Compiled Nov 20, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–4 USN Beechcraft AT-11 hits Cumberland Mountain, VA, near Caylor, flying low in heavy fog.

–7 USN PBY-5A Catalina takeoff crash into hillside, ~Fort Baker, San Francisco Bay area.

–6 USAAF B-26 engine cutting out after takeoff, crash Hwy-41, Pinedale, CA.

–8 USAAF B-24J 4-engine bomber crash after March Field, CA takeoff, about eight miles NW.

Narrative Information

Aircraft 1: US Navy Beechcraft crashed and burned on Cumberland Mt. VA. Mt. in heavy fog.

–5 Aviation Safety Network. USN Beechcraft JRB-4 crash Gaylor Mt. TN (3M N Caylor area. VA?).

–4 Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Memorializes Victims.” 5-8-1945, p. 2.

–3 Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Crash Kills Three at Caylor KY. Last Evening.” 5-5-1945, p1.

Aviation Safety Network. USN Beechcraft JRB-4 crash Gaylor Mt. TN:

“Date: Friday 4 May 1945

“Time: 20:15

“Type: Beechcraft JRB-4 (C-45)

“Owner/operator: United States Navy (USN)

“Registration: 44591

….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5

“Location: Gaylor Mountain, TN (Narrative indicates the side of Stone Mountain.)

“Phase: En route

“Nature: Military

“Departure airport: NAS Anacostia, DC (17:28)

“Destination airport: Dayton, OH

“Narrative: Crashed and burned on a side of Stone Mountain, 14 miles east of
Middleboro, KY, while flying low in heavy fog.”

May 5, Middlesboro Daily News, KY: “A crash that is known to have been fatal to three occurred in the mountains near Caylor, Va., at 7:15 last evening when a Beachcraft [Beechcraft] AT-11 Navy plane crashed and immediately exploded. The plane was based at the United States Naval Air Station at Anacostia, D.C. ‘The plane entered a fog bank, flew into the mountain, and immediately exploded,’ said Jack Colson of the local airport, who was first called at 7:30 by the Rev. A. E. Robertson of Wheeler [Wheeler VA is near Caylor VA to the west, close to the KY border to the north and the TN border to the south]…Of the three victims, only one had been positively identified, Leopold Joseph Smernoff, of the Anacostia Air Station.

“….One of the unidentified victims was a lieutenant-colonel in the Marines, said Colson, whom he thought was probably the pilot of the plane. The other was a member of the crew.

“….Tip Brooks, Caylor merchant, said today that the site of the crash is near the worked out mine of the Chadwell Coal Company in the mountains three miles back of his store. He said he plainly heard the crash of the plane which was headed north. He said first visitors to the scene returned to his store about midnight….“Colson said…that the plane crashed into trees.” (Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Plane Crash Kills Three at Caylor Va. Last Evening.” 5-5-1945, p. 1.)

May 8, Middlesboro Daily News, KY: “Four miles west of Ewing, Va., is located the prosperous and quiet village of Caylor, Va. Caylor is situated ten miles east of Historic Cumberland Gap, Tenn, 2 miles south of the Kentucky state line; and 3 miles north of the Tennessee state line, on Highway 58 and 412. Erected at Caylor is a ‘marker’ erected by Va. Dept. of Highways, in memory of the death in 1773 of a son of Daniel Boone…

“As night was drawing nigh on the evening of Friday, May 4^th, 1945, farmers and housewives were completing their daily chores preparatory to retiring for sleep… The sky was filled with clouds. Heavy fog came from the top of Cumberland Mountain causing the mountain to be practically hidden. Suddenly the whir of the motor of a plane was heard from the south. Swiftly and low flew the plane over the Boone monument…People gasped, knowing the plane would soon crash into the side of the mountain unless the course of the plane was changed. Within 30 seconds after passing over Caylor, the plane was lost in sight and immediately a crash was heard. Immediately, a fire was seen through the fog. Immediately tired boys and men, ages ranging from 12 to past 70 years of age, began wending their way to the point of the crash. Following a trail to the top of Cumberland Mountain these people turned west for a few hundred yards. Then, down the side of the mountain, through briars and other undergrowth, these men wended their way some 100 yards…At the foot of a 20 ft. rock cliff, lay the remains of the occupants of the plane and the plane – a Beachcraft AT-11 Naval plane. Investigation disclosed that the destination of the plane and the occupants was Dayton, O. …. Identified were the following occupants of the plane:

“Lieut. Col. J. F. Walters, USMC, 34, husband of Mrs. Mary G. Walters, Rockville, Md.

“Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class, L. J. Smernoff, 23…

“Lieut. Col. E. F. Svass [word very unclear], USMC, 344, Washington, D.C. …

“Seaman First Class Thomas Eugene Habbs [word unclear], USN, husband of Reba Mildred Habbs, ..Long Beach Calif. ….”

(Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Memorializes Victims.” 5-8-1945, p. 2.)

Aircraft 2: US Navy PBY-5A Catalina crash into hillside, turbulence, near Fort Baker, CA.

–10 Wikipedia. “List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1945-1949).”

— 9 Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research website. “Consolidated PBY Catalina…”

— 9 United Press. “25 Killed in 3 Air Crashes.” San Mateo Times, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 1.)

— 8 Military Investigation report.

(Names pilot and then names other personnel noting “A” for fatal and “B” for injured. There are seven other names with “A” noted and 3 with B noted. The Aviation AI&R webpage notes that the pilot, Lt (jg) USNR Robert Moment, as a fatality as well.

— 7 Aviation Safety Network. USN PBY-51 Catalina hits hillside after takeoff, San Fran. Bay area.

— 7 Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359). 8-7-2011.

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79 (USN PBY-5A):

“Date: Friday 4 May 1945

“Type: Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

“Operator: United States Navy

“Registration: 48416 ….

“Total: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 9 ….

“Location: San Francisco Bay, CA

“Phase: Initial climb (ICL)

“Nature: Military ….

“Narrative: Lost in takeoff accident from San Francisco Bay and hit hillside.”

Baugher: “48416 (VPB-84) lost in takeoff accident from San Francisco Bay and hit hillside 5/4/1945. 7 killed, 2 injured.” (Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359). 8-7-2011 revision.)

Wikipedia. “List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1945-1949).”:

[Blanchard note. Cited is the Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research website. We went to footed page and found a somewhat dim photograph of the military investigation report of this incident. The language in this Wikipedia page is an edited section from that report.]

“Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BU #48416, assigned to NAS Alameda, California crashed into Mount Tamalpais [approximately 13-14 miles northwest of Sausalito] three and 3⁄4 miles northeast of Alcatraz. The PBY-5A Catalina aircraft had taken off from Naval Air Station Alameda, California, at 1241, May 4, 1945, with an operational load, including 1050 gallons of fuel and 4 depth charges. Five miles northwest of the field in the vicinity of Alcatraz Island, aircraft encountered a lowering of the ceiling. Pilot radioed the tower and asked for instrument clearance to climb through overcast which was granted. About 5 minutes later the plane encountered severe turbulence and downdrafts. The port wing tip stuck to the side of the hill, causing this wing to be torn off and catapulting this plane down the hill to the left where it crashed and burned. Nine officers and an enlisted man were killed: Lieut. Comdr. Norman W. White, Oakland, CA, Lieut. (jg) Robert Moment, Plainfield, NJ, First pilot; Lieut. (jg) John Leonard Hart, Seattle, WA, second pilot; Ens. Carlton Cushing Jr., Fairhaven, MA, second pilot; Frank Spofford Jr., West Oxford, MA, aviation machinist mate 1c; Leo Benjamin Ibelli, Brooklyn, NY, aviation machinist mate 3c, Frank Paul Zappacosta, Lynn, MA, aviation radioman 1cl William Thomas Ford, Delaware, OH, aviation radioman 2c. Johnnie Samuel Owens, Bakersfield, CA aviation radioman 3c. The two enlisted men that were injured: Harold Robert Dole, Lorraine, OH, aviation ordnanceman.”

May 5, UP: “San Franciso, May 5. – (U.P.) – Nine officers and enlisted men were killed and two enlisted men were injured in the crash of a navy Catalina flying boat yesterday off the Golden Gate, the navy announced today. The plane struck a fog-bound hill southwest of Sausalito near Fort Baker. The two enlisted men, who suffered first degree face and hand burns, were thrown clear of the plane and summoned aid. All the bodies were recovered.” (United Press. “25 Killed in 3 Air Crashes.” San Mateo Times, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 1.)

Aircraft 3: USAAF TB-26B engine problem after takeoff, crash, Hwy-41, 1.5M N Pinedale, CA.

–6 AP. “Army Reveals Names of Six Air Crash Victims.” The Modesto Bee, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 5.

–6 Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79 (USAAF TB-26B).

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79 (USAAF TB-26B):

“Date: Friday 4 May 1945

“Time: 13:30

“Type: Martin TB-26B Marauder

“Owner/Operator: United States Army Air Force (USAAF)

“Registration: 41-18241

….

“Fatalities: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6

….

“Location: 1.5M N Pinedale, CA – USA

“Phase: Initial climb

“Nature: Military

“Departure airport: Hammer Field, Fresno, California

“Destination airport: return to same

“Narrative: Crashed. TB-26B Marauder #41-18241, 450th Base Unit, crashed onto

Highway 41 just north of the Pinedale neighborhood of Fresno, California,

two minutes after takeoff from Hammer Field. The pilot radioed the control

tower that his engine was cutting out and he was cleared for an immediate

return to the field.

“All six airmen aboard were killed:

2nd Lt. Arthur C. Middleton, Jr., O-743474, CA, Pilot
2nd Lt. Bernard Prizer, O-763854, OH, Co-Pilot
Sgt. Joseph J. Hizny, 13116832, PA, Flight Engineer
Sgt. John B. Szucs, 32673163, NY, Passenger
Cpl. Paul Brown, 19062983, TX, Passenger
Cpl. Paul E. Redhead, 35059659, OH, Flight Engineer.”

May 5, AP: “Fresno, May 5. – (AP) – Authorities at the Hammer Field Army Air Base today made public the names of six army airmen killed late yesterday in the crash of a twin-engined army bomber 10 miles north of here. They were:

“Second Lieutenant Arthur C. Middleton, 20, the pilot, son of Mrs. Mary K. Chambers, Long Beach.

“Second Lieutenant Bernard Prizer, 27, copilot…resided at Cleveland, O., before entering the service.

“Sergeant Joseph J. Hlzny, 23, whose widow, Anna Mae, resides at Pittston, Pa.

“Sergeant John B. Szuca, 29, son of Mrs. Mary Szuca, Machias, N.Y.

“Corporal Paul E. Redhead, 29, son of Mrs. Colista Redhead, Cleveland, Ohio.

“Corporal Paul Brown, 28, son of Sam Lee Brown, Orange, Texas.”

(AP. “Army Reveals Names of Six Air Crash Victims.” The Modesto Bee, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 5.)

Aircraft 4: USAAF 4-engine B24 crash after March Field CA takeoff ~eight miles NW:

–8 INS. “Two Californians Die in Plane Crash.” The Independent, Long Beach, CA. 5-6-1945, p.26.

–8 United Press. “25 Killed in 3 Air Crashes.” San Mateo Times, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 1.

–8 USAAFDATA. USAAF Personnel Records. Accessed 11-20-2023.

USAAFDATA. USAAF Personnel Records:

May 4, 1945

B-24J # 42-73184

Crew:

Leroy M. Apple Cpl MD

Robert E. Arnold Cpl CA

Vernon B. Behrman Cpl MO

Raymond E. Bengston Cpl MN

Robert P Martine 2L PA

Arthur A Miller 2L OH

Robert H Tieck 1L CA

Charles L Yost 2L MI

(USAAFDATA. USAAF Personnel Records. Accessed 11-20-2023.)

May 5, UP: “March Field, May 5. – (U.P.) – A four engined bomber crashed soon after taking off from March field late yesterday, carrying its eight crew members to death. The big plane fell and burned in the brush covered hills eight miles northwest of the army air base….” (United Press. “25 Killed in 3 Air Crashes.” San Mateo Times, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 1.)

May 5, INS: “March Field, Calif, May 5. (INS). Air Force officials announced tonight the names of four officers and four enlisted men killed yesterday when a four-engine bomber crashed and burned eight miles from its base at March Field. The victims included First Lt. Robert H. Teick [unclear], 27, Oroville, Calif., the pilot and Cpl. Robert E. Arnold, 21, Bakersfield.” (INS. “Two Californians Die in Plane Crash.” The Independent, Long Beach, CA. 5-6-1945, p. 26.)

Sources

Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research website. “Consolidated PBY Catalina PBY-5A, BU#48416, 4 May 1945, Sausalito CA.” Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/listPages/tour_us/asp/toursus02_pby.asp

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79. US Navy Beechcraft C-45 crashed and burned on Stone Mountain, TN, flying low in heavy fog. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/283715

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79. USN PBY-5A crash into hillside after San Francisco Bay area takeoff, 5-4-1945. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19450504-0

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1945, p. 79. USAAF TB-26B Marauder crash after takeoff,, Highway 41 1.5M north of Pinedale, CA, 5-4-1945. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/109919

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (39999 to 50359). 8-7-2011 revision. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries5.html

Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Memorializes Victims.” 5-8-1945, p. 2. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-may-08-1945-p-2/

Middlesboro Daily News, KY. “Plane Crash Kills Three at Caylor Va. Last Evening.” 5-5-1945, p. 1. Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-may-05-1945-p-1/

United Press. “25 Killed in 3 Air Crashes.” San Mateo Times, CA. 5-5-1945, p. 1. Accessed 11-20-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-may-05-1945-p-1/

USAAFDATA. USAAF Personnel Records. Accessed 11-20-2023 at: http://usaafdata.com/?q=search&page=1541&order=field_rank_value&sort=desc

Wikipedia. “List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1945-1949).” Accessed 11-19-2023 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_accidents_and_incidents_involving_military_aircraft_(1945%E2%80%931949)

1945 — May 4, four USN/USAAF aircraft crashes, Ft. Baker, Pinedale, ~March Field, CA ~Caylor, VA–25