Captain Charles Cobb Lanphier

Charles Cobb Lanphier was a pilot. He was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps attached to VMF-214 (the Black Sheep squadron) when his F4U Corsair crashed during a mission at Bougainville Island on August 28, 1943. He was captured and on May 15, 1944 he died of neglect while in captivity at a prison camp in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. His remains were recovered and 1st Lt. Charles C. Lanphier, USMC was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, April 5, 1949.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49244314/charles-cobb-lanphier

Charles C. Lanphier was born in Omaha, Nebraska then moved to Detroit, Michigan. Son of WWI veteran Lt. Col. Thomas G. Lanphier and brother of Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr. who participated in the famous Yamamoto mission and claimed credit for shooting down G4M1 Betty 2656 with Admiral Yamamoto aboard.

On the evening of April 18, 1943, brother Thomas G. Lanphier, Jr. visited the VMF-214 camp at Fighter 1 Airfield and told his brother and other pilots about the Yamamoto mission, making him aware of the mission.

On August 4, 1943, VMF-214 F4U Corsairs led by Burnett and Synar participated in a multi-service mission fighter sweep over the Central Solomons. During the air combat, Charlies Lanphier claimed one victory.

a confusing air combat marked by mistaken identity of RNZAF P-40s for Ki-61 Tonys pilots from VMF-214 claimed three kills including one claimed by Charlies Lanphier.

Aircraft History

Built by Vought. Assigned to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Assigned to squadron VMF-214 "Swashbucklers" operating Fighter 1 Airfield on Guadalcanal. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History

On August 28, 1943 took off from Fighter 1 Airfield on Guadalcanal on a strafing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville. En route to the target, the formation experienced bad weather and became separated with only F4U piloted by Lt. Alvin J. Jensen strafing the target and claiming 24 aircraft burned, Japanese records indicate only five were burned.

En route to the target, this Corsair became lost and was never seen again. When this aircraft failed to return, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Fate of the Pilot

In fact, Lanphier bailed out over southern Bougainville and landed unhurt. Later, he was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). He was transported to Rabaul and imprisoned in the Rabaul POW Camp in early September 1944. On May 15, 1944 he died in captivity of disease and neglect in captivity.

Recovery of Remains

Postwar, Lanphier's remains were exhumed and transported to the United States for permanent burial.

Memorials

Lanphier was officially declared dead on May 15, 1944. Lanphier was permanently buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 11 at site 789.