Last week Irwin’s sister and nephew, Doreen Mavis Irwin of Bismarck and Glenn Brunsell of New Town, visited the crash site in Hawaii. They were part of a group of 117 Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation representatives, including veterans and auxiliaries who attended the Annual Vietnam Veterans Day Parade and program in Waikiki, Hawaii, last week.

Alva Irwin of Bismarck, one of five living sisters of Pfc. Irwin, wrote the following story about her brother.

–Eloise Ogden

By ALVA IRWIN

Submitted Photo Doreen Mavis Irwin, left, and Glenn Brunsell, sister and nephew of Korean War veteran Army Pfc. John R. Irwin Jr. visited the site last week where John Irwin Jr. died in a plane crash 68 years ago on March 21, 1955, on his way home from the Korean War. The crash site, Pali Kea Peak, is in the background.

On March 21, 1955, Pfc. John R. Irwin Jr, U.S. Army, was a passenger on-board the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Transport Service (NATS) flight aircraft #131612. The aircraft was a R6D-1 (DC-6) type. He was on his way home from the Korean War.

According to historical information:

The R6D-1 was operating as a Military Air Transport Service (MATS) flight from Tokyo, Japan, to Travis Air Force Base in California, with a stop at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii.

When the aircraft left its stop at Hickman Air Force Base at 6:06 p.m. on March 21, 1955, to California, the crew began to experience radio problems after four and a half hours into the flight and decided to return to Hickman. There was a heavy rainstorm and as the airplane descended to land at Hickman, the plane crashed into the 3,098-foot Pali Kea Peak of the Waianae Mountains at approximately 2:16 a.m. During the crash, the wings separated from the airplane’s fuselage, which started a fiery explosion as the plane fell to the bottom of a gully below. The fire was so hot that rescuers could not approach the wreckage for several hours.

All 66 persons aboard the airplane perished. The majority of those killed were Korean War soldiers returning to the United States to be discharged. The R6D-1’s crew had made a navigational error that took them eight miles off course and the plane strayed into the Waianae Mountain Range. The crew did not realize their error until it was too late and the plane flew into the mountain peak.

Army Pfc John R. Irwin Jr.

The crash has been noted as the deadliest plane crash in Hawaiian history and one that will never be forgotten. The site has been dedicated to the “Remembrance” of all those who perished.

John “Shorty” Irwin Jr. was born on May 25, 1932, to John and Gladys Irwin and was of the Hidatsa Tribe. They lived in the Lucky Mound Community along the Missouri River located south of Parshall. He was 22 years old at the time of his death. He left behind his parents, his siblings, his wife Elaine Irwin, and 2-year-old son, Gerald Irwin. His remains are buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, and his parents placed a headstone in his memory near our childhood home on the Fort Berthold Reservation.

His father, John Irwin Sr., had a difficult time leaving his son in Missouri and his mother, Gladys Irwin would become a Gold Star Mother. The despair and lonesomeness for the loss of their son would live within them until their own deaths. Our mother would tell us about Shorty’s life and his adventures in a way to alleviate her pain and hurt. Talking about him and remembering him always brought her comfort, a smile and tears. He will be in our hearts forever.

In May, John Irwin Jr.’s five living sisters will be traveling to St. Louis to visit their brother’s grave after 68 years. They are Johanna Irwin White Bear of New Town, Alva Irwin and Doreen Mavis Irwin, both of Bismarck, Sally Irwin White of Parshall and Ada Irwin Sharp of Browning, Montana.

Gladys Irwin, Ethel Fast Dog and Olive Stevenson worked together and originated the Clarence Spotted Wolf/John Irwin Jr. Ladies Auxiliary, Unit 300. The unit was deemed official on Jan. 13, 1959. Unit 300 was the first ladies auxiliary organized on the Fort Berthold Reservation and today Unit 300 has 71 members. Unit 300 president is Gloria Fast Dog of New Town. John Irwin Jr.’s five living sisters are members of Unit 300.

On March 25, the Clarence Spotted Wolf/John Irwin, Jr. Unit 300 members traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the Vietnam Veterans Parade, remembering the Vietnam War and veterans who were in that war. While there, John Irwin Jr.’s sister, Doreen Mavis Irwin, and his nephew, Glenn Brunsell, visited the Pali Kea Peak.

And last, but not least, we thank all veterans for your service.Thank you to all the ladies auxiliaries who work diligently to take care of our veterans, and to the Gold Star Mothers, we pray for your healing and happiness and that your memories of your child comfort you and ease your sorrow.