Thursday, October 20, 2005

WWII DISCOVERY: THIS IS NOT ENCINO MAN BUT ...

... but it is an American Airman.

Sometime during or shortly after World War II a plane crashed that wasn't discovered until 1947. Now, hikers made a frozen discovery in connection with what may or may not be the same plane crash.
Hikers found the frozen body of an airman while scaling Mount Mendel Glacier in the Sequoia National Park. Now, the military is working to find out who this airman is and whether he was ever reported missing.

It's believed the airman has been frozen in the glacier for decades until a pair of climbers got much more than ever imagined on a hike.

Two glacier climbers, 13,000 feet above the national park floor on Mount Mendel, made the incredible discovery.
National Park Service employes believe the airman was likely a crew member aboard an AT-7 navigational training plane which crashed on November 18, 1942.

Apparently, back in 1947, five years after the crash, climbers discovered a portion of the plane, along with four bodies; they were unaware there was another airmen left behind.
It's believed most of the plane is still preserved under the glacier above the spot the latest airman was found. [...]

The crash is believed to be one of many that happened in the Sierras during the 1940's and 1950's.

The Park Service is working with a number of agencies and is hoping to chisel the ice around the body on Wednesday to get the man out and eventually identified. They say it's going to be a long, tedious process.
Regarding those who stayed behind while others fought, David once said ...
For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.
1 Samuel 30:24
You know I don't care how much it costs or how long it takes, this man gave his life for his country and that makes it worth the effort ... besides, his family has a right to know he's been found so they can say goodbye in a way that honors their loved one.

CRIB NOTE: If you don't know who Encino Man is goe here.

UPDATE 22 October 2005: Body recovered easily, contrary to earlier estimates; airman is now with the coroner to determine who he is.


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