13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Details about those listed as missing or killed in the Pacific, including current search operations.

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tgill
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13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Post by tgill »

Hello. I am the nephew of Sgt Marvin A. Gill, who on board a C-47A with five other crewman, crashed 12 miles from Tanauan air strip on route to Labo to deliver gasoline to Phillipine guerillas on 12 March, 1945. The crew consisted of Capt. George W. Grismore, 2d Lt. Authur F. Parkhurst, 2d Lt Edwin H. Franks, T Sgt James G. Maynard, and Sgt Philip Taliaferro Jr. The reckage was never found after a search conducted by the 25th Liaison Squadron.
In 1989, A Philippine policeman discovered the wreakage of a vintage US airplane in the middle part of Burauen, Leyte near Mt. Amandiwing. Tail numbers, two set of dog tags, and human remains were found and eventually sent to JPAC command at Hickam AFB for identification. Four of the crew were positively identified with the remaining two circumstancially expected to be a part of that same mission. Diplomatic obstacles prevent JPAC officials from conducting investigative and recovery operations where surely more proof could be obtained about all the crew aboard that day. My family was briefed by JPAC last week, and services for my Uncle are scheduled for next month. If anyone has any questions or may have known Sgt. Gill, or others aboard, I would be thrilled to answer them or share what little information I have been provided. Thank you.

Justin Taylan
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Re: 13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Post by Justin Taylan »

Thank you for your email, please email me with your name and if you have any photos of Gill to add to the page. Here are the details on that C-47, keep us posted about the forthcoming memorial service
C-47 42-100455 pilot Parkhurst crashed March 12, 1945
http://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/c-47/42-100455.html
- Justin Taylan
Founder & Director
http://www.PacificWrecks.com

luckerpl
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Re: 13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Post by luckerpl »

The information you have on the location of the plane is incorrect. It is actually located about 35.77 km away from Tanauan Afld along the westen slope of Mt. Mamban. We believe that it may have been involved in a collision with C-46D 44-77373 (a medavac flight) inbound to Tanauan from Mindoro that was last heard from at about the same time your uncle's plane went missing. While combing the mountains, locals told us of a plane that had a nurse on it. We haven't located the medavac flight yet, but think it's about 5 km away from your uncle's plane.

PF
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Re: 13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

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luckerpl
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Re: 13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Post by luckerpl »

Found wreckage of possible 44-77373 last year. Didn't head to Leyte this year because of Typhoon Yolanda. Will head back in 2015.
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davislm8
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Re: 13th Air Force Tanauan to Labo crashed and FOUND!

Post by davislm8 »

Any further information on 44-77373? I assume no but my great uncle was on that flight and I would love to know as much as possible about it. The report I obtained from DPAA in 2018 stated they "may work with a private partner" to access the site but, as of now, it sounds like there is no actual plan in place.

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