KC-97 tanker | New England Aviation History

Newry, ME – June 27, 1960

April 10, 2015

Newry, ME – June 27, 1960

On June 27, 1960, a U.S. Air Force KC-97 Tanker was refueling a B-47 bomber when an explosion occurred. The tanker crashed on Jonathan Smith Mountain and all aboard were killed.

The dead were identified as:

(Pilot) 1st Lt. William F. Burgess, 26, of Indian Lake, N.Y.

(C0-pilot) 1st Lt. Lewis F. Turner, 25, of Spokane, Washington.

(Navigator) 2nd Lt. Raymond S. Kisonas, 26, of Waterbury, Connecticut.

(Flight Engineer) Master Sgt. Harold E. Young, 40, of Selma, Alabama.

(Boom Operator) T/Sgt. Robert P. Costello, 30, of Greenfield, Ill.

Some parachutes were reportedly seen.

The plane was based at the Plattsburgh AFB in New York, and was assigned to the 380th Bombardment Squadron.

Sources:

New York Times, “Five Die In Air Crash”, June 28, 1960

New York Times, “Crash Victims Found”, June 29, 1960

Pease AFB – Dec. 8, 1964

March 15, 2015

Near Pease Air Force Base – December 8, 1964

Newington, New Hampshire

Updated May 11, 2021

RB-47E Stratojet
U.S. Air Force Photo

On December 8, 1964, a B-47E Stratojet bomber carrying four airmen crashed and burned shortly after takeoff from Pease Air Force Base. When it reached an altitude of 1,000 feet it suddenly plunged into a wooded area about two miles from the end of the runway. All aboard were killed. The resulting fire burned two unoccupied cabins.

The dead were identified as:

(Pilot) Major Daniel J. Campion Jr., 34. To learn more about Major Campion click on link : https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195224062/daniel-james-campion

(Co-pilot) Captain Truman A. Burch, 28. To learn more click on link. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159408585/truman-a-burch

(Navigator) Major John R. North III, 30. To learn more click on link. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225582794/john-reeder-north

(Observer) Captain Bennie Ward Forrester, 27. To learn more click on link. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/159008480/bennie-ward-forrester

The plane was with the 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Wing, assigned to Pease AFB.

Sources:

The Morning Record, “Air Force Jet Carrying Four Crashes, Burns”, Dec. 8, 1964, pg. 1 (The same article also mentioned that on November 5, 1964, a KC-97 tanker plane crashed at the edge of a highway near the base killing all five crewmen aboard.)

New York Times, “B-47 With Four Aboard Crashes In New Hampshire”, December 8, 1964

Schenectady Gazette, December 9, 1964, Page 17.