1st Lt. Darrick R. Negrón, the Co-Pilot, was my 1st cousin, the only PuertoRican among the crew, I was only 6 when the crash occurred. He left behind his parents, his brother, his fianceè and numerous other relatives. On behalf of my family and me I want to express my deep gratitude for all your efforts in putting this all together and making this videographic account and documentary to pay tribute to these brave men. From me and my family, I just want to say: ¡"gracias"!
Rafael, thank you for leaving a message. You are the first member related to 1st Lt. Darrick Negron that I've been able to come in contact with. It's my honor to meet you and appreciate your kinds words. The main reason for doing this was so that family of the crew could see first hand that 50 years later their loved ones were not forgotten. My email address is tom.sybert@cjanderson.com and if you could contact me I would like to share something with you some additional information privately. Sorry for the late response.
Tom, I am the great granddaughter of Major James Crook. I grew up knowing of the crash, but not many details that went with it. Recently, I started looking for more details and found this video. The video and the memorial are beautiful. I hope to visit the memorial site one day. Thank you for keep their memory alive.
Bret Dakota Woodard here, M. Sgt Lonnie Woodards grandson. He died when my dad was just 1 year old. My Granny Katherine passed in March of 23 and my dad has recently passed himself this March at the age of 58 shortly a year after burying his mother. My dad has talked about visiting this site for years and I really really want to get my family to come with me to experience where our grandfather passed and see this memorial in person. Thank yall for doing this.
I remember the night this happened. My Dad was on the Stone Lake Fire Dept. The earth shook that fateful night, nobody knew what was going on at that moment...were we under attack? Dad gathered up Mom & me and brought us with to Hauer Hill as he & many others responded to the call. I was quite young, only 10 at the time, so memory escapes me. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that night was the first time I ever saw my dad cry when he got back to the car. God Bless those brave young heroes....RIP. We will never forget.
Tom, We were adventurous cousins together all our lives. Thanks for this. It brings to surface great memories and honors those who deserve. Thank you. Chris
I was 23 years old and stationed at Barksdale AFB when I heard the news on the car radio while driving across town in Shreveport. I knew the name Capt. Robertson immediately, as I was a friend of one of his daughters. I've reconnected with the family over the years, and can't help but think how an incident such as this can affect a young family with several children. After watching this video, I had to stop and take a deep breath, even after all these years. Such a moving story of unfortunate history. RIP Capt. Robertson & his crew. - Larry Trautman
Larry, that was one of the things that hit me hard when doing the research I did. There were 22 children who became fatherless that day and nine families who would be changed forever. I still believe no matter how much I try to honor the crew it will never be enough. Thank you for taking the time to write and also for everyone else who shared your positive comments.
Thank you for the memorial and the movie documenting these men. I was in SAC from 1967-1968 and we lost 2 B52 H models on training exercises both by pilot error. Not all heroes die on battlefields.
Thank you so much for the time you took to research this story, the preparation for the memorial, and then the actual placement of the memorial. Thank you for telling the story and helping us to always remember those brave people who give everything for our country.
I was the Ground Radio Operator from the "Diasaster Control Team" From Barksdale that set up radio communications from the crash site. Very cold and lots of snow, had to use a "Weasle" to get up to the crash site. Very somber site. I had just turned 18 years old at the time. David Ross
As a former B-52 Crewman, thanks for the memory. In 1965 I transferred to a B-58. Next year my past B-52 was lost, my past friends did not return. Your effort is appreciated.
Thank you for your service Richard! This video is in honor of the crew lost that day as well as all the men and woman who were tasked to protect our freedom. SAC truly was the deterrence to a nuclear threat from Russia.
That an absolutely honorable video and reverent placing of the memorial. Thank you for honoring my comrades in arms as they lost their lives in a dangerous, but necessary training mission. ~ SMSgt David Abuya, USAF (Ret)
I tip my hat in your honor! Great job and a great way to pay tribute to those who "gave their last full measure" in service of our great country! Kudos!
Good job on the Video Guys! I did the same thing for a Barksdale November crash of a B-47 Bomber. It crashed north of Thunder Bay Ontario Canada in 1956. We documented the site, placed a plaque and got the site protected. Very remote dense rugged area.
I was there as part of the Air Force team. There was an old cabin there. I have pictures of the crash site and the team plus civilians that fed us. It was near Hayward.
I deer hunt a handful of miles from here and didn't even know about this until about 10 months ago. Thanks for honoring those airmen. I may have to make a hike next time up there.
Great job for you young men to honor the deceased crewmen in this manner. Was also amazed at the remoteness of the crash site. Serves as a reminder that some parts of this vast country are still uninhabited.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I heard of this crash as a young boy living near Spooner, but never knew where the actual crash site was (only knew it was near Stone Lake). I was thinking about this very same thing for the 50th anniversary of the crash--my hat is off to you for a touching and fitting tribute to the crew that lost their lives in this terrible accident. I only wish it wouldn't have taken 50 years for someone to recognize their sacrifice. Who would we need to contact to visit the site (permission to go up the private road) and would need directions to the site along with GPS coordinates. Todd Littfin, CMSgt (Ret), USAFR
Thanks for such a very thoughtful tribute to honor those brave warriors. At the time the 52 was still perfecting low-level penetration techniques. The TFR were still being plagued with unknown bugs in the F/B-111 in Nam too. 052619.
Seven years old when this happened. Grew up about twenty miles straight south and I remember on our way home north bound on a county road and the horizon sorta lit up. My mother who is driving was really concerned! Sadly the next day we found out what happened. Edit: Fast Forward 1971. At that time there was a Boy Scout remote camping area about a quarter mile from there, I remember hiking those power lines! The crash site was mentioned and everyone with their young morbid curiosity had to go look around. Again, sadly none of our leaders took the time to explain the ground we were on and the nine soldiers that perished. 1971: There was much debris still there and some pieces the size of a car. RIP😊
I visited a few B-52 crash sites when I lived in Maine one in particular, in Greenville near Moosehead lake is almost entirely still there, minus a few ejection seats and a few engines that were taken to a nearby snow mobile club.
So most of this was cleaned up it looks like.The 1963 crash in Maine is still scattered all over the mountain side out there.& perished in that one.To all who died......RIP.
It was always so strange while in the USAF, you may have only passed these people at the BX, of walking down the street, or never met them at all. But when something like this happens, they were your neighbors, your friends. You grieved like they were family because they were. The military gave you that comradery, and no matter how long they have been gone, or how long it's been since you "were in", you still hurt, you still cry, and still grieve. RIP brothers, and as you can see from all the comments, you have not been forgotten.
This is my fault. When we made the memorial I didn't realize or know about SAC. It wasn't until family and friends of the crew shared more information with me about their loved ones and the Strategic Air Command. I made another memorial that has the SAC emblem on it which can be visited, along with the exhibit/display, for the Stone Lake Area Historical Society. www.stonelakeareahistoricalsociety.com/special-projects-1/
I think this was just a training mission for a new ground radar system and had no conventional nor nuclear weapons aboard (broken arrow was the code name for lost nuclear weapons).
1st Lt. Darrick R. Negrón, the Co-Pilot, was my 1st cousin, the only PuertoRican among the crew, I was only 6 when the crash occurred. He left behind his parents, his brother, his fianceè and numerous other relatives. On behalf of my family and me I want to express my deep gratitude for all your efforts in putting this all together and making this videographic account and documentary to pay tribute to these brave men. From me and my family, I just want to say: ¡"gracias"!
Rafael, thank you for leaving a message. You are the first member related to 1st Lt. Darrick Negron that I've been able to come in contact with. It's my honor to meet you and appreciate your kinds words. The main reason for doing this was so that family of the crew could see first hand that 50 years later their loved ones were not forgotten. My email address is tom.sybert@cjanderson.com and if you could contact me I would like to share something with you some additional information privately. Sorry for the late response.
