Author Archives: Fred Caruso

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About Fred Caruso

Survivor of the crash of Flying Tiger 923. at night, at sea, 500 miles off the west coast of Ireland, with 28 deaths and 48 survivors, September 23, 1962.

Gordon Thornsberry: Mother’s scrapbook provides details of North Atlantic crash

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Written and submitted by Gordon Thornsberry, Russellville, Arkansas Prologue My mother had a scrapbook on the crash which I inherited when she passed away. The scrapbook included telegrams, newspaper clippings, photos and a letter I wrote to my family detailing … Continue reading →

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Survivor and two rescuers meet in Swiss village of Celerina

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Fred Caruso

A tiny village in the Swiss Alps was the site of a reunion on July 18th of a North Atlantic airplane crash survivor and two of his rescuers. The village of Celerina welcomed Fred Caruso, Pierre-Andre Reymond and Walter Wunderlin who … Continue reading →

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Mother and two children lost in raging sea

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Fred Caruso

“I saw a child being thrown out a window by a man after the plane hit the Atlantic. The child was never seen again. The other child also vanished.” Rachael K. Hoopii, 32, of Waimanolo, Hawaii was on her way … Continue reading →

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Air Force Captain reflects on ditching-day horror

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Fred Caruso

[A number of stories were written about Dr. Figueroa, with nearly all focusing on his untiring and heroic ministering to the medical needs of fellow survivors. This is his story. It is about his experiences and feelings about the flight … Continue reading →

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Reader comments generate new leads and information.

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Fred Caruso

RE Post: About this site. By Ken Skelton Two survivors, Frank Ruffalo and Sam Vasquez, reunited at my home in Arizona today (May 11). Would you like a photo of them? [Editor’s Note: “Yes, certainly!”] *     *   … Continue reading →

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Paul R. Stewart – Lifted off rescue ship at Antwerp, Belgium

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Pvt. Paul R. Stewart of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was one of the youngest paratroopers on board Flying Tiger 923 when it ditched in the frigid north Atlantic some 500 miles off the west coast of Ireland. It was a Sunday night, … Continue reading →

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Restoration Clubs Keep the Super Constellation Alive

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Restoration clubs around the world are beginning to bring the Super Constellation back to life with hard work by a lot of volunteers and funds provided by generous sponsors. A Swiss friend of “Flying Tiger 923”, Peter W. Frey, an … Continue reading →

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Robert Eldred: “The hand of God was at the controls of the plane.”

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Retired Army Captain Robert C. Eldred was one of the 17 survivors evacuated from the Swiss rescue ship Celerina by RAF Helicopter. He was interviewed on the tarmac of the new Cork Airport as rescue teams transported the injured to … Continue reading →

Posted in passengers, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Flying Tiger 923 and the Raging North Atlantic – A Video

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Taken in the same area of the North Atlantic on the afternoon of the very day of the demise of Flying Tiger 923 (Sept. 22-23, 1962), a 19-year-old crew member of the rescue ship Celerina, Pierre Andre Reymond took a two … Continue reading →

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Reader memories stirred by website stories

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Reader comments suggest the value of this effort: *     *     *     *     * Barbara Murray,  barbaramurray63@hotmail.com Hi there! I am Barbara Murray, daughter of John Murray. What an amazing story! And you know my dad and mom never really explained … Continue reading →

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