Colonel Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr.
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) P-38 Lightning Pilot and Ace
Background
Thomas George Lanphier, Jr. was born November 27, 1915 to parents Thomas George Lanphier and Janet Grant Cobb Adams in Panama City in Panama. His father, Lt. Col. Thomas G. Lanphier was a World War I veteran. His younger brother, Charles Cobb Lanphier was born May 7, 1918 in Omaha, Nebraska. His youngest brother was James Lanphier born August 31, 1920. He attended 4 years of college and in 1941 lived in San Francisco.
Wartime History
On March 15, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet with serial number 19052178. After flight training, he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-429816 and sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC). Assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron (70th FS) as a fighter pilot and was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Aerial Victory Claims
Lanphier was officially credited with five ½ aerial victories between December 24, 1942 to April 18, 1943.
Shortland Island Fighter Sweep
On March 29, 1943 took off from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal piloting P-38G Lightnig leading eight P-38Gs plus eight F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighting Squadron 124 (VMF-124) on a fighter sweep and strafing mission against Shortland Harbor.
Due to poor weather and difficulty in rendezvousing, only five P-38s (P-38G pilot Captain Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr., P-38G "Daisy 2nd" Nose 125 pilot 1st Lt. Rex T. Barber, P-38G "Miss Virginia" 43-2264 pilot Captain Robert Petit, P-38G pilot 1st Lt. George G. Topoll and P-38G pilot 1st Lt. Moore and one F4U Corsair pilot 1st Lt. Eben Dale reach the target. At dawn, they strafe Shortland Harbor Seaplane Base and set fire to 5-7 F1M2 Pete floatplanes. Other
damage reports state they claimed 8 aircraft destroyed.
Departing, they spot a "destroyer" [sic Subchaser CH-28] east of Shortland Island and make repeated strafing runs and claim to leave the warship on fire with a 15° list. For this mission, Lanphier earned an oak leaf cluster for his Silver Star. Afterwards, Lanphier and other pilots were photographed with the damaged wing tip of P-38G "Daisy 2nd" Nose 125.
On April 10, 1943 pilots Lanphier, Petit and Moore were transfered to the 339th Fighter Squadron (339th FS) although they were already flying mission with the squadron.
Yamamoto Mission
On April 18, 1943 took off from Fighter 2 (Kukum) on Guadalcanal piloting P-38G Lightning 43-2238 Nose 122 on the "Yamamoto Mission" and fired on a Betty over southern Bougainville and observed a Betty bomber crash in the jungle. Returning from the mission, he was first to land at Fighter 2 (Kukum) and claimed he shot down the Betty bomber with Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.
Officially, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) credits Captain Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr. with 1 victory (Zero sic none lost) and ½ victory (Betty). 1st Lt. Rex T. Barber was credited with 1 victory (Betty), ½ victory (Betty) and ½ victory (Zero [sic none lost]). 1st Lt Besby T. Holmes with 1 victory and ½ victory. In fact, only two bombers were shot down: G4M1 Betty 2656 Tail 323 with passenger Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and G4M1 Betty Tail 326 with passenger Vice-Admiral Matome Ugaki. No escorting Zeros were lost.
Postwar, a review of Japanese and American records plus veteran interviews and crash site investigation revealed
that Lanphier likely fired on G4M1 Betty Tail 326 and saw the crash of G4M1 Betty 2656 Tail 323 that was shot down by P-38G pilot Rex T. Barber. Despite this evidence presented postwar, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has never revised the official aerial victory claims for the "Yamamoto Mission".
Postwar
Lanphier remained in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and retired with the rank of Colonel. He became editor of the Idaho "Daily Statesman" and Boise "Capital News" newspapers and retired to California.
Memorials
Lanphier passed November 26, 1987 at age 71 in La Jolla, CA. On December 3, 1987 buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 11 site 89-2.
Relatives
Charles Cobb Lanphier (brother, pilot F4U Corsair 02577 POW died May 15, 1944)
James F. Lanphier (brother died 1969)
References
World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr.
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II [PDF] Lanphier Thomas G Jr. page 111 (PDF page 118), 339 FTR SQ 608 (PDF page 612), 70 FTR SQ page 365 (PDF page 569)
The Akron Beacon Journal "There's More To Air Duty Than Shooting Down Nips" by Helen Waterhouse January 10, 1943 page 8
"Tom's younger brother, is Lieut. Charles C. Lanphier, who is flying in a marine fighter squadron and who is now believed to be en route to a South Sea base. If Charles gets down here, he'll be in rate company–the marine pilots are really good and fine fellows. They're deadly shots–they've had hours of practice that the army somehow hasn't managed to give its pilots."
The Hall of Valor Project - Thomas George Lanphier - Naval Cross citation
"Navy Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas George Lanphier, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane in the 339th Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, attached to a Marine Fighter Command in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 18 April 1943. Leading a division of fighter planes at dangerously low altitude in the longest planned interception mission ever attempted, Captain Lanphier contacted the assigned objective, consisting of two enemy bombers and six escort fighters, with complete tactical surprise and launched a fierce, determined attack. In the ensuing engagement he operated with such daring courage and excellent marksmanship that he sent the leading bomber crashing in flames, and subsequently shot down one of the hostile fighters when it furiously attacked his plane. The outstanding professional skill and inspiring leadership displayed by Captain Lanphier under extremely adverse conditions contributed greatly to the remarkable success of this vital mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Services."
The Hall of Valor Project - Thomas George Lanphier - Silver Star citation
"Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Action during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces."
New York Times "Thomas G. Lanphier Jr., 71, Dies; U.S. Ace Shot Down Yamamoto" November 28, 1987
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 27-28 (18th FG, 70th FS), 393 (Lanphier)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Thomas G. Lanphier (grave photos)
FindAGrave - Thomas George Lanphier Jr. (photo, grave photo)
Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records testimony of Dr. Charles Darby, October 17-18, 1991 (AFBMR Docket: 91-02347) "There was no evidence on any remaining wreckage of an attack from the bomber's starboard beam as related in all of Lanphier's accounts."
13th Fighter Command in World War II (2004) Chapter 5 Mission To The Shortlands by James F. Lansdale pages 123-125 (March 29, 1943), Chapter 8 - Yamamoto Mission by James F. Lansdale pages 137-162, 312 (April 18, 1943 profile), 332 (index Lanphier)
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