Tag Archives: paratrooper

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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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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Skip Davidson: I knew it was swim or die.

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Fred Caruso

Pvt. Larry E. “Skip” Davidson, 19, of Manchester, Maryland, joined the Army in early April of 1962. He undertook the rigorous training in combat arms and then the techniques and methods of paratroopers who get into battle from the air. … Continue reading →

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Seeking Celerina crew members

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Fred Caruso

Since the beginning of this project, we have located a small number of crew members from the Swiss rescue ship, MS Celerina. They are scattered all over the globe. The ship had a crew of 34 at the time, including … 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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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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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 →

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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 →

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