Burial At Sea 72 Years Ago

[Pops1967GTX]

The sailor was 23 year old Loyce Edward Deen, an Aviation Machinist Mate (Gunner) 2nd Class enlistee from Altus, Oklahoma who served in VT-15 squadron assigned to the carrier USS Essex. Loyce was a remarkable young man. Click HERE for his story.

Here's a sea burial you may not have read about: Loyce Edward Deen, an Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class, USNR, was a gunner on a TBM Avenger. On November 5, 1944, Deen's squadron participated in a raid on Manila where his plane was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire while attacking a Japanese cruiser. Deen was killed.
The Avenger's pilot, Lt. Robert Cosgrove, managed to return to his carrier, the USS Essex. Both Deen and the plane had been shot up so badly that it was decided to leave him in the plane.
It is the only time in U.S. Navy history (and probably U.S. military history) that an aviator was buried in his aircraft after being killed in action.

For the video of the funeral click http://loyceedeen.webstarts.com/uploads/GoingHome.mp4

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loyceedeen

 

[Bb70charger500]

Wow

 

[Tori]

so sad.

 

[khryslerkid]

I've seen it once before. The reality of it really says a lot. I believe it was the right thing to do. Imagine being on that ship that day!

Thank you for your service 2nd Class Loyce Edward Deen

 

[moparnutcase]

The libertards need to watch more videos like this to understand how and why they have the freedom they do to act like first class a-holes.

 

[73sechgr]

GOD BLESS,, LOYCE EDWARD DEEN ,AVIATION MACHINIST MATE SECOND CLASS,AND ALL HIS FAMILY.my pop us navy WWII,his brother army air corps WWII,may GOD continue to bless WWII vets that are still with us,and all surviving WWII vets family members,,truly the greatest generation,SEMPER FI

 

[The Rebel]

A very touching story & tribute. Thanks for your service so that many could be here today. I salute you Sir!

 

[Xp29h]

I've seen it before too! Great tribute! More need to see it!

 

[Basket case]

I've read about that. Truly The Greatest Generation.

 

[pwDave]

that was hard to watch thru the tears, Dave.

 

[Basket case]

I just forwarded this to most of my mailbox, and two news stations.

 

[oldbee]

What a small world, my dad was on the USS Essex during Korean War, believe it got an upfitting to an angled deck before Korea. Definitely the 'greatest generation'.

 

[Budnicks]

Sad story for sure,
fitting tribute burial at sea...

Thanks for sharing Pops

 

[Speedbird]

What's the song in the video?
I've heard it but can't place it.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

What's the song in the video?
I've heard it but can't place it.

It gave me chills, beautiful music is taken from Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, Op. 95 Largo...This is a short version....

Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home;
Quiet-like, some still day, I’m jes’ goin’ home.

It’s not far, jes’ close by,
Through an open door;
Work all done, care laid by,
Goin’ to fear no more.

Mother’s there ‘spectin’ me,
Father’s waitin’ too;
Lots o’ folks gather’d there,
All the friends I knew,
All the friends I knew.
Home, I’m goin’ home!

 

[71airgrabberRR]

I have seen this before too. Each time it reminds me that our freedom isn't free. Many have paid for our liberties with their blood, sometimes laying down their lives in the process. Ironically I'm building a model of this exact plane at the moment............. In number "93" markings from the Essex as flown by Robert Cosgrove that day.............. I searched for a bunch of photos and have the video saved. I think the original was shown on the old TV series "Victory at Sea". Most recently I saw it on a Military History show called "Battle Group Halsey".

Very touching...................... Thanks for bringing Dean's story to light.