Lebanon, Connecticut – September 3, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On September 3, 1944, Ensign Timothy Edward Sullivan of the 46th Fighter Squadron was piloting an F6F Hellcat over Lebanon on a gunnery practice mission when he crashed in Red Cedar Lake and was killed. The accident occurred about 100 yards from Camp Moween, a summer resort for campers.
State troopers from the Colchester barracks had to wade through thick brush to reach the crash scene. Recovery efforts were hampered by a silty bottom strewn with tree trunks and partly submerged logs. Ensign Sullivan’s body was recovered hours later in about 12 feet of water by a diver from the Groton submarine base.
Ensign Sullivan was from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and was 20-years-old at the time of his death.
Sources:
The Norwich Bulletin, “Navy Pilot Dies In Plane Crash Into Lebanon Lake” , September 5, 1944
Rhode Island Department of Health Records. (N.K. GOV 82)
History of Fighting Squadron 46, Men-O-War. (Has squadron photos and a picture of Ensign Sullivan.) digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/132/
