The 20Th Weather Squadron
When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the 20th Weather Squadron was already providing meteorological information to the Far East Air Forces from its headquarters at Nagoya, Japan, and from weather stations scattered around the theater. For the next six months, the 20th furnished crucial combat weather data to the Fifth Air Force, the U.S. Eighth Army, and other UN forces by deploying numerous detachments in Korea. The unit's personnel briefed tactical organizations before missions and sometimes flew on the aircraft of those organizations in order to obtain weather data over enemy-held territory. Forward-deployed weather personnel with front-line troops radioed weather information to rear areas. Some of the unit's meteorological information contributed to the success of the Inchon invasion in September. By November, ten of the squadron's detachments had served at thirteen locations in South and North Korea, moving with UN ground troops and operating small mobile weather stations sheltered in tents. The squadron operated a C-47 aircraft to move equipment and supplies to its scattered weather stations in Korea. In mid-November, it turned over its Korean weather responsibilities and operating locations to the 30th Weather Squadron and focused on Japan, where its headquarters had remained.
Stations
Nagoya, Japan duration.
Entry: 98725
Subject: DETACHMENT 19-20TH WEARON
Subject: DETACHMENT 19-20TH WEARON
Charles Lynas wrote on October 31, 2019
City and State: HOT SPRINGS AR
Unit: DETACHMENT 19-20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: 1953-1957
Comments: I was a weather observer at Matsushima air field in 1953-1955. We were only 7 ft above sea level and very near the ocean. I think the place was about wiped out when a tsunami rolled in there in recent times. If anyone reads this that served there I would like to hear from you.
Keywords:
Entry: 97565
Subject: KOREAN WAR PROJECT
Subject: KOREAN WAR PROJECT
Jerry Higginson SR. wrote on March 16, 2019
City and State: SAN ANTONIO TX
Unit: 20TH WEATHER SQ. HQ. AND DET.20-29 51ST F.I.W. 5TH
Service or Relationship: U.S. Air Force
Comments: I served in the AF from 8/17/1951 to 8/16/1955.
I was Stationed at Tsuiki AFB from April 1952 to Aug.1953.and
at Hq. 20th Weather Sq. Nagoya AFB.,Nagoya,Japan from
Aug. 1953 to June1954.
Keywords: Stationed at Nagoya AFB, Nagoya, Japan and
Tsuiki AFB, Tsuiki, Japan
Entry: 86315
Subject: DO YOU KNOW HAROLD COON?
Subject: DO YOU KNOW HAROLD COON?
Brian Coon wrote on May 27, 2013
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Hello,
My grandfather served in the Korean War and was a combat
weatherman. I do not know if he was in this squadron but I do
know that he was stationed near Fukuoka, Japan. His name is
Harold Coon. I was wondering if anyone knows him? If so, please
send me an email.
Thank you!
Keywords: Fukuoka, Japan, Harold, Coon, Korean, War, Air Force, Weather
Entry: 85933
Subject: RAMON (RAY) MAYER WROTE ON APRIL 10, 2013
Subject: RAMON (RAY) MAYER WROTE ON APRIL 10, 2013
Ramon Mayer wrote on April 10, 2013
City and State: NAPERVILLE IL
Unit: DET. 21, 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was a Weather Observer assigned to Det. 21, 20th Weather
Squadron at Brady Air Base near Fukuoka from October, 1953 until
mid 1955 when the base was winding down and we were transferred
to Miho Air Base where I served until Feb., 1956, returning to
the states for assignment to Kinross Air Force Base. Would be
interested in hearing from anyone who may have been there at the
same time.
Keywords:
Entry: 84343
Subject: 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Subject: 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Roger Busse wrote on October 5, 2012
City and State: SODDY DAISY TN
Unit: 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was assigned to the 20th WEARON from May 54 to Nov
56 at the Squadron Headquarters in downtown Nagoya
and later moved to Moryiama Air Station. I would be
interested in hearing from anyone assigned at the
time and I would like to obtain any history
information relating to the 20th WEARON and Hq 5th
AF. I presently live in the Chattanooga, TN area.
