‘D’ Flight (1962)
Standing (L to R) John Caine, Bob Davis, Jim Waugh, Sam Vaeth, Gerry Timm, Dick Boylan, Dick Himley, and Robby Robinson.
Crouching (L to R); Darrell Fisher, Ed Gilmore, Dick Labarre, ‘Roley’ Gilbert, and Tony Asterita.
‘C’ Flight (1962)
Standing (L to R) Bill Rose, C D Glenn (Flt CO), Bill Baugh, Lou Hatch, Brian Akers, Dick Olson, Bill Tucker, Ron Mayhew
Kneeling (L to R)George Shearer, Jerry DeHimer, Bob Franklin
On 20 August 1963 Lt. James A. (Jim) Brandewie (pilot) and Lt. William B. (Bernie) Faust (RIO) lost stabilator control on take-off in aircraft 59-0432 due to a malfunction in the flight control system. Jim was unable to control the pitch and the aircraft rotated to vertical. Both crewmembers ejected unsuccessfully and were killed.
The extraordinary photograph shown below is a scene rarely captured on film. It’s a memorial service for Jim and Bernie which was held at the Griffiss AFB chapel several days after their accident. What makes this photo extraordinary is that the photographer managed to capture both those attending the service and the ceremonial flyby in the same frame. The solemnity of the moment, the sorrow of the mourners, the quaintness of the church, and the strain of seeing the Missing Man Formation all combine to bring one’s emotions to the surface, and to wish them Ave Atque Vale.
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