Glen Borah Loeffel
Captain Glen B. Loeffel, a decorated Marine pilot, died in an aircraft crash off the California coast on 29 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-9938
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
June 21, 1919
at Peoria, IL
Parents
John Loeffel
Edna (Borah) Loeffel
Education
Manual Training High School (1937)
Occupation & Employer
Keystone Steel & Wire Company
Service Life
Entered Service
May 2, 1941 (enlisted)
April 28, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
Peoria, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Edna Loeffel
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
MBDAG-42
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal (with VMSB-231)
Individual Decorations
Navy Cross
Air Medal (2)
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Captain Glen Loeffel was a flight instructor attached to Marine Base Defense Air Group (MBDAG) 42 at Santa Barbara, California. He was a combat veteran of the Solomon Islands and the “Cactus Air Force.” As a dive bomber pilot with VMSB-231, Loeffel participated in numerous raids – including a strike that disabled a Japanese cruiser. For his prowess in combat, Loeffel was decorated with the Navy Cross and two Air Medals. While at Santa Barbara, he trained new pilots to fly the TBF “Avenger” torpedo bomber.
On 29 December 1943, Captain Loeffel took off from Oakland, California for a routine flight back to Santa Barbara, by way of King City. At some point between 0845 and 0937, his Avenger crashed into the sea just offshore of Point Pedernales. Rescuers hurried to the scene, and reported:
“A body was observed in surf near the scene floating face down and appeared to be supported by life jacket. High seas & rocky cliffs made recovery impossible. Body disappeared from sight & further searches were negative.”
The cause of Captain Loeffel’s crash was never determined, nor was his body recovered from the sea.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lost at sea.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Mailing address of mother, Mrs. Edna Loeffel.
The Loeffels lived on a rural route outside of Peoria.
Location Of Loss
Loeffel crashed 150 yards offshore of Point Pedernales, California.
