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| Lt. Marion Sapp was a P-39 pilot in the 12th Fighter Squadron.https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52840103/marion-l_-sapp https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/flying-the-p-39-airacobra-in-the-pacific-posed-challenges/ |
Marion L. Sapp never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on July 26, 1919 in Missouri. His parents Franklin and Ora were also both born in Missouri. His father worked as an implement salesman and later as a radio station manager. Marion had an older brother, an older sister, and two younger brothers. By 1940 Marion had completed one year of college and was working as a grocery store clerk while living with his parents.
He enlisted in the army, was accepted into flight school, and became a second lieutenant in the 12th Fighter Squad, 18th Fighter Group, which was equipped with P-40 Warhawks and P-39 Airacobras.
Lt. Sapp was killed on November 28, 1942. At that point the 12th FS was operating in the South Pacific flying patrols between Christmas Island and Vanuatu. His plane crashed in the New Hebrides after experiencing engine failure. He bailed out but it was too low for his chute to work.
His grave is at Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Missouri.
Last year on this date I profiled Omar Kolstad, USS Vincennes, Battle of Savo Island. You can read about Omar here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Dear family of Lieut. Sapp. I am so sorry that she lost your loved one fighting for our continued freedom! I feel that badly that he was not able to live his full life in the midst of you all. We were fortunate to have young man like him, willing to do that. They were children of the depression. But they also turned out to be the greatest generation! God bless Lieut. Sapp and all of you his a loving family! Best wishes, Nick Cistone
ReplyDeleteI always have great respect for our Warriors. Each one that serves, especially in a combat capacity takes daily risks to their very lives. Freedom has never been free. These men inspired me to become a fighter pilot as well as a door gunner in my service. We sometimes die alone in a desolate foreign land, but our cause is and was just, we fought for liberty. Thank you for your sacrifice LT. Sapp. I'm sure your family has missed you greatly. Respect my friend.
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