VMF-323
On the USS Sicily (CVE-118)
On Wed, 6 Aug 1997
Allison E. March a499march@aol.com wrote:
Desire to contact any of the following officers from VMF-323, "DEATH
RATTLERS", assigned to USS Sicily (CVE-118) on July 29, 1951:
Major C. M. Kunz, serial # 07470;
Captain D.R. Dempster, serial # 037930;
Captain D. W. Smith, serial # 020307.
These three officers led Pre-Briefed Strikes off the USS Sicily
CVE-118) on July 29, 1951.
My mailing address is: A. E. March
12710 Old Fort Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744-2859
Phone Number: 301-292-2763
E-Mail: a499march@aol.com
History of Unit
On Sun, 22 Feb 1998
"Capt. Chad R. Conner" Email address wrote:
phone: (619) 295-5756
Gentlemen,
I am currently a pilot with VMFA-323 Death Rattlers. We are very
interested in the history of our squadron and I have been assigned to
research the involvement of our squadron in the Korean War flying F-4U's.
I will greatly appreciate any information and/or references you can
provide pertaining to this subject.
Thank you Chad R. Conner
Captain, USMC
Finding pilots
On Wed, 3 Feb 1999
Kent Ewing Email addresswrote:
FIRST NAME: Kent
LAST NAME: Ewing
STREET: 7352 Kilborn Drive
CITY: Fair Oaks
STATE: California
ZIP: 95628
COUNTRY: U.S.
TELEPHONE: (916) 967-7471
FAX:
YOUR UNIT:
I am Kent Richard Ewing, only son of Neal Richard Ewing. I am looking
for pilots who served with my father, especially Phillip Degroot and
Lt. Clingan. VMF323,"Death Rattlers", Squadron,Pusan Korea.
Info needed
On Fri, 23 Apr 1999
"Edmonds Library Reference Dept." Email address wrote:
I am a librarian at Edmonds Public Library in Edmonds, Washington.
We are trying to help a patron find the following information:
Daily combat records for USMC VMF-323 from August 1950-October 1950,
plus names of pilot roster and target assignments plus maps if
available.
If you have any information may direct us toward this information,
please email us at edmref@sno-isle.org.
Thank you kindly for your help.
Ginny Rollett
Reference Librarian
Unit buddies
On Tue, 23 Dec 1997
David S. Bernas Email addresswrote:
Dear Sirs,
My father flew for VMF 323 in Korea from Sept 51 - Feb 52.
He recently asked if I could acquire any info via the Internet regarding
this. Any direction or information would be greatly appreciated
Sincerely,
David S. Bernas
From KWP: I know I've seen your fathers' name. somewhere.
Dear Mr. Bernas,
I believe your father was involved in close air support of my fathers'
helicopter rescue attempt at Heartbreak Ridge on October 7, 1951.
The young pilot my dad was trying to rescue was Lt. Arthur Donald DeLacy,
of VMF 323, hit by friendly fire over Heartbreak Ridge.
I've spoken with Lt. Col. George Vaughn, CO of VMF 323, and researched
Captain Matney, Howard, Abner, Ciampa of VMF 312 and Samuel Martin of
VMO-6.
On the day DeLacy was hit, Col. Vaughn, Captain Holiday, and Sgt. Coady
made up the four plane flight with DeLacy.
The incident and loss of Lt. DeLacy compelled me to found the Korean War
Veterans Memorial in Washington.
My dad was with VMO-6.
Hal Barker
