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ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH WEST POINT in 1951, whether cadet, graduate or waiter in the mess hall, remembers where he or she was when hearing the news that an Air Force C-47 had crashed into an Arizona mountain on 30 Dec 1951. We knew instantly that a lot of cadets had died, but it took time to learn that the number was 19. It took more time to learn the names and class years of the fallen cadets. We in the Class of ’54 learned that 11 of the 19 were our classmates and that we yearlings in Company G-2 had lost one of our best — Maurice Joseph Mastelotto. Despite the moving memorial service for all 19 cadets at the Post Cemetery, it took a while for us to come to terms with our loss.
We had known Maurice, “Maury” to us, for about a year and a half — long enough to realize what a gifted and decent guy he was. Looking back, we are even more keenly aware of Maury’s youth and promise. We are lucky to have the assistance of contemporary family members with keen memories of growing up with Maury.
Maurice Joseph Mastelotto was born in Chico, CA, to a family of Swiss-Italian heritage. His family and hometown friends called him “Morse.” His grandfather had journeyed to America in the 1890s and prepared a place in Northern California for his sons, Mose and Joe, and daughters, Antoinetta and Nilda. Maurice’s father, Joe, married Margie Hayes, and they had three children — Virgil (who later served as a tailgunner in World War II), Virginia, and Maurice. Sadly, their mother Margie died when Maurice was only three years old.
After his mother passed away, Maurice lived with his maternal grandmother, Alice Hayes, until he was seven years old. He then lived with his married sister Virginia and attended Verdi Grammar school for two years. His dad then placed Maurice with Maurice’s Uncle Mose, his wife and their seven sons. These seven cousins quickly became like brothers to Maurice. Maurice was bright, liked to read, and was capable, in a quiet sort of way. The eight “brothers” slept in a dormitory room, and Morse read a story out loud to them before bedtime each evening.
When Maurice was eleven, his father remarried, and Mildred Brooke Mastelotto became a devoted stepmother to Morse. She recognized his intelligence and good temperament and made their house a good home in which to grow up. Maurice’s grades were good, and he spent his summers outdoors, working for his dad’s and uncle’s lumber business. Maurice worked as a “choke setter” — one of the workers who chained the logs to horses or tractors to be dragged to waiting railway cars or truck beds.
Maurice’s stepmother was the superintendent of the local school district, and her love for Morse and faith in his potential became pivotal in his life. She steered him to Chico State College, where he made the boxing team and prepped for an appointment to West Point.
Maurice was appointed to West Point by Congressman Hubert B. Scudder and entered in July 1950. Low key, steady, and bright, Maury made a positive impression on his G-2 classmates. We all liked and respected him. He made the Corps boxing team and played company football and water polo. He was happy to be a cadet and proud to be a West Pointer! He exhibited many qualities indicating that he would become an outstanding officer.
Days before Maury flew home for Christmas leave in yearling year, he wrote a letter to his older brother Virgil. Years later, the family found it. His nephew, Bud Mosconi, shared the letter with us:
Dear Virg,
Well, Big Buddy, I am almost on my way back to “God’s Country.” I leave here this coming Saturday afternoon if I don’t run into difficulties with the written General Reviews. I have a “good deal” for travel. A friend of mine is the son of the Commanding General of Hamilton Field, and he is sending his plane back here to pick us up. We will leave from Stewart Field right here on the reservation and head toward California as fast as that old C-47 can fly.
The next communication on this topic was issued by the Superintendent, USMA:
It is the sad duty of the Superintendent to announce the death of Cadet Maurice Joseph Mastelotto, a member of the Class of 1954, United States Corps of Cadets, whose death occurred in an aircraft accident in the State of Arizona on 30 December 1951. Cadet Mastelotto was a most popular and highly regarded member of his class. He at all times justified his appointment to the United States Military Academy and was in all respects a credit to the Corps of Cadets.
The Superintendent, personally and in behalf of the Corps of Cadets, the Officers and Enlisted Men of the United States Military Academy, desires to convey to the bereaved parents and relatives of Cadet Mastelotto, the sincere condolences of all at West Point who knew this splendid young gentleman. His regrettable and unfortunate demise is a very definite loss to this institution and to the United States Army.
F. A. Irving
Major General, USA
Superintendent
Maury, the Supe says it “good” for all of us family, friends and classmates who still miss you.
— G-2 classmates
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