Lisle Harrison Foord
Lisle H. Foord was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew with VMF-123.
He was last seen engaging Japanese aircraft over Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, on 18 August 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve (Aviation)
Service Number O-19153
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
History
Lisle Foord was born in Huntington Park, California on 28 May 1921. His parents were Lisle and Clara Foord. At the time of his entry into the service, he was living in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Lisle’s siblings included a sister, Emma Jean.
He attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces before the war.
Lisle enlisted in the United States Navy on 8 March 1942 from a recruiting station in Las Vegas, NM. He was 20 at the time.
Lisle attended Navy basic flight training and was sent to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 19 February 1943.
After earning his wings as a fighter pilot, 2Lt. Foord was assigned to duty with VMF-123, Marine Air Group 21.
On 18 August 1943, Lt. Foord’s flight from VMF-123 was assigned the morning combat sweep to Vella Lavella. They encountered a group of Japanese aircraft at 0750 and engaged the enemy over the Oula River.
Lt. Robert Steinaker noted Plane #111 (F4U-1 02467) on his wing just before entering the fray. He did not see #111 after the fight, or at any time upon returning to base.
Lt. Foord’s absence was not discovered until 1900 hours. After a search of the sick bay and squadron area, it was discovered that he was last seen walking to the flight line for the morning strike. By process of elimination, it was determined that he was the pilot of Plane #111 last seen over the Oula River.
Lieutenant Foord was reported as missing in action; since no further word of his whereabouts was received, he was declared dead on 19 August 1944. The news was delivered to the next of kin – his aunt, Mrs. Fred Krasin
of 1025 6th Street, Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Decorations
