16 DIE AS BIG AIR TANKER CRASHES.

BODIES FOUND ON MOUNTAIN NEAR FLAGSTAFF.

Flagstaff, Ariz. (UP) -- The Coconino County sheriff's office reported today that Air Force personnel had recovered bodies of all 16 crew members of a giant four-engine KC97 tanker plane which crashed into Gray Mountain 40 miles north of here Tuesday.
Eight bodies were recovered Tuesday, but those of the other crew members were not recovered before dark. This morning, the sheriff's office said the bodies of the others had been found "scattered over a wide area."
The big plane, from Walker Air Force Base, Roswell, N.M., crashed Tuesday morning, apparently while flying at a low altitude. The mountain actually is a butte of about 1,200 feet, on a plateau.
The plane crashed about half-way up the side of the mountain, possibly during an unusually heavy morning fog. The wreckage was not signted until Tuesday afternoon.
Indian police from nearby Tuba City were the first to reach the scene.
The crash scene, 20 miles from the nearest paved highway, is about 50 miles from where two giant airliners collided in the air and plunged into Grand Canyon, killing 128 persons, June 30, 1956.
The plane, used to refuel jet aircraft at high altitudes, left Roswell on a "routine training flight."
Sheriff Cecil Richardson returned to the scene today. He reported wreckage over a widely scattered area, with only the tail section distinguishable.

Yuma Daily Sun Arizona 1957-10-30

Listing of the Crew:
Captain HAROLD SHUMARD.
Captain ROBERT FERGSUN.
Captain DAVID MORRIS.
1st Lt. CHARLES DEES.
1st Lt. DON CASTOR.
1st Lt. RICHARD TAYLOR.
Major IRVING OLSTEIN.
Major JOHN SCHARDONG.
Major DAVID WHITMORE.
Major DAVID MILLS.
Major WILBUR ABNEY.
Lt./Col. MILTON POOLE.
T./Sgt. RICHARD NOEL.
T./Sgt. RONALD RUBLE.
S/Sgt. JAMES HICKS.
S/Sgt. SHERMAN WOODS.
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!