Atlantic Ocean – November 6, 1944
12 miles east of Cape Cod
Updated January 18, 2025
A K-Style navy blimp like the K-34.
U. S. Navy Photo
On November 6, 1944, the U.S. Navy blimp K-34, based at the South Weymouth Air Base, was assigned to escort the USS Wakefield to Boston, remaining with the ship to look out for enemy submarines. Once the Wakefield arrived safely, the K-34 began its return trip to South Weymouth. While in route it encountered a severe storm and went down in the ocean about twelve miles off shore. A distress message was sent but not acknowledged.
The ten-man crew found themselves in the icy water holding on to the wreckage until rescued a few hours later by the destroyer USS Kline. Unfortunately only eight were rescued; one had perished, and the other missing.
The deceased crewman was Ensign Arthur Henry Voss, (20). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229185062/arthur-henry-voss
The missing crewman was Aviation Radioman 1/C Damien Francis Spalding, (28). According to www.findagrave.com, he was never recovered. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54283761/damian-francis-spalding
Some of the surviving members of the crew were identified as:
Ensign Donald Venton, 24, of Piedmont, California,
Armorer 2/C Wallace W. Gedman, 19, of Dequesne, Pennsylvania.
Electricians Mate 3/C Joeeph Beno, 22, of Harvey, Illionis.
Seaman 2/C Thomas Johnson Jr., 25, of Parma, Ohio.
The names of the other four survivors are not known.
Sources;
Book: “U. S. Navy Airships 1918 – 1962”, by James R. Shock, published by Atlantis Productions, Edgewater, Fla. C. 1992 & 2001.
New York Times, “2 Lost With Navy Blimp”, November 8, 1944.
Imperial Valley Press, (Ca.), “Two Men Killed In Blimp Crash”, November 7, 1944.
Imperial Valley Press, (Ca.), “Blimp Victims Improve”, November 9, 1944.
Evening Star, (Wash. DC) “One Is Dead, One Missing, Eight Survive Blimp Crash”, November 9, 1944.
