USS Essex History | New England Aviation History

Atlantic Ocean – March 29, 1967

July 29, 2026

Atlantic Ocean – March 29, 1967

On March 29, 1967, the aircraft carrier USS Essex was crusing about 70 miles south-east of Rhode Island taking part in training exercises. A helicopter with three men aboard took off from the carrier and crashed into the ocean. Rescue operations were instituted and the co-pilot was pulled from the water and taken aboard the destroyer Hammerburg where he later died of his injuries. The other two men aboard perished when they sank with the helicopter.

The men were identified as:

Pilot – Lieutenant James P. Borsic, 27, of Hazelton, Ohio. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24086394/james-paul-borsic

Co-pilot – Lieutenant (Jg.) Michael F. Burns, 25, of Harrington Park, New Jersey. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49223860/michael-f-burns

Tec 3/C David B. Dutko, 23, of Bethlehem, Penn. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24084211/david-bruce-dutko

All were assigned to Anti-Submarine Squadron 9.

The Essex was assigned to the Quonset Point Naval Air Station at the time of the accident.

Sources:

Evening Bulletin, “Carrier Essex Copter Crashes; 1 Dead, 2 Lost”, March 30, 1967, Pg. 1.

Evening Bulletin, “Navy Drops Hunt For Two Missing Men”, March 31, 1967, pg. 25.

Narragansett Bay, R.I. – August 31, 1963

July 2, 2017

Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island – August 31, 1963

Douglas AD-4N Skyraider
Naval History And Heritage Command

On August 31, 1963, navy Lieutenant (jg.) John L. Grunert, 25, was piloting a Douglas Skyraider aircraft over Narragansett Bay on a routine training flight when the aircraft developed engine trouble. Grunert was forced to ditch the plane in the water between the Quonset Point Naval Air Station and the southern tip of Jamestown. He escaped from the plane before it sank, and was rescued by a passing civilian boat. He suffered only minor injuries.

Lieutenant (jg.) Grunert, a native of Florida, was attached to Early Warning Squadron 33, aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Essex, which had arrived at Quonset Point the day before.

Source:

Providence Evening Bulletin, (R.I.),”Navy Pilot On Training Flight Ditches In Narragansett Bay”, August 31, 1963