Harry E Gass

Died Aug 1966 in Chuckey, Greene, Tennessee, United States

Biography

8 GUARDSMEN DIE WHEN TRUCK FLIPS.

EIGHT OTHERS INJURED EN ROUTE TO MONTHLY JOHNSON CITY DRILL.

Chuckey -- An Army National Guard truck carrying guardsmen to their monthly drill collided with a car on U.S. 11E here Sunday morning killing eight and injuring eight more. The Army identified the victims, members of Company A from Greeneville, as: Spec. 4 HARRY E. GASS. Spec. 4 ROY D. RICE. Sgt. ELMER N. MULLINS. Spec. 4 HAROLD L. SMITH. Pfc. JIMMY L. KENNEY. Pfc. RONNIE J. COX. Spec. 4 CODY W. ERWIN. Pfc. HERBERT F. SHELTON, all from Greeneville. Sgt. HAROLD D. SHIPLEY, Greeneville, was taken to Johnson City Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The other seven guardsmen received lesser injuries and were taken to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Johnson City. Col. John Calhoun, Knoxville, battalioin commander, said the men were on their way to Johnson City for their monthly drill session when the accident occurred. Calhoun was scheduled to review the guard units. Authorities on the scene said the brakes apparently failed on the truck as it rounded a curve in front of the Chuckey Elementary School on the winding, two-lane highway. The Highway Patrol said it would have to check with the driver of the truck to determine exactly what did cause the accident. The truck struck a car driven by ERNEST McINTURFF, Johnson City, before plunging over a 10-foot embankment. It landed in a ditch and flipped over on its top, throwing some of the men from the truck and pinning others underneath. The truck, a so-called "six-by" with a canvas cover over the truckbed, had to be raised on its side before some of the victims could be freed. There were two other trucks in the convoy. McINTURFF suffered a dislocated shoulder and broken wrist in the accident and was in satisfactory condition at Memorial Hospital. Three others in the car, including two women and a small boy, were treated and released.

Kingsport Times Tennessee 1966-08-08

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