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On Thursday, December 12, 1985, the chartered DC-8 plane carrying 248 members of the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Kentucky and 8 crew members returning home for Christmas from peace keeping duties in the Middle East, crashed during takeoff in Gander, Newfoundland. The following Monday, December 16, 1985, President and Mrs Reagon visited Fort Campbell for a memorial service honoring those soldiers.
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Some time later, a memorial to those soldiers that died in the crash was placed at the junction of US 41-A and the Pennyrile Parkway in Hopkinsville, Christian Co, Kentucky. This memorial lists the names of those soldiers. In addition, a tree was planted in memory of each of them.
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The following list of those soldiers killed in the plane crash appeared in the Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville, Ky, Dec 16, 1985 as supplied by the Pentagon on Sunday, December 15.
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If you can supply an obituary for anyone on this list, please send it to me. Be sure to include the name of the newspaper, the city and the date. I would also like to have the names of the 8 crew members that died.
- Name ; Rank ; Age ; City , State
- ALABAMA
- Davis, Jimmy D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Aliceville , Al
- Highfill, Joe W ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Daleville , Al
- Hughes, Frank J ; Staff Sgt ; . ; North Carrollton , Al
- Simmons, Carl N ; Pfc ; . ; Banks , Al
- Turner, Vincent L ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Huntsville , Al
- Winston, James A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; West Birmingham , Al
- Wright, John R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Daleville , Al
- ARKANSAS
- Kidd, Timothy Linn ; Sgt ; . ; North Little Rock , Ar
- Long, Paul D ; 1st Lt ; 24 ; Pine Bluff , Ar
- Stewart, Randy S ; Sgt ; 21 ; Texarkana , Ar
- Thomas, Randall K ; Sgt ; 31 ; Springdale , Ar
- Walker, Guy W ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Jacksonville , Ar
- ARIZONA
- Barber, Daniel Mark ; Spec 4 ; 24 ; Flagstaff , Az
- Danielson, Thomas ; Spec 4 ; . ; Mesa , Az
- Hobbs, Kevin S ; Pfc ; . ; Flagstaff , Az
- McArdle, Paul A ; Sgt ; . ; Winslow , Az
- CALIFORNIA
- Andreoff, Steven A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Antioch , Ca
- Burdette, James D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lancaster , Ca
- Carter, Gregory T ; Pfc ; . ; Covina , Ca
- Chaddock, Garett R ; Pfc ; . ; Lake Isabella, Ca , Ca
- Gonzales, Michael J ; Spec 4 ; . ; La Puenta , Ca
- Graham, Kelly O ; Pvt 2 ; . ; San Jose , Ca
- Jackson, Adrian D ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Los Angeles , Ca
- Millett, John M ; Sgt ; . ; Idyllwild , Ca
- Padgett, Gary W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Vista , Ca
- Pevey, Terry R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Port Heuneme , Ca
- Spears, James M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Costa Mesa , Ca
- Wallace, Brian E ; Pfc ; . ; Canoga Park , Ca
- COLORADO
- Serna, Ernest W ; Pvt 2 ; 20 ; Denver , Co
- Sloan, Matthew S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lakewood , Co
- Stephens, Dane ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Littleton , Co
- Tucker, Thomas N ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Goldon , Co
- DELAWARE
- Haller, Brian D ; Capt ; . ; Wilmington , De
- Kuehn, John M ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Wilmington , De
