39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
On Tue, 15 Apr 1997
Lindia Lafferty VanderLas jerpaws@aol.com wrote:
20515 108th St. Ct. E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98390
(206)862-6983
fax: (206)862-5268)
Updated: 10 June 2000
Jerri Roling Auntiekissie@aol.com
new info:
5913 77th Ave. Ct. E.
Puyallup, WA 98371
Phone: (253) 841-2708
Email: Auntiekissie@aol.com
Fax: (253) 862-5268
Family Member
39th fighter/interceptor SQ.
Looking for any information on 1st Lt. Thomas C. Lafferty F-51 pilot,
shotdown 1/31/52, believed to have been taken to Former Soviet Union.
Name appeared on list of 31. Looking for his three wingmen flying that
day (Bromberg, Shelander and Dennehy) or anyone who might have known
Tommy.
More on Lafferty
Ms.Vanderlas...
I noted your inquiry in Korean War Project concerning the pilots flying
with Tom when he was shot down on Jan 31,'52, and researched our 18th
Fighter Wing Assoc. database for information concerning the other 39th
Sqdn individuals you mentioned.
I found:
John H. SHELANDER died in Houston, TX, in March 1980. His wife Ann
still lives in Houston, and I have a phone number listed for her if
you'd like to call me for it.
Melvin BROMBERG, lived in Orem, UT, in Aug '95, at: 366 No. 650 East,
Orem, UT,84057, his phone at that time was 801-224-5810.
Dan. J. DENNEHY lived in Pittsburgh in 1993 (latest info), at:1541
Sequoia Dr., Pittsburgh, PA, 15241, phone then was: 412-257-0297.
If you are unable to contact Bromberg or Dennehy, drop me an E-msg (or
call me at 425-228-2966 in Bellevue, WA) and I'll search my files
further to find others who might have served with Tom at that time.
More
I was talking today with George Davis, another 39th vet who served in
Korea with Lt. Lafferty. In our conversation I learned that the Melvin
Broberg in Utah, who's name I'd given you was in error ... since he, too
has been trying to track the 39th Sq Broberg for several years. Davis
informed me that Lt. Lafferty had left the 39th Sqdn and was flying
B-26s at the time he was killed.
Mr. Davis is in the process of moving from Pt. Hueneme, CA. to Van Nuys,
CA., but will be settled in his new residence by July 1st. He informed
me that he would be most happy to discuss his recollections of Lt.
Lafferty with you if you will give him a call. His name/address/phone
is: Mr. George H. Davis, 6645 Blucher Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, phone
818-780-6767.
Best Regards ... (and 'sorry about the wrong info I gave you on Broberg)
Bud Biteman, 18th FWA
More:
I mentioned Tom Lafferty's crash to David McLaren, a prominent author
who has written several books on the Korean Air War, and who, as the
result of his very extensive research has a very complete file of almost
all downed fighter pilots of that war.
His e-msg to me this morning was : " Re: Lafferty. Was flying as Number
Four Man in "Put Put Yoke" flight on a 'Hammer' mission. He transmitted
a "I'M hit." while starting a rocket pass, and dove into the ground.
Aircraft exploded with no trace of the pilot or parachute. 'Was on 65th
mission.- I could probably find the serial number of his [F-51]"Stang
if you want it."
Dave McLaren's e-mail address is shown in the cc's above 'p51h@aol.com',
in case you would like to contact him directly.
Dave McLarenEmail address
39th FIS
On Tue, 16 Sep 97
SCOTT NEVILLE SKYF1@classic.msn.com wrote:
I AM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A USAF PILOT FROM KOREA. HIS NAME IS
JIM THOMPSON HE WAS IN THE 39th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON.
ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
More:
On Wed, 08 Oct 1997
'Bud' Biteman seaflybud@earthlink.net wrote:
Scott...
'Saw your inquiry about a James Thompson in 39th Sqdn, and ran a check
of our 18th FWA database for that name ... with no luck. The only James
Thompson we have listed is:
James R. Thompson, 2507 Ridgewood Drive, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564-4216,
phone 601-875-2405 ... he retired as USAF Major, but served in 18th Hq
(rather than 39th) during the Korean War.
Another possible source for information might be with the 39th Fighter
Sqdn Assoc. Try Bob Sandlin, 829 Main St., Hamilton, OH, 45013, phone
513-863-8558; he's a former VP of their Assoc., and has a good memory
for names. (Tell him that I've looked in my files with no success.) It
would be helpful if you could recall Thompson's middle initial, and
possibly the time frame that he was in the 39th ... to make the search
easier. The 39th was with the 35th Fighter Group until May 1951, then
joined the 18th Group for just one year before disbanding, with most of
their people then going into the 51st Group as they upgraded to F-86
Sabre aircraft.
Good luck with your search .... Bud Biteman, Pres., 18th Fighter Wing
Assoc.
K-14 1954
On Sun, 11 Jan 1998
"Jerry K. Love" Email address wrote:
phone: 803-648-5145
I was a crew chief on an F86F at K-13 in Feb. 1954 until we moved out
in August of the same year. I was in the 39th Fighter Bomber
Squadron. The war was over but it was easy to see the results of it.
We lived in shacks and quansan huts were a step above us. We had outdoor
privies and cold water for showers.
We moved to Chitose, AFB in Northern Japan in August of 1954 and
I left there in Sept. of 1955. I was in the 39th Figher Bomber Sqdn.
and made a lot of friends there. It has been a long time and I just
retired from Kmart. I would like to hear from some of the men in my
Squadron who remember me.
Jerry K. Love
426 Kennebec St.
Aiken, SC 29801.
More RE: Love
On Mon, 04 May 1998
'Bud' Biteman Email address wrote:
Jerry...
Ted Barker forwarded your msg re your time with 39th Ftr Sqdn ... the
39th fought in F-51s as part of our 18th Fighter Wing from May '51 until
May '52, when it was moved to 51st Ftr Grp and equipt with your F-86s.
In fact, I flew with the 39th for a few weeks in May '51.
Because your friends were part of the 51st Grp, I have no listings on
any of them in my database. However, the 39th Fighter Squadron Assoc.
has remained very active, and their newly elected Secretary might have
some clues for you ... since he served with the 39th at Suwon in 1953.
Contact him at: Dick Clothier, 6404 Brentwood Drive, Ft. Worth, TX,
76112 Phone: 817-451-2780.
Good Hunting! Bud Biteman, Pres., 18th Ftr Wg Assoc.
Neillands, Richard G. USAF Reserve
---------------Original Message---------------
In August 1951 my uncle Air Force Lt. Richard Neillands was reported
missing.He was piloting a P-51 on an apparently aborted mission, my
family has no other information.After all these years the questions
remain. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Jim Neillands
My correct E-Mail address is
redstag@village.ios.com
(more from KWP)
Neillands, Richard G.
Svc# A0816921
Rank 1Lt O=2
Home Glen Cove, NY
CasDt 09-07-51
The casualty list does not give good data on unit, mission.
Ted
