David Lee Grim
First Lieutenant David L. Grim was a Marine pilot stationed at NATC Corpus Christi.
He died in an aircraft crash in the Gulf of Mexico on 17 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-23278
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
October 5, 1922
at Joplin, MO
Parents
Charles Lee Grim (d. 1931)
Riethel Fay (Wiles) Grim
later Riethel Murphy
Education
George Washington University
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
May 15, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
724 Hamlin Street NE
Washington, DC
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Riethal W. Murphy
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
NATC Corpus Christi
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Lieutenant David Grim was a Marine pilot who trained at Naval Air Training Center (NATC) Corpus Christi, Texas. After earning his wings, he stayed on with the base air detachment to conduct training flights.
On 17 November 1943, Lieutenant Grim boarded a PBY-5 Catalina (number 04473) with a crew consisting of three Navy enlisted aviators and four cadets from Corpus Christi. As the senior pilot aboard, Grim was probably at the controls as the flying boat departed from the dock and headed south into the Gulf of Mexico.
Shortly after 1100 hours, the crew of a merchant vessel spotted the big Catalina approaching. The PBY descended and circled the ship – perhaps practicing an observation run – and suddenly lost altitude. It slammed into the sea about a mile from the ship and exploded in a geyser of water.
Burial Information or Disposition
A three-day search for survivors ensued, but only one body – ARM3c William J. Probasco – was recovered. The other seven members of the crew were reported as dead effective 17 November 1943.
Second Lieutenant David L. Grim
Aviation Cadet Roland M. Ralston (Phillipsburg, KS)
Aviation Cadet Joseph P. Volpe (Elizabeth, PA)
Aviation Cadet Lloyd F. Tilton (Hayward, CA)
Aviation Cadet James H. Zaremba (Grand Rapids, MI)
AMM2c Thomas R. Smith (Cocoa, FL)
ARM3c Ivan E. Miller (Orange, TX)
ARM3c William J. Probasco (Dallas, TX)
Memorials
No known memorial
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Riethal Murphy.
Location Of Loss
General area of the crash, approximately 108 miles SW of Galveston, Texas.
