1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr.
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 71st Tac Recon Group, 82nd Tac Recon Squadron
Pilot P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355 Missing In Action (MIA) April 9, 1944

Background
Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. (pronounced Dif-and-derfer) was born May 28, 1921 to parents Claude A. Diffenderffer and Susan C Diffenderffer in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed four years of high school and worked as a farm hand.

Wartime History
On January 28, 1942 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet with serial number 13069047. He attended flight school and completing earned his wings at Spence Field Class 43-A. In January 1943 he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-796103. Sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG), 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (82nd TRS) "The Strafin' Saints" as a fighter pilot.

According to the logbook of 1st Lt Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. he flew a P-38Q between March 17, 1944–April 8, 1944, likely P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355.

On March 17, 1944 took off piloting a P-39Q Airacobra from Cape Gloucester Airfield on a flight to Finschafen Airfield. Later that same day took off from Finschafen Airfield on a flight to Dobodura.

On March 20, 1944 took off from Dobodura piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on a flight back to Finschafen Airfield. Later the same day took off from Finschafen Airfield on a recon and strafing flight off Erima and Madang area, strafed two trucks and supples.

On March 21, 1944 took off from Finschafen Airfield piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on a flight to Dobodura.

On April 5, 1944 took off from Dobodura piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on flight to Saidor Airfield.

On April 8, 1944 took off from Saidor Airfield piloting a P-39Q Airacobra on an armed recon over Alexishafen to Hansa Bay.

Mission History
On April 9, 1944 took off from Saidor Airfield piloting P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355 as one of five P-39 Airacobras on an armed reconnaissance mission over the north coast of New Guinea. The formation included: 2nd Lt Thomas B. Sellers, 2nd Lt Michael F. Moffitt and Captain George R. Karr flying top cover with Lt. Diffenderffer and Lt. Sellers at minimum altitude as the strafing element.

At 3:05pm, while flying approximately two miles out to sea off Ulingan Harbor, this Airacobra was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and exploded in midair. The gunfire was believed to be from a "coastal battery" on the ground. The only remaining trace of the crash was burning oil and gasoline on the surface of the water. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Diffenderffer was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, posthumously. Diffenderffer is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

On November 22, 1946 his name is listed on the McDonogh Remembers Memorial at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD.

On June 16, 1995 he had a military funeral and a memorial marker added Arlington National Cemetery at memorial section H site 313-B due to efforts of his nephew, Ross B. Diffenderffer Jr.

He is also memorialized in the family plot at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, MD.

Relatives
Claude A Diffenderffer (father died 1944)
Susan C Diffenderffer (mother died 1943)
Ross B. Diffenderffer (brother died 1991)
Ross B. Diffenderffer, Jr. (nephew)
Claude A. Diffenderffer IV (great-nephew)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - C. A. Diffenderffer, Jr
Pacific Wrecks - P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355
Casualty File, Frames 343 and 344 Microfilm A0912
Flight Record (Logbook) 1st Lt. Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr. March 17, 1944–April 8, 1944
M/Sgt. W.E. Ursprung Journal April 10 - Lt. Diffederfer [Diffenderffer] was shot down [April 9] by Jap ack ack this afternoon.
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39Q Airacobra 42-20355
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Claude A. Diffenderffer, Jr.
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Claude A. Diffenderffer (grave photos)
ArlingtonNationalCemetery.net - Claude A. Diffenderffer
Arlington National Cemetery Website - Claude A. Diffenderffer via Wayback Machine February 19, 2001
FindAGrave - 1Lt Claude A Diffenderffer, Jr (tablets of the missing photo)
FindAGrave - Lieut Claude Augustus Diffenderffer, Jr. (ANC memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - Claude A Diffenderffer Jr. (Green Mount Cemetery)
Thanks to Ross B. Diffenderffer Jr. for additional information

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