission to rescue the downed crew. At 7:55am the Catalina landed off Tomase Island and sucessfully rescued both crew then took off five minutes later flying southward to Rendova Harbor and landed at t 9:20am. Memorials Paris passed away December 28, 1990 at age 70. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kirkwood, Missouri in Dogwood Section. Christiansen passed away July 27, 2014 at age 89. He is buried at Morningside Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Coon Rapids, MN at section Faith II, site 40. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-5 Dauntless 11002 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List December 1943 - SBD-5 Dauntless 11002 NARA USMC VMSB-236 War Diary December 1943 page 2 (Page 2) "1 December [1943] Operations - Sixteen pilots of the forward flight echelon participated in a dive bombing and strafing attack on Jap AA guns and installations in the vicinity of Ballale and Kara Airfields. Details are contained in attached copy of the mission report. Major E.P. Paris, Jr., USMC, and First Lieutenant Earl R. Whiteley were shot down by AA fire while diving on AA positions on Ballale Island. Major Paris and his gunner T/Sgt Alden E. Christiansen, and Lt. Whiteley [a]nd his gunner, T/Sgt. Charles A. Gotchling, were observed to bail out. Three persons were observed in the water 2 to 3 miles SW of Ballale. One person was observed to land on the runway on Ballale." FindAGrave - Earl Pierce Paris Jr. (grave photo) FindAGrave - Alden Edwin “Chris” Christiansen (grave photos) Thanks to Jim Sawruk for rescue information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021 |
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