VC-12/VAW-12 Newsletter
April 2005
Website: www.vc12vaw12.org
All the old
newsletters;
for members
list: www.vc12vaw12.org/members/members.html
Chairman: Seykowski, Edward CWO4 607 N 70 E Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-462-3636 edseykow@juno.com FAX 219-462-2168 1959-1962 AT2 Karen
Next Reunion: WE’RE
GOING TO BILOXI IN NOVEMBER 7-9, 2005
Shipmates, we tried to make
arrangements for Pensacola but they were still closed
through 2005 due to Hurricane damage. VC-11/VAW-11 is planning to reunion at
the Hilton on Pensacola Beach October 27-30. Thanks again
to our shipmate, Jack Becker, for “bird-dogging” Casino Magic - Biloxi as an alternate site near Pensacola. That’s where we will be
meeting. There are a lot of things to do in Biloxi, even if you do not gamble.
If we get enough interest, we will motor (tour bus) over to the Naval Air Museum on our first tour day
(Tuesday). The Blue Angels may be practicing (Tues. & Weds.) for their
“Homecoming” air show, which takes place the weekend following our Reunion. Our itinerary will be
similar to past Reunions. In the past we found we were paying for breakfasts
that were not eaten, so folks get breakfast on your own. The Reunion cost is $100 per person for
the Reception, Happy Hours in Hospital Room, Banquet, and Reunion expenses. Reserving &
paying for lodging ($89 +taxes) will be direct to the Casino Magic (866/867-7711).
We again will have a Hospitality Room for visiting shipmates and to display
memorabilia. We will arrange for a VCR.
7 Nov. Monday – Check-in to hotel & Reunion Registration,
5 PM Reception -“heavy Hors
D’oeurves” cash bar
8 Nov. Tuesday – Dutch Breakfast
Paid Tours (TBA - Air Museum?) Dutch Lunch
4 PM “Happy Hour” &
Business Meeting
7 PM Squadron “Dining Out” -
Dutch
9 Nov. Wednesday – Dutch Breakfast
Paid Tours (TBA) with Dutch Lunch
4 PM “Happy Hour” &
Business Meeting
6 PM Cocktail Hour with cash
bar
7 PM Banquet with speaker
(Uniforms – if you have one
that fits)
So here is what you do:
1.
Send Dick Bray a check at
765 Hosmer Road Churchville, New York, 14428 Email leighbray@hotmail.com for $100.drawn to VAW-12 (Treasurer for reunion money)
2. Call The
Casino Magic in Biloxi 866/867-7711 to reserve a room. Tell them you’re with the VAW-12 group.
Code is: OVCVAW
Treasurer, Scribe, & Membership Chairman for
dues:
Roger G. Smith, MD Office: 256 SE 2nd Av. Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-648-7126
503-628-2229
home; Office 503-648-7126; FAX 503-648-9179 rgs@coho.net
If any of you guys took the Hays sword, send it back. The National Park Service
said that it is investigating the theft of two bronze decorative swords from
monuments at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. "These aren't
functional swords," said Gettysburg spokeswoman Katie Lawhon.
"They're bronze decor from historic monuments. We've never had any stolen
before." One sword had been held by the statue of Union Gen. Alexander
Hays, a fiery Pennsylvanian who commanded a division at the Battle of
Gettysburg and led the flanking assault that stopped Confederate Gen. George
Pickett's famous charge at Cemetery Ridge. As the Confederate force retreated,
Hays reportedly kissed an aide in his exhilaration and then dragged a Rebel
battle flag behind his horse up and down his line. Hays was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness the
following year, in 1864. The Hays sword, stolen last year, was broken off below
the hilt and removed from the sculpture. The second bronze sword, taken last
month, was a saber carried by the famously lifelike equestrian statue of a
trooper at the monument to the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. It was broken out of
the statue's hand. "We don't know where they would sell something like
that," Lawhon said. The cost of repairs and replacement of both swords was
estimated at $4,200. Both statues are in a prominent section of the battlefield
well-traveled by the public during daylight hours. Anyone with information
about the vandalism and thefts can call 717-334-0909. A $1,000 reward has been
offered.
Change of Command party
It seems that there was a
big Change-of-command ceremony for a VAW squadron done very formally in white
uniforms and afterwards a party with lots of liquor at which everybody got
happy. A senior admiral had come down to Norfolk from Washington to do the honors and he was
at the party too. The new CO arranged to salute the outgoing CO with a prank.
