WWII South Pacific Hero Victim of Cancer at 53
San Diego (AP)
Funeral services are scheduled Friday for World War II hero Gene Aldrich, who made a voyage of more than 1,000 miles on a line raft with two other downed Navy aviators after they ditched their torpedo bomber in the South Pacific. Aldrich died of cancer Tuesday at age 53.
In January, 1942, Aldrich, who was a radioman aboard the bomber, pilot Harold F. Dixon and bombardier Anthony (Tony) J. Pastula, became lost on a mission from the aircraft carrier Enterprise. The men downed their plane, took to the sea in a raft and for 34 days survived on rainwater, fish and seabirds. The Navy rescued them after a hurricane tossed them ashore on a tiny island. Dixon received the Navy Cross for his heroics: Pastula and Aldrich received presidential commendations. Aldrich, who retired last December from his Civil Service post at North Island Naval Air Station here, is survived by his widow Frances; two sons, Anthony and Gary; a daughter, Mrs. Diane Zegler and a grandson. All live at nearby Santee, Calif. Dixon and Pastula live in the San Diego area.
Oxnard Press Courier, Oxnard, Calif. Thursday, Mar 29, 1973
San Diego (AP)
Funeral services are scheduled Friday for World War II hero Gene Aldrich, who made a voyage of more than 1,000 miles on a line raft with two other downed Navy aviators after they ditched their torpedo bomber in the South Pacific. Aldrich died of cancer Tuesday at age 53.
In January, 1942, Aldrich, who was a radioman aboard the bomber, pilot Harold F. Dixon and bombardier Anthony (Tony) J. Pastula, became lost on a mission from the aircraft carrier Enterprise. The men downed their plane, took to the sea in a raft and for 34 days survived on rainwater, fish and seabirds. The Navy rescued them after a hurricane tossed them ashore on a tiny island. Dixon received the Navy Cross for his heroics: Pastula and Aldrich received presidential commendations. Aldrich, who retired last December from his Civil Service post at North Island Naval Air Station here, is survived by his widow Frances; two sons, Anthony and Gary; a daughter, Mrs. Diane Zegler and a grandson. All live at nearby Santee, Calif. Dixon and Pastula live in the San Diego area.
Oxnard Press Courier, Oxnard, Calif. Thursday, Mar 29, 1973
WWII South Pacific Hero Victim of Cancer at 53
San Diego (AP)
Funeral services are scheduled Friday for World War II hero Gene Aldrich, who made a voyage of more than 1,000 miles on a line raft with two other downed Navy aviators after they ditched their torpedo bomber in the South Pacific. Aldrich died of cancer Tuesday at age 53.
In January, 1942, Aldrich, who was a radioman aboard the bomber, pilot Harold F. Dixon and bombardier Anthony (Tony) J. Pastula, became lost on a mission from the aircraft carrier Enterprise. The men downed their plane, took to the sea in a raft and for 34 days survived on rainwater, fish and seabirds. The Navy rescued them after a hurricane tossed them ashore on a tiny island. Dixon received the Navy Cross for his heroics: Pastula and Aldrich received presidential commendations. Aldrich, who retired last December from his Civil Service post at North Island Naval Air Station here, is survived by his widow Frances; two sons, Anthony and Gary; a daughter, Mrs. Diane Zegler and a grandson. All live at nearby Santee, Calif. Dixon and Pastula live in the San Diego area.
Oxnard Press Courier, Oxnard, Calif. Thursday, Mar 29, 1973
San Diego (AP)
Funeral services are scheduled Friday for World War II hero Gene Aldrich, who made a voyage of more than 1,000 miles on a line raft with two other downed Navy aviators after they ditched their torpedo bomber in the South Pacific. Aldrich died of cancer Tuesday at age 53.
In January, 1942, Aldrich, who was a radioman aboard the bomber, pilot Harold F. Dixon and bombardier Anthony (Tony) J. Pastula, became lost on a mission from the aircraft carrier Enterprise. The men downed their plane, took to the sea in a raft and for 34 days survived on rainwater, fish and seabirds. The Navy rescued them after a hurricane tossed them ashore on a tiny island. Dixon received the Navy Cross for his heroics: Pastula and Aldrich received presidential commendations. Aldrich, who retired last December from his Civil Service post at North Island Naval Air Station here, is survived by his widow Frances; two sons, Anthony and Gary; a daughter, Mrs. Diane Zegler and a grandson. All live at nearby Santee, Calif. Dixon and Pastula live in the San Diego area.
Oxnard Press Courier, Oxnard, Calif. Thursday, Mar 29, 1973
Gravesite Details
All three men made famous in the book "The Raft" by Robert Trumbull
Family Members
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