On Sun, 2 Nov 1997 Joseph B. Hayes wrote: Joe Hayes Email address 420A Water Street Kendallville, IN 56755 219 347 2412 I'm a Korean and WWII vet. Served in Air Group 102, VF-783 fighter squadron about the USS Bon Homme Richard. Our Skipper was Lt.Cmdr J. O. Anothny. News of reuions would be most welcome. Your efforts and work to maintain this site are much appreciated. Also: I was one of those called to active duty via telegram on 20 July 1950. This was one week after President Truman inform the nation that ". . . I will not call the reserves". The next week, on 19 July, he said, "I will call the reserves in limited numbers" I was a "limited number" We had been flying F6F aircraft. For over thirty days we did nothing but muster four time/day and sweep out an empty hanger. Then we got our first aircraft, an F4U corsair. But it was a good experience that i woulkd never trade for anything. "Pyro" Joe Hayes
On Fri, 12 Feb 1999 Frederick Lauro Email address wrote: I was an electronic tech. in 783 for two tours of duty in Korea. I do not remember the exact dates,however one tour was on the Bon Homme Richard with F4Us and the second tour was with I believe with F9F5 on the Oriskany. I believe we replaced the Coral Sea on the Bon Homme sometime in 50 or 51. What I do remember was working on the flight deck in the coldest place ( I thought) in the world. Any history of the squadron that you could send would be greatly appreciated. How can I find out which ribbons.medals.accomadations awarded at that time.