Uxbridge service will recognize solemn anniversary

Part of Memorial Day activities, memorial to be held for servicemen killed in plane crash

UXBRIDGE — Tucked away on a two-acre wooded site across from 84 Chamberland Road is a granite monument honoring five servicemen who died serving their country when their B-24 Liberator crashed on that spot during World War II.

The incident occurred on May 18, 1944, as a formation of three B-24 bombers droned through the sky over the Blackstone Valley.

The planes were on their way back to Westover Air Field after a day of formation flight training, the purpose of which was to give one of the bomber crews experience in formation flying so they would have enough hours to qualify for overseas duty.

While changing formation 10,000 feet over Uxbridge, one of the B-24 Liberators collided with another, cutting off its tail section and putting it into a downward spiral spin nose first into the ground, killing five of seven crewmen instantly. A huge fireball erupted, causing a large forest fire and filling the sky with thick black smoke, which could be seen for miles. Two of the seven crewmen were able to parachute to safety in the Uxbridge

woods.

Killed in the crash were 2nd Lt. Arnold Mohole, Missoula, Montana; Lt. John G. Goodwin, Chicago Ill; Sgt. Thomas L. Cater, Sayre, Pennsylvania; and Sgt. Merle V. Maser, Mount Vernon, Washington; Sgt. Anthony J. Patulous Lowell, Ohio. Surviving the crash were Joseph Talbot, Stoneham Massachusetts; and Robert J. Kelly, Decal, Illinois.

Agranite monument honoring the five servicemen was dedicated on Oct. 11, 1944.

On Sunday, May 21, Uxbridge veterans and residents will recognize the 73rd anniversary of the crash with a memorial to be held at noon at the memorial site on Chamberland Road.

“Every year we have several residents who were witnesses to the crash share their experiences with us,” says Don Letourneau, a Vietnam Navy veteran who has been organizing the town’s Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies since 2006. “We have also had family members from several of the airman onboard that day attend the event the past several years, and were honored that we still hold a service to honor their family members after all these years.”

This ceremony will be held rain or shine.

Veterans in town are also being asked to take part in this year’s Uxbridge Memorial Day Parade, which will be held Monday, May 29. Veterans are asked to meet at the Whitin School at 8:30 a.m. before the parade steps off at 9 a.m.

“We want to show Uxbridge who has had their backs since 1776,” says Letourneau. “It does not matter if you served during a conflict or not, you have served with distinction, pride and honor and we want you with us. If your military backpack has gotten a little too heavy and you would like a ride, let us know and we will do our best to find you a stylish ride.”

Earlier in the morning on May 30, members of the VFW Post 1385, and American Legion, Charles A. Rice Post #33, will depart the VFW at 6 a.m. and proceed to St. Mary’s Cemetery and Prospect Hill Cemetery, where a short ceremony will be held to honor all deceased veterans. The ceremony will consist of a short prayer, a gun volley and Taps.

In the event of rain, scheduled exercises will be held at 10 a.m. in the McCloskey Middle School auditorium.

Meanwhile, The Flying Squadron will be visiting Uxbridge schools on Friday, May 26. The Flying Squadron is an ever-changing group of Uxbridge veterans who have made it a Memorial Day tradition over the past 141 years to visit local schoolchildren with a simple message: The final Monday of May is not just the start of summer vacation season, but a time to honor Americans who died while serving in the U.S. military.

The group, however, has seen its ranks decline in recent years, especially the older veterans who fought in World War II, and organizers are looking for veterans to help out and keep the program going.

“During the past several years we have lost some of our older veterans due to various reasons, so we’re looking to recruit new members to get involved with this great program and help continue this great tradition,” says Letourneau.

Any veteran who would like to participate in The Flying Squadron can contact Dennis Seely at (508) 278-0057; Tom Taft, (508) 962-5545; or Russ Wise at (508) 328-4499.

“Every year we have several residents who were witnesses to the crash share their experiences with us.” — Don Letourneau, Vietnam veteran and organizer of Uxbridge Memorial and Veterans Day events