Firefighter Joseph Palagonia

The incident occurred when a B-47 Stratojet medium bomber, assigned to the 340th Bomb Wing, was on the Whiteman flight line for routine inspection and maintenance.

The exterior inspection of the aircraft was completed without discrepancies, and the interior inspection was started. The interior inspection progressed normally until the co-pilot's air refueling valve was opened. Almost immediately, the crew chief reported fuel was spewing from around the nose of the aircraft. He instructed the crew to evacuate the aircraft.

The fire department was immediately notified and quickly responded. The initial fire caused by the fuel spillage (or at least all visible fire) had apparently been extinguished. The wing commander, Col. Willis F. Lewis, was advised that the entire fuselage was covered with foam and the fire was under control.

The base fire Chief P.E. Ralls, Airman 2nd Class Joseph Palagonia, Airmen 3rd Class Jacob Lang and Wayne Hower began the process of "reentry" operations to assure all fire and hot spots were eliminated. They slowly approached the jet, inching their way toward the belly of the aircraft to find the cause of the problem when the first engine suddenly exploded, killing all of the four firefighters instantly.

The fire was ultimately extinguished, but eighteen more airmen were injured, two of whom later died.