Atlantic Ocean – May 13, 1965

Atlantic Ocean – May 13, 1965 

     In the early morning hours of May 13, 1965, the U.S. Navy was conducting an anti-submarine warfare training exercise 140 miles south-southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island.  The exercise included naval aircraft and the submarine U.S.S. Blenny, (SS-324). 

     At 5:03 a.m., a Grumman S2F Tracker aircraft with a crew of four aboard crashed into the water.  Three of the four men aboard were rescued by the Blenny, but the forth man, Lieutenant Rodney E. Beck, 30, of Whitestone, New York, was missing.  (His body was never found.)

     The survivors were identified as:

     Lt. Commander Edward Gage, 34, of Greenlawn, New York.

     Aviation Electronics Technician Karl Stockerl, 22, of West Paterson, New Jersey.

     Aviation Structural Mechanic Ottar Nikoleyzik, 24, of Port Washington, New York.

     Source:

     New London Day, “Sub Blenny Saves Three Navy Fliers”, May 13, 1965

 

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