Charles Thomas Wright
Second Lieutenant Charles T. “Kayo” Wright, a Marine pilot with VMF-115, was killed in a training accident on 23 October 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-23087
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 28, 1920
at Leesburg, VA
Parents
Clinton Herbert Wright
Ella Florence (Adams) Wright
Education
Frederick High School (1937)
Occupation & Employer
American Ice Company
Service Life
Entered Service
May 6, 1942 (enlisted)
May 14, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
Doubs, MD
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ella Wright
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-115
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Charles “Kayo” Wright was a Marine fighter pilot stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California.
On 23 October 1943, pilots of VMF-115 were engaged in routine gunnery practice a few miles off Point Conception. After making a run at a target, Wright was seen to execute a tight pull out and a steep, rolling climb. His engine stalled, and the fighter began to spiral downwards before entering a fatal spin. Centrifugal forces probably pinned the pilot to his seat, and he was not able to recover from the spin or bail out before the plane hit the water.
A subsequent search failed to recover Wright’s body or the wreckage of his Corsair. He was reported as dead the day of the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lost at sea.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ella Wright.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash, south of Point Conception, California.
