Category Archives: new combat troopers

Who is in the Photo?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Our friend and fellow Flying Tiger survivor, Sammy Vasquez of Phoenix, Arizona, sent us two group photos taken aboard the Celerina on the final leg of the journey, following the airlift of 17 to Ireland. We have been able to … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, new combat troopers, passengers | Tagged | 13 Comments

17 Airlifted to the Emerald Island

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Fred Caruso

The skies were crystal clear, the sun was brilliant, and the ocean winds were calm that day in dramatic contrast to the previous three days of cold, tumultuous seas driven by gale force winds. The Swiss rescue ship Celerena lay … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers, passengers, rescue teams | 2 Comments

One light – One raft – 51 people

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“Then I had an inspiration. I went back to the cockpit for a flashlight. By that time  the water in the cabin was waist deep. No one else was in the plane. Again at the back door, I was swept out to … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, new combat troopers, passengers | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Mac Johnson: He will not be forgotten

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“A Mesa, Arizona mother held a flicker of hope today that her son would be found some 500 miles off the coast of Ireland in the teaming, stormy North Atlantic.” Pvt. Carroll M. Johnson, son of Mrs. Gracie M. Medlin … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | 10 Comments

Samuel Vasquez: Big bang blacks-out trooper

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Fred Caruso

There wasn’t supposed to be a big bang. The plane was expected to glide across the water surface, coming to a controlled halt, allowing passengers to step out onto the wing and load into the life rafts. But that didn’t happen. … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

CAB Report Available for Free Download

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Thirty seven pages, single sided, in 1962. How big would this report be today, 50 years later? A complete copy of the “Aircraft Accident Report by the Civil Aeronautics Board,” released September 13, 1963 is available here in Adobe PDF … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, new combat troopers, passengers, rescue teams, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Art Gilbreth: Out of body experience guides trooper

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Fred Caruso

I found myself in two planes of existence.  One was floating way high above me and could see everything:  the sinking plane, the raft, people swimming, and me underwater.  The other plane was at my level and I was under … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | 4 Comments

Raul Acevedo: Trooper tells of crash aftermath, writes to John F. Kennedy

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“My CO ignored my requests for a medical leave. I asked a number of times because I had to prove to my parents that I was really alive and well. So, I stopped asking my CO and wrote a registered, … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | Tagged | 2 Comments

Harold Lesane: A dream fulfilled

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“The flight was the climax of a lifelong dream.” Pvt. Harold Lesane, 18, of Philadelphia, was one of 11 children. The son of Mrs. Mabel Lesane, also of Philadelphia, he quit school in March of 1962 in order to join … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | 2 Comments

Ed Apanel: Private from Palisades Park, NJ testifies

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Fred Caruso

Edward Apanel Jr., a 19-year old paratrooper from Palisades Park, New Jersey, was injured seriously enough to warrant surgery on his legs. He was evacuated from the Celerina by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Ireland, and then to an Air … Continue reading →

Posted in new combat troopers | Tagged , , | 5 Comments