Crashes and Accidents:WWII 1943 B
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
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 July - December
430701 P-47D 42-22367 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY SF 3 Cosmos, Alexander M USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY 22367 (MSN 118) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Damaged 1 July 43 by structural failure at Mitchel Field
5934 (MSN 40) 63rd FS, 56th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 10Jul 42 with P-47 41-5907 at East Islip, Long Island, NY; Pilot killed
430710 P-47C 41-6550 370FS 359FG Mitchell Field, LI, NY LACGL 3 Hair, Lynn W USANY Suffolk County AAF, NY
6550 (MSN 656) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 10 July 43 when ground looped landing at Suffolk County Field, NY;
123rd Base Unit, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Damaged 29 Jan 45 in collision with P-47D 42-22564 on the ground at Seymour Johnson; To RFC, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, NM July 3, 1945
6550 (MSN 656) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 10 July 43 when ground looped landing at Suffolk County Field, NY;
123rd Base Unit, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Damaged 29 Jan 45 in collision with P-47D 42-22564 on the ground at Seymour Johnson; To RFC, Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, NM July 3, 1945
430714 RE-47B 41-6060 2 AAFEEU Mitchel Field, LI, NY BLoG
Miley, Robert G USA PA 1/2 Mi E Mc Donald, PA
6060 (MSN 166) 89th FS [150], 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 15 Sep 42 when ground looped landing at Mitchel; 2nd EEU, Crashed landed 14 July 43 with fuel starvation near McDonald, PA; Reclaimed at East Hartford, CT November 28, 1945
Miley, Robert G USA PA 1/2 Mi E Mc Donald, PA
6060 (MSN 166) 89th FS [150], 80th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 15 Sep 42 when ground looped landing at Mitchel; 2nd EEU, Crashed landed 14 July 43 with fuel starvation near McDonald, PA; Reclaimed at East Hartford, CT November 28, 1945
430716 P-47C 41-6550 370FS 359FGMitchel Field, LI, NY BLEF 4 Murphy, John B USA NY 1/2 Mi N Suffolk Field, LI, NY (Farmingdale)
Crash landed 16Jul43 after engine failure near Suffolk County Field, NY;
Crash landed 16Jul43 after engine failure near Suffolk County Field, NY;
430719 P-47D 42-2362 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, NY MACOB 3 Modena, Robert D USA NY Suffolk AAB, NY (West Hampton Beach)
July 20 1943 BDE
430721 B-17F 42-3360 Mitchel Field, NY TACGCMF 3 Abbott, Samuel M USA FL AAFSAT AB, Orlando, FL
430721 P-47C 41-6543 368FS 359FG Republic AB BOMACT
Downing, John L USA NY Moriches Gun Range
Downing, John L USA NY Moriches Gun Range
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430722 UC-78 43-7284 Mitchel Field, NY KCRDF
Bish, Neil T USA NY Earlton, NY Capt. John D. McBrearty 
Grave photo courtesy Ralph Satterfield
Lieut Neil Thornton Bish
BIRTH 12 May 1920 Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA DEATH 22 Jul 1943 (aged 23) Albany, Albany County, New York, USA BURIAL Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA PLOT Section L |
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Neil T. Bish, 23, was killed in the crash of an airplane in New York State, according to word received from Mitchell (Sic) Field, N. Y., by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Bish of Dayton. A Dispatch from New York said Bish and a Medical Corps officer, flying as a passenger, were killed Thursday afternoon at Earlton N. Y.; in the crash of their cabin plane on it’s way from Mitchell Field to the Army Air Base at Rhome, N. Y. The Second Service Commander at New York identified the Medical Corps officer as Captain John D. McBrearty, 29, who lived with his wife in Jackson Heights, N. Y. Bish was born in Kittanning and was a graduate of Kittanning High School. He enlisted in the Army nearly three years ago, and was assigned to the Panama Canal Zone. Later he returned to the States where he trained as an Army Pilot at a Texas air base. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Mitchell (Sic) Field, N. Y. He leaves his parents and two sisters, all of whom now live in Dayton.
