Off Jamestown, R.I. – December 5, 1943

Off Jamestown, Rhode Island – December 5, 1943

     On December 5, 1943, a Navy plane with two men aboard crashed in the water about a mile to the north of Beavertail Light.  Acting on orders from his commanding officer, Seaman First Class C. A. Wood ran on foot along the shoreline before diving into the icy water and swimming out to the wreck.  Upon reaching the wreck he freed the trapped crewmen and assisted them to shore.  For his efforts he was awarded the Navy-Marine Medal. 

     Today Beavertail Light is automated, and home to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum.

     Source: The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum

 

Off Block Island – August 1, 1944

Off Block Island – August 1, 1944

    

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat U.S. Navy photo

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     On August 1, 1944, a U. S. Navy F6F-3N Hellcat fighter assigned to VF(N)-104 at Charlestown Auxiliary Naval Air Station, in Charlestown, Rhode Island, crashed in shallow water just off Block Island, R.I.  The pilot, Rex Milton, (Rank unknown.) escaped injury, and swam to shore. 

     It was reported that the aircraft would be recovered.

    

 

      Sources:

     Newport Mercury, “Navy Gives Names Of Missing Flyers”, August 4, 1944.  The newspaper article’s headline refers to another crash in which three navy airmen were lost off Block Island on July 28, 1944.  This accident is also mentioned in the article.  

     Larry Webster, Aviation Historian and Archeologist.

      

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