Louis Albert Weiskittel
PFC Louis A. Weiskittel was a Marine aviator assigned to VMB-611.
He was killed in a training accident near Key West, Florida, on 14 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 486303
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
April 28, 1922
at Cincinnati, OH
Parents
Sidney Robert Weiskittel, Sr.
Alma Sarah (Miller) Weiskittel
Education
Western Hills High School
Occupation & Employer
Apprentice
Cincinnati Enquirer Press Room
Service Life
Entered Service
October 21, 1942
at Cincinnati, OH
Home Of Record
2391 Warsaw Avenue
Cincinnati, OH
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Alma Weiskittel
Military Specialty
Aviation mechanic
Gunner
Primary Unit
VMB-611
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Louis Weiskittel was a Marine aviation ordnanceman assigned to a medium bomber squadron (VMB-611) training for overseas deployment.
On 14 February 1944, Weiskittel and crew took off from Boca Chica, Florida, on a routine training mission that would take them over the Florida Keys. At 1415 hours, their plane – PBJ1-D #35179 – went into a spin and slammed into the water. Several ships witnessed the crash and hurried to search for survivors. The USS Lapwing recorded that “the plane had sank [sic] immediately and there were no survivors,” while USS MacLeish added the plane was “burning rapidly” before it “sank in 68 fathoms of water, and that there were no survivors.”
All five Marines aboard the PBJ were declared dead immediately following the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
No known memorials.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Alma Weiskittel.
Location Of Loss
Last reported position of PBJ1-D #35179.
