Person:Peter Prossen (1)

Daytonians who died in the Gremlin Special crash in May 1945: Captain John Sylvester McCollom, https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:John_McCollom_%282%29 Captain Herbert F. Good of 325 Monteray Ave https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Herbert_Good_%281%29; Col. Peter J. Prossen, former Wright Field officer https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Peter_Prossen_(1); Robert McCollom of Wright Field https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Robert_McCollom_%281%29. Three other Dayton connections: Survived crash: Captain John Sylvester McCollom, https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:John_McCollom_%282%29. Lt. Col. Carl Mellberg of Dayton conducted the 19 minute Protestant burial service for the Army personnel killed in the crash. This unusual service was conducted from the air above the crash site. https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Carl_Mellberg_(1) Lt. James Kerman of 1447 Cory Dr was sent to photograph the wreakage. https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:James_Kerman_%281%29

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} .

   COL Peter J Prossen
   Birth: 14 Aug 1907
   Death: 13 May 1945 (aged 37) Papua New Guinea
   Memorial Site*: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines
   Plot: Walls Of The Missing ~ with a "Rosette"
   Memorial #: 185853746
   Bio: Peter's remains were recovered in 1959 and he was interred in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, Missouri.
   
   " Click Here " for that record.
   
   A "Rosette" was placed in front of his name here at Manila to signify that his remains were recovered.
   
   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   
   He was married however his wife's first name is currently unknown. She resided in San Antonio, Texas.
   
   Peter served as a Colonel & Pilot on C-47A #41-23952, Headquarters Squadron, Far East Air Service Command, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.
   
   He resided in Bexar County, Texas prior to the war.
   
   C-47A #41-23952 was normally assigned to the 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, U.S. Army Air Force but was used on this flight.
   
   C-47A #41-23952 took off with a crew of 5 and 19 passengers from Sentani Air Field (APO #323), Papua New Guinea on what was noted by the military as a "Navigational Training Flight" but was later noted as basically as a "sightseeing" flight over the Hidden Valley, Papua New Guinea. They crashed for an unknown reason into the side of a mountain during the war.
   
   The entire crew of 5, along with 14 passengers, were killed at the time of the crash. There were 5 who survived the initial crash to include: 1st Lt. John S. McCollom ( twin brother of Robert below ), T/Sgt. Kenneth W. Decker, Cpl. Margaret J. Hastings, Pfc. Eleanor P. Hanna, and S/Sgt. Laura E. Besley.
   
   The next day Pfc. Eleanor P. Hanna and S/Sgt. Laura E. Besley died of their wounds. The remaining three were finally rescued 47 days later.
   
   Peter was first declared "Missing In Action" in this crash. His status was changed to "Killed In Action" after his remains were recovered.
   
   He was awarded the Purple Heart.
   
   Service # O-22803
   
   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   
   Crew who perished on C-47A #41-23952:
   
   Mollberg, Melvin A ~ Pfc, Asst. Engineer, MN
   Newcomer, George R ~ Pfc, Radio Operator, SC
   Nicholson, George H ~ Maj, Co-Pilot, MA
   Norris, Hilliard ~ S/Sgt, Engineer, NC
   Prossen, Peter J ~ Col, Pilot, TX
   
   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
   
   Passengers who perished on C-47A #41-23952:
   
   Antonini, Herman F ~ Maj, IL
   Besley, Laura E ~ S/Sgt, PA
   Dattilo, Phillip J ~ Maj, KY
   Fair, Alethia M ~ Pfc, CA
   Freyman, Louis E ~ Capt, IN
   Gillis, Marian C ~ Pfc, CA
   Good, Herbert F ~ Capt, OH
   Hanna, Eleanor P ~ Pfc, PA
   Holding, Lawrence F ~ 1st Lt, NC
   Kent, Helen G ~ Sgt, CA
   Landau, Mary M ~ Pfc, NY
   McCollom, Robert E ~ 1st Lt, MO
   McMonagle, Marion W ~ Tech/3, PA
   Miller, Charles R ~ Corp, MI
   Naimer, Belle G ~ Sgt, MA
   Weber, Melvyn A ~ Corp, CA
   
   ( Bio & Crew Report by: Russ Pickett )
   
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   Created by: Russ Pickett (46575736)
   Added: 11 Dec 2017
   URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185853746/peter-j-prossen
   Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185853746/peter-j-prossen : accessed 16 February 2022), memorial page for COL Peter J Prossen (14 Aug 1907–13 May 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 185853746, citing Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines ; Maintained by Russ Pickett (contributor 46575736) .

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} .

   COL Peter J Prossen
   Birth: 14 Aug 1907
   Death: 13 May 1945 (aged 37) Papua New Guinea
   Burial: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
   Plot: SECTION 70 SITE 16187-89
   Memorial #: 45702029
   Inscription: COL, US ARMY AIR FORCES WORLD WAR II
   Interred June 29, 1959.
   Created by: ShaneO (47009366)
   Added: 22 Dec 2009
   URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45702029/peter-j-prossen
   Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45702029/peter-j-prossen : accessed 16 February 2022), memorial page for COL Peter J Prossen (14 Aug 1907–13 May 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 45702029, citing Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA ; Maintained by ShaneO (contributor 47009366) .

3. ↑ .

   Dayton Herald 8 Jun 1945 page 15 col 2 + col 5, two articles about airplane crash and funeral service

4.   .

   Journal Herald (Dayton, Ohio)06 Jun 1943, SunPage spotlight page 21 article including photograph, pilot, along with Major General Clements McMullen, of the "Burma Roadster" U. S. Army airplane

5.   .

   Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)28 May 1945, MonPage 5 killed in New Guinea, husband of Evelyn, son of Mrs. I. E. Moxley, father of David and Peter

6.   .

   Peter J. Prossen
   Dayton Daily Journal
   June 9, 1945
   formerly of Dayton, casualty, airplane crashes at "Shangri-La", New Guinea, World War II Service Note

7.   .

   Dayton Herald (Dayton, Ohio)22 Sep 1943, WedPage 3 air tour of Alaskan Army air bases

8.   .

   Dayton Herald (Dayton, Ohio)27 May 1943, ThuPage 3 serving under General Clements McMullen, chief of maintenance division, Air Service Command, all over the globe

9.   .

   Peter Prossen
   Dayton Daily News
   
   June 10, 1959
   
   pg. 20,
   died in airplane crash