USAAF
449th FS (AW)
via
Jeff Kolln
Pilot Lt. Frank J. Knapp
Crew Lt. Gabriel P. Gawrada
Crew Cpl. Billy L. Anderson
Crashed December 21, 1947
Aircraft History
The 415th NFS was stationed at Adak, Alaska in the postwar
for Air Defense. They became the 449th FS (AW) in 1947.
Mission History
Crashed on takeoff on a snowy runway at Umnak
Island (Ft. Glenn), Alaska. Likely
caught in another P-61's prop wash and after his nose
left the ground it went right back down. The gear collapsed and it
settled
on the runway and skidded. It finally came to a stop and caught on
fire. All crewmen survived.
Wreckage
Jeff Kolln reports:
"I only have one photo showing the engines, mounts props, and
some metal that is there to this day. Does anyone else have a better
photo of this wreck?"
Frank K. Knapp, Jr. (son of pilot) adds:
"His wartime (WWII) duty was in England flying P-51s. I know he
did "yeoman" duty in Alaska between WWII and the Korean conflict.
Had an old B&W photo of a P-61 he flew on that threw a prop
port engine I think. Cut a huge gash between the pilot and RIO compartments.
Don't know if it happened while flying or on the ground. My father
retired in '63 from Dow AFB in Maine."
Loretta H. Gawrada (widow of Gawrada)
"My husband passed away in 1997. Knapp was my husband's best friend, please tell his son to get in touch with me."
P-61
