Crashes and Accidents:WWII 1943
​January _ June

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
​

 Statistical 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 ​

1943 January - June

430106  P-47C2 41-6296 89FS 80FG Mitchell Field, NY  EF 5 
Kocher, Albert R USA NY Mitchell Field, NY  6296 (MSN 402) 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 6 Jan 43 with engine failure at Mitchel Field​
 430108  B-34 61-286  Mitchel Field, NY  TOA 
Carroll, William J USA NH Grenier Field, NH 
​430108  P-40E 41-36516  Mitchel Field, NY  LACGL  
​Mott, Charles R Jr USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430115  P-47C 41-6295 89FS 80FGMitchel Field, NY  BOKEF 
Nellis, Richard W USA NY 2 Mi E Jones Beach, NY 
6295 (MSN 401) 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 15Jan43 after engine failure 2 miles E of Jones Beach, Long Island, NY; Pilot bailed out but was killed​
Picture
Richard W. Nellis
BIRTH 1920
DEATH 15 Jan 1943 (aged 22–23)
BURIAL North Watertown Cemetery
Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, USA
PLOT N.W. SEC. M
"Lt. Dick Nellis and his infectious smile, which all who knew him will well remember, drowned off Jones Beach NY, January 15, 1943. Nellis is an unrecognized hero. While testing a Republic P-47 over Long Island, his P-47, maybe the one in this picture, caught fire on a training mission. He stuck with it, piloting his flaming P-47 out to sea, until he was sure it would not crash on land to avoid crashing in a populated area. When he bailed out the wind blew him out to sea. He lost his life!"  P. R. Adair

​Watch the video of Lt. Phil Adair remembering Lt. Nellis's crash, death and funeral.  Rest in Peace Sir! Slow Salute!
Thanks to Robin Adair and the Adair family.

​https://www.burmabanshees.com/
Photos by Lt. Phil Adair
430115  P-47C 41-6142 88FS 80FG 
​KCRSSP  Farmingdale, NY  
Simmons, Richard O Jr USA NY 
Camp Upton, NY 
Brooklyn Daily Eagle,
​January 16, 1943







​Newsday, January 15, 1943
430124  P-40F 41-14182  Yuma AAB, AZ  
LAC 5 Etchemendy, John M USA NY 
Mitchel Field, NY 
​430202  B-34 AJ-255  Mitchel Field, NY  FL 3 
Carroll, William J USANH Grenier Field, NH 
​430203  P-40E 41-36514  Mitchel Field, NY  FLMF 4 
​Eckhardt, Carl W USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430205  P-47C 41-6067 89FS 80FG Mitchel Field, NY  BO 5 
​Boggs, Hampton E USANY Brookhaven, NY 
​6067 (MSN 173) This plane was the subject of an instructional film made by Republic Aviation on how to assemble a new P-47 in field conditions using only basic tooling; 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 5Feb43 near Brookhaven, NY; Pilot bailed out;
430207  P-47C 41-6160 89FS 80FG Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 4 
​McMillan, Elbert R USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6160 (MSN 266) 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 7Feb43 landing at Mitchel; 368th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Grenier Field, Manchester, NH; Accident 4May43 in collision with P-47C 41-6638 taxying at Grenier; Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Accident 9Aug43 when overshot landing at Farmingdale; CL-26 ground instructional airframe, August 24, 1943
430209  P-47C-2 41-6281 89FS 80FG Mitchel Field, NY  
​BOF 5 Bell, Robert D USANY 1 1/2 Mi SE Mitchel Field, NY 
6281 (MSN 387) 63rd FS [UN-B], 56th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Crashed 9Feb43 on fire near Mitchel Field; Pilot bailed out
430210  O-47B 39-722 Tow Tgt  Mitchel Field, NY  LAS/MDTC 5 
​Simpson, Talmadge J USANY Btwn Bradley Field & Mitchel, NY 
​430213  UC-43A 42-68339  Mitchel Field, NY  TAC 3 Cullen, Jerome (mechanic) USAPA Philadelphia Mun Arpt, PA 
430213  P-40 41-114195  Mitchel Field, NY  TAC 3 Cullen, Jerome (mechanic) USAPA Philadelphia Mun Arpt, PA 
​430226  P-47C 41-6159 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  FLEF 5 Olson, Fred D USANY Mitchel Field, NY
6159 (MSN 265) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Force landed 26Feb43 with engine failure and destroyed at Mitchel Field, NY​ 
430228  C-43D 42-474442 Tow Tgt  Mitchel Field, NY  TACMF 3 
​Manganiello, Augustine (crew chief) USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430301  P-47C 41-6164 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 4 Nyquist, Clarence G USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6164 (MSN 270) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 1Mar43 landing at Mitchel Field, NY; Crash landed 10Apr43 near Mitchel. During a mock dogfight, another P-47 collided with this aircraft, chopping off parts of one wing and the fuselage. The pilot crash landed on an athletics field; aircraft surveyed at Groton Field, CT March 2, 1944
430321  P-47C 41-6569 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  BOMAC  
Farley, Robert H USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430321  P-47C 41-6553 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  KBOMAC  
Egan, James M USA NY Mitchel Field, NY  6553 (MSN 659) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 21 Mar 43 with P-47C 41-6569 at Mitchel Field; Pilot bailed out but was killed; Surveyed at Bradley Field, CT March 24, 1943
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
​March 22 1943
Lieut James M. Egan
​BIRTH 1920
DEATH 1943 (aged 22–23)
BURIAL Saint Marys Cemetery
Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, USA
​430323  P-47C 41-6292 328FS 352FG  Mitchel Field, NY  KCRT
Hayward, Earl D USA  NY Mitchel Field, NY 
​23 March, 1943
Republic P-47C-2-RE Thunderbolt, 41-6292, of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group,

