Atlantic Ocean, off Rhode Island – June 27, 1969

     In the early morning hours of June 27, 1969, a navy helicopter with four crewmen aboard took off from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station to take part in anti-submarine training exercises about 72 miles south of Rhode Island.  At 3:10 a.m. the helicopter crashed into the ocean from an altitude of 40 feet, and sank.  Three of the four men aboard escaped, and were quickly rescued, but a forth was declared missing.

The missing crewman was identified as Petty Officer 2/c John R. Anthony, 23, of Birmingham, Michigan.

The helicopter was described as a Sikorsky 2-engine jet helo.

Source:

Providence Evening Bulletin, “Quonset Copter Crashes At Sea; One Is Missing”, June 27, 1969, p.28.

Providence Journal, “Search Cannot Locate Sailor Lost In Crash” June 29, 1969.