In the rain and darkness of November 28, 1945, Military Air Transport Service (MAT) flight 115, carrying a total of twenty-four passengers and crew, winged its way toward McClellan Airfield. Aboard the flight where nineteen members of the Nisei Infantry unit known for its motto, “Go for Broke.” Most of those aboard were members of the battle-tested 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, that had become, for its size and length of service, the most highly decorated military unit in the history of American conflicts. These heroes, who had survived the rigors of brutal combat in Europe, were on their way home to celebrate with their families, the Christmas holidays and the end of WWII.

The flight originated in Tucson Arizona and had refueled at Palm Springs. It was piloted by U.S. Army Air Corps officers Lt. Jerry Cebe and Maj. Louis Martin -- co-pilot. The cockpit crew was assisted by Cpl. Paul Pitterle, Flight Clerk. During the flight, the reliable Douglas C-47, the workhorse of victory in Europe and Asia, had lost its radio compass – an instrument that would have guided the flight to its destination. In the rain and darkness, the flight was in serious trouble.

At 7:15 p.m., somewhere near Auburn California, Lt. Cebe, lost and disoriented and believing he was turning toward Sacramento, radioed his intent to the Air Controller at McClellen AFB. The Controller asked the pilot for his altitude. There was no response.

The aircraft, cruising at an estimated 120 mph, crashed on Baxter Ranch, just outside Auburn. Ranch employees, Joe C. Snyder and Jimmie Hubbard, raced to the crash scene to assist the victims and notify the Sheriff’s Office. By 8:00 p.m., deputies, fire-fighters and ambulances from DeWitt Hospital arrived. The bodies of the dead were recovered and the many injured transported to medical services. A happy homecoming ended in tragedy.