Carlton Covey

Carlton was born September 15, 1919, in Easton, Maryland. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he was working for the town clerk of Easton when the war broke out. Carlton earned his student pilot certificate in 1940. With his prior flying experience, he chose the Army Air Corps.

Reported to 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore, MD on May 7, 1942 for destinations unknown. After thirty-six hours on a train, he arrived at Maxwell Field, AL for pre-flight with Squadron G, Group 12. During his pre-flight training, he found the time to marry Frances Marie Marshall. Primary was completed at Helena Aero Tech in Helena AR. For basic, it was back to Alabama at Gunther Field, Montgomery, AL. Carlton graduated with Class 43B at Marianna, FL February 16, 1943.

Was a flight instructor stateside until leaving for China in September 1944.

On December 20, 1944, Covey lead four P-51s on a skip bombing mission against shipping in Hong Kong Harbor. While over Kaitak Airdome, Covey radioed that he was hit in the coolant and was returning to base. Nothing further was heard from him and he is listed as MIA/KIA. (MACR 10739)

Finding of Death December 21, 1945. Covey's wife never remarried. She held out hope that he would walk through the front door.

His brother, Kenneth Covey, was a B-24 copilot in Europe with the 8th AF, 445th BG, 701st BS. His plane was shot down 24 Feb 1944 and he was POW until the war ended.

Photos and biography submitted by Lynda Marshall, niece of Carlton Covey