Lt Frank Henderson 96th FS

[Chris Goss]

This pilot was reported missing on 23 Dec 42; anyone know any more as to his demise?

[Leendert]

Somehow Findagrave has a US Navy Lt. Frank H. "Skippy" Henderson for 23 Dec 1942, while wwiimemorial gives Army (Air Forces) O-726643. Both Boyd County, KY.

I think former date a mix up with USN pilot Lt. Frank H. Henderson who went down in a PBY-5A Catalina off Oahu, Hawaii on 18 May 1942..

Henderson's P-38 flew into a mountain nr Tafaraoui, according MAW Vol. 3
Newspaper Lexington (KY) Leader of 16 March 1943 reporting his death has the heading "Killed in North Africa".

Regards,
Leendert

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Leendert. What puzzles me there is a bit on the others who were shot down/got lost/turned back/landed in Spain & Portugal but nothing on this chap

[Martin Gleeson]

Chris,

I spent years during the 1990s researching the USAAF 82nd Fighter Group and the events of 23 December 1942 in particular. The absence/loss of USAAF records around this period is especially keenly felt here.
I obtained the Individual Deceased Personnel Files for Henderson and some others. What a disappointment ! Henderson's file of 35 pages contains nothing about his last flight, circumstances of his loss or recovery of his body.
The best it gives is 'Algeria' for his place of death and 'Plane crash' for cause of death.
A telegram to his wife dated 6 January 1943 states he was reported 'Missing in Action' since 23 December 1942.
Another page reveals that he was buried on 19 January 1943 in the American Cemetery, Oran in Algeria.
His remains were repatriated to the USA during 1949 and reburied in Ashland Cemetery, Boyd County, Kentucky.

The reference in 'MAW3' to his death comes directly from 'ADORIMINI' by Steve Blake and John Stanaway. I suspect that detail, though probably correct, came from a veteran's memory rather than an official document.

I wish I knew more about his loss, etc. and hope more information turns up.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Martin. Frustrating indeed so we have the following:


Lt Earl Green 95 FS shot down by V./KG 40
Lt Arthur Broadhead 95 FS turned back and force-landed Clare, Ballyvaughan
Capt Buddy Strozier 96 FS force-landed Portugal
Lt Theo Miller 97 FS force-landed Spain
Lt Frank Henderson 96 FS crashed Algeria


Add to this:

Capt Don Marz 47th BG shot down by Ofw Georg Heuer 14./KG 40

[Alex Smart]

Lt Arthur Broadhead 95 FS turned back and force-landed 43-2098 at Clare, Ballyvaughan.

Lt Theo Miller 97 FS force-landed 42-12610 in Spain.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Capt Buddy Strozier, 96FS, force-landed P-38G 42-12825 on a farm at Quarteira, Portugal.

https://www.portugal1939-1945.org/en...-in-quarteira/

Col.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Alex and Col. Nice to know the missing serials for the last 2

[MW Giles]

Alex

Are you sure about 43-2098. Seem odd to have a 43 procurement date for an aircraft that was alreadt in service in 1942

Martin

[udf_00]

Government Fiscal Year 1943 : from July, 1st 1942 to June 30th 1943.