Captain Walter Keller “Jack” Goss Jr.

Walter Keller “Jack” Goss was born November 12, 1919 in Dallas TX to Mr. and Mrs. WK Goss. In the late 30’s Jack and his family moved to Organ NM. In 1939 Jack enrolled at NMAMC after two years of studies at NMMI. In May 1941 he graduated with his degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned and reported for active duty in the USAAF that summer. In December 1941 he married the former Mary Jane McInnis. After training as a pilot, he was assigned to the 16th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group. In November 1944 the group deployed overseas to the CBI Theater to introduce a new theory of airlift support where front line troops would be totally dependent on airlift for their supply lines, hence the name Combat Cargo. Flying out of numerous bases in India the group supported operations along the Ledo road and in January 1945 supported ground operations as the XIV Army drove south into Burma. On February 5th 1945, Captain Goss was pilot in command of C-46 #42-101228 flying out of Chittagong Airfield, India when engine failure occurred and the plane crashed approximately 15 miles north of Budalin Burma. All three crew members aboard perished. Their bodies were recovered and buried in a common grave. After the war their remains were recovered and brought to Jefferson Barracks in Missouri where they were reinterred. Captain Walter Keller “Jack” Goss Jr. was 25 years of age at the time of his death and was survived by his parents, his wife and their 2 year old daughter, Jacqueline.