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Ongoing Search for
Gertrude Tompkins Silver
Silver update Sept 19, 2008
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Web Site Updated
10/03/08 |
G. Pat Macha
Speaker Engagement
list
Author
"Aircraft
Wrecks..." Book
Host
"Wreck
Finding" DVD
Peter Stekel in August
2007 at the crash site of USAAF Beechcraft AT-7 #41-21079 that was posted
missing on 11/18/42 training flight. Peter has a book in the works on this
most interesting story.
To learn more click here.
Addendum added 3/13/2008
Recent
Crash Site Visitations
Missing Aircraft in California
Stories with Returned Artifacts
B-24D 4/9/44
New photo
B-24L
1/30/45
B-25D
10/2/44
P-59A
3/1/45
TP-39N
9/6/44
Story Archive
Grumman AA-58
1/3/82
Northrop
A-17
B-12A
5/28/35
B-24E
12/5/43
B-24J
5/16/44
B-24J
5/5/44
BT-13A
1/8/43
C119C Mystery
C182C
11/10/69
C-46A
10/5/45
DC-3
11/21/50
F-105D
12/7/67
F3D-2
1952-53
F3H-2N
10/3/56
Updated
F4U-4
4/23/46
F6F-5N
3/6/49
F9F-5
2/2/57
FG-1A
5/5/45
JF-104A
5/1/57
JF-104A
11/22/66
Mooney M20
12/3176
P-38
5/4/44
P-38/EA-3B 6/18/44 & 9/10/62
PA-22
10/28/56
PBJ-1D
4/26/44
SA-16A
1/24/52
TB-25N
1/26/56
TBM-3
10/1/52
TS-2A
10/5/98
TWA Martin 404
2/19/55
YF-89D
10/20/53
Monument Site
B-24E
7/5/43
B-24E
3/3/44
B-24J
5/4/45
B-25D
10/2/44
B-24J/TF100C 7/2/44 & 4/9/57
B-26
12/30/41
Beechcraft 95
C-130A
6/17/02
DC-6B
10/1/92
DH-4B
12/7/22
FJ-4
3/27/61
N-3PB
4/21/43
P-40's
10/24/41
P2V5/C118A
2/1/58
PV-1
2/24/44
SNB-5
11/18/50
New Story
X-15
11/15/67
Project
Remembrance
BLM Aircraft Historical Sites
Special Projects
Gertrude Tompkins Silver
Steve Fossett Search
Addendum 3/13/08
Addendum 6/29/08
Fosset Found
Another Long Missing Aircraft
Picture
Archive
Veterans pictures
Latest picture posted 5/9/08
How to ID a micro-site
ID a micro-site
Info added
5/15/2007
Related Story
World War II
Airman Found
Frozen in Glacier
Continuing story
9/28/07
Articles
For a complete list of articles featuring G.
Pat Macha
Latest article
3/20/2007
Related Links, Organizations
&
Associations
Links
European links
Recommended Readings
Latest posting 6/29/2007
Beechcraft 95 story
G. Pat
Macha circa summer 1964 sits in the fuselage framework of Boeing Stearman
PT-17 NC53475 that forced landed in Fish Creek Meadows on 7/15/45.
(G.P. Macha photo)
While
working at YMCA Camp Conrad in the San Bernardino Mountains during the
summer of 1964 I visited the wreck of Boeing Stearman PT-17 NC53475 on the
old Heart Bar Ranch. On 7/15/45 one USAAF pilot and his civilian
instructor ran out of gas and force landed in remote Fish Creek Meadows
near the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The two men sustained only minor
injuries and then hiked for several hours before they reached State
Highway 38 at the South Fork of the Santa Ana River. A husband and wife
who were picnicking at the river on that summer day so long ago, drove the
flyers to Redlands to report the mishap. I knew part of this story since
the 60’s, but I did not know the accident date, and I assumed the plane
was USAAF. Thanks to Craig Fuller and his AAIR accident report files I was
able to learn the crew names, exact date of the crash, and that the plane
was assigned to the Civilian Pilot’s Training Program. When the State of
California took over the Heart Bar Ranch the PT-17 was hauled off to the
dump and buried there. To learn more about the resources that Craig
offers, click link below.
