Parting Shot

The remains of Dixie Kiefer’s plane that crashed on Mount Beacon in 1946.

Photo by David Rocco

November 11, 1945, was a rainy day in the Hudson Valley. Low cloud cover and fog blanketed the Hudson Highlands. That day, Captain Dixie Kiefer, a veteran of both world wars, was flying back to the naval air station he commanded in Rhode Island from New Jersey. The pilot of the airplane carrying Kiefer and five other servicemen tried to fly under the cloud cover and crashed the Navy transport plane 1,100 feet up Mount Beacon. There were no survivors.

It was a tragic and ironic end for Kiefer, whom Naval Secretary James V. Forrestal had dubbed “the indestructible man” for the injuries he suffered in combat with Japanese forces in the Pacific, including at the battles of Midway and the Coral Sea. Kiefer received the Distinguished Service Medal for Coral Sea and the Navy Cross for Midway. 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. It is also the 75th anniversary of the crash that took the life of Kiefer and five others on Mount Beacon. This was actually the second deadly plane crash to take place on Mount Beacon. On September 14, 1935, two Navy reservists lost their lives in a crash. These veterans’ lives are memorialized in two historic markers, one placed at each crash site, and a granite wall plaque at the Town of Fishkill’s Veterans Park. On Saturday, November 7, at 10:30am, a ceremony will be held at the Town of Fishkill’s Veterans Park to honor these eight men.

In April of next year, Stackpole Books will reissue Don Keith and David Rocco’s The Indestructible Man: The True Story of World War II Hero Captain Dixie, which tells the story of one of the best-known figures of the war. —Brian K. Mahoney

When the outside world gets crazy, our homes are our sanctuary.

(Some literally so.)

We’re very proud to announce our new Kingston office. (Hyper-local means hyper-effective.)

89 Broadway Historic Rondout Waterfront District Kingston NY 12401

t: 845.331.3100

The Jacob Dunham House $834,000 Majestic hilltop setting & Catskill Mnt. views. Elegant privacy landscaping reminiscent of English gardens. Original house was built in 1790 by Jacob Dunham, a privateer who sailed the Hudson River and the high seas, by commission for private commercial ship owners. 1895 Greek Revival style addition. Gloriously restored by renowned designer, 3 BR/3 BA, 4 FPs. Original details abound in this lovely center hall, each room is light, airy and roomy. Wide formal entrance, bright chef’s kitchen with original 1790 fireplace and large pantry, formal living and dining rooms. On the second floor there are three bedrooms, including a master suite with large dressing room. Walk to Village of Catskill. ❚ Pamela Belfor 917.734.7142

Hudson River Retreat $595,000

Rare opportunity to live right on the Hudson River with views that go on, and on, and on. Built in 1900 and recently updated, the 3 BR/2 BA cottage in Catskill is a sophisticated home giving the feeling of living on a house boat. The open kitchen has new stainless appliances. The living room, dining room, all have wide board chestnut floors. The main floor bedroom/office with its own bath and laundry are all warmed by a lovely enameled pellet stove. On the second floor there is a generous master suite with sitting area and new bathroom with spa shower. The guest bedroom has a lovely balcony facing the river, historic Olana, and the Rip Van Winkle bridge. The stone patio, lawn and garden sit behind protective retaining walls. Launch your kayak from your very own beach. ❚ Harriet Shur 518.965.2144

Gracious Rhinebeck Village $1,800,000

Completely renovated w/ preserved original architectural features, oak floors, generous moldings & oak staircase. Center hall, chef’s kitchen. Dining & living rooms share double-sided FP. Music room, lower level family room, guest bedroom and full bath. Second master suite. The top floor is one large open room with soaring ceiling—perfect for a writing space or home office. 4 BR/3.5 BA. Outside, the carriage house has upstairs guest quarters, and the yard has the beginnings of a big beautiful vegetable garden, with enough space to add a pool and all kinds of outdoor activities. Walk to Rhinebeck Village. ❚ Alison Vaccarino 845.233.1433 ❚ Cynthia Fennell 914.409.5144

23 Fitch Street $1,380,000 Striking 1884 Gothic church overlooking the Rondout Creek, neighboring the historic Rondout. Large main floor with exposed stone walls & lights from the Russian Tea Room, combo kitchen, dining & living space with adjacent private BR suite. Large original nave with stained glass, Venetian plaster, vaulted ceiling. 2 rooms can be converted to BRs. Major renovation, new heating & plumbing, electric, windows, and standing-seam metal roof, custom copper & French gutters. Plenty of parking on a large double lot. ❚ Tracy Dober 845.399.6715 ❚ Adelia Geiger 845.216.0218

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