- FLORIDA
- Beer, Edward M ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Orlando , Fl
- Brasfield, Tony L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Panama City , Fl
- Britt, George A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Lighthouse Pt , Fl
- Bury, David A ; Pfc ; . ; Panama City , Fl
- Ferguson, James A ; Sgt ; . ; Orange Park , Fl
- Graham, Thomas Lyle ; Spec 4 ; . ; Jacksonville Beach , Fl
- Hart, Robert B ; 2nd Lt ; . ; Miami , Fl
- Hobbs, Donald Ernest ; Spec 4 ; . ; Palm Harbor , Fl
- *Jeffcoat, Marvin A * ; Lt Col ; . ; Tallahassee , Fl
- Kee, Jeff S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Pensacola , Fl
- Kiser, Bruce E ; Pfc ; . ; Jacksonville , Fl
- Schmoyer, Ricky A ; Spec 4 ; . ; St Petersburg , Fl
- Smith, Thomas E ; Pfc ; . ; Brooksville , Fl
- GEORGIA
- Bauman, Eric Joseph ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Warner Robins , Ga
- Benson, Wyatt David ; Spec 4 ; 19 ; Forsyth , Ga
- Lawrence, Michael R ; Maj ; . ; Atlanta , Ga
- Lynch, Benjamin R ; Pfc ; . ; Macon , Ga
- Searcy, Blanchard T ; Pfc ; . ; Sylvester , Ga
- Smith, Clinton D ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Conyers , Ga
- Word, Virginia Ruth ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Warner Robins , Ga
- IOWA
- Mullins, Steven W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Des Moines , Ia
- Phillips, Alvin ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Oakaloosa , Ia
- IDAHO
- Bradshaw, Steven J, ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Boise , Id
- Crawford, Paul M ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Nampa , Id
- ILLINOIS
- Craig, Michael E ; Pfc ; . ; University Park , Il
- Gayton, Anthony Lovell ; Spec 4 ; . ; Robbins , Il
- Goree, Joseph W ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Edwardsville , Il
- Lundgren, David C ; Spec 4 ; . ; Chicago , Il
- Richardson, Gregory W ; Pfc ; . ; Sterling , Il
- Wilburn, Darnell ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Chicago , Il
- Witmer, John B ; 2nd Lt ; . ; North Brook , Il
- INDIANA
- Arvin, Roger D ; Spec 4 ; 27 ; Evansville , In
- Dumpert, Brian Lee ; Sgt ; . ; Marion , In
- Mayhew, Ronald C ; Sgt ; 24 ; Indianapolis , In
- Miller, Larry G ; Sgt ; . ; Loogootee , In
- Miller, Timothy E ; Spec 4 ; . ; Noblesville , In
- Murray, Michael ; Sgt ; . ; Washington , In
- Robertson, Vergil L Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Spencer , In
- KANSAS
- Banks, Bobby L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Junction City , Ks
- Yeargan, Cary T ; Pfc ; . ; Newton , Ks
- KENTUCKY
- Black, Hasland O ; Cmd. Sgt ; . ; Lafayette , Ky
- Bradley, John T Jr ; Spec 4 ; . ; Winchester , Ky
- Carter, Troy G ; Capt ; 40 ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Cruz-Salgado, Francisco ; Pvt 4 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Englebert, Christopher ; Spec 4 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
- Grala, Douglas F ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Manion, Edward John ; Capt ; 30 ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Martin, Thomas L ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
- Moore, Samuel Theodore Jr ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Nelson, Donald C ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Hammond Hts , Ky
- Nichols, Richard Sidney ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Owens, Gregory Allen ; Pvt ; 21 ; Louisville , Ky
- Palmisano, Jeffrey R ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Parris, Rudy ; CW3 ; . ; Hopkinsville , Ky
