Carver, Robert L. - 2nd Lieut

Dallas Army Flier Killed When Ship Crashes in Swamp

Football Star of Oak Cliff and West Point to Be Buried Here

Second Lieut. Robert L. Carver, 28, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Carver, 700 Elsbeth, was instantly killed Monday when the army plane he was flying crashed into a mangrove swamp on the edge of Chapman Field, twelve miles south of Miami, Fla. Airport officials there said Carver cut loose a target he had been towing for aerial gun practice, and was circling the field for landing when he spun into the swamp.

He was stationed at Barksdale Field, La., with other army fliers and went to Miami two weeks ago to participate in the South Florida maneuvers of the army’s general headquarters air force, which ended Sunday. A board of inquiry probably will be called by army air officials soon to investigate the crash, dispatchers said.

The flier was well known over the Nation for his record as an athlete as well as flying. He came to Dallas after attending the Main Avenue Primary School in San Antonio and entered the Oak Cliff High School, now W. H. Adamson School, the fall of 1923. He lettered in football in 1924, 1925 and 1926, winning wide recognition for his work the last year when Oak Cliff High went to the State finals against the Waco Tigers. He also lettered in basketball the last two years in high school.

Entering West Point in 1928, he was elected captain of the freshman football team and went on to win letters at quarterback on teams of 1929, 1930 and 1931, getting high praise for his work in the Army-Notre Dame of 1931, when he shared the spotlight with Ray Stecker, all-American half-back.

After graduation from West Point in 1932, he entered Randolph Field at San Antonio, graduating in 1033. He was transferred to his post at Barksdale, La., and was in the Fifty-Fifth Pursuit Squadron.

The body is being sent to Dallas for burial. He is survived by his mother and father and Mrs. D. D. Merill, and aunt, of Everett, Wash.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rene Cox Funeral Home, 300 West Davis, with Inman H. Douglas, Christian Science reader, officiating. Burial will be at Laurel Land Memorial Park.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 17 Dec 1935