VIII Fighter Command - METEOROLOGICAL SORTIE
15 November 1943Description
On 15-Nov-43 2 P-47s from 355FG/357FS were despatched to fly a meteorological sortie from Steeple Morden to Ostend - St. Omer - Boulogne and return, a distance of 335 miles. It is beleived that these two aircraft may have sustained a mid-air collision over the beach at Wissant, France. The remains of both pilots were recovered by French civilians and buried in the Communal Cemetery at Marquise, France. The wreckage of P-47D 42-8408 was discovered in the 1960s in the dunes along the shore at Wissant, France. After the war the remains of both pilots were repatriated to the United States and received a Group Burial in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky on 8-Feb-1950.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-672639
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2015. Added NEW mission event based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE and MACRs 1289 (42-8413) and 1290 (42-8408).