6401st Field Maintenance Squadron (Retrievers)

Air Force BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Barbara Sink wrote on November 11, 2022

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City and State: OMAHA NE

Unit:

Service or Relationship:

Comments: My father , Leland Sink was in Korea in 1950-51. He was in
The 6401st FMS Retrievers Squadron. I only recently found out about the name of the squadron, my father never mentioned the name. I would love to have any information on this unit. Thanks

Keywords: Korea, Retrievers, 6401 FMS

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Jim Pickett wrote on November 6, 2019

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City and State: SCOTIA NY

Unit: 82ND OMS

Service or Relationship: Air Force

Comments: My father was in Korea from 1950 - 1952 and was assigned to 6401st Field Maint. Sq. (Retrievers). I have been looking for ANY information, patches or units associated with the 6401st Field Maint. Sq. (Retrievers). All we have is a Zippo Lighter with a engraved picture of the 6401st Field Maint. Sq. (Retrievers).
We are trying to build a memorial for Him.
Thank You,
Jim Pickett

Keywords: 6401st Field Maint. Sq. (Retrievers)

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Jim Pickett wrote on May 22, 2018

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City and State: SCOTIA NY

Unit: 82ND OMS

Service or Relationship: USAF Aircraft Mechanic Veteran

Comments: My Father was in Korea, 1950 - 1952. He was assigned to the 6401st Field Maintenance Squadron (Retrievers). I am hoping to find ANY Pictures, Squad Patches, Base and Location or any information. All I know is that He was in the jungles looking for downed Aircraft and Pilots.

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James E. Frazier SR. wrote on August 22, 2013

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City and State: RINGGOLD GA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: clovis afb, was small in 1953-57

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Paul Aguirre Jimenez wrote on June 14, 2013

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City and State: DAVENPORT IO

Unit: 6401 FIEL MAINT

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Sheet metal shop

Keywords: John Lambert. From. Alabama

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Becki Depew wrote on April 3, 2013

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: My father was assigned to the 6400th FMU from 1 Oct 1952 - 11 Aug
1954. I have a photograph of him and 2 others posing at the sign
for the 6401st, as well as a few photos of what appears to be
salvage and downed aircraft. Dad shared very little about this
period of time in his life. Would like to hear from someone who
has knowledge of or a family member who served with these units.

Keywords: 6401st Retrievers, 6400th Field Maintenance Unit

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Becki Depew wrote on April 3, 2013

Send Email To BECKI DEPEW

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran

Comments: My father was assigned to the 6400th FMU from 1 Oct 1952 - 11 Aug
1954. I have a photograph of him and 2 others posing at the sign
for the 6401st, as well as a few photos of what appears to be
salvage and downed aircraft. Dad shared very little about this
period of time in his life. Would like to hear from someone who
has knowledge of or a family member who served with these units.

Keywords: 6400th FMU, 6401st, FEARCOM

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Melissa Smith wrote on June 9, 2010

Email Update Needed

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City and State: SPARTANBURG SC

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My name is Melissa Smith. I am a senior at University of Maryland Online and I am currently writing my bachelors essay. My essay is on the 6401st Field Maintenance Squadron during the Korean War. My grandfather, Staff Sergeant Richard Dean served in it. He passed away this past March. I am contacting veterans and veterans families to ask for help on this project. What I need is primary sources. A primary source would be pictures, pictures of artifacts such as badges, medal, lighters, etc., scanned pictures of journals or letters(if you would like to take the time to type in the contents of the letters or journals it would be greatly appreciated), and even stories that you remember, or that your family member had told you. If you know of other veterans from the 6401st and could pass this information along as well as my email, I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time, and if a veteran whether in the 6401st or not thank you for your service to our country.

Sincerely,
Melissa Smith

Keywords: 6401st, Retrievers, Richard Dean

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Michael Burzesi wrote on October 6, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: BETHPAGE NY

Unit: 6401 FIELD MAINT.SQUDN.

