MEN AT WAR: No Survivors

The big C-119 “Flying Boxcar,” en route from Japan to Korea, had 44 men aboard: an Air Force crew of seven and 37 U.S. troops returning from “R & R” (rest & recreation) leave in Japan. Many of the soldiers had bought Christmas presents for their families and sweethearts.

Some 18 miles east of Seoul, the C-119 crashed against a 2,000-ft. peak. There were no survivors; the Air Force called it the “worst transport disaster” of the Korean war.* In the litter of mangled flesh and metal, search parties found some of the presents—satin slippers, a woman’s wristwatch, a pair of child’s pink pajamas.

*Next day an Air Force C46 with 20 aboard crashed in the Sea of Japan. A fishing boat rescued seven; 13 were lost.