Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 28, 2014 This is one of my best groups I have to a marine F4U 213 Corsair Fighter Pilot that shot down 2 Japanese Zeros , And was Killed in Action. Here is the Action report when he was killed.4 Divisions took off at 0730 to escort 18 TBF's on a bombing strike against shipping in Tonelei Harbor in the Buin-Kihill area. The entire striking force was made up of 32 SBD's and 32 TBF's for which 120 fighters furnished escort. VMF- 213 furnished cover for the last TBF's. The Rendezvous was very successful over Visu Visu Point on New Georgia at 0840. Every Plane was there at the appointed time and moved off toward the target with out the loss of one minute. The bombers flew at 11,000 feet , made a wide turn circling the shortland island over Bougainville and approached the target from the north . Lt. Hall's division was the close, port side cover, Weisnberger division was on the close starboard cover, Cupp and Treffers division furnished high cover. The target consisted of a large ship, that looked like a cursier with four DD's circling it and other smaller craft in the Harbor. The SBD's went in first followed by the TBF's. A direct hit on the larger craft, which exploded and was definitely destroyed. There where hits on the othe small craft , which were left burning, and many near misses must have caused considerable damage. Twenty to thirty Zeros engaged our Fighters. Four Zeros attacked Lt.F.R.G. from behind and out of the sun and Lt.f.R.G. was last seen diving in flames toward the water. Lt. DeFablo went to Lt,F.R.G assistance ,shooting down, in flames,one of the zeros. This is how he was killed by eye witness account.He shot his two Zeros down over Rendova,New Georgia area . I have so much documentation to this group and photos ,It was just to much to list. The model I have named after him I think is so cool. This group I bought to the antique road show . Did not get air time tho.I have had this group a long time, was bought from another forum member. I hope you guys enjoy this group. Even in the one photo showing him with his girl friend ,I have that uniform he was wearing pictured in the group. You can,t get much better than this for a Marine fighter pilot in a FU4, that gave his life for our country Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted January 28, 2014 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted January 28, 2014 Same umiform I have that is pictured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted January 28, 2014 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted January 28, 2014 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted January 28, 2014 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted January 28, 2014 here is his flight book showing the 2 shot down zeros. how kool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted January 28, 2014 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 28, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 28, 2014 Excellent group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted January 28, 2014 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted January 28, 2014 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted January 28, 2014 here is abook he is pictured in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted January 28, 2014 The Eagle on the plane was for his girl friend. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted January 28, 2014 I also have lots of his letters. I will try to post some. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-o MSU Posted January 28, 2014 Share #15 Posted January 28, 2014 Wow what a great group and remembrance Nick Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted January 28, 2014 Share #16 Posted January 28, 2014 Beautiful grouping! Extremely complete, just how I like them. Thanks for sharing! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted January 28, 2014 Share #17 Posted January 28, 2014 Congrats on a super grouping. That is a really nice Aussie made patch as well....don't see many of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted January 28, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2014 A Stand out group.Thanks for posting.Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted January 28, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 28, 2014 Nick, What a great group...it's got it all! Good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted January 28, 2014 Share #20 Posted January 28, 2014 In a single word.....FANTASTIC!!!!! So complete and with all the paperwork it ties everything about this brave Marines service all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted January 28, 2014 Share #21 Posted January 28, 2014 Really an extraordinary grouping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theorywolf Posted January 28, 2014 Share #22 Posted January 28, 2014 Like others, this is a complete group/story with lots of depth! Sad as well! Congrats on a great group! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted January 28, 2014 Share #23 Posted January 28, 2014 Great group! Thank for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted January 28, 2014 Share #24 Posted January 28, 2014 WOW !!! A keeper for sure !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted January 28, 2014 Share #25 Posted January 28, 2014 Fantastic group! Doesn't get much better than a KIA USMC fighter pilot group w/ kills and paperwork...thanks for posting. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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