Tag Archives: liferaft

Life raft story stirs reader responses

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Fred Caruso

We were told repeatedly during the preparation drills, “The life rafts stored in both wings will eject and inflate automatically on impact..” If that were so, what happened to them?   *     *     *     … Continue reading →

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Where did all of the life rafts go? There were supposed to be five. Right?

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Fred Caruso

After nearly three years of research and reporting, this writer has pretty well described what happened and who was involved in the incident in addition to passengers and crew. In the process of all of this research, questions were raised … Continue reading →

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

Ernest Wilson: Recounts injuries and cold ocean drama.

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Fred Caruso

At age 37 and a World War II veteran, Master Sgt. Ernest L. Wilson of New Orleans, was on his way to a new two-year assignment to an M.P. Station near Frankfort, Germany. That trip ended abruptly when the aircraft … Continue reading →

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Forgiven Disaster: Carol Hansen and the Ditching of Flying Tiger 923

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Fred Caruso

Carol Gould Hansen was the most visible of all survivors of Flying Tiger 923. She was pretty, full of energy, a natural leader, and always quick to flash a smile. She played a very important role in the well being of … Continue reading →

Posted in flight crew, Other Gems | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 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 →

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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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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

Samuel Nicholson: He controls launch of life raft

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Fred Caruso

“I pulled open the rear door and a wave at least 10 feet high knocked me over. I got up and threw the un-inflated raft out of the back door. Unfortunately the rope which was tying it to the aircraft … Continue reading →

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Not your typical airplane crash

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Fred Caruso

The Flying Tiger crash was not your typical disaster in many ways, beginning with the fact that it was not simply a big bang crash, but was a disaster drawn out for many hours and even into days! The drama … Continue reading →

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