Block Island Sound – April 1, 1944
Updated December 13, 2024
Hellcat Fighters
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of April 1, 1944, navy Lieutenant Edward Roy Sladek, 22, took off from the Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Field in a single seat Hellcat fighter for a night training flight. He was last heard from around 9:30 p.m. and gave his location as being south-east of Montauk Point, Long Island, and would be returning to base. When he failed to return he was declared missing and a two day search followed but nothing was found. It was believed he went down in the water somewhere in Block Island Sound.
His body was recovered by a Coast Guard vessel on June 24, 1944 at Shagwong Point, in the town of Montauk.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139707969/edward-roy-sladek
Sources:
The East Hampton Star, “Navy Flyer Found”, June 29, 1944, Pg.4
Rhode Island Department Of Health death certificate
Providence Journal, “Chicago Flier Reported Lost”, April, 1944, exact date unknown.
