Walter L. Jacobson (abt. 1916 - abt. 1943)

Born about 1916 in New York, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died about 19 Feb 1943 at about age 27 in off the north coast of New Guinea. [uncertain]

Biography

Purple Heart

Walter Jacobson was declared Killed in Action in 3 years after being reported MIA during World War II.

Walter Jacobson was Missing in Action during World War II.

First Lieutenant Walter Jacobson served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 1941
Unit(s): 90th Bomber Group (Very Heavy)
Service ended: KIA 19 Feb 1943

Walter Jacobson was born in 1916 in New York. He was living with his parents, Reuben and Claire (Friedenheit) Jacobson in the 1920^[1], 1930^[2] and 1940 censuses in New York. In 1940 he was working as a lawyer.^[3]

On Dec. 28, 1941 Walter enlisted in New York City, in the Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet.^[4]

Walter was the co-pilot on the B-24D-CO "Lady Luck", part of the 5th Air Force, 90th Bombardment Group, 321st Bombardment Squadron. He was on board for a mission that took off from 5-Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby at 5:35, February 19, 1943, on a lone reconnaissance mission over the southern coast of New Britain. The last radio contact was made one hour later when a report was received from the aircraft stating that a weather front was being entered in the Cape Ward Hunt area.

The crew was reported as missing in action on February 19, 1943. On January 8, 1946 they were officially declared dead. Walter and the rest of the crew are memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila.^[5]

In April of 1943 Reuben filed an inquiry about his son.^[6]

First Lieutenant Walter L Jacobson was awarded a Purple Heart, he had also received an Air Medal.^[7]

Walter's father died in 1947 and David's death is mentioned.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MVMZ-LLN : accessed 14 Feb 2014), Walter Jacobson in household of Rubin Jacobson, Queens Assembly District 5, Queens, New York, United States; citing sheet , family 274, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821236.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X42M-874 : accessed 14 Feb 2014), Walter L Jacobson in household of Reuben Jacobson, Manhattan (Districts 0251-0500), New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0455, sheet , family 416, NARA microfilm publication.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3YF-W1N : accessed 14 Feb 2014), Walter Jacobson in household of Reuben Jacobson, Assembly District 11, Manhattan, New York City, New York, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 31-963, sheet 61B, family 33, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 2647.
4. ↑ "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KMX4-Q46 : accessed 14 Feb 2014), Walter L Jacobson, 28 Dec 1941.
5. ↑ PacificWrecks.com
6. ↑ Copy in Photos.
7. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration. Register, World War II Dead Interred in American Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil and World War II and Korea Missing or Lost or Buried at Sea. Walter L Jacobson.
8. ↑ "Jacoboson-Reuben." The New York Times. March 24, 1947. p.25.