Aviation Archaeology |
Veteran's Day Memorial Ceremony
Graphic Designed by Lewray
On Tuesday,
November 11, 2008 this 18” x 24”
plaque by CR Bronzeworks will be dedicated at the Proud Bird Restaurant in a
ceremony that includes representatives from Gertrude’s family, fellow
WASP’s, search team members, aviation notables, and representatives from
city, county, state, and federal government. Following the luncheon
dedication the plaque will be placed at the Flight Path Museum and Learning
Center on LAX where it will remain in perpetuity.
This memorial
project was envisioned, and actualized through the efforts of United States
Army Chaplin, Captain Jeffery W. Clemens who is now serving in Afghanistan.
For more information regarding the events of 11/11/08 please contact
Pat@aircraftwrecks.com
Press Release for Veteran's Day Memorial Ceremony
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Lt. Cmdr. Robert F. "Bob" Coad
USNR was aboard Lockheed SP-2E Bu No 131487 that crashed in bad weather
in the Santa Ana Mountains on 2/11/69 with loss of the entire crew:
Lt. Cmdr. Robert Fredrerick
Lt. Cmdr. Beal G. Dolven, Jr.
Lt. Cmdr. Oliver B. Walley
A/O Walter R. Jacobson
A/O John E. Hansen
A/MM Harris R. Hendrickson
(Photo courtesy John Ibson) |
Harris Russell Hendrickson Aviation
Machinist Mate USN in photo circa 1942 at age twenty. A/MM Hendrickson
had a long career in the U.S. Navy that ended tragically on 2/11/69
aboard Lockheed SP-2E Bu No 131487.
(Photo courtesy Gail Hendrickson) |
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OCRegister.com article
ABC 7 News Report |
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T/Sgt. Keith M. Ferguson
USMC with his daughter Terry Kay.
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Looking sharp in his
“dress blues” T/Sgt. Keith M. Ferguson USMC. (Photos courtesy Carol Ohman &
Terry K. Contreras) |
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The entire USMC crew
of Beechcraft SNB-5 Bu No 29649 is seen by us thanks to the daughter of
T/Sgt. Keith Furguson, Mrs. Terry Contreras.
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Marie Michell Robinson lost her
life in service to our Nation on 10/2/44.
We remember her and her crewmates, and we honor their sacrifice.
B-25 & WASP story
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2nd Lt. Pat L. Montgomery upon earning his wings in
July, 1944. In less than two months he would join the ranks of more than 35,000
airmen and women who would lose their lives while flying in and around the
continental United States during the Second World War.
TP-39N story
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Captain
Calvin K. Vermillion USMC on the left stands next to his brother 2nd
Lt. Ken Vermillion USMC.
FG-1A story |
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2nd Lt. Floyd P. Hart USAAF co-pilot on
Consolidated B-24E # 42-7160 that crashed on San Miguel Island 7/5/43.
(Photo courtesy Mark McDonald)
B-24E story |
Sgt. Michael Rudich USAAF (1924-1944) radio operator
aboard #42-41128.
( Photo courtesy Marcia Shealey)
B-24D story |
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T/Sgt. Harvey Cook was killed on 1/30/45
near Victorville, CA following a distinguished combat career in the
India, China, Burma Theatre of Operations.
B-24L story |
Ensign Henry "Hank" Harding, Jr. kneels in
front of his USN Beechcraft
T-34B primary/basic trainer. On 3/27/61 Lt. JG Henry Harding, Jr. would
lose
his life in a crash of his FJ-4 on rugged Otay Mountain.
(Photo courtesy Marc Harding)
FJ-4 story
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Go to
2nd page of Veterans pictures
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