Lt. Col. Thomas A Hudson Jr.

Comments: Lt. Col. Thomas A Hudson Jr.

During the Korean War he was Commanding Officer of the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying RF-51 aircraft.

In WWII he crashed his P-47D in France and was captured by the Germans and later escaped. In 2009 the French recovered his aircraft.

I was flying Starry Red three on a Dive Bombing Mission with Capt. HUDSON leading the flight. At 20:45 hours on the 10th August 1944, we encountered meager accurate heavy and intense accurate light flack near Vassy. Evasive action was taken by the entire flight but Capt. HUDSON must have taken a direct hit because the left side of his engine caught fire and he immediately bailed out. His parachute opened and I noticed him drifting down, with the wind blowing him southward over enemy lines.

Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Air Medal Purple Heart

In 1955 Hudson was flying to Germany and landed in Greenland to refuel when he slipped on the icy wing of his plane and fell to the tarmac hurting his back. By the time he reached Germany he was feeling ill but thought it was just a holdover from the flight. Finally he decided he was too ill and was hospitalized. He was bleeding internally and died a short time later. The Air Force determined his death was not service related so his widow and three young children received nothing.

Keywords: Kimpo 1952

45TH SQDN PATCHES IHAVE 3INCH PATCHES I HAD MADE FOR CAPS

Comments: i designed the sqdn patch and painted all the polka dots on the mstangs and acouple of replacemnt f80s left k14 around last of aug 52 i painted several mames on the planes such as my arline,tempe queen,tulie scotty & ?, rf 913 wasthe most photographed of all ihave several books of mustngs with rf913 pictured also col.hudson's plane was named my golden angel

Keywords: the polka dots

45TH SQDN PATCHES IHAVE 3INCH PATCHES I HAD MADE FOR CAPS

Comments: i designed the sqdn patch and painted all the polka dots on the mstangs and acouple of replacemnt f80s left k14 around last of aug 52 i painted several mames on the planes such as my arline,tempe queen,tulie scotty & ?, rf 913 wasthe most photographed of all ihave several books of mustngs with rf913 pictured also col.hudson's plane was named my golden angel

Keywords: the polka dots

Where is Rod Orall?

Comments: Rod - Get in touch !!!

Keywords: Pear shape Pete looking for Rod Orall . We were in the 45th also and stationed at Lockborn AFB,Columbus Ohio in 1956.

dont know much about it

Comments: CROSSED STELLAR TIME AND QUITE DEAD AND ALIVE AGOG . DEAD CAT WALKING AND STILL IN IN TIME

Keywords: EASTERN EUROPE. ALPHA AND OMEGA

OPSEC

Comments:

Keywords: please remember opsec when talking to individuals online about aircraft service or flight information

I flew with Frank at Luke AFB and with Frank in Korea. I would like to make cantact with his Family.

Comments: I was flying with Frank when he shot over 100% in air to air. I still have the news paper of his amazing feat. I flew several combat missions with Frank.

Keywords: Nitram, 45th , Polka Dots, Silvester.

Anyone remember Capt Frank M Ward?

Comments: We are looking for info for our family tree about Frank M. Ward of Columbus, Ohio. His last assignment was with the 45th Recon Squad. It ended with his being shot down over enemy territory. He was shot down near Kaesong. He was severely injured but rescued and airlifted to Japan. When he recovered, he was sent to Shaw Field in South Carolina. We suspect he may have been in another unit prior. We have info that he 'made a daring attack of the retreating enemy' and won the Distuinguished Flying Cross, with Oak Leaf Clusters. Like others, his records were lost in the fire and he is now deceased. Please contact me if you knew him. Thanks!

Keywords: MIG Alley, shot down and injured, airlifted to Japan, 1950-1951, flew in F-51's.

Nevada Air National Guard pilots in the 45th TRS

Comments: Hello I am looking for photos of any Nevada ANG pilot flying with the 45th TRS in Korea . Also looking for a real 45th Tac Recon Sq patch and a flight suit from that time frame . Thanks Neil

Keywords: Nevada Air National Guard NV ANG

Sylvester the Cat Patch

Comments: Hello. I have a new 45th TRS embroidered squadron patch left to me by my father, deceased 6/5/06. He flew RF-51s in Korea from Kimpo between November 1951 and February 1952. The patch is approximately 6.5 inches in diameter. It is an original patch and in excellent condition.

I have other memorabilia he left me. Is there some place I might contribute these items to that will ensure their preservation? I'm 53 and it's time to put these items where they might be appreciated by others.

Keywords:

1st Lt. Willis W.

Comments: First Lt. Willis W. (Bill) Thatcher was my father. He was lost on June 6, 1951, exactly one month after my second birthday, so I never knew him, except through photographs and the memories of my mother and grandmother. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who served with him in Korea who could tell me more about what my father was like as a person. It would be a wonderful gift. I thank you. Patricia Thatcher McDaniel

Keywords: First Lt. Willis W. (Bill) Thatcher, 45th Tactical Reconnaisance Squadron, USAF, 1950-1951, lost 6/6/1951. Aircraft hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Wonsan. Pilot F-51D. He was from Columbus, OH.

was there when it was deactivated in 71sent to 12 in da nang

Comments:

Keywords:

1st Lieutenant Frank R. Salazar

Comments: I am looking for anyone who knew my father or was a member of the 45 Tack. Recon. Sqd. at K-14 in 1952. I was only 5 yrs old when he was lost. I miss him dearly and would still like to know what he was like from anyone who knew him.

