from author and historian Jim Ignasher
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 23, 1943 an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25970), crash landed on runway 34 causing damage to the propeller and underside. The pilot was not injured.
Source: Quonset Point Crash Logs at Providence College library.
Hillsgrove Army Air Field – July 6, 1943
Warwick, Rhode Island
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
At 8:05 a.m. on the morning of July 6, 1943, two army air force P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, (Ser. Nos. 41-6440, and 41-6442), were taking off together at the Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick when they collided on the runway. One of the pilots, 2nd Lt. Joseph Edward Baumgartner, (20), of Cleveland, Ohio, was killed, and the other pilot, 2nd Lt. William A. Lawrence, was seriously injured.
To see a photo of Lt. Baumgartner click on link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28327626/joseph-baumgartner
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Pilot Is Killed In R. I. Collision”, July 6, 1943.
City of Warwick, R. I., death records
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – January 16, 1945
On the night of January 16, 1945, Ensign William Joseph Monagle, Jr., took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a training flight over the Atlantic Ocean and was lost when his aircraft crashed into the sea off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The details of the crash are not known. Neither the aircraft or his remains were recovered. The type of aircraft is also unknown, but was likely an F6F Hellcat, like the type flown out of Charlestown at the time.
Ensign Monagle is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/246216063/william-joseph-monagle
Sources:
www.findagrave.com
www.wikitree.com
Atlantic Ocean – August 23, 1944
Ensign James C. Graham, (22), of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was lost on a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean on August 23, 1944. The details of the incident, and the type of aircraft he was flying, are not known.
Ensign Graham attended Western Kentucky University from 1939 to July of 1942 when he enlisted in the navy. He attended pre-flight school in Athens, Georgia, before attending primary flight training at Memphis, Tennessee. He completed his training at Pensacola, Florida. At the time of his death he was stationed at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
Ensign Graham is buried in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46486655/james-crouse-graham
Sources:
The Park City Daily News, (Ky.), “Our men In Service”, June 2, 1943
College Heights Herald, (Ky.), “James C. Graham”, November 5, 1943.
College Heights Herald, “In Memoriam “, December 7, 1945.
www.findagrave.com
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
SBD Dauntless
U. S. Navy Photo
At 11:49 p.m. on the night of September 23, 1943, an SBD Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28342), was taking off from runway 1 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when it lost power just as it was becoming airborne at the end of the runway. It subsequently crashed into Narragansett Bay about 25 feet off the runway. The pilot and radioman were rescued with minor injuries.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 30, 1943
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On August 30, 1943, a F6F-3 Hellcat fighter plane, (Bu. No. 26171), was making a landing on runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the right side landing gear collapsed forcing the aircraft off the runway damaging the right wing and propeller. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 27, 1943
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
At 1:00 p.m. on the afternoon of August 27, 1943, a TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 23945), made an emergency landing with only one wheel down at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Upon doing so, the aircraft ground looped off the runway breaking a wing and the propeller. There were no injuries to the pilot or crew aboard.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 18, 1943, (#2)
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
At 10:50 a.m. on the morning of August 18, 1943, a British Royal Navy F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. JT-143), was landing on runway 34 when the plane ground looped off the tarmac and flipped onto its back. The pilot was not injured.
This was the second such crash in the same day. At 9:50 a.m. an F6f Hellcat had ground looped off runway 28.
Quonset Point NAS – Aug. 18, 1943, (#1)
Source: Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 18, 1943
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
At 9:50 a.m. on the morning of August 18, 1943, a navy F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25763), was landing on runway 28 when it ground looped and flipped onto its back. No serious injuries to the pilot.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Logs at the Providence College Library archives.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – July 12, 1943
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On July 12, 1943, a young Royal Navy lieutenant was piloting a British F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. JT-137), on a routing training flight over Narragansett Bay when he was forced to make an emergency landing in the water off Point Judith. The plane sank, but the pilot was rescued by a passing fishing boat.
Source: Quonset point Crash Log at the Providence College library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 10, 1943
British Royal Navy Martlet IV Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 10, 1943, a British Royal Navy Martlet IV, a.k.a. F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. JV-366), lost power and crashed on takeoff from runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The airplane went into an unused gun mount and shed, tearing away the landing gear, before coming to rest against a wall. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 2, 1943
SBD Dauntless
U. S. Navy Photo
At 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of August 2, 1943, a flight of SBD Dauntless aircraft were making a formation takeoff on runway 23 when two of the aircraft collided and locked wings. The propeller of each plane chewed up the wing of the other causing extensive damage to each, but neither pilot was injured.
The aircraft involved were Bu. No. 28563, and 28593.
Both aircraft were assigned to VC-43.
Source: Quonset Point Crash Logs at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 31, 1943
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 31, 1943, an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12148), ground looped off of runway 19 causing damage to the landing gear and crumpling the port wing. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 30, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
At 10:40 p.m. on the night of July 30, 1943, a TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 06097), with a pilot and two crewmen aboard, made an emergency wheels up crash-landing on runway 5. There were no injuries.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at the Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 29, 1943
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At 5:20 p.m. on the evening of July 29, 1943, crash/rescue trucks at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station were sent to stand-by on runway 19 for an incoming F4F-3 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 5164), the pilot of which had declared an emergency. The aircraft crash landed and ground looped off the runway causing damage to the aircraft but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log at Providence College Library archives.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 25, 1943
SNC Falcon
Naval History and Heritage Command Photo
On July 25, 1943, a Curtiss-Wright SNC-1 Falcon training aircraft, (Bu. No. 05201), crash landed on runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station causing damage to the wings. The pilot and instructor were not injured.
Later that same day, another SNC-1, (Bu. No. 05207), crash landed on runway 34 causing damage tot he wings and tail. There were no injuries.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, Providence College Library archives.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – July 24, 1943
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On July 24, 1943, Sub Lieutenant Kenneth Lester Boddington of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves was piloting an F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. JT-129), on a training flight. As he was approaching runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to make a landing, his aircraft was seen to suddenly go into a spin and crash into the water about 3/4 of a mile from the end of the runway. The cause of the accident is not known. His body was recovered and he was buried in Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037591/kenneth-lester-boddington
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, at Providence College Library
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
At 4:48 p.m. on July 24, 1943, a Royal Air Force F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. JT-166), crash landed and came to rest on its nose on runway 34 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The pilot was not injured,
Source: Quonset Point Crash Log, at Providence College Library.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – July 21, 1943
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On July 21, 1943, Sub Lieutenant Derek Charles Newton Lovely, (20), of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves, was piloting an F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. JT-138), over the Tiverton area when his aircraft developed an unspecified problem forcing him to bail out. The plane crashed into the water off Tiverton in the area of the “old Stone Bridge”. Sub Lieutenant Lovely bailed out successfully, but his parachute failed to open and he was killed.
Hi was buried in Island Cemetery in Newport, R. I. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037587/derek-charles_newton-lovely
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, Providence College Library
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
On September 1, 1943, a British TBM Avenger, (Bu. No. JZ-316), landed at the end of runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and collided with an American SB2A Buccaneer, (Bu. No. 29237), that was taxiing. Both aircraft received “considerable” damage the their right wings, but there were no injuries to crews.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Logs at Providence College Library
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
At 11:12 a.m. on August 31, 1943, a navy TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 23886), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air station when it ground looped off runway 10 and crashed into a building used for pistol practice. The aircraft and building were damaged, but there were no injuries.
Source:
Quonset point Crash Log, 1943, at Providence College Library
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – July 6, 1943
British Royal Navy Martlet IV Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 6, 1943, a British R.A.F., Martlet IV, a.k.a. F4F Wildcat fighter plane, (Bu. No. RN-738), was taking off at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when it suddenly ground looped and went of the runway into some dirt and nosed over. The aircraft was damaged but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, 1943, at Providence College.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 2, 1944
Just after 9 p.m. on the night of December 2, 1944, a TBF Avenger (Bu. No. 46250), collided with an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42266), at the intersection of Runways 5 and 1. There was extensive damage to both aircraft, and serious injuries to the pilots and crew.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, November 4, 1944 to June 24, 1945 – Providence College Library.
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – November 27, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
At 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of November 27, 1944, a navy F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 44296), made an emergency landing in a “fishing cover” near the airfield. The reason for the landing was not specified. The plane came to rest in three feet of water, and the pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, November 4, 1944, to June 24, 1945, Providence College Library.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 6, 1943
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
At 8:50 a.m. on the morning of December 6, 1943, a TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 24400), was taxiing when it collided with a parked F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 66139), chewing up the tail of the Hellcat and causing damage to the propeller of the Avenger. Fortunately there were no injuries, and no fire. Both aircraft were assigned to VF-14.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log, November 25, 1943, to 1944 – Providence College Library.
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 4, 1945
Corsair Aircraft
U. S. Navy Photo
On June 4, 1945, a F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. 81639) was making a landing at the Quonset Point NAS when a wheel strut broke causing the plane to ground loop, damaging the propeller and breaking the left wing. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
Quonset Point Crash Log – Providence College Library
Westerly, Rhode Island – August 27, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On August 27, 1944, a group of U. S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighter planes were taking part in a gunnery practice exercise over the Misquamicut area of Westerly. Shortly before noon, one of the planes, (Bu. No. 42995), developed engine trouble and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in the surf at Misquamicut Beach. After “pancaking” the aircraft in the water, the pilot extricated himself and waded to shore, uninjured. The plane was not badly damaged, and was recovered, repaired, and put back into service.
The plane came down about 1 mile east of the Weekapaug Bridge.
The pilot was assigned to VF9(n)-75 stationed at Westerly Filed.
Source:
Providence Journal, “Navy Plane Lands In Surf Off Beach”, August 28, 1944.
Exeter, Rhode Island – June 20, 1944
Hellcat Fighters
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 20, 1944, a flight of three Grumman F6F Hellcat aircraft took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a routine training flight. As the aircraft were passing over the town of Exeter, one of them, (Bu. No. 58727), crashed into a wooded area about 100 yards from Nooseneck Hill Road across from the Dial restaurant. The pilot, Ensign Edward T. Sherman, (20), was killed.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35201505/edward-tallman-sherman
Source:
Providence Journal, “Navy Pilot Killed”, June 21, 1944.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station
Not much is known of this accident as only a small amount of information appeared in the press.
On April 21, 1944, a navy aircraft was attempting to take off at the Quonset Point Naval Air station when the plane suddenly veered off course and struck a tow car at the side of the runway killing the lone occupant, Aviation Ordinance Mate Third Class, H. A. Anderson, (18), of Jamestown, New York. The pilot was not seriously injured.
Research has been unable to discover what the initials “H. A.” stand for.
Source:
Providence Journal, “Man Killed At Quonset – Plane Taking Off Swerves And Strikes Tow Car”, April 23, 1944.
Cranston, Rhode Island – April 11, 1944
Updated December 27, 2024
On the evening of April 11, 1944, the officials of Cranston and navy authorities were faced with a mystery. According local residents, an unknown navy airplane was observed to pass very low over the Edgewood section of Cranston. It was reportedly low enough to rattle dishes in cubbards and was said to have nearly hit the the Rhodes School on Shaw Avenue. Afterwards, pieces of the aircraft’s tail section were discovered in the yard of a home at 79 Strathmore Road. The parts consisted of a horizontal stabilizer and pieces of an elevator.
Navy officials from the Quonset Point Naval Air station arrived and confirmed the parts belonged to a naval aircraft, but said that they had no reports of any damaged or missing planes. They further determined that an aircraft loosing these necessary pieces could not remain airborne, but no plane crashes had been reported.
Police contacted the Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick to see if any emergency landings were made but there hadn’t been any.
The newspaper report stated that the investigation would continue, but research has not been able to determine if the mystery was conclusively solved. One possible explanation comes from information obtained from the now defunct Quonset Air Museum. Records show there was a navy plane that crashed in Narragansett Bay on April 11, 1944, fives miles off Runway 23 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The aircraft belonged to VC-12 squadron, and was a TBM-1C Avenger, serial number 25472. No details of that crash, are known at this time, or even if the aircraft that crashed in the bay is the one seen over Edgewood.
Update: a news item that appeared in the Providence Journal a few days after this incident revealed that the airplane parts that fell in Cranston belonged to a navy Hellcat fighter that, despite severe damage to the aircraft, was able to return to the Quonset Point Naval Air station safely. The details as to how it sustained the damage, and how the parts came to fall in Cranston, were not given.
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
Source:
Providence Journal, “Navy Plane Parts Fall In Edgewood”, April 12, 1944.
Providence Journal, “Airplane Mystery Solved”, unknown date.
Atlantic Ocean – August 18, 1943
Martin Mariner
U. S. Navy photo
On August 18, 1943, a U. S. Navy Martin Mariner with twelve men aboard took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island for an anti-submarine training flight. While participating in the exercise the plane crashed into the ocean a few miles off Montauk Point, Long Island, and all aboard perished.
The crew was identified as:
Lt. (Jg) Joseph Prentice Willetts of Roslyn, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82018316/joseph-prentice-willetts
Lt (Jg.) William S. Anderson of Bay City, Texas.
Lt. (Jg.) John H. Wenzel of Houston, Texas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81331987/john-henry-wenzel
Aviation Machinist Mate 3/C John Burnett Bub of Cleveland, Ohio. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/258818458/john-burnett-bub
Aviation Radioman 3/C Irving L. Marshall Jr. of Baltimore, Maryland.
Aviation Radioman Thomas Joseph Davies of Philadelphia, Penn.
Seaman 2/C Bruce F. Shankle of Thomasville, North Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101223567/bruce-franklin-shankle
Aviation Machinist Mate 1/C William G. O’Brien of Norfolk, Virginia.
Aviation Radioman 1/C Frank E. Verran of Elizabethtown, Tenn. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/233337960/frank-e-verran
Seaman 2/C Dale H. Pixter of Mt. Pleasant Iowa.
Aviation Ordinance Mate Arthur Eager of Whittier, California.
Aviation Machinist Mate 3/C Richard J. Willauer of Brooklyn, New York.
Sources:
Providence Journal, “Navy Identifies 12 Plane Victims”, August 20, 1943.
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – July 16, 1943
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of July 16, 1943, a U. S. Navy TBM Avenger with three men aboard took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island for a training flight over the Atlantic Ocean. At about 2:30 p.m., the aircraft crashed into the sea about sixteen miles southeast of Montauk Point, Long Island, and sank immediately, taking the crew with it. The cause of the accident was not specified in the press.
The crew were identified as:
Pilot: Lieutenant Robert Yarnell Bair of Evanston, Illinois. He received his pilots wings at Pensacola Florida on October 21, 1939. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63157283/robert-yarnell-bair
Radio Operator: AR3C Thomas Francis McConnan of Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted on December 14, 1941.
Bombardier: AO1C Wade A. Harris of Albermarle, North Carolina. He enlisted on September 23, 1942. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34258324/wade-a-harris
Sources:
Newport Daily News, “Navy Plane Crashes Off Montauk Point”, July 20, 1943.
Providence Journal, “3 Quonset Airmen Killed In Crackup”, July 21, 1943.
www.findagrave.com
Randolph, Vermont – June 27, 1943
B-17 “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 27, 1943, a B-17 Flying Fortress, (Ser. No. 42-30417), with ten crewmen aboard, was flying from Nebraska to Maine. From Maine it would fly overseas. While the aircraft was passing over Vermont, it developed severe engine trouble and could not stay airborne. The pilot ordered the crew to bail out, but two of the crew members, the co-pilot and tail gunner, elected to remain aboard and try to assist the pilot in making an emergency landing. The pilot brought the plane in towards Fish Hill where it struck a large tree and began strewing pieces, before crashing on the farm of Owen Seymour, killing all three men aboard. Those who bailed out landed safely.
The dead were identified as:
Pilot: Lieutenant Leonard L. Bolon, 21, of Iowa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137831291/leonard-l-bolon
Co-Pilot: Lieutenant Harry A. Turner
Tail Gunner: Staff Sergeant Donald E. Burgan
In 1991 a memorial plaque was erected near the crash site by local citizens to honor the crew, and every year a service is held at the site on Memorial Day.
Artifacts from the crash site have been recovered and turned over to the Randolph Historical Society.
Sources:
The Sun, “Vermont Man Solves Mystery of 1943 B-17 Crash”, June 23, 2011. https://suncommunitynews.com/news/26892/vermont-man-solves-mystery-of-1943-b-17-crash/
Vermonter.com, The Herald, “From The Archives: B-17 Plane Crashes In Randolph”, July 12, 2018.
Aviation Safety Network
Putnam, Connecticut – August 26, 1943
In the early morning hours of August 26, 1943, a 23-year-old Civil Air Patrol lieutenant was piloting a two-seat Taylorcraft airplane when he was forced to land at the Israel Putnam Airport because his main fuel tank was low, and the pump to feed fuel from the reserve tank to the main tank had stopped working. After siphoning gas from the reserve tank to the main tank, he prepared to take off again bound for Hartford.
It was still dark when he attempted to take off, with nothing but boundary lights to guide him. As he reached an altitude of 200 feet the motor suddenly sputtered and stopped. He crash landed with the left wing striking and nose slamming into the ground.
The aircraft suffered severe damage but the pilot only received a broken finger and lacerations. He was transported to Day Kimball Hospital.
The lieutenant was attached to Battery C, Anti-Aircraft Coast Artillery.
Source:
Windham County Observer, “Civilian Air Patrol Plane Crashes Here”, September 1, 1943.
Atlantic Ocean – December 5, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On December 5, 1944, Ensign John S. Ketchum perished on a flight while piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41603) thirty-eight miles south of the Rhode Island shore. No further details are known as of this writing.
Source:
Information supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian, Charlestown, R. I.
Atlantic Ocean – January 20, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On the night of January 20, 1945, Ensign Robert Edward Swenson, (21), took off from the Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Field in an F6F-5e Hellcat, (Bu. No. 72587), for a training flight over the Atlantic Ocean about three miles southeast of Block Island. He was part of a two aircraft flight practicing low altitude interception with a target aircraft. It was during this exercise that Ens. Swenson’s aircraft crashed and exploded in the water. Neither he nor his airplane were recovered.
Ensign Swenson was assigned to Night Fighting Squadron 91.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/245988209/robert-edward-swenson
Sources
Information supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian.
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – September 4, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 4, 1944, Ensign Charles R. Davis was lost on a night training mission over the Atlantic Ocean while piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70671). He was assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 106, aka, VF(n) – 106. According to one of the other pilots on the flight who witnessed the event, Davis went into an inverted spin while at 5,000 feet, but was never able to pull out of it and hit the water.
Ensign Davis had been married only three weeks earlier on August 16.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262875323/charles-r-davis
Sources:
Information supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian, Charlestown, R. I.
Providence Journal, “Missing Navy Pilot Wed Only Three Weeks”, September 5, 1944.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 12, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On the night of August 12, 1944, Ensign Robert Sherman Kirk, Jr., (23), of Baltimore, Maryland, was piloting an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41803), off the shore of southern Rhode Island on a training flight when he crashed into the water. The cause is unknown. His body was recovered four hours later.
Ensign Kirk was assigned to VF(N) – 105. (Night Fighter Squadron 105)
Sources:
Evening Star, (Wash. D.C.), “Baltimore Flyer Killed”, August 12, 1944, pg. A-2.
Aircraft information supplied by Larry Webster, aviation historian.
Atlantic Ocean – April 7, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On April 7, 1945, Ensign Robert M. Kirk, (23), was killed when the Hellcat airplane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha’s Vineyard during a night-rocket training flight. Witnesses said his aircraft failed to pull out of a steep dive while making a mock run at a floating target and crashed into the sea. No further details are available as of this writing.
Ensign Kirk had attended the University of Michigan and enlisted in the navy in November of 1942. He received his officer’s commission in July of 1944. To see a photo of Ensign Kirk, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50656999/robert-morris-kirk
Sources:
Unknown newspaper, “Ensign R. M. Kirk Killed In Crash Of His Navy Plane”, unknown date – posted on www.findagrave.com
Detroit Evening Times, “Memorial For Pilot”, April 16, 1945, pg. 8-C.
Waldoboro, Maine – March 24, 1944
British Corsairs – WWII
U.S. Navy Photo
On March 24, 1944, two British pilots took off from the Brunswick Naval Air Station for a training flight. Both pilots were flying American made Corsairs with British markings. While conducting aerial maneuvers over the town of Waldoboro they collided in mid-air and both crashed in the northern portion of the town. Neither pilot survived.
One of the pilots was Sub-Lieutenant Garrod Hale Barton, flying aircraft #JT-214. His plane came down in a wooded area on the farm of Ernest Castner and exploded on impact. To learn more about Sub -Lt. Barton, click on link below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70670027/garrod-hale-barton
The other pilot was Sub-Lieutenant Donald N. Crysler flying aircraft #JT-186. His plane came down near the home of Preston Lewis. To see a photograph of Sub-Lt. Crysler, click on the link below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139929681/donald-norman-crysler
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Investigate Collision”, March 25, 1944, pg. 5.
Unknown Newspaper, “Plane Crash Kills Two British Pilots”, unknown date, courtesy of the Waldoboro Historic Society.
Maine Military Aircraft Crash Database, from Aviation Archeology In Maine website, http//:mewreckchasers.com
www.findagrave.com
Ludlow, Massachusetts – March 20, 1943
On March 20, 1943, an army fighter pilot took off from Westover Field in Massachusetts for a routing training flight. At some point during the flight, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing, and crash-landed in an open field on the farm of Herbert Gates. Fortunately, a recent warm spell had thawed the frozen ground thus making the landing softer. Although the plane suffered heavy damage, the pilot didn’t receive any serious injuries.
The pilot’s name and type of aircraft were not state in the newspaper article.
Source:
Transcript-Telegram, “Pilot Escapes In Ludlow Crash”, March 22, 1943, pg. 2. (Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.)
Off Cohasset, Massachusetts – May 1, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On May 1, 1944, a flight of navy torpedo bombers from the Squantum Naval Air Station were on a training flight over the water off the coast of Cohasset, Massachusetts, when two of the planes were involved in a mid-air collision. One of the aircraft was able to remain airborne and return to base, but the other was forced down in the water about 100 yards off Pleasant Beach in Cohasset. The plane remained afloat long enough for the three occupants to escape in a life raft.
The crewmen were identified as Sub Lt. Peter F. Morris of Stratford-on Avon; Sub. Lt. James Rathbone of Waterford; and Air Gunner Patrick Sedgewick, of London. All three were members of the Royal Navy Air Force.
None of the men suffered serious injuries. They were rescued by Raymond C. Hunt, a yachtsmen who’d seen the plane go down, and immediately set a course for it.
Although not specifically stated in the news article, the aircraft is believed to have been a Grumman Avenger.
Source:
The Boston Globe, “3 British Flyers Saved Off Cohasset After Planes Collide”, May 2, 1944. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.
Mt. Greylock, Williamstown, Massachusetts – May 8, 1943
On May 8, 1943, two Royal Navy Air Force Pilots took off in a single engine aircraft from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight over Massachusetts. For a reason that was never ascertained, while passing over the town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, the aircraft crashed into Mt. Greylock and exploded. Both men were killed in the crash.
Sub-Lieutenant Edward William Sewers Berry, age 23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037573/edward-william_sewers-berry
Leading Aircraft Fitter Richard Peter Sanford, age 20. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037568/richard-peter_archibald-sandford
Both men were born in England, and are buried in Newport Island Cemetery in Newport, R. I.
A crew from Westover Field in Chicopee, Mass. arrived and began a week-long cleanup of and removal of the wreckage.
The type of aircraft is unknown.
Sources:
The Berkshire County Eagle, “Two Died In Navy Plane on Greylock”, May 12, 1943, pg. 18. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.
Town of Williamstown Death Records – Williamstown Town Hall.
www.findagrave.com
Plymouth, Connecticut – November 18, 1944
C-47 Aircraft – U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 18, 1944, a U. S. Army C-47 Air Transport Command airplane was making a landing at Mount Tobe Airport in Plymouth when the plane went off the runway and was badly damaged. There were no reported injuries. The aircraft was later hauled back onto the runway by a “crash truck” sent from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks. It was reported that repairs would take about a week before the plane could take off again. No further details are known.
Source:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Air Transport Plane Damaged At Mt. Tobe”, November 21, 1944, pg. 3
Needham, Massachusetts – June 6, 1944
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
Around 4 p.m. on June 6, 1944, two U. S. Navy, Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, on loan to the British Royal Navy, were on a training flight over the Needham – Wellesley area when one of the aircraft developed engine trouble. According to witnesses, the stricken aircraft, with its engine sputtering and backfiring, circled the area apparently looking for a place to make an emergency landing. It appeared to some that it was going to land at the Wellesley Golf Course, but then abruptly veered away. As it did so the plane suddenly dove into the ground crashing and exploding in a wooded area on the Purdy Estate. The impact happened in Needham, but in direct proximity of the Wellesley town line.
Both men aboard perished in the crash. They were later identified as: Sub. Lt. Albert John Dawson, (The pilot.) and Air Mechanic First Class Stanley Clive Wells. Both are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts.
In 2005, a memorial marker honoring the sacrifice of both men was erected on a triangular plot of land at the intersection of Grove Street and Charles River Street in Needham. The memorial is not far from the actual crash site.
Sources:
Daily Boston Globe, “2 British Flyers Killed In crash At Needham”, June 7, 1944.
Wellesley Townsman, “Plane Crashes, Explodes And Burns On Purdy Estate” June 9, 1944.
Needham Times, “Memory Of Royal Air Force Crash In Needham Survives In Witness Accounts”, July 16, 2021.
Needham History Center & Museum – Needham, Mass.
Norwich, Connecticut – July 11, 1940
Corsair Aircraft
U. S. Navy Photo
On July 11, 1940, navy test pilot Boone T, Guyton, (26), was piloting an experimental Vought-Sikorsky airplane over Norwich, Connecticut, when he was forced to make an emergency crash landing on the Norwich Golf Course. The plane struck a tree near the 14th fairway. Although the aircraft was damaged, Guyton was not seriously injured.
Although not stated in the newspaper article, it is surmised that the aircraft was an XF4U-1 Corsair, which would later become known as the F4U Corsair which saw service in WWII and the Korean War.
Source: The Waterbury Democrat, “Pilot Injured In Plane Crash”, July 12, 1940.
Boone Guyton survived another crash landing on March 15, 1943. Click here for more information.
Boone Guyton was also an author. One book he wrote was titled “Air Base” which was published in 1941. Another Book, Whistling Death – The Test Pilot’s Story of the F4U Corsair”.
To learn more about Boone Guyton, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boone_Guyton
Lakeville, Massachusetts – May 29, 1942
B-25 Mitchel bomber
On the morning of May 29, 1942, a U. S. Army B-25 bomber, (Ser. No. 40-2284), loaded with depth charges, took off from Westover Field in Massachusetts for an anti-submarine patrol off the New England coast. The mission was uneventful, and as the plane was returning it reportedly developed engine trouble and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. The crew, consisting of three officers and three enlisted men, successfully bailed out, and the aircraft crashed in a unpopulated wooded area of Lakeville. The area where it crashed was bordered by Hill Street, Montgomery Street, Pickens Street, and Precinct Street. The exploding depth charges were heard for miles, and ignited several forest fires. Fortunately there were no injuries to civilians or personal property on the ground.
Two men said to have witnessed the event told a reporter they were driving on the Taunton-New Bedford Highway when they saw the bomber begin trailing smoke before suddenly bursting into flames.
Two other witnesses, a man and his wife, also told of seeing “a flash of fire” in the sky followed by explosions.
Army authorities later released a statement that the cause of the crash was due to engine trouble.
The pilot of the aircraft was 1st Lt. Oscar Leland Wertz, of Kansas. Lt. Wertz returned to duty and was later promoted to Captain and assigned to the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He was killed on July 23, 1943, when the B-25 he was piloting crashed while attacking a Japanese barge in Hanish Harbor, New Guinea.
For more info, click here: http://peacememorial101.org/those_who_served/101/Wertz_Oscar.html
Sources:
Army Air Corps Technical report Of Aircraft Accident Classification Committee #42-5-29-1
The Standard Times, (New Bedford, Ma.), “Bomber Crashes, Burns In Lakeville”, May 30, 1942, pg. 1
The Standard Times, (New Bedford, Ma.), “Engine Blamed In Plane Crash”, May 31, 1942
Manchester, New Hampshire – May 16, 1945
Grenier U. S. Army Air Field
B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of May 16, 1945, a Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” (Ser. No. 42-5463) with a partial crew aboard was on the runway at Grenier Army Air Field in Manchester. The engines were in operation at the time, warming up, and the wheels were “chocked”. An army station wagon containing four officers of the bomber’s crew and a civilian driver drove out to the B-17. When it did so the the B-17 reportedly jumped its wheel-chocks and lurched forward into the station wagon, killing one man and injuring the rest.
2nd Lieutenant Bernard W. Schutter, Jr., (20) of Ames, New York, was killed in the accident. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42281985/bernard-william-schutter
2nd Lieutenant James H. Wagner, (22) of Los Gatos, California, was seriously injured.
2nd Lieutenant George Hermestroff (22) of Chicago, and 2nd Lieutenant Donald C. Maler, (21) of Fairfax, California, and the driver of the station wagon all received non-life-threatening injuries.
Sources:
The Manchester Union, “Army Board Presses Probe Of Bomber Mishap At Base”, May 18, 1945.
The Wilmington Morning Star, (North Carolina) “Car Collides With B-17”, May 30, 1945, pg. 2
www.findagrave.com
B-17 serial number supplied by Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R. I.
Atlantic Ocean – October 20, 1944
Little information was released about this accident.
At around midnight on October 20, 1944, a flight of navy planes were in formation off Cape Cod when one plane was seen to fall out of formation and crash into the sea about ten miles east of Provincetown, Massachusetts. There had been a pilot officer and enlisted radio operator aboard. The bodies of both men were found floating in a rubber life raft a few hours later. Some doubted they’d died of exposure because the weather had been mild, however, the region had experienced heavy rain. An inquest was held at the Chelsea Naval Hospital, the results of which are unknown.
The type of aircraft, and the names of the two deceased men were not included in the newspaper article.
Source:
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Mystery In Plane Deaths”, October 21, 1944
Truro, Massachusetts – June 9, 1944
Very little information was released about this accident.
On June 9, 1944, a navy pilot and enlisted man were critically injured when their aircraft struck a power cable in north Truro and crashed into the water just off shore. Both were transported to Provincetown for treatment by a civilian doctor. A navy doctor from the Squantum Naval Air Station was sent for to determine if the men could be safely moved to the Chelsea Naval Hospital.
The name of the men and the type of aircraft were not released.
Source:
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.) “Navy Plane Hits Cable, Two Hurt”, June 9, 1944, page 16
Long Island Sound – March 31, 1943
On the evening of March 31, 1943, Captain William J. Hennon, (23), of Mound, Minnesota, took off from Republic Airfield in Farmingdale, Long Island, N.Y. in a North American BT-14 trainer plane bound for Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut. Captain Hennon was an experienced combat pilot having served overseas and had achieved the status of “ace” for downing numerous enemy airplanes. When he failed to arrive at Groton a search was undertaken but nothing was found. It was learned that Capt. Hennon’s proposed route would have had him passing through clouds and fog. It was speculated that the aircraft might have suffered engine failure and went down in Long Island Sound.
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Worcester, Massachusetts – October 3, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On October 3, 1943, 2nd Lt. Edward Miller of Rock Springs, Texas, was piloting a P-47B fighter aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-5982), over the Worcester area when he was forced to bail out of his aircraft. The airplane crashed in a wooded area and Lt. Miller was slightly injured upon landing. He was taken to a hospital by a passing motorist.
Lt. Miller was assigned to the 322nd Fighter Squadron at Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Source:
The Waterbury Democrat, “British Flyers Killed In N. E. “, October 4, 1943, page 9. (The article included three separate accidents, Lt. Miller’s being one of them.)
Nantucket, Massachusetts – April 6, 1944
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On April 6, 1944, a TBM-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 25488) was returning to the Nantucket Naval Air Station from an anti-submarine flight when the engine failed. The pilot made an emergency wheels down landing on rough terrain near the field which caused the plane to flip over onto its back, pinning the pilot inside. He was rescued without further incident. No injuries were reported.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-69.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report, dated April 6, 1944, #44-12983.
Atlantic Ocean – October 4, 1944
On October 4, 1944, two navy “torpedo” planes out of Quonset Point, Rhode Island, crashed in mid-air over the water reportedly “…a short distance from Nantucket, Island.” Two officers and four enlisted men were “missing”.
The Newport Mercury (Newport, R. I.), identified the men as:
Ensign Arthur D. Fulton, Jr., 22. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109798149/arthur-davis-fulton
Ensign Bailey Badgley, of San Marino, California.
ARM3/c Charles E. Ford, 17, of Island Park, Michigan. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/658943/charles-e-ford
AOM3/c Charles M. Lovell of Chicago.
ARM3/c Thomas S. Daly, of Philadelphia.
On October 9, 1944, the Detroit Evening Times reported that none of the bodies had been recovered.
It’s possible the aircraft were TBM Avengers which carried a crew of three.
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Six Navy Flyers Presumably Lost”, October 5, 1944, page 13.
Detroit Evening Times, “Detroiter Air Victim”, October 9, 1944, pg. C-3. (This article stated five fliers had been lost.)
Newport Mercury, (Newport, R. I.), “Lost Fliers Identified”, October 13, 1944, page 3.
Atlantic Ocean – June 9, 1943
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 9, 1943, navy Lieutenant Thomas F. Durkin, Jr., took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 8918), for a routine training flight. While flying about 2 miles off the coast of Block Island his plane crashed into the sea. The cause was unknown.
Lt. Durkin was assigned to VF-16.
To see photographs and an obituary for Lt. Durkin, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232870413/thomas-francis-durkin
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Thomas F. Durkin Plane Crash Victim”, June 11, 1943, pg. 8.
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – April 25, 1945
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of April 25, 1945, a navy TBM-3E Avenger, (Bu. No. 68997), with three men aboard, was taking part in a night gunnery strafing exercise six miles south of Nantucket Island when it failed to come out of a dive and crashed in the water. All aboard perished.
Pilot: Ensign Roy Bacon, Jr. – Missing.
ARM3/c Forest Edward Schultz, 18. He enlisted on his 17th birthday, January 13, 1944. He’s buried in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Cemetery, in Kittery, Maine. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71686404/forest-edward-schultz
ARM3/c Eugene A. Sands, 19, of Illinois – Missing
The men were assigned to Night Torpedo Squadron 52, VT(n)-52, at Martha’s Vineyard Auxiliary Naval Air Station.
Sources:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated April 25, 1945
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Torpedo Bomber Mishap Kills 3”, April 25, 1945, pg. 1
Atlantic Ocean – April 18, 1944
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On April 18, 1944, a flight of navy TBM-1C Avengers were taking part in a gunnery training flight a few miles south of Nantucket Island when two of the aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision and went down in the water.
The aircraft contained the following crews:
Bu. No. 45729
Pilot: Ensign Laurence D. Egan – rescued.
AMM3/c D. M. Sawyer – rescued.
ARM3/c Earlie L. Story, 20, of Groveland, Florida. Died when the plane sank. Missing.
Bu. No. 25617
Pilot: Ensign Claude J. DuVall, Jr., 20, of St. Louis Missouri. Died when the plane sank. Missing.
ARM3c Edward J. Rennert, 20, of Astoria, N. Y.. He parachuted safely, but drowned before rescued. Body recovered.
The aircraft and crews were assigned to VT-301.
Sources:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated April 18, 1944.
The Waterbury Democrat, “Nantucket Crash Claims Three Lives”, April 21, 1944, page 16.
Bristol, Vermont – October 24, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
At 12:30 p.m., on October 24, 1945, a U. S. Navy Helldiver aircraft with two men aboard, took off from Burlington, Vermont, bound for the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. The pilot was Lieutenant (Jg.) Walter G. Smith, 22, of Kansas City, Missouri, and his passenger was Lieutenant Commander Maurice M. Stone, 28, of Savannah, Georgia.
The men were in Vermont with a squadron of Quonset Point airplanes to take part in Navy Week exercises, but Lt. Cmdr. Stone had developed an infection in his left arm and Lt. Smith had volunteered to fly him back to Quonset Point for medical treatment.
When the plane failed to arrive at Quonset Point it was declared missing and a large scale search was undertaken. The search was hampered by bad weather.
Two days later the wreckage of the missing plane was spotted from the air near the summit of South Mountain in the town of Bristol, about 82 miles southeast of Burlington. When ground crews reached the scene, they reported that the plane had broken apart on impact and debris was scattered for quite a distance. The bodies of both men were found amidst the wreckage.
Lt. Cmdr. Stone had taken part in the first aircraft carrier aerial strike on Tokyo, Japan, while aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. For his actions he’d earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with three clusters. He was a native of Maine, and left behind a wife and three children. He was the executive officer of VB-81 Squadron.
Sources:
The Burlington Free Press, “2 Navy Fliers, Plane Leaving Burlington, Lost”, October 25, 1945, page 1.
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.), “Navy Flyers Unreported”, October 25, 1945, page 2.
Plattsburgh Press – Republican, (N.Y.), “Seek Two Navy Fliers And Lost Plane In Vermont”, October 26, 1945, page 3.
The Burlington Free Press, “To Depart Today For Quonset Point”, October 26, 1945, page 11.
The Burlington Free Press, “Private Planes Were Prepared To Search For Missing Fliers”, October 26, 1945, page 11.
The Burlington Free Press, “Bodies Of Two Navy Fliers Removed From Mountain, Flown To R. I.”, October 29, 1945, page 9.
East Hartford, Connecticut – August 17, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On August 17, 1942, 2nd Lt. Harry Franklin Sheraw, (21), was at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, scheduled to take a routine training flight in a P-40E fighter plane, (Ser. No. 41-36521). Just after take off, at an altitude of 200 feet, the engine failed, an the plane crashed and burned.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168579830/harry-franklin-sheraw
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Bedford, Massachusetts, – July 23, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On July 23, 1942, a flight of P-40 aircraft were returning to Bedford Field after a formation training flight. One of those aircraft, (Ser. No. 41036509), piloted by 2nd Lt. Clyde W. Kaffenberger, crashed into a wooded hillside while making his landing approach. Kaffenberger did not survive.
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Ledyard, Connecticut – May 4, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 4, 1943, a flight of three P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft took off from Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut, for a routine training flight. As the aircraft were flying in formation they went into a turn. During the turn, one P-47, (Ser. No. 41-6154), piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles H. Brown, suddenly fell out of formation and was seen to dive into the ground. The plane crashed and exploded off Old Indian Town Road in the town of Ledyard killing Lt. Brown. Investigators concluded that the propeller was not operating when the plane impacted the ground, suggesting the aircraft had suffered a complete engine failure.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256992412/charles-h-brown
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
The Day, “Ohio Flyer loses Life In Ledyard Crash”, May 5, 1943
Warwick, Rhode Island – September 15, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On September 15, 1942, a flight of three P-40 aircraft were cleared for take off at the Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, R. I. for a training flight. The second plane to take off, (Ser. No. 41-13861), was piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Donald W. Hoefler, age 20. When he had reached an altitude of about 500 feet he radioed the tower that he would be making an emergency landing and as he turned to do so his plane crashed and exploded south of the airport.
Lieutenant Hoefler is buried in White Chapel Memorial Park,, in Amherst, New York. To see a photo of Lt. Howfler, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97621040/donald-w-hoefler
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Candia, New Hampshire – May 13, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 13, 1943, three P-47 aircraft took off from Grenier Airfield in Manchester, New Hampshire, for an authorized aerobatic training flight. While over the nearby town of Candia, the three aircraft were seen going through aerial maneuvers, when one plane, (Ser. No. 42-8194), piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles R. Ralph, suddenly went into a spin from which it did not recover. When the plane crashed and exploded the pilot was killed. The cause of the accident was undetermined.
Source:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Westerly, Rhode Island – April 14, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 14, 1943, 2nd Lt. Robert W. Coleman took off from Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut, for a gunnery training flight. Shortly after take off his aircraft, a P-47B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-5998), developed engine trouble as it was passing over the town of Westerly. He was forced to make an emergency landing in an open field strewn with boulders. When the aircraft struck the boulders it erupted in flames. Lt. Coleman did not survive.
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
Windsor Locks, Connecticut – May 13, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 13, 1943, three P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks for a high altitude formation training flight. While at 27,000 feet, one of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8255), piloted by Flight Officer Claude Gregory Baker, (23), began a split-s maneuver from which he was unable to recover due to a failure in the tail section of the aircraft. His plane went out of control and crashed and burned near the airfield.
Flight Officer Baker was assigned to the 361st Fighter Squadron. He enlisted in July of 1941, and had received his pilots wings on April 26th. He’s buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19167719/claude-gregory-baker
Sources:
Book:, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
Imperial Valley Press, (Calif.), “Death Of Fighter Pilot Investigated”, May 14, 1943
Long Beach Independent, (Calif.), Obituary for F/O Baker, May 18, 1943, page 5.
www.findagrave.com
Holland, Massachusetts – September 1, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On September 1, 1943, 2nd Lt. Charles J. Collins, (26), took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, in a P-47C fighter plane, (Ser. No. 41-6147), for a high altitude gunnery practice flight. When he failed to return to Westover Field he was declared missing, and an intensive search followed, which included military aircraft and a Navy blimp from Lakehurst, New Jersey.
On September 4th it was reported that the wreckage of his plane had been found on the bank of the “Connecticut River”. The same paper placed the crash site in Fiskdale, Massachusetts, which is actually a village in the western portion of Sturbridge, bordering Long Pond and East Brimfield Lake near the Holland/Brimfield town line. Both lakes are fed by the Quinebaug River, which continues south from Brimfield to Holland. Therefore, it is believed that the aircraft wreck was discovered along the banks of the Quinebaug, and not the Connecticut.
It was also reported that a “huge S.O.S.” had been found marked on a clay bank, presumably along the river. This led investigators to believe that Lieutenant Collins had successfully bailed out of the plane, and may be lying injured in the dense woodlands. Nearly 1,500 military, fire, police, and civilian personnel took part in searching the rural forested woodlands.
The body of Lieutenant Collins was found on September 8th, about two miles from his plane, in a wooded area of eastern Brimfield. He’d suffered a severe injury to his right leg while bailing out and died from loss of blood.
There had been no witnesses to the crash, no radio distress message had been received, and due to the total destruction of the aircraft, investigators were unable to determine the cause for the accident.
Lieutenant Collins is buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Search For Crash Pilot”, September 4, 1943.
The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Body Of Pilot Missing Since September 1 Found”, September 11, 1943, page B-6.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Belchertown, Massachusetts – November 19, 1943
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 19, 1943, a B-24J, (Ser. No. 42-7662), took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a high altitude bombing mission. While at 22,000 feet the #2 engine began running erratically then quit. The pilot turned the plane back towards Westover and began to descend. At some point the other three engines began losing fuel pressure and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. Six of the ten crewmen bailed out, and all were injured in the process, but all landed safely. The pilot, the navigator, the bombardier, and the tail gunner, remained with the aircraft and were still aboard when it crashed in a wooded area of Belchertown. There was no fire, and investigators later determined that this was due to the fuel tanks running dry due to erroneous readings of the fuel gauges.
The aircraft came down in a swampy area on the Loftus Farm.
The pilot, 2nd Lt. Arthur C. Davis, of Santa Monica, California, and the navigator, 2nd Lt. Howard R. Cunningham, of Lowell, Massachusetts, both perished as a result of injuries they received n the crash.
The bombardier, 2nd Lt. John C. Christiansen and the tail gunner, Sgt. Paul D. Martin, were seriously injured, but survived.
Sources:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
The Waterbury Democrat, “Bomber Crash Takes Lives Of Army Men”, November 20, 1943
Pioneer Valley History Network – Disasters – “Airplane Crash In Belchertown”, by Cliff McCarthy.
Waterford, CT. – November 19, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 19, 1943, a flight of twelve P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut, for a cross-country formation training flight. A few minutes after take off, one aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8172), piloted by 2nd Lt. Willie S. Reed, Jr.,(25), began to have engine trouble. Reed dropped out of formation to return to Groton, but then his engine caught fire and his plane began losing altitude. Lt. Reed stayed with the plane, possibly to avoid a crash in a populated area. His plane crashed and exploded in the town of Waterford.
Lt. Reed was assigned to the 401st Fighter Squadron. He’s buried in Utica Cemetery in Utica, Mississippi. To see a photo of Lt. Reed, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44223290/willie-s-reed
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “News Of Connecticut” – Waterbury – November 20, 1943, page 5.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Burlington, Vermont – November 26, 1943
U.S. Army A-29 Attack Bomber – U.S. Air Force Photo
This accident involved a military airplane manned by a civilian crew. The reason for a civilian crew is unclear.
On November 26, 1943, a twin-engine Lockheed RA-29 Army Air Force aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-23335), with three men aboard, took off from Boston for what was to be a test flight of the aircraft’s service ceiling. The aircraft climbed to 24,000 feet and maintained that altitude until the pilot reported that the port engine had lost all power and requested an emergency landing at Burlington Airport in Burlington, Vermont. The plane crashed and burned one mile from the runway at Burlington, and all aboard perished.
The crew were:
Pilot: Harry Babcock Brown, (31). He’s buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts.
Co-pilot: Harry T. Nordbeck. (Info unknown.)
Engineer: James Vaught Dotson, (29). He’s buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Nashville, Tenn.
Sources:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
The Boston Globe, “Army Air Force Plane Crash”, November 26, 1943, pg. 19
Presque Isle, Maine – May 12, 1944
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On May 12, 1944, an AT-6C trainer aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-33064), with two men aboard took off from the Presque Isle Army Air Field for a local training flight. For reasons never determined, the plane crashed at high speed six miles south of the airfield and both men, 1st Lt. Dennis S. Smyth, (24), and 1st Lt. Thomas R. Sheehy, (21), were killed.
It is unclear which man was flying the plane at the time of the accident.
To see a photo of 1st. Lt. Smyth click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191969977/dennis-s-smyth
Click here to learn more information about Lt. Sheehy https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130123343/thomas-russell-sheehy
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Long Island Sound – April 17, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 17, 1944, a flight of four P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for a training flight. While flying in formation over Long Island Sound, one of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-22359), piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert Godshalk, (28), developed engine trouble. Lt. Godshalk was forced to make an emergency water landing about one mile off Sachem Head in Guilford, Connecticut. He was seen to get out of the plane before it sank, but by the time a Coast Guard boat had reached the scene the pilot had disappeared. It was reported that a strong current was running at the time.
Lt. Godshalk’s body was later recovered on May 30th.
Lt. Godshalk was from Ardmore, Penn. He’s buried in Westminster Cemetery in Bals Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Sources:
Waterbury Democrat, “Connecticut News”, April 19, 1944
The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Flyers Body Recovered”, June 2, 1944, page 4.
www.findagrave.com
Putnam, Connecticut – November 29, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of November 29, 1944, a flight of four P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, for a training flight. While flying in formation over northern Rhode Island and into eastern Connecticut the flight encountered some clouds at their altitude and briefly flew threw them. When the flight emerged from the scud they discovered one aircraft was missing.
The missing P-47, (Ser. No. 42-8665), was piloted by 1st Lt. Robert W. Anderson, 27. Lt. Anderson’s plane was seen by people on the ground to come diving out of the clouds before it crashed and exploded into a brook next to a house on School Street in Putnam. (Nobody in the house was injured.)
When military personnel arrived on scene and began recovery operations they discovered the pilot’s body missing. A search was undertaken, and the pilot’s body was found in a wooded area on the Apley Farm in Putnam – his parachute unopened.
Lt. Anderson is buried in Irving Park Cemetery in Chicago.
Sources
U. S, Army Air Forces Accident Report #45-11-29-16.
Providence Journal, “Army Digs In Vain To Find Pilot Who Dived Into Brook At Putnam”, November 30, 1944, pg. 1.
The Putnam Patriot, “Tri-State Search For Missing Army Pilot”, November 30, 1944, page 1.
www.findagrave.com
Ellington, Connecticut – April 30, 1945
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 30, 1945, two P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for an instrument-navigation training flight. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8197), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Edward Dean Hensley, (20-21). Both aircraft climbed to 6,500 feet to get above the overcast and leveled off. At one point the other pilot noticed that Lt. Hensley’s plane had disappeared. Witnesses on the ground later told investigators that Lt. Hensley’s aircraft was falling sideways as it broke out of the clouds. It then rolled onto its back and an unknown object was seen to fall away from the plane. The plane crashed and exploded in the town of Ellington.
Lt. Hensley is buried Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, New Mexico.
Sources:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Long Island Sound – April 18, 1945
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 18, 1945, Flight Officer Salvatore Spano, 21, took off from the Suffolk County Army Air Field on Long Island, New York, in a P-47D Thunderbolt fighter plane for a navigation training flight. While off the coast of Connecticut, his airplane was observed to drop to a low level and then bounce off the surface of the water. It then appeared that the aircraft recovered, but it then crashed into the water off the coast of Milford, Connecticut, and sank immediately. When the aircraft was recovered the pilot was still inside.
Lt. Spano is buried in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
Source:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945” by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – March 10, 1945
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of March 10, 1945, a B-24J Liberator, (Ser. No. 42-50975), with twelve men aboard, took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a gunnery training flight off Montauk Point, New York. The aircraft was last heard from at 8:30 A. M. when the crew radioed that they were over the target area. At 1:oo P.M. a civilian boat happened upon floating aircraft wreckage about seven miles southwest of Montauk Point and notified the Coast Guard. It was noted that the sea was smooth and calm, and that the horizon line was difficult to distinguish, which may have contributed to the accident.
The crew were identified as:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Howard Bruce Tolle, 24, of Hillsboro, Ohio.
Co-pilot: Flight Officer George Francis Ruf, Jr., age 21-22, of Louisville, Kentucky.
Navigator: 2nd Lt. David Henderson Richey, 20, of Detroit, Michigan. To see a phot of Lt. Richey, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143629665/david-henderson-richey
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Raymond G. Bushee. 20, of Chicago.
Gunner: Cpl. Russell L. White. (No info.)
Radio Operator: Cpl. Philip Ward Ayers, 19, of Sussex, New Jersey.
Radio Operator: Cpl Carl E. Carlson. (No info.)
Radio Operator: Cpl. William F. Budka, 18, of Jefferson, Maine. To see a photo of Cpl. Budka, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120649754/william-f-budka
Gunner: Cpl. John W. Shedlock, 20, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Engineer: Cpl. Charles Richard Clark, Jr., 19, of Gaston, Indiana. To see a photo of Cpl. Clark, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104130570/charles-richard-clark
Engineer: Cpl. Donald J. Finger, 19, of St. Claire Shores, Michigan.
Gunnery Instructor: Tech. Sergeant Harold E. Falk, 30, of Pittsburgh, Penn.
Sources:
The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Three Killed, 9 Are Missing In New York Bomber Crash”, March 12, 1945, page A-6.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Granby, Massachusetts – December 20, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the evening of December 20, 1944, a B-24J Liberator, (Ser. No. 42-109868), with nine men aboard, took off from Mitchell Field, on Long Island, New York, bound for Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a cross-country navigational flight. As they were approaching Westover Field the aircraft encountered poor visibility conditions. As the plane circled the field at 2,000 feet two of the four engines began to “run away”. As the pilot tried to reduce the RPMs, cockpit instruments indicated a fire in one of the engines. Then the remaining two engines began to lose power and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out, and five did so. The pilot, co-pilot, navigator and a gunner remained with the aircraft.
The aircraft came down on a farm in Granby about two miles from Westover Field. After skidding on snow, crashing through some trees, it went into a farmhouse, but none of the home’s occupants were injured. The pilot, 2nd Lt. James E. Webster, 25, and the co-pilot, Flight Officer George H. Slack, 20, received serious injuries, but the navigator and the gunner were killed. Additionally, one of the men who bailed out also perished.
The dead were identified as:
Navigator: 2nd Lt. George E. Bennett, 19, of Brockport, New York. He’s buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Brockport, New York.
Bombardier: 2nd. Lt. Julian Berger, 19, of Baltimore, Maryland. He perished as a result of injuries received when he bailed out of the aircraft. He’s buried in Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Baltimore.
Gunner: Cpl. Stanley Saffer, 19, of New York City. He’s buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Maspeth, New York. To see a photo of him, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123182763/stanley-saffer
As to the other four members of the crew, all received injuries, two required hospitalization.
The rest of the crew were identified as: Cpl. Kenneth A. McPhail, Cpl. Robert H. Risdon, Pfc. Fred Lopez, and Pfc Walter E. Oparowski
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Two Army Fliers Killed In Crash”, December 21, 1944, page 2.
