Subject: Air Groups on board at time of May 1954 explosion Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1999 20:45:56 -0600 From: Elizabeth Gamard Organization: Tulane University To: bennington@uss-bennington.org To Whom It May Concern: It is with respect that I write to you; my Father, John Keenan Burns,Sr.- LTJG-USN, was on board the carrier when the ship exploded on 26 May, 1954. Like many of the men who went through the experience, my Dad rarely discussed the incident, but has experienced significant episodic psychological distress ever since. My Mother, stationed in Norfolk as a Navy nurse (Betty L. Yates, LT-USN), assisted with the surgery and care of many of the injured. That is how my parents met. I would like to know the Air Groups on board at the time. Is there any information on this? As before, my Father is somewhat reticent on the matter. He flew AD-Skyraiders. We are still a Navy family; my younger brother served with VFA-81 (Sunliners) on the USS Saratoga during the Gulf War. There are many other Naval Officers and Enlisteds on both sides of the family. Thank you in advance for any information you may have. Respectfully-- Elizabeth Burns Gamard gamard@bellsouth.net