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Re: Hickmeyer Alva A. 370th FG, 2 Sep 1944
2Lt Alva Eickmeyer (spelling in accident report) was killed with ten other passengers and the two crew of C-47B 43-16143 when it flew into Strawberry Peak, 14 miles north of Glendale, Calif. 11/11/44. On a transport flight from Hamilton Field, San Rafael, Calif via a stop at Bakersfield. Encountered bad weather after taking off from Bakersfield for Mines Field, Los Angeles (today's KLAX) and lost radio contact. Pilot let down too soon before clearing the high ground. Source is Anthony J Mireles' incredible - but depressing - three-volume Fatal Army Air Forces Accidents in the US 1941-1945. Off topic is the fact that there is much in here about RAF cadet fatalities in the USA, as well as fates of many aircraft originally destined for the RAF and carrying that service's serial numbers.
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