In God We Trust
The government's official ending date of the Korean War time period is January 31, 1955. The year 1954 saw numerous airplane crashes stateside and elsewhere that resulted in the deaths of dozens of military personnel. Those crashes appear on this page of the Korean War Educator in chronological order. To add further information to this page, contact us.
This page was made possible by a grant from
the Illinois Humanities Council.
In January of 1954, the pilot of an American plane, "3 Cape Cod", sent out the distress message, "We need aid." The plane and its 10-member crew disappeared a few short minutes later, and no plane wreckage was ever found. Did the plane land with a fiery crash in the waters off the west coast of Korea, or did it crash on a hill in central Korea as the result of "friendly fire" from an American Douglas Skyraider? Because of discrepancies in official accident reports, missing messages from log books, and lost government document boxes, some family members believe that they have not been told the whole truth about the plane’s disappearance. More on the story of 3 Cape Cod will soon be published on the Korean War Educator website. Satch Beasley of Nashville, Tennessee, son of USN Lieutenant Jesse Beasley. Satch, was eight years old when his family received the news that 3 Cape Cod did not return from its listening mission off the coast of China. He has never given up his quest for the truth about his father’s disappearance. He tells us that his career decision to become a commercial pilot was based in part on his desire to gain some kind of understanding about his father’s fate and that of the other devoted Americans serving on 3 Cape Cod.
View these pictures of the ten crew members whose families never saw them alive again. Left to right, top row, they are: Chief Mechanic Robert George Archibald; Co-pilot Fredric Traynor Prael; and Mechanic James Frank Hand; second row: Navigator Paul Dominick Morelli; Navigator Stanley Burt Mulford; and Radioman Rex Allen Claussen; bottom row: Radioman Bruce David Berger; Radarman Lloyd Bernard Rensink; and Ordnanceman Gordon Spicklemier.
This narrative concerns the 1954 loss of an armed Navy P2V-5 Neptune call sign 3 Cape Cod and piloted by Lt. Jesse Beasley. The plane reportedly crashed and disappeared into the Yellow Sea while on a training mission. The information in this account has been gathered from various sources, but also includes theories postulated while trying to locate the missing aircraft and what remains of its crew.
Three Cape Cod departed Iwakuni Air Base in Japan at 2:26 on the afternoon of January 4, 1954. The crew consisted of ten; two bachelors and eight married. The Flight was categorized as ‘COMBAT’ and its purpose was reconnaissance along the coastlines of North Korea and China.
Near the coast of China the plane encountered trouble resulting in one engine being reported as disabled. Over the course of one and a half hours the plane signaled a distress call "WE NEED AID" to Iwakuni air base and requested co-ordinates for South Korea’s air base at Kunsan. Initially the plane made a rapid decent and then gradually returned to stable flight. Throughout the flight there was interference with radio communications between the plane and its base. Locations and conditions were not shared in a timely, nor accurate manner. Three Cape Cod was tracked by radar at least part of the time during its fateful flight and descent. The plane gradually lost altitude until reporting 300 feet and it reported " PORT ENGINE ROUGH". The last communication received from 3 Cape Cod were a series of V’s which the base had requested and not, as the Navy has put forth, an indication that the radio key had been tied down to signal an imminent ditching or crash situation.
While before the enemy all practical relief and assistance may not have been afforded 3 Cape Cod. For some unexplained reason search and rescue aircraft were not dispatched until after the crash and then may have been diverted to the wrong co-ordinates, causing some crew members, if any survived the crash, to lose their lives. Autopsy reports on the two recovered crewmen give the date of death as two days after the time of the crash.
The official Navy report is filled with inaccuracies and mistakes that have been proven wrong or logically impossible through contemporary documents. It is therefore believed that the official report was changed for some reason.
One reason postulated for the change is that 3 Cape Cod was on a secret ‘Ferret’ mission when it was subjected to a hostile attack, causing the breakdown of the first engine and eventually leading to the second engine becoming rough. The aircraft may have been improperly suffered to be hazarded in the presence of the enemy by the absence of essential onboard VHF radio equipment. Documents show that it was directed in 1953 that all deploying patrol aircraft be equipped with VHF as a dual installation with UHF because the majority of communications with South Korea’s Search & Rescue as well as their Air Defense was done using VHF. As the crippled plane crossed South Korean’s border it may have been mistaken as a hostile intruder and a second aerial attack on the plane may have occurred. Due to known tension in the area and earlier incidences of attacks were being arbitrated at the time of the loss, it is plausible to believe that the loss of a reconnaissance mission under such circumstances would have been disavowed and records changed to cover real activities. Our great nation should publicly acknowledge and honor these men as courageous Cold War heroes.
A Navy P2V Neptune crashed on this date in the Waianae Mountain range of Oahu, Hawaii. There were eight fatalities:
Beczek, AD2 Joseph Daniel - Joseph was born October 02, 1930 in Cook County, Illinois, a son of John Victor Beczek (1900-?) and Frances Mary Waliczek Beczek (1907-1990). His siblings were Mary Ann Beczek (Mrs. Robert S. Grzenia) (1934-2018) and Fred J. Beczek (1938-1999). Joseph enlisted in the Navy on September 23, 1948. He is buried in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums, Justice, Illinois.
Brown, AT3 Richard "Dick" Newton - Dick was born June 03, 1932 in Pike County, Ohio, the son of Richard Martin Brown (1906-1987) and Hattie Hazel Scaggs Brown (1908-1995). He was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Newton Scaggs. He attended and graduated from Waverly, Ohio High School, where he played on the school's football team. His sister was Doris Brown (Mrs. Norborne Charles Ward) (1929-2012).Dick is buried in Evergreen Union Cemetery, Waverly.
Cooper, Ens. Wilbur Duvall - According to records, Wilbur Duvall Cooper, was born in Kansas on 7 September 1929, the son of Carl Theodore Cooper (1893-1978) and Pearl (Ogden) Cooper (1899-1981). Wilbur was one of eight children, with five brothers and two sisters. In 1930, his family was living in Belle Plaine, Sumner County, Kansas. Wilbur Cooper's father, Carl T. Cooper was a farmer. Between 1935 and 1940, the family moved to Salem, Sedwick County, Kansas where Wilbur's father operated a filling station, called "Cooper's Corner" (the building is there to this day). At first, the family lived in the basement. After some time, Carl built a house on top of the filling station and they lived there.
According to Wilbur Cooper's obituary, Wilbur was a 1947 graduate of Clearwater High School. After he graduated, he attended Southwestern College in Winfield before he entered pre-flight naval training in 1951. Wilbur graduated from pre-flight school at Pensacola, Florida. He went on to complete flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas and was then assigned to the USS Monterey to complete his pilot qualifications aboard an aircraft carrier.
Five of his siblings were Carl Theodore (1917-1984), Max Eugene (1918-2010), Lorraine Mae Cooper Kelley (1926-1991), Sgt. Charles Edward (1938-1966), and Herbert Eldon (1941-1993). Sergeant Charles Cooper was killed in Vietnam. Wilbur is buried in Belle Plaine Cemetery, Belle Plaine, Kansas.
