Buell Oran Wiltshire

Military

Connections

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Units served with

A B-25 Mitchell (7C) of the 340th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force takes off.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-806213
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Woodbine, Texas 14 August 1919
Hemet, California 16 October 1940 130 S. Carmelita

Other

Crashed/WIA

near Castellammare di Stabia, Italy 21 February 1944 An accident today as one of the alternate planes returned to the field cost the lives of five fliers in the 489th squadron. As the 36-plane mission took off to bomb a road junction at Frascati, one of the alternate planes, piloted by F/O Buell O. Wiltshire of Hemet, Calif., started a landing approach. A minute or so later, when the co-pilot was at the controls and the pilot's attention distracted, the plane flew into the turbulent cloud mass and when it broke out it was out of control very close to the ground and afire. Quite possibly a wing was torn off. Flight Officer Wiltshire and the co-pilot, 2nd Lt. William J. Capson, were reported to have been tumbled about in the cabin until Witshire fell clear. His parachute worked, but he suffered bruises and shock, and was also treated for burns. The bodies of Capson and the rest of the crew were found in the plane, close to Castelmare. The fact that Wiltshire landed almost next to the aircraft demonstrates the extremely low level from which he was thrown out or jumped. The dead include 2nd Lt. Roy L Carvel, Bombardier; T/Sgt Frank J. Luczak, radio operator; S/Sgt. Peter J. Miller, Jr., Turret gunner, and S/Sgt. Carl O. Wellington, Tail Gunner...

Died

Sun City West, Arizona 2 August 1991

Buried

3 September 1991 Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA PLOT Sec: 70, Site: 1533