WWII NAVY PILOT KILLED

[T1gertank519]

Sometimes history falls in your lap. One rainy night, I was scrolling through an online estate sale and came across a Navy officer’s uniform. The beautiful bullion wings caught my attention, so I put a bid on the jacket just in case the sale slid by unnoticed. I was not outright looking to tell a story with this one. When the group arrived, my jaw fell to the floor. These items belonged to a 21-year-old navy pilot, killed on a training flight at the height of the Second World War. This is my tribute to Ensign Manz. 

 

Rudolf Manz was born on February 4th, 1922 in Wichita County, Texas. His parents emigrated from Germany and worked the land as farmers. When he was 14, Rudolf enrolled in Wichita Falls High School. By senior year, Rudolf was an outstanding varsity football player. The star varsity halfback, Number 53 ran the ball to victory many times throughout his time at Wichita Falls.

 

Rudolf hoped to become an engineer after high school, but flying also had his interest. By late 1942 he had enrolled in Hardin Junior College and enlisted in the navy. He went through US Navy Pre-flight School in Athens, Georgia to learn the ropes. After Georgia, the young cadet traveled to NAS Memphis for Primary flight training. With aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot, Rudolf was sent to NTS Corpus Christi next. On October 13th, 1943, Rudolf received his officer’s commission and earned his wings. The next day, Manz married his high school sweetheart, Arline Elizabeth Jones. After the reception at his Mother-in-law’s house, Rudolf departed for further training in Melbourne, Florida.

 

On October 30th, just 16 days after he was married, Ensign Manz tragically perished. According to his widow, he was killed on a routine mission when the plane he was on crashed somewhere in Florida. Ensign Rudolf Manz was just 21 years old and left behind a bride of 2 weeks, a mother, sister, and two brothers. Rest in peace Ensign Manz. 
 

 

[manayunkman]

Good eye and more power to you.

[doyler]

Interesting grouping and great to see it preserved/saved. Often so many times people fail to realize how many service members are lost in training.

 

This photo is part of a group I have to a Navy pilot. This man was lost in training. As fate would have it the pilot who saved this picture was also lost on a combat mission in October of 1944

 

[T1gertank519]

It is interesting to think that photos and uniforms may be the last surviving testaments to the lives of these unfortunate young men. Truly a significant photo! 

[Backtheattack]

Great items with a lof ot history, preserve the well. 

[1st Sgt CES]

Really nice bullion Wings on the uniform