Hanzo, Lt. (jg) Walter J. Jr. - The pilot, Walter J. Hanzo Jr., was born March 16, 1928 in Verona, New Jersey, the son of Walter J. Hanzo Sr. and Anna Lee Hanzo. His paternal grand parents were Aldoph and Annie Hanzo. Walter Hanzo's family moved to Miami when Walter Jr. was seven years old. The family were residents of Dade County, Florida in the 1940 Federal Census and in the 1945 Florida State Census. Walter attended Gesu School in Miami, Florida; Carlisle Military Academy in Bamberg, South Carolina; and The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to records, Walter Hanzo started his service in the US Navy on 3 June 1948. He was a Lt (jg) when he died. Walter Hanzo Jr. was survived by his sister, Mary Agnes and his mother, Anna. Lieutenant Hanzo and another crash fatality, Paul M. Koehler, are buried together in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Hazlett, Ens. Gerald Martin - Copilot Hazlett was born August 21, 1930, in Walpole, Massachusetts, the son of Andrew Gerald Hazlett (1894-1972) and Bridget Christina Murphy Hazlett (1906-1995). He graduated from Walpole High School. He was in his senior year at Boston University where he was majoring in physics when he was accepted into Naval Flight Training. He was survived by his wife and a son, his parents, brother Richard S. Hazlett (1932-2010) and a sister. Gerald is buried in Saint Francis Cemetery, Walpole, Massachusetts.
Koehler, AM2 Paul Martin - Paul was born August 20, 1930 in Nebraska, a son of Frank Otto Koehler (1898-1987) and Anna Alvina Hoefs Koehler (1900-1994). He had a brother and a sister, Lucille Emma Koehler Taylor (1926-2011). He is buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tennessee with Walter J. Hanzo.
Maksymon, AT2 Joseph Michael - Joseph was born November 14, 1928 in Rhode Island, the son of Mikel Maksymon (1891-1971) and Anna Maksymons (1895-1991). He is buried in Saint Michael's Ukrainian Catholi Church Cemetery, Blackstone, Massachusetts.
Staples, ADC John Robert - John was from Belmont, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is buried in Hillcrest Park Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the plane's captain.
Lockheed TV-2 131877 crashed four miles southwest of Alice, Texas. The pilot, Ens. Richard H. Griffith, a naval aviation student, was killed. The aircraft was in a formation of four planes when it went out of control, crashed and burned.
Griffith, Ens. Richard Hugh - Richard was born September 14, 1930, the son of Dr. William Hugh Griffith (1898-1967) and Carrie J. Moss Griffith (1900-1976) of Hollywood, California. The family of three is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial, Glendale, California.
During a night training flight, Lockheed P-80A (TV-1) #33860 dove straight down, crashed and burned 20 miles southwest of Kingsville, Texas, and about 10 miles west of Sarita. Killed was an naval aviation student.
Weiner, 2Lt. Stanton Harold - 2Lt. Stanton Harold Weiner (USMC). Stanton was born December 31, 1930, a son of Reuben Weiner (1892-1949) and Libby Sax Weiner (1892-1986). His siblings were Herbert Louis Weiner (1927-1981), Robert Clarence Weiner (1916-1988), and Burton Jules Weiner (1928-1992). Lieutenant Weiner is buried in Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum, Chicago, Illinois.
This C-119 made two passes over the city of Huntingdon, Tennessee. On the second pass the plane struck the roof of a house and crashed, killing the crew of four and badly burning two men on the ground. Fatalities included:
Jenkins, 1Lt. Jack Clark - Jack was born on August 20, 1929 in Tennessee, son of Jack Tuggle "John" Jenkins (1879-1942) and Mabel Clark Jenkins. Jack, who was unmarried, is buried in Dixon Springs Cemetery, Dixon Springs, Smith County, Tennessee. Jack was a graduate of Huntingdon High School and then graduated from Bethel College in 1951.
Levy, A3C Franklin Delano - Franklin was born August 10, 1933, son of Mary Edith Levy (later Wineland) (1914-1999). He is buried in Bonner Chapel Cemetery, Tichor, Arkansas County, Arkansas. He was not married.
Peachey, 2Lt. John Charles - John was born December 3, 1928. He is buried in DeAnn Cemetery, Prescott, Nevada. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Peachey of Prescott. There is an Albert B. Peachey (1897-1988) and his wife Keron Peachey (1906-1982) also buried in DeAnn Cemetery. They are likely his parents. Other Peacheys are buried in the same cemetery.
Probus, A2C David Alvin - David was born April 24, 1933 in Indiana. His parents were Vernon C. Probus (1904-1962) and Julia L. Pasek Probus (later Mrs. Bert Seifert) (1910-1978). His siblings were Robert V. Probus (1924-2000) and Betty Lee Probus Gossman (1925-1995). David is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond, Lake County, Indiana.
Boeing B-47 Stratojet 51-2416 crashed and burned in the desert near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The four fatalities included:
Crocker, MSgt. Arnold Bentt (crew chief), Corinth, Maine - Arnold Bentt Crocker was born April 14, 1920 in Maine, a son of Charles Kelly Crocker (1880-1957) and Estella May McCormack Crocker (1889-1954). The Crockers were from Penobscot County, Maine. He was married to Doris J. Crocker and they had two daughters, Marilyn Ruth (1947-1949) and a daughter born circa 1946. Arnold was from a family of eight children, including: Gerald Charles (1919-1976), Harold Winfred (1911-1959), Leland T., Roland, and Myrtle D. Crocker. Master Sergeant Crocker served in the 303 Bomb Wing during World War II. He is buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado.
Nadeau, Capt. Clifford E. (observer), Beldenville, Wisconsin - Clifford Nadeau was born July 19, 1918, a son of Jess Frank Nadeau (1890-1965) and Margaret Veronica Kish Nadeau (1889-1981). His siblings were Ethel Veronica Nadeau Mulhausen (1911-2007), Zellery George Nadeau (1916-1970), and Cyril Jess Nadeau (1913-1994). Captain Nadeau served in the 303 Bomb Wing during World War II and was the recipient of the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Austin, Texas.
Skidmore, Capt. Ralph D. (aircraft commander), Flagstaff, Arizona - Ralph D. Skidmore was born November 22, 1924 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of William Ralph Skidmore (1895-1932) and Elta Dillard Skidmore (1891-1992). He was married to Elizabeth Neil Massey in 1942 in Flagstaff, Arizona. They had a daughter, Leslie Jan Skidmore. Captain Skidmore's sister was Mary Gertrude Skidmore (Mrs. Bernard Eldon Brown) (1927-1996). Captain Skidmore was a World War II veteran. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Smith, 1Lt. Dale C. (pilot), Alameda, California - Lieutenant Smith was born in 1927. He and his wife, Elaine I. Smith (1926-2009), are buried in Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum, Oakland, California.
The first North American TF-86F Sabre 52-5016 crashed while performing a slow-roll on take-off at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The test pilot died. Crashed March 17, 1954, killing N.A.A. test pilot Joe Lynch when he took off without knowing he was inadvertently given a full fuel load and did a slow roll demo, in front of new pilot cadets, thinking he had a partial fuel load and not being heavy. He stalled during the roll and was unable to correct back to wings level condition.
Lynch, Joseph Arthur Jr. (test pilot) - Joseph Arthur Lynch Jr. was born November 24, 1920 in Columbus, Georgia, the son of Joseph Arthur Lynch Sr. and Georgia Flewellen Mitchell Lynch. He was a decorated World War II pilot who received an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is buried in Linwood Cemetery.
A B-26 exploded and crashed into a swampy area three miles northwest of Amelia, Virginia. Four airmen were killed.
Hagenson, Eugene F. - Captain Hagenson was born May 03, 1919, a son of Gustave Harvey Hagenson (1888-1952) and Hazel Elizabeth Biery Hagenson (1893-1965). He was the husband of Aline Cleo Bernstein Hagenson, and the father of LeeAnn, SherryLu and Jon Hagenson. His siblings were Ernest W. (1914-1981), Paul E. (1929-2020), Helen Ugarph-Sorensen (1917-1999), Esther V. Peasley (1922-1996), and Lois Haring. During World War II his plane was shot down over Germany and he was taken prisoner of war. At the time of his death he was an Air Force instructor pilot. He is buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Norridge, Illinois.
Maples, Hughie Martin Jr. - 1Lt. Hughie Maples was born on October 09, 1929 in Wadesboro, North Carolina, the son of Hughie Martin Maples Sr. (1888-1977) and Esther Decker Willoughby Maples (1900-1986). His sister was Gwendolyn Maples and his half sisters were Myrtle Louise Maples Dixon (1917-2009), an infant girl (1920-1920). Hughie Jr. graduated from State College, Raleigh, North Carolina, then entered the Air Force. He was stationed at Vance Air Force Base awaiting transfer to the Pacific area when he died in the B-26 crash. He is buried in Eastview Cemetery Wadesboro.
Schneider, Donald Philip "Don" - Donald Schneider was born December 20, 1931 in York, Pennsylvania, a son of George Bruno Schneider (1904-1987) and Ruth Louise Gartside (1904-1987). His siblings were George Michael Schneider (1929-2016) and David L. Schneider. Donald is buried in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
[The KWE is seeking the name of the fourth airman who lost his life in this crash.]
A T-33A Shooting Star (#52-9611) crashed near Thomasboro, Illinois on this date, killing its pilot, LTC Albert Lossen Lane Jr. His fellow pilots called him "Jim" or "Jimmie". Lane was flying from Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland en route to Springfield when bad weather caused him to change course and decide to land via instrument at Chanute Air Force Base. The plane circled Chanute once and was on its second pass when the aircraft crashed in a plowed cornfield on the John Raup farm one mile south and one-fourth mile east of Thomasboro. The plane exploded on impact and the pilot was killed instantly. Information about the crash can be found in the Champaign-Urbana Courier and News-Gazette newspapers, March 20, 1954 issues.
Lane, Albert L. Jr. - Albert Lane Jr., the only son of Col. Albert L. Lane Sr. and Freda Margaret Kelly Lane, was born May 23, 1920, in Iowa City, Iowa. He had three sisters. A graduate of Grant High School in Oregon, he entered West Point Military Academy in July of 1939. He married Ann Grimes in February of 1943. After graduating from the Air Command and Staff School at Maxwell Air Force Base he was sent to Europe during World War II where he served with the 453rd Bomb Group. In February of 1944 his plane was shot down over Germany and he became a prisoner of war. After his release he remained in the Air Force. During the Korean War he was assigned to the War Plans Division, United States Air Force. Albert "Jimmie" Lane and his wife Ann were parents of Chuck Lane, Ann Lane, and Albert "Ted" Lane III. LTC Lane is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
USAF Fairchild C-119F-FA Flying Boxcar, 51-7993, c/n 10732, of the 774th Troop Carrier Squadron, Ardmore Air Force Base, Oklahoma, en route from Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to Mitchell Air Force Base, Long Island, New York, crashed into a rain-swept cornfield 19 miles south of Annapolis, Maryland, killing all 18 on board. It had departed Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., after refueling at 2212 hours. A watch found in the wreckage had stopped at 2229 hours. A spokesman at Bolling said that there were twelve passengers and six crewmen aboard. There were eleven Air Force personnel, five U.S. Navy, and one Marine on board.
Witnesses reported that the aircraft was on fire before the crash and appeared to have exploded. The plane grazed the edge of a wooded area just off Maryland Route 2 before it impacted. Twisted wreckage and bodies were strewn over a ten acre area. A heavy rain aided firemen in preventing the fire from getting out of hand. A detachment of sailors and Marines from the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis stood guard over the area as a group of investigators from Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, examined the wreckage for clues to the cause of the tragedy. The fatalities included:
Crew Members
Coppedge, Capt. Gene T. (pilot) - born 1922, son of William T. Inman (1872-1968) and Mabel Alice Dotson Inman (1890-1967) of Pittsburg, Kansas. His brother was Don Taylor Inman (1928-1986). Gene is buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Pittsburg.
Crabtree, SSgt. Ernest Vincent (engineer) - born September 17, 1923 in North Andover, Massachusetts, he was the husband of Mrs. Mattie Lou Crabtree and the son of Peter Crabtree (1897-1974) and Elizabeth Ada Gorton Crabtree (1903-1976) of Hawthorne, California. Ernest served in the US Naval Reserves from April 24, 1944 to November 28, 1945, and the US Army from November 02, 1948 to September 18, 1952. He is buried in Green Hills Memorial Park, San Petro, California.
Johnson, 1Lt. Henry T. (navigator) - He was the son of Krikor der Hovannesian (Johnson) 1876-1945) and Agavney A. Asadourian Johnson (1890-1979), South Portland, Maine. His siblings were Leon Johnson, John D. Johnson (died 2007), Marion Johnson Serunian (1911-2000) and Josephine Florence Johnson Smith (1914-2010). Henry is buried in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, Maine.
Kemmerling, 1Lt. Roy Charles (pilot) - He was born December 17, 1926, a son of Charles W. Kemmerling (1901-1971) and Dora A. Herring Kemmerling (1903-1976) of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. Roy's sibligs were Parthenia (died 1923), Daniel, Harvey Sr., Robert, Eva Kemmerling Zimmerman, Ina Kemmerling Zerbe, Kurt Sr., Olive Kemmerling Charles and Doris Kemmerling Bohler. Roy is buried in Saint Marks Browns Church Cemetery, Moyers, Pennsylvania.
Roloff, 2Lt. Richard L. (navigator) - Born January 25, 1930, he was from Iselin, New Jersey. He is buried in Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Taylor, Airman 2c Jon Gordon (radio operator) - Born January 13, 1936, he was the son of Lenore B. Taylor Beck (Schultz) (1902-2011) and William C. Beck of Adrian, Michigan. His siblings were Ronald Joel Taylor (1934-1989) and Robert Taylor. Jon is buried in Indianfields Township Cemetery, Caro, Michigan.
Passengers
Baldassaro, Airman 3c Gerald Anthony - Drum & Bugle Corps, Bolling AFB, Washington,, DC - He was born July 17, 1933, the son of Gerald R. Baldassaro (1906-1989) and Olive O. Nobile Baldassaro (1909-1992) of Williamsett, Massachusetts. His brother was Lawrence A. Baldassaro. Gerald is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Hahn, Sgt. Raymond L. - Marine Corps, MGNB, Norfolk, Virginia
Hiller, SN Allen R. - USN, Flt. A/C Service Squadron 102 …NAS Norfolk, Virginia - Born July 15, 1933, he was the son of Harold Hale Hiller Sr. (1907-2002) and Bessie Mabel Loveless Hiller (1906-1981). His brother was Harold Hale Hiller Jr. Allen is buried in the First Reformed Church Cemetery, Pompton Plains, New Jersey.
Hubbard, YNSN John S. - USN, Flt. A/C Service Squadron 102, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia
Junghans, Pfc. Frederick R. - Detachment 3, 440th ASU, Ft. Benning, GA. Born April 03, 1932 in New York, he was the son of Frederic B. Junghans (died 1964) and Grace E. Junghans (died 1978). Frederick is buried in Stanhope Union Cemetery, Morris County, New Jersey.
Lambertson, Roy G. - USN, USS Sagamore (ATA-208), Norfolk, Virginia
Lavers, SN Phillip Alden - USN, USS Sagamore ATA-208, Norfolk, Virginia - born October 13, 1934. He is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, Massachusetts.
Robbins, AN James D. - USN, USS Briareus (AR-12), Norfolk, Virginia.
Snodgrass, Airman Wayne F. - 42nd AP Squadron, Limestone AFB, Maine - Born March 21, 1934, he was a son of Howard Leymoin Snodgrass (1907-1987) and Alice Elizabeth Minnis Snodgrass (1905-1975) of Ohio. His siblings were Seymour Thomas Snodgrass (1926-2007), Howard Leymoin Snodgrass (1929-2003), James Edward Snodgrass (1931-2009), Bernard Lee Snodgrass (1935-2006), Carolyn Mae Snodgrass Wright (1937-1980) and Raymond D. Snodgrass. Wayne is buried in Saint John Cemetery Haven of Rest, Colliers, West Virginia.
Springer, Airman 2c Paul H. - Drum & Bugle Corps, Bolling AFB, Washington, DC - Brooklyn, New York
Strauss, Airman 2c Robert M. - Drum & Bugle Corps, Bolling AFB, Washington, DC - Born August 06, 1933 in Meriden, Connecticut, he was the son of Harold R. Strauss (1905-1984) and Marion T. Strauss (1904-2002). Robert was an A/2C Musician in the Air Force. He is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden.
Valente, Airman 3c Joseph A. - South Portland, Maine - Drum & Bugle Corps, Bolling AFB, Washington, DC
First Lieutenant Robert Smith was killed when his P-51 Mustang aircraft crashed near the summit of towering Chestnut Ridge in the Burke’s Garden section of mountainous Tazewell County, Virginia in heavy cloud cover. The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and light bomber used during World War II and other conflicts.
Lieutenant Smith was on a navigational training flight from Battle Creek, Michigan to Charlotte, North Carolina. The aircraft impacted the ridge at about 4,680 feet in a very dense rhododendron thicket. The plane had careened through the treetops for about 200 yards before finally crashing about 100 feet from the top of the ridge. Low cloud cover is especially common in late winter when fog sets in on the mountain tops. When last heard from, the pilot had made a routine radio report to Charleston, West Virginia. He failed to report at his next point, Pulaski, Virginia. The medical report seems to confirm that he was attempting to remain below the cloud cover but this would have been impossible on a southerly heading. The burned body of the pilot was found slumped in the cockpit wreckage. Lieutenant Smith had only been with the 172nd Squadron for six months but he was a veteran pilot who was a World War II flier and his loss was felt by all the squadron.
Smith, Robert Brannan - Robert Brannan Smith was born February 23, 1922 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Anthony A. Smith (1890-1971) and Hazel M. Brannan Smith (1891-1965). He married Marjorie Helen Dunham on June 30, 1945 in Lansing. They had no children. He was in the insurance business with his father. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing, Michigan.
On this date an F-94 Starfire crashed in Cape Cod Bay during a routine training flight. Killed was Lieutenant Boyd L. Erickson, 24, from Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Fatality
Erickson, Lt. Boyd L. - Lieutenant Erickson was born on November 25, 1930 in North Dakota, a son of Anton Carl Erickson (1887-1953) and Geline Undeberg Erickson (1891-1979). He married Donna Mae Buchholz (later Laten) (1929-2021) in September 1953 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. His siblings were Evelyn Doris Erickson Nielsen (1915-1994), Myrtis Orella Erickson Hovland (1917-1998), Orris Alfreden Erickson (1919-1995), Ione Erickson Ford (1921-2012), Gerald Erickson and LaVonne Erickson Sampson. Lieutenant Erickson entered the Air Force in 1951 and received his wings and officer's commission on August 1, 1953. He was assigned to Otis AFB at the time of the accident. Lieutenant Erickson is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks.
A B-36 crashed shortly after takeoff from Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County, Washington. Seven airmen were killed and three others were injured.
On a routine familiarization flight, TV-2 Shooting Star 131876 crashed near NAAS, Kingsville, Texas at 3 p.m. that day. The training plane dived into the ground and burned two and a half miles southeast of the north field from which the planes operated at Kingsville Naval Auxiliary Air Station. The pilot, a student in ATU-200 at the air station, was killed instantly.
Fatality
Hawkes, Ltjg Edward Albert - The son of Mrs. Mary L. Hawkes of Orchard Lake, Michigan, Edward was a 1952 graduate of Michigan State College.
An F-67 Hellcat propeller-type fighter plane crashed during landing approach to the south field at Kingsville Naval Auxiliary Air Station. The pilot, a student in ATU-100 at the air station, was killed instantly.
Fatality
Meyer, 1Lt. James Riley - Born January 16, 1928, he was a son of William Andrew Meyer Sr. (1904-1977) and Helen Denise Riley. His siblings were William Andrew Meyer Jr. (1927-2005), Thomas Edward Meyer (1929-1999), Ann Adele Meyer Dohrn (1934-2007), Cathleen Elizabeth Meyer (1939-2o2o) and Susan Meyer Moore. James Riley, a World War II and Korean War veteran, is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.
An F2H Banshee was lost in flight (lost at sea) from Point Mugu, California. Its last location was 70 miles west of San Miguel Island, California. The Navy plane was never found.
Fatality
McHenry, Lt. Albert Drew - Born in 1923, there is a memorial marker for him in Sunnylane Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma.
When the engine of this C-119 Flying Boxcar began to burn, the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing at a narrow parade field at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina on March 30, 1954. According to reports, "The huge troop carrier, listing badly from a burning engine, came roaring over the crowded "Smoke Bomb Hill" troop area at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, struck the top of an officer's barracks, and skidded across the parade grounds into the mess hall. The plane exploded into flames and it was nearly two hours before firemen could bring under control the blaze that swept the building."*
The plane struck the roof of the bachelor's officers quarters and its tail section was torn loose. The plane glided part of the way across the 150-yard wide parade field and then skidded about 100 feet into the mess hall. Seven men were killed and ten others were injured. If the plane had crashed two hours later, about 200 men would have been eating lunch in the mess hall. [Source: Aiken Standard and Review, South Carolina, 1954-03-31]
C-119 Crew Fatalities
Parks, 1Lt. Albert W. (pilot), Channelton, Indiana, 25 years of age - US Air Force, died later in hospital. Born February 28, 1929, Lieutenant Parks was the son of Albert B. Parks (1905-1995) and Pauline Cox Parks (1908-1998). He was the brother of Jean Parks Carr and Jewell Parks Young. Albert is buried in New Cliff Cemetery, Cannelton, Indiana.
Short, Airman 1c Rudolph Valentino, Stewart AFB, Smyrna, Tennessee - US Air Force, passenger, missing after the crash. Born August 18, 1930, Airman Short enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 14, 1952. He is buried in Hampton and Back Cemetery, Letcher, Kentucky.
Injured
Angeloff, CWO William, 39 years of age, passenger on the plane, critically injured
Fitzsimmons, 1Lt. Raymond (co-pilot) - US Air Force
Salisbury, Pvt. Ralph E., 18 years of age - passenger on the plane, critically injured
Survivor
Snyder, Airman 1c Eugene R., 23 years of age, (flight engineer) - He was the only crew member to walk away from the plane. He was from Donelson, Tennessee.
Ft. Bragg Mess Hall Fatalities
Dervan, Cpl. Robert, 21 years of age - US Army, attached to 82nd Airborne Division Quartermaster Company. Born January 26, 1933 in Macon, Georgia, he was the son of Albert Russell Dervan. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Albany, Georgia.
Greenlee, Cpl. Donald F., 22 years of age - US Army, attached to the Psychological Warfare Center. Born December 02, 1931, Corporal Greenlee was from Albion, Pennsylvania. He is buried in Spring Cemetery, Springboro, Pennsylvania.
Macre, Pvt. 1c James A., 22 years of age - US Army, attached to Psychological Warfare Center. Private Macre was from Bonnie Doon, North Carolina and Creekside, Pennsylvania.
Marin, Pvt. Albert G. Jr., 20 years of age - US Army, attached to 82nd Airborne Division Quartermaster Company. Private Marin was from Wampole, Massachusetts.
Palmer, Cpl. Osman S., 23 years of age - US Army, attached to 82nd Airborne Division Quartermaster Company. Corporal Palmer was from Locke Mills, Maine. His wife was Vivian A. Chayer Palmer. They were parents of children Herman E. Palmer (1939-2015), Francis Palmer, Elizabeth Palmer Bailey, Rose Palmer Batchelder, and Eunice Palmer Hathaway. Their three daughters are now deceased.
Mess Hall Injuries
Clay, Sgt. Henry C. - US Army, in the mess hall at the time of the accident, critically injured
Cook, Pfc. William
Ellison, Pfc. Edward
Ross, Edward A.
Shirley, Capt. Charles L. - rushed to the crash scene, was burned about the hands and arms aiding in rescue efforts.
Katz, Lt. Col. B.A. - "It appeared unbelievable that anyone could have survived, either in the plane or in the mess hall. The pilot did a heroic thing trying to avoid hitting a barracks and in attempting to land in the open parade ground, thus saving as many lives as possible."
Snyder, Airman 1C Eugene R. - "The pilot told me to go back and tell the men to get ready to jump. When I got out of my seat I noticed we were very low. I asked if we were too low. About that time something hit. I looked out the window and saw a telephone pole go by and hit the left wing. Then I ducked down behind the pilot's seat, put my head down, and rode it out."
Blais, Sgt. 1c Ronald V.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 61 - August 18, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant First Class Ronald V. Blais, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. While en route to the First-Sergeant's call, he observed a C-119 aircraft crash into a mess hall building in the area of 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Sergeant Blais immediately ran to the scene of the crash and, with complete disregard for his personal safety, entered the burning wreckage to assist in removing other injured personnel, and to fight the fire until it was under control. The prompt and courageous action of Sergeant Blais undoubtedly saved the lives of injured personnel and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Estes, Cpl. Robert A.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 61 - August 18, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Corporal Robert A. Estes, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters, 724th Special Forces Group, Airborne, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. A C-119 aircraft crashed into a mess hall in the area of 77th Special Forces Group, Airborne, trapping the plane crew and mess personnel in the wreckage. Corporal Estes, who was working in an area nearby, heard the crash and immediately ran to the scene of the accident. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Estes entered the burning aircraft and rescued the injured pilot. Again, with no thought of his personal safety, he reentered the wreckage and assisted in the rescue of the copilot. Hearing a scream from the left side of the aircraft, Corporal Estes immediately crawled under the wreckage in an attempt to rescue the injured person: however he was driven back by the intense smoke and flames. Corporal Estes then manned a fire hose, and again entered the aircraft in an effort to prevent the flames from reaching the fuel tank which contained approximately one thousand gallons of gasoline. The heroism displayed by Corporal Estes in the face of grave danger reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Maggio, SFC Alan B.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 72 - September 30, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant First Class Alan B. Maggio (ASN: RA-12262338), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. While in his unit supply room, he heard a loud crash. Running out he observed that a C-119 aircraft had crashed into a mess hall building in the area. Realizing the possibilities of an explosion, he first tried to warn personnel away from the area. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he then ran into the flaming wreckage to assist in the rescue of injured personnel. He remained until all personnel had been removed and the fire was completely under control. Sergeant First Class Maggio's prompt and courageous action was instrumental in saving lives of injured personnel and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
F-86F Sabre 51-13306 crashed near Nouasseur Air Base in French Morocco on this date. The pilot was killed.
Fatality:
Plass, Frederick J. - Frederick was born December 28, 1925 in Oregon, a son of John Plass (1889-1963) and Lela Grace Lyda Plass (1896-1970). His siblings were Irene Wyatt, Francis Plass, Mary Ellen Plass Knipe, Agnes Julianna Plass Krieger (1916-1991), Evelyn Marie Plass Van Dyke (1917-2004), Theresa Frances Plass Lardy (1919-2006) and Vernon Joseph Plass (1931-1996). Frederick was a World War II veteran, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, and the recipient of the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
A BT-13 crashed and burned in Los Varas canyon 15 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California.
Fatalities:
Atkinson, Edward
Schmidt, Don
On this date a Lockheed T-33 (52-9664) from the Republic Aircraft plant at Farmingdale, New York was being flown to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia when contact was lost with the aircraft. It is presumed that the plane crashed into the sea. The pilot was killed.
Fatality
Councill, Col. William Haldane - Colonel Councill grew up in the Ingomar portion of McCandless Township, Pennsylvania. His parents were William and Bertha Councill. He was the brother of David Elihu, Ruth Etta, and Barbara Alice. William was a student at the Perry High School, where, as a member of the Aero Club, he helped fellow students build a glider.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps after graduation from Carnegie Tech in 1933. He spent two years in a pursuit squadron in Hawaii. (Source: The Pittsburgh Press, August 1, 1945) During World War II he served as a flight instructor and eventually flew 130 combat missions piloting Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in the South Pacific while serving with the 13th Air Force. (Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, May 25, 2014.)
While serving as commander of a fighter group on Guadalcanal, Col. Councill "was credited with leading a flight of four P-38s that killed between 200 and 300 Jap soldiers working on an airfield on Bougainville." (Source: The Pittsburgh Press, August 1, 1945.) On January 26, 1946, Col. Councill became the transcontinental non-stop record holder flying a modified Lockheed P-80A Shooting Star, S/N 44-85123, from Long Beach, California to LaGuardia, New York (2,457 miles) in 4 hours, 13 minutes, and 26 seconds. His aircraft, which is today displayed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, flew at an average speed of 600 mph. That record stood for eight years.
Colonel Councill served as the commander of the 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Neubiberg, Germany from June of 1949 until September of 1950. During the Korean War, Colonel Councill was the director of the Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia. William Councill had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Pacific Theater of Operations Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. William was the husband of Lillie Slay Councill and they had a daughter, Frances.
A C-119 transport plane hit a fog-obscured ridge on Mission Point (a 2,771 foot high mountain) while attempting to reach Burbank (California) Air Base on an instrument landing. The plane was en route from Chandler-Williams Air Force Base at Chandler, Arizona to the Burbank Airport. Seven onboard lost their life. The crash occurred 2.5 miles north of Granada, California.
Fatalities
Mauer, Lt. Harry (pilot) - A World War II and Korean War veteran, Mauer was born August 28, 1918, the son of Iona May Minnich Maurer Groff (1900-1988). He is buried in Perkasie Mausoleum, Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
Vander Meyden, A/1c Hubert Abraham - Hubert was en route to visit his parents when he was killed in this crash. He was born July 18, 1930 in Los Angeles, a son of Dirk Antonie (Dick) Vander Meyden Jr. (1900-1976) and Francina Antonia Vreeken Vander Meyden (1899-1988). His siblings were John Cornelius (1918-2001) and Richard Vander Meyden. Albert is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Flying Boxcar 52-5904 exploded in mid-air due to a mechanical failure. The crash took place six miles north northwest of Beulaville, North Carolina. Four airmen were onboard and two of them lost their lives. The two survivors parachuted to safety. The plane was participating in an Air Force training exercise in conjunction with the Army's atomic warfare exercise, Flash Burn, centering at Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg. The plane was part of the 464th Troop Carrier Wing of Lawson Air Force Base. The name for the Air Force's part of the exercise was Operation Tacair 54-7.
Fatalities
Poust, Maj. Charles E. - Charles was born March 05, 1921 and was married to Muriel E. Poust (1923-2013). The couple is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Name of 2nd Fatality Not Yet Found
Survivors
Olsen, 2 Lt. Eldon D. (co-pilot)
Wilson, Capt. Irvin B. (navigator)
A Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (52-9478) crashed eight miles west of Superior, Arizona, killing the pilot.
Fatality
Noble, Charles Robert - Born April 05, 1932, he was a son of Charles Leslie Noble (1907-1987) and Ruth Irene Daugherity Noble (1907-1987). His siblings were Elizabeth L. "Betty" Noble Seymour (1928-2014) and a brother. A member of the Air Force's AC3525 Student Squad, he is buried in Biggsville Cemetery, Biggsville, Illinois.
A C-46 troop transport of the Indiana Air National Guard crashed in heavy rain 12 miles south of Comfort, Texas, on the Warren Ingenhuett ranch. The plane was en route from El Paso Municipal Airport to Kelly AFB in San Antonio before returning to Camp Atteberry in Indiana. It was last heard from at the Kelly control tower at 9:07 p.m. Two crew members were killed and three others (the co-pilot, a passenger and the engineer) were injured.
Fatalities
Cross, Clifford Eugene - Born November 25, 1915 in Missouri, Staff Sergeant Cross was a son of Richard Cross and Martha Ellen Pitts Cross (Gibson) (1875-1969). Clifford was married to Henrietta Earney ("Josie") Spradling Cross (1917-2002). His siblings were sisters Nadine and Glenary, and brothers Raynal, Richard, Homer, Fate and Clyde.
Strean, Ralph Lester Jr. - Born July 08, 1919, he was a son of Ralph Lester Strean (1887-1940) and Maude D. Hopkins Strean (1887-1978). He was married to Gladys Strean (later Herndon) (1925-2003) in 1942. Lt. Colonel Strean's siblings were Verle H. Strean (1909-1929), Bernard Max Strean (1910-2002), James Lloyd Strean (1921-2003), Elsie Virginia Strean (1923-1929) and Donald R. Strean (1929-1991). Lt. Colonel Strean is buried in Highland Memorial Park, Ocala, Florida.
Injured
Isley, Maj. William L. (co-pilot)
Kimberley, Capt. Leon W. (passenger)
Koepp, Airman 2C Armin (engineer)
Cheje-do Island Crash, May 24, 1954 (Korea) - The KWE has not been able to locate any information about this plane crash.
AD-6 Skyraider 134490 failed to pull out of a dive and crashed in an uninhabited area 5 miles bearing 330 degrees from Armitage Field on one of the China Lake ranges in California. The pilot was stationed at Moffett Field, California at the time of the accident.
Fatality:
Ellis, LCDR. Kermit Quentin - Kermit was born August 18, 1921 in Lexington, Missouri, a son of Virgil John Ellis (1878-1956) and Maude Jane Burnett Ellis (1882-1965). He attended Lexington High School and Wentworth Military Academy. He joined the Navy in 1941 and in 1951-52 he attended the University of Missouri's navy training program. He married Barbara J. Roquette (1925-1997) (later Barbara Stenfors) in 1943. They were parents of two daughters, Barbara Kay Ellis and Christy Ann Ellis. His siblings were David Burnley Ellis (1905-1958), Isaac Curtis Ellis (1909-1988), Edgar Joe Ellis (1907-1990), infant sister (1917-1917) and infant brother (1918- 1918). Lieutenant Commander Ellis is buried in Machpelah Cemetery, Lexington, Missouri.
LCDR Kermit Q. Ellis had a distinguished career as a pilot in the United States Navy. In 1945, he was the pilot of a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, also known as the A-25 Shrike, a carrier-based dive bomber assigned to the USS Essex. In April 1945, the Japanese battleship Yamato, the largest battleship in the world, and nine other Japanese warships, embarked from Japan for a suicide attack on Allied forces engaged in the battle of Okinawa. The Japanese force was attacked by U.S. carrier-borne aircraft in the East China Sea before it could reach Okinawa. On April 7, Ellis and his crewman Frank Guptill launched from the Essex. After attacking the Yamato's broadside, his plane took a hit in the left wing tank. As the plane burned, the two parachuted out with their life rafts as the plane crashed into the ocean. The next day, they were rescued by the submarine USS Tench. During the battle, the Yamato and five other Japanese warships were sunk, demonstrating U.S. air supremacy in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the vulnerability of surface ships without air cover to aerial attack.
En route from Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio to Cherry Point, North Carolina, an F1-2 crashed after it was in the air only 18 minutes. The plane went into a deep angle dive before it crashed and was blown to pieces in the area of Maple Meadow, West Virginia.
Fatality
Barnes, 2Lt. Pierre Tulloch II - Pierre was born June 18, 1930 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Pierre Tulloch Barnes Sr. and Paula Maxine Cody Sayre (1905-1983). Lieutenant Barnes and his wife Angela (died 1996) were the parents of Pete Barnes, born ten days after the fatal plane crash. Pete is now Dr. Pete Barnes, a chiropractor in California. Lieutenant Barnes is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
On this date a Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker (#52-2654) crashed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. During the takeoff roll, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane skidded for few dozen metres then veered off runway and collided with a fuel tank, bursting into flames. All 24 occupants evacuated, among them five were injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew:
Artman, 1LT Thomas G. (navigator)
Hedge, Capt. Thomas L. (pilot)
Heath, A2C Wilbert T. (boom operator)
Novetzke, 1LT William E. (pilot)
Passengers:
Arrington, Maj. Walter A.
Betts, A2C Howard A.
Bray, A2C Lloyd C.
Briggs, SSgt. James E.
Chapin, MSgt. Robert L.
Coburn, A2C Walt
Furgeson, A1C Melvin R.
Martner, A2C Darr E.
Muecke, 1Lt. Berthold
Munn, 1Lt. Ronald L.
Nelson, A2C Raymond A.
Newton, 12C Lawrence E.
Ragland, A2C Ronald H.
Rufener, A2C Clyde E.
Rydwell, A3C Norman S.
Samples, A2C Charles W.
Sennett, A1C Edward M.
Shelton, A2C Eugene C.
Thompson, SSgt. Annas S.
Watson, TSgt. Robert W.
AD-5 132438 crashed on a routine flight from Inyokern to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot, Lt. W.R. Chester parachuted out of aircraft 35 miles northwest of Albuquerque, but a second crew member lost his life.
Fatality
Davis, ADR2 Ward Dale - Ward was born March 02, 1929, a son of Edward Leeland "Lee" Davis (1899-1980) and Clara Christensen Davis (1902-1940). His siblings were Raymond Lee Davis (1922-1948), Phyllis Mae Davis Munster (1923-2012), Melba Davis (1925-1926), and Betty Lou Carter. His half-siblings were NaDean Davis (1948-1950) and Lyndon Kip Davis (1951-1999). Ward Davis is buried in Ermen Cemetery, Osceola, Arkansas.
TV-2 Shooting Star 131730 caught fire and crashed near Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The pilot was killed.
Fatality
Christian, Martin John II - Martin was born May 02, 1919 in Ohio, the son of Martin John Christian Sr. He married Helen Hood Boone on March 04, 1944 and they were parents of two children. Carol Boone Christian (Mrs. Edgar Hall Jr.) (1945-2018) and Martin J. Christian III. Lieutenant Christian was a World War II and Korean War veteran. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
[Source: Findagrave]
Joseph Christopher McConnell, Jr. (30 January 1922 - 25 August 1954) was the top American ace during the Korean War. A native of Dover, New Hampshire, Captain McConnell shot down 16 MiG-15s while flying F-86 Sabres with the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for combat heroism. McConnell was the first triple jet-on-jet fighter ace in history and is still the top-scoring American jet ace.
During World War II McConnell entered Army Air Force Flight Cadet training. His dream of becoming a pilot was dashed when instead of going to pilot training he was assigned to navigator training. After completing training McConnell flew combat missions in Europe as a B-24 navigator. He remained in the Army Air Force after the war eventually entering flight training. In 1948 McConnell achieved his goal of becoming a fighter pilot.
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. As the war continued across the Korean peninsula, McConnell sought to be part of it. He was assigned to the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea in late 1952. Gifted with keen eyesight, McConnell proved to be an aggressive MiG hunter, however he did not get his first kill until the new year. McConnell scored all of his kills over a four-month period, from January 14 to May 18, 1953.
McConnell flew at least three F-86 Sabres, all called "Beauteous Butch". The name referred to the nickname of his wife, Pearl "Butch" Brown. His first kills were scored in an F-86E-10 (serial number 51-2753, buzz number FU-753). The second was an F-86F-15 (serial number 51-12971, buzz number FU-971). This aircraft was shot down on April 12, 1953 with Captain McConnell ejecting and subsequently being rescued from the Yellow Sea by helicopter. His final combat Sabre was an F-86F-1 (serial number 51-2910, buzz number FU-910). This aircraft was repainted following his final mission with the name being changed to "Beauteous Butch II".
On his last day flying in combat, on 18 May 1953, he shot down three MiGs in two separate missions bringing his total to 16 and becoming the first triple jet ace. Immediately after his 16th kill, McConnell was sent back to the United States along with Manuel "Pete" Fernandez, the top ace of the 4th Fighter Wing. For his exploits he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).
After returning to his home in Apple Valley, California, McConnell was stationed at George Air Force Base and continued flying F-86s. In 1954 he was temporarily assigned to the service testing program of the newest F-86, the F-86H. This was the last and most powerful version of the Sabre and was intended to be a nuclear-capable, fighter-bomber. On 25 August 1954, while testing the fifth production F-86H (serial number 52-1981), at Edwards Air Force Base, he was killed in a crash following a control malfunction. The crash's cause was attributed to a missing bolt. Then-Major Chuck Yeager was assigned to investigate the crash and replicated the malfunction at a much higher altitude, recovering before he hit the desert floor.
The 1955 film The McConnell Story chronicles his life story, starring Alan Ladd and June Allyson. In 1961, a book entitled Sabre Jet Ace by Charles Ira Coombs chronicled his experiences as a fighter pilot in Korea in a fictionalized biography for young readers.
McConnell was the spouse of Pearl Edna Brown McConnell (1921-2008). Both are buried in Victor Valley Memorial Park, Victorville, California. They are survived by daughters: Patricia (Trish) McConnell, Kathleen F. Holliday and son-in-law Steve Holliday, grandchildren, Michael P. Palmer Sr., William (Billy) Cordell Jr., Yvette Thillens and Dan Thillens, Debra Maloney and Brian Maloney, and great-grandchildren, Michael P. Palmer Jr., Chazz Angel Cordell, Justin, Joshua, and Jenna Thillens, and Ian, and Conner Maloney.
At the Dayton Air Show, being held at the James M. Cox Municipal Airport, Major John L. ("Jack") Armstrong, U.S. Air Force, flew his North American Aviation F-86H-1-NA Sabre, 52-1998, to a World Speed Record over a 500 kilometer course, averaging 649.461 miles per hour. He died two days later when his plane broke apart in flight while attempting to set another record.
Fatality
Armstrong, Maj. John Leroy "Jake" - Jake Armstrong was born July 19, 1922 in Placentia, California, a son of Milton Williams Armstrong (1882-1967) and Olive M. Meyer Armstrong (1887-1934). His siblings were Percy W. Armonstrong (1910-1933), Milton J. Armstrong, and Ella E. Post.
Major John Armstrong was a fighter pilot during World War II, flying Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and North American P-51 Mustangs with the 79th Fighter Squadron, based at RAF Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England. On 28 August 1944, his P-51 was shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire while he was attacking a railway locomotive in Germany. Armstrong was captured and held at Stalag Luft I at Barth, Western Pomerania until June 1945. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the POW medal, and other wars. He is buried in Loma Vista Memorial Park, Fullerton, California.
U.S. Air Force RB-50G Superfortress #47-154, five miles southeast of Willows, California went into a flat spin while on a flight from Biggs Air Force Base near El Paso, Texas. Four crew members parachuted when the aircraft was less than 500 feet from the ground. One did not survive his parachute descent. One crewman survived the plane's impact into a rice field on the O'Brien Farm near Willows, being thrown from the rear gunner's compartment in the tail section. Thirteen of 17 crew members perished.
Fatalities:
Baca, A2C Daniel Lee - Airman Baca was born March 07, 1934 in Wharton County, Texas, a son of Benjamin Emil Baca (1908-1977) and Edna Leona Rieger Baca (1911-1`965). His sibling was Korean War veteran Melvin Clemie Baca (1931-2018). Airman Daniel Baca is buried in Wharton City Cemetery, Wharton, Texas.
Ford, MSgt. Charles Malvin - Sergeant Ford was born September 12, 1918 in Texas. He is buried in Northwood Cemetery, West Oak Lane, Pennsylvania.
Foster, MSgt. Clarence Edwin - Sergeant Foster was born June 22, 1918, a son of Clarence Herman Foster (1877-1972) and Ruth Frances Watson Foster (1892-1958). His siblings were John Watson Foster (1922-1923), Margaret Ruth Foster Loranger (1923-2020) and George David Foster (1927-1968). Clarence's wife was Vivian Maybelle Johnson Foster Downs (1922-2013). Sergeant Foster is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac, Michigan.
Hansen, MSgt. Howard John - Sergeant Hansen was born June 22, 1916. He is buried in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.
Herrick, Maj. Park Brown J. (pilot) - Major Herrick was born December 08, 1924 in Hawaii, the son of LTC Park Brown Herrick Sr. (1895-1978) and Rachel Martha Ward Herrick (1898-1996). His sister was Joan Herrick Severin. Major Herrick is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Myers, A2C William Frank - Airman Myers was born April 12, 1935 in Pennsylvania, the son of Francis J. Myers (1905-1973). He is buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey.
Robinson, Capt. Otho (navigator) - Captain Robinson was born February 08, 1925 and is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Madisonville, Kentucky.
Swisher, 1st Lt. John Henry (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Swisher was born April 24, 1927 in Iowa, the son of John Custer Swisher (1896-1979) and Marie Haskamp Swisher (1900-1987). He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum, Kansas City, Missouri.
Townsend, MSgt. Junior - Sergeant Townsend was born January 02, 1923 in Michigan. He is buried in Speedwell Methodist Cemetery, Speedwell, Virginia.
Vaughan, 1st Lt. John Douglas (2nd navigator) - Lieutenant Vaughan was born October 21, 1928 in Connecticut. He is buried in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck, Connecticut.
Wirt, Maj. John Martin - Major Wirt was born August 27, 1922 in Illinois, the son of Sidney DeMoss Wirt (1890-1965) and Emma Jane Johnson Wirt (1898-1979). Major Wirt is buried in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, Illinois.
Wright, Capt. Keith Boone - Captain Wright was born November 07, 1923 in Jackson, Michigan, the son of George Jordan Wright (1900-1964) and Juanita Elnora Walton Wright (1900-1946). His sister was Juanita Katherine "Kitty" Wright Parker (1925-2010) and his brother was William Thomas Wright (1928-1992).
Wynne, A2C Eddie Lee - Airman Wynne was born July 16, 1933 in Rankin County, Mississippi. He is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Mississippi.
A C-119 aircraft (52-5859) had engine failure and exploded shortly after takeoff at Ft. Bragg. The plane crashed into a barracks construction project at the end of the runway. On the plane were five airmen and seven Army passengers. There were two fatalities. Two civilian workers on the construction project were injured.
Fatalities
Fulton, 1Lt. Frank Newell - co-pilot from Lynn, Massachusetts. Frank Fulton was born January 25, 1929, a son of Alvin Perry Fulton (1881-1951) and Gladys Sarah Stone Fulton (1888-1972). During World War II he was stationed in the Air Force in England. Prior to the C119 tragedy he had married Rhoda Robertson of Isle of Skye, Scotland and they had just moved to the USA to begin their married life. His siblings were Hazel Stone Fulton Dana (1915-2001), Robert Oscar Fulton (1917-1990), and George Perry Fulton (1925-1998). Frank Fulton is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Massachusetts.
Wyatt, 1Lt. William LeRoy - pilot from Sedgewick, Kansas. William Wyatt was born July 18, 1918 in Chase County, Kansas, the son of W. Arthur Wyatt (1891-1963) and Gertrude J. Wyatt (1896-1979). He was married to Helen Pauline Richardson Wyatt (1924-1998). William is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Grenada, Mississippi.
T-33A Shooting Star 51-8588 crashed 3.5 miles south southwest of Schlater, Mississippi. The pilot was killed.
Fatality
Hamm, Perry S. -
TV-2 Shooting Star 136839 crashed near Sarita, Texas. The pilot was killed. The KWE has not yet found the name of the fatality.
On a training flight from Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska, the pilot of a T-33 checked in with ground controllers, then vanished near Point MacKenzie. The pilot and navigator were never heard from again.
Fatalities
Pendleton, Lt. Roger - Born July 17, 1921 in Winchester, Massachusetts, he was a son of Fabius Ray Pendleton (born 1878) and Grace Anderson Pendleton (born 1878). He married Patricia Edith Mitchell on July 09, 1947 in New Hampshire. Roger enlisted in the Air Corps Aviation Cadet Reserves on January 08, 1943 in Boston. He was the brother of Alden L. Pendleton (1914-1925) and another sibling.
Tietze, Capt. Lionel Norman - Born January 24, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Karl (Charles) Gustav Eduard Tietze (1877-1935) and Johanna Cecelia Johnson Tietzxe-Andrew (1888-1986). His siblings were Frederick Inglebret Tietze (1916-1989), Howard Everett Tietze (1918-1991) and Albert Oliver Tietze (1924-1998).
An F-80 Shooting Star crashed into a mud beach near Knik Arm from Point Woronzof ten miles from Anchorage. Another pilot flying in the three-plane formation stated that he saw the plane go into a steep dive. The planes were flying at 3,000 feet due to bad weather. The missing plane was located two weeks after the crash, but only a few pieces of it could be found before it and the pilot sank in the mud. Kulis Air National Guard Base was named after the lost pilot.
Fatality
Kulis, 1Lt. Albert - Born on August 22, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Alphonse M. Kulis (1890-1976) and Teresa A. Kudzma Kulis (1900-1930). Arriving in Alaska in 1946, Albert flew commercially for Alaska Airlines and then Cordova Airlines, and was a member of the Alaska National Guard. His wife, Ruth Bernice Nelson Kulis, remained in Anchorage until 1958. Born in 1924, she died November 23, 2001 in California. The couple had three children: Robert, Gordon and Karen. Karen Kulis Fitzgerald (1955-1999) was born in January 1955 after the Lieutenant's death. Albert's sistre was Mildred Kulis DeShaw (1921-2013).
US Air Force's C-119G #53-8102 crashed 18.1 miles southeast of Huntsville, Alabama, on this date. The plane had left Smyrna-Sewart Air Force Base in Tennessee and was en route to Mobile-Brookley Air Force Base, Alabama, when it crashed on Shin Hook Ridge, killing all four crew members and five of the seven passengers. The two survivors were thrown clear when the rear clamshell doors opened during the accident sequence. There were severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the area.
Fatalities
Border, 1Lt. Jay Burns, 3510 Combat Crew Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX - Lieutenant Border was born March 10, 1926, a son of Dr. Clinton Luther Border (1903-1976) and Elizabeth Ferguson Border Liles (1907-2011). His sibling was Clinton Larry Border (1924-1988). Lieutenant Border is buried in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington, West Virginia.
Foley, Airman 1c Lawrence J., Bronx, NY
Forguson, Capt. Leslie Darrell (pilot), Antioch, TN - Leslie was born April 3, 1919 in Trigg Furnace, Kentucky, the son of Roscoe Owen Forguson and Birdie Crass Forguson. He married World War II Army veteran Rose Marion Merchant in 1941. Leslie is buried in Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville, Florida.
Hall, 2Lt. Gerry M., 32nd Air Rescue Service, March AFB, CA
Hawkins, 2Lt. Charles D., Nashville, TN - Charles was born in 1931. He is buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Littleton, Colorado.
McKay, Airman 2c Leon M., 9th Radio Relay Squadron, Donelson AFB, SC
Miller, Airman 2c Richard Willfred, Murfreesboro, TN - Airman Miller was born March 07, 1933 in Wisconsin. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington, Illinois.
Shoemaker, Airman 3c Robert A., 9th Radio Relay Squadron, Donelson AFB, SC - Robert was born December 14, 1934. He is buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Glidden, Iowa.
Troy, 2Lt. William Terrance Jr., Stamford, CT - Lieutenant Troy was born February 24, 1929 in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of William Terrance Troy Sr. (1895-1962) and Veronica Ryan Troy (1896-1968). His sisters were Virginia Anne Troy Stankard (1923-2001), Jane Elizabeth Troy Ziegler (1927-2006) and Mary Louise Troy Bertlemann (1925-1988). Lieutenant Troy is buried in Saint John Cemetery, Darien, Connecticut.
Survivors
Johnson, Airman Robert, Cumberland City, TN - Walked several miles with a broken leg following the crash.
Kinnane, Airman 3c Michael P., Seekonk, MA - Fell in a field not far from the crash. Scratches and bruises only.
T-33A #53-5207 crashed on this date near Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. While exiting the aircraft, the pilot was hit by the ejection seat. He died at Bolling Field Air Force Base in Washington on January 05, 1955.
Fatality
Almond, Capt. Craven Poe - Born on March 07, 1918 in Albemarle, North Carolina, he was a son of Achillis Killis Almond (1895-1977) and Hettie Cornelia Lambert Almond (1898-1973). He married Mary C. Amerine (1914-2009) and they were parents of Deborah Almond Taylor and Judith Almond Donovan. In his marriage to Louise Thompson Almond (1923-3005), they had a son Craig Allen Almond (1945-1991). Captain Almond served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. His siblings were Clyde Edward Almond (1920-2014), Edith Almond (1923-1927), Tommy Almond, Billy V. Almond, Jimmy Almond, and Doris Almond Burleson.
F4 Corsair Crashes - 1954
July 04, 1954
En route from Washington, DC to NAS Brunswick, Maryland, this F4 crashed in Suffolk County, New York after USNR Lt. William F. Griffith bailed out safely.