To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 3/10/20 • Approved: 3/14/20 • Last Updated: 3/17/20 • R280769-G0-S3
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS US Army
World War II
Jun. 1, 1926 - 1950
On January 26, 1950 with low clouds, fog, drizzle and low temperatures, An Air Force C-54D Skymaster (serial number 42-72469 powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 engines) departed, enroute from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to Great Falls, Montana and then it's final destination was to be Biggs AFB near El Paso, Texas. The plane went missing and was last heard from over Snag, 10 miles into the Yukon territory from the Alaskan border. This was one of the largest groups of military personnel to go missing. Total persons on board was 44. Eight crewmen, and 36 passengers, including 3 civilians. The search was dubbed "Operation Mike", a name taken from the missing plane's commander, 1st Lt. Kyle E. McMichael. (My Mother always told me that she was told) "The plane was painted blood red but despite one of the largest searches at that time, no trace of the plane , or its personnel have been found". Albie Parker Baughman, Jr. was a passenger aboard this plane and to this day the plane has never been found. Jr. was the son of Albie Parker and Martha Elizabeth Roberts Baughman, Step Mother Edna Victoria Jenkins, Ridinger, Baughman. 2 sisters LuVena & Eula Mae, 3 brothers Arthur, Fess & Estus, 2 half brothers Dennis & Roy Lee, & 3 half sisters Edna, Ethel and Elsie, 3 step brothers Vernon, Gene, Vertie Ridinger and 1 step sister Helen.
Contributed on 3/10/20 by dshw
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 280769