2nd Lt Phillip R. Scott (pilot)

by Fred Becchetti
(Ann Arbor MI)

Two engines on his plane damaged by flak on Jan. 1945 mission over Linz, Austria. Had to ditch in the Adriatic near Croatia...Plane broke in half and back half sunk quickly with loss of two crew members.
Two life rafts deployed but without expected supply of rations, etc., and were damaged and leaked. Members spent several days adrift trying to stay afloat and alive (losing another crew member) before being rescued
by a British patrol boat. His ordeal and survival at sea earned him membership in the Sea Squatters Club and the Goldfish Club. Lt. Scott, after return to Italy and treatment for his injuries, was returned to active duty but Germany surrendered and he was sent back to the US. In 1952 He prepared a report on the incident for the USAF RESEARCH STUDIES INSTITUTE on survival at sea after ditching. He is quoted in the report later issued, "Airman Against the Sea"
I was fortunate to obtain Lt. Scott's personal papers including a copy of his Missing Air Crew Report and letters related to the above from a local aviation collector. I would be glad to make copies of the material for the 376th BG archives. I could not find his plane (42-95285 Red Ryder) listed in USAF serial numbers but it appears to be a Ford built B24H, at the Willow Run factory a few miles from me. In addition it appears to have been made close in time (maybe same day even) as the B24H a relative of mine flew with 445 BG out of England : B24H 42-95308. Recall Ford built one complete B24 every hour as well as producing major sub assemblies for planes assembled elsewhere.

There is additional information (his personal account) on the above posted at the 376th BG site under Lt. Scott's name.