� . ,·, ---�-� �·.,,41� ·.� THE 99th Bomb Group Historical Society NEWS LETTE·R Vol. 9 No 3 May. 1 1989 SOCIETY OFFICERS, 1989-1990 PRESIDENT BILL SMALLWOOD VICE-PRESIDENT - FRED HUEGLIN TREASURER - WALTER BUTLER HISTORIAN - GEORGE F. COEN SECRETARY - H.E.CHRISTIANSEN EDITOR - GEORGE F. COEN THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE I am honored to be writing as your new president, and am well aware of the fine traditions established by my predecessors. We now have in place a group of officers and directors who will work to continue these traditions. Astrong word of thanks is extended by all of us to Joe Kenney I am honored to be writing as your new president, and am well aware of the fine traditions established by my· predecessors. We now have in place a group of officers and directors who will work to continue these traditions. A strong word of thanks is extended by all of us to Joe Kenney for his leadership over the past two years. Also retiring directors Rex Greathouse, Mike Yarina, and Joe Kenney have our thanks. The reunion in McAllen, Texas in February was highlighted by the visit to the Confederate Air Force Show at Harlingen. Although thousands were in attendance, members of the 99th had the special opportunity to make a personal inspection of a B-17 parked inside a hangar. Mounting a stepladder fixed to the nose hatch Ninety Niners, some with their•wives, worked theirr way through the fuselage, to the accompaniment of occasional grunts and wheezes, of this plane that, for many, had once served as a home away from home. Jeff Waguespack is to be commended for doing a fine job in hosting this reunion, and for the smooth way in which activities moved along. As usual Harvey Jennings and his crew kept the hospitality suite in full swing. Was that Harvey on the dance floor performing a tango during the musical portion of the banquet? 3 uet According to Jeff's preliminary report the attendance at the banq It's seeing three of our tTErrbers viewing a photo album, all three so deeply absorbed in dinner totaled 262 persons, while 220 attended the Air Show at Harlingen. that album that they were completely oblivious to anything else including the flash from Chris Christiansens' carrera as he caught that touching rroment. IN March, when Nancy and I paid a visit to our son and grandson It's Chris Christians·en with his great interest in this Group. He 's not only a great in Denver, we motored down to the Air Force Academy. In visiting the library photographer but he is our next host at HtmStville, Alabama. Chris and I have shared a t an there I was shown a collection of memorabilia from S alag Luft III, a Germ e u nUiber of missions together. prison camp in World WarII. It is quite comprehensiv .and.sho ld be of particular interest to anyone in our Group who spent time in Sagan, Poland It's observing the well run hospitality room with Harvey Jennings always at hand to or Moosberg, Germany. manage that part alcng with the very able help of Bob Bacher. It's having Fred Matvias step up and tell ITE that he and Mary carre all the way from ] There is plenty of time between now and the reunion in april, Bradford, PA just to see me. This was a great experience! Fred and I were good friends 1990 in Huntsville, Alabama. As you know Chris Christiansen is hosting forty-five years ago and after this fine retmion between two old friends, that friendship this affair and also is serving this year as the Board's Secretary. To again will flourish. those of you who live within a reasonable dista�ce of Hunts�ille I'm sure Chris would welcome your assistance in the reunion undertaking. I could go on and on- about these personal experiences but let's look at the dedication Sincerely of Jim Sopp with his articulate and well presented slide presentation at our ltmcheon Bill Smallwood tTEeting. The treirendous arrmmt of workand oovious thought was put into this program and we are all indebted to our avn Jim Sopp for that program. A copy of his verbal presentation and a resume' of the order in which the presentation was made is attached. No one can think of this group without rernanbering the contributions of its' past Presi­ dents and their contributions. George OJen with his two tenns, Bernie Barr with his two And from Past-President Joe Kenney: tenns, Joe Cliance, Lew Boatwrig}:lt with their terms, all making unusual and dedicated contributicns of tine and effort, and the giving of themselves for the bettenrent of the GREErlliG3! organization and of their continueing help and suggestions to the Board ·� D: rectors in their capacity as Ex-officio, non voting, marbers of the Board. Another fine Reunion has been completed.and this one at McAllen. Texas. Jeff and I.Dis Wague�pac� mdertook a massive project and accomplished this by therrnelves since we have Che of the significant things during this· fine Reunion was our visit to the Confederate no �9 rs in the McAllen area. We all know what this entails as did Jim Flex and his Air Force. It was unfortunate that it was cold and blustery but we did see an air sh<M . but, best of all, was the tour of that beautiful old B-17. · I had not remarbered the in­ farrn..ly at Houst<;m. Their treirei:idous and successful efforts with the Sheraton, (the only hote� comp;ex ':71-llrng to �ork with Jeff) went very well rigj:lt on dcMn through that fan­ terior of that plane being as small as it is. The nose compartment for Navigator and tastic Mariachi Band closmg the Banquet atr o'ur Friday· nigpt Banquet. Jeff and I.Dis' we Bonbardier is not all that big and the cockpit seE!IB sana-Jhat narrower than I had remem­ thank you both for a job well cbne! bered. The cat-wa]l( and center section in the boob bay is a lot narr<Mer than I had re­ 1:,n� nanbered. I fOlllld it necessary to squeeze throug}:l sideways and rubbed both front and just what is �t ct:iat make� a 99th Boob Group Retm.ion such a gre�t success? I think back as I went throug}:l. The 100st distressing thing about this is that I recall going 1.t s e�ch ITEnber 11: his avn n.g}:lt. The way I perceive it is; Always present, always through that boobay with no troilile whatsoever with my parachute on. It was good to congemal, eas! going, George OJen. He's the one who started this whole thing nine seat myself at the radio desk and reflect on my tour holding that position. I had not years ago and 1.s trerrendously effective as our Historian and Editor of the 99th Barb rerrembered the cramped walk-around of the ball turret-. The waist looked the same but I Group Bulletin. Underneath that easy going surface is one heck of a man. did not attempt to venture into the tail gun position. Sixty additional pounds definately It's arri-ying a day early only to be greeted by Harvey and Pauline Jerm.ings who had been has its' disadvantages. on deck since Thursday, four days earlier than ours of SlIDday afternoon. To cap this off I think our General Upthegrove said it best when he said of these Reunions, It's Rex m:1d Edith G7eathouse and Mike and Lettie Yarina, dear friends to us, and Jennie ''We go in for sane deep and significant reminiscing." I believe this pretty rrruch says it Read greetii:ig us again after these several years since her husband, Tan, died in a tragic all as far as I am ccncemed. I look forward to Huntsville, Alabama! farnung. accident. It'� Bernie Barr and Ix>ris with their gracious considerations. It's Bernie with his deep and always present interest in the Group and always the well thoug}:lt out suggestions made to the very real benefit of the organizaticn. It's Jim and Margaret Smith as they just arrived speaking first with one 99' er couple and then us and saying, "This is great� I've seen two of you guys and already I'm feeling better!'' It's Roy and June Baker, fine friends. Roy and I share an incredible "encotmter" over Villaorba, Italy en that fateful March 18th, 1944 day. It's Walter �d Giristine. Butler, Walter in his quiet and efficient ITEI1I1er and this is 'What IT'.akes him the splendid Treasurer and the one who lends his ,valuable assistance to the publishing of the 99th Bulletin. lliristine with her dry and subtle hurror is Price­ less. Ahd it's Julius and Anita HorCMitz, such great friends to us. 4 5 FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION POST OFFICE BOX 6325 POST OFFICE BOX 6325 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 13 March 1989 George Coen Page 2 PRESIDENT PRESIDENT 13 March 89 Murray A. ByNater Murray A. Bywa:s'. Mr. George F. Coen Brig. Gen.. USAF Ret. Bng Gen .. USAF ?e: 2908 Aliso Drive N.E. the 15th. I hope Charles's letter doesn't mean that I have TREASURER failed in the area that counts the most, for without harmony, TREASURER Albuquerque, NM 87110 Roben G. Smith none of our other goals are possible. We have obviously made RobertG.