Wells, Maine – August 5, 1948
Updated September 2025.
P-51 Mustang – U.S. Air Force Photo
On August 5, 1948, a flight of four F-51 Mustang fighter planes took off from Grenier Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, for a formation training flight. All were part of the 82nd Fighter Group stationed at Grenier.
While passing over Wells, Maine, one of the aircraft fell out of formation and crashed in a wooded area near Berwick Road. The pilot, First Lieutenant Charles J. Murry, (26), was killed.
The cause of the accident wasn’t stated in the press.
Lieutenant Murry had served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater during WWII and flew 73 combat missions. He was survived by his wife and young daughter. He’s buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Saint Mary’s, Kansas.
To view a photo of Lt. Murry’s grave click here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/148033267/charles-joseph-murry
The F-51 Mustang was formerly known as the P-51. The designation was changed in 1947.
Sources:
The Nashua Telegraph, “Lt. Murry Dies As Fighter Plane Goes Into Dive”, August 6, 1948, page 1.
www.findagrave.com
email contact with Lt. Murry’s daughter, September 7, 2025.
