Capt. Tyrrell Gordon Lowry
United States Air Force
Tyrrell (Terry) Gordon Lowry was born February 27, 1932. His home of record is Portland, Oregon. At the time of his loss, Capt. Lowry was serving with the 441st Bombardment Squadron. Major James M. Gehrig was the pilot and best friends with Captain Lowry. As the two-plane collision occured and the plane was going down Major Gehrig gave the "bail out" order, but Captain Lowry ignored it staying with his friend. Survivors of the crash told family that Captain Lowry moved up into the co-pilot seat and refused to go.
On June 18, 1965, two B52 aircraft were performing a mission over the South China Sea when they collided. The aircraft were approximately 250 miles offshore at the point of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) when the accident occurred.
Also lost with Major James Gehrig and Captain Tyrrell Lowry that day was TechSgt. William Neville. Three crew members were rescued- Lt. James Erbes, Capt. Kenneth Harten and Lt. James Collier III.
The men who died in the other plane were Capt. James Robertson, pilot, 1st Lt. James Marshall, Capt. Robert Armond, Capt. Frank Watson and MstSgt. Harold Roberts Jr. Lt. Col. Charles Anderman was rescued from that plane.
According the Portland Oregon newspaper Capt. Lowry was a four-year letterman in track and football at both Washington High School and Oregon State University. He received his Air Force commission in 1955, the year he graduated from OSU. Capt. Lowry was a crew member on the B-52 that was lost en route from Guam to North Vietnam. Contributions were made in Tyrrell Lowry's memory to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children.
Correct information on this incident was provided to me by Kim Stromwall, daughter of Major James M. Gehrig. Thank you Kim.
POW/MIA Graphic by Ron Fleischer.