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Casualty Info
Home Town Idledale
Last Address Idledale
Casualty Date Dec 19, 1972
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Location South China Sea
Location of Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery (VA) - Denver, Colorado
Description The aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga delivered the Apollo 16 Command Module to the North Island Naval Air Station, near San Diego, California, on Friday, May 5, 1972. On Monday, May 8, 1972, ground service equipment being used to empty the residual toxic reaction control system fuel in the Command Module tanks exploded in a Naval Air Station hangar. Forty-six people were sent to the hospital for 24 to 48 hours observation, most suffering from inhalation of toxic fumes. Most seriously injured was a technician who suffered a fractured kneecap when the GSE cart overturned on him. A hole was blown in the hangar roof 250 feet above; about 40 windows in the hangar were shattered. The Command Module suffered a three-inch gash in one panel.
