Tribute to 2nd Lt Robert J. Buel, Darwin, Australia
S 12° 27.725 E 130° 50.080
52L E 699404 N 8621660
American Legion plaque in tribute to 2nd Lt Robert J. Buel.
Waymark Code: WM6XGK
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Date Posted: 08/02/2009
Views: 14
Commemorating the sacrifice of the young fighter pilot, 2nd Lt Robert J. Buel. The plaque reads:
2ND LT. ROBERT J BUEL, USAAF,
WWII FIGHTER PILOT
21ST PURSUIT SQ., 35TH PURSUIT GRP.
SHOT DOWN FEB. 15, 1942
___________ . . . ___________
On Feb. 15, 1942, the P-40E Kittyhawk fighter of 2nd Lt. Buel
was one of only two planes that were available for
the defense of Northern Australia. On this date, both
aircraft were sent to defend an allied convoy under
Japanese attack, but only Buel caught up with the fleet.
Before he was shot down and plunged to his death,
2nd Lt. Buel -- alone -- downed a Japanese bomber and cleared
safe passage for the allied ships. His self-sacrifice and
valor became an inspiration to all who learned of it.
With grateful appreciation
the American Legion remembers
USAAF 2nd Lt. Robert J. Buel
ERECTED ON BEHALF OF
THE AMERICAN LEGION BY
DOMINIC D. DIFRANCESCO
NATIONAL COMMANDER
MAY 1992
The plaque is located in a small enclave of Bicentennial Park. A wall made of local red limestone guards the edge of a cliff, and looking over the wall, and information signs tells us, one can see the resting place of the US destroyer Peary which was sunk during the attack on Darwin in 1942.
Date of Dedication: 05/01/1992
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: Located in a public park with 24hr access.
Access times: From: 12:00 AM To: 12:00 AM
Website for Waymark: [Web Link]
Location of waymark:
Bicentennial Park
Darwin, NT Australia
Commemoration: The sacrifice and final mission of 2nd Lt Robert J. Buel, USAAF
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