US Navy
VP-43
Pilot Leland Davis
Co-Pilot Robert Keller
Crew Albert Gyorfi
Crew Robert Smith
Crew Elwin Alford
Crew John Hathaway
Crew Seaman Second Class Dee Hall (Syra, Oklahoma)
Crashed June 14, 1942
Mission History
Took off from Kodiak to attack Kiska. The crew encountered inclement weather near the target, as well as heavy Japanese anti-aircraft fire. Their plane crashed on Kiska Island with all seven crewmen on board.
Burial
In August 1943, the U.S. retook Kiska Island from the Japanese. Wreckage of the PBY-5 was found on the side of Kiska Volcano. The remains of the crew were buried in a common grave marked “Seven U.S.N. Airmen” with a wooden marker. In 1946 and 1947, search teams attempted to relocate the crew but were hindered by heavy snow. The remains of all seven were declared to be non-recoverable.
Recovery
In 2002, a wildlife biologist notified DPMO that he had found the wreckage of a WWII aircraft on the slope of Kiska Volcano. JPAC excavated the crash site in August 2003 where they found debris from the PBY-5 as well as crew-related items. The JPAC team also located the wooden marker as well as the remains buried nearby. Subsequent JPAC laboratory analysis led to the individual identifications of all seven crewmembers.
PBY
Kodiak Daily Mirror
Anchorage Daily News
