1945 — Apr 17, US Navy PB4Y-1 patrol plane crash, training exercise off Mayport, FL–  12

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/  Last edit 12-8-2023.

–12  Baugher. US Navy and [USMC] BuNos Third Series (90020 to 99860). 8-6-2023 revision.

–12  Florence Morning News, SC. “Twelve Crew Members Missing After Crash.” 4-18-1945, 3.

–12  Joplin Globe, MO. “Announce Names of 12 Missing in Plane Crash.” 4-20-1945, p. 9.

–12  Racine Journal Times, WI.  “Wisconsin Fliers Crash.” 4-2-1945, p. 4.

–12  Troy Record, NY. “18 Dead or Missing in Florida Air Crashes.” 4-19-1945, p. 15.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “….Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator….90196 (VPB-4) spun in and crashed near Mayport, FL Apr 17, 1945. 12 killed, one bailed out.” (Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (90020 to 99860). 10-15-2010.)

Newspapers

April 17: “Jacksonville, Fla., April 17 – (AP) — Twelve crew members of a Navy patrol plane were reported missing today following the crash of their aircraft in the Atlantic ocean during routine training exercises off Mayport. A thirteenth man was known to have survived. Officials of the naval air station here said the plane was attached to a nearby auxiliary base and that a thorough search of the crash area was underway for the missing men…” (Florence Morning News, SC. “Twelve Crew Members Missing After Crash.” 4-18-1945, p. 3.)

April 19: “Jacksonville, Fla. (AP) – Eighteen men were reported killed or missing in two plane crashes, one involving a B-25, in Florida, Tuesday.

“The Navy said 12 members of’ a patrol plane were missing after the craft crashed in the Atlantic Ocean during training exercises off Mayport. A 13^th man was known to have survived.

“Sheriff Fred Quedhau of Charlotte County said six men lost their lives and seven parachuted to safety in the crash of a B-29 Super-fortress 17 miles north of Punta Gorda. At Tampa the Army Air Base said no official statement was available at this time.” (Troy Record, NY. “18 Dead or Missing in Florida Air Crashes.” 4-19-1945, p. 15.)

April 19: “Jacksonville, Fla., April 19. – (AP) — The names of 12 officers and men who are missing following the crash of a navy patrol plane in the Atlantic ocean were announced today by the Jacksonville naval air station. The ship crashed Tuesday off Mayport, small seaside community. Included among those listed as missing, and their next of kin, are:

Marion Edwin Peek, 22, AOM third class, wife, Mrs. Virginia Peek, Kansas City, Mo.

James LeRoy Shaffer, 19, AOM, father, J. L. Shaffer, ST., route 2, Princeton, Mo.”

(Joplin Globe, MO. “Announce Names of 12 Missing in Plane Crash.” 4-20-1945, p. 9.)

April 20: “Jacksonville, Fla. — (UP) – Robert Luke Keagle, 19, Collins, Iowa, and James Joseph Dirks, 19, Marinette, Wis., were among 12 crewmen of a navy patrol plane which crashed into the Atlantic Tuesday, naval air station officials disclosed today.” (Racine Journal Times, WI. “Wisconsin Fliers Crash.” 4-20-1945, p. 4.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (90020 to 99860). 8-6-2023 revision. Accessed 12-8-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries10.html

Florence Morning News, SC. “Twelve Crew Members Missing After Crash.” 4-18-1945, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=51785495

Joplin Globe, MO. “Announce Names of 12 Missing in Plane Crash.” 4-20-1945, p. 9. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1770541

Racine Journal-Times, WI. “Wisconsin Fliers Crash.” 4-2-1945, p. 4. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=142268298

Troy Record, NY. “18 Dead or Missing in Florida Air Crashes.” 4-19-1945, p. 15. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=40347163