Bridgeport, Connecticut – July 13, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 13, 1942, 2nd Lt. Burdette L. Wertman, (22), of David City, Nebraska, left Bradley Airfield in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, on a routine flight for the Bridgeport Municipal Airport. He was piloting a P-47B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 5919). As he was making his final approach to the runway the right wing was observed to drop, and as it did so the aircraft fell onto the runway with the right wing striking first. The aircraft then cartwheeled, tumbled, and skidded for several hundred yards before coming to rest. Lieutenant Wertman did not survive.
Lt. Wertman was assigned to the 88th Fighter Squadron. He received his pilot’s wings at Ellington Field, Texas in December of 1941.
To see a photo and detailed obituary of Lt. Wertman click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113799435/burdette-lawrence-wertman
Lt. Wertman had survived a previous aviation accident of January 18, 1942, while landing at Bridgeport. To learn more, click here: Bridgeport, Ct. – January 18, 1942
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
The Waterbury Democrat, “Bradley Field Lt. Killed”, July 14, 1942, Page 8.
www.findagrave.com
