Thomas Mantell
Encyclopedia
Captain Thomas Francis Mantell Jr. was a United States Air Force
serviceman and a World War II
veteran. Mantell was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
for courageous action during Normandy landings and Air Medal
for heroism.
In 1948 Mantell became involved in presumed UFO incident and died on the same day, when his aircraft ultimately crashed near Franklin, Kentucky
.
. On 16 June 1942, Mantell joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, finishing Flight School on 30 June 1943. During World War II, he was assigned to the 440th Troop Carrier Group. After the war Mantell returned to Louisville
, joining the newly formed Kentucky Air National Guard
on 16 February 1947.
On September 29, 2001, the Simpson County Historical Society unveiled a historical marker in honor of Thomas Mantell in his hometown of Franklin. The marker is located at the exit off Interstate 65
.
. The information was brought to the attention of the base operations officer, the intelligence officer and the base commander Guy F. Hix. None was able to identify the object.
With the unidentified object still visible, Captain Mantell, was asked if he would investigate. Mantell replied he would attempt to intercept and began a spiraling, climbing turn to 220 degrees and 15,000 feet. He later reported that the object was "metallic and it is tremendous in size". With the object still above him, he reported he would continue to climb. Further radio and visual contact with Mantell was lost. Subsequent search revealed the remains of Mantell's aircraft, found scattered over about a half a mile near a farm close to Franklin, Kentucky.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
serviceman and a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran. Mantell was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for courageous action during Normandy landings and Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
for heroism.
In 1948 Mantell became involved in presumed UFO incident and died on the same day, when his aircraft ultimately crashed near Franklin, Kentucky
Franklin, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,996 people, 3,251 households, and 2,174 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,074.7 people per square mile . There were 3,609 housing units at an average density of 485.1 per square mile...
.
Life
Mantell graduated from the Male High School in LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. On 16 June 1942, Mantell joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, finishing Flight School on 30 June 1943. During World War II, he was assigned to the 440th Troop Carrier Group. After the war Mantell returned to Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, joining the newly formed Kentucky Air National Guard
Kentucky Air National Guard
The Kentucky Air National Guard is a subordinate air force unit of the United States National Guard. It is located in the state of Kentucky. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as its state mission.-People:...
on 16 February 1947.
On September 29, 2001, the Simpson County Historical Society unveiled a historical marker in honor of Thomas Mantell in his hometown of Franklin. The marker is located at the exit off Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
.
UFO incident
On January 7, 1948 the tower man at Godman Army Air Field received a telephone call from the military police saying they had received a call from the Kentucky State Highway Patrol who in turn reported that they were taking calls about something flying over Maysville, KentuckyMaysville, Kentucky
Maysville is a city in and the county seat of Mason County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,993 at the 2000 census, making it the fiftieth largest city in Kentucky by population. Maysville is on the Ohio River, northeast of Lexington. It is the principal city of the Maysville...
. The information was brought to the attention of the base operations officer, the intelligence officer and the base commander Guy F. Hix. None was able to identify the object.
With the unidentified object still visible, Captain Mantell, was asked if he would investigate. Mantell replied he would attempt to intercept and began a spiraling, climbing turn to 220 degrees and 15,000 feet. He later reported that the object was "metallic and it is tremendous in size". With the object still above him, he reported he would continue to climb. Further radio and visual contact with Mantell was lost. Subsequent search revealed the remains of Mantell's aircraft, found scattered over about a half a mile near a farm close to Franklin, Kentucky.