The Brockport Republic & Brockport Democrat, Obituary for Lt. George E. Bennett, December 28, 1944, page 4.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Bangor, Maine – September 17, 1944
A-26 Invader – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of September 17, 1944, a flight of three Douglas A-26 aircraft took off from Down Air Field in Bangor for a ferry flight to the European Theatre of Operations. Just after take off, one of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-39247), suffered engine trouble and crashed in a wooded area about 3.5 miles from the air field.
Killed in the crash were:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack W. Williams
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Albert L. Keener https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77166738/albert-l-keener
Sources:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Windsor Locks, Connecticut – August 9, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of August 9, 1944, 2nd Lt. Francis R. Betz took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, in a P-47D fighter aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8262), for a routine training mission. Upon his return to the airfield, his plane crashed and burned about one mile short of the runway.
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
Branford, Connecticut – July 4, 1944
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 4, 1944, 2nd Lt. John B. Hass took off in a P-47C fighter aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6556), from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for a lone navigational training flight. about forty-five minutes later, while passing over the town of Bradford, his aircraft dove into the ground and exploded, killing him instantly. It was raining at the time of the crash, but the cause was undetermined.
To see a photo and obituary, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121649607/john-bernard-haas#
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Fort Mountain, Maine – June 20, 1944
C-54 Skymaster
U. S. Air Force Photo.
On June 20, 1944, a military C-54A, (Ser. No. 41-37277), with a civilian crew, took off from Newfoundland to transport one military passenger and a load of cargo to Washington, D. C. At 4 A.M. on the morning of the 20th, while flying in thick low-lying clouds, the aircraft crashed into Fort Mountain, about 100 feet from the summit. Fort Mountain is located in Baxter State Park about 30 miles northwest of the town of Millinocket.
When the crew failed to radio in at required checkpoint times, and failed to answer control tower transmissions from Presque Isle and Bangor airfields, it was declared missing.
A search was begun, and the aircraft wreckage was located from the air on June 23, but due to the extreme remoteness of the location, it took four more days before a ground crew could reach the site. The search party was forced to hack its way through heavy brush and undergrowth covering the mountain. Upon reaching the site they found wreckage strewn over a wide area, and no survivors.
Those who perished were:
Pilot: Roger R. Inman
Co-Pilot: Disbrow N. Gill, 32, of Florida. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68096518/disbrow-newell-gill
Navigator: David E. Reynolds
Engineer: Nordi Byrd
Radio Operator: Eugene B. Summers, (21-22) of Kansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33270068/eugene-b-summers
Crewman: Samuel B. Berman
Passenger: Sgt. Elbert R. Barnes, 23, of Escatawpa, Mississippi. Sgt. Barnes was a radio mechanic in the Air Crops. He was born and raised in Escatawpa, and graduated from Moss Point High School. He attended Graceland College in Mona, Iowa, for two years, and belonged to the Latter Day Saints Church. He’d been stationed in Newfoundland. He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and four sisters. His name is on a WWII honor plaque in the Moss Point High School, a gift of the class of 1944.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46166703/elbert-roderick-barnes
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.mewreckchasers.com
www.findagrave.com
Waterbury Democrat, (CT.), “Lost Plane Is Located”, June 24, 1944
The Chronicle-Star, (Pascagoula, MS.), “Elbert Barnes Of Escatawpa Killed In Plane Crash”, July 7, 1944, page 1.
Detroit Evening Times, “Plane Rescuers Scale Mountain”, July 27, 1944, page C-15
Pascagoula Chronicle – Star And Moss Point Advertiser, “Former Students of Moss Point High School To Be Listed On Honor Plaque”, August 19, 1944, page 6.
Long Island Sound – June 17, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 17, 1944, a flight of four P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, for a gunnery training flight over Long Island Sound off the shore of Madison, Connecticut. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-22556), was being piloted by 2nd Lt. Everett C. Smith, (20), of North Carolina.
While over the target area, Lt. Smith made seven successful passes at the target(s). While making his eighth pass he crashed into the water of Long Island Sound and was killed.
Lt. Smith is buried in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Advance, North Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58597830/everett-clark-smith
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Narragansett Bay – May 22, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of May 22, 1944, six P-47 fighter aircraft took off from the Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, for a ground target, gunnery training flight in Connecticut. Once in the air, the aircraft formed two formations, each with three aircraft.
The flight flew to the target range in Madison, Connecticut, where it encountered bad weather consisting of low clouds and fog. The flight radioed for weather reports at alternate ranges before heading towards Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. As the flight approached the area of the Quonset Point Naval Air Station it encountered a low lying cloud bank with a 700 foot ceiling. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8201), piloted by Captain James H. Pound, Jr., of Benton Harbor, Michigan, flew into the cloudbank. His airplane was observed to drop out of the clouds and level off before suddenly diving into Narragansett Bay about a mile from Quonset Point. The cause of the crash was undetermined.
To see a photo of Lieutenant Pound click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27590631/james-h-pound
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
The Ypsilanti Daily Press, “Flyer Killed”, May 23, 1944, page 5.
Detroit Evening Times, “Benton Harbor Flier Dies In Plane Crash”, May 23, 1944, page 2-C
www.findagrave.com.
Atlantic Ocean – April 7, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 7, 1944, two B-24 Liberator bombers took off from Westover Air Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, on what was to be a high altitude gunnery training flight off Montauk Point, Long Island, N. Y. One of the B-24s was Ser. No. 42-7525, with eleven men aboard, piloted by 2nd Lt. Kenneth W. Wignes.
The bombers were attached to the 804th Bomber Squadron, 471st Bomb Group, stationed at Westover Field.
While over the target area, Lt. Wignes radioed the other B-24 that he was having engine problems and was returning to Westover. When the aircraft didn’t arrive at Westover it was declared missing and presumed to have gone down in the ocean. It was speculated that the aircraft had suffered an inflight fire or explosion.
The crew consisted of:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Kenneth E. Wignes, 23, of Iowa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62764862/kenneth-eugene-wigness
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Gene W. Sloan, age 21-22, of Kansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90692131/gene-w-sloan
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Fred G. Rhodes, 24, of Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62765149/frederick-g-rhodes
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Rufus R. Nelson, 26, of Iowa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62765231/rufus-ronald-nelson
2nd Lt. Martin J. Kew, 22-23, of Indiana. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195411201/martin-j-kew
Radio Operator: S/Sgt. Edward J. Clancy, of Wisconsin. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62765409/edward-j-clancy
Engineer: S/Sgt. Robert G. McLaughlin, 21, of Alabama. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13414269/robert-g-mclaughlin
Sgt. Chester Webb, age 22-23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62765594/chester-webb
Gunner: Sgt. George W. Wilson, Sr., age 34. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36408207/george-w-wilson
Gunner: Sgt. Joseph L. Hartzell.
Gunnery Instructor: S/Sgt. Joseph A. Jachim, age 24-45, from Chicago. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62765777/joseph-albert-jachim
Sources:
Greenfield Recorder – Gazette, (Greenfield, Mass.), “Westover Bomber With Crew Of 11 Missing Off L. I.”, April 8, 1944, pg. 1.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Presque Isle, Maine – March 11, 1944
B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 11, 1944, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, (Ser. No. 42-97208), with ten crewmen aboard, was taxiing into position in preparation for takeoff when its brakes failed and it crashed into the number 3 hangar at Presque Isle Air Field. The aircraft was bound for overseas duty at the time.
Co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Thomas Walker Gage, 24, of Stockport, Ohio, suffered fatal injuries in the accident. He’s buried in Stockport Cemetery in Stockport, Ohio. To see a photo of Lt. Gage click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9392261/thomas-walker-gage
The bombardier and navigator were seriously injured, while the rest of the crew received non-life threatening injuries.
Sources:
The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “One Killed, 9 Injured As Bomber Hits Hangar”, March 13, 1944, page B-6
www.findagrave.com.
Long Island Sound – March 11, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
At 8:00 A.M. on the morning of March 11, 1944, a flight of two army P-47 fighter planes took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for what was to be an intercept training mission. The two P-47s were it intercept a flight of six B-24 bombers over New London, Connecticut, at nine o’clock.
One of the P-47s, (Ser. No. 43-25406), was being piloted by Captain Thomas M. Boulware, (23-24), of South Carolina.
While in the area of New London, Captain Buolware’s aircraft engine suddenly began trailing smoke and flames. He successfully bailed out of the aircraft, and he and the plane came down in Long Island Sound, but he perished before he could be rescued.
Captain Boulware is buried in Barnwell County Memorial Cemetery, in Barnwell, South Carolina. To see a photo of Captain Boulware, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107881672/thomas-mccullough-boulware
Sources:
Book:, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
The Wilmington Morning Star,(No. Carolina), “Killed In Action”, March 12, 1944, page 13
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – February 23, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On February 23, 1944, a flight of four army P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, R. I., for an aerial gunnery flight. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 43-25421), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Billy H. Stormont, of Eugene, Oregon.
Weather conditions had begun to deteriorate, and shortly after take off the flight was ordered back to Hillsgrove. A low cloud system had moved in, with a 100 foot ceiling, extending up to 1,500 feet. As the flight let down through the scud the planes became separated. It was while letting down through the clouds that Lt. Stormont’s aircraft crashed in Narragansett Bay off Coddington Point in Middletown.
Lt. Stormont was assigned to the 442nd Fighter Squadron.
To see a photo of Lt. Stormont click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225177451/billy-h-stormont
Sources:
Roseburg News Review, (Ore.), “Army Plane Piloted By Eugenean Is Missing”, February 25, 1944, page 1.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com.
Wellfleet, Massachusetts – July 18, 1943
A U.S. Army RB-34
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 18, 1943, a twin-engine RB-34 “Target Tug”, (Ser. No. 41-38052), with four men aboard took off from Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, to participate in a tracking exercise with the anti-aircraft batteries at Camp Edwards. The crew was part of the 1st Tow Target Squadron stationed at Otis.
At some point bad weather moved in and the crew found themselves surrounded by thick low-lying clouds, beginning at 1,500 feet and extending up to 10,000 feet. The plane circled, with the pilot flying on instruments, trying to make radio contact with Otis, but the radio wasn’t working. When the aircraft finally broke through the clouds it was very low on fuel, so the pilot decided to ditch in shallow water near the shore, and advised the crew to bail out, which they did. One crewman landed in a tree, the other two came down in the water and were rescued by a Coast Guard boat.
Meanwhile, the pilot successfully let the plane down in Wellfleet Harbor, but was unable to extricate himself before it sank.
The pilot was identified as Flight Officer Clyde Rogers, (24), of Cleveland, Georgia.
Sources:
The Falmouth Enterprise , “Camp Edwards” (News), July 23, 1943.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Castle Hill, Maine – July 2, 1943
B-26G Bomber
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 2, 1943, a B-26C twin-engine bomber aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-35181), with five men aboard, took off from Presque Isle Field bound for overseas duty. Three miles from the airfield the starboard engine developed a problem and the pilot was forced to shut it down. With only one engine, the pilot was unable to sufficiently climb to maintain a safe altitude as the aircraft passed over increasingly rising terrain. About six miles later the aircraft crashed into a wooded area and exploded killing three crewmen and seriously injuring two others.
The dead were identified as:
(Pilot) 1st Lt. Walter M. Cothran.
(Co-Pilot) 1st Lt. Walter H. Peoples, of Wilmington, Delaware.
(Flight Engineer) Corporal Albert L. Williams of New Mexico.
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
The Imperial Valley Press, (Calif.) “Three Army Fliers Killed In Wreck”, July 4, 1943, page 3.
Westover Field, MA. – June 20, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 20, 1943, a flight of P-47 aircraft were returning to Westover Filed from a training flight. One plane, (Ser. No. 42-22358), piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard M Burdick, (19), made a normal landing and coasted to a normal taxi speed. A second P-47, (Ser. No. 41-5953), piloted by another second lieutenant, came in “hot” and bounced along the runway before crashing into Lieutenant Burdick’s aircraft. Both pilots received serious injuries, and Lieutenant Burdick passed away the following day.
Both pilots were assigned to the 321st Fighter Squadron.
Lieutenant Burdick is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Boardman Township, Ohio.
Source:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Warwick, Rhode Island – May 29, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 29, 1943, 2nd Lt. Millard F. Parsley, Jr., (29), was returning from a training flight to Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick when his aircraft developed engine trouble and he requested an emergency landing clearance. As he was making his approach his aircraft crashed and burned near the airport.
The aircraft Lt. Parsley had been flying was a P-47C, (Ser. No. 41-6552), He was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Erwin, Tenn.
To see a photo of Lt. Parsley, click here: https://etvma.org/veterans/millard-f-parsley-jr-11001/
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
etvma.org
Topsfield, Massachusetts – May 14, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 14, 1943, a flight of five U. S. Army P-47 aircraft took off from Bedford Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, for a formation training flight. While in formation at 6,500 feet over the Topsfield area, one aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6643) piloted by 2nd Lt. Ernest W. Hagar, (20), began trailing white smoke. As Lt. Hagar left the formation to attempt an emergency landing his engine lost all power, forcing him to bail out. Once he left the aircraft his parachute didn’t fully deploy and he perished. The aircraft crashed on the Steward Estate, on Perkins Row, in Topsfield.
Lt. Hagar was assigned to the 370th Fighter Squadron at Bedford. He’s buried in Sweetwater Cemetery in Sweetwater, Texas. To see a photo of him click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15515087/ernest-wayne-hagar
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Long Island Sound – May 18, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of May 18, 1943, two U. S. Army P-47 aircraft took off from Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut, for a training mission over Long Island Sound. One aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-6561), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Edward E. Woolery, and the other, (Ser. No. 42-6636), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Alexander S. Koczak.
While engaged in a simulated “dog fight” over the water the aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision with one plane shearing the tail off the other. Both aircraft crashed into the Sound, one hitting the water about 2,000 yards west of Great Gull Island, and the other about 1,000 yards northeast of the island.
2nd Lt. Woolery attempted to bail out of his plane but his parachute didn’t open and he was killed. Lt. Koczak was rescued from the water off the east end of Great Gull Island.
Both men were assigned to the 360th Fighter Squadron.
Source:
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
North Stonington, Connecticut – May 13, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 13, 1943, a flight of five P-47 “Thunderbolt” aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, bound for Trumbull Field in Groton, Connecticut. The flight leader was 2nd Lt. Harry J. McElroy, Jr., (21), piloting a P-47D, (Ser. No. 42-8241). While at an altitude of 31,000 feet Lt. McElroy’s aircraft was seen to go into a dive and the formation followed. When it became apparent that something was wrong, the other aircraft began pulling out of the dive. Lt. McElroy’s aircraft continued in its dive and crashed and exploded in North Stonington.
Lt. McElroy enlisted on January 26, 1942. He was assigned to the 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, at that time stationed at Trumbull Field. He’s Buried in Union Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18819668/harry-mcelroy
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
The Day, (Conn.) “Army Flyer Killed In Plane Crash At North Stonington; Third Recent Air Fatality”, May 14, 1943
Hartford Courant, “Windsor Locks Crash Victim Is identified”, May 15, 1943.
New Bedford, Massachusetts – April 4, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 4, 1943, 2nd Lieutenant Fred V. Bright, Jr. took off from Hillsgrove Army Airfield in Warwick, Rhode Island, for a routine training flight in a P-47C Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-6562). While over New Bedford, Massachusetts, Lt. Bright radioed the control tower at Hillsgrove that he was having problems with the aircraft and would be making an emergency landing at the New Bedford Airport which he happened to be passing over at the time. As he was making his final approach his plane was seen to crash and burn about 100 yards from the end of the runway.
Lt. Bright was survived by his wife living in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126299560/fred-v-bright
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
The Waterbury Democrat, “Pilot Identified”, April 5, 1943
Fishers Island Sound – March 5, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 5, 1943, 2nd Lt. Carl P. Bock, (22), was killed when the P47B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-5975), he was piloting crashed in Fishers Island Sound. He was returning to Trumbull Field in Groton after taking part in a gunnery practice exercise when the aircraft developed engine trouble. When the plane hit the water he was knocked unconscious and drowned.
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Boston Harbor – March 1, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of March 1, 1943, a flight of two P-47 Thunderbolts took off from Bedford Field for a simulated combat training flight. One of those P-47s, (Ser. No. 41-6646), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Stanley Jankowski.
The aircraft made their way over the Boston area and engaged in aerial maneuvers. While doing so, another P-47 entered the area and took part in the exercise. Then a flight of four other P-47s arrived. During the exercise, Lieutenant Jankowski’s aircraft was seen to go into a steep dive and plunge into Boston Harbor. It was speculated that he may have blacked out.
Source:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Canton, Massachusetts – October 13, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On October 13, 1942, Staff Sergeant Watkins Mayo, (19), of Tulia, Texas, was piloting a Curtis P-40F, (Ser. No. 41-14099), over the area of Canton, Massachusetts, on an authorized aerobatic training flight. He was observed making loops and rolls over the (now defunct) Boston Municipal Airport in Canton. The airport was located on the northeast side of Neponset Street, just southeast of the Neponset River. It was while he was practicing aerobatics that his plane crashed and burned in a wooded area near the airport.
S/Sgt. Mayo was assigned to the 317th Fighter Squadron.
S/Sgt. Mayo is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Tulia, Texas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235598250/watkins-mayo
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Cause Of Crash”, October 14, 1942, page 2.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
New Cannan, Connecticut – October 12, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On October 12, 1942, four U. S. Army P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes were engaged in a simulated dogfight over New Cannan. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-5991), was piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Richard M. Craghill, (23), of Corcoran, California. While taking part in the aerial maneuvers, Craghill’s aircraft went into a spin and crashed into the front of a large private home on Valley Road.
Ruth Weeks, the owner of the home, was standing on the front lawn talking with two plumbers as the plane was coming down. She and one of the men ran to the side of the house while the other man threw himself flat on the ground. The plane crashed and exploded killing Lt. Craghill and setting the house ablaze. Although the house was destroyed by the fire, all occupants inside at the time of the accident escaped without injury.
To see a photo and obituary of Lt. Craghill, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70994379/richard-marvin-craghill
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “New Cannan Had Plane Tragedy”, October 12, 1942, page 1.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
East Hartford, Connecticut – September 22, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On September 22, 1942, Staff Sergeant Raymond R. Kroskiewicz took off from Rentschler Field in East Hartford, for a training flight. He was piloting a Curtiss P-40F fighter plane, (Ser. No. 41-14178). Shortly after 3 P.M. he returned to the field, and as he was attempting to land his aircraft crashed and burned.
S/Sgt. Kroskiewicz was from Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.
https://www.fold3.com/memorial/83720094/raymond-r-kroskiewicz
https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=421093
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.fold3.com
www.honorstates.org
Peru, Massachusetts – August 15, 1942
On August 15, 1942, a flight of eleven Army transport planes took off from Pope Field, North Carolina, bound for Hyannis, Massachusetts. The aircraft were transporting paratroopers assigned to the 502nd Parachute Battalion.
The planes made a scheduled refueling stop at Mitchell Field on Long Island, N. Y. By this time weather conditions had significantly deteriorated at both Long Island and Hyannis, so the flight was diverted to Hillsgrove Airfield in Warwick, Rhode Island. However, once airborne again the formation found itself in thick clouds and the planes became separated as they lost visual contact with each other and the ground. It was now nighttime, and the pilots were forced to fly on instruments.
At about 9:30 P.M. one of the aircraft, a C-53 troop transport, (Ser. No. 42-6463), with nineteen men aboard, crashed into the side of Garnet Peak in the town of Peru, Massachusetts. All but three men perished.
The only man aboard who was not injured in the crash was Sergeant Robert Lee, who managed to extricate four men from the flaming wreckage, all while suffering severe burns to himself in the process. Two of those rescued by Sgt. Lee perished, but two others survived, thanks to his bravery. The men besides Sgt. Lee who survived were Private James Fern, and Private Alonzo L. Pearson.
Those who perished in the crash were identified as:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Joseph J. Fields, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Co-Pilot: Staff Sergeant Charles M. Scott, of York, Pennsylvania.
Engineer: Staff Sergeant Robert W. Lamon, (23), of Shawnee, Oklahoma. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92476969/robert-wesley-lamon
Pfc. Hyman B. Flinkman of Baltimore, Maryland.
S/Sgt. Samuel B. Hathorn, of Princess, Mississippi. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40605321/sam-benton-hathorn
Sgt. John H. Kelly, of Titus, Alabama. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30123329/john-harmon-kelley
Cpl. Frank A. Lastosky, of Sykesville, Pennsylvania.
T-5 Joseph C. Neurohr, of Brooklyn, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157864980/joseph-c-neurohr
Pvt. Jack E. Palmer, of Antigo, Wisconsin.
1st Lt. Gardner V. E. Plain, of Ransomville, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184895640/gardner-van_etten-plain
Pfc. Stanley E. Racine, of Pensacola, Florida. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108383586/stanley-edward-racine
Pfc. Norman Sands, of Chicago.
Pvt. Steven E. Schollin, of Oak Haven, Illinois
Pvt. James F. Thompson, of Los Angeles.
Cpl. Austin E. Weeces, of Craig, Nebraska. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16371027/austin-e-weeces
Pfc. James D. Westbrooks, of Andrson, South Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89746541/james-d-westbrooks
Today there is a monument honoring these men on Garnet Peak in Peru. https://www.townofperuma.com/about-us/slideshows/garnett-mountain-peak
Sources:
PDF Document “Garnet Peak Plane Crash”, by Joe Stergis, 2008
The Berkshire Eagle, “Peru Residents Remember Paratroopers Lost In 1942 Plane Crash On Garnet Peak” by Patricia LeBoeuf, 2007.
New England Public Media, “Peru, Mass., To Mark 75th Anniversary Of Military Plane Crash”, by Adam Frenier, August 14, 2017.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
North Reading, Massachusetts – July 18, 1942
B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 18, 1942, a B-17B “Flying Fortress”, (Ser. No. 39-8), left its base in Grander, Newfoundland, bound for Middletown, Pennsylvania, to have some equipment updated. While passing over Massachusetts the aircraft encountered thick clouds and ground fog. It was speculated that the while the pilot was letting down through the scud the aircraft developed “wing flutter” which caused one of the wings to break away. The plane went down in a wooded area of North Reading and all aboard perished.
The crewmembers were identified as follows:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Marion R. Klice
Co-Pilot: 1st Lt. Donald H. Johnson
Bombardier: 1st Lt. James N. Phillips, Jr., (24), buried in Jasper Cemetery, Jasper, Arkansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33052049/james-phillips
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Orville Drue Andrews, (22), buried in Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143781613/orville-drue-andrews
Master Sergeant Archie R. Jester, Jr. (32), buried in Salem Cemetery, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28156667/archie-raymond-jester
Engineer: Staff Sergeant William E. Perkins, (21), buried in Evergreen Memorial Park, Portsmouth, Virginia. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37691634/william-e-perkins
Radio Operator: Corporal Stephen Bilocur, (20), buried in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173569551/stephen-bilocur
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Aulsbury, (23 or 24), buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Jennings, Missouri. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202569263/robert-j-aulsbury
PFC. Sidnney Samuel Koltun (24), buried in Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis Missouri. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41980784/sidney-samuel-koltun
Corporal Charles H. Torrance
There is a memorial to these men on the town green in North Reading.
Sources:
North Reading Transcript, “Veterans Day Ceremony To Memorialize 1942 B-17 Bomber Crash”, November 2, 1995, page 13.
North Reading Times, “May Their Noble Deeds Live Forever”, November 16, 1995, page 1
North Reading Transcript, “B-17 Bomber Crash Was 59 Years Ago This Week”, July 12, 2001, page 14.
North Reading Transcript, B-17 Bomber Crash In Town Happened 65 Years Ago Next Week”, July 12, 2007, page 6.
North Reading Historical Commission Blogspot.
www.findagrave.com
Windsor Locks, CT. – July 16, 1942
Bradley Airfield
P-38 Lightning
U.S. Air Force photo
On the morning of July 16, 1943, two P-38 Lightning fighter planes were taking off for a training flight at Bradley Field in Windsor Locks. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-12588), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Albert R. Dawson, and his aircraft was positioned to the right and just behind the flight leader’s P-38. As the two planes sped down the runway, a fuel truck with two privates aboard drove onto the runway from a right side taxiway without authorization from the tower. The passenger private saw what was happening and warned the driver to turn off. As the fuel truck driver tried to turn away the other private jumped clear. A moment later Dawson’s P-38 hit the fuel truck causing and a massive explosion followed. The force of the impact due to the speed of the aircraft pushed the entangled wreckage for 200 feet.
The fuel truck driver was killed in the crash. The private who jumped suffered minor injuries. Lt. Dawson died of his injuries on July 17, 1942. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155419101/albert-r-dawson
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
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
Groton, Connecticut – May 1, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On May 1, 1942, 2nd Lt. Kenneth R. MacQuarrie, (25), was piloting a P-40E , (Ser. No. 40-497), over Groton. He and two other P-40s had recently taken off from Trumbull Field in Groton to engage in a mock aerial combat fight over the area. While participating in this exercise, Lieutenant MacQuarrie’s aircraft crashed and exploded in a wooded area about two miles north of the airfield. There had been no collision between his aircraft and the other two.
To see a photo of Lt. MacQuarrie, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2741812/kenneth-r-macquarrie
Sources:
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945,”, by Anthony J. Mireles
www.findagrave.com
Buxton, Maine – October 4, 1943
On October 4, 1943, a British aircraft on a training flight from the Brunswick Naval Air Station was passing over the town of Buxton, Maine, when the pilot was forced to bail out. The pilot landed safely, and the plane went down in a field in the western portion of town in an area known as Bar Hills. No further info at this time.
Source:
The Lewiston Evening Journal, “British Pilot Bails Out As His Plane Crashes At West Buxton”, October 5, 1943.
Pownal, Maine – October 3, 1943
On the morning of October 3, 1943, two British Corsairs, (JT-190 & JT-198), belonging to the 1837 Squadron, took off from the Brunswick Naval Air Station for a tactical training flight. While over the town of Pownal they collided in mid-air. One pilot was killed instantly, the other managed to bail out, but later died of his injuries. Both aircraft came down within one hundred feet of each other in a swamp near the Pownal State School. The debris field was spread over a large area.
The pilots were identified as Lieutenant David J. F. Watson, (24), and Lieutenant Commander Alfred J. Sewell, (30). Both are buried in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Cemetery in Kittery, Maine.
To see photos of their graves click below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71686589/alfred-jack-sewell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71691019/david-james_felshaw-watson
Sources:
The Lewiston Daily Sun, “Two British Pilots Killed As Planes Collide In Mid Air”, October 4, 1943
The Waterbury Democrat, “British Flyers Killed in N. E. ” October 4, 1943
Aviation Archeology In Mane website http://mewreckchasers.com/
Charlestown, Rhode Island – November 15, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On November 15, 1944, an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70956), was coming in to land at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field on Runway 12 when it struck some trees, then continued on through electric powerlines and a stone wall before coming to rest on Route 1 which during WWII ran past the airfield. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft was beyond repair.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated November 15, 1944
Westerly, Rhode Island – November 13, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On November 13, 1944, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70977), crashed into some trees at the end of the runway of the Westerly Airport as it was making a landing approach. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the aircraft was a total loss.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated November 13, 1944.
Groton, Connecticut – October 11, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 11, 1944, a pilot flying an F6F-4 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71347), was making touch-and-go practice landings on Runway 33 at the Groton Naval Auxiliary Air Field. After making five successful landings, the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear for the sixth, and made a wheels up landing causing considerable damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated October 11, 1944
Charlestown, R. I. – October 12, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 12, 1944, an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42794), crash landed while making its approach to the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. The aircraft was damaged but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated October 12, 1944.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 11, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 11, 1944, an F6F-3N, (Bu. No. 42370), nosed over while landing at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field causing damage to the front of the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated October 11, 1944
Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 9, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 9, 1944, an F6F-3n Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42510), was seriously damaged during a crash landing. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Crash Report, dated October 9, 1944.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 8, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 8, 1944, an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 40766), was landing at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Station and blew a tire shortly after touchdown which caused damage to the aircraft as it went off the runway and skidded to a stop. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated October 8, 1944
Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field – September, 19, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 19, 1944, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41151), was taking off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field when the engine failed as it became airborne. The plane crashed in a field off the end of the runway. The fuselage and wings were buckled, but the pilot wasn’t hurt.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated September 19, 1944
Cape Cod Bay – September, 11, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 11, 1944, Ensign Henry Karl Klein was piloting a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41497), over Cape Cod Bay while participating in a dive bombing training exercise. He was seen to begin his dive run from 7,000 feet. His section leader would later report that he saw pieces of Klein’s aircraft break away during the dive. A fisherman who’d been watching the exercise from a distance later told investigators that he saw a wing break off the aircraft just before it hit the water. Ensign Klein’s aircraft plunged into the water and he did not survive.
The cause of the accident was determined to be structural failure of the aircraft for reasons unknown.
Ensign Klein had been assigned to VF-48.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated September 11, 1944
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – September 6, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 6, 1944, the pilot of an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70927), inadvertently made a wheels up landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The aircraft skidded to a stop and required a major overhaul. The pilot was not injured.
This aircraft was later involved in a fatal crash in Wilmington, Massachusetts, on May 23, 1946. To learn more, click here. Wilmington, Mass. May 23, 1946
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated September 6, 1944
Augusta, Maine – July 25, 1942
P-38 Lightning
U.S. Air Force photo
On July 25, 1942, a U. S. Army P-38 fighter, (Ser. No. 41-7647), was making a landing approach to the Augusta State Airport when the pilot overshot the runway and crash landed in a sand pit beyond and the plane caught fire. The aircraft was loaded with gasoline and ammunition and the pilot was trapped inside. Ignoring any danger to themselves, eight enlisted men of the Military Police from Camp Keyes ran to the plane and managed to rescue the pilot. These men were later identified and received medals for their heroism.
The rescuers were identified as follows:
Private George W. O’Connell of New York City.
Sergeant Joseph E. Cote of Cranston, R. I.
Private Edward A. Singer of Boston, Mass.
Sergeant Charles J. Hoffman of Bridgeport, Conn.
Sergeant Alfred H. Paddison of Worcester, Mass.
Corporal Alfred H. Squires of Westfield, Mas.
Sergeant Francis J. Curran of Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Private Joseph De Napoli of West Hartford, Conn.
Sergeants Hoffman and Paddison were severely burned during the rescue.
Source:
The Waterbury Evening Democrat, “Military Police Will Be Honored” September 17, 1942
Trumbull, Connecticut – January 23, 1944
AT-11, U.S. Air Force Photo
On January 23, 1944, a U. S Army AT-11, Ser. No. 42-37184, was on a cross country training flight from Ellington Field in Texas, to New England. As the plane was passing over Connecticut it encountered thick clouds and crashed in the town of Trumbull, and both men aboard were killed.
The airmen were identified as 1st Lt. Rodney L. Stokes, (23), of Liberty, Missouri, and Sergeant Julius G. Skyberg, (26), of De Smet, South Dakota.
To see a photo of Lt. Stokes, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65489256/rodney-linden-stokes
To see a photo of Sgt. Skyberg, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39728382/julius-george-skyberg
Source:
The Waterbury Evening Democrat, “Plane crash At Trumbull Boosts State death Toll”, January 24, 1944, page 7.
Connecticut River – August 19, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On August 19, 1943, Army fighter pilot Homer V. Watts, (Rank Unknown), was piloting a P-47C Thunderbolt, (#41-6289), on a routine flight over the area of Middletown, Connecticut, when his aircraft developed engine trouble. According to a man who notified police, the aircraft was headed north when he heard an explosion, but did not actually see the plane fall due to his view being obstructed. The pilot was killed when his aircraft crashed into the Connecticut River near Dart Island in Middletown.
Source:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Plane Falls In Conn.”, August 19, 1943
Scituate, Rhode Island – October 30, 1942
Curtiss P-40
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of October 30, 1942, two U. S. Army P-40E Warhawks took off from Hillsgrove Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, for what was to be a routine training flight. Both aircraft were assigned to the 317th Fighter Squadron at Hillsgrove.
Both aircraft headed northeast towards the rural town of Scituate, where they began to engage in a mock “dog fight”. At one point during the exercise, aircraft #41-36495 was trailing aircraft #40-498 in a left turn climb, when the first aircraft stalled. When the second tried to break away to the right its wing struck the other planes fuselage. The pilot of the second aircraft was forced to bail out. As his plane crashed in a wooded area off Huntinghouse Road, the pilot landed safely.
Meanwhile, the other P-40, (41-36495) made it safely back to Hillsgrove.
The accident was witnessed by a plane spotter in a fire tower in Scituate, who immediately called in the alarm.
Sources:
U. S. Army crash investigation report #43-10-30-6
Woonsocket Call, “Mystery Shrouds Plane Crash Fire”, October 31, 1942
Pawtucket Times, “Two Army Planes Collide Over R. I.”, October 31, 1942, page 8.
South Kingstown, Rhode Island – August 4, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On August 4, 1943, two U. S. Army P-47 fighter planes attached to the 378th Fighter Squadron, 362 Fighter Group, stationed at Groton, Connecticut, were on a training flight over South Kingstown, Rhode Island, when they collided in mid-air and crashed. One aircraft went down in Potter Pond, and the other crashed near Succotash Road about a half-mile south of Post Road. Neither pilot survived.
The two pilots were:
2Lt. Richard Huber, (24), of Glendale, California. He’s buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. He was piloting a P-47C, Ser. No. 41-6425.
2LT. Charles M. Armstrong Jr. (20 or 21), of Austin, Texas. He’s buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. He was piloting a P-47D, Ser. No. 42-8261.
Sources:
Newport Mercury, (R.I.), “Army Investigates Crash Of Bomber”, August 13, 1943, page 8. This article began with the report of a B-34 bomber crash that occurred in Smithfield, R. I., but this last paragraph contained the report of this accident.
Providence Journal, “Three Men Perish In Bomber Crash”, August 6, 1943, page 1. This article began with the report of a B-34 bomber crash that occurred in Smithfield, R. I., but this last paragraph contained the report of this accident.
www.Findagrave.com
North Atlantic – July 3, 1941
Updated December 22, 2024
U.S. Navy Catalina
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 3, 1941, a U. S. Navy PBY-5 Catalina (Bu. No. 2347), with seven crewmen aboard took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island bound for Iceland. The aircraft was assigned to VP-72, which was being transferred from Quonset to provide cover for U. S. Marine Corps occupation forces stationed in Iceland.
The flight was to be instrument flight rules due to zero visibility with cumulus clouds extending to about 18,000 feet. The plane never arrived at its destination, and what happened to it is unknown. Navy investigators theorized that an onboard fire may have occurred due to a leak in the temporary hull tank installation, or that the aircraft entered a spin while flying on instruments and never recovered. The official cause of the accident is listed as “Unknown”.
The missing crewmen were identified as follows:
Pilot: Ensign Robert C. McKown of Atlanta, Georgia. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46662232/robert-holmes-mckown
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207959020/robert-holmes-mckown
Co-Pilot: Ensign Joseph C. Haskel of Charleston, South Carolina. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24189232/joseph-cheves-haskell
AMM1c Wyman Richard Van Liere, (28), of Liberty, Arizona. The Navy report lists the last name only as “Liere”, but newspaper accounts state the last name is Van Liere.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/247961636/wyman-richard-vanliere
AMM1c Linton Melmus England, (32), of Long Beach, California.
AMM3c Anthony Henry Gazafy, (28), of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His birthday was the same day the plane disappeared. He was 28.
RM1c Claude Andrew Ashley, (34), of Garden City, Kansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29114286/claude-andrew-ashley
RM3c Lyn Elliott Dunlap, (20), of Mountain, Wisconsin. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/240442339/lynn-elliott-dunlap
Despite a search which lasted for more than two weeks no trace of the missing aircraft was found. A few weeks later seven charred helmets believed to have come from the ill fated Catalina washed up on a beach in Marblehead, Massachusetts, supporting the on-board fire or explosion theory.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #3043 dated July 3, 1941
Wilmington Morning Star, “Patrol Plane Lost At Sea”, July 8, 1941, pg. 10.
Evening Star,(Wash. D.C.), “Navy Abandons Search For Plane Carrying 7” July 24, 1941, page B-2.
The Mercury, (Pottstown, PA.), “U.S. Navy Plane Reported Missing With Seven Men On Atlantic Patrol”, July 8, 1941
Unknown newspaper, unknown date, “Charred Air Helmets May Hold Secret of Missing Atlantan”. Ensign McKown was from Atlanta, and the article featured his picture.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – March 2, 1943
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
At 8 p.m. on the night of March 2, 1943, a U. S. Navy F4F-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 12193), was making a night landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when it hit the slipstream of the aircraft in front of it and crash-landed causing major damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #43-6128 dated March 2, 1943.
Off Long Island, New York, – March 31, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the evening of March 31, 1943, a flight of four F4F-4 Wildcat aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island bound for Floyd Bennett Field on Long Island, New York. Ensign Robert G. Carlson led the first section, which took off at 4:05 p.m., and Lieutenant Ernest C. Houck Houck led the second section, which took off at 4:23 p.m. Lt. Houck’ s wingman was Ensign Leonard E. Byrer. Both sections had been cleared under CFR direct, but soon after take off they encountered foul weather which included falling snow and low cloud cover.
While flying about 50 feet over the water just off the south shore of Long Island, Ensign Carlson’s wingman observed Carlson’s aircraft suddenly bank sharply and disappear. Ensign Carlson perished when his aircraft, (Bu. No. 12200), crashed into the water about 500 feet off shore. Meanwhile his wingman landed safely after flying on instruments for an hour.
A short time later Ensign Byrer’s aircraft, (Bu. No. 12205), went down in the water near U. S. Coast Guard Station #79. His body was recovered. To see a photo of Ensign Byrer click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52370762/leonard-eugene-byrer
Lieutenant Houck, flying Bu. No. 12207 never made it to Floyd Bennett Field and it was assumed that he too crashed at sea. Neither his aircraft nor his body were ever recovered. To see a photo of Lt. Houck click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44721849/ernest-carl-houck
Ensign Carlson’s body was recovered on May 1. He’s buried in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, Michigan.
The men were assigned to VF-24.
Sources:
Three U. S. Navy accident reports, #43-6380, #43-6381. #43-6382, all dated March 31, 1943.
www.findagrave.com
Off Block Island, Rhode Island – June 7, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of June 7, 1943, a flight of F4F Wildcat aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a formation training flight. The flight headed southward towards Block Island, which is three miles off the coast of Rhode Island. At about 5 p.m., the flight leader led the formation into the edge of a cloud formation. As the aircraft entered the clouds, the Wildcat being piloted by Ensign James Wilson Davis was observed by his wingman to suddenly roll over violently and go into a steep dive. The wingman followed downward, but pulled out of the dive at about 300 feet. Ensign Davis’s aircraft crashed into the sea and disappeared about a half-mile east of Block Island.
The navy serial number of Ensign Davis’s Wildcat was 12208.
The members of the flight were assigned to VF-16.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report, no. 43-7180, dated June 7, 1943.
Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field – April 10, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of April 10 1945, a Curtis Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60242), took off from the Charlestown NAAF for a night training flight. It was to be the pilot’s first time flying at night. Shortly after takeoff the pilot realized that the landing gear wouldn’t retract, so he notified the control tower and returned to the base.
As it happened, there was an electrical problem with some of the runway lights as those in some areas were brighter or dimer than others. Other pilots that night had reported this. As the pilot approached the airfield he became confused with the lighting configuration as it was his first night landing at the field. The pilot landed to the side of the runway, but not on the runway. In doing so eight feet of the right wing was torn away and the aircraft skidded into another Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60222), (unoccupied), that was parked off the runway, tearing its left wing off.
Both airplanes were severely damaged but the pilot was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident report dated April 10, 1945.
Presque Isle, Maine – September 7, 1944
C-54 Skymaster
U. S. Air Force Photo.
On the morning of September 7, 1944, a U. S. Army Douglas C-54A, (Ser. No. 42-72211), crashed shortly after take off from the Presque Isle Army Air Base. The plane made a normal take off and was seen to rise 1,000 feet into the air before turning to the left. As it did so, it suddenly fell to the ground and exploded on impact. The aircraft came down about a mile from the air field on the property of Walter Carmichael, a Presque Isle potato farmer.
All three crewmen aboard perished. They were identified as:
Pilot: Major George H. Shafer, (37-38). He’s buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Co-pilot: Captain Knute Nordahl
Engineer: Master Sergeant Thomas W. Marshall, (23). He’s buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Texas.
The purpose of the flight was for training.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegraph, “Several Believed Dead As Plane crashes In Maine”, September 7, 1944, page 10.
www.findagrave.com
Aviation Safety Network
Deer Mountain, Maine – July 11, 1944
B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 11, 1944, a B-17 “Flying Fortress”, (Ser. No. 43-83023), with ten crewmen aboard left Kearney Army Air Field in Nebraska for a cross-country flight to Dow Army Air Field in Bangor, Maine. The purpose of the flight was to land in Maine before proceeding overseas for combat duty.
As the aircraft came into the New England area in encountered bad weather, with low visibility, and low cloud cover. The last radio transmission from the plane was received by the control tower at Grenier Army Air Field in Manchester, New Hampshire at 11:55 a.m. At some point afterwards the plane crashed into Deer Mountain in the unincorporated area of North Oxford, Maine.
When the aircraft failed to arrive at Dow a search was instituted, and when searchers reached the crash site they found all ten crewmen deceased.
The crew were identified as:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. John T. Cast, (27) of Springfield, Ohio. He’s buried at St. Bernard Cemetery in Springfield, OH. He was survived by his wife and five month old son.
Co-pilot: 2nd Lt. John W. Drake, (21) from Port Arthur, Texas. He buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, Texas.
Navigator: 2nd Lt. William H. Hudgems of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Robert S. Talley, (26) of San Angelo, Texas. he’s buried in Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas. He was survived by his wife.
Engineer: Staff Sgt. Wayne D. McCavran, of Seymour, Iowa.
Radio Operator: Sgt. Cecil Leon Murphy, (21) of Falls City, Nebraska. He’s buried in Falls City Cemetery, Falls City, Neb.
Gunner: Cpl. John H. Jones, Jr., of Buffalo, New York. He was survived by his wife.
Gunner: Sgt. Clarence Marvin Waln, (22), of Ten Sleep, Wyoming. He’s buried in Ten Sleep Cemetery. He would have been 22 on July 30th.
Gunner: Sgt. Gerald V. Biddle, (23) of East Orange, New Jersey. He’s buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, Ohio. he was survived by his wife.
To see a photo of Sgt. Biddle, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10196746/gerald-v.-biddle
Armor Gunner: Sgt. James A. Benson, (21), of Clark, South Dakota. He’s buried in Clark Center Cemetery, Clark, S.D.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegram, “Army Squads Search Woods For Wreckage Of Fortress”, July 14, 1944
www.findagrave.com
Melrose, Massachusetts – September 24, 1945
Updated February 4, 2022
B-25 Mitchel bomber
USAF Museum photo
On September 24, 1945, a twin-engine B-25J, (Ser. No. 43-36088), with six men aboard, took off from Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a training flight to Boston.
The airplane made it safely to Boston, and later took off to return to Manchester. On the return trip, while approaching the area of Saugas, Massachusetts, the plane developed engine trouble, and before long one of the engines caught fire. The pilot, Major Doak A. Weston, (30), gave the order to bail out, and all five crewmen did so and landed safely. Because the airplane was over a populated area, Major Weston opted to stay with the aircraft hoping to find a safe place to crash-land. As the plane dropped lower he circled over the towns of Melrose, Malden, Saugus, and Wakefield. Then he saw the Mount Hood Golf Course in Melrose and aimed for it.
The aircraft was now too low for Major Weston to bail out. As the plane neared the ground witnesses reported seeing a flaming wing drop away. The B-25 crashed and exploded at the 8th green of the gold course, killing Major Weston instantly. A portion of the burning plane came through the wall of a nearby private home setting it on fire, but firemen were able to extinguish it before too much damage was done to the structure.
There were no injuries on the ground.
Major Weston’s actions no doubt saved the lives of people on the ground.
On September 24, 2010, sixty-five years after the crash, the Town of Melrose honored Major Weston’s sacrifice with a ceremony held at the site where his plane crashed, which included the unveiling of a small monument engraved with the crew’s names. The ceremony was attended by Major Weston’s son, who was only three years old at the time of the incident.
Some sources state that Major Weston was from Denver, Colorado, and others state Aptos, California.
Major Weston had survived a previous aviation crash on February 23, 1943, when a B-25C, (Ser. No. 41-13289), he was piloting crashed into Lake Murray in South Carolina. (He was a 1st Lieutenant at the time.) In that instance, He was flying low over the lake on a skip bombing training mission when the plane went into the lake and sank in 125 feet of water. He was reportedly thrown clear of the aircraft as it cartwheeled across the water, and despite being seriously injured, was able to swim to shore. Unfortunately the other five men aboard perished.
Those who perished were:
Co-pilot: 2nd Lt. Marshall S. Hawke, 26, of Muncie, Indiana. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97277246/marshall-s-hawke
1st Lt. Clifford O. Sherry, 24, of Chicago.
2nd Lt. Harold L. Feineuer, of Bay City, Michigan.
2nd Lt. John E. Handcock, 27, of Carmel, Pennsylvania.
Sgt. George W. Rhine, 22, of Inglewood, California.
Deep water divers were sent to attempt to recover the bodies. It is unknown if the aircraft was recovered, or allowed to remain where it was.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegraph, “Grenier Field Plane Goes Up In Flames On Way To Saugus”, September 24, 1945.
The Waterbury Democrat, “Army Checks Bomber Explosion”, September 25, 1945, page 9.
Imperial Valley Press, (California), “Five Army Fliers Die In Carolina”, February 24, 1943, page 5.
Detroit Evening News, “Bay City Flier killed In Crash Of Bomber”, February 24, 1943, page 4.
Detroit Evening News, “Bomber Hits Lake, 5 Killed”, February 25, 1943, page 12.
Book: Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945″ by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean – March 5, 1942
(Grenier Field)
Douglas A-20 Havoc
U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 5, 1942, a U. S. Army Douglas DB-7B, (Ser. No. AL-301), (better known as the Douglas A-20 Havoc), took off from Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, bound for Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia. The plane carried a crew of three.
There was the pilot, 2nd Lt. David Soutbard, (23), of Orlando, Florida; the bombardier, Private 1st Class Jack C. Maxey, Jr., (21), of Ada, Oklahoma; and Private George T. Oswerk, (21), of Walsenburg, Colorado.
The aircraft arrived safely and Langley and later took off for a trip back to Manchester. While in route the aircraft crashed into the ocean off Barnegat Light, New Jersey. (The reason for the accident was not stated in the press.)
The pilot and bombardier were killed in the crash, but Private Oswerk was thrown clear and survived. He was rescued by a passing ship, but unfortunately passed away of his injuries on March 7th.
The Nashua Telegraph newspaper reported that this was the “first fatal accident to (a) Grenier Field plane.
Lieutenant Southbard’s body was reportedly not recovered.
Pvt. 1c Maxey is buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Ada, Oklahoma.
Pvt. Oswerk is buried in St. Mary’s North Cemetery in Walsenburg, Colorado.
The men were assigned to the 79th Bombardment Squadron at Grenier Field.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegraph, “Grenier Field Plane Crashes Off NJ Shore – Two Members of 3-Man Crew Are Killed”, March 6, 1942, page 1.
www.findagrave.com
Simsbury, Connecticut – October 4, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On October 4, 1944, two army P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Winsor Locks for a “routine combat training flight”. One aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-22595), was piloted by First Lieutenant Junior L. Birdsong. The other aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-8305), was piloted by an unnamed officer.
While conducting a combat training exercise over the town of Simsbury the two aircraft collided in mid-air. Lieutenant Birdsong was unable to escape from his plane and was killed when it crashed. The other pilot parachuted safely in a wooded area on Avon Mountain. Both aircraft went down in thick woods within three-quarters of a mile of each other, and within a mile of the nearest main road. They reportedly “burned fiercely” until firefighters from Simsbury and Bradley Filed could reach them.
Lt. Birdsong is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, in Pittsburg, Texas. To see a photo of him go to www.fingagrave.com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9101607/junior-lovell-birdsong
Sources:
Hartford Courant, “One Dies, Another Safe In Simsbury Air Crash”, October 5, 1944.
The Pittsburg Gazette, (Texas), “Military Funeral For Lt. J. L. Birdsong”, October 13, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
North Haven, Connecticut – July 6, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of July 6, 1943, Lieutenant George Sutcliffe took off from Westover Air Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts, in a P-47 B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-6013) for what was to be a routine training flight. Just after 11:30 a.m. while passing over the town of North Haven, Connecticut, he was forced to bail out. He landed safely while his aircraft crashed and burned in a vacant area off Hartford Turnpike. Nobody on the ground was injured.
Click here for more information about Lt. Sutcliff.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/george-sutcliffe-obituary?pid=147991329
Sources:
Information supplied by Lawrence Webster, Aircraft Archeologist and Historian, of the former Quonset Air Museum
North Haven Volunteer Fire Company report dated July 6, 1943.
Hartford Courant, “Crash Sites All But Forgotten”, by David K. Leff, November 21, 2010
New Bedford, Massachusetts – June 15, 1945
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 15, 1945, a navy SBW-4E Helldiver , (Bu. No. 60107), violently ground-looped while making a landing at New Bedford. The aircraft suffered substantial damage but the crew was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 15, 1945
Otis Air Field – July 23, 1945
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 23, 1945, a navy SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60120), was participating an a flight-carrier-landing-practice exercise at Otis Field, Upon touchdown on the runway the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop on its belly. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the pilot was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated July 23, 1945
Otis Air Field – May 5, 1945
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 5, 1945, a navy SBW-4E Helldiver, (Bu. No. 60116), was attempting to land at Otis Field with an overheating engine. It was the pilot’s first flight in such an aircraft. Just before touchdown, while at an altitude of about twenty-five feet, the aircraft dropped and crashed onto the runway, suffering two bent wings, a buckled fuselage, bent propeller, and damage to the engine. The pilot was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated May 5, 1945.
Hyannis, Massachusetts – March 25, 1945
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On March 25, 1945, a navy TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 24329), was in the process of taking off from Hyannis when the aircraft lost power twice. The pilot attempted to abort the take off and applied the brakes. The aircraft went off the end of the runway onto soft ground where the wheels dug in and the landing gear was torn away. The aircraft nosed over and skidded for an additional sixty feet before coming to rest. There were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated March 25, 1945.
Barnstable, Massachusetts – June 23, 1945
(And Truro, Mass. )
Early U.S. Navy Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of June 23, 1945, a flight of six navy SBW Helldiver aircraft were in a “tail-chase” formation 3,000 feet over the town of Truro, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. One aircraft, (Bu. No. 60112), was flying in the third position, and Bu. No. 60142 was following it in the fourth position about 400 feet behind. When the formation entered a climbing turn, the third aircraft unexpectedly flipped over onto its back and began to fall. The pilot of the fourth aircraft tried to avoid a collision but was unsuccessful.
The right wing of the fourth aircraft was sheared off about six feet from the tip. The pilot attempted to maintain control but was unable to, so he climbed to 4,000 feet and gave the order to his gunner to bail out. Both men reported having trouble getting clear of the cockpit before jumping. The aircraft crashed in Barnstable Harbor. The pilot and his gunner also came down in the water and were rescued by fishermen. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, the pilot of the other aircraft found his controls frozen after the collision and ordered his gunner, ARM3c Kenneth E. Kubik, (19), to bail out. The pilot later reported that he too had difficulty leaving the aircraft, but he landed safely with non-life-threatening injuries. ARM3c Kubik was unable to leave the aircraft and was killed when it crashed and exploded one mile northeast of Truro.
ARM3c Kubik was from Caldwell, Kansas, and assigned to VT-74.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 23, 1945
Nantucket, Massachusetts – June 12, 1945
On June 12, 1945, an FG-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 76561), was returning to the Nantucket Naval Auxiliary Air Field when the aircraft ground-looped upon landing. The aircraft suffered significant damage, but the pilot was uninjured.
The aircraft was assigned to VBF-74B.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 12, 1945
Nantucket, Massachusetts – April 6, 1945
On April 6, 1945, a navy Fg-1D Corsair aircraft, (Bu. No. 76648), was returning to the Nantucket Naval Auxiliary Air Field from a training flight when the engine began to cut out while the aircraft was still at 5,500 feet. As the pilot came in for an emergency landing the engine lost all power. The aircraft made a hard landing on the right wing and flipped over on its back. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
The pilot was assigned to VBF-92.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated April 6, 1945
Cape Cod Beach – May 8, 1942
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 8, 1942, Ensign Arthur J. Cassidy was piloting an F4F-4 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 4085), just off Cape Cod on a routine navigational training flight. About 40 minutes into the flight, the 30 gallon reserve fuel tank ran low, so he switched to the main tank, and when he did so the fuel suction was lost and could not be regained. His engine lost power, but he was able to make an emergency landing on a beach on Cape Cod. (Unfortunately the navy report on this incident does not state which specific beach, or the town it was located in.)
Cassidy’s aircraft suffered heavy damage during the landing, but he was not injured.
He was assigned to VF-41.
Ensign Cassidy was later promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.). He lost his life on March 30, 1943 when his aircraft disappeared over Massachusetts and was never heard from again. To read about his disappearance click here.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #4140, dated May 8, 1942.
Caribou, Maine – June 26, 1943
B-26G Bomber
U.S. Air Force Photo
Shortly after 8:00 a.m. on the morning of June 26, 1943, an army B-26 bomber, (Ser. No. 41-31645), was en-route to cross the Atlantic for overseas duty with a crew of five aboard.
Meanwhile, four adults and a 10-year-old boy were working in an open field on the farm of Carl Rasmussen in Caribou loading rocks on two horse-drawn wagons.
The B-26 came out of the sky and crashed right were the civilians were working, killing four of the five of them, as well as all members of the aircraft crew. The momentum of the aircraft carried it onward into an adjoining field and the debris field stretched all the way to a wooded area.
The four civilians killed on the ground were identified as Alfred Winter, 37, and his 9-year-old son, Alfred, Jr., Miss Ann Theriault, (25), and Miss Elouise M. Newton, (18). Freeman Hitchcock, who was also working in the field suffered serious injuries.
The servicemen were identified as:
(Pilot) 1st. Lt. Bertrand N. Robertson, (28) of Greenville Junction, Maine. He’s buried in Greenridge Cemetery in Caribou, Me.
(Co-Pilot) 2nd Lt. Herbert F. Myers, 22, of South Portland, Maine. To see a photo of Lt. Meyers, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62097192/herbert-f-meyers
(Navigator) 1st Lt. Edwin M Hankinson, (25 – 26) of Morrice, Michigan. He was survived by his wife whom he’d married eight days earlier on June 18, 1943. He’s buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Perry, Michigan. To see a photo of him click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36429945/edwin-morgan-hankinson
S/Sgt. William H. Jochim, (20), of Louisville, Nebraska. He’s buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Louisville, Nebraska. To see a photo of him click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64401819/william-h-jochim
T/Sgt. John M. Kuser, of New York City. He’s buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.
Sources:
Fort Fairfield Review, (Me.), “Nine-Death Bomber Crash Sat. Was Third Airplane Accident In Green Ridge Section In Ten-Month Period”, June 30, 1943, page 1.
Unknown newspaper, “Nine Killed When Plane Hits Field”, June 26, 1943
Imperial Valley Press, (Calif.), Army Plane Crashes, Kills Five Fliers, Four Workers”, June 27, 1943
www.findagrave.com
Marion, Massachusetts – February 4, 1943
Douglas A-20 Havoc
U.S. Air Force Photo
On February 4, 1943, a U. S. Army, Douglas A-20C Havoc, (Ser. No. 41-19637), left Cumberland Air Base in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with four men aboard. The purpose of the flight was to take part in a joint-training exercise with members of the 3rd Armored Division in the vicinity of the town of Lebanon, about twenty-five miles to the east. Once over the Lebanon area, the crew was to remain airborne and establish radio contact with armored division forces on the ground. When the exercise was over, the aircraft was scheduled to return to Harrisburg.
The aircrew consisted of the pilot, Major Arnold J. Bailey; the gunner, Sergeant Albert D. Reposa; and the radio operator, Sergeant Donald T. Robinson; all assigned to the 3rd Air Force. Also aboard was Major Charles H. Cooke of the 3rd Armored Division who was acting as an observer, and occupied the bombardier’s position in the nose of the aircraft.
As the aircraft flew towards Lebanon it encountered poor forward visibility due to low cloudy conditions, and at the time the pilot didn’t have a current instrument flight certification. Therefore he climbed and executed a 180 degree turn and began heading back towards Harrisburg. While making their way back to Harrisburg the pilot once again saw the ground, but the overcast continued to close in so he climbed to nearly 4,000 feet to get above it.
At Harrisburg he attempted two unsuccessful instrument landings before setting a southern course towards Baltimore, Maryland, flying between layers of clouds as he did so. Upon arriving at Baltimore he found conditions to be the same as they were at Harrisburg, and set a northeast course towards New England. However, the weather continued to grow worse, and as the plane neared the New England coast it encountered heavy rain.
As the aircraft passed over eastern Rhode Island the pilot noted that the fuel was low. He then took the plane to 13,000 feet and gave the order to bail out.
Major Bailey landed safely in a wooded area at Mayflower Ridge, near the Wareham River, in the town of Wareham, Massachusetts. He then hiked thought the woods carrying his parachute until he came to the Wareham Country Club where he obtained a ride to Camp Edwards.
Nobody had seen or heard the plane come down, therefore the location of where it crashed was not immediately known. Initial reports indicated the plane had gone down in the water somewhere between Swansea, Massachusetts, and Bristol, Rhode Island. Later reports indicated the plane had gone down in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts. The wreckage was finally located in a wooded area on the grounds of the RCA wireless station in the coastal town of Marion, Massachusetts.
Major Cooke’s body was recovered at the crash site, but Sergeants Robinson and Repoza were missing, and after a five day search had not been found. A parachute belonging to one of the men was found offshore in the water and it was presumed that both men had landed in the frigid water and drowned.
Sgt. Reposa’s body was later recovered in May of 1943 on the shore of Wareham.
Sources:
Unites States Army Air Force accident investigation report #43-2-4-7
The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “District Army Officer Dies In Plane Crash In Massachusetts”, February 6, 1943.
Daily Boston Globe, “Body Found Near Plane, Army Silent, Bomber Lost”, February 6, 1943
Wareham Currier, “Bomber Crashes In Marion”, February 11, 1943. (Article courtesy of the Trustees of the Wareham Free Library, Celia Epstein Stone Research Room.)
Fall River Herald, “ARP Units Aiding In Search For Missing Army Plane”, February 5, 1943, page 1
Fall River Herald, “Two Aviators Still Sought”, February 8, 1943, page 2.
Fall River Herald, “Wrecked Bomber Found At Marion”, February 6, 1943, page 1.
Wareham, MA., death records.
Camp Edwards, Massachusetts – December 22, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On December 22, 1942, a flight of three U. S. Army P-40 fighter planes took off from the Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, for a tactics-training flight. All aircraft were part of the 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, then stationed at Hillsgrove.
While over Cape Cod, and practicing mock attack and evasion maneuvers, one of the aircraft, (41-36510), piloted by 1st Lt. Bartholemew J. Judge, Jr., (24), went missing. Attempts to make contact by the other two aircraft were unsuccessful, and both were ordered to return to Hillsgrove.
When Lt. Judge failed to return he was declared missing. A search was instituted but nothing was found.
Three months later, on March 22, 1943, Lt. Judge’s remains were found near the wreckage of this aircraft in a wooded area of Camp Edwards, about five miles north of Otis Filed. There was evidence that he’d tried to bail out but his parachute didn’t open.
The wreckage was found by Chief Clarence Gibbs, a member of the Camp Edwards fire department, when he saw a glint of sunlight reflect off a piece of metal in a wooded area in a remote portion of the artillery range.
Lt. Judge is buried in Saint Catherine’s Cemetery, in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174721141/bartholemew-j-judge
Lt. Judge had survived an earlier plane crash in Stafford Springs, Connecticut on August 7, 1942. In that instance, he and an instructor were in a BT-14 trainer aircraft, (Ser. No. 40-1209).
Sources:
The Waterbury Democrat, “Pilots Injured”, August 8, 1942, page 2.
The Evening Star, (Washington, DC), “Lt. Judge, Former G.W.U. Student, Reported Missing”, December 26, 1942,page A-8
Fall River Herald, “Two Aviators Still Sought”, February 8, 1943, page 2.
The Falmouth Enterprise, “Dead Flyer Found”, March 26, 1943
Aviation Safety Network, Wikibase 102913
www.findagrave.com, #174721141
Mapleton, Maine – July 3, 1943
B-26G Bomber
U.S. Air Force Photo
At about 5 p.m. on July 3, 1943, a U. S. Army B-26C bomber aircraft, (Ser. # 41-35181), took off from the Presque Isle, Maine, Air Base, for a routine training flight when it lost an engine shortly after take off and went down and exploded in a wooded area of Mapleton, about five miles west of the airfield.
There were five men aboard at the time, three of whom perished.
The dead were identified as:
The pilot: 1st Lt. Walter M. Cochran of Wilmington, Del.
The co-pilot: 1st Lt. Walter H. Peoples of Wilmington, Del.
Flight Engineer: Corporal Albert O. Williams of Central, New Mexico.
The injured survivors were identified as:
Corporal Richard P. Hamilton of Pasadena, Cal.
1st Lt. Norman F. Smith, of Sandena, Cal.
Both were brought to Presque Isle Air Base Hospital.
Sources:
Evening Star, (Wash. D.C.), “Three Army Fliers Die In Maine Plane Crash”, July 4, 1943m, page C-7
Aviation Safety Network
Groton, Connecticut – June 12, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 12, 1945, a navy SB2C Helldiver, (Bu. No. 20916), was landing at Groton Field in strong gusty winds when the aircraft ground-looped at high speed, causing major damage to the aircraft. Neither the pilot or the gunner aboard were injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated June 12, 1945
New Bedford, Massachusetts – December 11, 1944
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On December 11, 1944, a navy F4U-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 82206), made an accidental wheels-up landing at New Bedford NAAF. The aircraft skidded to a stop and there was no fire. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The aircraft was assigned to Fighter Squadron 10, (VF-10)
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 11, 1944.
New Bedford, Massachusetts – December 7, 1944
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On December 7, 1944, a pilot was making carrier practice landings at New Bedford NAAF in an F4U-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 82205). After making several successful landings, he attempted to make another. Just before touchdown a strong gust of wind caused the left wing to dip. The pilot attempted to correct, but the aircraft went into a ditch. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the aircraft was seriously damaged.
The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 10, (VF-10).
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 7, 1944.
Haverhill, Massachusetts – November 4, 1944
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On the afternoon of November 4, 1944, Ensign Robert E. McLaughlin, (22), was piloting an F4U-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 50636), over the town of Haverhill when the aircraft was observed to go into a roll and then dive into the ground at high speed and explode off Hilldale, Avenue.
Ensign McLaughlin was assigned to Carrier Air Service Unit 22, (CASU-22) at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He enlisted in the Naval Air Corps V-5 program on September 30, 1942, training at Amherst College in Amherst Massachusetts, and further training in North Carolina, Florida. Illinois, and Texas. He earned his wings at Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 28, 1944.
Ensign McLaughlin is buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Haverhill. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35825894/robert-e-mclaughlin
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated November 4, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
Haverhill During WWII
Point Judith, Rhode Island – December 15, 1944
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On the night of December 15, 1944, a flight of U. S. Navy F4U Corsairs took off from the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine for a cross-country flight to Groton, Connecticut. All of the aircraft were assigned to Fighter Squadron 10, (VF-10).
At about 3:00 a.m., the flight was passing over the water about a half-mile south of Point Judith, Rhode Island, at an altitude of 600 feet, staying just below a layer of haze. The flight was split into two sections. Members of the first section included Ensign Herman Arthur Rodgers, piloting aircraft #57673, and Ensign William P. Brede, Jr., piloting aircraft #57514.
Suddenly Ensign Rodgers’, and Ensign Brede’s aircraft were observed by members of the second section to abruptly drop out of formation and plunge into the water and explode on impact. Neither pilot had radioed any trouble with his aircraft, or given a distress signal.
The aircraft and the pilot’s bodies were never recovered, and the cause of the accident is unknown.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 15, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 7, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of October 7, 1943, a navy FM-1 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 15193), was in the process of landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when a strong crosswind blew it off the runway as it was touching down. The aircraft ground-looped at high speed and was heavily damaged. The pilot was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-8979, dated October 7, 1943.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 31, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of August 31, 1944, a navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06077), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft ground-loped at high speed damaging the landing gear and buckling the fuselage. There were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated August 31, 1944.
Quonset Point, R. I. – July 1, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the afternoon of July 1, 1944, a ground collision occurred between two aircraft on Runway 19 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. An F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42300), taxied into the back of an SNJ-5 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 51651). The SNJ-5 was damaged beyond repair, but there were no injuries reported from those aboard either aircraft.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated July 1, 1944.
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
Martha’s Vineyard – March 25, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the night of March 25, 1944, a navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 05880), was returning to the Martha’s Vineyard Naval Auxiliary Air Field after a night familiarization flight. As the pilot was making his landing approach, he was waved off due to another aircraft which had just landed still being on the runway. The Avenger circled around and came in for a second approach. As it touched down it made a wheels up landing, and skidded on its belly for 900 feet before coming to rest. The propeller, the bomb bay doors, and the starboard wing were heavily damaged, but there were no injuries.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-81.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-12653, dated March 25, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 17, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of February 17, 1944, a navy TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 48027), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed shortly after touchdown. The aircraft skidded for over 900 feet before coming to rest. The aircraft suffered major damage but the three-man crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Four, (VT-4).
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11785, dated February 17, 1944.
Windham, Connecticut – April 13, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of April 13, 1944, a navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24124), landed short of the left side of the runway at the Windham Air Field. The left wing dragged and the plane went off the runway where it went into some soft dirt and was thrown over onto its right wing. The aircraft was damaged, but there were no injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-13163, dated April 13, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 13, 1942
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On March 3, 1942, a navy SNJ-3 trainer aircraft, (BU. No. 6911), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night training flight. Just after touchdown the pilot realized the brakes weren’t working, and the aircraft went off the end of the runway and nosed over. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated March 13, 1942.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 22, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the afternoon of September 22, 1944, a navy F6F-3 Hellcat fighter, (Bu. No. 26052), was taking off from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when the engine suddenly lost all power just after the plane became airborne. The aircraft fell back to the runway and the fuselage broke in half, but there was no fire. The pilot suffered serious injuries and the aircraft was a total loss.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated September 22, 1944.
Squantum Naval Air Station – May 25, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On May 25, 1945, a navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27007), landed at the Squantum Naval Air Station in a strong cross-wind and ground looped at high speed causing damage to the left wing, left aileron, propeller, and both landing wheels. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated May 25, 1945.
Greenwich, Connecticut – July 21, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
At about 3:30 p.m., on the afternoon of July 21, 1945, a navy SNJ-5 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 90720), with two men aboard left the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island for a training flight over Connecticut. About an hour later, while over Greenwich, Connecticut, the aircraft experienced problems with the engine’s fuel flow and began losing altitude. The pilot made a crash-landing on a golf course. The crew suffered non-life-threatening-injuries and the aircraft was heavily damaged.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 21, 1945.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 22, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of August 22, 1944, a flight of navy F6F Hellcat fighters were taking part in a night-carrier-landing-practice exercise at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, when one of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 70169), landed with its landing gear still in the “up” position. The plane skidded to a stop and suffered significant damage, but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 22, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 21, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
In the early morning hours of August 21, 1944, a flight of navy F6F Hellcat fighters were making night practice landings and take offs at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. At 2:00 a.m., one aircraft, (Bu. No. 58106), came in for its fifth landing, but the landing gear remained in a retracted position. The Hellcat made a wheels-up landing and skidded to a stop causing damage to the aircraft, but the pilot wasn’t injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 21, 1944.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 24, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the afternoon of August 24, 1944, a flight of F6F Hellcat navy fighters was practicing mock daylight carrier landings on Runway 35 at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field. One Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42287), came in to land with the landing gear still up. The aircraft crash-landed on the runway and skied to a stop. There was no fire, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 24, 1944.
Brunswick, Maine – March 24, 1945
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
On March 24, 1945, a navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 48884), was returning to the Brunswick Naval Air Station after a 4.5 hour operational flight. As the aircraft was coming in to land it ran out of fuel and crashed on approach. Two of the six men aboard were injured, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated March 24, 1945.
Quonset Point, R. I. – July 14, 1942
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of July 14, 1942, a flight of navy aircraft were participating in a night-carrier-landing-drill at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. One of the aircraft was an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 02137). The flight circle took the planes out over Narragansett Bay.
As the Wildcat was making its landing approach from an altitude of 300 feet over the Bay, its engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot was able to glide the plane in to make an emergency water landing just off shore. The pilot was able to extricate himself before the plane sank in 18 feet of water. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 41, (VF-41)
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-4487, dated July 14, 1942.
Quonset Point, R. I. – January 30, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On January 30, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12147), was taking off for a training flight from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Just as the aircraft reached an altitude of 700 feet the engine lost all power. The aircraft was too low for the pilot to bail out, so he tried to glide towards a wooded clearing. At an altitude of 50 feet he was able to restart the engine, and as he did so the Wildcat clipped some tree tops causing damage to the plane. The pilot was able to gain enough altitude to make it back to Quonset Point. As he was landing, the aircraft hit a snowbank which caused it to swing upwards into an almost vertical position and then slam back down. The aircraft was heavily damaged but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated January 30, 1943.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 5, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
At 9:40 p.m. on the night of February 5, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12156), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night familiarization flight. The pilot inadvertently made a wheels-up landing, and as the aircraft skidded to a stop it caught fire. The pilot escaped, but the aircraft was destroyed by the flames.
The pilot was assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5879, dated February 5, 1943.
Quonset Point, R. I. – February 7, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 7, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 5030), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the engine suddenly lost all power immediately after becoming airborne. The aircraft crashed back onto the runway and required a major overhaul. The pilot was not injured.
This aircraft had been involved in another accident only five days earlier on February 2nd. On that date, BU. No. 5030 was coasting to a stop after having just landed at Quonset Point when it was struck by another Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12149), which was taxiing into position in preparation of take off. The accident was blamed on the pilot of Bu. No. 12149.
Both aircraft were assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5849, dated February 2, 1943.
U. S. Navy accident report dated February 7, 1943.
Quonset Point, R. I. – February 2, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 2, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 5030), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The pilot made a successful landing and as the aircraft was coasting down the runway and nearly to a stop, it was struck by another Wildcat, (Bu. No. 12149), which was taxiing into position in anticipation of taking off. Both aircraft were damaged but there were no injuries. The accident was blamed on the pilot operating Wildcat 12149.
Both aircraft were assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).
Wildcat 5030 was repaired and put back in service.
Five days later, on February 7, Wildcat 5030 was taking off from the Quonset Point NAS when the engine suddenly lost power just after becoming airborne and the plane crashed back onto the runway. The aircraft required a major overhaul, but the pilot was not injured. The cause could not be determined.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5849, dated February 2, 1943.
U. S. Navy accident report dated February 7, 1943.
Quonset Point, R.I. – February 9, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 9, 1943, a navy F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 02027), was landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a strong cross-wind when the wingtip hit a snowbank causing the plane to crash. The aircraft was seriously damaged, and the pilot received non-life-threatening injuries.
The aircraft was assigned to Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16).
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #43-5932, dated February 9, 1943
Off Block Island – February 22, 1943
U.S. Navy Wildcat Fighter
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of February 22, 1943, a flight of navy F4F Wildcat fighters was taking part in a low altitude flight tactics training exercise off Block Island. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 12045), was piloted by Lt. (Jg.), Edward Enalius Bailey of Fighter Squadron 16, (VF-16), based at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. As Lt. (Jg.) Bailey was making a simulated attack on two torpedo planes he suddenly crashed into the water. Neither the pilot or his aircraft could be recovered.
Source: U. S. Navy report, #43-6049, dated February 22, 1943.
Narragansett Bay – August 23, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of August 23, 1944, a flight of navy F6F Hellcats were engaged in “night flying carrier landing practice” at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The flight circle extended out over the waters of Narragansett Bay. During the training exercise, one aircraft, (Bu. No. 58915), went down in the water and sank. The pilot escaped with no injuries and was rescued about an hour later. The aircraft was later recovered.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 23, 1944,
Ayer, Massachusetts – July 12, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 12, 1945, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 68260), was approaching the Ayer Naval Auxiliary Air Field to land. The pilot didn’t touch down until he was half-way down the 2,000 foot runway, after which time he was unable to stop the aircraft before it went off the end of the runway and flipped over onto its back. There was substantial damage to the aircraft, and the pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 12, 1945.
Norwood, Massachusetts – August 5, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of August 5, 1944, the pilot of a navy F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58931), was practicing glide-angle training runs over the Norwood, Massachusetts, area when a sudden “jolt” occurred in the engine compartment followed by sections of cowling falling away, and oil spraying the windshield. Immediately afterwards the aircraft began trailing smoke. The pilot nursed the aircraft up from 1,500 feet to 2,500 feet where he bailed out. The plane came down and was destroyed. The pilot landed safely with a lacerated hand.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 5, 1944
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 1, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of August 1, 1944, several aircraft from Night Fighter Squadron 104, (VFN-104), were taking part in a simulated night carrier landing exercise at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. During the exercise, one of the aircraft, an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42994), crashed into the water just off shore from the air field. The pilot escaped before the plane sank, and wasn’t injured. The aircraft was later salvaged.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 1, 1944.
Sandford, Maine – July 25, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 25, 1944, several aircraft were taking part in a “carrier landing practice” exercise at the Sanford Naval Auxiliary Air Field. One aircraft was a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42759). As the pilot made his landing on a simulated aircraft carrier deck platform the arresting wire broke causing the plane to swing violently to the right and skid for about 40 feet. The aircraft required a major overhaul, but the pilot was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 25, 1944
Ayer, Massachusetts – July 10, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 10, 1944, an F6F-3 hellcat, (Bu. No. 26333), was taking off at Ayer Navy Auxiliary Air Field when the aircraft lost power just after becoming airborne and fell back onto the runway. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the pilot survived, receiving non-life-threatening injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 10, 1944
Ayer, Massachusetts – August 8, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of August 8, 1944, Ensign Henry Clayton Youngdoff took off in an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58125), from the Ayer Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Ayer, Mass. The purpose of the flight was to participate in rocket firing dive exercises. After completing a practice dive over the airfield, Ensign Youngdoff climbed to 6,000 feet where he joined up with the division flight leader. Just after doing so, Youngdoff’s aircraft began trailing blue smoke and loosing power. After declaring an emergency, he was granted permission by Ayer tower to make an emergency landing. Ensign Youngdoff turned towards the field but due to the loss of power his aircraft began loosing altitude. When he was about three miles from the field he was only at 1,000 feet and still dropping, so he turned the aircraft towards a small lake. The terrain below was rugged and hilly. As he headed towards the lake the engine froze, and realizing he wouldn’t make it to the lake he bailed out. Unfortunately his parachute didn’t fully deploy and he was killed. The aircraft crashed and burned about a mile away. Nobody on the ground was injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 8, 1944
Atlantic Ocean – September 22, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the evening of September 22, 1944, a U. S. Navy F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70568), took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Rhode Island for a routine training flight off the New England Coast. The pilot was Ensign Robert Lee Skinner, 20, of Comanche County, Texas. The last radio contact with Ensign Skinner was heard about five minutes after take off. When Ensign Skinner failed to return he was declared missing and a search was instituted, but nothing was found.
Five months later the wreckage of Ensign Skinner’s aircraft was discovered off the coast of Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y. The cause of his accident was never determined.
Ensign Skinner was assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 107, aka VF(n)-107.
A photo of Ensign Skinner can be seen on www.findagrave.com, memorial #55702569.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55702569/robert-lee-skinner
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated September 22, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
Wingdale, New York – November 3, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
The flight of this aircraft originated at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Charlestown, Rhode Island, but ended in upstate New York.
On November 2, 1945, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4 “Texan” trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27381), left Charlestown, Rhode Island, on a cross country training flight to Chincoteague, Virginia, where it arrived safely.
The aircraft carried two men. The pilot was Ensign James Frederick Wagner, 25, of Titusville, Penn. The other man was Ensign Shannon R. Caulk, 21, of Columbia, Tenn. Both were assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 26, (CASU-27), at Charlestown.
On the morning of November 3, the men took off from Virginia bound for Groton, Connecticut. The aircraft’s expected time of arrival at Groton was to be 11:31 a.m.
While passing over the upstate New York area not far from the Connecticut boarder, the men encountered foggy weather and a cloud ceiling of 1,000 feet. At approximately 11:15 a.m. the aircraft crashed into East Mountain, an 1,800 foot tall hill in the village of Wingdale, New York. The impact took place along a rocky ledge about 100 feet from the summit. There was no explosion, but wreckage was scattered along the mountain side. Both Ensign Wagner and Ensign Caulk were killed instantly.
A man living nearby heard the accident and upon investigation found the crash site and notified authorities.
For more information click on the links below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85153016/shannon-r-caulk
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124666569/james-frederick-wagner
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated November 3, 1945
Poughkeepsie Journal, “Two Ensigns Killed In crash Of Navy Plane”, November 5, 1945, page 1.
Poughkeepsie Journal, “Wrecked Ship And Bodies Found On East Mountain”, November 4, 1945
North Kingstown, Rhode Island – April 11, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On the afternoon of April 11, 1945, a U. S. Navy SNJ-5 “Texan” trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 43893), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown with two men aboard. The purpose of the flight was to test a newly installed “flight attitude” gauge in the rear cockpit. As the pilot was putting the aircraft through a series of aerobatic maneuvers the engine suddenly lost all power and the plane went into a stall. The aircraft then fell into a short spin and crashed killing both men.
The pilot was identified as CAP USN Francisco P. Brunetti, 25, and the rear cockpit passenger was identified as AMM3/c John C. Costner, 23.
The location of this accident listed in the navy report was “Washington, R.I.”, however there is no such town, but there is a Washington County, R.I. Within Washington County are the towns of Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, and Westerly. After contacting town halls form those towns, it was learned that the death records for this accident are kept at North Kingstown, Book 6, Page 335. Therefore it is surmised the accident occurred in North Kingstown.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated April 11, 1945
Atlantic Ocean – December 3, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of December 3, 1944, a flight of U. S. Navy F6F Hellcats took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a “practice night interception” training flight off the Rhode Island coast. At about 7: 30 p.m., the lead aircraft, (Bu. No. 70632), piloted by Ensign Maynard F. Lednum, (21), was last seen making a “steep diving turn” while descending into a cloud bank at 6,000 feet. Although not witnessed, he presumably crashed into the ocean and was lost. Neither the pilot nor the aircraft were recovered.
Ensign Lednum earned his wings at Pensacola Florida on April 11, 1944, and arrived in Rhode Island on October 7, 1944.
To see a photo of Ensign Lednum go to www.findagrave.com, see memorial #173204555. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132055512/maynard-friz-lednum
Ensign Lednum was assigned to squadron VF(N)-91.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 3, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
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
Westerly, Rhode Island – March 9, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On the afternoon of March 9, 1945, a navy SNJ-5, “Texan” trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 43917), took off from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field for a training flight over southern Rhode Island with two men aboard. The pilot was Lt. (Jg.) William Edward Stakely. With him was Lt. (Jg.) Howard Gilmore Boren, Jr., 23. According to the navy accident report, “The purpose of the flight was to instruct Lt. (Jg.) Boren in recoveries on instruments from stalls, spins, and unusual positions.”
As the aircraft was going through a series of aerial maneuvers over the Bradford section of Westerly, Rhode Island, ground observers looked up to see the aircraft spinning violently towards the ground as a “detached portion” of the aircraft could be seen “fluttering” after it. The aircraft dove into the ground and exploded and neither man was able to bail out.
The “detached portion” that fell away was found to be the left wing of the aircraft which was recovered in a wooded area about three-quarters of a mile from the crash site.
An excerpt from the official U. S. Navy report reads: “A close examination of the left wing showed it to be completely crumpled. It was curled up and twisted from the leading edge of the wing tip diagonally aft and inboard toward the wing root.”
It was believed the wing structure failed due to stresses placed upon it during the routine aerial maneuvers. The accident was not the fault of the pilot.
Lt. (Jg.) Boren was a combat veteran and had received the Navy Cross for his actions in battle. To read the citation or to see a photo of Lt. (Jg.) Boren, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56951005/howard-gilmore-boren
As of this posting no further info is known about Lt. (Jg.) Stakely.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated March 9, 1945
www.findagrave.com
Squantum NAS – August 3, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On August 3, 1944, a U. S. Navy SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 54546), made a normal landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station. Just after touchdown, while the aircraft was still rolling at high speed, the landing gear suddenly collapsed dropping the plane onto the runway where it skidded on its belly to a stop. The two-man crew was not injured, but the aircraft required a major overhaul.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 3, 1944.
Otis Field, Falmouth, Massachusetts – September 10, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
Just after 2 p.m. on September 10, 1944, a U. S. Navy SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 54180), with two men aboard, took off from Otis Filed. The pilot was a navy ensign. The second man was Army Sergeant James Edwin Senter, (21 or 22).
The aircraft was seen to climb several hundred feet before it suddenly went into a downward spin to the left. The pilot managed to jump clear of from an altitude of 500 feet, and his parachute opened just before he hit the ground. Although injured, he would survive.
Meanwhile the aircraft crashed just twenty feet away killing Sergeant Senter.
Sergeant Senter is buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the army in 1940 at the age of 18. To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #173920812.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated September 10, 1944.
Brunswick, Maine – March 10, 1943
U.S. Navy PV-1 Ventura
U. S. Navy Photo
On March 10, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-3 Ventura aircraft, (Bu. No. 33949), ground-looped upon landing at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. The aircraft required a major overhaul but the crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-6197, dated March 10, 1943.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – December 10, 1942
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
On December 10, 1942, a U. S. Navy PV-3 Ventura aircraft, (Bu. No. 33951), was being used to demonstrate “wing-overs” and “flipper-turns” to student pilots when the tail section suddenly warped and became twisted. The plane made an emergency landing and there were no injuries. It was determined that the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was scrapped.
Source:
U. S. navy accident report dated December 10, 1942.
Cape Cod Bay – October 3, 1944
OS2U Kingfisher
U. S. Navy Photo
On October 3, 1944, a U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft was flying 700 feet over Cape Cod Bay when a muffled thud was heard from the motor followed by an immediate loss of power. The pilot made an emergency landing in the water and awaited rescue from a nearby Coast Guard boat. The aircraft was towed to shore by the Coast Guard.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 3, 1944.
Squantum Naval Air Station – January 15, 1944
OS2U Kingfisher without float
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 15, 1944, a flight of U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft were returning to the Squantum Naval Air Station after an anti-submarine patrol. The pilot of one of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 5564), was allowed to make a touch-and-go landing at an auxiliary air field located near the tip of Cape Cod so as to familiarize himself with the field. When the aircraft touched down, the left wheel hit a rut which damaged the left wheel strut of the landing gear. The pilot was able to keep the aircraft airborne and advised his flight leader of the situation. The flight leader then flew near #5564 and viewed the damage from his aircraft, and advised the pilot to jettison his bombs. (This was done three miles off Brant Rock.) Afterwards the damaged aircraft continued to the Squantum NAS where preparations were made for an emergency landing. When the pilot landed at Squantum the left landing gear collapsed and the plane ground-looped. The aircraft required extensive repairs, but the pilot was not hurt.
This same aircraft had been involved in another accident a year earlier. On January 10, 1943, the aircraft’s landing gear collapsed after a hard landing. There were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-10990, dated January 15, 1944.
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5635, dated January 10, 1943.
Salem Harbor, Massachusetts – December 21, 1943
OS2U Kingfisher
U. S. Navy Photo
On December 21, 1943, a U. S. Navy OS2U-3 Kingfisher aircraft, (Bu. No. 5769), was landing in Salem Harbor when a sudden gust of wind tipped the plane causing the left wing and float to strike the water. The aircraft came to an abrupt stop with the left side partially submerged. The aircraft failed to right itself, so the pilot and his radioman climbed out onto the fuselage where they waited the arrival of a nearby crash boat. After being tossed a line, the pilot secured it around the engine hub. After this was done, the pilot and his radioman were taken aboard the boat, and the boat began to tow the aircraft towards shore. However, the line snapped while in-route, and the current quickly carried the aircraft away and dashed it into some rocks. Once recovered, the aircraft required a major overhaul. There were no injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated December 21, 1943
Squantum Naval Air Station – January 31, 1944
OS2U Kingfisher without float
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 31, 1944, an OS2U-3 Kingfisher aircraft, (Bu. No. 5369), was landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station when the landing gear collapsed just after touchdown causing major damage to the aircraft. The crew was not injured. The caused of the accident was determined to be mechanical failure.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11356, dated January 31, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 17, 1943
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 17, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 29860), was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a six hour cross-country training flight. About thirty other aircraft were in the vicinity at the time, all trying to land quickly because the Quonset control tower had announced that the field was about to close due to weather closing in. The Ventura came in close behind another aircraft and struck the slipstream of the preceding plane. The Ventura landed hard on the runway and bounced, but was traveling fast enough for the pilot to apply full throttle and remain airborne. The Ventura circled the field for a second try, and upon touchdown the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded along the runway to a stop. There was no fire, but the aircraft received major damage. The six man crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VB-126.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-7297, dated June 17, 1943.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – March 10, 1943
U.S. Navy PV-1 Ventura
On the morning of March 10, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura aircraft, (Bu. No. 29834), with five men aboard, was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. The pilot started a normal takeoff, and as the aircraft proceeded down the runway it began a gradual drift to the left. The plane became airborne just before reaching the left edge of the runway at which time the left wing tip was observed to drop about 15 degrees and strike a snowbank. At the moment of impact the wing burst into flames and the aircraft settled back down to the ground. Both propellers hit the ground tearing the engines from their mountings. The flaming fuselage skidded along the ground coming to rest 150 yards to the left of the runway. The aircraft was completely consumed by fire.
One crewman, Lieutenant, (Jg.) George L. Mawhinney, died in the accident.
The pilot and two other crewmen received first and second degree burns. The fifth crewman escaped with minor bruises.
The aircraft was assigned to VB-125.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-6199, dated March 10, 1943.
Westerly, Rhode Island – September 25, 1943
On September 25, 1943, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 29446), was landing in a strong cross wind the Westerly Air Field when the aircraft bounced causing major damage to the landing gear. The plane then came down and struck the runway damaging the propeller and left wing and fuselage before coming to rest. None of the four men aboard were injured.
This aircraft was repaired and put back into service. It was involved in another accident at Otis Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on May 5, 1944. The aircraft ground looped upon landing; there were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-8786, dated September 25, 1943.
U. S. Navy accident report #44-43906, dated May 5, 1944.
Westerly, Rhode Island – January 15, 1944
On January 15, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 29481), with four men aboard, was landing at the Westerly Airport when the right wheel broke away upon touchdown, and the aircraft skidded to a stop. There were no injures.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-10895, dated January 15, 1944
New Bedford, Massachusetts – April 18, 1944
On April 18, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 44905), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island, bound for New Bedford’s auxiliary air field. Upon landing at New Bedford, the aircraft went off the runway and flipped onto its back. The plane was badly damaged, and the three men aboard received non-life-threatening injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-13365, dated April 18, 1944.
Otis Field, Massachusetts – May 12, 1944
On May 12, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 44913), ground looped after landing at the Otis Army Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The right wing and aileron were damaged but no injuries were reported.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #44-44085, dated May 12, 1944.
Otis Field, Massachusetts – May 5, 1944
On May 5, 1944, a U. S. Navy Howard NH-1 aircraft, (Bu. No. 29446), was landing in a strong crosswind at Otis Army Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when the plane ground looped after touchdown. The left wing and aileron were damaged, but the three men aboard were not injured.
This aircraft had been involved in a previous accident on September 25, 1943 when it crash-landed in a cross-wind at Westerly, Rhode Island. There were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-43906, dated May 5, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report #44-8786, dated September 25, 1943
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 9, 1942
OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 9, 1942, a U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft, (Bu. No. 5314), with two men aboard, was making a landing approach to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Just before touchdown, a gust of wind caught the aircraft while it was low over Narragansett Bay causing the left wing to touch the water. The aircraft spun around and hit the water and was then driven into the beach. The aircraft sustained heavy damage but the crew was not hurt.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #4292, dated June 9, 1942.
Bourne, Massachusetts – October 9, 1942
Cape Cod Canal
OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 9, 1942, a U.S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft, (Bu. No. 09413), flew under the Sagamore Bridge which crosses the Cape Cod Canal in Borne, and just after doing so struck a high-voltage electric cable strung 350 feet above and across the Cape Cod Canal. The impact sent the aircraft into a stall and caused it to hit the water near the southern shore of the canal. The aircraft would require a major overhaul, but neither of the two-man crew was reported to be injured.
As a point of fact, this aircraft was put back into service and was involved in a minor accident at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island on August 24, 1943. For more information, click here.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5038, dated October 9, 1942
Squantum Naval Air Station – January 10, 1943
OS2U Kingfisher without float
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 10, 1943, a flight of U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft were returning to the Squantum Naval Air station after an anti-submarine patrol flight over the Atlantic. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 5564), landed too close behind the flight leader’s plane, and was caught in its slipstream. The slipstream caused 5564’s left wing to drop and hit the runway with enough force to dislodge two depth charges, but they did not explode. 5564 was still traveling fast enough for the pilot to give full throttle and remain airborne. The aircraft circled the field and came in for another landing attempt with flaps 1/3 down. The aircraft hit the tarmac 4/5 of the way down the runway during which point the left landing gear gave way and the aircraft skidded to a stop. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, but the two-man crew was not hurt.
This aircraft was repaired and put back into service. It was later involved in another accident on January 15, 1944 when the left landing gear collapsed while making an emergency landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station. There were no injuries.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5635, dated January 10, 1943.
U. S. Navy accident report $44-10990, dated January 15, 1944.
Block Island – November 7, 1942
U.S. Navy OS2U-2 Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo
On November 7, 1942, a U. S. Navy OS2U-3 Kingfisher airplane, (Bu. No. 09416), was forced to land at Block Island due to being low on fuel. Upon landing the aircraft flipped over and suffered heavy damage. The two-man crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5762, dated November 7, 1942.
Block Island Sound – February 13, 1942
OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 13, 1942, two U. S. Navy OS2U Kingfisher aircraft were flying together 2,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean about four miles south of Newport, Rhode Island.
Each Kingfisher carried two men. The first, (Bu. No. 5315), was occupied by Ensign Bradley Goodyear Jr., (30), of Buffalo, N.Y., and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3/c Edward J. Hamner, (20-21), of Long Lake, N.Y.
The second aircraft, (Bu. No. 5299), contained Ensign R. M. Nelson, and Aviation Radioman 1/c Reginald Henry Davis, (27), of Hardin County, Texas.
For some unknown reason, Ensign Goodyear’s aircraft was seen to enter a sharp left turn at a nose down angle. It continued into the turn for about 270 degrees before it crashed in the water.
Ensign Nelson landed his plane in the water where the accident had occurred, and two bodies were seen on the surface. AMM3/c Hamner left the aircraft in an attempt to retrieve them, and subsequently drowned in the process.
The cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft had sank and was not recovered.
Both aircraft were assigned to VP-82.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #3793, dated February 13, 1942.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 15, 1944
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On August 15, 1944, a navy SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 7002), left Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, bound for Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Upon landing at Quonset the plane’s landing gear collapsed causing heavy damage to the aircraft . There were no injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 15, 1944.
Hyannis, Massachusetts – November 19, 1944
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On November 19, 1944, a navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 26865), was landing at Hyannis Airport in a strong cross-wind, when the aircraft ground looped just after touchdown. The right wing and aileron were damaged, as well as the right landing gear being torn away, and the left landing gear bent. The propeller was also bent. There were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated November 19, 1944.
Beverly, Massachusetts – February 7, 1945
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On February 7, 1945, a navy SNJ-5 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 90667), was landing at Beverly, Massachusetts, when the aircraft went off the runway and into a snowbank and nosed over. The aircraft was damaged but there were no injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated February 7, 1945
Squantum Naval Air Station – May 20, 1944
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On May 20, 1944, an SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 5660), was in the process of taking off from the Squantum Naval Air Station when the pilot suddenly aborted the takeoff and applied the brakes. The aircraft nosed over and was damaged. The undercarriage broke loose, and the left wing, propeller, engine cowling, were all damaged, as well as the engine due to the sudden stoppage. The pilot and his instructor were not hurt.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-14365), dated May 20, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 20, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On October 20, 1943, an navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27815), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and as it was taxiing off the runway to an airplane parking area it collided with a parked tractor causing significant damage to the aircraft requiring a major overhaul. The pilot and instructor aboard were not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VS-33.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated October 20, 1943.
Nantucket, Massachusetts – October 18, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On the morning of October 18, 1943, a navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27276), was landing in a strong cross wind at the Nantucket Naval Air Station when the aircraft ground-looped just after touching down. The pilot and his civilian passenger were not injured but the aircraft suffered significant damage.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-9145, dated October 18, 1943.
Martha’s Vineyard – October 9, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On October 9, 1943, an navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27178), crashed while landing in a strong cross wind at Martha’s Vineyard Naval Auxiliary Air Field and flipped over onto its back. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the two-man crew suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-9008, dated October 9, 1943.
Brunswick, Maine – July 7, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On July 7, 1943, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft , (Bu. No. 27614), was landing at the Brunswick Naval Air Station in a strong 90-degree cross-wind. As the pilot attempted to use alternate brakes to prevent a ground loop the aircraft nosed over. The pilot and instructor aboard suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The aircraft required a major overhaul.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-7567, dated July 7, 1943.
Squantum Naval Air Station – May 13, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On May 13, 1943, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 26862), ground-looped upon landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station in Salem, Mass. The left landing gear was buckled, the left wing was warped, and the aileron and landing flaps were damaged. The pilot and instructor aboard were not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-31.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-6880, dated May 13, 1943.
Narragansett Bay – April 24, 1943
On April 24, 1942, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27278), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a one hour training flight with a pilot and instructor aboard. While five miles from the air base, and at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the fuel tank ran dry. The pilot switched tanks, but the engine failed to re-start. The pilot made an emergency landing in Narragansett Bay and the plane sank almost immediately. The pilot and instructor were able to escape and were rescued. The aircraft was recovered and required a major overhaul.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #43-6638, dated April 24, 1943.
Ft. Devens, Massachusetts – March 7, 1942
On March 7, 1942, a U. S. Navy SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 01829), was taxiing for takeoff at Fort Devens Air Field when the pilot hit the brakes to avoid another aircraft and nosed over. There were no injuries but the front of the aircraft received considerable damage.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated March 7, 1942.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 12, 1942
On January 12, 1942, an SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 6911), had just landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the brakes jammed. The aircraft skidded forty feet and then nosed over. The aircraft was damaged, but the two-man crew was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated January 12, 1942.
Fall River, Massachusetts – September 9, 1943
On the morning of September 9, 1943, a U. S. Navy SNJ-4C Texan trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 27022), was on a training flight over the Fall River area with a pilot and instructor aboard. Shortly before 10:00 a.m. the aircraft went into a practice spin from an altitude of 6,000 feet from which it recovered at 5,000 feet. However, at that time the pilot discovered that the throttle was jammed in the closed position. Repeated attempts to rectify the problem were unsuccessful, and the pilot selected an open field in which to make an emergency landing. As the plane descended, the pilot continued to work on the throttle, which suddenly opened, but the engine didn’t respond with increased power. As the aircraft lowered to 2,000 feet the cockpit suddenly began filling with smoke, and flames appeared from the engine cowling. The decision was made to bail out, and the pilot rolled the aircraft onto its back. After the instructor had successfully left the aircraft the plane rolled into a vertical position and the pilot was unsure of he could successfully jump clear of the plane so he remained at the controls and aimed for a small cove at the Fall River shoreline. There he made a successful emergency landing in shallow water about 30 feet from shore. The pilot and the instructor were not injured, but the aircraft was a total loss.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #41-8538, dated September 9, 1943.
Squantum Naval Air Station – April 6, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On April 6, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28761), made a wheels-up landing at the Squantum Naval Air Station and skidded 300 feet to a stop. The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but the crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VS-31.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-12971, dated April 6, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – April 26, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On April 26, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 54260), was approaching to land at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the pilot discovered that he couldn’t lower the landing gear. He began to circle the airfield in an attempt to fix the problem but was unable to do so. With fuel running low, he made a wheels-up emergency landing at the base. The aircraft suffered extensive damage, but the crew was not injured. The accident was due to mechanical failure.
The aircraft was assigned to VS-33.
Source:
U. S. Navy report #44-13575, dated April 26, 1944.
Atlantic Ocean – April 19, 1945
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of April 19, 1945, two FM-2 Wildcat aircraft were involved in a gunnery-training exercise ten miles south of Block Island, R. I. Both aircraft had just completed a run at a simulated target in the water, when one of the pilots noticed gas fumes in the cockpit of his aircraft, (Bu. No. 47109). He reported the trouble to the other pilot, and both aircraft began heading back to base. At 11:40 a.m., while both aircraft were still over the water, the engine of Bu. No. 47109 suddenly cut-out and stopped. The fuel gauge read 45 gallons. The pilot was unable to re-start the engine and made a wheels up emergency landing in the water. The plane remained afloat for about a minute giving the pilot time to escape. He was rescued a short time later by a navy sea plane. The aircraft was not recovered.
Both aircraft were assigned to VC-15.
Source: U.S. Navy accident report dated April 19, 1945.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – May 1, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On May 1, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28722), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. After achieving an altitude of ten feet, the engine suddenly cut out, and the aircraft settled back onto the runway. Just as it did so, the engine suddenly restarted, and as the aircraft began to lift for a second time, the engine once again failed. The aircraft went off the end of the runway and flipped over onto its back. The Aircraft was heavily damaged, but the crew was not injured.
The aircraft belonged to VS-33.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-13737, dated May 1, 1944.
New Bedford, Massachusetts – February 13, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On the morning of February 13, 1943, two U. S. Navy SBD-4 Dauntless dive-bombers were participating an a tactical exercise over the water off New Bedford.
One aircraft, (Bu. No. 06870), was occupied by the pilot; Ensign Herber (Not Herbert) S. Graham, 23, and his gunner/radioman AOM2/c Louis P. Michael.
The other Dauntless, (Bu. No. 06867), was occupied by the pilot; Ensign Robert M. J. Veith, and his radioman/gunner AMM3/c Joseph L. Wallace.
Shortly before noon, both aircraft made a practice dive on a simulated target, and pulled out at 1,300 feet. As both planes were re-forming in the air they were involved in a mid-air collision. After the accident both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the water. The only crewman to survive was AMM3/c Wallace who was able to bail out and use his parachute. He was rescued from the water by a small surface craft.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5979, dated February 13, 1943.
Brunswick, Maine – April 2, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On April 2, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28262), was returning to the Brunswick Naval Air Station after a training flight. The pilot was making a normal landing approach, but was unable to establish radio contact with the control tower, and unknown to the pilot was the fact that one of the landing gear wheels had failed to come down. When the aircraft touched down it went off the runway and nosed over. The aircraft was heavily damaged, but the two-man crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VS-44.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-12844, dated April 2, 1944.
Quonset Point, R. I. – January 25, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
At 4:10 p.m. on the afternoon of January 25, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28651), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and collided with another SBD-5, (Bu. No. 36454), that was stopped on the runway due to a flat tire. At the time of the accident darkness was falling, and the control tower had failed to notify incoming aircraft of the hazard.
The two-man crew of the incoming Dauntless were not injured. The crew of the other Dauntless suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Both aircraft were substantially damaged, and both were assigned to VB-4.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11175, dated January 25, 1944.
Squantum Naval Air Station – January 24, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
At 7:45 p.m. on the night of January 24, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless, was returning to the Squantum Naval Air Station after a night training flight. As the Dauntless came in to land, a British TBF Avenger also landed on the same runway, but ahead of the Dauntless. Neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft’s presence until it was too late. The Dauntless landed directly behind the Avenger, and quickly overtook it, crashing into the back of it. Both aircraft were damaged. There were no reported injuries aboard the Dauntless. It’s unknown about the crew of the Avenger.
The accident was due to miscommunication between aircraft and control tower.
Source:
U. S. navy accident report #44-11151, dated January 24, 1944.
Squantum Naval Air Station – January 24, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On January 24, 1944, a SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28952), was returning to the Squantum Naval Air Station after a training flight. As the aircraft approached the runway the pilot noted that the right landing gear had failed to come down. The pilot began to circle the field and attempted to fix the problem but was unable to do so. When his fuel ran low he was advised to make an emergency landing on one wheel, which he did. The aircraft was damaged in the landing, but the crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11150, dated January 24,1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 11, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On January 11, 1944, an SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 29033), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Immediately after becoming airborne the pilot’s control stick locked. The pilot cut the throttle and attempted to land on the remaining portion of the runway but overran the runway and struck a light and a mound of dirt. The aircraft was damaged, but the two-man crew was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-10814, dated January 11, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – May 2, 1944
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 2, 1944, a TBM-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 25430), was due to take off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to participate in an aerial gunnery training flight. The aircraft was designated to be the “target-tug”, meaning it was to tow a canvas target behind it which other aircraft would take turns firing at.
At 2:00 p.m. the aircraft began its take-off run with the target sleeve attached. As soon as the aircraft became airborne the pilot raised the wheels. At an altitude of 100 feet, the right wing stalled due to recent squadron modifications to it, causing a loss of altitude. At the end of the runway was Narragansett Bay. The target sleeve hadn’t yet become airborne, and began dragging in the water off the end of the runway. Then the right wing stalled a second time and the plane went down in the bay.
There were four men aboard the aircraft; the pilot, a gunner, and two radio-men. (The Avenger generally carried a crew of three) When the plane hit the water one crewman suffered a broken left arm, another a lacerated hand, and the other two were not injured. All were rescued.
The aircraft was a total loss, with its fuselage having broken in half.
The men were assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point.
Source: U.S. Navy accident report #44-13795, dated May 2, 1944.
Off Block Island, R. I. – April 30, 1942
Vought SB2U Vindicator
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of April 30, 1942, a flight of Vought SB2U Vindicator navy aircraft were participating in a coordinated group bomb-attack training flight off Sandy Point, Block Island. At 2:30 p.m., two of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 1365), and (Bu. No. 0746), were involved in a mid air collision. (Bu. No. 1365) had its right wing sheared off in the collision. (Bu. No. 0746) had part of its right wing and tail section torn away. Both aircraft had been traveling in opposite directions in different groups at the time of the accident.
The pilot of (Bu. No. 1365 ) was Ensign David L. Kauffman, 21. With him was Lt. (Jg.) Howard Lapsley, 31, serving as an observer. As the aircraft fell, one man was seen to bail out, but his parachute never opened. The aircraft crashed into the water north of Sandy Point.
The pilot of (Bu. No. 0746) was Ensign Frederick W. Tracey. With him was his radioman, ARM3/c J. C. Brown. Both parachuted safely as their aircraft crashed into the water north of Sandy Point. Both men were rescued from the water.
The aircraft were assigned to VS-41.
The weather at the time of the accident was fair and hazy.
To see a photograph Ensign Kauffman, and to read his obituary go to www.findagrave.com and see memorial #113970491.
To learn more about Lt. (Jg.) Lapsley, go to www.findagrave.com, and see memorial #25898354.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #4091, dated April 30, 1942
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – July 12, 1942
Vought SB2U Vindicator
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 12, 1942, a Vought SB2U Vindicator, (Bu. No. 0739), was returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a practice bombing training flight when it crash-landed due to heavy crosswinds. The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but the two-man crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-4422, dated July 12,1942.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – July 27, 1945
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On July 27, 1945, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06381), had just landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, and as the aircraft was taxiing the landing gear suddenly retracted causing the aircraft the be damaged beyond repair. None of the crew aboard was injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 27, 1945.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – January 2, 1945
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 2, 1945, a TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 24395), was landing at the Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station when the aircraft was hit with a strong crosswind while five feet from the ground. The right wing fell and struck the runway causing the aircraft to crash-land. The aircraft suffered significant damage, but the crew was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated January 2, 1945
Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts – May 8, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of May 8, 1944, a TBM-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 25500), was participating in a bomb-depth charge training flight over Cape Cod Bay. The aircraft was carrying some 100 lb. bombs equipped with instantaneous fuses, and some depth charges equipped with 5-second delay fuses. At 4:10 p.m., the pilot began a bomb run during which one of the bombs caused a fire in the bomb-bay. As flames gushed forth from the open bomb-bay doors, the rest of the ordinance was jettisoned. The aircraft was then seen to enter a steady glide and crash into the water. The aircraft sank taking all aboard with it.
The navy identified the crew as follows:
Pilot: Lt.(Jg.) Norwood H. Dobson, (27). To see a photo of him, go to www.findagrave.com, view memorial #53923003.
