Several men of VC-27 did not return. These men
gave their lives so that others might live in freedom. They
were:
-
Ens James T. Spivey, Windsor, NC (1944) [training] -
crashed during training exercise in San Diego.
-
Lt Edwin J. Bain, USN, Jackson, MS (1
Sep 1944) [training] - crashed during training exercise in San Diego.
-
Ens Jack Bridges, USNR, Spartanburg, SC [training] -
crashed during training exercise in San Diego.
-
Ens Ralph Abbott Mayhew, USNR, Heber, UT (24 Oct
1944) [#2] - Returning from a mission, after
shooting down 2 or 3 Japanese aircraft, he did a victory slow roll beside
the carrier and spun in.
-
Ens Sterling Paul Ross , USNR, Ravenwood, MS
(25 Oct 1944) [#3] - He failed to return from
his mission and was listed as MIA.
-
Ens Charles William Snyder, USNR, Battle Creek, MI
(29 Oct 1944) [#3] - His engine cut out shortly
after take-off and he couldn't get out of the sinking plane.
-
Ens Fred Joseph Moelter, USNR, Terre Haute, IN
(16 Dec 1944) [#4] - He was apparently shot
down while flying CAP, possibly from "friendly fire". He was seen to bail
out but never found in the ensuing search and declared missing in action.
-
Lt Maurice Alfred Coleman, USN, Salisbury, NC (13 Jan
1945) [#5] - Spun in while on final approach
to land on carrier.
-
AMM 2/c
Joseph Prusakowski, USNR, South Amboy, NJ (13 Jan 1945) [#5]
- Member of Coleman's crew.
-
ARM 2/c Anthony Thomas Seravalli, USNR, Philadelphia, PA
(13 Jan 1945) [#5] - Member of Coleman's
crew.