| |
Introduction
A special flight of a C-47 to Washington to save a child's life ended in disaster and the death of 15
people shortly after dark on April 04, 1952, when the aircraft collided with a C-124 Globemaster over
Mobile, Alabama. On
the C-47 were Sgt. Paul Neville of Arcadia, California and Columbia, Georgia, and his wife, Beverly Jean
Schroeder Neville. The Nevilles were accompanying their eight-week old infant son, Robert William, who
needed emergency surgery to save his life. The accident happened over North Mobile near the heart of the
industrial and transportation center. When the two planes collided, they crashed to the ground a half
mile apart. The flames were visible for several miles. The C-47 (#45-926) landed in a swampy
region where recovery efforts were hampered by large nests of water moccasins. The Globemaster
(50-1260) smashed upside down into a dozen boxcars standing on a Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad siding,
igniting them immediately. Both planes were stationed at Brookley Field. Table of Contents:
Back to Page Contents
C-124 Manifest
Bishop, TSgt. James Leroy Bishop Sr.
Born March 01, 1924 in South Carolina, Sergeant Bishop was from Gastonia, North Carolina at the time
of the collision. His wife was Miriam Gertrude Phipps Bishop (1928-1995).
McKinley, Capt. William Albert (pilot)
Born in 1920 in Missouri, he was from Los Angeles, California at the time of the collision. He
was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.
Sink, Maj. Ernest Leonard
Born January 22, 19ll, he was from Vallejo, California at the time of the collision. He is
buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Franscisco, California.
Todd, M/Sgt. Verlin F.
Born January 15, 1919, he was from Kingsport, Tennessee at the time of the collision. He was
buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport, Tennessee.
Tucker, 1st Lt. Jack
Born August 12, 1919, he was from Cullman, Alabama at the time of the collision. He was buried
in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Verneuille, Capt. Walter Ollinger
Born March 17, 1917, he was the son of George Walter Verneuille (1888-1937) and Ella Estelle Ollinger
Verneuille (1891-1973). He was the brother of Joseph Ollinger Verneuille (1918-1975). He was
from Mobile, Alabama at the time of the collision.
Back to Page Contents
C-47 Skytrain Manifest
Callihan, S/Sgt. Alvin Jr.
Born August 15, 1928, Sergeant Callihan was from Philadelphia, Mississippi at the time of the
collision. He was a medical technician. Her is buried in Carolina Cemetery, Dowdville,
Mississippi.
Long, Capt. Sara E.
Captain Long was from Coatesville, Pennsylvania at the time of the collision. She was a flight
nurse.
McMaster, 2Lt. Walter Rhodes Jr. (co-pilot)
Born November 02, 1924, Lieutenant McMaster was from Jackson, Mississippi at the time of the
collision. He was buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, Mississippi.
Neville, Beverly Jean
Born on June 21, 1929 in Los Angeles, California, she was the daughter of Hasso W. Schroeder
(1901-1978) and Lydia Schroeder (1903-1978). She married Paul Earl Neville and had one child,
Robert William Schroeder. Beverly, Paul and Robert Neville were buried in Mountain View Cemetery
and Mausoleum, Altadena, California. She was a passenger on the plane.
Neville, Sgt. Paul Earl
Born January 18, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, he was the husband of Beverly Jean Neville and
father of infant Robert William Neville. He was a passenger on the plane.
Neville, Robert William
Born February 01, 1952 in Monterey County, California, he was the infant son of Paul Earl and Beverly
Jean Neville. He was a passenger on the plane.
Painter, 1Lt. James Stroud
Born May 15, 1923, Lieutenant Painter was from Birmingham, Alabama at the time of the collision.
He is buried in Mobile National Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama. He was a passenger on the plane.
Whitaker, Airman 1/C Arthur
A flight technician, Airman Whitaker was from Redding, California at the time of the collision.
Willingham, Capt. Milton V. Jr. (pilot)
Born May 27, 1919, Captain Willingham was from Fitzgerald, Georgia at the time of the collision.
He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald, Georgia.
|