Gunner: AOM3/c John William Dahlstrom
Radio Operator: ARM3/c Arthur N. Levesque
The crew was assigned to VT-7.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-13855, dated May 8, 1944.
Sanford, Maine – May 16, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On May 16, 1944, a TBM-1C, (Bu. No. 17085), made a normal landing on Runway 14 at the Sanford Maine Navy Auxiliary Air Field. As the aircraft was rolling down the runway the left landing gear collapsed. The aircraft skidded to a stop and the three-man crew was not hurt.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44-14211, dated May 16, 1944.
Groton, Connecticut – May 9, 1944
TBM-3E Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On May 9, 1944, a TBM-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 45503), took off from Groton Field with a three-man crew aboard. After climbing to an altitude of 500 feet the engine suddenly backfired and quit. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and the plane crashed in a wooded area of the Noank section of Groton. The crew escaped with non-life-threatening injuries – the aircraft was consumed by fire.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated May 9, 1944.
Narragansett Bay – December 5, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On December 5, 1943, a Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 10543), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight. Shortly after take off, while at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the engine suddenly caught fire and lost power. The pilot was forced to make an emergency water landing in the frigid waters of Narragansett Bay in the vicinity of Conimicut Point. The aircraft sank but the pilot and gunner were able to escape with minor injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-10109, dated December 5, 1943.
Nantucket, Massachusetts – November 20, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On the morning of November 20, 1943, a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 29034), was approaching the Nantucket Naval Auxiliary Air Field in heavy haze. Ground fog conditions were also present. Due to poor visibility, the plane landed half-way down the runway. The pilot applied the brakes but was unable to prevent the aircraft from running off the runway and into a ditch. The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but the two-man crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-9838, dated November 20, 1943.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – April 27, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On the afternoon of April 27, 1944, a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 09747), overshot the runway while landing at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field. The aircraft was on a ferry mission with a Marine Corp 1st lieutenant aboard. The aircraft first touched down at the approximate midpoint of the 1,400 foot runway. To the right of the runway was a parked twin-engine PBM Mariner with a bomb truck parked alongside. When the pilot of the Dauntless applied full brakes the aircraft swerved to the right, and its right wing struck the bomb truck causing the aircraft to pivot and crash into the fuselage of the Mariner. The pilot was not injured but the passenger suffered a cut lip. No other injuries were reported concerning the truck or the Mariner. Both aircraft were damaged beyond repair.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-15665, dated April 27, 1944.
Brunswick, ME. – January 28, 1944
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On January 28, 1944, a flight of three Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft were returning to the Brunswick Naval Air Station after a formation training flight. As the aircraft approached the field at an altitude of 1,800 feet in a “V” formation, one of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 28727), left the formation and went into a spin from which it did not recover. The aircraft crashed and burned killing the pilot, Ensign James A. Andrew, Jr., and the gunner, Seaman 1/c Harry Hoerr.
The men were assigned to VS-31.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11278, dated January 28, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 12, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On October 12, 1943, a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 24149), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. As the aircraft was taxiing down the runway it collided with another SBD-5, (Bu. No. 11038), that was also taxiing from another runway. The two aircraft collided where the runways intersected. Both aircraft suffered substantial damage, but there were no injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 12, 1943.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – March 3, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On March 3, 1943, a Douglass SBD-4 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 10448), was taking off from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when the engine lost power and the aircraft crashed. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the crew was not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated March 3, 1943.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – February 12, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On February 12, 1943, a pilot was making practice landings and take-offs at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field in a Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 06850), when he crash-landed due to cross winds. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, but the pilot and his gunner were not injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5790, dated February 12, 1943
Hartford, Connecticut – October 9, 1942
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On October 9, 1942, a civilian test pilot and a civilian observer took off from Hartford Airport in a Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 2187). The purpose of the flight was to test the performance of a newly installed propeller. As the pilot was making a power-climb to 12,000 feet smoke and oil began coming from the engine. The pilot made a rapid descent towards the airfield but lost power and crash-landed short of the runway causing extensive damage to the aircraft. The pilot, and the observer were not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated October 9, 1942
South Kingstown, Rhode Island – March 13, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On March 13, 1943, Ensign Charles W. Bradley, 22, was piloting a Douglas SBD-4 aircraft, (Bu. No. 01526), taking part in a gunnery practice training flight over southern Rhode Island. The weather was clear, with a cloud ceiling at 5,00 feet, and visibility six miles.
After completing a gunnery run at 3,000 feet, the aircraft was observed to turn over and enter a vertical dive from which it did not recover. Both Ensign Bradley and his gunner, ARM2/c Pat D. McDonough, 22, were killed.
Both men were assigned to squadron VB-23.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-6221, dated March 3, 1943.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 3, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On June 3, 1943, Ensign Charles Howland Reinhard was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 10940), for an authorized cross country training flight. Almost immediately after becoming airborne, and with the landing gear retracted, the aircraft was observed by ground personnel to suddenly enter a left spin and crash. Ensign Reinhard perished in the accident.
Ensign Reinhard was assigned to VB-15.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-7131, dated June 3, 1943.
Charlestown, R. I. – September 15, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of September 15, 1943, a pilot was making practice carrier landings at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Field in a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 11057). On his third approach he was given a “high out” and due to darkness, made a hold-off landing. The plane stalled and came down on the port landing gear causing it to collapse and break off causing damage to the port wing. As the plane settled the propeller was also damaged. The pilot was not hurt.
The pilot was assigned to VC-32.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report dated September 15, 1943, #44-8014
Stratford, Connecticut – March 15, 1943
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On March 15, 1943, Chance-Vought civilian test pilot Boone T. Guyton, was piloting an F4U-1 Corsair, (Bu. No. 02157), over the Stratford area. The aircraft had been brought to Chance-Vought and converted to a XF4U-3, with experimental equipment added. Mr. Guyton was testing the performance of the aircraft when the engine suddenly failed forcing him to make an emergency landing at Bridgeport Airport, (Today known as Sikorsky Memorial Airport.) Upon landing the aircraft struck a cement retaining wall. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, and the pilot was seriously injured.
Investigation determined that one of the rods in the engine had seized causing the engine failure.
Guyton survived an earlier crash landing in Norwich, Connecticut, on July 11, 1940. Click here for more information.
Boone Guyton, (1913 – 1996), was a well known test pilot and navy veteran. He wrote a book of his experiences called “Whistling Death: The Test Pilot’s Story Of The F4U Corsair, published in 1991 and 1997.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #43-6245, dated March 15, 1943
New Milford, Connecticut – March 1, 1944
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
At about 2 p.m. on the afternoon of March 1, 1944, Chance-Vought (Aircraft) civilian test pilot, Willard B. Boothby, was flying a navy F4U-1 Corsair, (Bu. No. 49882), over western Connecticut when the aircraft developed an on-board fire. Boothby was forced to bail out as the aircraft went down in the Still River section of the town of New Milford, where it struck a private home on Rt. 7 and exploded. The aircraft and home were destroyed, but the home was unoccupied at the time, and there were no injuries on the ground.
Meanwhile, the parachute malfunctioned, and the pilot came down in a wooded area on Corman Hill and was killed instantly. At the time of the accident, strong winds were blowing, and police speculated that the lines became tangled.
The aircraft had been accepted by the Navy only six days earlier on February 23rd, and was at the Chance-Vought plant for experimental purposes.
Mr. Boothby began his flying career while a student at Purdue University, and became a test pilot for Chance-Voight in 1941. He’s buried in Saccarappa Cemetery in Westbrook, Maine. He was survived by his wife and son.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated March 1, 1944
Unknown Newspaper, “Willard Boothby, Test Pilot For Chance-Vought, Plane On Fire, Bales Out, And Instantly Killed”, March 2, 1944 – courtesy of the New Milford Public Library.
www.findagrave.com, memorial #47668157
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 11, 1944
U.S. Navy Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On January 11, 1944, an F4F Wildcat, (Bu. No. 11863), with a target tow sleeve attached, was in the process of taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. At the time, the aircraft had been cleared by the tower for takeoff. When the Wildcat was about two-thirds of the way down the runway, a Grumman J2E Duck suddenly landed ahead of, and in the path of the Wildcat. To avoid a collision, the pilot of the Wildcat skidded to the left and went off the runway and plowed into a snowbank. The pilot was not injured, but the Wildcat was in need of a major overhaul.
Nobody aboard the other aircraft was injured.
Grumman Duck
U. S. Navy Photo
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated January 11, 1944
Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 2, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of October 2, 1944, an F6f-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70998), was coming in to land at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field after a training flight when the pilot got vertigo and misjudged the altitude and distance to the runway. The aircraft crashed a half-mile short of the runway and was damaged beyond all repair. The pilot survived.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 2, 1944.
Beverly, Massachusetts – October 29, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On October 29, 1944, a F6F-5, Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58128), was taking off from the Beverly Navy Auxiliary Air Field for a training flight. As the aircraft began to climb the engine began sputtering and then quit. The plane came down and was damaged beyond all repair, and the pilot received non-life-threatening injuries. The pilot reported that when the engine failed all instruments were reading normal. The cause of the crash is unknown.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 29, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 31, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On October 31, 1944, a pilot took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58302), for a familiarization flight over the area. Thirty minutes into the flight the pilot detected the odor of gasoline fumes in the cockpit and returned to Quonset. Just after landing safely the aircraft caught fire and was burned. The pilot extricated himself without injury.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 31, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – October 17, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On October 17, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 01769), with three men aboard, was taking off for a training flight from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Just after becoming airborne, but still over the runway, the engine suddenly lost power and the aircraft fell back onto the runway with its wheels retracted. The aircraft suffered substantial damage as a result of the incident, but the crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VTN-91.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report dated October 19, 1944.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – September 16, 1943
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On September 16, 1945, a flight of three FM-1 Wildcat fighters took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for an anti-submarine practice flight. Just after the flight became airborne, the pilot of Bu. No. 15268 noticed that the oil pressure to his aircraft was dropping. After notifying the flight leader he began his return to Quonset. As he was making his approach to the runway the engine suddenly stopped, and the plane went down in the water of Narragansett Bay about three hundred yards short of the runway. The pilot was rescued, and not injured. The aircraft sank and was stricken after it was recovered.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-55.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-8637 or 44-8687.
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – February 16, 1944
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At 7:50 p.m. on the night of February 16, 1944, two FM-2 Wildcat aircraft were returning to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a night tactics training flight.
The first aircraft, (Bu. No. 16343), landed first and taxied down the runway. The second aircraft, (Bu. No. 16161), landed just afterwards and collided into the back of the first aircraft. The first aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the second aircraft was repaired and put back in service. Neither pilot was injured.
Both aircraft were assigned to VF-4.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-11748
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – April 21, 1944
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At 10:30 a.m. on the morning of April 21, 1944, an FM-2 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 16583), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station on Runway 5 for a routine training flight. Just after becoming airborne, at an altitude of 30 feet, the engine suddenly stopped. The aircraft fell back onto the runway but there wasn’t enough time or room to stop. The aircraft went off the end of the runway, over a sea wall, and into Narragansett Bay. The pilot was rescued, but the aircraft was a total loss. Inspection revealed fouled sparkplugs to be the cause.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-13366
South Weymouth Naval Air Station – August 13, 1943
On the morning of August 13, 1943, the navy airship K-69, (Bu. No. 30191), was being removed from its hangar at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station when a gust of wind pushed the tail section against the side of the hanger causing a rip in the fabric. The ship began rapidly deflating as it began to then swing away from the building. The pilot quickly shut off all switches and abandoned the airship, along with nine other crewmen aboard. After all hands had left the ship, the ground-handling officer ordered the forward rip paned to be pulled so the rest of the envelope would deflate. There were 57 men in the ground handling party.
The K-69 was repaired and put back in service.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 13, 1943
Off Martha’s Vineyard – December 22, 1943
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of December 22, 1943, a flight of seven airplanes from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger, (CV-4), were taking part in a gunnery practice flight over the ocean in the vicinity of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. As one aircraft served as a “target tug”, towing a canvas target behind, the other six aircraft would take turns making firing runs at the target. All six of those planes were FM-2 Wildcats assigned to VF-4.
The tow plane leveled off at 6,000 feet and the Wildcats began their firing runs from 7,500 feet. After all planes had made approximately eight runs, one Wildcat, (Bu. No. 46760), piloted by Lt. (Jg.) Lloyd Henry Launder, Jr., (22), was seen making another run when the left wing suddenly separated from the fuselage, and the aircraft went into a uncontrolled spin and crashed into the sea and disappeared. A rescue boat and two OS2U water aircraft were dispatched to the scene, but only a small patch of discolored water from a dye marker was found.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #44-40488 (or possibly 44-40438)
Atlantic Ocean – February 20, 1944
U.S. Navy FM-2 Wildcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At 1:00 a.m. on the morning of February 20, 1944, Lt.(jg.) Howard Francis Edwards was piloting an FM-2 Wildcat, (Bu. No. 16367), over Block Island Sound off the coast of Rhode Island. The aircraft carrier USS Ranger, (CV-4), was also operating in this area.
At 1:05 a.m. Lt. (jg.) Edwards attempted to land aboard the Ranger. After making a normal approach the aircraft touched down on its wheels and bounced. The pilot applied full throttle in an attempt to take off again and in doing so struck a radio antenna and part of the bridge structure. The aircraft then crashed onto the deck forward of the safety barrier and went over the side and disappeared into the ocean before Lt. (jg.) Edwards could escape. Due to the depth of the water the aircraft was not recovered.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97752618/howard-francis-edwards
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #44-11844
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – August 18, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the evening of August 18, 1944, a TBF-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 47884), was taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft lost all power just as it became airborne and went into the waters of Narragansett Bay. The crew escaped without injury and the aircraft was recovered 13.5 hours later.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 8, 1944.
Quonset Point, R. I. – December 16, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of December 16, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47576) was making a landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the aircraft suddenly ground-looped and was damaged beyond repair. The crew was not injured due to wearing their safety harnesses.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-97.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report dated December 16, 1944.
Off Ipswich, Massachusetts – May 9, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of May 9, 1944, a navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47692), from the Squantum Naval Air Station, was taking part in a glide-bombing training flight with other aircraft off the coast of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The weather was clear with unlimited visibility. During the exercise, the engine suddenly back-fired, and then began to emit dense black smoke followed by flames before all power was lost. The pilot attempted to glide towards the mainland, but the aircraft went down in the water about 500 yards from shore. The pilot and the radio operator were able to escape the aircraft before it sank in 35 feet of water, but the gunner, AMM3c F. Howe, was unable to do so and drowned.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-4
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated May 9, 1944.
North Kingstown, Rhode Island – August 21, 1944
Updated March 8, 2019
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of August 21, 1944, two TBF-1 Avengers, (Bu. No. 23967), and (Bu. No. 06104), left Quonset Point Naval Air Station as part of a flight of several planes that were to take part in a routine training mission. The two Avengers were flying in a two-plane formation over Narragansett Bay along the western side of Jamestown Island while they waited for other aircraft in the flight to join up with them. Bu. No. 23967, piloted by Ensign Walter L. Miller, Jr., 21, of Texas, was in the lead position. The other aircraft, Bu. No. 06104 was piloted by another Ensign, and was flying in the number two position.
While both aircraft were about two miles southwest of the Jamestown Bridge, and at an altitude of 1,500 feet, they began to make a ten degree bank to the left. The air was turbulent, and while the bank was being executed, the right wing of the number two aircraft collided with the elevator of the lead plane. Immediately after the collision, Ensign Miller’s aircraft went down and crashed into a vacant house in the Saunderstown section of North Kingstown and came to rest in the side yard where it exploded killing all aboard. The vacant cottage was destroyed by the fire.
There was an 8-year-old boy playing in the front yard of his home 100 yards away who suffered non-life-threatening burns from the flaming gasoline sprayed by the explosion.
A second house in which an elderly invalid woman was residing was also set ablaze. She was rescued by two Coast Guardsmen, Meredith E. Dobry, of Bensonville, Ill. and Daniel Caruso, of Meriden, Ct., who both happened to be in the area at the time of the crash.
The other Avenger was able to make it safely back to Quonset Point without injury to the crew.
Both aircraft were assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point.
The dead were identified as:
Pilot: Ensign Walter Lee Miller, Jr., 21, of Morton, Texas. To see a photograph of Ensign Miller, go to www.findagrave.com, see memorial #38854830.
ARM3c Jacob C. Beam, 20, of Pottstown, Pa. He’s buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery in North Coventry, Pa. See www.findagrave memorial #130440147.
AMM3c Donald J. Finkler. 19, of East Cleveland, Ohio.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated August 21, 1944
Providence Journal, “Three Quonset Airmen Die As Plane Falls, Fires House”, August 22, 1944, Pg. 1
New York Times, “Plane Hits House; 3 Die”, August 22, 1944
Newport Mercury, “Navy Men Identified In Bomber Crash”, date either Aug. 22, or 23rd, 1944
Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records.
Atlantic Ocean – September 16, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of September 16, 1944, a Navy TBF-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 47759), was taking part in a glide-bombing training exercise seven miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Several other aircraft were also participating. Each aircraft would make a run at the target from 5,000 feet at an angle of 45 degrees, and pull out of the dive at 1,200 to 1,500 feet, with a 2,000 yard interval maintained between planes.
The pilot of Bu. No. 47759 made four successful runs at the target. On the fifth run, the aircraft was observed to make a 50 degree dive at the target from which it did not recover. The aircraft plunged into the water just short of the dye marker and disappeared immediately. No wreckage was recovered thereby leaving the cause of the accident unknown.
All aboard Bu. No. 47759 were killed.
The pilot: Ensign Townsend Doyle
Radioman: ARM3c Theodore H. Jaffe
Gunner: AOM3c Anthony N. Kulsa
The aircraft was assigned to VT-43.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report dated September 16, 1944
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – July 20, 1942
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
At 1:15 p.m. on July 20, 1942, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 00524), was returning to Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the engine lost all power and crashed into a pile of rocks at the end of the runway while attempting an emergency landing. Two men were aboard the aircraft at the time, and both suffered broken bones.
The aircraft was a total loss.
The aircraft was assigned to VF-4.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-4516
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 22, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On June 22, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06152), was taking off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station when the engine suddenly lost power. The aircraft came down at the end of the runway with it wheels retracted. It went off the end of the runway skidding through soft dirt and then over a seawall. The aircraft required a major overhaul but the three-man crew was not hurt. The accident was blamed on mechanical failure.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-48.
As a point of fact, this same TBF Avenger, (Bu. No. 06152), had been involved in a previous accident. On January 13, 1944, while landing at Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station during strong wind gusts, the aircraft went off the runway and was damaged, but the crew was not injured. At that time the aircraft was assigned to VT-7.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-15764 dated June 22, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report #44-10853 dated January 13, 1944
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – June 6, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On June 6, 1944, a TBF-1D Avenger, (Bu. No. 24508), was landing at Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the left brakes failed causing the aircraft to ground-loop at a high speed. Damage consisted a buckled wing and buckled rear stabilizer as well as a blown tire. The crew was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-19.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #41-14953
Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 15, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On October 15, 1943, a lone pilot flying a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47438), was practicing take offs and landings at Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when he crashed due to insufficient air speed. The aircraft was a total loss but the pilot was not injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-14
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-5161
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 27, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 27, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 00626), with a lone pilot aboard, was returning to Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field after a familiarization training flight. Strong crosswinds were blowing at the time, and the aircraft went off the runway and suffered major damage. The pilot was not hurt.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-14.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report # 44-8820
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 18, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 18, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 01768), with a lone pilot aboard, was making practice landings and takeoffs at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when the aircraft crashed and burned. The pilot suffered serious burns to his face and hands and an injury to his right knee. The aircraft was a total loss.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-43.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-8671.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 21, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 21, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24126), crashed while making practice landings and takeoffs at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field. The lone pilot aboard was not injured, but the aircraft required a major overhaul.
The cause was determined to be a failure of the fuel selector valve.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-43.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report # 44-5724
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 20, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On September 20, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 00652), with a lone pilot aboard, was taking off in strong crosswinds at the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field when the aircraft went into some trees at the end of the runway and nosed up violently. The pilot wasn’t seriously hurt, but the aircraft was destroyed.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-14.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-5720
Charlestown, Rhode Island – December 9, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On December 9, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 23961), with a lone pilot aboard, was making practice landings and takeoffs at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. As the pilot was approaching to land, flying at 90 knots, 100 feet over the water, the engine suddenly lost all power and a successful emergency water landing was made. The pilot was rescued, but the aircraft sank, and was not immediately salvaged due to weather conditions. The aircraft was a total loss.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-13.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report # 44-10172
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – December 22, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of December 22, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 06209), was attempting to make an emergency landing due to engine trouble at Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station when the aircraft lost power and went into a wooded area near the end of Runway 24 and flipped on its back. The pilot and one crew member received non-life-threatening injuries, but the aircraft was a total loss.
The cause of the accident was determined to be due to a missing bolt to the throttle control rod of the carburetor.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report #44-10433
Westerly, Rhode Island – November 17, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the evening of November 17, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47472), with a lone pilot aboard, was approaching the runway at Westerly Auxiliary Air Field at a 500 ft. altitude when the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot attempted to reach the end of the runway in a normal emergency approach but was unable to do so. The aircraft burst into flames on impact, but the pilot escaped without injury. The aircraft was a total loss.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-13.
Source: U. S. Navy accident report #44 – 9745
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 15, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 15, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47520), landed at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight. Just after touchdown, the landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop. The three man crew was not injured, but the aircraft suffered significant damage.
Source:
U.S. Navy accident report #44-10885
Quonset Point, Rhode Island – January 22, 1944
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On January 22, 1944, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 48031) , was attempting to take off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station on an icy runway, and couldn’t get up enough speed to become airborne. The pilot then aborted the attempt, and applied the brakes, but due to the icy conditions the aircraft went off the end of the runway and struck some railroad tracks causing significant damage to the aircraft. None of the aircraft crew was injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy accident report # 44-11077
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 20, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On August 20, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24296), took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a low-level practice-bombing training flight over Narragansett Bay. The weather at the time was clear and the water was reportedly smooth and glassy. At about 10:15 a.m., as the pilot was making a low level pass at a target, the propeller struck the surface of the water causing damage to the aircraft and the engine. Fortunately the aircraft made it back to Quonset Point safely and there were no injuries to the crew. The engine required a major overhaul.
The aircraft was assigned to VC-19.
Source: U.S. Navy accident report dated August 20, 1943
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 13, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of August 13, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24031) , was returning to Quonset Point Naval Air Station after a training flight when the engine suddenly lost all power. At the time this occurred, the aircraft was at an altitude of 900 feet over Narragansett Bay. The pilot turned into the wind and made an emergency water landing with wheels and flaps down. None of the crew were injured.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-2.
Source:
U. S. Navy crash report #44-8098
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 3, 1943
Updated February 9, 2022
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of August 3, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 24028), with a crew of three aboard, left Quonset Point Naval Air Station on a navigational training flight. When the aircraft was about fifty miles southeast of Quonset Point, and over the Atlantic Ocean, an oil line broke causing the pilot to turn back towards the air station. When the aircraft was about two miles from the base, and at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the engine suddenly stopped running. The pilot made an emergency water landing, but the impact with the water tore away the bomb bay doors causing the plane to rapidly fill with water and sink within 45 seconds. The pilot and turret gunner escaped, but the radioman, ARM3/c Paul Eugene McCarthy, 22, of Meriden, Connecticut, went down with the plane and was drowned.
The aircraft and the radioman were recovered the following day.
The aircraft was assigned to VT-2.
Sources:
U. S. Navy crash report #44-7931
The Waterbury Democrat, “Meriden Youth Dies In Crash”, August 4, 1943, page 15.
Nashawena Island, Massachusetts – August 27, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of August 27, 1943, a flight of four TBF-1 Avengers was rendezvousing over Nashawena Island off Cape Cod, as part of a torpedo tactics training flight. As the planes were getting into formation, two of them were involved in a mid-air collision.
One of the aircraft involved was Bu. No. 24125. The pilot and one of the crewmen were able to parachute safely, but the third crewman, AMM3C Roger W. Krager, (26) of Binghamton, N.Y., went down with the aircraft and was killed.
To see a photograph of AMM3c Krager, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71934510/roger-w-krager
The other aircraft involved in this accident was Bu. No. 24130. The pilot was able to parachute safely, but the two crewmen, S2c Alexander E. Sabalianskas, and ARM3c Bernard G. Manning, (20), of New York City, were killed when the aircraft crashed.
Nashawena Island is part of the town of Gosnold, Mass.
Sources:
U. S. Navy crash report #44-8210
The Waterbury Democrat, (Waterbury, CT.), “Investigate Planes’ Crash”, August 28, 1943.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – December 22, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of December 22, 1943, a TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 05900), with three men aboard, was making practice carrier landings on a platform off the shore of Point Judith when the plane went off the platform and into the water and sank. The crew escaped without injury. The accident occurred due to faulty brakes.
Source:
U. S. Navy crash report #44-10432
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – May 23, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
On the morning of May 23, 1943, a flight of six TBF-1 Avengers took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a formation-practice bombing flight. One of those aircraft was Bu. No. 06123, piloted by Ensign Leon T. Gerhart, (22), of Pennsylvania.
Ensign Gerhart’s aircraft had a crew of three aboard:
ARM3c Donald J. Cross, (20-21) of Wisconsin.
AMM2c Morrison C. Dobson
AMM3c William Richard Walker
Once airborne, the TBF’s rendezvoused with Ensign Gerhart flying in the No. 2 position. The bombing mission was carried out, with each aircraft making their run individually at an anchored target boat. At about 9:25 a.m., with the exercise completed, the signal was given to re-form. As this was taking place, Ensign Gerhart’s aircraft was involved in a collision with another TBF, (Bu. No. 47528). During the collision, the tail section of Gerhart’s aircraft was completely broken off, and his plane fell out of control and crashed in Narragansett Bay. All aboard were killed.
The other aircraft (Bu. No. 47528) suffered damage to its right wing, but was able to successfully make an emergency landing at Quonset Point. Nobody aboard that aircraft was injured.
To see a photograph of Ensign Gerhart, go to www.findagrave.com, see memorial #86945634
Source:
U. S. Navy Crash Report #43-6986
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – July 16, 1943
TBF-1 Avenger
U. S. Navy Photo
At 12:20 p.m. on the afternoon of July 16, 1943, a U.S. Navy TBF-1 Avenger, (Bu. No. 47517), took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for what was termed a “special exercise” by the navy. The weather was clear with unlimited visibility with surface winds of 15 knots.
There were three crewmen aboard the aircraft.
The pilot: Lieutenant Robert Yarnell Bair, 29, of Iowa.
AOM3C Wade Alexander Harris
ARM3C Thomas Francis McConnon
At about 2:30 p.m., the aircraft was observed by crew members of the USS Thrush, a WWI era minesweeper operating in Rhode Island waters. At the time, the Thrush was about four to five miles away from the aircraft, when the aircraft was seen diving towards the water and explode on impact.
All three crewmen aboard the Avenger were killed, and the aircraft was not recovered. However, it is mentioned in the navy report of the incident that “confidential gear” was recovered by divers from the USS Thrush.
The aircraft was assigned to the Aircraft Anti-Sub Development Project Unit.
Source:
U.S. Navy crash report #44-7664
Brunswick, Maine – August 4, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On August 4, 1945, an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 94055), was taxiing into position in preparation for take off at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Unbeknownst to the pilot, some workers were in the process of digging a trench along the side of the taxi way, however no signalman had been stationed on the tarmac to give warning. As the airplane approached, one of the workers suddenly ran into its path waving his arms for the pilot to stop. The pilot was forced to hit the brakes hard enough to cause the aircraft to nose over causing damage to the propeller and the engine. There were no injuries.
Source:
U. S. Navy crash report dated August 4, 1945
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 2, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 7:55 a.m. on the morning of August 2, 1945, Ensign Walter G. Davies was taking off from Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 78413), when the engine suddenly lost all power. The plane dropped back onto the end of the runway where it continued off the tarmac and over an eight-foot embankment where it nosed over onto its back. The pilot was freed by the base crash-rescue team and wasn’t injured. The aircraft was a total loss.
Source:
U. S. Navy crash report dated August 2, 1945
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 30, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On August 30, 1945, an F6F-5, (Bu. No. 78419), was taking off on Runway 7 at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field when the engine suddenly lost power and the plane came back down on the tarmac and flipped over. The aircraft was wrecked, but the pilot was not seriously injured.
Source:
U. S. Navy crash report dated August 30, 1945
Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 10, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
There were two aviation related accidents which occurred at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field on this date.
At 8:15 a.m. on the morning of August 10, 1945, an F6F Hellcat aircraft was parked on the taxiway at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field, with its engine running in preparation for takeoff. Meanwhile, the LOS truck came up along side and parked next to it, waiting for the aircraft to begin its takeoff. As this was taking place, a second F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 40737), taxied up from behind and struck the LSO truck causing significant damage to the truck and the aircraft, but nobody was injured.
The second accident occurred at 10:31 a.m., while Lieutenant R. A. Reese was making practice carrier landings at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41190), using a tail hook and arresting cable. As he came in for a landing the tail hook snagged the arresting cable, and the cable snapped, causing the aircraft to make a 180 degree ground loop which resulted in major damage to the plane. Lieutenant Reese was not hurt.
Sources:
U. S. Navy crash reports dated August 10, 1945
Cape Cod Bay – May 18, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 1:07 a.m. in the early morning hours of May 18, 1944, a flight of two U. S. Navy F6F Hellcats took off from Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Rhode Island for a night-training flight. The mission was to make practice bombing runs on a designated target anchored in Cape Cod Bay. According to the navy report of this incident, the training-flight was termed a “Masthead Bombing Flight”.
The weather was clear with visibility at six-plus miles, with a cloud cover at 8,500 feet.
One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 42520), was piloted by Lt. (jg.) James Francis Corroon, Jr., (25), and the other, (Bu. No. 42221), was piloted by an Ensign De Masters. Both aircraft were assigned to VF-74.
On the previous day, Lt. (jg.) Corroon had flown over the target during a daylight training flight, and was therefore familiar with its location.
At 2:50 a.m., after both aircraft had finished making their mock attack runs on the target, Ensign De Masters radioed to Lt. (jg.) Corroon that he was returning to base. Corroon answered, “This is thirty-three, Roger, out.” This was the last radio transmission from Lt. (jg.) Corroon. Despite a careful search of the entire area, no trace of the missing pilot or his aircraft was ever found.
Investigators were unable to come to an exact conclusion as to the cause of the disappearance.
Lt. (Jg.) Corroon was born in Freeport, Long Island, N.Y. in 1919, and received his wings in 1942. To see more, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84612092/james-francis-corroon
Source:
U.S. Navy Crash Investigation Report
Sebago Lake, Maine – May 16, 1944
British Corsairs – WWII
U.S. Navy Photo
Shortly before noon on May 16, 1944, a flight of British Navy D4V Corsairs, was on a low level formation training flight over Sebago Lake. (Some sources state there were six panes in the flight, while others state there were only four.) The purpose of the flight was to give the pilots experience flying low over water.
Among those taking part in the exercise was Sub-Lieutenant Vaughn Reginald Gill, piloting aircraft number JT-132, and Sub-Lieutenant Raymond Laurence Knott, age 19, piloting JT-160. Both men were assigned to 732 Squadron based at nearby Brunswick Naval Air Station.
As the formation was passing over the water, one aircraft suddenly dropped and struck the lake sending up a large plume of water that was struck by the second, causing it too to crash. Both aircraft, one containing Sub-Lieutenant Gill, and the other, Sub-Lieutenant Knott, immediately sank in over 300 feet of water and disappeared. Despite a search conducted immediately afterward, neither the airplanes or the pilots were found.
The aircraft were later discovered and photographed in the 1990s. The courts have decided that these aircraft are not to be disturbed as they are considered war graves.
Sources:
Portland Evening Express, “Two British Planes Crash In Sebago Lake”, May 16, 1944, page 1.
Maine Aviation Historical Society Newsletter, Dirigo Flyer, June, 1998.
Pacific Wrecks website: https://www.pacficwrecks.com/aircraft/f4u/jt160.html
Book: “Finding The Fallen: Outstanding Aircrew Mysteries From The First World War to Desert Storm, by Andy Saunders, Grub Street Publishing, London, 2011.
Wilbraham, Massachusetts – December 19, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On December 19, 1942, Lieutenant Russel D. Lynn, 24, was piloting a P-47B, (Ser. No. 41-5960), with a squadron of other P-47s over the area of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, when his aircraft suddenly developed engine trouble. After directing the aircraft away from populated areas, he bailed out at 2,500 feet. The P-47 crashed and exploded just in from Stony Hill Road, about a quarter mile from the intersection of Old Boston Road, not far from the Ludlow town line. Lieutenant Lynn landed safely on Burbank Road and made his way to the scene of the crash where he was met by members of the North Wilbraham Fire Department and the state police.
Lt. Lynn was assigned to the 342nd Fighter Squadron based at Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Source:
Springfield Daily News, “Westover Pilot Bails Out As Ship Crashes In No. Wilbraham”, December 19, 1942
Westover Field – October 25, 1945
Updated February 5, 2022
C-54 Skymaster
U. S. Air Force Photo.
On October 25, 1945, a four-engine C-54 aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-72321), with a crew of five men aboard, was practicing IFR rules instrument approaches to Westover Airfield when the aircraft developed a serious hydraulic fluid leak, which led to trouble with the landing flaps. Standard remedies were instituted but they failed, and the aircraft began to become hard to handle. The order to bail out was given, and the now unmanned aircraft crashed in a remote area of the airfield and exploded.
One member of the crew, Corporal George K. Holloway, 24, reportedly struck a portion of the aircraft when he bailed out and was rendered unconscious, and thereby incapable of pulling the rip cord of his parachute. He’s buried in Odd fellows Cemetery in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
Two other crew members, Sergeant Charles E. Walker of Long Beach, California, was seriously injured when he made a hard landing on a concrete strip, and Sergeant Bernard J. Lance of Flushing, New York, suffered minor injuries when he landed.
The pilot and co-pilot were not injured.
Sources:
Unknown newspaper, “Flier Killed At Westover”, October 26, 1945
www.findagrave.com
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
Westover Field, Chicopee, Massachusetts – January 14, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On January 14, 1943, two P-47B fighter aircraft were over Westover Filed when they were involved in a mid-air collision. One aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6005), piloted by 1st Lieutenant Joseph H. Freeman, Jr., of Weatherford, Texas, crashed and burned, killing Lt. Freeman. The other aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6002), suffered little damage and landed safely.
Both aircraft were part of the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, then stationed at Westover.
Lt. Freeman is buried in City Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford, Texas. To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com. One will note that he was born on January 14, 1920, and died on his 23rd birthday. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113502954/joseph-herbert-freeman
The aircraft involved in this accident which landed safely, (41-6002), crashed and burned in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, on March 24, 1943. The pilot did not survive. The details of that accident are posted here: West Greenwich – March 24, 1943
Sources:
Unknown Newspaper, “Plane Collision Kills One Pilot At Westover”, January 15, 1943
www.findagrave.com
Bethel, Connecticut – November 29, 1942
There are few details about this accident.
Updated January 25, 2022
Douglas C-39
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 29, 1942, an army C-39 aircraft, (Ser. No. 38-516), with seven men aboard was seen circling the area of Danbury and Bethel for about fifteen minutes before someone aboard fired a red flare. Then five parachutes were observed before the plane crashed and burned in a wooded area. Two men had remained aboard the plane and were killed. Those who bailed out landed safely.
The dead were identified n the press as:
Major Herman B. Leeth, 46, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39261345/herman-b-leeth
Captain John F. Meehan, Jr., from Wyncote, Pennsylvania.
The survivors were identified as:
Colonel George V. McPike of Hannibal, Mo.
Major Robert V. Dunn, of Marion, Md.
Captain Gerald Garrard, of Cordele, Ga.
Lieutenant Ross De Lue, of Chicago, Il.
A civilian, William Kurylo, of Middletown, Pa.
The flight had originated at the Rome Air Depot in Rome, N.Y. The reason for the distress flare and cause of the crash were not stated.
Update: The aircraft had been circling while trying to make radio contact with air traffic control. Both engines failed due to carburetor icing.
Sources:
Hartford Courant, “Plane Crash In Bethel Is Fatal To Two”, November 30, 1942
New York Times, “Two Army Fliers Killed”, November 30, 1942
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
www.findagrave.com
Sunderland, Massachusetts – August 7, 1941
Stearman PT-17
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of August 7, 1941, a PT-17 Stearman biplane took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a routine training flight. There were two men aboard, the pilot: Lieutenant Everett J. O’Connor; and a mechanic, Staff Sergeant Charles G. Nowark.
While over the Connecticut River Valley the aircraft suddenly lost all power and the pilot was forced to find a place to make an emergency landing. He aimed for the Connecticut River, and made a perfect water landing near a point known as Whittemore’s Rock. After the plane glided to a stop the weight of the engine caused the nose to sink in several feet of water, leaving the tail of the aircraft pointing upwards. Neither man was injured.
Lieutenant O’Connor was praised for his skill in landing the airplane under such conditions.
Both men were part of the 7th Squadron, 34th Bombardment Group. The PT-17 was one of five stationed at Westover at the time. Other than water damage to the engine, the plane was salvageable.
This was reported to be the “…first crash of an army plane stationed at Westover Field.”
Source:
Springfield Republican, “Army Plane Makes Forced Landing After Motor Fails”, August 18, 1941. (With photo of aircraft in river.)
Ludlow, Massachusetts – July 17, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On July 17, 1944, a flight of three B-24 Liberator heavy bombers left Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a combat formation training flight. With the bombers was a P-47 Thunderbolt that was to participate in the exercise by making mock attack runs on the bombers as they flew in a three-ship triangle formation.
As the formation was passing over central Massachusetts, the P-47 crashed into the lead B-24. The P-47 immediately broke apart and caught fire, but the pilot, a major, was able to bail out safely. At the same time, pieces of both aircraft struck a second B-24 in the formation causing serious damage to that aircraft.
Immediately after the impact between the P-47 and the first B-24, two crewmen of the B-24 bailed out of the aircraft. Meanwhile, the nose turret gunner of the second B-24 was pinned in place due to the impact of debris from the first two aircraft and was forced to remain there.
P-47N Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
Debris from the stricken aircraft rained down on the town of Ludlow, Massachusetts. The P-47 crashed and burned on a farm on Rood Street, narrowly missing the barn. Wing portions of one of the B-24s landed in the back yard of a home on Center Street, and a propeller landed in the yard of a home on Munsing Street. Pieces of an engine and other small parts fell elsewhere. There were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground.
The major landed safely and made his way back to the air field on his own. One crewman from the B-24 came down in a tree and was rescued by some telephone workers. The other was found up by a state police officer. Neither was seriously injured.
The damaged B-24s managed to limp back to Westover on three engines and land safely. The trapped turret gunner was freed by the pilot and flight engineer immediately afterwards.
The third B-24 was undamaged in the accident, and was put in a holding pattern until the other two Liberators could land.
Source:
Springfield Daily Republican, Fliers Are Safe In Mid-Air Crash Of Three Planes”, July 18, 1944
Northampton, Massachusetts – June 15, 1942
C-47 Aircraft – U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 15, 1942, a C-47, (Ser. No. 41-18377), with three crewmen aboard from Westover Field, was flying low along the Connecticut River on a navigation training flight when it struck a power cable that was strung across the river from MT. Tom to a power substation belonging to the Turner’s Falls Power Company. The impact snapped the power cable, which was reported to be carrying 13,000 volts of electricity, and also caused damage to the aircraft. The pilot managed to maintain control and brought the plane in for a crash landing at an open field about two miles away. None of the crew was injured.
Source:
Unknown Newspaper, “High Voltage Wire Knocks Westover Bomber Out Of Air”, June 15, 1942.
Westover Army Air Field, Chicopee, Massachusetts
U.S. Army A-29 Attack Bomber – U.S. Air Force Photo
At about 8:30 a.m. on the morning of February 21, 1942, a Lockheed A-29 aircraft with a crew of five aboard crashed on takeoff from runway 33 at the Westover Army Air Feld in Chicopee, Mass.
As the aircraft was leaving the ground the pilot raised the landing gear. A strong crosswind was blowing at the time, and when the aircraft was at an altitude of about 20 feet it suddenly dropped back to the ground in a flat attitude. During the impact, the co-pilot, 2nd Lieutenant Gordon C. McAthur, 24, of Paris, Texas, was hurled against the control panel and fatally injured.
None of the other crew members were injured.
Lt. McArthur is buried in Evergreen cemetery in Paris, Texas. To see a photo of him, click on the link below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55039852/gordon-cross-mcarthur
Sources:
Springfield Republican, “Dies After Crash Of Warplane At Westover”, February 22, 1942, page 1
www.findagrave.com
Westover Army Air Field – January 29, 1942
At about 3:00 p.m. on January 29, 1942, Lieutenant Thomas Charles Bittner, 21, of Trenton, New Jersey, was attempting to take off from Westover Army Air Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, when his aircraft crashed just after becoming airborne and he was killed. The specific type of aircraft wasn’t mentioned in the press, and was described only as a “pursuit plane”.
Lieutenant Bittner was an experienced pilot, and officials speculated that the cause of the accident might have been due to heavy cross winds or swirling dust fouling the engine, or both.
Lieutenant Bitner had a twin brother Robert, who was also serving in the Air Corps. Both men obtained their pilot’s licenses at the age of 16.
It was also reported that Lt. Bittner was the first military fatality at Westover Field. He’s buried in Our Lady Of Lourdes Cemetery in Trenton, N.J.
Sources:
Springfield Union, “Westover Pilot Is Killed When fast Pursuit Plane Falls, Burns On Take-Off”, January 30, 1942
Springfield Union, “Lieutenant One Of “Flying Twins”, January 30, 1942
www.findagrave.com, Memorial #102737238
Chicopee, MA. – June 11, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of June 11, 1943, 2nd Lt. Bruce Cowan, 19, took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, in a P-47-B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-5956), for a routine training flight.
At about 10:45 a.m., his aircraft was observed high over the field by a security guard for the Chicopee Water Supply. The guard later related how the aircraft appeared to “side-slip” and rapidly loose altitude, before it crashed in a wooded area about 200 feet off Burrett Road, about a quarter-of-a-mile from Westover Field. Lt. Cowan was killed instantly.
Lt. Cowan died four months shy of his 20th birthday. He was assigned to the 321st Fighter Squadron of the 326th Fighter Group. He’s buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.
Sources:
Unknown Newspaper, “Westover Pilot Killed In Crash”, June 12, 1943
Unknown Newspaper, “Pilot Killed As Westover Plane falls In Chicopee”, June 12, 1943
Springfield Union & Republican, “Pilot Crash Victim Came from Alabama”, June 13, 1943
Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut – May 3, 1944
Updated February 2, 2022.
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the night of May 3, 1944, a B-24 Liberator with a crew of eleven men aboard, took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a night cross-country navigation training flight.
While over New York, the number three engine lost power so the pilot turned the plane back towards Westover. Before long another engine lost power and the plane was rapidly loosing altitude, so the pilot decided to make an emergency landing at Rentschler Field. Then it was discovered that there was a problem with the landing gear. The nose wheel had to be cranked down manually, but it couldn’t be locked in place.
The plane landed on the main wheels with the nose kept high, but when the nose wheel touched down it collapsed and the front of the aircraft hit the ground and was crushed as the nose dug in, killing the pilot, 2nd Lt. John W. Garrett, age 19, and injuring four members of the crew. The other six escaped without injury.
Lt. Garrett is buried in Green Mountain Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. To see a photograph of Lt. Garrett click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114672261/john-work-garrett
Sources:
Springfield Union, “Westover Pilot Is Killed In East Hartford Crash”, May 4, 1944
www.findagrave.com
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1954”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
Ludlow, Massachusetts – May 4, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On May 4, 1944, a B-24 Liberator with three crewmen aboard took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a training flight. Shortly after take off, the aircraft experienced complete engine failure in all four engines. According to two civilian witnesses living on Burnett Road in the neighboring town of Ludlow, all four engines were silent as the aircraft passed over their home, and someone aboard fired a red distress flair from the aircraft. Moments later the B-24 crashed and exploded in a thickly wooded area, about 3/4 of a mile from Westover Field. The plane came down on land owned by the Chicopee Water Department in Ludlow just before the Chicopee town line.
All three crewmen perished in the accident. They were identified by the press as:
Pilot: Captain Harold H. Melken, 26, of Watertown, Massachusetts.
Co-pilot: 2nd Lieutenant William F. Davis, 21, of Baxter, West Virginia.
Tec-Sgt. Harry Schultz, of Kansas City, Mo.
Source: Springfield Union, “Three Westover Men Die In Ludlow Plane Crash”, May 5, 1944
West Hartford, Connecticut – September 7, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On September 7, 1944, a flight of B-24 Liberators out of Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, were on a combat training flight over the Connecticut River Valley when two of the aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision. One aircraft crashed, but where it crashed was not stated. It was initially reported that all of the crewmen aboard that plane parachuted safely however, by the end of the day it was realized that one man was missing. His body was later recovered in the waters of Hartford Reservoir No. 5, located in West Hartford, Connecticut.
The other aircraft was able to make it back to Westover Field.
The deceased aviator was identified in the press as Corporal John T. Melvin, age 20, of Selma, Alabama.
Sources:
The Springfield Union, “Two Westover Planes Crash”, September 7, 1944.
The Springfield Union, “Westover Man’s Body Is Found”, unknown date.
Granby, Massachusetts – September 17, 1944
Updated February 3, 2022
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
At 10:08 P.M. on the night of September 16, 1944, a B-24J Liberator, (Ser. No. 42-50985), took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts for a night training flight. Upon returning to the field at 3:oo A. M. on the morning of September 17th, the aircraft crashed into a thickly wooded area in Granby, Massachusetts, about two miles north of Westover Air Field. The aircraft broke apart on impact and wreckage was reportedly scattered for hundreds of feet. The area where the crash occurred was on a farm off East Street.
All seven crewmen aboard the aircraft perished in the accident.
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Gene Revere Asay, 28, of Lodi, Colorado. To see a photo of Lt. Asay, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94566046/gene-revere-asay
Co-pilot: 2nd Lt. John W. Woodrow, 22, of Huntington, Indiana. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73922946/john-w-woodrow
Flight Engineer: Sgt. Neal W. Johnson, 22, of Ashland, Kansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18725822/neal-w-johnson
Asst. Flt. Engineer: Pfc. Jack W. Hariston, 18, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Radio Operator: Cpl. John A. Perry, 21, of Warwick, R.I. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/164062202/john-a-perry
Asst. Radio Operator: Pfc. Clifford K. Nordby, 18, of Walhalla, North Dakota. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48414928/clifford-k-nordby
Air Gunner: Sgt. William Donald Haynes, 26, of Parsons, Kansas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144108217/william-donald-haynes
The men were assigned to the 112th AAF Base Unit at Westover Field.
Sources:
Springfield Union, “Westover Bomber Crashes In Granby, Killing Seven”, September 18, 1944
Berkshire Evening Eagle, “Westover Field Bomber Crash Kills Seven”, September 18, 1944
Evening Star, (Wash. D.C.), “Army Bomber kills 7 Flyers In Massachusetts”, September 18, 1944.
www.findagrave.com
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
Hyannis, Massachusetts – May 11, 1944
Updated July 8, 2019
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On the afternoon of May 11, 1944, navy Lieutenant (Jg.) George E. Orenge was piloting an F4U Corsair, Bu. No. 02665, over Cape Cod, Massachusetts, when the aircraft suddenly caught fire while in flight. Being over a populated area, Lieutenant Orenge opted to stay with the plane, but was unable to direct it towards an open area, or to make it to Hyannis Airport. The plane crashed on Barnstable Road about 200 yards from Main Street in the town of Hyannis. In the process it struck an elm tree and broke in two, pitching Lieutenant Orenge, still strapped to his seat, from the cockpit. As the aircraft came to rest and was consumed by flames, Lieutenant Orenge landed on the sidewalk in front of 62 Barnstable Road.
The homeowner of 62 Barnstable Road, Vernon Coleman, happened to be outside and witnessed the crash. He later told a reporter from the Cape Cod Standard Times, “I looked up and saw the plane sort of wavering with the motor on fire.”
Lieutenant Orenge was transported to Cape Cod Hospital, but remarkably, he’d only suffered some minor bumps, scrapes, and bruises.
The cause of the accident could not be determined due to total destruction of the aircraft.
It was also reported that he flew another aircraft later in the day.
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
This crash wasn’t the only one of Lieutenant (Jg.) Orenge’s naval career. On November 5, 1943, he was piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 65895), when a tire blew out on landing at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. The aircraft went off the runway and struck a truck. The aircraft needed extensive repairs, but Lieutenant (Jg.) Orenge suffered only minor injuries.
Sources:
Cape Cod Standard Times, “Pilot Who Survives Hyannis crash, Goes Aloft Again”, May 12, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report #44-14042 dated May 11, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report #44-9523, dated November 5, 1943.
Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts – May 27, 1944
Updated February 2, 2022
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
At 11:50 P.M. on the night of May 27, 1944, a B-24 J, bomber aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-100024), took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, with ten crewmen aboard. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft crashed into the side of Mt. Holyoke and everyone aboard perished.
The crew consisted of:
Pilot: 2nd Lt Talbot M. Malcolm. 20, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. To see a photo of him click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49252591/talbot-marion-malcolm
Co-pilot: 2nd Lt. John D. Logan, 20, from Tokeka, Kansas. He’s buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Tokeka. To see a photo of him click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91732460/john-daniel-logan
Navigator: 2nd Lt. William M. Ashley, Jr. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133044231/william-m-ashley
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Donald D. Dowden, 25, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He’s buried in Sunset Memorial Park, in Minneapolis. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10821232/donald-dewayne-dowden
Engineer: Sgt. William H. Deckert (No further info at this time.)
Asst. Engineer: Cpl. Kearney D. Padgett, 24. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport, Mississippi. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81764581/kearney-w-padgett
Radio Operator: Sgt. Ambrose D. Griffith, (27 – 28). He’s buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington, Massachusetts. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89286812/ambrose-d-griffith
Asst. Radio Operator: Cpl. Robert J. Ohr, 18. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery & Mausoleum in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Gunner: Cpl. Ronald C. Lloyd, 28-29, of Seaford, Delaware. He’s buried in Oddfellows Cemetery in Seaford, Del. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53670681/ronald-charles-lloyd
Gunner: Sgt. Arnold H. Anderson https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133044143/arnold-h-anderson
In May of 1989 a memorial was dedicated to honor those who lost their lives in this accident.
Click on images to enlarge.
Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts, B-24 Memorial.
Back Side of Mt. Holyoke B-24 Memorial. Photo Taken 2007
Atlantic Ocean – November 6, 1944
12 miles east of Cape Cod
Updated January 18, 2025
A K-Style navy blimp like the K-34.
U. S. Navy Photo
On November 6, 1944, the U.S. Navy blimp K-34, based at the South Weymouth Air Base, was assigned to escort the USS Wakefield to Boston, remaining with the ship to look out for enemy submarines. Once the Wakefield arrived safely, the K-34 began its return trip to South Weymouth. While in route it encountered a severe storm and went down in the ocean about twelve miles off shore. A distress message was sent but not acknowledged.
The ten-man crew found themselves in the icy water holding on to the wreckage until rescued a few hours later by the destroyer USS Kline. Unfortunately only eight were rescued; one had perished, and the other missing.
The deceased crewman was Ensign Arthur Henry Voss, (20). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229185062/arthur-henry-voss
The missing crewman was Aviation Radioman 1/C Damien Francis Spalding, (28). According to www.findagrave.com, he was never recovered. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54283761/damian-francis-spalding
Some of the surviving members of the crew were identified as:
Ensign Donald Venton, 24, of Piedmont, California,
Armorer 2/C Wallace W. Gedman, 19, of Dequesne, Pennsylvania.
Electricians Mate 3/C Joeeph Beno, 22, of Harvey, Illionis.
Seaman 2/C Thomas Johnson Jr., 25, of Parma, Ohio.
The names of the other four survivors are not known.
Sources;
Book: “U. S. Navy Airships 1918 – 1962”, by James R. Shock, published by Atlantis Productions, Edgewater, Fla. C. 1992 & 2001.
New York Times, “2 Lost With Navy Blimp”, November 8, 1944.
Imperial Valley Press, (Ca.), “Two Men Killed In Blimp Crash”, November 7, 1944.
Imperial Valley Press, (Ca.), “Blimp Victims Improve”, November 9, 1944.
Evening Star, (Wash. DC) “One Is Dead, One Missing, Eight Survive Blimp Crash”, November 9, 1944.
