Atlantic Ocean – April 18, 1944

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.

Return to Top ▲Return to Top ▲