P-47D-5-RE, s/n 42-8544, "Natalie", Meeks Field, Iceland, August 9th 1943
P-47D 42-8544 ended up in the hands of the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group. Coded OS-R and carrying the nose art name "Moon," it was flown by group commander Lt. Col. John L. "Moon" Elder, who ended the war with eight confirmed aerial victories.
On June 17th 1944 the aircraft was in the hands of the 513th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 406th Fighter Bomber Group being flown by 2nd Lt. Cary L. Gray (s/n 0810355) when it was shot down 2 miles southeast of Cherbourg. He was last seen by 1st Lt. Rolland W. Funk, the flight leader, parachuting from his plane.
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