Around New England

Hero Pilot Remembered in Holbrook for What He Did Not Do

November 13, 2017

United States Navy Lieutenant Walter R. Hein was flying a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk jet above the town of Holbrook in October 1967 when his airplane developed engine trouble; rather than dump his fuel near a school below or attempt to land in a populated area, he crash landed in a wooded area, where he died. By not maximizing his own chances for survival, he probably saved the lives of many people; town officials plan to honor him with a plaque commemorating the event a little more than 50 years later.