Keywords: Friends and associates: William Jositis, Harris
Murphy, David Nolen, Robert Seacrest, William Zigler,
Douglas Mosley, Robert Stone.
Entry: 83921
Subject: AIRMEN I WORKED WITH
Subject: AIRMEN I WORKED WITH
Joseph Santaniello wrote on August 15, 2012
City and State: MADISON TOWNSHIP PA
Unit: 1ST WWG; DET 17, 30TH WEA SQ;
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Anyone stationed at the above bases, and anyone run into Herb Boggs?
Keywords: Johnson AB, 58-60; Yokota AB, 60-62; Tachikawa AB, 67-68; Camp Zama,
68-72; Fuchu AS, 74-79.
Entry: 83069
Subject: DETACHMENT 17 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Subject: DETACHMENT 17 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Michael Christiaens wrote on May 20, 2012
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I am looking for correspondence with those I served
with at Yokota AB to renew old friendships.
Keywords:
Entry: 79012
Subject: 20TH WEATHER SQADRON 1950-1953
Subject: 20TH WEATHER SQADRON 1950-1953
Benjamin Tutone wrote on May 24, 2011
City and State: PALATKA FL
Unit: 20TH WEA. SQDN. KOMAKI AIR BASE
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords:
Entry: 77938
Subject: MY TOUR AT DET. 5, 20TH WX SQD.
Subject: MY TOUR AT DET. 5, 20TH WX SQD.
Eugene Preston wrote on February 20, 2011
City and State: RICHLAND WA
Unit: DET 5, 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was stationed at Det. 5, 20th Wx sqd, from June 1955 to June 1958. Haneda was a very busy duty station during my tour. As my rotation date conincided with closure of Det. 5, I signed the last MAC aircraft weather folder from Haneda. (Tokyo Internatal Airport).
Smsgt Eugene Preston USAF Ret.
Keywords:
Entry: 68791
Subject: LEONARD YERHART
Subject: LEONARD YERHART
Natalie Thurston wrote on January 22, 2009
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I'm looking for anyone who knew my grandfather, Leonard Yerhart. I believe he served in the 20th during 1950-1952. I believe he was good friends with a Jonathan Veasey. From what my grandma says, at one time he was the youngest serviceman in Korea and the Stars and Stripes did an article. If you knew my grandfather or have any information please contact me -
Keywords: Leonard Yerhart, Jonathan Vease, Japan, Korea, 50-52, 20th
Entry: 68330
Subject: 20TH WX SQUADRON 1950-1952
Subject: 20TH WX SQUADRON 1950-1952
George Kessler wrote on December 20, 2008
City and State: SILVER SPRING MD
Unit: DON'T REMEMBER THE DETACHMENT
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Just wanted to know if there are any guys out there who remember me and could get in touch with me.
Keywords: I got my orders to ship out on June 25 1950. My first place was Tachikawa and was shipped to the Tokyo Weather Central in Downtown Tokyo. From there I went to Iwo Jima for one year and shipped back to the states in 1952.
Entry: 64083
Subject: 20-4 WEATHER CHITOSE
Subject: 20-4 WEATHER CHITOSE
Roy Barnes wrote on January 29, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: LYNN HAVEN FL
Unit: DET 20-4 AWS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Looking for anyone who were there nov 1953 thre 1955 ED Sammons Don Casper Ira Geisinger Jim Fry
Keywords: DET 20-4 Weather Sta Chitose AFB 1953-1955
Entry: 55755
Subject: DET. 5 AND DET. 8, 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Subject: DET. 5 AND DET. 8, 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Robert F. Johnson JR. wrote on February 15, 2006
Email Update Needed
City and State: MINNEAPOLIS MN
Unit: DETACHMENTS 5 AND 8, 20TH WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: On 28NOV04 I posted Entry 47136. Later I saw SSgt Sean
Goldstein's Entry 50791 (12MAY05) and Entry 53415 (03OCT05), both requesting photos and memorabilia involving 20th Weather Squadron for a history project, since the 20th WxSq is being disbanded.
Det. 5, 20th Wx Sq at Haneda AB was my duty station from 01NOV53 to JUN55 when I transferred to Det. 8 at Johnson AB staying until I rode a troop ship back to
Oakland Naval Base where I was separated from the USAF in AUG56.
I have opened boxes of color slides and B/W photos not
opened for many years, finding 16 Kodachrome slides (not at all faded), and several B/W photos. On these are Det. 5 personnel (identified): LtCol Eugene T Early; Capt Harold Bernstein; 1Lt Vera Fink; 1Lt Ronald D. Nelson; SSgt Thomas Crews; SSgt Gene Preston; and A1C Duke Ellington. I have no slides or photos from
Det. 8.
I sent to SSgt Goldstein a detailed chronology of my
duty at Det. 5 and Det. 8, identifying each slide and
photo, and two memorabilia items. I will email a
copy of this chronology to you if you contact me.
1Lt Robert F Johnson, Jr., AO2252939
Keywords:
Entry: 53415
Subject: CALLING OUT TO ALL 20 OWSERS FOR ANY PICTURES
Subject: CALLING OUT TO ALL 20 OWSERS FOR ANY PICTURES
Sean Goldstein wrote on October 3, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: APO AP
Unit: 20 OWS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I am currently looking for any pictures or memorabilia involving the 20 OWS. I am putting together a 20 OWS history project, but will be PCSing early next year. If you have pictures you'd like to donate or scanned images you could email that would be wonderful. If you don't have a scanner and would like me to do it for you, I'd be very happy to accommodate you and promise to get your images back to you.
At this point, we are looking at the unfortunate possibility that the 20th will be deactivated so to be able to create something that will be our legacy is a great honor for me and I need all your help to make it the best possible. When this project is finished, it will be safeguarded at the Air Force Weather History Museum.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with this project and I look forward to continue working with everyone.
Sincerely, Sean Goldstein
Sean M. Goldstein, SSgt, USAF
Forecaster, Regional Weather Operations
20 Operational Weather Squadron/WXC
DSN: 225-9401 Fax: 225-8744
Email: sean.goldstein@yokota.af.mil
Home: seangoldstein@mac.com
Keywords: 20 OWS, 20th Operational Weather Squadron, Yokota AB Japan, Korea, Haneda, Nagoya, Tachikawa, Det
Entry: 52567
Subject: 20-7 WEATHER DETACHMENT, ITAMI AB
Subject: 20-7 WEATHER DETACHMENT, ITAMI AB
Carl C. (Clyde) Koehne wrote on August 11, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: WACO TX
Unit: 20-7 WEATHER DETACHMENT
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Was at 20-7 from December l950 to June l95l when I went to Tague (spelling?), Korea to Hqs 30th Weather. Moved to Seoul in July and there until late April l952 when I returned to US to 29th Air Devision, Great Falls, Montana.
Keywords:
Entry: 52145
Subject: WEATHER OBSERVER HANEDA AFB
Subject: WEATHER OBSERVER HANEDA AFB
Samuel R. (Sam) Altobelli wrote on July 20, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: ALLENTOWN NJ
Unit: 20TH WEATHER SQ.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Would like to get in touch with anyone who
may remember me or with anyone stationed at Haneda AFB
during the time frame of 1954.I recall a few names;
Chuck Seleman;a guy who's last name was Powell and who was from San Francisco;and that's my rcollection of names but I still recall what the guys looked like and I recall all the great times I had with them!!!!!
Keywords: Stationed at Haneda AFB from January 1954 to
December 1954.
Entry: 50791
Subject: LOOKING FOR DATA TO ADD TO 20 OWS HISTORY PROJECT
Subject: LOOKING FOR DATA TO ADD TO 20 OWS HISTORY PROJECT
Sean Goldstein wrote on May 12, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: APO AP
Unit: 20TH OPERATIONAL WEATHER SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Looking for data to add to 20 OWS History Project
My name is Sean Goldstein and I am currently stationed at Yokota AB. The 20th is once again disbanding and will be joining with the 17th at Hickam AFB Hawaii. If you have anything that might be useful to our History Project, I would be very grateful. I still have a few months to gather data, pictures or certificates and if you would like to add something you can either mail it directly to me or scan it if it's to personal.
