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Elk Lick Township near Salisbury in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten

 
 
T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, August 1, 2013
1. T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker
Inscription. In memory of T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten of the U.S.A.F. who lost his life on the ill fated B-52 bomber on Jan. 13, 1964.
 
Erected by Johnson Memorial Co. & Salisbury Vol. Fire Dept.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & SpaceWar, Cold. In addition, it is included in the B-52 Bomber Crash in Maryland series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 2005.
 
Location. 39° 45.687′ N, 79° 5.184′ W. Marker is near Salisbury, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is in Elk Lick Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Salisbury Avenue and 9th Street. Marker is about 150-200 feet east of this intersection, along a dirt road that takes you toward the Casselman river, just past an old railroad right of way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 W Salisbury Ave, Salisbury PA 15558, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Salisbury Elk-Lick Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); American Revolution Anniversary Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 0.9 miles away); WWII Honor Roll (approx. 1.1 miles away); Defenders of Freedom and Justice Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles
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away); a different marker also named Lest We Forget (approx. 4.8 miles away); Korean War/Vietnam Memorial (approx. 4.8 miles away); Meyersdale Centennial (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.
 
More about this marker. The marker is at the location where Melvin Wooten was found. He landed near here after having ejected from a crashing B-52, attempting to get to Salisbury PA, but froze in the snow by the Casselman River.
 
Regarding T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten. The B-52 Strato-Fortress was on a routine mission carrying two 24-megaton nuclear bombs. This was the height of the Cold War and 12 atomic-bomb laden aircraft such as this were airborne at all times. The B-52 crashed on Big Savage Mountain near Lonaconing, during a violent snow storm after the tail fin broke off during massive turbulence. Three of the crew died, two survived. The ordnance was recovered.
 
Also see . . .  Cold War mission ended in tragedy for B-52 crew. This page, linked from the Salisbury PA Historical Web Site, appears to be the most comprehensive story, but there
T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, August 1, 2013
2. T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker
are several others available with a google search. (Submitted on August 4, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.) 
 
Additional commentary.
1. B-52 Crash Markers
There are 4 markers related to this incident. One is in the town of Grantsville MD as a tribute to the 5 men involved in the incident, and the citizens who helped search for the men after the crash. The other three markers are located where three of the five were found dead: T/Sgt Melvin F. Wooten in West Salisbury PA, Major Robert Lee Payne along the Poplar Lick Trail in the Savage River State Forest, and Major Robert E. Townley at the crash site near Pine Swamp Road in Barton, MD
    — Submitted August 4, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
 
T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, August 1, 2013
3. T/Sgt. Melvin F. Wooten Marker
The Wooten marker is flanked by the flags. The marker to the left of that is an Eagle Scout Project recognition for Anthony Michael Hillegas.
Buzz One Four Sign image. Click for full size.
Photographed By F. Robby, July 31, 2016
4. Buzz One Four Sign
Directional sign located at the intersection of St. Paul Road and West Salisbury Avenue. The Wooten marker is about 1/4 mile north from here.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2013, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.   4. submitted on October 9, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.

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Mar. 28, 2024