​​23 March, 1943  A Republic P-47C-2-RE Thunderbolt, 41-6292, of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, crashed into Barnard Hall at Hofstra College shortly after take-off from Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York, hitting the west side near the roof and setting the building afire. Pilot Earl D. Hayward died. The blaze was brought under control within 45 minutes by firemen from MF, Hempstead, East Hempstead and Uniondale. No students were in the vicinity at the time. The Eastern Defense Command in New York City announced that the pilot was killed. He had taken off from Mitchel Field on a training mission shortly before the crash. This crash led to the abandonment of the use of Runway 18/36 at Mitchel Field.
​6292 (MSN 398) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 23 Mar 43 near Mitchel Field; Pilot killed; Condemned March 25, 1943
​430331  P-40E 41-36514311FS 58FGBradley Field, CT  KCRGC 5 Thorson, Daniel H USACT Near Norfolk, CT 
​430330:  6555 (MSN 661) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 30 Mar 43 at Saybrook, CT; Pilot killed
​430404  P-47C 41-6294 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  MAC 4 
Hendrian, William E USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
6294 (MSN 400) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 4Apr43 with P-47C 41-6280 at Mitchel Field; To RFC, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, NM July 3, 1945

​430404  P-47C 41-6280 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  MAC 4 
Farley, Robert H USANY Mitchel Field, NY
6280 (MSN 386) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 4Apr43 with P-47C 41-6294 at Mitchel Field; 311th FS, 58th FG, 1st AF, Hillsgrove Field, Providence, RI; Damaged 21Jul43 in collision with P-47C 41-6559 taxying at Hillsgrove Field; Combat Crew Training Squadron, 133rd Base Unit, Hillsgrove Field, RI; Damaged 16Oct44 when nosed over taxying at Hillsgrove; To RFC, Bush Field, Augusta, GA March 12, 1945​ 
430407  UC-78 42-58462  Mitchel Field, NY  FLoG 
Hudnell, W T Jr USAOH Seaman, OH 
​430408  P-47C 41-6466 89FS 80FG Mitchel Field, NY  ACC
Meadows, Henry L Jr USANJ AAB, Millville, NJ 
6466 (MSN 572) 89th FS, 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 8Apr43 involving P-47B 41-5931 at Millville Field, NJ; 323rd Fighter Squadron, 327th FG, 1st AF, Richmond, VA; Crash landed 1Jul43 after engine failure 23 miles W of Richmond; 537th FS, 87th FG, 1st AF, Millville Field, NJ; Crashed 8Apr44 after engine failure 5 miles N of Atlantic City, NJ. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing at NAS Atlantic City. The engine cut out about 5 miles short of the runway and the aircraft crashed into a house in Absecon Highlands, injuring two people in the house. One of the injured described what happened: “Mother and I were in the kitchen and I was just going to the steps to go upstairs when I heard a loud crash and everything started falling on top of me. I was knocked down and dazed. I was trapped in there with my mother lying down next to me. Then the pilot came in; he, with my father and myself, got my mother out.” Repaired. To RFC, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, NM June 27, 1945.
​
430408  P-47B 41-5931 351FS 353FG Mitchel Field, NY  ACC 
Thistlethwaite, William USANJ AAB, Millville, NJ 
​5931 (MSN 37) [31], 56th FG, 1st AF; Flight Section, Materiel Division, Wright Field, Dayton, OH; Used for performance tests Sep42; Redesignated RP-47B; 351st FS, 353rd FG, 1st AF, Millville Field, NJ; Accident 8Apr43 at Millville Field, NJ; 269th Base Unit, 2nd AF, Strother Field, Winfield, KS; Accident 15 Jun. 44 landing at Strother.
430410  P-47C 41-6164 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  CRBLEF 
Hendrian, William E USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6164 (MSN 270) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 1Mar43 landing at Mitchel Field, NY; Crash landed 10 Apr 43 near Mitchel. During a mock dogfight, another P-47 collided with this aircraft, chopping off parts of one wing and the fuselage. The pilot crash landed on an athletics field; aircraft surveyed at Groton Field, CT March 2, 1944
430415  P-47C 41-6426 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  KEX 
Shofner, Don G USA NY 
Into Atlantic Ocean off Long Island, NY
(actually Long Island Sound)
​
​6426 (MSN 532) Bedford Field, MA; "Imp"; 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Exploded 15 Apr 43 and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean (Long Island Sound) off Long Island near Coast Guard Station 94, NY; Pilot killed; 





​Newsday: April 16, 1943
Gravesite photos by  Beckie (Carter) Williams
Lieut. Don Gaston Shofner
​BIRTH 17 Sep 1921        DEATH 15 Apr 1943 (aged 21)
BURIAL Elmwood Cemetery          Morrilton, Conway County, Arkansas, USA
Ouachita Baptist University Yearbook
Possibly the last photo of Gaston ever taken, at Mitchel Field winter 43, shortly before the crash.
"On 15 April 1943, Lt. Shofner took off from Mitchel Field in a P-47 and achieved an altitude of about 4,000 ft.  About 0730 his plane exploded over Northport Bay and fell into Long Island Sound, soon sinking to the bottom.
The plane sank before the body could be immediately recovered. (More about the fate of the plane is below.)  In June 1943 the family traveled all the way from Arkansas to New York, and actually went out with the Army on Long Island Sound to look for it. Their determination paid off: the body was found on 22 June, and brought back to Morrilton."

​"The “ship” was not recovered, and so the cause of the explosion was not determined. Theories such as sabotage and mechanical failure were floated at the time.  The most probable cause of the explosion is that, because of a leak between the fuel pump and the carburetor, petrol had gathered in the accessory section behind the engine.  The petrol was ignited by the hot exhaust manifold and blew the engine off of the front of the plane.  Gaston was doubtless either killed instantly or upon impact into Long Island Sound."  ​

"At 1500 27 June 1943 Don Gaston Shofner’s funeral took place at Bethel Baptist Church in Morrilton, Arkansas, and he was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery on the other side of town. His family never recovered from his death. Unlike him, they were not ready for his passing, and the effects of his loss transcended generations."
The text above is a condensed version of Don Warrington's wonderful narrative from his family's history page. Lt. Shofner was Don's uncle (Don's mother's brother). Thanks to Don for permission to use his text and photos. For more info and details visit Don's excellent website at ​his home page.......
On Long Island Sound, Gaston’s father Pem Shofner, his sister Vernell and Gaston’s mother Ina.

​The wreckage was originally discovered in 1988 but at the time it was not connected with Gaston’s P-47.  It was left to the persistence of another searcher who “connected the dots” of Gaston’s plane.  Robert Contreras, who has made it his mission to find the plane wreckage and remains of Maj. Allred, came upon the fateful P-47 in early 2014, as part of his search for Major Allred.  Don Warrington and I am deeply grateful to him for furnishing much of the information in this section and elsewhere on this page.
Video: Lt. Don Gaston Shofner's P-47 Plane Wreckage
​
​On 15 April 1943, while on a training flight the P-47 of Lt. Don G. Shofner exploded over the Long Island Sound. The body was recovered in June 22, 1943 but the plane was undiscovered until the 1980's. This video was taken in January 2014 by Bob Contreras, whose main mission is the discovery of the wreckage of Owen Allred (depicted as #9 in the opening photo.) My thanks to Bob for the video and all of his efforts, your support of his to find Major Allred is appreciated.
Coast Guard Station 94, Eaton's Neck, (1950) near where Shofner's plane crashed, probably assisted in the search and rescue.
Lt. Shofner's P-47C, wreckage on sonar beneath Long Island Sound.
​430416  O-46 35-2272 Tow Target  Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 3 
​Cunningham, A W USANH Grenier Field, NH 
430427  P-47C 41-6566 34FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  MIS 
Powell, Jerald W USA NY Unknown 
6566 (MSN 672) 34th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Missing 27 Apr 4
​ New York State; Pilot MIA (NBD) non-battle death
Stone only in memory of, no body.
​Grave photo by Vince & Becky Bellin
 April 28 1943 Brooklyn Daily eagle
LT Jerald W. Powell   BIRTH 1921   Jefferson County, Nebraska, USA
DEATH 1943 (aged 21–22)  USA
BURIAL Alexandria Cemetery
Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska, USA
7-3-2013 Hebron Journal~~~~~~70 years ago, 1943:
Lt. Jerald Powell, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Powell, who had previously been reported missing, has since been reported killed in a plane crash on the eastern coast. He was flying a plane from New York to New Jersey which crashed on the way

World War II Veteran,  Graduate of Alexandria High School..Class of 1938:
Twice as sad to see his older brother died in the Battle of the Bulge. Rest in Peace Sirs! Slow Salute.
430503  P-47D 42-222351 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 
Sharp, Robert H USANY Mitchel Field, NY 

430503  RA-29 41-234502 Tow Tgt  Mitchel Field, NY  LAC
Parked Airplane USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430504  UC-80 42-53513 2 AAFEEU Mitchel Field, NY  LACMF 
Miles Charles D USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
430506  P-47D 42-8031 328FS 352FGMitchel Field, NY  BOSSP 
Bernholz, Philip USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​8031 (MSN 179) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 6 May 43 after losing control at Mitchel Field; Pilot bailed out
430509  P-47C 41-6177 487FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  KSSP  
Jamison, Robert O. USA NY Hempstead, NY
6177 (MSN 283) 487th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Crashed 9 May 43 when the engine failed on approach to land and the aircraft spun in at Hempstead, NY; Pilot killed. Aircraft condemned at Mitchel Field, NY May 13, 1943. 
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland, Ohio
Monday, 10 May 1943

CLEVELAND FIGHTER PILOT
DIES IN EASTERN CRASH

Second Lieut. Robert O. Jamison, 22,
Cleveland Army flier, was killed shortly
after noon yesterday when his fighter
plane crashed and burned in the Village
of Hempstead, N.Y.

Details of the crash from an Associated
Press dispatch were verified to his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gernard G. Jamison,
11410 Hazeldell Road, N.E. by the flier's
commanding officer at the Mitchel Field
Air Base, who called the parents by phone.

The Eastern Defense Command, through which
the announcement of the crash was made,
said the airplane struck a grapevine trellis,
but avoided a house and barn, which the
trellis connected. The plane crashed
on the lawn of a private home at Fairview
and Rose Streets, Hempstead. Cause of
the accident, which occurred as the flier
was coming in for a landing on Mitchell
Field, had not been determined.
BIRTH 1920  DEATH 9 May 1943 (aged 22–23)
BURIAL  United Brethren Cemetery
Harrison County, Ohio, USA
Lieut. Jamison, who was unmarried, received his commission Feb. 6. He was graduated from Collinwood High School in 1938 and was active in the affairs of East Glenville Methodist Church. At the time of his enlistment in the Army Air Forces in February 1941, he was a freshman at Montana State University.

A younger brother, George, is in training with a Naval Air Force Unit on the west coast. The Lieutenant is also survived by a sister, Ruth, 13. Their father said last night that George was just completing final training in the Naval Air Force, and that he thought, when a telegram was received at the home late yesterday, that it was from the younger boy to announce successful passing of his examination. But it proved to be official notification of the older son's death.

The father, who is employed by the Thompson Aircraft Products Co. said the dead flier's commanding officer announced the body would be sent home probably today. It will be at the A.A. Burman, Inc. Funeral Home, 13124 Euclid Avenue, for a short time before removal to Scio, O., home of his parents, where the funeral will be held.
Nassau Daily Review Star
May 10 1943
Suffolk County News
May 14, 1943

​Brooklyn Daily Eagle
May 10, 1943
430510  P-47C 41-6565 487FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  F 5 Gillette, Harry E (mechanic) USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
6565 (MSN 671) 487th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Destroyed by fire 10 May 43 in a ground accident at Mitchel Field; Surveyed at Mitchel Field, NY May 16, 1943
430514  P-47D 42-8158 328FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 3 
​Myhre, Severin A USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
​8158 (MSN 306) 328th FS, 352nd FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 14 May 43 landing at Mitchel Field; 369th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Crash landed 10 Jun 43 after engine failure Southaven Centre, Moriches Flight Strip, NY; 534th FS, 83rd FG, 1st AF, Dover Field, DE; Crashed 24Feb44 2 miles W of Goshen, NJ; Pilot killed
430518  P-47D 41-2361 487FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  TACGC 3 
Starch, Walter E USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 

​430518  P-47D 41-8164 487FS 352FG Mitchel Field, NY  TACGC 3 
Whisner, William T USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
​430523  AT-11 42-372292 Tow Target  Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 
Dalland, Carlton A USAPA Williamsport Arpt, Montoursville, PA 
430529  P-47D 42-8192 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, NY  BOF 
Hopkins, James M USANY Ossining, NY 
​8192 (MSN 340) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 29May43 on fire at Ossining, NY; Pilot bailed out
430529  P-47D 42-8188 370FS 359FG Mitchell Field, NY  LAC  
​Doersch, George A USANY Stewart Field, NY 
​8188 (MSN 336) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Bedford Field, MA; Accident 2May43 landing wheels up at Bedford; Accident 29 May 43 landing at Stewart Field, NY
430531  C-67 39-2910 Transport 26 Transport Mitchel Field, NY  KCRGC  
Love, Phillip R USA NV 36 Mi W Austin, NV 
Douglas B-23 Dragon, 029 (MSN 2715) redesignated UC-67 Jan 1, 1943. W/o May 31, 1943 at Austin, NV.
SOC Jun 8, 1943.
Colonel Love was the pilot and one of eleven Army airmen killed when their Douglas C-67 Dragon (serial #39-029) struck a mountain peak at the 8,000 foot level, 36 miles west of Austin, Nevada, while on a flight leg
from Colorado Springs to Reno. Those who perished aboard were:

