Oscar James Shelburne
PFC Oscar J. Shelburne, a Marine aviator, was killed in a training accident near Oceanside, California, on 29 October 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 843171
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
March 11, 1925
at Riesel, TX
Parents
Lester Jack Shelburne
Minnie Alberdena (Federwisch) Shelburne
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Family farm
Service Life
Entered Service
May 21, 1943
at Dallas, TX
Home Of Record
Riesel, TX
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Minnie Shelburne
Military Specialty
Aviation radioman/gunner
Primary Unit
MBDAG-41
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Oscar Shelburne was an aviation radioman and gunner stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.
On 23 October 1943, PFC Shelburne boarded an SBD Dauntless scout bomber (Bureau Number 36125) for a routine training flight with First Lieutnenant Edward A. Crandall. They were twenty miles off the coast of Oceanside when a flare suddenly ignited, setting the gunner’s compartment on fire. Shelburne jumped from the plane, pulling his parachute cord as he did so. The pilot of another plane in the flight spotted Shelburne’s “apparently lifeless” body, attached to the ‘chute which was open under water.
Crandall, meanwhile, kept the SBD aloft and managed to land safely. In addition to burn damage to the gunner’s seat, inspectors noted an eight-inch dent in the stabilizer and scratches on the rudder. Shelburne had deployed his parachute too soon; the drag slammed his body into the fuselage, potentially causing fatal injuries.
A wide-ranging search was launched and continued until darkness, but Shelburne’s body could not be found. He was officially declared dead from drowning on the day of the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
Lost at sea.
Memorials
No known memorials.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Minne Shelburne.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area of the incident, 20 miles SW of Oceanside, California.