My mailing address is:
Sean Goldstein
PSC 78 Box 755
APO AP 96326-0007
Comm # 011-81-311-755-9401
DSN # 315-225-9401
Comm Fax # 011-81-311-755-8744
DSN Fax # 315-225-8744
Work email: sean.goldstein@yokota.af.mil
Home email: seangoldstein@mac.com
Thank you for your time and if you have any other associates which might be able to help us, please feel free to farward my information.
Sincerely, Sean Goldstein
Sean M. Goldstein, SSgt, USAF
Forecaster, Regional Weather Operations
20 Operational Weather Squadron/WXC
DSN: 225-9401 Fax: 225-8744
Email: sean.goldstein@yokota.af.mil
Keywords: 20th OWS, 20th WS, 20 Operational Weather Squadron, 20th Weather Squadron, 20 OWS History, 20 WS History, Yokota AB Japan, Tachikawa AB Japan, Chitose Japan, 1940's thru Current.
Entry: 47136
Subject: HANEDA AB, 20TH WX, DET 5
Subject: HANEDA AB, 20TH WX, DET 5
Robert F. Johnson wrote on November 28, 2004
Email Update Needed
City and State: MINNEAPOLIS MN
Unit: 20TH WX SQ, DET 5 AND DET 8
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: It's been 50 years and am thinking back to the first
USAF jet stream forecasting team (at Haneda AB in Tokyo Bay starting ca. 1954).
Robert F Johnson Jr, l/Lt (AO2252939)
Keywords: 1/Lt Vera Fink; 1/Lt Ron Nelson; Lt Col Early; Maj Gwaltney; Sgt Wager; 1/Lt Bernie _____.
Entry: 32849
Subject: 57THAIRWEATHERSQD HICKAMAFB
Subject: 57THAIRWEATHERSQD HICKAMAFB
Tom Walston wrote on March 17, 2003
Email Update Needed
City and State: COLUMBUS OH
Unit: 57TH AIR WEATHER RECON SQD
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Attached to the 57th from 1955thru 1957,originally as a A and E mechanic, then as right scanner .Aircraft was WB-29 and WB-50. Great memorys , interested in contact with any others of that same era.
Keywords:
Entry: 30914
Subject: LOOKING FOR PIX
Subject: LOOKING FOR PIX
Bill Stillman wrote on January 3, 2003
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: DET. 10 - 20TH WEATHER SQDRN.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Assigned to Det. 10 64-65
Keywords: Radio Sunshine, AFRTS
Entry: 20947
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON,YOKOTA 52-54
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON,YOKOTA 52-54
Allen Wiley wrote on November 24, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Anyone out there that was at Yokota AFB from 6-52 till 5-54?? I was the Right Scanner and have lost track of all.Now living in MO but was from Maine back then!!
Keywords:
Entry: 20166
Subject: DETACHMENT 16, 20TH WEATHER SQ.
Subject: DETACHMENT 16, 20TH WEATHER SQ.
Tony Holt wrote on October 26, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: DISCOVERY BAY CA
Unit: YOKOTA AFB
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Loking for those who served at Yokota from 1953 to 1956.
Keywords:
Entry: 18688
Subject: CAPT. DAVID H. 'SNOWFLAKE' GRISHAM
Subject: CAPT. DAVID H. 'SNOWFLAKE' GRISHAM
Barony Grisham wrote on August 14, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: DANA POINT CA
Unit: 'FOXY FEW' AND OTHERS
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I may have talked with you already ... I happened upon your posting today, Aug 13, 2001, at a friend's computer and my e-mail address book is not easy to tap into at the moment ... so, not one to leave a stone unturned I am responding to ask that you tell me anything you remember about my daddy. Strange that I miss him even more today than I did in my younger years. I am unable to express the great sadness and the vacant hole I have in my heart from not growing up with my dad. It hurts too much.