He had a sailor dressed up as a “lady”
come rushing in at the height of the party carrying a lemon meringue
pie, yelling, “Where is that Navy Pilot who got me pregnant?” The new CO rose and stopped him, and shouted,
“How do you know it was a Navy Pilot?”
The “lady” replied, “I know
because he had a large wristwatch and a small penis,” which convulsed the
party. The “lady” then looked wildly about the room and spotted the Admiral
whom she mistook for the outgoing captain, and pointed to him and yelled,
“There he is!”
The Admiral was red faced
and tongue tied. The old skipper with great presence of mind in his inebriated
state pulled him out of the way just in time and took the pie square in the
kisser himself. As everyone gasped, he sat on the floor roaring with laughter
and the entire encounter was deemed a big success.
This is the edition posted to all those who get the newsletter
in the mail.
Those who got it on internet got a list of new names. Our membership is up over
1200 now. I have broken down the list by
detachments, so if you went to sea on a carrier you can ask for a roster of the
guys you served with. We need old rosters and orders with names. Write to me
and tell me who your friends were. Have you a clue where they are now. Perhaps
we already know. If you have an e-mail address send me word, and I’ll send
future message electronically.
Get your grandson to show you our website on his computer. The address is at the top
of page 1.
We prune the names from the
list of guys we don’t hear back from. So write us something, even if you don’t
send dues. I’ll put a note on here to show if you are paid. Hard to keep track
of that, I know, but I have good records. Dues goes to me; registration to Bray
in NY.
Dues: The newsletter runs on
dues. We send the newsletter (approximately every 2 months) to all with e-mail
addresses and to all without e-mail who pay dues.
We
send to different selected members every time to encourage participation, and
to guys whose e-mail has gone gunnysack to get them to send us their up-dated
one.
We
beg people to send us names of men they served with so we can try to find them.
Our
membership has increased from 136 guys in 2002 to 1200 plus today. We have over
400 names in our memorial section besides that. It’s all on the website. Write
and tell us who you recall serving with. Give us some clue where to find them.
Dues are $10 per year. Checks drawn to VC-12 or
VAW-12 or VC-12/VAW-12 can be mailed to me at 256 SE 2nd
Av. Hillsboro, OR 97123. (That’s my office; my home mailbox is a rural box
along the county road and is not secure for funds.)
We
hit up a lot of guys for dues at the reunion, but didn’t get everyone. Anybody
unsure can ask for the list to see if he’s current. The new year starts after
the Reunion business meeting. If you
paid before that, you may have paid 04 dues but not 05. We do not
publish the dues list on the website.
Write
to me to request an up-dated roster from your cruise.
VAW-12
Books at the VAW Store
We have copies of GUPPY PILOT at $27.50 each post paid. This is a book written by Roger
Smith about squadron flying. His address is on the
letterhead. 80 color photos and some others. Naval history, sea stories,
personal reminiscence.
We do not have copies of SAILORS IN THE SKY by Jack Sauter, but inscribed copies can be
purchased from him directly for $19.95 at 235
Robby Lane, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
This is an enlisted aircrewman’s view of the Korean War from the back seat of
an AD3W operating off the Lake
Champlain. Jack is the president and editor of the
magazine for that ship’s reunion group to this day.
HANOI COMMITMENT the
story of 7 years a prisoner of the North Viets. Purchase from the author
for $15. plus postage. CAPT James A. Mulligan 912 Five Points Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23454-2642
Hey Roger: Just got my book 20 Was Easy published. Would
appreciate you mentioning it in your next news letter. It's available for
$8.95 by writing to Harry Mead, 38 N. Alder Drive, Orlando, FL 32807-5030. There is a chapter
about VAW-12.
VAW-12 Patches on
sale for $4. for dues paying members and
$8. for those not paying dues. Write to editor (Roger Smith) address supra.
