LIVING HISTORY PASSING THE TORCH OF LIBERTY ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER—VOL. 6 NO. 4 AUGUST 2021 In Memory of David Hayward, Editor-in-Chief (2016-2021) Voices of veterans who have served their country in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, 1st Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan

THE GREATEST GENERATION and China from invasion from the enemy Axis powers and the Japanese Empire. Had they The last, proud heroes of the Second World War are passing and their comrades failed, east Asia would before our eyes, a solemn, historic moment in time. Jack have fallen, strengthening the hand of Linscott, U.S. Navy, left us in December, followed in Germany dictator Adolf Hitler and his vicious requiem procession by David Hayward, U.S. Army Air Nazis. As fortunately resulted, the forces of Forces, in March, and by Fred Whitaker, U.S. Army, in good and Democracy prevailed and Fascism June. was defeated. Our membership still boasts a few remaining heroes Those were distant times—seventy-six from that great and terrible global war, but the line is sadly long years ago. The world has changed thinning to its last, final threads, and one day, we will have dramatically since then. Japan and Germany but memories of that conflict and a rich legacy that hopeful- are mature democracies by now. Euro- ly will endure through the second and subsequent genera- Communism has come and gone. tions. The Second World War and its brave soldiers, airmen The men and women of the United States and seamen must not be forgotten and their lessons cannot military who won the Second World War came be lost. home victorious, went back to school on the This honorable theme is of course among the missions G.I Bill, re-entered the civilian workforce, and of The Freedom Committee of Orange County, its charter to built the United States of America into the preserve the heroic thrusts and deeds of the United States greatest nation the world has ever seen. They Armed Forces in conflicts past and present and to remind reconstructed Europe and much of Asia, in- young people—and the rest of us—of the often overlooked cluding recent enemies Germany and Japan, fact that freedom is not free. The sparkle in the eyes of and they did it with aplomb and selflessness. these spry, elders of society, as they unfurl their timeless It was just the right thing to do. So, they did it. stories before their saucer-eyed students may on the surface Though the last, final ranks of the World be quaint and magical, yet their messages to each of us are War II veterans are now stoically moving on, as real and topical as this morning’s news headlines. We are their batons are being passed to their succes- each well advised to give them a listen, as they have traveled sors, the heroes of the Korean, Vietnam, and the road before us, and in many cases have built the road Cold Wars, who also played vital roles and before us. saved the free world. The spirit and ardor of My father, First Lieutenant David Hayward, flew the Second World War veterans lives on as an B-25s through the wild, blue yonder above India, Burma, inspiration and lesson for us all. Yunnan, Vietnam, and the South China Sea, 53 combat mis- sions in all. Successors to the Flying Tigers, his 22nd Bomb Kirk Hayward Squadron, as part of the 14th Air Force, helped secure India

2

Only recently was Fred awarded the highest honor from France: the French Legion of Honor Medal. Fred and his son Charlie traveled to France and Belgium to attend the ceremony for Fred and others to receive this most prestigious honor! He was most definitely a “Man among Men!”

Fred was friend to many during his life here

on earth. He served his family and friends well. Fred was very devoted to his family and God. He was a successful businessman where he followed his father in the insurance business. His principals were the highest and he always kept his word and promise. Fred served the Freedom Committee in many capacities, but the one he loved most was talking to the kids at the schools! And they loved him. Sometimes he could not get off stage as the kids wanted him to tell more stories about his experiences. I can hear him now, speaking to a group, as he lowers his voice almost to a whisper and says, “Be early. Be ready. Be successful.” “Duty, honor, country.” One could hear a pin drop as the “Fred Maynard Whitaker was an infantry rifleman in students would strain to hear him! Fred will be missed by all who knew him! World War 2. He was just 17 when he enlisted in He was a friend to many. He was my friend! June 1943, and by the time he entered combat in December 1944 the end of the war in Europe was God’s Speed! only six months away. But during those six months he was a participant in the grueling Ardennes German Jim Grimm – Vice President offensive that has come to be known as the “Battle of the Bulge.” He also took part in the fierce fighting that surrounded the crossing of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, as well as the other fighting that took place as the allies pushed east into Germany. Fred received a Purple Heart as well as other honor and service medals, but they are of no real importance. The personal risks large and small that he and others like himself took for their country make all of them heroes with or without decorations.”

(Quoted from Fred’s personal book, “Portrait of an American Rifleman in World War Two,” Author: Tom Maki)

Honor and Service Medals: Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Purple Fred Whitaker, as Freedom Committee Keynote Speaker, Memorial Day, 2020 Heart, Good Conduct, 4 Battle Stars (European

Theater of War), WW2 Victory Medal, and the Com- bat Infantryman Badge (CIB). 3

4

LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM

Our FCOC veterans rallied to meet the challenges imposed by Covid-19, “passing the torch of lib- erty to future generations” by honing their com- puter skills to share their stories of service on Zoom. Denise Weiland provided the following photos from some of the recent Living History Program presentations in the Newport Mesa Uni- fied School District.

Corporal Dwight Hanson, U.S. Marines, sharing Gary Gonzales, Teacher, U.S. History, his story, via Zoom, with students of Early Eleventh Grade, Costa Mesa High School, College High School, Costa Mesa, moderated by Costa Mesa. Principal Dr. David Martinez, 4/23/21. Major Alan Harvard, U.S. Army, spoke with Gary Gonzalez’ history class, 5/24/21.

Captain Robert Olds, U.S.Navy, sharing his living history, via Zoom, with Lindsey Charron’s history class, Ensign Middle School, Costa Mesa, 5/4/21.

Colonel Wayne Scott, U.S. Air Force, relating

his Cold War experiences for classes at

TeWinkle Middle School, teachers Jackie

Washington, Carly Jahangiri, and Michelle

Delgado, 5/14/21.

Senior Chief Gary Tegel, U.S. Navy, spoke with the students of Andrew Mabry’s eleventh grade class, Newport Harbor High School, Newport Beach, 5/27/21.

5

First Lieutenant Frank Pangborn, U.S. Army, relating his Vietnam War experiences, Corona del Mar High School, classes of Laura Mayberry, Dan O’Shea, and Kareem Captan, 6/2/21.

Crypto-Technician Second Class Don Pageler, U.S. Navy, taught students of Misty Smith and Michelle Delgado’s history classes, TeWinkle Middle School, of the sinking of U.S.S.Liberty, 5/14/21.

Sergeant Victor Real, U.S. Marines, shares his experiences with Presidential Helicopter Service, Garrett Govaar’s class, Newport Harbor High School, 5/27/21.

First Lieutenant Kirby Matter, U.S. Army, Silver Star recipient, Vietnam War, spoke with TeWinkle classes of Kristin Benson and Carli Jahangiri, 5/14/21.

Sergeant Doug Milliken, U.S. Army, discusses his Recon Platoon, Vietnam War, with students of Brian Piersall, Corona del Mar High School, 6/1/21. Also at TeWinkle, First Lieutenant Chase Wickersham, presented his Vietnam War experiences, classes of Jackie Washington and Carli Jahangiri, 5/14/21.

6

WELCOME TO NEW MILITARY Please Join us for our Monthly MEMBERS Community Meetings James Laizure 2nd Wednesday of each Month,

WELCOME TO NEW DIRECTORS 11:30-1:30 Doug Milliken Presbyterian Church of the Cove- Alan Harvard nant, 2850 Fairview Road, Costa Wayne Scott Mesa, CA.

IN MEMORY OF THOSE DEPARTED All are Welcome! Fred Whitaker No Cost to Join! It’s Much Easier than Boot Camp! ______We Look Forward to Seeing You! PRESENTATIONS BY VETERANS OF ______THE FREEDOM COMMITTEE PRESENTATIONS (continued) Feb 19. Early College High School, Costa Mesa: Frank Pangborn, Doug Milliken, Bob Olds, May 31. Memorial Day Ceremony, Harbor Lawn Vic Real Mt. Olive Memorial Park, Costa Mesa, The Freedom Committee of Orange County. Feb 26. Back Bay High School, Newport Beach: Gary Tegel, Wayne Scott, Doug Milliken Jun 1-2. Corona Del Mar High School, Newport Beach: Gary Tegel, Frank Pangborn, Mar 29. Cloud Campus: Bob Olds Vic Real, Bob Olds

Apr 23. Early College High School, Costa Mesa: Jun 9. The Untold Military History Story, Dwight Hanson Yeoman 2nd Class Robert Tegel, U.S. Navy (and Senior Chief Gary Tegel, U.S. Navy) May 4-5. Ensign Middle School, Newport Beach: ______Bob Olds, Gary Tegel, Frank Pangborn, Vic Real FREEDOM COMMITTEE OF ORANGE COUNTY May 12. Dancing in Elephant Grass, Sergeant President…John “Scott” Williams Douglas Milliken, U.S. Army Executive Vice President…James Grimm Secretary…Tim Richards May 14. TeWinkle Middle School, Costa Mesa: Treasurer…Kirk Hayward Gary Tegel, Bob Olds, Don Pageler, Chase BOARD OF DIRECTORS: John “Scott” Williams, Wickersham, Wayne Scott, Doug Milliken, Tim Richards, James C. Grimm, Maj. Gen. William Kirby Matter, Frank Pangborn, Vic Real J. Mall, Jr., Dwight Hanson, Bob Olds, Gary Tegel, Kirby Matter, Doug Milliken, Alan Harvard, Wayne May 24. Costa Mesa High School, Costa Mesa: Scott. Gary Tegel, Frank Pangborn, Vic Real, HOW TO REACH US: WEBSITE: www.fc- Bob Olds, Al Harvard, Don Pageler oc.org , PRESIDENT: Scott Williams, 3465 Santa Clara Circle, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Phone: 714- May 27-28. Newport Harbor High School, 979-1049, Email: swllmsca @gmail.com Newport Beach: Gary Tegel, Frank Pangborn, NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Kirk Hayward Vic Real, Bob Olds WE ARE A: Section 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Corp. OUR EIN IS: 90-0736962.