Sumner Atherton
Captain Sumner Edward Atherton Jr (May 23, 1916 – September 6, 1975) was a US Naval Aviator and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient for his actions during World War II.[1] As a veteran aviator he was a US Naval Reserve pilot.
Distinguished Flying Cross
On April 3, 1942, while operating from Naval Air Station, Palmyra, upon learning of a contact report of a wrecked U.S. Army plane at sea, he immediately volunteered to attempt the rescue of a lone survivor in a life raft.[2] Authority being granted, he proceeded 180 miles to southwest of Palmyra, under conditions of extreme low visibility and located the raft; landing under hazardous conditions of wind and sea was made and the survivor picked up. The take-off was then safely accomplished and he returned to base. In doing so he displayed excellent judgment, skill and courage of a high order, and thereby saved the life of an officer of the U.S. Army Air Corps.[3]
The award ceremony took place in San Francisco, in July 1942, with Vice Admiral John Greenslade representing the U.S. President. [4]
His efforts were recorded at a national level and were covered in the New York Times on July 25, 1942 with the headline “Navy Flyer honored for daring sea rescue landed on Pacific in storm”.[5]
New Hampshire Outstanding War Hero
On September 27, 1942 as a LT, he was flying BuNo 04477, 40V (61-P-2) near South Pass, Kiska, when it was attacked by 3 fighters and damaged, returned fire, two possible kills. [6] Whilst flying BuNo 04492 45V (61-P-5) October 14, 1942, he attempted a rescue of a P-38 pilot and landed in the waters by Little Kiska under fire of shore batteries. However the P-38 pilot turned out to be dead.[7]
A log capturing these exchanges with the enemy over the Pacific during September 1942 have been preserved in historical records.[8][9] In 1943, he was named as one of New Hampshire’s outstanding war heroes for his skill and daring displayed during attack and patrol missions.[10] He was honored for his courage in carrying out a hazardous scouting mission over enemy territory, which was defended by anti-aircraft and seaplane fighters. He shot down one of three fighters which attacked him and probably destroyed another.[11]
Atherton was featured as a real life hero, in Don Winslow of the Navy (comic strip) as Hero-Gram No. 4 in 1943.[12] Don Winslow of the Navy had been created primarily as a Navy recruitment and propaganda tool. The comic strip received high marks from Coulton Waugh for “excellent suspense, and ingenious, spine-joggling situations. Credit should be given to Atherton for being selected by Navy Recruitment as being in the first top 4 heroes.
He was discharged on Dec 7, 1945,[13] with the rank of Captain in the United States Naval Reserves.
Civil aviation
Atherton operated and owned Connecticut Valley Airways between 1946 and 1969.
He was successful in bidding for a 20-year lease to operate the Lebanon Municipal Airport, New Hampshire.[14][15][16] and oversaw its gradual expansion between 1950 and 1969.
He worked closely with Senator Norris Cotton, a longtime proponent of expansion of the airport, who sponsored legislation to create the Lebanon Regional Airport Authority, an interstate commission charged with running and maintaining the West Lebanon facility.[17] He expanded Connecticut Valley Airways successfully bidding for a contract for fixed base operations at other regional airports, such as Broome County Airport, New York. In 1958 his company operated the "busiest airport in New Hampshire", selling 75 per cent of all the aviation fuel sold in New Hampshire and ran a government approved school, air taxi and air ambulance service.[18] At a regional level, he was instrumental in planning improvements to aviation in the New England, with regular access to state governors.[19] He retired in 1969.
Death
He died of cancer on September 6, 1975 in Sarasota, aged 59, and is buried at West Lebanon Cemetery in New Hampshire.[20]
References
- ↑ Howard Mingos, Volume 1 (1943). "American Heroes of the War in the Air".
- ↑ "Captain Sumner Edward Atherton Jr flight log".
- ↑ "Captain Sumner Edward Atherton Jr distinguished service during World War II".
- ↑ "Sumner Atherton with 19 month old son after being awarded DSC".
- ↑ "New York Times on July 25th, 1942 - Navy Flyer honored for daring sea rescue landed on Pacific in storm".
- ↑ Campbell, Douglas E. (25 February 2018). Patrol Aircraft activity during 1941 (includes Japanese account). p. 269. ISBN 9781387491933. Search this book on
- ↑ "PBY Squadrons - North Pacific Skies, People and Machines".
- ↑ Douglas E. Campbell (25 February 2018). VPNavy! USN, USMC, USCG and NATS Patrol Aircraft Lost or Damaged-Incident log. ISBN 9781387491933. Search this book on
- ↑ Douglas E. Campbell (19 June 2018). VPNavy! USN, USMC, USCG and NATS Patrol Aircraft Lost or Damaged. ISBN 9781387888795. Search this book on
- ↑ "Outstanding War Hero, Sumner Atherton". Portsmouth Herald, Mar 2. 1943.
- ↑ "Air Medal Sumner Atherton". The Barre Daily Times, Vermont, Mar 2. 1943.
- ↑ "Sumner Atherton - Hero-Gram".
- ↑ "Fold3 entry for Captain S E Atherton USN".
- ↑ "Sumner J Atherton, Manager of Connecticut Valley Airways, Oct 17". Nashua Telegraph. 1947.
- ↑ "Connecticut Valley Airways Director Sumner E Atherton Jr". 1912.
- ↑ "Atherton is appointed as Lebanon Airport Manager by Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lebanon, New Hampshire". 1972.
- ↑ "Live in the upper Valley (September 1960)". Valley News.
- ↑ "Press and Sun Bulletin of Binghamton, NY July 21, 1958".
- ↑ "Sumner Atherton, one of 9 members at a two state level (NH and VT) setting the pace for aviation improvements in the region".
- ↑ "Sumner Atherton Obituary". Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sep 8. 1975.
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