WENHOLD, WARREN

The Navy Hospital, Santa Margarita Ranch, reported Tuesday that the five persons injured in an early Saturday morning automobile accident at Camp Pendleton are in a much improved condition.

Of the five injured the only one remaining on the serious list is Mrs. Barbara Hotchkiss, wife of Chief Warrant Officer Herbert Hotchkiss, who is suffering from a fractured skull. Chief Warrant Officer Hotchkiss is now reported out of danger and doing well.

Marine 1st Lieutenant Chester V. Farmer is expected to be released shortly. Navy nurse Lieutenant (jg) Mary C. Patrick is being held for treatment for shock but she has been removed from the serious list.

The accident in which the five persons were injured occurred at 0100, 14 December [1946] on the main highway of camp near the 24 area. Two cars in which the five were riding collided head-on in a heavy fog which had reduced visibility to zero.

Two other occupants of the cars were killed in the crash. Dead are: Lt. Comdr. Doris M. Taylor, 38, a Navy nurse attached to the Santa Margarita Hospital, and Master Sergeant Warren Wenhold, 42, stationed at CamPen.