New Members
since January 2005
Allridge, Allan
8604 Boundbrook Terr Manassas, VA 20109-4817
703-396-7306
I was an AE-2 assigned to VAW-12 @
NAS Norfolk, VA. from 05/67 to 01/69. VAW-12 at that time was
transitioning from E-1Bs and E-2As when I arrived in May of 67 from AEA School. The E-1B was easy airplane to work
on and very forgiving and dependable. I enjoyed working on the E-1B more than
the E-2As because the electrical system was basic and simple and required less
maintenance. I worked night check for AE1 Durham out of the VAW-12 Electric
Shop when I first got checked out on E-1B aircraft. After a short time I was
E-1B engine run qualified and the VAW-12 Electric Shop night shift
troubleshooter. I was 18 years old at the time and it was a great time in my
life. I never went to sea with the E-1B because shortly after being assigned to
VAW-12 they formed the rag squadron RVAW-12 and I was reassigned to the rag. 11/04/2004
Babcock, Charles G. CE1 (Construction electrician in Seabees) RR1 Box 166AA Troy, PA 16947 570-297-5025 malsline@dfnow.com Randolph 1958; FDR 1961-2; AMH3
Forrestal 1962-3. Injured and transferred to Seabees. Mallory Allison
Ballard, William Paul 317 Edison Dr Orange Park, FL 32073 904-264-4028
Saratoga 1957-8
Barcomb, Leon R. 8 Annandale Dr Boiling Springs, SC
29316-9313
864-578-1536 sptbars@bellsouth.net LT(jg) America 1967; VAW-122 Sue
Bassett, Melvin S. “Sage” CDR Daleville, VA 24083 540-591-9008 mbass62906@aol.com USNA 1953; LT(jg) VAAW-33
Randolph 1956; LCDR Saratoga 1963 Lenore (Rescued from the deceased list after being confused with another
Bassett)
Beck, Donald
W. 173 Houston Rd Mocksville, NC 27028 336-998-8093 AEAN Forrestal
1966-7
Becknell, Ronald
M. II 1113 Mcdow Dr Rock Hill, SC 29732 803-985-7063 AME2 Forrestal 1966-7
Bell, Lyndon R. Little Elm, TX
972-294-0580; cell 214-636-6392 bellkay@sbcglobal.net
LT Forrestal 1966-7 from Pittsburgh, Tx. Teaching high school
math. Kay
Belmore, Richard K. (Switchy) 4067 Northview Ln Dallas, TX 75229-2855 214-357-0540 (phone number disconn.) AT1—ATC Lake Champlain 1953; Randolph 1954; 1960s with NASA in Houston. Danielle. (I found there was only one L in
Belmore)
Binford, Weston M. Jr 2304
Cypress Pt W Austin, TX 78746 512-327-3768
weston.binford@gmail.com Pilot
LT(jg) FDR 1967-8 Ann
Blackmer, Max
12092 Johnson Rd Beloit, OH 44609 330-584-6704 blacmer@cannet.net AT1 Forrestal 1966
Bley, Jack
E. CAPT 15510 Calle Asturtas San Diego, CA 92128 bleys5@aol.com
America 1967; XO VAW-122 (pronounce
Bly)
Bloemendaal, David 2008 Javelin Ct Virginia Beach, VA 23456 757-471-1298 Forrestal 1966-7 AT1
Bowlby,
James K. 5619 State Rd 19 Bucyrus, OH 44820 419-284-3176
lbowlby@aol.com AC3 Saratoga 1961-2
Briegel, Charles V. LCDR 26944 Racquet Cir Leesburg, FL 34748
352-728-5392 O-in-C FDR 1967-8
Brooks, Leldon Lane 124 Hidden Valley Dr
Abilene, TX 79603 325-698-6886 blaquerencia@aol.com
Saratoga 1957-8. Essex 1958. Retired fm Corpus
Christi Army depot 1993.
Carp, Jordan, A. 747 Water St Framingham, MA 01701-3208 508-877-7197
ENS SC 1953-4
Clamer, John H. 453 Hyatt St Avenel, NJ 07001-1128 732-750-3330 AN Independence 1960-1 (probable)
Cossou, Charles
24033 Rte 91 Bell City, MO 63735 573-733-4175 AMS3 Forrestal 1966-7 Cope,
Stuart S. (Super Sport) 211 Hywy 49 Tuskegee, AL 36083 334-727-3074 LT(jg)
FDR 1967-8 Edna
Cordrey,
Ralph A. Sylvania, OH 43560 FDR 1966 (not in the phone book. Brothers misled me
about his number. I am assured he is our guy. He may call me.)
