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| USN USS Lexington CV-16 VB-16 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Arthur H. Sparrow, 0-125161, USNR (MIA / KIA) OH Gunner AR2C Edward A. Porter, 2728314 (MIA / KIA) AL MIA March 18, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 5168. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-5 Dauntless bureau number 36540. Wartime History Assigned to USS Lexington (CV-16) to Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16). No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On March 18, 1944 took off from USS Lexington (CV-16) piloted by Lt(jg) Arthur H. Sparrow with gunner AR2C Edward A. Porter as one of 22 SBDs that on a bombing mission against Mili Atoll. This aircraft had instructions to rendezvous about 30 minutes later for their bombing runs. About 10 minutes prior to the rendezvous, other aircraft crews reported seeing this SBD go into a spiral dive from which they thought they saw it recover. Lookouts aboard the battleship USS New Jersey BB-62 saw a SBD crash into the ocean, likely this plane. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search During the afternoon strikes, aircraft from the second wave were instructed to look for this aircraft or any wreckage, but reported none visible or any sign of the crew. On March 19, 1944 after strikes, another search. An oil slick was found about 1.5 miles off the southeastern end of Mili Atoll, but no wreckage or personnel were visible. Memorials The crew was officially declared dead on February 4, 1946. Both are memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing. Relatives Donnie F. Porter References Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-5 Dauntless 36540 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List March 1944 - SBD-5 Dauntless 36540 Thanks to Donnie F. Porter 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 |
 SBD MIA 2 Missing |
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