[or-roots] Challenge - SPALDING, Bruce Wayne, obituary, etc

[Chris & Bill Strickland]

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 5, 1949, page 1

SPALDING RITES ARE HELD TUES.
Goldendale Mourns Death of Local Boy Who Loses Life Trying To Find 
Missing Plane

Goldendale was saddened last week when it learned of the death of Lt. 
Bruce Wayne Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, who was 
killed on an errand of mercy last Thursday as he searched for a missing 
B-26 light bomber plane. Lt. Spalding's plane was found by rescue crews 
on a 3500 foot mountain, approximately 50 miles west and a little north 
of Portland, according to information received.

It was stated that the plane had apparently been flying straight and 
level when it struck about 300 feet below the crest of one of the 
highest ridges in that part of the coast range, and that there was no 
evidence of engine failure, carburetor icing or lack of fuel.

The wreckage was first sighted, according to the Portland Oregonian, by 
Marvin E. Kinchen, log scaler for the Oregon-American Lumber company at 
7:45 a.m. Friday morning. It was stated that Lt. Spalding had taken off 
from Portland air base at 6 p.m. D.S.T. Thursday evening, and was to 
have returned before dark. When he failed to return, the search was 
organized, which finally located the plane.

Well known to everyone in Goldendale, Lt. Spalding was born in 
Goldendale on May 27, 1923, and attended high school here, graduating in 
1941.

Soon after graduation he began working in the Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> Shipyards. 
He was married on April 9, 1942, to Mabel Marie Carson. They made their 
home in Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx>. He 
entered military service in February, 1943. During the war he served in 
the Army <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/army-family-history.ashx> air 
force, serving as a pilot and flying B-25 planes.
When returned to civilian life, he retained a commission in the Active 
Reserve Air Corps.

Lt. Spalding volunteered to search for the missing plane and was on that 
mission when he lost his life, it was stated.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mabel Spalding; his two daughters, 
Constance Marie, aged 4 and Dawn Cheryl, age 3; his father and mother, 
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> of 
Goldendale; two sisters, Mrs. Fred Hoctor of Goldendale and Mrs. Herman 
Umlauf <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/umlauf-family-history.ashx> of 
Klickitat, by one brother, Ray M. Spalding, who was in the submarine 
service at New London 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/london-family-history.ashx>, Conn 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/conn-family-history.ashx>., and four 
nieces and three nephews.

Funeral services were held from the Phillips Funeral Home on Tuesday, 
May 3 at 2 p.m.. Full military honors were rendered by the American 
Legion, and burial was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. The Rev. Bruce 
Groseclose officiated at the service.

---------------------

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 5, 1949, page 1

RAY Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> HERE

Ray Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, who has 
been stationed in New London 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/london-family-history.ashx>, Conn 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/conn-family-history.ashx>. with the U.S. 
Submarine Service, is in Goldendale visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Bruce Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>. Ray was 
called to Goldendale by the accidental death of his brother, Lt. Wayne 
Spalding <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, 
whose plane crashed while he was searching for a missing plane.

-----------------------

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 5, 1949, page 4

KILLED AS HE TRIED TO HELP

THE SYMPATHY OF the community goes to the wife and family and father and 
mother and relatives of Lt. Bruce Wayne Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, who died 
last week as he sought to find a missing plane. Probably the last thing 
he thought of was his own safety, as he set out. There is something 
infinitely touching about the death of this fine young man, like the 
good Samaritan sought to help one in need. The first reserve pilot 
killed in two years, according to the Portland Oregonian, the tragic 
accident points out the risk taken by Reserve and National Guard 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/guard-family-history.ashx> pilots, who 
often are called on to take time from their regular employment to take 
part in missions of this kind.

On the part of the people of Goldendale, The Sentinel desires to express 
its sincere sympathy to the Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> family.

-------------------------

The Columbian, Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx>, WA., 
April 29, 1949, page 1 Includes portrait titled:

LISTED DEAD - Bruce W. Spalding Jr., 25, Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> pilot, was 
reported dead in the wreckage of his plane late this morning following 
an intensive search that began last night. Spalding failed to return 
from a search mission for a B-26 bomber missing since April 21.

LOCAL MAN IS LISTED AS KILLED

Bruce W. Spalding Jr., 25-year-old Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> pilot, was 
reported found dead late this morning in the wreckage of his plane after 
an air and ground search that began when Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> failed to 
return from a search mission late last night.
Further details on the pilot's reported death were not available at 
press time today.

The young Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> pilot, 
whose wife and two small daughters live at 727 E. Forty-third ave. in 
McLoughlin Heights 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/heights-family-history.ashx>, is the son 
of Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Spalding Sr. of Goldendale. The family has resided 
in Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> for the 
past year.

An army air force veteran, Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> was said to 
have been an experienced and competent pilot. He took off from air 
rescue operations base in Portland at 7 last night to aid in the search 
for a B-26 bomber missing in the area since April 21.

Instructed to return before dark, nothing was heard from him until the 
plane's wreckage was discovered today.

Wreckage was reported sighted in a wooded area north of Hillsboro, Ore 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/ore-family-history.ashx>. This was the 
territory assigned to Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> in the 
search for the missing bomber.

About 10:30 this morning a logger's report indicated the wreckage of the 
plane had been sighted in that area, after which helicopters and radio 
jeeps were dispatched to the scene.

Spalding attended high school in Goldendale, after which he entered the 
service and joined the air force. He was discharged from the army in 
1946, and moved to Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> in April 
of 1948. He had been working as a carpenter here.

-----------------------------

The Columbian, Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx>, WA., May 
2, 1949, page 3 "Deaths"

SPALDING, April 28 near Elsa, Oregon 
<http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon/mb.ashx>, 
Bruce Wayne Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> Jr. of 727 
E. 43rd ave., McLoughlin Heights 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/heights-family-history.ashx>, Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx>, aged 25 
years, Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> resident 
for past year; prior in Goldendale, Wn., B-25 pilot during past World 
War. Survived by wife, Mrs. Mabel Marie Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> of 
Vancouver <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx>, 
two daughters, Constance Marie and Dawn Cheryl, both at home; his 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wayne Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, Sr., of 
Goldendale, Wash.; one brother, MESM Roy M. Spalding, submarine service, 
New London <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/london-family-history.ashx>, 
Conn.; two sisters, Mrs. Lois Hector of Goldendale, Wash. and Mrs. 
Marguerige Umlauf 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/umlauf-family-history.ashx> of Klickitat, 
Wash.; four nieces and four nephews. Born May 27, 1923 at Goldendale, 
Wash. Member of U.S. army air reserve, American Legion Post No. 116 and 
Forty and Eight, both of Goldendale, Wash. The remains have been 
entrusted to the care of the Vancouver 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/vancouver-family-history.ashx> Funeral 
chapel. The remains will be taken to Golden, Washington 
<http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington/mb.ashx> 
for final rites and interment in the I.O.O.F. cemetery, Goldendale, 
Washington 
<http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington/mb.ashx>.

---------------------------

The Oregonian, Portland, OR., April 22, 1949, page 1

PLANE LOST NEAR HERE, 3 ABOARD B-26
Overdue In Flight From Hamilton 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/hamilton-family-history.ashx> Field

Picture on Wirephoto Page An airforce B-26 light bomber enroute from 
Hamilton <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/hamilton-family-history.ashx> 
Field, Cal <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/cal-family-history.ashx>., to 
Portland airport with three men aboard was many hours overdue Thursday 
night and feared missing, the air rescue service at McCord 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> field announced.

Early Friday the Presidio at San Francisco released the names of two 
occupants as follows: Air Force Colonel 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/colonel-family-history.ashx> Archibald Y. 
Smith, 49, and Army 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/army-family-history.ashx> Colonel 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/colonel-family-history.ashx> Walter W. 
Hodge, both attached to armed forces headquarters for unification of 
facilities in the western area.

They were enroute to study unification services in the nine western 
states, the army said.

Third occupant was not identified.

The twin-engined high speed tactical bomber was last heard from at 11:28 
a.m. when it called the CAA communications station at Portland from a 
point south of Portland at an altitude of 7000 feet and requested 
permission to make a let down on instruments through the clouds, which 
then extended to within 1200 feet of the ground in this area.

No Word Received

The pilot then called the control tower at the field at 11:39 a.m., 
airforce officials said, and asked for landing instructions. He said he 
was then about three minutes, or about ten miles, south of the airport.

The plane was never heard from again. It's gasoline supplies would have 
been exhausted at 2:30 p.m., according to the flight plan the pilot 
filed when he took off from Hamilton 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/hamilton-family-history.ashx> field at 
9:28 a.m. The pilot did not answer the tower's broadcast of landing 
instructions, airforce officers explained.

The air rescue service at McCord 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> made a 
teletype check of airports along the route and failed to locate the 
plane. An aerial search was then ordered to start when weather permits. 
Low clouds over the hills from Portland north to McCord 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> grounded all 
planes Thursday afternoon, however.

Search Set Up Here

Headquarters for the search were established at Portland late Thursday 
with Capt <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/capt-family-history.ashx>. 
Joseph Smith <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/smith-family-history.ashx> 
in command. Ground search late Thursday night centered around Squaw 
Mountain, southeast of Portland, where a number of residents reported 
they heard an airplane droning through the overcast about noon.

