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
