Atlantic Ocean – April 7, 1945
On April 7, 1945, Ensign Robert M. Kirk, (23), was killed when the Hellcat airplane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha’s Vineyard during a night-rocket training flight. Witnesses said his aircraft failed to pull out of a steep dive while making a mock run at a floating target and crashed into the sea. No further details are available as of this writing.
Ensign Kirk had attended the University of Michigan and enlisted in the navy in November of 1942. He received his officer’s commission in July of 1944. To see a photo of Ensign Kirk, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50656999/robert-morris-kirk
Sources:
Unknown newspaper, “Ensign R. M. Kirk Killed In Crash Of His Navy Plane”, unknown date – posted on www.findagrave.com
Detroit Evening Times, “Memorial For Pilot”, April 16, 1945, pg. 8-C.