Thanks for taking your time to help me out. It means the world to me, and to my children, to learn all we can about the one we wish could be with us.
Barony Grisham, daughter
Keywords: "Bout 1" with Dean Hess and other groups.
Entry: 18687
Subject: CAPT. DAVID H. 'SNOWFLAKE' GRISHAM
Subject: CAPT. DAVID H. 'SNOWFLAKE' GRISHAM
Barony Grisham wrote on August 14, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: DANA POINT CA
Unit: 'FOXY FEW' AND OTHERS
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I may have talked with you already ... I happened upon your posting today, Aug 13, 2001, at a friend's computer and my e-mail address book is not easy to tap into at the moment ... so, not one to leave a stone unturned I am responding to ask that you tell me anything you remember about my daddy. Strange that I miss him even more today than I did in my younger years. I am unable to express the great sadness and the vacant hole I have in my heart from not growing up with my dad. It hurts too much.
Thanks for taking your time to help me out. It means the world to me, and to my children, to learn all we can about the one we wish could be with us.
Barony Grisham, daughter
Keywords: "Bout 1" with Dean Hess and other groups.
Entry: 15763
Subject: ASHIYA AB, JAPAN APO 75
Subject: ASHIYA AB, JAPAN APO 75
Howard Davis wrote on April 2, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: ROSEVILLE CA
Unit: 483RD. MOTOR VEHICLE SQ.
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: Looking for members of the 483rd Motor Vehicle Sq. stationed at Ashiya from 1955-1957
Keywords:
Entry: 15000
Subject: DAVID H GRISHAM
Subject: DAVID H GRISHAM
Albert T. Watson wrote on February 15, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: DALLAS TX
Unit: 20TH WEA SQDN - 3RD BOMB GRP
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: I knew Lt. Grisham in Japan and Korea, and was unable to send a reply to baronygrisham on the listed e-mail address. If you see this, I would enjoy telling you what small amount I know about your father.
Keywords:
Entry: 12606
Subject: SEARCHING FOR 54-55 JAPAN
Subject: SEARCHING FOR 54-55 JAPAN
Johnnie G. Carson wrote on October 29, 2000
DeceasedCity and State: NEWPORT TN
Unit: 20TH WEATHER DET. 18 ASHIYA
Service or Relationship: -
Comments: 20TH WEATHER DET. 18 ASHIYA
Keywords:
Entry: 11477
Subject: 20TH WEATHER
Subject: 20TH WEATHER
Don Konley wrote on September 3, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: Anyone from the 20th Weather remember Harold Brumm that was in that squadron? He's a friend of mine and asked me to enter a search.
Keywords: 20th Weather Sqdn
Entry: 8624
Subject: LT. DAVID H. GRISHAM MIA SPT 3, 50
Subject: LT. DAVID H. GRISHAM MIA SPT 3, 50
Barony Grisham wrote on May 12, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State: DANA POINT CA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: attempting to locate anyone who knew my father or lt. ramon rodrick davis, ames, iowa who was flying with the last day but who is also missing 10/05/50
davis was captured (congressional subcommittee hearings 05/27/1957)- grisham may have been taken also (united press release #37, 09/01/1955)
Keywords: grisham, david howard, lt. usaf
on duty w/20th weather squadron
flying w/18th fighter-bomb group, 17th squad
mia september 3, 1950/ f-51 from ashia to pusan
w/project "51" (bout 1) 06/28/50-08/22/50
Entry: 7085
Subject: 20-15 AWS
Subject: 20-15 AWS
Bill McKinney wrote on February 21, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State: REDDING CA
Unit: 20TH WEATHER SQDN.,JAPAN
Service or Relationship: -
Comments: Any members 0ut there 20-15 aws, Tachikawa A..F.B. Japan
Keywords:
Entry: 6548
Subject: KIMPO WX. DETCHMENT
Subject: KIMPO WX. DETCHMENT