CLICK TO VISIT THE PREVIOUS PAGE   CLICK TO CLOSE THIS PAGECLICK TO VISIT NEXT PAGE IN THIS SERIES

DODGE AMBULANCE 4x4 AWAITS TRADE Gordonvale was not a benign training area, and training was hard, the men had to be toughened up, and kept at their peak.   But there were a number of fatal training incidents in Gordonvale, many of them the result of less than prudent planning and preparation.  Pvc. Henry J. Blalock drowned on 23 December 1942;  Priv. John Kobiska drowned while crossing  the Little Mulgrave River, 21 February 1943 while outward bound on a march; Pfc . Bernard R. Petrie drowned while re-crossing  the same river on the return leg, 24 February 1943; and S/Sgt Bernard drowned 12 April 1943. Pfc. Robert White was electrocuted when he hit a live power line on 5 or 6 May 1943. Priv. Donald Wilson was killed in a training jump on 25 June 1943.

� 2009 Doyle Wester & 503d PRCT Heritage Bn