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Fall 2019 Ben T InsideDaedalus this issue: Dark Night in Route Pack VI Page 8 Fall 2019 Ben T. Epps Sets the Bar High Page 18 Breaking Barriers Page 22 Flyer D-Day Doll Revisits Normandy Page 57 First to fly in time of war The premier fraternity of military aviators Contents Fall 2019, Vol. LX No. 3 Departments 5 Reunions 6 Commander 7 Executive Director 11 New Daedalians 14 Book Reviews 24 In Memoriam 26 Awards 33 Flightline 54 Eagle Wing 53 Flight Contacts Features 12 Hereditary Membership 18 Ben T. Epps Sets the Bar High 56 Plant the Seed, Watch it Grow 57 D-Day Doll Revisits Normandy Articles 8 Dark Night in Route Pack VI 16 Flying with Little SAM 21 David vs. Goliath 22 Breaking Barriers The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. THE ORDER OF DAEDALIANS was organized on March 26, 1934, by a representative group of American World War I pilots to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, the love of country, and the high ideals of sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position. The Order is dedicated to: insuring that America will always be preeminent in air and space—the encouragement of flight safety—fostering an esprit de corps in the military air forces—promoting the adoption of military service as a career—and aiding deserving young individuals in specialized higher education through the establishment of scholarships. THE DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION was incorporated in 1959 as a nonprofit organization to carry on activities in furtherance of the ideals and purposes of the Order. The Foundation publishes the Daedalus Flyer and sponsors the Daedalian Scholarship Program. The Foundation is a GuideStar Exchange member. The Scholarship Program recognizes scholars who indicate a desire to become military pilots and pursue a career in the military. Other scholarships are presented to younger individuals interested in aviation but not enrolled in college. Voluntary contributions to the Foundation are used for these purposes. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP in the Order of Daedalians is limited to: (1) Founder Members—those individuals of the Armed Services of the United States who held a commission and a rating of heavier-than-air pilot prior to November 11, 1918 (the last Founder Member made his last flight in 2003); (2) Named Members—a commissioned military officer in any component of the United States Armed Forces who is a pilot, warrant officer, women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP), navigator, combat systems officer (CSO), naval flight officer (NFO), air battle manager (ABM), remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilot or flight surgeon of heavier-than-air powered aircraft or astronaut and is accepted as a member to perpetuate the membership of a Founder Member; (3) Hereditary Members—the descendants of Founder Members; (4) Honorary Members—a distinguished person not otherwise eligible for membership. Daedalus Flyer, (ISSN 10832831) the official Daedalian journal, is published quarterly Address all editorial communications to: by the Daedalian Foundation. All rights reserved. For reprints, contact the editor. Daedalians—P.O. Box 249, Universal City, TX 78148-0249 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Daedalians Phone Number: (210) 945-2111—FAX: (210) 945-2112 P. O. Box 249, Universal City, TX 78148-0249 E-MAIL: [email protected] or [email protected] DAEDALIAN HOME PAGE: daedalians.org 2 Daedalus Flyer Fall 2019 Board Leaders NATIONAL STAFF National Commander Lt. Gen. Nicholas B. Kehoe, III USAF (Ret) Vice Commander Past National Commander MG Ronald K. Andreson, USA (Ret) Lt. Gen. Douglas H. Owens, USAF (Ret) Treasurer Secretary Col. Randall B. Putz, USAF (Ret) Col. Gary Walston, ANG (Ret) Foundation Chairman Chaplain Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen, USAF (Ret) Lt. Gen. Richard E. Brown III, USAF (Ret) Provost Marshal Judge Advocate Col. James W. Kellogg, USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. J. Todd Hedgepeth, USAF (Ret) Executive Director Historian Mrs. Maureen DeFelice vacant Directors LTC Daniel Clark, USA (Ret) CAPT Mike Denkler, USN (Ret) COL Charles F. Densford Jr., USA (Ret) Maj. Gen. Susan Desjardins, USAF (Ret) Col. Ronald Ellis, USAF (Ret) Col. Howard C. Ham Jr., USAF (Ret) Brig. Gen. Chad Manske, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. Marn é Peterson, PhD, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. D. Bruce Smith, USAF (Ret) Lt. Gen. Loyd Utterback, USAF (Ret) BOARD OF TRUSTEES Foundation Chairman Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen, USAF (Ret) Vice Chairman Secretary Col. Ed Sheeran, USAF (Ret) Col. Wayne Mudge, USAF (Ret) Treasurer Judge Advocate Col. L. Mike Rodriguez, USAF (Ret) Col. Francis L. Kapp, USAF (Ret) Executive Director Mrs. Maureen DeFelice Trustees Lt. Col. Michael Buck, USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. Olga Custodio, USAF (Ret) Mr. Will C. Hendrix Jr. COL Dan Meyers, USA (Ret) Col. Daniel Sowada, USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. Kathryn Staiger, USAF (Ret) Advertising in the Flyer: HEADQUARTERS STAFF We now accept advertising in the Daedalus Flyer. All advertisements must directly support the mission Program Manager Mrs. Kristi Cavenaugh of the Daedalians and are at the discretion of the Administrative & Facilities Coordinator Ms. Lucia Sanchez-Aldana Editor. Current rates and policies are available on Membership Coordinator Ms. Krystal Hernandez our website: Communications Manager MSgt. Annette Crawford, USAF (Ret) daedalians.org/newsroom/daedalus-flyer/ Editor, Daedalus Flyer Col. Debbie Landry, USAF (Ret) Daedalian Foundation 3 Staff Mailbox This section of the Flyer is in response to the many Their laughter after that let them know the other one comments, questions and suggestions that Daedalian was OK. HQ receives. Please continue to send input via email Col. John B. Kerr, Jr., USAF (Ret) to [email protected]. 30th Flight It was great to see the article in the most recent We asked members how they heard of the Daedalians Daedalus Flyer about Operation Homecoming. There and/or what they want to get out of the organization. is a footnote to the story, however. The 560th FTS did Below are just a few of the comments: not, in fact, conduct all of the operations. The 559th FTS, the T-37 pilot instructor training squadron, flew Other members recruited me. I enjoy the fellowship of and checked out at least one of the returning warriors, like-minded aviators. Colonel Ken Fleenor. At the time he was the Wing Vice LtCol Thomas Moore, USMC (Ret) Commander. It was with great pride that I was his IP. Lt. Col. Sam Shaver., USAF (Ret) Have known about the Daedalians for many years but did not know the ABMs were eligible. I am actively After skimming the recent issue I see that I’m not involved with military professional education and am the only member pleased with the “New Daedalian a mission pilot with the Civil Air Patrol. Organization.” I just emailed a photo of the front Col. William T. Eliason, USAF (Ret) and back covers to a young lady who is taking flying lessons and told her that she can have my copy but not Local neighbors [are] currently active in Daedalians. until I read it cover to cover! Everyone on the staff Have know for years about the organization, but should be rightly proud of the changes made in the last thought I had to be asked and/or inducted. Would have several years. I’m also trying to recruit two military joined years ago. pilots, one Navy, one Army. Col. William Hartsell, USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. D. L. Roy Harrington, USAF I have participated in Daedalian events throughout my The spring edition of the Daedalus Flyer brought Air Force career. I will be retiring soon and I would back two of my most vivid active duty memories. My like to stay connected with military aviation through squadron, 1365 AVS (audiovisual sqdn) and parent the Daedalians. AAVS (Aerospace Audiovisual Service) MAC, were Lt. Col. Ralph Shoukry, USAF heavily tasked during Operation Homecoming. In fact, the picture heading the article probably was taken by [I] joined thru Willie Chapter 82 after being their guest either Carmen Higgins or Bob Hooper, two of our best speaker. photographers, E-8s from our squadron headquarters Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire, ANG (Hooper’s promotion list released at the conclusion of the mission). Hooper told me of the sheer joy on Referenced by Tom Cappelletti as well as throughout the aircraft the moment it was announced that they my career as a USAF pilot. Would like to join as had cleared North Vietnamese airspace. These early especially in retirement it’s a chance to gain comradery pictures were ours as the TV networks were not allowed with fellow aircrew as well as give a little back to the to get involved until the POWs hit the ground at Clark military flying community. AB in the Phillipines. Lt. Col. Chad Robbins, USAF (Ret) In a related event (a few years later) in July 1982, the late Lt. Gen. John Flynn, then the Daedalian Attending son’s UPT graduation Class 19-21 at national commander, had been our speaker at a five- Columbus AFB, Mississippi, on 16 August 2019. flight dinner of southern California flights at Norton LTC Thomas C. Kelley III, USA (Ret) AFB. At breakfast the next morning, my wife Barbara and I, with Dottie and Hank Pfieffer (Hank and the general had been in the same pilot training class), Col. Jay Jayroe, USAF (Ret), was incorrectly identifed General Flynn (a five-year plus POW of the north) as Jay Joyner on pages 22 and 23 of the summer 2019 told us a funny story. When released, after arriving issue. Colonel Jayroe is a Daedalian and Freedom Flyer in the Phillipines, he called home. His wife’s reply to #82. I apologize for any confusion. his “hello” was, “Jack Flynn, where have you been?” Debbie Landry, Editor 4 Daedalus Flyer Fall 2019 The Daedalian Store Store The Daedalian Store can be found on our website at: daedalians.org by selecting Store in the top menu.
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