Atlantic Ocean – June 3, 1945
U.S.S. Mission Bay
Ensign John J. Zayak
Photo courtesy of
Allison M. Albert
In the early morning hours of June 3, 1945, a flight of U. S. Navy F6F Hellcats assigned to Night Attack Combat Training Unit 9, (NACTU-9), took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Airfield in Charlestown, Rhode Island, to rendezvous with the escort carrier U.S.S. Mission Bay, (CVE-59), which was operating off the coast of New England. The purpose of the flight was to conduct night training exercises and practice landings with the carrier.
One of the F6F aircraft assigned to the flight, was Bu. No. 70957, piloted by Ensign John J. Zayak. At 4:30 a.m., as Ensign Zayak was making a landing approach to the Mission Bay, he received a “wave off” signal. He then “pulled up” and began a climb to the right in order to go around and make another attempt. As the aircraft cleared the flight deck the engine suddenly lost all power, and the plane went down in the water and sank immediately.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153923299/john-j-zayak
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
Neither the aircraft or Ensign Zayak could be recovered. The cause of the engine failure could not be determined.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated June 3, 1945
