I am interested in getting in touch with survivors or descendants of the crew of a C-47 which crashed in Nebraska. The crash occurred on 10 July, 1943, West of Hemingford Nebraska. 2 C-47's collided in mid-air and crashed, killing 8. My uncle, 2nd Lt. W.W. Lepley, was co-pilot of C-47, 42-23786. Other crew members were: 2nd Lt. John R. Hunter, Pilot; SSgt Thomas McClure, Flight Engineer; and Pvt. Joseph Kurchak, Radio Operator. These men were attached to the 73rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 434th TCG, 53rd Troop Carrier Wing, 1st Troop Carrier Command, 9th Air Force, and based at Alliance Army Airbase in Alliance Nebraska. The crash happened during a training flight. I do have the Aircraft Accident Report. Would be interested in anyone having a connection to the above listed crew, or information about the accident. I do also have information about the other C-47 involved if anyone is interested. [signature]

HI....here is a URL for the C-47 : [url "http://www.aircraftintl.org/history/index.htm"]http://www.aircraftintl.org/history/index.htm[/url] I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but, perhaps someone at this website can assist you. Jim :-) [signature]

Thanks for the reply....but the link takes me nowhere, have tried it several different ways/times. [signature]

Hi.....I have contacts for the 71st TCS, 72nd TCS and 74thTCS, but, I did not find a contact for the 73 TCS. Here is the 71st TCS contact......perhaps one of these can help you. 71st TCS Mr. Jesse F. Cauley...617 6th Ave...Brunswick,MD..21716-1574 301-834-9200 72nd TCS Mr. Carl Finney..1636 Jarman St...Muskegon, MI 49442-5732.....no phone listed 74th TCS Mr. Paul Lindhoff...POBox 9147...Waco ,TX, ..76714-9147...817-776-9637 Mr. Paul Lindhoff is listed in addition as the contact for the 434th TCS, but, that may be an incorrect listing as I think he may have meant the 434th TC GROUP. (I could not locate a 434thTC Squadron, as being a valid TC Squadron). These TCS were assigned to the 434th TCG. I hope THIS helps. Jim :-) [signature]

Thanks for the info. I was in contact several years ago with Mr. Lindhoff, he knew of my uncle, graduated from advanced with him. I had lost his info, and quite frankly, didn't think of him until I read your post. I will drop him a line. Thanks again. [signature]

My Dad was in the 73rd TCS, from its origin until the end of WW-II. I remember him talking about the training in Alliance Army AirField, Nebraska before they were station in England. I am in touch with several Power Pilots of the 73rd TCS. Visit my website listed below and you will see a Squadron Picture of the 73rd TCS. If there are personnel in the picture you know, please send me their names and I will post them on the picture. Also, send me your Email Address and I will put you in touch with two C-47 Power Pilots of the 73rd TCS. My Website: [url "http://www.73rdtroopcarriersq.com/"]http://www.73rdtroopcarriersq.com/[/url] My Dad: [font "Arial"]SGT Johnnie Satterfield, Sr. (Deceased) [font "Arial"]73rd TCS, WW-II ETO, Veteran Thanks, [signature]

At your convenience I would appreciate receiving information about the second C-47 involved in the collision. [signature]

Ray, Right now I don't have my research in front of me, but the Pilot was Theodore K. Chapman, and the Co-Pilot was Henry Van Hoover. I will get the crew member's names and get back with you. Hope this helps. Pete Lepley [signature]