Comments: Anyone out there remember a plane named South Sea Sinner. My dad was the pilot during the mid-1950s - John Mims. He is living in NOrth Carolina and would love contact from anyone that might remember the time there.

Keywords: South Sea Sinner B-29 Bomber

Jay Stanphill

Comments: I am looking for anyone who served with my Dad in Korea to talk to. Thanks.

Keywords: Stationed in Okinawa, 29 L

kadena in the 50s

Comments: was in the army 22nd aaa aw 40mm our tent and gun was right behind a hardstand next to the runway one good thing about those guys checking out mags those 18 foot blades kept the habus blown away every time a 29 came in for a crash landing we had to go up the hill any one around old enough to remember those days the open air theater 25 cents saw 29s crash on the run way and in the bay all the weather and antennas blew of the new controle tower the first typhoon where would i find an old map of kadena jim gropper ssgt usa ret

Keywords: kadena ab 1952-53

B29

Comments: MY UNCLE SERVED AS BOMBARDIER DURRING 44-45 HIS RANK WAS FIRST LT

LOOKING FOR PHOTOS OF THE PLANE

THANKS PHIL

Keywords: AC # 44-69856 19TH BG 20TH AF 93 SQUADRON

Comments: I'm assisting Jack McCawley in Pratt,Ks., on the B-29 All Veterans Memorial and trying to locate former crew members, my Dad, flew with in the 19th Bomb Group, 30th Bomb Sqdn Kadena AFB,OKINAWA Nov 1950 till May 1951. Dad was a navigator throughout 43 mission he flew. Some of the pilots names he flew with (last names are all I have) Mellon, Gauch, Sproul, Lockett, Bartol, and Hubbel. Should you have any info or leads please contact me soonest. Thank you.

Keywords: B-29 #44-61815 name B.U.B. , #44-61835 Dragon Lady, #44-87661 American Beauty

A war Story

Comments: response to message 31136 1/10/03 by Joe Larimore.. Following is the entire "A War Story". Have had it squirreled away in my photo album these many years. So true. Enjoy. WCB

A War Story

And so it came to pass, as the fourth hour before the dawn approacheth into the land of Kadena, a messenger goeth forth to the tents of the Birdmen and he speaketh onto each saying verily, “Arise and don thy garments and go thou to the gathering place, for the Master has decreed that it shall be thus”.

The Birdmen, awakening, mutter into their beards and revile the messenger, saying his mother hath not morals, and that his father knoweth him not. And they arise and seek out their socks and go forth to break bread, and one breaketh his hand on the bread.

Then they are gathered together into the sanctum of sanctums called briefing, and their voices are hushed, for they are in the presence of the Master, and disciples arise and speak to them telling of routes, altitudes and targets, for that is their manner of speaking. And at last the Master ariseth and saith unto them, “Yea verily, thou are indeed fortunate, for thine enimies are sorry put and do naught to oppose thee. Go ye forth therefor and gird thyself for battle and let him who would abort beware, for my wrath is great.”

And the Birdmen whisper one to another, “Yea, this is a day of many tribulat- ions, for the Master returneth to his sack and goest not amongst us.” And they answer, “Yea, verily, it is so.”

Then the Birdmen go to prepare the rituals, and gird their loins for battle and some are beset by trembling and redness of eye, for they have partaken too much of wine, and they go onto their friends and speak unto them, saying, “Yea , many times thou hast been as a brother to me, and I to you. Will thou therefor take my place in battle this day, for I am indeed overtaken by illness.” And their friends answereth, “Thou soundest faint and I can not hear thee, go thou and disturb not my meditations.” And they go.

And they go once more to the birds of iron, and there arises a great clamor as they make ready to go forth, and the great birds are risen into the air, all save one who aborteth for lack of boost, and the Master curseth him saying, “Thou shalt know the full measure of my wrath.”

And the Birdmen proceed unto the land of darkness, even to the doorway of the evil one called Joe.

Then the skies became darkened with mist and the Birdmen strayeth from one another and miss their turning points and are lost. And they find not their targets, and great are their trepidations, and the Birdmen cry unto one another saying, “Slingshot one come unto me for I am set upon by bandits and my prop runneth

away.” And Slingshot one replieth, “Verily, thou shouldest drop dead, for mine wings are heavy with ice and the flak hath found me.”

And some falleth unto the land of darkness, while one and another scurrieth away like mice, and salvoeth their bombs into the sea and returneth home empty-handed.

And the Master gathereth them together and speaketh unto them of the bad show, and of many practice missions, and of frozen promotions, and giveth them hell in general.

So be it----------Amen

By M/Sgt James O’Archerd

Keywords: Grd crew on Razenhell at start of war

A war Story

Comments:

Keywords:

With the Grace of God, I still walk the Earth.

Comments: Served as an AFSC 90150 Senior Aero Medical Specialist. As we all were at this period of time [SEP 51 - OCT 53] multi task designated (did many other things than the job description [as in the Black Sheep]). I never did so many different and interesting things in my life. From minor surgery, power generator operations, road building, crash response crew, S-2 debriefing. Gads, I did'nt want to leave the place.

Dr. Alfred E. Leiser [MAJ USAF](then) is still alive. He was our Flight Surgeon from Madison, Wisc., along with Harold I. Daily {CPT) from Houston, TX. Al is living in Houston. For those who want I can provide his email address.

I don't know about this "follow me jeep," "runway fire pot," deal I've read here........, never saw such during my tour of duty. Our dispensary was situated between the 19th BG and 307thBW intersecting taxiways. I pulled many a 32 hour shift, plus crash station standy, and tower visits. Never witnessed this "jeep-fire pot bit."

No, we did not have taxi-way lights, but they were well marked [painted] as were the revetments. At mission start, the ground crews would aid in guidance out to the taxi-way center line when given position instructions via radio.

Keep the speed up, and stay out of the trees.

"The 2," CML/ASMEL/INST/AGI/CFI [age 71]

Keywords: "Sempre Paradus" we were always prepared. My nikname by the Ryukus was ADABOO [flaming red hair].

Earl McGill

Comments: Hi, I'm trying to contact Earl McGill, but the e-mail address from his site keep bouncing. Does anyone have a current address?

Thanx

Keywords:

Con Foley Poynor

Comments: Any info appreciated.

Keywords: Black Tuesday. Bombadier on B29. Capt. Krumms crew. Shot down by Migs on bomb run. MIA. any info appreciated 307 bomb wing. One of 9 bombers to take off from Okinawa. lst Lt. from Texas.

20th AF, 19th BG, 28th BS

Comments:

Keywords:

follow me jeeps

Comments: i operated the follow me jeep that led the lead B-29 to the active runway. At that time, 1952-1953 we didn't have runway/taxiway light and had to light up the flame bowls along the active runway, I was assigned to the 19th AB Squadron.

Keywords:

B-29 TOP GUNNER '52-'52 19TH BOMB GROUP, 93RD BOMB SQ.

Comments: On Oct 31,1952 we flew A/c 61751 Lubricating Lady. On our 4th combat mission we lost 3 engines and didched 9 miles NW of Kadena Air Base. Only 3 survivers: Lt James Knox (Bomb.) Ebby Le Master (Radio Operator) and me, the Top Gunner.

Suprisingly, we were all in the forward section of the aircraft, Yet the Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Eng. were lost.

No one in the aft section survived. The right gunner Don Wilson, survived the ditching and pulled me and the radio operator out through the astrodome, but was never found. He saved our lives.

Chuck Rees

Keywords: B-29 top gunner Sept '52 to Mar.'53 Flew night combat missions to N Korea. Capt Harvey was the A/Ccommander. Our crew # R78-AO. Flew A/C #6446. Have no idea what ever happened to it.

Had no nose art at that time. Any Info??

Comments:

Keywords:

Kadena Tid bits

Comments: Here's my Dad's service info:

Joe Larimore 19th Bomb Wing, 30th bomb Sqdn. May to Dec. 1951 Kadena AF base, Okinawa

307th bomb wing, squadron forgotten May to Dec. 1953 Kadena

Following are a few tid bits he wrote about Korea but first let me apologize for typing his first name, Charley, with an "ie" in my last post. Sorry Dad.

****** A field rat had taken up residence in one of the B-29's (Blue Tail Fly?) All efforts to dislodge him, including depressurization at high altitude, had failed until finally he had completed more than seventy missions. On one occasion, the rat jumped from the forward end of the tunnel onto the radio operator's table, which prompted Jose Gonzales to take a lusty swing at him with a crash axe. No harm to the rat, but Jose destroyed some of his radio equipment. The rat seemed to subsist on C-ration scraps, but eventually he came out seeking food and was killed. Personally, I thought he deserved better.

************* The funniest war-story I heard was war-story #43 which went like this: "There I was at forty thousand feet, flying upside down and had fallen out of the cockpit, hanging only by my prepuce, when along came this craaaazy Rabbi."

*********** While serving with the 19th Bomb Wing in 1951, one piece of literature, which made the rounds, started off like this: Twas the fourth hour before the dawn approached the land of Kadens, a messenger goeth forth to the tents of the birdmen and awaken them saying, "Verily, I say unto thee, arise and don thy garments, for the master has decreed that it shall be thus." And the birdmen, awakening, revileth the messenger, saying that his mother hath not morals and that his father never knew him. The birdmen then goeth forth to break bread, and one breaketh his hand on the bread. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I've forgotten the rest of that story.

Joe Larimore

Keywords: 19th Bomb Wing, 30th bomb Squadron, 1951, Kadena, Okinawa, 307th bomb wing, 1953

BUB

Comments: Hello,

My father, Charlie Joe Larimore served as a tail gunner on BUB during the Korean War. Are there any former crew members reading this web page? I thought the old fella might get a kick out of hearing from an old friend.

