Chaney Death Is Attributed to Exposure
Previously reported missing as the result of failure to return from an airplane flight, Oscar Alvin Chaney, 21, aviation ordinance man 3/C, U. S. Navy died of exposure in a life raft, presumably in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a telegram received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper Chaney, of 218 West Seventh Avenue.
Two Navy Department telegrams, one received last Monday informing them of his being missing and the one informing them of his death, shattered his parents' hopes that he would visit them this summer. He was stationed in Iceland, and a friend informed the Chaneys that he expected to be sent to a school in the States within a couple of months.
The latest Tarentum was casualty had no furloughs since his enlistment in the in the Navy on February 24, 1942. After receiving training at Newport. R. I., Charleston, S. C. and Norfolk, VA., he was sent to Newfoundland year ago. When he was sent to Iceland last November, he was transferred from aerial gunner to an aviation ordinance rating.
A graduate of Tarentum High with the class of 1939, Chaney was employed in the office of the Creighton plant of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at the time of his enlistment. He was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 85 junior baseball team, belonged to the Central Presbyterian Church and Sunday School and sang in the church choir.
He was born at Tidal, moving to Creighton during his childhood. His family moved to West Seventh Avenue about a year ago. In addition to his parents, he leaves a sister, Vivian.
Ironically, shortly following the receipt of Saturday morning's fateful telegram, his father and sister received letters from him dated June 10. In his letters, which contained no mention of his duties, he wrote of fishing all day June 9 and of catching 14 fish, 15 to 18 inches long.
The telegram, signed by Rear Adm. R. Jacobs read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Alvin Chaney, AV/O, 3/C. U.S.N., previously reported missing as the result of not returning from airplane flight while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country, is now known to have died from exposure in a life raft. Date, of death and disposition of his remains are not now available, upon receipt of this information, you will be notified."
Previously reported missing as the result of failure to return from an airplane flight, Oscar Alvin Chaney, 21, aviation ordinance man 3/C, U. S. Navy died of exposure in a life raft, presumably in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a telegram received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper Chaney, of 218 West Seventh Avenue.
Two Navy Department telegrams, one received last Monday informing them of his being missing and the one informing them of his death, shattered his parents' hopes that he would visit them this summer. He was stationed in Iceland, and a friend informed the Chaneys that he expected to be sent to a school in the States within a couple of months.
The latest Tarentum was casualty had no furloughs since his enlistment in the in the Navy on February 24, 1942. After receiving training at Newport. R. I., Charleston, S. C. and Norfolk, VA., he was sent to Newfoundland year ago. When he was sent to Iceland last November, he was transferred from aerial gunner to an aviation ordinance rating.
A graduate of Tarentum High with the class of 1939, Chaney was employed in the office of the Creighton plant of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at the time of his enlistment. He was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 85 junior baseball team, belonged to the Central Presbyterian Church and Sunday School and sang in the church choir.
He was born at Tidal, moving to Creighton during his childhood. His family moved to West Seventh Avenue about a year ago. In addition to his parents, he leaves a sister, Vivian.
Ironically, shortly following the receipt of Saturday morning's fateful telegram, his father and sister received letters from him dated June 10. In his letters, which contained no mention of his duties, he wrote of fishing all day June 9 and of catching 14 fish, 15 to 18 inches long.
The telegram, signed by Rear Adm. R. Jacobs read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Alvin Chaney, AV/O, 3/C. U.S.N., previously reported missing as the result of not returning from airplane flight while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country, is now known to have died from exposure in a life raft. Date, of death and disposition of his remains are not now available, upon receipt of this information, you will be notified."
Chaney Death Is Attributed to Exposure
Previously reported missing as the result of failure to return from an airplane flight, Oscar Alvin Chaney, 21, aviation ordinance man 3/C, U. S. Navy died of exposure in a life raft, presumably in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a telegram received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper Chaney, of 218 West Seventh Avenue.
Two Navy Department telegrams, one received last Monday informing them of his being missing and the one informing them of his death, shattered his parents' hopes that he would visit them this summer. He was stationed in Iceland, and a friend informed the Chaneys that he expected to be sent to a school in the States within a couple of months.
The latest Tarentum was casualty had no furloughs since his enlistment in the in the Navy on February 24, 1942. After receiving training at Newport. R. I., Charleston, S. C. and Norfolk, VA., he was sent to Newfoundland year ago. When he was sent to Iceland last November, he was transferred from aerial gunner to an aviation ordinance rating.
A graduate of Tarentum High with the class of 1939, Chaney was employed in the office of the Creighton plant of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at the time of his enlistment. He was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 85 junior baseball team, belonged to the Central Presbyterian Church and Sunday School and sang in the church choir.
He was born at Tidal, moving to Creighton during his childhood. His family moved to West Seventh Avenue about a year ago. In addition to his parents, he leaves a sister, Vivian.
Ironically, shortly following the receipt of Saturday morning's fateful telegram, his father and sister received letters from him dated June 10. In his letters, which contained no mention of his duties, he wrote of fishing all day June 9 and of catching 14 fish, 15 to 18 inches long.
The telegram, signed by Rear Adm. R. Jacobs read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Alvin Chaney, AV/O, 3/C. U.S.N., previously reported missing as the result of not returning from airplane flight while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country, is now known to have died from exposure in a life raft. Date, of death and disposition of his remains are not now available, upon receipt of this information, you will be notified."
Previously reported missing as the result of failure to return from an airplane flight, Oscar Alvin Chaney, 21, aviation ordinance man 3/C, U. S. Navy died of exposure in a life raft, presumably in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a telegram received Saturday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper Chaney, of 218 West Seventh Avenue.
Two Navy Department telegrams, one received last Monday informing them of his being missing and the one informing them of his death, shattered his parents' hopes that he would visit them this summer. He was stationed in Iceland, and a friend informed the Chaneys that he expected to be sent to a school in the States within a couple of months.
The latest Tarentum was casualty had no furloughs since his enlistment in the in the Navy on February 24, 1942. After receiving training at Newport. R. I., Charleston, S. C. and Norfolk, VA., he was sent to Newfoundland year ago. When he was sent to Iceland last November, he was transferred from aerial gunner to an aviation ordinance rating.
A graduate of Tarentum High with the class of 1939, Chaney was employed in the office of the Creighton plant of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company at the time of his enlistment. He was a pitcher for the American Legion Post 85 junior baseball team, belonged to the Central Presbyterian Church and Sunday School and sang in the church choir.
He was born at Tidal, moving to Creighton during his childhood. His family moved to West Seventh Avenue about a year ago. In addition to his parents, he leaves a sister, Vivian.
Ironically, shortly following the receipt of Saturday morning's fateful telegram, his father and sister received letters from him dated June 10. In his letters, which contained no mention of his duties, he wrote of fishing all day June 9 and of catching 14 fish, 15 to 18 inches long.
The telegram, signed by Rear Adm. R. Jacobs read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Alvin Chaney, AV/O, 3/C. U.S.N., previously reported missing as the result of not returning from airplane flight while in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country, is now known to have died from exposure in a life raft. Date, of death and disposition of his remains are not now available, upon receipt of this information, you will be notified."
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