Memo To: All The Snow Shovelers
Robert Yanacek, the VMB 613 webmaster, received an e-mail from
Linda Morgan, the widow of Colonel Robert Morgan, the pilot of
the famous B-17 name
“Memphis
Belle”.
Colonel Morgan served as the pilot of the B-29 name
“Dauntless
Dotty”.
Her husband left the Pacific in April 1945 and
“Dauntless
Dotty”
was turned over to a new crew that died in the crash at
Kwajalein on the morning of June 6, 1945.
Mrs. Morgan is working with a group that is attempting to locate
the crash site and recover the remains of 10 crewmen that died
in the crash. The crash occurred about one minute after
take- off on the ocean side of Kwajalein Island.
The reason she was writing was to get in touch with a Marine by
the name of Corporal Robert L. Marx. It seems that
Corporal Marx was serving as a sentry on
“Easy
Beach”
the morning of June 6, 1945 and saw the aircraft’s
takeoff according to an official report. Any information
he may recall could prove to be vital to locating the crash site
and bringing home ten missing airmen.
Here is the link where R.L. Marx is listed as a witness on the
official report:
http://www.avialantic.com/kwaj/dotty.html
Robert Yanacek further asked that I place something in the next
newsletter requesting any VMB-613 members with information about
the loss of
“Dauntless
Dotty”
to come forward with their information to assist in the search.
The search for
“Dauntless
Dotty”
was began by her late husband and she fully intends to carry out
his wishes.
I have already been in touch with RL Marx regarding this matter
and he is going to get in touch with Mrs. Morgan in the very
near future. When I called RL and mentioned the name of
the airplane he immediately interrupted and said "I
was there on guard duty the day the plane went and have all the
information memorized." RL did have the information
memorized and relayed it to me for further transmission to Mrs.
Morgan.
If other members have information that they feel would be of
value to the search team let me know and I will forward your
name, address, et al to Mrs. Morgan via Robert Yanacek.
NOTES FROM MEMBERS
Doc Protheroe says hello and regards to all. He and
Jane decided to stay at Hilton Head for the holiday period
and go down to Punta Gorda in January for a few months.
Doc came across a copy of the Menu from the BAR BQ INN at
Little Rock, AK and sent in to Robert Yanacek for inclusion
in the website.
This Inn was frequented by members of the squadron when they
were stationed at Newport and was considered by several to
be the best eatery in the area. A copy of the menu is
attached to this newsletter for all to read and marvel at
the outstanding prices charged for the menu selections.
Heard from Jim and Mary Jane Lewis who reported on the great
Thanksgiving period doings in their home town. This
included their going to the big cities for the big turkey
day.
They had a great time visiting with all the grand children
and great grandchildren. In addition they were able
take in their groups many luncheons, review the deer shot
tally in their neighborhood and attend the Community Choir
Annual Christmas Concert.
This is the time of year that they start planning and
packing for their January and February trip to Texas.
They are hoping that the warm weather will help them to live
better with all their aches and pains.
Bob Chrisman sends regards to all and reports that all is
well in Arizona.
Joe and Dot Waldowski wish all a very happy, healthy new
year. They had a nice Christmas with all of their
children and grandchildren visiting at their house on
Christmas Day. They had all of the Polish ethnic foods
available for all family members.
All remains well with he and Dot. Dot continues to
have some leg and knee problems but manages to keep moving.
Both of them remain active in their Senior Service
organization which includes a trip to a Casino every four to
six weeks.
Joe’s
Marine Corps League Detachment went to a local Veterans Home
on the Marine Corps Birthday and they had a little
celebration with a decorated Marine Corps cake. He
said that the Vets really appreciated their thoughtfulness.
Stan Inman sends best regards to all 613'ers. They just
moved and it was a very stressful routine. Every thing
happened so quickly, they were unprepared and had to pack
and move quickly. Slowly they are getting unpacked but
realize that it wall take awhile, thirty years of
accumulations have to be sorted through.
Homer Anderson sends the best of everything to the gang for
the coming year. He and Janett are doing fine
considering the old age aches and pains. They are
having beautiful summer weather with temperatures as high as
89 degrees and a continuous forecast for the same for a
while longer.
Here is a request received from William and Jennifer Hull.
They wrote concerning their great uncle, Lieutenant Crawford
B. Malone who died many years ago and they are looking for
anyone who knew him.
