lest we forget

ELLERD, CARL JOSEPH

Rank / Branch:

AMH2 E-5, U.S. NAVY

Date Of Birth:

1939-11-27

Country Of Loss:

YANKEE STATION

Status:

DROWN-CRASH

Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground:

AIRCRAFT C2A

Other:

NOT MARRIED

Unit:

U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CV-64)

Date Of Loss:

1969-10-02

Loss Coordinates:

WATERS OF NORTH VIETNAM

Catagory:

MISSING IN ACTION

Awards & Decorations:

SEE BIO

VETERAN HAGI0GRAPHY

ELLERD, CARL JOSEPH, AMH, U.S. NAVY, ODESSA, ECTOR, TEXAS

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

NAVY ACHIVEMENT MEDAL, NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

BIOGRAPHY

Carl was born in Seminole, Gaines County, Texas to Vernon Estelle Bonham and Eskel Elmo Ellerd. The family moved to Odessa when Carl was in elementary school. He attended and graduated from Odessa High School in 1959. He joined the U.S. Navy after working in the oilfields of West Texas in 1961 and trained as a Aircraft Hydraulic's Maintenance Specialist. He had served on the U.S.S. Hornet during his first enlistment from 1962 through 1965. After his discharge in 1965, he worked at Medical Center Hospital as an orderly. He re-enlisted in the Navy in June 1967. He had served six years active duty at the time of his death.
POW/MIA INFORMATION:
Name: Carl Joseph Ellerd Rank/Branch: E5/USN Unit: Attack Squadron 97, USS CONSTELLATION Date of Birth: 27 November 1939 Home City of Record: Odessa TX Date of Loss: 02 October 1969 Country of Loss: North Vietnam/Over Water Loss Coordinates: 175402N 1073602E (YE754810) Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered Category: 5 Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: C2A
Other Personnel In Incident: Terry L. Beck; Richard W. Bell; Michael L. Bowman; Frank Bytheway; Rolando C. Dayao; Donald C. Dean; Herbert H. Dilger; Carl J. Ellerd; James J. Fowler; Roy G. Fowler; Leonardo M. Gan; Paul E. Gore; William D. Gorsuch; Rayford J. Hill; Delvin L. Kohler; Howard M. Koslosky; Robert B. Leonard; Richard A. Livingston; Ronald W. Montgomery; William R. Moore; Paul K. Moser; Kenneth M. Prentice; Fidel G. Salazar; Keavin L. Terrell; Michael J. Tye; Reynaldo R. Viado (all missing)
SYNOPSIS: On October 2, 1969, a C2A "Greyhound" cargo aircraft from Reserve Cargo Squadron 50 departed Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Republic of the Philippines on a shuttle flight to various aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam, including the USS CONSTELLATION, the USS WALKER, the USS HAMMER, and the USS LONG BEACH.
The flight crew onboard the aircraft, assigned to Fleet Support Squadron 50 based in Atsugi Naval Air Station, Japan, included the pilot, Lt. Herbert H. Dilger; co-pilot, Lt. Richard A. Livingston; air crewman, Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul K. Moser; aircraft captain, Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Tye; and loadmaster-trainee, Petty Officer 3rd Class Rayford J. Hill. Most of the twenty passengers appear to be bound for the USS CONSTELLATION, but one was bound for the USS LONG BEACH, one of the four Philippine citizens onboard was headed for the USS HAMMER, and two to the USS WALKER.
The aircraft was inbounded to the CONSTELLATION and made communication at about 0600 hours, reporting that operations were normal. When communications were established with the Carrier Air Control, control was passed to the Marshall controller (Approach Control). The carrier's radar continued tracking the aircraft until approximately 0655, at which time radar contact was lost at about 10 nautical miles from the CONSTELLATION.
Helicopter search and rescue efforts were immediately initiated from the ship. The helicopter began sighting an oil slick and debris. A few pieces of aircraft were recovered, and analysis of this debris indicated that the aircraft was in a relatively high-speed nose down, right wing down impact with the water, Helicopter search and rescue efforts were immediately initiated from the ship. The helicopter began sighting an oil slick and debris. A few pieces of aircraft were recovered, and analysis of this debris indicated that the aircraft was in a relatively high-speed nose down, right wing down impact with the water or had a possible right- wing failure before impact. There was no sign of survivors, nor were any bodies.
The crew and passengers onboard the C2 which went down on October 2, 1969, were all declared Killed/Body Not Recovered. There is very little hope that they will ever be found. They are listed with honor among the missing because no remains were ever located to repatriate to their homeland.