Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 14, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 14, 1944, Ensign James Patrick Gannon, 22, of Jersey City, N.J., was flying an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42389) practicing dive bombing at Worden’s Pond in Charlestown, R.I., when according to a witness, “something white” fell away from his plane. The Hellcat then went into a roll and dove into the ground. Gannon was killed instantly.
The cause of the crash was never determined.
Ensign Gannon is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey. To see a photo of him click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146286193/james-patrick-gannon
Sources:
Hudson Dispatch, “Two Jersey City Fliers Killed In Plane Crashes”, May 16, 1944
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
This water-filled crater in the woods of Charlestown, R.I., is where a navy Hellcat fighter crashed on May 14, 1944.
