King Wilcox Longtin
1944
Newman Club
Teaneck, NJ
Married-Betty J. Longtin
Navy, Lieutenant
Patrol Squadron 892
Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Jul 1, 1921
Apr 22, 1951
Lieutenant Longtin was the co-pilot of a PBM-5 Mariner patrol bomber, 84663, with Patrol Squadron 892 U.S. Navy. On April 21, 1951, at 2035, the aircraft took off from the Naval Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan. After thirty minutes of flight, the starboard engine failed to function properly. After repeated back fires and cut outs, the Lieutenant decided to return to the air station and land. Upon return to the vicinity of the Iwakuni seadrome at approximately 0100 on April 22, Lt. Longtin made the decision to drop excess fuel. During the landing sequence and while at an altitude of approximately 75 feet the pilot lost control of the aircraft within view of the USS SUISUN. The aircraft stalled and then dropped, making hard contact with the water. Within one minute of the crash, the aircraft disappeard from the sight of observers, sinking below the surface of the water. Another PBM taxied to serve within one minute of the crash and boats rushed to pick up all survivors. The seven surviving crewmen have testified as to the actual presence of Longtin on board. Extensive diving and grappling operations were carried on for eleven days. There being no reasonable chance for his survival, King Wilcox Longtin was pronounced dead. His was the only body not recovered from the scene of the crash. Source - US Navy Death Certificate
Memorialized at the Calvary Cemetery in Seattle, WA; at Fairview Cemetery, Parishville, NY; and at the Cadet Life Garden at Clemson University
NW
Additional Information
All US Navy Reserves, the following crewmen and passengers were aboard PBM aircraft #84663 and perished at the time of the crash:
- Longtin, K.W. (Missing status as a result of the crash)
- Hardgrave, G.L. (Recovered during salvage operations)
- Johnson, W.L. (Dead upon recovery)
- Layton, R.D. (Recovered during salvage operations)
- Callis, W.T. (Recovered during salvage operations)
- Kibler, R.E. (Recovered during salvage operations)
Memorialized at the Cadet Life Garden (Class of ’42 alumni) in the South Carolina Botanical Gardens
Lieutenant Longtin was the co-pilot of a PBM-5 Mariner patrol bomber, 84663, with Patrol Squadron 892 U.S. Navy. On April 21, 1951, at 2035, the aircraft took off from the Naval Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan. After thirty minutes of flight, the starboard engine failed to function properly. After repeated back fires and cut outs, the Lieutenant decided to return to the air station and land. Upon return to the vicinity of the Iwakuni seadrome at approximately 0100 on April 22, Lt. Longtin made the decision to drop excess fuel. During the landing sequence and while at an altitude of approximately 75 feet the pilot lost control of the aircraft within view of the USS SUISUN. The aircraft stalled and then dropped, making hard contact with the water. Within one minute of the crash, the aircraft disappeard from the sight of observers, sinking below the surface of the water. Another PBM taxied to serve within one minute of the crash and boats rushed to pick up all survivors. The seven surviving crewmen have testified as to the actual presence of Longtin on board. Extensive diving and grappling operations were carried on for eleven days. There being no reasonable chance for his survival, King Wilcox Longtin was pronounced dead. His was the only body not recovered from the scene of the crash.
Source – US Navy Death Certificate
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Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA
Memorial Marker in Fairview Cemetery, Parishville, NY
"They died for us, that we would never know the loss of freedom; that the values they hold dear would live on. We, their classmates, thank them for their sacrifice; celebrate their lives, and pledge to keep the faith that their deaths shall not have been in vain."