June 2013 Page 1 BLUENOSER 352nd Fighter Group Association

Reunion Plans! New 352nd Movie! Princess Elizabeth Changes at Bodney Just take a look at all the in- A film about top ace George She’s been reassembled in Sadly, some of the remaining credible experiences planned Preddy is in the works. Get the UK, and is back in the buildings are no more. Find for you at this year’s reunion all the information about this air. We have the pictures to out the details. in Houston! wonderful project. prove it! Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Page 7

Houston, We have A REUNION The dates have been set, the hotel booked, and you are going to LOVE the next reunion! October 24-28th will find us in the great state of Texas, at the South Shore Resort Hotel. This reunion promises to be an excellent experience for all! The Texas Flying Legends Museum arrive on Thursday so they can be video- (TFLM) has invited us to Houston as taped for the documentary. The film crew their special guests for the Wings Over will also be available for interviews and Houston airshow. This is an opportunity will be recording throughout the reunion. we could not pass up. Veterans from the Remember to bring your memorabilia for 352nd Fighter Group will be honored as the videotaping and for sharing with oth- the VIPs for the airshow. Our Veterans ers in the “Rendezvous Room.” will be able to sign autographs in the th Legends and Heroes tent. The 345 Bomb Group will also be at- tending. Our group will host them to an Thursday, October 24th – Unwind old-fashioned Ice Cream Social after din- from your flight and watch the yachts ner. These brave veterans flew low-level come and go at our beautiful hotel. Our strafing B-25’s in the South Pacific during “Rendezvous Room” will be the center of World War II and will join us for some of Our Reunion Hotel activity with snacks, beverages, and tables the reunion events. for books and scrapbooks, etc. Wonderfully tucked Friday, October 25th – Breakfast is between Houston and The TFLM has hired a professional film included in the hotel package. We will eat the beaches of Galves- crew to make a documentary to help breakfast at the hotel and then board the ton Island, overlook- teach the quality of “Sacrifice Above buses at 9:00am to go to Ellington Field. ing Clear Lake in the Self ” that our veterans displayed so tranquil Bay Area, this valiantly. The film crew would like for the Just wait until you see the TFLM Hanger! beautiful resort south veterans and their wives and widows to After all, this IS Texas!! From the moment you open the door, it’s more than the pris- of Houston, amidst a tine planes awaiting you – it’s a hanger on sparkling tropical pool the tarmac at Ellington Field complete and a marina, ensures with a swimming pool! a truly unique escape. Continued on Page 2

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We will spend the day at the TFLM After the business meeting, our buses hanger. There we will feed your body will depart the hotel to take us to the and your Space Center Houston – the official mind. The Visitors Center of NASA’s Johnson educational Space Center. Lunch will be on session will our own at NASA. There are many combine a things to do so everyone will be free luncheon The pool at the TFLM hangar to do and see whatever you want just and a panel seat to the airshow and also a place as long as you are at the buses and discussion to rest your feet. The TFLM will ready to leave by 3:30 to return to comprised provide a BBQ buffet. You will be on the hotel. The group tour rate is half of legends your own to wander the tarmac and price at $10.95. and heroes enjoy the show. Looking into the hangar of flight. At the conclusion of the airshow, we After the have a unique treat in store for our panel discussion we will go back to group. Two individuals from the the hotel to rest and change clothes, Air Force 147th Recon- then return to the TFLM hanger naissance Wing will talk about the for dinner and entertainment. The Drone program. They support two evening will be complete with a ’40’s 24/7 MQ-1B Predator Unmanned swing band, a mock dance competi- Aerial Systems (Drones) combat sup- The hangar boasts one of the tion, and a ballroom dance presen- port sorties which provide theater coolest bars you’ll ever see! tation. This promises to be a very and national-level leadership with This will be an event you will not entertaining evening as we journey critical real-time Intelligence, Surveil- want to miss. Some of the planned back in time to a USO dance dur- lance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and activities are truly once-in-a-lifetime ing WWII. There might even be a Air-to-Ground Munitions and strike opportunities. The Wings Over Hous- surprise or two! capability. (Note: That’s military talk ton airshow is extremely well attend- Saturday, October 26th – Break- for, “they do really cool stuff.”) ed and hotel rooms and buses are fast from 7:00am and we will leave We will return to the hotel at the already at a premium. All transpor- the hotel by 8:30. Our buses will have end of the Drone program and that tation between the hotel and events VIP access to the airshow and be evening will be our annual banquet. will be by chartered buses with wheel escorted through the traffic gridlock. Jay Stout, the author of FIGHTER chair lifts. In order to guarantee that Do not even consider driving your GROUP, the book about the 352nd you will have a seat, we must have personal car to Ellington Field! will be our featured speaker. an accurate count of participants as soon as possible. So send in your We will attend the fabulous Wings Sunday, October 27th – Breakfast registration right away! Over Houston airshow, complete with begins at 7:00am. The 352nd Fighter zillions of airplanes from across Group Assn. business meeting will be See you in Houston! the nation. At the amazing TFLM from 9:00am until 10:00. hanger you will have a front-row

The view from inside the hangar. Note the tiled floor!

352nd Fighter Group Association June 2013 Page 3 BLUEnoser nd New 352 Movie New RC Plane Produced with stunning visual effects and digital ani- mation, CAROLINA ACE tells the incredible true story of a real American superhero, Jr. of North Car- olina, who was the leading ace of the war in Europe before he was killed by friendly fire on Christmas In honor of Dan Bryan, one of our Radio Day, 1944. Control pilots, Aleksey Lomov, has built a new flying 352nd plane with Don’s CAROLINA markings. Check out the fine details! ACE is created by a visual ef- fects veteran of made through the Preddy Memorial Foundation web- both Academy site’s ‘Donate’ link – preddy-foundation.org. Request Award and the donation be applied specifically to Carolina Emmy Award Ace. We’re making great progress on the documen- winning film tary film, and UNC-TV has been excited to broadcast and television the production when it is completed. We’re nearly half- productions who is also the grandson of a P-51 Mus- way there! Every donation of funds helps us get closer tang fighter pilot and POW of WWII. This epic docu- to completion. drama features stunning digital animation recreations of the intense aerial battles and dogfights that George Thank you again for making your family and friends Preddy endured in the skies over Europe while serving aware of our diligent efforts to tell the incredible story with the Mighty during World War of George Preddy Jr. with the latest in high-definition II. The team of artists behind this film have credits and state-of-the-art digital animation reenactments, for that cover the gamut of recent blockbuster visual the world to learn of America’s greatest Mustang ace, effects films, applying their talents that have made and to inspire future generations to pursue and achieve superheroes famous again to tell the story of a true their dreams!” American superhero! You can find out more about the film at carolina-ace.com. The film needs donations to be completed. The film- A sample of the film can be viewed there, along with inter- maker reports, “Any donations that you or others views with Joe Noah, Jean Hood, Kermit Weeks, and oth- would like to contribute for CAROLINA ACE be ers who knew George and support his memory. Paying your dues This association relies on the dues of its members to Make your check out to the 352nd Fighter Group function, and right now we could use them! If you Association and mail it to our Treasurer: haven’t sent in your $10 this year ($5/family mem- Richard Gonzales ber, $50/Life Membership) – please do so soon! 1051 11th Street, Apt 9 Los Alamos, NM 87544

352nd Fighter Group Association Page 4 June 2013 BLUENOSER Maybe You Can Help We sometime receive inquiries regarding long-lost information about the 352nd. Currecnt we have two requests for help, and thought maybe you might be able to assist these gentlemen:

From England – I have a particular interest in RAF Path Finder Force and have recently come across the name Henry M Stewart II, who was apparently the Acting Squadron Commander of the 487th Fighter Squad- ron at that time. Perhaps someone who served in England at that time might be able to let me know about the squadron’s role with RAF Path Finder Force, because I am sadly less familiar with the activities of the USAAF units training towards this target-marking function. Documentation indicates that during August 1944 the then Captain Henry M Stewart II (later a Lieutenant Colonel) had a link with the RAF’s pathfinder organisation, whose headquarters were at Wyton. It is this link that interests me - and because Captain Stewart was apparently on the books of the 487th during that period that the 352nd Assn seemed to be my “first port of call” (as we Brits are inclined to say!) If you can help, contact Michael Cumming [email protected]. From Germany – A German military museum has exhibited for de- flown west cades a wing of a Mustang P-51 that belonged to a Mustang of the 352nd FG and was shot down near Berlin, November 1944, finally crashing into We have lost several of our members recently. Please keep the lake Schwerin East of Berlin. Parts of the aircraft, including (both) these folks and their families in wings, were salvaged in the late ’60’s by a unit of the East German Army your prayers. (at that time, this part of German was occupied by the Communists). Is there anything more you could add to the above information? Is there a • William E. Hendrian – did loss list of the 352nd existing? Thanking you in advance for your efforts and two tours, flying 136 missions as looking forward to hear from you soonly, I remain, yours truly – flight leader and received three Holger Bull – [email protected]. Distinguished Flying Crosses and ten Air Medals. He flew into the sunset this past spring. New Preddy Exhibit • Russell Leibfarth passed away The just-opened Air & Auto Center in Winston-Salem, NC features a in March. Russ was a good friend George Preddy display. Check them out when you’re in the area, or go to of the 352nd and a very positive airandauto.org for more information. role model. • A good friend of the 352nd, Mr. Train Ride Produces Drawing Ashley Bowes of Bodney, UK, flew west in February 2012. 352nd FG friend John • Ray Mitchell’s wife, Helen, went Mollison recently sent to see Jesus on April 9th. She and this photo with this Ray were married for 63 years! explanation: “My first • Reese Lewis died in April. Our Amtrak ride and I am reunions won’t be the same with- realizing why I fly. So, I out his presence! decided to channel my • George Williams’ wife, Berne, inner thoughts on the passed away in April. paper table wrapper.” • Ken Bailey’s wife, Opal, passed Nicely done, John! away in March.

352nd Fighter Group Association June 2013 Page 5 BLUEnoser 352nd’s First Ace Honored According to “Punchy” Powell, Virgil Meroney was “our first ace, and way beyond that.” Now we know the rest of the story.

On March 1, 1969, 1Lt. Virgil K. Meroney, III, Weap- The American Flag that ons Systems Officer, and Maj. Wendell R. Keller, Air- draped the coffin as it was craft Commander, were shot down over Laos during moved from Hawaii to Ar- the Vietnam War. They were listed as Missing In Ac- lington National Ceremony tion, presumed dead. During an excavation in 2010 a last October was offered portion of Maj. Keller’s ID Card was recovered and and accepted by the 433rd identified. Additional excavations were conducted in Weapons Squadron at Nel- 2011 – Meroney’s military ID Card, a religious Medal- lis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, lion belonging to Maj. (Col.) Keller were recovered and Nevada. The Flag Memorial emains of both Capt. Virgil K. Meroney and Col. Wen- Dedication Service and per- dell R. Keller were positively identified. manent display of the Flag and Material Evidence was Funeral services were held on May 23, 2013 at the held in Fayetteville, AR 433rd Weapons Squadron. in June 2012, at Univer- sity Baptist Church with The Ft. Smith Air Museum has completed a permanent burial at Fairview Memo- display honoring Colonel Virgil Kersh Meroney and his rial Gardens following the son, Captain Virgil Kersh Meroney III. Memorabilia, service. A “Group Burial” documents, photographs and models of the airplanes at Arlington National that each flew in their Air Force Careers with descriptive Cemetery was held on labels are on display. October 19, 2012. Captain Virgil K. Meroney, III, and Colonel Wendell R. Keller were buried together. The United States Air Force Honor Guard provided full military honors and the 175th Air National Guard Wing provided a fly-over “Missing Man Formation.” Excellent ReviEW

The Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine’s very positive review of Jay Stout’s book Fighter Group included these statements: • This may be the finest book yet written about the air war over Europe during World War II. • Stout’s book is not the usual numbing, squadron-by-squadron recitation of missions, kills, and serial numbers. It’s an account that is specific (the 352nd is the framework that supports the entire story), yet broad enough to provide a comprehensive look at everything from fighter-pilot training and the role of the media in canonizing the 352nd to the exacting choreography of a complex bomber-escort mission. • Many of the book’s revelations are as fascinating as they are unexpected. Be sure to pick up your copy of the book!

352nd Fighter Group Association Page 6 June 2013 BLUENOSER PRINCESS ELIZABETH is Back IN THE AIR “Princess Elizabeth” was removed from her crate and who crashed into the newly built control tower in the reassembled at Imperial War Museum in Duxford ion predawn darkness of D-Day, June 6, 1944. A video of May 2013. She is a razorback “C” variant of the P-51 that tribute is available online: Mustang, and is painted to represent the mount of triple ace William T. Whisner. Whisner was credited youtube.com/watch?v=AviMh1Vrvow with 15.5 kills by the end of the war, having downed It features video of the tower (even a walk-through!) no less than five FW-190s during one sortie alone. He as it is today. The planes in the flyover were: a P-51 (2 would go on to serve in the Korean War, where he seater) with Bud Anderson in the back seat. Next up is became one of only seven pilots to become an ace in a Spitfire, Hurricane, P-51 “Princess Elizabeth” and both World War Two and the Korean War. the P-47 Thunderbolt “Snafu” followed by the B-17 Princess Elizabeth was a part of the memorial flyover “Sally B.” Here are some photos of her reassemble and of Bodney on June 6, 2013 – honoring Bob Frascotti, a couple of frames from the video.

”Mac” Rides In Style New Bluenosed Mustang! Along with an awesome collection of elven (count The July FlyPast magazine has a feature story about a ’em!) World War II aircraft, the Texas Flying newly restored TF-51D now being flown by the Hangar Legends Museum plans to 10 Collection at Herringsdorf airfield, near Peenemunde, bring a number of WWII on the Baltic coast. This new Bluenoser has the familiar veterans to AirVenture (bet- blue nose and a yellow rudder (486th Squadron), but it ter known as “Oshkosh”) appears the name “LITTLE-ITE” and other markings in a C-53 transport. P-47 are meaningful only to the owner. The squadron code is and P-51 pilot Don “Mac” “FA” and the pilot’s letter on the vertical stabilizer is “A” McKibben will be one of underlined. The story is well illustrated, with two double- those vets. Lucky dog. page-spread photos of the plane in flight.

352nd Fighter Group Association June 2013 Page 7 BLUEnoser nd THE 352 ON FACEBOOK New Book on 352nd Pilot “Social Media” has become an big part of our technological world, and Facebook is a major player. Accordingly, the 352nd has a big presence on Facebook – at least two “pages” or sites – with stories and photos being added almost daily. To the right is a screenshot of how one of the pages looks. If you’re “on” Facebook, search “35nd” and then “Like” the pages!

Changes at Bodney Carole Webb Slater has written a book that was inspired by 250 orig- Our English friend Bill Espie reports, “Here is a bit of news that will be inal letters from her father, Dana A. of interest to the veterans. On the north site (recreational area) of the “Cobby” Webb, to her mother and field, the multi purpose buildings – i.e.; gymnasium, movies, and all-faiths his parents during the war from church – have been pulled down, with the squash court building as well. 1943-1945. The letters are priceless This was due to the fact that youngsters were using the buildings for rave and give great insight to a fighter parties and causing a lot of damage to crops and farm machinery. So, pilot’s life from initial flight train- the decision was made by the military to pull the buildings down and that ing to being a part of the famed way no more rave parties could be held. “Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney.” There are many personal pictures of pilots, planes, and sights never seen outside her family, along with other history and pictures of planes and places mentioned in Dad’s letters. Cobby was killed June 22, 1955 in an F-84E training flight. His twin sons grew up hearing about their New Art/Merchandise dad’s flying – which led them to the Matthew Yee is a graphic designer and a big fan of warbirds. When he USAF where they both served as does his illustrations, he researches the historical intricacies, contacts the fighter pilots. families of the pilots to get their consents in using any pictures or aircraft markings. He contacted the Preddy Foundation when working these The 300-page book Letters from the products. Check out his website: iworxhop.com/news-update. Heart is now available in soft cover, hard cover, and E-book format. For more information, email Carole (carole.moore-slater@ vanderbilt.edu) or Patrick Moore ([email protected]).

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Mustang Over Manhattan Plane & Pilot magazine recently published a story Snyder.” To which Joe Noah responded, “No doubt about a new corporate “Mustang” jet, and took about it, Sam. If you hadn’t done all the research this photo of Cripes over New York City for the necessary to come up with the correct markings on story. Sam Sox reported: “If you do not know this, all of Preddy’s planes, and then corrected all those I furnished the scheme details for it via many years who got them wrong, there is no telling what we of searching and talking with it’s Crew Chief, Art would see flying around as Cripes A’ Mighty!”

Cripes A’ Mighty Flys Over New York City

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352nd Fighter Group Association