Wilmington in Clinton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 17, 2019
1. 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash Marker
side A
On August 9, 1968, a plane carrying 31 military passengers and crew members left the Clinton County Air Force Base for completion of an annual two-week active duty training held at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts. The transport was assigned to the 907th Tactical Airlift Group, 302nd Tactical Airlift Wing. Just after takeoff, the C-119G "Flying Boxcar" lost power, and the pilot attempted to return to the base. The plane crash-landed and caught fire on the Ottie Griffith Farm two miles from the base. Six reservists perished, and many passengers and rescuers were injured.
US Air Force Reservists killed in the crash: TSGT. William B. Hansford, III; SGT. Ernest L. Arehart; SGT. Richard N. Hall; SGT. David A. Husinga; A1C Paul U. Ruschau; A1C Michael L. Wiford.
Erected 2019 by Clinton County Historical Society; The Buckeye Wing Association; American Legion Post 49; The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 11-14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 39° 26.743′ N, 83° 48.588′ W. Marker is in Wilmington
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clinton County World War II Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Military Air Disaster (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); 302 TAW C-119 Accident Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 907 TAG C-119G Accident Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 302nd TCW Aircraft Accident Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 302 TAW C-123 Accident Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Kenneth W. Faul (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 17, 2019
2. 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash Marker
side B
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 17, 2019
3. 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash Marker
full view of marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 17, 2019
4. 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash Marker
marker as seen from park driveway, OHS 10- 14 is to the far right
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, September 17, 2019
5. 1968 Clinton County AFB C-119G Plane Crash Marker
picture on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,265 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2023, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 17, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
