Pilots who crashed in 1955 receive military honors

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Paul Duquette
  • 163 RW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Chaplain and March Air Reserve Base Honor Guard recently helped give missing Air Force Reserve pilots, who crashed 55 years ago, proper military honors at Dockweiler State Beach, Calif., near Los Angeles International Airport.

October 15, 1955, the pilots, 1st Lts. Richard Theiler and Paul Smith, were flying a Lockheed Martin T-33A Jet on a night flight training mission when, shortly after receiving clearance for takeoff from air traffic controllers at LAX, the tower lost communications with the aircraft. Search and recovery efforts were started immediately, but no wreckage or survivors were found.

After a piece of the aircraft debris washed ashore October 19, 1955, it was a confirmed loss and the two pilots were pronounced dead; however, the bodies were not recovered.

More than a dozen members of the Theiler and Smith families, from as far away as England, attended the memorial ceremony for the late servicemembers.

There were two elements of the service, both officiated by Chaplain 1st Lt. David Sarmiento, 163 RW Chaplain Corps. One was at Dockweiler Beach and the other was at sea at the location of the crash, approximately three miles off the coast of LAX.

During the beach ceremony, Chaplain Sarmiento led with a prayer and followed with a historical introduction. Theresa Theiler, niece of fallen pilot Richard Theiler, gave a eulogy as well as Charles Baker, cousin of Lieutenant Smith. Military honors included the posting of the colors, two flag folding ceremonies, a 21-gun salute firing party and the playing of Taps. Performing the honors were the Blue Eagles Honor Guard, from Edwards AFB and March ARB.

After the beach ceremony, the attendees drove to the Marina Del Rey docks and boarded the ships, Sundiver and Sundiver Express. From here, the LA Fire Dept. led the way with beautiful arches of water firing from the water cannons on their fire boat. In addition to the fire boat, LA lifeguard boats escorted the group, with American flags proudly streaming in the coastal winds.

During the wreath ceremony at sea, Chaplain Sarmiento opened with a prayer and then read a poem titled, "High Flight." Honor Guard members then presented two wreaths to the families of the pilots to throw overboard in remembrance of their beloved family members.

Shortly following the wreath portion of the ceremony, Abbey Theiler, the late pilot's grand-daughter, laid the ashes of her father, Mark Theiler, down over the water of the T-33A pilots' final resting place.

Tom Theiler, who was a former 1st Lt. in the Air Force and brother of Lieutenant Richard Theiler and good friend to Lieutenant Paul Smith, explained there were no military services given for either crew member in 1955, when the news about the pilots initially broke. But he continued to say that he is extremely appreciative of everything that was done for the families now.

Theresa Theiler explained this memorial service was the result of a combined effort from the Sundiver Company, L.A. Fire Department, L.A. Beaches and Harbors Department, L.A. Police Dept., L.A. County Sheriffs, L.A. County Lifeguards, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force.

"Initially I didn't know it, but everything the Sundiver company did was at no cost to either family," said Chaplain Sarmiento.

The company found the wreckage in May 2009. "We had been diving this location for almost four months before we identified it as Theiler and Smith's T-33A," said company owner and Captain Ray Arntz. "Captain Kyaa Heller was the first diver on site of the T-33A, over 100 feet down," he continued.

Captain Arntz explained that the crash site took so long to identify because this section of the Santa Monica Bay is really susceptible to corrosion, which is also why no remains of the pilots were found.

Captain Heller shared a moment, the day before the event, with Thomas Theiler and said, "The site was a peaceful resting place for both Richard and Paul." She continued to explain that they treat each and every wreckage location as a sacred place.

"It's surprising to me how emotional I am," said teary eyed Thomas Theiler, "even though the crash happened 55 years ago."

Captain Arntz said, "It's a grave site, so you must respect it." He explained that his company, for this reason, doesn't freely give out the locations of the wreckage they find.

Both Captains Arntz and Heller accredit the wreckage find to Gary Fabian, who is their side screen sonar system technician. "The sonar is towed behind the boat and scans the bottom of the ocean," said Captain Heller.

"It was an incredible experience," said Chaplain Sarmiento. "Both memorials were very moving with crashing waves and the honor guard all around; truly, it was a spectacle to be seen."