[Perseverando]

"Pless died in a motorcycle accident on July 20, 1969, just over six months after receiving the nation's highest award for gallantry in action. While driving across a drawbridge which connected the city of Pensacola to Pensacola Beach, his motorcycle plunged off the end of the open bridge into the water. The center span of the bridge opened horizontally, and Pless did not realize it was open until it was too late. His body was recovered by divers seven hours later."

Thanks, for that info. I was told the story by a mutual friend of Major Pless's and Major Horace Higley “Buddy” Fleming III , USMC, KIA Vietnam at the home of Major Fleming's parents in Pensacola in late 1975 or early 1976.

Major Fleming was a 1st LT or Captain at the time of his death, and was listed as MIA for several years.

As I remember, all three were in flight school together at Pensacola where Major Fleming was raised.

Major Fleming's death was a tragedy, too. Here's the account of his death: "Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 2020."

FOLLOWING WEB SITE FOR COMPLETE STORY OF ACTION LEADING TO DEATH/MISSING IN ACTION:

[Perseverando]

As I remember, all three were in flight school together at Pensacola where Major Fleming was raised.

After reading your "Source" in post #9, I see that Major Pless attended flight school in 1959-1960, so it would have been impossible for Pless, Fleming and the third guy to have been in flight school together.

It was a long time ago, and apparently I am not remembering the whole story, including the part about Pless trying to "jump the draw bridge."