44-13581 The Prodigal Son
Added photo
Mustang 44-13581 was flown that day by 1st Lt Hayden H. Holton on an escort mission to Leipzig, Germany. About 5 minutes from the target area, en route to base, at about 27,000ft, Green Flight leader 1st Lt Kenneth H. Dahlberg found out his radio was out and asked Holton, his second element leader, to take over the flight. Immediately after taking over, Holton saw two German fighters and went to investigate. He was seen to drop his wing tanks and about 15 seconds later to stall out at the top of his turn and then to spin into the overcast, 2,000ft below. No crash could be observed and no search was conducted. Pilot Holton was made Prisoner of War (POW) - Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 10518.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16051776 at enlistment, then O-540824
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Orconte, Champagne-Ardennes
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 21 November 1944 | stalled and spun into the overcast; crashed SW of Leipzig, Germany |