THE PASSENGERS
USAF #2469
US Air Force C-54D Skymaster
On board this Flight were one of the largest groups of military personnel ever to go missing
TOTAL ON BOARD:
44 - Eight crewmen, and thirty-six passengers, including three civilians
WHEN:
January 26, 1950
WEATHER:
Low clouds, fog, drizzle. Low temperatures.
FLIGHT ROUTE:
Enroute from Elmendorf AFB - Alaska, to Malmstrom AFB - Great Falls, Montana.
AREA BELIEVED CRASHED
The plane’s final destination was Biggs AFB near El Paso, Texas. The missing plane was last heard from over Snag, 10 miles into Yukon territory from the Alaskan border.
REASON FOR FLIGHT:
Transportation of personnel
TYPE OF PLANE:
Douglas C-54D “Skymaster”, #42-72469, powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 engines
SEARCH EFFORTS:
The subsequent search was dubbed “Operation Mike”, a name taken from the missing plane’s commander, 1st Lt. Kyle E. McMichael.
CONTROVERSY:
Despite one of the largest searches until that time, no trace of the plane, or its personnel, have been found.
Flight Crew
Major Gerald F. Brittain, Pilot, 36
First Lt. Joseph W. Metzler, Navigator, 31
Master Sgt. Clyde A. Streitmann, Engineer, 29
Staff Sgt. Raymond H. Snow, Engineer, 24
First Lt. Mike Tisik, Co-pilot, 25
First Lt. Kyle L. McMichael, Aircraft Commander, 28
Tech. Sgt. Harry W. McConegly, Engineer, 30
Staff Sgt. Clarence A. Gibson, Radio Operator, 35
Passengers
Eldon V. Dolansky, Sunny Side, Washington
Mrs. Joyce M. Espe, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
(wife of M Sgt Robert E. Espe, 57th Air Installation Squadron
Victor E. Espe (Infant), Elmendorf AFB
Capt. Frank E. Gregory, Eielson AFB, Alaska
T-Sgt. Jack P. Faris, Houston, Texas.
S-Sgt. Robert E. Ahearn, Charlton City, Massachusetts
S-Sgt. Jack E. Dickerson, Dunsmuir, California
S-Sgt. Burnis T. Lively, Long Branch, West Virginia
S-Sgt. Raymond G. Mangold, Rodney, Arkansas
S-Sgt. John J. McDonald, Lowell, Massachusetts
S-Sgt. Clinton D. Tompkins, Langley, Washington
Sgt. Ray L. Asel, Los Angeles, California
Sgt. Donald W. Dagle, Hawarden, Indiana
Sgt. Noel B. Jones, Harlingen, Texas
Sgt. Roy F. Jones, Marietta, Georgia
Sgt. Junior Lee Moore, Montgomery, Pennsylvania
Sgt. Harold R. Noell, Nebraska City, Nebraska
Sgt. Tommy E. Rhoads, Flint, Michigan
Sgt. Julian C. Thomas, Lake City, South Carolina
Cpl. Albie P. Baughman, Tioga, Texas
Cpl. Henry S. Kerchner, Thomasville, Pennsylvania
Cpl. Jeff D. Johnson, Allentown, New Jersey
Cpl. Raymond H. Matheny, McKenzie, Tennessee
Cpl. Bernard Portrey, Preston, Nebraska
Cpl. Richard L. Suggs, Crossville, Tennessee
Cpl. Thomas J. Young, Sulphur Rock, Arkansa
Pfc. John A. Chalopka, Richmond, Missouri
Pfc. Charles W. Cook, Van Dyke, Michigan
Pfc. Billie C. Cummins, Corbin, Kentucky
Pfc. Francis D. Hofer, Seattle, Washington
Pfc. Herman L. Lawson, Pauline, South Carolina
Pfc. Loyd E. Lowry, Mustoe, Virginia
Pfc. William W. Cranor, Dallas, Texas
Pvt. Robert M. Hiatt, Toppenish, Washington
Pvt. Blake F. Maxwell, Lynn, Massachusetts
Pvt. Robert T. Reitmeyer, St. Louis, Missouri