Home / War and Conflict / Lost Korean War Corsair Found by Divers
Lost Korean War Corsair Found by Divers
18 Sep
Summary
- Divers discovered a submerged Corsair aircraft off Yangyang, South Korea.
- The F4U Corsair was lost during the Korean War in February 1952.
- US and South Korean agencies are investigating to identify the pilot.
A U.S. F4U Corsair, once known as "The Widowmaker" by pilots and "Whistling Death" by enemy troops, has potentially been discovered by scuba divers off the coast of Yangyang, South Korea. The aircraft was lost on February 21, 1952, during the Korean War while escorting a damaged plane. Divers Kim Kyung-soo and An Hyun-jin documented the wreckage, which appears embedded in the seafloor and displays the Corsair's iconic inverted gull-shaped wings.
Specialized underwater archaeologists from the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and their South Korean counterparts have been investigating the site. The DPAA, responsible for identifying missing service members, is treating the Yangyang find as a priority. They are working to confirm the aircraft's identity and determine if human remains are present.
Thousands of American service members, including 7,354 from the Korean War, remain unaccounted for. The DPAA's mission involves extensive research and excavation to bring closure to families. If confirmed, this Corsair discovery could help identify the pilot lost in 1952, offering long-awaited answers to surviving relatives.
