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Nile Kinnick airplane crash correspondence, 1943-1972

1943-06-27: 31858060072406-08

VF16/P6-2/jjl Fighting Squadron Sixteen
c/o Fleet Post Office
New York, New York
June 27, 1943
Dear Mr. Kinnick,
In clarification of the point raised in your recent letter, Nile,
accompanied by another plane, was making a wide circle of the ship to
avoid interference with the launching of a second group of planes, then
spotted on the flight deck. When it became imminent that he would have
to make a forced landing, he was flying a course parallel to that of the
ship, approximately 2 1/2 miles broad on the starboard bow. As the ship was  running into the wind, 
the only course that Nile could take with a failing motor, was to continue in the same direction, in order to assure a
relatively safe water landing. To attempt returning to the ship at that
time, even if the flight deck had been clear, was entirely out of the
question.
In regard to the personal effects of Nile, which are at present in
the custody of the Supply Officer aboard the ship, there will be insufficient time before sailing to dispose of the articles requested.
Accordingly I have taken the only alternative, and ordered the entire
lot forwarded directly to you which action I hope meets with your approval. It is regrettable that time does not permit complete fullfillment of
your wish, but again I want to ask you to call on me for any further
assistance that I might be able to offer.
Very sincerely yours
Paul D Buie Paul D. Buie Lieut. Comdr., USN.

Saving...

VF16/P6-2/jjl Fighting Squadron Sixteen c/o Fleet Post Office New York, New York June 27, 1943 Dear Mr. Kinnick, In clarification of the point raised in your recent letter, Nile, accompanied by another plane, was making a wide circle of the ship to avoid interference with the launching of a second group of planes, then spotted on the flight deck. When it became imminent that he would have to make a forced landing, he was flying a course parallel to that of the ship, approximately 2 1/2 miles broad on the starboard bow. As the ship was running into the wind, the only course that Nile could take with a failing motor, was to continue in the same direction, in order to assure a relatively safe water landing. To attempt returning to the ship at that time, even if the flight deck had been clear, was entirely out of the question. In regard to the personal effects of Nile, which are at present in the custody of the Supply Officer aboard the ship, there will be insufficient time before sailing to dispose of the articles requested. Accordingly I have taken the only alternative, and ordered the entire lot forwarded directly to you which action I hope meets with your approval. It is regrettable that time does not permit complete fullfillment of your wish, but again I want to ask you to call on me for any further assistance that I might be able to offer. Very sincerely yours Paul D Buie Paul D. Buie Lieut. Comdr., USN.