Off Block Island – February 22, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of February 22, 1943, a flight of navy F4F Wildcat fighters was taking part in a low altitude flight tactics training exercise off Block Island. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 12045), was piloted by Lt. (Jg.), Edward Enalius Bailey of Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16), based at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. As Lt. (Jg.) Bailey was making a simulated attack on two torpedo planes he suddenly crashed into the water. Neither the pilot or his aircraft could be recovered.
Source: U. S. Navy report, #43-6049, dated February 22, 1943.
