Earl Betscher Jr. - Part 2

I found this posting on the Internet today, and it may be of interest to some of you Betscher readers (See previous posting, entitled "Earl L. Betscher"dated 16 Aug 2004):

             This concerns the C-47 Air Force plane crash in Alaska on 5 Feb 1954

                                    when Earl L. (Bob) Betscher was killed:

                                          

Touching the Ancient One: A True Story of Tragedy and Reunion 

By Rupert Pratt

On February 5, 1954, an Air Force C-47 broke apart over the Susitna Valley of South Central Alaska and fell onto Kesugi Ridge. Six miraculously escaped, survived bone-chilling cold, and were rescued through the efforts of pilots Cliff Hudson and Don Sheldon. Unacquainted with one another before the accident, the Air Force men bonded in the hospital. Forty-two years later, the survivors and their families, the families of the victims, and rescuers came together for a reunion in Dayton, Ohio. It was a meeting that would change their lives. This is a true story, told by one of the survivors. Rupert Pratt's book celebrates life and friendship— themes set appropriately against the backdrop of Kesugi, "The Ancient One."

Published 2006 Rupert Pratt

Biography/Autobiography

392 Pages

ISBN 1587365812

                Here is an excerpt from the book, which related to

                                     Earl "Bob" Betscher                       

                          Chapter Five

February 5. 1954: I tell about it here, relating what I experienced.  The

experiences of others I also include, as told to me and/or substantiated

by military records. In addition, other anecdotal material has surfaced,

some only recently.  At the time I was unaware of these peripheral, though

related happenings.  I include them because they add perspective.

In the pre-dawn, Maude Betscher was out of bed to see her husband

off.  She was six weeks pregnant and had been deathly sick every day.

Today was no exception.  With twenty-two-month-old Keith still

sleeping, they kept their voices down.

            Lt. Earl "Bob" Betscher was about to leave for Elmendorf to

prepare for the day's flight.  He'd been outside to start the car.  Maudie

shivered because of the cold he'd brought back inside the trailer. When

he was ready to go, she smiled at the jaunty angle of his battered flight

cap.

            "Be careful, Bob." She whispered.

            He smiled his broadest smile that said without words. "I will"

            "Where to today?"

            "Fairbanks. Flying a Beaver to Ladd with one of two passen-

gers.  Should be back early, though.  You?"

            " I thought I might take Keith and go visit Ann Cunningham----

provided I feel better".

            For several days she had wanted to make the trip into town.  Living

in Mountain View, Alaska had a certain ambiance attached to it, but

sometimes she needed to visit the broader world.

            "See you tonight". He said. 

                                                       41

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1.  Michael Betscher  (1793-1861)
   2.  Louis G. Betscher  (1830-1918)
      3.  Earl L. Betscher  (1897-1961)
         4.  Earl L. "Bob" Betscher, Jr.  (1925-1954)

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