1962, 1966 Gazette about Grover 'Rusty' Wells, navy crewman in Greenland plane crash (on today's cover)

Image of Denmark Straits

via Wikipedia

From January 14, 1962 Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Push Plane Search; C.R. Man in Crew

The search continued over the Greenland icecap Saturday night for a U.S. navy Neptune plane carrying a crew of 12, among them a Cedar RapidsOperations were hampered by 75-mile-an-hour winds and low visibility, according to a telegram received late Saturday by the man's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. WellsThe missing plane took off Friday morning from Keflavik airport on the northwest tip of Iceland. It was spotted on radar at 10:45 a.m. Friday 270 miles northwest of Keflavik.Operations are being concentrated in the Denmark StraitsWhile the search continued, Wells' wife, Nancy, prepared to enter a Jacksonville, FloridaWells, 24, attended McKinley SchoolIn addition to the missing son, the Wellses have 4 children: Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger, all living in Cedar Rapids.

Push Plane Search; C.R. Man in Crew

The search continued over the Greenland icecap Saturday night for a U.S. navy Neptune plane carrying a crew of 12, among them a Cedar Rapids

man. Grover E. Wells.

Operations were hampered by 75-mile-an-hour winds and low visibility, according to a telegram received late Saturday by the man's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells

of 1435 N St. SW.

The missing plane took off Friday morning from Keflavik airport on the northwest tip of Iceland. It was spotted on radar at 10:45 a.m. Friday 270 miles northwest of Keflavik.

Operations are being concentrated in the Denmark Straits

, the war department telegram said.

While the search continued, Wells' wife, Nancy, prepared to enter a Jacksonville, Florida

, hospital for the birth of the couple's third child. Two daughters, Wanda Lee, 3, and Marjorie, 2, were to stay with their mother's sister.

Wells, 24, attended McKinley School

and enlisted in the Navy in 1955. He is an aviation ordnanceman.

In addition to the missing son, the Wellses have 4 children: Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger, all living in Cedar Rapids.

From September 17, 1966 Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Find Body of Missing C.R. Airman Wells

The body of a Cedar Rapids man, Grover E. Wells, has been discovered on Kronborg Glacier in Greenland, where he died nearly five years ago in a plane crash.Wells, 24, an aviation ordnanceman, was one of 12 men aboard a U.S. navy Neptune plane which disappeared over the Greenland icecap Jan. 12, 1962, on a flight out of Keflavik, Iceland.A British research expedition reported Friday that it had discovered the bodies of 12 airmen. The defense department Saturday listed them as those of the missing Neptune crew.Wells, 24, attended McKinley school and enlisted in the navy in 1955.His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells, lived at 1435 N St. SW at the time of the tragedy. They have since moved to Portland, Oregon.The airman's two daughters, Wanda Lee and Marjorie, were 3 and 2 at the time of the crash and his wife, Nancy, was preparing to enter a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital for the birth of their third child.He was also survived by four brothers and sisters, Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger.

Find Body of Missing C.R. Airman Wells

The body of a Cedar Rapids man, Grover E. Wells, has been discovered on Kronborg Glacier in Greenland, where he died nearly five years ago in a plane crash.

Wells, 24, an aviation ordnanceman, was one of 12 men aboard a U.S. navy Neptune plane which disappeared over the Greenland icecap Jan. 12, 1962, on a flight out of Keflavik, Iceland.

A British research expedition reported Friday that it had discovered the bodies of 12 airmen. The defense department Saturday listed them as those of the missing Neptune crew.

Wells, 24, attended McKinley school and enlisted in the navy in 1955.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wells, lived at 1435 N St. SW at the time of the tragedy. They have since moved to Portland, Oregon.

The airman's two daughters, Wanda Lee and Marjorie, were 3 and 2 at the time of the crash and his wife, Nancy, was preparing to enter a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital for the birth of their third child.

He was also survived by four brothers and sisters, Bob, Donna, Carol and Roger.

Today's Gazette article quotes brother Bobby Wells saying "He was an excellent guitar player." Here's an October 5, 1954 Cedar Rapids Gazette article about a Grover Wells providing music for a birthday party:

BIRTHDAY PARTY GIVENFOR PATRICIA GOODALL.Guests included Nancy Bammert, Nancy Goodall, Rosalie Vavra, Carol Hathaway, Carolyn Perry, Jackie Brubaker, Waneva Benda, Alice Clark, Jim Zacek Billy Clark, Darrell Goodall, George Hawley, Dale and David Goodall, and Larry Goodall.

FOR PATRICIA GOODALL.

Patricia Goodall was honored on her thirteenth birthday at a party given by her mother, Mrs Robert Goodall, Monday evening at their home, 1216 Tenth Street SE. The 15 guests spent the evening playing cards and dancing. Jimmy Burgess and Grover Wells furnished the music.

Guests included Nancy Bammert, Nancy Goodall, Rosalie Vavra, Carol Hathaway, Carolyn Perry, Jackie Brubaker, Waneva Benda, Alice Clark, Jim Zacek Billy Clark, Darrell Goodall, George Hawley, Dale and David Goodall, and Larry Goodall.