R.W. Larson USAAF KIA Tunisia

[Andy Fletcher]

Can anyone provide details for the loss of R.W. Larson (possibly Larsen). I believe he was lost over Tunisia sometime in late in 1942 or 1943 flying a F-5
with a USAAF photo recce group (presumably 3 PRG). He had previously flown with the RAF before transferring to the USAAF at the end of 1942.

So far I've been unable to find a date or confirm what unit he flew with. Any details would be most welcome.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On the USAAF casualty database http://www.usaafdata.com/search, there is only one R W Lars(e/o)n, 2nd Lt Robert W Larson who died when his P-47D 42-8511 YJ-K collided in the air with P-47D 42-8628 on 30 June 1944.

[Andy Fletcher]

Laurent,

Thanks for the info but that's not my man. Perhaps he became a POW rather than killed.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

[Alex Smart]

Hello Andy & Laurent,

The "not my man" collision.

On the 30th June 1944 P47, 42-8511 piloted by Robert W. Larson of the 353rd Fighter Group was involved in a collision in the air with P47, 42-8628 piloted by william K. Lahke. The result was that Larson was killed.
Lahke's P47 following repairs (?) continued in service until the 5th September 1944 when piloted by John W. Furneaux was lost (MACR 8403)and Furneaux became a POW.
Ref the P47 Database and "Fighter Losses of the Mighty Eighth".
Following on from that event, at Enid AAF Base in the USA on 28th May 1945 an AT6A 41-766 piloted by Robert W. Larson was involved in a landing accident.
Ref: Craig's AAIR site.
As this must be a second/third Robert W. Larson, could this man be the one you are looking for , did he survive the 1942/3 Tunisia event you mention returning later to the USA surviving the war?
From the NARA database 7 possible enlistments in 1941/2, while 2 in the reserve lists Air Force both from Iowa, Winnebago and Story.

Sorry, as always more questions.
Alex

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Alex,

The individual I'm interested in was named Roger (as far as I'm aware), but I don't know his middle name. I think he was RCAF before he transferred to the USAAF in 1942.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Leendert]

Alex,

Website wwiimemorial does give a 1st Lt Roger W. Larson from Ramsey County, Minnesota as KIA. (O-885585), but unfortunately no further details whatsoever.

MN wasn't too far from Canada...

Regards,

Leendert

[paulmcmillan]

Google News Archive is your friend..


Col. Roosevelt Takes Chance .Wears No Parachute In Photographing …


Lieutenant Roger W. Larson of St. Paul, Minn

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...-get-a-*&hl=en


Therefore Unit: 3rd Photo Reconnaissance Group

Commanders:

Maj Elliott Roosevelt, 11 Jul 1942
Lt Col Furman H Limeburner, 13 Aug 1942
Col Elliott Roosevelt, 30 Sep 1942
Lt Col Frank L Dunn, c. Mar 1943


"Website wwiimemorial does give a 1st Lt Roger W. Larson from Ramsey County, Minnesota as KIA. (O-885585), but unfortunately no further details whatsoever.
"
Ramsey County is in St Paul Minnesota so must be one in same.. All you need now is a a Date of Death...

[Andy Fletcher]

Leendert, Paul,

Excellent information, it all ties in quite nicely.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

[Frank Olynyk]

The service number of Roger W Larson is O885585. This is too high to be a US trained pilot. I believe he transferred to the USAAF around November 1942, because O885574, the ace James W Wilkinson, transferred from the RAF at that time. I cannot tell if RW Larson came from the RAF or the RCAF. He appears as KIA in the WW2 Military section of Ancestry.com, but without a date of death. He does not appear in the Enlistment database (the Roger W Larson from Minnesota was born in 1925, and enlisted on Nov 11, 1944), and transfers do not appear in the Enlistment or Reserve listings (from Ancestry.com or the NARA website). Nor does he appear in the index to Fighters Over Tunisia. I do not have the microfilm from USAFHRA covering the 3rd Photo Group.

Frank.

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Frank Olynyk

.... I believe he transferred to the USAAF around November 1942, because O885574, the ace James W Wilkinson, transferred from the RAF at that time...

Frank.

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the extra information. Nov 42 would fit perfectly, he was still with the RAF/RCAF as of Oct 42 and 3 PRG (3 PG) moved from the UK to North Africa at the end of Nov 42.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher