Briefing Document: Burton Alden Reeves

Subject: Life and Military Service of Burton Alden Reeves

Date: October 26, 2023

Summary: This document details the life of Burton Alden Reeves, from his birth in Texas to his tragic death in a plane crash while serving in the US Air Force. The information highlights his family background, education, military service, and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Key Themes and Ideas:

Early Life and Family:

Burton Alden Reeves was born on May 3, 1923, in Richland Springs, Texas.

His parents were Bessie Ray Hill and Leonard Burton Reeves, both of whom were 33 at the time of his birth.

He grew up with at least one brother.

The Reeves family moved around Texas (Abilene, Brown County) and to Erick, Oklahoma, indicating a possible pattern of migration.

He was married to Mary Brooks in 1942 and they had two children, but their son died two months after his father's death.

Education:

He graduated from Erick High School in Oklahoma.

He attended Howard Payne College for two years.

Military Service:

He registered for the draft on June 30, 1942, in Brownwood, Texas, while working for J.T. Garner.

He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a private on September 5, 1942, in Brownwood, Texas, with 2 years of college education already completed.

He earned his "wings as a flying Fortress navigator at San Marcos on 8 Apr 1944".

He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and later to Captain.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 15th Air Force.

He was assigned to the 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Group, stationed at McChord AFB, Washington.

Tragic Death:

Captain Burton Alden Reeves died in service on a routine night training flight near Olympia, Washington, sometime before his burial date.

He was aboard a C-82 Flying Boxcar that crashed into the forest and burned, causing a forest fire.

All three crew members on board were killed in the crash and were badly burned.

His remains were shipped back to Brownwood, Texas, for burial.

He was buried in the Greenleaf Cemetery on Saturday, October 8, 1949.

Key Facts and Quotes:

Birth and Family: "Burton Alden Reeves born on 3 May 1923 at Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas to Bessie Ray Hill ...and Leonard Burton Reeves"

Military Enlistment: "Burton A Reeves ...enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as a private at Brownwood, Brown County, Texas on 5 September 1942."

Military Achievement: "He earned is wings as a flying Fortress navigator at San Marcos on 8 Apr 1944. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with the 15th Air Force. He was promoted to Captain."

Death: "Capt Reeves was aboard a C-82 Flying Boxcar...when the plane crashed into the forest near Olympia, Washington and burned causing a forest fire. All three crewmen were killed and badly burned, they Died In Service."

Burial: "His remains were shipped to Brownwood, Brown County, Texas and buried in the Greenleaf Cemetery there on Saturday 8 October 1949."

Analysis:

The document paints a picture of a young man whose life was marked by movement and ultimately cut short by his military service. He transitioned from a student and family man to a decorated military officer before a fatal crash. The text indicates a pattern of family roots in Texas and a period of significant personal and professional advancement in the military before the untimely tragedy in the plane crash. The details also provide insight into the immediate postwar period of the US military.

Further Research Points:

Details about the C-82 Flying Boxcar incident and investigation.

More information about his military unit and their activities.

Details on the circumstances of his son's death.

Details on the specific flight the crash occured on.

This briefing provides a solid foundation for understanding the life and service of Burton Alden Reeves.