6/13/1946
2LT Benjamin G. Hussey was killed on 13 June 1946. 2LT Hussey was a student at the Eight Army Bomb Disposal School, Japan, during a final exam practical session. A team (Charlie 2) of a student officers and an enlisted man, under the supervision of an instructor, were rotating from problem to problem when they encountered a Japanese 81mm AA smoke high-explosive mortar projectile. The team tried to function the mortar by igniting the propellant with smokeless powder, but that attempt failed. The team then decided to blow-in-place (BIP) the mortar. The team prepared a demolition charge, placed it, and fired it. That action caused the parachutes and smoke canisters to be ejected where upon the smoke canisters ignited, and burned out. After a suitable waiting period, two other enlisted men approached and cut off the parachutes from the canister, carrying the canister back to a group of men watching. Evidently the canister still contained a charge of picric acid. Everyone examining it saw the potential danger and a small bit of “yellow cord” protruding from the charge. 2LT Hussey took the charge and said something to the effect, he would pull the cord. 2LT Hussey then turned away from the bystanders, effectively shielding most of them from the brunt of the blast. One witness actually saw him pull the cord and a second heard his words to that effect. When 2LT Hussey pulled the cord, the canister exploded. Two other officers and four enlisted men were injured. 2LT Hussey had arrived at the school a couple of weeks late and had missed the instruction on Japanese ordnance so he was unfamiliar with it. At the time of his death 2LT Hussey was assigned to the 711th Ordnance Maintenance Company, 11thAirborne Division. Medals: Army of Occupation – Far East Medal.
*This bio was researched and authored by SGM Mike R.Vining, USA (Retired). Please send any additional information and/or corrections to the author of this bio by email: sgmmvining@gmail.com. The EOD Warrior Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in bio.