FREDERICK C. SACHSE, JR., LTJG, USN
Frederick Sachse, Jr. '47
Lucky Bag
From the 1947 Lucky Bag:
Frederick Charles Sachse, Jr.
San Diego, California
"Is that a pneumatic trip hammer running amuck upon the third deck, messenger?" raged the D.O. "No, sir," replied his tabulating cohort, "that's only Mr. Sachse taking a few hot licks on 'Sing, Sing, Sing.'" Our room had that lived-in look with the battered lamp shade, and the desk top marred with Fred's sticks. Although a Navy junior, Fred worked his way into the Academy from the enlisted ranks. He distinguished himself as a star forward on the company's soccer squad. In the Battle of Hele-Shaw and associated skirmishes he was chewed bloody, but he emerged to claim the broad stripe.
The Class of 1947 was graduated in June 1946 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Frederick Charles Sachse, Jr.
San Diego, California
"Is that a pneumatic trip hammer running amuck upon the third deck, messenger?" raged the D.O. "No, sir," replied his tabulating cohort, "that's only Mr. Sachse taking a few hot licks on 'Sing, Sing, Sing.'" Our room had that lived-in look with the battered lamp shade, and the desk top marred with Fred's sticks. Although a Navy junior, Fred worked his way into the Academy from the enlisted ranks. He distinguished himself as a star forward on the company's soccer squad. In the Battle of Hele-Shaw and associated skirmishes he was chewed bloody, but he emerged to claim the broad stripe.
The Class of 1947 was graduated in June 1946 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
From New England Aviation History:
On April 14, 1952, a U.S. Navy, twin-engine, P2V Neptune, (Bu. No. 124255), took off from Brunswick Naval Air Station with a crew of ten men aboard. Shortly after take off one engine failed, and the pilot made an attempt to return to the base. Heavy fog shrouded the area, and the aircraft missed its first approach and circled around for a second try. As the pilot was making his second approach the other engine began running erratically and the Neptune crashed into some trees near the end of the runway. Five men in the tail section were killed when it ripped away during the crash. The seriously injured co-pilot was trapped in his seat as the plane caught fire, and was rescued by the pilot, who received burns to his arms and face. Three others escaped.
The dead were identified as:
- AO1 Walter N. Polen, Jr., 26, of Alden, New York. He’s buried in Lancaster Rural Cemetery in Lancaster, Penn. (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #20695271.)
- ALC Sherman L. Moore, Jr., 36, of Oakland, California. He’s buried in Santa Rose Odd Fellows Cemetery in Santa Rosa, California. (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #75725570.)
- AL3 Oscar Krampf, 25, of New York. He’s buried in Greenwich Cemetery in Greenwich, New York. He died 12 days shy of his 26th birthday. (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #50634823.)
- AOAN George W. Thompson, Jr., 26, of Stevenson, Alabama. He’s buried in Price Cemetery in Hollywood, Alabama. (See www.findagrave.com, Memorial #24417218.)
- AO3 Robert L. Schafer of Berlin Center, Ohio. (No further info.)
- The co-pilot, Lt. Jg. Frederick C. Sachse, Jr., 29, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died of his injuries eleven days later on April 25, 1952. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Those who survived were identified as:
- (Pilot) Lt. Jg. Thomas N. Pole of Hackettstown, New Jersey.
- (Navigator) Lt. Jg. Edward G. Buck of Miskogee, Oklahoma.
- ADC Raymond R. Fussell of Auburn, Maine, and Pineapple, Alabama.
- AT3 Jacob G. Karl of New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Frederick was the son of Navy Captain Frederick ('25) and his wife Gladys (nee Cochran.) His sister was Helen. His father was commandant of NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts, when his wife sponsored the LST-375 in February 1943. He retired 12/14/1945 and died 6/6/1951.
Frederick graduated from The Peddie School before attending the Naval Academy. He served in the North Atlantic and South Pacific during the war. He was taking flight training at Pensacola in 1949 when his engagement was announced to Dorias Jane Murphy, daughter of Lt. Col Joseph Murphy and his wife.
Related Articles
Donald Fantozzi '47, John Guild '47, and John Switzer '47 were also in 19th Company.
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