Warbird Information Exchange

I am writing a biography on USMC Captain Donald Nathan Aldrich who was killed on May 3, 1947 when he tried to land his stricken F4U-4 Corsair (97148) on a 1600' cinder runway at the now closed Ashburn Municipal Airport west of Chicago.

Aldrich, age 30, was born in Moline, Illinois and had twenty confirmed Victories in World War II flying three tours in the Solomon Islands with VMF-215.

He was turned down by the U. S. Services for pilot training as he was married! He enlisted in the RCAF and won his "Wings" in Canada in November, 1941.

When he died, I presume he was in the Reserves, possibly based at NAS Glenview.

I would appreciate any information on which Squadron and Base he was attached to at the time of his death.

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

Tom,

Found a possible source of info.

Check your PM inbox.

Bill

Bill:

Thanks for this great lead - which I did not have!

I will be contacting the other party shortly and their information will surely enhance the article.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

Check private message.

_________________
Greg Schneider
E Fighter Productions
"There is a big difference if you are in actual war or if you are playing war." Hartmann, Jagdgeschwader 52

BILL:

THAT LEAD YOU GAVE ME WAS A GOOD ONE!

I FOUND OUT THAT ALDRICH HAS A SON AND I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH HIS STEP-GRANDSON.

THANKS AGAIN.

CHEERS,
TOM WALSH.

BILL:

THAT LEAD YOU GAVE ME WAS A GOOD ONE!

I FOUND OUT THAT ALDRICH HAS A SON AND I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH HIS STEP-GRANDSON.

THANKS AGAIN.

CHEERS,
TOM WALSH.

BILL:

THAT LEAD YOU GAVE ME WAS A GOOD ONE!

I FOUND OUT THAT ALDRICH HAS A SON AND I HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH HIS STEP-GRANDSON.

THANKS AGAIN.

CHEERS,
TOM WALSH.

SORRY ABOUT THE THREE POSTINGS!!??

TOM.