Taps
The orignal msg about Major Theron J. Graves is below so that unit
members and friends can recall his life.
From Col Biteman: On Wed, 29 Apr 1998
Major Theron Graves, former CO of 12th Ftr Sqdn in WWII, was most
appreciative of having people from cyberspace sending him 'get well'
greetings thanks to your notice in the 12th Sqdn section of your site.
Unfortunately, he did not survive ... I received word that he had passed
away quietly last week,
On Fri, 05 Dec 1997
Bud' Biteman Email address wrote:
For former members of the 12th Fighter Sqd:
Today, 5 December 1997, I received an 18th Fighter Wing Assoc.
membership renewal from Mrs Rachel Graves, wife of MAJOR THERON J.
GRAVES, former Commander of the 12th Fighter Squadron. Theron flew P-38
combat missions in the early days of WWII (Dec '42 until Nov.'43),
hopping from war-torn Guadalcanal thru all of the many islands leading
northward to our victory in Japan. He has steadfastly supported the
12th Squadron over the years, even tho he was not able to fly with them
during the Korean War ... many of our Korean vets knew of him by his
reputation.
Mrs. Graves informs me that Major Graves has recently been diagnosed
with inoperable brain cancer, and the prognosis is not very promising.
She noted that he'd love to hear from his old 12th buddies, and from
those who served the 'Dirty Dozen' and the 'Foxy Few' in later years.
Whether you knew him personally or not ... please drop Theron a note or
a card, or call him at the number shown below.
Major Theron J. Graves
5616 Cedarwood Drive
Farmington, NM 87402
Phone: 505-326-0063, (Fax, same No.)
Bud Biteman, 12th Sqdn, (Jul.'50 - Nov.'50)
Nov '51 to Jul '52
On Tue, 2 Dec 1997
Norman Thomas wrote:
1355 Meadow Lane
Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1219
Telephone: (937)767-7879
I flew P-51's in the 12th FBS a feww months after "Bud" returned home.
I was there from Nov '51 to Jul '52. I am also a member of the 18th
Fighter Wing association.
Keep up the good work!! Where could I ssend a contribution for your
website???
Norm Thomas
52-53
On Tue, 15 Dec 1998
Loren and Marguerite Brunner Email address wrote:
I saw this some time ago, but just now got around to write. On the
List of Airfields in Korea I see listed K-38 as Wonju Airdrome and
K-46 listed as Hoensong Airdrome. In 1952 when I was there K-46 was Wonju.
I am wondering if the K numbers were switched by mistake or am I
wrong. I was there in 1952 and part of 53 with the 18th Fighter
Bomber Wing 12th FBsq. at K-46 Wonju. We used the F 51 Mustangs.
I would like to see more of the 18 FBW and 12th on the net if
possible. I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thank you,
lbrunner@livingston.net
1951 Missions
On Sun, 17 Jan 1999
Dick Gruber Email address wrote:
Greetings, just read Bud's graphic and interesting remembrances of
Korean war days. I was a member of the Foxy Few for about eight
months in 1951. The squadron was commanded by a very sharp first
rate major by the name of William E. Bryan (retired M/G) ..later by
Major John W. Rees.
I flew 100 missions during that time period...some were pretty
exciting...to me. Attached is a brief recap of one mission, for
which I was awarded a DFC.
See: Foxy Few 44th Mission
Dick Gruber, LTC Retired USAF
John E. Parker 12th FBS
On Wed, 11 Aug 1999
Judy Parker Email address wrote:
Hello, my name is Judy Parker, my husband, John E. Parker was with the
18th FBW in Korea and flew a mission with the SA group and was made an
honorary member of this group.
He has no information that shows this, I am trying to get a certificate
or patch or something that would be a surprise for him as this meant a
great deal to him.
Can you help me in any way as to what info I would need to send and to
whom so I could get these items for him.
Thanks for your help.
Note: Col Biteman has attempted to place Judy in touch with 2SAAF
veterans to find more.
1951-52
From: delbert mcewen
Sent: Monday, November 30, 1998 2:28 PM
Sir
Just found this page and was very interested. I served in the 12th ftr
Bmr in 51 and 52 as a communication tech at most of the bases around the
country.
Thank you for you efforts to bring the Sqdn together again.
I will look around and I might have a old year book with the dogpatch
clubs and other items of interest. I still have the foxey few mugs we
were all given by the CO at some time during the tour.
I am no retired engineer and living in Fremont California.
Delbert (Mack) McEwen