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I have uploaded over 80 photos from the 6401st in and around Kimpo. Available for public viewing at http://picasaweb.google.com/mburzesi/Korea6401stFieldMaintenanceSquadron

Keywords: 6401 kimpo retrievers field maintenance 1953

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Sean Casey wrote on June 2, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TUCSON AZ

Unit: 6401ST FMS

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Maj. Vincent E. Casey was my father. I understand from his records that he was the CO of the 6401st FMS from 9 Dec 52 to 24 Sep 53. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who served with him. I am particulary interested in stories and information about what the unit did in Korea. I am currently writing Vince's biography.

I would also be happy to host a web site about the unit, if anyone is interested in helping with that.

Vince continued to serve in the Wyoming Air National Guard and the USAF after Korea. He retired with the rank of Lt.Col. on 15 May 64. I am sorry to report that he passed away on 29 Sep 68.

Keywords: Vince Casey

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Emil Madsen wrote on May 14, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: MN

Unit: 6401ST FIELD MAINTENANCE

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Looking for Carlton Bostleman who had the bunk next to me in Korea. Also interested in hearing from any members of the 6401st.

Keywords: Manny, K-14, 1953

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Ernest Beecham wrote on April 25, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: The 6401st Field Maintenance Squadron was part of the Far East Air Material Command (FEAMCOM) based in Tachikawa AFB Japan. I was assigned there in Aug 1950 as an aircraft maintenance technician. In May 1951, I voluntered and was reassigned to the 6401st in Korea, first briefly based in Taegu then relocated to Suwon. A couple of months later the squadron was transfered to Kimpo (K14) near Seoul where it became permanently based.

The 6401st was essentially a salvage and reclamation unit whose mission was to reclaim aircraft that went down away from their home bases. Aircraft that went down at their home bases were reclaimed by their own units. Reclamation of an aircraft fell into primarily three categories. First, if an aircraft could be repaired in the field we did so. It was then picked up by a crew from its home base. Second, sometimes it could be repaired and returned to flight status but was beyond our limited capabilities. We then made temporary repairs for a onetime flight back to FEACOM's overhaul facilities at Tachikawa AFB. The aircraft was usually flown there with the landing gear fixed in the down position. Third, if the aircraft was beyond repair, we salvaged all sensitive equipment (electronics, weapons, etc) and any good parts that were in short supply. The rest of the bird was then cut up and hauled to a nearby salvage yard.

At K-14 we were located off the main base in an area surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by Korean soldiers being given a rest from frontline duty. We called ourselves the FEAMCOM Retrievers. The entrance to our compound showed a picture of a bird dog with a bird in its mouth. Some of my squadron mates wore a patch depicting the same.

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David Sanne wrote on December 28, 2004

Send Email To DAVID SANNE

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City and State: CHICAGO IL

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father Kenneth Sanne served with the 6401st FMS (Retrievers) in Kimpo AFB, Korea between 1952 and 1953. If you have any additional information about the Retrievers or its members please contact David Sanne @ 847 734 1000 or via email: dsanne@cargoselect.com

Thank you,

David Sanne

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William (Bill) Harchelroad wrote on June 30, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: served with 6400th FMU at K-2, Taegu, from August 1950 thru May 1951. A/C mechanic recovering and/or destroying downed United Nations aircraft. would like to hear from personnel that served in this small outfit. rotated back to Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan.

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Howard Schneider wrote on June 29, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TORRANCE CA

Unit: 6401ST FIELD MAINTENANCE SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: I was assigned to K-14 (Kimpo) from November 1951 to November 1952 with the 6401st Field Maintenance Squadron and would love to correspond with anyone else who served there. Hopefully I can hear from some long lost pals.

Keywords: Kimpo, K14

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Michael Burzesi wrote on October 20, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: BETHPAGE NY

Unit: 6401 FIELD MAINTENANCE SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: Would like to get in touch with other memebers of the 6401.

Keywords: 6401 kimpo retrievers field maintenance 1953

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