Grenier Field, NH – May 19, 1943

Grenier Field, New Hampshire – May 19, 1943

    

P-47D Thunderbolt - U.S. Air Force Photo

P-47D Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo

     On May 19, 1943, two U.S. Army P-47D airplanes attempted to land at the same time at Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, and collided near the intersection of Runways 35 and 24.  Both planes became locked together and caught fire.  

     One of the pilots, Lieutenant Gilbert L. Jamison, was able to climb free of the wreck, but the other pilot, Lieutenant Russell C. Wilson was trapped inside his aircraft and burned to death before he could be rescued.

     The serial numbers of the aircraft involved were; Jamison (42-22344) and Wilson (42-8024)

     Lieutenant Jamison later became an ace with seven aerial victories.

     Lieutenant Wilson is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.  For a photo of his grave go to Findagrave.com Memorial # 16415555.   

     Sources:

     Larry Webster, Aviation Archeologist & Historian, Charlestown, R.I.

     The Outer Circle – 359th Fighter group Association, WWII, January, 2005, Vol. 16, No. 1, Pg. 5.  

     Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States by Anthony J. Mireles, McFarland & Co., 2006    

     Findagrave.com

     WWII Victories of the Army Air Force, by Arthur Wyllie, Lulu.com, 2005

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