I recently came across the story regarding the death of US Army Brigadier General Charles L Keerans, Deputy Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, MIA on Sicily in 1943. Keerans was in one of the planes hit by friendly fire over the invasion zone, and the pilot managed to crash land it. The general made it to shore and was last seen the following morning by a Sergeant, who was told by Keerans that he was "heading inland". He was never seen again, and reported as MIA. Does anyone have any details on what may have happened to Keerans? I believe he is the highest ranking general to be listed as "MIA" during World War Two.
from axishistory, alan :Brig. Gen. Charles L. Keerans, Jr. was the assistant commander of the 101st Airborne Division. His death was one of the oddest to occur during the war. In 1943 the 101st had prepared to make a night combat jump into the area around the Gulf of Gela, on the western coast of Italy. The effort was plagued with problems, including several American transport planes being shot down by friendly fire. Keerans’ plane was one of those hit by friendly fire, but the pilot was able to crash land the plane in the water, 400 yards off shore. Keerans survived the crash and the next morning chatted with a sergeant from another unit and asked the sergeant to accompany him inland. The sergeant said that he wanted to return to his outfit and left. Keerans went inland by himself and was never seen again. For several years the army assumed he had been killed during the ditching of the aircraft, but the sergeant’s story provided a different interpretation and the general was simply listed as killed in action, although his body was never found.
