A Mystery Solved 1945 to 2004
This page is dedicated to all of the reconnaissance pilots of the Army Air Corp. who sacrificed
their own personal safety to fly unarmed reconnaissance missions during the war.
their own personal safety to fly unarmed reconnaissance missions during the war.
For many years, I have heard my father recount the story of how he had witnessed the crash of a P-38 Lightning as a kid
near his hometown of Barnsdall, Oklahoma during the war. Over and over, he related the story to me in exactly the same
way. He recalled seeing two planes, that he identified as P-38's, dog-fighting at high altitude over his home town. At 13
years old, he was already an admirer of the P-38 from the magazine articles he had seen and could not resist watching this
display taking place before him.
After several minutes, he noticed that one of the P-38's was diving down at a high rate of speed and appeared to spiral a
little as it came down. He recalled hearing the engines sounding as though they were at full throttle, making a very loud
screaming sound. As the P-38 rushed closer to the ground, it appeared that the pilot was attempting to roll the aircraft into
an inverted attitude. My dad guessed that the pilot was attempting to bail out of the aircraft. The P-38 remained inverted
and struck the ground a short distance outside of town. Like many others, my father ran to the nearby crash site. When he
arrived there, he recalled that the majority of the plane had all but disintegrated upon impact and caught fire. It was obvious
that the pilot had been killed. My father found a small piece of the aircraft and kept it for many years, remembering the
dreadful event he had witnessed. Once I began collecting WWII aviation related items, he gave the piece of metal to me and
related the above story to me many times. Each time, the story was told with the exact same details.
After having this piece of the P-38 for almost 15 years, I decided to try and verify my father's story of the crash and see if I
could find any evidence of a P-38 having crashed near Barnsdall, Oklahoma during the war. After searching many internet
sites and contacting several "wreck chasing" investigators, I came up empty as there did not appear to have been any
P-38's that had crashed near Barnsdall during the war. I thought maybe my father was incorrect on the aircraft type
involved.
I was then lucky enough to come across Jeff Wilkinson at www.okwreckchasing.com! After only one email, Jeff researched
the incident and it was discovered that my father was correct. An F-5, the reconnaissance version of the P-38, had in fact
crashed 2 miles west of Barnsdall, Oklahoma on July 2, 1945. Thanks to Jeff, the mystery of this crash was solved. Within a
week or two, I received a copy of the official Army Air Corp. crash report relating to the crash. I could now fill in the gaps
relating to the crash my father had witnessed almost 60 years ago.
near his hometown of Barnsdall, Oklahoma during the war. Over and over, he related the story to me in exactly the same
way. He recalled seeing two planes, that he identified as P-38's, dog-fighting at high altitude over his home town. At 13
years old, he was already an admirer of the P-38 from the magazine articles he had seen and could not resist watching this
display taking place before him.
After several minutes, he noticed that one of the P-38's was diving down at a high rate of speed and appeared to spiral a
little as it came down. He recalled hearing the engines sounding as though they were at full throttle, making a very loud
screaming sound. As the P-38 rushed closer to the ground, it appeared that the pilot was attempting to roll the aircraft into
an inverted attitude. My dad guessed that the pilot was attempting to bail out of the aircraft. The P-38 remained inverted
and struck the ground a short distance outside of town. Like many others, my father ran to the nearby crash site. When he
arrived there, he recalled that the majority of the plane had all but disintegrated upon impact and caught fire. It was obvious
that the pilot had been killed. My father found a small piece of the aircraft and kept it for many years, remembering the
dreadful event he had witnessed. Once I began collecting WWII aviation related items, he gave the piece of metal to me and
related the above story to me many times. Each time, the story was told with the exact same details.
After having this piece of the P-38 for almost 15 years, I decided to try and verify my father's story of the crash and see if I
could find any evidence of a P-38 having crashed near Barnsdall, Oklahoma during the war. After searching many internet
sites and contacting several "wreck chasing" investigators, I came up empty as there did not appear to have been any
P-38's that had crashed near Barnsdall during the war. I thought maybe my father was incorrect on the aircraft type
involved.
I was then lucky enough to come across Jeff Wilkinson at www.okwreckchasing.com! After only one email, Jeff researched
the incident and it was discovered that my father was correct. An F-5, the reconnaissance version of the P-38, had in fact
crashed 2 miles west of Barnsdall, Oklahoma on July 2, 1945. Thanks to Jeff, the mystery of this crash was solved. Within a
week or two, I received a copy of the official Army Air Corp. crash report relating to the crash. I could now fill in the gaps
relating to the crash my father had witnessed almost 60 years ago.
An F-5-B Lightning Reconnaissance
aircraft. F-5-B's were converted
from P-38J and P-38L aircraft
frames, the armament removed
and housings installed to
incorporate the K-17 or K-18
cameras. A total of 508 F-5-E's
were built during the war.
aircraft. F-5-B's were converted
from P-38J and P-38L aircraft
frames, the armament removed
and housings installed to
incorporate the K-17 or K-18
cameras. A total of 508 F-5-E's
were built during the war.
Email me here!!
