Summer 2018 Volume 32

The Paper Airplane Guy

The New Staggerwing

32nd Annual Meeting

Ray Wicklander

Members

Sweepstakes

Photo credit Matt Booty

Two events eclipsed the opening of the Air Museum for the season, John Collins and the annual meeting. Both were well attended. Both were held in the TFL Hangar. April 22nd was an overcast, cool Sunday, and that afternoon the Air Museum once again hosted The Paper Airplane Guy, John Collins. One hundred ninety-eight people were seated, and just as he began, two more walked in. His presentation went 40 minutes, and could seemingly have lasted longer judging by the crowd’s attention. His onscreen presentation and the folded airplane visuals only enhanced his background and knowledge of how things fly. A lecture is one thing but to be talking about a design and at the same time giving one of the folded paper pieces a quick toss to make a circling flight and catching it in midair is another. Mr. Collins’ visits to Minot, this being his second, is part of the Education Division sponsored by the Farstad Foundation and the Air Museum. Melessa Bosch headed this along with Michelle Saari, two energetic and ambitions people. These are the two who inspired and

committed to the ACE and PACE programs. A new location was added making Rugby a PACE camp this year as well. June 4th (continued p. 4)

A massive launch of paper airplanes

Ethan Marsh (8) and Josie Ann Marsh (5), grandchildren of Charter Members Galen and Linda Marsh receive some firsthand instruction. Dakota. About the only other place That March, Gary Johnson, Alan would be at the Staggerwing Shkratoff, Dale Williams, and gatherings in Tullahoma, TN. Warren spent four days in an Staggerwing unheated garage at the LeMay NC985SW is a farm near Calgary, reassembling it D17S built for to a ferriable condition. Warren the U.S. Army flew it home to Minot with Gary in Air Corps in formation with 8-4 November, the 1943 by the Beech Pietsch family’s ’68 Mooney Corporation in Wichita. It was Executive. used by the Army as an executive That spring Don began the huge transport until the end of WWII. It task of rebuilding the Staggerwing. was then sold as surplus and spent Gary Johnson and so many others its life as a civilian workhorse in gave their help in the process. D.T.A.M. With upwards of 7,000 hours of Board of Directors Florida and Cuba, finally ending Don Larson up by the ‘60s as a bush plane in labor, Don fabricated new wood President Alaska. In 1969, George LeMay, for the fuselage as well as Rich Larcombe Vice President cousin to Curtis LeMay, bought it rebuilding the wings, control Michelle Saari to rebuild for the 1970 London, surfaces, gear, and systems. Secretary England, to Victoria, BC, Trans- New glass, new instruments, new Mike Chilson Treasurer Atlantic race which he did. George upholstery; the job was seemingly Jim Keller is in the Canadian racing Hall of endless, but the results created an Duane Haugstad Fame, racing all types of cars, incredibly beautiful and highest Warren Pietsch Derek Peterson planes, and other vehicles. He and quality restoration, and on June Gary Johnson his Staggerwing were regulars at 11th, it made its first flight, and it Leon Basler Brian Sturm Oshkosh and antique fly ins flew beautifully. Darrel Kerzmann around North America, sometimes p.s. Warren: Since the airplane did Jerald Burtman stopping through Minot for not have an assigned registration Glenn Blackaby (Curator) customs. for import, I asked for N985SW. www.dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com By 1995 it was showing its age The “985” is for the engine, a and George began tearing it apart D.T.A.M. Pratt & Whitney R985 of 450 hp. PO Box 195 for refurbishment. Fate did not let The SW is for Staggerwing. 100 34th Ave. NE that happen as he passed away This exceptional photo below was Minot, North Dakota, 58702 before getting very far along, and taken in its third flight, Don right in 1999 the family sold the project seat, Warren left. Our thanks to 701-852-8500 to Don Larson and Warren Pietsch. Matt McVicker for the shot.