Tom,
I am the great granddaughter of Major James Crook. I grew up knowing of the crash, but not many details that went with it. Recently, I started looking for more details and found this video. The video and the memorial are beautiful. I hope to visit the memorial site one day. Thank you for keep their memory alive.
Bret Dakota Woodard here, M. Sgt Lonnie Woodards grandson. He died when my dad was just 1 year old. My Granny Katherine passed in March of 23 and my dad has recently passed himself this March at the age of 58 shortly a year after burying his mother. My dad has talked about visiting this site for years and I really really want to get my family to come with me to experience where our grandfather passed and see this memorial in person. Thank yall for doing this.
I remember the night this happened. My Dad was on the Stone Lake Fire Dept. The earth shook that fateful night, nobody knew what was going on at that moment...were we under attack? Dad gathered up Mom & me and brought us with to Hauer Hill as he & many others responded to the call. I was quite young, only 10 at the time, so memory escapes me. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that night was the first time I ever saw my dad cry when he got back to the car. God Bless those brave young heroes....RIP. We will never forget.
Thank you for doing this. I remember going here as a kid and finding some pieces of the wreckage still in the mid 80s.
Tom,
We were adventurous cousins together all our lives. Thanks for this. It brings to surface great memories and honors those who deserve. Thank you. Chris
As a Radar Navigator who flew B-52G/H models from 1962 to 1970 I really appreciate what you've done.
I was 23 years old and stationed at Barksdale AFB when I heard the news on the car radio while driving across town in Shreveport. I knew the name Capt. Robertson immediately, as I was a friend of one of his daughters. I've reconnected with the family over the years, and can't help but think how an incident such as this can affect a young family with several children. After watching this video, I had to stop and take a deep breath, even after all these years. Such a moving story of unfortunate history. RIP Capt. Robertson & his crew. - Larry Trautman
Larry, that was one of the things that hit me hard when doing the research I did. There were 22 children who became fatherless that day and nine families who would be changed forever. I still believe no matter how much I try to honor the crew it will never be enough. Thank you for taking the time to write and also for everyone else who shared your positive comments.
Thank you for the memorial and the movie documenting these men. I was in SAC from 1967-1968 and we lost 2 B52 H models on training exercises both by pilot error. Not all heroes die on battlefields.
Thank you so much for the time you took to research this story, the preparation for the memorial, and then the actual placement of the memorial. Thank you for telling the story and helping us to always remember those brave people who give everything for our country.
I was the Ground Radio Operator from the "Diasaster Control Team" From Barksdale that set up radio communications from the crash site. Very cold and lots of snow, had to use a "Weasle" to get up to the crash site. Very somber site. I had just turned 18 years old at the time. David Ross
As a former B-52 Crewman, thanks for the memory. In 1965 I transferred to a B-58. Next year my past B-52 was lost, my past friends did not return. Your effort is appreciated.
Thank you for your service Richard! This video is in honor of the crew lost that day as well as all the men and woman who were tasked to protect our freedom. SAC truly was the deterrence to a nuclear threat from Russia.
Video produced of 1966 B52 training mission crash, our brother was a navigator on this mission and perished with 9 other crew members
That an absolutely honorable video and reverent placing of the memorial. Thank you for honoring my comrades in arms as they lost their lives in a dangerous, but necessary training mission. ~ SMSgt David Abuya, USAF (Ret)
David, thank you for your service!
I tip my hat in your honor! Great job and a great way to pay tribute to those who "gave their last full measure" in service of our great country! Kudos!
Good job on the Video Guys! I did the same thing for a Barksdale November crash of a B-47 Bomber. It crashed north of Thunder Bay Ontario Canada in 1956. We documented the site, placed a plaque and got the site protected. Very remote dense rugged area.
I was there as part of the Air Force team. There was an old cabin there. I have pictures of the crash site and the team plus civilians that fed us. It was near Hayward.