- Phillips, James D Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Powell, Barry C ; 1st Lt ; . ; Madisonville , Ky
- Rahr, Michael R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Robinson, Thomas E Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Scott, Gary L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Oak Grove , Ky
- Sellner, Timothy D ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Smith, Rex V ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Smith, Scott John ; Spec 4 ; . ; Louisville , Ky
- Stone, Earl C ; CW2 ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Thompson, Danny C ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- Witt, Kevin Michael ; Sgt ; . ; Fort Campbell , Ky
- LOUISIANA
- Alexander, Herbert D ; Pfc ; . ; Ponchatoula , La
- MASSACHUSETTS
- Aponte, Ivan R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Boston , Ma
- Gerdes, Scott W ; Pfc ; . ; Pittsville , Ma
- MARYLAND
- Duckworth, James Frederick ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Westernport , Md
- Heidecker, David W ; Pvt 1 ; 21 ; Westminster , Md
- Hoyer, Robert S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Pasadena , Md
- Stearn, Alexander W ; Pfc ; . ; Lutherville , Md
- Thornton, Christopher G ; Sgt ; . ; Tacoma Park , Md
- Whiteman, Michael L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dunkirk , Md
- MICHIGAN
- Andrews, Danell ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; Detroit , Mi
- Guerra, Richardo ; Pfc ; . ; Ferndale , Mi
- Karadsheh, Ibrahim ; Sgt ; 25 ; Warren , Mi
- Parsons, Thomas F ; Sgt ; . ; Washington , Mi
- Wisson, Theodore M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Port Huron , Mi
- Wyn, Robert ; Pfc ; . ; Sherwood , Mi
- Ziegler, Cathleen M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Novi , Mi
- MINNISOTA
- Kubic, Mark R ; Staff Sgt ; 25 ; Brooklyn Park , Mn
- Nolan, Michael T ; Pfc ; . ; Plymouth , Mn
- MISSOURI
- Easley, Brian E ; Sgt ; . ; Independence , Mo
- Stack, Michael Shayen ; Spec 4 ; . ; St Louis , Mo
- Straub, Gary L ; Pfc ; . ; Benton , Mo
- Williamson, James H ; Spec 4 ; . ; Waynesville , Mo
- MISSISSIPPI
- Holliman, Jerry W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Coldwater , Ms
- Staten, David C ; Pfc ; . ; Pontotoc , Ms
- MONTANA
- Wallace, Mark E ; Pfc ; . ; Bozeman , Mt
- NORTH CAROLINA
- Arrowood, Stuart N ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
- Buchanan, Gregory A ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Bakersville , NC
- Carter, Mark E ; Sgt ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
- Edmonds, Kyle L ; Capt ; 28 ; New Hill , NC
- Johnson, Jerrin Andrea ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
- Johnson, Ravon Leroy ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Eaton , NC
- Morgan, Lindale ; Pfc ; . ; Enfield , NC
- Perry, Vickie S ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Enfield , NC
- Rawls, David L ; Pfc ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
- Shook, James Emerson ; Pfc ; . ; Fayetteville , NC
- Simmons, George Henry ; Spec 4 ; . ; Wilmington , NC
- NEBRASKA
- Olson, Robert L ; Pfc ; 20 ; Omaha , Ne
- NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Eastman, Michael C ; Capt ; . ; Plymouth , NH
- NEW JERSEY
- Cordero, Miguel Angel ; Sgt ; . ; Paterson , NJ
- Davis, Thomas E ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Woodbury , NJ
- NEVADA
- Bowen, John P ; Sgt ; . ; Las Vegas , Nv
- Mathis, Donald Lee ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Las Vegas , Nv
- NEW YORK
- Bostwick, Paul J ; Pfc ; . ; Binghamton , NY
