Westover Air Force Base – October 9, 1953
At 3:15 a.m. on the morning of October 9, 1953, Captain Joseph Vitale, 35, was preparing to take off on Runway 06 at Westover AFB in an F-86D Sabre, (Ser. No. 51-5948), for a routine training flight. After receiving instruction from the tower, Capt. Vitale began his start down the runway, but for some unknown reason was unable to become airborne. The jet left the end of the runway and struck a mound of dirt recently excavated from a trench, and went airborne for a distance of about 200 feet before slamming into the ground. Captain Vitale was ejected from the aircraft, but it was unclear if it was due to a malfunction, or if he had done so intentionally.
When rescue personnel reached his side he was found to be unconscious due to a head injury. He was admitted to the hospital, but never regained consciousness before succumbing to his injuries on October 16th.
Captain Vitale was an experienced aviator who’d flown 100 combat missions during his military career. He’d earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and three battle stars while serving in Korea. He was survived by his wife and four children.
At the time of his accident Captain Vitale was assigned to the 60th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Westover AFB.
Sources:
Unknown Newspaper, “Capt. Joseph Vitale and Lt. J.T. Rebo Die In Hospital”, October 10, 1053. (Lt. Rebo dies from injuries in a separate and unrelated accident.)
usafunithistory.com, 60th F.S. – USAF Orders Of Battle