Posted on Jul 1, 2017
US Navy TBF Avenger gunner from USS Essex is buried at sea with his aircraft dur...HD Stock...
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Loyce Edward Deen, an Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class, USNR, was a gunner on a TBM Avenger. On November 5, 1944, Deen's squadron participated in a raid on Manila where his plane was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire while attacking a Japanese cruiser. Deen was killed.
The Avenger's pilot, Lt.; Robert Cosgrove, managed to return to his carrier, the USS Essex. Both Deen and the plane had been shot up so badly that it was decided to leave him in the plane.
It is the only time in U.S.Navy history (and probably U.S. military history) that an aviator was buried in his aircraft after being killed in action. Someone tag PO1 WIlliam Nagel, was not able to do it please.
The Avenger's pilot, Lt.; Robert Cosgrove, managed to return to his carrier, the USS Essex. Both Deen and the plane had been shot up so badly that it was decided to leave him in the plane.
It is the only time in U.S.Navy history (and probably U.S. military history) that an aviator was buried in his aircraft after being killed in action. Someone tag PO1 WIlliam Nagel, was not able to do it please.
Avenger Gunner
Pilot
131x: Naval Aviator
Edited 7 y ago
Posted 7 y ago
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Thanks SFC William Farrell for sharing the news that WWII US Navy Reserve veteran Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Loyce Edward Deen who was a gunner on a Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger was killed on November 5, 1944 in a raid on Manila where his plane was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire while attacking a Japanese cruiser.
It is sadly interesting that Loyce Edward Deen has the distinction of being the only U.S. Naval aviator to be buried in his aircraft after being killed in action.
FYI PO1 William "Chip" Nagel COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
It is sadly interesting that Loyce Edward Deen has the distinction of being the only U.S. Naval aviator to be buried in his aircraft after being killed in action.
FYI PO1 William "Chip" Nagel COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
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SSgt Robert Marx
Such stories really indicate the bravery of the greatest generation who so often, so routinely performed superbly and each service member gave his all so often it became habit.
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Lt. Cosgrove was able to bring his badly shot up aircraft back to its carrier, the U.S.S. Essex, and AM 2nd Deen who had perished in defense of his nation while aboard that same TBM Avenger was afforded burial at sea while also aboard that same aircraft. What a moving video & story! Many aircraft flying combat missions during World War II became so demolished during fighting that they were declared junk.
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