Category Archives: new combat troopers

George Christodal: One that got away!

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Fred Caruso

George Christodal was an 18-year-old paratrooper with a slightly more privileged occupational specialty than the combat troopers aboard FT923. He was trained in cryptography (secret coding) as a matter of chance assignment, or as he would say, by the toss … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

FLASH BACKS on the demise of Flying Tiger 923!

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Fred Caruso

Fifty years after the crash of Flying Tiger 923, it is astonishing to see how little was known by the survivors of the event that very nearly took their lives. No one had an opportunity to see all of the … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, new combat troopers, passengers, rescue teams | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Willie Smith: Tells story that makes “Old Soldier” proud

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Fred Caruso

News reporters were gathered on the tarmac of the new Cork Airport, each one of them wanting to snatch a survivor for an interview before medical personnel could get to them. Two Royal Air Force helicopters were alternately landing with … Continue reading →

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John Toole: Sitting in the right seat at the right time?

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Fred Caruso

It might have been a matter of luck, just sitting in the right seat at the right time. Private John Toole of Montgomery, Alabama, says he was very lucky and escaped from the crash of the Flying Tiger with no … Continue reading →

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George Brown: Oshkosh trooper safe on Canadian air craft carrier

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Fred Caruso

September 25, 1962 — Oshkosh, Wisconsin Daily Northwesterner news: “Oshkosh Man on Airliner is Safe” “A long and dreary day ended in joyous relief about 5 pm. Monday for Mr. And Mrs. George Brown when they got the news. Their … Continue reading →

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Fred Caruso: Thank God I’m alive!

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Some survivors wrote letters to describe the crash of Flying Tiger 923. One such letter was written the day following the disaster, September 24, 1962, while still at sea aboard the Swiss rescue ship, The  Celerina. Pvt. Fred Caruso, newly graduated … Continue reading →

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Frank Bazell: Survives crash to die another day for his country

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Frank David Bazell, Van Nuys, California, was one of the lucky 48 who survived the ditching of Flying Tiger 923 that dreadful night of September 23, 1962. He made it out of the destroyed airplane, battled the frigid gale-driven waves … Continue reading →

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Video – Raging Seas of the North Atlantic

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Fred Caruso

YouTube Video: Flying Tiger 923 and Raging North Atlantic Gale force winds whipped the icy North Atlantic some 500 miles off the west coast of Ireland. Ocean swells rose up to 35 feet high and waves between 10 to 15 … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, new combat troopers, passengers, rescue teams | 7 Comments

Dominic Tumminello: Stays steady through crash!

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Fred Caruso

From the Reading Eagle News, Reading, PA, Sept. 24, 1962: “A 20-year-old Mohnton, PA soldier was among the 76 passengers aboard the US airliner which ditched last night in high seas 500 miles off of Ireland. His fate is unknown. … Continue reading →

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Thomas Koltak: A free ticket to Germany !

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Fred Caruso

A secret elopement . . . a mom and dad to be . . . and a free ticket to Germany on Flying Tiger 923 ! Thomas Koltak and his wife, Judy, have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! That … Continue reading →

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