Woods Hole Harbor – March 3, 1944
Woods Hole, Falmouth, Massachusetts
U.S. Army – Douglas RA-24B, U.S. Air Force Photo
At 10:13 a.m. on March 3, 1944, it was reported that an aircraft had crashed into the water at the entrance to Woods Hole Harbor, about halfway between Nonamessett Island and Juniper Point. The plane had been seen circling low in the sky when it suddenly “pancaked” into the water.
Observers on shore stated it appeared to be a navy plane with two men inside. However, the first boats on the scene recovered an army fliers hat and some paperwork from Otis Field in Falmouth.
It was later announced by the Navy public relations office in Newport, R.I. that the aircraft did not belong to the navy, and the Camp Edwards office on Cape Cod stated none of their coastal patrol aircraft were unaccounted for. Boston naval officials also reported that none of their aircraft were missing.
The plane was determined to be a U.S. Army RA-24B Banshee, (Ser. No. 42-54555) piloted by 2nd Lt. Joseph H. Gardner, 29, of Sierra Blanc, Texas. Gardner had been on a training flight from Otis Filed to practice stalls and spins.
Confusion over the plane’s branch of service was cleared up when it was explained that the RA-24B was the army’s version of the U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless dive bomber.
Sources:
Falmouth Enterprise, “Plane crashes At Woods Hole” March 3, 1944
Lawrence Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist.
East Granby, CT – February 11, 1942
U.S. Army A-29 Attack Bomber – U.S. Air Force Photo
On February 11, 1942, a Lockheed A-29A attack bomber (41-23340) with six men aboard was flying at 28,000 feet when the aircraft suffered a catastrophic malfunction. According to one press report, numerous people on the ground had seen the plane’s right wing fall off while it was still falling from the sky.
One witness was Gordon Hayes, an aircraft spotter on duty in the Suffield Observation Post. He described how the aircraft went into a “corkscrew spin” as it came down.
Another was Paul Hass of West Suffield, who said that at one point the plane appeared to straighten out before going into another spin, and from his vantage point one wing appeared to be missing.
Mrs. Elmer Mortensen of Bloomfield related how she saw one crewman jump from the plane. “Soon, a speck came out of the heavens”, she recalled, “Then as the speck grew, I saw a stream of smoke with it. I heard the motor skipping, and then the plane came down fast, straight down it seemed. While it was smoking a man bailed out with a parachute.”
An unidentified operator of a garage in East Granby also reported seeing the plane fall with a wing and a portion of the tail missing.
The plane crashed shortly before 4:00 p.m., in a gully behind the Petraitis residence at 161 South Main Street. There was no explosion or fire. State police and officials from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks responded. Hundreds of curious spectators descended on the scene and police were busy keeping crowds at bay.
The dead were identified as:
1st Lt. Melvin W. Schoephoester, of Baraboo, Wisconsin. (Pilot) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23847579/melvin-william-schoephoester
2nd Lt. Walter C. Boyle of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71031187/walter-clyde-boyle
S/Sgt. Michael M. Kaufman of Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
Sergeant Gordon Johnson of Renov, Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112502004/gordon-g-johnson
Sergeant Thomas F. Quinn of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176371751/thomas-quinn
Sergeant John T. Howey, Jr. of New York City. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175159248/john-thomas-howey
Missing at the wreck site was the body of the pilot, and it was presumed he’d bailed out prior to the crash. An open parachute was later found a few miles away in East Willington, and a search was conducted there without results. Schoephoester’s body was later recovered less than two miles form the crash without his parachute. An official from Bradley offered his opinion that Schoephoester had slipped from his chute after jumping, and that the weight of the harness was enough to keep it open while prevailing winds carried it a considerable distance.
Other parachutes were found in the wreckage, but not on the men. While army regulations required that parachutes be worn, it was speculated that the crew of the A-29 wasn’t wearing theirs when the accident occurred.
Updated March 7, 2016
The following information comes from the U.S. Army Air Corps accident investigation report of the incident. (#42-2-11-4)
The aircraft was assigned to the 1st Mapping Squadron, 1st Mapping Group, based at Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Ct. At the time of the accident it was conducting a high altitude photographic mission.
As part of its investigation into this accident, the army interviewed 35 witnesses. A statement issued by the accident investigation committee it said in part:
“One fact of interest is the large number of witnesses who testified that they saw the right wing leave the airplane. As can be seen from the photographs, both wings were in the wreckage, the right wing being badly crumpled and apportion of it under the remains of the fuselage. The committee has found no evidence to indicate failure of the wings.
It was later determined that what witnesses likely saw was the tail section, not a wing, break away from the aircraft.
Numerous witnesses have testified that they could see the ship trailing smoke at high altitudes. The committee believes that this so-called smoke was in reality a condensation trail left by the airplane in-so-far as no traces of fire could be found in the wreckage.”
While examining the wreckage, investigators noted that both engine switches were cut, the throttles to the right engine were completely closed, while the throttles to the left engine were completely open, and the fuel selector valve for the right engine was turned off.
The right propeller appeared to have been feathered, and experts concluded that it was feathered at the time of impact.
Investigators considered the possibility that the accident was caused by a failure of the automatic pilot, however the auto-pilot was so badly damaged that no conclusions could be drawn, only that the auto-pilot was in the “off” position after the accident.
Sources:
U.S. Army Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-2-11-4
Unknown newspaper, possibly the Hartford Courant – East Granby Public Library – Local History Room, “East Granby Bomber Crash Stirs Immediate Army Probe”, February 11, 1942.
Unknown newspaper , possibly the Hartford Courant – East Granby Public Library – Local History Room. “Body Of Sixth Flyer Is Found In East Granby”, February 11, 1942
Larry Webster – Aviation Historian
East Granby, Connecticut – November 8, 1944
Updated December 16, 2017
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 8, 1944, a B-24J, (Ser. No. 42-51001), with twelve men aboard, left Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a scheduled combat crew training mission. Once airborne, the plane headed south over Connecticut. While over Connecticut, one of the engines began trailing smoke and before long flames became visible. Despite efforts by the pilot, the aircraft continued to loose altitude, and it became apparent that an emergency landing was the only option. The pilot aimed for an open area of pastureland located off Route 9 in East Granby, on what was then known as the Seymour Farm. As the plane passed over the highway it clipped a telephone pole sending it out of control into a marshy section of the pasture where the wings and fuselage broke apart before coming to rest. There was no fire, but one injured crewman was trapped in the crumpled wreckage and it was several hours before he could be extricated.
Of the twelve crewmen aboard, five were killed.
The dead were identified as:
Cpl. Gaetano L. Fastiggi, a top-turret-gunner from New Rochelle, N.Y., born September 23, 1925. He enlisted in the army on April 5, 1944. He’s buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle.
Cpl. Henry Colt Fay Jr., a gunner from Milburn, N.J., born September 12, 1923. He’s buried in the Winsted Old Burying Ground, in Winsted, Connecticut.
Cpl. Charles W. Powell, a gunner from Holdenville, OK., born September 7, 1920. He’s buried in Holdenville Cemetery.
Cpl. Furman Watson, a gunner from Seneca, S.C., born June 22, 1923. He’s buried in New Hope Cemetery in Seneca.
Pfc. Lester L. Shoemaker, a tail-gunner from Hanover, PA., born September 18, 1918. He’s buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, in Hanover.
Those who were seriously injured included:
The pilot, 2nd Lt. Roland C. Curtiss.
The co-pilot, Flight Officer Reese A. McClennahan, Jr.
The bombardier, Flight Officer Vincent M. Vallaro.
Gunner, Cpl. Francis A. Crawford.
Gunner, Cpl. Cono A. Galliani.
Gunnery Instructor, Staff Sgt. Charles J. Nigro.
The navigator parachuted safely away from the plane and received only minor injuries.
Today a housing development occupies the crash site.
Sources;
The Hartford Courant, “Five Flyers Killed, Seven Injured As Bomber Crashes In East Granby”, November 9, 1944, page 1.
The Waterbury Democrat, “Plane Crash Kills 5 Men”, November 9, 1944, page 9.
New York Times, “Bomber Crash Kills 5”, November 9, 1944
Town of East Granby Death Records
New Rochelle Standard Star, “Cpl. Gaetano Fastiggi Killed With 4 Others In Bomber Crash”, November 9, 1944.
New Rochelle Standard Star, “Fastiggi’s Body Is Escorted Here”, November 11, 1944.
New Rochelle Standard Star, “Fastiggi Rites Attended By 300”, November 13, 1944.
Windsor Locks, Connecticut – June 5, 1942
Narragansett Bay – Rhode Island
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On June 5, 1942, 2nd Lt. Martin Taub of Newark, New Jersey, was piloting a P-40E (41-24782) over Rhode Island when his aircraft crashed in Narragansett Bay, killing him.
It was reported that he was the second serviceman from New Jersey to loose his life in an aviation accident over southern New England that day. The other pilot was Richard Marshall Stafford, (25), of Summit, N.J. who was killed in a crash at Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Stafford’s plane was a P-40F, (41-13765).
Sources:
New York Times, “New Jersey Pilot Killed”, June 7, 1942
The Waterbury Democrat, “Flyer Killed At Winsdor Locks”, June 5, 1942, page 10.
Falmouth, Massachusetts – August 17, 1945
On August 17, 1945, Ensign Daniel Ware Goldman, 24, took off from Otis Field in Falmouth in a navy fighter aircraft. He had no sooner had he taken off when he radioed that he needed to make an emergency landing. His altitude at the time was about 200 feet, and when he turned to approach the runway his aircraft went into a dive and crashed into a wooded area about a mile from the field. Ensign Goldman had no chance to bail out and was killed in the wreck.
Ensign Goldman had been at Otis since May of 1945 training for carrier duty on the new aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Midway. His body was brought to Quonset Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island before being sent to Arlington National cemetery for burial.
Update: May 17, 2018
According to a Cape Cod Standard Times article, this accident occurred in the neighboring town of Mashpee.
Sources:
Falmouth Enterprise, ”Otis Field Flyer Dies In Crash”, August 24,1945
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-78
Cape Cod Standard Times, “Otis Field Pilot Dies In Mashpee Crackup”, August 18, 1945, page 1.
Gosnold, Massachusetts – November 18, 1944
On November 18, 1944, two navy planes from Otis Air Field were on an operational flight when they collided in mid-air over Nashawena Island. The Island is part of a chain known as the Elizabeth Islands, which make up the town of Gosnold, Massachusetts.
One plane, piloted by Lieutenant Robert Shane Traverse, 27, of Absecon, N.J., crashed on the island, while the other made it safely back to Otis with minor wing damage. Traverse’s body was recovered by the Coast Guard with his parachute unopened.
He was survived by his wife, Margurite.
Source: Falmouth Enterprise, “Otis Field Accidents”, November 24, 1944. awena
Camp Edwards, Massachusetts – September 2, 1943
On September 2, 1943, a Curtis A-25A, (42-79670) (Army version of the Navy Helldiver) was taking part in a mock strafing exercise at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod when the aircraft crashed killing both men on board.
The pilot was identified as Lt. Robert Ruthlein, 23, of Jersey City, New Jersey. Also aboard was Major Francis M. Reigel, 35, of Dayton, Ohio. Major Reigel was attached to the AAATC gunnery branch, and was observing the reaction of ground troops from the air.
Source: Falmouth Enterprise, “Camp Edwards” (notes), September 10, 1943
Atlantic Ocean – December 10, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
On December 10, 1944, a group of eleven navy F6F Hellcat fighter planes left Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, for an operational training flight over the Atlantic, but only nine returned. By 8:00 p.m. a search was begun for the two missing planes, and aircraft from Otis and Quonset Point, R.I., as well as crash boats from Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, searched the area north of Nantucket where there had been unconfirmed reports of flares being sighted.
Despite the efforts, no trace of the missing aircraft or the pilots was ever found.
The missing men are: Ensign John Daniel Cassidy, 21, of Macon, Georgia, and Lieutenant Commander John I. Drew, 27, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both were assigned to Fighter Squadron 88, (VF-88).
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30180216/john-daniel-cassidy
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/237356486/john-i-drew
Source:
Falmouth Enterprise, ”Planes Lost On Training Flight”, December 15, 1944.
New Canaan, CT – January 2, 1943
At 7:30 p.m. on January 2, 1943, a U.S. Navy aircraft crashed on Ponus Ridge in the town of New Canaan. The plane came down on the estate of Lindsey Bradford, and the wreckage was strewn for hundreds of yards. The pilot was found still strapped to his seat lying against a stone wall.
As of this posting, no information is available as to the type of plane, where it was from, or the pilot’s identity.
Source: New York Times, “Crash Kills Navy Flyer”, January 2, 1943
Stratford, Connecticut – November 12, 1942
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 12, 1942, U.S. Army Captain Robert K. Noel, 23, was piloting a P-47C Thunderbolt, (41-6171), on a test flight over the Stratford area. He’d been tasked with testing a new radio antenna mast which had been installed on the aircraft, and to see if it would tear away at high speeds. He began a steep dive towards the ground from about 15,000 feet, and according to witnesses the plane never came out of the dive, and exploded on impact.
Noel was from Beckley, West Virginia, and was engaged to be married to a Bridgeport woman in four days. On the day he crashed, he had gone to Bridgeport Probate Court to obtain a waver of the state’s five-day waiting period.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120285961/robert-k-noel
Source:
New York Times, “Army Pilot Dies In Crash”, November 13, 1942.
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
West Greenwich, Rhode Island – March 24, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 24, 1943, two Army P-47B fighter aircraft (41-6002) and (41-6040) were training over southern Rhode Island when both were forced to land for reasons not stated in the press. One plane, piloted by Flight Officer Oscar C. Kline, 22, of Barrington, New Jersey, came down on Nooseneck Hill Road in West Greenwich, barely missing an automobile before cartwheeling into the woods lining the east side of the highway. The plane caught fire but did not explode. The flames were quickly extinguished by the driver of the vehicle that was almost hit, and some other passers by, using brush-fire pump cans obtained from the nearby home of Richmond’s Chief of Police, John Potter. Unfortunately Flight Officer Kline died as he was removed from the plane.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103058909/oscar-clyde-kline
The second P-47B landed about a mile-and-a-half farther down Nooseneck Hill Road in the town of Richmond, near Dawley Memorial Park.
Witnesses told investigators that the two P-47s had circled the area several times with their wheels down before attempting to land.
Update January 26, 2022.
The aircraft were from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and had run low on fuel.
Updated December 31, 2024
As a point of fact, this aircraft flown by Flight Officer Kline had been involved in another fatal accident on January 14, 1943. Click here for details.
Sources:
Pawtucket Times, “Plane Crashes Kill 2 Pilots – Officials Of Army, Navy Probe Accidents In South County”, March 25, 1943 (This headline is in error. Only one pilot was killed.)
Woonsocket Call, “Pilot Identified In State Crackup”, March 25, 1943, Pg. 1
Springfield Union, (Mass.), “Westover Fighter Pilot Killed, Another Escapes In Two-Plane R.I. Crash”, March 25, 1943
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945”, By Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006
THE UXBRIDGE BOMBER CRASH
May 18, 1944
B-24 Liberator
Tucked away on a two-acre wooded lot in the middle of a quiet upscale neighborhood in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is a granite monument honoring five servicemen who died in the service of their country when their B-24 Liberator (42-7347) crashed on that spot during World War II. The incident occurred on May 18, 1944, as a formation of three B-24 bombers droned through the sky over the Blackstone Valley.
The planes were on their way back to Westover Air Field after a day of formation flight training, the purpose of which was to give one of the bomber crews experience in formation flying so they would have enough hours to qualify for overseas duty.
24-year-old navigator, Lieutenant Joseph H. Talbot, was sitting in the plexiglass nose of bomber number 42-7347, watching the landscape below take on more definition as the formation descended from 20,000 to 10,000 feet so the crews could come off oxygen. Then, without warning, the plane suffered a hard jolt accompanied by the sound of crunching metal as it was struck by another B-24 in the formation. Almost immediately the plane began shaking and shuddering and Talbot heard the pilot’s frantic voice come over his head phones, “Bail out! Bail out!”
Talbot was wearing his parachute harness, but not the chute, and the buffeting of the plane made attaching the two difficult. As the seconds ticked by the plane dropped lower. Other members of the crew were possibly in the same predicament, for Talbot was one of the first out of the plane.
He no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief as his chute billowed open. He would later recall how quiet it was as he hung in the air over Uxbridge. The other B-24s had disappeared, and his own was a flaming wreck. He didn’t know it then, but another crewman, 18-year-old, Corporal Robert Kelly, was the only other member of the crew to get out safely. Three others jumped, but the aircraft was too low to the ground when they did, and their chutes didn’t have enough time to deploy. The co-pilot had waited the longest, perhaps to make sure the others had jumped first. His remains were found in the bomb bay. To his credit, the pilot, 2nd Lt. Arnold Moholt, never left the controls, trying to save his men while directing the plane away from the populated downtown Uxbridge area.
Pathway leading to the Uxbridge Bomber memorial.
Talbot came down in a wooded area where he was found by an army sergeant home on leave. He had lacerated his hands while escaping from the plane, and was taken to Whitinsville Hospital. There he and Corporal Kelly were admitted and prevented from returning to the crash site.
The other aircraft involved in the collision, (41-28508), suffered damage, but was able to remain airborne and made it back to Westover.
Woonsocket Call reporter Russell Krapp was at the downtown Uxbridge field office when he heard the formation passing overhead and happened to look out the window just as the accident happened. The doomed bomber plummeted to earth in the High Street area where it exploded in a massive fireball sending a plume of smoke hundreds of feet into the air. Krapp, along with dozens of others, raced to the scene.
The fire burned over forty acres before it was brought under control by firemen from Uxbridge, East Douglas, and two state forestry trucks.
Memorial to those who lost their lives in the Uxbridge Bomber Crash – May 18, 1944.
The site was cleared of wreckage, and little by little Mother Nature began to reclaim the land. It remained wooded for many years afterwards, but by the 1980s the land ready for a housing development. Fortunately, there were those who remembered the crash and sought to have at least a portion of the area preserved. The result is a two-acre wooded lot across from 84 Chamberland Road, marked by a sign that directs visitors along a well maintained path leading to a memorial honoring those who died. Next to the monument is a piece of melted aluminum that had once been part of the aircraft.
The inscription on the monument reads: This spot is sacred to the memory of
2nd Lt. Arnold Moholt
2nd Lt. John T. Goodwin
S/Sgt Thomas L. Cater
Sgt. Merle V. Massar,
Sgt. Anthony J. Pitzulo
They died when their US Army Airplane Crashed here May 18, 1944. They Gave Their Lives Four Country And Humanity.
The monument was dedicated October 11, 1944.
Uxbridge Bomber Memorial Site – August, 2012
Lt. Arnold Moholt was born December 15, 1920 in Glendive, Montanna, where he lived until he graduated high school. He went on to attended business college in Spokane, Washington, before enlisting in the Army ordinance division in March of 1941. In 1942 he transferred to the Army Air Force, and was commissioned an officer in January of 1944 at Maxwell Field, Alabama. He had recently written to his surviving relatives in Missoula, Montanna, that he expected to be sent overseas in the near future. He is buried in Missoula Cemetery.
Sergeant Merle Massar was 21-years-old, born June 7, 1922, and was just shy of his next birthday when the accident occurred. He was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, where his father was a prominent businessman. He was an accomplished violin musician, and often participated in musical and theatrical productions at Mount Vernon High School. He was also a member of the school’s Thespian Society, and Ski Club.
After graduating in 1940, he enrolled in college, studying at the University of Washington where he excelled at writing. One of the university professors, Dr. George Savage, stated Massar’s writing ability “showed great promise”.
“With Merle it is more than a personal grief,” said Dr. Savage, “It is the knowledge that a great writer is lost, for Merle was one of the few students I’ve had who was passionate about life – who felt deeply and surely because he loved and sorrowed for his fellow man.”
Dr. Savage last spoke with Merle when he was home on furlough. He recalled Merle saying to him, “If I want to live for my generation, I have to be ready to die with it, too.”
Mrs. Mary McDonnell of Chicopee, Massachusetts, wrote to Merle’s mother after the accident. Part of the letter said, “Just last Monday, he came to the door holding a lilac in his hand. ‘This is for Mother’s Day’ he said, but I know he was just plain lonesome for his own mother.”
In April of 1943 Merle entered military training for radio-aerial gunnery school, and at the time of the accident had been serving as a top-turret gunner.
He was survived by his mother and brother, Clifford.
Sgt. Anthony Pitzulo was two days shy of his 25th birthday when he died. He was born and raised in Lowellville, Ohio, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Aurclio) Pitzulo. He entered the army in 1942. He was survived by a sister, four brothers, two half brothers, and a half sister.
Lieutenant Talbot survived the war and later married and raised four children. He later became a grandfather nine times over. He returned to Uxbridge sometime in the1950s, and again in 1984 at the request of local officials to attend a memorial ceremony. Forty years after his ordeal, he recalled the details of the crash to reporters. He passed away in 1995.
Sources:
Uxbridge Times, “Three Chute To Safety When Bomber Crashes In Woods Off High Street.”, May 19, 1944, Pg. 1
Uxbridge Times, “Eyewitness Story Of Crash”, May 19, 1944, Pg.1
Uxbridge Times, “Death Toll Reaches 5 In Plane Crash”, May 22, 1944, Pg. 8
Woonsocket Call, “3 Fortress Crew Members Bail Out; Plane Explosion Starts Forest Fires” May 18, 1944.
Woonsocket Call, “Call Reporter Sees Crash, Covers Story And Fights Fire”, May 18, 1944
Woonsocket Call, “5 Airmen Dead In Plane Crash Are Identified”, May 19, 1944
Woonsocket Call, “Plane Crash Victims Remembered –Survivor Returns For Uxbridge Rites 40 Years Later.” May 21, 1984
Mount Vernon Daily Herald, “Merile Massar Loses Life In Bomber Crash”, May 19, 1944, Pg. 1.
Mount Vernon Daily Herald, “Rites Are Set Thursday For Heroic Flyer”, May 23, 1944, Pg. 1
The Daily Missoulian, “A Moholt Is Killed In Plane Crash”, May 20, 1944
The Daily Missoulian, “Rites Today For Army Lieutenant”, May 23, 1944
Youngstown Vindicator, “Air Crash Fatal To Sgt. Pitzulo”, May 19, 1944, Pg. 25
Youngstown Vindicator, “Plan Military Funeral For Sergeant Pitzulo”, May 21, 1944, Pg. A10
www.findagrave.com Joseph H. Talbot
THE HOPKINS HILL BOMBER CRASH
West Greenwich, Rhode Island
April 3, 1942
B-25 Mitchel bomber
USAF Museum photo
At 5:52 a.m. on April 3, 1942, a B-25A Mitchell Bomber (40-2193) left Westover Army Air Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, headed south towards Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic for an anti-submarine patrol. The belly of the aircraft was loaded with depth charges.
The crew of five servicemen aboard included: the pilot, 2nd Lt. George Loris Dover; co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Neil W. Frame; radio operator S/Sgt. Robert H. Trammell; the bombardier, Pvt. Robert H. Meredith; and tail gunner, Pvt. Thomas J. Rush.
The men were assigned to the 41st Bombardment Squadron, attached to the 13th Bombardment Group, recently transferred from Orlando Army Air Base in Florida.
The weather that day was seasonable for early April with clear skies and five miles visibility. The plane took a course over Rhode Island, but barely twenty minutes into the flight one of engines began to sputter and loose power. Lt. Dover was an experienced pilot and evidently didn’t deem the situation serious as no radio distress call was sent and no attempt was made by the crew to bail out or salvo the depth charges. What happened next is based on the findings of the Army Air Corps crash investigation committee.
While still over the southern part of Rhode Island, the pilot turned the plane around and was most likely going to attempt a landing at Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick. As the B-25 was passing over West Greenwich, Rhode Island, it either stalled or completely lost power, before it crashed into Hopkins Hill.
The official crash investigation report (42-4-3-1) stated in part, “…the absence of a swath approaching the final scene of (the) accident would seem to indicate a complete lack of power. The pilot is believed to have established a steep glide in order to maintain flying speed and headed for the nearest clearing. Upon reaching terrain expedient with altitude and circumstances he is thought to have attempted recovery from this glide and mushed on into ground in a complete stall.”
When the plane hit the ground it was assumed that the crew was either killed or rendered unconscious. Fire broke out immediately when the nearly full gas tanks ruptured, which set off the depth charges sending debris from the plane hurtling more than 200 yards. Those living nearby later reported that the blasts shook their homes.
The first to arrive at the scene was Earl B. Harrington of Hopkins Hill Road. He had heard the plane pass over his house; “It was fairly low”, he later said in his statement to the Army, “and the motors were not functioning properly in that they were skipping, popping, and snapping.”
Shortly afterwards one of his sons informed him that there was a column of smoke rising from the woods. He related, “As soon as I could get dressed, my boy and I made our way through the woods towards the column of smoke. On our way we heard three small explosions followed by a very big one which nearly knocked us to our knees. We were at the time about two hundred and twenty five yards away. Wreckage and rocks went over us. We were shielded by the low hill. We knew it was a plane then and that it was burning so we hurried to the Victory Highway and phoned the State Police.”
Mrs. Anne E. Esleck of Ten Rod Road in Exeter also heard the plane go overhead and the subsequent explosions. In her statement to the Army she recalled, “The time was about 6:30. The motors seemed to cut out, and in about two or three minutes we heard a series of small explosions for about ten minutes. Then came the large explosion, which rocked the pictures on the walls.”
Another person who reported feeling the force of the explosions was Mr. R.F. Rathburn who stated, “About ten minutes later we heard a very loud explosion just over the ridge to the south, which shook the house badly. I looked out the window and saw a lot of white smoke, and many bright sparks in the air.”
At 6:40 am Trooper Francis D. Egan of the Wickford Barracks received the first report of the plane crash and dispatched Sergeant Harold E. Shippee and Trooper Wilfrid L. Gates to investigate.
A poor quality reproduction of the army investigation report photo of the blast crater.
While searching for the plane. Sergeant Shippee met Earl Harrington who directed him to the general location. The sergeant parked his cruiser at the intersection of Hopkins Hill Road and Brown Trail Road and proceeded on foot through the woods. (In 1942 the Brown Trail an unpaved dirt trail.) When he reached the scene he discovered that there were no survivors and realized that the aircraft was a military plane by the star insignia on one of the wings. He made his way back to his car and radioed the barracks requesting notification of military and fire officials.
The blast crater as it looked in modern times before the site was developed into an industrial park.
Trooper Gates took a post at Hopkins Hill Road and Brown Trail Road to divert sightseers away from the area and keep the road clear for military vehicles.
Sergeant Shippee then returned to the crash site and made a wide search of the immediate area. The fires were still burning and some of the aircraft metal was described in the official state police report as being “white hot”. The sergeant noted a wide debris field and a large crater, about 25-30 feet wide, where the plane had landed and exploded.
At about 7:00 a.m. Captain Leonard C. Lydon, squadron commander of the 66th Pursuit Squadron, stationed at Quonset Point, was notified of the crash by Naval Operations. He drove to the scene with Squadron Flight Surgeon, Lieutenant Mark E. Conan, and the Squadron D.P. officer, 1st Lieutenant Sherman Hoar, and a detail of eleven men.
According to official reports, the contingent arrived at the scene about 9:00 a.m. Sergeant Shippee met with Captain Lydon and turned the scene over to him. The captain was informed that Trooper Eagan in Car 41 would be assigned to stand by in case any radio messages needed to be sent over the cars’ two-way radio.
In the meantime, firefighters led by Chief Fire Warden John H. Potter had been busy putting out the numerous fires since 8 a.m. The chief had also detailed a group of men to conduct a search for anyone who may have parachuted out of the plane before it went down.
X marks the Approximate location of the crash site.
Two bodies and one partial one were found about one hundred yards and two hundred yards respectively from the major portion of the wreckage. Two more were removed from the shattered tail section. All were transported to the Gorton Funeral Home in Coventry, R.I. under the supervision of Lieutenant Conan.
At about 9:30 a.m., 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth B. Skoropowski, Armament Officer of the 66th Pursuit Squadron at Quonset, arrived to oversee the removal of all ordinance from the scene. He recovered three .30 caliber, Browning M-2 machine guns, one .50 caliber Browning machine gun from the tail section, two flare pistols, and some live ammunition.
Captain John L. Sullivan, Lt. Harcos, and 1st Lt. Charles P. Sheffield arrived on the scene from Westover Field to take over the investigation. They sifted through the debris, took photographs, and interviewed witnesses.
Diagram of the crash site drawn by 1st Lt. Charles P. Sheffield that was included with the official investigation report.
Lieutenant Sheffield drew a diagram of the crash site which he included as “Exhibit 7- B” with the official report.
One item of interest to the investigators was the planes ignition switch, which the investigation report stated “The ignition switch installation was burned and damaged so as to preclude drawing of precise conclusions but the master ignition switch is believed to have been in the “off” position.” This could be an indication that the pilot cut the engines just before impact in an attempt to prevent a fire.
The investigators concluded that the aircraft was almost level when it hit the ground due to the pattern of debris. Weather and sabotage were ruled out as factors in the crash.
The Army, as was the custom, made arrangements for all debris to be removed from the site. Today, time and Mother Nature have erased all traces of the disaster, and except for the blast crater, there is nothing to suggest that a horrific tragedy once occurred there.
The official investigation report contains several testimonials to the flying ability and competence of the pilot, Lieutenant Dover, and it is clear that investigators did not fault him for the crash.
The crash was blamed on a faulty engine and went on to state that there had been other problems with the R-2600-9 engines on other aircraft. In paragraph #30, under “recommendations”, the report stated; “That the R-2600-9 airplane engine be tested in detail and that 17 engines changed (all for reasons other than normal running time and crashes) in this group since 1 Jan. 1942 to present date be minutely examined for such modifications and structural changes as are found necessary. Unofficial information indicates that technical organizations other than this Group are experiencing like difficulties with this engine and that a serious situation exists endangering materiel; lives of flying personnel; and morale of Combat Crews.”
In paragraph 32 section b, the report states: “ A report, subject: “Troubles with R-2600-9 Engines” dated April 10, 1942 has been forwarded to the Commanding General Bomber Command, a copy which has been furnished the Commanding Officer, Sub-Depot, Westover Field, Mass.”
It’s unknown if this accident report had any direct effect, but it’s interesting to note that future production B-25’s, beginning with the B-25D model, were equipped with different engines – Wright R-2600-13’s.
Lieutenant George Dover. Photo from the Shelby Daily Star, April 6, 1942.
The pilot, 2nd Lieutenant George Loris Dover, known as Loris to his friends and family, came from Shelby, North Carolina. He was born December 23, 1916 and was 25 years old at the time of his death.
He graduated Shelby High School and went on to attend Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina, where he graduated in 1935. He then went to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and graduated in 1937.
After graduation, he relocated to Kent, Ohio, where he worked for Davey Tree Surgery before enlisting in the Army Air Corps on December 28, 1940. He graduated flight training and was awarded his “wings” August 15, 1941 at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. From there he was assigned to the 41st Bombardment Squadron and sent to Orlando Air Field, in Orlando Florida. In January of 1942 his squadron was transferred to Westover Field in Massachusetts.
He was waked at his father’s home at 851 West Warren Street, and flowers completely filled two rooms of the home. More than 3000 townspeople filed through the house to pay their respects. The funeral service was held at First Baptist Church, with members of the Warren Hoyle American Legion Post acting as pallbearers. He was the first serviceman from Shelby, as well as Cleveland County, to lose his life in World War II.
Lieutenant Dover was survived by his father and step mother, one sister, Nancy Ellen of Mars Hill, N.C., a half-sister Mary Ann Dover of Shelby, and two brothers, Grady Eugene and Paul. He also left behind a fiancée, Miss Virginia Rose of LaGrange, Illinois. They were to be married in August of 1942.
The V.F.W. Post 4066 in Shelby, North Carolina, was named in Lt. Dover’s honor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36832167/george-loris-dover
George was not the only loss suffered by the Dover Family in World War II. At the funeral, George’s younger brother, 21-year-old Grady who was attending the University of North Carolina at the time, was quoted by the Shelby Daily Star as saying, “Somebody’ll have to take Loris’ place.” He entered the Army Air Corps as a pilot and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was killed in action when his B-17 bomber went down on a raid over Germany on February 10, 1944.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36832353/grady_e-dover/photo
George and Grady are buried next to their mother, who died in 1928, in the Cora Section of the Sunset Cemetery.
Funeral of Lt. Dover – Shelby Daily Star April 8, 1942
Co-pilot, 2ed Lieutenant Neil Ward Frame, was born in Porterville, California, during the First World War, on September 22, 1917, the youngest son of Jesse E. and Madge E. Frame. He grew up with six brothers and sisters, graduated from Porterville High School, and went on to junior college before transferring to the University of California to study agriculture. It was while he was attending college at Davis, California, that he decided to enlist in the Air Corps. He earned his pilot’s wings at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas on August 15, 1941, graduating in the same class as Lieutenant Dover.
Like Lieutenant Dover, he was the first from his community to lose his life in World War II. His boyhood friends served as pallbearers at his funeral, which the local paper, the Porterville Recorder, stated, “No funeral held in Porterville ever brought such a throng of sympathizers”.
An Episcopal service was conducted by Rev. Ralph Cox, assisted by the Rev. H.G. Purchase, at the Loyd-Frietzsche Chapel, before the procession proceeded to the Porterville Cemetery where the local American Legion conducted a funeral ritual and the high school band played “Nearer My God to Thee”, before an eight-man firing squad fired a salute, and two buglers played taps. He was laid to rest in plot B-125-2.
The Merchants Committee of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce voted to close all stores in the city during the funeral as a show of respect and patriotic duty.
Lieutenant Frame lived at 600 E. Street, Porterville, California, and besides his parents, he was survived by his brothers, Harold and Carl, and four sisters, Mrs. Carl Martin, of Palo Alto, California, Mrs. Kenneth Hill of Visalia, Mrs. Norman Castle and Miss Barbara frame both of Porterville. His brother Carl had enlisted as a doctor in the armed forces and had sailed only a week earlier for overseas duty.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85640926/neil-w-frame
Staff Sergeant Robert H. Trammell was born April 23, 1916 and was 20 days shy of his 26th birthday. Before the war he lived at 2309 Ellis Street , Brunswick, Georgia. He was survived by his parents, Mildred B. and Joseph H. Trammell Sr., a sister, Mrs. H. Lee Haskins also of Brunswick, and an older brother, Blair Trammell, who was also in the service stationed at Pensacola Air base in Pensacola, Florida.
He is buried in Palmetto Cemetery, Glynn County, Georgia, Lot 152-8
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35888979/robert-hardie-trammell
Private Robert Huel Meredith, the bombardier, was the only married man of the crew. He was survived by his wife of only three months, listed in his obituary as “Mrs. R.H. Meredith”, of Alexandria, Louisiana.
He was born May 22, 1920, which also made him the youngest of the crew – about five weeks away from his 22nd birthday.
He attended high school in Thyatira, Mississippi, and went on to Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas. He left his studies to join the Army Air Corps in 1941 and went to bombardier school.
Being a bombardier during World War II was considered a big responsibility. According to the United states Air Force Museum, the training to become a bombardier lasted 12 to 18 weeks, during which the student learned his skill by dropping approximately 160 bombs. He was scored by his “hits” and “misses”, and roughly 12% of each class was “washed out” for failing to gain enough “hits”.
In the beginning of the war, bomber aircraft such as the B-25 carried the Sperry S-1 Bombsight. When the highly classified, top secret, Norden M-1 Bombsight was introduced later, bombardiers were required to take an oath stating they would protect the Norden with their life!
In addition to his wife, he left behind his parents, Kathleen Meredith of Thyatira, and T.H. Meredith of Memphis, Tennessee, as well as two sisters and a brother, Miss Marinelle Meredith, Thyatira, Mrs. Leonard Jones, Memphis, and Wilfred Meredith of Independence, Missouri.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. H. I. Copeland, held in the Thyatira School Auditorium. Burial was at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107278889/robert-huel-meredith
The tail gunner, Private Thomas J. Rush, was the oldest crewman at 27. He was born August 23, 1915 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in June of 1941. Before entering the service, he had been a caddy master at the Overbrook Golf Club in Philadelphia and an amateur boxer. He had lived at 1688 N. 56th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was survived by his parents, Joseph and Catherine Rush, as well as three sisters, Mrs. Benjamin B. Evans, Mrs. John F. McFadden, and Miss Sue Rush, and three brothers, James, Joseph, and Patrick.
The funeral was held at St. Gregory’s Church and burial took place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197238596/thomas-joseph-rush
The B-25 Mitchell was a twin-engine medium bomber built by North American Aviation of Inglewood, California, and Kansas City, Missouri. Of the roughly 10,000 that were produced between 1939 and 1945, only 40 were designated B-25A’s, thereby making this particular aircraft rare.
The “A” variant was an early production model powered by two Wright R-2600-9 engines capable of delivering a maximum of 1,700 hp each. It was designed to carry up to 3,660 pounds of bombs and could defend itself against enemy fighters with up to four .30-caliber, and one .50-caliber machine guns.
The plane involved in this accident was the only B-25 to ever crash in Rhode Island.
The blast crater at the crash site as it looked before the site was developed into an industrial park.
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Corps crash investigation report dated April 1942, (#42-4-3-1)
Rhode Island State Police report, dated April 3, 1942
Newspaper article, “Five Killed In Bomber Near West Greenwich ”, The Pawtucket Times, April 3, 1942, page 1
Newspaper article, “Couple Heard Plane Motor Sputter before fatal Dive”, The Pawtucket Times, April 3, 1942, page 6
Newspaper article, “Lt. Neil frame Dies In Crash (of) Army Bomber”, Proterville Recorder, April 3, 1942, Page 1
Newspaper article “Local Boy One Of Five Victims OF Air Tragedy”, The Shelby Daily Star, April 3, 1942, page 1
Newspaper article, “Army Probes Bomber Crash”, The Pawtucket Times, April 4, 1942, page 1
Newspaper article, “Cause Unknown In Air Crash; 1 Body Missing”, The Woonsocket call, April 4, 1942, page 1
Newspaper article, “Bomber Crashes in R.I., Five Dead”, The Providence Journal, April 4, 1942, page 1
Newspaper article, “Dover’s Body On Way Home”, The Shelby Daily Star, April 4, 1942, page 1
Death notice, “Robt. Trammel Be Buried Here”, Brunswick News, Saturday, April 4, 1942
Newspaper article “Loris Dover To Be Buried Here”, The Shelby Daily Star, April 6, 1942, page 1
Newspaper obituary, “Lt Neil frame Funeral Rites 2 P.M. Friday”, Porterville Recorder, April 6, 1942
Newspaper article, “Dover Funeral Is Conducted”, The Shelby Daily Star, April 8, 1942, page 1, (two photos with article)
Newspaper article, “Close Stores For Lt. Frame Rites Friday”, Porterville Record April 8, 1942
Newspaper article, “Dover Funeral Hero’s Tribute”, The Shelby Daily Star, April 9, 1942, page 1
Obituary, “Robt. H. Meredith 2nd Tate Casualty Buried Tuesday”, The Tate County Democrat, April 9, 1942, Page 1
Newspaper article, “Military Service For First Porterville Boy To Give His Life In New World War”, Porterville Record, April 11, 1942
Obituary, “Thomas J. Rush Rites”, Unknown newspaper & date, sent by The Free Library of Philadelphia, to Greenville Library in June 2006.
Book, “Troopers Of The Rhode Island State Police And Their Story”, By Harold C. Jones, 2001, Vantage Press
United States Air Force Museum Website
Town of West Greenwich, R.I. Death Records
Footprints In Time, Tombstone Inscriptions In Tate County, Mississippi, Compiled by Mrs. Janice Barnett Craft, Page 17
Special thanks to Mr. Aaron Coutu, former Young Adult & Reference Librarian, Greenville Public Library, Greenville, R.I., for obtaining obituaries and news articles for this story.
The Wolf Hill Plane Crash – Georgiaville, R.I.
August 5, 1943
By Jim Ignasher
A U.S. Army RB-34 like the one that crashed on Wolf Hill in the Georgiaville section of Smithfield, R.I. – August 5, 1943.
U.S. Air Force Photo
On August 5, 1943, a U.S. Army Air Corps, twin-engine aircraft, crashed on the Georgiaville side of Wolf Hill and three servicemen lost their lives. As with many events, details get forgotten over time. The story is worth re-telling both as an historical event, and as a way to remember the three men who died in the service of this country within the Town of Smithfield.
The plane was a Lockheed, RB-34. To be more precise, it was an RB-34A-4, Target Tug, one of only 16 produced for this purpose. Its military serial number was 41-38116.
The B-34 was initially designed as a light coastal patrol bomber to be used in anti-submarine warfare by the British military before the United States had entered World War II. It had its origins in the Lockheed, Model 18, Lodestar, a civil aircraft, which was re-designed and given the military designation of the Hudson MK I. In 1940, the British Government ordered 375 Hudsons. Subsequent orders were placed with technical improvements and modifications to armament, thus giving the planes designations of MK II, MK IIA, and GR.MK V.
When the United States entered the war in December of 1941, 200 Hudsons destined for England were diverted off the production line for use by the U.S. Army Air Corps and given the new military designation of B-34. The “B” designated it as a bomber aircraft. Most of the B-34s were later converted for use as training aircraft. Of these 200 aircraft, 57 were used as bomber trainers, 28 were used as gunnery trainers, 16 as target tugs, and 13 as navigational trainers. The remaining 86 planes were passed over to the U.S. Navy when it was decided that coastal protection should fall under the Navy’s jurisdiction. The Navy re-designated the planes as PV-1 Ventura’s and from 1942 onwards, all future orders went to the Navy. The Ventura’s were used by both the United States and Britain throughout the war.
In October of 1942, the planes that remained with the Army were re-designated RB-34’s to indicate their changed operational status as training aircraft, followed by a letter and number designation to indicate its training role. For example, bomber trainers were designated RB-34A-2, gunnery trainers as RB-34A-3, target tugs as RB-34A-4, and navigational trainers as RB-34B.
The plane that crashed on Wolf Hill was a target tug. Its function was to tow canvas gunnery targets a safe distance behind it, usually over open water, where fighter pilots would take turns making “runs” at it with their aircraft. The fighter pilots would shoot paint-coated ammunition, with each pilot given a different color, so that afterwards, when the target was evaluated, one could see which pilots had done well and which hadn’t.
According to the now de-classified official Army Air Corps accident investigation report obtained from the government, on the date of the accident, the plane was being ferried from Westover Field in Massachusetts to Otis Air Base in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The flight plan filed by the pilot, 2ed Lieutenant Otis R. Portewig, stated that take-off time would be 16:00 hours, (4 p.m.), and the flight would take 45 minutes passing over Rhode Island en-route.
Flying conditions for that day were good. There was a 3000 foot ceiling of broken clouds, with scattered clouds at 1600 feet. Visibility was unrestricted, and winds were out of the north-north-west at 8 to 12 miles per hour.
The plane was given enough fuel for four hours of flight time. While passing over Scituate, Rhode Island a mechanical problem developed with the right engine.
Several witnesses gave statements to Army investigators charged with determining the cause of the accident. The following quotes are taken from the official U.S. Army crash investigation report.
One witness was Robert Swan of North Scituate, who was tending to his garden when the plane passed overhead. He told investigators; “I was attracted by a sputtering of airplane engines coming from a northeasterly direction. I located the plane by sight, which was about a mile from where I was standing. The sputtering was of a back-firing sound, and soon afterwards the motors appeared to have stopped completely. Judging from where I was at, the plane had an altitude of approximately a thousand feet. The plane did not change its course, but seemed to glide in its general heading. It was about two or three minutes from the time I sighted the plane until it went out of view.”
From there the plane passed near Waterman’s Lake in Smithfield where it was seen by Aashel H. Thorton of Greenville, who recalled; “As I continued to watch the plane, I noticed the right engine had begun to stop. It appeared to me as if the pilot was attempting to start his motor again. I continued to watch the plane until it had gone completely out of sight.”
Young Daniel Raiche was also at Waterman’s Lake with his mother. His statement said, “My mother and I were on the island at Waterman’s Lake when we heard a plane in the distance. I had a telescope with me so I picked him up when he was some distance away. Just as he was pretty nearly overhead I observed brown streaks of smoke coming from the motors and soon after we heard a sound like backfire. The motors went dead and the ship glided for awhile; the plane sounded like it was going to start up again but the motor went dead. The plane continued to glide in the direction of Greenville; then it banked to the left losing altitude. I watched through the telescope until the plane flew behind a hill. We then packed our stuff in the boat and jumped in the rowboat and rowed to shore. When we arrive(d) there we could see smoke coming from the plane and we knew it had crashed.”
Daniel arrived home at about 5:30 p.m. and told his father what he had seen. His father directed him to write it all down right away and later forwarded the report to the Army.
From his home on Coolridge Avenue in Greenville, Francis Kane also saw the plane pass overhead. He reported, “The plane seemed to be gliding, because the left engine was not running, and the right engine was just sputtering. When I first saw the plane it had an approximate altitude of 500 ft. and was loosing altitude all the time.” Mr. Kane was also a volunteer fireman from Greenville and a few minutes later he responded to the crash site.
Walter Caine and Charles Young watched the plane from the Spragueville section of town. Mr. Caine stated; “The plane appeared to be at a very low altitude just skimming the tops of the trees. I only saw the plane for about a minute and then I lost sight of it. I immediately noticed a pillar of smoke coming from the direction of which the plane was heading. I immediately went to the scene of the crash. When I got there the plane was completely enveloped in flame. Some other men and myself located two bodies from the plane.”
Mr. Young, a Smithfield police officer, related a similar recollection; “The plane was at tree top level most of the time. As soon as I lost sight of the plane I saw a pillar of smoke coming about three quarters of a mile distance from where I was. I immediately went to the location of where the plane had crashed. The plane was completely engulfed in flames. I found the body of a person about fifty or sixty feet from the fuselage of the plane. I then saw another body which was located about ten feet on the opposite side of the main part of the fuselage.”
From the other side of Wolf Hill, Corporal John J. Corte of Hill Street also saw the aircraft. In his statement he recalled; “At approximately 4:30 P.M., I was attracted by a B-34 airplane which was in a glide at a very low altitude. The motors of the plane were not running from the time I first sighted it until it went out of view, which was about 5 or 10 minutes. The plane appeared to circle in search of an open field. The plane circled twice and then finally went into a right bank and out of view. A large cloud of smoke came up from the general area in which the plane was last sighted. I immediately went to the scene as a member of the local fire department. When I arrived, I noticed that the right wing had hit into the ground and the plane was completely engulfed in flame.”
According to a Providence Journal newspaper article which appeared August 6, 1943, on page 1, witnesses reported that, “the plane appeared to be operating on one motor and was circling in search of a landing place.”
A news item which appeared on the front page of the Pawtucket Times on August 6, 1943, stated that, “Eye-witnesses said the ship first started to spit fire in midair, burst into flame, then crashed with an explosion which set the surrounding woods afire.”
The crash site, according to the Providence Journal, reportedly occurred on a rocky ledge on Wolf Hill, about a mile west of Farnum Pike, and about a mile and a half south from the old Smithfield Airport, which was then located where Bryant University is today. The debris field was supposedly spread over an area 50 yards long and 20 yards wide, “with the body of the plane having come to rest on a huge rock”.
Site of the Wolf Hill military plane crash, August 5, 1943, Smithfield, R.I.
One of the first to reach the scene was Fred Andrews, the owner of a farm located near present day Farnum Pike and Route 295. The Providence Journal article reported that Mr. Andrews had said that a “heavy explosion followed the crash”, followed by a “second heavy detonation, and several lighter ones.” When he reached the scene everything was on fire. Mr. Andrews’ wife later recalled that the explosions “shook the ground like an earthquake.”
The explosions and column of black smoke from the fire attracted curious spectators from the surrounding area. A call was placed to the volunteer fire department and crews from Georgiaville and Greenville responded. Once they arrived, they found they couldn’t get near the scene with their engines, so they had to walk in with portable pump cans and shovels to attack the fire.
Officers of the Smithfield Police, led by Chief Albert N. Lacroix rushed to the scene with first aid equipment. State Troopers from Chepachet and Lincoln also arrived, as well as members of the state forest fire patrol. When word reached St. Michaels Church in Georgiaville, Reverend James H. Beattie went to the scene to administer last rites to the deceased.
Barbara True Gregor, formerly of Greenville wrote in May of 2004; “I was only eleven years old then; my sisters were thirteen and fourteen. The sight we beheld that day left an indelible impression on our minds. When we arrived, the Army plane had been quickly doused with water by volunteer firefighters, most of whom were teenagers. The boys and men of our town who would normally be on call, were overseas fighting in World War II.”
“There were three soldiers who died in that fiery crash but only one stands out in my mind all these years later. His charred body was outside the plane, and he died in a crawling position trying to escape the flames. I remember vividly that he wore a metal wristwatch on his outstretched arm.”
Teresa (Beausejour) Beaudoin, who was 14 at the time of the crash, recalled a similar expierence in September, 2005. “One day during that summer when I should have been cleaning my room, I took time out to look out the window. Suddenly, I heard the high pitched screaming sound of a plane, nose diving toward the earth. Then a crashing sound.
Curiously, I ran toward the area of the crash, which seemed to be close by. I arrived at the same time as the Georgiaville Fire Department, so I followed the fire fighters carrying water tanks on their backs, into the wooded area behind Fred Andrew’s house, also on Farnum Pike.
At the site, I observed, a soup bowl shaped area, about thirty or forty feet in diameter and about six feet deep (in a child’s eye). Halfway up the incline, was the motionless figure of a person attempting to crawl out of the hole. He was about halfway up, on his knees, with one hand on the ground reaching and grasping for something to help him out.
His clothes were completely black, but neither he nor his clothes were on fire. He resembled a statue of coal. I knew instantly he was dead.”
Other’s who were at the scene that day, have also described how two of the bodies were found in “a crawling position” outside the wreckage. Based on this information, it’s possible that two of the men aboard survived the initial crash and were killed by the subsequent explosions that followed.
A detail of Army troops arrived and quickly roped off the area and took over the scene, forcing everyone to evacuate the area. Once the fire was out, according to a retired firefighter who remembered the incident, “Nobody except Army personnel were allowed back up to the site.”
Blocking off the crash scene was, and still is, common practice for a number of reasons. Afterwards, very little information about the crash was released by the Army, and with the war in full swing, it quickly became old news as far as the press was concerned as there were no follow-up articles about the incident in any of the newspapers.
This later led to speculation and rumors by townspeople that there was more to the story. Some claimed the plane was overloaded with bombs and that was the reason for the crash. Others said it was on a secret mission and that was the true reason everyone was kept away. One rumor went that the plane was testing secret experimental radar jamming equipment. All of these rumors were false, but they persisted for many years.
Army officials probed the crash site for clues to the disaster. Captains Joseph T. Klemovich and Howard A. Tuman, along with First Lieutenant Charles B. Gracey Jr., are listed in the accident investigation report as the three men assigned to investigate the crash. They were pilots assigned to the 58th Fighter Group of the Fifth Air Force, then training at Green Field to go overseas. (Green Field is known today as T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.) The fighter group was transferred overseas shortly afterward.
Lieutenant Gracey arrived at the scene several hours after the crash. In his report dated August 19, 1943, he wrote, “Judging from the position of the parts of the ship I feel certain that the ship struck the ground with its right wing first, for the right wing was very badly damaged and lay a hundred (100) feet to the rear of the main part of the wreckage.”
Lieutenant Gracey was killed a few months later on a mission in New Guniea.
Captain Klemovich retired a Colonel in the Air Force and passed away in 1984.
Captain Tuman also retired a Colonel in command of the 310th Squadron of the 58th Fighter Group. On June 17, 2003, he related from his home in Oregon that he and the other investigators were 21 and 22 years old at the time training to be fighter pilots at Green Field in preparation for overseas duty. He didn’t remember many details about the investigation but related that the transfer of troops and personnel happened fast and was common during the war. He added that stateside military aircraft crashes unfortunately happened all too often. There simply wasn’t the time or the resources to conduct long-term investigations as would happen today.
The three investigators, in their final report, dated August 19, 1943, stated; “The Accident Committee, after considering all the statements of the witnesses, decided the right engine failed in flight. The pilot having insufficient altitude to recover properly, crashed on a wooded hill.” The report further stated; “The Accident Committee, after considering the statement of Capt. Victor K. Wagner, Maintenance Officer, 331st Sub-depot, Bradley Field, Conn., feels the accident was due largely to faulty maintenance.” Under “recommendations”, the report suggested, “a more thorough supervision of maintenance personnel.” and, “consistent practice in one engine procedure for pilots.”
All three men on board the RB-34 died in the crash.
