History of the 348th Fighter Group

Welcome back Biak. I was curious if you know anything about Ruben Wayne Macy? From what I have learned through research Ruben was adopted by the Moskaloff (Moshkolof? He is on the 341st squadron photo) family and I am assuming because of this named his plane "The Mad Russian". The reason I ask is because Ruben was the 341st squadron historian (official or unofficial, which one I do not know) and from what I learned wrote several historical articles about the squadron for "The Friends Journal" of the USAF museum in Dayton Ohio. I've tried to locate some of these articles without success as of yet. Any thoughts?

 

Hi, I'm new here. I like to research World War 2 history. Part of this is in the Philippines. Mt Mataba/Timberland etc area. I talked to a local Filipino man who as a teenager knew of an old aeroplane crash. There was alloy there. The site is now historical as there is a huge landfill site there now for Metro Manila (San Mateo Landfill). Also the alloy metal was sold in the junk shop. Nothing remains now. The man did not know the type of plane or if US or Japanese or other. I didn't ask him if there were any engines there. I need to though. I thought it was a P-38 Lightning loss as they operated in the area of Mt Mataba/Mt Parawagan (Pacawagan)/Timberland. I don't know the old name of the crash site area. Does anyone have info on what if anything crashed or was shotdown there? And the fate of the pilot. There are old partly open Japanese tunnels there. The man showed me these and I've photos. He also found Japanese soldiers bones, dog tags, artifacts including an Arisaka 6.5mm rifle (i saw this and photographed it). He buried the bones. I want to find out what plane it was. Thanx Nick.

 

Thanx so much, i have started suitable threads. Hope you have some info on them

 

Seeking good clear image/colors to the WW2 era Unofficial 348th Fighter Group emblem, any help much appreciated !!!!!!!!!!! Please conatct me at ,WeBeEmblems@aol.com

 

The emblem you mention is a Post WW2 emblem and was Not in use during WW2 .......it was not approved until Aug 1951 ...... the emblem images I posted were of "Unofficial" type but was used at one time hence the sign ........

 

Wow, and MUCH Thanks for posting this one, been here nd there and haven't thought to check back here, you Really made my day with this one , !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't even know if you're still on here, but I have a picture of my grandpa, a mechanic, next to the same plane. I think that's really amazing; I'm sitting here in awe. I just found out he was in the 342nd and not the 242nd (which I couldn't find anywhere) cause it was written wrong on some orders and his separation papers. Then, I bumped into my cousin, he brought a book of pictures and a letter my grandpa sent to his own grandparents, "342nd Fighter Squadron" in the address... now I'm looking at the same plane. I guess a lot of my paperwork has the wrong info even today (I'm an Army SSG) so I was always suspicious when only RAF Squadrons came up, haha. I'm just... I'm blown away seeing the same plane, and I wish I could add the photo of my grandpa from where I am, but I hope to at some point. Edward Hircock was my grandpa's name, and he made it to SGT as a mechanic in the 342nd Fighter Squadron, and he stood next to that same "Rushin Princess"... I know there's not a lot out there about enlisted or mechanics, but if anyone sees this and has anything, please reach out.

 

Here's the photo of my Grandpa Ed Hircock by the "Rushin Princess." That's all I have of pictures of him in terms of his service, other than at few other uniformed pictures at home. It still blows me away to have found this group, other photos of that plane, etc.

 

Thank you! I appreciate you and your uncle for this. Truly.