Captain Smith <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/smith-family-history.ashx> 
and searchers from the Coast Guard 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/guard-family-history.ashx> set out just 
before midnight to interrogate residents of the area and investigate any 
signs of flares or fires.

A half dozen air rescue planes accompanied Captain Smith 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/smith-family-history.ashx> to Portland.

Anyone who saw or heard the missing plane about noon Thursday is asked 
to call the national guard office.
Additional details on page 21.

--------------------------------------

The Oregonian, Portland, OR., April 22, 1949, page 21

PLANE'S FATE POSES PUZZLE

See Story on Page 1 Also Portland pilots were at a loss to explain what 
may have happened to the twin-engined light bomber from Hamilton 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/hamilton-family-history.ashx> Field, Cal 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/cal-family-history.ashx>., missing since 
11:39 a.m. Thursday near Portland.

They point out that the airplane has a record of being hard to fly on 
instruments under icing conditions and that its speed may have carried 
it into the hills in any direction out of Portland while it was letting 
down through the clouds for a landing here. No more definite explanation 
was forthcoming Thursday from any airforce source.

Sister Plane Lost

The missing B-26 is the same as the Oregon 
<http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon/mb.ashx> 
National Guard <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/guard-family-history.ashx> 
plane, then called an A-26, which crashed during an instrument let down 
on Davis peak about 12 miles east of Kelso 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/kelso-family-history.ashx> while en route 
from McCord <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> 
field to Portland, April 9, 1948, killing Capt 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/capt-family-history.ashx>. A.W. McCorkle, 
M/Sgt. Jack W. Shaylor Pfc. Jack T. Toft, all Portland national guardsmen.

The plane, which cruises 300 miles an hour and faster, is designed to be 
flown by a single pilot, without the aid of a co-pilot. There is room 
for two or three crewmen or passengers, however. The reserve training 
center at McCord 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> field has two 
of the fast bombers, as does the national guard at Portland. The missing 
plane, however, is believed to be a regular air force plane, although 
the identity of those aboard will not be released until the fate of the 
plane is known and the next of kin notified.

----------------------------------

The Oregonian, Portland, OR., April 29, 1949, page 1

SEARCH PLANE FEARED LOST

The week-long search for the airforce's missing B-26 light bomber with 
three men aboard claimed another plane Thursday night when an airforce 
reserve pilot and plane disappeared at dusk, presumably in the area of 
northwest of Forest Grove 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/grove-family-history.ashx>.

The 650 horsepower low-winged monoplane, piloted by Bruce Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx>, 25, of 
McLaughlin Heights 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/heights-family-history.ashx>, an 
experienced pilot, took off at 7 p.m. (PDT) to search in an area about 
ten miles square lying northwest of Forest Grove 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/grove-family-history.ashx>.

He was never heard from again. Neither was the plane seen by anyone in 
the area, so far as air rescue officers could determine Thursday night.

Fuel Out at 11 p.m.

Spalding was alone in the two-place plane. He had full tanks of fuel, 
sufficient for 3½ to 4 hours of flying. He was instructed to return 
before dark.

Col. Jackson W. Lewis, commanding officer of the 2345th airforce reserve 
training unit from McCord 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mccord-family-history.ashx> field, who 
came to Portland to direct the search, estimated Spalding 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/spalding-family-history.ashx> was out of 
fuel by 11 p.m.(PDT).

The weather remained good with only scattered occasional showers all 
evening, Col. Lewis said. There was no indication of the fate of the 
plane, but Col. Lewis pointed out that the pilot might have crashlanded, 
and be awaiting rescue. He urged anyone in the area who had heard or 
seen the plane between 7 and 11 p.m. (PDT) to call the air rescue 
service at MU 1153.

Spalding was to search the canyons an ridges in a square running from 
Banks <http://www.ancestry.com/facts/banks-family-history.ashx> north 
almost to Vernonia, thence west for about 15 miles, then south through 
the town of Crochran to a point due west of Banks 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/banks-family-history.ashx>.

Capt. Joseph Smith 
<http://www.ancestry.com/facts/smith-family-history.ashx>, in charge of 
the air rescue reserve, immediately dispatched an air force amphibian to 
search the area all night, while ground crews under Lt. Cmdr. R.W. 
Finley were rushed to the scene with radio jeeps.

This was posted for reference only. I am not related to, nor am I 
researching this family. If you have additional information about what's 
mentioned above, please post it as a reply to this message.

Posted: 23 May 2004 by Jeffrey_Elmer

http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.washington.counties.klickitat/1834/mb.ashx

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