VMO 6 (Marine Observation Squadron Six)
Note: our Dad's unit during the war - Ted and Hal - we would love to hear from anyone that ever served with our father, Edward L. Barker, Lt. Col USMC (ret).Dad never said much about his service during WWII and Korea, except for vague references. We know that most men who served under combat situations do not talk much, but it is important for younger generations to know what their family members experienced.
Ed note: from Hal Barker, Director KWP;
Our father was operations officer of VMO-6 in the fall of 1951, arrived there on September 25, shot down in a HTL-4 on September 26, Silver Star in a HO3-S1 at Heartbreak Ridge on October 7 while attempting a rescue of a downed F4-U pilot hit by friendly fire.
Later he handled operations in the HMR 161 move to the west in 1952. At the time, he was Major Edward L. Barker, and went by "Lee".
I ran into Ed Modjelewski (spelling?) about 10 years ago by letter, and he sent me a photocopy of the 1952 yearbook for VMO-6.
A Unit www site
On Sun, 1 Jun 1997 "c.j.smith" hats@bluemoon.net wrote: I have a page for VMO-6 at VMO-6 with some members names. All are invited.
1953
On Sun, 3 Aug 1997 Updated 27 Aug 2001 Bill Wieman wrote: Served with VMO 6 all of 1953 in Korea., but don't remember the the CO 's name.
OE-1
On Sun, 31 Aug 1997 Michael O'Toole wrote: 6974 N. Glenwood Chicago, IL 60626-3418 Telephone:(773)508-9073 Fax:(773)508-9073 My father, Lt. Col. (then Capt.) William J. O'Toole USMCR, flew OE-1 and L-19 aircraft with VMO-6 from approximately early Sept. to late Nov. of 1952. I believe that he was in-country prior to that time but I am unsure in what capacity. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who served with him at any time in his career. Dad passed away in Oct. 1981. All correspondence will be answered. Thanks, Michael O'Toole
8/51
On Wed, 11 Feb 1998 "Paul A. David" Email address wrote: datein: 08/1951 dateout: 08/1953 I served in Korea in VMO 6 for 11 months. Have pics to share and info. Would be glad to hear from any others that served in this unit at this time. Will try to answer all mail, between crashes.(I'm new to the net). Semper FI...Paul NOTE: Just a note to find out if there is a way I can E-mail C.J. Smith Fred J. Shamer or Bill Wieman. I have tried to send them a message and they are returned. They are on the Vmo 6 Page. I got in contact with a Charles Langin on your site. He was in Vmo 6 and was there before I was, Might know something of your Dad. Our pilots and observers were some of the finest people I've ever came across. They all were brave men who deserve a lot of credit. Note: pics included, Am kind of new to this mail, but will try to send you some pics of when I was in Vmo6 in Korea in 1952. Please let me know if you can use them and want any more. I believe our C.O. was Lt. Col. Dew at that time.
Hd. Sq. FMAW
On Mon, 16 Feb 1998 Note: update needed for Mr. Schamer - ed note. "Fred J. Schamer" Email address wrote: 316 No. 54 th. St. Mesa, AZ 85205 phone: 602-854-8843 Hd. Sq. FMAW Intrested to hear from anyone that was with Hd. Sq. FMAW 1948 to 1952--Korea 15, SEPT. 1950 TO 1, Dec.1951.Itami to K-1 k-3.I have a lot of pictures and some of Vo-6 & more. Capt. J.J.Fisher from Texas, are you out there ?
Unit members
On Fri, 20 Feb 1998 "Major D. Tinius USMC" Email address wrote: datein: 03/53 dateout: 10/53 Lt Col Cloman was CO. Capt Ed McMahon, George Brier, Knight, etc GYSGT Johnson, now retired and living in Nevada; Forgot adjutants name. Quite an experience! davetinius@prodigy.net
Charles Myers Jr
On Sun, 9 Aug 1998 16:20:17 -0500 (CDT) Dan Myers Email address wrote: comments: Like the above, my father, Charles "Charlie" Myers Jr. served with VMO-6 and VMO-2. From what comments I can get from him, he was in Korea roughly May/June '53 near Uijongbu. And also in Japan. I want to say he was with -6 in Korea and in Japan with -2, but not sure. He was a helicopter crewchief, but originally trained as a mechanic on the F4U down in Pensacola, FL (approx. 1951/52). I have met one of the old CO's (retired MAJ - sorry forgot the name) who is living in Oregon near my father, but they never served together. He was there in the start of the war. He has a small "yearbook" that my father has a copy of. I would be extremely grateful if you would write to me or my mother, Marie, with any information. We have some photographs and a few stories. Thank you for your interest in a subject that is fast becoming a lost part of a proud history.
Sgt. Thomas Gabud
On Thu, 19 Aug 1999 TIM MCCUTCHEON Email address wrote: sgt thomas gabud is interested in hearing from anyone who served with vmo-6 from april 1952 until march 1953 i would be interested in finding out if there is a yearbook available for 1952 since it was mentioned by hal barker. Thomas Gabud 443 Guys Run Rd. Pgh., PA 15238 (412) 828-1259
Friends in Squadron
On Mon, 10 Nov 1997 Ed Shamis Email address wrote: 205 Lake Sabine Court Slidell, LA 70461 Telephone: 504-641-0972 Fax: 504-643-9980 Thanks for adding my msg to the unit page. I had a very close friend in VMO-6 in 1952, he left VMO-6 on or about July of 1952 and became Wing PIO Officer His name was Butler Avery.(now deceased) The C.O. of VMO-6 was also a friend Col. Tex Dew. I found the site to be very interesting. I would like to be able to contact friends who were in VMF 311 at the time I was March 1952 thru August of 52. I left there very suddenly due to WIA. Thanks for adding my msg to the unit page. I had a very close friend in VMO-6 in 1952, he left VMO-6 on or about July of 1952 and became Wing PIO Officer His name was Butler Avery.(now deceased) The C.O. of VMO-6 was also a friend Col. Tex Dew.