Oroville Mercury November 7, 1945
3 Army Fliers Die In Crash Near Chico
B-29 About to Land: Falls In Rough Area
Three army fliers were killed and one was seriously injured as the
result of a crash of a B-29 bomber near Chico army air field, Col.
A. W. Tyder, field commander, announced today. The plane, based
at Love Field, Texas, but en route from Denver to Chico, crashed
and burned about six miles northeast of the field last night. Only
four men were aboard. Their names were withheld pending notification
of relatives. Officers said the plans was in its final landing approach
to the field when the crash occurred. Tyder said that rugged terrain
had prevented ground crews from reaching the plane for several hours.
Gas Tanks Explodes
Henry Gaub, assistant state ranger, said the plane crashed on the
east slope of Rock Creek about three miles southwest of Cohasset.
It apparently had struck a tree before crashing into the hill and
then plunging down into the canyon, he said. Wreckage of the plane
was strewn down the canyon. The gasoline tanks had exploded. The
injured soldier was found about 50 feet from where the plane crashed.
He told Gaub that he did not pass out when the ship hit that he
crawled away when it started to burn. The flier is in the CAAF hospital.
His condition was described as serious but not critical. Leslie
A. Wilson, assistant state ranger, and Gaub were summoned to the
area to prevent a possible outbreak of fire starting from the plane.
Gaub said a light rain that had fallen earlier kept the fire from
spreading.
About Local Folks
Mr. and Mrs. Arden Booth, son-in-law and daughter of the Rev. and
Mrs. D. Henry Mills, who have been spending a month at the Mills
home, will leave Monday by plane from Sacramento for their home
in Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Booth who was recently discharged from
the armed forces will resume his duties as staff announcer and director
of music at radio station WREN.
An Ad for “M & M Shop” 1437 Myers Street, Phone 74
Keep Him Safe his 250,000 Godfathers no longer can! Yes, he’s a
war baby, born after December 7, 1941, the date that will live in
infamy. Since then some 250,000 American men have died that he might
live and grow in a world of peace – that he may never have to take
up arms to defend his country and his loved ones. Our heroic dead
have left us a legacy – and a trust. To us they have given the knowledge
that free men will fight, and die, to preserve that freedom, not
only for themselves but also for those who come after them. To us,
too, they leave the solemn duty of making certain that America will
remain spiritually, economically and financially sound…truly a land
of freedom and opportunity for little children, rich and poor, in
a world at peace.
Think of those who fought and died – and then join with a generous
heart and an open pocketbook in this last great Victory Loan*. The
money we lend will help to lay the groundwork of a finer, better
America. It’s our last great fight. Let’s stand shoulder to shoulder
till it’s won. *Following the Victory Loan, the sale of E, F & G
U. S. Savings Bonds will continue through regular authorized agencies
and through the Payroll Savings Plan. SAY “THANKS” WITH VICTORY
BONDS! This is an official U. S. Treasury advertisement-prepared
under auspices of Treasury Department and War Advertising Council.
Service Corner…
Keener Helps Force Suicide Squad to Quit Shanghai, China
– Richard Norman Keener, 22, torpedo man, third class, Palermo Rd.
Oroville, helped bring about the surrender and immobilization of
a Japanese “suicide” garrison a month after the official surrender
of Japan’s armed forces. Serving aboard the destroyer Waller, a
21 man landing force aided Chinese authorities in the demobilization,
on an isolated island off the China coast. Natives said the destroyer
was the first U. S. warship in history to visit the ancient Chinese
island. The scene of the action was tiny Bunji Island, a suicide
naval base in the Chusan Archipelago, 80 miles southeast of Shanghai.
The Japanese garrison had two gunboats and 87 high-speed small craft,
designed for suicide attacks against allied shipping.
Stu’s notes: I just found this story about the B-29 crash. The
B-29 was our biggest bomber at the time.
I went to school with Chuck and Bubby Gaub, Henry was probably
their dad or Uncle I think. Daryl and I are researching Chico Army
Air Base as I write. We think many young men died flying in and
out of there and were forgotten. Arden Booth came back to Oroville
and was General Manager of KDAN, our Historic Radio Station. Many
returning GI’s were helped by the Bond Money. In reality 250,000
Americans lost in WWII was a low figure now we read 400,000. Please
remember next Friday, September 21, 2007 is POW/MIA Recognition
Day. We will have a Candle light service on the steps of the Veterans
Memorial Hall on Montgomery Street at 6:45pm. It is a very moving
tribute to those who never came home and those who were held as
prisoners. Everyone is invited to attend this recognition service.
Happy Birthday, today, to daughter Paula!