05/07/2023
Although it's Bora Bora it looks like Jefman Island Indonesia where 1st Lt Billy E Richards P47 shot down by Japanese machine gunners and crashed into the water 3 miles North of Jefman Island.
My great-uncle 1st Lt Billy E Richards 39th Fighter Squadron P47 pilot who is MIA/KIA on 23 August 1944. His P47 was shot down by Japanese gunners protecting the air strip over Jefman Island, Indonesia during the 1944 New Guinea campaign. We are trying to recover his remains.
Admiral Harry Harris former PACOM CDR, who flew with me in VP44, as my Combat Air Crew CAC 8 ASW TACCO, is helping me. He asked JPAA to help me and make Billy a PRIORITY for them. RDML Jon Kreitz Joint POW/MIA Accountability Agency CALLED and said he is working with Indonesia to gain APPROVAL for a new SEARCH for my Great Uncle 1st Lt Billy E Richard's and 7 other MIA/KIAs in Jefman area and many others across Indonesia. We still HAVE NOT RECEIVED APPROVAL from Indonesia for a NEW SEARCH.
His P47 shot in the belly crashed 3 miles North of Jefman Island Indonesia landing in the water as recorded in the "39th Fighter Squadron Daily Logbook" maintained by their Maintenance Chief during the war.
1st Lt Billy E Richards P47 crashed in the water 3 miles North of Jefman Island Indonesia in WW2. He flew for the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th FG, 5th Air Force in New Guinea. He is still MIA/KIA missing body never recovered.
* P-47D-23 #42-27620
23 August 1944
39th FS, 35th FG
"Plane destroyed by A/A"
* The serial number for the P-47 comes from a Statistical Unit of the Fifth Air Force.
My painting "Billy's Last Run" by Ian Garstka from the U.K. depicts his final flight and a print is on display at the 39th Fighter Squadron headquarters in San Antonio, Texas.
Tropical Paradise of Bora Bora in French Polynesia!
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