Crashes and Accidents: WWII 1941
January- June 1941
Dedicated to Eagles who caressed our skies.
May we NEVER forget!
I am in the process of documenting every airplane crash and accident that occurred at Mitchel Field/Mitchel AFB.
Researching and cross-referencing crash records and documents is a time consuming and tedious process.
I hope to include details and photos.
Please be patient and check back often for updates.
Air crashes, mechanical failure and landing and takeoff accidents are regular events on an active airfield, especially during WWII. Airmen from Mitchel Field were constantly flying East Coast defensive fighter patrols and anti-submarine patrols, along with training and overseas transient flights. Accidents were bound to happen with all the increased wartime activity.
A new book in 2006 by researcher Anthony J. Mireles, and research by Marlyn R. Pierce in 2013 indicated that:
"Throughout the war, (1940 through 1945), the U.S. Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces suffered over 54,000 accidents, including 6,351 fatal accidents in the continental United States, resulting in the loss of 7,114 airplanes and the death of 15,530 personnel. This was an average of ten deaths and nearly 40 accidents, fatal and non-fatal, a day. The Army Air Forces reached its peak for both training and accidents in 1943. That year the Army Air Forces suffered 2,268 fatal accidents that resulted in over 5,600 fatalities and over 2,500 aircraft damaged or destroyed. The situation was better in 1944 with a 14 percent drop in accidents compared with 1943. However, there were still nearly 2,000 fatal accidents and the death of 5,000 pilots and crew."
Overall, most of the fatal accidents (2,101) occurred in primary, basic, and advanced trainers, while 2,796 aviators died in the 490 fatal B-24 accidents, followed by 1,757 who died in 284 B-17 crashes.
Of the fighter plane accidents, 455 pilots died in 404 crashes involving P-47 Thunderbolts, while 369 and 337 lost their lives in P-39 and P-38 accidents, respectively.
The U.S. Eighth Air Force in Europe suffered more than 26,000 men killed due to enemy action, mechanical problems, and accidents during the war. But training, as we have seen, was just as hazardous, with more than 15,500 losing their lives in service to their country before they were ever able to face the enemy. These accidents accounted for over 15,000 fatalities, the equivalent of a World War Two infantry division.
Unfortunately, their sacrifices were seldom noted. At a few places around the country, a simple plaque or marker or monument lists the names of those who died but, because they did not die due to enemy action, they were not eligible to receive the Purple Heart medal, posthumously. For the most part, their sacrifices are forgotten by the nation they had sworn to serve and protect.
The following web pages document my research and compilation of every crash or accident that occurred at Mitchel Field from 1917-1961. Pre-war and Post-war are subdivided by decade or half decade periods, while the war years have been divided year by year.
All fatal crashes have been noted in RED TYPE.
Where available I have included details, photos, and news clippings, as well as the further dispositions of the aircraft involved.
Thank You! Paul Martin: Webmaster
References
Anthony J. Mireles, Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945
(Jefferson NC: McFarland, 2006)
MARLYN R. PIERCE, EARNING THEIR WINGS: ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE DURING FLIGHT TRAINING WORLD WAR TWO by MARLYN R. PIERCE B.A. University of Houston, 1983 M.A. University of Louisville, 1994 MMAS, US Army Command and General Staff College, 1998 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2013
January - June 1941
1941 Crashes and accidents. Most involve MF based aircraft and pilots crashing at or in the vicinity of MF. Some involve other Airfield based pilots crashing at or on their way to Mitchel Field. Still others involve MF based pilots and aircraft crashing en-route to, or at, other Airfields. Home base indicated first, crash location indicated second.
1941: 98 Crashes and accidents. 9 Military fatalities.