Col. Philip R Love,  1st Lt. George H Adams,  1st Lt. Earle V Anderson ,T/Sgt. Stanley Krysztowiak
Cpl. Don C Brill, Cpl. Warner L Corey, Cpl. Frank A Fugazza, Cpl. Freddie E Jones, Cpl. Albert R Schneider
Cpl. Hugo K Visscher, Jr, Pvt. Ralph N Goodsell
​
Courtesy Susan Ing
Courtesy of Lyn Cole
COL Phillip R Love
​BIRTH 6 Nov 1903
Missouri, USA
DEATH 31 May 1943 (aged 39)
Lander County, Nevada, USA
BURIAL Valhalla Cemetery
Bel-Nor, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
PLOT Psalms Row A #31
Love, center with white scarf. Photo from the National Guard Magazine, March 2014, Vol. 68, No. 3, page 34. courtesy of Greg Raike.
Col. Philip Love was a close friend of and flew with fellow pilot, Charles A. Lindbergh, in pioneer air mail service, Saint Louis-Chicago Route, 1926-27.  Lindbergh asked Love to fly the escort plane during Lindbergh's three-month tour of the United States in the Spirit of St. Louis on behalf of the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics.
During the tour, on Aug 8, 1927, Phillip Love actually flew the Spirit of St. Louis for ten minutes at the airfield in Louisville, Kentucky. He was one of only a couple of people, other than Lindbergh himself, to ever be allowed to fly the plane.
​430603  P-47C 41-6288  359FS 356FG Mitchel Field, NY  BOEF 
Brown, John R Jr USANY 2 Mi S Manhassett, NY 
6288 (MSN 394) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 3 Jun 43 after engine failure during a test flight 2 miles S of Manhasset, NY; Pilot bailed out
430603  P-47D 42-8226369FS 359FGRepublic Field, NY  CRTEF 5 
​Thibert, Maurice B USANY 1 Mi SW Republic Field, NY 
​430603  P-40L 42-11070  Mitchel Field, NY  BLEF 4 McKee, Daniel D USANY Jerrico, NY 
430603  P-47D 42-8196 369FS 359FG Republic Field, NY  MACT 3 Carter, Clifford E USA NY Farmingdale, NY 
430604  L-4B 42-7827 368FS 359FG Farmingdale, NY  TAC 3 Pino, James R USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
430604  AT-6A 41-6545 369FS 359FG Republic Field, Farmingdale, NY  KMAC 5 
​Chapman, Joseph V USA NY 3 Mi E Republic Field, LI, NY ​

​430604  P-47D 42-8462 Republic Aviation Republic Field, Farmingdale, NY  KBOMAC 5 
McLevedge, Charles H USA NY 3 Mi E Republic Field, LI, NY 

8462 (MSN 610) Republic Aviation Corporation; Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 4 Jun 43 with P-47C 41-6545, 3 miles E of Farmingdale; Pilot bailed out but was killed
​6545 (MSN 651) 369th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 4 Jun 43 with P-47D 42-8462, 3 miles E of Farmingdale; Pilot killed; To RFC, Bush Field, Augusta, GA May 8, 1945
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
June 5, 1943






​Newsday
June 5, 1943
430604  P-47C 41-6169 359FS 356FG Mitchel Field, NY  LAC 3 
​Brown, John R Jr USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6169 (MSN 275) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Groton Field, CT; Accident 21 Mar 43 landing at Groton; Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 4 June 43 landing at Mitchel;

​378th FS, 362nd FG, 1st AF, Groton Field, CT; Mid air collision 21Sep43 with a towed target on the Gunnery Range D, Suffolk, Long Island, NY; 320th FS, 402nd FG, 1st AF, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Crash landed 6Nov43 at Mitchel; 538th FS, 326th FG, 1st AF, Bluethenthal Field, Wilmington, NC; Redesignated RP-47C; Crash landed 15Feb44 with fuel starvation at Northwest, NC; 124th Base Unit, 1st AF, Bluethenthal Field, Wilmington, NC; Mid air collision 11May44 on the Ground Gunnery Range, Bluethenthal, NC; Force landed 11Jun44 and destroyed 5 miles N of Wrightsville Beach, NC. Surveyed at Bluethenthal AAF, NC Jun 12, 1944.
​430605  L-4B 42-38380 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY  TOAEF 
Rich, George A USA CT Milldale, CT 
​430606  P-47D 42-8388 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, NY  BLEF 
​Cosmos, Alexander M USA NY 3 Mi S Belleport, NY 
8388 (MSN 536) 370 th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crash landed 6 Jun 43 after engine failure 3 miles S of Belleport, NY
430610  P-47D 42-81583 69FS 359FG Republic Field, NY  BLEF 
Oliphint, John H USA NY Southaven Centre Moritches Flight Strip, NY 
​430612  AT-10 41-26653320 Air Base  Stewart Field, NY  BLMF 
Williams, Howard W USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
430612  O-52 40-2704152 Recon 26 ReconReading AAF, PA  KCRLoC 
Lt. Winburne, Marvin F,
​Lt S.E. Duff    USA NY Into New York Harbor near Ft Wadsworth, NY 
 430614  P-47D 42-8222 359FS 356FG Mitchel Field, NY  KCRU 5 
​Rainey, Thomas J USA NY Into Atlantic Ocean, 5 Mi SW Bay Shore, NY 
8222 (MSN 370) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY;

Crashed 14Jun43 into Atlantic Ocean, 5 miles SW of Bay Shore, NY; Pilot, Lt. Thomas J. Rainey (21) was killed when his plane, a P-47  Thunderbolt, crashed near Fire Island, New York City.
Lieut. Thomas Jefferson Rainey
BIRTH 4 July 1921, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA
DEATH14 June 1943 (aged 21) New York, USA
BURIAL Fairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA
​430614  P-47D 42-8242 359FS 356FG Mitchel Field, NY  BOEF 
​Ogden, Harold A USA NY Into Atlantic Ocean, 1 Mi S Rockaway Beach, NY 
​
​8242 (MSN 390) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Destroyed 14 June, 43 after engine failure and crashing into the Atlantic Ocean, one mile S of Rockaway Beach, NY; Pilot bailed out
Newsday June 16, 1943
430621  P-47C 41-6173 359FS 356FGMitchel Field, NY  TOAEF 
​Henry, Justus D USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6173 (MSN 279) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 21Jun43 after engine failure taking off at Mitchel; 323rd FS, 327th FG, 1st AF, Richmond AAB, VA; Force landed 12 Jan 44 in bad weather at New Tazewell, TN; Reclaimed at Rome Field, NY July 3, 1946
430626  P-47C 41-6278 359FS 356FGMitchel Field, NY  TOAEF  
Erschen, Harold E USANY Mitchel Field, NY 
​6278 (MSN 384) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 26 Jun 43 after engine failure taking off at Mitchel; Condemned at Rome Field, NY November 14, 1943
430626  P-47D 42-8264 359FS 356FGMitchel Field, NY  LAC 3 
​Collins, Robert J USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 
​8264 (MSN 412) 359th FS, 356th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 26Jun43 landing at Mitchel; 378th FS, 362nd FG, 1st AF, Groton Field, CT; Crash landed 11Sep43 with mechanical failure at Westover Field, MA; 320th FS, 326th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 22Dec43 landing at Mitchel; 29th Air Base Squadron, 1st AF, Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, CT; Crashed 22Mar44 after losing control and destroyed at Bradley Field; Pilot killed
430630  P-47C 41-6443 370FS 359FGMitchel Field, NY  BLMF 
O'Shea, James H USA NJ Andover, NJ 
6443 (MSN 549)  370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crash landed 30 Jun 43 mechanical failure near Andover, NJ; To RFC, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, NM June 27, 1945

Also: Aviation Archeology   and Joe Baugher's  Military Aircraft Serial Numbers

 Also  Honor Roll 33rd FG

Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Anthony J. Mireles

EARNING THEIR WINGS:  MARLYN R. PIERCE B.A


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