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The United States Navy Memorial

Navy Memorial Honoring the Men & Women of the Sea Services

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US Navy Band

Ship Designation: 
-
Date Lost: 
Thursday, February 25, 1960
Air Collision near Rio De Janeiro
Tragedy struck the Navy Band in February 1960 when a mid-air collision over Rio de Janeiro claimed the lives of 61 persons, nineteen of which were members of the U.S. Navy Band. The musicians, en route from Buenos Aires, Argentina, were scheduled to perform at a reception for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Brazilian president, Jascelino Kubitschek. ... Then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke, inquired as to the feasibility of the Navy Band making a trip to South America aboard the USS MACON (CA 132) in conjunction with President Eisenhower’s trip. Naval attaches were notified and instructed to schedule as many public appearances as possible. It was a 19-piece orchestra with Lt. Harold Fultz conducting that made that fateful trip and signaled the end of strings as a part of the Navy Band.

You may view this event's Commemorative Wall plaquehere

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 19

Namesort descending Service Branch
MU2 William Albrecht USN
MUC Elmer Armiger USN
MUC Henry Bein USN
MU2 Milton Bergey USN
MU1 Robert Clark USN
MU1 Anthony D'Amico USN
MU2 Albert Desiderio USN
LT Johann Fultz USN
MU1 Reyes Gaglio USN
MU1 Richard Harl USN
MU1 Gerald Meier USN
MUC Raymond Micallef USN
MUC James Mohs USN
MUC Walter Penland USN
MUC Earl Richey USN
MUC Jerome Rosenthal USN
MU1 Vincent Tramontana USN
MU1 Roger Wilklow USN
MUC Jefferson Young USN
MUCM Jon T. Youngdahl