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  SBD-5 Dauntless Bureau Number 35961  
USN
VC-40

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USN 1943
Pilot  2nd Lt. Robert T. Frost, Jr., O-026409 USMC VMSB-235 (MIA / KIA) Boston, MA
Gunner  ? (MIA / KIA)
MIA  December 18, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 4522. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-3 Dauntless bureau number 35961.

Wartime History
Assigned to Composite Squadron 40 (VC-40). No known nickname, nose art or markings.

Mission History
On December 18, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert T. Frost, Jr. of Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 235 (VMSB-235) on a dive bombing mission against targets in the Moisigetta-Monitu Mission area of Bougainville. This SBD was observed to crash in the target area. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Frost was officially declared dead on December 19, 1944. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Frost also has a memorial marker at Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA at section North KD lot 115.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-5 Dauntless 35961
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List December 1943 - SBD-5 Dauntless 35961
NARA VC-40 War Diary November 1, 1943 to December 31,  1943 pages 22
(Page 22) "December 18, 1943.  4. Operations: 6 VSB pilots engaged in attack on enemy, bombing Moisigetta-Monitu Mission area, Bougainville. Pilots of other squadrons flew 2 TBFs and 7 SBDs of VC-40 on same mission, and 2 SBDs of VC-40 in attack on enemy in Motupena Point area, Bougainville. One SBD on Moisigetta-Monoita strike crashed in target area."
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert T. Frost Jr.
FindAGrave - 1Lt Robert Theodore Frost Jr. (photo, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - 1LT Robert Theodore Frost Jr. (photo, grave photos)

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Last Updated
May 31, 2023

Tech Info
SBD

MIA
MIA
2 Missing
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