Armand graduated from Dunsmuir High School and attended Placer Junior College in Auburn where he was was one of the most popular students during the 1938-39 and 1939-40 terms. He was a star on the football teams, playing tackle, and he was elected vice president of the Block P Society during his second year. He was commissioned a lieutenant, junior grade in the US Navy Air Cadets in 1943. A few months later, Lt. Trafton was killed in an accident over England. His plane was departing from the base on a flight when the plane suddenly dipped and struck the ground. All 10 crew members died. He and his comrades were buried at Brookwood Cemetery at Woking Surrey; however, in 1948 Lt. Trafton's remains were returned to the United States and re-interred on July 29, 1948.
U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator Bureau № 63915 was departing Dunkeswell, England at approximately 02:00 hours for an intended anti-destroyer patrol out over the Bay of Biscay when it suffered an engine fire on takeoff, causing a loss in power, and collided with terrain and broke apart.
All ten airmen aboard were killed in the crash.
The crew:
Lt. JG John C Hillman, Pilot
Lt. JG Armand E Trafton
Ens. Edwin C Creeger Jr
AMM1c Clyde E Rodgers
AMM2c George T Charland Jr
ARM1c William O Finch
ARM2c John C Howatt
AOM3c Ralph Harry Cole
AOM3c Brewton Massey, Jr
AMM3c Lawrence L Wemette
U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator Bureau № 63915 was departing Dunkeswell, England at approximately 02:00 hours for an intended anti-destroyer patrol out over the Bay of Biscay when it suffered an engine fire on takeoff, causing a loss in power, and collided with terrain and broke apart.
All ten airmen aboard were killed in the crash.
The crew:
Lt. JG John C Hillman, Pilot
Lt. JG Armand E Trafton
Ens. Edwin C Creeger Jr
AMM1c Clyde E Rodgers
AMM2c George T Charland Jr
ARM1c William O Finch
ARM2c John C Howatt
AOM3c Ralph Harry Cole
AOM3c Brewton Massey, Jr
AMM3c Lawrence L Wemette
Armand graduated from Dunsmuir High School and attended Placer Junior College in Auburn where he was was one of the most popular students during the 1938-39 and 1939-40 terms. He was a star on the football teams, playing tackle, and he was elected vice president of the Block P Society during his second year. He was commissioned a lieutenant, junior grade in the US Navy Air Cadets in 1943. A few months later, Lt. Trafton was killed in an accident over England. His plane was departing from the base on a flight when the plane suddenly dipped and struck the ground. All 10 crew members died. He and his comrades were buried at Brookwood Cemetery at Woking Surrey; however, in 1948 Lt. Trafton's remains were returned to the United States and re-interred on July 29, 1948.
U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator Bureau № 63915 was departing Dunkeswell, England at approximately 02:00 hours for an intended anti-destroyer patrol out over the Bay of Biscay when it suffered an engine fire on takeoff, causing a loss in power, and collided with terrain and broke apart.
All ten airmen aboard were killed in the crash.
The crew:
Lt. JG John C Hillman, Pilot
Lt. JG Armand E Trafton
Ens. Edwin C Creeger Jr
AMM1c Clyde E Rodgers
AMM2c George T Charland Jr
ARM1c William O Finch
ARM2c John C Howatt
AOM3c Ralph Harry Cole
AOM3c Brewton Massey, Jr
AMM3c Lawrence L Wemette
U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator Bureau № 63915 was departing Dunkeswell, England at approximately 02:00 hours for an intended anti-destroyer patrol out over the Bay of Biscay when it suffered an engine fire on takeoff, causing a loss in power, and collided with terrain and broke apart.
All ten airmen aboard were killed in the crash.
The crew:
Lt. JG John C Hillman, Pilot
Lt. JG Armand E Trafton
Ens. Edwin C Creeger Jr
AMM1c Clyde E Rodgers
AMM2c George T Charland Jr
ARM1c William O Finch
ARM2c John C Howatt
AOM3c Ralph Harry Cole
AOM3c Brewton Massey, Jr
AMM3c Lawrence L Wemette
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
