Quonset Point Naval Air Station – May 12, 1950
On the morning of May 12, 1950, a flight of two navy TBM-3E Avengers were scheduled to leave the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and fly cross-country to Grouse Isle, Michigan, and then on to Minneapolis, Minn.
Both aircraft taxied into position for takeoff on Runway 34. Bu. No. 85516, piloted by a Commander, was to be the lead plane, and Bu. No. 85813, piloted by Ensign Roland S. Warde III, (22), was to be the “wing man”.
When it was Ensign Warde’s turn to take off, he applied full throttle and traveled 700 feet down the runway before leaving the ground at which time his aircraft began to go into a steep climb. Moments later the aircraft stalled, and fell back to the runway where it burst into flame.
There were two passengers aboard Ensign Warde’s aircraft, and both managed to escape with non-life-threatening injuries. Ensign Warde perished in the fire.
Ensign Warde is buried in Highland Cemetery in Norwood, Massachusetts.
Sources:
U. S. Navy accident report
www.findagrave.com, Memorial #129127377