Flight deck jersey patch worn by shipboard-qualified VF-13 Plane Captains circa 67-68
Lord, guard and guide the men who slave
With
swabs and buckets o'er the waves
Who
twist the wrenches through the night
While our great pilots are in flight
Oh,
hear us when we cry to Thee
For aircraft maint'nance
on the sea.
-- Randy Kelso
[Entries
301-400; click here for entries
201-300;
click here for entries
101-200 ; click here for
entries 1-100 ]
CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE LISTED MOST RECENT FIRST
----------------------
350.
Not really an F-8 story, but I did serve as an Ordnanceman in VF-62 from 66-69, so I’m familiar with some of the names of those posting here. One of the posts concerning our Air Force brethren tickled me so….
Here’s where CRS kicks in; I can’t remember whether this occurred while I was the Gunner in VA-52 or VX-4. Doesn’t matter. We were on Det at some AFB and decided to make our presence known at the O club. Made our entrance and were immediately sneered at ‘cause we weren’t sporting the obligatory ascot. Retreated to the head to discuss our sartorial faux pas. Emerged from the head sporting ascots….made of toilet paper. Jaws dropped all over the room. Truly, we were the grandest tigers in the jungle!
Worked on lots of aircraft during my career, from Spads (trading only) to lawn darts. My all-time favorite was the F-8 rocket ship.
Respectfully
Gunner Van Hof
----------------------
349.
Steve Cucura
----------------------
348.
My name is Steve and I was originally a Plane Captain assigned to VA-76 ( A-4C Skyhawks) at Oceana, part of CAW -6, Made a Med Cruise, then a World Cruise on board the Big-E (U.S.S. Enterprise CVA-N-65). Then I was assigned to VC-4 at Oceana, Plane Captain ( F-8 Crusaders). Then I took the AT-3 test and passed and went into the Avionics shop. I loved every minute I was in the Navy because I could touch and be a part of an aircraft, I always loved planes, and me just being able to touch the aircraft was magic to me.
Thank You ;
Steve C.
----------------------
347.
At that time, VC-10 was named the Challengers and flew F8 U/Ks and our squadron
Commander was named Oehlbeck... The Crusader my favorite plane to work on
Thx... Bruce
Bruce Bodiford <b_bod@bellsouth.net>
----------------------
346.
I'd appreciate it if you would place my name on the listing of "F-8
Maintainers." Thanks ever so much.
Bob Milburn blackace6511@ptd.net
MAG-43, VMF-511
----------------------
345.
I was stationed VF-124, at Miramar AE-2 Phil Perdie. 1966-1969
(The one with the handle bar mustache)
I was friends with Dennis Gareau, Ed Carpenter,
Philip Perdie
East Setauket, New York
My e-mail is spedphil@aol.com
----------------------
344.
Just a greeting from the only "blackshoe" in my family - Uncle Bill
(Smatla, William J. AD(j)-1 USN, ret) [ VF-132] laid down his wrenches
in 2007. He always spoke lovingly of the F8U, and the F8F's
&
F9F's before it. My inspiration for not only going into the
Navy,
but for earning my Pilot's license and ratings, thereafter. I
had
3 AD's in the family:
Henry J. Smatla (AMM3, USN)...flew in PBY's with the now famous "Black
Cat's
Bennie F. Smatla (ADC, USN ret.) with Cactus "Air Force" at Henderson
Field, Guadacanal, other "interesting spots", finished up at NAS Cecil
(P3's)
William J. Smatla (AD(j)-1 USN ret.) began on FM-2 Wildcats, thence to
F8F's, F8U's, PB4Y-2'S, P2V-7's (one of the last to get out
of
Tsing Tao, China)
...and me, the Radioman - go figure!
Hoist a pint in the Goat Locker for all who sat behind a stick - they
covered our asses.
Tom Dailey, RMC USN
Denver
daileyservices@qwest.net
----------------------
343.
