In an earlier post, it was mentioned that WECT TV Account Executive Jimmy Craig was the man who initially got the ball rolling to save the battleship.
Just one week before the North Carolina arrived in Wilmington, Craig boarded a plane along with photographer John MacNeill during the WECT Civil Air Patrol air show at the New Hanover County Airport. The plane crashed.
Both men were severely burned and transferred to the Army;s burn center in San Antonio, Texas. Three others on the plane died immediately.
Jimmy Craig died October 14, 1961, the same day the North Carolina welcomed its first visitors MacNeill died a month later.
Mr. Craig was buried with full military honors in Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery. He never lived to see his dream come true.
MacNeill was laid to rest in his hometown of Red Springs, North Carolina.
Sure Glad We Had Mr. Craig. --DaCoot
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