3 civilian fatalities
KEY:
Date: Aircraft Type: Serial Number: Sqdn.-Group: Home Base: Action:
Pilot: Country/State: Location of Crash/Accident
Pilot: Country/State: Location of Crash/Accident
January 7, 1941: P-40 39-194 35PS 8PG Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Kush, Arthur J. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Kush, Arthur J. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
January 10,(13?) 1941: P-40 39-211(212?) 36PS 8PG Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Ruestow, Paul E. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY wrecked at Mitchell Field and damaged beyond repair
Ruestow, Paul E. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY wrecked at Mitchell Field and damaged beyond repair
410121 B-18A 37-538 41RS 22BG Langley Field, VA MAC 2
Stefonowicz, Leroy L. USA NY 30 miles East of Mitchel Field, NY
410121 B-18A 37-614 33BS Langley Field, VA MAC 3
Anderson, George R. USA NY 30 miles East of Mitchel Field, NY
Stefonowicz, Leroy L. USA NY 30 miles East of Mitchel Field, NY
410121 B-18A 37-614 33BS Langley Field, VA MAC 3
Anderson, George R. USA NY 30 miles East of Mitchel Field, NY
410123 P-40 39-215 33PS 8PG Mitchel Field, NY LAC 3 Webber, W. A. USANY Mitchel Field, NY
February 4, 1941
February 4, 1941: P-40 39-207 33PS Mitchel Field, NY Killed in Crash Structural Failure (KCSF)
Pilot Sherman E. Denny USA NY Northport, L.I., NY: 207 wrecked at Northport, NY off Long Island, NY Feb 4, 1941.
Pilot Sherman E. Denny USA NY Northport, L.I., NY: 207 wrecked at Northport, NY off Long Island, NY Feb 4, 1941.
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Sherman Elmer Denny BIRTH 30 Apr 1915 Canada DEATH 4 Feb 1941 (aged 25) BURIAL Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA PLOT OS, 337 |
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Sherman Elmer Denny
Yearbook Del Sudoeste, San Diego State College, 1940, p. 175 |
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Nassau Daily Revue Star: February 5, 1941 
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Lt. Sherman Elmer Denny
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The Northport Journal February 7, 1941 
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The Long Islander February 6, 1941 |
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Newsday February 5, 1941
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New York Times
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February 5, 1941
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February 6, 1941: P-40s Mid-air collision in Wyandanch
February 6, 1941: 410206 P-40 39-214 36PS 66PS Mitchel Field, NY Killed, Mid Air Collision (KMAC)
Eakin, John H. USA NY Wyandach, L.I., NY
Eakin, John H. USA NY Wyandach, L.I., NY
February 6, 1941: 410206 P-40 39-202 36PS 66PS Mitchel Field, NY Mid Air Collision (MAC)
Laycock, Joseph. T. H. USA NY Wyandach, L.I., NY
Laycock, Joseph. T. H. USA NY Wyandach, L.I., NY
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The mid-air collision of two Curtiss P-40 fighters over Wyandanch on February 6, 1941, killed one army pilot John H. Eakin, whose fighter plane crashed on Main Avenue, the other piloted by Joseph T. H. Laycock came to earth on Long Island Avenue near Little East Neck Road. Laycock survived the crash.
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Lt. John H. Eakin's crash site
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Lt. Joseph T. H. Laycock's crash site
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The approximate sites of the 2 P-40 crashes and Laycock's parachute landing following the MAC.
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New York Time February 7 1941
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Newsday: March 7, 1941
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Ironically, Lt. Laycock would die just 1 year later, May 3, 1942, piloting a B-17 on a training mission at Pendleton Army Airfield, Oregon. He was killed in a ground collision crash of the four-motored bomber, about 20 miles southeast of the base near the community of Meacham.
Baton Rouge, La., May 4 (AP)
First Lieut. Joseph T. Laycock of Baton Rouge who was killed yesterday in a bomber crash near Pendleton, Ore., cheated death in an air accident more than a year ago. At that time his plane locked wings with another
army ship in a flying formation over Farmingdale, New York, but Laycock parachuted to safety. The pilot of the other plane died. Laycock, 23, was a graduate of Louisiana State University.
The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, 4 May 1942, Monday, page 2.
Baton Rouge, La., May 4 (AP)
First Lieut. Joseph T. Laycock of Baton Rouge who was killed yesterday in a bomber crash near Pendleton, Ore., cheated death in an air accident more than a year ago. At that time his plane locked wings with another
army ship in a flying formation over Farmingdale, New York, but Laycock parachuted to safety. The pilot of the other plane died. Laycock, 23, was a graduate of Louisiana State University.
The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, 4 May 1942, Monday, page 2.
1LT Joseph Howell Laycock
BIRTH 4 Jan 1917
DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 25)
Meacham, Umatilla County, Oregon, USA
BURIAL Magnolia Cemetery
Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA
BIRTH 4 Jan 1917
DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 25)
Meacham, Umatilla County, Oregon, USA
BURIAL Magnolia Cemetery
Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA
May 3, 1942 B-17E 41-2565 HqSq 34BG Pendleton Field, OR KCRGC 5
Laycock, Joseph T H USA OR 24 mi SE of Pendleton, OR
2565 delivered to 34BG Pendleton, OR Feb 6, 1942; crashed SW of field at Meacham May 3, 1942, 6 dead including pilot. Aircraft salvaged. First Lieutenant Laycock was the pilot of B-17E Flying Fortress #41-2565, serving with the Headquarters Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Pendleton Army Airfield, Oregon. He was killed in a ground collision crash of the four-motored bomber, about 20 miles southeast of the base near the community of Meacham.
Laycock, Joseph T H USA OR 24 mi SE of Pendleton, OR
2565 delivered to 34BG Pendleton, OR Feb 6, 1942; crashed SW of field at Meacham May 3, 1942, 6 dead including pilot. Aircraft salvaged. First Lieutenant Laycock was the pilot of B-17E Flying Fortress #41-2565, serving with the Headquarters Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Pendleton Army Airfield, Oregon. He was killed in a ground collision crash of the four-motored bomber, about 20 miles southeast of the base near the community of Meacham.
Six other airmen perished:
2nd Lt. James M Brown SSgt. Harry G Cameron SSgt. Richard A Carmichael
Sgt. William A Forrest Sgt. John H Starr Cpl. Chester A Nowak
2nd Lt. James M Brown SSgt. Harry G Cameron SSgt. Richard A Carmichael
Sgt. William A Forrest Sgt. John H Starr Cpl. Chester A Nowak
CPL Chester A Nowak
BIRTH 18 May 1918 Michigan, USA DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 23) USA BURIAL Holy Cross Cemetery Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan, USA PLOT 34-16 Radio operator on Flying Fortress 34th Bombardier Squadron Pendleton Field, Pendleton Oregon |
John Hilton Starr
BIRTH 1921 Canada DEATH 5 May 1942 (aged 20–21) BURIAL Westlawn Cemetery Littleton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA PLOTSection 3, Lot 334, Grave 1 |
2 LT. James Merill Brown
BIRTH 11 Jan 1917 DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 25) Oregon, USA BURIAL Pleasant Hill North Cemetery Pleasant Hill, Sabine Parish, Louisiana, USA 
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S Sgt Harry G Cameron
BIRTH 30 Oct 1914 DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 27) BURIALOak Grove Cemetery Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA PLOT WWII Section, Row A, Grave 25 
Memorial in front of Franklin School, Central Ave.
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William Forrest
Photo courtesy of Kathy Merris Mills 
Sgt William Alton “Bus” Forrest
BIRTH 13 Jul 1919 DEATH 3 May 1942 (aged 22) BURIALChestnut Hill Cemetery Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, USA
SSGT Richard A Carmichael BIRTH1916 DEATH3 May 1942 (aged 25–26) Meacham, Umatilla County, Oregon, USA BURIALVine Lake Cemetery Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, USA PLOTSection 8 |
New York Times February 7, 1941
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February 6, 1941: 410206 P-40 39-226 36PF 8PF Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Clapham, D. J. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Clapham, D. J. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
March 20, 1941: 410320 P-40 39-162 HQPF 8PF Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Viar, L. A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Viar, L. A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
March 21, 1941: P-40 39-201 HQSQ 8PF Mitchel Field, NY Bailed Out due to Mechanical Failure (BOMF)
Rogers, Craven C USA NY Mitchel Field, NY: Wrecked south of Hempstead, NY Mar 21, 1941.
Rogers, Craven C USA NY Mitchel Field, NY: Wrecked south of Hempstead, NY Mar 21, 1941.
New York Times March 22, 1941 |
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Newsday March 24 1941
March 23, 1941: 410323 P-40 39-163 35PF 8PF Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Govern, David R. USA CT Trumbull Airport, Groton, CT
Govern, David R. USA CT Trumbull Airport, Groton, CT
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April 2, 1941: 410402 P-40 39-217 36PS Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL) Kelly Richard, P. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY Brooklyn Daily Eagle April 3, 1941 |
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410403 P-35 36-419 41PI 31PI Selfridge Field, MI GL
Norman, Jacob M. USANY Mitchel Field, NY
Norman, Jacob M. USANY Mitchel Field, NY
April 4, 1941: 410404 P-40 39-191 35PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Seeberg, Gordan A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Seeberg, Gordan A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
April 5, 1941: 410405 P-40 39-221 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Atkinson, P. W. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Atkinson, P. W. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
April 8, 1941: 410408 P-40 39-196 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
French, Harry A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
French, Harry A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
April 10, 1941: 410410 P-40 39-166 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Killed in a Crash (KCR)
Carlton, John N. USA OH 6 miles S. of Dayton, OH: Crashed near Miamisburg, OH Apr 10, 1941. Pilot killed.
166 crashed near Miamisburg, OH Apr 10, 1941. Pilot killed.
Carlton, John N. USA OH 6 miles S. of Dayton, OH: Crashed near Miamisburg, OH Apr 10, 1941. Pilot killed.
166 crashed near Miamisburg, OH Apr 10, 1941. Pilot killed.
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1st. Lt. John Noble Carlton BIRTH 28 May 1913 DEATH 10 Apr 1941 (aged 27) BURIAL: Resurrection Cemetery Also known as Lutheran Cemetery, Swedish Cemetery LOCATION: Saint Peter, Nicollet County, Minnesota, |
April 11, 1941: 410411 P-40 39-184 35PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Taxiing ACcident (TAC)
Lydon, Lenord C. USA IN Evansville, IN
Lydon, Lenord C. USA IN Evansville, IN
April 21, 1941: 410421 P-40 39-211 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
French, Harry A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
French, Harry A. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
April 25, 1941: 410425 P-40 39-220 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Norman, H. H. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Norman, H. H. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
April 25, 1941: 410425 P-40 39-183 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY KSSP 5
Webber, William A. USA CT Trumbull Field, Groton, CT: Spun in at Groton, CT Apr 26, 1941. Pilot killed.
183 spun in at Groton, CT Apr 26, 1941. Pilot killed.
Webber, William A. USA CT Trumbull Field, Groton, CT: Spun in at Groton, CT Apr 26, 1941. Pilot killed.
183 spun in at Groton, CT Apr 26, 1941. Pilot killed.
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April 30, 1941: 410430 P-40 39-288 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Myers, R. W. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Myers, R. W. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
May 2, 1941: 410502 AT-6 40-2152 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY TOA 3
Blackmon, L. R. USA NJ Point Pleasant, NJ
Blackmon, L. R. USA NJ Point Pleasant, NJ
May 7, 1941: 410507 P-40 39-283 58PI 33PI Camp Mills, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Biddlecome, B D USA NY Camp Mills, NY
Biddlecome, B D USA NY Camp Mills, NY
May 10, 1941: 410510 P-40 39-176 59PI 33PI Mitchel Field, NY TOA 3
Grier, John G USA NY Camp Mills, NY
Grier, John G USA NY Camp Mills, NY
May 19, 1941: 410519 P-40 39-206 59PI 33PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Hutting, Jack W USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Hutting, Jack W USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
May 21, 1941: 410521 AT-6 40-213 9HQSQ Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Bush, Richard J USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Bush, Richard J USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
May 21, 1941: 410521 B-10B M 35-246 35PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Little, Robert L. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Little, Robert L. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
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May 21 and 22, 1941 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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NYT May 22, 1941
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May 22, 1941: 410522 P-40 39-164 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Klemovich, Joseph T. USA VA Langley Field, VA
Klemovich, Joseph T. USA VA Langley Field, VA
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May 22, 1941: 410522 P-40 39-190 66PI 57PI Mitchel Field, NY FLMF 3
Clark, Thomas W. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
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Brooklyn Eagle, May 23, 1941 |
May 29, 1941: 410529 P-40 39-227 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Steeves, J. I. USA GA Savannah Air Base, GA
May 30, 1941: 410530 P-40 39-168 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Kelly, Richard P USA NC Pope Field, NC
Steeves, J. I. USA GA Savannah Air Base, GA
May 30, 1941: 410530 P-40 39-168 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Kelly, Richard P USA NC Pope Field, NC
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410608 B-18 36-301 16RS Boisie, ID KCR 5 Motherwell, David N USA WY 15 miles east of Lyman, WY 301 (MSN 1689) with 16th RS at Boise, ID. W/o in fatal crash Jun 8, 1941, 15 mi E of Lyman, WY during a bad ice storm enroute to Chicago on a pre-war training mission . Also killed were: Capt. David N Motherwell, Pilot 2 LT John V Gallagher 1st Lt. Theodore F Holsteen 2nd Lt. Lyman K Harvey SSgt. Terence J McGurgan SSgt. Dallas E Hawley |
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Portrait courtesy Richard Howell
Grave photo by Star Kline
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Capt David Northup Motherwell
BIRTH 4 Jan 1906 Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA DEATH 8 Jun 1941 (aged 35) Lyman, Uinta County, Wyoming, USA BURIAL Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA PLOT Sec: 2, Site: 4730 Died Non-Battle. Interred on June 17, 1941. West Point United States Military Academy, Class of 1931 
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1 LT Theodore F. Holsteen BIRTH unknown DEATH 8 Jun 1941 Uinta County, Wyoming, USA BURIAL Aspen Grove Cemetery Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, USA |
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Lieut Lyman Kenneth “Ken” Harvey BIRTH 1918 Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA DEATH 8 Jun 1941 (aged 22–23) Lyman, Uinta County, Wyoming, USA BURIAL Lakewood Park Cemetery Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA Portrait courtesy Patti Johnson
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Terence J. McGurgan BIRTH unknown DEATH 8 Jun 1941 BURIAL Saint James Cemetery Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA |
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Sgt Dallas E. Hawley BIRTH 22 Oct 1914 Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA DEATH 8 Jun 1941 (aged 26) Wyoming, USA BURIAL Terrace Heights Memorial Park Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA PLOT Block 1, Section 29, Lot 4 |
Grave photo by Venessa Gimlin
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2LT John V Gallagher
BIRTH unknown
DEATH 8 Jun 1941
Uinta County, Wyoming, USA
BURIAL Holy Cross Cemetery, Arlington, New Jersey
BIRTH unknown
DEATH 8 Jun 1941
Uinta County, Wyoming, USA
BURIAL Holy Cross Cemetery, Arlington, New Jersey
June 10, 1941: 410610 P-40 39-173 35PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Grier, John G. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
June 14, 1941: 410614 P-40 39-211 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Patterson, John G USA VA Langley Field, VA
Grier, John G. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
June 14, 1941: 410614 P-40 39-211 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Ground Looped (GL)
Patterson, John G USA VA Langley Field, VA
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June 15, 1941: 410615 B-18 36-291 3BH 6BH From France Field, CZ
TOAEF 4 Creer, William E USA NY Mitchel Field, NY Newsday, June 16, 1941 |
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June 26, 1941: 410626 P-40 39-281 33PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Williams, John L. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Williams, John L. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
June 27, 1941: 410627 AT-6 40-2136 36PI Mitchel Field, NY FLMF 5
Dudley, Don D USA NY Jones Beach, LI, NY
Dudley, Don D USA NY Jones Beach, LI, NY
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New York Times June 28, 1941 |
June 27, 1941:410627 P-40 39-226 36PI 8PI Mitchel Field, NY FLEF 3
Roth, Stanley USA NY Bennett Field, NY
Roth, Stanley USA NY Bennett Field, NY
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