NC community to commemorate 83 years since deadly WWII plane crash

Sampson and Bladen counties will commemorate 83 years since a military plane crashed near their community and claimed the lives of four airmen during World War II. Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton and Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker will join a commemoration ceremony on Thursday at a memorial site at 3 p.m. The memorial is located at the intersection of NC Highway 210 and Old Whitehall Road in Bladen County. “More than eight decades have passed, but the sacrifice of these four men should not be forgotten,” Thornton said. “We are honored to join these citizens in remembering them and helping preserve this piece of our local history.” According to records, a Douglas C-53D Skytrooper military transport aircraft departed Fort Bragg's airfield, which was known as Pope Field at the time, on the evening of August 27, 1943, for a routine training flight. The aircraft did not make it back to base. The four were all between 22 and 23 years old.

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