The Crash Report:
| I would enjoy hearing from anyone with any additional information regarding this crash and 2nd Lt. Charles R. Schleifer. I would like to find a wartime image of Mr. Schleifer to add to this page. I would appreciate any information that could help me to find squadron mates or family members of Mr. Schleifer to help me add to this page, dedicated in his memory and for his brave service. I would also like to thank my father for providing me with the piece of the F-5 he found so many years ago, and allowing Mr. Schleifer's story to come to life. A special thank you to Jeff Wilkinson for all his help and hard work. I appreciate it. |
The surviving piece of F-5-E No.
44-23602. As you can see, it is
a small piece of the aircraft, still
retaining the olive drab paint
scheme on one side and bare
metal on the other. The edges
are jagged and it is obvious that
this portion was torn from the
rivets holding it in place. There
is no evidence of fire damage to
this portion of the aircraft.
44-23602. As you can see, it is
a small piece of the aircraft, still
retaining the olive drab paint
scheme on one side and bare
metal on the other. The edges
are jagged and it is obvious that
this portion was torn from the
rivets holding it in place. There
is no evidence of fire damage to
this portion of the aircraft.
To Photo-Recon Joe
(by Tom McGuire)
Of all the Air Force pilots that I most deeply admire,
I give my top-notch vote to Photo-Recon Joe
Who goes it alone, unarmed, and braves the enemy's fire
By taking crucial photos which spell doom to the Axis foe.
Ahead of his Lightning's sound, his F-5 zips in at tree-top level;
Too late they hear him coming, now he's already gone past
A flashing form, a blast of wind, the Fork-Tail Devil,
His photos taken, speeds home, no higher than a mast.
On lists of fighter aces, his name is never placed,
And sadly, he's soon forgotten after the war has ended,
But war historians know that priceless F-5 photos based
The Normandy invasion so air, sea, and land attacks all blended.
"Unescorted, unarmed, and unafraid" Joe wings his gutsy way
Into the lethal Axis Reich, where death waits in that murky air.
But he presses on, he shoots his films, and dearly earns his pay
By these "dicing," flack-filled missions that only he would dare.
So now I raise a grateful toast to Photo-Recon Joe,
And, Joe, I also bow to you-and believe me, I bow low.
(by Tom McGuire)
Of all the Air Force pilots that I most deeply admire,
I give my top-notch vote to Photo-Recon Joe
Who goes it alone, unarmed, and braves the enemy's fire
By taking crucial photos which spell doom to the Axis foe.
Ahead of his Lightning's sound, his F-5 zips in at tree-top level;
Too late they hear him coming, now he's already gone past
A flashing form, a blast of wind, the Fork-Tail Devil,
His photos taken, speeds home, no higher than a mast.
On lists of fighter aces, his name is never placed,
And sadly, he's soon forgotten after the war has ended,
But war historians know that priceless F-5 photos based
The Normandy invasion so air, sea, and land attacks all blended.
"Unescorted, unarmed, and unafraid" Joe wings his gutsy way
Into the lethal Axis Reich, where death waits in that murky air.
But he presses on, he shoots his films, and dearly earns his pay
By these "dicing," flack-filled missions that only he would dare.
So now I raise a grateful toast to Photo-Recon Joe,
And, Joe, I also bow to you-and believe me, I bow low.
Restored P-38 "Joltin Josie" during a fly-by. This
aircraft is operated by the Planes of Fame
Museumin Chino, Ca.
aircraft is operated by the Planes of Fame
Museumin Chino, Ca.
Wartime, color photo of a P-38 cockpit.
A captured, F-5-E Lightning painted with German
Luftwaffe identification codes. This aircraft, T9-MK,
was flight tested by the Luftwaffe during the war.
Luftwaffe identification codes. This aircraft, T9-MK,
was flight tested by the Luftwaffe during the war.
A not so innocent, but entertaining poem of admiration for the P-38.
Don't forget to check out the items for sale and trade page! Original WWII items and autographed items!
heard by the only eye witness this panel was able to locate. Evidence at the scene of the crash would indicate that the aircraft struck the ground in
totally wrecked. The identity of the pilot of the accompanying aircraft has not been determined.
Probable causes are unknown."
The report is endorsed by 1st Lt. Daniel M. Flynn, 1st Lt. Jack W. Miller, 1st Lt. Robert W. Stalcup, Capt. Sam S. Chudde, and
Capt. Edgar C. Hamilton. According to my father, a number of people had witnessed the crash from town. However, the only
witness listed on the crash report is a farmer identified as C. Art Jones of Barnsdall, Ok.
totally wrecked. The identity of the pilot of the accompanying aircraft has not been determined.
Probable causes are unknown."
The report is endorsed by 1st Lt. Daniel M. Flynn, 1st Lt. Jack W. Miller, 1st Lt. Robert W. Stalcup, Capt. Sam S. Chudde, and
Capt. Edgar C. Hamilton. According to my father, a number of people had witnessed the crash from town. However, the only
witness listed on the crash report is a farmer identified as C. Art Jones of Barnsdall, Ok.