1943 — Jan 25, USAAF B-17C crash letting down in low clouds, 2M NW New Albany, OH–12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 12 Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 251.
— 12 Sandusky Register Star-News, OH. “Twelfth Man Dies.” 1-27-1943, p. 1, col. 2.
Narrative Information
Mireles: “At 1230 EWT, a Boeing B-17C flying in poor weather crashed two miles northwest of New Albany, Ohio, killing 12 crewmembers and passengers. Investigation revealed that the B-17 was attempting to let down through low clouds while trying to locate and land at Lockbourne Army Air Base, Columbus, Ohio. The B-17 collided with the ground in a flying attitude at high speed, exploding into flames and scattering wreckage, bodies and body parts over a considerable area. The airplane was returning to its station at Lockbourne after completing an administrative flight from Hendricks Field, Sebring, Florida.” (Mireles 2006, Vol. 1, p. 251.)
Newspapers
Jan 26, AP: “Columbus, O., Jan. 26 – (AP) – Columbus, O., Jan. 26 – (AP) – The lone survivor of an Army bomber crash that killed 11 crew members was given ‘an even chance to pull through; today as members of an investigation board pressed an inquiry into the cause of an explosion which sent the plane down in flames at nearby New Albany yesterday. The survivor, Sergt. James H. Foldesi, 23, of Superior, Wis., was in critical condition in Grant Hospital…
“Witnesses who pulled Foldesi from the burning wreckage said a loud explosion preceded the crash. They found bodies of the crew and parts of the plane scattered over a 600-yard area.
“The ship, a four-motored training bomber, was enroute from Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla., to the nearby Lockbourne Air Base. The Lockbourne Public Relations Office identified the dead as:
Capt. Jack Pack, Salt Kake City, Utah, pilot;
Capt. Robert Cooley, Minneapolis, co-pilot;
First Lt. George Strobridge, Syracuse, N.Y.;
Pvt. Christian Mauthe, 31, Philadelphia;
Sgt. Walter F. Baran, 22, Oneonta, N.Y.;
Pfc. Gordon D. Rutters, 25, Hanover, Pa.;
Staff Sgt. Chester B. Fudge, 20, Indianapolis;
Corp. Richard J. Klaetsch, 23, Sellersville, Pa.;
Pvt. Salvatore B. Curcio, 21, Passaic, N.J.;
Staff Sgt. John A. Sawatka, 21, Amsterdam, N.Y.;
Pvt. George A. Box, 22, Greenwood, Miss.”
(Associated Press. “11 Killed In Bomber Crash.” The Logan Daily News, OH, 1-26-1943, p. 1.)
Jan 27: “Columbus, Jan. 27 (UP) – A military escort from Lockbourne air base accompanied home today the bodies of 12 officers and men who were killed in the crash of a B-17 training flying fortress near New Albany, O., Monday. Sgt. James H. Foldesi, 24. Superior, Wis., only man not killed instantly, died late yesterday at a hospital, 30 hours after the crash.” (Sandusky Register Star-News, OH. “Twelfth Man Dies.” 1-27-1943, p. 1, col. 2.)
Sources
Associated Press. “11 Killed In Bomber Crash.” The Logan Daily News, OH, 1-26-1943, p. 1. Accessed 5-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logan-daily-news-jan-26-1943-p-1/
Mireles, Anthony J. Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.
Sandusky Register Star-News, OH. “Twelfth Man Dies.” 1-27-1943, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 10-4-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=150337540