My uncle, Anton JANUSCHEITIS, was the gunner and crew chief on a Navy Avenger torpedo bomber. He was stationed at the Jacksonville NAS, but could have been at one of the satellite stations that made-up the Jacksonville NAS area. He was killed in an airplane crash on 18 Oct 1944 that occurred "approximately 8 miles west of Fellsmere, Fla in rural Indian River County." I am trying to find any and all information related to this event. The Navy cannot find records related to this crash. Interestingly, the next day NAS Jacksonville hosted about 1,700 people taking refuge from a large hurricane that struck that area on 19 Oct 1944. I am speculating that weather may have played a role in the crash and/or possibly a new spotlight training course that just opened for training on 8 Oct 1944. He had been in the Navy since early 1942, and had already served in the Aleutians for a couple years before being transferred to Florida to train new personnel.

Any and all information or leads would be greatly appreciated.