Westover Air Force Base – October 9, 1953

Westover Air Force Base – October 9, 1953

 

F-86 Sabre – U.S. Air Force Photo

     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    

 

Westover AFB – August 12, 1953

Westover Air Force Base – August 12, 1953

Chicopee, Massachusetts

     On August 12,1953, a U.S. Navy R6D-1 (#131586) crashed on take-off from Westover Air Force Base, for what was to be a routine train1ng flight.  According to witnesses, the plane had just lifted off, and while at an altitude of about 200 feet, it suddenly banked sharply to the right, and dropped low enough for the right wing to strike the ground.  The plane then cart-wheeled, broke apart, and burst into flames.   All four navy men aboard were killed. 

     The dead were identified as:

Lt. Frank A. McGinnis

Lt. Frank A. McGinnis

     (Pilot) Lieutenant Frank A. McGinnis, 34, of Haledon, New Jersey.  He served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.  He was survived by his wife and three children.  

Lt. Cmdr. Chester E. Perkins

Lt. Cmdr. Chester E. Perkins

     (Co-pilot) Lieut. Commander Chester Earl Perkins, 35, of Corpus Christi, Texas.  He was a veteran of WWII, having served as a ferry service pilot.  He’s buried in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston, and was survived by his wife, Catherine.  To see other photographs of Lt. Cmdr. Perkins, and learn more info, see www.findagrave.com, Memorial #128688567  

J. T. Carew

J. T. Carew

     (Flight Mechanic) Aviation Machinist’s Mate, J. T. Carew, 24, of Maynard, Massachusetts.  (Carew was only identified by his first initials, and attempts to learn his first name were unsuccessful.)

William A. Holmes

William A. Holmes

     Aviation Machinist’s Mate William A. Holmes, 23, of Merrian, Kansas.  He joined the navy in 1948, and had been stationed at Westover since 1949.  In 1950 he married a girl from Holyoke, Massachusetts, and they had two sons.  He’s buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas, Block #20.  (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #147995382)

     The Douglas R6D-1 was a four-engine cargo-transport aircraft that was also known as a DC-6. 

     Source:

     Unknown Newspaper, “Probe Crash OF Navy Plane That Killed 4 At Westover”, August, 13 or 14, 1953.   

     

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