Two County Soldiers Are Killed Another Missing, Two Wounded

Two Lancaster county soldiers were killed over the week-end, Sgt. William B. Culp, of Columbia, in the mid-air collision of two Flying Fortresses over the Gulf of Mexico, and Pfc. Leroy D. Showers, Stevens R1, in action in North Africa.

In addition, Lt. Elwood E. Collins, Columbia, a bombardier in the Army Air Force, was reported missing in the Middle East area, and Robert L. Finger, 236 E. Lemon St., and Pvt. Herbert W. Eckman, Quarryville R1, were wounded in the Pacific area.

Sgt. Culp was one of 22 Air Force planes took off for routine practice flight over the Gulf of Mexico last Friday. Reports from the Alexandria, La., air field said the men lost in the crash of the two Fortresses during a gunnery practice and that one is believed to have lost its position in the formation and while attempting to regain its place collided with another.

The nineteen-year-old youth's father, William Culp, 841 Spruce St., Columbia, was notified of the crash late Saturday afternoon. Sunday evening Col. Earl T. Vance, commanding officer at the Alexandria, La., air field, said the men must be presumed lost.

NO RESULTS FROM SEARCH

"With deepest regret I must now inform you that concentrated, intensive search efforts by the Air Corps and the Navy at the spot where the airplanes were seen to crash into the Gu)f has not found anybody," Col. Vance said in Sunday night's telegram to the youths father.

"No hope remains of recovering any," the telegram continued. "Your son, Sgt. William B. Culp, is believed to have lost his life in the wartime service of his country. My heartfelt sympathy is extended to you and his family in our great loss."

Sgt. Culp enlisted in the Army Air Force last Nov. 13 while employed at New Cumberland. He attended the Columbia High School. His father was released from the Army five months ago when he became overage after serving three months at Fort Benning, Ga. Sgt. Culp, has a brother, John, seaman first class, who is on duty in foreign water. He had spent a furlough at his home two weeks ago.

CLIPPED FROM Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, Pennsylvania 13 Sep 1943, Mon • Pages 1, 6

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Sgt. William B. Culp

Sgt. William B. Culp, nineteen, U. S. Army Air Forces, son of William Culp, Columbia, was killed Sept. 10, 1943 in the collision of two Flying Fortresses over the Gulf of Mexico. He was stationed at the Alexandria, La., Air Field. Sgt. Culp enlisted in the AAF on Nov. 13, 1943. He attended Columbia High School.

CLIPPED FROM Lancaster New Era Lancaster, Pennsylvania 07 Dec 1945, Fri • Page 29

Contributor: AprylZA (47950867)

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Lost in Air Crash in Gulf of Mexico:

Capt. Henry A Lewis

1Lt. Robert H Smith

2Lt. Paul Bradnan

2Lt. George J Long

2Lt. Alva W Redding

2Lt. Oscar L Koegel

2Lt. Oscar A. Bennett

2Lt. James J Palack

2Lt. Stevenson A Williams

SSgt. John E Linam

Sgt. John F Arrillaga

Sgt. Joe T Barron

Sgt. Howard J Code

Sgt. William B Culp

Sgt. John T Loften

Sgt. Jack L Stewart

Sgt. William P Pine

Sgt. Reinhold Kubarth

Sgt. William W Volkmer

Sgt. Richard E Royer

Sgt. Billie J Smith

Sgt. Charles L Findley