H Patton Love Hurts, Bowman Field KY

I recall another plane that was lost at Kansas City, Missouri. Sometimes the pilots and crews were allowed to make "Training Flights" which would take them close to their home town or some other destination of their choosing. This particular Pilot wanted to go to Kansas City and invited some of us guys to go along as passengers for the weekend I accepted with alacrity but almost began to regret it soon after takeoff. This guy really believed in low level flight! I think he buzzed every horse and cow in every field along the route. He was a real cowboy. I swear, I think he had to climb to get over the barbed wire fences!. Anyway, we deplaned at KC and spent a pleasant week end and then on Sunday afternoon went to the Airport to catch the plane for the return flight, but as time and a half went by ---No Plane! Finally we learned that the Pilot had flown out to where his Girl Friend lived and as a token of his affection had circled her house at such a low level, that he caught one wing tip in a tree and crashed! Fortunately, no one was injured.

The Squadron had to send in another plane to bring us all home. We heard that the Pilot had to sign a statement of charges for the plane and had to pay for it out of his wages for years to come. I can't recall to this day what the Pilots name was, but I will certainly not forget the flight. ( And I imagine the Pilot won't, either.)

Herb (Pat) Patton

From Memory 2/13/99

I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group. In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc.)

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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