Little Rock, AR Amphibious Maneuvers Drownings, Mar 1944

NINE SOLDIERS DIE IN WAR MANEUVERS.

DROWNED IN A LARGE LAKE NEAR LITTLE ROCK, ARK., LAST NIGHT.

Little Rock, Ark., March 17 -- (AP) -- Nine soldiers drowned and two others are missing in a large lake five miles north of here after an accident in amphibious maneuvers last night in a second major tragedy to overtake the 66th Division within the last week.
The drownings occurre in Lake No. 2, largest of a chain of seven artificial bodies of water in Lakewood, a sparsely settled residential development east of the Camp Robinson reservation.
The public relations office said the accidents happened after completion of assault boat training and river crossing maneuvers.
"The maneuvers had been rehearsed several times," the camp announcement said. "The men were riding in two assault boats and were being taken to the opposite side for food."
"The men were wearing light combat packs. Many men swam ashore and other boats were detailed to rescue work."
"This was the last unit of the 66th to complete this phase of training. A board was named to investigate."
Last Monday a surface mine exploded at the camp, killing twelve soldiers and injuring sixteen others."

Chillicothe Constitution Tribune Missouri 1944-03-17

The casualties were:
T-Cpl. JOSEPH F. SMITH, Patterson, N.J.
Pfc. EMMERSON D. WASHBURN, Corinth, N.Y.
Pfc. RALPH R. JUAEZ, Hutchinson, Kan.
Pfc. CHARLES BARROW CLOUGH, JR., Paterson, N.J.
Pfc. MARVIN BLUMBERG, Bronx, N.Y.
Pvt. LEONARD G. GREIG, Chicago, Ill.
Pfc. EDWARD H. DeGRASSE, North Scituate, Mass.
Pfc. CARL R. SCHNARR, Robertson, Mo.
Pfc. NORMAN H. RANDALL, Marshfield, Mass.
Pfc. ARPAD S. SZABO, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Pvt. ROBERT E. SWETTIE, West Springfield, Mass.
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!