I served in VF-91 on the USS Ranger as an ADJ-2 in the power plants
shop during the 1962-1963 West PAC. I also served in VF-162
on
the USS Oriskany as an ADJ-2 in the power plants shop (Trouble
shooter/turnup qualified and Shop supply Petty Officer) during the 1965
West PAC.
Frank Stees ADJ-2
festees@ida.net
----------------------
342.
I was in VF-124 for RAG Training at Moffett (1-60/4-60), then to
VF-154. I was an ADJAN at the time. I made ADJ3 in Oct 60 as we
off-loaded at Atsugi from the Coral Sea.
I was Plane Captain on F8U-1E 145457 NL 405. My pilot was LT Tom Clare,
Personnel Officer, during the first cruise, 9-60 / 5-61. I went to
Power plants then and worked for ADJ1 John “Obie”
Beck. We
moved from Moffett to Miramar 7-61, then back on cruise 12-61 again on
the Coral Sea. I was aboard when #3 elevator departed the ship a couple
of days out of Cubi in Feb 62. There was a VFP-63 photo plane being
pushed out tail first onto the elevator when the tow bar came off and
the plane rolled back into the hangar deck. After getting chocks in,
the elevator just fell off. Scary!!!
I left VF-154 in Yokosuka Apr 10, 62 and transferred to NALF China
Lake, Ca, and put ADJ2 on May 62.
I worked on the F8U’s there (amongst all the other types of
aircraft, and flew in most of them) during my tour 4-62/4-65. Great
aircraft!!
Larry Lister, ADC(AC) Ret USN 11/7
lwlister@frontier.com
----------------------
341.
I joined VF32 shortly after they received their F-8s. Iwent to Gitmo
with them for ORI And carquals and then that
“Glorious” Med
cruise. At first, I was assigned to air frames and was privileged to
work on the corrosion problem..Then came the landing gear problem.And
one thing after another. By the end of the cruise we pretty well had
things under control. I served with 32 from August of 1957 to June of
1960. On my last ceuise, I got to rebuild the lower fuselage from the
intake lip casting to the nose wheel well, in the aft end of hanger bay
two It was my last VF duty. Shelby
“Steve” Stephens
,AMSC. Shelbystephens81@yahoo
----------------------
340.
Harbison,James Michael....681-31-33
entered naval air reserve,NAS DALLAS..1962
VF-703
DISCHARGED-honorable, 10/65
e-3
attended 2 wk. summer cruise @ NAS Oceana,Va....1963
moved to La., 1979
just now finding out NAS Dallas base closed
wtf....?
mharbison07@att.net
----------------------
339.
ADJ-2 William A Sedlak, VU-10, Leeward Point,
GITMO, Cuba, 1964-65
Cpl601@aol.com
----------------------
338.
I worked on F8's with VMF 351 MARTD Atlanta 1966-1969.I was a Corporal.
I loved and hated that leaking SOB Aircraft.
Frank Wright
Georgia
ftw46@bellsouth.net
----------------------
337.
My name is Deborah
(Debbie Downey)
Shahen, of Winter Springs, Florida. My Father, Raymond O.
Downey,
retired Navy, passed in
August 2004 at the age of 89. Dad served at the NAS is
Atsugi,
Japan, (I believe) 1959-1962 ... we transferred to Sanford,
FL NAS
in time for me to begin 4th grade in 1962.
We were 'sponsored' by a family when we first reached Japan, and I am
trying to locate them. I believe their/his name was William,
but
I am not
certain about the last name spelling:
Combs/Cooms/Coombs
Can you assist me in this venture or direct me to where I can find this
family?
Thank you so very much! Deborah (Downey) Shahen
vads98@aol.com
----------------------
336.
I was at Miramar in the late 60s and early 70 and still remember
VF124.........
I was looking at a film recently where a retired AF pilot had a big
Crusader poster plastered on the wall of his den.
I thought it interesting and of course it brought back a lot of
memories..........
BTW you are entirely right about the maintenance crew and crew
chiefs......................
When I left Miramar I had orders to VAQ 135 which was interesting given
their primary mission.
Some of my most memorable time in Navy was spent with the aviation
community, who I will never forget.
They were kind enough to take me up numerous times in the back seat of
their different aircraft
and then was fortunate enough later to fly with 135
also..........................
Thanks for the lovely reminder.
Kindest regards,
Rosalee Adams rosaleeadams@gmail.com
----------------------
335.
i just happened across this website, and I was looking for the old
Ordinance gang from VF661, I lost contact after the squadron was called
to active duty following the USS Pueblo being captured. It would be
great to see the gang after all these years, I now live in Pueblo,
Colorado, but get back to the Washington, D.C. often because family
still lives there.
Brian Moore AO1
brian.eroomb@gmail.com
----------------------
334.
i was in vf124 69 70 sera duty vf 191 charlie tinnker cdr i
was e5 ord can tell many facts about f8s
Steve Whitney cavscte8@charter.net
----------------------
333.
I am researching information for a friend. He served from
1966-1970. NAS Miramar CA. VF162
VF111. Was on
the Ticondaroga Shangrala and Midway. Trying to
contact
anyone that may have Served with him. Seems that there is
some
confusion as to the fact that he served. We are trying to
gather
information to prove that he served. There has been a
confusion
as to his SS# and someone else. Byron Price
Ordanceman.
Please send any information to glorioushair@aol.com.
----------------------
332.
Cdr Donald Beck (LDO), Retired
I was with VF-211 in1975 and made their last cruise with F-8's and the
Hancock. I was a Ltjg then and was the Assistant Maintenace
Officer as well as the MMCO.
dbeck@frontiernet.net
----------------------
331.
was an f8 plane captain line trouble shooter and later worked in the
airframes
shop in VU-10 VC-10 IN GITMO 1964-65
I really loved that airplane my bird JH-3 145544 was lost over in japan
in 1968.
To this day I think about those times and how proud I am to have been
involved
with the guys who flew them and maintained them. I loved being on
wheels watch
when three or four of them were doing a section takeoff. There is
nothing like
all them birds in burner and your about thirty feet away from them.
Fond
memories of sleeping in the intakes at night while on hot pad alert
duties.
Vu-10 would alternate with VMF-333 and VMF-251, and eventually inherit
the job
full time.The second week of february 1964, Fidel turned the water off
to the
base so everybody was on edge.We had to stay with the birds all the
time, so
they put a tent up for us, but the flying teeth and other pest made it
impossible to sleep out there at night.So the intakes were
the best
place.Sometimes the line watch would get bored and cycle the GTC85
while you
were sleeping which would really get your adrenalin going thinking a
scramble
was going down.Back then we had the f-8B that used the starter gear box
probe. I
was about 125 pounds then and that dam probe felt like 80
pounds so wrestling
that thing out at 40% was a mother. It was nice when we finally
switched over to
the air starters. Ive been a private pilot now for 34 years and have
over 3600
hours but I would trade all that time for just 1 hour in the most
beautiful
airplane in the world the F8 CRUSADER.
James Samartino
flyboy145544@yahoo.com
----------------------
330.
AO Bob Donahue, served as plane
captain and ordnance man 71-72.
Worked on F-8’s. Would enjoy hearing from anyone
serving in VC-10 during
same time period.
Best Regards, Bob(Jinx) Donahue
----------------------
329.
----------------------
328.
I was an instructor at A school (AMS) from late 1966 to mid 1968 and
would like to locate any other instructors or students that I may have
served with at NATTC Millington TN.
Examples would GYSGT B. D. Herbst paints and dopes south-side or
students Joe and Vinnie Spina from NYC. Or any others that I
served with or taught.
J. Barr Sgt. USMC
Contact me @ jbarr74@hotmail.com
----------------------
327.
I was a Aviation Storekeeper (AK) 4 with VF-53 during the 1965-66
cruise to the WestPac and Vietnam......I have thought many, many times
about my days aboard the Ticonderoga, and not only all the guys I got
to know as ships company, but all my fellow airdales in VF-53, and that
very memorable cruise we all took part in 1965-66......Including having
Bob Hope aboard for our Christmas in 1965, and the fact that one of our
pilots was rescued right before Bob Hopes show, and their picture
together in the Stars & Stripes.......I truly enjoyed my time
with
VF-53 and on the Ticonderoga, and would not trade that time for
anything, and would love to hear from some of my old buddies I got know
that cruise.......I would love to know what happened to the ol'
TI..!!!!!!!!
Roy W Slater AK-4 rwslater711@sbcglobal.net
----------------------
326.
Hi, Great web
site.
I served in the
“Air Born” Navy 1962 to 1966 4+2
and in the Seabees from 1968 to 1972.
Enlisted in
E-9 talked me
into the Seebees in 1968. I guess the monkey never learns.
But I had a great
time. Equipment operator on dozers, cranes. PT’ed with the
USMC.
“Tough
guys”.
Experiences
I’ll never forget. Later I got my Pilots
Licenses, and have continued to enjoy the WILD BLUE YOUNDER. Enjoyed
the whole
experience.
Thank all you
guys for your service.
Charles
“CHUCK” A. Regan AKA “AUTO”
rancher@cwis.net
----------------------
325.
I checked in at K-bay January 1964 and departed December
1966. Came back Jan 1968 and left again Jan 1971 for
Iwakuni. First time, when we were on the Oriskany in '65 we
had F8-E's We swapped our F8-D's at North Island prior to
going to west-pac. Same plane but different radar.
When I came back to 212 in '68 212 had the lead nose f4's and
transitioned to the F4-J's in 1969.
I went back to 212 when they were in Iwakuni in 2002 and was made an
honorary member and appeared on FEN news, outside the hangar.
Got pictures
Tom Flanik
Radar Shop
gunny@sos.net
----------------------
324.
I was aboard the Oriskany and was an AME. I can remember
the morning that I pre-flighted all the birds for VF-111. I found one
on the hangar bay that I figured would not fly that day, but checked it
anyway. I found the main firing pin unhooked. I re-armed the seat and
didn't think too much of this, but made a record of the problem. The
next day Ensign McPheney, I believe that's his name, was shot down in
that same bird. He punched out, but was captured. When we got back to
the States in Jan. '68, he and two other pilots were released. I would
like to think that I saved his life. If he is still around, I would
like to hear from him. Thanks to all the pilots that gave there lives
over there, and to those that are still AROUND, because someone checked
there seat. The F-8 pilots were a special breed.
Regards,Paul C. Garrison
VF-111,VF-211, ORISKANY AND HANCOCK. '67-'68, '69. paulcg946@charter.net
323.
From june
'62 till Sept. 66 Iwas in VF-141 and VF-124 With F-8 Crusaders. Also
after surviving the USS Forrestal Fire I transferred to VC-10 at
Guantamo Bay Cuba for 3 years (11-67 to 9-70) Would like to
hear from anyone who knew me. Wii have more later on several other
maintainers I know of.
----------------------
322.
AQF-2 Michael J. Zumpf,
made the cruises in 67 and 68. under Cdrs Gilcrest and Blake.
Is there any info on squadron personnel for those years?
There are some folks I sure would like to get in touch with.
M.J. Zumpf stlukeseden@embarqmail.com
----------------------
321.
Richard Asmus, AQF-2, VF-91, VF-194, 1961-1965,
Ranger CVA-61, Bonnie Dick CVA-31, 3 Wespac Cruises, Operation
Handclasp to the Indian Ocean, Tonkin Gulf. NATTC Millington, Miramar,
Atsugi, Cubi Point, Bingo crew to Barber's Point, gunnery runs to Yuma
and Fallon, and of course Olongapo, Yokuska and Thieves Alley.
I know who snatched LCDR Kiper's piss-cutter from the cattle car at
Miramar in '64. But my lips are sealed. Great pilots, great crew, great
squadron, great memories.
richard.asmus@sbcglobal.net
-----------------------
320.
I served 1-67 through 6-71. I spent my last two yrs with
VFP-63 NAS
Miramar. My last yr was with Det
-1 USS
Hancock. Cmd
Bill "Redeye" Petitt
was our CO for that cruise.
The most memorial op we were involved in was the Raid on Son Tay Prison. Even our
RF8G's flew that night dropping
flares to divert the N Viet's
attention away from Son
Tay.
Howerver there was no
rescue of American POW'S as
they had moved them up to Hanoi.
Being a Plane Capt. was one of the most exciting things that I ever
did.
Especially we I was able to operate out of Da
Nang. Got to do a lot of
flying around the country to
get up our Bird's when they had to bingo into Da
Nang.
Hope I'm lucky enough to hear from anyone who remembers me.
Earl McWilliams
12-09
mac.cat@verizon.net
-----------------------
319.
I am
looking for former members of the FIGHTER
SQUADRON
VF-24 I WAS IN THE SQUADRON FROM 1963 TO 1967.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A REUNION OR SOMETHING GOING FOR THE FORMER
MEMBERS. THE
OFFICAL WEB SITE HAS NOT WORKED FOR MANY YEARS.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED IN GETTING SOMETHING TOGETHER.
I AM PUTTING TOGETHER A LIST PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR
NAME (THOMAS ALLISON)
YEARS IN VF24 (1963 TO 1967
WHAT DID YOU DO. (STOREKEEPER)
OTHER MEMBERS YOU KNOW (GEORGE WARD)WITH
E MAIL IF
POSIBLE
THANKS
photofind@att.net
-----------------------
318.
hi
steve
i just read a posting on
a web site you made. it
explaned how you served
with
vc-1 from 1967-1969 . i also
served with vc-1 as a (ae-2)67-69 . my
name is frank dougherty
,if you were turn qualified i'am
sure we worked togeather
especially when we were
bringing the jets out of check's. i
did a lot of high powers on the( f-8)'s. setting stabs ,and doing
electrical
checks. the pilot i remember
the most was charles barnett.
i
wear his braclet now . he went KIA
may 23 1972 . his
remains were sent home in 1978 . those
days are remembered by me as same
of the best days of my life ,we also had a plain captain named rhodes that was killed just
before his discharge . if
you have time send me a reply
.
thank you ,take care frank
CAPTAIN819@aol.com
-----------------------
317.
Greeting
Swordsmen:
It
is of great sadness to
announce the Passing of Donald Staats.
Don passed
away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland on the 10th
of
March at 5:15 in the morning.
Some
of us met Don along
with Charles "Bud" Pytko
at our VF-32
reunion in September 2005 when we retired the F-14 Tomcats from our
Squadron;
they were the F-8 Crusader guys.
Don
was assigned with VF-32
at the time when the Squadron received some of the Navy's first F-8
Crusaders
and the term "SONIC SWORDSMEN" was first used for members of VF-32.
Don
was very helpful with
information about the early days of the F-8 Crusader and was
researching for an
image of the character "Sam Bojack"
at the
time of his death. Don will be greatly missed.
Those
wishing to send a card
to his wife Sandra and family, the address is:
Mrs. Donald Staats
& Family
32405 Mt Olive Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
I'll
be working on a Memorial
page for Don once I
receive more information.
Don served with the Squadron from 1957 to 1961.
kenw@vf32.info
-----------------------
316.
From:
B.J. Herring Adc
Ret. 61- 81
F8's May 69 July 71, Vc 10 ,
July 71 Mar. 73 Vf-124, 73 Aug.
81 VF-63read
several names that brang
back times ,that I think of
often , hello c. Blair okie
Bob. dam its
been a while, I stay in touch Ken
Jonas and i
have talked to Joe NAgel
once still here in Oregon, White City.
went to work for V. A. in 82 REt. in
03 in still play with cars and hunt every year Joe
told me about
John seams
like only last week 1971
Vf-124 John getting out pissed off. at
what i don"t know.we
drank a lot of beer in those day's ph: 541 826 6753 later:
bjhusn1@embarqmail.com
-----------------------
315.
Please add my name to those who toiled on F-8 Crusaders. I was a member of squadron VF-661, under the command of Cdr. Lemuel Warfield, and served during the Pueblo activation. I was a Fire Control Technician 2nd class (AQF2).
Robert W. Rogers
NAVY NETWORK WARFARE COMMAND - N2
NAVY INFORMATION OPERATIONS COMMAND MARYLAND
301-688-2389 / 240-373-3145
962-3466 / 962-3050 - Secure
-----------------------
314.
I
am trying to
contact individuals who served with VF211 between 1964 and
1967. Can you
help me?
I
was there as an AQF3 and would
like to send out a shout to some of my old friends, both enlisted and
officers,
especially, Tom Hall, Richard Wheeler, Jackie (JD) Starnes and Dean
Nelson.
Thank
you,
Bill
Blackburn
Pacific
Inns, LLC
2333
NW Vaughn St.
Portland,
OR 97210
Direct
Phone: 503.484.1117
Mobile
Phone: 503.481.0004
Direct
Fax: 503.484.1118
http://pacificinns.com
-----------------------
313.
VF
162
1961 thu
65
NAS Mirmar, USS Oriskany .
PO 2
ADJ
JIM Bennett
Cinncinati,Ohio
oriskanyfldeck@yahoo.com
-----------------------
312.
I
WAS
GLAD I STUMBLED ONTO THIS PAGE. I WAS WITH VFP-63 FROM 64 TO 66. IWENT ON CRUISE ABOARD USS MIDWAY IN 65.
WAS
WITH ALFAGATORS DETACHMENT.AT THAT TIME WAS ADJ 3 AND PLANE CAPTAIN.
C.O.WAS LTCDR. DUNKIN
IWOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM SHIPMATES
FROM THAT CRUISE, PLUS BUDS FROM REST OF VFP-63 STATIONED AT MIRAMAR
YOU CAN
REACH ME AT BOBREYER@LIVE.COM
SOME NAMES I REMEMBER ARE LES STIFFLER
,JIM HICKS AND
A GUY WE NICKNAMED LURCH AFTER AN INCIDENT IN HAWII ON THE TRIP TO THE
GULF. IF ANYONE WAS THERE LOVE TO
HEAR FROM YOU.
-----------------------
311.
my
name chuck smith l/cpl usmc looking for old buddys from crash crew
smithc167@wmconnect.com
-----------------------
310.
Hi,
I was with VC-1 at Barbers Point, 67-70. As
an AMS-3, loved
the U-Bird.
I
went through F8 school
at VF-124, I was an qualified
P/C on both the F8 and A4 Skyhawks.
Went to A7s with VA-56 on the Midway
70/72. I miss the F8s
the most.
Bruce
L. Shaw, Boise Idaho
parkcounty1@msn.com
-----------------------
309.
My
name
is Mike Colwell and was assigned to VF-162 as an AO from 65’
– 68’. I
have many fond memories of West Pacs
aboard the
Mighty “O”. ; hard
times but good times.
Whatever happed to “Bulb”
Mike.Colwell@cdzodiac.com
-----------------------
308.
