San Angelo in Tom Green County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Crew of "Abbot 27"

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2014

1. Crew of "Abbot 27" Monument

Inscription.

In memory of the Crew of "Abbot 27,"
B-36J No. 52-2818, who perished on
25 May 1955 near Sterling City, Texas.
Crewmembers were assigned to the 40th Bomb
Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment Wing,
Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico.

[B-36 illustration]

Capt. L.C. Basinger, Jr., Acft Commander
Capt. Harold V. Bowman, Co-Pilot
Capt. Ernest R. Morton, Bombardier
Capt. Arthur Fred, Navigator
Capt. Charles C. Zalonka, 2nd Navigator
Capt. Nelson H. Ensor, Engineer
2Lt. Richard B. Glover, 2nd Flight Engineer
TSgt Leonard T. Cannon, Radio Operator
A2C Terrence M. McNeil, 2nd Radio Operator
TSgt David C. Messer, Gunner
TSgt Charles J. Davis, Gunner
TSgt Walter D. Longley, Gunner
A1C Charles L. Davis, Gunner
A1C Ernest J. Coffinger, Jr., Gunner
A1C Billy H. Kershner, Ground Crew Chief

May our comrades rest in peace, comforted with the knowledge that their service and sacrifice helped assure the continued freedom and liberty of the Nation and of the Free World.

Erected October 2007

Erected 2007 by Veterans of the 40th and 24th Bombardment Squadrons, 6th Bombardment Wing (H), SAC.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space

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• Disasters • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1955.

Location. 31° 27.701′ N, 100° 26.405′ W. Marker is in San Angelo, Texas, in Tom Green County. Memorial is at the intersection of Beauregard Avenue and Randolph Street, on the right when traveling west on Beauregard Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 West Beauregard Avenue, San Angelo TX 76903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Original Tom Green County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tom Green County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Charles B. Metcalfe (about 400 feet away); The San Angelo Standard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Herbert A. Wardlaw Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Angelo.

Regarding Crew of "Abbot 27". Excerpt from Wikipedia entry, "List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1955-59)"

Convair B-36J-5-CF Peacemaker, 52-2818A, c/n 374, of the 6th

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2014

2. Crew of "Abbot 27" Monument

Bomb Wing, call sign Abbott 27, on a routine training flight, crashes at ~2305 hrs. CST, in the SW corner of Glasscock County, Texas, on the Drannon Ranch, ~18.5 miles (29.8 km) SW of Sterling City, Texas. The aircraft had apparently disintegrated due to thunderstorm or tornadic activity, losing its outer wing panels and all tail control surfaces, and impacted in a flat attitude with little forward motion. Aircraft wreckage was found in a 25 X 3-mile (4.8 km) path on a heading of 66 degrees true. None of the 15 members of crew L-22 were able to escape the damaged bomber and all hatches and ports were found still in place. The wings and forward fuselage burned on impact, with only the rear fuselage remaining. The aircraft had been preparing to land at Walker AFB, New Mexico, when it was lost. Due to the extended period that the crash site was kept secured while crew remains were recovered and identified, and wreckage from the disintegration was searched for (almost a week), there was some question as to whether the B-36 was armed with a nuclear weapon, but there is no evidence to support this.

SAC Emblem on Crew of "Abbot 27" Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 9, 2014

3. SAC Emblem on Crew of "Abbot 27" Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,296 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.