The Mojave was cold and grey on a recent visit to the crash site of North American Aviation B-25D #41-30114 USAAF that crashed killing all three aircrew on 10/2/44. The pilot was 1st Lt George D. Rosado, copilot WASP Marie Michell Robinson, and crew chief S/Sgt Gordon L. Walker. Their mission was listed as "day transition" training for copilot Michell-Robinson. Two eyewitnesses flying nearby in Bell P-39's stated that they saw the B-25D stall and then enter a spin from which there was no recovery. #41-30114 was observed to crash and burn some twenty-five miles west of Victorville AAB. Crash trucks were able to drive to the accident site. There were no survivors. The wreckage was mostly removed following the completion of the coroner’s grim work. In sixty-one years few people have visited the crash site. I had looked for it with Chris Killian and others on a number of occasions without success. Thanks to Mike Lyons I was finally able to find what remained of #41-30114. Joining me was my son Pat J. Macha, and a friend. We were not surprised to find that only about 2% of the B-25D remained, but we were very surprised to find the WASP lapel insignia of Marie Michell Robinson lying in the surface sand undisturbed for more than half a century. The examination of the site yielded a gold ring, coins and part of a bracelet. I had been urged to visit this site because holes had been dug there and concern was expressed that the remaining wreckage was going to be removed. The holes we observed did not seem recent, and hopefully the site will continue to remain unnoticed. Should efforts fail to return all personal effects to next of kin the artifacts, Texas. Marie Michell Robinson was only twenty at the time of her death. With our Nation's flag temporarily placed at the center of the crash site, we paused to honor the crew of B-25D #41-30114. We then departed just ahead of the heavy rains to come. On Sunday July 10, 2005 at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, I met with the wife, son, daughter, sister, and other family members of 1st Lt. George D. Rosado. Personal effects belonging to 1st Lt. Rosado were presented to the family at this time. Gathered at the gravesite overlooking San Diego Bay we were reminded of the sacrifices made by so many fine men and women so we could enjoy our freedom and prosperity today.
For more information about Women's Airforce Service Pilots, please visit:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Gordon L. Walker and his wife Dana Walker pay their respects at the B-25D memorial site on January 12, 2013. CMS Gordon L. Walker is the nephew of S/Sgt. Gordon L. Walker who was both a passenger, and acting flight engineer aboard B-25D 41-30114 on October 2, 1944. (G.P. Macha photo)
| |
| |
