Plane Crash Killed 6 Brave Men at West Palm Beach

In a crash of light at 8:39am on 20 November 1942 a small Lockhead A28a number 42-47221 aircraft crashed, killing all 6 passengers aboard. The plane took off, at Morrison Field, and proceeded to climb at a steadily increasing angle until a power stall resulted at an angle in excess of 60 degrees and constantly approaching vertical at an altitude greater than 200 feet and less than 300 feet. The plane seemed to stall and then fell off at left wing, apparently out of control and fell almost vertical to the ground, where the fuel tanks exploded and aircraft burned. No parts or other objects were seen to fall from the aircraft during the take-off run.  By the time the aircraft was reached by persons on the ground, all the occupants were dead, five of the six bodies having been thrown from the airplane as a result of the crash.

A study of various parts of the airplane afterwards, concluded that there were no irregularities with any of the planes controls or equipment, which would have contributed to the cause the of the crash, except the elevator trim control was found to be the in the nose up position. The position of the elevator trim control as well as the cable spool attached to the cock pit control pedestal, which were inspected on the crashed plane, were found to be identical to another airplane of the same type which was inspected, after having the elevator control tabs turned to extreme nose-up position. Investigation revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or sabotage.

It appeared from the position of the elevator trim tab and its control lever, after the crash, that the position of the trim tab during take off may have been associated with the cause of the accident. The exact cause of this accident is unknown.

1st Lieutenant, James Cary Cunningham, pilot

12 November 1914 - 20 November 1942

James was born to Henry and Mattie (Sparks) Cunningham in Texline, Texas. He was living in Fort Worth, Texas before entering into the Air Force.

James was survived by his parents; brothers, Jack and Kenneth; and sister, Rosemary. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. 

Staff Sergeant, Emmett Albert Herbst, co-pilot

26 April 1919 - 20 November 1942

Emmett was born to Adolph and Mildred (Mauntel) Herbst in Benton County, Minnesota. He attended grade school in District #9 Benton County, Minnesota. He went to Foley High School the first year, then attended the Starbuck High School where he graduated in 1938.

Emmett joined the National Guards Hdq. Battery Division in Princeton, Minnesota. On 27 November 1940 he was quartered in the Princeton Armory. In March they left for Camp Clairborne, Louisiana.

He was transferred to the Air Corps and graduated Wednesday, 5 August 1942 at Spence Field, Moultrie, Georgia. He was assigned to the 4th Ferrying Group, 29th Ferrying Squadron, Nashville, Tennessee.

Emmett was survived by his parents; sister, Aletha; brothers, Basil, Alan, Lorenz, & Gene. He is buried in the family lot on St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Duelm, Minnesota. Only one week before, he had returned from a secret mission in Asia. The Princeton Legion Post 216 bears his name.

2nd Lieutenant, Elbert Muir Garton, navigator

28 June 1918-20 November 1942

Elbert was born to Elbert and Sarah (Muir) Garton in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. He attended night classes at the University of Pennsylvania and wrote for the student newspaper. He also worked at Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing for a time in Pittsburgh. On 27 January 1942 he enlisted in the Air Corps.

Elbert married his sweetheart, Helen Margaret McElroy on 2 July 1942 in Coral Gables, Dade County, Florida. He was stationed in Florida at the time.

In his almost year of service he had made trips to India and Indo-China.

Elbert was survived by his parents; a sister, Priscilla; and brother, Walter. He is buried in Monongahela Cemetery, North Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Corporal, James Clinton Beeson, engineer

18 May 1918 - 20 November 1942

James was born to Jeffery and Ruth (Burns) Beeson in Imperial County, California. He attended Brawley schools and after helped his father on the family ranch in Rosedale, California prior to his enlistment.

He enlisted in the Air Corps on 29 August 1941 at Camp Wallace, Texas. 

One week prior to the crash, James announced his engagement to Lillian Cundiff of St. Louis, Missouri. 

James was survived by his fiancee, Lillian Cundiff; his parents; a sister, Irene; and a brother, Jack. He is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery and Mortuary, Bakersfield, Kern County, California.

Sergeant, Francis Henry Brady, radio operator

25 April 1921 - 20 November 1942

Francis, or Frank, was born to Earl and Dorothy (Breighner) Brady in Pennsylvania. He attended Catholic schools for elementary and high school and later graduated from Marist College in South Langhorne, Pennsylvania. 

He had entered the service 14 January 1942 and had attended radio school. By fall of 1942, he had already flown overseas twice to deliver bombers to Russia and India. One week before the accident he was on a furlough to visit his family. Frank was known to be clean-cut, modest, and admirable.

Frank was buried in Conewago Chapel Basilica Cemetery, Conewago Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his parents; sisters, Margaret, Angela, Mary Ann, Pauline, Mary; and brothers, Joseph, Richard, Edward, Alfred, Earl, James, and Andrew.

Staff Sergeant, Frederick Benjamin Sutor, passenger

4 December 1920 - 20 November 1942

Frederick, was born to Ferdinand and Theresa (Stroh) Sutor in Queens, New York. He was living with his family in St. Albans, Long Island, New York.

Frederick was survived by his parents, and brother, Wilbur Sutor.