Commando 44-77767

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77767

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33163

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1699

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to July 1945

  44-77767 - USAAF (USA)

29 January 1945

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.

Assigned to the 13^th Air Force, 403^rd Troop Carrier Group, 63^rd Troop Carrier Squadron operating in the Southwest Pacific.

28 February 1945

Departed the USA for Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia via Hickam Field, HI.

Unknown date

Assigned to Nichols Field, Philippines.

Unknown date

Assigned to Tacloban Field, Leyte, Philippines, still with the 63^rd Troop Carrier Squadron.

17 July 1945

Went missing near Del Monte Point, Mindoro, Philippines (8/8 missing). [MACR 14767]

Occupants:
1^st Lt. Dean W. Gordon, Pilot
1^st Lt. Harvey E. Meitner, Copilot
F/O Leslie H. Latham, Copilot
2^nd Lt. Edward L. Seebon, Navigator
SSgt Robert E. Beasley, Crew Chief
Sgt Casimir J. Kaplan, Radio
Cpl Don C. Tang, Mail Clerk
TSgt Paul J. Tyler, Passenger

The Commando was conducting a cargo and mail run between Palawan, Philippines and Nichols Field, Luzon, Philippines. At take off, weather conditions were deteriorating to 1,000ft ceiling in Manila, with heavy rain along the route. Wind was 20 knots, requiring solid instrument flying above 1,000ft. An hour and twenty minutes after takeoff, the crew sent a message giving their estimated time of arrival to Nichols Field. When the aircraft failed to arrive, it was officially listed as missing.

21 July 1945

Wreckage found by SAR aircraft on the northeast side of a peak on the northwestern tip of Mindoro Island. The Commando had drifted from track and collided with high terrain in IMC. All occupants had died in the crash.

Condemned, "EGA".