jcdurand3391
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Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 08:51:20 AM
I am writing an article on Lt. Durand (no relation) for submission to the local press for Veterans Day. I am looking for detailed information about his capture and presumed execution after his mission to Lae. New Guinea on April 30, 1942. I'm aware of Attack and Conquer and have corresponded with Chris W., Justin T, and Jacques H. Any new contacts and information, including pdf images of documents will be much appreciated. I am still trying to run down a picture of Lt. Durand in uniform. I live about 150 miles from his hometown of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
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mickeyb
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 09:29:04 AM
Perhaps this will help
Edward D. Durand
ID: 0-417205
Entered the Service From: Wisconsin
Rank: First Lieutenant
Service: U.S. Army Air Forces, 35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group
Died: Wednesday, December 05, 1945
Memorialized at: Manila American Cemetery
Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
Regards
Mickey Devoted Sister of S/Sgt George L. Winkler 13th Air Force/FEAF/Jungle Air Force KIA 3 April 1945 Cebu, Philippines "A Place Called Home" WWII Families
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 10:08:51 AM
John, Below is some additional information about Lieutenant Durand. Take what you like and leave the rest.... Andy
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-39/41-7128.html
P-39F Airacobra Serial Number 41-7128
USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
35th FS
Pilot 1st Lt. Edward D. Durand 0-417205 MIA April 30, 1942
Mission History - One of 11 aircraft under the command of Lt. Col Wagner, attacking Lae and Salamaua. Part of a formation strafing aerodrome at Lae. Last seen 20 miles southeast of Lae / 20 miles south of Salamaua. Missing after a long running dogfight. The airstrip of 17-Mile (Waigani) was renamed 'Durand' in his honor (see aerial photograph at attachment).
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_moresby_air.html#durand
Durand Drome (17 Mile, Waigani)
Named 17 Mile or sometimes refered to as Waigani. Named after MIA P-39 pilot Edward D. Durand missing on a mission to Lae. Constructed by the 808th Airborne Engineers, and completed in August 1942. The runway was seporate from the dispersal and camp areas, where ravetments were carved into hillsides and taxiways elevated for drainage. Gun pits built of 55 gallon drums for anti-aircraft were built on the surounding hills, and buildings on concrete slabs, or tents on gravel from the nearby quarry. The Waigani swamp is located at the end of the airfield. Pilots feared crashing into during bad take offs or landings under the belief there were crocodiles in it. The airstrip was active thruout 1943 as a frontline base, before it was phased out as units moved to the north to the Dubodura area. In 1944, the RAAF operated a RSU at the strip and boneyard. [image]local://upfiles/5746/ED78991E997547439F1766265FCA6B8B.jpg[/image]
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 11:06:24 AM >
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 10:27:34 AM
John, Another data point that you might want to research is Lt. Durand's enlisted serial number i.e. 16021151 (see extract of Lt. Durand's enlistment record at attachement). As he was prior enlisted before being commissioned a Lieutenant in the Air Corps, I presume he was an Aviation Cadet. You may be able to locate a class photograph with him in it if you can establish a Class number? I've already tried - no joy. Take what you like and leave the rest.... Andy [image]local://upfiles/5746/D64708BE13FC4EE18C83A68BDDA19DFB.jpg[/image]
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 11:06:58 AM >
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 10:48:10 AM
Disregard this posting - see next
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 11:09:10 AM >
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 10:52:20 AM
John, You can find much information about Lieutenant Durand at www.durandfoundation.com - the photograph at attachment was extracted from this source. Take what you like and leave the rest.... Andy [image]local://upfiles/5746/2C54EC09277C4A8BA338BABB9B12C26D.jpg[/image]
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 11:10:10 AM >
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 12:27:37 PM
John, 'Didn't want to post a nose art name for 42-8896 ('couldn't read it accurately in the aircraft photograph attached to my earlier posting) but scratching around on the internet a little bit more at http://mach1collectibles.com/bell_p_39_airacobra_ill_winds_8x10_photograph.html I found '896 to be named 'Ill Winds' (see attachment) Take what you like and leave the rest.... Andy [image]local://upfiles/5746/4A71BBE6FD70473DBA43DABEAA1E4819.jpg[/image]
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 12:32:01 PM >
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buckeyeuk
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 02:08:41 PM
Andy it's a P-39N in the States, the badge is the unofficial insignia of the 353rd FS / 354th FG, a winged cobra about to strike.
The coloured spinner and nose band plus the white ID number are typical training markings. Nick
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/24/2006 03:29:05 PM
Nick, Thanks for the observation; received in the sense of support in which it was sent. That having been said, 'love you like a brother but don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger :-) In the 'for-whatever-it's-worth' category I would conjecture that perhaps P-39N 42-8896 'Ill Winds' was an aircraft flown by Lt. Durand in CONUS ZI environment during his training (the photograph and accompanying narrative got into the www.durandfoundation.com website somehow - probably a 'this is the plane I soloed in' letter sent home to Mom or soemthing like that? As it was attributed in another source that I located that Lt. Durand was flying P-39F 41-7128 on the mission that he and the aircraft were lost, obviously the two aircraft are not the same, nor was it ever said that they were. Thus my "Take what you like and leave the rest...." attached to each of my posts. Take what you like and leave the rest.... Andy
<message edited by airevie on 04/24/2006 03:31:39 PM >
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buckeyeuk
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RE: Lt. Edward D. Durand, P-39 flier, shot down
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04/25/2006 12:06:08 PM
Andy.......if I ruffled any feathers I can only apologise; it jogged my memory as it's on the cover of the IPMS magazine for Nov.1969 ---but attributed to the 33rd FG. ! regards Nick
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