Category Archives: passengers

those persons on the aircraft not considered crew

Melvin Baney: Just trying to do the right thing…

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Sgt. Melvin Baney was headed for a new assignment in Europe. He had recently re-enlisted and was promoted with a new assignment. He was slowly moving up in ranks as a career military man. It could have been a happy … Continue reading →

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Lack of lighting weighs in on death toll

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Refusal of US to Require Lights Weighed as Factor in Airliner Death Toll By Richard Witkin for wire services From the New York Times The role played by a flashlight in the rescue of survivors of the airliner crash in … Continue reading →

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Peter Foley: Stars and Stripes reporter tells the world of terror and survival

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Much of what the world knows about the drama and details of the demise of Flying Tiger 923 is the result of the writing of US Stars and Stripes newspaper reporter Master Sergeant Peter Foley, home-town Spokane, Washington. Foley was … Continue reading →

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Lois Elander: Captain says “get some lipstick for the lady!”

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“When I was waiting on the deck of the carrier to take off to fly to Northolt (England), the captain shouted over the loud speaker that I was to bring lipstick back for the injured woman in the ship’s hospital. … 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

John and Helga Groves: Pain of loss of friend lingers half a century!

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Fred Caruso

Sgt. John and Mrs. Helga Groves The close friend who drove the couple to McGuire Air Force Base that day, September 23, 1962, says “I feel the pain of the loss of this very good friend to this day after … Continue reading →

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Lt. Col. George Dent: Wife Elizabeth dies on over-crowded life raft

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Fred Caruso

They both made it to the raft. Separated by only six feet, the raft was so packed that they could not see each. When enough people were pulled out of the raft, he found her. By then she was already … Continue reading →

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Ode to Big Bird (Flying Tiger 923)

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Fred Caruso

A Memorial Poem For the “Big Bird” Flying Tiger Flight 923 By Garret  Ahern, Dublin, Ireland ‘Big Bird’ Out from New Jersey, Big bird spreading wings, Trundling east-ward, in War-cold nineteen-sixty-two. Three-score souls and ten- And more aboard, Service by … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, MEMORIALS, passengers, rescue teams | 4 Comments

Harry Benson: Retired Air Force Major feared engine trouble

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Fred Caruso

 “The engine was vibrating so severely I was afraid something might loosen in the connections of the fuel lines.” The following story was taken from an Associated Press newspaper report on the Civil Aeronautics Board inquiry in New York City … Continue reading →

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Robert Eldred: Green troops make “Old Soldier” proud

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Fred Caruso

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – … Continue reading →

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