VF-884 Fighter Squadron

Unit Casualty List By Last Name

Unit Casualty List By Date

Navy BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Mike O'Connor wrote on February 11, 2017

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City and State: WAUSAU WI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: Would anyone have pictures of Johnnie Gamble Miller who flew with VF-884 in 1952/1953? I am writing a book on USN WWII aces and and covering Miller who scored 8 kills with with VF-30. Can anyone help? Thanx.

Keywords: Ace VF-30

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Frank Meo wrote on May 23, 2015

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City and State: NO PROVIDENCE RI

Unit: 547TH AMMO SUPPLY SQDN. K-11

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I'm searching for any airman who was in the 547 Ammo Supply Sqdn. from Oct 1952 to Oct l953. Also anyone assigned to the 7th Motor Vehicle Sqdn. at K-11 My e-mail address is kwvhiflyer@aol.com. Please reply. Thanks PS: Does anyone know if we have a patch for the 547th Ammo Supply Sqdn. Ulsan, Korea.

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Randy Masten wrote on November 12, 2014

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City and State: LAWRENCE KS

Unit: 1ST ARMORED DIVISION

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am interested in the unit history of the Bitter Birds. I am certain there must be several University of Kansas (KU) alumni that served in the unit, based on the unit insignia and being based out of Olathe. The KU Veterans Alumni Chapter is working to increase awareness of and honor our alumni who served in uniform. Any information, documents, or materials would be greatly appreciated.

Keywords: Bitter Birds, VF-884

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Kevinetta O'Brien wrote on August 16, 2012

Email Update Needed

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City and State: CHARLTON MA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hello, Just a note.Thank you Dwayne C Friese for your note in May 22,
2000. I am Paul's niece. i don't remember him but, I do remember all the
sadness in our family due to his loss. May he rest in peace. His widow
remarried and had 2 children. She Sally just died in March 2012. Paul's
brother Edwin survives. His children Paulette and Michael live in the
Southwest with their families. He would be proud. Michael looks just like
his Dad. He is remembered on the state of Illinois Korean Memorial in
Springfield. He is also remembered on the Macoupin County Veterans
Memorial in Carlinville, Illinois. That is what I know. God Bless all of our
veterans and their families.

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Grady Lisk JR. wrote on July 14, 2012

Send Email To GRADY LISK

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City and State: SEBRING FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: I am a crew member on a restored F4U-4 CORSAIR that
flew with VF-884 while on the USS BOXER CV-21.We are
always looking for history,personal stories,photos
anything dealing with VF-884. feel free to contact me
at my email or phone number . we also have a
facebook page called KOREAN WAR HERO and a website
www.koreanwarhero.com come by and say hi.

BEST REGARDS
GRADY

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David Wilde wrote on May 23, 2012

Send Email To DAVID WILDE

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City and State: ALBUQUERQUE NM

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: Looking for any photographs/info regarding him who
eventually was to become Captain of the WASP when the
Wasp picked up Gemini 6 and 7 the astronauts in 1965
after their spectacular voyage. I am writing a book
(biography) in which he is one of the main individuals
to take part in historical events in the Korean war.

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Michael Carmichael wrote on January 23, 2012

Send Email To MICHAEL CARMICHAEL

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City and State: LAS VEGAS NV

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: I am the oldest son of Glenn Carmichael, skipper of
the Bitter Birds squadron, k.i.a. If anyone out there
has a persobal story, old photos, memories please
contact me at
I want to thank the Garrison family for the
information they gave me several years ago.
Are any of Dad's old friends out there?

Thanks

Keywords: Bitter Birds

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Thomas E. (T.E.) Moore wrote on October 26, 2009

Send Email To THOMAS E. (T.E.) MOORE

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City and State: ESTERO FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran

Comments: ON 20,JULY,1950,A US NAVY RESERVE SQUADRON-VF-884,
"THE BITTER BIRDS", THEIR INSIGNIA WAS AN IRRITATED-
LOOKING JAYHAWK, WIELDING A BAT, WITH A NAIL IN IT,
WAS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AT NAS LATHE,KANSAS. THEIR
C.O. WAS CDR.W.W. BREHM. "A" WAS THEIR F4U-4 PLANE
TAIL CODE. THE SQUADRON MADE TWO KOREAN WAR TOURS.
1ST.-2,MARCH,TO 24,OCT,1951, USS BOXER (CV-21),
COMMANDED BY CAPT.D.J.SULLIVAN--CVG-101. 2ND.-11,AUG,
1952,TO 17,MARCH,1953, USS KEARSARG (CVA-33),CVG-101.
ON THE COMBINED TOURS,VF-884, HAD 1,519 MISSIONS,
DROPPED 750,000LBS.OF BOMBS, FIRED 1,400,000 ROUNDS
OF AMMUNITION. TWELVE PILOTS WERE KIS,OR MIA.-------

