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March 13, 2017
Loyce Edward Deen: 1921-1944
[This was sent to me by the secretary/treasurer of a local gun club]
Loyce Edward Deen, an Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class, USNR, was a gunner on a TBM Avenger. On November 5, 1944, Deen's squadron participated in a raid on Manila, where his plane was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire while attacking a Japanese cruiser. Deen was killed.
The Avenger's pilot, Lt. Robert Cosgrove, managed to return to his carrier, the USS Essex. Both Deen and the plane had been shot up so badly that it was decided to leave him in the plane.
It is the only time in U.S. Navy history (and probably U.S. military history) that an aviator was buried in his aircraft after being killed in action.
Here is a short video of the landing and burial.
Machinist's Mate Deen was killed almost 73 years ago. It makes me tremendously proud of our country that we remember.