A large part of the estimated 20 million
dollars damage in the Lawton-Ft. Benning area came in the destruction
of eight huge C119 "Flying Boxcar" planes. These 35-ton craft
were upended and tumbled about and two of them were driven intro
a parking area where 10 of the 13 gasoline trucks were smashed by
the wind-driven planes.
Other major damage in the military area included destruction of a 250-foot
paratroop jump training tower at Ft. Benning and the partial destruction
of a new $500,000 school and the main post weapons pool building
at Benning..
[Source: The Oneonta Star, Oneonta NY, Monday,
March 15, 1954, Page 1]
Jumpmaster Note: The $20 million dollar cost adjusted
for valuation in 2017 would be approximately $182 million dollars!
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