Korean War Project

Note: Original postings on the Korean War Project from 1995 to about 1999.

62nd Troop Carrier Squadron - 314th Air Div

1Lt. John M. Gilbert

On Sat, 7 Feb 1998 
John Gilbert Email address wrote:

1366 Old Timbell Road
Waterford, CA 95386

Telephone:	209-874-3692
Fax: same

My father, 1Lt. John M. Gilbert was killed in June of 1951 while 
flying supply missions over Korea.  He was  a co-pilot in a C-119.  It 
is my understanding that a group of three planes delivering supplies 
were struck by allied ground artillery fire and all three planes were 
destroyed.  However, I have never been able to verify this story, 
although it seems to probably be true.  

If anyone out there recalls this incident, please contact me at the 
above address.  It just seems time is running out and I would like to
know.  I have a letter from his commander to his mother but it just 
talks about what a great guy he was and about how much all the men liked
him.  My father played the harmonica and sang and was very popular.  

I've a letter from another pilot who flew over the site just minutes
afterwards but he never specifically states what happened. He mostly 
talks about what a shock it was.  Altogether it was a blow that was felt
for many years and indeed, still is felt  by me today.  In looking 
through my fathers letters and personnal effects one gets a strong sense
of the hard work and dedication the cargo pilots were possessed with. 
That they were brave men, there is no doubt.  It seems ironic that so 
many that gave so much will never be remembered in the way they should
be.

At Castle Air Force Museum sits a C 119 ready for restoration.  What a
fitting tribute it would be to have those Korean pilots tell their tale
in a memorial inside that plane.