Can anyone assist them, perhaps some of the pilots or his
crew members can.
They would like to receive any and all comments about him
since all they have are comments from family members.
They can be reached at e mail as follows:
jennyhull@sbcglobal.net
williamh@sunbelt-sunline.com
After leaving VMB 613 in November 1945 Lt Malone was
assigned to Headquarters Squadron, Marine Air Group
Thirty-Five, Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station, El Centro,
CA.
Walter Brown says hello and season greetings to all.
Bob Litzau sends his seasons greeting wishes to all which
includes a Good New Year.
Doc Scott sent along a message and said that he holds his
good friends of 613 with real affection and wish them all
well - especially the Medical Corpsmen who did such good
service.
He said that he was the oldest person in 613 except perhaps
for the Sgt Major, Mr. Old China Hand. Doc will be 100
on August 15, 2006. Life has been very good to him
although he did have to have some selective medical
assistance twice in the last month. At his age the
final elements in life do not worry him.
The most viewed photograph on the VMB 613 Website is a most
unusual photograph. It is the photograph of the VMB
613 Sick Bay with Doc Scott examining one of the flight crew
members. Some other squadron members and the Corpsmen area
also in the picture.
This picture gets viewed by at least five different people
each day. This makes Doc Scott a cyber-world
superstar.
John and Doris Siergiewicz send their best to all.
They had just returned from a trip to Savannah where they
stayed at a wonderful hotel and had a wonderful time.
Bob and Helen Polakowski say hello to all. They have
been busy with family affairs but are considering going to
Florida the end of January if all goes well.
Sandy Hudspeth reports that the weather remains excellent in
his area of Florida and sends his regards to all for a great
new year.
Carol (Mattox) and John Butler sent season greetings and
that the New Year brings continued good health and happiness
to all 613'ers.
They have been very busy coordinating many family events and
had a lot of holiday events that had to be scheduled into a
short period of time.
Ed Alling says hello and greetings to all. All
continues well in Maryland he reported.
Joe Yak sends New Years Best Wishes to all. He has
been moving around the country side going fishing and trying
to catch some. His success has been in catching some
white fish which are a member of the herring family.
They require special smoking or pickling in order to make
them an edible delicacy. The day we were talking he
had just returned from catching two small trout which they
had for dinner.
Their extreme cold winter weather gave way a little that
particular day and it turned into a great spring day.
Health wise he is doing OK except for a minor eye problem
which requires him to take special eye drops. This has
limited some of his activities.
His son the Lt Col is still traveling around the world for
the U.S. Army checking the operation on the various posts.
Currently he is in Germany but expects to be back in the
states shortly.
IN MEMORIAM
Condolences from squadron members to Wilda Chappell on
the passing of her husband John Chappell. John Chappell
passed away on October 17, 2005. His services at the
Presbyterian Church were very impressive. Four daughters
sang his favorite hymn, two of them gave eulogies as did
his wife, Wilda’s
brother and a neighbor. A brief sermon followed scripture
readings by the Pastor. Burial was with Masonic rights.
Condolences from squadron members to Mike Jacus on the passing
of his wife Alice.
Prayers are requested for her.
Alice Jacus passed away on December 11, 2005. She had been ill
for three years before a correct medical diagnosis was made four
months ago. The progression of the diagnosis (multiple
myeloma) was too advanced to do much more than alleviate pain.
HEALTH REPORT
Mary Jason sent on a medical report regarding Harlan Jason
which isn’t
too good in that he has to go to a nursing home to
recuperate from a fall at home. He tripped over his
walker at home and fell and broke his right arm just below
the shoulder. He had been in the hospital for
treatment which wasn’t
coming along too well so the decision was made to enter him
into a nursing home where he could get quick assistance as
required. Hopefully he will begin to recover rapidly
and get home.
Frank Demint reported that two years ago he received the news
that he had lung cancer and six months was mentioned as the
important date which determined his future. He took chemo
for one and one half years and the latest scan indicated he was
clear in both lungs. He continues to receive MRI and SCAN,
and so far so good. He sends good luck and Merry Christmas
to all.
John Aymen says hello to all. Various medical tests
indicate that things are continuing at the proper level for his
health status. He still has to maintain taking selected
medications though. His strength hasn’t
returned to the proper level to allow him to drive so his son is
continuing as his chauffeur.
Although he doesn’t
go outdoors too often he said that it would be nice to see the
sun at times and have a little warmer weather.
