“BuzzOneFour.org” was created to honor and preserve the memory of the crew of “Buzz One Four,” and their families; as well as all local residents and military personnel who participated in the search, rescue and recovery efforts. This website was launched on Thursday, January 9, 2014 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the loss of the B-52D, call sign “Buzz One Four” and 3 of the 5 members of its crew.
I never anticipated how many visitors this site would draw. It was quickly apparent that a forum was needed to enable website visitors to share their memories, information, photos, and personal testimonials to those who gave the final measure in defense of the United States of America.
May the courage and sacrifice of our “Cold Warriors” never be forgotten.
John H. Josselyn
Website Administrator
Mr. Josselyn,
I must say you have done an excellent job of constructing this site as a memorial to the crew and families of BUZZ14. Thanks for sending your note especially since today is the 50th anniversary. I was a B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer 1976-1986 and most of my time was in the B-52D, the same model as BUZZ14. I have reconnected with my former co-pilot, cc’d above. We went with another friend to visit the site on memorial day last year after doing some research on the crash. Frank and Mary were very kind to allow us onto their property to visit the site and take photos. I am glad to share my photos with you and will do so after I return from my current business trip. How did you come to learn of this event and do you have a personal interest? Those of us who were ‘Cold Warriors’ appreciate people like yourself who take the time to remember and honor the many who served and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Very best regards,
Dave Waldrup
Thank you, Mr. J. for putting all this together. TC
Major Thomas W. McCormick was my father. At the time of the crash I was a student at George Washington University in Washington D.C. I spent most of that day in the Air Force Information Office at the Pentagon and on the phone with my mother. I’m looking forward to the event in July. My son is a film maker and is working on a film about the crash, so he will be in the area often. Thank you all for developing this site!
Published in Cumberland Times News: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 10:23 pm
To the Editor:
The purpose of this letter is to raise awareness of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of TSgt. Melvin D. Wooten’s monument in West Salisbury, Pa., Sept. 27.
This is exactly 50 years since the monument’s unveiling. Hopefully, there is at least a simple service to commemorate this occasion. Sgt. Wooten was the tailgunner on Buzz One Four, the nuclear armed B-52 bomber that crashed near Lonaconing on Jan. 13, 1964.
Unfortunately, in the process of researching the B-52 story, I discovered that the middle initial on the beautiful monument is wrong. Apparently, erroneous information was provided to the original donors of the monument, and through no fault of their own, the middle initial was recorded as “F” when it should have been “D.”
I’ve been advised by several monument companies that the only long term solution to the problem is to replace the monument. If that is what needs to be done, then I hope that local citizens and veterans organizations can come together to make this right.
Bucky Schriver
Midland, MD
My Father was the Wing Commander of the 484th Bomb Wing at the time of the accident and I remember it well. I was 12 yrs old and remember my Mother and other Wive’s going to the McCormick’s to be with Mrs. McCormick. The loss of the Crew Members was devastating to all members of the Bomb Wing! Thank you for this great website.
Just wanted to compliment you on your website about the B-52 crash in MD. It is very nicely done. I’ve never heard of the accident and I have been passing through that area to go to my place in WV all of my life. I hope to check out the roadside memorials this year.
Wanted to thank you for your work on this issue. Very interesting, so much information. Nicely done. I would have been 10 at the time, living in Cumberland. I did not know anything about this happening until a few years ago. I think about the families, the children and I am saddened. My thank you to any and all service men who continue to keep us all safe. May God Bless this great country.
Excellent website and very informative! After viewing the documentary made by the pilot’s grandson on prime video I had to find out more. I was wondering why McCormick’s emergency exit hatch wasn’t recovered in 2006 when it was discovered instead of being left out in the elements another eight years to further deteriorate?
The short answer is that most folks had no idea that the hatch existed much less where it might be.
It was not until I built the buzzonefour.org website that a gentleman from West Virginia contacted me in January of 2014 to ask if I was aware of the aircraft hatch in the Savage River ravine area. He had discovered it years before but apparently told no one (or at least no one who was interested and curious enough to follow-up and attempt a recovery.
JHJ
Was the 1944 coin that Robert Payne’s widow never got back a half dollar instead of a dollar? Dollar coins were not minted between 1935 (Peace dollar) and 1971 (Eisenhower dollar) so it was more likely a Walking Liberty half dollar. Can’t think of any possible reason the air force kept it. It must be somewhere in a file or someone’s jewelry box.
I just watched the wonderful and sad documentary Buzz 14 last night on Amazon Prime. At the end of the documentary, I saw the birth dates of Maj McCormick, Maj. Townley, and Robert Payne which were all within a few months of my father’s birth date as he was an USAAF veteran as a bombardier navigator. I got curious and pulled out my father’s WWII records, all of which I have, complete with all his orders. So, the first document I pulled out was the list of those graduating from his bombardier class, Class 44-12 out of Childress, TX, dated 10 Aug. In addition to my father’s name, whose name do I see? Robert E. Townley.