- Brilya, William R ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Hudson Falls , NY
- Campbell, Trevor ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Brooklyn , NY
- Coleman, Bobby Lee ; Pfc ; 20 ; Rochester , NY
- Hemingway, Paul C ; Sgt ; . ; Staten Island , NY
- Jennings, Todd Martice ; Spec 4 ; . ; Yonkers , NY
- Nelson, Kenneth J ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Falconer , NY
- Rimiller, Richard D ; Pfc ; . ; Bloomingdale , NY
- Sears, Ronald W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Bronx , NY
- Stringer, Richard ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dexter , NY
- Thomas, Robert F ; Spec 4 ; . ; Roslyn , NY
- Travis, Theodore ; Sgt ; . ; Niagara Falls , NY
- OHIO
- Brady, Darrin P ; Pfc ; . ; Brunswick , Oh
- Caudill, Phillip R ; Pvt ; . ; Cincinnati , Oh
- Daniels, Walter G ; Pfc ; . ; Columbus , Oh
- Harris, Brian D ; Pfc ; . ; Canton , Oh
- Napier, Michael A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Middletown , Oh
- Reasbeck, Patrick S ; . ; . ; Adena , Oh
- Seitz, Frederic C ; Pfc ; . ; Aurora , Oh
- Wilson, Rodger L ; Spec 4 ; . ; Dayton , Oh
- OKLAHOMA
- Wolford, Robert Neil II ; Sgt ; . ; Tulsa , Ok
- OREGON
- Fuller, Paul Koerner ; Cpl ; . ; Portland , Or
- Hassing, Mark S ; Pvt 1 ; 20 ; Portland , Or
- Hull, Jeffrey D ; Pfc ; 19 ; Cornelius , Or
- Shultz, Robert D ; Pfc ; . ; Veneta , Or
- Venneri, Steven C ; Pfc ; 19 ; Flagstone , Or
- PENNSYLVANIA
- Council, Orlando F Jr ; Pfc ; . ; Philadelphia , Pa
- Deckman, Herbert R ; Pfc ; . ; Steeltown , Pa
- Fink, Kevin F ; Pvt 2 ; 23 ; Dayton , Pa
- Haugsdahl, Reginald ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Erie , Pa
- Lloyd, William Michael ; Pfc ; 21 ; Philadelphia , Pa
- Schremp, Peter E ; Sgt ; 24 ; Pittsburg , Pa
- Shipley, Michael D ; Spec 4 ; 27 ; Huntingdon , Pa
- Stritch, Scott A ; Pvt 2 ; . ; Annville , Pa
- Thompson, Scott Bryan ; Spec 4 ; 22 ; South Waverly , Pa
- Wester, John Charles ; Pfc ; 19 ; Pittsburg , Pa
- Wilkins, Franklin R ; Pvt 2 ; 20 ; Shamokin , Pa
- RHODE ISLAND
- Spearman, Mark ; Pvt ; . ; Woonsocket , RI
- SOUTH CAROLINA
- Bittle, Sammy Dale ; Pfc ; . ; Cheraw , SC
- Brown, Johnny L ; Pfc ; . ; Sumter , SC
- Diventura, Joseph L ; Cpl ; 21 ; Summerville , SC
- McWhite, Calvin ; Spec 4 ; . ; Columbia , SC
- Ruth, Ray A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Walterboro , SC
- Singleton, Earl ; Sgt ; 30 ; Hugger , SC
- Walker, Gregory ; Spec 4 ; . ; Manning , SC
- Ward, Abraham ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Chester , SC
- SOUTH DAKOTA
- McCleery, Christine M ; Spec 4 ; . ; Rapid City , SD
- TENNESSEE
- Avillan, Luis A ; 1st Lt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Brancato, Charles F ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Davis, James A ; Sgt ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
- Dixon, Thomas D ; Spec 4 ; . ; Sequatchie , Tn
- Ferguson, Mark W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Kingsport , Tn
- Foskey, Thomas J ; Cpl ; 22 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Givens, Gary Lynn ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Godsey, David L ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Harden, Benny J ; CW3 ; 38 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Ivy, Herbert Guy ; Cpl ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
- Jennings, Donny K ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Jones, Joseph A ; Sgt ; . ; Knoxville , Tn
- King, Robert M ; Capt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Kosh, John K ; 1st Lt ; 27 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Lane, Randall A ; Spec 4 ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Malone, Jerry W ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- McCook, Robert F ; 1st Sgt ; . ; Woodlawn , Tn
- McCormick, J Scott ; 2nd Lt ; 24 ; Bristol , Tn
- Miller, Dirk A ; CW2 ; 30 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Nelson, Steven R ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Pafford, Theodore L ; Pfc ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Rains, Terry L ; Capt ; 29 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Reynolds, Jessey T ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Jamestown , Tn
- Roberts, Wilbur Grant Jr ; Staff Sgt ; 28 ; Clarksville , Tn
- Stevens, Kip L ; 2nd Lt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- West, Thomas E ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- White, Emery S III ; Staff Sgt ; late 20's ; Clarksville , Tn
- Willingham, Richard N ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- Wooliver, William L ; Sgt ; . ; Clarksville , Tn
- TEXAS
- Cartwright, Dennis ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Silsbee , Tx
- Cupples, Troy R ; Pfc ; . ; Porter , Tx
- Gray, Christopher ; Spec 4 ; . ; Alvarado , Tx
- Hardeman, Chester D ; Pvt 1 ; . ; Dallas , Tx
- Hughes, Charles W ; Spec 4 ; . ; Cleburne , Tx
- King, Jerry J ; Pfc ; . ; Fort Worth , Tx
- McCarty, Joey ; 1st Lt ; . ; Canyon Lake , Tx
- Miller, Richard Dean ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Tyler , Tx
- Roberts, Bobby E ; Spec 4 ; . ; Fort Worth , Tx
- Wheeler, Frank C ; Spec 4 ; . ; Odell , Tx
- VIRGINIA
- Bowen, Robert ; CW3 ; . ; Wytheville , Va
- Colby, Stephen R ; Spec 4 ; . ; Colonial Beach , Va
- Hansen, William W III ; Pfc ; . ; Stafford , Va
- Kirby, Thomas James ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Salem , Va
- Puntanen, Raimo K Jr ; Spec 4 ; 20 ; Chesapeake , Va
- Russell, Ronald C ; Pfc ; . ; Portsmouth , Va
- Vinson, Wayne ; Pfc ; . ; Chesapeake , Va
- WASHINGTON
- Kaplin, Robert S ; Spec 4 ; . ; Gig Harbor , Wa
- Lineberry, Donald G ; Sgt ; . ; Olympia , Wa
- Reed, Melvin W ; Pvt ; . ; Tacoma , Wa
- Wood, Lawrence A ; Staff Sgt ; . ; Everett , Wa
- WISCONSIN
- Schultz, Keith Mitchell ; Pfc ; 19 ; Schofield , Wi
- WEST VIRGINIA
- Abrams, Mark Edward ; Pfc ; . ; Rhodell , WV
- Gantzer, Kevin A ; Sgt ; 22 ; Wheeling , WV
- Hileman, Thomas T ; Pfc ; , ; Fairmont , WV
- Jordan, David A ; Pvt 2 ; 21 ; Winfield , WV
- Mollett, James Albert ; Sgt ; 22 ; Kermit , WV
- WASHINGTON, DC
- Fitch, David ; Spec 4 ; . ; Washington
- GUAM
- Nertia, Joseph A ; Sgt 1st Class ; . ; Tumon
- PUERTO RICO
- Gonzalez, Roberto ; Pfc ; . ; Quebradilla
- Ocasio, Francisco Jr ; Sgt ; . ; Juana Diaz
* Marvin Alvis "Jeff" Jeffcoat attended Aberdeen Senior High School in Aberdeen, Md before moving to Ft Riley, Ks. He (and I) graduated from Junction City (Ks) High School in 1961, and upon graduation, he became a Cadet at West Point Military Academy. I assume he graduated from West Point in 1965. I lost contact with Jeff in 1962, and was unaware he was stationed at Ft Campbell, Ky, just 20 minutes from me, until the time of the Gander crash. Jeff was the commanding officer of the men and women stationed at Ft Campbell who died in this terrible crash.
I have received information that many of these men were buried in the cemetery that is part of the Shiloh Battlefield. Further information might be obtained by contacting the following:
Shiloh National Military Park
Information Bldg
Shiloh, TN 38376
901-689-5696
Shiloh National Military Park
Headquarters Bldg
Shiloh, TN 38376
901-689-5275
Shiloh National Military Park
Savannah, TN 38372
901-925-7381