The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BURIAL CUSTOM OF NAVAL AIRFORCE

IN THE NAVAL AIRFORCE A SQUADRON IS USUALLY MADE UP OF
FOUR OR FIVE PLANES. WHEN ONE OF THE MEMBERS DIES, THE
OTHERS FLY OVER THE BURIAL SERVICE IN FORMATION, MINUS
THE DECEASED MEMBER LEAVING AN EMPTY PLACE IN THE
FORMATION.

Submitter comment: TOLD AT WHITEHEAD AND KALES MILL STREET PLANT AND NOTED
ON ALL TV STATIONS AT FUNERALS OF THE ASTRONAUTS.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED