AW1 Thomas P. Feichtinger VP-31 P-3B BUNO: 152765 03/06/69 Hometown Unknown
Hard landing at NAS Lemoore resulting in a fire.
Shipmates Comments: AWC (Ret.) Ken E. Oyler: I went to VP-2 in 1964. Tom, as I recall was there already, and
though we were in different crews, he stood out as a very friendly
and likeable guy. He was knowledgable as a 1st tech and always
willing to help the younger shipmates. So many years has passed
and things get a little cloudy, but I do remember those traits especially!
Media Accounts: Navy Times, March 19, 1969: LEMOORE, Calif.--Three officers and two enlisted men of Moffett Field's Patrol Squadron 31 were killed on March 6 in the crash of their P-3 Orion aircraft.
Another enlisted man, Aviation Machinist's Mate First Anthony Hutchison, was airlifted to the Army's Burn Center at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Tex. where he died March 9.
Those killed were: Lt. Eugene L. Bates, an instructor; Lts (jg) Larry D. Ray and John E. Martin, both pilots in training; Aviation ASW Operator First Thomas P. Feichtinger and Aviation Electronics Technician First Michael E. Merz.
