USS Pine Island (AV 12) Memorial
George 1 Crew - In Memorium - George 1 Crew
"Eternal Father Strong To Save"
The Navy Hymn
Sailor Aviators Version
Eternal Father, Strong to Save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep
Its' own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.
Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In dark'ning storms or sunlight fair.
O, Hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air.
But when at length our course is run,
Our work for home and country done,
Of all the souls that flew and sailed,
Let not one life in thee be failed,
But hear from heaven our sailors cry,
And grant eternal life on high.
May all our departed shipmates rest in peace.
 Eternal Father by the U.S. Navy Band's Sea Chanters (668 kbytes - WAV file)
| HELP BRING GEORGE 1 HOME |
In the year following World War II the United States government had decided to explore the Antarctic continent and Operation Highjump was born. The mission was to chart and photograph the continent. An armada of thirteen ships and twenty-three aircraft was assembled which included Martin PBM seaplanes, ski equipped Douglas R4D's aboard the carrier USS Phillipe Sea and Sikorsky helicoptors. There were as many as 4,700 civilian observers and radio and press correspondents. The group was headed by famed polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Known as Task Force 86, they set sail for the Antarctic. The force was split into three groups with the sealane tender USS Pine Island (AV-12) carrying three Martin PBM sea planes. They were designated TF-86.1.
Arriving in the Antarctic region in late December 1946 flight operations were initiated. However on December 30th the PBM designated GEORGE I roared off on its mission only to be caught in a "whiteout" over the coast. Making a turn to return to the clear weather over the water the aircraft struck an uncharted peak, exploding and crashing on the ice below.
Three crewmen were killed. After burying their dead, the crew was destined to spend thirteen days waiting to be found and rescued. For some unknown reason the bodies of the men killed were never recovered and lay till this day beneath the wing of their aircraft. For many year letters have been written by family members asking the navy the recover their loved ones.
Now after sixty years the office of the Secretary of the Navy is considering a recovery attempt.
Thank you,
George Fabik
For further information, contributions, etc. contact: |
AFTER ALMOST 60 YEARS SINCE THE CRASH
ISN'T IT TIME THEY CAME HOME? |
"USS PINE ISLAND (AV 12) Mishap Summary Page"
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