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| USN USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) VT-51 |
Pilot Lt(jg) Francis M. Waters, 0-278717 USNR (MIA / KIA) GA Radio ARM2c Hyman Atun, 7064473 (MIA / KIA) NY Gunner AOM2c Paul Bensman, 6697493 (MIA / KIA) Alton, IL Crashed September 15, 1944 Aircraft History Built by General Motors, Eastern Aircraft Division. Delivered to the United States Navy (USN) as TBM-1C Avenger bureau number 45676. Wartime History Assigned to Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). No known nickname, nose art or squadron number. Mission History On September 15, 1944 took off piloted by Lt(jg) Francis M. Waters on a bombing mission against Peleliu Island in Palau. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This Avenger crashed onto Peleliu Island. An Avenger crash site believed to be this aircraft is crashed includes the propeller, engine, main landing gear leg and portions of the left wing. Memorials The crew were officially declared dead the day of the misson. All three earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All three are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Waters also has a memorial marker at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery in Savannah, GA. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - TBM-1C Avenger 45676 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1944 - TBM-1C 45676 VT-51 USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) American Battle Monuments Comissions (AMBC) - Francis M. Waters American Battle Monuments Comissions (AMBC) - Hyman Atun American Battle Monuments Comissions (AMBC) - Paul P. Bensman FindAGrave - LTJG Francis M. Waters (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - LTJG Francis Melville Waters (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - ARM2 Hyman Atun (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - AOM2 Paul Phillip Bensman (photo) Bent Prop - P-MAN VIII Final Report (photos) "- Based on archival footage and photographs showing the crash of an Avenger on 15 September 44 at a time and place consistent with the after action report summary and interviews of living squadron members, this Avenger field falls precisely within the predicted crash area of Avenger in question. - Conduct a search mission east of the East Road for the TBM1C of … (redacted), lost in combat 15 September 44 along east side of … (Peleliu, redacted) near mangroves. This mission would include a) interviews of Peleliu elders to determine if the crash site has been seen by Palauans after WWII ended and b) searching east of … (NOTE: This predicted search zone might be adjusted a little as a result of input from our interviews of the Peleliu elders). Flag ceremony at the new TBM engine. (photo), map "General Area of new Avenger/Possible MIA site" and site sketch" Thanks to Reid Joyce / Bent Prop 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 February 22, 2024 |
 Avenger  MIA 3 Missing |
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