Bennington, Vermont – August 13, 1945
On August 13, 1945, a Taylorcraft private plane carrying two people crashed shortly after takeoff at Bennington Airport, killing both. Those aboard were identified as Grace Elizabeth Everett, 23, also known as “Betty Grace”, and U.S. Army Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Robert Lancaster, 23.
Both victims were experienced pilots. Miss Everett had served as a W.A.S.P. pilot during WWII, and Lt. Lancaster as a B-17 bomber pilot. Lancaster had been shot down during one of his missions and spent time in a German POW camp, and had only recently been repatriated to the U.S.
It was not clear which of the two was flying the aircraft as the plane had two seats side by side and could be controlled from either side.
Lt. Lancaster is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 10, Site 10663 EH
Miss Everett is buried in Parklawn Cemetery in Bennington.
Sources:
(Tarrytown, NY) The Daily News, “Two Killed In Plane Crash”, August 14, 1945
Bygone Bennington on WBTN-AM 1370, “August 13, 1945, A Plane Crashes At Bennington Airport, Number 91” (No date given) https://sites.google.com/site/bygonebennington/
(Troy NY) The Times Record, “Airplane Tragedy Probe Continues At Bennington” August 14, 1945.
(Troy NY) The Times Record, “Rites Conducted For Plane Crash Victim”, August 17, 1945
(Cambridge NY) Washington County Post, “Two Killed In Airport Crash”, August 16, 1945
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