44-15022
Assigned to 338FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. Personal aircraft of 1st Lt Richard I Barrett. Transferred to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort mission to Hamm, A/C slipped out of formation losing 8,000 ft, possibly as a result of Annoxia and after a snap roll, dived into the deck. “I was flying #4 position in the Yellow Flight on the wing of Huey R. Coward at about 23,000 feet (7,000 meters) on an escort mission on November 26, 1944, when I noticed that Huey R. Coward's plane was slowly starting to drift away. slide out of formation. I stayed with him and called him on the radio to see if he was okay, but I received no response. Then he turned in a smooth glide to the right. I kept calling him, and also the controller. It spiraled down to about 15000 feet (4500 meters)after which he straightened the plane, rolled over and dived vertically towards the ground. I followed him all the way down and his plane crashed and exploded. I searched the area, but failed to find a parachute; probably he did not leave the aircraft.” (Second Lieutenant Dudley M. Amoss) As a result of these strange movements and no response from Huey R. Coward, it was soon believed that the cause could have been a malfunction in the oxygen system. This could have caused Huey R. Coward to become unconscious due to oxygen deprivation, which ultimately proved fatal. First Lieutenant Huey R. Coward was killed in the crash. MACR 10540
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 55th Fighter Group 338th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20324128 / O-802229
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15195977 / O-711953
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bures / RAF Wormingford / RFC Wormingford / USAAF Station 159 / Wormingford Landing Ground
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
49824 Emlichheim, Germany | 26 November 1944 | Lost 26 Nov 44 - Lt Huey R Coward KIA MACR 10540. |
Manufactured |
Inglewood, CA, USA | Built at North American. | |
Delivered |
California, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
Other Transferred |
Wormingford, Colchester CO6, UK | Transferred to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Assigned |
Wormingford, Colchester CO6, UK | Assigned to 338FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.slodrenthe.nl/p-51d-mustang-44-15022/ --> website of foundation 'Stichting Luchtoorlog Onderzoek Drenthe' who placed a information panel near the crashlocation.
MACR 13240 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database