OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE VMA-VMF-311 REUNION ASSOCIATION
WEBMASTER:FRED TOWNSLEY, 805 S. PRICE AVE, CHANDLER, OK 73834, Phone 405-258-0532
EMAIL:
oldsargfred@sbcglobal.net
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: CHARLES “RALPHIE” READ, 14 BRENTWOOD ROAD, KINGSTON, MA 02364, 781-585-8184, cread1@comcast.net
JUNE 2010 EDITION
REUNION UPDATES AND INFO - CHATTANOOGA 8-12 SEPTEMBER 2010
Everyone who was at the reunion in Philly received a packet this year. Everyone who has called me to send them one has been sent one. If you plan on going to the reunion and have not received a packet please get in touch with me and I'll send you one or you can download one from the web page at www.vmf-vma-311reunion.org.
There seemed to be a little question as to the prices for the hotel rooms. I neglected to put that in last newsletter. When I realized it I got hold of Fred and he put it on the web site. Price per night is $99.00 plus tax. Some may have thought that I got us sleeper cars for almost twice that amount but I only mentioned the sleepers in case that is something that you wanted to do that was different. Here's all the hotel info:
CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO
1400 N. MARKET ST.
CHATTANOOGA, TN 37402
PH: Reservations 1-800-872-2529
DEADLINE FOR HOTEL: 15 AUGUST 2010
DEADLINE FOR TOURS: 10 AUGUST 2010
AIRPORT SHUTTLE: If you know your flight time arrival call the hotel so they will be there to pick you up.
OR you can call the hotel when you arrive at the reservation number above and they will send the shuttle to fetch you.
TRAIN OR AMTRAK: There is no train service to Chattanooga. (Go Figure that one!)
We mentioned that some of us would be there a couple days before reunion starts officially. We are intending to embark on the River Dinner Cruise on Tuesday evening. If any of you are wanting to get in on that give me a call so I can get reservations if need be. The evening dinner serves Prime rib and lobster seafood buffet.
With that, I think we're ready to hit it running. The "Gunny" has been getting all the forms ready and making sure that we don't forget anything. Join us if you can. Bring the family. We always have a good time and it's great to see everyone. If this is your first reunion with us don't let it overwhelm you. You will be a stranger for but a short time. We're all Marines and all TOMCATS, what better binder can you get!
Hopefully, the squadron will be attending. They are still on deployment but will be back in August. I have to get in touch with Col. Gough and find out if they will be able to make it. They are a great addition to our reunions.
We'll be putting the hospitality room together on Tuesday. The hotel said that it wasn't being used so we can just sneak in there a day ahead of time and get everything ready for Wednesday arrivals. Pick up your welcome packets in the hospitality room (Penn Station), out the lobby back door and down the platform on the right side. Les and Bonita will have some snacks and drinks waiting for you. See you in Chattanooga!!!
TOMCAT FACT: July 1948: The unit designation was changed from Marine Fighting Squadron to Marine Fighter Squadron.
TOMCAT FACT: July 1948: The unit designation was changed from Marine Fighting Squadron to Marine Fighter Squadron.
TOMCAT FACT: July 1948: The unit designation was changed from Marine Fighting Squadron to Marine Fighter Squadron.
NEW ALUMNI
IRVINE, FLOYD PO BOX 1506, Yucca Valley, CA 92286
760-366-8163, firvine@juno.com
1948-52, K-3, El Toro, Flight Line
ROUSH, DELLOYD 4290 Clairmont Rd., Upper Arlington, OH 43220
614-457-0900, johroush@beol.net
1944, Roi Namur, Pilot
SIMMMONS, BOB 4210 Greens Drive, Colorado Springs, Co 80922
719-572-1084, robertsimmons@earthlink.net
1972-73, Bien Hoa, Seat Shop
SHELLHAMER, ERIC 2376 State Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
717-581-0463, EShellhamer@lcmotors.net
1982-86, Yuma, Avionics
SHEWELL, KRIS 2951 Woodbridge Drive, Bedford, TX 76021
469-528-7878, kris.shewell@yahoo.com
1985-89, Yuma, Ordnance, Maintenance
STANKO, LOU 5510 Evergreen Ave., Portage, In 46368-1910
219-762-5466, lfsbowler@verizon.net
1968-69, Chu Lai, Ordnance
Email Changes
GAGNE, JERRY twodogs1946@hotmail.com
LOVELESS, TERRY terryandlauraloveless@gmail.com
SKOW, CONRAD c.s.skow@gmail.com
ADDRESS CHANGES
GAGNE, JERRY 18 York Street, Groveton, NH 03582
GUNNING, PETE PO BOX 1145, Libby, MT 59923-1145
HASTINGS, JIM PO Box 5392, Yuma, AZ 85366-2470
LOVELESS, TERRY 1275 Linnview Drive, Marion , IA 52302
SALIZAR, JERRY 137 Danube Drive, San Antonio, TX 78213-3327
MIXON, MILES PO Box 35, Bryant Point, ME 14219
TAPS
BARTLETT, ELMER Farragut, Iowa, 1945-46, Okinawa, died July 1966
accidental electrocution.
Note: Name will be included in the Memorial service at Chattanooga-jg
DONATIONS:
TOM GRIFFITHS, Del Mar, CA; BILLY DALE, Gales Ferry, CT; JERRY HOLLERAN, Queens, NY; and GENE WILSON, Ashville, OH. Thanks Marines!!
SCUTTLEBUTT FROM THE TROOPS AND OTHERS
CINDY BAKER, FARRAGUT, IA: (Cindy emailed me seeking info on her father, Elmer's, service with 311-jg) I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your reply. I will do my best to give you more information about my father. Since my mother passed away in 1998 there is no one to ask.
I have attached his discharge. It states that dad's job was "metalsmith aviation", VMF-311, 3rd Fleet. Dad was a welder by trade before he joined the Marines.
In a book of photos he had from his duty in Japan, he mentions some men by name. Some of his writing is rather hard to read so I will make a guess. The men he mentioned were, Al Linder, John "Smilin' Jack" Tacchiano, Mike Iadanza, Jack Jabers, Moriarty, and A.B. Carter. He kept in touch with Al Linder via Christmas cards until his death in 1966.
I know he was stationed at Cherry Point, NC and at Camp Pendleton, CA. I have a postcard he sent to my mom from Pueblo, Colorado.
You offer to read dad's name at the memorial service and that deeply touches my heart and I'm sure that some way he will know he has been remembered. He was so proud to be a Marine and he did a good job of brainwashing me into thinking you guys were the very best. Believe me -you are!!
You are right. Daddy died very young. I found him electocuted in our back yard when I was 16. He had been sanding a clothesline pole and the hand drill he was using shorted out. A very traumatic thing to happen. It is still with me today.
Whatever help you can give me it would be truly appreciated. I want to pass down my dad's story to my grandchildren. ( Any help you can give Cindy please contact her at 3954 Manti Road, Farragut, IA 51639 Phone: 712-385-8270 email: lncbaker@westianet.net. Thanks. jg)
CONRAD SKOW, BLAINE, MI: " I joined VMA-311 in March 1961, shortly after aviation school in Memphis and immediately we were flown to Iwakuni, Japan, when we arrived, we started to retro fit A4D Skyhawks with new Douglas Repek ejection seats. Then on to the Coral Sea and shipped out to the south China sea for a short cruise and then transferred to the USS Midway for another tour in the South China sea. We then went back to Iwakuni for main base with short deployments to Okinawa and the Philippines. I loved working on A4Ds and made life long friendships with other Marines in 311. Back to the states in 1962 to join VMT-2 in El Toro- a great tour of duty! Semper Fidelis Marines!!
TODD SHAPHREN, EVERETT, WA: "I am a volunteer researcher with the Flying Heritage Collection here in Everett. The museum has an F9F-2 in storage and awaiting restoration. I am trying to put together the history of this aircraft and wonder if you can assist.
The aircraft history card indicates that it served with VMF-311 in Korea from 2 October 1952 to 3 March 1953 operating out of Pohang. I would very much like to find a picture of this aircraft and most importantly, identify the pilot. Is there some chance that someone from your group served at that time. I would appreciate all the help you may be able to give. ( Note: I went through all my Korean era pictures and have none of WL-8 serial number 127147. This aircraft was with VMF-115 as well May to September 1952. I emailed some Pohang guys and don't know if they helped him out. Anyone remember WL-8 or have a picture please contact Todd at 425-827-8380 or email: shaphren@hotmail.com. Thanks Tomcats!-jg")
(I have to give you a lead in to the next email. In March 2010 edition of the newsletter Ken Mentch (68-70) was asking if anyone remembered what happened to the short timers tie down chain with all the dog tags on it. We were still looking for anyone who knew what happened to Lyle Prouse's dog "Dammit" after he left Chu Lai in 1966. I asked "Chief " Cheeka (67-68) if him and the ordnance guys dined on Lyle's dog (You know how rowdy them ordie guys were!!) To wit nobody fessed up and the dog is still missing along with the tie down chain. Seems as a rule Indians did not eat dog. Lyle is part Comanche and Cecil Cheeka is of full Native American blood the Makah tribe in Washington State.jg)
TOMCAT FACT: JUNE 1951
: The squadron flew 2,241 flight hours of which 107 were non-combat flights.
LYLE PROUSE, STOCKBRIDGE, GA: "Looks like you were in 311 not too long after I left in Apr 1966. Lt. Rowdy Johnson was in charge of the flight line when I was with 311. His troops thought the world of him.
I was wondering about the "Chief" because there we no other Indians in the unit (that I knew of ) when I was in. I also don't remember rats or lizards when I was there. The chow, we were all eating individual c-rats for a long while, before the built the mess tent and then it was B-rats (just larger cans, I'm told) but at least they were dumped into larger quantities and heated up.
Interesting stuff about Cheeka. Tribal story tellers are valued people when it comes to hanging onto traditional things. My second sponsor (good Dakota friend) was a story teller and a tremendous guy. Sadly, 36 years sober but 44 years smoking killed him. I'll always miss him, he was quit a guy.
Pass my regards to Cecil if you will, please.
CECIL CHEEKA, LACEY, WA: "The tribe that I'm enrolled in is the MEKAH tribe. we're the ones that stirred things up by exercising our treaty rights and went out and caught a whale a few years back. Our tribe kept that in our treaty, the right to hunt whales, in our usual and customary hunting. Back years ago the children followed the father's tribe, our mother was of a different tribe, SQUAXIN ISLAND. Rumor has it that plains Indians, Sioux, did eat dog. You trust a pilot to tell the truth? LOL...LOL.
Looking forward to the reunion. Aimee Yocca, wife Pat are planning to attend. Greg Marshall lives up the road in Monfreesburro and I also found out that he has been in touch with Joe Gorski (Ordie). also one of the New York guys who's brother is a NYPD member works with George Beckett (ordie 68-69). Aimee, Greg and I worked with George Clark."
TOM ROUSH, BOISE, ID : "I just found your web site and must write and tell you that my father, DeLloyd Roush, was a Marine Corsair pilot with VMF-311 on Roi-Namur. He just turned 87 in March and is well living in Columbus, Ohio with my mother Joellen.
Dad arrived on Roi Namur late February 1944. VMF-311 left Wallis Island for the Marshalls in January 1944, Roi-Namur Island, part of Kwajalein Atoll. Arrived 6 February. When the Marines were bombed on 12 February Dad was on a boat headed there so he just missed it. I think he went on to Kwajalein Island later, then back to Roi-Namur. He left a year later, as the squadron was preparing the move to Okinawa. In the squadron's history, the line is " the job was tiresome and monotonous, but the Marines assigned these rear area tasks performed their duties faithfully if not always cheerfully." My dad says their morale was non-existent then. He left to be a flight instructor in New Orleans, expecting to come back for the invasion of Japan.
He flew a mission with Charles Lindburgh, who was there doing a test on Corsairs to see how heavy a bomb it could carry, if I remember right.
I didn't see it on your web site but in those days the squadron was named "Hell's Belles". that was the patch on my Dad's jacket that I remember as a kid. I think the TOMCATS name came after Okinawa.
FLOYD IRVINE, YUCCA VALLEY, CA: " Would like to receive newsletter and roster. I have not heard any news from the TOMCATS in years- looking forward to this- thanks a million!!!
The squadron skipper back then was LTC John Condon and the XO was Major Quilter.
ERIC SHELLHAMER, EAST PETERSBURG, PA: " I was in VMA-311 Avionics from 1982-86. My COs were LTC MD Smith and LTC Lind. My gunner was WO Featherstone and my Top was MSGT Quinn. I live near LCPL Tom Whye and he is in contact with a few other TOMCATS. I remember Capt. WW "Whiskey" Griffin and a pilot they called "Tires". I miss those days and think back on them often."