There was the pilot, 2ed Lieutenant Otis R. Portewig, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia. A native of Richmond, he graduated from John Marshall High School, and went on to Roanoke College where he specialized in Aviation. He learned to fly at Central Airport and later became an instructor there. On one occasion he won first place in a spot landing contest He was also a flight instructor at Byrd and Hermitage Airports in Richmond, as well as an instructor at the Lynchburg Aviation School, in Lynchburg, Virginia.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 15, 1942, at Indianapolis, Indiana, and was commissioned a second lieutenant due to his seven years of flying experience. While in the Army, he was stationed at Judson Barracks, Missouri, the Bel Val Air Base in Austin, Texas, the Alliance Air Base in Nebraska, and at Langley Field in Virginia. He also served as a flight instructor in the Army.
He was attached to the 3rd Air Force, 1st Air Support Command, 66th Troop Carrier Squadron. In June of 1943, he was transferred from the Troop Carrier Squadron to the 1st Towing Squadron out of Otis Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Lieutenant Portewig was survived by his mother, Maud Portewig, and two brothers, James M., and Edwin, L. Portewig.
Sgt. Herbert Booth
Technical Sergeant Herbert D. Booth was the crew chief aboard. A native of Rahway, New Jersey, he graduated Rahway High School June 17, 1941. He was also attached to the First Towing Squadron at Otis Air Field. At the time of his death he was 30 days shy of his 22ed birthday. He was survived by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. William D. Booth. (No further information was available at this time about T/S Booth.)
Then there was 2ed Lieutenant Saul Winsten, age 25, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He was assigned to the 901st Quartermasters Company, Aviation Service.
He graduated from Pawtucket High School and attended Rhode Island State College before entering Brown University School of Law. He worked his way through college and law school by working at the university and at Saltzman’s in Pawtucket. He graduated law school in June 1941, and shortly thereafter, passed both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bar Exams getting high marks on each. Two months later, he entered the Army on January 17, 1942, and was accepted to Officer’s Candidate School for the Quartermasters Service at Camp Lee, Virginia.
He was survived by his mother Leah Winsten, and two brothers who were also serving in the military, Cpl. Harold Winsten, Quartermasters Service, and Joseph Winsten, a medical student at the Navy’s V-12 College Program at Brown University.
Lieutenant Winsten normally would not have been on the plane. On that day, he was at Westover Field and needed to get to Otis Field. At that time, there was no interstate highway system, and with a war on, and gas rationing, the trip by automobile would have taken about 4 hours. Therefore, it was a common practice to check at the airfield operations center to see if a plane was heading in the direction one needed to go. With a flight scheduled for Otis, he naturally opted to fly instead of drive.
The Army, as was the custom, cleaned up the crash site and removed most of the plane. The word “most” is accurate because according to some who visited the site in later years, small pieces of airplane aluminum, the size of a dollar bill and smaller, remained on the ground. Over the years, souvenir hunters, and Mother Nature, have removed all traces of the plane. If someone were to visit the site today, they would find nothing to indicate that a tragedy had once occurred there.
Though time and Mother Nature have returned the site to its original condition, we should never forget the names of those who died there while in the service of their country. To that end, three bricks bearing the names of Lieutenant Saul Winsten, Lieutenant Otis R. Portewig, and Technical Sergeant Herbert D. Booth were added to the Veterans Memorial in Deerfield Park in 2004.
In August & October of 2009, two separate memorials were dedicated to the three servicemen who lost their lives in the Wolf Hill plane crash. One was placed in Deerfield Park in the Greenville section of Smithfield, Rhode Island, and the second was placed at the crash site in Gerogiaville.
Memorial to three servicemen killed in a plane crash on Wolf Hill, Georgiaville, R.I., Aug. 5, 1943. (Deerfield Park, Smithfield, R.I.)
Memorial in Smithfield, R.I. dedicated to the three men who died in a military plane crash, August 5, 1943
Monument honoring three servicemen killed in a military plane crash August 5, 1943 on Wolf Hill in Smithfield R.I.
Granite tablet located on Wolf Hill, Smithfield, R.I.
Saul Winsten’s brothers at the Aug. 2009 Deerfield Park ceremony.
Monument at Deerfield Park, Smithfield, R.I. – August 2009
Wickford, R.I. – March 24, 1943
Not much is known of this incident as of this writing due to minimal information in the newspaper. According to an AP release, Ensign George William Beal, 25, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, was killed when his navy aircraft crashed off Wickford Beach in Rhode Island.
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, “Pilot Identified In State Crackup”, March 25, 1943, Pg. 1
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #43-16
Perham, Maine – September 22, 1942
B-25C Twin-Engine Bomber – U.S. Air Force Photo
On September 22, 1942, a flight of B-25 Mitchel bombers left Presque Isle Army Air Field bound for overseas duty. Shortly after take off the planes were recalled to the base due to poor weather/visibility conditions. One of the planes, (41-13049), crashed in a wooded area about six miles west of Perham Village, Maine, and exploded. Local residents stated the blast was heard for miles around, and the site was marked by a large crater.
The tail section was discovered about a quarter of a mile away, which would seem to indicate a structural failure with the aircraft. Two Nazi sympathizers were later arrested for tampering with an aircraft at Presque Isle leading to speculation that the B-25 had gone down due to sabotage.
The B-25 was attached to the 310th Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Squadron, then based in Greenville, South Carolina.
All seven crew members were killed.
The dead were identified as:
Pilot: 2lt. John F. Watson Entered service from New York, (O-790435) Burial location unknown. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149733656/john-f-watson
Co-Pilot: 2lt. John W. Rieves Jr. , 22. He’s buried in Asbury Cemetery, McKenney, Virginia. For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com and see memorial #138056088. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138056088/john-william-rives
S/Sgt. John S. Delano He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49226891/john-s-delano
S/Sgt. James A. Kviz, 26. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149734166/james-anton-kviz
S/Sgt. Eugene J. Crozier He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49173051/eugene-joseph-crozier
S/Sgt. Frederick W. Rowbottom, 23. He’s buried in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia, Minnesota. For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com and see memorial #123323580. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123323580/frederick-w-rowbottom
S/Sgt. Richard K. Riddle, 27. He’s buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware, Ohio. For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com memorial#47394120. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47394120/richard-kellogg-riddle
Later in the day another B-25 (41-13098) belonging to the 379th Bomb Squadron took off from Presque Isle also bound for overseas duty, but it crashed shortly after take off in the neighboring town of Fort Fairfield, Maine. For more information, see Fort Fairfield, ME – September 22, 1942 under “Maine Military Aviation Accidents” on this website.
Sources:
New York Times, “Plane Falls On Wooded Hill”, Sept 23, 1942
57th Bomb Wing Association website http://57thbombwing.com/379thSquadronHistory.php
www.findagrave.com
Atlantic Ocean Off Newport, Rhode Island – September, 1942
On September 8, 1942, it was announced by the Navy public relations office that a four-man naval aircraft was over due from a routine flight and presumed lost in the ocean off Newport, R.I.. The type of aircraft was not specified.
Crew members were listed as:
Lieutenant Jg. Eugene F. Gooding (24) of Albany, California
Aviation Pilot 1st Class Hilmar W. Holey, (28) of Fairview, Mont.
Aviation Radioman 2d Class Joseph Mikes, (18) of Flushing, N.Y.
Aviation Machinist 3d Class Erwin Match (22) of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Source: New York Times, “Four Lost In Navy Plane”, September 8, 1942
South Mountain, Vermont – October 24, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 24, 1945, a U.S. Navy Helldiver left Burlington, Vt., headed for Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island, when it crashed into South Mountain at the 2,300 foot level, cutting a wide path and scattering wreckage over a large area. Both men aboard were killed.
150 searchers found the wreck site after two days.
The pilot was Ensign Walter G. Smith, Jr., 22, of Kansas City, Mo.
The passenger was 28-year-old Lt. Cmdr. Maurice M. Stone of Raleigh, North Carolina. Stone was the executive officer of a squadron based at Quonset Point, and had arrived in Burlington with his squadron for Navy Day exercises. At some point his hand became infected, and he was being flown to R.I. for treatment when the accident occurred.
Stone was a veteran of the first aircraft carrier based attack on Tokyo, Japan. He was survived by his wife Maureen (Smith) Stone. He’s buried in Savannah, Georgia.
Sources:
Providence Journal, “Bodies of Two Quonset Aviators, Wrecked Plane Found In Vermont”, October 27, 1945, Pg. 1
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-100 & 45-101
Camel’s Hump Mountain, Vermont- October 16, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On October 16, 1944, a U. S. Army B-24J Liberator (#42-51067) crashed into Camel’s Hump Mountain killing all but one crewman aboard. The sole survivor was Aerial Gunner James W. Wilson who was found by members of the Civil Air Patrol a short distance from the wreck. Investigators found the wreckage near the top of the 4,083 mountain, covering more than an acre of land.
Other members of the crew included:
Pilot: 1st Lt. David E. Potter, age 30. To see a photo of Lt. Potter, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54537510/david-edgar-potter
Co-pilot: Flight Officer John J. Ramasocky, age 23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114692750/john-j-ramasocky
F.O. Ramasocky’s brother was killed in a military plane crash on August 12, 1947. Click here for info.
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Robert W. Geoffrey, age 22.To see a photo of Lt. Geoffrey, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99670033/robert-w-geoffroy
Bombardier: 1st Lt. David C. McNary, age 25. To see a photo of Lt. McNary click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61504687/david-capp-mcnary
Engineer: Corporal Luther N. Hagler, age 21. To see a photo of Cpl. Hagler, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15323357/luther-napoleon-hagler
Radio Operator: Corporal James Perry, age 19. To see a photo of Cpl. Perry’s grave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146382962/james-perry
Ball Turret Gunner: Corporal Robert E. Denton, age 22 or 23. To see a photo of his grave click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78505722/robert-e-denton
Tail Gunner: PFC Richard C. Wynne, age 18. To see a photo of PFC Wynne’s grave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79231128/richard-carlton-wynne
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65615194/richard-c-wynne
Nose Gunner: PFC Casper Zacher, age 19. To see a photo of PFC Zacher’s grave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3518436/casper-zacher
A memorial plaque and a wing section of the aircraft can be found at the crash site.
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, “Single Member Of Crashed Bomber’s Crew Found Alive Near Vermont Mountain Debris”, October 18, 1944, pg. 1
Aircraft Info supplied by Lawrence Webster – Aviation Historian
New York Times, “Bomber Wreck Found On Vermont Mountain”, October 18, 1944
www.findagrave.com
Unknown Newspaper, “Wreckage Of Missing Westover Plane Found”, October 18, 1944
Hillsgrove Army Air Field, Warwick, RI, June 28, 1944
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
At 5:05 p.m. on June 28, 1944, a U.S. Army P-47 (Ser # 42-22591) took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field on a routine training mission and crash-landed a few hundred yards north of the field. The pilot, Daniel S. Miles, was relatively unhurt, and got away from the plane before it burst into flames.
Source: Providence Journal, “Plane Hits House;Man, Wife Burned”, June 29, 1944, pg. 1 (The headline refers to another accident in North Stonington Connecticut. )
Lawrence Webster – Aviation Historian
Franklin, Massachusetts – April 4, 1944
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 4, 1944, two U.S. Army P-47 fighter planes were conducting “dog fighting” practice over Franklin, Massachusetts, when one aircraft crashed into a wooded area off Maple Street in Franklin. The plane exploded on impact, killing the pilot, 2nd Lt. William J. Bradt, of Buffalo, N.Y. The explosion reportedly left a crater 80 ft. wide and 20 ft. deep in a “boggy” area. Wreckage was scattered for some distance.
Witnesses said the plane went into a sharp dive trailing smoke before bursting into flames, and it was speculated that the pilot aimed for the wooded area to avoid nearby buildings.
News accounts stated “thousands” came to the scene and engaged in souvenir hunting, prompting police to issue warnings about unexploded .50 caliber bullets. One news reporter found $330 dollars which had been blown from the pilot’s clothing, which he turned over to police.
The aircraft flown by Lt. Bradt was a P-47D. serial number 42-22449
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, “Plane Explodes Over Franklin” , April 4, 1944, pg. 1
Woonsocket Call, “Shells From Plane Wreck Prompt Franklin Warning”, April 5, 1944, pg. 4
Westfield, Massachusetts – November 30, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 30, 1942, 2nd Lt. Daniel B. Austin of Dorchester, Massachusetts, took off from Westover Air Field in Chicopee, Mass., for a routine training flight. He was piloting a P-47B Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-6024). At 3:30 p.m. he was killed when his aircraft crashed into Higgins Swamp, a marshy area to the east of Barnes Airport in Westfield. Although numerous persons witnessed the accident, the cause was not immediately known.
Lt. Austin was assigned to the 321st Fighter Squadron.
Source:
The Springfield Republican, (Springfield, Mass.), “Army Flier Dies In Westfield Crash”, December 1, 1942.
Westhampton, Massachusetts – April 10, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 10, 1943, 2nd Lt. John Franklin Reed, 26, was piloting a P-47C Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 41-6095), over the Westhampton area when the engine stopped. A 12-year-old boy who witnessed the event later told a reporter that he saw the plane, with its motor not running, gliding overhead at a low altitude. Then he saw the pilot jump, but his parachute didn’t fully open before he hit the ground. The plane crashed and exploded in a thickly wooded area off Route 66 in the southern portion of town. The pilots body was found a short distance from the crash site.
Lieutenant Reed was from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he attended Pine Bluff High School and graduated with honors. He was a 1941 graduate of Ouachita Baptist College, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he earned academic honors, was active in athletics, and enrolled in the Army Reserve Officers Training Program, (ROTC). After graduation he transferred to the Army Air Corps, and after completion of his training received his pilot wings and officer’s commission at Luke Field, Arizona.
At the time of the accident he was assigned to the 320th Fighter Squadron based at Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
He was survived by his mother and his wife whom he married in June of 1942. Lt. Reed is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Sources:
Springfield Republican, (Mass.), “Westover Field Pilot Is killed At Westhampton”, April 11, 1943, page 1.
Arkansas Gazette, “Lt. Frank Reed Of Pine Bluff Crash Victim”, April 11, 1943, page 32
www.findagrave.com
Litchfield, Connecticut – June 12, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of June 12, 1943, a flight of three U.S. Army P-47 aircraft took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts for a training flight. While the airplanes were passing over the area of Litchfield, Connecticut, two of the aircraft were involved in a mid-air collision.
One of the aircraft, a P-47C, (Ser. No. 41-6081), piloted by Lieutenant Andrew Lemmens, crashed and burned in a wooded area off Norfolk Road in the town of Litchfield, near the Goshen/Litchfield town line. Lt. Lemmens was able to parachute safely, and landed in the woods about a mile from the crash site. Two local youths who’d witnesses the incident found the pilot and led him out of the woods.
The other aircraft involved was a P47C, (Ser. No. 41-6088). Further details are unknown as of this posting.
Both aircraft were assigned to the 320th Fighter Squadron.
Sources:
The Torrington Register, (Torrington, Ct.) “Plane Crash Reported Near Goshen”, June 12, 1943, page 1
The Torrington Register, (Torrington, Ct.), “Airplane Burns Following Crash In Litchfield”, June 14, 1943
Off Charlestown, Rhode Island – October 21, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On October 21, 1945, Lt. (Jg.) T. R. Delehunt was piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70915), taking part of a training exercise off Block Island when he noticed grey smoke streaming from one side of his engine. After declaring an emergency, he set a course for Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Despite the smoke, all instruments were reading normal, until he came within the area of Point Judith. At that time his oil pressure began dropping, so he was re-directed to the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. The oil pressure continued to fall, and as he neared Charlestown Beach the engine suddenly stopped. Lt. Delehunt was forced to make an emergency landing in the water, coming down about a 1/2 mile from shore. The aircraft was a total loss, but Delehunt was not injured.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated October 21, 1945
Block Island Sound – October 11, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of October 11, 1945, Ensign J. A. Guice, (USN), took off from Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 79664), for a gunnery training flight approximately 17 miles south of Block Island. The night was particularly dark and the horizon wasn’t visible, necessitating instrument flight. At the designated area, Ensign Guice and other aircraft took turns firing rockets at a target-spar that was being towed by boat and illuminated by flares. While making a run at the target from an altitude of 3,000 feet, Ensign Guice’s aircraft was observed to clear the target and enter a barrel roll to the left and strike the water. He didn’t get out of the aircraft before it sank.
Unfortunately, Ensign Guice was only identified by his first two initials in the navy accident report, and therefor his first and middle name are unknown.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report dated October 11, 1945.
Groton, Connecticut – July 4, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of July 4, 1945, a group of navy aircraft were making a series of landings and takeoffs at the Groton Naval Auxiliary Air Field as part of a training exercise. One of the aircraft taking part was an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70879). Another aircraft was an F4U Corsair, (Bu. No. 81612).
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
Shortly before 11:00 p.m., the Corsair made a normal landing and taxied towards the end of the runway while the Hellcat made its approach and landed. The Hellcat landed at a normal speed and proper interval from the Corsair however, due to excessive darkness, what the pilot of the Hellcat didn’t realize was that the Corsair hadn’t completely cleared the end of the runway. At 170 feet before the end of the runway the Hellcat drove into the rear of the Corsair completely demolishing the Corsair, and causing substantial damage to the Hellcat. Fortunately neither pilot was seriously hurt.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident report dated July 4, 1945.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 29, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
Just after midnight, on the morning of May 29, 1945, Lieutenant David Warren Allen took off from the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5n Hellcat, (Bu. No. 79104), for an OCI interception flight. The night was particularly dark with scattered rain squalls. Lt. Allen’s plane was last seen 100 feet in the air and climbing. It was later learned that Lt. Allen was killed when his plane crashed into the water not far from the end of the runway.
There were no eye witnesses to the accident. Due to the fact that Lt. Allen was an experienced pilot with 2,000 hours of air time, investigators concluded that the accident was caused by mechanical or structural failure of the aircraft.
To see a photo of Lt. Allen, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49877138/david-warren-allen
Source: U. S. Navy accident report.
Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 31, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on the night of May 31, 1945, Ensign George Robertson Miller was returning to the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field after a night operations flight. The wind was gusting strongly that evening as he approached runway 35 in his F6F-5N Hellcat fighter aircraft, (Bu. No. 78136). As he was coming in to land, a strong cross wind struck the aircraft causing it to crash. Ensign Miller was killed when the plane hit the ground.
To see a photo of Ensign Miller’s grave click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49265106/george-robertson-miller
Source: U.S. Navy Accident report dated may 31, 1945
Hopkinton, Rhode Island – July 5, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the morning of July 5, 1945, a flight of U. S. Navy F6F-5 Hellcat fighter planes took off from Westerly Air Field in Rhode Island for a “section tactics” training flight. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 71620), was piloted by Ensign William Warren Rehberg, of Decatur, Alabama. The other F6F, (Bu. No. 53055), was piloted by Lt. (Jg.) Wallace F. McCoy, 23, of Dallas City, Texas.
At 12:03 p.m., which conducting aerial maneuvers at 6,300 feet over the Westerly area, Rehberg’s and McCoy’s aircraft were involved in amid-air collision. Both airplanes were seen to be trailing smoke as they dove toward the ground, and both crashed and burned in the Ashaway section of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, a town the borders Westerly to the north. Neither pilot survived.
To see a photograph of Lt. (Jg.) McCoy, go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #61030688.
Source:
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated July 5, 1945.
Atlantic Ocean – October 19, 1943
Off Block Island
Updated December 20, 2024
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
In the late afternoon of October 19, 1943, a flight of five SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft took off from Martha’s Vineyard Naval Air Station for a low visibility training flight. The flight consisted of two groups; the leading group with three planes, and the other, following the first, with two aircraft.
Of the two aircraft in the second group, one was piloted by Lt. (Jg.) Herbert Feuer, of Brooklyn, N.Y., with his gunner, ARM2c Camillus H. Kennedy, Jr., of Richmond, Va. The other aircraft was piloted by Ensign Bartholomew Salerno, of Bayonne, N.J., with his gunner ARM3c Vernon W. Geishirt, of Madison, Wi. One of these aircraft bore the Bureau No. of 28593. The other Bu. No. is unknown.
The weather consisted of low intermittent clouds with a ceiling of 4,000 feet, and ten miles of visibility at 2,000 feet. As the night came on there was no moon.
The flight was proceeding at an altitude of 2,000 feet when the flight leader signaled for Feuer and Salerno to climb to 2,300 feet and get above the other three airplanes. This was the last visual contact with both aircraft. A short time later the flight leader called for all aircraft to join up again, but Feuer and Salerno failed to make the rendezvous.
At the pre-flight briefing earlier that day, it was directed that if the planes should become separated they were all to head back to the air field. When Feuer and Salerno failed to return a search was instituted. A radar search indicated the two planes were still airborne and in the vicinity of Block Island, which is three miles off the coast of Rhode Island, and Coast Guard and Navy boats, as well as search aircraft were dispatched to the area. Unfortunately neither aircraft was ever seen or heard from again.
One of the aircraft sent to participate in the search operation was an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28131), piloted by Lieutenant Allen H. Thurwachter, with his gunner, ARM1c Bradley Edward Hunter, of East Boston, Ma. This aircraft also disappeared and was never seen again.
Investigators could only speculate as to what had happened to each of the missing aircraft. As to Feuer and Salerno, it was theorized they may have had a mid-air collision, or attempted unsuccessful emergency water landings, or suffered vertigo due to disorientation, or possibly inadvertently flew out to sea. Some of these same theories were applied to the case of Lt. Thurwachter.
All three aircraft belonged to VC-43.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269745955/herbert-feuer
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269746829/camillus-hutson-kennedy
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/269744775/bartholomew-salerno
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46128790/allen-henry-thurwachter
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/815537/bradley-elton-hunter
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Reports, #44-9173, #44-9174, #44-9175
Findagrave.com website. Information on this site indicates that the date of death for these servicemen was October 20, 1943, but navy reports state October 19.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 17, 1943
On June 17, 1943, an Ensign pilot was in the cockpit of a navy NE-1 trainer aircraft, (Bu. No. 26273), while Lt. (Jg.) Robert Allen Pierce stood at the nose and pulled the propeller thru to start the engine. Once the engine started, Pierce turned to walkaway, and as he did so the aircraft suddenly lurched forward and struck him with the spinning propeller critically injuring him.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #43-7295, dated June 17, 1943
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – January 31, 1944
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On January 31, 1944, Ensign A. G. King was piloting an SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 29030), while practicing field carrier landings at Quonset Point. As he was making a landing approach, he lowered the landing gear, but due to a mechanical failure with the aircraft, only one of the wheels came down. The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but Ensign King was not hurt.
Source; U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-11373
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 9, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of December 9, 1943, an SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, ( Bu. No. 28767), struck an unoccupied truck that was left parked along the side of the runway during take off. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but the pilot and the gunner were unhurt.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report #44-19181
Long Island Sound – June 24, 1943
Updated October 10, 2023.
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of June 24, 1943, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 33146), with five men aboard, left Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight.
Those aboard included:
Pilot: Lt. (Jg.) David William Gottlieb, age 22.
Co-pilot: Lt. (Jg.) Thomas F. DeVane, age 22 or 23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180076888/thomas-francis-devane
Radio Operator: ARM2c Philip N. Brown. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84850020/philip-norman-brown
AMM3c John E. Williams https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89908206/john-edwin-williams
AOM1c Robert W. Welker https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93545731/robert-w-welker
The men were assigned to VB-125, which at that time was stationed at Quonset Point.
The purpose of the flight was for the crew to engage in a training exercise with a U.S. Navy submarine in Long Island Sound. The aircraft was loaded with water filled practice bombs which it was to drop on the submarine while making mock attack runs.
While making a low level run on the submarine, the aircraft passed over the sub and began a shallow climb to the left. In doing so the aircraft suddenly rolled up-side-down and dove into the water of Long Island Sound in an area about mid-way between Plum Island, New York, and Niantic, Connecticut. The plane exploded on impact and sank immediately in 100 feet of water. None of the crew survived.
Recent information supplied by author and historian Eric Wiberg indicates that the body of one crew member was recovered.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Report #43-7392, dated June 24, 1943
The Day, “Navy Plane Crashes In Sound; Body Of Flyer Brought Here”, June 24, 1943
Middletown, Rhode Island – May 26, 1943
On the morning of May 26, 1943, an Ensign left Quonset Point Naval Air Station in an NE-1 trainer aircraft, (Bu. 26207), for a familiarization flight. After about 45 minutes in the air the pilot noticed a decrease in engine RPMs which he though might be related to trouble with the plane’s magnetos. He landed in an open hay field in Middletown, where he checked his engine and found everything in good order. He then made preparations for takeoff. The field had a slight downgrade to it, and the pilot taxied to the bottom of the grade. He then proceeded to attempt an up-grade take off into the wind. Unfortunately the long hay slowed the speed of the aircraft, and the plane didn’t leave the ground until it was almost at a tree line bordering the field. The pilot, believing he wasn’t going to clear the trees, attempted a climbing left turn and stalled the aircraft at an altitude of about 30 feet. The plane then crashed into an adjoining graveyard. The plane was a total wreck, but the pilot wasn’t injured.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #43-7026, dated May 26, 1943
Off Martha’s Vineyard – September 27, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On the afternoon of September 27, 1943, Ensign Thomas James Schmidt, (age 21 or 22), was piloting an SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 28658), taking part in a gunnery practice flight off Martha’s Vineyard. After making his fourth firing run at fixed water targets, he leveled off and made an emergency water landing. The aircraft sank within thirty seconds taking Ensign Schmidt with it. The gunner, ARM3c E. A. Hollomon, was able to escape, and was rescued by a Coast Guard Cutter and taken to Newport Naval Hospital in Rhode Island for treatment.
It was later determined that the synchronizing unit regulating the .50 caliber machine gun in the nose of the aircraft had malfunctioned, and that the propeller had been damaged to the point that the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in the water.
Both men were assigned to VC-32.
To see a photo of Ensign Schmidt, click on link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56132116/thomas-j-schmidt
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, #44-8818, dated September 27, 1943
Martha’s Vineyard Naval Auxiliary Air Field – October 22, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 22, 1943, an SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 28700), crashed on takeoff from the Martha’s Vineyard NAAF. The aircraft was demolished, but the pilot, Ensign Robert S. Rice, and the gunner, ARM3c Ronald Q. Hoffman, escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. The men were assigned to VC-33.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-9238, dated October 22, 1943
Off Jamestown, R. I. – December 5, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
At about 12:30 p.m. on December 5, 1943, APlc O. W. Putner, was piloting an SBD-4 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 10543), 1000 feet over Narragansett Bay when a fire suddenly erupted in the engine necessitating an immediate emergency landing. The aircraft came down in the water about 500 yards south of Beavertail Point on Jamestown Island. Both the pilot and the gunner, AM2c A. A. Bartczak, escaped form the plane before it sank and were rescued. Both men were assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident report #44-10109, dated December 5, 1943
Charlestown, R. I. – November 7, 1943
Douglas SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
At 9:20 a.m. on the morning of November 7, 1943, Lieutenant George F. Connolly was returning to the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft, (Bu. No. 28818), after a dive-bombing training flight. He lowered the landing gear and made his approach, but upon touchdown with the runway, the right side landing gear collapsed causing the plane to be thrown sharply to one side, which tore away the left side landing gear before the plane skidded to a stop. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair, but Lt. Connolly and the gunner, ARM3c J. C. Burkhart, were not injured. Both men were assigned to VC-52.
The cause of the accident was found to be metal fatigue of the landing gear strut.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report – #44-9546, dated November 7, 1943
South Weymouth, MA – September 14, 1944
U.S. Navy PV-1 Ventura
On September 14, 1944, a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (Bu. No. 33280), with seven crewmen aboard, left Groton, Connecticut, bound for the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. While landing at South Weymouth, the hydraulic system for the brakes failed, causing the aircraft to go off the end of the runway. The airplane was damaged beyond repair, but nobody aboard was hurt.
The aircraft was assigned to VB-128
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report dated September 14, 1944.
Westerly, Rhode Island – September, 20, 1943
U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo.
On September 20, 1943, Ensign Charles Frederick Leiserson, age 21, was piloting an SBD-4 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 10470), on a gunnery training mission when the aircraft crashed and burned in Westerly, R.I. Also aboard was Ensign Raymond R. Strimel, age 28. Both men were killed.
Ensign Leiserson moved to Washington, D. C. in 1933, and upon graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduating in 1942. He worked at Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage, Long Island, and enlisted in the Navy in September, 1942, and earned his pilot’s wings at Corpus Christi, Texas. He continued his training at Fort Lauderdale, Florida before being sent to Rhode Island. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49246487/charles-frederick-leiserson
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76632979/charles-frederick-leiserson
Ensign Strimel was born in Marietta, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University and the University of of Oklahoma. He’s buried in East Lawn Memorial Park in Reno, Ohio.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112344385/raymond-r-strimel
Sources:
U. S. Navy Accident Report #44-8706, dated September 20, 1943
The Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), “Ensign Charles F. Leiserson Killed In Rhode Island Crash”, September 21, 1943, pg. A-8
www.findagrave.com
Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 14, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of September 14, 1943, Ensign William Haley Brown, (23), was at the controls of his SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28204), awaiting instructions as he sat on one of the runways at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. He and other aircraft in his squadron were scheduled to begin night field carrier landing training. Ensign Brown was assigned to VC-32.
To see a photo of Ensign Brown, click on link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40058568/william-haley-brown
F6F Hellcat
U. S. Navy Photo
Meanwhile, an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25732), was approaching to land on the same runway occupied by Ensign Brown and the other aircraft. Due to darkness, and light intermittent drizzle, the pilot of the Hellcat didn’t see the Dauntless until it was too late. The Hellcat crashed into the Dauntless killing Ensign Brown. The pilot of the Hellcat escaped without injury.
The Hellcat received major structural damage, the Dauntless was damaged beyond repair.
The accident was blamed on the airport facilities and poor organization.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-8817, dated September 14, 1943
Jamestown, Rhode Island – October 25, 1943
Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 25, 1943, flight of SBD Dauntless aircraft was passing over Jamestown on a patrol training flight. As the aircraft began to peel off, one SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28822), was seen to go into a right-spin and nose dive to the ground where it crashed and burned. Both men aboard were killed instantly.
Pilot: Ensign Charles Morgan Perry, age 22. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut. To see a photo of him, go to www.findagrave.com, memorial #14739026.
Gunner: Keith Eugene Phend, age 21. He’s buried in Greenhill Cemetery in Columbia City, Indiana.
Both men were assigned to VC-31.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Report, #44-9297
www.findagrave.com
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – August 24, 1943
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of August 24, 1943, an Ensign was practicing “night familiarization landings” on runway 23, at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station when he failed to put the “wheels down” lever in the full “down” position. The landing gear subsequently collapsed and the aircraft, an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 08945) was seriously damaged. The pilot was not injured.
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-8263
Charlestown, Rhode Island – December 7, 1943
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On December 7, 1943, Lt. (jg.) Spero Constantine was making a landing approach to the runway at the Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Field when the engine of his F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 40354), suddenly lost all power. Unable to make it to the runway, the aircraft landed in the water off the end of the runway and sank. Fortunately the water was only eight feet deep and the pilot was able to extricate himself. Due to its total submersion in salt water, the aircraft was scrapped.
Lt.(jg.) Constantine was assigned to Fighter Squadron 77, (VF-77)
Source: U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-10142, dated December 7, 1943
Hope Valley, Rhode Island – June 6, 1944
D – Day
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the evening of June 6, 1944, a civilian was piloting an F6F-3, (Bu. No. 41461), on a ferry flight from Boston, Massachusetts, to the Naval Air Station in Atlantic City, New Jersey. While passing over the Hope Valley area in southern Rhode Island at 10,000 feet, the aircraft suffered a complete engine failure. The pilot managed to make a wheels up landing in a field where the aircraft suffered relatively minor damage. The pilot was uninjured.
Investigation revealed that the cause of the failure was due to a vent plug to the “A” diaphragm chamber of the carburetor coming out during flight.
The specific name of the town in which the plane landed was not mentioned.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated June 6, 1944
Ayer, Massachusetts – July 14, 1944
Ten miles north-west
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the morning of July 14, 1944, Ensign Beeman Fallwell took off from the Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Ayer in a F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 40748), for a training flight. When he was about ten miles north-west of the field, at an altitude of 6,000 feet, he began to experience a loss of power to the engine. As the airplane began loosing altitude, the pilot began looking for a place to make an emergency landing. Then a fire erupted in the engine, and the pilot knew he would have to jump. He noted he was still over a populated area, so he decided to stay with the aircraft until it was over woodlands. At the time he left the aircraft he was at the minimum level to jump and still have an expectation that the parachute would successfully open. The parachute had just billowed open when the pilot landed in some trees sustaining injuries in the process.
The aircraft crashed in a wooded are and was demolished.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report dated July 14, 1944
Groton, Connecticut – July 20, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of July 20, 1944, a flight of F6F Hellcat aircraft were returning to Groton Field after a night training flight. The pilot of one Hellcat forgot to lower the landing gear and belly landed on the runway. The aircraft suffered heavy damage, but the pilot was unhurt.
The aircraft involved in the accident was assigned to Fighter Squadron 46, (VF-46)
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated July 20, 1944
Groton, Connecticut – July 17, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On July 17, 1944, Ensign Robert Byron took off in an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41485), from Groton Field with a tow target secured to the tail of his airplane. He was to take part in a gunnery training exercise.
Immediately after takeoff the engine began to sputter and loose power before stopping completely. Ensign Byron crash landed in a creek with the tow target still attached.
The plane was damaged beyond repair. Ensign Byron suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Ensign Byron was assigned to Fighter Squadron 46, (VF-46)
The cause was found to be mechanical, and no fault was assigned to the pilot.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated June 17, 1944
Long Island Sound – June 29, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of June 29, 1944, a flight of sixteen navy Hellcat aircraft were on a night formation training flight passing over Long Island Sound at an altitude of 500 feet. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 41482), piloted by Ensign L. N. Jones, suddenly lost power and fell away from the formation and hit the water. The aircraft struck the water on a level keel and bounced upwards for a moment, and then struck the water a second time which caused the fuel tank to explode. The blast flipped the plane over at which time it hit the water again and sank. Ensign Jones was able to extricate himself while the plane was under water, and bobbed to the surface shortly after it disappeared. Although injured, he was kept afloat by his life vest, and was rescued six hours later by a submarine.
The aircraft was not recovered.
Ensign Jones was assigned to Fighter Squadron 46, (VF-46)
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report – dated June 29, 1944.
Groton, Connecticut – June 14, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On June 14, 1944, Lt. A. C. Howard was practicing air defensive tactics with other aircraft at an altitude between five to six thousand feet over the Groton area. At one point Lt. Howard’s aircraft, an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42754), and another F6F-3, (Bu. No. 41482), were involved in a mid-air collision. Lt. Howard was killed when his plane plunged into the waters of Long Island Sound off Groton. The other aircraft was able to land safely.
The aircraft were part of Fighter Squadron 46, (VF-46).
Source: U.S. Navy Crash Investigation Report dated June 14, 1944.
Cummington, Massachusetts – December 1, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On December 1, 1942, three P-47 aircraft left Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a formation training flight. While passing over the Westborough area, the flight ran into heavy clouds which extended low to the ground, and the planes became separated. One of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6011), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Jack P. Lastor of the 340th Fighter Squadron. While encountering severe weather over the town of Cummington, he was forced to bail out of his aircraft. The P-47B went down in a pasture on a farm belonging to Leslie W. Joyner across from the Cummington-Worthington Highway. Lt. Lastor landed safely, and although suffering an injury, was able to make his way to a farm house to call for help.
Another P-47 aircraft assigned to this training flight crashed in the town of Westhampton, Massachusetts. In that instance, 2nd Lt. Charles C. May was killed when his aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-5924), crashed and exploded on Tob Hill. For more info, click here: Westhampton – Dec. 1, 1942
Sources:
Springfield Republican, “Planes Crash In Westhampton, Cummington, December 1, 1942.
Springfield Republican, “Second Army Pilot Killed; Three Crash In Two Days”, December 2, 1942, page 1.
Westhampton, Massachusetts – December 1, 1942
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On December 1, 1942, a flight of three P-47 aircraft left Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a formation training flight. While passing over the Westhampton area, the flight encountered thick cloud conditions and became separated. The cloud cover extended low to the ground, and one of the aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-5924), piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles C. May, crashed and exploded into the side of Tob Hill behind the Congregational Church. Lt. May was killed instantly.
Lt. May, of Lauder, Michigan, was 21-years-old, assigned to the 340th Fighter Squadron.
Another aircraft assigned to this flight, a P-47B, (Ser. No. 41-6011), crashed in the town of Cummington, Massachusetts, after the pilot was forced to bail out. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Jack Lastor, landed safely. Cummington, Ma. – December 1, 1942
Sources:
Springfield Republican, “Planes Crash In Westhampton, Cummington”, December 2, 1942
The Waterbury Evening Democrat, “Plane Crashes Blamed On Snow”, December 2, 1942
www.findagrave.com
Somerset, Massachusetts – July 17, 1943
Taunton River – Fall River, MA.
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
Shortly before 4 p.m. on July 17, 1943, two P-47 aircraft were on a high-altitude training flight over the Fall River, Massachusetts, area. Numerous people on the ground watched for roughly ten minutes as the aircraft conducted a series of maneuvers overhead, when it suddenly appeared that the planes had been involved in a mid-air collision.
One of the aircraft was a P-47C, (Ser. No. 41-6151) piloted by 1st Lt. Thomas J. Harding, 22, of Gypsum, Kansas. The other was a P-47D, (Ser. No. 42-8210), piloted by 1st Lt. Benjamin Norris, Jr., 21, of Denver, Colorado. Both men were assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron based at Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Lt. Harding’s aircraft was observed to fall to earth trailing smoke and flames. He managed to bail out and his parachute was seen to open, and prevailing winds carried him eastward over Fall River until he came down on Main Street in the village of Assonet. Meanwhile his airplane continued downward and crashed into a wooded area on the farm of Preston Hood in the town of Somerset. Two youths working in a nearby field ran to the scene and being the first to arrive ascertained that the cockpit was empty before the flames consumed the plane.
While this was taking place, Lt. Norris’s P-47 was seen to go into a high-speed nose-dive and strike the Taunton River about 250 feet from shore across from an area known as “Harrington’s Switch”. Lt. Norris was killed instantly.
Numerous bathers were along the river’s shoreline at the time. The Taunton River lies between the municipalities of Somerset and Fall River.
One of the newspapers that covered the story was the Fall River Herald News, which described how debris from both aircraft rained down upon the area. “The tail of the burned plane” it was reported, “as though sheared off with a knife, crashed to earth in the rear of Casey Filling Station on County St.”
It was also stated that a piece of aircraft tail section was also recovered on the farm of Chester Simcock in Swansea, Mass. And smaller parts belonging to both aircraft were found in Somerset.
Lt. Norris was the son of Army Colonel Benjamin Norris of the Medical Corps, and was survived by his wife whom he’d married barely three weeks earlier on June 28. Lt. Norris was also a graduate of West Point Military Academy, class of January, 1943. He’s buried in the military academy cemetery. To see a photo of Lt. Norris in his cadet uniform, see www.findagrave.com, Memorial #12388987.
Sources:
Fall River Herald News, “Crash Of Two Army Planes Over City Being Probed; One Pilot Killed”, July 19, 1943, page 16.
(A Somerset, Mass. newspaper – unknown name.) “Somerset Gets Slight Touch Of The Realism Of War As Two Planes Crash; Civilian Agencies Put To The Test”, July 22, 1943
Westover Army Air Field, Chicopee, Massachusetts – August 17, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the evening of August 17, 1943, 2nd Lt. William E. Neudorfer was killed when the P-47B, (Ser. No. 41-6019), that he was piloting, crashed and burned as he was attempting to land at Westover Field.
Lt. Neuforder was assigned to the 320th Fighter Squadron.
He’s buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. To see a photo of his grave see www.findagrave.com, memorial #3614500.
Sources:
Larry Webster – Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
www.findagrave.com
Concord, Massachusetts – July 19, 1945
P-38 Lightning
U.S. Air Force photo
On the morning of July 19, 1945, Captain Daniel Kennedy, (25), took off from Bedford Army Air Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, in a P-38L fighter plane, (Ser. No. 44-53016), for a routine training flight. The weather was cloudy, with a 1,000 foot cloud ceiling. At about 10:00 A. M. his aircraft was observed flying low over the Concord Country Club, and after banking around a large poplar tree it crashed and tumbled into a wooded area at the south edge of the club. Captain Kennedy was killed instantly. The cause was thought to be mechanical failure.
Captain Kennedy is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Massachusetts. To see photos of him, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149535459/daniel-kennedy
Sources:
Concord Journal, “Another Plane Crashes In Woods – This Time At Concord Country Club”, July 19, 1945, page 1.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941 – 1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Holyoke, Massachusetts – May 22, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On Saturday, May 22, 1943, two Army P-47 fighter planes collided in mid-air over the city of Holyoke. One aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-6072), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Charnelle P. Larsen, 22, of Lakeland, Florida. The other P-47, (Ser. No. 41-6050), was piloted by another 2nd lieutenant. Both men were assigned to the 321st Fighter Squadron based at Westover Filed in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
The accident occurred at 6:20 pm, and numerous people saw the collision and watched the planes come down. As both aircraft began to fall, the pilot of P-47 #41-6050 bailed out while the aircraft was at an altitude of only 700 feet, and remarkably, and his parachute opened successfully. His airplane crashed into a large tree before striking the side of a two-story brick house at the corner of Hampden and Linden Streets where it exploded into flame. The pilot meanwhile landed safely in a nearby tall tree on Linden Street, but had to wait to be rescued.
A mother and her two older sons were in the house at the time, but were not seriously injured. A mailman was wounded when the flames began setting off the machinegun bullets in the wrecked airplane. One bullet struck him in the right hand, but the injury was not life threatening.
As to Lieutenant Larsen, one wing of his aircraft was severely damaged from the collision, but he fought to maintain control because he was over a heavily populated neighborhood. Witnesses reported seeing him try to steer his plane away from the area, but it continued to fall despite his best efforts. He was killed instantly when his plane crashed and exploded in an alleyway between the homes facing Pine and Beach Streets, to the south of Appleton Street. While some buildings suffered damage, there were no reported injuries. One account stated the aircraft came down behind 200 Pine Street.
Lt. Larsen was praised by the Mayor for his heroic decision to remain with his aircraft in order to protect civilians on the ground.
Source:
Holyoke Daily Transcript, “Lt. Larsen Dies Avoiding Local Homes In Saturday’s Double Crash”, May 34, 1943, page 1.
Unknown newspaper, “Army Flier Killed, Second escapes In Holyoke Collision”, May 22, 1943
Greenwich, Connecticut – July 2, 1945
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of July 2, 1945, 1st. Lt. George S. Fitch was piloting a P-47D Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 42-8296), on a ferry mission from Michigan to Bradley Air Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. At about 4:20 p.m. he encountered severe weather over the area of Greenwich, Connecticut, and crashed. According to a statement released by Greenwich police, the right wing was found about a mile from the crash site. The plane came down on the farm of R. Lawrence Oakley, off Dingletown Road, and narrowly missed the house. The debris field reportedly stretched for hundreds of feet. Lieutenant Fitch was killed instantly.
Lieutenant Fitch had recently returned from overseas duty where he had served as a B-25 bomber pilot with the 489th Bombardment Squadron. He’s buried in Rushville Cemetery in Gorham, New York.
To see photographs of Lt. Fitch, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78306938/george-s-fitch
Sources:
The Greenwich Press, (Greenwich, CT.), “Army Flyer Killed When Plane Crashes Here” – “P-47 Forced Down In Storm, Misses R. L. Oakley House”, July 3, 1945, page 1.
www.findagrave.com
The Hartford Courant, “Storm Sends Plane Pilot To His death”, July 3, 1945
The Hartford Courant, “Pilot Killed In Crash At Greenwich Identified”, July 4, 1945
Coventry, Rhode Island – June 25, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of June 25, 1944, a flight of three P-47 aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for a low altitude, cross-country navigational training flight to Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island. (Today Hillsgrove Field is known as T. F. Green Airport.) From Hillsgrove, the flight was to continue to Groton, Connecticut, and from there back to Bradley Field. The flight leader was First Lieutenant William H. Brookman, (27), an experienced pilot and flight instructor. The other two pilots were trainees.
During the first leg of the trip, Lt. Brookman supervised the other two pilots from the number 3 position. As the flight neared the Connecticut – Rhode Island state border, it ran into thick cloud cover. At that time Lt. Brookman ordered the flight to return to Bradley. After turning around, the other two pilots noticed that Lt. Brookman’s aircraft, a P-47D, (Ser. No. 42-27835), had disappeared from the formation. Attempts to contact Brookman by radio were unsuccessful. The other two aircraft made it safely back to Bradley and reported the incident.
Lt. Brookman was reported missing, but no reports of a plane crash had been received, nor had he radioed to the other pilots that he was having any problems with the aircraft. The wreckage of his P-47 was spotted from the air during a search the following day. His plane had crashed and burned in a heavily wooded area in the western portion of the town of Coventry, Rhode Island, just a short distance to the west of Pig Hill Road. The exact location is unknown.
Military investigators were unable to determine the direct cause of the accident due to the airplane being completely destroyed. However, the following excerpt is taken from the Army Air Force investigation report of the incident.
“The aircraft and engine were completely demolished, and the aircraft crashed approximately two and one half miles from the nearest house, thus, no person was found who had heard or seen the airplane.
The carburetor is the only evidence found that gives any clue to the probable cause and it was broken from the engine. The bolt holding the fuel strainer was loose and could be turned slightly by hand. The gasket was in good condition. The seat under the strainer cover shows signs of burning which leads one to believe that gasoline did escape at this point and caused a fire in flight prior to the airplane’s contact with the terrain. Picture 231 indicates a crack as well as picture 230 but these are only marks.
Although only the fuel strainer side of the carburetor was burned, it is possible that it could have caught fire as a result of the terrific impact and been covered with raw fuel during the crash, burning until it landed several yards from the engine as the grass upon which the carburetor was found was not burned.
The 41-B shows that the carburetor screen was checked on the 22nd of June, on the 23rd and 24th the ship flew fifteen hours during which no notation of gas fumes were reported by the pilots. This leads one to believe that the above assumption may be improbable and that the looseness was caused by the impact.”
Lt. Brookman enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January of 1942, and received his officers commission the following October. He was assigned to the 9th Air Force, and served in North Africa until the German surrender in June of 1943. He then returned to the United States to become a flight instructor, and after completing training in Stuttgart, Alabama, was assigned to Bradley Field in Connecticut.
Lt. Brookman is buried in Woodlawn – Hillcrest Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. To see a photo of him, go to www.findagrave.com, see ID# 75022710. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75022710/william-hamilton-brookman
Sources:
Army Air Force Crash Investigation Report 44-6-25-27
Town of Coventry R.I. Death Records, Registration #61, page 299.
www.findagrave.com, ID #75022710
Book, “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony Mireles, McFarland & Co., 2006, via research library, New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Ct.
Long Island Sound, CT. – May 30, 1943
P-47B Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of May 30, 1943, 2nd Lt. Neil C. Donovan, 23, was piloting an RP-47B, (Ser. No. 41-5939), over southern Connecticut on a routine training flight when for reasons unknown, his aircraft crashed onto the water of Long Island Sound near the town of Branford. He did not survive. Lt. Donovan was assigned to the 321st Fighter Squadron at Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
Sources:
Hartford Courant, “Two Army Planes Crash, One Killed, Another Hurt”, May 31, 1943, page 1. (The article also refers to another P-47 crash that occurred in Coventry, Connecticut.)
Information supplied by Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, Rhode Island.
The Williamsburg, Massachusetts B-24 Bomber Crash – May 1, 1945
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of May 1, 1945, a flight of U. S. Army B-24 Liberator aircraft left Westover Field Air Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a combat formation training flight. Briefing for the flight had been held at 3:00 a.m. during which the pilots had been told that there would be a low cloud overcast covering the area, but that it was expected to clear. However, after the flight was airborne for nearly two hours, instead of improving, weather conditions had continued to deteriorate, and the overcast gradually extended lower and lower to the ground.
Shortly before 8:30 a.m., one aircraft, a B-24J, (Ser. No. 42-50995), began to drop down through the overcast, which by now extended nearly to the ground. The crew however, was unaware of this. The pilots watched the altimeter closely. It was reading 1,500 feet when they suddenly broke through the mist and found themselves at tree-top level over the town of Williamsburg, Massachusetts. The pilots attempted to climb and gave the engines full throttle but it wasn’t enough. The plane barely missed a private home before it began clipping tree-tops for a third of a mile and then crashed into a wooded area of second-growth trees off Briar Hill Road. The B-24 plowed several hundred feet though the woods knocking down trees and smashing through stone walls, breaking apart in the process. Although its fuel tanks held high-octane aviation fuel, there was no fire which saved the lives of crew members trapped in the wreckage.
Two of the crew were killed instantly in the crash, a third died two days later. The other seven suffered various injuries, but survived. Only the co-pilot was able to extricate himself form the wreckage.
Among the first to reach the scene were some local residents including Doctor Ruth V. Hemenway, and a group of wood cutters who had been working nearby. Fire and rescue crews from Williamsburg, Northampton, and Westover Field, as well as state and local police, also arrived to help. It reportedly took rescuers more than an hour to free those trapped in the wreckage. The injured were transported Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
Those who lost their lives were identified as:
(Nose Gunner) Corporal Kenneth Virgil Powell, age 19, of Urbana, Ohio.
(Gunner) Corporal Donald R. McKenzie, of Spokane, Washington. Cpl. McKenzie was survived by his wife and daughter.
(Gunner) Corporal Joseph Skwara, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Cpl. Skwara survived the initial crash, but later succumbed to his injuries.
The following images of the crash scene are from the U.S. Air Force investigation report.
Click on images to enlarge.
Air Force photo from crash report.
Air Force photo from crash report.
Air Force photo from crash report.
Air Force photo from crash report.
Sources:
Army Air Forces Report Of Major Accident, #45-5-1-5
Research Paper, “Burgy Plane Crash, Briar Hill, 1945”, by Ralmon Jon Black, Williamsburg Historical Society, 2012. Includes articles from the Springfield Union News, and Daily Hampshire Gazette, and other information about the accident.
Daily Hampshire Gazette, “Third Member Of Crew In Bomber Dies From Injuries”, May 3, 1945
Daily Hampshire Gazette, “Fire Chief Is Commended By Colonel Henry”, May 8, 1945
Book, “History Of The Williamsburg Fire Department”, by Mary S. Bisbee, Roger A. Bisbee, Peter B. Banister, c. 1998
Obituary for Cpl. Donald McKenzie, Spokane Daily Chronicle, May 5, 1945, page 6.
Long Island Sound – June 29, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
In the early morning hours of June 29, 1945, Lt. (Jg.) George H. MacBride was piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 78176), on a radar mapping flight over Long Island Sound off the coast of Connecticut. He was part of a three aircraft flight that had left Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
At 1:40 a.m., while flying over the area of Fisher’s Island, south of New London, the pilots of the other two aircraft observed an explosion on the water followed by a fire. (The location was about two miles southwest of Fisher’s Island.) A rescue PBY aircraft was sent from Charlestown NAS and arrived on scene within twenty minutes, and rescue boats arrived at about 3:00 a.m., but neither Lt. (Jg.) MacBride or his aircraft were recovered. The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Source: National Archives, 54-45, TD 450629CT, via Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
Off Block Island, Rhode Island, June 13, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On June 13, 1945, Ensign Herbert J. Audet took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, R.I., for a gunnery training flight off Block Island. He was piloting an F6F-5E Hellcat, (Bu. No. 72735).
After making a run, he began to climb and noted that the oil pressure began to drop. The propeller went into a low pitch, and as the oil pressure continued to drop the engine froze. Ensign Audet was able to make a safe emergency landing in the water about a half-mile south of Block Island. He scrambled out of the plane before it sank, and was rescued a short time later.
Sources:
National Archives, AAR 11-45; TD450613RI, via Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated June 13, 1945
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – March 29, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
In the early morning hours of March 29, 1945, an Ensign piloting an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71001), was making night practice landings on Runway 34, when the aircraft stalled and crashed into a sea wall coming to rest upside down. The aircraft was a complete loss and the pilot was seriously injured.
Source: National Archives AAR 33-45: TD450329RI, via Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
Atlantic Ocean – February 1, 1945
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of February 1, 1945, Ensign John M. Roe, age 22, took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a night training flight. He was piloting an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41144).
On the same night, Ensign Robert L. Herren, age 23, also left Charlestown on a night training flight in an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42776). It is unknown if both aircraft were part of the same training flight.
About 25 miles off Nantucket Light, two aircraft were seen by ships in the area to crash in the ocean, but in different proximity to each other. Search and rescue operations were instituted, but neither aircraft nor the pilots were recovered.
