Carnell E. Booth: The brief time and tragic death of local hero

Note This column was commissioned by The Andalusia The Star News by Covington Veteran Foundation’s Operations Manager Robert Evers.

In November, the Covington Veterans Foundation will highlight the sacrifices of those who were part of Korea during Korean War. If you have someone who is a Korean War veteran or have any information regarding the services of an Korean War veteran we would be interested in hearing from you via covvets@gmail.com.

Carnell Edward Booth was born on the 13th of January 1933 from rural Castleberry (Conecuh County), Alabama to William Booth and Lucille Booth. Both parents died in his childhood, and he was then taken care of by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Beall as well as Aunts Sadie McClean and Susan Hanberry. His aunts worked for their company, the Alatex manufacturing plant located at Andalusia and Carnell as well as Joseph, his younger brother Joseph were enrolled in Andalusia City Schools.

In his time at high school, Carnell had become a outstanding athlete and an influential leader at Andalusia High School, where he graduated with his class in 1951. His list of accomplishments from his yearbook mentions the Vice-President and President of the D.O. (Diversified Occupations) Club, Vice President of the Key Club as well as an active part of the Glee Club.

Booth was an all-time member of the “A” Club. He played baseball, football and basketball. He was the quarterback of the team as well as Co-Captain for the 1950 Bulldogs football squad. He was named All-State Honorable Mention for the year, too.

After graduating, Carnell enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank in Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class (AO/3). Carnell was assigned to Flight Aircraft Service Squadron 11 (FASRON 11) located at Atsugi, Japan. At around midnight on the 16th of October 1952 Booth was a member of the crew on board A C-46 Commando cargo plane in a routine delivery between Kangnung, South Korea to Pohang Air Base, South Korea. Just after taking off, the plane went into the Sea of Japan killing all 4 crew members as well as 21 passengers who were aboard. After a long and thorough search just four bodies were ever found. Booth’s name is one of more than 8,000 names on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii remembering those who went missing during the Korean War in Korea.

In his death notice, Carnell Booth was remembered as a lively red-headed young man who was loved by his family, relatives and friends. A memorial plaque was dedicated to him at the Brushy Creek Cemetery, which is located in the rural Conecuh County.

Information Sources: National Archives, Andalusia Star-News Andalusia High School Memoria

The article Carnell E. Booth: The short life and death of a local hero was originally published in The Andalusia Star-News.