Radio Repairman
On Thu, 9 Jul 1998
"William H. Hayward" Email address wrote:
2628 Chaucer Dr.
The Village, OK 73120
phone: (405) 748-6186
datein: Dec 28, 1948 dateout: Mar 5, 1958
comments:
I joined the 6147th TAC Squadron on Aug 12, 1950 while at Taegu (K2) and
served with the squadron as a Radio Repairman until early May 1951.
We were at Taegu (K2), Pusan (K1), Kimpo Field (K12), Seoul Muncipal
(K14), Pyongyang (K24) and P'yongtaek (K6). I have not had contact
with anyone from the Squadron for many, many years.
During this time period the Squadron earned 5 battle stars to the Korean
Service medal and a Presidential Unit Citation. It is hard to believe
this was almost 50 years ago, and outside of us who served, no one
seems to remember.
Memories
I have some very strong recollections of the war and some events which
happened are very comical in retrospect. I just found out from George
Hanrahan that our first CO, Col. Merrill Carlton is still with us.
I sent him a letter last Monday. I doubt that he will remember me, but
he was a very good man and a good Commander. All he ever asked of us
was the best we had to give. I would still gladly serve under him.
I seem to remember one incident at Kimpo Field. When we first got
there the field was pretty much in ruin. In one of the hangars which
was partially destroyed there were the wrecks of two YAK-9's. This was
also the first time I had ever seen the British Fury. At that time I
think that was the largest fighter I had ever seen.
They used shotgun type cartridges to start the engine As I recall, when
we moved from Kimpo over to Seoul Municipal, about 14 miles, we had two
T-6's that had damage and we could not fly them, so one of the Mech's
decided, " We'll just taxi them down the highway." And that is what we
did.
I seem to remember that about half way there we came upon a column of
British armor, Centurion Tanks to be exact. When the Limey's saw us
they just pulled off the road and were all sitting on their tanks when
we went by. I could almost read their mind. "What are these bloody
Yanks going to do next?"
There is one memory that is still very vivid in my mind, and that is
the children of war. I doubt that those memories will ever fade away.
It is bad enough that men must fight a war, but I still think about the
little children that suffered there.
Cpt. H.D. Howell info needed
On Wed, 17 Jun 1998
Michael & Maria Huff Email addresswrote:
Ted
Hi I have received some more info. Cpt.H.D.Howell his service # is
15402A,5th Air Force,6147th Tactical Control Squadron He flew a T
6(Mosquito) reconnaissance plane, Thanks I hope this helps.
Maria