There is a memorial erected to Ensign Roe at the New Weston Cemetery, in Weston, Ohio. See www.findagrave.com, memorial #121796478. The memorial includes a photograph of Ensign Roe.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121796478/john-malcolm-roe
There is a memorial to Ensign Herren at the Abilene Cemetery in Abilene, Kansas. See www.findagrave.com, memorial #38430818
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38430818/robert-louis-herren
Ensign Roe and Ensign Herren are also listed on the memorial at the former Charlestown Aux. NAS, today known as Ninigret Park.
Sources:
National Archives TD 450201RI
www.findagrave.com
Westport, Massachusetts – December 17, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 1:40 p.m. on December 17, 1944, Lieutenant John Brodka left Martha’s Vineyard Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Massachusetts bound for Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. He was piloting an F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41380).
Twenty minutes into his flight, while passing over the town of Westport, Massachusetts, the engine began to miss fire and the plane began losing altitude. Forced to make an emergency landing, Brodka picked out a open field. As he was making his approach the engine suddenly lost all power and stopped which caused the plane to settle faster than anticipated, which put it on a collision course with a wooded area just ahead of the field. All the while the pilot continued to try restarting the engine. Just before he was about to crash into the trees, the engine started and ran for three or four seconds before stopping again, but it was enough to carry the plane over the trees and into the field.
The field was muddy which affected the brakes. The aircraft crashed through a fence, crossed a road, and struck a telephone pole and went into a roadside ditch. Despite extensive damage to the plane, Lieutenant Brodka was not hurt.
Lt. Brodka was assigned to VF-52.
Source: U. S. Navy Accident Report, dated December 17, 1944
North Kingstown, Rhode Island – December 7, 1944
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the night of December 7, 1944, a flight of six F6F-5 Hellcat Aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to practice night carrier landings on Quonset’s runways. After takeoff, Quonset tower instructed the aircraft to orbit the field two miles outside the designated landing circle to allow an incoming flight of airplanes to land. After that incoming flight was on the ground, Quonset tower gave clearance for the six Hellcats to begin their practice landings, but when the aircraft circled the field it was noticed that there were now only five airplanes instead of six. After ordering all five to land, an accounting was made, and it was discovered that one Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71036), piloted by Ensign Patrick Aloysius Hackett, age 22, was missing.
Shortly afterward another pilot reported seeing a fire in a wooded area of North Kingstown. State police found the wreckage of Ensign Hackett’s plane on Stooke Hill to the north of Route 138.
There had been no witnesses to the crash, and investigators speculated that the cause may have been due to engine failure.
Ensign Hackett is buried in Philadelphia National Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated December 7, 1944
North Kingstown, R. I. death records, # 44-96
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – December 18, 1944
In the early morning hours of December 18, 1944, Ensign Robert I. Lane, piloting an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42570), took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station for night carrier landing practice on Quonset’s runways. At 4:30 a.m., he contacted Quonset tower and advised he was over Narragansett Bay and approaching the runway. This was the last heard from him. His aircraft crashed into the water, but the accident was not witnessed. A search was conducted, but nothing was found and he was declared missing. A handwritten notation in the navy accident report states he was “found later in water 5 mi. SW of Quonset”.
For more information, click on link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/247605653/robert-ivan-lane
Sources:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated December 18, 1944
Newport Mercury, “Flyers Body Found In Quonset Area”, December 29, 1944, pg. 2.
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
Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 16, 1944
Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On May 16, 1944, Ensign Marion F. DeMasters took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42550), for a rocket gunnery practice flight over Matunuck Beach, about five miles from the airfield. This training consisted of diving from an altitude of 6,000 feet towards a simulated target on the beach while maintaining a constant 40 degree glide angle.
While making his seventh training dive for the day, a large portion of the rear stabilizer suddenly tore away. Ensign DeMasters was able to bring his aircraft in for an emergency landing at the air station, but just as he was about to touch down a gust of wind forced the right wing to strike the runway. The aircraft suffered severe damage, but the pilot was not hurt.
Ensign DeMasters was assigned to VF-74.
Source:
U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-14219
South Kingstown, Rhode Island – April 10, 1944
On April 10, 1944, a U.S. Navy, North American SNJ-4 Texan, (Bu. No. 26988), with two men aboard, left the Lakehurst (N.J.) Naval Air Station bound for the South Weymouth, (Mass.) Naval Air Station. The pilot was Herman Walter Smith, age 38, a pilot for the navy, and with him was Daniel Layton Humm, age 34, a civilian. While passing over southern Rhode Island the men found themselves surrounded by heavy fog. It was while flying in fog that the aircraft clipped the top of a 60 foot tree, causing the plane to crash and burn about 300 feet beyond, killing both men.
The crash occurred just to the north of Walsh Pond, about a half-mile north of Post Road, (aka Route 1), almost in line with Matunuck Beach Road.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report #44-13 053
Lawrence Webster, Aviation Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Connecticut – April 19, 1944
P-47 Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the evening of April 19, 1944, 2nd Lieutenant Horace W. Cotton was piloting a P-47D Thunderbolt, (Ser. No. 42-8021), from Bradly Army Air Field when he developed engine trouble and requested clearance for an emergency landing. Clearance was granted, and as Lieutenant Cotton was attempting to make it to runway 33, his aircraft crashed about 100 yards short of the tarmac, and he was killed.
Lieutenant Cotton is buried in Fairmont Cemetery, in Denver, Colorado. To see a photo of Lt. Cotton, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20774765/horace-w-cotton
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Forces Report Of Aircraft Accident, #44-4-19-30
www.findagrave.com
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – July 16, 1943
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On the morning of July 16, 1943, Ensign Joseph Paul Staar was piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25848), over southern Narragansett Bay as part of a training flight. The purpose of the flight was “Fighter Director Practice”, and Staar’s aircraft was part of a large group of aircraft.
As the flight of Hellcats was in the vicinity of Newport, Rhode Island, another aircraft made two diving passes at them from out of the sun. On the second pass Ensign Staar’s aircraft entered a “high speed stall” due to “an abrupt climbing turn”, which led to his crashing into the water about 500 yards off Brenton Point in Newport. He did not survive.
Source:
U. S. Navy Accident Report #44-7667
Richmond, Rhode Island – March 9, 1943
North American Texan Military Trainer
Shortly before noon on March 9, 1943, a North American SNJ-4 Texan, (Bu. No. 26615), was flying over southern Rhode Island on a routine training flight. There were two men aboard; Ensign Robert Foster Crader, age 21, of Gardena, California, and Ensign Robert Francis Wolfe, age 21, of Clinton, Iowa.
While over the town of Richmond, Rhode Island, the left wing of the aircraft suddenly folded and broke away which sent the plane into a violent spin. Neither Crader or Wolfe were able to bail out before the plane crashed and burned in the apple orchard of the former Holly Farm, about 400 feet south of the junction of R.I. Route 2 and Heaton Orchard Road.
The left wing landed about a mile west of Route 2.
Source:
U.S. Navy Crash Report #43-6177
Charlestown, Rhode Island – February 16, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 16, 1944, Ensign James G. Canning, 23, took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a training flight in an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41235). The purpose of the flight was to practice take-offs and landings.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., as Ensign Canning was making a runway approach, his aircraft suddenly lost power and fell into a lagoon to the south-west of the field. The aircraft hit the water and flipped over, trapping Canning inside, and then sank to the bottom in five feet of water. By the time help arrived, Ensign Canning had drowned.
At the time of his death Ensign Canning had been assigned to VF(n)-78. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (see www.findagrave.com, Memorial #49163354)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49163354/james-good-canning
Source:
U.S. Navy Crash Report #44-11788
Off Block Island, Rhode Island
February 3, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 3, 1945, a flight of five F6F-5N Hellcat navy fighter aircraft took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a night gunnery training mission. All aircraft were assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 52, (VFN-52), then based at Charlestown, R.I. Such training was necessary to prepare pilots for overseas duty in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.
Once airborne, the flight flew on a heading of 170 degrees until it reached a point over the Atlantic Ocean about five miles south of Block Island. The weather was clear but the night was very dark.
High School Graduation Picture
Ensign Jack Ragan Gross
Courtesy of Daniel Gross
At 8:36 p.m., Ensign Jack Ragan Gross, piloting aircraft #71537, left formation and descended towards the water with the intention of dropping a flare that would serve as a target for the pilots to strafe with machinegun fire. Once the flair was dropped each pilot would take turns making “runs” at the “target”. However, as Ensign Gross was descending to drop the flare something went wrong and he crashed into the ocean. The flight leader saw the flare in the water, indicating it had been dropped successfully, but flames were seen on the water a few hundred feet away indicating that Ensign Gross had crashed. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to raise Ensign Gross by radio. A search and rescue operation was instituted but nothing was found.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91105839/jack-ragan-gross
Source: Norfolk Records – Card Index Files – AAR-0021, via Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Quonset Air Museum.
This wasn’t the only loss suffered by the Gross family during World War II. On April 4, 1945, 2nd Lt. Robert Gustave Gross was lost on a training flight over the southern United States.
2nd Lt. Robert Gustave Gross Lost April 15, 1945 Photo courtesy of Daniel Gross
Lake Memphremagog, Vermont – June 28, 1942
Very little information seems to exist relating to this accident. The information was released in a small Associated Press article that also included two other military plane crashes; one in Boston, and the other in Rhode Island.
On June 28, 1942, an aircraft piloted by C. N. Pate, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, crashed and sank in Lake Memphremagog, off shore from Newport, Vermont. The pilot did not survive.
The type of aircraft, the pilot’s full name, and rank, were not specified. Only that he had flown out of Hubert Field in Quebec.
Lake Memphremagog covers about 40 square miles, and straddles the Canadian and United States border, most of it being in Canada.
Source:
Nashua Telegraph, “Three Army Plane Crashes Add To Weekend Death Toll”, June 29, 1942
Update February 24, 2017
The following information was supplied to New England Aviation History by Mr. David Archer. Thank you Mr. Archer.
The full name of the pilot was Roy Nelson Pate, age 22, of Toronto, Canada. He was born June 12, 1920, and was only 16 days shy of his 23rd birthday. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on August 22, 1941, and is buried in Toronto (Resthaven) Memorial Garden; Ontario Canada.
Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Mr. Archer also included the following (AP) newspaper article:
R.C.A.F. Flier Killed In Vermont Crash
Newport, Vt., June 28 (AP) – An airplane plunged into Lake Memphremagog within sight of this town today, and the body of a Royal Canadian Air Force flier was recovered later by a diver. The plane went into the lake about four miles from here and a half-mile from shore, close to the Canadian border. Oliver Packer, a Newport fire department diver, operating from a special diving raft towed by a United States customs boat, said he found the flier’s body jammed in the cockpit of the plane, which was submerged in thirty feet of water. There was no indication that more than one man was in the plane.
Boston/Mattapan – November 1, 1944
Updated January 19, 2022
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
The following incident involves self-sacrifice and dedication to duty. The pilot truly deserves to be called, “an officer and a gentleman”.
On the evening of November 1, 1944, Ensign John Joseph Sheehy, (24), took off from the Squantum Naval Air Station in Salem, Massachusetts for a night training flight. He was piloting a navy F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58148). Fifteen minutes into the flight the aircraft developed engine trouble and Ens. Sheehy attempted to return to base. When he was about four miles from the base the engine stopped and efforts to restart it where futile. After alerting Squantum of the situation, he radioed, “I don’t want to bail out, some civilian might be hurt if the plane crashed. I’m going to try to pancake it in a pond down below.” With that he dumped the plane’s ammo and set the Hellcat on a glide. Ahead he saw the Neponset River in the Mattapan section of Boston and aimed for it. As he neared the ground he skimmed over several roof tops before catching a wing in some trees and crashed in a marshy section along the river where the plane burst into flames. Ensign Sheehy perished in the crash.
To see a photo of Ensign Sheehy, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2817026/john-joseph-sheehy
Sources:
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated November 1, 1944.
The Milwaukee Journal, (United Press) “Stays With Plane To Spare Civilians, Navy Flier Killed”, November 2, 1944.
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – December 5, 1943
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
U.S. Navy Photo
One of the worst aviation accidents to occur in Rhode Island happened on December 5, 1943 at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Early that morning a U. S. Navy PV-1 Ventura, (#33413), took off from Quonset Point to practice bombing techniques off Block Island. The aircraft was assigned to bomber squadron VB-134.
The plane returned to Quonset Point at 11:38 a.m. and the pilot attempted to land on runway 34. While doing so the aircraft went out of control and crashed into Hangar #2 and burst into flames.
The Navy investigation report describes the final moments before the crash.
“Aircraft crossed edge of runway 34 at 50-75 ft. at approximately 100 knots. Plane made “back of wheel” landing at too great a speed. Maine wheels hit the ground first and then the tail-wheel, as tail-wheel hit – the plane bounced off the ground and assumed an unusual nose high attitude at which time the pilot pushed his engines full on in an attempt to go around the field again. The main landing gear seemed to be retracting which would tend to verify that the pilot was attempting to go around again. The initial bounce plus the use of engines took the plane up to about 100 ft. of altitude in a very nose high attitude. Nose high tab used in landing probably increased the pilot’s dilemma and ended with the plane in a full-power stall at 100 ft. The control surfaces in this stalled condition could not counter-act the torque at full power and the plane began a slow steady turn to the left barely maintaining altitude. When approximately 90 degrees to the original heading of 340 degrees, the plane’s left wing began to slowly drop and at about the same time it struck the hangar and sheared off near the wing tip. The rest of the airplane crashed into the hangar and was consumed in flames.”
All six crewmen aboard the Ventura were killed, as well as three men working in the hangar. The dead were identified as:
(Pilot) Lt. Walter Philbrick Craig, Sr., 27, of Jacksonville, Florida. He was survived by his wife and son. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103907843/walter-philbrick-craig
(Radioman) ARM2c Max Ivan Colaw, 19, of Yates Center, Kansas. He was survived y his wife, Marie, and two brothers, Orrie, and Victor, both of whom were also serving in the military. He’s buried in Long Island national Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82610301/max-ivan-colaw
AOM 3c Norman Louis Simoneau, 18, of Portland, Maine. He’s buried in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, Maine. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180837646/norman-louis-simoneau
AMM 3c William George Wheeler, 22, of Braintree, Massachusetts. He’s buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Woodville, Massachusetts. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180838341/william-george-wheeler
AMM 3c Hugh Patrick Biddick, 22, of New Hyde Park, New York. He’s buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182874289/hugh-patrick-biddick
AMM 3c William Edward O’Hern, 20, of McKeesport, Penn. He was survived by his wife Dorothy. He’s buried in McKeesport Versailles Cemetery in McKeesport, Penn. To see a photograph of AMM 3c O’Hern, and read more information about him, see www.findagrave.com, Memorial #56158727. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56158727/william-edward-o’hern
Those killed in the hangar were identified as:
AOM 3c Luvern Charles Klinger, 22, of Richville, Minnesota. He’s buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Otto Township, Minnesota.
AOM 2c John Stanley Wojcik, 23, of Amsterdam, New York. He’s buried in Amsterdam, N.Y.
AOM 2c Walter Edward Connelly, 19, of Milford, Nebraska. He’s buried in Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester, Nebraska. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59148585/walter-edward-connelly
The hangar in which the plane crashed was repaired. It was one of four that stood near the runway. It was torn down in 2010.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Crash Report, #41-10111
Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
New York Times, “Eight Killed In Navy Plane Crash”, December 6, 1943, Pg. 24.
Providence Journal, “Eight Men Killed In Bomber Crash At Quonset Base”, December 6, 1943, Pg. 1
(Providence) Evening Bulletin, “Quonset Death Toll Now Nine”, December 6, 1943, Pg. 1
(Providence) Evening Bulletin, Quonset’s Fatal Accident Probed”, December 7, 1943, pg. 4.
Amsterdam Evening Recorder, “Amsterdam Boy Meets Death In Plane Crash While Serving At Naval Station In Rhode Island”, (John S. Wojcik), December 6, 1943
Florida Times-Union, “Navy Aviator Dies In Crash”, (Lt. Craig.) December 8, 1943.
Perham Enterprise Bulletin, “Luvern Klinger Fatally Hurt In Airplane Crash”, December 9, 1943.
Yates Center News, “Max Colaw Killed In Navy Plane Crash”, December 9, 1943.
Missing British Airmen Of WWII
Unfortunately no further details are available as of this posting.
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On October 8, 1943, it was announced by the U.S. naval commander of the Squantum Naval Air Station in Quincy, Massachusetts, that units of the fleet arm of the British Royal Navy would be engaged in operational training at Squantum.
On December 7, 1943, three British naval fliers disappeared and were presumably killed when their plane went down in the water while on a training flight off Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Coast Guard was unable to locate any trace of the missing plane, which carried two officers and one enlisted man. The identities of the airmen and the type of aircraft were not released.
On March 14, 1944, a similar disappearance occurred while another British aircraft was “some distance at sea” while on a training flight out of Squantum. That aircraft also carried two officers and one enlisted man, and their identities, and type of aircraft, were not released.
Sources:
Nashua Telegraph, “British Naval Airmen Train At Squantum”, October 8, 1943
Schenectady Gazette, “Three Missing In Squantum Crash”, December 8, 1943
Lewiston Daily Sun, “British Plane Missing From Base At Squantum”, March 16, 1944
UPDATE – March 6, 2017
More information has been learned about the December 7, 1943 incident. The three men aboard the missing plane were:
Sub-Lieutenant Henry H. Lilley, son of Hugh Lilley of 12 Council House, Wisbech Road, Thornley, Peterborough, Northants, England.
Sub-Lieutenant Geoffrey J. Walters, son of William Waters of 103 Green Dragon Lane, Winchmore Hill, London, England.
Leading Airman Donald Afford, son of Mrs. F. E. Afford, 273 Belgrace Road, Balasll Heath, Birmingham, England.
All were members of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, (RNVR)
Update: October 31, 2019 – The aircraft these men were flying was a British version of a TBM Avenger, BU. No. JZ398, formerly BU. No. 25233. Source: Stephen L. Richey, Kolibri Forensics.
Source:
Patriot Ledger, “Reveal Identity Of Squantum Fliers Lost In recent Accident”, December 8, 1943
Those airmen lost in the March 14, 1944 incident have been identified as:
Sub-Lieutenant Kenneth L. Leapman
Sub-Lieutenant John R. Purton
Leading Airman Henry T. Seddon
The men were flying the British version of the U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger, (Bu. No. JZ-496) when they were lost on an anti-submarine training mission.
Sources:
RNVR Officers 1939-1945, www.unithistories.com
Royal Navy Casualties, Killed and Died, March 1944, www.naval-history.net
Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts – March 20, 1945
F4U Corsair
National Archives Photo
On March 20, 1945, Ensign Richard C. Forisso was piloting an F4U-1D Corsair, (Bu. No. 50513), over Plymouth Bay making practice bomb runs. At one point while at 4,000 feet, hydraulic fluid and gasoline began spraying from under the instrument panel followed by smoke filling the cockpit. The fluids got all over the pilot’s lower extremities and partially obscured his vision.
Ensign Forisso elected to stay with the aircraft and aim it for a safe area of the water away from shore and watercraft. He cut the engine and made a wheels up water landing, suffering minor cuts and bruises in the process. He was able to escape before the plane sank to the bottom.
Maintenance records showed that the hydraulic lines on this particular aircraft had broken twice previously. Rough weather put off the recovery of the aircraft for four days. Once it was recovered, mechanics discovered a 1/2 inch crack in the hydraulic line behind the instrument panel. This aircraft was later scrapped due to the time it had stayed submerged in salt water.
Sources:
U.S. Navy accident brief.
Cape Cod Standard Times, “Otis Field Airman Prevents Crash On Plymouth Buildings”, March 21, 1945
Off Watch Hill, Rhode Island – October 26, 1944
Ensign Norman Francis Day
U.S. Navy – WWII
At 6:52 p.m., on October 26, 1944, Ensign Norman Francis Day, 20, piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70895), and Ensign W. D. Cochran, piloting another F6F Hellcat, took off from Charlestown Aux. Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a night training mission.
The pair flew to Fisher’s Island, New York, (Off the eastern end of Long Island) and engaged in simulated strafing maneuvers on searchlight positions. After about 40 minutes, Ensign Cochran attempted to call Ensign Day by radio and got no response.
A fisherman on a boat reported a plane apparently experiencing engine trouble had crashed into the water about 2 miles due south of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Watch Hill is in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island.
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
The crash was not witnessed by Ensign Cochran.
At the time of his death, Ensign Day was assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 27, (CASU-27), assigned to the Naval Air Station at Charlestown, Rhode Island. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (See link below.)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195859628/norman-francis-day
Source:
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian, Rhode Island.
U.S. navy aircraft accident report 48-44
Hopkinton/Westborough Massachusetts – June 24, 1943
P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of June 24, 1943, a flight of four U. S. Army P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, on what was to be a routine formation training and intercept flight.
The flight leader was 2nd Lieutenant Thomas J. Beasley, flying in the number one position; followed by 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Edward G. Smith, Jr., 2nd Lieutenant Donald L. Murrie, and 2nd Lieutenant Max Itzkowitz, in the second, third, and fourth positions. To put it in layman’s terms, the flight formation would resemble a game of “follow the leader”.
The aircraft headed north towards central Massachusetts and came under the direction of Boston air-traffic controllers. Just before noontime, they’d reached the vicinity of Westborough, Massachusetts. At that time Boston advised the flight leader to make a 45 degree left turn. Lt. Beasley signaled for the planes to begin the turn, after which the formation would be flying abreast of each other. It was during this maneuver that Lt. Smith’s and Lt. Murrie’s P-47s (#42-8186, and #42-8208) collided in mid-air causing severe damage to both aircraft.
P-47N Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
Almost immediately Smith’s P-47, (#42-8186), burst into flame and fell away from formation. Smith managed to bail out, but his parachute only partially opened and he was killed when came down in the town of Hopkinton. His burning aircraft came down directly on railroad tracks belonging to the Boston & Albany Railroad which ran along the Southborough and Westborough town lines.
Meanwhile, Lt. Murrie’s P-47, (#42-8208), went into an uncontrolled spin, but he was able to bail out safely. His plane came down and exploded in a swamp in Westborough. Murrie landed in a nearby wooded area and was able to signal Lt. Itzkowitz circling overhead that he was alright.
Lt. Murrie later gave a statement to military investigators which reads in part:
“I was flying number three position while Lt. Beasley was leading the flight. Lt. Smith flying number two position, and Lt. Itskowitz in number four. We were circling to the left in trail, waiting for an intercept.
Upon receiving instructions from Boston, we rolled out of the turn and moved into right echelon, flying straight and level. Lt. Beasley gave the signal to make a 45-degree turn to the right in order to bring the flight into a line abreast.”
It was at this time the collision between the aircraft occurred.
“As soon as I found I was out of control and in a flat spin,” Lt. Murrie went on, “I jumped, landing in a swamp near my plane which was already on fire. I was uninjured. Lt. Smith’s plane crashed on the B and A Railroad tracks about three-hundred yrds. from me. None of the local witnesses could tell me whether or not Lt. Smith had left his plane before it crashed.”
The situation then got even worse when Lieutenants Beasley and Itzkowitz realized that a passenger train was heading towards the wreckage of Lt. Smith’s airplane resting directly on the tracks. The train was roughly five miles away, so the two pilots attempted to stop it by flying low and trying to signal the engineer. Unfortunately, he failed to interpret their signals and continued on.
Lt. Itkowitz later related the following in his statement to investigators, “Lt. Beasley and I noticed the train about five (5) miles distance. We flew very low and tried to signal the engineer to stop. Apparently he didn’t understand and the entire train passed over the wreckage of Lt. Smith’s plane. I circled long enough to see fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and many civilians standing in the vicinity of both crashes. I circled low and saw Lt. Murrie wave to me and knew he was O. K. I then went back to the Base and gave authorities the exact position of the crash.”
As Lt. Itkowitz flew back towards Hillsgrove Field, Lt. Beasley continued to circle the area until advised by radio to return also to base.
The mid-air collision had been witnessed by civilians on the ground, one of whom was James G. Stockwell, an auxiliary police officer for the town of Southborough. He and a civil defense volunteer were manning an aircraft spotter shack when the accident occurred, and immediately notified Boston Command.
Another witness was Doris M. Bigelow, who’d been standing in her yard with her son watching the planes pass overhead. Her property abutted the train tracks.
The statement she later related to investigators says in part:
“I knew from railroad schedules that a train was due by on these tracks about this time. I ran into my house and phoned the railroad station and told them to stop all trains going out this way. They told me that a train had already gone by the station there at Westboro. They gave instructions to flag the train before it got to the crashed airplane. I ran out to the tracks to stop the train from coming through. I was about five hundred (500) feet from the wreckage of the plane when I flagged the oncoming train. The engineer of the train saw me and immediately applied his brakes. The train skidded hitting the wreckage of the burning plane causing several of the cars to derail”
Others also tried to warn the approaching train. Among them were two small boys who went running along the tracks waving their arms.
By the time the engineer realized the danger it was too late, and the train slammed into the burning aircraft wreckage and derailed. The locomotive was pulling five passenger cars and one baggage car, which tore up a considerable portion of track before coming to rest. As the dust began to settle, two of the passenger cars caught fire, but fortunately no serious injuries from those aboard the train were reported.
Numerous people descended on the area, and state and local police had their hands full keeping onlookers and souvenir hunters at bay until military officials could arrive and take charge.
Lt. Smith is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. To see a photo of him, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40494983/douglas-gilliam-smith
Although printed news sources place the accident in “Southville” and/or “Westboro”, Lt. Smith died in the town of Hopkinton. This fact was established through town of Hopkinton death records.
All of the pilots on this flight were members of the 58th Fighter Group, 311th Fighter Squadron.
This particular Massachusetts World War II aviation accident is unusual due to the fact it involved a train derailment.
As a footnote, According to the P-47 Thunderbolts Pilots Association website, Lt. Max Itzkowitz went on to log about 1,000 hours flying a P-47 throughout the rest of WWII, 700 of which were in combat. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with six clusters. He left military service in December of 1945 at the rank of captain. http://p47pilots.com/P47-Pilots.cfm?c=incP47BiographyHome.cfm&vm=BIO&pilotid=267&p=Max%20Itzkowitz
2nd Lt. Donald Murrie was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and flew combat in the Pacific Theatre. On October 22, 1944, after returning form an attack mission, he and other P-47 pilots were forced to ditch in the ocean and remained in the water for hours before being rescued. Source: http://www.pbyrescue.com/Rescues/22oct44.htm.
Sources:
U.S. Army Crash Investigation Report #43-6-24-10
Marlboro Daily Enterprise, “Pilot Dies After U.S. Planes Hit In Air Over Westboro”, June 25, 1943, Pg. 2
New York Times, “Plane Wrecks A Passenger Train; Crashes In Path In Massachusetts”, June 25, 1943
Town of Hopkinton Massachusetts death records
www.findagrave.com
Norwood, Massachusetts – June 16, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On June 16, 1942, 2nd Lt. Herbert C. Chamberlain, (23), was piloting a Curtiss P-40E (Ser. No. 41-25161) over Norwood, Mass., when the aircraft experienced engine trouble. Lt. Chamberlain attempted an emergency landing at Norwood Airport, but went down in a swampy area near the edge of the field. The plane was damaged but Lt. Chamberlain was unhurt.
Lt. Chamberlain was killed a few days later in another P-40 crash at Hillsgrove Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, on June 24, 1942. For more information, see Hillsgrove, June 24, 1942
Source: U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident, #42-6-16-37
Hillsgrove Airport, Rhode Island – June 24, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
At 7 p.m. on June 24, 1942, 2nd Lt. Herbert Chester Chamberlain, 23, was scheduled to take off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, Rhode Island, in a P-40E-1 aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-24990), for a routine training flight. Just as the aircraft left the ground, the engine quit, and the plane crashed about fifty feet from a private home at 20 Earlham Way. Lt. Chamberlain was transported to a hospital in Providence where he succumbed to his injuries.
The accident was blamed on mechanical failure of the aircraft.
Lt. Chamberlain received his pilot’s wings April 29, 1942, and at the time of the accident he was assigned to the 66th Fighter Squadron stationed at Hillsgrove. He’s buried in Long Island National Cemetery, in East Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. To see a photo of Lt. Chamberlain in uniform click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/480983/herbert-chester-chamberlain
Lt. Chamberlain had survived another aviation accident only a few days before his death. On June, 16, 1942, he was piloting a P-40E, (Ser. No. 41-25161) over Norwood Massachusetts when the aircraft experienced engine trouble. He attempted an emergency landing at Norwood Airport, but crash landed in a swampy area near the edge of the field. He was uninjured in that accident.
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident, #42-6-24-10, and # 42-6-16-37
www.findagrave.com
The Pawtucket Times, (R.I.), “Aviator Killed At Hillsgrove”, June 25, 1942, pg. 2.
1 Mile South Of Grenier Field, New Hampshire – June 20, 1942
P-39 Aircobra – U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 20, 1942, 2nd Lt. Clevio R. Rogo, 25, took off from Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire for a scheduled two hour training flight in a P-39D-1 aircraft, (Ser. No. 41-28317). Twenty minutes later he was returning to the field due to what was later assumed by investigators to be engine trouble. In the official accident investigation report it was stated, “No contact was made with the tower and it is the concensus of the committee that engine trouble may have been experienced which did not enable the pilot to maintain sufficient flying speed on his turn into the field to avoid going out of control.” Lt. Rogo was killed when his plane crashed and burned in a wooded area about one mile south of the airfield.
Lt. Rogo obtained his pilot’s rating at Selma Flying School, Craig Field, Selma, Alabama, and graduated on December 12, 1941. He was assigned to the 5th Fighter Squadron stationed at Grenier Field in Manchester.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177806660/clevio-robert-rogo
Sources:
U.S. Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident, #42-6-20-6
Derry News, “Army Plane At Londonderry”, June 26, 1942
Londonderry, New Hampshire – August 25, 1945
Updated January 11, 2021
Updated February 4, 2022
B-17G “Flying Fortress”
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the night of August 25, 1945, a U. S. Army B-17G “Flying Fortress” (Ser. No. 44-83577) crashed on approach to Grenier Army Air Field in Manchester, New Hampshire. The plane impacted a wooded area about three miles short of the runway.
Prior to the crash the aircraft had been circling the area unable to land due to very low cloud cover. As the pilot attempted to make an instrument approach the aircraft clipped some trees in an area known as Crowell’s Corner. It then plowed onto wooded area west of Mammoth Road where it broke apart as it cleared a swath for nearly a quarter of a mile.
Three men aboard were killed, and two others were seriously injured.
Those killed in the crash were:
The co-pilot, Flight Officer John E. Bafus, 22, of Newton, Kansas. He’s buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas. To see a photo of him, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26040514/john-erwin-bafus
The navigator, Flight Officer Irwin J. Gingold (No Info.)
Sergeant Earl Kimball Allen, 33, of Glen Falls, New York. He’s buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, New Hampshire.
Those seriously injured were Flight Officer Bill J. Andersen, and Sgt. Charles R. Jones.
Sources:
New York Times, “New Hampshire Air Crash Kills 3”, August 27, 1945
The Nashua Telegraph, “Three Die In Londonderry Crash”, August 27, 1945
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist
www.findagrave.com
Book: ” Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States, 1941-1945″, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
5 miles east of Howe Brook, Maine – May 24, 1942
On Sunday, May 24, 1942, a U.S. Army C-40D aircraft, (Ser. No. 42-22249) crashed 5 miles east of Howe Brook, Maine while on a transport mission from Bolling Field in Washington, D.C., to Montreal, Canada, to Presque Isle, Maine. The plane dove in at a steep angle, (Estimated by investigators to be 75 degrees.) with such force that debris was thrown up to 1,000 feet ahead of the impact.
Due to the total destruction of the aircraft, investigators were unable to determine the cause of the accident, but noted that weather “was undoubtedly a strong causal factor”.
All aboard the aircraft were killed instantly. They were identified as:
(Pilot) 1st Lt. Clarence A. Wright He’s buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3059564/clarence-allen-wright
(Flight Engineer) S/Sgt. Frederick J. Taylor (10th Ferrying Command.) He’s buried in Chester Rural Cemetery, Chester, Penn.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88208245/frederick-j-taylor
Lt. Col. Louis H. Gimbel He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22787359/louis-stanley-gimbel
Capt. John D. Franciscus He’s buried in Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum in St. Louis, Mo. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49551001/john-dennis-franciscus
Capt. Gilbert M. Herbach He was from New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143469628/gilbert-m-herbach
2nd Lt. Earl R. Wilkenson. He’s buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, Batavia, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75139854/earl-r-wilkinson
Sources:
U. S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-5-24-13
www.findagrave.com
Evening Star, (Wash. D.C.), “Arlington Pilot, Five Others Die In Army Plane Crash In Maine”, May 25, 1942, page A-2
Fort Fairfield, Maine – September 22, 1942
B-25C Twin-Engine Bomber – U.S. Air Force Photo
On September 22, 1942, A flight of eight B-25 bomber aircraft were enroute to Gander, Newfoundland, when they stopped at Presque Isle Airfield to refuel. After refueling, the aircraft assembled for take off to resume the flight. While refueling, the weather had deteriorated and the aircraft would now be flying on IFR rules. One of the B-25s, (Ser. No. 41-13098), piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Drogula, was the second of the eight aircraft to take off. Seven miles northeast of the airfield the left wing suddenly collapsed and the plane went down in the neighboring town of Fort Fairfield, off Fort Fairfield, Road. All seven crewmen aboard were killed.
Civilian witnesses stated they saw the aircraft burst into flames while still in the air.
The dead were identified as:
(Pilot) 1st Lt. Ralph L. Drogula, 26. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Newspaper accounts list Lt. Drogula as a Second Lieutenant, but an internet photo of his grave indicates he was a First Lieutenant. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49175499/ralph-lee-drogula
(C0-pilot) 2nd Lt. James Q. Crocker, 22. He’s buried in San Marcos Cemetery, San Marcos, Texas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104939796/jimmie-q-crocker
S/Sgt. William H. Finch, 35. Buried in Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Michigan. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118827837/william-h-finch
S/Sgt. Billy John Hill, 22. Buried in Nocona Cemetery, Nocona, Texas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63223944/billy-john-hill
S/Sgt. George E. Simmons, 22. Buried in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Du Bois, Penn. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58284089/george-edgar-simmons
S/Sgt. Lawrence A. Robinson, 26. Buried in Pine grove cemetery, Marlborough, N.H. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22359063/lawrence-alfred-robinson
S/Sgt. Joseph Martino https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149734573/joseph-martino
There was another B-25C that left Presque Isle earlier in the day which crashed in the town of Perham, Maine, just a few miles north-west of Fort Fairfield. (The tail number of that plane was 41-13049.) In that crash, the tail section was reportedly found 1/4 mile from the wreck site possibly indicating a structural failure. (See “Perham. ME – September 22, 1942“ under Maine Aviation Accidents on this website for more information.)
Both aircraft were part of the 379th Bomb Squadron, 310th Bomb Group, then based in Greenville, South Carolina.
Sources:
New York Times, “14 Army Men Lost In Two Maine Crashes”
57th Bomb Wing Association http://57thbombwing.com/379thSquadronHistory.php
www.findagrave.com
Epsom, New Hampshire – April 24, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of April 24, 1944, a B-24 Liberator bomber, (42-5111), with ten crewmen aboard, left Grenier Air Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, bound for overseas duty in Europe. The weather that day was poor, with only a 1,300 foot cloud ceiling. Less than ten minutes after take off, the aircraft crashed into the top of 1,400 ft. mountain in the town of Epsom, New Hampshire. All aboard were killed.
The Portsmouth Herald news articles of the crash published in 1944 identified the crash site as being on Washtub Mountain. The Nashua Telegraph newspaper identified the crash site a Delight Mountain. And one modern source identifies the mountain as Nats Mountain.
One witness to the accident was identified in the Portsmouth Herald as 25-year-old Joseph Bozek of Mountain Road, who ran out of his house after hearing the bomber pass very low overhead. He later told a reporter, “I thought the plane was going to crash into the barn, and then it when it cleared the roof I though the pilot intended to make an emergency landing in the field. When I saw the plane rise I thought to myself that the crew would have to gain much more elevation than they had in order to clear the mountain. A few seconds later I heard a terrible explosion”
Bozek ran up the mountain to see if he could help, but when he reached the crash site he saw there was nothing he could do.
The dead were identified as:
(Pilot) 2nd Lt. Marvin M. Rupp, 26, of Winfield, Kansas. He’s buried in Highland Cemetery in Winfield. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #58978546.) He was survived by his wife Maxine.
(Co-pilot) 2nd Lt. James H. Jones, 21, of Alumbank, Pennsylvania. He’s buried in Ligonier Valley Cemetery. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #24357871) He was survived by his wife Virginia A.
(Navigator) 2nd Lt. Ardeth K. Gannon, 26, of Rockwell City, Iowa.
(Bombardier) 2nd Lt. William G. Hunold, 22, of 404 Sterling Place, Brooklyn, New York.
(Radio Operator) Staff Sgt. Anthony L. Ferrone, 27, of New York, N.Y.
(Flight Engineer) Staff Sgt. Marion L. Wolfgang, 23. He’s buried in Seaman Cemetery in Casnovia, Michigan. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #45592673)
(Gunner) Sgt. John L. Eddins, 26, of Kingsville, Texas. He’s buried in Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #62693878)
(Radio Operator) Sgt. Joseph H. Negele, 23, of Newark, Ohio. He’s buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #61446219)
(Gunner) Sgt. Lloyd E. Utley, 25, of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
(Flight Engineer) Sgt. Francis M. Weaver, 36, of Bryan, Texas. He died just four days after his 36th birthday. He’s buried in Bryan City Cemetery, in Bryan, TX. (For a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com Memorial #90458409) He was survived by his wife Hattie N. Weaver.
Sources:
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist
Portsmouth Herald, “Nine Bodies Found After Army plane Falls On Mountain”, April 25, 1944, pg. 1
Portsmouth Herald, “Mass Funeral In Manchester For 10 Fliers”, April 26, 1944, Pg. 1
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States 1941-1945, By Anthony J. Mireles, McFarland & Co. Publishers, 2006
Manchester New Hampshire Airport (Grenier Army Air Field) In WWII, by Tom Hildreth
Concord Monitor, “Ray Duckler: Looking For A Piece Of History”, May 12, 2014
Town of Epsom, New Hampshire, death records.
The Nashua Telegraph, “Report 9 to 12 Killed In Plane Crash At Epsom”, April 24, 1944.
Associated Press, (Unknown Paper) “Nine Bodies Are Found In Wrecked Army Plane”, date unknown. Specifically mentions the pilot (Lt. Rupp) as being one of the nine. No other names mentioned. Posted on Findagrave.com, Memorial #58978546.
www.findagrave.com
Near Springfield, Maine – November 15, 1941
According to the Army Air Corps investigation report on this accident, the aircraft involved crashed about ten miles south of Springfield, Maine. Other sources put the location closer to Lee, Maine.
Douglas B-18
National Archives Photo
At 4:45 p.m., on November 15, 1941, two Douglas B-18A bomber aircraft, left Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, bound for Bangor Air Base in Maine. The two planes were not cleared as one flight, but as two individual flights.
The first B-18, (Ser. No. 37-521) was piloted by 2nd Lt. Peyton W. Beckham, and the other by a pilot identified only as Lt. Offers. The two men had agreed to stay in sight of each other during the trip, and had further agreed that in the event they had to fly above any overcast in the vicinity of Bangor that that Lt. Beckham would wait until Lt. Offers landed first. This was due to the weather forecast for Bangor stating there was cloud cover over the area.
At a point about half way between Concord and Augusta, both aircraft climbed to 5,500 feet to get above the 3,500 foot overcast. When they reached Bangor shortly after 6:00 p.m., Lt. Offers made his descent first as per their agreement. The overcast ceiling at Bangor at this time was 1,400 feet, and dropping, and darkness was coming on.
At 6:32 p.m., after some garbled radio dialogue with the Bangor control tower due to interference with the radio signals from a Canadian source, Lt. Beckham advised he would try to make it to Portland, Maine, as his aircraft wasn’t equipped for instrument flying.
By 6:46 the overcast had dropped to 400 feet.
At about 7:20 p.m. Lt. Beckham’s aircraft was seen approaching Springfield, Maine. Ten minutes later it passed over the Carry Farm about ten miles south of Springfield, where three hunters later said it passed over their camp at a very low altitude heading southwest, and shortly afterwards they heard it crash.
According to the hunters, the weather in the area was very bad, with poor visibility due to fog and rain.
The plane had crashed in a remote and thickly wooded area surrounded by bog and swampland. Investigators concluded that the left wing caught in the tree tops near the bottom of a hill, dragging the aircraft down and causing it to swing to the left for 10 to 15 yards before it began to cartwheel up the hill for 200 yards. It was at this point the plane broke apart and caught fire. Debris was scattered in all directions for 200 to 300 yards.
All four crewmen aboard the plane were killed. They were identified as:
(Pilot) 2nd Lt. Peyton W. Beckham
(Co-Pilot) 2nd Lt. Wyman O. Thompson, 21. He’s buried in Underwood Cemetery in Underwood, North Dakota. To see photo of Lt. Thompson, and one of his gravesite, go to www.findagrave.com, and see Memorial #21814620.
(Engineer) Corporal Jacob L. Parson, 30. He’s buried in Rosemont Cemetery in Rogersville, Penn.
(Radioman) Pfc. Lee E. Rothermel, 20. He’s buried in Trinity Lutheran cemetery in Valley View, Penn.
One of the cockpit instruments that was recovered at the scene was the plane’s airspeed indicator, which was stuck at 195.
The men were assigned to the 63rd Bomb Squadron, 43rd Bomb Group.
This crash is said to be the first fatal military aviation accident to occur in the State of Maine. To see photos of the crash site as it appears today, see www.mewreckchasers.com.
Twenty-two days after this accident, the United States was drawn into World War II.
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #41-11-15-6
www.findagrave.com
Grenier Field, Manchester, New Hampshire
P-40 Warhawk
U.S. Air Force Photo
On December 23, 1942, a group of four P-40 aircraft were scheduled to fly a gunnery practice mission. The first aircraft flown by Lt. Julian Adams took off without incident. The second aircraft (41-13720) piloted by 2nd Lt. Herbert Lawler, 25, suddenly developed engine trouble during take off. The engine was heard to misfire, and smoke was seen trailing as the aircraft became airborne. Moments later Lawler crashed into a wooded area just beyond the air field.
The P-40 caught fire after impact, and Lt. Lawler suffered fatal burns. He succumbed to his injuries five days later on December 28.
Lt. Lawler was from Houston, Texas, and he’s buried at the Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston. A photo of his grave can be found at www.Findagrave.com Memorial #47226508.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegraph, “Plane In Crash Near Grenier Field”, December 24, 1942, page 2
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The United States 1941 – 1945, By Anthony J. Mireles, McFarland & Co. Publishers, 2006
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist
Findagrave.com
Fort Devens Airport, Fort Devens, Massachusetts
April 21, 1942
Fort Devens Airport was active at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, during World War II. It was later named Moore Field after Chief Warrant Officer 2 Douglas Moore, who was killed in Vietnam. The field closed in 1995.
At 7:55 p.m., on April 21, 1942, an Army O-52 observation plane (Ser. No. 40-2702) was returning to Fort Devens Airport after a reconnaissance flight when the aircraft crashed in four feet of water at the edge of a pond. The plane fell from an altitude of 500 feet while making a turn in preparation for landing. Both the pilot and observer were killed.
The dead were identified as 1st Lt. Gerald Patrick Kennedy, 26, of Providence, R.I., and 2nd Lt. Robert Wright Booker, 24, of Illiopolia, Ill.
Lt. Booker, the pilot, is buried in Macon County Memorial Park, Section 14, in Harristown, Illinois. He received his pilot’s wings on October 31, 1941.
Lt. Kennedy is buried in St. Francis Cemetery, Section 51, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Later in the evening Lt. Kennedy was scheduled to attend a party in his honor due to his recent promotion to first lieutenant. As a point of fact, Lt. Booker wasn’t scheduled to be on that flight, but he’d taken the place of another officer.
Today there is a hanger named for Lt. Kennedy at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. (Formerly Hillsgrove)
The men were assigned to the 152nd Observation Squadron, and it was reported that these men were the first airplane related fatalities in the history of the 152nd. The 152nd had been stationed at Hillsgrove Airport in Warwick, R.I. prior to being transferred in the summer of 1941 to Fort Devens.
Sources:
U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-4-21-23
Woonsocket Call, “Army Probing Devens Plane Crash In Which 2 Met Death”, April 22, 1942, Pg. 1
Wikipedia – Fort Devens Airport
www.findagrave.com
Groton, Connecticut – February 8, 1942
At 10:40 a.m., on February 8, 1942, 2nd Lt. Melvin B. Kimball, and Staff Sergeant Sherrill Roark, began a scheduled training flight from Trumbull Field in Groton. As their aircraft, a Stearman PT-17, (Ser. No. 41-8001) began to lift from the ground, Lt. Kimball noticed a lack of power in the engine. As the plane struggled to climb to 50 feet, Kimball decided to return to the field, and initiated a turn. While doing so, the plane went down in a swamp next to the airfield and flipped over on to its back. Neither man was seriously injured.
The accident investigation committee determined the possible cause of the crash to be carburetor icing.
The men were assigned to the 65th Pursuit Squadron stationed at Trumbull Field.
Lt. Kimball obtained his pilot’s rating December 12, 1941.
Lt. Kimball later served in China under Brig. Gen. Claire Chennault. In March of 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “repeated dangerous missions flying men and material to fighting front bases in Free China.” He was credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft; a Japanese Zero on November 8, 1942, and a bomber aircraft on December 26, 1942.
He was later credited with two more aerial victories on January 16, 1943, and May 8, 1943.
Sources:
U. S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-2-8-7
(N.H.) Newmarket News, “Lt. Kimball Receives Distinguished Cross”, March 26, 1943
Book – Army Air Force Victories: a daily count, by Arthur Wyllie, 2004
Bridgeport Airport, Connecticut – January 18, 1942
P-39 Aircobra – U.S. Air Force Photo
On the afternoon of January 18, 1942, 2nd Lt. Burdette L. Wertman landed in a P-39D (Ser. No. 41-6801) at Bridgeport Airport after a routine training flight. As the aircraft touched down and began rolling down the runway, Lt. Wertman discovered that the brakes were inoperable. The aircraft continued rolling until it struck a dirt wall at the end of the runway. The collision wrecked the aircraft, but Wertman was uninjured.
Source: U. S. Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident #42-1-15-4
Lieutenant Wertman perished in another aviation accident at Bridgeport on July 13, 1942. To learn more, click here: Bridgeport, Ct. July 13, 1942
Groton, Connecticut – March 8, 1942
P-40 Warhawk
U.S. Air Force Photo
On March 8, 1942, a Curtiss P-40E, (41-24786), piloted by 2nd Lt. Gerald A. Brandon of the 61st Pursuit Squadron, crashed on take off from Trumbull Airport in Groton. The aircraft failed to gain altitude as it left the ground and the left wing clipped a fence post at the end of the runway which caused the plane to rotate 90 degrees and crash into a field. Lt. Brandon survived.
Source:
U.S. Army Crash Investigation Report #42-3-8-2
Atlantic Ocean – March 1, 1945
Updated April 29, 2016
On March 29, 1945, the body of Richard Parr Harper, 19, (United States Navy) was found floating in the Atlantic Ocean eight miles north of Race Point Lighthouse located in Provincetown, Massachusetts. He had been aboard a navy airplane that was lost at sea on March 1, 1945. No further details of the accident are known.
Harper was born in Lincoln Park, Michigan. His body was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being sent to Detroit for burial.
Source: North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-27
Updated Information
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
National Archives Photo
The United States destroyer U.S.S. Schenck (DD-159) was launched in 1919, and served various duties during its career including service in World War II. In September of 1944 she was re-designated AG-82, and served the remainder of the war as a surface vessel that provided target practice for student pilots.
On the night of March 1, 1945, the Schenck was ten miles off Provincetown, Massachusetts, serving in her role as a target vessel, when a navy TBM-3D, (Bu. No. 22955), crashed into her superstructure and plunged into the ocean taking both crewmen to the bottom with her.
Those aboard the Avenger included the pilot, Ensign Chapman W. Lucas, Jr., (20), and ADM 3/c Richard P. Harper, (19). The body of Ensign Lucas was recovered on August 17, and the body of ADM 3/c Harper was recovered on March 29.
To see a photo of ADM 3/c Harper click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198486134/richard-parr-harper
A crewman aboard the Schenck was also killed in this incident, but he was not identified in the newspaper articles.
Updated Information, January 26, 2022
The Crewman aboard the Schenck who was killed in this accident was Seaman 2d Class Richard A. Hewat, 24, of North Adams, Massachusetts. To learn more info about Seaman Hewat click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198466105/richard-alexander-hewat
Sources:
Lewiston Evening Journal, (ME.) “Navy Plane Collides With Surface Craft; Two Fliers Missing And Seaman Dead”, March 2, 1945
Norwalk Hour,(CT.) “2 navy Filers Lost In target Practice”, March 2, 1945
The Provincetown Advocate, “Three Lose Lives In Harbor Crash”, March 8, 1945
Wikipedia – U.S.S. Schenck
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts – May 8, 1945
Updated January 12, 2018
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On the morning of May 8, 1945, Lieutenant Joseph F. Koll, Jr., 29, of Boise, Idaho, was taking off from Martha’s Vineyard Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Ser. No. 70448), for a scheduled training flight. When the aircraft had reached an altitude of about 50 feet it suddenly rolled over and dove into the ground and exploded, killing Lt. Koll. The cause of the accident was undetermined.
Lieutenant Koll’s body was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being transported to Idaho for burial. He’s buried in Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise, Section N 68-2. To see a photo of Lt. Koll, see findagrave.com Memorial #53030333.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53030333/joseph-f-koll
Sources:
U.S. Navy crash investigation report
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records.
Block Island Sound – April 1, 1944
Updated December 13, 2024
Hellcat Fighters
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of April 1, 1944, navy Lieutenant Edward Roy Sladek, 22, took off from the Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Field in a single seat Hellcat fighter for a night training flight. He was last heard from around 9:30 p.m. and gave his location as being south-east of Montauk Point, Long Island, and would be returning to base. When he failed to return he was declared missing and a two day search followed but nothing was found. It was believed he went down in the water somewhere in Block Island Sound.
His body was recovered by a Coast Guard vessel on June 24, 1944 at Shagwong Point, in the town of Montauk.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139707969/edward-roy-sladek
Sources:
The East Hampton Star, “Navy Flyer Found”, June 29, 1944, Pg.4
Rhode Island Department Of Health death certificate
Providence Journal, “Chicago Flier Reported Lost”, April, 1944, exact date unknown.
Preston, Connecticut – October 19, 1944
Updated January 14, 2019
Hellcat Fighters
U.S. Navy Photo
On the night of October 19, 1944, Ensign George Kenneth Krause, 22, and Ensign Merle Henry Longnecker, 20, took off from the Charlestown Navy Auxiliary Air Field in Rhode Island for a night tactics training flight over Connecticut. Each was piloting an F6F-5N Hellcat. The Bu. No. for Ensign Krause’s aircraft was 70519, and Ensign Longnecker was piloting Bu. No. 70826.
At about 10:30 p.m., both aircraft were over the Norwich State Hospital area conducting mock interceptions when they were involved in a mid-air collision with each other. Scattered wreckage fell over a large area, some coming down about one mile northeast of the hospital. Neither pilot survived.
Both men were assigned to Carrier Air Service Unit (CASU) 25 at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in Rhode Island.
Ensign Krause is buried in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To see a photo of him, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79674174/george-k-kraus
Ensign Longnecker was survived by his wife Blanche. He’s buried in New Rockford, North Dakota. To see a photo of him, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151515469/merle-henry-longnecker
Ensign Longnecker had survived an earlier aircraft accident only a few days earlier on October 12, 1944. On that date he was practicing night carrier landings at Charlestown NAAF, while piloting another F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42794). The weather was foggy with a 700 foot cloud ceiling making for poor visibility. After making four successful landings and take-offs, he crash-landed while making his fifth approach. The aircraft was damaged, but he was not hurt.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 19, 1944
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 12, 1944
Rhode Island Department Of Health death certificates
The Norwich Bulletin, “Veterans Group Plans 70th Anniversary Tribute To Pilots killed In Preston Crash”, October 17, 2014
Little Compton, Rhode Island – July 6, 1945
Updated May 24, 2019
North American Texan Military Trainer
Author Photo
On July 6, 1945, two navy SNJ-3 “Texan” trainer aircraft took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air station for a routine training flight to Otis Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts. About twelve minutes into the flight, both aircraft encountered thick clouds and fog over the eastern passage of Narragansett Bay. The pilots attempted to fly under the overcast until they got down to an altitude of 100 feet. At that time one of the aircraft pulled up and went through the overcast and turned around and proceeded back to Quonset Point where it landed safely.
