SB2C crash, 3 Feb 45 (WARNING: Fatality Involved)

[Jim MacDonald]

Probably going to generate some complaints, but so be it. Fair warning was given in the title.

I was working on accident reports to update my website when I came across this report. I knew right away that it was for the crash in the attached photo. After some extra Googling, I was able to confirm that the AAR is for the SB2C in the photo.

I'm not trying to create any issues in posting this, just wanted to make sure that Norman Riker and Glen Even's story was known and that their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Mac

[DB2]

I'd suggest putting the date first in the subject, especially when the previous thread starts with "P-51 Crash", and refers to a current event.

[quemerford]

Mac,

Thanks for posting: it's important to document these events, and I think that so long as the posting is respectful and has a purpose (which yours certainly does), then I don't have a problem.

[Mark Allen M]

Greetings Mac and very much appreciate your post. For those who are unaware, Mac (Jim) is one of the top historians of WW2 US Naval Aviation out there. Unfortunately for many of us he doesn't post enough here (hint). He knows his stuff and does his research second to none.

Thank you again Mac for bringing a sense of closure to a very tragic event. Another great example of never allowing the passing of time to forget these veterans and their sacrifices.

Your thread was perfectly generated and explained.

[p51]

Having had to deal with fatalities in the military myself, I'm okay with the context you presented this in. Frankly, I've never understood the mindset some Americans have of training accidents, as if they're any more or less tragic than a combat-related fatality. Having dealt with family members of people killed in each, I can assure you, the families don't miss their dead loved one any less in either case.
It's good to be reminded from time to time of the cost of flying these planes originally.

[Jim MacDonald]

Thanks for the nice, but highly inaccurate compliment, Mark. I'm just a rivet counter of the microfilm version.

Mac

[lmritger]

I am well familiar with the photo, but never knew the circumstances behind the crash, the name of the gunner, or even his fate. Now I know, and ARM2c Norman Riker can be properly remembered for his life and his service.

Thank you, sincerely, for posting this information.

Lynn

[Jim MacDonald]

Thanks, Lynn.

That was my only reason for posting it. Whether they were Officer or Enlisted, were KIA or died in a training accident, they all deserve to be remembered.

Mac

[Chris Brame]

From the 1937 Central High School Tom Tom yearbook.

[Jim MacDonald]

Looking at his obit in the first post, he got around. Graduated from HS in '37, then Law & Finance School, two trips across the Atlantic on an oil tanker with the Armed Guard, then Navy Radioman.

Mac