Louis Gilbert Koenig
Second Lieutenant Louis G. Koenig was a Marine pilot in training at NAS Jacksonville, Florida.
He died in an accident at sea on 28 December 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-16478
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 27, 1919
at Minneapolis, MN
Parents
Louis A. Koenig
Harriet (Mercier) Koenig
Education
MacKenzie High School
Lawrence Institute of Technology
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
May 10, 1942 (enlisted)
December 4, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
11534 Woodrow Street
Detroit, MI
Next Of Kin
Parents, Louis & Harriet Koenig
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
NAS Jacksonville
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
Lieutenant Koenig served with the RCAF before joining the Marine Corps.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Louis Koenig was a recently commissioned Marine Corps pilot aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville. He earned his wings and his commission in early December and was slated for several weeks of advance flight training before posting to a squadron.
On 28 December 1942, Koenig and a Navy pilot, Ensign Guy Junior Baker, boarded an aircraft for a night-flying exercise. Baker was at the controls as they departed Jacksonville and flew out over the Atlantic Ocean. The mission was uneventful until the lead plane turned to head back to base.
In making the turn, Guy started into a spiral to the right at about 3500 feet. The pilots of two planes who were flying win on him stated that at 2000 feet Guy's plane was still in a spiral, losing altitude rapidly. The chase pilot used all means available to contact Guy in an effort to get the plane straightened out and back on course. The other planes circled the spot for about ten minutes hoping that Guy would rendezvous with them, but when he failed to do so, they returned to Lee Field and reported the missing plane.
Baker and Koenig disappeared at 1940 hours, approximately 15 miles east of St. Augustine. Search planes and boats were immediately dispatched, but no trace of the missing aircraft or the two crewmen could be found.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; body not recovered.
Memorials
No known memorials.
Ensign Baker has a cenotaph in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Nebraska
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Louis & Harriet Koenig.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash site, 15 miles east of St. Augustine, Florida.