The second aircraft, (Bu. No. 6946), was piloted by navy Lieutenant Nelson Eugene Wiggins, 29, of Oklahoma. He followed the first aircraft into the overcast, but his plane suddenly experienced engine trouble and lost all power. Unable to re-start the engine, he opted to bail out, but he was too low for the chute to deploy. His aircraft crashed at a 45 degree angle and exploded in Little Compton.
There had been no one else aboard the aircraft, and nobody on the ground was injured.
Lt. Wiggins’ body was brought to Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being sent to Sulphur, Oklahoma, for burial. He’s buried in Oaklawn Cemetery. A photo of his grave is on Findagrave.com, Memorial # 38305859.
Sources:
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-62
U. S. Navy Accident Report dated July 6, 1945
15 Miles Off Point Judith, Rhode Island – July 16, 1943
Updated March 9, 2018
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On July 16, 1943, a division of navy F6F-3 Hellcats were engaged in a “Fighter Director Practice” off southern Rhode Island when an army P-47 Thunderbolt made two passes at the group. Both passes were made from out of the sun, and each time the P-47 came within 50 to 200 yards of the division of Hellcats.
According to the U.S. Navy accident report, (#44-7667), “Immediately following the second pass, Ensign Staab entered a high speed stall from an abrupt climbing turn, resulting in a vertical dive and progressive stall.” Ensign Staab, age 23, was killed when his Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25848), then dove into the Atlantic Ocean 15 miles off Point Judith, R.I.
Ensign Staab was assigned to Fighting Squadron 31, (VF0-31).
His hometown is listed as Burlington, Vermont. He’s buried in Kingston, New York. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77726960/paul-joseph-staab
The army P-47 was from the 326th Fighter Group at Westover Field. There is a notation in the report that the pilot was disciplined however, he is not identified.
Sources:
Rhode Island Department Of Health, death certificate.
U.S. Navy Accident Report, #44-7667, dated July 16, 1943
Off Jamestown, Rhode Island – September 4, 1942
Updated March 9, 2019.
On September 4, 1942, a Navy plane with two men aboard crashed in the water about 1,000 yards off Beavertail Light in Jamestown. At the time, the area known as Beavertail was occupied by a coastal artillery unit to protect Narragansett Bay, and Beavertail Light was occupied by the U.S. Coast Guard. Today the area is a state park, and the light is automated, and now serves as a museum.
The crash was witnessed by shore personnel, four of whom entered the water and swam out to rescue the airmen. They were identified at Privates First Class V.S. Sousa, and F. A. Hamilton, Corporal D. A. Corey, and Seaman Second Class R. F. Kirscher. The men reached the wreck at the same time as a passing Coast Guard boat.
The plane’s crew consisted of (Pilot) Lieutenant (Jg.) Harry K. Stubbs, 29, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3C Fred Schumm, 20, of New York. Lt. Stubbs was unconscious from a head injury, while Schumm was cut and bleeding in several places. Both were taken to the Fort Getty hospital located at Jamestown.
The type of aircraft was not stated. It was reportedly recovered.
Lt. (Jg.) Stubbs survived the WWII and remained with the navy afterward. He died on June 24, 1946 when the aircraft he was n crashed on take off from the Chincoteague Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Virginia. Two others in the plane were also killed.
Commander Stubbs was born in Shawmut, Alabama, on August 3, 1913, but the family later moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he grew up on Bridge St. He graduated Fairhaven High School and Silver Bay Preparatory School, and Columbia University. He entered the Navy in May of 1937, and began his flying career at the navy base in Squantum, Mass. He served aboard the aircraft carriers Lexington, Wasp, Enterprise, and Manila Bay. During the war he commanded Composite Group 80 aboard the Manila Bay, which took part in a six month tour of duty in the Philippines. During his service he is credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft. Among his medals earned are the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. He’s buried in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven, Mass.
Sources:
New York Times, “Plane Dives Into Sea; Crew Of Two Saved”, September 5, 1942
Fiarhaven Star, (Mass.) “Stubbs Rescued After Plane Crash”, September 10, 1942
Fiarhaven Star, “Commander Harry K. Stubbs Dies In Airplane Crash”, June 27, 1946.
www.findagrave.com, Memorial #10683521
Richmond, Rhode Island – March 16, 1944
Updated June 28, 2017
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At approximately 7:40 p.m. on the night of March 16, 1944, Ensign Herbert Leslie Woods, 22, took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air station In Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a night training flight. The weather that evening was cloudy, with a 500 to 600 foot cloud ceiling, and poor visibility of less than a mile.
Ensign Woods was piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41008).
Ensign Woods was last seen entering the clouds by those in the control tower. At 7:46 p.m., an emergency IFF signal was received by the tower. The signal lasted approximately three minutes before it stopped. Afterwards Ensign Woods could not be contacted.
The following morning the wreckage of Ensign Woods’s Hellcat was found next to a stream in a wooded area of the village of Kenyon, which is located within the town of Richmond, Rhode Island. The plane hat crashed at high speed and Woods had been killed instantly.
At the time of his death, Ensign Woods was assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 79, VF(n)-79.
Ensign Woods was from Springfield, Illinois. He’s buried in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Section 3, Site 809. One can see a photo of his grave at the Camp Butler National Cemetery, site search, www.Findagrave.com, Memorial #2562708
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2562708/herbert-leslie-woods
Sources:
U.S. Navy Crash Report #44-12450
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
Larry Webster – Aviation Archaeologist and Historian, Charlestown, R.I.
www.Findagrave.com
Narragansett Bay – October 11, 1942
Updated March 7, 2019
Vought SB2U Vindicator
U.S. Navy Photo
The details of this accident have been learned, and this post updated.
On the afternoon of October 11, 1942, a Vought SB2U-2 Vindicator, (Bu. No. 1342), with a pilot and radioman aboard, was participating in a dive-bombing exercise over Narragansett Bay. Other aircraft were also participating. The aircraft was seen to enter a steep dive on a maneuvering target boat from an altitude of 10,000 feet. When the pilot attempted to pull out of the dive at 3,000 feet, two small unidentified parts of the aircraft were seen to break loose. The aircraft crashed into the water in an almost vertical dive north of Patience Island. Both the pilot and radioman perished in the accident.
The pilot was identified as Lieutenant Commander John Randall Spiers, 31, of Philadelphia, PA. To see a photo of Lt. Cmdr. Spiers, go to www.findagrave.co,, Memorial #115359760, and 76036118.
The radioman was identified as Aviation Radioman Stanley D. Overfelt, 25, of Clarence, Missouri. He’s buried in Maple Hills Cemetery, in Kirksville, Missouri. Source: www.findagrave.com, memorial #59737610
Both men were assigned to VS-42.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-5054, dated October 11, 1942
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #42-31
Off Provincetown, Massachusetts – May 8, 1944
41 52.1N/70 16.4W
Few details are available about this accident.
Updated March 2, 2016
On May 8, 1944, a navy plane out of Quonset Point Naval Air Station crashed in the ocean off Provincetown, Massachusetts, resulting in three fatalities. The coordinates of the crash are listed above. They were obtained from the Rhode Island Department of Health Death Certificates.
The dead were identified as:
Lt. Jg. Norwood Harris Dobson, 27, of Ellenboro, North Carolina. He’s buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Ellenboro. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53923003/norwood-harris-dobson
ARM 3c Arthur Normand Levesque, 18, of Lonsdale (Lincoln) Rhode Island. He’s buried Notre Dame Cemetery in Pawtucket, R.I. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/247820374/arthur-normand-levesque
(Missing) Aviation Ordinance man 3c John Werner Dahlstrom, 19, believed to be from Michigan. Information about him was not listed among the death certificates. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/246269817/john-werner-dahlstrom
Sources:
Rhode Island Department of Health Death Certificates (N.K. GOV. 77) and (N.K. Gov. 78)
Lewiston Evening Sun, “Identifies Fliers Killed In Cape Cod navy Plane crash”, May 10, 1944
Sakonnet River, Tiverton, Rhode Island – September 29, 1942
Updated June 19, 2018
Updated January 13, 2019
Updated January 25, 2022
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On the morning of September 29, 1942, a U.S. Navy Grumman JF-1 Duck, (Bu. No. 9455), and a U.S. Army P-40 fighter, (Ser. No. 41-14186), were involved in a mid-air collision over the Sakonnet River. A security guard who’d witnessed the incident said that there had been three aircraft in close proximity to each other just prior to the accident, and that after the collision, two of the planes fell into the river.
Another witness to the accident was George Helger of Tiverton, who was working on his scallop boat off Jack Island Point south of an area known as Stone Bridge. He saw two parachutes deploy and watched as the aviators dropped down into the water, and immediately went to their aid. The first man he reached was Lt. Cmdr. Clarence A. Hawkins, the pilot of the Grumman aircraft. After rescuing Hawkins, Helger set off to save the other man, 2nd. Lt. Robert A. Marsh, 24, the pilot of the army airplane, but Marsh sank beneath the water before he could be reached.
Grumman Duck
U. S. Navy Photo
Helger also came upon a body floating in the water and retrieved it. The parachute the man was wearing hadn’t been opened. He was identified as Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3/c James Harris Elmer, Jr., 18, of Bridgeton, New Jersey. Elmer had been aboard the Grumman craft.
It was also reported that a third man aboard the Grumman airplane, a radio operator identified in the press only by his last name, “McAlendon”, was missing. However, it seems the name was misspelled.
Update: According to U.S. Navy report 43-4907, the missing man was RM2c Homer D. McLendon, and not “McAlendon”.
Lt. Robert Marsh is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82428815/robert-a-marsh
AMM 3/c James Elmer is buried in Fernwood Memorial Park, Bridgeton, New Jersey.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144801195/james-h-elmer
Lt. Cmdr. Clarence Hawkins was from Wichita, Kansas. Burial information unknown.
RM2c Homer McLendon was from Providence, R. I. Burial information unknown.
No further information is available as of this update.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report #43-4907
Fall River Herald, “Army and Navy Planes In Crash”, September 30, 1942
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #42-29
Findagrave.com Memorial # 144801195 (Shows a photo of the grave.)
Quonset Point NAS – May 2, 1944
Updated March 5, 2019
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 2, 1944, a TBM Avenger was taking off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station when a wing folded and the plane crashed into Narragansett Bay off the end of Runway 19.
The Avenger generally carried three men, and there was at least one casualty. Lieut. (Jg. )William Hinson Gallagher, 22, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was killed. He’s buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, in plot DX-121.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93301867/william-hinson-gallagher
It is unknown at the time of this posting if there were other fatalities or injuries involved with this accident.
Sources:
Rhode Island Department Of health Death Records.
Find A Grave website www.findagrave.com
The Wilmington Morning Star, (Del.), “Charlotte Flier Dies In Rhode Island Crash”, May 13, 1944.
Mansfield, Massachusetts – September 13, 1945
Updated July 15, 2019
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On April 19, 1945, a flight of two navy SB2C Helldiver aircraft left Groton Field in Connecticut for a familiarization training flight. One of the aircraft, (Bu. No. 83654), was piloted by Ensign Thomas Daniel Murphy, 21, of Chicago. While at about 2,800 feet over the town of Mansfield, Massachusetts, Ensign Murphy’s aircraft entered a partial wingover and stalled, and then went into a progressive spin. Murphy pulled out of the spin at about 500 feet, but then went into another and crashed. The aircraft exploded on impact and Ensign Murphy did not get out.
Ensign Murphy was assigned to Bombing Squadron 4 (VB-4) based at Groton Field in Groton, Connecticut. His body was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being sent to Chicago for burial.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report dated September 13, 1945.
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-87
Naval History & Heritage Command – U.S. Navy, www.history.navy.mil
Groton, Connecticut – October 9, 1945
Updated July 2, 2019
F4U Corsair
US Navy Photo
On the afternoon October 9, 1945, navy Lieutenant John Seymour Tyler, 24, was piloting an Vought F4U-4 Corsair, (Bu. No. 81424), 5,000 feet over the Groton area on a familiarization flight. At about 3:30 p.m. he began practicing a series of aerial loops. After completing the first loop successfully, he immediately began a second, but as he reached the top of the second loop the aircraft stalled and went into an inverted spin. As the plane fell it appeared to partially recover before it went back into a spin. Lieutenant Tyler was killed when the aircraft crashed.
Lieutenant Tyler’s body was brought to the Quonset Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being transported to New York for burial. According to a Rhode Island death certificate, he was born in San Francisco, California, and listed an address of Hudson Parkway, New York, N.Y.
Lieutenant Tyler was attached to VBF-4.
Sources:
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death certificate #45-97
U. S. Navy accident report dated October 9, 1945
Info provided by Mr. Philip O. Richart who contacted New England Aviation History. Prior to his contact, the details of this accident and type of aircraft were not known. Thank you Mr. Richart.
Hyannis, Massachusetts – April 20, 1945
On the night of April 20, 1945, Ensign Roger Lee Thornton, 22, was killed when the navy aircraft he was piloting crashed about 1.5 miles N.N.E. of the Hyannis Naval Auxiliary Air Field. The type of plane and cause of the crash are unknown.
Ensign Thornton’s body was brought to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, before being sent to Columbus, Ohio, for burial. He was survived by his wife Laura Katherine Thornton.
To see a photo of Ensign Thornton’s grave go to www.findagrave.com and see memorial #51907830.
Sources:
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #45-39
Cape Cod Standard Times, “Navy Pilot Killed In Crash”, April 21, 1945
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – February 25, 1945
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On February 25, 1945, Ensign Thomas William McSteen, 21, was killed when the F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 70670) he was piloting crashed near Fox Island in the west passage of Narragansett Bay, between Jamestown and the mainland. Ensign McSteen and three other Hellcat aircraft were taking part in a carrier landing training exercise at the time. After examining the recovered aircraft, investigators concluded the accident occurred as a result of engine failure.
Ensign McSteen graduated Mt. Lebanon, Penn. High School in 1941, and enlisted in the navy in February of 1943. He received his Ensign’s commission and his pilot’s wings at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, in July of 1944.
Ensign McSteen was survived by his wife Margaret Elizabeth, who he married at Pensacola NAS on July 22, 1944. He’s buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Pennsylvania. To see a photograph of Ensign McSteen, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128268666/thomas-william-mcsteen
Sources:
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian & Archaeologist
Pittsburgh Post – Gazzette, “Mt. Lebanon Girl Ensign’s Bride”, July 30, 1944
Historic Pitsburgh General Text Collection – Pittsburgh Library, “That We Might Have A Better World”, authored by the Mt. Lebanon School District, 1946. www.images.library.pitt.edu
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated February 25, 1945
Hopkinton, Rhode Island – December 13, 1945
SB2C Helldiver
U.S. Navy Photo
On December 13, 1945, an SB2C-4E Helldiver (Bu. No. 83080) took off from Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island, for a gunnery training flight. While making a tight turn in the air at 1,400 feet, the plane suddenly spun in and crashed in woodland off Panciera Road in the town of Hopkinton, Rhode Island. (The area of the crash is approximately eight miles from the airfield.)
Both crewmen aboard were killed instantly. They were:
(Pilot) Ensign Kenneth Walter Barnes, 25, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He’s buried in St. Joseph’s New Cemetery in Cincinnati. He was survived by his wife Dorothy. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129069814/kenneth-walton-barnes
Aviation Ordnanceman 3cl Charles Otmar Henninger, 28, of Sumner, Iowa. He’s buried at St. Peter’s Evan. Cemetery in Bremer Co. Iowa. He was survived by his wife Geneva. For more information about the life of Charles Henninger see the website “Bremer County Veterans Affairs” at www.bremercountyva.org/gravesite/charles-otmar-henninger/
Sources:
(book) BuNos! Dispostion of World War II USN, USMC, And USCG Aircraft Listed By Bureau Numbers, by Douglas E. Campbell, copyright 2012.
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records: 45-118, and 45-119.
Findagrave.com- Charles Otmar Henninger, Memorial # 27384806
Findagrave.com – Kenneth Walter Barnes, Memorial # 129069814
Bremer County Veterans Affairs website – see above.
U.S. Navy Crash Brief, 6-45
Charlestown, Rhode Island – April 17, 1944
Great Swamp
Updated July 8, 2017
Hellcat Fighters
U.S. Navy Photo
On April 17, 1944, a flight of four F6F-3 Hellcats left Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a familiarization training flight. During the flight the aircraft flew in a line of four, in a “follow the leader” type of pattern. It was during a phase of the exercise when the aircraft were changing positions in the formation that a mid-air collision between two of the aircraft occurred. Both aircraft, (Bu. No. 40345), piloted by Ensign Stephen L. Smith, 21, and (Bu. No. 66034), piloted by Lieutenant Robert C. Stimson, 27, crashed and exploded in a wooded portion of the “Great Swamp” area of Charlestown. Neither pilot survived.
Ensign Stephen Luther Smith was from of St. Andrews, Florida. He’s buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Panama City, Florida. (See www.findagrave.com, memorial #32844142)
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32844142/stephen-luther-smith
Lieutenant Robert Charles Stimson was from of Shelby, Ohio, and was survived by his wife. He’s buried in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby. To read more about Lt. Stimson, and to see photographs of him, go to www.findagrave.com, memorial 73196817.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73196817/robert-charles-stimson
Sources:
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-12263
Providence Journal, “Two Pilots Die As Planes Crash”, April 18, 1944
Douglas, Massachusetts – September 12, 1944
Updated February 15, 2018
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 1:50 p.m. on the afternoon of September, 12, 1944, a flight of F6F Hellcat aircraft took off from the naval auxiliary air field at Westerly, Rhode Island, for a high-altitude oxygen training flight. One of those assigned to the flight was Ensign Arthur Joseph Stockus, 23, piloting an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42800).
When the planes had reached an altitude of about 13,000 feet, the flight leader lead the squadron in a northerly direction towards Massachusetts, all the while continuing to gain altitude. The goal was to reach 30,000 feet.
At approximately 2:50 p.m. while the flight was at 28,000 feet, Ensign Stockus’s aircraft was seen to suddenly break away from formation, go into a slow roll, and then disappear into an alto cumulus cloud. Efforts to contact him via radio were unsuccessful.
Ensign Stockus was killed when his Hellcat crashed and exploded in a wooded area about two miles west of the center of Douglas, Massachusetts.
Navy investigators later speculated that his oxygen system had failed, which could lead to disorientation or unconsciousness.
Ensign Stockus was from Monessen, Penn., and had been assigned to CASU-27. He entered the navy on October 15, 1942, at Washington, D.C. He died just two days after his 23rd birthday.
Ensign Stockus had a brother Robert who was also serving as a naval officer.
To see a photo of Ensign Stockus’s grave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/237847778/arthur-joseph-stockus
Sources:
U.S. Navy Investigation Report
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #44-72
The Daily Republican, (Penn.), “Plane Crash Kills Monessen Ensign”, September 18, 1944
Newport Mercury, (R.I.), “Dead Flyer Identified”, September 22, 1944, page 6.
Copy – Application for World War II Compensation Form – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Block Island Sound, Rhode Island – July 13, 1944
5 miles off Charlestown, R.I.
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
Ensign Gerald Vivian Brosteaux, 20, was killed during a night training flight July 13, 1944 when the F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. #42254), he was piloting crashed in the water five miles off Charlestown, Rhode Island. At the time of the accident he was participating in night carrier practice landings. The night was relatively dark with no moon and no visible horizon.
Ensign Brosteaux was assigned to Night Fighter Squadron 102, (VFN-102), at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He’s buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego OSA Site 25-A. To see a photo of him, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67092141/gerald-vivian-brosteaux
Sources:
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
U. S. Navy accident report dated July 13, 1944
Findagrave.com #67092141
South Kingstown, Rhode Island – May 31, 1944
Worden’s Pond
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 11:30 a.m. on May 31, 1944, Lt. Jg. Maxwell Michaux Corpening, Jr., 24, was killed when the U.S. Navy F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 58317), he was piloting crashed in Worden’s Pond during a training flight.
Lt. (jg.) Corpening was part of a flight of seven Hellcats practicing dive bombing techniques. According to the U.S. Navy Accident Report, after the fourth dive, the formation was joined by “three strange planes” that were “seen to dive from above and maneuver in weaving stern attacks on the Hellcats, who were in extended column formation. The flight leader continued to circle and climb as any further bombing runs would have been inadvisable while the other planes were mixed in the formation.”
The “strange planes” are not identified, however their actions led to the breakup of the formation, which led to a mid-air collision between Lt. (jg.) Corpening’s aircraft and another Hellcat. The other Hellcat was able to land safely at Groton Naval Auxiliary Air Field.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83356027/maxwell-michaux-corpening
Update, December 13, 2024
On July 26, 1941, Maxwell Corpening, Jr. enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained in Southern Ontario before being assigned to reconnaissance patrol along the Canadian Coast. He was later transferred to England, and when the United States entered the war he transferred to the U. S. army air force. It seems that at some point he transferred from the army to the navy, and was serving as a navy pilot at the time of his death.
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Report #44-44697, dated May 31, 1944
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records. (Many navy deaths during WWII were recorded in North Kingstown, (Not South Kingstown) because Quonset Point NAS was located in North Kingstown.)
Evening Star, (Wash. D. C.), “Lt. M. M. Corpening Killed In Crash Of Navy Plane”, June 2, 1944, page A-4
Providence Journal, “Navy Flier Killed As Plane Crashes”, June 1, 1944.
The Marion Progress, (N.C.), “Maxwell Corpening, Jr. Honor Student Of R.A.F.”, July 9, 1942.
The Marion Progress, “Lt. Max Corpening Fatally Injured In An Airplane Crash”, June 8, 1944.
The Evening Star, (Wash. DC), “Lt. M. M. Corpening Killed In Crash Of Navy Plane”, June 2, 1944
East Greenwich, Rhode Island – May 16, 1944
Near the Exeter town line, off Shippey Road
Updated December 8, 2018
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
At 10:50 a.m. on the morning of May 16, 1944, Lt. Cmdr. David Wooster Taylor, Jr., 32, took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station in a F6F-3 Hellcat (Bu. No. 41944) for a routine training mission. Fifteen minutes later his aircraft was observed by witnesses on the ground to be at about 3,000 feet and flying level when it suddenly went onto a spinning dive from which it did not recover. Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was killed when his aircraft crashed and burned at the Sunset Valley Reservation in East Greenwich. The cause of the crash was not stated in newspapers.
Due to the complete destruction of the aircraft investigators were not able to determine an exact cause for the accident.
Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was reportedly survived by his wife Virginia, and two young children, Jean, 4, and David, 3.
A housing development now stands on the site where this accident took place.
Lt. Cmdr. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) for his part in an attack against enemy shipping off Bodo, Norway, on October 4, 1943.
To learn more about Lt. Cmdr. Taylor, and to see a photo of him, go to https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_W._TAYLOR,_JR.,_LCDR,_USN
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, “Lt. Cmdr. D. W. Taylor Killed In Plane Crash”, May 17, 1944, Pg. 1
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
The Standard, “Quonset Pilot Falls To Death”, May 18, 1944
U. S. Navy Crash report, #44-14197
Charlestown, Rhode Island – May 14, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On May 14, 1944, Ensign James Patrick Gannon, 22, of Jersey City, N.J., was flying an F6F-3N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 42389) practicing dive bombing at Worden’s Pond in Charlestown, R.I., when according to a witness, “something white” fell away from his plane. The Hellcat then went into a roll and dove into the ground. Gannon was killed instantly.
The cause of the crash was never determined.
Ensign Gannon is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey. To see a photo of him click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146286193/james-patrick-gannon
Sources:
Providence Journal, “Navy Pilot Killed In Plane Crackup”, May 15, 1944.
Hudson Dispatch, “Two Jersey City Fliers Killed In Plane Crashes”, May 16, 1944
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records
This water-filled crater in the woods of Charlestown, R.I., is where a navy Hellcat fighter crashed on May 14, 1944.
Dorchester Bay – July 16, 1944
F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 16, 1944, Ensign William Oran Seymour Jr., 23, was piloting an F6F-5 Hellcat,(Bu. No. 58882), with other aircraft based at the Squantum Naval Air Station, on an air-to-air target practice mission over Dorchester Bay. (Seymour’s aircraft was assigned to tow a cloth target sleeve behind it while other aircraft took turns making attack runs.)
Afterwards, as the planes returned to Squantum in preparation for landing, the engine of Seymour’s Hellcat began misfiring. Being over a heavily populated area, the pilot opted to stay with the aircraft rather than bail out. The plane rapidly lost altitude as it passed over Dorchester’s Savin Hill neighborhood, heading towards Malibu Beach where the pilot hoped to make an emergency landing. Unfortunately, it being a hot summer day, the beach was crowded with roughly 3,000 people. As Seymour approached the beach at barely 100 feet off the ground, his vision of the crowd was blocked by a sea wall. It wasn’t until the last second that he saw all the people and quickly yanked the Hellcat towards the water. He crashed about 200 yards from shore in about 15 feet of water.
One lifeguard who witnessed the accident later told reporters, “It hit first on the left wing, because he swung away from the beach sharply to avoid striking the crowd. It snapped over so fast that it went end over end, and then the fuselage seemed to crumple up and the plane sank.”
Several men swam out to the spot where the Hellcat went down in an attempt to rescue the airman, but they were unsuccessful. Seymour’s body was later recovered by men from the crash-rescue boat sent form Squantum.
Ensign Seymour was born in Monroe, North Carolina, and graduated Valedictorian of his high school class in 1938. He volunteered for the navy in July of 1942, and received his pilot’s wings and Ensign’s commission on October 9, 1943. He is buried in Monroe Cemetery.
For his actions and quick thinking in sacrificing himself in order to save others, he was posthumously awarded a Presidential Citation and the Navy & Marine Corps medal for bravery.
He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 45, (VF-45)
Sources:
NAS Squantum: The First Naval Air Reserve Base, by Marc Frattasio (Pgs. 218-219)
The Boston Post, (No headline available) Monday, July 17, 1944
The Gold Star Mothers Homepage – William O. Seymour, Jr.
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated July 16, 1944
Tiverton, Rhode Island – June 14, 1943
Updated April 27, 2016
British Corsairs – WWII
U.S. Navy Photo
On June 14, 1943, a Corsair I on loan to the British Navy, (#JT-110), piloted by British aviator Lieutenant Anthony Max Leslie Harris, (20), crashed into a wooded area near the Old Stone Church Cemetery in the Adamsville section of Tiverton, R.I. The plane exploded on impact and Harris was killed.
Harris was a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve serving at Quonset Point Naval Air Station.
Lt. Harris is buried in Island cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island. To see a photo of his grave go to www.findagrave.com, Memorial #15037581 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037581/anthony-max_leslie-harris
Sources;
Woonsocket Call, “British Aviators Named In R. I. Fatal Crashes”, June 17, 1943, Pg1.
Larry Webster, Aviation Archeologist & Historian
www.findagrave.com
Manchester, New Hampshire – November 8, 1944
U.S. Navy Avengers
National Archives Photo
On November 8, 1944, a TBM-1C Avenger, (Bu. No. 16890) crashed while flying a bombing practice mission over Manchester, New Hampshire. The pilot and one crewman aboard were killed.
(Pilot) Ensign William E. Ames.
AEM2C Sherman Eugene Dietz Jr., age 24. He’s buried at Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse, new York.
Sources:
NAS Squantum: The First Naval Air Reserve Base, (pg. 218-219) by Marc Frattasio
Findagrave.com
Warwick, Rhode Island – November 2, 1942
Curtis P-40 Aircraft
U. S. Army Air Corps Photo
On November 2, 1942, two U.S. Army P-40 fighter planes, based at Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick, were on a training flight over Narragansett Bay when they collided in mid-air.
One plane, (41-14183), piloted by Staff Sgt. John W. Smallsreed, 21, of Newton Falls, Ohio, suffered minor damage and was able to return safely to Hillsgrove.
The second plane, (41-14135), piloted by 2nd Lt. William H. Pierson, 23, of Chicago, suffered heavy wing damage, and he was forced to bail out. After the bailout, Pierson’s plane continued on and crashed in the center of the intersection of Barton Street and Grand Avenue in the Warwick Neck section of the city.
The aircraft narrowly missed an automobile being driven by Edward W. Thurber of Pawtuxet. The explosion of the P-40’s impact spewed debris and gasoline onto his car setting it on fire. Thurber, not knowing for sure what had just happened, jumped from his flaming car and allowed it to roll down a hill where it came to rest in a vacant lot and continued to burn.
A home at 49 Barton Avenue was also set on fire, but the owner was able to extinguish the flames with a garden hose.
Mrs. Forrest B. Morgan of Grand Avenue told reporters that she had been standing where the plane crashed for twenty minutes waiting for her daughter. She had just started back towards her home when the plane hit and was not injured.
Meanwhile, Lt. Pierson was seen landing in Narragansett Bay where he disappeared after hitting the water. Four volunteer firemen from the Conimicut Fire Department launched a boat to rescue Pierson, but needed to be rescued themselves when their boat capsized in the rough water.
Some reports were later received that Pearson had been rescued, but these were found to be in error. He was officially reported as “missing”.
Harry Robbins, an eye witness to the crash, told reporters, “One (plane) passed under the other and the two wings hit. The bottom plane turned over a couple of times, the pilot jumped out, and one wing started to smoke. Then the plane made two wide circles and I saw it coming towards me. The explosion it made when it landed was deafening.”
Lt. Pierson’s body was later recovered on November 30th. He’s buried in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76339168/william-h-pierson
S/Sgt. Smallsreed was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He died in North Africa on May 23, 1943. To see a photo of him click on the link. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56250377/john-w-smallsreed
Source:
Providence Journal, “Two Army Planes Collide Over Bay; One Pilot Missing”, November 3, 1942, Pg. 1
Warwick, Rhode Island – April 12, 1943
P-47C Thunderbolt
U.S. Air Force Photo
On the morning of April 12, 1943, four army P-47C Thunderbolts took off from Hillsgrove Army Air Field in Warwick for a formation training flight. The flight leader was 2nd Lt. Eldred G. Howard, with 2nd Lt. Gordon M. Kimpel in the number two position, followed by 2nd Lt. John H. Schrik, and 2nd Lt. Clifton D. Wheeler Jr.
While flying an extended string formation at 8,000 feet, Lt. Howard pulled upwards expecting the other three planes to follow. Lt. Kimpel followed, but the sun temporarily blinded him causing him to loose sight of Howard. Kimpel’s aircraft (41-6634) then crashed into the rear of Howard’s (41-6174).
Howard’s plane went straight down into Narragansett Bay off an area known as “Sally Rocks” killing him. An employee of the Harris & Parson Shipyard saw the plane crash into the water and immediately set out in a boat but couldn’t locate the pilot. He marked the approximate location with a buoy.
Meanwhile Kimpel’s P-47 crashed in a swampy area off Cowesett Avenue in the Cowesett section of Warwick and started a raging forest fire. Kimpel managed to bail out, but was struck by the rear stabilizer of his plane and killed. His body came down in a small pond near Meunier’s Shell Fish Company at Arnold’s Neck.
Exploding ammunition and numerous spectators hampered fire fighting efforts.
In his witness statement given later to army investigators, Lt. Schrik stated: “On April 12th, I was flying in a formation consisting of Lts. Howard, Wheeler, Kimpel, and myself. The time was approximately 0845. I saw Lt. Howard’s and Lt. Kimpel’s planes collide and Lt. Howard’s plane went almost straight down. I saw the plane hit the water and disappear. As I was watching the plane during its entire descent, I know that Lt. Howard did not bail out or jump from the plane.”
Lt. Wheeler related the following in his statement. “On April 12th, at approximately 0845, I was flying in a formation consisting of Lts. Howard, Kimpel, Schrik and myself. I saw Lt. Howard’s and Lt. Kimpel’s planes collide. Lt. Howard’s plane went straight down at an angle of about 35 degrees in a south easterly direction. I saw the plane hit the water and know that Lt. Howard did not bail out or get out of the plane, as I watched it during the entire descent. The plane disappeared immediately upon hitting the water.”
As a footnote to this incident, Lt. John H. Schrik did not survive the war. He was killed in action in New Guinea on August 15, 1943, and is buried in Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14637040/john-h-schrik
To see a photo of Lt. Gordon Kimpel click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168830355/gordon-kimpel
Lieutenant Howard was from Detroit, Michigan.
Sources:
Pawtucket Times, “Pilot Is Killed In Plane Crash”, April 12, 1943, Pg. 1
The Rhode Island Pendulum, “Pursuit Plane Crash Sets Off Forest Blaze In Cowesett Area”, April 15, 1943, page 8.
U.S. Army Crash Investigation Report # 43-4-12-7
Website: Find-A-Grave – John H. Schrik
The North Adams Transcript, (Mass.) “Fear 2 Pilots Dead In Crash Of Planes”, April 13, 1943, pg. 1
Quonset Point Naval Air Station – June 14, 1943
Updated April 27, 2016
Updated December 15, 2024
British Corsairs – WWII
U.S. Navy Photo
At 1:45 p.m. on June 14, 1943, Sub-Lieutenant Douglas Hamilton Morgan, (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), was in the process of taking off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Just after becoming airborne the aircraft suddenly lost power and crashed into a bombsite storage building setting it ablaze. When crash crews arrived they found Morgan lying on the ground with his clothing on fire. After beating out the flames they put Morgan into an ambulance. As they were doing so, a bomb inside the building exploded driving fire crews back. A few moments later two more explosions occurred sending shrapnel flying in all directions injuring members of the fire crew and damaging the fire tucks. Windows of nearby buildings were blown out. Three of the fire crew received serious injuries.
Members of the fire crew were listed as; J. V. Slatterly, Williams, Quinn, F. Gilchrest, J. McLaughlin, J. Waterman, and W. A. O’Neil.
Lt. Morgan initially survived the crash, but died the following day. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, November 11, 1923, and was 19-years-old at the time of his death. He was commissioned a midshipman in the R.N.V.R in 1942.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037579/douglas-hamilton-morgan
It was reported that Morgan was flying a single-seat aircraft, but the type was not specified. (Possibly a Corsair) A newspaper account published June 17th mentioned another R.N.V.R. pilot was also killed on June 14 in an air crash in Rhode Island, but no specifics were given. That pilot was identified as Lieutenant Anthony Max Leslie Harris, 20, R.N.V.R., of Surrey, England.
Update 1: It has since been learned that Lt. Harris was killed when his Corsair I crashed behind a church in Tiverton, Rhode Island, on June 14, 1943. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037581/anthony-max_leslie-harris
Quonset Point NAS
June 14, 1943
U.S. Navy Photo
The aircraft piloted by Sub-Lieutenant Morgan was a Corsair I, on loan to the British.
(U.S. Navy Bu. No. 18139)
(British number JT-117)
Both Lt. Harris and Sub-Lieutenant Morgan are buried in Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.
Sources:
Woonsocket Call, “Victim Of Bomb Crash In Critical Condition”, June 16, 1943, Pg.1
Woonsocket Call, “British Aviators Names In R.I. Fatal Crashes”, June 17, 1943, Pg. 1
University of Edinburgh Roll Of Honor, 1939- 1945
North Kingstown, Rhode Island, death records #43-36
www.findagrave.com, Memorial #15037581, and 15037579
Quonset Point Crash Station Record, June 6, 1943 to November 11, 1943. Providence College Library.
Atlantic Ocean – July 23, 1942
Approximate Location: Lat. 40-40 N, long. 70-25 W.
Updated January 16, 2023
OS2U Kingfisher
U.S. Navy Photo
On July 23, 1942, a flight of U.S. Navy Kingfisher aircraft were on a training flight over the Atlantic off the coast of Rhode Island when they encountered what the navy termed “extremely bad weather”. As the planes continued on visibility dropped to near zero.
One of the planes was piloted by Ensign Harold W. Gray, 25, from Long Eddy, New York. With him was an observer, Lieutenant (jg) William Boddie Bartels, of Memphis, Tenn. Upon entering the weather system, the flight leader signaled to Gray close in tighter which he did, taking a position to the leader’s right. The leader wanted Gray to be able to keep him n sight as visibility dropped. The flight leader went on instrument flight shortly afterwards, and at this time the planes were only 500 feet above the water.
The leader began a shallow turn to the right, and as he did so, Gray elected to slide his aircraft up and over the tail of the leader to take a new position on the leader’s left. Gray’s aircraft disappeared into the scud and was never seen again.
According to the naval investigation report, it was the opinion of naval investigators that Gray, “lost sight of the leader and being in an unusual position and finding himself with no reference point, due to vertigo, he was unable to orient himself on instruments in time to avoid crashing into the water.”
The aircraft was an OS2U-3 Kingfisher, Bu. No. 09404, assigned to Quonset Point Naval Air Station, VB-9.
To see more info about Lt. (jg) Bartels and Ens. Gray, click on the links below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84389917/harold-william-gray
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77497519/william-boddie-bartels
Sources:
U.S. Navy Accident Investigation Brief #43-4537
Woonsocket Call, “Navy Airmen Lost On Patrol Flight”, July 24, 1942, Pg. 1
The Waterbury Democrat, (Ct.) “Navy Plane Lost With Two Aboard”, July 24, 1942, pg. 4
Atlantic Ocean – December 12, 1943
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On December 12, 1943, a B-24 Liberator (42-7225) took off from Westover Field in Chicopee, Massachusetts, for a nighttime high altitude navigational and gunnery training flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft was never seen again.
The air crew was assigned to the 758th Bombardment Squadron, 459th Bomb Group.
The lost crewmen were listed as follows:
(Pilot) Lt. William P. Masters
(Co-Pilot) Lt. Robert R. Hansen To see an obit and photo of Lt. Hansen’ s grave, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70943303/robert-rollin-hansen
(Gunner) Sgt. Cecil H. Conklin
(Gunner) Sgt. Anthony L. Greco
(Gunner) Sgt. Dean G. McCaffrey
(Radio Operator) Sgt. Bernard G. Stoeckley
(Gunner) Sgt. Anson G. Wiseman
(Flight Engineer) Sgt. Stanley E. Zajac
A bronze memorial plaque at the New England Air Museum honoring the lost crew of a B-24 Liberator (42-7225)
A memorial to these men can be seen at the New England Air Museum in Winsor Locks, Connecticut.
Click on image to enlarge.
Source: 459th bombardment Group website
Charlestown, Rhode Island – March 2, 1945
Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Field
Updated July 13, 2017
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
At 11:15 p.m. on March 2, 1945, Lt. (jg.) Kenneth B. McQuady, age 21, took off from Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station in an F6F-5N Hellcat, (Bu. No. 71418,) for a night training flight. Just after he became airborne, his aircraft was seen to lose altitude and crash on the ice covered water of Charlestown Pond at the end of Runway 22. Upon impact the belly tank ruptured and caught fire. The plane bounced another 100 yards before coming to rest. Lt. McQuady received fatal injuries.
Lt. McQuady is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Bartow, Florida.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37759116/kenneth-bruce-mcquady
The propeller from Lieutenant McQuady’s Hellcat was recovered years after his accident and presented to the Quonset Air Museum and made into a memorial.
Quonset Air Museum Memorial to Lt. Jg. Kenneth Bruce McQuady
Description of accident that killed Lt. McQuady
Unfortunately, since this original posting, the Quonset Air Museum has closed.
Sources:
Quonset Air Museum
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated March 2, 1945
Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Airfield Memorial
Charlestown, Rhode Island
Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Field began operations in September of 1943. Ensign George H. W. Bush trained there in 1944. The field was decommissioned January 30, 1974, and is today known as Ninigret Park.
During its years of operation, 62 airmen connected to the field lost their lives. At the bottom of this page are some links relating to the names on the memorial.
Click on images to enlarge.
Memorial to the 62 men who lost their lives at Charlestown Auxiliary Field, Charlestown, R.I.
Names of those on the memorial.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
Sign for Charlestown Auxiliary Landing Field
Charlestown, R.I.
Links to the names on the memorial that tell their story:
Narragansett Bay – February 10, 1945
One mile northeast off Quonset Point Naval Air Station
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On February 10, 1945, Ensign Pierce Hubert Beach, 22, took off from Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, in an F6F-5N Hellcat (Bu. No. 58058) for a routine training flight where he and other aircraft were to practice carrier landings and takeoffs. He was killed when his plane crashed into Narragansett Bay.
Ensign Beach earned his pilots wings at Pensacola, Florida, in May of 1944, and was married in June, ’44. To see a photo of Ensign beach, click on the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180839171/pierce-hubert-beach
Sources:
Lewiston Daily Sun, “Navy Pilot Killed; Another Missing”, February 12, 1945, Pg. 1
Larry Webster, Aviation Historian & Archeologist
The (Bunnell Florida) Flagler Tribune, (no headline) February 15, 1945
U.S. Navy Accident Report dated February 10, 1945
Groton, Connecticut – October 19, 1944
Updated January 13, 2019
U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo
On October 19, 1944, a navy Hellcat fighter plane crashed into the roof of a home belonging to Fillibert L. Bergeron, causing substantial damage to the structure. (The exact address was not stated in the press.) As the plane tore through the house, it snagged the blanket off a sleeping 2-year-old girl. After striking the home, the aircraft continued onward and came down in the nearby school yard of the Colonel Ledyard School on Chicago Avenue. State troopers found the blanket amidst the aircraft wreckage.
The pilot was identified as navy Lieutenant W. J. McCartney, of Toledo, Ohio, who survived the ordeal with non-life threatening injuries.
The sleeping girl was unharmed.
Update: Lieutenant McCartney later married a woman who lived in the home his aircraft crashed into. The story of their romance was published in a book titled “New London Goes To War” (c. 2011), written by Connecticut author Clark van der Lyke, who in 1944 was a child attending the school where Lieutenant McCartney’s Hellcat came to rest. Mr. van der Lyke has also published the story in Kindle format under the title “Cupid Was His Co-pilot”.
Source:
New York Times, “Plane Wrecks Room; Sleeping Baby Saved”, October 20, 1944. (Two photos with article.)
Martha’s Vineyard – January 6, 1945
U.S. Navy TBM Avengers
National Archives Photo
Just after midnight on the morning of January 6, 1945, navy Lieutenant Robert L. deVeer was making a night training flight from Martha’s Vineyard to Otis Air Field in Falmouth, Massachusetts, when his plane, a TBM Avenger, went down in a wooded area near the Mayhew Memorial Chapel in North Tisbury, on Martha’s Vineyard. Although seriously injured, deVeer was able to extricate himself from the burning wreckage. He was transported to Chelsea Naval Hospital for treatment.
Source: Falmouth Enterprise, “Injured Flyer Has Home Here”, January 12, 1945
Farmington, Connecticut – April 11, 1945
P-47D Thunderbolt – U.S. Air Force Photo
On April 11, 1945, two P-47 fighter aircraft took off from Bradley Field in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, for an instrument training flight. One of the aircraft, a P-47D, (Ser. No. 42-22360), was piloted by 2nd Lt. Vincent Hugh Core, 20, of Brooklyn, New York. While passing over the town of Framington, Lt. Core’s aircraft was observed to plunge straight down into a wooded swampy area and explode leaving a crater reported to be 12 to 15 feet deep, and 30 feet wide. One source identifies the location as being on a farm belonging to John Lipski, and another as belonging to Leo Grouten.
In 1987, 41 years after the crash, David Tabol, a Farmington Boy Scout, erected a granite monument near the crash site as a memorial to Lt. Core. (The site is now part of the Unionville State Forrest.) Further back in the woods is a crude piles of rocks, which some believe was left by the military clean-up crew to serve as a marker for the site.
Sources:
The Bristol Press, “Pilot Killed, Plane Blown To Pieces In Crash In Farmington”, April 11, 1945, pg. 1
The Bristol Press, ” Army Investigating Crash Of Plane In Farmington; Brooklyn Flier Is Killed”, April 12, 1945
The Bristol Press,”WWII Tragedy, Air Force Pilot Crashes, Dies In Unionville Forest In 1945″, by Ken Lipshez, October, 1995.
Connecticut Department Of Health Death Certificate
Fort Devens – April 21, 1942
At about 7:45 p.m. on April 21, 1942, a U.S. Army O-52 (40-4702) was returning from a training flight when it suddenly crashed near a small pond at Fort Devens killing both occupants.
The dead were identified as 1st Lt. Gerald Patrick Kennedy, 26, of Providence, R.I., and 2nd Lt. Robert Wright Hoeker, 24, of Illiopolia, Ill. Later in the evening Kennedy was scheduled to attend a party in his honor due to his recent promotion to first lieutenant. As a point of fact, Lt. Hoeker wasn’t scheduled to be on that flight, but he had taken the place of another officer.
The aircraft was part of the 152nd Observation Squadron, and it was reported that these were the first airplane related fatalities in the history of the 152nd. The 152nd had been stationed at Hillsgrove Airport in Warwick, R.I. prior to being transferred in the summer of 1941 to Fort Devens.
Today there is a hanger named for Lt. Kennedy at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. (Formerly Hillsgrove)
Source:
Woonsocket Call, “Army Probing Devens Plane Crash In Which 2 Met Death”, April 22, 1942, Pg. 1
Westerly, Rhode Island – October 24, 1943
U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger
National Archives Photo
On October 24, 1943, a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger (Bu. No. 06096) piloted by Ensign Ralph E. Sethness, 28, was approaching Westerly Auxiliary Air Field (Today known as Westerly State Airport) when the plane developed engine trouble and crashed on the golf course of the Winnapaug Country Club. (The club was, and still is, located at 180 Shore Road in Westerly.)
The plane came down near the 7th hole and burst into flames. Two local men, Robert C. Gentile, and Benjamin B. York, were the first to arrive at the scene where they found the badly injured pilot lying right next to the burning wreck with live ammunition from the plane’s machine guns starting to go off. With disregard for their own safety, they carried Ensign Sethness fifty feet away and lay him down. No sooner had they done so, the plane’s fuel tanks exploded spraying flaming gasoline all about the area. The flames quickly set off a succession of machine gun rounds, and Gentile shielded the injured man with his body. This lasted for about two minutes until the heat of the flames forced them to move Ensign Sethness another fifty feet away. There they tended to him as best they could until fire and rescue units arrived.
Both men were later awarded the Carnegie Medal of Heroism for their efforts.
The Grumman Avenger generally carried a crew of three men however, on this particular flight Ensign Sethness was alone. The reason for the flight was not stated, nor was the cause of the accident. Ensign Sethness was assigned to torpedo squadron VT-15.
Sources:
The Westerly Sun, “Saw Plane Crash, Shore Road Men Rush To Scene”, October 25, 1943
U.S. Navy accident report #44-9275
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
Boston Airport – June 28, 1942
Updated March 7, 2016
P-40 Warhawk
U.S. Air Force Photo
On June 28, 1942, 2nd Lt. Albert J. Wiebe was on a formation training flight over the Boston area when his aircraft, a P-40E, (Ser. No. 40-539) developed engine trouble. He left the formation to return to Boston Airport. As he was making his approach to land when his plane lost power and crashed. Lt. Wiebe did not survive.
Lt. Wiebe was from West New York, New Jersey. He enlisted in September of 1941, and received his commission on April 23, 1942. He was survived by his wife.
At the time of his death he was assigned to the 64th Fighter Squadron.
Sources:
New York Times, “4 Army Fliers Die In Ohio”, June 29, 1942 (The article covered more than one accident.)
U.S. Army Air Corps Technical Report Of Aircraft Accident, dated July 12, 1942
Londonderry, New Hampshire – September 30, 1943
Updated January 28, 2022
Beech At-10
U.S. Air Force Photo
On September 30, 1943, a Beech AT-10, (#42-43597) with two officers aboard left Troy, New York, on a cross-country navigation flight to Grenier Field, in Manchester, New Hampshire. While enroute they encountered IFR rules conditions. While passing over the town of Londonderry they aircraft crashed in a heavily wooded near Scobie Pond. The plane did not burn, but both were men aboard were killed. The wreckage was discovered the following day.
The dead were identified as:
1st Lt. William C. Curtis, age 23. He’s buried in Mound Cemetery in Racine, Wisconsin.
2nd Lt. Charles Wilson Jr., age 23. He’s buried in Hillside Cemetery in Eastport, Washington. To see a photo and obituary of Lt. Wilson, click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79166095/charles-harold-wilson
Sources:
Nashua Telegraph, “Grenier Field Airmen Dead In Plane Crash”, October 2, 1943.
Book: “Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents In The Unites States, 1941-1945”, by Anthony J. Mireles, C. 2006.
www.findagrave.com
Pawtuckaway State Park – November 29, 1944
B-24 Liberator
U.S. Air Force Photo
On November 29, 1944, a B-24 Liberator, (#44-49669) took off from Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, en-route overseas. When the plane was about 16 miles north-east of Manchester it suffered a structural failure in the rear rudder system causing the pilot to loose control. The B-24 crashed and burned at the base of Middle Mountain in Pawtuckaway State Park in the town of Nottingham, N.H. There were no survivors.
As part of the investigation into this crash, military authorities spoke with three witnesses who stated the plane was flying low and even, and not trailing smoke of flame. Two reported seeing an object or objects fall away from the aircraft just before the crash.
The dead were identified as:
(Pilot) 2nd Lt. Paul Lavern Hackstock, 24, of Fort Morgan, Colorado. He’s buried in Riverside Cemetery in Fort Morgan. (See www.Findagrave.com)
(Co-pilot) 2nd Lt. Wilbur C. Stephenson, 23, of Cokesville, Penn. He’s buried in Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville Penn.
(Navigator) Warrant Officer Russell L. Jones, 20, of Grand Rapids, Mich. He’s buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Mich.
(Engineer/Gunner) Cpl. Calvin R. Rickenback, 19, of Ephrata, Penn.
(Radio Operator/Gunner) Thomas L. McDougall, 21, of Marydel, Maryland. He enlisted Jan. 22, 1943.
(Gunner) Cpl. William L. Swarner Jr., 19, of Overland Park, KS. He’s buried n Highland Park Cemetery, Kansas City.
(Gunner) Cpl. Preston K. Smith, 19, of Strawberry Plains, Tenn. He’s buried in Thorngrove Cemetery, Thorngrove, Tenn.
(Gunner) Cpl. Kenneth J. Young, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
(Gunner) Cpl. Robert H. Wells, 24, of Hanover, N.H. Survived by his wife Myra.
Sources:
Nottingham Community Newsletter, Nov./Dec. 2013, Vol 15, Issue 6.
U.S. Army Air Force crash investigation report #45-11-29-19
www.findagrave.com
Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts – April 3, 1945
Ensign Vincent A. Frankwitz
The F6F-5 Hellcat flown by Ensign Vincent A. Frankwitz undergoing restoration at the Quonset Air Museum in R.I. Photo taken June, 2008.
On April 3, 1945, a flight of seven U.S. Navy Hellcats were on a training mission off the coast of Nantucket when one suffered a loss of oil pressure; an F6F-5, Bu. No. 70185. The pilot, Ensign Vincent A. Frankwitz, notified the flight leader of his predicament, and was ordered to land at Martha’s Vineyard, and began heading that way. While en-route, the engine seized, and he was forced to ditch in the water. Frankwitz scrambled from the plane before it sank, and was seen bobbing in the 42 degree water for the next twenty minutes. Rescue craft were launched, but Ensign Frankwitz succumbed to hypothermia before help could arrive, and his body sank beneath the waves. It was never recovered. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260429479/vincent-a-frankwitz
On August 13, 1993, a Massachusetts Army National Guard helicopter was flying over Nantucket Sound when the crew chief saw what he thought was an aircraft wreck on the ocean floor. The Coast Guard was notified, and investigation revealed that the wreck was an old one, draped with fishing nets.
A portion of the Hellcat flown by Ensign Vincent A. Frankwitz, removed during restoration, with the original blue paint still visible – Quonset Air Museum
Later in 1993, the aircraft was identified by Larry Webster, an aviation archeologist and historian with the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island, as likely being the one flown by Ensign Frankwitz. Divers who examined the wreck later confirmed this to be the case.
The Hellcat was in remarkably good condition despite its years in salt water. On December 4, 1993, the aircraft was raised and brought to Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, where it was carefully dismantled before it was shipped to the Quonset Air Museum for restoration.
As of this writing, the Hellcat is still undergoing restoration, and when it’s completed, it will serve as a memorial to Ensign Frankwitz, and all Navy and Marine airmen who lost their lives in WWII.
Update: The Quonset Air Museum has permanently closed. What became of the partially restored aircraft is unknown.
The name of Ensign Frankwitz can be found on the Charlestown Auxiliary Landing Field memorial in Ninigret Park, in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
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