Memorial service and program set July 12 in Garrett County
Elaine Blaisdell
GRANTSVILLE — A niece of Maj. Robert E. Townley, a radar navigator who died in the 1964 B-52 bomber crash in Garrett County, was the catalyst for the formation of a committee, according to member Bucky Schriver.
The committee came up with the idea of hosting a 50th anniversary memorial service and program. Thus far, 40 family members of the crew of Buzz One Four, the call sign of the plane, plan to attend the July 12 event at 11 a.m. at the Little Crossings memorial.
“If it wasn’t for Gina and the committee none of this would have happened,” said Schriver.
Schriver met Townley’s niece, Gina Townley Swinburn, of Vinton, La., through the Find a Grave website. Swinburn came to Grantsville to visit the museum and it was closed for the winter and her visit sparked the enthusiasm that led to the formation of the committee, said Schriver. Swinburn has been working to ensure that all the family members of the crew of Buzz One Four know about the July memorial service.
Schriver indicated that family members of Townley, TSgt. Melvin D. Wooten, gunner, and Maj. Robert L. Payne, navigator, plan on attending the memorial service. Schriver is working with local hotels to get a group rate for the family members so they can all stay in one place.
“Gina contacts the family members and tells them who she is and they feel comfortable speaking with her,” said Schriver.
The committee, which is comprised of about 15 members that include several who have done considerable research on the disaster, was formed in January. It working to make repairs to the Payne and Townley memorials, produce a map to the memorials and is having a sign manufactured at each site explaining exactly what happened at that location. The committee plans to have everything completed by the memorial service and will give the families tours of the memorial sites, according to Schriver.