Keywords: 45th Tact. Recon. Sqd., K-14, 1952, Capt. Knowlton

Joe Musone et al

Comments: I remember Joe Musone. I did not really know him. I got to Kimpo in the fall of 53. I worked on engines for Leo B. Mcnulty, with Tracy, Reilly, Maldonado, Dougereau, et al. I remember Monson. We worked seven days, 7 to 5 daily each week. I have a yearbook from that era.

Best wishes to all. BOB

Keywords: kimpo 53-54

Lt. D.J. Chiovari - 1923 - 2006

Comments: Just taking a moment to honor the passing of my father. He was one of the first to arrive at Kimpo in 1951, flew 80 missions in the RF-51 and came home with many photos, memories and stories. He passed away on June 5, 2006.

One story he did tell me with much pride was when he obtained some material to make a scarf. It was blue with white polka dots. He then traced circles around a bottle cap on his white helmet and painted the background blue. This became an ensemble when he flew and it became popular in the squadron. Thus, the polka dots were born.

He was very proud of his flying heritage and his marker reads: "Major Dominick J. Chiovari. Husband and Pilot" He was also very proud to have known, flown and worked alongside all the people of the 45th TRS.

He left me with all his records, including 50+ years of flight logs, patches, awards, reunion information, photographic slides and some prints, and general chronology of his military career from 1943 to 1963.

Keywords:

Crew Chief RF-84F-51-1943

Comments: I joined the squdron on the day they celebrated one year in Japan,relocating from Korea. My tour was from 1956-1957. I was a crew chief on RF-84F-51-1943 as it was origionally called the "Hangar Qween", because it was a year old and only had 48 hours on it. I was always using my 9/16 inch adjustable rag to repair hydraulic leaks. Several years latter Col. Durbeck flew into Shaw AFB South Carolina and he had hydraulic boost failure. He was surprised to see me assigned to Transit Alert. Col. Durbeck's aircraft 51-1944 is currently in the Pima Air Museum south of Tucson, Arizona. My aircraft was later assigned to the Alabama Air Guard and crashed due to a mid-air collision.

Keywords: My friends and relatives call me Jack. I was known as the Grinning Greek, even though I'm half Serbian and half Italian.

45 TRS Det. 1

Comments: stationed at Tan Son Nhut Oct. '68 to '69 never knew the background of the unit. still looking for unit patch we had. hillbilly black cat in yellow background with green border and name polka dots. anyone know how to find one?

Keywords: ground crew on RF-101C tail number 176 "cathy's clown"

45th tac recon sqd. Sept.53-aug.54

Comments: woulld like to hear from any who thinks they remember me. I was in tent 36, four tents from the Sqd Hdqs. the sign on the tent read: "Kimpo Insane Aslymn "& had several names on it, Hal, Woody, Monson, Jarvis, (and two other names) I worked on the line and did a little of every thing. have several pictures and would love to share with anyone. Have pictures of Hal, Jarvis, Cortez,bob,willy, Jim Boutelle, mike (N.Y.)killer, Silio, Monson & Tex ( and others - unknown)

Keywords:

Still looking

Comments: After nearly 4 years of searching, I am as yet to receive my Dad's records/medals. Lloyd Willard Simpson was a Major and Mustang pilot. I have had asss't. from 3 very generous men who remember him but the Gov't. has absolutely no records of him. This is very disturbing to me on several levels. He is MY father, though I never met him, and this American history is of imminent import. To lose it is to forget it. Very bad thing. I have no further recourse and seem to be at a dead end. To all those who served...may God bles you all and keep you safe. To our gov't., shame on you. I served for USA with the UCMC in Vietnam and know the horrors of war. Thank you, William Earl Simpson

Keywords: Korea with 45th TRS

45 tac. recon sq.

Comments:

Keywords: polka dot sq.

Alive & Kicking! 45trs

Comments: Duck, Elliason, Higg, write to me if there is any info on an upcoming reunion.

I was in the 45th from 1950-1952. I am an ORIGINAL 45th tac recon from the day it was formed. Contact me at home @ 210-226-8072..

-Nicho Garcia

Ps. I was one of the Chosin few left behind when the 45th TRS evacuated when we got run over by China.

...and LT Mauro was the one who was shot 3 times in 4 days.

Keywords: Nicho, Pusan perimeter x3, Crew chief on 835, 45th since day 1, Friends: Higgs, Gracy, Hodges, Hunt, Duck, William Chamblian, Wesley T. Parks, SSGT Garcia .....TSGT MSGT 2nd LT Cooper.....

My P51's name... PISSONYOU!!!!

Looking for tail number - RF-51

Comments: November 1951 through July 1952 my father was a line pilot with the 45th. I have been researching the tail number of the plane he flew. He doesn't remember and the photos he took do not reveal any significant markings. He does remember that his crew chief was a Sgt Chestnut. Being a former crew chief myself (305th CSG - KC-135A), I remember all the tail numbers of the planes I crewed and even some of the tail numbers others crewed. I thought that perhaps someone might know Sgt Chestnut, the plane he crewed, or be able to contact him. Just a shot.

Keywords: K-14, late 1951 to mid 1952.

Capt. Charles J. Brown

Comments: I would love to hear from anyone who knew my uncle, Charles Brown (Brownie). He flew RF-51's out of Taegu, was shot down during a photo recon sortie, and declared KIA. I never met the man, and really wish I'd had the chance.

Thanks..

p. whited columbus, ohio

Keywords: Taegu, RF-51 45th TRS

Capt. Oliver Eugene Holland

Comments: Trying to obtain historical info on my uncle Capt. Oliver Holland. He served in Korea from 1950 to 1953. He flew the P-51. Can anyone help?

Keywords: 45Th Tactical Recon Squadron