Lt. Col. Frederick G. Terry - KIA 24 Jun 1944 - Saipan

[Leendert]

Referring to above thread from 2022/23, I now read an online newspaper clipping (The Spokesman-Review, July 16, 1944) in which the 'friendly bomber' with which the Cub-like type (L-3?) reportedly had collided is identified as a Grumman Avenger. This a/c could land safely.
Type may very well be the case, since some of these were stationed at Saipan on day of accident. Will have to find out what USN squadron had TBM/TBFs on the island.
Still, name of (also) killed Army pilot still a mystery.

Regards,
Leendert

[twocee]

I think that the TBM-1C involved was BuNo 25718, assigned to VC4 aboard White Plains. While circling enemy positions at 1700' on an artillery spotting mission it collided with an Army L-4. The fuselage of the latter was severed and it crashed, killing the occupants. The left wing of the TBM suffered minor damage. Incidentally, blame was assigned 80% L-4 pilot/20% TBM pilot.

[Leendert]

Thanks, George, good find! War Diaries of USS White Plains and what's available online of VC-4 apparently do not mention the incident, at least on first glance.

What's still puzzling me is the anonymity and/or unit of the pilot of the Cub-type a/c.

Lt Col Frederick Terry is not in the lists of killed personnel on Saipan: https://nps.gov/amme/learn/historycu...t-of-honor.htm

Regards, Leendert

[RSwank]

A possible? name of the liaison pilot. In your link to personnel killed, in the section for
106 FA BN 155 MMH is listed Sandburg, George M., 1st Lt .

In findagrave for him it mentions he was a liaison pilot. Note the date of death is not given as June 24, so maybe not the right guy but perhaps the right unit.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...rge-m-sandburg


https://images.findagrave.com/photos...84fa1d76e.jpeg

[RSwank]

I found another Liaison pilot, listed in the section on the link you gave titled Organization Not Recorded, James W O'Neil. Here is a clipping on how he died:

https://www.newspapers.com/image/314...g_id=122731551

[Leendert]

Long search can be closed. Liaison pilot was Lt George C. Essick Jr. (O-1173599), attached to HQ XXIV Corps from 77th DIVARTY.

TBM was piloted by Lt. Walter P. Owens. Written description of collision here: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4033...ect-thumb--791

Regards,

Leendert