Jamestown, Rhode Island – October 25, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 25, 1943, flight of SBD Dauntless aircraft was passing over Jamestown on a patrol training flight. As the aircraft began to peel off, one SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28822), was seen to go into a right-spin and nose dive to the ground where it crashed and burned. Both men aboard were killed instantly.
Pilot: Ensign Charles Morgan Perry, age 22. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut. To see a photo of him, go to www.findagrave.com, memorial #14739026.
Gunner: Keith Eugene Phend, age 21. He’s buried in Greenhill Cemetery in Columbia City, Indiana.
Both men were assigned to VC-31.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Report, #44-9297
www.findagrave.com
