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| USMC MAW-1 MAG-14 VMSB-236 "Black Panthers" |
Pilot Lt. Quinlan (survived) Gunner ? (survived) Ditched December 16, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number unknown (four digits). Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-5 Dauntless Bureau Number unknown (five digits). Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Air Wing 1 (MAW-1), MAG 21 (MAG-21), Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 236 (VMSB-236). No known nickname, nose art or markings. Wartime History On December 16, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield piloted by Lt. Quinlan on a strike against Sohano Island and Bonis Airfield on Bougainville. Over the target, this plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and sustained engine damage. Returning from the mission, the formation was flying at roughly 1,500' off the coast of Bougainville. The damaged engine cut out and the plane sucessfully ditched near Torokina and the both survived the landing unhurt. Fate of the Crew Shortly after the ditching, both crew were rescued by a motor launch and returned to duty. References USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List December 1943 does not list the BuNo of each SBD lost and several as VMSB-235 [sic VMSB-236] possibly, SBD-4 Dauntless 10560 or SBD-5 Dauntless 28451 or another unknonwn BuNo. USN / USMC Loss microfilm - December 1943 SBD-5 Dauntless 35968 listed as "expended" (loss code = 12E) NARA VMSB-236 War Diary December 1943 page 2 (Page 2) "16 December [1943] Sixteen cres of the forward flight echelon participate in a strike on enemy installations on Sohana Island [Sohano] and Bonis Strip [Bonis Airfield], Bougainville. Copy of mission report attached." (Page 3) "Lt. Qunlan of VMSB-236 was forced to make a water landing when his engine, which had been shot up in AA fire, cut out while returning from the strike. He landed near the Torokina strip [Torokina Airfield] and, with his gunner, was picked up shortly by a motor launch." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Henry Michael Mateja FindAGrave - Sgt Henry Michael Mateja (photo, tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Sgt Henry Michael Mateja (news, obituary, memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 24, 2024 |
 SBD  MIA 1 Missing |
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