42-19469

P-39Q 42-19469, 72nd FS, 318th FG, 7th AF, lost on escort/straffing mission to Mille Island, hit water after straffing dive, aircraft was observed to crash into the sea by 2nd Lt. Abel Morales, who did not see the pilot bail out and when he circled the crash, saw only an oil slick, crash location 2-3 miles W of Mille Island. Pilot 1st Lt Wesley B Empey KIA, 16th Jan 44, MACR 1903.

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Service Numbers: O-727431
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

2-3 miles W off Mili Island, Mili Atoll, RMI 16 January 1944 Lost on escort/straffing mission to Mille Island, hit water after straffing dive, aircraft was observed to crash into the sea by 2nd Lt. Abel Morales, who did not see the pilot bail out and when he circled the crash, saw only an oil slick, crash location 2-3 miles W of Mille Island. Pilot 1st Lt Wesley B Empey KIA, 16th Jan 44, MACR 1903.

Assigned

Makin Island, Kiribati Assigned to 72nd FS, 318th FG, 7th AF.

Manufactured

Wheatfield, NY, USA Built by Bell, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Delivered

To USAAF.

Other

Shipped Overseas

Hawaii, USA Disassembled and shipped overseas to Hawaii and reassembled.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes