Total Persons on Board:
44 - Eight crewmen, and 36 passengers, including 3 civilians.
|
Flight Crew |
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Major Gerald F. Brittain, pilot, 36 |
First Lt. Mike Tisik, co-pilot, 25 |
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First Lt. Joseph W. Metzler, navigator, 31 |
First Lt. Kyle L. McMichael, aircraft commander, 28 |
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M. Sgt. Clyde A. Streltmann, engineer, 29 |
Tech. Sgt. Harry W. McConegly, engineer, 30 |
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S. Sgt. Raymond H. Snow, engineer, 24 |
S. Sgt. Clarence A. Gibson, radio operator, 35 |
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Passengers |
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Eldon V. Dolansky, Sunny side, WA
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Mrs. Joyce M. Espe, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. wife of M Sgt Robert E. Espe,
of the 57th Air Installation Squadron |
Victor E. Espe (Infant), Elmendorf AFB |
|
Capt. Frank E. Gregory, Eielson AFB, Alaska |
T-Sgt. Jack P. Faris, Houston, Texas.
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S-Sgt. Robert E. Ahearn, Charlton City, Mass. |
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S-Sgt. Jack E. Dickerson, Dunsmuir, Calif. |
S-Sgt. Burnis T. Lively, Long Branch, W. Va. |
S-Sgt. Raymond G. Mangold, Rodney, Ark. |
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S-Sgt. John J. McDonald, Lowell, Mass.
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S-Sgt. Clinton D. Tompkins, Langley, Wash.
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Sgt. Ray L. Asel, Los Angeles, Calif.
|
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Sgt. Donald W. Dagle, Hawarden, IA |
Sgt. Noel B. Jones, Harlingen, Texas.
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Sgt. Roy F. Jones, Marietta, Ga. |
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Sgt. Junior Lee Moore, Montgomery, Pa. |
Sgt. Harold R. Hoell, Nebraska City, Neb. |
Sgt. Tommy E. Rhoad, Flint, Mich.. |
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Sgt. Julian C. Thomas, Lake City, SC |
Cpl. Albie P. Baughman, Tioga, TX |
Cpl. Henry S. Kerchner, Thomasville, Pa. |
|
Cpl. Jeff D. Johnson, Allentown, N. J. |
Cpl. Raymond H. Matheny, McKenzie, Tenn.. |
Cpl. Bernard Portrey, Preston, Neb. |
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Cpl. Richard L. Suggs, Crossville, Tenn. |
Cpl. Thomas J. Young, Sulphur Rock, Ark. |
Pfc. John A. Chalopka, Richmond, Mo. |
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Pfc. Charles W. Cook, Van Dyke, Mich. |
Pfc. Billie C. Cummins, Corbin, Ky.
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Pfc. Francis D. Hofer, Seattle, Wash. |
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Pfc. Herman L. Lawson, Pauline, SC |
Pfc. Loyd E. Lowry, Mustoe, VA
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Pfc. William W. Cranor, Dallas, Texas |
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Pvt. Robert M. Hiatt, Toppenish, Wash. |
Pvt. Blake F. Maxwell, Lynn, Mass.
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Pvt. Robert T. Reitmeyer, St. Louis, Mo. |
When:
January 26, 1950
Weather:
Low clouds, fog, drizzle. Low temperatures.
Flight Route:
Enroute from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to Great Falls, Montana.
The plane's final destination was Biggs AFB near El Paso, Texas.
Area Believed Crashed:
The missing plane was last heard from
over Snag, 10 miles into Yukon territory from the Alaskan border.
Reason for flight:
Transportation of personnel
Type Plane:
A Douglas C-54D "Skymaster", serial number
42-72469, powered by four Pratt &
Whitney R-2000-11 engines
Search efforts:
The search was dubbed "Operation Mike", a name
taken from the missing plane's commander, 1st Lt. Kyle E. McMichael.
On January 30th, a C-47, attached to the 57th
Fighter Wing at Elmendorf Field, and piloted by 1st Lt.
Charles H. Harden, crashed near Mt. McClintoc, injuring four aboard.
Controversy:
Despite one of the largest searches to that time, no trace of the plane, or
its personnel, have been found.
For more information, view the following:
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