Brother
Roger 3621 Centennial Rd Sylvania,
OH 43560
419-841-7743 Betty
Brother
Raymond A age 58 9146 W. Bancroft St Holland,
OH 43528
419-829-4523
Costello, Richard
Martin 1848 Taft St Concord, CA 94521 925-687-2981 rmandem@astound.net LTJG NAOC Aug 1956-Oct 1958 Randolph 1957-8 Elinor
Cottrell, David E. 371 Lansdowne Ct Saluda, VA 23149 804-758-3529 LT(jg) FDR
1967-8 Christy
Craven, Randall
4516 Conisburgh Way Columbus, GA 31907 706-563-7657 from Minnesota AN Forrestal 1966-7
Craw, Jerry
O. 12 Western View St Auburn, ME 04210-4446
207-786-0394 craw@adelphia.net AK3 Saratoga 1961-2
DiMarcantonio, Albert L. CAPT address/phone & e-mail on
request. I’ve been asked not to publish. LT(jg) Saratoga 1966; 1967-8; VAW-121.
Dominique, Noah J. Box 973 Saunderstown, RI 02874-1609 (973 Slocum Rd Exeter) 401-294-9445 Wasp 1958 Helen. The address is not
deliverable, but the phone number is good.
Epps, Dennis
C. 6511 Bur Oaks Ln Naples, FL 34119 239-597-3861 AMH2 Forrestal 1966 Petrina
Fallwell, Jr., B.
Noel 616 Pinetree Cir Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757-340-2871 AT3 Forrestal 1966-7
Fisher, Charles K. LT 1720 Rally Dr Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-496-7546 fisherck@cox.net Life Insurance Business.
LT(jg) ENS Saratoga 1966 ?Forrestal or Sara?
Gash, John Allen CDR 7815 Lancelot Dr Pensacola, FL 32514 850-477-6761
Forrestal 1966-7
Gangi, James P. 167 Grove St Waltham, MA 02453 781-899-4254 AD-2, Quonset
Point 1961-2. Daughter in law gave me the number.
I remember him telling an
interesting story about him being on watch when in a P2V squadron in the same
hanger before the WF2s arrived. Seems this story explained the end of the
practice of officers sneaking down to the hangar and trying to place a sign
inside one of the planes saying it had been sabotaged after normal working
hours when those with the watch were armed with more than a billy club and
general orders board hanging from a canteen belt. Herb Thompson.
Goodall, Arthur Richard
LCDR 42 Mill Ln Yarmouthport, MA 02675 508-362-5268 age 81 O-in-C Saratoga
Cruise 1957-8. Chief Scank hears he is unwell. Muriel. No response; phone never
answers. Left msg on recorder.
Gow, George E. 1430 Dixon Blvd Cocoa, FL 32922 321-631-3964 (This
number is now a different person.) AA Coral Sea
1955
Guillemin,
Francis E. 57 Young St. East Hampton,
CT 06424-1843
860-267-9976
AM2 Lake Champlain 1954-5. Hip surgery Feb 05.
Haladye, Wayne J. 20440 Anza
Av #304 Torrance,
CA 90503
310-214-2167 armpuck@prodigy.net AT3 Enterprise
1961-2
Hanson,
Wm E. 8317 Norristown Dr Norfolk, VA 23518 757-587-6280 patches12@verizon.net Randolph 1963 AT1 Joan
Hardin, Marvin
E., Jr. Rocky Hollow Dora, AL 35062 205-648-9913 AKAN Forrestal 1966-7
Heames, Richard D. LT 425 SW Frenwood Way Beaverton, OR
97005 503-643-2037 rdheames@comcast.net NFO Forrestal
1966-7 Mary Ann
Heidmann, Fredrick J. AD3
Edgar, WI. 715-352-6935
Son:
3644 Co Rd M
Stratford,
WI 54484
715-387-0100
Herrmann, James N.
