The New York herald., 1922-02-23
Lieut.. William E. Riley
Was Graduate of Yale and
Served in War.
HE LIVED IN CONNECTICUT
Capt. Frederick J. Durschmidt
Was West Point Graduate
in Glass of 1913.

The disaster to the Roma brought
sorrow to many persons living in and
around New York, for several of the
airship's crew Lad relatives or friends
here
Sergeant William Joseph Ryan was
mourned by his mother father and
seven brothers and sisters at their
home at $50 Conover street. Brooklyn.
He was the Oldest of the family and
was expected home within few
months, as his enlistment was draw
ing to a close. A telegram from the
army officers at Langley Field was
received which read as follows:
We regret to advise that your son
met his death as result of an acci-
dent to the dirigible Roma. Please
advise whether you desire us TO ship
his body to you at TIE Governments
expense.
Mrs. Ryan expressed hope that the
army authorities might have made a
mistake. but his father was convinced
of his death. The young man was p
years old, and was brought to this
country from ireland when he was a
few months old. When he was is he
joined the All Service at Mitchell Field
and was promoted to the rank of SER
geant. He had been working on the
Roma ever since her first flight In
this country.
Troubles of Ryan Family.
The Ryan family has had long run
of misfortune lately. as three OF the
children have just had pneumonia, an
other measles, a fifth appendicitis and
sixth was run over by an automobile
Although James Murray. another vic
tim. had only the rank of Master Ser
geant, he won commission as Major
in the aviation service during the war
and served abroad for two years. He
left no relatives. but when on leave
made his home with Charles Ellis and
his family at 700 Greenwich street.
Master Sergeant Murray was born In
England, but came here before the
Spanish war. He joined the
regulars here and served in the Sixth
Cavalry the Twenty-third Infantry and
the Forty-ninth Coast Artillery before
going into the aviation service.
The wife of First Lieut.. William T..
Riley, another victim, was formerly
Miss Mildred Harschar Of 526 East
Eighty-sixth street Her parents, a sis
ter and two brothers left yesterday to
go to Aberdeen. Nd. where Mrs, Riley
and her five weeks old baby are living.
Lieut.. Riley. a resident of Stamford.
Conn. was ovorjoyed when he receive
an order n month ago to join the Roma.
A detail of officers from the Aberdeen
proving grounds will go to Stamford
on Sunday to attend the funeral Of the
young man at st. Johns Catholic
Church.
studied at Yale.
The Lieutenant was % years old.
When a boy he spent six years abroad
for his health and then returned to
attend the Sheffield Scientific School OF
Yale. He was a member of the class
Of 1920 when in 1917 he left college to
Join the Yale balloon battalion. After
his discharge at the end of the war he
again Joined the aviation service and
was sent to the Aberdeen proving
grounds. whence he was transferred to
duty with the Roma. In addition TO
his wife and baby he leaves a brother,
Walter, of Stamford and a sister. Mrs.
John Lord, also OF Stamford.
Max Durschmidt OF Derby. Conn.
was informed yesterday by telegraph
from Washington that his son. Capt.
Frederick J. Durschmidt, was killed on
the Roma. and that the body was being
sent 10 Derby for burial. Capt. Dur
schmidt. 27, was a graduate OF West
Point OF the class of 1918.
Staff Sergeant Edward Schumacher.
20. was born In Long Branch and lived
there all his life until he entered the
army thirteen years ago. He was mar
red. but was separated from his wife.
lie had one daughter about IL years
old. who survives him. News of his
death was received by Mrs. Sarah Van
Ness, a cousin. OF Red Bank, N. J. His
body will be sent TO Red Bank.