1953 — Nov 10, USN PBM seaplane crash, sea ~Che Ju Isl. 40M SW of Jindo, So Korea –14-15

–14-15 Blanchard note:

The AP report below reports 15 deaths as does VPNavy.org (though only 14 names of fatalities are noted). Stars and Stripes, quoting US Navy sources notes 14 deaths. We have found no source that supports the ASN report of 11 fatalities. It appears to us that there were probably 14 deaths, though we cannot discount reports of 15 deaths, thus we choose to employ a range of 14-15 deaths.

–15 AP. “15 Believed Killed in Navy Plane Crash off South Tip of Korea.” Nome Nugget, AK, 11-11-1953, p1.
–15 VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-50 Mishap.” 1-3-2001 update.
–14 AP, Tokyo. “14 Feared Dead in Korea Crash.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, 11-12-1953, p. 1.
–11 Aviation Safety Network. USN PBM Mariner crash at sea near Che Ju Isl., S. Korea, 10 Nov 53.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database:
“Date: 10 Nov 1953
….
“Type: Martin PBM-5S2 Mariner
“Owner/operator: United states Navy (USN)
“Registration: 85152
….
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 11/ Occupants: 11
….
“Location: 40 mi SW of Jindo, Korea – Pacific Ocean
….
“Departure airport: NAF Iwakuni, Japan/VP-50
“Destination airport: [Not noted.]
“Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
“Narrative: US patrol sea plane crashed in sea near Che Ju island. As “Marinero” in
Report.”

VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-50 Mishap.” 1-3-2001 update:
“13 NOV 53 A/C: PBM-5S2 [Incorrect date – all other sources have it as Nov 19.]
“LOCATION: off Cheju Island, Korea
“TYPE: Fire…
“DEATHS: 15
“NUNO: Unknown
“Cause:
“In response to Captain Richard Hoffman’s recent request, here are the particulars on Crew 10, VP-50, that were lost off Cheju Island, Korea, on the Tuesday before 13 Nov 1953. The aircraft was seen to “go down in flames” no other info available. There were no survivors. The loss was not deemed due to enemy action due to the location. The aircraft was a PBM-5S2, Martin Mariner enroute to a Yellow Sea patrol. [14 names are shown below as fatalities]

The PPC was Lt. Paul Elvin Nielsen, USNR, Alameda, CA.
Pilots were LTJG Laurence John Dacasto, USNR, {San Francisco},
LTJG John Crawford Dudley, USNR, San Lorenzo, CA and
Ens. James Francis Johnston, USNR, Gainesville, FL., …

Enlisted members of Crew 10 included

Plane Captain Orvis Roger Mee, AD1, USN, Tomah, WI;
Gerald Robert Hendrick, PH1, USN, East Alton, IL;
Alvin Clair Haney, AD2, USN, Alameda, CA;
Teddy Arthur Dobrenz, AT3, USN, Sheridan, WY;
Gilbert Fletcher Gauldin, AL3, USN, home unk;
Larry Eugene Norton, AO3, USN, Griffin, GA;
Elton Raymond Davis, ADAN, USN, San Lorenzo, CA;
Kenneth Wilbur Goff, ATAN, USN, Portland, Maine;
Harlan Paige Cobb, AN, USN, Hartford, AL; and
James Mitchell Hill, AN, USN, Donaldsonville, GA. Contributed by DAVE RINEHART.”

Newspapers

Nov 11, AP: “Tokyo, (AP) – A U.S. Naby PBM Mariner patrol plane crashed into the sea off the south tip of Korea yesterday and 15 crewmen are believed to have been killed, the Navy reported today. Four destroyers searched the crash area all night without sighting survivors. One spotted debris. The Mariner was based at Ikakuni, Japan.” (Associated Press, Tokyo. “15 Believed Killed in Navy Plane Crash Off South Tip of Korea.” Nome Nugget, AK, 11-11-1953, p. 1.)

Nov 11, AP: “Tokyo, Nov. 11 (AP) – Fourteen men were believed dead after a Navy PBM Mariner crashed into choppy waters off Cheju island off the Korean southern coast yesterday, the Navy reported today. No survivors had been rescued after an all-night search. The plane was based at the U.S. Navy base at Iwakuni, Japan. The SS Sword Knot was near the scene of the crash and spotted two pontoons and other debris from the downed plane.” (Associated Press, Tokyo. “14 Feared Dead in Korea Crash.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, 11-12-1953, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press, Tokyo. “14 Feared Dead in Korea Crash.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, 11-12-1953, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes-nov-12-1953-p-16/

Associated Press, Tokyo. “15 Believed Killed in Navy Plane Crash Off South Tip of Korea.” Nome Nugget, AK, 11-11-1953, p. 1. Accessed 7-2-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/the-nome-nugget-nov-11-1953-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Network, Database. US Navy Martin PBM-5S2 Mariner crash at sea near Che Ju Island, South. Korea, 10 Nov 1953. Accessed 7-2-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/178786

VPNavy.org. U.S. Navy Patrol Squadrons. “VP-50 Mishap.” 1-3-2001 update. Accessed 7-2-2023 at: https://www.vpnavy.com/vp50_mishap.html

Wikipedia. “Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.” Accessed 7-2-2023 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Iwakuni