Off Charlestown, Rhode Island – January 4, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of January 4, 1945, a flight of U.S. Navy Hellcat aircraft took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station for a night gunnery practice flight. Once sufficiently off shore, two float lights were dropped into the water, only one of which ignited.
After the aircraft had made a few runs at strafing the “target”, Ensign Bruce S. Little, piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71411), was advised by the flight leader to drop his float light. Ensign Little acknowledged and said he would drop it at the end of his run. Ensign Little was seen turning his aircraft and start his run at a diving angle. When he reached the area of the target-float-light his aircraft hit the water and disappeared.
The accident occurred at 40 degrees, 55′ N, 71 degrees, 01′ W.
Lt. (jg.) Little was assigned to VF(N)-91
To see a photo of Ensign Little click on image below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/245886212/bruce-schoue-little
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report dated January 4, 1945
