(Robert M. Littlefield)
Capt. Clair W. Des Voignes
(Robert M. Littlefield)
Capt. Clair W. Des Voignes
38th FS - 20 April 1943 - 13 July 1944 (Killed in Action)
| Assigned Aircraft |
P-38J CG-W 42-28279 |
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| Mission History |
Not Known |
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| Mission List |
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| Air Scores |
1.5-0.5-0 |
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| Ground Scores |
0-0 |
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| Score Detail | 05
November 1943 (.5)Me-109 destroyed (air) Nijmegen 05 November 1943 (.5)Me-109 probable (air) Winterswijk 22 May 1944 FW-190 destroyed (air) SW Neumunster |
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| Notes | Entered service from Spokane, Washington. ASN - O-743425 20 April 1943 - Joined the 38th Fighter Squadron December 1943 - Awarded the Air Medal December 1943 - Awarded 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal 14 January 1944 - Promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant February 1944 - Awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal February 1944 - Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 08 June 1944 - Promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain 03 July 1944 - Appointed Squadron Operations Officer July 1944 - Awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross 13 July 1944 - MACR No. 06717 Collided with Lt. James A. Palmer (62nd FS, 56th FG), who was flying P-47 LM-M 42-25713. Collision occurred near St. Denis, Belgium. 2/Lt. Claude L. Chamberlin reported: "I was flying Capt. Des Voignes' left wing at about 22,000 feet. We saw three P-47s coming almost towards us at about 2 o'clock position. Des Voignes started a turn to the right to keep them in sight and came in behind them. As we were in this turn, another P-47, flying straight and level came in towards us. I was behind, a little low and to the left of Des Voignes, when I saw this other P-47. Des Voignes could not see it because he was in a turn. The P-47 didn't seem to turn in any way. The P-47 hit the P-38 on the underside of the pilot's nacelle. I was on "C" channel so couldn't call Des Voignes as it happened too fast. Both planes exploded and burst into flame. The largest part I saw was the left motor and inboard section of the P-38. I saw no chutes open." From the Squadron records: "On the way home today "Old Buddy" Captain DesVoignes was instantly killed when he and a P-47 ran into each other. Captain DesVoignes was leading his flight and saw three P-47's in the distance. In order to keep them in sight he had to make a 180 and he came up behind them. A "tail end Charlie" that Des Voignes didn't see came Hell bent for Election and evidently did not see the P-38 and as he came up to get into formation crashed right into the belly of the 38 at the pilots nacelle. Both planes disintegrated and burst into flame. No chutes were observed by anyone." Capt. Des Voignes went down in Belgium. He is buried in Plot B, Row 35, Grave 25 in the Ardennes American Military Cemetery and Memorial, Neupre,
Belgium. |
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| Memories | He was a talented and humorous cartoonist and was very popular with members of his unit. (Robert M. Littlefield) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Images |
Copy of a cartoon drawn by Capt. Des Voignes (Robert M.
Littlefield)
Capt. Des Voignes' grave at the Ardennes American Military Cemetery and Memorial, Neupre,
Belgium. (Paul Patist) |