42-8408 Jean's Little Moe

P-47D-5-RE 42-8408 [OS:U] "Jean's Little Moe" was assigned to the 355FG/357FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 15-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT Lawrence D. McGraw, was dispatched aloong with P-47D 42-8413 [OS:] "Ma Fran", 355FG/357FS to fly a meteorological mission to St. Omer and Boulongne, France and return. Apparently the two aircraft sustained a mid-air collision over the beach near Wissant, France and both aircraft and both pilots were lost. 2KIA MACRs 1290 & 1289.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Lawrence Eugene McCraw

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 9-796001
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Missions

Aircraft

42-8413

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Ma Fran
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return

Wissant, France 15 November 1943 Sustained a mid-air collision with P-47D 42-8413 over the beach near Wissant, France while on a meteorologial sortie.

Manufactured

Farmingdale, NY 11735, USA Built at Republic.

Delivered

New York, NY, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Steeple Morden, Royston SG8, UK Assigned to 357FS, 355FG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Correction to serial number, linked to 42-8413.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2015. Added Nickname, Radio Call Sign and Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE, Made connection to Place and Mission within existing website data; Added FTR even per MACR 1290.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1290 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database