553rd Reconnaissance Wing - Fatal Personnel Injuries
Larry Westin - July 3, 1999
Rev - L - 05/27/13
During the period of time the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing existed,
I am aware of 25 fatal injuries to wing personnel. Fatality
number one was due to a heart attack. Second fatality occurred
due to a traffic accident. Eighteen personnel, the entire crew,
were lost with the Batcat 21 crash on April 25, 1969. Four
fatalities occurred with the Batcat 19 crash on Sept. 6, 1969.
First Batcat fatality was Lt. Col. John Pettersen, who died of a
heart attack on the evening of February 1, 1968. Lt. Col.
Pettersen was the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron Operations
Officer.
Second Batcat fatality was A1C Douglas Chatlos. Doug was just
leaving base to go into town, walking near the base gate to Korat
city. On March 8, 1968 he was accidentally hit by a motorcycle
driven by a NCO (not sure of his unit) who was returning to base.
The Security Policeman at the gate immediately called for medical
assistance, then gave medical help to Chatlos. Chatlos died on
the scene. This was a vehicle accident. He was a CIM with the
554th Sq., crew 38. My thanks to Cliff Jensen, who knew Doug,
for this information, with additional updated information from
Jim Golden, CICO for Crew 38, his reporting officer. Updated
05/27/13.
SSgt. Palmore was admitted to the 388th Dispensary on March 31,
1968. When he didn't improve he was transferred to the Camp
Friendship hospital on April 7, 1968. He continued to decline in
health, and was air evaced to Clark AB hospital, Philippine
Islands, on April 15, 1968. While at the Clark AB hospital he
died on April 27, 1968.
The following 18 fatalities occurred with the April 25, 1969
crash of EC-121R U.S. Air Force serial number 67-21493, with the
call sign of Batcat 21. Data following last name is the panel
(all on 26W) plus the line number on that panel of the Vietnam
Memorial where the name is inscribed.
TSgt. James H. Belflower, 26W-42
TSgt. Albert N. Booker, 26W-43
Major Thomas M. Brandom Jr., 26W-43
A1C Michael J. Cotterill, 26W-44
SSgt. Jerald C. Davis, 26W-44
A1C Ronald C. Deforrest, 26W-44
TSgt. Warren C. DeLaney, 26W-44
SSgt. Paul Faulk, 26W-45
TSgt. Kenneth W. Fowler, 26W-48
Lt Col. Emerson E. Heller, 26W-46
Capt. George R. Kidd, 26W-47
Major Paul R. Lunsford, 26W-45
1Lt. John A. Marsh, 26W-48
LT Col. William C. McCormick Jr., 26W-49
Sgt. Mitchel Messing, 26W-48
SSgt. James D. Moore, 26W-49
Sgt. Mark M. Steeley, 26W-50
Sgt. William D. Stepp, 26W-50
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