August of 1994, when a park ranger journeyed to a remote section of the Kroombit Tops National Park to survey the effects of a prescribed fire. The fire had cleared the overgrowth of vegetation and the ranger saw something metallic glinting in the sun.
Initially the location of the discovery was kept secret to discourage souvenir hunters and prevent people from trampling over the site until it could be fully studied. The U.S. Army sent over specialists to sift through the crash for artifacts and human remains.
Once they were done the site, including the remaining pieces of the Beautiful Betsy, were opened to visitors of the national park.
What happened??
ReplyDeleteNothing.... what happened with you to ask this question?
DeleteWhere’s my comments??
ReplyDeleteright here. Didn't you know comments get moderated/approved ? Since you've only left 2 comments so far, and said nothing except exclamations of shock to not have immediate satisfaction of comments getting posted.
DeleteThanks, Jesse. (Kim smiling...)
ReplyDeleteThe 8 fatalities were:
ReplyDelete1st Lieutenant William Emmett McDaniel 0-696476 - pilot
2nd Lieutenant Eugene A. Kilcheski 0-834448
2nd Lieutenant Hilary E. Routt 2060434
2nd Lieutenant Jack W. Owen 1686450
Technical Sergeant Raymond L. Tucker 32167086
Technical Sergeant Harold J. Lemons 14053461
Flight Lieutenant Thomas John Donald Cook 124854 - British Spitfire pilot
Flying Officer Roy Albert Arthur Cannon 142064 - British Spitfire pilot
All were buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.
"Beautiful Betsy" had been retired from combat due to fatigue and was only used for short runs such as transporting personnel.