BRUCE DEWALD, PIMA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM: "I saw you reunion notice in the FRA Today for March. Are you aware that the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson has an F9F-4 Panther, BuNo 125183, on outside display in the livery, of VMF-311?
I tell everyone on my rides (Tram Driver) about Ted Williams and John Glenn being wing men in VMF-311 in Korea in 1953." The web site is
http://www.pimaair.org/
TOMCAT FACT: 3 MAY 1960 : While returning from a cross country flight to El Paso. 1st Lt. Niel Dadurka was fatally injured when his Skyhawk crashed 5 miles south of Lake Elsinore near March AFB.
LINDA ORTEGA, daughter of Javier and Cecilia Ortega keeps me updated on Cecelia's ongoing fight with pulmonary fibrosis which she contracted seven years ago. It's a tough row to hoe and I know that she would appreciate getting a phone call or a card to let her know we are pulling for her. I talked to her not long ago and she was in good spirits but gets weak just gabbing for too long on the phone. Their address is 3682 N. Diana St., Fresno, CA 93726 or phone at 559-222-5901. Thanks .
I recieved an email from a FRANK MCDONALD from MOLINE, IL. THE SUBJECT IS "Living Veterans 'Veteran of any War' status and the VA compensation benefits stated in Title 38, U.S.C. at the Department of Veteran's Affairs." The following two paragraphs are evidently the veterans who are affected:
VETERANS WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED STATUS AND ELIGIBILITY:
1). Living U.S. Veterans with a Department of Veterans affairs picture I.D. card who served on active duty in one of the Armed services under the Secretary of Defense from 1 February 1955 to 27 February 1961.
2) Living U.S. Veterans with a Department of Veteran's Affairs picture ID card who served on active duty in one of the Armed Services under the Secretary of Defense from 8 May 1975 to 14 September 1978.
There is a couple pages of this so if anyone who this might affect wants me to mail them a copy, I will do so. If you served in that time frame and are having problems filing a claim with the VA you might want to look at this.
I received an email from my old VMA-331 buddy , Buzz Angeli from Littleton, CO. he found a web site that explains your extra Social Security benefit for your time spent in service on active duty. When I filed for mine I remember that my DD 214 was one of the things that they said to bring to the office. I think it is standard for them to ask you for that. Les McMillan said his amounted to about $3.00 extra money. Three bucks is three bucks! The web site for this info is http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm
Got a flyer in the mail for the 16th REUNION KOREAN WAR VETERANS to be held in Laughlin ,Nevada 4-7 October 2010 at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino Phone: 1-800-523-4715 or email: msg1gal@aol.com if this interests you. I have a copy of the itinerary and registration form if anyone wants it.
If you've sent money to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation you most likely have seen this. This one came to me for VMF/VMA-311 so I'll put it out to the group. In a nutshell they want to sell us a brick with our name on it to put in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. Cost of the brick is $300.00. I ran this by the other officers and everyone thinks we should do something like that. I cannot spend that much money without consent of the group so this will be brought up at the business meeting on Saturday Sept 11th.
BILLY DALE, GALES FERRY, CT: "Thank you for the Chattanooga newsletter. Sounds like a good time will be had by all. I am sorry that May and I will miss it. A lack of good health being the main reason. Please keep me on the mailing list."
ISH RODRIQUEZ, YUMA, AZ: "Greetings and salutations. Our wishes for your good health go out to you and Sue. A sunny day and a soft tailwind accross the wings of life for you both. Sorry we will not be attending the reunion this year. Life has many twists and turns on the long road ahead. Good luck and God bless."
GEORGE ZABOROWSKI, PARMA, OH: George called me up shortly after the last newsletter was mailed with some info regarding Assisted Living Assistance. If you have to go into the Assisted Living situation at sometime in your life you can file paperwork, which the Assisted Living people should have, to get veteran's assistance. I believe he said the VA pays half of it. You must be already in Assisted Living when you apply. He states that it may take a while for the payments to kick in but it's retroactive to the time you filed the claim. Doctor has to sign papers. Good thing to know.
