WFI Research Group

     This is a strange case that includes a crashed airplane, a missing aircrew, global-warming, a group burial, a misled public and most fascinating of all is the story isn't over yet.

     It all began on 18 November 1942, when an aircraft of the 341st School Squadron at Mather Fld, California, took off on a routine training flight. Aboard was a crew of four. (See first image below).

     The aircraft failed to return to the base and a massive search effort was launched but to no avail. The plane and crew were listed as missing.

     The case remained in limbo until September 1947 when hikers ran across aircraft wreckage on the Darwin Glacier in King Canyon's National Park. The military launched an investigation into the wreckage. (See images 2 thru 7). The after action report clearly states that no bodies were found, only one small piece of frozen human flesh.

     In October a Group Burial was held at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Francisco, California. That small piece of flesh became all four airmen. A large stone was placed over the grave showing the names of the four. Many thought that this would be the end of the story.

     Enter global-warming which caused the glacier to retreat which led to the discovery of a frozen body in October 2005.

     In early 2006, the body was identified as Aviation Cadet Leo A. Mustonen. In an effort to cover their tracks, a new monument was erected at the Group Burial site but it only had three names on it.

     In 2007, another frozen body was found at the crash site and later identified as Aviation Cadet Ernest G. Munn. Again the government changed the grave marker. This time there are only two names on it.

     The other two bodies are still on the glacier, not buried in Golden Gate Cemetery. How long until they are recovered and identified? Only time will tell. Maybe then they will remove the marker and the empty casket.