LT. GARRISON WAS LEADER OF "THE ONE EYE DIVISION",4
AIRCRAFT,SNAPPER-ONE-LT.CHARLES GARRISON,SNAPPER-TWO-
LT.JACK RADER, SNAPPER-THREE-LT.BOB WARNER, SNAPPER-
FOUR-LT.MARION DRAGASTIN. ON 18,MAY,1951, LT.GARRISON'S WING-MAN WAS LT.(jg) MARION T.DRAGASTIN
OF KANSAS CITY,KS. WHEN LT.GARRISON'S PLANE WAS HIT,
LT.DRAGASTIN DIRECTED THE DISABLED AIRCRAFT TOWARDS
A FRIENDLY AREA. WHEN FIRE FORCED LT.GARRISON TO
PARACHUTE FROM HIS PLANE NEAR HYONG-NI, MR.DRAGASTIN
WENT INTO "RESCAP", STRAFING THE ENEMY TO KEEP THEM
AWAY FROM THE DOWNED MR.GARRISON. AFTER MAKING REPEATED STRAFING ATTACKS, LT.(jg)DRAGASTIN'S AIRCRAFT
WAS HIT BY ENEMY FIRE, AND CRASHED KILLING HIM.------
FOR HIS COURAGEOUS ACTS, AND COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR
HIS OWN SAFETY, LT.(jg)MARION T.DRAGASTIN WAS
POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS MEDAL.-----------

Keywords: "THE BITTER BIRDS"---NAS LATHE,KANSAS---"A" TAIL CODE--USS BOXER (CV-21)--USS KEARSARG (CVA-33)

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Charles Vella wrote on January 30, 2009

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I am building a 1:7Th. scale Voight F4U Corsair Radio Control flying model. I am looking for pictures of the VF884, USS BOXER. I would like to know the exact locations of the markings on the fuselage and the location of the Semper Fi. Mac Korean War Hero bird.

The F4U Corsair is my favorite war bird.
I would appreciate any help. I also would like to add that I am very proud of those pilots who flew these aircrafts and the mechanics who kept these glorious war birds in the air.

Thanks
Charles.

Keywords: I am an RAF UK Veteran (cold war).

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Alicia Pruitt wrote on April 28, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Hello, My name is Alicia Pruitt, i'm a junior at Sequoyah High School in Georgia. My class is trying to put together a website about the Korean War and I was wondering if I could have your permission to use this story on our site, it would be greatly honored and appreciated. Please reply as soon as you can. Thank-You Soo Much
-Alicia

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Carol Smith wrote on September 29, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: DAVENPORT FL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: i am looking for anyone who served with samuel e frisco who was killed while missing
i am last known family member and i would like to know what happened to my brother before i am gone too.
please any info would be great.

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Nikki Reid wrote on September 24, 2004

Send Email To NIKKI REID

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for anyone who knew and served with Robert L Owens Jr Army form Pickens, SC. Family is curious of any photos or stories.

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Nikki Reid wrote on September 24, 2004

Send Email To NIKKI REID

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for anyone who knew and served with Robert L Owens Jr Army form Pickens, SC. Family is curious of any photos or stories.

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Edward L. Robinson wrote on August 27, 2004

Send Email To EDWARD L. ROBINSON

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City and State: SPARTA TN

Unit: US NAVY AMPHIBOUS FLAG SHIP

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Com Mine Run (3)in Command of Mine Sweeping operations East Coast of North Korea.--Duties were,Amphibous Landing Troops,Picking up shot down Pilots,Observing enemeny fire,Supervision during Mine Sweeping Operations with (AMS)'33' USS Partridge,lost by Explosion of magnetic Mine.Thirty Three men on Board,only found Twenty Three,with Five who died from injuries. A great number of AMS and DMS Ships along with Our Own LCM and LCVP's were involved in numerous Mine Sweeping Operations.We Spent considerable amount of our time near Wonson,North Korea,Hung Nam,Son Jin,plus the entire Coast above the 38th Parrell.

Keywords: USS Comstock LSD "19"

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Carthel Parrott wrote on August 26, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: QUITMAN AR

Unit: 26TH FIS

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments:

Keywords: Would like any info. on F-86F in KOREA

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Aircraft Films wrote on May 7, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: NC

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: Hello. We're working on a DVD about the F4U and
have some footage of VF 884 on the Boxer in 1951.

Does anyone have a scan of the "Bitter Birds" squadron
patch that we can use?

www.aircraftfilms.com

Keywords: F4U, Korea, Boxer, Bitter Birds, patch

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Daniel E. Lynch wrote on February 19, 2004

Send Email To DANIEL E. LYNCH

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: Hi,

Found this site and my uncle's name Lt.JG M. T Dragastin. He flew with the VF 884 off of the USS Boxer.

Any one with photos of my uncle in his plane please contact me, as all of the photos have been split up among the family and I am curious to see if there are any out there the family does not have.

Thank you for your time,

Daniel E. Lynch
delynch1184@yahoo.com

Keywords: USS BOXER, VF 884

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Fred Prince wrote on August 31, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: STOCKBRIDGE GA

Unit: 6TH TRANSPORTATION(HCPTR)

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: My unit worked many rescue missions and on each one, we felt as if we were with the individual that we were trying to pull out of hell!.

Keywords: CWO Jimmy Lyle....One great Whirly-Bird pilot. No fear and never declined a mission.........

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Bob Parente wrote on August 30, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: PATCHOGUE NY

Unit: RETIRED USA

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: Bobby was a boyhood buddy. I was too young to enlist without parents consent. He quit school.enlisted,was sent to Korea and was on the line about twoo weeks when he was reported MIA and later declared MIAKIA. I would like to know if there is any one out there who might have known him

Keywords: Robert Brandes was with the 187 RCT, 11th Airborne Division

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Murvin L. Darnell wrote on August 30, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MARQUETTE HEIGHTS IL

Unit: USS COLLETT DD730--1950-53

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: i'm priviliged to be able to type this. my rate was bos'n 3rd. battle station port 20mm. my thoughts and prayers go out to all the markers that have brave and scared comrads beneath them. i say to them (SHALOM).
RESPECTS:
MURVIN:
NEVER GIVE UP--WE ARE SOMEBODY. LONE LIVE OUR RED,WHITE and BLUE.

Keywords: inchon,wonson,hungnam etc.

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Eddie H. Arechiga wrote on August 30, 2003

Send Email To EDDIE H. ARECHIGA

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City and State: ELK GROVE CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments:

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Dennis Palaski wrote on August 29, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: Uncle George told my mother in the last letter she received that he had a terrible gut feeling that his next patrol duty would be his last. It was! His remains were not returned for months. He was the youngest son. He tried to enlist toward the end of WWII when he turned 18 and was told he was 4F because of a punctured ear drum. That didn't matter once Korea started.
We asked the Gov. for his service records and were told they were destroyed in a fire.
Would like to find anyone from his unit (35th Infantry Reg, 25th Infantry Div) that could shed light on what happened. My mother is the last remaining member of her family and she still sheds tears thinking about her brother George.
We have no other information on his unit, most of them were from western Penna. Most of them would be in their early or late seventies and no likely to be on line.
Any help would be deeply appreciated.

Keywords: KIA, 21 May 51, 35th Infantry Reg, 25th Infantry Div., Hwachon Reservoir

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Bobbi Burr wrote on March 30, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MADISON WI

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am a first year, high school history teacher. I'm teaching a class on US History 1945-present, and I am very interested in having a guest speaker to talk to my class about the Korean War. I am not necessarily looking for a vet, but a family member, friend, or educated person on the event would be wonderful. If you have any suggestions or would be willing to speak w/my class, please give me a call or e-mail. Thanks so much.

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Stan King wrote on March 24, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for any information on my grandmother's brother, shot down 7 Apr 1951. Harold's wife Joan developed Alzheimer's a few years ago. Only my grandmother remembers him now, and her memory is failing.

Can any of you men tell me what he was like?

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Vince Corulla wrote on March 6, 2003

Send Email To VINCE CORULLA

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I have been trying to find info on this particular Corsair - Pre 1957, but have had no luck. Through research of the reserve units in Olathe, KS and Memphis, TN, and having a picture of this plane when it was purchased by Bob Bean, I know it was stationed in Kansas. And I am fairly certain that is was at sea on the U.S.S. Boxer w/ the letter designation "A" on the tail (going by corrosponding BuNo #s in photos I've seen of other corsairs). The only info I really need is: what the plane # was? i.e. #412 or #408 etc. And who was the pilot or pilots? This plane eventually became the "Angel of Okinawa" on the airshow circuit in the 70's and owned by a family friend, Merle Gustafson. She now resides in Kermit Weeks museum in Polk City Florida.
Any help someone can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Keywords: BuNo 97286 F4U-4 U.S.S. Boxer info?

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Joe Brennan wrote on January 22, 2003

Send Email To JOE BRENNAN

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am trying to gather information about the air combat operations of USN squadrons in Korea. In case of VF-884 I am especially interested in any information on the encounter with MiG’s 4 Oct 1952 in which Lt. Eugene F. Johnson was shot down and killed by a MiG. Any further info on this or other encounters of VF-884 or other CVG-101/Kearsarge units in 1952-3, first hand or not, would be helpful.

Keywords: units, aircraft

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Lawrence Neumann wrote on December 26, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TRUMBULL CT

Unit: VP-731

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am only commenting about what I believe is the Naval Reserve involvement in thsi story. I believe that VF-884 was one of two reserve fighter squadrons actvated along with two Patrol squadrons of which my outfit VP-731 was a patrol unit activeted.

Keywords: VP-731, VF-884

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Jim (Doc) Wagner wrote on December 25, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MITCHELL SD

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: want to get in touch with any of the marines in the outfit

Keywords: I was a hosp Corpsman with the 1st armoured amphib btln near Kimpo 53-54 nickname Luke

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Karen Malan wrote on September 4, 2002

Send Email To KAREN MALAN

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City and State: BUTLER MO

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Daughter of Charles Garrison

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Josiane Laguerre wrote on April 4, 2002

Send Email To JOSIANE LAGUERRE

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City and State: LANCASTER MA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I wuld like to contact a veteran of the Korean war, as part of a school project. I would appreciate if someone could contact me.
Thank You

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Al Howe wrote on April 1, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HILTON NY

Unit: VF884

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: BITTER BIRDS..USS BOXER...CORSAIRS

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Darin Strobel wrote on January 29, 2002

Send Email To DARIN STROBEL

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am looking for Pre-1959 information on F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97286. Does anyone remember working around this particular Corsair? If not does anyone know where you can find a list of the BuNo of aircraft that serve in different squadrons? Just trying to find out what squadron it serve in. A friend of my father's purchased this Corsair form Bob Bean in 1972, but information on it prior to Bean's purchase is scarce.

Keywords: Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97286

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Larry Gibson wrote on November 22, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: BRUSH PRAIRIE WA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: I am looking for information about my father Verlin Gibson who was A medic in the Korean war.

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Don Farrell wrote on June 10, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: NEW YORK NY

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: Dear Honored Veterans,

My name is Don Farrell and I am an actor and an active concert soloist with symphonies across the United States. My Uncle was a Captain in the Marine's and served in the Vietnam War, and a very good friend of my family was a Lt. Colonel in Army and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I am working on putting together a Patriotic concert to honor my 2 personal heroes as well as the countless other heros our Nation has. I am trying to assemble a collection of letters written written by American soldiers home from war -- from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. I am looking for letters, stories and photos from the Korean War and I would be grateful for information on collections of letters at libraries, museums, etc., as well as any personal collections that people might be willing to share.

Thanks in advance.

Don Farrell
690 Ft. Washington Avenue #3-A
New York, NY 10040
(212) 795-4105
faritz@attglobal.net

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Susan Snell wrote on March 29, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: THREE RIVERS CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for any squadron members who flew with or knew my father Lt.Arthur Snell. Heflew F4U's off the USS Kearsarge during the Korean conflict. I am unsure about dates.

Keywords: "Bitter Birds" Squadron

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Dwayne C. Friese wrote on February 17, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: JACKSON MI

Unit: VF-884 AVIATION METALSMITH

Service or Relationship: Navy Veteran - Korea

Comments: I just got this computer, and the first thing I have been trying to find on it is anything about the Bitter Birds.

Now I have, and it has brought tears to my eyes, after all these years. To any shipmates still with us, I wish all a very big Hello.

I remember ever one, especially the pilots who never came back. Anyone out care to contact me, I"d sure respond.

I lost my Bitter Bird cruise book years ago, anyone got any idea how to get a replacement.

Best wishes from Friese.

Keywords: "Bitter Birds"

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Jan Curran wrote on August 9, 1999

Send Email To JAN CURRAN

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City and State: GILBERT AZ

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Navy

Comments: ################

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