CAPT 201
Private Ln Aurora,
TX 76078
817-636-2438
America
1966; VAW-121; VAW-207 in 1971; Training command instructor 1973. Reserve at
NAS Dallas
after 1977. Anita
Hoefle, Robert
G. Charlotte, NC 28202 704-567-1380 AN Forrestal 1966-7 Shirley.
Howard, Jim Maple Hill, KS Forrestal 1962
Huffines, Phillip
W. 4415 S. Versailles Ave Dallas, TX 75205
214-526-7205 from North Carolina ATR3 Forrestal 1966-7
Jackson, Evan AVCM 510 26th St Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-428-8975 evanjva1@att.net Independence 1960-1
Jarrett, Blaine E.10355 Seagrape Way Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
561-622-4669 from West Virginia AMSC Forrestal 1966-7 Rebecca
Julius, Wilbur 9821 SE 140th St Summerfield, FL 34491 352-288-9344
AMH1 Forrestal 1966-7
Kerry, William LT(jg) 2330 Bay Oaks PL Norfolk VA
23518 757-714 -2787
kerry0n@cox.net LT(jg) America
1966-7; VAW-122; VAW 121 & VAW 120 Jean
Kidder, William
Cincinnati, OH jakeo1400@aol.com AMH3
Forrestal 1966-7
Kling, Joseph C. 26 Fischer Dr North
Kingstown, RI 02852
401-884-7518 AD1 Wasp 1958
Kropp, Ples W. ADR3 123 Cactus Grove Hawkins, TX 75765
903-769-5348
Coral Sea 1956; Saratoga
1957. Later E-4 in Air Force and Texas
Air National Guard.
Lasky, Edward
Eugene 126 Cir Dr Springfield, IL 62703 217-529-4749 ATR3 Forrestal 1966 Janis
Layton, Dave E. CAPT 102 Royal Ct
Williamsburg, VA 23185 757-564-3188 mizzouluke@mizzou.com
LT(jg) Randolph 1965; 1966-7; VAW-122.
Lee, John H. 34615 Skunk
Hollow Av. Cannon Falls, MN 55009-5326 507-263-4715 borgny@rconnect.com Saratoga
1961-3 pilot LT(jg). Northwest pilot. Borgny
Lovasz, Daniel J. 1504 Homeland Av. Norman,
OK 73072-5741
405-364-4577 LT(jg) America
1967 VAW-122. Worked for the FAA. Eileen
Lucius, Kenneth W. 1 Birch St North Walpole,
NH 03609
603-445-5437 Ticonderoga
1955 1953-5 Shirley. (friend of Merv Hauge) (Leg injury in the Navy)
Masterman, Daniel A. ADRC 60 County Rd Scarborough, ME 04074
207-839-4175
2 Fire Ln 26a Weld, ME 04285 207-585-2278 Summer address
at the lake. AD3 Lake Champlain 1954-5 Eileen.
Meckling, James C. 2819 Durmont Ct Annapolis, MD 21401 410-573-5115 ocean38@aol.com Randolph 1963 Carribbean Cruise
Cheryl
Mellaci, Joseph 44 Clearview Dr. Brookfield, CT
06804 203-740-0802 jmellaci023@earthlink.net
America
1966-7, VAW-122.
Mellberg, David A. AT1 Wayne Rd Huntsville, AL 35801 256-837-2680
lmellbergl@juno.com AT3 Coral Sea 1956-7.
Later returned to VAW-12 in Norva as AT1.
Milas,
Robert P. 43 W 800 Oakwood Dr Elburn, IL 60119-9428 630-365-5291 robert_milas@sbcglobal.net AM2
Wasp 1959; Independence 1960 Catherine
Moberly, Arthur L. CAPT Rt 2 Box 139A Lovington,
IL 61937-9203 217-677-2374 LCDR pilot O-in-C Saratoga
1963 Grace
Moody, Frank
W. LCDR 6826 Meade Loop Fort Riley, KS 66442-1771
785-784-7600 phone failed. O-in-C Leyte cruise
1951-2
Murray, Thomas Osborne 1138 W. Saw
Mill Rd Quakertown,
PA 18951
215-536-3978 (Cell: 215-499-7955) LT(jg) FDR 1966-7 USNA 1964 Mary Ellen
Myron,
Terry J. LT 5902 Mt Eagle Dr Alexandria, VA 22303 703-960-9033 tmyron@msn.com LT Forrestal 1966-7
Newton, Melvin L. 1235 Noble Hills Pl Boone, IA 50036 515-432-3793
Coral
Sea 1956-7
Nerbonne, Leo T. Canby, CA 96015 530-233-6690 leo@nerbonne.net
CPO Forrestal 1966. Leo was in the back-end of the E-2 Chuck Berthe rolled in
1968. Spoke to wife.
Niermann, Theodore A. AMCS
5939 </