The Monument To The West Virginia Air National Guard Personnel Killed in the Crash on
8 April, 1951. It is located at Yeager Airport, Charleston, West Virginia.
Commemoration Plaque which hangs on low wall behind the monument.
(Photographs
- ©2004 S.R.
Edwards)
US AIR FORCE
Aircraft 44-48298*
This
Monument is dedicated to the
West Virginia Air National Guardsmen
Lost: April 8, 1951
WELCOME HOME
Never
let an opportunity pass to say, Thank You
To all who served and sacrificed
Time to return to those left behind
Welcome Home
Honored West Virginia Warriors
Your service did make a difference
We who survive thank you for your effort
You are a guiding star by which we too carry on
Time now to rest, time now for home
Those Who Perished in The Crash of Douglas C-47D Serial #44-48298:
Capt.
Edwin K. Whittington (Pilot)
1st.Lt. Harry B. Kesler (Co-pilot)
T/ Sgt. William H. Shelton (Crew Chief)
S/Sgt. David E. Rollyson, Jr.
Sgt. Winson A. Schoonover, Jr.
Sgt. James E. Creasy
Cpl. Columbus V. Hall
Capt. Charles E. Cobb
Cpl. Dennis I. Meeks
Cpl. John R. Price
Pfc. Jimmy Dolan
1st.Lt. Drexel E. Crites
1st.Lt. Lyle L. Finley
1st.Lt. Herman F. Winter, Jr.
1st.Lt. Charles R. Michaelson
1st.Lt. William J. Frank
S/Sgt. Kenneth C. Amick
Sgt. Richard F. Hazeltine
Pfc. James R. Lewis
Maj. Issac E. Bonifas
Capt. Harry K. Blackhurst
Close-up
of Crites' names on the monument. Also notable is the name 1st. Lt.
Charles R. Michaelson, of Carbon, West Virginia, who had flown with
the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group during the war. In February,
1945 his plane was hit by flak while strafing a train, he was forced
to bail out and was captured in the Stuttgart area. He was imprisoned
at Stalag Luft III for the duration of the war.
*=
Records indicate that the aircraft was actually Douglas C-47B-1-DK serial
# 43-48298 (c/n 25559). 44-48298 was in a group of serial numbers reserved
for a cancelled block of Curtiss P-40N-40-CU Warhawks.
