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Nile Kinnick Sr. correspondence regarding his son's fatal crash, 1945-1946
1946-01-11: Page 05
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Naval Air Advanced Training Command HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - 3 - be impossible not to have found him. I have mentioned that we searched the exact spot of the landing, I wish to point out that a plane sinking leaves an oil slick which persists at times for hours.This slick is an exact marking and is visible both from the air and from the deck of a ship. Although I can't give you the exact longitude and latitude of the landing I can assure you that the exact location of the crash was thoroughly and systematically searched beyond any shadow of a doubt. Had Nile survived the plane's sinking, he would almost certainly have made use of his rubber boat and would either have been spotted later by ships or planes, which were constantly in the area, or would have made his way ashore since the Gulf of Paria is almost entirely land locked. It is with regret that I write the above. I wish the circumstances were such that I might give you hope for Nile's eventual return. As it occurred, however, I am myself convinced that Nile did not survive the sinking of his plane. It is the more regrettable because water landings by carrier planes are almost invariably successful where the temperature of the water or previous pilot injury is not a factor. We received a Christmas card from Mrs. Reiter with a recent picture of Candy, their child. It is distressing to think that such a lovely little girl will never know first hand what wonderful men were her father and "uncle" Nile. My very best wishes to you. Sincerely yours, Paul Buie PAUL BUIE.
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Naval Air Advanced Training Command HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - 3 - be impossible not to have found him. I have mentioned that we searched the exact spot of the landing, I wish to point out that a plane sinking leaves an oil slick which persists at times for hours.This slick is an exact marking and is visible both from the air and from the deck of a ship. Although I can't give you the exact longitude and latitude of the landing I can assure you that the exact location of the crash was thoroughly and systematically searched beyond any shadow of a doubt. Had Nile survived the plane's sinking, he would almost certainly have made use of his rubber boat and would either have been spotted later by ships or planes, which were constantly in the area, or would have made his way ashore since the Gulf of Paria is almost entirely land locked. It is with regret that I write the above. I wish the circumstances were such that I might give you hope for Nile's eventual return. As it occurred, however, I am myself convinced that Nile did not survive the sinking of his plane. It is the more regrettable because water landings by carrier planes are almost invariably successful where the temperature of the water or previous pilot injury is not a factor. We received a Christmas card from Mrs. Reiter with a recent picture of Candy, their child. It is distressing to think that such a lovely little girl will never know first hand what wonderful men were her father and "uncle" Nile. My very best wishes to you. Sincerely yours, Paul Buie PAUL BUIE.
Nile Kinnick Collection
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