From: The Indiana Gazette, Indiana, Pennsylvania, on Monday July 26, 1943, Page 10
From: The Indiana Gazette, Indiana, Pennsylvania, on Monday July 26, 1943, Page 10
Neil T. "Bish" Bish
From: The Kittanning High School yearbook, class of 1937 Photo courtesy of Loretta Psczolkowski |
Pittsburgh Press
November 10, 1942, p. 19 Photo courtesy of Loretta Psczolkowski |
Lieut Neil Thornton Bish
Photo courtesy of Loretta Psczolkowski |
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430731 P-47D 42-2376 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY TACGC 3 Parked Airplane USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
430731 P-47D 42-8195 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY TACGC
Hall, Robert D USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
8195 (MSN 343) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Damaged 31 July 43 in collision with P-47D 42-22376 taxying at Mitchel; 321st FS, 326th FG, 1st AF, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Accident 23 Feb 44 landing at Seymour Johnson
430731 P-47D 42-8195 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY TACGC
Hall, Robert D USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
8195 (MSN 343) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Damaged 31 July 43 in collision with P-47D 42-22376 taxying at Mitchel; 321st FS, 326th FG, 1st AF, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Accident 23 Feb 44 landing at Seymour Johnson
430731 P-47D 42-8231 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY TAC
Wetmore, Ray S USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
8231 (MSN 379) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 31 July 43 taxying at Mitchel
Wetmore, Ray S USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
8231 (MSN 379) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Accident 31 July 43 taxying at Mitchel
6287 (MSN 393) 370th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 6 Aug 43 into Long Island Sound, 10 miles S of Bridgeport, CT after the engine caught fire; Pilot bailed out
430806 P-47C 41-6287 370FS 359FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY BOEF/F 5 Cheney, David F USACT Into Long Island Sound, 10 Mi S Bridgeport, CT
430806 UC-78 43-7398 HQ&HQS Mitchel Field, NY LACBL 4 Harper, Alton B USANY Mitchel Field
430811 RP-36A 38-1HQ&HQS Long Island, NY LACGL 3 Earll, Joe E Jr USANY Mitchel Field
430820 P-47D 42-22370368FS 359FG Republic Field, NY BLMF 4 McGeever, Thomas J USANY Mitchel Field, NY
430820 P-47D 42-8257369FS 359FG Republic Field, NY LAC 5 Bach, Glenn C USANY 1 Mi NE Farmingdale, LI, NY
430823 P-47D 42-74807397FS 368FGMitchel Field, NY TACGC 2 Parked Airplane USANY Mitchel Field, NY
430823 P-47D 42-74772397FS 368FGMitchel Field, NY TACGC 3 Hamilton, Louis D USANY Mitchel Field, NY
430806 UC-78 43-7398 HQ&HQS Mitchel Field, NY LACBL 4 Harper, Alton B USANY Mitchel Field
430811 RP-36A 38-1HQ&HQS Long Island, NY LACGL 3 Earll, Joe E Jr USANY Mitchel Field
430820 P-47D 42-22370368FS 359FG Republic Field, NY BLMF 4 McGeever, Thomas J USANY Mitchel Field, NY
430820 P-47D 42-8257369FS 359FG Republic Field, NY LAC 5 Bach, Glenn C USANY 1 Mi NE Farmingdale, LI, NY
430823 P-47D 42-74807397FS 368FGMitchel Field, NY TACGC 2 Parked Airplane USANY Mitchel Field, NY
430823 P-47D 42-74772397FS 368FGMitchel Field, NY TACGC 3 Hamilton, Louis D USANY Mitchel Field, NY
September 1, 1943: RB-34A AJ-20320 Anti-Sub 25 Anti-Sub Wing Mitchel Field, NY
Killed in Crash due to Engine Failure (KCREF)
Bumgarner, Carl T. USA NY 2 Mi SE Mitchel Field (East Meadow)
Killed in Crash due to Engine Failure (KCREF)
Bumgarner, Carl T. USA NY 2 Mi SE Mitchel Field (East Meadow)
September 2 1943 Brooklyn Eagle
Suffolk County News September 3 1943
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Capt. Carl T. Bumgarner
Born 14 Jul 1914 Avery County, North Carolina, Died 1 Sep 1943 (aged 29) East Meadow (Hempstead) NY BURIAL Crossnore Presbyterian Church Cemetery Crossnore, Avery County, North Carolina, USA |
Lockheed Ventura RB-34A
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September 2, 1943: A September 1, 1943: RB-34A suffered engine failure after returning from tow-target duty. It crashed into an open field about 1 mile east of MF killing all three crewmen.
430903 P-47D 42-75148 Republic Aviation Corp
KCREF 5 Hogan, Alfred J USANY 3 Mi SW Lake Ronkonkoma
KCREF 5 Hogan, Alfred J USANY 3 Mi SW Lake Ronkonkoma
September 6, 1943: P-47D 42-74772 397FS 368FG Mitchel Field, NY Landing Accident (LAC)
Arps, Henry F. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
Arps, Henry F. USA NY Mitchel Field, NY
430908 P-47D 42-74805 397FS 368FGMitchel Field, NY LACMF 3 Kohles, Carlyle P USANY Mitchel Field, NY
September 10, 1943: P-47C 41-6175 397FS 368FG Mitchel Field, NY Bailed Out-Engine Failure (BOEF)
Marini, Joseph USA NY Into Great Neck Bay, City Island, NY
Marini, Joseph USA NY Into Great Neck Bay, City Island, NY
430928 B-17E 41-9134 20ASW Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY TOASF 4 Briggs, Loran D USAMA Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, MA
431004 P-47D 42-8649394FS 368FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY 1 LACMF 3 O'Keefe, David F Jr USANY Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY
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431006 P-47D 42-8165 397FS 368FG
Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY 1 KSSP 5 Rust, Charles A Jr USA NY Suffolk County AAB, NY 8165 (MSN 313) 368th FS, 359th FG, 1st AF, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; Mid air collision 6 Aug 43 with a towed target at Suffolk County; 397th FS, 368th FG, 1st AF, Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island, NY; Crashed 6 Oct 43 after losing control at Suffolk County AAB, NY; Pilot killed |
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431024 UC-78 42-58477 1BhqSq Mitchel Field, Suffolk County, NY 1 TACGC 3 No Pilot USAMA Bedford AAB, Bedford, MA
431025 P-47D 42-74832397FS 368FGMitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY LAC 3 Ferber, Alexander B USANY Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI,NY
431030 P-47D 42-22347320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 4 Reems, Julian S USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431106 P-47C 41-6169 320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY CBLMF 4 Davis, Edward C USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431117 UC-78 42-58188HqSq 1AFMitchel Field, LI, NY FLEF 5 Hansen, Lawrence A USANY 2 mi SE of Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431025 P-47D 42-74832397FS 368FGMitchel Field, Hempstead LI, NY LAC 3 Ferber, Alexander B USANY Mitchel Field, Hempstead LI,NY
431030 P-47D 42-22347320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 4 Reems, Julian S USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431106 P-47C 41-6169 320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY CBLMF 4 Davis, Edward C USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431117 UC-78 42-58188HqSq 1AFMitchel Field, LI, NY FLEF 5 Hansen, Lawrence A USANY 2 mi SE of Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431124 A-35B 41-31382 26 FrSq 4Fr Gp Memphis, TN FLoG
Stowell, Harry R USA NY 3 mi ENE of Mitchel Field, LI, NY
Stowell, Harry R USA NY 3 mi ENE of Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431129 P-47D 42-82113 20FS 402FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY TACNU 3
Mullins, Robert E USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
Mullins, Robert E USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431130 P-47D 42-8010 395FS 368FG Farmingdale, LI, NY CBLEF
Montag, Thomas N USA NY Fire Island, LI, NY
Montag, Thomas N USA NY Fire Island, LI, NY
431204 P-47D 42-8038 320FS 402FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY
KCRGC 5 O'Shea, Daniel M USANY Camp Upton Landing Strip, LI, NY
8038 (MSN 186) 311th FS, 58th FG, 1st AF, Hillsgrove Field, Providence, RI; Mid air collision 19Aug43 with a towed target at Suffolk County; 320th FS, 402nd FG, 1st AF, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Crashed 4 Dec 43 and destroyed at Camp Upton Landing Strip, Long Island, NY; Pilot killed
KCRGC 5 O'Shea, Daniel M USANY Camp Upton Landing Strip, LI, NY
8038 (MSN 186) 311th FS, 58th FG, 1st AF, Hillsgrove Field, Providence, RI; Mid air collision 19Aug43 with a towed target at Suffolk County; 320th FS, 402nd FG, 1st AF, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, NC; Crashed 4 Dec 43 and destroyed at Camp Upton Landing Strip, Long Island, NY; Pilot killed
Grave photo courtesy of Rich
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Lieut Daniel M. O'Shea
BIRTH 1923 Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA DEATH 4 Dec 1943 (aged 19–20) USA BURIAL Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA PLOTFlat Granite Marker Sect F Lot 1198 S 3' |
2nd Lt. U.S. Army Air Corps, {0-812860}, World War II-Lt. O'Shea died in the line of duty on 12-4-1943 while serving as a Pilot with the 320th Fighter Squadron during WWII.
He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas O'Shea of 1506 East 73rd Place, Chicago, Illinois, and he enlisted as a Private {RA16036452} with the Army on 12-11-1941.
Awards: American Campaign Medal, Pilot Wings, WWII Victory Medal.
He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas O'Shea of 1506 East 73rd Place, Chicago, Illinois, and he enlisted as a Private {RA16036452} with the Army on 12-11-1941.
Awards: American Campaign Medal, Pilot Wings, WWII Victory Medal.
Newsday December 6, 1943
Dec 7, 1943 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Patchogue Advance December 9, 1943
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431208 P-47D 42-8230 320FS 326FG Mitchel Field, LI, NY TOAEF 4 Luckey, William J Jr USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431221 UC-43 43-10866 HqSq 394ABSq Mitchel Field, LI, NY TACNU 4 Smalley, Noah L USA MD Camp Springs AAF, MD
431222 P-47D 42-8264 320FS 326FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 4 Reems, Julian S USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431223 P-47C 41-6564320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 3 McGill, William F USANY Stewart Field, NY
431229 A-24B 42-54456HqSq 1FCMitchel Field, LI, NY TOAEF 5 Oehmig, Vonalbade D USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431221 UC-43 43-10866 HqSq 394ABSq Mitchel Field, LI, NY TACNU 4 Smalley, Noah L USA MD Camp Springs AAF, MD
431222 P-47D 42-8264 320FS 326FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 4 Reems, Julian S USA NY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
431223 P-47C 41-6564320FS 402FGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 3 McGill, William F USANY Stewart Field, NY
431229 A-24B 42-54456HqSq 1FCMitchel Field, LI, NY TOAEF 5 Oehmig, Vonalbade D USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
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