This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Duane Kimbrow (Skip)
to remember
Arnold, John Dudley, Maj.
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Contact Info
Home Town Detroit
Last Address McClellan AFB, California
Date of Passing Feb 09, 1974
Location of Interment Willamette National Cemetery (VA) - Portland, Oregon
Major John Arnold was killed in the crash of a USAF T-39A Sabreliner (tail number 60-3506) that was returning to McClellan AFB, Sacramento, California from Colorado Springs, Colorado. It collided with a USAF Boeing NKC-135A Stratotanker at 23,000 feet, over Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado which had been en route from Seattle, Washington to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
Apparently, the C-135 was doing a look over of the T-39 which was having landing gear trouble. The T-39 accidentally struck and damaged the rear fuselage and fin of the C-135. Nevertheless, the C-135 was able to land safely.
All 5 crewmen and 2 passengers aboard the T-39 were killed in the crash.
Major John Arnold was interred in Willamette National Cemetery, Section L, Site 1411.
Major Arnold entered the Air Force on 27 May 1962. He had graduated from the College of Engineering at Wayne State. He was in training at Webb AFB, Texas in 1962.
He had served in Vietnam with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Danang AB from August 1967 until Sepember 1968. He had been at Danang during the Tet Offensive. He received the DFC, Bronze Star, and Air Medal among other awards.
