Commando 44-77538
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77538
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32934
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1470
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
December 1944 to September 1947
44-77538 - USAAF (USA)
7 December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
13 December 1944
Assigned to the 8th Air Force.
23 June 1945
Returned to the USA at Bradley Field, CT.
September 1947 to October 1952
44-77538 - USAF (USA)
18 September 1947
Transferred.
5 November 1950
Assigned to the 437th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 84th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Itazuki AB, Japan.
27 January 1952
Received minor damage at Itazuki AB, Japan in a ground accident.
Pilot: Edwin J. Malloy
The Commando hit parked sistership 44-78486 on the ground at Itazuki AB, Japan. Both aircraft suffered minor damage.
Mid-1952
Assigned to the 315th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 34th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Brady AB, Japan.
16 October 1952
Went missing over the Sea of Japan off the east coast of Korea.
Crew:
Cpt. Victor B. Graper, Pilot
1st Lt. Robert C. Bowerman, Copilot
Sgt Robert A. Deeter Jr., Radio Operator
A2c Harry C. Gammage, Engineer
Passengers:
A1c Alfred W. Arrington
S/Sgt Vincent J. Bevilacqua
A2c Billy R. Bishop
Aoan Carnell E. Booth
Lt. Fred V. Bryan
A3c Lemon Butts Jr.
1st Lt. Thomas L. Davidson
Ad3 Oliver P. Dehart
A3c George A. Freeman
A3c Norman C. Harmon
T/Sgt Paul J. Hicks
Ad3 James P. King
A3c James A. Kyle
A2c Daniel G. Ruby Jr.
1st Lt. Richard G. L. Rusk
A3c Walter K. Rutledge
T/Sgt Melvin E. Sarkilahti
A2c John E. Thurman
A3c Valerian Ulinski
Ae3 Bobby R. Wilson
A1c William H. Wimbish
The Commando was operating a military courrier flight between Kangnung AB, Korea and Pohang AB, Korea with four crew members and 21 passengers on board. Shortly after takeoff from runway 08, during the initial climb, it went out of control and crashed into the sea few kilometers offshore. SAR units were immediately dispatched on the scene but only two dead bodies were found two days later and no trace of the aircraft that sank. The exact circumstances and causes of this accident remain unknown. Both dead bodies recovered were reportedly wearing a life jacket.
Last edited: 15/02/2024