James I. Edison ( Cave Junction 1956 )
posted: Oct 10, 2011
Marine Lt. James "Jim" Edison was killed October 2, 1961, when his F9F Cougar went over the side while making a landing on the USS Antietam. The carrier was operating in the Gulf of Mexico and the aircraft and Jim were "lost at sea."
Jim starred in football and basketball at Jacksonville (NC) High School and later in basketball at Louisburg College in North Carolina where he graduated in 1958. He jumped at CJ for the 1956 and 1957 seasons. This obit is added 50 years later from information that came in from our members.
In July 2014, ex-Naval Aviator, Jim Hayes contacted the NSA with more details on the accident that took Jim's life.
The board of review said the cause of the accident was a maintenance error in that a disconnect nut on the tail section of the aircraft had not been properly installed. The tail of the aircraft separated upon landing and, instead of being stopped by the tail hook, the aircraft went over the side and into the ocean.