SSgt. Eugene R. Costley
February 17 1929 ~ September 19 2018
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SSgt Eugene “Gene” Costley
Graduate of Elmira Free Academy class of 1947
Entered (Enlisted) in the United States Air Force in August of 1948. After basic training in Texas was assigned to Kessler AFB, MS where he trained to become a flight engineer. In June of 1949 he was assigned to the 85th Air Depot Wing, Erding Air Base, Erding, Germany. SSgt Costley participated in the Berlin Airlift and flew missions as a flight engineer for which he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal - Germany (with Berlin Airlift Device) and the Medal for Humane Action. In 1950 SSgt Costley was assigned to the 34th Air Transport Squadron at McChord AFB, Washington where he continued to fly as a flight engineer.
On 22 November 1952 SSgt Costly was a flight engineer on an Air Force C-124 Globemaster aircraft departed McChord Air Force Base, Washington, on a scheduled transport flight to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, with a crew of 11 and 41 passengers on board that never reached its destination. Bad weather in the region postponed rescue operations for several days. On 28 November 1952, a search party located aircraft wreckage on the Surprise Glacier located on the slopes of Mount Gannett approximately 50 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska. There were no survivors. Due to the treacherous conditions (avalanches, glaciers and snow drifts from eight feet with some drift areas reaching depths of several hundred feet) recovery attempts would be extremely dangerous and limited throughout the next several years. SSgt Costley’s Brother John who was serving in the US Air Force and stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska participated with the 10th Air Rescue Squadron in the recovery attempts.
On 9 June 2012, the crew of an Alaska Army National Guard (AKNG) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight observed aircraft wreckage near the terminal end of the Colony Glacier at Inner Lake George located approximately 45 miles east of Anchorage. The crew landed on the glacier to investigate and recovered an identification tag from one of the service members on board, which positively correlated to the missing C-124A aircraft. Recovery operations continue to be performed at the crash site each year in the month of June. On 27 August 2018, the Armed Forces Medical Examiners (AFMES) at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware positively identified SSgt Costleys remains which were recovered from the June 2018 recovery.
SSgt Costley is survived by his Brother John Albert Costley, Sr. of Interlachen, Florida and several cousins.
He is predeceased by his parents Raymond A. and Viola H. Costley, Sister-in-law Anna Mae Costley and nephew John Albert Costley, Jr.
SSgt Costley’s remains will be escorted by a military escort from Dover AFB, DE to his hometown of Elmira, NY. A full military honors graveside funeral service will take place on 12 October 2018 at 1:00 in the Maple Grove Cemetery, 715 W Broad St, Horseheads, NY 14845. The James D Barrett Funeral Home, 1004 Lake St, Elmira, NY 14901 is assisting the family with arrangements.
