Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

I have the following report


"On July 19th 1926: Flight Lieut. Edward Coyle Ewen (#57030), of the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Florida., was saved from death by his parachute when he leaped from his Curtiss Hawk plane, after its tail controls had been carried away in a collision with a plane piloted by Lieut . Thomas Jackson McQuade #14359, of the U.S. Marine Corps. The planes were flying in formation manoeuvres. Lieut. Ewen landed safely a half mile from where his plane crashed in the Frisco Railway yards. Lieut. McQuade's plane was not damaged, and he landed safely at Corry Field. "

Can anyone please confirm the date of the collision and provides details of the planes and serials involved


I have also seen him quote the circumstances of his escape

"We were over Pensacola naval air station. The planes were flying in formation at the time of the collision. I thought for a time I was not going to get out. I could feel the pressure of the wind increasing rapidly. I finally released my foot and got hold of the ring in my 'chute before I turned loose with my hands. I merely turned loose and fell over the right side of the fuselage. I saw the rudder flash over my head, then I gave the rip cord a good hearty jerk and threw it about 10 miles away."

Edward Coyle Ewen was designated Naval Aviator #3160 in 1924 and later Lt Comdr on CVL22 Independence March 1945 and ended up an Admiral (DoB May 26, 1897 DoD Aug. 13, 1959). He is buried at Arlington


Thomas Jackson McQuade, of the U.S. Marine Corps was later Lt-Col. DoB Oct. 18, 1902 DoD Jan. 14, 1955 he is also buried at Arlington

Many Thanks

Paul McMillan

Re: Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

Hello Paul,
Can you confirm the date please ?
Alex

Re: Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

The date is given as 20 July 1928 and the aircraft were F6C-4s, with 2Lt. McQuade in A7408 and Lt.Ewen in A7419.

Re: Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

George

Thanks for serials and correction on date

Alex

I was unsure if date it as quoted as "19 July 1928" but I could not confirm
So put in quotes in title

It was a day out

Paul

Re: Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

pS The date of 19th July 1928 came from Caterpillar List but I always like to confirm

Re: Lieut Edward Coyle Ewen USN Parachute "July 19th 1928"
 

George

Do we have any units for the two individuals?

Cheers
Stig