LOU HUNTINGTON, ROCKY MOUNTAIN, NC: Lou called me and related a little history. Seems he and Betty were married at Fort Oglethorpe and honeymooned in Chattanooga. Quote "Betty was an Army Private and I just got back from winning the war." They went back for their 50 or 60 anniversary and stayed at the Choo Choo in one of the sleeper cars. Good story. Fort Oglethorpe is where we will be having lunch after the Chickamauga Tour.
TOMCAT FACT: JANUARY 1967 : The TOMCATS blasted the enemy with 676 tons of ordnance including 3396 bombs, 190 napalm pods and 12557 rounds of 20mm ammunition .
I received this email from KRIS SHEWELL, BEDFORD, TX and I'll quote it in its entirety. "Your reunion was brought to my attention after 6 weeks of planning a reunion in Tunica, MS this Labor day weekend.
Am I out of line in doing so? Are you TOMCATS not the same as us TOMCATS? We worked on A4Ms in the 80s until they phased them out and brought in the AV-8s. If, with all due respect, y'all are more senior generation of TOMCATS, we would be honored if you would like to join us. The AV-8's sent me a msg clearly stating that they wanted to be separated from the "old" 311.
So my dilemma is this. Did I step on your toes unintentionally; Do I cancel our reunion; or do we somehow combine the two reunions?
Please call me at your earliest convenience to advice. I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you."
I was really happy to see this letter and called her immediately. Seems she was part of the Camelo Walsh group and she was tasked to setting up a reunion. I introduced myself as one of the 311 "old guys" and we had a good laugh. I talked with her for some time and gave her all the help I could in setting up a reunion with all the dos and don'ts. I haven't touched base with her lately to see how things were progressing. With Marines like Camelo and Kris taking up the TOMCAT ALUMNI banner we can be assured that the alumni and history will go on long after we have gone.
One thing I did warn her - if you take up the challenge it will be yours for life. Just like your active duty Marine Corps family you now have your TOMCAT alumni family. You see them every reunion and they become like one of your own. Between reunions you try to keep in touch, when you don't hear from them you worry, when they pass, you mourn. When "Taps" is played there is a special lump in your throat and a tear in your eyes because you knew all the names on the list that passed. We are Marines; we are a band of brothers. In the Corps or civilian we are those things.
When I spoke at the Marine Corps Ball in Yuma last November I wanted to impress two things on the younger Marines. One: Don't let the years go by without contacting the friends you made in the Corps. It's very easy now than before. Just drop an email and say hello and at some time in your lives get together again. Two: Always be proud of the job you did. Every job is important and it takes everyone to pull off a mission. Saying "I was only a clerk" or "only a mechanic" doesn't feed the bulldog. You represent only a fraction of the population of this great country that took the oath to "defend it against all enemy’s foreign and domestic". You can't take that lightly. That makes you special and how you performed your job was special. Don't minimize that honor. Write your story down for your generations.
So I gave Kris our blessing and hoped she could pull off a successful reunion. Being as she represents the younger group, all of which probably have families, weekend reunions are a good thing. People are still working and it's harder to get away during the week. Kids are going back to school.
If you happen to be in the area of Tunica, MS (Slot Machine Heaven!) stop in and say hello. Fred Townsley is going through there on his way to Chattanooga. If you are going to be there on that weekend, Fred, stop in and say greetings from us "old guys". Bill Leese lives in Millington, not too far from there. If it interests you contact Kris via her email or phone in the "New Alumni" list. See what's happening in Tunica.
One more on the new alumni. I got a call from Bill Lyle in Manhattan Beach, CA. He was with the squadron from 1962 til 1966. He was a mechanic and worked on the flight line. I ran some names by him and he seemed to remember Kenny Maynard and the Avionics guys. He asked about Pete Tkachuk and I said Pete comes to most of our reunions. He said he and a couple others were interested in attending the reunion this year. I have not heard back from him with an email, phone number or address. He said he would download the packet from the web site.
WRAPPIN' IT UP
We're off and running for Chattanooga. The economy is bad and the oil spill might reach the Chattanooga River but we're going ahead full steam. If you can, join us. The Committee has set up a nice reunion and we know you will enjoy it. If you have any questions at all please contact someone from the top of the newsletter and we'll help you out.
When you hit your knees at night say one for the men and women in uniform who are in harm's way and who protect the place we love. That they remain strong in their resolve and return safely to their families.
SEMPER FIDELIS
JIM GALCHICK
FOR THE ALUMNI ASSN.
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport