Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 3-25-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 11 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009.[1]

— 11 Frederick Post, MD. “Plane Crashes.” 5-31-1944, p. 5.

— 11 Salisbury Times, MD. “11 Die in Navy Air Crash at Chincoteague.” 5-31-1944, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research: “32053. PB4Y-1…Navigation flight, hit trees on take-off and crashed 1/2 mi. West of NAAS Chincoteague 30 May 44 Loss date/Stricken.” (“PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.”)

Baugher: “Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator….32053 (ex USAAF B-24D 42-40395) crashed after takeoff from NAAS [Naval Auxiliary Air Station] Chincoteague, VA. 6/30/1944. 11 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 10-11-2009 rev.)

Newspaper

May 31: “Chincoteague, May 31 – Eleven officers and enlisted men, one of them a Marylander, were killed in the crash of a Navy bomber a mile and a half from the Naval Auxiliary Air Station here early yesterday. A Fifth Naval District public relations officer identified the entire crew, killed in an attempted emergency landing, as follows:

First Pilot Lt (jg) William G. Rehor. Price, Utah;

Lt. (jg) G. H. Wormhould, Pella, Iowa;

co-pilot Ensign Weldon Arthur Reeder, North East, Md.;

navigator Ensign James R. Gray, Carlyle, Ill.;

James Arthur Donahue, Jr., AMM 2-c, Lewiston, Me.;

Steve Stanley Stublarec, AMM 2-c, Johnstown, Pa.;

David L. Rickard, ARM 2-c, Tarabell, Fla.;

Jacob C. Clough., AOM 2-c, Muncie, Ind.;

Cornelius R. Lineham, AOM 3-e, Glen Falls, N.Y.;

George Aloyisious Quigg, ARM 3-c, White Haven, Pa.; and

Roger Warren Julin. AMM 3-c, South Minneapolis, Minn.

“The plane crashed in woods as it was attempting a landing at the field after having developed engine trouble shortly after taking off. It was learned here the time of the crash was about 3 a. m., yesterday. A Salisburian who passed by the scene of the crash yesterday said the bomber in coming down sheared off treetops for a distance of about 100 yards….” (Salisbury Times, MD. “11 Die in Navy Air Crash at Chincoteague.” 5-31-1944, p. 1.)

Sources

Aviation Archaeology Investigation & Research. “PB4Y USN Aircraft Airframe History List.” Accessed 11-29-2011 at: http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/USN/PB4Y.htm

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (30147 to 39998). 8-6-2012 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries4.html

Frederick Post, MD. “Plane Crashes.” 5-31-1944, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=32997672

Salisbury Times, MD. “11 Die in Navy Air Crash at Chincoteague.” 5-31-1944, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=10653397

[1] Baugher incorrectly has the date as June 30.

1944 – May 30, USN PB4Y-1 emer. landing attempt crash, NAAS Chincoteague VA –all 11