Thanks,

Harmon Larimore

Keywords: BUB

19th Bomb Group, 30th Squadron

Comments: We just received several photos that my father-inlaw, Edgar Eugene "Gene" Parr took while in Korea. Most are not labeled, but several are. We have photos of the following fellow serviceman: Alderman, Henry Bodlovich, Mike Bowen, Larry Brand, Herman Burns, Jim Cover, Bob "Noo" Henry, SGT. Thomas, of New Mexico Holmes, Jim Miller, Lenord Pellegrini, Joe "N.Y." Phelps, Hollis D. Powell, Buren Shop Chief Rogers, Len Sabo, Bill Shultz, Bill, from Wisconsin Swanson, CAPT. Dustin Turrisi, Anthon, Radar Shop UNKNOWN, Buddy Vanderburg, UNKNOWN Vogle, Dale Yancey, Lloyd

We also have photo's of several planes, many of them were shot down. We would be happy to send copies to the families of these men.

Tari & Randy Parr ILMasterGardener@aol.com

Keywords: PHOTOS FROM KOREA

Fallen Firefighters from Okinawa

Comments: I am trying to locate any information on a crash of a B-29 that went off the China Sea end of the runway here at Kadena AB around 1950. Fire crews responded to the incident and two firefighters were killed when the aircraft exploded. I am trying to confirm the names of the firefighters killed as a JD Patterson and the other being Morrison. Any information about these two firefighters would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to honor them on the Air Force Fire Academy Memorial to Fallen Firefighters at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Hopefully someone knows about this incident and can lead me to finding the information about these two brave firefighters. MSgt Tom Schipper AF Firefighter

Keywords:

JR Head

Comments: Sir, I am building a small memorial for my deceased grandfather who served with the 19th Bomb Group on a gunship as a gunner. He served from 1949-1951 His service number is: AF16317571. His name: Jasper R. Head "JR"

Information that would be useful is: What type of aircraft was he assigned to? What was the Korean Campain medal that he would have recieved? Actually, any information would be very useful to me.

Thank you in advance Respectfully,

Keywords:

Jasper Head

Comments: Looking for information on the 19th. My Grandfather, JR Head, served from 49-51 during the Korean War. He served AF as a Tail Gunner shot down in Korea. He was recovered. I also need to know, "what was the unit citation awarded to the 19th during the war?"

Keywords:

Info Wanted - Starduster crew

Comments: Looking for information on the crew of Star Duster, 44-69818. My father, Captain Robert McCauley, was the pilot of the ship from December 1951 to September 1952. Would like to have info on missions, crew members and final fate of Star Duster.

My father, after his combat tour, flew amphibians, specifically the Albatross. The plan was to use these aircraft to supply outlying islands. Any info out there about these aircraft and their mission?

Keywords: Star Duster, 44-69818, 28th BS, 19th BG

Yokota B-29 Crash, 18 nov 1951

Comments: Searching for any and all information about details of a B-29 crash/fire at Yokota AB, Japan 18 Nov 1951. 10 firefighters from the Yokota AB Fire Department were killed fighting that aircraft fire. 3 Airmen and 7 Japanese nationals. I am compileing a much more detail history of this event. I am the current Fire Chief at Yokota. Any comments, tought, or suggestions as to seeking more details of this event would be appriciated.

Mark S. Lawler

Keywords: Crash Crew, B-29 Crash,

Book on B-29s in Korea

Comments: I am writing a history of B-29 operations in Korea, to be published next year by Osprey. The book will be a companion volume to my title on the B-29 in World War II, which is being published later this year. I need to hear from anyone who can help with personal recollections, documents, and especially the loan of photos.

One purpose of this book will be to recognize every unit involved in B-29 operations in Korea. To achieve this, I need your help. If you have photos to lend, I will treat them with great respect. Please note, however, that I am looking for the loan of real photos: I can't use digital images.

Best wishes,

Bob Dorr

Robert F. Dorr 3411 Valewood Drive Oakton VA 22124 tel. (703) 264-8950 fax (703) 264-1295 robertd

Keywords:

Martin J. Buck, 28th bomb sq, 19th bomb gp

Comments: Hi, in my message#64515 I realized I used the middle intial of my brother instead of my dad. My dad's name is Martin J. Buck. They have the same name except for the middle intial. Hope this is not confusing anyone. :) I believe I am at the beginning stages of having "senior moments" :) Anyway please check out my previous message for the details of my dad's tour of duty and if you can offer any info please contact me. Sincerely, Anna Batten

Keywords: some people called my dad "Marty" and some called him "Bucky" I am not sure he used either of these nicknames while in the Air Force.

Martin Buck

Comments: I am looking for information and crewmates of my dad Martin E. Buck. He was stationed at Kadena AFB, Okinawa from June 1950 - December 1951. He thinks that the above mentioned names is one of B-29's he was assigned to. I am trying to get together a memory book for him. Here in Philly on June 22, 2002 there will be a dedication ceremony for the new Korean War Memorial. We are attending with my dad as a family and then will return to my house for a Father's Day celebration. I would like to surprise him with any info, pictures or names of crewmates he could contact. He just recently in the last year started telling us (his kids) about his stay in Korea. I am so happy about this because we should know what he did there, who he knew so that we can pass the info onto future generations. Any info you can send me via email would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Sincerely, Daughter of a Korean War Vet. Anna Batten

Keywords: "Rough Roman"