Recent Wyoming crash site discoveries

[Msquared]

B-17 and B-24 combat crew training in Wyoming was very hazardous, especially in winter. Many crews suffered accidents related to weather, maintenance., and training issues.

Volunteers of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum and Colorado Aviation Historical Society have been on a mission for several years to locate crash sites of aircraft associated with the Casper Army Air Base.

On May 22, 2020, we found the site of B-24J 43-95559 roughly 20 miles south of Casper. The entire Murchison crew of six was lost on January 1, 1945.

On April 10, 2021, we found the site of B-17F 42-5102 roughly 28 miles east of Casper. The entire Machala crew of ten was lost on February 23, 1943.

Both locations have been unknown and undocumented since the 1940s. The debris fields consist of very small fragments spread over large areas,

The sites are on private land, and exact locations are confidential as per land owners' requests.

For more information, please contact the Museum.

[Msquared]

In 2021, researchers with the Friends of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum discovered the crash site of B-24J 42-100023 on Casper Mountain, south of Casper, Wyoming. The accident occurred around midnight on June 17, 1944. All eight members of the 2nd Lt. Richard Zorn crew were lost. The site is on private land and now located among several private homesites. The debris field was thoroughly cleaned up by locals during the early years. Most current residents are unaware that a crash exists or exactly where it is. During a recent preliminary investigation between snow fields, Friends discovered aircraft parts and confirmed the exact location. A detailed site survey will be conducted in summer 2022.  A memorial service for living family members of the crew is planned for 2023. For more information, please contact the Museum.

[manayunkman]

Very interesting subject.

 

Do you have any pictures?

[Msquared]

Attached are sample photos of the Murchison, Machala, and Zorn sites. Not much to see.

[Msquared]

On July 21-24, 2023, the Friends of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum and Wyoming Army National Guard conducted a  military funeral service for the 8 man crew of 2nd Lt. Andrew J. Taraba at the crash site in Mills, WY.

B-24J 42-73411 crashed September 24, 1944 after entering a spin at low altitude.

Five relatives of two crew members attended the memorial.

 

Currently in planning is a memorial service for the crew of 2nd Lt. Richard Zorn whose B-24J crashed on Casper Mountain on June 17, 1944.

The memorial is being planned for June 17, 2024.