| Milton C. Pickens | |
|---|---|
Plaque commemorating Pickens's death on the site of his crash |
|
| Born | 1924 Houston, Texas |
| Died | May 26, 1944 Deerfield, Illinois |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1944 |
| Rank | Ensign |
Milton Chester Pickens (1924 - May 26, 1944) was a Naval Ensign during World War II. Originally from Houston, Texas, Pickens was based out of the Glenview Naval Air Base.
During a training flight on May 26, 1944, Pickens lost altitude above Deerfield and circled the village's downtown while trying to regain altitude. He crashed into the garden of Stanley Antes, who was working in the garden at the time. The plane buried itself six feet into the ground and Pickens was killed.[1] The site, at 914 Waukegan Road, is now the location of the Deerfield Public Library. A plaque commemorates Pickens's death.