This is the date that Guy was "declared dead". He probably died on Dec. 19, 1943. He was last seen flying a corsair in a dogfight with Japanese zeros, flying into the sun. Neither his body or his airplane were ever found. This was in the Solomon Islands area, over ocean, near the island of Rabaul. See his other cenotaph here: Lieut Guy Harmon Kemper
(For his family website, see guykemper.com)
Other contributed information:
F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 17845 Number 14
USMC
VMF-216
Pilot 1st Lt. Guy Harmon Kemper, O-021940 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crashed December 19, 1943
Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Assigned to the USMC VMF-216.
Mission History
Took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. Part of a three plane formation from VMF-216 flying cover over Rabaul. Over the target, went to assist some P-40s and B-24s being attacked by Zeros. This aircraft and F4U 17806 and this fighter failed to return.
Robert Marshall adds:
"More than likely, they attempted water landings (if they had a choice) and hope for Dumbo rescue rather than ground landing and risk enemy capture. I've got RNZAF reports, AAF reports, VMF 223 reports, but no one seems to have seen them go down, probably near Credner Island. and probably into the water. One thing I don't have is any documentation of VF-33, supposedly flying F6Fs out of Ondonga Airfeild. RNZAF reports them there and even some dog fighting Hellcats and Zekes, but no records have surfaced. Navy doesn't have their war diary, Nat. Archives doesn't have anything, almost as though the squadron didn't leave any records."
Memorials
Officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at MAC.
References
Thanks VMF-216 via Robert Marshall for additional information
(For his family website, see guykemper.com)
Other contributed information:
F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 17845 Number 14
USMC
VMF-216
Pilot 1st Lt. Guy Harmon Kemper, O-021940 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crashed December 19, 1943
Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Assigned to the USMC VMF-216.
Mission History
Took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. Part of a three plane formation from VMF-216 flying cover over Rabaul. Over the target, went to assist some P-40s and B-24s being attacked by Zeros. This aircraft and F4U 17806 and this fighter failed to return.
Robert Marshall adds:
"More than likely, they attempted water landings (if they had a choice) and hope for Dumbo rescue rather than ground landing and risk enemy capture. I've got RNZAF reports, AAF reports, VMF 223 reports, but no one seems to have seen them go down, probably near Credner Island. and probably into the water. One thing I don't have is any documentation of VF-33, supposedly flying F6Fs out of Ondonga Airfeild. RNZAF reports them there and even some dog fighting Hellcats and Zekes, but no records have surfaced. Navy doesn't have their war diary, Nat. Archives doesn't have anything, almost as though the squadron didn't leave any records."
Memorials
Officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at MAC.
References
Thanks VMF-216 via Robert Marshall for additional information
This is the date that Guy was "declared dead". He probably died on Dec. 19, 1943. He was last seen flying a corsair in a dogfight with Japanese zeros, flying into the sun. Neither his body or his airplane were ever found. This was in the Solomon Islands area, over ocean, near the island of Rabaul. See his other cenotaph here: Lieut Guy Harmon Kemper
(For his family website, see guykemper.com)
Other contributed information:
F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 17845 Number 14
USMC
VMF-216
Pilot 1st Lt. Guy Harmon Kemper, O-021940 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crashed December 19, 1943
Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Assigned to the USMC VMF-216.
Mission History
Took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. Part of a three plane formation from VMF-216 flying cover over Rabaul. Over the target, went to assist some P-40s and B-24s being attacked by Zeros. This aircraft and F4U 17806 and this fighter failed to return.
Robert Marshall adds:
"More than likely, they attempted water landings (if they had a choice) and hope for Dumbo rescue rather than ground landing and risk enemy capture. I've got RNZAF reports, AAF reports, VMF 223 reports, but no one seems to have seen them go down, probably near Credner Island. and probably into the water. One thing I don't have is any documentation of VF-33, supposedly flying F6Fs out of Ondonga Airfeild. RNZAF reports them there and even some dog fighting Hellcats and Zekes, but no records have surfaced. Navy doesn't have their war diary, Nat. Archives doesn't have anything, almost as though the squadron didn't leave any records."
Memorials
Officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at MAC.
References
Thanks VMF-216 via Robert Marshall for additional information
(For his family website, see guykemper.com)
Other contributed information:
F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 17845 Number 14
USMC
VMF-216
Pilot 1st Lt. Guy Harmon Kemper, O-021940 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crashed December 19, 1943
Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Assigned to the USMC VMF-216.
Mission History
Took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville. Part of a three plane formation from VMF-216 flying cover over Rabaul. Over the target, went to assist some P-40s and B-24s being attacked by Zeros. This aircraft and F4U 17806 and this fighter failed to return.
Robert Marshall adds:
"More than likely, they attempted water landings (if they had a choice) and hope for Dumbo rescue rather than ground landing and risk enemy capture. I've got RNZAF reports, AAF reports, VMF 223 reports, but no one seems to have seen them go down, probably near Credner Island. and probably into the water. One thing I don't have is any documentation of VF-33, supposedly flying F6Fs out of Ondonga Airfeild. RNZAF reports them there and even some dog fighting Hellcats and Zekes, but no records have surfaced. Navy doesn't have their war diary, Nat. Archives doesn't have anything, almost as though the squadron didn't leave any records."
Memorials
Officially declared dead on January 11, 1946. Memorialized on the tablets of the missing at MAC.
References
Thanks VMF-216 via Robert Marshall for additional information
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Texas.
Family Members
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