From June 1962 to April 1963, I worked on F-8U2NE Aircraft
assigned to
VF-141, at Miramar Naval Air Station, CA. Then fron
16 Nov.'67 till Sept. 70, I worked on F-8u2NE, while in VC-10 at
Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba. Later they took our F- 8U2NE Aircraft and gave them to
squadrons
going to Vietnam. They replaced them with F-8UB Models. then
later with The old F-8UA's. The B and A models came from the bone yard
in Airzona. Man 'o man
did we have fun working on
them!!! Every shop every day did multiple robbing peter to
pay paul ( canableizing)
while waiting on repaired parts or parts from aircraft in the bone yard
in Airzona, to get to
us. While I was
attached to VC-10, we were so short handed, that if the sun came up you
went to
work, unless you were on leave, on watch or in the hospital. 12 and 18
hour
days 7 day weeks were normal. One thing about it I was never wondering
what will I do today!!!
Several times while at "Gitmo" I did get to go fishing. I caught a 52 pound red snapper one night. I still haven't figured out how or why but somehow my wife got pregnant while at "Gitmo" my youngest daughter was born there, Dec. 19 1969.
At Gitmo I worked my rear end off, but looking back, it was a great experience. I still miss the old F-8U's. I had a total of about 8 years working on the Crusaders. A great flying Machine!!!
Sincerely, Frederick J Seitz, USN, Ret.
marrick2x2@yahoo.com
-----------------------
307.
I
was in
VFP 63 det 4 in 1975
and was on the last cruise of
the Oriskany. I was a AT2
and fondly reflect on the good ole days. If any of my contemporary
shipmate
read this, the please e mail me and lets catch up.....Doug Irvine
doug@iwssurveying.com
President, I/WS Surveying
23133 Hawthorne Blvd, STE B-9
Torrance CA 90505
310.791.0904 o.
310.791.0914 f.
-----------------------
306.
ADJ2
HI,BROTHERS.
TOUR OF DUTY
61/ 65 VF 162 ORISKANY CVA 34 ,NAS
MIRMAR, GOING TO
START E MAILING RIGHT NOW.
JIM BENNETT oriskanyfldeck@yahoo.com
-----------------------
305.
Great Site, please proudly sign me up! Doug Frank AQF-2
VF162 sailed on
the Oriskany for the
66' and 67' cruises. Northlandtec@optonline.net
-----------------------
304.
I'm
Charles
Shaw (loudmouth Texan), formerly an ADJ3/plane Captain on the Shangrai-La 59-60 cruise to the far east.
We took 4 F9F-8P's aboard. I remember my pilot, Lt. Ron Pollard. I
believe it
was in '60 when the first U-Birds arrived. I've never made
contact with a
single soul I served with. I now reside near Memphis.
cshawbart@bellsouth.net I still have a silk screened photo of "my"
plane over Mt. Fuji, (a standard photo-op of the time) on my living
room wall.
cshawbart@bellsouth.net
-----------------------
303.
Hey!
Neat to see
good commentary on the F-8 Crusader. I was a
Weapons Specialist (Ordnanceman)
in VMF-122. I joined them in Apr of '63
in Rosie Roads PR, and stayed with them through our Far East
tour, returning
stateside in Feb. of '65. I thought we had a great squadron
and still
think the F-8 was the slickest looking bird in the
sky. Would love
to hear from some of the guys I served with.
Jim
Gosnell
jimgosnell@cox.net
-----------------------
302.
My name is Tim Morrow. I was an AE2 with VF-53 in'69
and'70. Had
some good times and some long hour of work
reddmor@sbcglobal.net
-----------------------
301.
Hi,
just caught your
site while I was
surfing the F-8 sites, looking
for a model. I plane captained with VF-53 on our 1969
Westpac. And
some of the incidents that occurred are still very fresh
today.
THANKS
Vince Marchisotto
USN
MARSSCarz@aol.com
-----------------------
-----------------------
Click here to E-mail Page Watch Officer
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