Charles H. MacDonald
475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS)
P-38 Lightning Ace Pilot
Background
Charles Henry MacDonald was born November 23, 1914 in Dubois, Pennsylvania. Nicknamed "Mac".
Wartime History
On October 1, 1943 with the rank of Major joined the 475th Fighter Group "Satan's Angels" (475th FG) as executive officer at Dobodura.
On October 15, 1943 took off piloting P-38 #193
on a scramble to intercept Val dive bombers over Oro Bay and claimed two aerial victories and two damaged by was damaged and force landed wheels up and survived unhurt.
On November 9, 1943 MacDonald led 12 P-38s flying low cover escort for B-25 Mitchells on a low level strike against Alexishafen Airfield. Over the target, the engaged in air combat with Japanese fighters. During the dog fight, MacDonald claimed his fourth and fifth aerial victories and became an ace, claiming "two Zekes" [sic Ki-43 Oscars] near Alexishafen Airfield.
On November 10, 1943 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became the Commanding Officer (C. O.) of the 475th Fighter Group (475th FG).
PARTIAL HISTORY
On August 1, 1944 when a mission over Ceram was canceled due to bad weather. Regardless, Col Charles H. MacDonald, Lt Col Meryl Smith and Danny Miller invited Charles A. Lindbergh to participate in a fighter sweep over Palau in search of aerial victories. The four P-38s took off at 9:27am from Mokmer Drome on Biak Island flying northward for the 1,200 mile mission mostly over open ocean. Despite some bad weather the flight reached Peleliu roughly 2 hours 30 minutes later at an altitude of 15,000' and flew northward then dove down over Koror and were met by anti-aircraft fire then flew to Babelthuap then turned southward at low level and strafed several small vessels then spotted two A6M2-N Rufes and released their drop tanks to engage. One Rufe was shot down by MacDonald and crashed into the sea. Lindbergh attacked the second Rufe but accidentally fired on Smith's P-38 but missed. Suddenly another Zero was spotted above as Smith shot down the second Rufe. The Zero attempted to line up on Lindbergh but was chased away by MacDonald. Calling to withdraw after thirty minutes over the target area, the four spotted a Val dive bomber and MacDonald shot it down. While withdrawing southward, a Zero in pursuit was spotted by Lindbergh and he attempted to intercept it but the Zero got on his tail and opened fire but missed. In defense he made a hard right turn and the Zero was fired on by MacDonald and Miller and left smoking as the four departed. This was likely the most harrowing combat Lindbergh experienced and might have resulted in him being shot down.
PARTIAL HISTORY
On January 18, 1944 took off leading a a formation from 432nd FS led plus 431st FS led by Captain Jett on a fighter sweep over Wewak. Over the target engaged in air combat with roughly forty Ki-61 Tonys and Ki-43 Oscars. In the dog fight. engaged a Tony and two Oscars then shot down a a Hamp (sic Oscar) that rolled over and crashed as his tenth aerial victory claim, confirmed by 1st Lt. Perry J. Dahl.
PARTIAL HISTORY
On May 15, 1944 promoted to the rank of Colonel.
On July 28, 1944 took off piloting a P-38J Lightning from Mokmer Drome on Biak Island leading a fighter sweep over Amahai Island. Over the target, the P-38s intercepted Ki-51 Sonia pilot Yokogi shot down and Ki-51 Sonia pilot Shimada that had evaded other attacking P-38s from the 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron. Near Amahai Airfield, the P-38s intercepted and Charles A. Lindbergh shot down the Sonia during a head on pass. Afterwards, this Sonia was credited to Lindbergh, his first and only aerial victory credit. MacDonald claimed credit for damage.
On August 1, 1944 the scheduled a mission over Ceram was canceled due to bad weather. Regardless, Charles H. MacDonald, Meryl Smith and Danny Miller invited Charles A. Lindbergh to participate in a fighter sweep over Palau in search of aerial victories. The four P-38s took off at 9:27am from Mokmer Drome on Biak Island flying northward for the 1,200 mile mission mostly over open ocean. Despite some bad weather the flight reached Peleliu roughly 2 hours 30 minutes later at an altitude of 15,000' and flew northward then dove down over Koror and were met by anti-aircraft fire then flew to Babelthuap then turned southward at low level and strafed several small vessels then spotted two A6M2-N Rufes and released their drop tanks to engage. One Rufe was shot down by MacDonald and crashed into the sea. Lindbergh attacked the second Rufe but accidentally fired on Smith's P-38 but missed. Suddenly another Zero was spotted above as Smith shot down the second Rufe. The Zero attempted to line up on Lindbergh but was chased away by MacDonald. Calling to withdraw after thirty minutes over the target area, the four spotted a Val dive bomber and MacDonald shot it down. While withdrawing southward, a Zero in pursuit was spotted by Lindbergh and he attempted to intercept it but the Zero got on his tail and opened fire but missed. In defense he made a hard right turn and the Zero was fired on by MacDonald and Miller and left smoking as the four departed. This was likely the most harrowing combat Lindbergh experienced and might have resulted in him being shot down.
Afterwards, MacDonald was grounded by General Paul Wurtsmith with sixty day "punitive leave" and sent to back to the United States as punishment for placing Lindbergh in a dangerous situation. Previously, 5th Fighter Command had stated it was impossible for fighters to escort bombers to Palau due to the distance and weather. The four P-38s fighter sweep revealed it was possible.
After his leave in the United States,
MacDonald returned to the 475th FG and on October 13, 1944 became 475th FG Commanding Officer (C. O.) during the liberation of the Philippines until July 14, 1945.
Assigned Aircraft
At least five
P-38 Lightnings were assigned to MacDonald each nicknamed "Putt Putt Maru" with squadron number 100 including:
P-38J "Put Put Maru" 42-67144 ultimate fate unknown
P-38J "Put Put Maru II" 42-104024 ultimate fate unknown
P-38L "Put Put Maru III" 42-24843 pilot
Henry L. Condon crashed January 2, 1945
P-38L "Put Put Maru IV" 44-25643 damaged January 27, 1945 ultimate fate unknown
P38L "Put Put Maru V" 44-25471 lost February 6, 1945
Aerial Victory Claims
MacDonald was credited with a a total of 27 aerial victory claims, 2 probables and 4.5 damaged and was the third highest ace in the Pacific during World War II. All of his aerial victory claims were made piloting the P-38 Lightning over New Guinea, New Britain and the Philippines. His aerial victory claims include:
Memorials
MacDonald passed away at age 87 on March 3, 2002. His burial or memorial marker is unknown.
References
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: MacDonald, Charles H. page 119 (PDF page 126)
Stars & Bars (1995) page 65 (475th FG, MacDonald) 417 (MacDonald, Charles H.)
Lightning Strikes: The 475th Fighter Group in the Pacific War, 1943-1945 (1988) pages 146 (ace list), 149 (roster), index has no listing MacDonald
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) pages 6 (photo), 7 (forward), 96-98 (November 9, 1943), 113-115 (January 18, 1944), 287 (475th FG C.O.), 307 (Aerial victory claims 11/09/43 Headquarters), 333 (index MacDonald)
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