Comment: On October 21, 1, 1944 seven P-47D Thunderbolts from "Tubby Flight" from the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 58th Fighter Group (58th FG), 311th Fighter Squadron (311th FS) took off from Kornasoren Airfield on Noemfoor on a strike mission against Haroekoe near Ceram. In their eagerness to destroy the enemy, they departed the target area low on fuel. On their return trip they encountered bad weather and while trying to orient themselves discovered that they were unable to return to base. They all agreed to dive down through an opening in the clouds and ditch their planes in the sea near Wai Island. Today, three of the seven P-47s that ditched have been found by SCUBA divers. One is broken up in 2m of water, the other two are intact at 28 meters and 38 meters depth.
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-47/43-25642.html
P-47D-21-RA "Santa Maria" Serial Number 43-25642
Pilot Major Harry M. Odren, O-440991 (survived) Dunn County, ND
Ditched October 21, 1944
After ditching Odren managed to deploy his life raft and made it to shore on an unnamed island. Benner, Crepeau and possibly Murrie also managed to reach the shore of an unnamed island. Meanwhile, Powell, Brown and Taylor spent the night in their life jackets at sea.
On October 22, 1944, Odren was rescued by an OA-10 Catalina from the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron (2nd ERS) returned to duty. Afterwards, Odren returned to duty.