Ok, Ok....I know that this is not about Baja, BUT it is about Mexico (sort of). Just something to keep your mind busy on a cold winter night. My
friend Tony Mirales and I would appreciate your indulgence.
On 3 November 1943, at approximately 1820 MWT (Mountain War Time), a Vultee BT-13A training aircraft, serial number 41-22638 was landed intact and
abandoned 25 miles east of an area called Rocky Point in northwest Sonora, Mexico (near the town Punta Penasco). The student pilot, Air Cadet Maurice
Herzog (service number 38428453), was declared missing.
The Aircraft Accident Classification Committee stated, "At 1400 [MWT] A/C Herzog departed Marana Army Air Field [Marana, Arizona], solo, in a BT-13
airplane for a triangular student training cross country flight. The first two legs of the flight were negotiated by the cadet without incident. On
the final lap from Safford, Arizona, to Marana, the pilot apparently became lost, overshot the home field, and landed in a sparsely populated section
of northwest Sonora, Mexico.
The airplane was not discovered until 14 November 1943. It was not damaged and was flown back to Marana. A search by ground and air failed to
disclose the whereabouts of A/C Herzog.
Within approximately 18 miles from the point where the student landed his airplane, there is a revolving air beacon situated at the town of Punta
Penesco, Sonora, Mexico, which is clearly visible from the ground where the student landed. It is felt that this would have been the most logical
direction in which the student should have started walking, and he would have been able to have reached the town in a matter of a very few hours, as
the terrain was a type easily negotiated on foot.
In only one general direction would the cadet have failed to reach a highway, railroad, or roadway, and this direction referred to was composed of by
far the most difficult terrain from a walking standpoint. [The] Form 1 (aircraft servicability report) was missing from the airplane when it was
discovered, and on the floor of the aircraft was a Mexican 'Tequila' bottle full of water indicating, respectively, that some disposition had been
made of the Form 1 [and Form 1A] (they had been removed???) and that the airplane had been visited by someone who left the water for one purpose or
another. To the end that all possibilities shall be investigated, this case has been referred to Army Intelligence and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation."
Investigators estimated that the airplane had been airborne for about 4 hours and 20 minutes. Weather was reported as "Sky high scattered clouds,
wind--north three miles per hour."
A/C Maurice Herzog is apparently still missing. What happened to Cadet Herzog in "Old Mexico" (as the report calls it)? Researcher Tony Mireles has
spent two years attempting to determine Cadet Herzog's final whereabouts.
The FBI requires a proof of death document for release of records. Or 100 years from the date of birth. Or a privacy waiver from the person in
question (that would be Cadet Herzog himself). No success with the FBI. We have no proof of death or even a date of birth. Although it was later
discovered that Herzog was 21 years old at the time of his dissapearence.
Does anybody know what happened to A/C Maurice Herzog? Was he ever found?
A/C Maurice Herzog shares his name with a famous alpine climber, complicating internet searches.
Hope you found this little bit of history enjoyable............another mystery of Mexico.David K - 1-17-2007 at 09:25 PM
Interesting... Aliens maybe invited him back to Zeta Reticuli?DENNIS - 1-18-2007 at 08:54 AM
A mystery for sure, BG. Always room for another mystery in Mexico. I'm still trying to demystify the various interpretations of "ALTO" when it's
printed on a sign at a corner.bajaguy - 1-18-2007 at 09:07 AM
The Herzog mystery lends itself to pondering, with several cold bottles of Pacifico.Crusoe - 1-18-2007 at 09:51 AM
These so-called storys get a bit hard to swallow sometimes. Didn't Herzog have any next of kin?? etc, etc, etc.I heard an almost exact same story a
few years back and the guy actually was found in So. America living on a remote beach, with two beautiful young girls.He had left the US Military with
a plane and a huge wad of cold cash.DENNIS - 1-18-2007 at 01:51 PM
Sonora Triangle --- Bermuda Triangle ...... All the same.
Ponder with a box of Pacifico and the answer will present itself.Al G - 1-18-2007 at 05:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Sonora Triangle --- Bermuda Triangle ...... All the same.
Ponder with a box of Pacifico and the answer will present itself.
I think I will try that tonight.....bajaguy - 1-18-2007 at 07:28 PM
Herzogs mother died in new Orleans in the early 1970's. Tony Mirales has made contact with someone who is Herzogs step brother, but lost contact when
Katrina hit NO. He is attempting to regain contact.
This event DID happen, there are official US Army Air Corps documents that detail the above incident (that you can obtain if you are interested), and
no, Herzog is not in South America with some hot chiquitas and cold cash.Mike Supino - 1-18-2007 at 10:01 PM
