The Battle of Alcatraz in 1946 remains the most extreme and violent escape attempt. Maybe for any prison in the United States. This is the crazy story from beginning to failure, to violence.
And a hero … the man you’d least expect!
by Ghost Guide Daniel
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BEGINNING | FAILURE | VIOLENCE | SUPER BIRDMAN
Ghost Guide Daniel Podcast episode on the Battle (see below for Article Read)
Battle of Alcatraz Begins
In 1946, six inmates began a most violent and disruptive escape attempt. Maybe in any prison in American history.
They were…
- Bernard Coy
- Marvin Hubbard
- Joseph Cretzer
- Sam Shockley
- Miran Thompson
- Clarence Carnes
Who created chaos for two full days at Alcatraz Prison.
It began with a timed distraction by Hubbard. With a Guard named Miller. While he watched over Inmate Coy as he swept C Block.
When Hubbard called Miller over to ask for entry, Coy saw his chance. Ran over and attacked the Guard from behind, bringing him to the ground.
Hubbard and Coy then freed Cretzer and Carnes.
Getting the Weapons
They pulled out a homemade bar-spreader created from toilet fixtures.
Coy, the smallest, took off his clothes and greased himself up. Sliding through the bars and climbing to the West Gun Gallery.
Cretzer and Carnes yelled up to the Gallery Guard to distract him. As Coy slid in and jumped the Guard from behind, knocking him out.
Collected all the weapons including…
- A gun
- Rifle
- Some gas grenades
Which Coy passed down to from the tower to the others.
The Inmates moved into D Block. Where they seized another Guard and used his keys to release 12 more Inmates.
This included the last two for the gang, Shockley and Thompson.
The other Inmates refused! Stayed in their cells after seeing the futility of the escape. They wanted to stay alive.
Plan Starts to Fail
Their plan … take the Guards hostage. Use them as human shields and make their way down to the island’s main dock. Where the prisoner boat docked every day.
Hiding behind the hostage Guards until taking control of the boat. Then speed away from Alcatraz Island. To a safe distance from guns. And throw the Guards over into the waters.
However, the plan failed. All thanks to the actions of the first Guard, William Miller.
They kept him inside a cell with other Guards. Miller knew he had the only outside access keys. And he hid them behind the toilet.
A simple yet critical decision. Ultimately sealed the fate of the Inmates.
It Turns Violent
The nine hostage Guards locked inside two cells as alarms sounded.
This spooked Coy who pointed the rifle out the window and fired at a watchtower Guard. Shockingly, Coy’s aim was good. He hit and wounded one of them.
After hearing the gunfire, the Associate Warden rushed towards the Cell Block. Coy turned the rifle and shot at him.
Cretzer was a timid one. He freaked out! Grabbed the gun and pointed into the cells filled with nine hostage Guards. But couldn’t pull the trigger.
Like devils, Shockley and Thompson got behind Cretzer and talked him into firing. “Leave no witnesses”, “… they can’t turn against us”.
That was enough. Cretzer fired crazily into both cells hitting five of the nine Guards.
Miraculously, only one guard, Miller, died due to the wounds. All the rest survived.
The Marines Arrive
The carnage inside Alcatraz alerted the Marines. Called in to help get control.
They closed quickly on the building with Guards at their side. An assault on Cellblock D began with a unfortunate casualty.
Do you remember Harold Stites? If not, please READ MAIN ALCATRAZ ARTICLE, which includes a 1938 Escape Attempt.
Stites was the Guard who stopped that escape, killing one of the three Inmates.
Not lucky enough to be a hero this time. However, don’t think this is Karma or revenge from an Inmate.
It’s believed Stites was hit by friendly fire. Either from a Marine or Guard.
Either way, the stray bullet hit him. And Stites yelled out, “… I’m hit!” As a Guard grabbed and dragged his limp body into a Gun Gallery. Dropping Stites on the couch.
They yelled for a doctor, but it was too late. Stites was dead.
He was the first fatality of the Battle of Alcatraz. That’s because Guard Miller, who was shot in the cell, didn’t die until after the Battle.
Trying to Take the Cell Block
The Guards tried a second attack. But one was shot in the shoulder causing them to retreat.
Then bombs flew! Not wanting to risk their men, the Marines shot bombs into the cellblock.
This caused Coy, Cretzer and Hubbard to retreat into a corridor, as the block filled with smoke.
Marines used the confusion to sneak up to the roof. Drilled holes and dropped live grenades down on ropes, detonating randomly through the space.
At the same time, they shot through the holes, while dropping mortars and teargas.
All Inmates hid in their cells behind mattresses, just trying to survive.
Birdman of Alcatraz to the Rescue
Amidst the chaos, a surprising hero emerged. Robert Stroud, also known as the Birdman of Alcatraz! Same guy Burt Lancaster played in the movie.
Like a superhero, he climbed over a railing and dropped down into the cellblock. Ran over and pushed closed the steel doors. This blocked off explosions and protected innocent inmates caught in the crossfire.
Stroud yelled up to a lead Guard he knew, “… there are no guns down here!” Then pointed out the corridor where Coy, Cretzer, and Hubbard ran.
It’s believed this one brave act saved many lives. Something for which Stroud was remembered and beloved.
Deaths from the Battle
Stroud’s action was the beginning of the end for the Battle of Alcatraz. Two days of violence started to calm.
Coy, Cretzer, and Hubbard were all found dead.
Bernard Coy, the “mastermind” who started it all, was discovered wearing a Guard’s uniform. His final plan … blend in and sneak away.
All said and done, the Battle of Alcatraz caused five deaths.
The two Guards were William Miller, the original Guard who was taken hostage. Same man who hid the key, locking the escapees in the cell bock.
Sadly, took the worst of it when Cretzer shot into the cell.
And Harold Stites, the 1938 hero who took friendly fire.
Along with the three Inmates who started it all. Coy, Cretzer, and Hubbard.
Thompson and Shockley were recaptured. Eventually transferred to San Quentin in California. In 1948, they were executed in the Gas Chamber, one after the other. Mostly due to the murder of Guard Miller.
The last inmate was Clarence Carnes. The least involved of the group. He received a new 99-year sentence. During which time he was paroled twice.
But like Brooks from the movie Shawshank Redemption, Carnes failed reintegrate into society. He committed crimes to be sent back to prison.
Eventually died in 1988 from AIDS-related complications at the age of 61-years-old.
A Strange Twist for Carnes
Ever heard of Whitey Bulger? He was an Irish Mob Boss from Boston. One of his first incarcerations was for a bank robbery in the 1950s.
This led to him being transferred to Alcatraz. Where he met the infamous, only survivor, of the Battle of Alcatraz … Clarence Carnes.
They became friends!
After Carnes’ death and burial in 1988. Whitey Bulger had the body dug up. Then placed in a $4,000 bronze casket. Carnes was reburied at Billy Cemetery in Daisy, Oklahoma.
A strange act of kindness from Bulger. A man believed to be a mass murderer. And a testament to an unlikely friendship formed at Alcatraz Prison.
Lasting Legacy
The memory of the Battle of Alcatraz remains to this day. Right up to the closing of the prison in 1963. And even today during the many tours done throughout the building.
The walls of Alcatraz still bear the scars of the Battle. Bullet holes left as a grim testament to the brazen actions of those Inmates. And the great sacrifice of the Guards.
This has been the crazy Battle of Alcatraz Prison. Please check out the companion articles …