Forest H. Phifer, Jr.

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1930 Census
Name: Forest Phifer
Birth Year: abt 1921
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1930: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
Street address: North Chancery Street
House Number in Cities or Towns: 307
Attended School: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Household Members:
Name Age
Forest Phifer 39
Mary Phifer 35
Gertrude Phifer 16
Clifford Phifer 14
James Phifer 12
Forest Phifer 9
Sue Phifer less than 1 year

1940 Census
Name: Forest Phifer Junior
Age: 18
Estimated birth year: abt 1922
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
Inferred Residence in 1935: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
Residence in 1935: Same House
Occupation: Clerk, drug store
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: $432
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Name Age
Mary Phifer 44
Gertrude Phifer 25
James Phifer 21
Forest Phifer 18
Sue Phifer 10
Virginia Phifer 8

MILITARY RECORDS

World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Name: Forest H Phifer
Birth Year: 1920
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Tennessee
State of Residence: Tennessee
County or City: Knox

Enlistment Date: 1 Apr 1942
Enlistment State: Tennessee
Enlistment City: Camp Forrest
Branch: Air Corps
Grade Code: Private

Source: Civil Life
Education: 1 year of college
Civil Occupation: Actors and actresses
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 67 in.
Weight: 126 lbs.

---------------

From Find A Grave from John Dowdy

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47791572

Bombardier 2n/Lt Forest H. Phifer DFC KIA
Hometown: McMinnville Tenn.
Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb group
Service# O-734829
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
Pilot Captain Edward L. Fowble DFC KIA

Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 4-Oct-43
Serial Number: 42-40773
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: I for Item
Location: Marrakesh Morocco
Cause: Crew of 14 KIA

In the aftermath of the Wiener Nuestadt raid 42-40773 was damaged and leaking fuel. Parts were unavailable in Tunisia. The 389th was ordered back to Hethel so Captain Fowble attempted to divert to Morocco to make repairs. Fowble crashed 1 mile short of Marrakesh, in first leg of return to Hethel from Tunis, due to fuel exhaustion with 12 aboard killed, three men were badly injured, two of which later died.

Lt. Phifer was awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross" for his valor in " Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the Sky Scorpions destroy the Steaua Romana oil refinery. The refinery does not produce oil for six months. The 389th earns Presidential Unit Citation and lose six aircraft on this mission.


Buried:
Grave location, biography and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=PH&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GScntry=260&GSsr=1&GRid=56249648&


Died:
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. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

Name: Forest H Phifer
Inducted From: Tennessee
Rank: First Lieutenant
Combat Organization: 564th Bomber Squadron 389th Bomber
Death Date: 3 Oct 1943
Monument: North Africa
Last Known Status: Buried
U.S. Awards: Air Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross