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.
Some portions of this page were 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.
Beasley, Lt. Jesse - USN 1310/351146 (age 31) (Pilot) - Married
Prael, Lt. Fredric Traynor - USNR 1315/3962 (age 34) (Co-Pilot) - Married
Morrelli, Ens. Paul Dominick - USNR 1325/568090 (age 25) (Navigator) - Married
Archbold, ADC Robert George - USN 300 41 28(age 30) (Plane Captain) - Married
Hand, AD2 James Frank - USN 369 27 26 (age 28) (Second Mechanic) - Married
Berger, AT3 Bruce David - USN 340 72 62 (age 23) (Radioman) - Married
Spickelmier, AO3 Gordon - USN 386 63 32 (age 28) (Ordanceman) - Married
Claussen, AL2 Rex Allen - USN 303 82 59 (age 24) (Radioman) - Married
Mulford, Ens. Stanley Burt - USNR 1325/556706 (age 24) (Navigator-Body recovered) - Bachelor
Rensink, AT2 Lloyd Bernard - USN 318 70 25 (age 25) (Radarman-Body recovered) - Bachelor
A B-47B Stratojet #51-2089 cart-wheeled and crashed at McConnell AFB near Wichita, Kansaas, killing two. The navigator survived.
Fatalities:
Hogan, Lt. Charles Ralph - Lieutenant Hogan was born January 18, 1922, a son of John J. Hogan Sr. (1878-1958) and Nellie Edna Dawsey Hogan (1886-1923). He was married to Dorothy Elaine "Dottie" Fowler Hogan (1923-2005) in 1947. Their sons were Erroll Ross Hogan (1949-2015) and Charles Ralph Hogan Jr. His siblings were John J. Hogan Jr. (1911-1984) and Eugene George Hogan (1919-1999). Lieutenant Hogan is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Mississippi.
Smith, Lt. Dale - No information found.
Survivor:
Pristi, Capt. Harold L.
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.
An F9F-2 Panther #123408 crashed at the west end of Makau Valley, Oahu, Hawaii, after hitting trees. Killed was Maj. Roy Joseph Irwin. Major Irwin was born on December 16, 1918, in Independence, Missouri, the son of George E. Irwin (1884-1963) and Laura May Service Irwin (1881-1943). He was married to Shirley L. Hamilton on December 24, 1941, in Jackson County, Missouri. Major Irwin is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
On February 1, 1954, a US Air Force Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando (tail number 44-78027) had an in-flight fire in the main cabin while flying over the Sea of Japan. Thirty minutes prior to that it had taken off at Misawa AFB. The pilot tried to ditch the aircraft in the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido. He lost control of the plane and it crashed into the sea, killing all 35 onboard. After reporting the fire in the cargo hold and that a ditching was imminent, the last message from the aircraft was, "I've lost control of the aircraft. We're going in." The plane crashed 30 km south of Tomakomai. Japanese on a nearby shore said that they saw the plane's distress signal and some open parachutes as the aircraft lost altitude.
According to an Air Force spokesman, some open parachutes and an oil slick were spotted by search planes, but a big blizzard had hit Hokkaido just a couple of days before and the water was very cold. There was also light snow. The spokesman said that a man could stay alive only a few minutes in the frigid water. The disaster occurred in a very short time, and reports stated that the occupants were probably trapped in the aircraft, thus preventing escape.
Crew Members Missing in Action:
Adams, A2C William Jr. (radio operator) - Airman Adams was born December 2, 1929, the son of William Adams Sr. and Rosie Adams of Dallas, Texas. Rosie's name was Rosie Bell at the time of her son's death.
Morrison, 1Lt. Donald Robert - instr. pilot
Raveling, A2C Marvin Oscar (flight engineer) - Airman Raveling was born August 04, 1931, son of Fred Raveling and Vivian C. Raveling of Linn Grove, Iowa. Marvin's home address at the time of the accident was Rembrandt, Buena Vista County, Iowa.
Shirley, 1Lt. Donald Boyd (pilot) - Lieutenant Shirley was born October 03, 1920, was the husband of Evelyn Essie Tyree Shirley (1923-1959) and the father of Allen Ray Shirley of Spokane, Washington. His mother was Mrs. Inez Shirley of Opportunity, Washington and his sister was Bernice Shirley Smith of Spokane, Washington. Donald's father was deceased at the time of the plane crash. Donald entered the military on August 1, 1942, and was discharged on November 28, 1945. He married Shirley on March 13, 1944, in Spokane. Donald reentered active military service on May 28, 1951 after the Korean War broke out.
Van Valkenburgh, 2Lt. Dean (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Van Valkenburgh was born January 19, 1929, the son of Dale S. VanVolkenburgh and Margaret M. VanVolkenburgh of Manhattan, Kansas. His wife was Mrs. Jacqueline J. VanVolkenburgh of Wichita, Kansas. Dean entered military service on July 25, 1951.
Passengers Missing in Action:
Biconish, M/Sgt. John - Master Sergeant Biconish was born November 16, 1924, a son of Nicholas Biconish (1898-1993) and Catherine Biconish (1906-1989) of New York. His siblings were Anthony N. Biconish and Anna Biconish Krywnak (1921-2012).
Bingham, Sgt. Daniel A. - Sergeant Bingham was born April 12, 1926. He was the husband of Mrs. Lucy Domingo Bingham (1925-2011). There is a marker for Daniel and Lucy in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona.
Burkett, Col. Leo B. (HQ 1st Cav Arty) - Colonel Burkett was born August 07, 1915, a son of Ed Burkett (1886-1974) and Auda Smith Burkett (1892-1972). He is memorialized in Clopton Cemetery, Newcastle, Oklahoma. He was the brother of Roy Edward Burkett (1914-1989), Margaret Louise (Mrs. Marshall Carpenter) (1916-2013), Robert Orland Burkett (1917-2010), Gordon Willis Burkett (1919-2007), Mary M. Houck (1921-1982), and Gerald Burkett.
Chandler, WOJG Edward Bailey (Hq & Hq Det, 27th Ord Bn) - Warrant Officer Chandler was born June 27, 1921, and he had a twin brother, Edwin Marshall Chandler (6/27/1921-1/08/1981). Edward was lost at sea in this crash and his twin Edwin requested to be buried at sea. There are markers for the twins in the Riverside Cemetery, Demopolis, Alabama. Edward's wife was Dolores D. Chandler.
Collins, M/Sgt. Glen V. (8196 AU,1st Cav Div) - Born November 17, 1920, M/Sergeant Collins was a military policeman assigned to the 8196th AU, 1st Cavalry Division. He had at least one child: Michael Collins.
Combs, Capt. Hubert W. Jr. (SVC Co, 5th Cav Regt) - Born April 26, 1925, Captain Combs' next of kin was Mrs. D.B. Combs.
Dean, 1Lt. Thomas Edgel "Tommie" (Hv Mort Co, 7th Cav) - Lieutenant Dean was born March 30, 1930 in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of Claude Okey Dean (1902-1967) and Mabel Camilla Seward Dean (who later married Ernest Edward Curtis). Tommie was married to Frances Beach Goldstein of Brooklyn, New York, on September 2, 1951 in Guilford, North Carolina. He attended military school in Bartlesville, Oklahoma for two years, and then worked for a while for Erwin-Wasey Advertising Company in New York. He joined the service on November 01, 1948, trained with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, and then attended officer candidate school. He received a commission in the 1st Cavalry. In 1952 he was sent to Japan, but returned to the States to accompany his wife and two daughters (ages two and a half years old and one year old) to Japan. He was (possibly) a half-sibling of Loretta Ann Dean-Quinton of Lampasas, Texas. This has not been confirmed.
Deevers, Lt. Col. John Murray (1st Cav Div/TDY W/8-16 AU) - Lieutenant Colonel Deevers was born August 28, 1909 in Arkansas, a son of William Fred Deevers (1876-1953) and Floy Murray Deevers (1882-1961). He was married to Wilma Bartley Deevers (1911-1992). His siblings were Charles Deevers (1900-1961), L.E. Devers (1903-1978), and Sallie Deevers Henderson (Mrs. Ertle Ray Henderson 1906-1988). Lt. Colonel Deevers was the commander of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion that participated in the capture of the Bridge of Remagen during World War II. In his local community of Pocahontas, Mississippi, he was a scout master.
Haley, Maj. William (15th Med Bn) - Major Haley was born August 5, 1920, and his next of kin was Mrs. Anne Haley.
Hultsch, Capt. Elmer H. (G-3, HQ 1st Cav Div) - Captain Hultsch was born October 24, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. He married Cecilia Ann McGinley (December 12, 1916), and they had two daughters, Margaret Carola Hultsch (Furlong) and Maureen Ceceila Hultsch (1943-2014). Maureen was a Lt. Commander in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
Iverson, 2Lt. Donald J. (5th Cav Rgt) - Born May 19, 1929, Lieutenant Iverson's wife was Barbara J. Iverson.
Johnston, SFC Charles H. (7th Cav Rgt) - Born May 8, 1929, Sergeant Johnston was from Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was the husband of Janice J. Johnston and the father of two children. They lived in Butler, Pennsylvania. His mother was Mrs. Clarence Sipes of Tonawanda, New York.
Jones, SFC Robert W. (Hq Co, 1st Cav Div) - Sergeant Jones was born on August 25, 1917, a son of Myron Wayman Jones (1892-1961) and Lois Terrasy Rinker Jones (1895-1964). He was survived by a son, James Alan Jones (1950-1996) and siblings Alberta L. "Suzy" Jones Williamson (Mrs. Mark C. Williamson 1918-2019), Eugene Willard Jones (1921-2013), Marvin Leo Jones (1922-2011) and Lois Jones Boydstun. There is a memorial marker for him in Anderson Memorial Park, Anderson, Indiana.
Loucks, SFC Robert T. - Sergeant Loucks was born November 19, 1920, and his next of kin was his wife, Grace Lenora McRaney Loucks. Grace Lenora McRaney Loucks (1925-1999) lived in Mississippi. She married Robert T. Loucks in 1942 in Mississippi. She married Ernest Malcom Graham in 1960. Robert and Grace had three children: Robert Carr Loucks born in 1945, Doris Nell Loucks born in 1948, and Susan Marie Loucks, born in 1950. Susan had just turned three about two months before the incident, never knowing her father. Ernest and Grace had one son, William Powers Graham, born in 1961. All three of the Loucks children remain alive to this day [12/2023]. Robert T. Loucks' grandson told the KWE: "While a sad event and so long ago, the family would still love to know updates as they become available and to be able to bring our Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Great Great-Grandfather home to rest with his beloved family."
Lucas, Cpl. William H. - Corporal Lucas was born May 18, 1931, in Congers, New York, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lucas. He graduated from Congers High School in 1949 and entered the military service in 1952. William and his brother Richard were outstanding players on Congers High School championship soccer teams. After basic training he was sent to the combat zone in Korea. He was married to Annie Lucas of Congers. There is a memorial to him at St. Peters Cemetery, Haverstraw, New York. Corporal Lucas attended Crafts Training School for ten days in January 1954.
Lumley, Capt. James Alvin (Hq, 2d Bn, 5th Cav) - Captain Lumley was born March 04, 191,1 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a son of James Alvin Lumley Sr. (1878-1959) and Della Ressie Barrett Lumley (1877-1956). He married Dorothy Pearl Miller (1921-1985) and they had a son Alvin Lee Lumley (1945-1995). Captain Lumley's siblings were William V. Lumley (1900-1901), Pansy E. Lumley Graham (1902-1992), Violet S. Disher (1904-1999), Rosa Lucile Lumley (1907-1907), Lillie Frances Lumley (1908-1916) and an infant brother (1914-1914). There is a marker for James in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Durham, North Carolina. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Manos, SFC Leo E. (27th Ord Bn) - Sergeant Manos was born March 21, 1910, and was the husband of Mrs. Heidi Manos.
McClellan, Benjamin "Benny" Oscar McClellan (5th Cav Rgt) - Warrant Officer McClellan was born August 20, 1916 in Oil City, Pennsylvania, and lived there most of his life. He was a son of Frank LeRoy "Roy" McClellan (1893-1974) and Carrie Viola Johnston McClellan (1894-1970). He was married to Irene Baker. Benny attended public schools in Oil City and enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1933. In 1940 his unit was called into federal service. During World War II he fought in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. After the war he worked for the Pennzoil Company, but reenlisted in 1947. In June of 1952 he sailed from the state of Washington to Japan and saw service in Korea. He was transferred to Japan in April of 1953. His siblings were Rev. Archie V. McClellan (1911-1985), Glenn Leo McClellan (1913-2002), Eugene L. McClellan (1922-2007), Bill McClellan, Bob McClellan, Mary Lou McClellan, Betty Irene McClellan (1935-1967), James E. McClellan (1929-2015), Raymond L. McClellan (1920-1999), John McClellan, Ruth Florence McClellan (1917-2006), Beatrice Ardella McClellan Cosper (1924-2001), and Melvin E. McClellan (1927-2008).
McCloskey, SFC Ranny Jerrold - Sergeant McCloskey was born in Fresno, California, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard J. McCloskey of Selma, California.
McDonald, Maj. C.I. - Major McDonald was born March 18, 1912.
Mosher, Capt. Howard D. (Hq G-2, 1st Cav Div) - Captain Mosher was born November 21, 1915, and his wife was Celia T. Mosher.
Morrison, Donald Robert - Morrison was born September 16, 1925.
Neece, SFC James W. (82nd FA Bn) - Sergeant Neece was born in April of 1920. His wife was Myrtle B. Neece.
Oppenheimer, WOJG Paul K. (Hq 1st Cav Div (G-2)) - Born December 28, 1915, his next of kin was Margarete Oppenheimer.
Osborne, A/2C Harold Gene - Born July 10, 1933, Airman Osborne was a son of John Samuel Osborne (1905-1988) and Othella E. Bolton Osborne (1913-2000) of Russell Springs, Kentucky. His siblings were John W. Osborne and Mrs. Bill (Geraldine) Marcum. There is a memorial to him at Russell Springs Cemetery, Russell Springs.
Record, 1Lt. Glenn Hubert - Lieutenant Record was born October 03, 1926, in Bourbon, Missouri, son of Charles Thomas Record (1891-1973) and Joy Mildred Johnson Record (1892-1980). He married Genevieve Louise Copeland (later Wade 1929-2009) and they had a son. He later married Mary Kathryn Glasby (1930-2015) in 1952. She arrived in Japan in January of 1954 and was living there when her husband's plane crashed. Mary Kay later married Loren Goetz. There is a memorial to Glenn in High Gate Baptist Cemetery, High Gate, Missouri.
Riesberg, WOJG F.J. - Warrant Officer Riesberg was born March 19, 1919.
Schimpf, Capt. Thomas Joseph - Born on April 09, 1923, son of Joseph George Schimpf and Elizabeth Schimpf of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Captain Schimpf's wife was Joan Carey Schimpf (1922-2003). They had three daughters: Christine, Susan Joan, and Elizabeth. There is a memorial to Thomas in Arlington National Cemetery.
Stewart, SFC William H. (8th Engr "C" Bn) - Born September 17, 1924, Sergeant Stewart was the husband of Maria Stewart.
Passengers' Bodies Recovered:
Peterson, SFC Harold S. (8196th AU) - body recovered from coastal water off Hokkaido after the accident. Death was attributed to drowning in extremely chilly waters. Born on August 26, 1919, Sergeant Peterson was the husband of Barbara E. Peterson. He was a member of the 8196th Army Unit at the time of the aircraft accident. Harold is buried in Ft. Benning Post Cemetery, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Van Hoesen, Sgt. William - body recovered from the water off the island of Hokkaido shortly after the accident. Death was attributed to drowning in extremely chilly waters. Sergeant Van Hoesen was a member of H&S Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. He was born October 06, 1915 and was the husband of Lois Van Hoesen. He received a short leave of absence to meet his family during their arrival to Japan in January 1954. His body was one of two recovered from the crash.
Airways & Air Communications Service
AACS Detachment 1953-3 - 1953D AACS Squadron
APO 309-1, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California
1346 - Schedule 201, a C-46, called and said he had a fire in the cockpit, that he would have to ditch the aircraft in the straights. Tower notified crash, base operations, and the dispensary via the crash phone.
1347 - Pilot called tower to advise he was losing control of the aircraft.
1348 - Pilot called tower to advise he lost control of the aircraft and was going in approximately ten (10) minutes South of the Chitose homer. Tower asked him if he couldn't make it to the beach, and the pilot said, "Negative tower," which was the last transmission tower received from this aircraft. At this time Japan Air 007 was inbound to this station and said he would try to find the wreckage and report a position.
1350 - 9085, An Air Sea Rescue SA-16, taxied out for takeoff.
1355 - 7485, an Air Sea Rescue H-19, took off for the accident.
1357 - 9085 airborne and proceeding to the accident.
1413 - 7485 reported wreckage approximately ten (10) miles south of Tomakomai. He reported three (3) dye markers and one parachute, but no survivors.
1422 - Army 454, an L-19, reported one survivor in the water waving his arms.
1427 - A second survivor was reported, 180 degrees from the wreckage approximately five hundred (500) yards away.
1437 - 9085 advised that the survivor had not been picked up. Also wanted to get a surface craft to pick up two or three bodies.
1440 - 9085 advised that the survivor had not been picked up. Also wanted to get a surface craft to pick up two or three bodies.
1444 - Some L-19 reported seeing several bodies floating around the area. It was believed to be Army 706.
1446 - Misawa ADCC advised they were trying to contact a Japanese ship to see if he would go the scene of the accident.
1451 - Army 706 called and wanted to know the course, or where the ship was coming from, so he could lead the ship to the wreckage.
1453 - 9085 reported that he was going to land. He also said he didn't there were any survivors.
1456 - Rescue operations advised that 9085 land and pick up all survivors and bodies.
1458 - 7485 advised that he was coming back to the base for refueling and that he would return to the accident as soon as possible.
1503 - 7485 landed, refueling standing by.
1510 - 9085 called and said he was landing near the accident.
1511 - Rescue operations said the ships were going out of Tomakomai.
1512 - Army 561 reported 9085 landed and was picking up bodies.
1514 - Army 561 said Army 706 was going out to lead the ships to the scene of the accident.
1526 - 9085 picked up two bodies and said that he will not pick up any more unless there is a sign of life.
1528 - Rescue operations advised the ships were on the way.
1533 - 7485, the B-19, is airborne and on his way back to the accident. Rescue operations wanted to know if 9085 had taken off yet. Tower was unable to contact any aircraft in the air. Do not know if he is airborne or not.
1545 - Army 561 advised that 9085 would taxi in closer to shore before taking off. Will advise later.
1549 - Rescue operations wanted to know if 9085 was picking up any ice while he was in the water. The pilot reported no ice.
1550 - Army 706 reported it would be approximately a half hour before the ship would be at the scene of the accident.
1557 - Rescue operations advised tower to tell 9085 to take off if possible. 9085 advised that he was going to find some smoother water before trying to take off. There are four (4) to five (5) foot waves at his present position.
1606 - 7485 is now twelve (12) miles off the coast and has 9085 below him.
1618 - Army 454 reported he would be over the scene of the accident in approximately five (5) minutes. He is going to climb to an altitude where OCI can get a radar position of the wreckage for possible salvage operation.
1621 - 7485 reported 9085 is airborne and is returning to Chitose.
1640 - 7485 landed at Chitose.
1647 - 9085 landed at Chitose. Admiration Oscar, a C-47, is standing by at the accident.
1630 (delayed entry) - Relief Briefed. Weather at the time of the accident was eight thousand (8,000) broken, twenty-two thousand (22,000) thin overcast, visibility three (3) miles with ground fog, wind north at six (6) knots. This observation was taken at 1346/I and 1630/I.
----
To the best of my knowledge this is a true copy of the Control Tower Log for 1 February 1954 between the hours of 1346/I and 1630/I. - (signed) Harold E. Hayman, AF 19312857
S/Sgt., 153-3 AACS Detachment
Department of the Air Force
Headquarters United States Air Force
Washington
Report of Special Investigation of Major Aircraft Accident Involving C-46D Serial No. 44-78027A, 12 miles south of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, on 1 February 1954
Commander, Middletown Air Materiel Area
Attn: Maintenance Engineering Services Division
Olmsted Air Force Base, Middletown, Pennsylvania
1.Inclosed [sic] is a report of special investigation conducted by this office of an accident involving a C-46D aircraft which occurred 12 miles south of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, on 1 February 1954. The aircraft was on a 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo) scheduled transport flight when the accident occurred.
2. This accident resulted from a fire in flight that originated in the lower forward cargo compartment. Due to the loss of the aircraft in the sea, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined. However, it is probable that leaking hydraulic fluid or anti-icing fluid was ignited by a short circuit in electrical wiring in the vicinity of the station No. 128 bulkhead. The fire probably destroyed essential flight control components in the sub-cockpit area, causing an uncontrollable descent to the water.
3. When the accident occurred the aircraft was overdue for depot level maintenance (DIR). Its last depot inspection and repair was completed on 2 March 1949 and the aircraft was overdue for DIR after 2 March 1952. Deterioration of the aircraft that took place during the four years and 11 months since its last depot inspection and repair may have been a contributing factor in the accident. Nineteen additional C-46 aircraft of the 315th Troop Carrier Wing were overdue for depot level maintenance; 11 of these aircraft received their last DIR in 1949.
4. The absence of a fire detection system in the lower cargo department may have been a contributing factor in the accident. Due to unsatisfactory operation and maintenance difficulties, the Fenwal (fusible alloy) fire detecting systems in the lower forward cargo compartment had been removed from all C-46 aircraft assigned to the 315th Troop Carrier Wing. 315th Troop Carrier Wing Unsatisfactory Report Station Serial No. 53-19, dated 24 April 1953, contained a recommendation that the Edison fire detection system be installed in C-46 aircraft. In a letter from Middletown Air Materiel Area to the Commander, Far East Air Logistic Force, subject, "Fenwal and Edison Fire Detectors, C-46 Aircraft," dated 8 July 1953, it was stated that: "Fire detection systems are being manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, in quantities to effect a new installation in all C-46 aircraft. These will be made available and a technical order will be published at the earliest possible date." The technical order referred to has not been issued.
5. The recommendations contained in paragraph 3 of this report are submitted for your consideration and reply to this office.
By Order of the Chief of Staff
Victor E. Bertrandias
Major General US Air Force
Report of Special Investigation of Major Aircraft Accident involving C-46D. Serial No. 44-78027A, 12 miles south of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, on 1 February 1954.
At 1347 I, on 1 February 1054, C-46D aircraft serial no. 44-78027A, assigned to the 344th Troop Carrier Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base (AB), Japan, crashed into the Pacific Ocean, approximately 12 miles south of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, while on a scheduled transport flight from Misawa Air Base, Japan, to Chitose Air Base, Japan. The aircraft was destroyed and two passengers were fatally injured; five crew members and 20 [sic] passengers are missing and are presumed to have been fatally injured.
It is concluded that:
The primary cause of the accident was an inflight fire that originated in the lower forward cargo compartment (see paragraphs 9, 12, 13 and 15).
The fire probably resulted from ignition of leaking hydraulic or anti-icer fluid by sparks or fire from a short circuit in electrical wiring (see paragraphs 9, 12, 13 and 15).
The fire probably destroyed essential flight control components in the sub-cockpit area resulting in loss of control of the aircraft (see paragraphs 7 and 9).
The absence of a fire detecting system in the lower forward cargo compartment of the aircraft may have allowed the fire to progress in intensity until it could not be controlled after its detection (see paragraph 16).
Failure to provide depot level maintenance as C-46 aircraft at intervals required by technical orders has created hazardous aircraft operating conditions (see paragraph 21).
It is recommended that the commander, Middletown Air Materiel area.
Expedite action to replace the existing C-46 fire detection system with a more dependable system (see paragraph 16).
Insure that all C-46 aircraft receive depot level maintenance at time intervals specified in technical orders (see paragraph 21).
Require an inspection of the lower forward cargo compartment in all C-46 aircraft for the presence of leaking volatile fluids or vapors and any possible source of ignition thereof. In addition, revise T.O. 10-46A-6 to require this inspection be accomplished at each post-flight inspection (see paragraphs 12 and 13).
Message No. AFCFS-2D-2-C-95 sent by Office of the Inspector General USAF Norton Air Force Base, California, to Commander, Middletown Air Materiel Area on 16 February 1954, provided information of hydraulic and anti-icing fluid leaks discovered in 315th Troop Carrier Wing C-46 aircraft and the general deterioration of the crashed aircraft, particularly wiring resulting from a five-year period during which no depot level maintenance was performed. The message also contained a request for action on 3145th Troop Carrier Wing Unsatisfactory Reports (UR's) Station Serial No.'s 53-19 and 53-52. UR Station Serial No. 53-19 referred to difficulties encountered with the Fenwal (fusible alloy) Fire Detection System on C-46 aircraft and contained a recommendation that the Edison Fire Detection System be installed. UR Station Serial No. 53-52 contained a recommendation that a fire extinguisher line at bulkhead Station No. 128 be re-routed to prevent chafing of electrical wiring.
Message No. AFCFS 2_____ was sent by Office of the Inspector General, USAF, Norton Air Force Base, California, to Commander 315th Air Division, Honshu, Japan, on 5 March 1954 requesting laboratory analysis of recovered wreckage reported in message No. 1G 171-O, dated 4 March 1954 from the Commander 315th Air Division.
The recommendation contained a paragraph 3 have been referred by letter to the Commander, Middletown Air Materiel Area for consideration and reply.
On 1 February 1954, C-46D Serial No. 44-78027A, departed Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, on "Schedule 201" on a scheduled 315th Air Division transport flight to Chitose Air Base, Japan. En-route stops were scheduled for Niigata Air Base, Japan and Misawa Air Base, Japan. The aircraft made a routine flight to Misawa Air Base, stopping en-route to Niigata Air Base to discharge and load passengers, cargo and mail. At Misawa AB the aircraft remained on the ground approximately 55 minutes while preparations were made for the flight to Chitose AB. The aircraft, with five aircrew members, 30 passengers, and 427 pounds of cargo aboard, departed Misawa AB at 1309 I after having received the following airways clearance through Misawa tower: "Schedule 201 cleared to the Chitose Airport via Red 7, to cruise and maintain 9,000 feet, to climb on course and to climb visual flight rules (VFR) 5,000 to 7,000 feet." The pilot acknowledged the clearance and, after take-off, no further transmissions from the aircraft were received by Misawa tower. The next radio contact with the aircraft was at 1325 I, when the pilot of Schedule 201 requested a change in airways clearance to "500 on top." Chitose tower replied, advising Schedule 201 to stand-by for Military Airways Traffic Control (MATCON) clearance, and at 1329 I Chitose tower transmitted: "ATC (Air Traffic Control) clears Schedule 201 to descend to and maintain 500 feet on top." The pilot of Schedule 201 acknowledged the clearance and was further advised by Chitose tower to report when over Chitose homer, 500 feet on top; the pilot acknowledged. The next radio transmission received from Schedule 201 was at 1346 I. The Chitose tower operator reported the following radio conversation between 1346 and 1348 I:
Pilot: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Schedule 201.
Tower: Schedule 201, Chitose tower, what is the nature of your emergency?
Pilot: I have a fire in the cockpit, and I'll have to ditch it in the straits.
Tower: 201 give me a count to about five and I'll give you a course to the base.
Pilot: Chitose tower, 201, one, two, three, four, five.
Tower: 201 I couldn't get a pattern on my scope, what is your approximate position?
Pilot: I'm about 10 minutes south of the homer. Tower, I'm losing control of the
aircraft.
Tower: 201, tower, how many passengers do you have on board the aircraft and
have they bailed out yet?
(No answer)
Pilot: Tower, I've lost control of the aircraft. We're going in.
Tower: 201, can you make it to the beach?
Pilot: Negative, tower.
No further transmissions were received from Schedule 201.
Search and rescue aircraft sighted dye-marker, oil, and debris in the water 12 miles south of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan, at 1418 I. Five bodies, two of which were recovered, were sighted. No survivors were found.
The pilot and observer in a B-26 that was flying at 1500 feet altitude approximately 50 miles southwest of the crash scene reported hearing some of the transmissions from Schedule 201 to Chitose tower, and in addition heard: "Chitose this is 201, Mayday. I have a fire in the baggage compartment. I may have to ditch. I'm about 15 minutes south." The pilots of a civilian airliner, en-route from Misawa to Chitose and a few minutes ahead of Schedule 201, reported hearing the transmission: "I've lost all rudder control and am on trim tabs." Since the pilot of an aircraft was attempting to contact Chitose tower on several very high frequency (VHF) radio channels during the emergency, and the tower operator was forced to interrupt his communications with Schedule 201 long enough to warn all aircraft of an emergency and advise them to maintain radio silence, it is presumed that the tower operator did not receive the transmission intercepted by the B-26 and the airliner.
Two Air Rescue Service aircraft, an H-19 and an SA-16, had completed a ferry flight to Chitose AB on the morning of 1 February 1954. When Chitose tower was advised of the emergency the Air Rescue aircrews were present at base operations and were alerted for a rescue "scramble". Both aircraft were airborne by 1355 I. Soon afterwards four U.S. Army L-19 aircraft were dispatched from Chitose to aid in the search. A B-26 in flight approximately 50 miles southwest of the distressed aircraft and a civilian DC-4 in flight approximately 20 miles north of the last reported position of Schedule 201 were diverted by Chitose tower to search for the crashed aircraft. Ground Controlled Intercept (GCI) operators in the area received fragments of distress communications from Schedule 201 and tracked the aircraft by radar until it disappeared. Japan Air Defense Force communications facilities were utilized to promptly alert the the Rescue Control Center at Misawa AB. Rescue Control Center in turn established direct wire communications with Chitose tower, and direct radio contact with the SA-16 aircraft airborne on the search. Rescue Control Center also requested the Japanese Maritime Service to dispatch a surface vessel to the scene as quickly as possible. At 1413 I the pilots of the H-19 and an L-19 reported sighting wreckage in the water. The pilot of the H-19 assumed "on the scene" command of the search and rescue effort: he directed the SA-16 and the four L=19's to continue the search for survivors. As bodies were sighted the B-19 hovered over each one to determine if there was evidence of life. After the air search failed to locate surviving personnel the SA-16 aircraft landed at 1512 I to recover bodies. Unfavorable sea conditions prompted the SA-16 aircraft commander to discontinue surface operations after two bodies had been recovered. At 1647 I a C-47 aircraft arrived at the crash scene and the original search and rescue aircraft returned to base as their fuel supply became low. At 1730 I a surface vessel arrived to assist in the search. The air search was discontinued at 10000 I on 2 February 1954 and the surface search was discontinued at 1600 I, 3 February 1954. Twp life jackets (Mae Wests), a small cardboard box, a sleeping bag, and a seat cushion were the only items located and recovered by surface vessels. Message No. IG 171-C from the Commander, 315th Air Division, dated 4 March 1954, further reported the recovery of miscellaneous metal aircraft parts, some of which were smoke stained. Communications and search and rescue facilities is the northern Honshu-southern Hokkaido area were adequate to cope with the emergency, and search and rescue action was prompt and thorough.
When the crash scene was located by search aircraft, approximately 30 minutes after the crash, an oil slick in the shape of a tear drop, with the bulbous portion to the north, was sighted. The oil slick was approximately 150 yards wide and 400 yards long. Debris observed within the widest part of the oil slick included unopened and partially inflated life rafts, an oil tank, a gasoline tank, a partially opened parachute, and three partially submerged bodies. Debris within the tapered portion of the oil slick included unopened parachutes, boxes, papers, life jackets, oxygen bottles, and unidentified small debris. The distribution of debris and the strength and direction of the surface wind indicate that initially the wreckage was concentrated in a small area, and that the lighter items of debris and those floating high in the water were blown southward during the time interval between the crash and the sighting. This would indicate the aircraft was out of control and was descending steeply when it crashed. The sighting of a fuel tank further indicates the aircraft must have struck the sea with great force in order to dislodge the tank from its position in the interior of a wing. Two bodies and two opened parachutes were found outside of and approximately 300 yards south of the wide portion of the oil slick. These two bodies were recovered by the crew of a rescue amphibian, autopsy reports indicate that in each case death resulted from drowning and exposure to 35 degree Fahrenheit water. It is probable that these personnel attempted to bail out immediately before the aircraft struck the water, and were able to free themselves from their parachute harnesses before they were incapacitated by exposure to the cold water. If any personnel survived the crash it is estimated that they could have survived in the 35 degree Fahrenheit water no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
In the C-46 airplane there is a concentration of lines containing volatile fluids in the lower forward cargo compartment; gasoline lines lead to heaters, anti-icer lines lead from the anti-icer tank in compartment B to two anti-icer pumps at Station 128, hydraulic accumulators are in the area, and a network of hydraulic lines connect to the automatic pilot server. Maintenance records of the aircraft that crashed indicate that during its last previous major inspection (eighteenth major inspection, completed 24 December 1953) the aircraft hydraulic fittings were tightened due to leaks around all servos. During the same inspection the battery cover (located forward of Station 128, underneath the cockpit) was found to be saturated with hydraulic fluid, and the "lower hell hole" (beneath the flight deck and immediately forward of Station 128) was very dirty. On 14 January 1954 a hydraulic leak at the dual equalizer was repaired by tightening a fitting. Maintenance personnel indicated the aircraft had chronic hydraulic leaks in the lower forward cargo compartment, and was usually "dirty" from hydraulic fluid. Examination of maintenance records and interrogation of pilots and engineers who recalled previous flights in the aircraft revealed that there had been repeated heater malfunctions in flight. Repairs consisted of changing spark plugs, glow plugs, and thermostats, but heater malfunctions continued. There was no evidence of leaks in heater fuel lines, in anti-icer lines, or around anti-icer pumps. However, as a precautionary measure after the accident, all C-46 aircraft possessed by the 315th Troop Carrier Wing were inspected for anti-icing fluid leaks and five aircraft were found to have leaks at Station 128. Due to the close grouping near Station 128 of the many lines containing volatile fluids, it could be expected that an undetected fire from any source in the lower forward cargo compartment would quickly burn through hose connections and fluid carrying lines, and would be kindled rapidly by volatile fluids in the area.
Volatile fluids leaking into the lower forward cargo compartment could have been ignited by the cabin heaters, or by an electrical short circuit. A bundle of electrical wiring, approximately two inches in diameter, is routed through the lower right side of a bulkhead at Station 128. An electrical function box is located near the center of the same bulkhead. Other electrical circuits, including those for the cabin heaters and the anti-icer pumps are routed along the left side of the Station 128 bulkhead. During the 17th major inspection of the aircraft (completed 2 October 1953) it was discovered that electrical wiring was chafing on a drain line at Station 128. Maintenance personnel repositioned and taped the wiring. Maintenance records indicated a discrepancy on 6 January 1954, "Right Generator out," and corrective action, "Adjusted fingers on on relay--field flashed." Another discrepancy reported on 7 January 1954 was, "Right generator relay sticking," corrected by, "fixed short in hell hole junction pops circuit breaker," corrected by, "fixed short in hell hole junction box (Station 128)." On 23 January 1954 a discrepancy was reported. "Right generator inoperative," corrected by , "Generator replaced." On 30 January 1954 a discrepancy was noted, "Short in overhead panel, left ammeter out." This discrepancy was carried forward as a red diagonal item to Part III of the Form I, and existed on the day of the accident. The history of electrical malfunctions in the aircraft indicates that its electrical system was in poor condition. Further, it is possible that some, or all, of the malfunctions noted above could have resulted from undetected shorts in wiring at Station 128. UR Station Serial No. 53-52, 315th Troop Carrier Wing, dated 12 October 1953, was submitted describing the chafing of electrical wiring against a fire extinguisher line, and recommending re-routing of the line. There is no record of a reply to the UR being received by the 315th Troop Carrier Wing.
Interview of personnel who deplaned from Schedule 201 at Niigata and Misawa revealed that there were no unusual occurrences on the first two legs of the flight, except that it was uncomfortably cold in the aircraft from time to time. On the flight from Tachikawa to Niigata the engineer entered the lower forward cargo compartment through the hatch located to the rear of the pilot's seat: It was assumed that he was attempting to repair an inoperative cabin heater. The aircrew did not request fuel or mechanical servicing during intermediate stops. However, at each stop members of the aircrew remarked that they were cold during flight due to inoperative heaters. Although the maintenance history of the aircraft provides no evidence which would point to the fire originating in the cabin or cockpit heaters the possibility remains that fuel leaking into the hot surface of the heater, or a cracked heater combustion chamber, could have originated the fire.
In summation, evidence obtained from the aircraft's maintenance records and from interrogation of maintenance and flying personnel who are familiar with the aircraft that crashed, indicates that the most probable source of fire origin was ignition of leaking anti-icing fluid or hydraulic fluid by electrical arcing or electrical fire in the vicinity of Station 128.
The aircraft was equipped with a lower forward cargo compartment fire extinguishing system and maintenance records indicate the system was in operating condition. However, the Fenwal (fusible alloy) fire detection system originally installed in the lower forward cargo compartment had been removed from this and all other C-46 aircraft in the 315th Troop Carrier Wing prior to the accident. The Commander, Far East Logistic Force authorized installation of the Edison Fire Detection System and ten installations were accomplished during depot inspection and repair in the Far East Theatre of Operations. The reasons for removal of the Fenwal system were stated in 315th Troop Carrier Wing UR Station Serial No. 53-19, dated 24 April 1953:
"a. There is a lack of serviceable parts (replacement), rendering the system inoperative.
"b. The entire system is unreliable in that the fusible tubing is affected by moisture or foreign matter, and by vibration causing the tubing to crack or break, and in these instances it would indicate a fire erroneously or fail to indicate a fire in the even there was a fire.
"c. The Fenwal system requires an excessive amount of maintenance in trouble shooting and repair."
Middletown Air Materiel Area reply, dated 8 July 1953, to the UR included the following information: "Fire detection systems are being manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, in quantities to effect a new installation in all C-46 aircraft. These will be made available and a technical order will be published at the earliest possible date." As of 15 February 1954, the technical order referred to had not been received in the Far East Air Forces. A satisfactory fire detection system in the lower forward cargo compartment of the aircraft might have provided sufficient warning to the aircrew to permit them to extinguish the fire in its early stages.
At Tachikawa and at each intermediate stop cargo was loaded in the main cargo compartment only. After the preflight inspection at Tachikawa AB the lower cargo compartments were not entered, with the exception that at Misawa AB a baggage handler opened the lower rear cargo compartment door and looked inside to check for baggage. Prior to departure from Misawa personnel of the air terminal section, Misawa AB, loaded 427 pounds of cargo and 30 passengers in the main cargo compartment. Although a copy of the aircraft's weight and balance form (Form F) was not filed at Misawa AB, a Form F was computed using the weights and load distribution known to have existed at takeoff from Misawa, and it was determined that the weight and balance of the aircraft were within limits specified in T.O.'s and in 315th Air Division directives.
Emergency equipment aboard the aircraft included 38 parachutes, 38 life jackets (Mae Wests), and six 7-man life rafts. Interrogation of passengers who deplaned at Niigata and Misawa indicated that prior to each takeoff aircrew members carefully briefed the passengers on emergency procedures and the use of emergency equipment. passengers were required to wear Mae Wests and parachutes at all times in flight. An airman assigned to the air terminal section at Misawa AB escorted the passengers to the aircraft and boarded the aircraft behind them. He assisted passengers as they donned Mae Wests and parachutes and, before leaving the aircraft, noted that each passenger was wearing a Mae West and a parachute. Also he noted that the aircraft commander was preparing to enter the left (pilot's) seat in the cockpit. The airman left the aircraft before the passengers were briefed on emergency procedures and emergency equipment.
At the approximate time of the accident weather over the water area on the route from Misawa to Chitose, as reported by the pilot of a civilian airliner was: scattered to broken clouds at 5000 feet, visibility unrestricted in all quadrants except north-northeast about 10 miles due to haze, wind north-northwest about five knots, sea calm with very slight ground swell. Weather was not a cause factor in the accident.
315th Air Division, 315th Troop Carrier Wing, and 344th Troop Carrier Squadron regulations and Standing Operating Procedures (SOP's) pertaining to all phases of the type of mission on which the aircraft was being operated are adequate and are vigorously enforced. The commander of the aircraft had accrued 2208 hours and 25 minutes flying time, of which 914 hours were flown in C-46 aircraft. He had flown 690 hours in C=46 aircraft as first pilot. During the 90 days preceding the date of the accident he flew 276 hours as first pilot in C-46 aircraft. During the 30 days preceding the accident he flew 95 hours as first pilot in C-46 aircraft. He successfully passed a proficiency check flight on 2 August 1953. On 23 November 1953 he was designated a C-46 instructor pilot after having demonstrated his proficiency in this capacity to his flight commander. All aircrew members involved in the accident were well qualified for the duties they performed, and had been afforded adequate rest during the 24 hours preceding the mission. The flight was essential to the FEAF and 315th Air Division mission of furnishing intra-theatre air transportation to elements of the Far East Command. The passengers were authorized air travel on competent orders and were properly manifested before boarding the aircraft.
The last depot inspection and repair (DIR) of the aircraft was completed on 2 March 1949. Under the DIR concept of major maintenance which was in effect until 1953, the aircraft became due for a DIR 36 months later, on 2 March 1952. Thus, when the aircraft was delivered to the Far East theatre of operations on 2 April 1952 it was one month overdue for DIR. The depot inspection and repair as necessary (IRAN) concept replaced the DIR concept in July 1953. Under the IRAN concept of depot maintenance 24 months became the specified time interval between C-46 aircraft IRAN's. The C-46 aircraft that crashed had never received an IRAN. At the time of the accident the aircraft was two years and 11 months overdue for IRAN and under the former DIR concept it would have been one year and 11 months overdue for depot level maintenance. As of 12 February 1954, 19 additional C-46 aircraft assigned to the 316th Troop Carrier Wing were overdue for IRAN: 11 of these aircraft received their last depot level maintenance (DIR) in 1949. The resulting general deterioration of these aircraft creates a condition conducive to accidents of the type described herein. The reasons that C-46 aircraft delivered to FEAF arrived in the theatre overdue for DIR, and that the DIR program continued to lag, were not determined during the investigation. However, after adoption of the IRAN concept the Air Materiel Command advised FEAF in message MCMD-9-0-M, dated 11 September 1953, that: "...the objective (of the IRAN program) is to process one-half of the active year one inventory each yearregardless of the age of the aircraft if the aircraft is on the 24 months cycle...." (parenthesized words and underlining added). FEAF personnel interpreted the above quoted message to mean that regardless of the elapsed time since the aircraft received a DIR, it would be placed on the 24 months cycle. In message MCMDWA-11-67-E, dated 5 November 1953, AMC concurred in FEAF's interpretation. This interpretation resulted in FEAF waiting for the backing of C-46 aircraft overdue for DIR to be eliminated during a two-year IRAN cycle which will be completed by fiscal year 1956.
The mission that the aircraft was performing when the accident occurred was typical of the majority of C-46 missions being performed in the Far East Command. From the standpoint of aircrew and passenger safety C-46 aircraft, if properly maintained and operated, are adequate for the mission. However, the C-46 aircraft is not the optimum aircraft for the mission; it lacks many safe characteristics desired for passenger carrying aircraft that are inherent in four-engine aircraft, and twin-engine aircraft of later design.
SUBSTANTIATING DATA ON FILE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF FLIGHT SAFETY RESEARCH
The following substantiating data pertaining to special investigation of aircraft accident involved C-46D, Serial No. 44-78027A are on file in the Directorate of Flight Safety Research and can be obtained upon request:
Directive from D/FSR to Investigating Officer
Letter Orders Directing Investigation
Appointment and Organization of Investigating Team
Operations Summary
Sample Proficiency Check Forms
Flight from Tachikawa AB to Niigata AB and Allied Data
Flight from Niigata to Misawa
Manifesting, Briefing, Loading at Misawa
Flight from Misawa to Chitose
Search and Rescue Operations
Maintenance Summary
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 fighter tactics training 42 miles north northeast of Nellis Air Force Base, this F-86 Sabre jet #52-5013 lost speed and entered into a spin at 23,000 feet and failed to recover. It crashed and exploded in Clark County, Nevada, killing the pilot.
Fatality:
Radford, 2Lt. Richard Dantzler - Lieutenant Radford was born March 31, 1932, in Atlanta, Georgia, a son of Bertram Dantzler Radford Sr. (1903-1976) and Naomi Judd Herndon Radford (1903-1966). His siblings were Bertram D. Radford Jr. (1929-1930) and Barbara Dantzler Radford Hooker (1934-2014). Lieutenant Radford is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Greensboro, North Carolina.
A C-47D #45-895 broke apart over the Susitna Valley of south central Alaska and the scattered parts fell onto Kesugi Ridge, which is now within Denali State Park. Six servicemen wearing parachutes escaped by being thrown from the disintegrating aircraft, but there were ten fatalities.
Fatalities:
Betscher, Capt. Earl Lewis - Captain Betscher was born on April 30, 1926, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Earl Louis Betscher (1897-1961) and Grace L. Lewis Betscher (1900-1996). He married Maudie "Nancy" Burton (later Humphries) (1926-2004) on February 14, 1948. His siblings were Joy Elaine Betscher (1930-1937) and Shirley G. Betscher. Captain Betscher, who had been an Air Force pilot since 1942, is buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Burge, Lt. Col. Edward L. - Colonel Burge was born October 23, 1917, and was the husband of Helen Edmonia Maynard (later Cooper) (1920-1993). He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Hill, Capt. James Monroe - Captain Hill was born on September 11, 1924, in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, a son of Solon Monroe Hill (1897-1974) and Anna Theresa Conneen Hill (1897-1985). On December 01, 1945, he married Euphemia "Dolly" Carmel Milliard (later Overbaugh) (1924-2005). His siblings were Anna Frances Glover (1921-1999) and Eugene Thomas Hill (1929-1999). He served in World War II and was the recipient of a Silver Star and Bronze Star. Captain Hill is buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania.
Knapp, A/3c Edward J. - Airman Knapp was born in 1933, a son of Joseph M. Knapp (1887-1976) and Mary H. Devore Knapp (1891-1968). His siblings were Mary I. Piccoli (1913-1994), Sue M. Koballa (1915-1982), Joseph J. (1917-1988), Margaret D. Williams (1921-2020), Andrew J. (1926-1999), John, and Ann Puff. Airman Knapp graduated from Dunbar Township High School and is buried in Saint John's Cemetery, Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
Knickerbocker, A/2c Richard Lee - Airman Knickerbocker was born on January 10, 1934, in Rochester, Minnesota, a son of Floyd Leslie Knickerbocker (1903-1979) and Evelyn Eudora Jacobson Knickerbocker (1912-1998). His siblings were Ilene Marguerite Knickerbocker (1930-1930), Floyd Leslie Knickerbocker Jr. (1932-2013), Jean Knickerbocker O'Berg, and Shirley Knickerbocker Belyea. Airman Knickerbocker is buried in Mount Avon Cemetery, Rochester, Minnesota.
McDonough, A/3c Donald Regis - Airman McDonough was born on September 22, 1934, in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, the son of Coleman Regis "Coley" McDonough (1910-1965). His mother was Mrs. Harry Sparrow of North Braddock. Airman McDonough graduated from Scott High School in 1952 and is buried in Monongahela Cemetery, North Braddock.
McMahon, A/1c Edmund S. - Airman McMahon was born in 1929 in Butte, Montana, a son of Dr. Edmund S. McMahon Sr. (1898-1957) and Nellie B. McMahon (1900-1977). His siblings were Mary Helen (1926-1929), Pat (1940-1940), Joseph Patrick (1935-1994), Joan T. "Joanie" Hautzinger (1931-2013) and Brandon McMahon. Airman McMahon is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Butte, Montana.
Raymer, S/Sgt. Alvi Roy - Sergeant Raymer was born on August 30, 1930, in Audubon, Iowa, a son of Alfred William Raymer (1905-1995) and Bertha Floretta Lake Raymer (1906-2001). His siblings were Arlene May Keltner (1932-2025) and Billy Raymer. Sergeant Raymer graduated from Cross Timber High School and joined the Air Force on August 29, 1951. He is buried in Cross Timbers Cemetery, Cross Timbers, Missouri.
Siplivy, T/Sgt. Jacob - Sergeant Siplivy was born on November 14, 1919, in Central City, Pennsylvania, a son of John Siplivy Sr. (1888-1956) and Anna Drotar Siplivy (1894-1959). He was married to Erna Stahle (later Kaminski) (1930-2023), and their children were Noah (died as an infant), William, Margaret (Kishlock) and James D. Siplivy. His siblings were Charles (1927-2013), Mary, John, and Anna. Sergeant Siplivy is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Conemaugh Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
Watson, Lt Col. W. Wes - No information found.
Survivors:
Fox, A/1c Edward J.
LaDuke, A/2c Eli R.
Montgomery, A/2c Huey T.
Olson, A/2C Edward W.
Pratt, A/3c Rupert C. - This survivor wrote a book about this tragedy. It is called, "Touching the Ancient One: A True Story of Tragedy and Reunion"
Sallis, A/1c Bobby G.
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.
B-47E Stratojet #52-0023 ripped into the woods and crashed one mile east of RAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England. Four Americans were killed.
Fatalities:
Allen, SSgt. Jack Wesley (crew chief) - Sergeant Allen was born on February 23, 1930, the son of John D. Allen (1912-1975) and Marjorie Ada Turner Allen (1908-2005). In 1950 he married Norma Jean Nelson (later Lakin) (1930-2016). Their son, Michael David Allen (later Lakin) was born on January 25, 1954, just days before the plane crash. He died in 2024). Sergeant Allen's sister was Nancy Jean Johnson (1946-2009). Sergeant Allen is buried in Rockton Township Cemetery, Rockton, Illinois.
Fischer, Capt. Herman H. II (pilot) - Captain Fischer was born on December 24, 1923, the son of Herman H. Fischer Sr. He is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois.
McVey, Maj. Robert Lewis (plane commander) - Major McVey was born on May 28, 1919, in Illinois, a son of Frank Raymond McVey (1896-1971) and Mildred L. Lewis McVey (1896-1990). In 1941 he married Vivian Lorraine Lawrence (later Barron) (1919-1974). They had a son James J. McVey. Major McVey's brother was Charles B. "Chuck" McVey (1922-2010).
Sherwood, Maj. Lyle D. (navigator/bombardier) - Major Sherwood was born on June 25, 1919. He was married to Betty J. Sherwood (1915-1954). During World War II he received a Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters. Major Sherwood is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
YH-21 #50-1241 blew up en route from Quebec Cit towards Goose Bay, Labrador, while heavily laden with gasoline. There were three fatalities.
Fatalities:
Blenkin, William M. (civilian)
Dickson, Capt. Edward P. (co-pilot) -
Ellis, Lt. Everett Matthew (pilot) - Lieutenant Ellis was born January 06, 1922 in Baltimore City, Maryland. He was the husband of Edna Junior Ellis (1915-2006), whom he married in 1949. Lieutenant Ellis is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
This C-119 made two passes over the city of Huntingdon, Tennessee. The aircraft only had 110 hours of service. During the second pass the pilot pulled up over the courthouse, causing the right wing to buckle, the right wing tip to disintegrate, and the plane to catch fire. The plane crashed into a cornfield on the edge of town, killing the four crew members. Fatalities included:
Jenkins, 1Lt. Jack Clark (pilot) - 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 (co-pilot) - 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.
The C-47 transport plane (#42-24096) flew into the side of a mountain at an elevation of 8,000 ft. The accident occurred near St. Etienne de Tinee, France, in snow and low overcast conditions. The plane had drifted off the prescribed course and no wind drift correction had been made. The airplane operated on a flight from Tripoli, Libya to Hahn, Germany with an en route stop at Rome, Italy. All 20 persons on the plane were killed. Due to snowy conditions, the bodies of 16 victims were not removed from the French Alps until Spring of 1954. Four bodies were removed by helicopter within days of the crash. [KWE Note: The names of three fatalities are missing from the list below.]
Fatalities:
Akin, A1C Lloyd Eugene - Airman Akin was born March 12, 1930 in Hamilton County, Texas, the son of Nathan and Stella E. Ford Akin. He is buried in Fairy Cemetery, Fairy, Texas.
Berryman, A1C John Harold - Airman Berryman was born February 15, 1932, a son of Marion Francis "Frank" Berryman (1892-1969) and Bertha M. Hall Berryman (1908-1975). His siblings were Bethel Marie "Beth" Berryman McCartney (1924-1987), Martha K. Berryman Coogle (1926-2014), Larry A. Berryman (1946-2021), Dennis "Denny" Berryman (1951-2019) and half sister, Etta Frances Berryman Henehan (1919-1989). Airman Berryman is buried in Fairview Cemetery, New Albany, Indiana.
Blake, Kenneth B. - Airman Blake was born December 27, 1929. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Blanton, Charles L. - Airman Blanton was born February 23, 1931, the son of Frank Lohman Blanton (1912-1981) and Josephine Ann Stewart Blanton (1912-2004). His sibling was Marjorie Jo Blanton Rudolph (1933-2002). Airman Blanton is buried in Fort Silk, Oklahoma.
Bowers, Lt. James E. - Lieutenant Bowers was born August 01, 1930, a son of Percival Emerson Bowers (1900-1971) and Mae E. Anderson Bowers (1902-2003). He was married to Kay Smiley of South Dakota, who was living in Bitburg, Germany at the time of the accident. His siblings were John Byron "Johnnie" Bowers (1933-2012) and Julie Bowers Witse. Lieutenant Bowers was a 1948 graduate of Verdon High School. He attended Doane College in Crete for two and a half years and received his Air Force commission in May of 1953. Lieutenant Bowers was buried in Verdon Cemetery, Verdon, Nebraska.
Burnett, Lt. Hugh Huff Jr. - Lieutenant Burnett was born September 23, 1928, a son of Hugh Huff Burnett Sr. (1899-1966) and Bonnie Jones Burnett (1906-1983). He was married to Sylvia Sell Burnett and they had a son Hugh Huff Burnett III, 18 months old. The lieutenant's siblings were John and Nancy Burnett. Lieutenant Burnett had flown 100 missions in Korea before being transferred to Germany. His remains are buried in Union Cemetery, Newport, Tennessee.
Carter, A1C Thomas Herbert - Airman Carter was born November 29, 1931 in Illinois, the son of Herbert Ray Carter (1890-1963) and Elizabeth Agnes Sheridan Carter (1905-1984. His siblings were Donna Carter Elder and Carol Ann Carter. Airman Carter is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Buckley, Illinois.
Eden, Capt. Edward B. (pilot) - Captain Eden was born November 21, 1921. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Ellis, A1C Robert Dale - Airman Ellis was born August 20, 1932, a son of Roy Perry Ellis (1908-1966) and Lydia Margaret Harding Ellis (1912-1994). He was one of 17 children. His siblings were Leora Mae (1936-1936), Harry Harding (1938-2001), Ra A. (1945-1945), Margaret Joan Ellis Karns (1948-2001), Linda Dianna (1952-1952), Carol Ann, Ramona Ellis Littrell, Leila Ellis Woodward, Sharon Ellis Kilby, Edith Ellis Miksell, John, Roy James, Dwight, Gary, Ronald and Donald. Airman Ellis is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Knoxville, Iowa.
Ford, SSgt. Gilbert Eugene - Sergeant Ford was born July 15, 1931 in Canton, Illinois, a son of Russell Henry Ford (1905-1974) and Laverta "Edna" Kitsner Ford (1909-2005). His brother was Merle Henry Ford (1928-2003). Sergeant Ford is buried in White Chapel Memory Gardens, Canton, Illinois.
Hammett, A2C Wayne Eugene "Gene" - Airman Hammett was born January 25, 1931 in Mansfield, Ohio, a son of Glade Glenn "Shorty" Hammett (1908-1981) and Clara Iva Boterf Hammett (1908-1982). His siblings included Arthur M. Hammett (1938-2020), Mrs. Ronald (Thelma Irene Hammett) Day (1933-2012) and Mrs. Renaldo (Marlene Hammett) Stajduhar. Wayne Hammett attended Springfield Township Elementary School and then Madison High School before joining the Air Force. Airman Hammett is buried in Caesarea Cemetery, Mansfield, Ohio.
Lewis, A1c Donnie A. - Airman Lewis was born November 04, 1931 in Wisconsin, a son of James Victor Lewis (1898-1975) and Essie Violet Emerson Lewis (1899-1989). He was married to Mavis J. Anklam (later Heimstead) in 1951 and they had children Connie, age 2, and Mark, age 1 at the time of the crash. His siblings were Gwenith M. Lewis Doyle (1917-2008), June V. Lewis Gilbertson (1918-1998), Sanford James Lewis (1920-1988) and Victor Bennet Lewis (1922-1948). Airman Lewis is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
McIlwain, SSgt. Manley Delos Jr. - Sergeant McIlwain was born September 26, 1930 in Caton, New York, a son of Manley Delos McIlwain Sr. His siblings were Eugene, Frederick, Samuel and Joseph McIlwain, and sisters Mrs. Al Hazen, Mrs. Ralph Jaynes and Mrs. Roger Whitmore. Sergeant McIlwain is buried in Hope Cemetery, Campbell, New York.
Neubert, Lt. Ernest F. - Lieutenant Neubert was born May 29, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Ernest J. Neubert. He attended Public School 65 and Public School 1971. He graduated from Brooklyn Tech and then received an engineering degree after three years at Polytech. A World War II veteran, he reenlisted before the Korean War and was attached to the 57th Fighter Inceptor Squadron, Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine. He was married to Catherine Marie "Kay" Offermann (1928-2011) and they had daughters Trudy and Nancy Neubert. HIs sister was Mrs. Rita Artus. Lieutenant Neubert is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York.
Nunnelley, Capt. Joseph McConnell "Joe" or "Mack" Jr. - Captain Nunnelley was born May 16, 1923 in Ashville, Alabama, the son of Joseph "Joe" McConnell Nunnelley Sr. (1893-1951) and Otis Prickett Nunnelley (1897-1955). He was married to Frances Caroline Albright and they had sons Joseph III and James Russell Nunnelley. His sister was Marie Nunnelley Goodman (1925-2018). Captain Nunnelley is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
Randolph, A1C Marshall W. - Airman Randolph was born November 16, 1929. He is buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron, Ohio.
Wood, 2Lt. Leonard W. - Lieutenant Wood was born April 22, 1925 in Raton,New Mexico, the son of Ernest Wesley Wood (1887-1972) and Mollie B. Wood (1892-1973). His siblings were Thelma M. Wood Kunkel (1914-1993), Sgt. Clinton Elmer Wood (1915-1944 died in WWII in France), and Bernice E. "Mac" Wood McNeal (1917-1981). Lieutenant Wood is buried in Fairview Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Based at Presque Isle AFB in Maine and attached to the 57th Fighter Inceptor Squadron, this F-89 (#51-5764) crashed in a heavy snowstorm just after takeoff from Griffis Air Force Base, Rome, New York. There were two fatalities.
Fatalities:
Neubert, Lt. Ernest F. (pilot) - Lieutenant Neubert was born on May 29, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Ernest J. Neubert. He attended P.S. 65 and P.S. 171, then graduated from Brooklyn Tech. He studied engineering for three years at Polytech before reenlisted in the military before the Korean War. He was married to Catherine M. Offermann and they had two daughters Trudy Anne and Nancy Jeanne Neubert. His sister was Mrs. Rita Artus. Lieutenant Neubert was a veteran of 100 missions in an F-86 Sabrejet in the Korean War and 35 missions as a gunner in a medium bomber in England during World War II. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York.
Staton, Capt. Robert E. - Captain Staton was born October 16, 1921 in Brook, Indiana. During Wrold War II he was a prisoner of war. He married Gloria Babb on February 03, 1944 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is buried in Rose Hill Burial Park, Oklahoma City.
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.
Air Force TB--47B Stratojet #50-063 crashed in flame after colliding in the air with another B-17. The second plane was damaged but managed to return to Wichita, AFB with it crew unhurt. There were three fatalities on the Stratojet.
Fatalities:
Smith, Lt. Col. Sydney Philip - Lieutenant Colonel Smith was born on August 13, 1918, in San Marcos, Texas, the only son of Francis Sydney Smith (1866-1946) and Mary Elizabeth "Bessie" Morgan Smith (1870-1962). He was married to Doris King Smith and at the time of the crash they had two small sons: Sydney David (age 6) and Stephen Philip (age 4). He was the brother of five sisters. Lieutenant Colonel Smith attended school in San Marcos and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Texas State. During World War II he served in Europe. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with five clusters, along with other awards. Lieutenant Colonel Smith is buried in San Marcos Cemetery, San Marcos, Texas.
White, Maj. Herbert Richard - Major White was born on February 18, 1921, in Tempe, Arizona, the only son of Garland Martin White (1895-1960) and Ruby Mae Johnson White (1893-1980). on June 01, 1942, he married Muriel Elaine Worrell (later Willard) (1921-2014) in Maricopa County, Arizona. They were parents of three sons: Martin William, Lawrence Richard and Christopher. His sisters were Loreen Alice Mowery (1919-1969) and Edith Mae "Edie" Hales (1922-2005). Major White enlisted in December of 1942 and was the recipient of an Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. He is buried in Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona.
Zuppann, Maj. Lloyd Jr. - Major Zuppann was born on March 18, 1921, in Laredo, Texas, a son of Col. Lloyd Zuppann Sr. (1890-1956) and Anita Marie Johnson Zuppann (1890-1977). He was married to Alanna Devereux (1926-2008). His brother was Charles William Zuppann Sr. (1924-1977). Major Zuppann graduated from West Point and flew 65 combat missions in B-26 planes in Europe during World War II. He was a graduate of the Adjutant General's School at Fort Oglethorpe and the Air Command and Staff Schools at Maxwell Air Force Base. Major Zuppann is buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
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, enroute 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 a Lockheed F-94 Starfire (#50-1026) 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 Leroy - 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 Dona 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.
On March 29, 1954, a huge U.S. Air Force B-36 crashes while practicing takeoffs and landings at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County. Of the 10 crew members aboard the aircraft, seven are killed and three survive the accident. It is the fourth and last crash of a B-36 at Fairchild AFB during the years it is in service there (1951-1958). Colonel Phillip Main, commander of Fairchild AFB, said the investigation team determined the accident was caused by a mechanical malfunction which made the B-36 lose directional control at takeoff.
At approximately 5:45 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 1954, B-36B-1-CF Peacemaker No. 44-92032, attached to the 92nd Bombardment Wing, 325th Bomb Squadron, at Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB) had just lifted off from Runway 23 when the aircraft suddenly made a sharp turn to the right and crashed just off the runway. The plane barely missed an American-LaFrance, Model O-11A, fire-rescue truck on standby at taxiway 10, narrowly missed several B-36 aircraft on the flightline, plowed through a new, unoccupied building, hit a ditch, flipped upside down, and exploded into flames. The wrecked bomber came to rest near the 10th Antiaircraft Artillery and Wherry housing project.
Of the 10 airmen aboard the B-36 for the training mission, seven were killed and three survived the accident. The survivors, all members of the cockpit crew, escaped through the pilot’s hatch and crawled through the burning wreckage to safety. Firefighters found the men in the debris field suffering from burns and other injuries and rushed them to the Fairchild base hospital. Witnesses to the crash said it was unbelievable anyone could have escaped the accident alive, but the hospital reported that the survivors were in good condition.
Fortunately, the B-36, which carries normally carries over 20,000 gallons of aviation gasoline, didn’t have that much aboard for the training mission. But, because of the magnesium used in its construction, B-36s burned fiercely. Although fire trucks smothered the flames with fire-retarding chemical foam in a relatively short time, the plane was a total loss. The wreckage was so hot that the bodies couldn’t be removed for three hours.
Two firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze and hospitalized. Airman First Class Charles L. Johnson suffered flash burns on his face and Staff Sergeant Elmer D. Jackson suffered a broken left forearm after being struck by a wheel strut when a tire exploded.
Survivors:
Keller, Capt. Walter M. (pilot)
Ross, 1Lt. Leroy B. (first engineer)
Westling, Maj. Virgil L. (pilot), Marquette, Kansas
Fatalities:
Daniels, A1C Willard Lawrence - Airman Daniels was born December 22, 1931 in Illinois, a son of Eugene Hiland Danielsd Sr. (1903-1991) and Ethel May Tieman Daniels (1905-1980). His siblings were Alberta Ethel "Sam" Withrow (19 24-201 4), Eugene Hiland Daniels Jr. (1930-2009), and Faith Eleanor Daniels Yeager (1936-2011). Airman Daniels is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Minong, Wisconsin.
Davis, MSgt. Heyward Burroughs - Sergeant Davis was born March 28, 1917. He is buried in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, Houston, Texas.
King, A2C George W. - Airman King was born February 22, 1933, a son of Everett Bradley King (1888-1974) and Gletha Bastin King (1899-1987). He was married to Virginia Mae Greene on December 27, 1953. They were parents of an infant daughter, Karen Kay, who died. Airman King's siblings were Blanche King Chadwell (1918-2009), Charles E. King (1921-2005), Lonnie James King (1923- 2012), and Mable King Thompson (1927-2005). Airman King is buried in Buffalo Springs Cemetery, Stanford, Kentucky.
Paulson, 1Lt. Rodney Allen - Lieutenant Paulson was born in 1924. He is buried in Ames Municipal Cemetery, Ames, Iowa.
Rea, MSgt. Frank - Sergeant Rea was born in 1926 in New York, the son of Michael Rea (1894-1971) and Raffaela Rea (1899-1956). He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.
Ryan, SSgt. James E. - Sergeant Ryan was born in 1924. He is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, Trenton, Missouri.
Scalia, A1C Richard S. - age 21, Waltham, Massachusetts.
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 - Lieutenant McHenry was born on December 11, 1923, in McAlester, Oklahoma, the son of William E. McHenry (1902-1944) and Mary Lee Clark McHenry. 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. The plane was part of a widespread search for a NAMTC Point Mugu F2H Banshee piloted by Lt. Albert D. McHenry that had gone missing the previous Monday.
Fatalities:
Atkinson, Edward - No further information found.
Schmidt, Don - No further information found.
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)
Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune #128421 was lost in a crash in the Bahamas on this date. Ten officers were aboard an aircraft on the way to join an exercise with ships from the Atlantic Fleet, meant to improve the fleet’s defense against enemy submarines. Roughly five minutes after receiving clearance for take-off from Windsor Field, the aircraft climbed and then crashed into the sea 300 yards off the Clifton Pier in New Providence, Bahamas. The wreckage was found over three and a half miles from the west end of runway 27, at Windsor Field. Divers found the crew members that had been killed instantly in the crash.
Fatalities:
Caylor, AM Thomas R. - No information found.
Holle, Chief John William - Chief Holle was born January 08, 1924. He was married to Gloria Edgar (later Wildes) (1925-2018). Their daughter Gloria Sue Holle Hausladen was born in 1944 and died in 2017. She was survived by sisters Hope Lamb and Cathy Mayberry. Chief Holle is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Kiliszewski, AMN Jozef "Joseph" A. Jr. - Airman Kiliszewski was born in 1931 in Erie County, Pennsylvania, a son of Jozef A. Kiliszewski Sr. (1908-1995) and Helena Slomski Kiliszewski (1909-1953). His siblings were Marion G. Kiliszewski Kowalczy (1933-2015), James "Jimmy" Kiliszewski (1936-1937) and Jerome W. "Jerry" Kilisewski (1941-2003). Airman Kiliszewski is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania.
LePard, PO3 Gerald P. - He was from Michigan. No further information found.
Martin, LTJG William H. - Lieutenant Martin was born in 1921, a son of Walter L. Martin (1890-1975) and Laura M. Chamberland Martin ( 1893-1964). His siblings were Rita Eileen Martin Lovett (1918-2003) amd Robert Andrew "Bob" Martin (1927-2019). Lieutenant Martin is buried in Saint Michaels Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts.
Nelson, PO3 Franz Eugene - PO3 Nelson was born September 15, 1928, the son of Franz Edward Nelson (1895-1967) and Alta Nelson (Richards) (1903-1999). The family is buried in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, California.
Olsen, PO2 Albert J. - He was from Minnesota. No further information found.
Osburn, ENS Leland Rief "Lee" - Ensign Osburn was born January 07, 1931, the son of Leonard Rief Osburn (1903-1975) and Laura Louise Gibbs Osburn (1905-1986). His sister was Merilyn Deidre Osburn Kims (1932-2013). Ensign Osburn is buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, California.
Sparks, PO1 Fred M. - PO1 Sparks was born November 27, 1925, in Yancey County, North Carolina, a son of Edward F. Sparks (1883-1962) and Mary F. McKinney Sparks (1889-1983). His siblings were Howard Brown Sparks (1911–1965), Roy Herman Sparks (1912–1985), Trula Sparks Dubroka (1914–2005), Edna Sparks Hall (1916–2020), and Coy Earl Sparks (1917–2002). Fred M. Sparks is buried in Will Young Cemetery, Yancey County, North Carolina.
Tinney, ENS John Charles - Ensign Tinney was a son of Harry P. Tinney (died 1976) and Janet B. Nelson Tinney (1901-1983). His siblings were Margaret Janet "Peggy" Tinney (died 2015) and H.P. "Scotty" Tinney. Ensign Tinney is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hartsdale, New York.
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.
A C-47 carrying crew and passengers crashed into a gravel pit in foggy conditions near Hermantown, Minnesota around 9:45 on this day. The victims were members of the 179th Squad of the Duluth Air National Guard. The passengers had flown from Duluth to Indianapolis for the Memorial Day auto races and were returning home when the tragedy happened. The right wing tip of the aircraft hit the ground and the plane cartwheeled, crushing the cockpit and trapped both pilots. The pilots had been talking to the Duluth control tower minutes before the crash and stated they had the runway in sight. Three men were taken to St. Luke's Hospital in critical condition. Two passengers escaped from the plane and waved down help asking for "all the ambulances you can get."
Fatalities:
Graboski, Capt. Victor Joseph (co-pilot) - Captain Graboski was born on March 25, 1921 in Cloquet, Minnesota. In 1946 he married Donna Rae McEachran (later Hecker) (1925-2012) and they had one son, Michael Victor Graboski (1950-1958). Captain Graboski is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Cloquet.
Haas, TSgt. Elmer Joseph - Sergeant Haas was born in 1 921. He is b uried in Saint Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Swanville, Minnesota.
Hughes, Lt. John Furlong - Lieutenant Hughes was born June 02, 1929. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Duluth, Minnesota.
Kemp, Maj. Frederick Albert Jr. (pilot) - Major Kemp was born November 29, 1917, the son of Frederick Albert Kemp Sr. (1885-1970) and Ida Hutchinson Kemp (1889-1973). Major Kemp was a World War II veteran. He was married with a son, Frederick Albert Kemp III (1944-1969). Major Kemp is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Duluth.
Lovshin, Capt. William C. - Captain Lovshin was born June 16, 1922 in Minnesota, the son of Joseph J. Lovshin (1889-1962) and Rose "Rosey" Kotchevar Lovshin (1889-1962). He was married to Marlyn "Marlie" Jean Grube (1925-2010) on October 16, 1948. Captain Lovshin was a former medical student at Indiana University who became a doctor. He and his wife were parents of two sons, Bill and John Lovshin.
Ott, Col. Alfred C. - Colonel Ott was born in 1892. He was married to Agnes McCarthy Ott (1898-1953). Their daughter was Jean Louise "Jane" Ott OLin (1931-1978). He was a retired National Guard officer and a realtor. Colonel Ott is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Duluth.
Stewart, SSgt. Charles Wilkins Jr. - Sergeant Stewart was born on August 19, 1930, a son of Charles Wilkins Stewart Sr. (1900-1971) and Clara E. Husen Stewart (1904-1973). His siblings were a baby girl (1932-1932) and James Husen Stewart, who was also killed in the plane crash.
Stewart, A2C James - A2C Stewart was born June 26, 1933, a son of Charles Wilkins Stewart Sr. (1900-1971) and Clara E. Husen Stewart (1904-1973). His siblings were a baby girl (1932-1932) and Charles Wilkins Stewart Jr., who was also killed in the plane crash.
Survivors:
Christensen, Allen
Ion, TSgt. George - Sergeant Ion died on July 16, 1975 when an aircraft oxygen tank exploded while he was removing it from an F-101.
Lange, A1C William
Marty, SSgt. Donald E.
Sugars, MSgt. Carl - He walked out of the wreckage through a huge hole in the mid-section of the plane.
Willeck, MSgt. Bill - He and Sugars walked through a wooded area to a nearby residence to ask for help. The two men were treated for shock at the 515th Air Defense Group Dispensary at the Duluth Air Base.
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.
Sikorsky H-19B (#52-7500) crashed three miles southwest of LaTesta, France, killing four.
Fatalities:
Anderson, A2C Donald A. - Airman Anderson was born January 11, 1929. He is buried in the same plot with Ephraim Eckgren (1889-1918) in the Swedish Mission Cemetery, Buffalo, Minnesota.
Ellis, 1Lt. Dale F. - LIeutenant Ellis was born July 30, 1929, a son of Richard Edwin Ellis Sr. (1899-1952) and Mildred Louise Schleigh Ellis. His brothers were James McGill Ellis (1921-1997), Richard Edwin Ellis Jr., and one other brother. Lieutenant Ellis is buried in Pinecrest Cemetery, Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
McKelway, 1Lt. St. Clair Jr. - Lieutenant McKelway was born August 24, 1931 in Bangkok, Thailand, the son of St. Clair McKelway Sr. (1905-1980) and Estelle Cassiday McKeleway. Lieutenant McKelway is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Prementine, A2C George Paul - Airman Prementine was born May 09, 1934 in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph B. Prementine (1900-1994) and Anie B. Bronchak Prementine (1909-1996). His siblings were Joseph Prementine, Marion Prementine, and Eleanor (Prementine) Finegan. Airman Prementine is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
On the afternoon of May 6, 1954, six CAT C-119s departed Cat Bi airbase in Haiphong for Dien Bien Phu. One unarmed C-119 Flying Boxcar, #149 (originally U.S. Air Force tail number 49-149, as it was on loan to the French Air Force from the USAF's 314th Troop Carrier Wing), flown by McGovern and Buford carried desperately needed ammunition for paratroopers holding out at an encampment named "Isabelle", the last of the five firebases in the valley still in French hands. The first aircraft in the CAT convoy safely dropped its load, but as McGovern approached the drop zone, the port engine sustained damage from a 37-mm anti-aircraft round. Soon after, a second hit damaged the horizontal stabilizer, severely impairing his ability to maintain flight. Guided by the pilots in the lead aircraft, McGovern and Buford struggled for 40 minutes to keep their aircraft aloft on one engine long enough to attempt an emergency landing at a remote landing strip 75 miles to the southwest in Laos. Just a few hundred yards short of the landing strip, a wing tip clipped a tree. The aircraft cartwheeled, broke in half, and burned. McGovern and Buford died in the crash along with two of the French paratroopers serving as bailers, Bataille and Rescouriou. Moussa, a Malay paratrooper was seriously injured and a French officer, 1st Lieutenant Jean Arlaux, was also injured and captured by Lao soldiers. Moussa died from his injuries, leaving Arlaux as the sole survivor.
Missing in Action:
Buford, 1Lt. Wallace Abbott - Lieutenant Buford was born on June 11, 1925, in Ogden, Utah, a son of George Harrington Buford Sr. (1904-1966) and Lillian Vera Holmes Buford (1905-1976). His brothers were George Harrington Buford Jr. (1922-1978) and Marlin Glenn Buford (1923-1988). He remains missing in action.
McGovern, 1Lt. James BernardJr. - World War II Fighter Pilot and CIA Operative. The swashbuckling McGovern was one of the first two Americans to die in combat with the North Vietnamese, seven years before the United States' official entry in the Vietnam War. He was known as "Earthquake McGoon" after a character in the "Li'l Abner" comic strip because of his imposing stature. During World War II McGovern was a fighter pilot in the 14th Air Force's "Tiger Shark" squadron, and was credited with shooting down four Japanese Zero fighter planes and destroying five on the ground; before that he had damaged or destroyed at least 10 Japanese warplanes as one of the "Flying Tigers." After the war he flew covert missions over Vietnam as a civilian for the CIA-owned Civil Air Transport, which aided the French in their fight against the communists. The crash claimed the lives of McGovern and his co-pilot, Wallace A. Buford (memorial no. 19509150) and three of the four French crewmen. Dien Bien Phu fell to the communists the following day. McGovern's remains were discovered in an unmarked grave in 2002 and positively identified in September 2006. [Source: Findagrave] Lieutenant McGovern was born on February 04, 1922, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a son of James Bernard McGovern Sr. (1892-1974) and Myrtle Aubrey McKenna McGovern (1895-1968). His brother was John Joseph McGovern (1926-2001). Lieutenant McGovern is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
C-119 #126579 (with the transport squadron of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's Service Group 17 in Japan) crashed 36 kilometers off-shore in the Korea Strait. There were five missing in action and six were rescued.
Missing in Action:
Badgley, Maj. Gene McClain - Major Badgley was born on September 09, 1921, in Oklahoma, the son of Guy W. Badgley (1893-1921) and Ada R. Tissandier (later Townsend) (1896-1972). There is a marker for Major Badgley in Mt. Orab Cemetery, Mt. Orab, Ohio.
McBride, SSgt. William Maurice "Scooter" - Sergeant McBride was born on March 20, 1933, in Texas, a son of Frank Maurice McBride (1910-1976) and Bernice V. McCallum McBride (later Hazelwood) (1911-2004). His siblings were Betty Jean McBride Griesing (1930-2022) and Gary McBride. There is a marker for Sergeant McBride in Laurel Oaks Memorial Park, Balch Springs, Texas.
Nelson, Capt. Rupert Harold - Captain Nelson was a pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with the Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On June 4, 1954, he was on a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, when it crashed off the coast of South Korea. Captain Nelson was born on May 03, 1921, a son of Oliver Martin Nelson (1895-1974) and Edrie Alice Faubel Nelson (1900-1962). His siblings were Arline Marie Petoske (1923-2015), Clayton Wesley (1924-2011), Roald (1926-2011), Alma Nadine Stamm (1928-2012), Olaf "Ole" (1931-2007), and Marcia Butler. He was a graduate of Midland High School Class of 1940. There is a marker for Captain Nelson in Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota.
?
?
"WASHINGTON (AP) – The Navy announced Wednesday night the names of 17 men who were aboard a Navy amphibian plane overdue on a flight Wednesday between Japan and Okinawa. The plane was attached to the Navy patrol squadron at Iwakuni Air Base. The Navy said next of kin have been notified. Personnel aboard the plane included: Lt. Wallace R. Carter, husband of Mrs. Wanda L. Carter, 1011 Taylor Ave., Alameda, Calif. Lt. J. G. William B. Hedric, husband of Mrs. Joan H. Hedric, 842 Harvard Dr., Alameda, Calf. Ens. Homer F. Trotter Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Norris, 1312 E. Walker, San Bernardino, Calif. Aviation Electronics Man 1-c Laurence E. Stone, husband of Mrs. Betty J. Stone, 892 D. Thau Way, Alameda, Calif. Aviation Machinist Mate 3-c Walter R. Raab, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Raab, 13609 Cordary Ave., Hawthorne, Calif. Marine Maj. James R. O'Moore, husband of Mrs. Dorothy D. O'Moore, 619 Poppy Avenue, Corono Del Mar [sic], Calif."[387] The wreckage of the Martin PBM-5 Mariner, BuNo 84779 (?), was sighted Friday 11 June by an Air Force search plane, smashed against a 6,300-foot island mountain on rugged Yakushima, 50 miles off Southern Japan. There were seven Navy and two Marine officers and eight sailors aboard when it departed Iwakuni. It disappeared in stormy weather five hours later. There were no survivors.[388] Others on board were: Lt.(JG) Cecil F. Hackeny Jr., Birmingham, Alabama; Lt. (JG) Wallace H. Wertz, Newport, Pennsylvania; Ens. John D. McCathy, Olean, New York; Ens. Berje Weramian, Corpus Christi, Texas; Douglas C. Campbell, Electronics Technician 2/c, Boscobel, Wisconsin; Ira E. Crider, Telman 3/c, Tyler, Texas; Jerrold D. Edwards, Aviation Electronics Technician 3/c, Portland, Oregon; Ronald D. Graham, Aviation Structural Mechanic 2/c, Donora, Pennsylvania; Donald D. Landon, Photographers Mate 3/c, and James E. Landon, Aviation Ordnance Man 2/c, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Marine Capt. Theodore R. Moore, Warren, Pennsylvania. The Marines were from the First Marine Air Wing, six officers and seven enlisted were from VP-47, and one officer and one enlisted were from Fleet Air Wing Six.
B-47E Stratojet #51-5252 had just refueled during a test mission when it went into a spin at low altitude. The pilot stayed in the plane until the other two crew members were able to bail out, but by then it was too late for him to also bail out before the plane crashed.
Fatality:
Jacques, Maj. William George - Major Jacques was born on March 03, 1920, in Nielsville, Minnesota, a son of William Henry Jacques (1888-1966) and Elizabeth M. "Bessie" McCormick Jacues (1890-1975). He was married in April of 1947 to Mary Colleen Franklin (later Wallace) (1926-2015). At the time of the crash, they had children William Franklin (age 6), James (age 5), John (age 3), Mary Beth, and Margaret Mary (1952-2012). His siblings were Jean Margaret Jacques (1921-2016), Charles Andrew "Chuck" (1923-1987), George Louis (1925-2015) and Patricia Ann "Pat" Karpen (1929-2004). Major Jacques graduated from Prescott High School in 1938 and then attended St. Thomas College for two years. He served with the 32nd Division National Guard in 1940, then transferred to the Air Corps in 1941. He flew a B-17 bomber in England during World War II and was the recipient of a Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster and an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Major Jacques is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Prescott, Arizona.
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.
“A crew of seven and seven passengers aboard a KC-97 ‘Stratotanker’ (#52-2654) were killed in an explosive crash on Box Spring Mountain at 3:08 A. M. The aircraft was en route to San Bernardino Air Force Base but hit the mountain at the 3,000-foot level. The tanker was on a training flight and did not have its full load of fuel, but the fire was intense from the plane’s own fuel supply. Helicopters were used to retrieve the bodies because of the rugged terrain of the accident site.” (National Fire Protection Association. “Large Loss Fires of 1954.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association, Vol. 48, No. 3, Jan 1955, pp. 201-326, p. 306).
Fatalities:
Arambula, A1C David Rosas - Airman Arambula was born January 23, 1931, in Arizona, a son of Manuel V. Arambula (1888-1964) and Josephine L. Arambula (1899-1994). He was married and was enroute to California on an emergency leave due to the impending birth of his child. His siblings were Manuel Rosas (1924-2005), Jose Guadalupe (1929-1985), Sallie A. Gilbert (1934-2023), Olivia Irene Martinez (1937-2023) and Carlos R. "Charlie" Arambula. Airman Arambula is buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona.
Black, A1C Edward - Airman Black was born on December 09, 1932, a son of Andy Black Sr. (1901-1984) and Sarah Bruner Black (1905-1996). His siblings were Ellen Marie Bruner (1921-2009 Cleophus Wilford (1929-2015), Esther Black Hamilton (1931-1990), Andy Jr. (1935-1981), Elwood James (1938-2026), Sarah Alice Hewlett (1939-1987), Harriet W. Fields (1941-2009), and Charles Ray Sr. (1944-2018). Airman Black is buried in Athens Cemetery, Ada, Oklahoma.
Cincotta, 1Lt. Robert Paul (navigator) - Lieutenant Cincotta was born on October 13, 1928, in New York. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York.
Gebhard, 2Lt. Irvin - Lieutenant Gebhard was born May 25, 1932, in Pennsylvania. He is buried in East Lawn Memorial Park, Sacramento, California.
Gonzales, SSgt. Robert Otero - Sergeant Gonzales was born on November 18, 1931. He was married to Rita Sanchez Gonzales (1922-2004). Sergeant Gonzales is buried in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California. Sergeant Gonzales was flying to California on an emergency leave because his wife was about to have a baby.
Johnson, 2Lt. Eugene R. - Lieutenant Johnson was born on August 03, 1930, in Virginia. He is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
Middaugh, 2Lt. Barrie Duane - Lieutenant Middaugh was born on September 13, 1931, Nebraska, the son of William Daniel Middaugh (1896-1981) and Helen Grace Wilson Lewis (1898-1985). His wife was Pat Johnson Middaugh, and his sister was Jean Smith. Lieutenant Middaugh graduated from San Bernardino High School and then San Bernardino Valley College in 1952. He enlisted in the Air Force in November of 1952. Lieutenant Middaugh is buried in Monecito Memorial Park, Colton, California.
Morgan, TSgt. James Russell (flight engineer) - Sergeant Morgan was born on December 15, 1920, in Indianapolis, Indiana, a son of Harvey B. and Sylvia Morgan. He had children James, Rita Sue and Alice Marie Morgan by his first wife. He then married Phyllis Thomas in Rolfe, Iowa, on October 13, 1946, and they had children John Morgan and Larry Thomas Morgan (1950-1970). Sergeant Morgan had a stepmother, Lucy Morgan; brother Charles Morgan; sister Helen Morgan; and stepsister Betty. Sergeant Morgan attended school in Indianapolis before enlisting in the CCC. He joined the Army Air Corps in September of 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater. He is buried in Clinton-Garfield Cemetery, Rolfe, Iowa.
Moultrie, 2Lt. Charles Jr. - Lieutenant Moultrie was born September 01, 1930, the son of Charles Moultrie Sr. (died 1999). Charles Sr's wives were Eva Palmer Moultrie and Lillie Sheppherd Moultrie. His siblings were Ida M. Shaw and Vernelle M. Coleman. Lieutenant Moultrie is buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia.
Ott, A2C Richard Taylor - Airman Ott was born January 25, 1934, in Kansas, a son of Lawrence Taylor Ott (1910-1976) and Virginia Lucille Warrick Ott (1914-2011). His siblings were Raymond Lee (1926-1993), Donald (1937-2025) and Jacky Edward (1939-2000). Airman Ott is buried in Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Phillips, Capt. John Jr. (pilot) - Captain Phillips was born on April 11, 1922, in New Jersey. He was married with daughters Carol Ann and Linda Lee Philips.
Provenzano, SSgt. Vincent - Sergeant Provenzano was born on October 30, 1929, in West Virginia, a son of Pasquale "Patsy" Provenzano (1877-1948) and Marta "Martha" DeSensi Provenzano (1894-1991). His brother was Anthony "Tony" Provenzano (1927-2019). Sergeant Provenzano is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling, West Virginia.
Thompson, TSgt. Loren Edward - Sergeant Thompson was born on September 30, 1923, in North Dakota, a son of Marcus Thompson (1892-1982) and Gertie Sofie Iversen Thompson (1891-1969). He married Gladys Alda Morrill (later Giedd) (1924-2013) on July 11, 1943 in Amarillo, Texas. They were the parents of seven children: Terry Norton, Gary Dwayne, Ralph, Judith Kay (Larsen), John Edward, Mike, and Jerry Eldon Thompson. His siblings were Ivan Thomas (1920-2002), Merlyn Wesley "Tommy" (1921-2006), Bernice Wendschlag (1925-1997), and Grace Marie Johnson (1936-2024). During World War II he was the recipient of an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, North Dakota.
Zemaitis, 2Lt. Joseph Kasimir Jr. (co-pilot) - Lieutenant Zemaitis was born on March 29, 1929, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Joseph Kasimir Zemaitis Sr. (1902-1956) and Mary R. Ginkus Zemaitis (1906-1981). Lieutenant Zemaitis is buried in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts.
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.
Robert Jordan Otris Smith lost his life when his F9F-6 Cougar #128261 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. The aircraft was assigned to the USS Midway.
Maj. Byron Herbert Beswick lost his life when his F9F Panther jet crashed near the Mojave (California) Auxiliary Landing Field. Major Beswick was born January 30, 1922, in Hillsboro, Illinois, the son of John H. Beswick (1895-1955) and Ada Belle Briscoe Beswick (1903-1991). His wife was Marianne Beswick. His brother was Roger Paul Beswick (1925-2023). Major Beswick was taken prisoner of war by the North Koreans. He had flown 171 combat missions. The USMC veteran is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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.
F-94 (#51-5417) stalled and went into a spin and crashed on this date, killing two crew members. The accident occurred three miles east of Suwon, Korea.
Fatalities:
Murphy, 1Lt. John Francis Jr. - Lieutenant Murphy was born January 01, 1922, a son of John Francis "Jack" Murphy Sr. (1891-1974) and Helen Catherine Fennell Murphy (1893-1922). His siblings were Kenneth John Murphy (1915-1943) (died in a plane crash in Morocco during World War II), Frank Robert Murphy (1917-1953) and half siblings Thomas Arthur Murphy (1928-2005). LIeutenant Murphy is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Reinecke, 2Lt. Howard Emerald "Sonny" - Lieutenant Reinecke was born May 24, 1928, in Deadwood, South Dakota, a son of Emerald Henry Reinecke (1904-1991) and Elaine Howard Reinecke (1904-1964). His brother was Leon Henry Reinecke (1931-2005). He was the recon officer on the F-94. Lieutenant Reinecke is buried in Beulah Cemetery, Beulah, Wyoming.
Seven Americans were killed in a Sikorsky helicopter (#52-7482) that was on a search and rescue mission associated with an F-94 fighter plane crash in which two Americans were unaccounted for. The helicopter crashed 300 yards from the wrecked jet. The KWE is searching for the names of other fatalities not listed below.
Fatalities:
Albert, Lt. Col. Joyce Abraham - Lieutenant Albert was born July 24, 1905 in Washington, the son of Harry Abraham Albert (1870-1955) and Hannah Margaret Joyce Albert (1876-1936). Lieutenant Albert is buried in Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Cranmer, A1C Vernon Elmer - Airman Cranmer was born April 25, 1932 in Muleshoe, Texas, a son of Charles Edward Cranmer (1881-1960) and Della Mae Holmes Cranmer. His siblings were Melvin Edward (1916-1927), Eunice Isabel (1917-1922), Zola Rae Cranmer Scarbrough (1918-2011), Roy Samuel (1921-2013), Verl Nimrod (1922-2013), Paul Lovel (1925-1945), David Dean (1927-2017) and Anna Mae Cranmer Cheever (1937-2021). Airman Cranmer is buried in Wakita Cemetery, Wakita, Oklahoma.
Kidwell, Capt. Julian McDonough - Captain Kidwell was born December 11, 1923 in McLean, Virginia, a son of Walter Alexander Kidwell (1886-1960) and Ethel Martha Cross Kidwell (1881-1956). He was married on January 16, 1945 to Clara Frances Smith (later Payne) (1921-2016). Their children were Rhodi Nathan (1947-1963), Dennis, Jan Elise and Julia Fran. His siblings were Lester Roderick Kidwell (1909-1979), Howard Wallace Kidwell (1911-1990), Walter Leith "Sarge" Kidwell (1913-1988) and Donald Cross Kidwell (1918-1954). Captain Kidwell is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Roberts, Maj. James Waddell - Chaplain Roberts was born November 14, 1914 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, a son of Leroy Roberts (1891-1950) and Callie Belle Husband Roberts (1918-1999). He was married to Giula Shannon (later Charles) (1918-1999) and they had sons Morris W. and David A. Roberts. His siblings were Ulma L. Dewitt (1917-2009), Charles Alvin Roberts (1919-1938), Cody Lavette Roberts (1921-1990), Dorothy Muriel Roberts Dickson (1923-2017), Ella Jean Roberts Thomas (1926-2007), and Rev. Wallace E. Roberts (1932-1988). Major Roberts graduated from Millsaps College in 1941 and served six years as a chaplain in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was pastor of Tracy City Methodist Church when he was recalled to duty in the Air Force. Major Roberts is buried in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Meridian, Mississippi.
Wright, Lt. Stanley Jr. - Lieutenant Wright was the son of Stanley Wright of Maplewood, New Jersey.
This Stratojet crashed on takeoff two miles from RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, killing four crew members. The aircraft stalled.
Fatalities:
Catto, Capt. William Austin (aircraft commander) - Captain Catto was born on October 04, 1921. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Friedman, 1Lt. Elon (observer) -
Johnson, Capt. Donald Wayne (co-pilot) - Captain Johnson was born on October 23, 1924, in Rush City, Minnesota, a son of Albert BernardJohnson (1896-1947) and Violet Olive Johnson (1899-1987). He married Shirley Grace Bahnemann (later Gordon) (1922-2013). They were parents of three sons: Michael Wayne (age 7), Mark (age 6) and Jon Dale (18months). Michael was born in 1947 and died in 1961. John was born in 1953 and died in 2009. Captain Johnson's siblings were Willis "Bill" Johnson and Clarice Hesselroth (1929-2007). Captain Johnson graduated from Rush City High School in June of 1942. He enlisted in the Army in March of 1943 and on March 14, 1944 was accepted as an Aviation Cadet. Captain Johnson is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
Varney, SSgt. Kennie (crew chief) - Sergeant Varney was born on January 11, 1930, in Ransom, Kentucky, a son of Willie "Bud" Varney (1906-1931) and Betty Smith Varney (Spivey-Mullins) (1907-1992). He was married to Juanita Vaughn. Sergeant Varney's siblings were Earnest (1927-2010) and Willie "Bill" Jr. (1931-2007). His half-siblings were Elva Spivey Preece (1932-2017), James Glen Spivey (1935-1994), and Charles Jr. (1934-1951). Sergeant Varney is buried in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, West Virginia.
Col. Einar Axel Malmstrom, vice wing commander at Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana, is killed in the crash of a Lockheed T-33AS-1-LO Shooting Star trainer #52-9630 near the base. The base was renamed Malmstrom AFB in his honor. Colonel Malmstrom was born on July 14, 1907, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Per Olson Malmstrom (1875-1960) and Hanna Eklund Malmstrom (1881-1950). He was married to Kathryn E. Carlisle (1911-1985), and they had a son Jim "Swede" Malmstrom (1936-2009). Colonel Malmstrom was a World War II veteran who was taken prisoner of war. He was the American Commander of the South Compound at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth, Germany from April 1944 to May 15, 1945, and received a Bronze Star for his service there. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
[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.
A Navy P2V-5 Neptune on a reconnaissance mission over the Sea of Japan sank in the sea 40 miles off the coast of Siberia after being shot down by two Russian MiGs. The Neptune's wing was hit, causing it to burst into flames. When it hit the water, it broke in two behind the after hatch. Nine crew members floated and swam on a seven-man raft until they were rescued the next morning. One other crewman was never located. According to one crew member, Ensign Reid gave his life to save the others by pushing the one raft out of the plane before it sank.
Missing in Action:
Reid, Ens. Roger Henry - Born in 1929, Ensign Reid is honored with a marker in Arlington National Cemetery. On behalf of the next of kin, the US government filed a claim for damages against the Russian government for the willful shooting down of the Neptune. Ensign Reid's wife was Patricia Reid.
Survivors:
Atwell, AT1 David Allen
Bedard, ADAM William Albert
Fisher, Ens. John Charles (co-pilot)
Granera, ATAN Anthony Peter
Mulmollem, ADC Paul Roger
Petty, AD3 Frank Edgar
Pinkevich, AOAN Ernest Louis
Stone, AT3 Texas Red
Wayne, CDR John Booth
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.
H-19B (#53-4418) smashed into a cow pasture near Alexandria, Louisiana. Five on the aircraft were killed.
Fatalities:
Guinn, 1Lt. Julius Cecil Jr. - Lieutenant Guinn was born May 22, 1926 in West Monroe, Louisiana, the son of Julius Cecil Guinn Sr. (1902-1968) and Arler R. Emmons Gore (1902-1993). His sister was Helen Ione Guinn Neal (1925-2006). Lieutenant Guinn joined the Naval Air Corps during World War II. He then attended Shriner Institute, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Paris, France prior to being recalled to active duty. Lieutenant Guinn is buried in Alexandria National Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana.
Parker, 1Lt. George Leslie - Lieutenant Parker was born December 20, 1928. He is buried in Loveland Burial Park, Loveland, Colorado.
?
?
?
While cruising by night in light rain conditions, the reconnaissance bomber (#47-154) went into a flat spin five miles southeast of Willows, California, while on a training 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. Although seriously wounded, 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.
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 (1911-1965). His brother was Melvin Clemie Baca (1931-2018). Airman 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 in Michigan, a son of Clarence Herman Foster (1877-1972) and Ruth Frances Watson Foster (1892-1958). He was married to Vivian Maybelle Johnson Foster (later Downs) (1922-2013). His siblings were John Watson Foster (1922-1923), Margaret Ruth Foster Loranger (1923-2020) and George David Foster (1929-1968). 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 - Major Herrick was born December 08, 1924 in Hawaii, the son of 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, 1;935 in Pennsylvania, the son of Francis J. Myers (1905-1973). Airman Myers is buried in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey.
Robinson, Capt. Otho - Captain Robinson was born February 08, 1925. He is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Madisonville, Kentucky.
Swisher, 1Lt. John Henry - Lieutenant Swisher was born April 24, 1927 in Iowa, the son of John Custer Swisher (1896-1979) and Marie Haskamp Swisher (1900-1987). Lieutenant Swisher is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum, Kansas City, Missouri.
Townsend, MSgt. Junior - Sergeant Townsend was born January 02, 1923 in Michigan, the son of Clare Cecil Townsend (1899-1944) and Ella Elizabeth Jennings Townsend (1894-1980). He was married to Virginia Mae Callahan (later Wells) (1926-2010) and they had a daughter, Cecile Annette Townsend Fountain (1946-1998). His sister was Beatrice Pauline Townsend Nichols (1921-1975). Sergeant Townsend is buried in Speedwell Methodist Cemetery, Speedwell, Virginia.
Vaughan, 1Lt. John Douglas - - Lieutenant Vaughan lwas 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, a son of Sidney DeMoss Wirt (1890-1965) and Emma Jane Johnson Wirt (1898-1979). His siblings were James S. Wirt and Betty J. Wirt Wallace. Major Wirt is buried in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, Illinois.
Wright, Capt. Keith Boone - Captain Wright was born November 07, 1923, Jackson, Michigan, a son of George Jordan Wright (1900-1964) and Juanita Elnora Walton Wright (1900-1946). His siblings were Juanita Katherine "Kitty" Wright Parker (1925-2010) and William Thomas Wright (1928-1992). Captain Wright is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Wynne, A2C Eddie Lee - Airman Wynne was born July 16, 1933 in Rankin County, Mississippi, the son of Werner Eddie "Bunch" Jr. ( 1906-1979) and Opal Joyce Liles Wynne (1913-2013). His sister was Nellie Zane Wynne Wilkinson (1936-2024). Airman Wynne is buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Mississippi.
Survivors:
Imely, Sgt. Frank M.
Patton, A1C John B.
Vasquez, TSgt. Natividad
Wittens, SSgt. Joseph E.
F-100 Super Sabre Jet #52-5764 was on its first test flight with Lt. George Welch as its pilot. During terminal velocity dive test from 45,000 feet, the aircraft yawed to starboard and began to roll in Kern County, California. The airframe broke up under the strain. Lieutenant Welch bailed out and his chute opened, but he sustained fatal injuries, dying shortly after reaching the ground. Lieutenant Welch was born with the original name George Lewis Schwartz Jr. on May 10, 1918, in Wilmington, Delaware. His parents, George Lewis Schwartz Sr. and Julia Reeves Welch Schwartz, changed his name to George Schwartz Welch due to anti-German prejudice after World War I. Major Welch married Janette Alice Williams (later Atwood) (1923-1964) on October 25, 1943, in Darling Point, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Their children were Giles Brownlow Williams Welch (1947-2016) and Jolyon Cust Brownlow Welch (born 1951). His brother was Dehn Schwartz Welch (1920-1999). Major Welch attended St. Andrew's School near Middletown, Delaware. He studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana and participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1939. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on October 04, 1940. During World War II he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He was the first military officer to be featured on the Wheaties "Breakfast of Champions" cereal box. He was released from active duty to join North American as a test pilot. Major Welch is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
An RB-47E #52-07790 crashed one mile southwest of Edgerton, Kansas, killing three of the crew of four. The captain, Norman Palmer, ejected and survived. He said that the plane went out of control at 10,000 feet, but he didn't know why. The burning craft went into a vertical dive at 1,000-2,000 feet and plunged straight into the ground. The impact caused a 40-foot-deep hole.
Fatalities:
Bouton, Capt. Arthur Franklin Jr. (observer) - Captain Bouton was born on January 03, 1923, in Denver, Colorado, the son of Arthur Franklin Bouton Sr. (1900-1991) and Frances Leaming Bouton (1900-1959). He was married and had children Clifton (age 6) and Joel (age 1). His sister was Ellen Louise Bouton Moudy (1926-2015). Captain Bouton is buried in a joint grave with Capt. Hassel O'Keefe Green in Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee.
Green, Capt. Hassel O'Keefe (instructor-pilot) - Captain Green was born on May 17, 1922, in Prentiss County, Mississippi, a son of Ephriazas Dalton Green (1883-1975) and Martha E. McCoy Green (1883-1959). He married Jonnie Bargsley on June 24, 1944, in Bexar, Texas, and they had a daughter Rosemarie Diane, age nine. His siblings were Herbert Leon (1906-1978), Edith Oelina (1909-1972), Rupert Glynn (1914-1945), Alice Ananell Cox (1926-1994), Thelma Yvellette Helton (1917-1995), and Ernestine Speck (1911-1991) and Ernestine Bickerstaff (1909-1972). He was a 1938 graduate of New Site High School, New Site, Mississippi. Captain Green is buried in a joint grave with Capt. Arthur Franklin Bouton Jr., in Memphis National Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee.
Miller, Capt. George Henry Sr. (co-pilot) - Captain Miller was born on February 19, 1921. In 1944 he married Martha A. Muller (later Frank) (1924-2015) and they had children Anne Louise (later Iten) (nine years old), Pauline (later Downs) (six years old), George Henry Miller Jr. (age eight) (1946-1965) and Robert (age two). Captain Miller is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, El Centro, California.
Lockheed R7V-1 Super Constellation #128441, Bermuda Triangle
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 sister was Mildred Kulis DeShaw (1921-2013).
Lt. Col. John Brooke England was killed in a crash near Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France when he banked away from a barracks area while landing his North American F-86F Sabre in a dense fog. His engine flamed out. He was on a rotational tour from Alexandria AFB, Louisiana, with the 389th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, which he commanded. He was a leading and much-decorated North American P-51 Mustang ace during World War II. Colonel England flew 108 missions and scored 19 aerial victories-including four on one mission. England also served as a combat pilot in the Korean War. Alexandria Air Force Base was renamed England Air Force Base in his honor on 23 June 1955. Colonel England was born on January 15, 1923, in Caruthersville, Missouri, a son of Bidker Huett "Hugh" England (1877-1965) and Nina Pearl Jordan England (1893-1963). He married Marilyn Ruth England Boswell Hoff (1921-2002), and they had children Jeffrey Bruce England, Barry H. England, and Carol England Simpson. His brother was George England. Colonel England is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Three pilots ejected from three different F-86D Sabres when they collided in mid-air over Silver Mountain One pilot fell to his death from 9,000 feet.
Fatality:
Moser, Lt. John Kingsbury - Lieutenant Moser was born on April 23, 1931, in Cook County, Illinois, the son of Lyclia Moser of Chicago. He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
Survivors:
Fechner, Lt. Carl (Alta Vista, Kansas)
Ridall, Lt. Archie (Shippensburg, Pennsylvania)
At 1715 hrs., this date, a B-25 #44-28836, unable to extend its undercarriage, belly landed at Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, California, and caught fire. Pilot Capt. Kraus W. Gregor, USAF Reserve, of 6450 Greenust Avenue, Van Nuys, California, sustained minor burns and cuts, but co-pilot Capt. Marion R. Taccone Jr., USAF Reserve, of 7760 Loma Verde Street, Canoga Park, California, crawled to the nose and evacuated the aircraft from a hatch before the plane stopped moving. He was struck and thrown across the pavement, sustaining fatal head and chest injuries. He died just over an hour later, at 1825 hrs. Base firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. The bomber, one of two which departed Norton at 1522 hrs. on a routine flight, was unable to drop the landing gear despite circling for an hour and trying to shake it down while burning off fuel. As the sun set, the B-25 approached from the west and touched down. Gregor received burns when the port engine caught fire, although emergency crews awaiting the arrival surrounded the plane "within seconds" and extinguished the blaze with foam, and rushed the injured to the hospital. Taccone's body was turned over to the Mark B. Shaw Company for transportation to Canoga Park for services and interment.
Fatality:
Taccone, Capt. Marion R. Jr. - Captain Taccone was born on April 23, 1931, in Cook County, Illinois, the son of Marion R. Taccone Sr. (1899-1982). He was survived by his widow, Grace E., and a son, Marion R., III. Captain Taccone is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California.
Maj. William Walter Coleman's F-86D Sabre #52-3639 collided with F-86D Sabre #52-3639 in Niagara County, New York, during air maneuvers and crashed 14 miles northeast of Niagara Falls. Major Coleman died, but the pilot of the second Sabre, Lt. Col. Rufus Woody Jr., parachuted to safety before the collision. Major Coleman was born July 04, 1918. He married Virginia Beecher. A World War II veteran, Major Coleman is buried in Fort Jackson Hopkinton Cemetery, Hopkinton, New York.
The Air Force's Thunderbirds Demonstration Squadron was on a training flight at Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona, when F-84G #51-16722 crashed, killing the pilot. Capt. George Edward Kevil was born March 27, 1928, in Ballinger, Texas. He married Georgia Cain and they were parents of George Patrick Kevil (born 1952), Michael Edward Kevil (born 1953) and Penny K. Kevil (born 1954). Greater details about the incident that claimed the life of the decorated World War II veteran can be found in the publication: "Spinning Back in Time: The USAF Thunderbirds F-84G Thunderjet Air Demonstration Team and the Mystery of Its First Fatal Accident" by David Trojan, Aviation Historian. Captain Kevil is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
An F7U-3 Cutlass was within seconds of flying over the USS Forrestall's christening when it lost power due to a wing-locking malfunction. The air frame came apart, hit the river, and ricocheted into a coal-carrying ship. The pilot was killed.
Fatality:
Hood, Ltjg. John Wylie "Jack" Jr. - Lieutenant Hood was born on November 13, 1927, in South Carolina, the only child of John Wylie Hood Sr. (1889-1948) and Eunice Nancy Carter Hood (later Cooke) (1899-1989). His stepfather was William Guy Cooke (1911-1992). Lieutenant Hood graduated from Central High School and served in the Navy during World War II. After two years at North Carolina State College, he enlisted in the USN Aviation Cadet Program in February of 1950. He is buried in Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, North Carolina.
"Haines, Alaska (AP) -- Four men, including a straight-jacketed mental patient being flown to Juneau for hospitalization apparently were killed yesterday in the crash of a Coast Guard amphibious plane during a take-off from Haines harbor. Seven men were aboard the plane when it cracked up and four of them were taken from the water within an hour while three still are missing. Injuries received in the crash took the life of AL1 Clifford E. Habecker, 34, Pittsford, New York, a coastguardsman. Still missing are Fred Harrington, the mental patient from Haines, and two other coastguardsmen AD1 Andrew P. Turnier, 39, Landsdowne, Pennsylvania, and AL3 Doyle E. Jahn, 21, Roseland, Nebraska. Although search still is continuing for these men virtually no hope is held they will be found alive. Survivors are Lt. Cmdr. Frederick J. Hancox, 34, the pilot, of Reading, Pennsylvania; Lt. William P. Butler, 25, Hyattsville, Maryland, the co-pilot and U.S. deputy marshal Darrell Miller, Juneau. Hancox's condition was listed as fair and Butler's as critical. Miller, escorting Harrington to Juneau, suffered only slight injuries. The plane was from the Annette Island Coast Guard station and was taking off when the crackup occurred. It was not determined whether the craft had left the water or struck some submerged object. The survivors were taken from the water by fishermen. The Coast Guard cutter Storis was due to arrive in Juneau this afternoon with the survivors and Habecker's body. Rescuers said the plane fell in Portage bay and remained afloat almost 30 minutes before sinking nose first in 400 feet of water. The Coast Guard tender Citrus is remaining at Haines to continue the search for the missing men. The survivors will be taken to St. Anne's hospital in Juneau." [Source: Daily Sitka Sentinel Alaska 1954-12-15]
Fatalities:
Habecker, Clifford Earl - Clifford was born February 10, 1920, a son of William Habecker (1884-1933) and Mabel Armstrong Habecker (1886-1964). He was the husband of Ruth Carlson, and the brother of Mrs. Henry (Wiona) Gaebel, LaVerne Wallace Habecker (1913-2008), Howard William Habecker (1918-2004) and Sherman Leland Habecker (1921-1980). Clifford is buried in Mendon Cemetery, Mendon New York.
Harrington, Fred - He was a patient being flown to a hospital inJuneau.
Jahn, Doyle Eugene - Doyle was born in April of 1933, a son of Christopher Benjamin Jahn (1902-1982) and Opal M. Rhine Jahn (1912-2008). His siblings include Donald L. Jahn (1937-2005), Constance "Connie" Margaret Jahn Sirokman (1940-2021), Barbara Lou Jahn Kudrna (1945-2020) and Eleanor Jahn DeMaio. Doyle is memoralized at Blue Hill Catholic Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska.
Turnier, Andrew Paul - Andrew was born on June 14, 1915, a son of Samuel Badger Turnier (1867-1942) and Jane Marion Mitchell Turnier (1884-1957). In 1942 he married Dorothy Margaret Turnier (1918-2007). His siblings were Walter Daniel Sr. (1911-1997) Lydie Elizabeth Roletter (1913-1999), Frank Samuel Sr. (1917-1999), Frances Margaret Roberts (1922-2005), Jane Magill (1923-1982) and John Wesley Sr. (1926-1993).
Survivors:
Butler, Lt William P. (co-pilot) - Age 25. Hyattsville, Maryland.
Hancox, LCDR Frederick J. (pilot) - Age 34. Reading, Pennsylvania.
Miller, Darrell - He was the US Deputy Marshall who was escorting Fred Harrington on the flight. Miller was from Juneau.
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.