2nd Lt. Earl R. Stone, Jr.
17th Pursuit Squadron (17th PS), Far East Air Force (FEAF)
P-40E Warhawk Pilot Missing In Action (MIA)

Background
Earl R. Stone, Jr. was born October 15, 1918 the youngest son of Earl Reynolds Stone and Cassa Mary Bell. He attended Franklin Avenue School where he was a captain of the football team and debate captain then attended University of California class of 1940.

On September 9, 1940 he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) at Fort MacArthur and became an Air Corps cadet and received his flight training at Randolph Field, Texas. He earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-390872. Afterwards, sent overseas the Philippines.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron (17th PS) as a pursuit pilot based at Nichols Field near Manila in the Philippines. On December 10, 1941 he flew a combat mission. Afterwards, Stone participated in the defense of the Bataan Peninsula flying from Pilar Field and Bataan Field. In total, Stone claimed three aerial victories but none were officially credited.

Mission History
On February 9, 1942 at 1:00pm took off piloting P-40E Warhawk from Bataan Field piloted by 2nd Lt. Earl R. Stone, Jr. as the wingman of flight leader Ben Brown, on an mission to a escort a Boeing Stearman Model 75 biplane piloted by Jesus Villamor to photograph the Ternate area from an altitude of 17,000' . Both P-40s were to fly above to provide top cover.

Over the Bataan Peninsula Six Ki-27 Nates intercepted the formation and a dog fight began between the fighter aircraft. During the combat, Lt. Stone chased Ki-27 Nate pilot Kurosawa. On the ground at Mariveles, an eye witness reported a Japanese fighter chasing a P-40 overhead and gaining on it. The two went in and out of clouds around Mount Mariveles, then an explosion was heard. Afterwards, both Ki-27 Nate pilot Kurosawa and P-40E Warhawk pilot Lt. Stone failed to return.

Memorials
Stone was officially declared dead the day of the mission and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Stone is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. He also has a memorial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) in Glendale, CA at plot GM, Memorial Terrace, Columbarium of Memory, Lot 0, Space 20351.

Relatives
Wes Stone (brother of Stone)
Elizabeth Stone Moore (niece of Stone)
"My father, Earl's brother, is 95 years old. Any assistance would be welcome."

References
Pacific Wrecks - P-40E piloted by Stone
Los Angeles Times "Angeleno Pilot Bags Jap Trio Before Being Killed - Earl Stone Jr. Dies in Bataan Parents Told"
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II does not list any aerial victory credits Stone, Earl R. in the alphabetical, alphabetical by theater of operation, chronological List or unit
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Earl R. Stone, Jr.
FindAGrave - 2Lt Earl Reynolds Stone, Jr (photo, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Lieut Earl R. Stone, III (photos, memorial marker photo)
Doomed from the Start (1995) pages 310-314, 461
Thanks to Elizabeth Stone and William Bartsch for additional information

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