John Fedell Fazendin
Sergeant John F. Fazendin was an aviation radioman and gunner with VMSB-141.
He was reported missing after being evacuated from Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 350221
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth*
August 4, 1916
at Ramona, SD
Parents
John Albert Fazendin (d. 1927)
Grace M. (Berther) Fazendin (d. 1941)
Education
Cathedral High School (1934)
Occupation & Employer
JC Penney & Co.
Note: In childhood and civilian life, Fazendin commonly went by "FaDell" or "Fidel."
Service Life
Entered Service
January 22, 1942
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
Los Angeles, CA
Next Of Kin
Sister, Miss Corriene Noll
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman / gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-141
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant John F. Fazendin was a veteran radioman and gunner assigned to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB) 141 during the campaign for the Solomon Islands. From early October to mid November, he flew numerous patrol and bombing missions from Guadalcanal’s Henderson Field, usually with 2Lt. John W. Hanna at the controls.
On 14 November 1942, VMSB-141 muster rolls note that several men – including Sergeant Fazendin – were “evacuated” from Guadalcanal to Noumea, New Caledonia. Fazendin was the only one who did not arrive at his destination, and he was reported as missing the following day. The squadron evidently learned nothing more about his whereabouts; Fazendin was retained on their rolls until April 1943, at which time his records were transferred to the Prisoners of War & Missing Persons Detachment. He was ultimately declared dead on 16 November 1943.
However, Fazendin’s Marine Corps casualty card contains a clue about his fate: a confidential message reporting “man being evac. from Guadalcanal 11-15-42 aboard Army B-26, plane failed to arrive at its destination.”
On 15 November 1942, “Dixie Belle” – a B-26B belonging to the 70th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force – departed Henderson Field for Espiritu Santo. According to Pacific Wrecks, bad weather forced “Dixie Belle” to fly just above sea level. The pilot, Captain Walter Callaham, reported engine problems – and just after 1700 hours, “crashed into the sea at roughly Lat 12° 37′ S Long 163° 50′ E at a location roughly 323 miles southeast of Guadalcanal and roughly 237 miles from their destination,” writes Justin Taylan. “Witnesses report that the plane impacted about 150mph into 20-30′ waves that caused it to spin and flip upside down and break open.” There were no survivors.
A retroactive Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 16322) lists seven Army fatalities aboard “Dixie Belle.” Sergeant Fazendin is not mentioned – but, as this is the only loss of a B-26 in this region on 15 November 1942 – it is likely that he was aboard as a passenger.
Burial Information or Disposition
None, remains not recovered.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Crew Of B-26B 41-17558, “Dixie Belle”
Captain Walter L. Callaham (Pilot)
1Lt. William R. McNeese (Copilot)
2Lt. Samuel R. Hufstedler, Jr. (Navigator)
2Lt. Leonard M. Feldman (Bombardier)
SSgt. Frank L. House (Aircrew)
PFC John E. Lawler (Aircrew)
Pvt. Richard Gray (Aircrew)
Next Of Kin Address
Address of sister, Miss Corriene Noll.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the Dixie Belle crash.
