4th FG pilot remains recovered - a hero no longer missing

[Swiss Mustangs]

Hi all

I thought you might be interested in the discovery of yet another fallen hero:

P-51D-15-NA 44-15615 WD-T 4th FG 335th FS; 1st Lt. Paul G. Santos; KIA 06.02.1945 near Kirchgandern; Flak; MACR # 12159

Lt. Santos' remains were recovered by a US specialist team last Saturday near Kirchgandern, Germany, where he perished with his Mustang back in WW2. The remains will be brought back to the U.S. for forensic tests and ultimate identification before hand-over to the family.

Also recovered were the 6 .50 inch Brownings - the remainder of the heavily destroyed aircraft will be left in situ, because the wreckage now no longer holds any danger to the environment.

Eye-witness reports of the crash stated that the a/c already burned while still in the air - and that it exploded on impact - a fact that was confirmed by this recent recovery.


may he rest in peace

Martin

[JägerMarty]

Nice that he can be taken home finally, for his family.

Who/which group located the aircraft?

[Swiss Mustangs]

link to a (German) news-report

it was the JPAC team from Hawaii

http://www.tlz.de/tlz/tlz.heiligenstadt ... dbserver=1

Martin

link to the JPAC website:

http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/

[Paul Patist]

Goodmorning Martin,

Thanks for the info ! Any news on 43-12462 yet?


Groetjes,

Paul