I deer hunt a handful of miles from here and didn't even know about this until about 10 months ago. Thanks for honoring those airmen. I may have to make a hike next time up there.
My grandfather was raised in the area and saw the explosion light up the sky. Thanks for doing what this - it is a great tribute!
my hat is off to these wonderful guys. this is from a sac usaf veteran from 1966 to 1970.
Rest in peace SAC veterans. I am a SAC veteran from 1978 to 1981, Grand Forks AFB ND.
Amazing, thank you brother 😊
Great job for you young men to honor the deceased crewmen in this manner. Was also amazed at the remoteness of the crash site. Serves as a reminder that some parts of this vast country are still uninhabited.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. I heard of this crash as a young boy living near Spooner, but never knew where the actual crash site was (only knew it was near Stone Lake). I was thinking about this very same thing for the 50th anniversary of the crash--my hat is off to you for a touching and fitting tribute to the crew that lost their lives in this terrible accident. I only wish it wouldn't have taken 50 years for someone to recognize their sacrifice. Who would we need to contact to visit the site (permission to go up the private road) and would need directions to the site along with GPS coordinates. Todd Littfin, CMSgt (Ret), USAFR
I have a cabin in Edgewater, just a few miles south of the crash site, and I never knew about this. Thanks for the informative video.
Thanks for such a very thoughtful tribute to honor those brave warriors. At the time the 52 was still perfecting low-level penetration techniques. The TFR were still being plagued with unknown bugs in the F/B-111 in Nam too. 052619.
Seven years old when this happened. Grew up about twenty miles straight south and I remember on our way home north bound on a county road and the horizon sorta lit up. My mother who is driving was really concerned! Sadly the next day we found out what happened. Edit: Fast Forward 1971. At that time there was a Boy Scout remote camping area about a quarter mile from there, I remember hiking those power lines! The crash site was mentioned and everyone with their young morbid curiosity had to go look around. Again, sadly none of our leaders took the time to explain the ground we were on and the nine soldiers that perished. 1971: There was much debris still there and some pieces the size of a car. RIP😊
A new neighbor retired USN served during Vietnam on B-52 Bombing Missions...same time my own brother was in Vietnam USN 68-72.
TWO AMAZING RESPECTFUL
YOUNG MEN
GOD BLESS
Great job, thank you.
This is awesome! Thank for posting this video! I would love to know more about the history of this crash!
My grandparents owned a resort on the chipewaflowage and I remember b52's flying over in the summer
I visited a few B-52 crash sites when I lived in Maine one in particular, in Greenville near Moosehead lake is almost entirely still there, minus a few ejection seats and a few engines that were taken to a nearby snow mobile club.
Thanks.
So most of this was cleaned up it looks like.The 1963 crash in Maine is still scattered all over the mountain side out there.& perished in that one.To all who died......RIP.
this is near my house, my uncle charlie was one of the fellas that were on the scene
Good Job Thank You
My Uncle is Michael Dunlap.
It was always so strange while in the USAF, you may have only passed these people at the BX, of walking down the street, or never met them at all. But when something like this happens, they were your neighbors, your friends. You grieved like they were family because they were. The military gave you that comradery, and no matter how long they have been gone, or how long it's been since you "were in", you still hurt, you still cry, and still grieve. RIP brothers, and as you can see from all the comments, you have not been forgotten.
Good job guys. Nice flat fender
Well done
Just curious, why didn't you use the SAC emblem?
This is my fault. When we made the memorial I didn't realize or know about SAC. It wasn't until family and friends of the crew shared more information with me about their loved ones and the Strategic Air Command. I made another memorial that has the SAC emblem on it which can be visited, along with the exhibit/display, for the Stone Lake Area Historical Society. www.stonelakeareahistoricalsociety.com/special-projects-1/
Isn't that what they call a broken arrow
I think this was just a training mission for a new ground radar system and had no conventional nor nuclear weapons aboard (broken arrow was the code name for lost nuclear weapons).
What a bunch of nothing! A little narration would be nice.