Tours anytime with prior arrangements Open April - October M T W Th F S 10-5 Sunday 1-5 Admission $10 Military discount $5

Beechcraft D17S

Our feature story this issue is about a Beechcraft that not only has an interesting past but now has an adventurous future. It’s the yellow one on the cover, a perfect picture compliments of Matt Booty, and is known as a Staggerwing. The red one is owned and flown by Henry Reichert of Bismarck. To see two like this anywhere is extremely rare, especially around North th through 6 was in Minot with Scott Nelson drove in from his He wanted a tail dragger for his rd Rugby June 23 . When Melessa, a ranch near Solen, ND, and students to use. This fine airplane presented the museum with the has now found a new home. loan of his two e would like to introduce you latest works W to a that depict vibrant North Dakota young heroes from lady who WW II. His has been stories and working at research merit the Air attention. Museum, These this going paintings are on her Melessa Bosch helps a new on display in or near the gallery. pilot with his uplift flutterer. third season. Jessica Jespersen was For those who listen to Dakota a sophomore in the Velva High Datebook on Public Radio, you kindergarten teacher in Minot, was School when her sister suggested may have heard three of his first asked by her good friend coming along with her since she stories, or read them in the Minot Michelle if she could be our worked here at that time. coordinator, her response was, Daily News. His latest was of “Michelle, I don’t know anything Henry Wildfang from Sterling. Jessica learned the routines of about aviation.” Take some time and read in this museum operations very quickly issue the adventures of which was more than waiting on “Melessa, I don’t know anything Washburn’s Ray Wicklander. patrons at the front desk. about education, either.” And so, it Becoming a docent was a turned out to be a pretty good July 1st begins new leadership of challenge that took the most time, combination. the Education Committee. Melessa but she took the responsibilities in and Michelle have selected two earnest and was soon leading tours The Friday after John Collins’ new members, Shawn Holen and and telling stories. When not nd show was the Air Museum’s 32 Samanatha Blessum to take their dealing with visitors she was also becoming a sort of accountant as Annual places. Though there is much work well as handling e-mail requests Meeting. involved, there is more that makes and sweepstakes entries. Seventy- this a rewarding experience. We eight think you’ll agree they made two This spring Jessica graduated attended good choices. with honors from the Velva High that began School and will enroll at Minot with a It had been coming on eight State University in the fall with an social and years since the red and polished emphasis on social work. She also a catered dinner. Don Larson aluminum Cessna 140 was given plans to continue working with the talked about the present and then away in the Air Museum Air Museum when time allows. the future giving everyone an Sweepstakes. The new owner let it exposure of the museum’s remain in the custody of the Air operations. Michelle Saari, gave Museum until time as it could be Thank you for your support of the Dakota some highlights of the ACE and delivered. Living out in New York Territory Air Museum! Your help funds our education programs, PACE programs. Meric Murphy and with other business obstacles facilities, displays, and more. updated us on what was happening this never came to be. Last fall an We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. “Preserving the past to educate and inspire with the aviation program he offer was made to buy the airplane today!” teaches at Magic City High back or else require the owner School. come and get it. The offer was KLJ

finally accepted. Warren updated us on the The Farstad Foundation

Flying Legends and updated us on This spring Mike Ganya from ND Aeronautics Commission the airplanes in the background. Linton, ND, offered to buy it as is. Ray Wicklander Navy Helldiver Pilot Scott Nelson

Raymond G. Wicklander was would be called up. Then, on had been converted into a training born in 1921, in a log home seven December 7th, Pearl Harbor was carrier called the Wolverine. A miles east of Washburn, bombed. Ray was 500 foot flight deck was built on ND, on his grandpa’s home for Christmas top of the hull. Ray practiced homestead. He graduated vacation when the carrier operations with the SNJ from the Washburn High call came to report to North American Texan equipped School in 1938 and went to duty. He would not with a tail hook. The training on college that fall in Minot for be finishing college Lake Michigan early in the war basic courses in but found himself was necessary as both coasts were engineering. The next fall, excited about the susceptible to attacks Ray went to the Agricultural change of events. from the Japanese and the College in Fargo for In January, Ray Germans. mechanical engineering, and wound up in New Ray was able to go home on while in Fargo, he got the Orleans on Lake leave for two weeks, at which time opportunity to learn to fly Pontchartrain to he married his sweetheart and had through the civilian pilot program. begin Navy basic training. The a short honeymoon before When Ray came home that weather was beautiful, and he felt reporting for duty at San Diego summer, a neighbor had bought a pretty lucky not to be training in where he started flying the Curtis pusher biplane but was Minnesota during the winter. Douglas SBD Dauntless Dive- afraid to fly it. He told Ray to fly After several months of basic, he bomber. The Dauntless carried a it as much as he wanted. He spent began flight training. The first crew of 2, pilot and radio gunner. many enjoyable hours flying that trainer was the “Yellow Peril”, a It carried an external bomb load pusher plane around the Washburn yellow biplane Navy trainer. The and two forward firing 50 cal. area. One time he was giving a base on Lake Pontchartrain was machine guns. The radio gunner friend a ride when the three very muddy and the taxiways were had a twin 30 cal. in the rear cylinder engine blew out a spark covered with planks. If you got a cockpit. After a short period of plug. The plane lost power and wheel off the planks you were training he was assigned to VB-26 lost altitude. Ray quickly found a instantly stuck. (dive bombing squadron) of Air place to land and set the plane From there he went to Pensacola, Group 26, which consisted of three down. They put in a new spark Florida. At Pensacola, on one end squadrons; F4F Wildcats, TBF plug and started the engine. The of the runway, off base, someone Avengers, and SBD Dauntlesses. problem was there was not a lot of owned an elephant. It was said AG 26 personnel and planes were room for a run. They were that for the instructor to pass you, loaded on a jeep carrier to head for in a small pasture, but Ray figured the elephant had to have its tail up . As luck would have it, the they could get airborne before they as you took off. If his tail was jeep carrier was so full, that some reached the fence. He told his down, you failed. So said Ray. got to go to Hawaii on the cruise apprehensive friend to get in the Then it was on to Miami where ship Matsonia with a bunch of plane and Ray revved it up. They he received his wings as a Navy college girls that had been stranded got off the ground before they Ensign. Here Ray flew the in the states since the bombing of reached the fence but caught the Brewster Buffalo, a small, under- Pearl Harbor. Ray was one of the tail on the top wire. They were powered, portly, Navy fighter that few who was able to make the trip slammed down on the other side was no match for the Japanese on the cruise ship. He lived like a but then bounced back in the air Zero. The gear had to be king, the food was great, and he again. The rest of the flight was cranked up and down by hand. It had the finest accommodations. uneventful, but for some reason had been relegated to training only. He figured this Navy life couldn’t Ray’s friend never wanted to fly Ray practiced take-offs and be beat! And all those nice college with him again. This plane still on a circular air field with gals! Ray met Mrs. Dagmar exists and is owned by a collector instructions from a landing signal Cooke on the ship. She was from in Oregon. officer in preparations for carrier the famous Cooke family in In 1941 Ray decided to join the operations. Hawaii. When Ray got to Maui, Navy to become an aviator. He Next it was to Chicago where a he and the other officers that had was told he would be able to finish coal-burning paddle wheel been on the Matsonia were invited his last years of college before he passenger ship on Lake Michigan to the Cooke mansion for a party. After a good time at the transport. As an officer, he got with different pilots for every party, Ray and another fellow who two meals a day that consisted of a mission. was also married, decided to go small helping of reconstituted In June of 1944, AG-19 conducted back to base and let the single guys scrambled eggs and two slices of refresher carrier operations from do all the dancing. They didn’t bread. The poor Marine soldiers the USS Franklin. Later that have any transportation but on the ship only got one meal a month AG-19 boarded the USS thought they could catch a ride day while the Merchant Marine Intrepid for transportation to with someone. While they were crew of the ship ate like kings. Eniwetok. The Intrepid arrived at waiting outside the mansion, a Garbage was placed on the fan tail Eniwetok the last of June and the limousine drove up with Dagmar’s every evening to be dumped after first of July AG-19 transferred to widowed mother-in-law and none dark. The poor Marines would go the USS Bunker Hill to practice other than Admiral Nimitz, through the garbage to try to find carrier operations. Commander in Chief of the Pacific something to eat every evening. By July 10, 1944, AG-19 was Fleet. Admiral Nimitz had Finally, the transport got to San permanently stationed on the escorted Mrs. Cooke out for dinner Francisco when Ray took leave Lexington and conducted its first and was bringing her back. “You and caught a train home. combat missions against Guam. boys need a ride back to base?” Early in 1944, Ray reported to a The last of July, strikes were “Yes sir, we sure would,” said Navy base in San Diego and was conducted against Palau. Aboard Ray. So, he and the other fellow assigned to VB-19 in Air Group 19 the Lexington was Admiral Marc rode back with Nimitz and had a as a Junior Grade Lt. and started A. Mitscher, commander of the nice visit on the way although the flying the new Navy dive bomber, Fast Carrier Task Force, the conversation was thoroughly laced the Curtis SB2C Helldiver. The Lexington serving as his with “Yes sirs,” and “No sirs.” Dauntless was too slow and the flagship. When they first got on Based at Wailuku, Maui, Ray wings didn’t fold for storage on the the Lexington one of Ray’s trained with the Dauntless until carrier. The Helldiver was a squadron mates, Lt. Wallace finally they were loaded on the bigger and heavier plane than the Griffin, was walking around the jeep carrier, Long Island, and Dauntless and took some getting ship just taking things in. He headed with orders for used to. The first Helldiver found himself on the carrier island Guadalcanal. (SB2C-1) was underpowered and near the bridge on one of the There were still some Japanese the pilots didn’t like them, but later observation decks high above the on Guadalcanal but there was not versions (SB2C-3) had a larger landing deck. There was an older much trouble with them other than engine and performed much fellow sitting up there wearing a a sniper now and then. Japanese better. The Helldiver also carried baseball cap and a khaki uniform bombers would occasionally fly in a crew of two, pilot and radio- with no rank. Wallace took him from Bougainville at night on gunner. It had an internal bomb for a reporter and started causally harassment raids to drop a bomb or bay and two forward firing 20mm visiting with him about the two. cannons in the wings. It also had wonderful view they had up there. Ray started flying raids against the twin 30s in the rear seat. Air Wallace was mortified to later the Japanese and attacked Munda Group 19 consisted of three learn that he in fact had been air field several times even though squadrons; F6F Hellcats, TBM visiting with Admiral Mitscher there wasn’t much left there to Avengers, and the Helldivers. himself! bomb except for some entrenched Late in February of 1944, AG 19 During the first part of August, soldiers and antiaircraft guns. One boarded the Lexington and strikes were conducted against memorable mission was a 600 mile departed for Hawaii. After Bonins, Kazans and Iwa Jima. The flight up to Bougainville with drop arriving in Maui, Ray and the rest last of August was spent rearming tanks. When they got to of AG 19 conducted training and re-supplying at Eniwetok. Bougainville and as Ray dived on missions for the next several September was spent flying strikes a merchant ship anchored in the months; dive bombing, glide against Peleliu and the Philippines. bay a Zero got on his tail. Luckily bombing, navigation, and gunnery During this time Ray and his a VF26 F4F Wildcat shot him practice. They also trained in night gunner, Jerry, flew many strikes down before he could shoot up his ops. against Japanese ships and ground Dauntless. Ray got his first full time gunner- targets. Most missions, Lt. Ray Ray spent most of 1943 at radioman, Jerry Warnke. Up to this Wicklander flew right wing in a 3 Guadalcanal flying missions point, and while he was with AG- plane formation led by VB-19 against islands in the area. Finally, 26, the radio gunners would fly Skipper, Lt. D. Banker. Left wing he was sent back to the states on a was flown by Lt. Bill Emerson. In late August, Emerson was hit Island. Ray dived on a Luzon with a cover of Hellcat during a mission and had to ditch concentration of seven Japanese fighters. They found the Japanese in the ocean. He and his gunner planes and destroyed or damaged cruiser, Nachi, in Manila Bay. were rescued by the submarine, all of them. Banker decided to try a glide USS Shark and were with them for On a mission in October after Bill attack on the Nachi, but it sent up about a month until early Emerson and his gunner returned such a curtain of antiaircraft fire October. The USS Shark was to the Lexington, Ray, Banker, and that they left it alone and continued reported lost with all hands on Oct. Emerson dived on the main power looking for the main fleet. All they 24, 1944. It was never found and plant at Lake Jitsugetsutan, found in the rest of their search bodies of the crew never Formosa. They hit the main power was two small Japanese freighters recovered. Japanese records, after building and covered the plant anchored near Mariveles at the war, suggest the Shark may with smoke and debris. Another Bataan. They glide-bombed the have been depth charges by a mission destroyed the main dock freighters, sinking one of them, east of the Philippines. facilities at Iloilo city harbor in the while receiving some antiaircraft There was the mission Ray dived western Philippines. fire from off Corregidor. When on a Japanese transport ship, but One incident where Ray was to they returned to the Lexington, his bomb did not release. The bomb some oil tanks at Cebu City Ray saw the carrier Princeton other planes in the formation in the Philippines, he was flying a fiercely burning, putting up a dropped their bombs, hit the ship Helldiver that had just had a wing column of black smoke. Japanese and sank it. On the way back, Ray replaced. The left wing was heavy planes had attacked the American asked for permission to try to use and couldn’t be corrected with the carriers. The USS Princeton was his bomb against a Japanese radio trim tab. He had to hold the stick hit with a bomb and ended up station on the south east side of the over to the right to keep the plane being lost. island of Formosa. It did release level. After pushing over in his Strikes from the Lexington and this time and Ray obtained what dive on the target he went into a other carriers hit the central was described as a beautiful direct spin, pulled out and tried it Japanese force. The battleship hit which went through the roof of again. Spun out again! Ray Musashi was sunk, and the Yamato the building, destroying it. dropped his bomb in a glide and was damaged. Many air battles On Sept. 13, 1944, early morning went back to the Lexington. They ensued. Air Group 19 shot down just before sunrise, Ray was in his found out the trim tab cables had 60 enemy planes, most being plane with the engine running been crossed when the wing was credited to the Hellcat fighters. awaiting take off when they were changed. The bomber squadron alone ordered to cut engines. It was Early October the Lexington went brought down nine planes which deathly quiet. A plane was heard to Ulithi to rearm and resupply. was pretty good for a big, heavy approaching the carrier in the dark, Ray visited the famous Mog Mog dive bomber that had the flying low over the water. Every Island, was given two cans of maneuverability of a dump truck! one held their breaths as the engine warm beer, and was told to,” have One of the pilots in Ray’s noise of the plane got louder and a good time.” squadron, Lt. Stu Crapser and his closer. At the last moment the In October of 1944, the largest gunner Jim Barns, were on a plane pulled up and over the sea-air battle ever, occurred in and search mission several hundred Lexington, at the same moment around the Philippines. The miles north of the American carrier releasing its bomb which passed Japanese Navy planned an all-out fleet. Late on the 24th they caught over the carrier and exploded in assault against the American sight of the Japanese carriers. the water on the other side. Ray fleet. The northern Japanese force Barns radioed their position back saw the red “meat ball” on the had the last four surviving aircraft to the fleet, and Crapser, knowing underside of the wing as the plane carriers. The central force it was too late to launch a strike went over. If that bomb had consisted of battleships, including from the fleet, decided to take on landed among all the planes sitting the largest that ever sailed, the one of the carriers all by himself. on the deck full of bombs and fuel, Yamato and Musashi, cruisers and He dived on a carrier and in turn it would have been a disaster with . The southern force had was attacked by Zeros. Barns did much loss of life and perhaps the the rest of the Japanese naval his best keeping the fighters off loss of the Lexington itself. After forces, battle ships, cruisers, and their tail and shot one down. several minutes, engine startup destroyers. Crapser and Barns were able to get was again ordered, and after On October 24, 1944, Ray, along back, but just barely. Their plane takeoff Ray flew a strike against a with Lt. Banker and Lt. Emerson, was heavily damaged. Japanese airfield on Negros were sent on a search mission near

Artwork by: Leon Basler www.leonbasler.com Early on the morning of Oct. got hits on the flight deck. These Zuikaku was the last surviving 25th, 0630 hours, Air Group 19 hits were followed by 14 more carrier that had launched planes launched against the Japanese dive bombers with at least eight against Pearl Harbor almost three carrier force that was found about more hits. Immediately after the years before. The other carriers 100 miles north of the fleet. Ray strike, the Zuikaku was rocked by were also hit and sunk that along with Banker and Emerson two large internal explosions and morning. dived on the carrier Zuikaku and sank within several hours. The Another strike on the northern force was launched in the afternoon of the 25th. Ray dived on a Japanese Fuso class battleship through a terrible amount of antiaircraft fire. His armor piercing thousand- pound bomb hit the battleship just ahead of the forward gun turret. The combined air and sea actions of the 24th and 25th decimated what was left of the Japanese naval forces, and they were never again able to seriously threaten the Allied forces. For his action against the Japanese aircraft carrier, Zuikaku, Lt. Raymond G. Wicklander was awarded the Navy Cross. On Oct. 26th the Lexington spent the day refueling and rearming. One of the fighters shot down a Japanese snooper plane. The next day they were on standby off Leyte to support MacArthur’s forces if needed. On the 28th, Ray went on a patrol to look for a PBY crew that had landed to pick up a stranded aircrew, but the PBY had sunk because of rough seas. During the search, Ray spotted a Japanese plane, chased it for 40 miles, but it got away. He never found the men. On Nov. 5, 1944 Ray’s skipper, Lt. Banker, led a mission to Manila bay to attack the same cruiser they had tried to get on Oct. 24th, decks to be treated. He was given a the eyes of the wounded the Nachi. Ray and Emerson didn’t shot to knock him out for pain Commander. The three striper fly this strike. The formation while he was being treated. Some verbalized his thoughts with the dived, and again the Nachi put up a hours later, he awoke and was in a following immortal words. ‘That lethal amount of antiaircraft fire. dark room below decks. After crazy son-of-a-bitch must be out of Lt. Banker’s plane was hit and sorting things and trying to his Goddamned mind!’ We never crashed in the water near the remember what happened, Ray did find out if the Admiral heard cruiser. The other planes swung his legs out over the bunk the rebuttal to his broad plan for completed their dives, hitting the to try and get up. His feet came our immediate future. I don’t think ship with numerous bombs. The down on a canvas bag. Looking the Commander really cared if he Nachi exploded, broke into three around the room in the dim light did. The Admiral’s aide, without pieces and sank within he noticed the room was full of comment, jammed on his hat and minutes. The bodies of Banker bags, FULL BODY BAGS. He departed the area with irreverent and his gunner were never was able to get himself up to find howls and roaring laughter beating recovered. other quarters and eventually was on his ears.” Before the strike returned to the sent to the hospital ship USS The war was over for Ray Lexington, the task group came Solace along with many of the Wicklander, and he made his way under attack by a number of other wounded. He was in a room home to continue his recovery and Japanese planes. Ray and Bill with Emerson, Williams and a to see for the first time his little Emerson along with a number of number of others that had been girl who was born while he was other pilots from VB-19 were on wounded on the Lexington. They away at war. Jerry Warnke, who one of the catwalks on the carrier received a visit from none other was not wounded in the attack, island. They watched the planes than fleet commander, Admiral stayed on the Lexington. coming in on the fleet with most of William F. Halsey. Bill Emerson WARNKE: My memories of our them being shot down.+ Several wrote about this incident: “The day tour of combat operations on the planes singled out the after our arrival on SOLACE, 10 LEX are probably unremarkable Lexington. One was shot down to 15 of us were ensconced in a from most everyone else. I don’t when a second came hurtling down cozy little officers’ sick bay, believe I was ever really terrified through the broken cloud cover. A basically doing nothing more than of anything that happened. shower of antiaircraft fire was comparing notes on where we Stupidity? Naiveté? Ignorance? directed at the plane and it was hit were on the LEX when it hit the Probably some of all three but am repeatedly. The plane came on fan. All of a sudden much hustle also sure that my blood pressure and in an instant it struck the and bustle in the passageway, and and pulse rates rose a bit when forward island structure of the through the hatch to our little somebody told me what all those Lexington. The bomb the plane convention pops the Bull himself. “black puffs” were! However, I was carrying broke away and Halsey, that is! The next few was also informed not to worry exploded, showering the side of minutes were a blur of him about those “explosions” you can the ship with fire and debris. Ray whipping around the room see, so I sat back and enjoyed the was wounded with flash burns and speaking to each of us occupants fireworks — knowing my fearless shrapnel. Bill Emerson and about our general health and pilot would dodge all that crap another pilot, Joe Williams, were welfare. As he was about to depart, they were throwing up to greet us! also wounded. Bomber 19 lost he turned in the hatch and declared The old BP & pulse rate did five pilots to the attack, Bob to all us has-been warriors, ‘OK elevate to record heights at Iwo Parker, Chuck Fisher, Bob Smith, men, thirty days leave and back at Jima and over the Japanese fleet! Bob Doyle, John Gilchrist and ‘em, Right?’ With that he was Multicolored bursts all around us, Francis Jackson were killed. gone! One of his aides had not and I swear I saw a kitchen sink go Altogether, 47 personnel were quite left the room when a by close abeam! But the Mighty killed and 127 injured. This was response to the Bull’s declaration Wicklander never let them “lay a considered to be one of the first was forthcoming from a very glove on us”! As a matter of fact, organized Kamikaze attacks of the seriously wounded Commander. we came thru it all “untouched” war. The fires were quickly The Commander may have been except for a small dent in the extinguished and wreckage was hurt, but I assure you his vocal middle of a prop blade. (Probably cleared off the deck in time for the cords were not impaired. The hit by musket fire from a rice returning Manila strike planes to Admiral’s aide froze on the spot, farmer) safely land. Ray, along with the but thought better of saying other wounded, were taken below anything when he saw the fire on Charter Members Barbara Rued Duane Haugstad Jonathon Rued Virgil E. Haynes Bruce Anderson Laverne Rued Ralph Heinzen Dale Anderson (Farms) Oliver Skinningsrud Dianne Herr Bruce Behm Tim Smith Jerry Hove Paul Behm Lynn Smith Paul Isaacson Leonard Behm Brian Sturm Jay Jacobson Karen Behm Glenn Swanson Gregory T. 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Stiefel Business Life Members Jason and Merideth Guilford Dennis Sundby Steven Bhardwaj Myron Thompson Auto Body, Inc Tom and Ginger Trousdale Magic City Squadron C.A.P. Annual Members Gordon and Judy Valgren Bruce Carlson V.E. Co-op Calvin G. Wantz Verendrye Elec. Co-op Fred Adams Allan Westereng First International Bank Robert Batherson Elmer and Virginia Wolff Jeff Farstad Edward Burkardt Larry Woods David Gowan Chris Grina Ken Kauer Mid Continent Media Laurance Heger Bernie Vasquez Hauck/Truck Suppliers Inc James Iverson Tom Leutz Muus Lumber Ron D. Johnson William Miller Herman Oil, Inc Kirby Kleingartner Norman Graving First Western Bank Jim Lawler Arvid Pomeroy Gene Knutson Dale Norris Janet Miller Bremer Bank Bruce Rostad Ted Stockert I.Keating, Inc Jacki R. Stewart Samantha Blessum MDU Resources Lyle Torno Kadrmas, Lee, & Jackson Warren Wermager Family Life Members Minot Chamber of Commerce Ken Yuly Minot Lumber Meric Murphy Kenneth Anderson SRT Shawn and Linda Anderson Minot Welding, Inc Addresses needed for: LeAnne and John Bills Putnam Consulting Audrey L. Baird Henry Brekhus Doug Rozendaal William G. Boldenow Craig and Georganna Clifford Danny and Diane Schatz Ed and Marie Bosarge Shelley and Donna Cole Schatz Crossroads H. “Red” Ewing Devin and Kayla Cole William and Bonnie Schriock Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brown Chuck and Jody Doyle Gravel Products Verlys E. Johnson Ralph Fettig Sky Farmer Ag Services Sylvester Mickanin Jule and Erik Haas State Bank and Trust of Kenmare Jeff Miller Karen and Shane Hannegrefs Lynn Stevens Welding Jason N. Rivera Rodger Haugen John and Jodi Stewart Charles W. Smith Marshall and Sherry Hill Western Ins. Agency Michael O. Stiefel Patrick J. Lifto Mike and Cindy Vandall Rod and Marlys Loken Additions and corrections Mr. & Mrs. Orville Molling Family/Business Annual requested Casey and Hilary Odegaard Members Arnold and Hazel Overland John Albert Walter and Peggy Peschel Bob Booth Family Tom and Mary Probst Anthony and Noelle Gomez DAKOTA TERRITORY AIR MUSEUM’S 22ND ANNUAL SWEEPSTAKES YOU COULD WIN THE GRAND PRIZE J-3 CUB! $50 Per Entry – Limit of 3,000 Entries to be sold! It’s time for our Annual Sweepstakes which is our primary fundraiser for the year! If the airplane looks familiar, it should! We were able to buy this sweet airplane back from last year’s sweepstakes winner, David Bronson of Kirkwood, NY.

This classic J-3 Cub Features 40 Hrs SMOH • A-75 with 1800 Hr TBO • 40 hours on Sensenich Prop • Fresh Annual

2018 Sweepstakes Drawings and Entry Information 20 Classic Leather Bomber Jackets will be given away in 20 weeks! The earlier you enter, the more chances you have to win. Here’s how! 1 per week every Friday beginning April 6th – August 17th  Individual Dakota Territory Air Museum Leather Bomber Jacket drawings will be held every Friday for 20 consecutive weeks beginning Friday April 6, 2018.  DTAM 22nd Annual Sweepstakes entries must be received no later than 5:00 Don’t Miss Out – You could be our next winner! pm on the day prior to each jacket drawing to be eligible to win that week.  Each Dakota Territory Air Museum Jacket winner remains eligible for all other drawings including the Grand Prize 1946 J-3 Cub. Classic Leather Bomber Jacket Winners List  All Sweepstakes entries received by 11:00 am on Saturday, August 18, 2018, are eligible for the Sweepstakes Grand Prize unless entries are sold out prior to April 6 – Russel Todd – Schenecksville, PA the drawing date/time. You need not be present to win. All winners will be April 13 – Erwin Elker – Moorhead, MN selected by random drawings from entries. April 20 – E. Doc Clement – Bermuda Run, NC April 27 – Irvin Wrobleski – Elba, NE May 4 – Daniel Gunter – Towner, ND Sweepstakes Basics and Contact Information May 4 Bonus Drawing – Jeff Sheets – Ft. Worth, TX May 11 – Judd Eifealdt – Cheyenne, WY Sweepstakes tickets are $50. Purchase entries on line – most major credit cards accepted. Phone orders are also accepted with credit card. If you prefer to have tickets sent out to May 18 – Brian Holland – Kempner, TX you, email or call the museum and we will send them to you. Upon receipt, simply fill out May 25 – Mylo Wolding – New Town, ND the entry form and return the completed entry with a check. June 1 – Mark Carrier – Johnson City, TN website: www.dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com June 8 – Authur Thomas – Brillion, WI Email: [email protected] Phone: 701-852-8500 June 15 – Kim Marcia – Qu’ Appelle, SK Mail: Dakota Territory Air Museum PO Box 195 Minot, ND 58702