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May They Rest in Peace

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Gander Plane Crash Victims
December 12, 1985

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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. Reagan visited Fort Campbell for a memorial service honoring those soldiers.

In addition to the memorial near Gander, Newfoundland, another 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.

All of the Cockpit Crew was from the Miami Area
John Griffin 45 Captain
John Robert Connelly First Officer
Mike Fowler Flight Engineer
All of the Cabin Crew was from the New York Area
Maia Matasowski Flight Service Manager
Jean Sarafin 37 Flight Attendant
Desiree McKay Flight attendant
Ruthie Phillips 26 flight attendant.
Stacy Cutlar or Cutler Flight attendant

The following list of those soldiers killed in the plane crash appeared in the Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville, Ky, December 16, 1985 as supplied by the Pentagon on Sunday, December 15.

Name Rank Age City
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
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
MINNESOTA
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, D.C.
Fitch, David Spec 4   Washington
GUAM
Nartia, Joseph A Sgt 1st Class   Tumon
PUERTO RICO
Cruz-Salgado, Francisco Sgt 32 Bayamon
Gonzalez, Roberto Pfc   Quebradilla
Ocasio, Francisco Jr Sgt   Juana Diaz
       

L. Frazier 10/30/00  (revised 12/01/07)