Atlantic Ocean – December 3, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of December 3, 1944, a flight of U. S. Navy F6F Hellcats took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a “practice night interception” training flight off the Rhode Island coast. At about 7: 30 p.m., the lead aircraft, (Bu. No. 70632), piloted by Ensign Maynard F. Lednum, (21), was last seen making a “steep diving turn” while descending into a cloud bank at 6,000 feet. Although not witnessed, he presumably crashed into the ocean and was lost. Neither the pilot nor the aircraft were recovered.
Ensign Lednum earned his wings at Pensacola Florida on April 11, 1944, and arrived in Rhode Island on October 7, 1944.
To see a photo of Ensign Lednum go to www.findagrave.com, see memorial #173204555. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132055512/maynard-friz-lednum
Ensign Lednum was assigned to squadron VF(N)-91.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 3, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
