Fall 2007 - 390th Memorial Museum

Bulletin
Official
publication
of the
Official
publication
of the
390th
Memorial
Museum
390th Memorial Museum
Foundation
A Unique
Museum Built by Veterans
VOL. XII, NO. 3
2007
FALL
Station 153
Framlingham England
Home of the 390th Bomb Group
See page 12 to order a durable print
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 1
From the Executive Director
It was my very great honor to be able to attend the latest
390th Veterans Association reunion at the end of September. Though their ranks are depleted, the veterans’ spirits remain high and their outlook optimistic. It is humbling indeed to be included in this group of great
Americans.
I encourage all of you who are descendants to send to us
your notice that you want to attend the next reunion,
which will be their 34th, in San Antonio— September 814, 2008. We all need to think seriously about the fact
that these heroes won’t be around long, and it is essential
that we acknowledge them for their courage and sacrifice
so many years ago.
Your museum continues to garner praise and admiration
from our visitors, not only for the execution of the displays, but also for the message we are trying to deliver.
Our primary missions include the edification of those
whose schooling is deficient regarding World War II,
and the preservation of the legacy set forth by the men of
the 390th Bomb Group and the 8th Air Force. It is always
gratifying to provide specific information of the war record to visitors who had no previous knowledge of the
service performed by their father, grandfather or other
relative. Many times their visit here results in the first
direct information they have of their loved ones’ record
in the war. Often we see tears, and always gratitude for
what we provide. I wish all of you could know the feeling of satisfaction and pride we feel with each of those
experiences.
That brings to mind a crying need that we have here at
the museum. We need volunteers to become docents to
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Don Brooks, President
Richard Bushong, Treasurer, Director
Frank Drain, Vice President
Allan S. Moller, Secretary
Vonna (Von Arb) Husby , Director
Mary Pennebaker Truitt,
Truitt, Director
William MacVicar,
MacVicar, Director
Jim May, Director
Gerald Grove,
Grove, 95th Bomb Group Representative
STAFF
Thomas C. Drugan, Executive Director
Dewayne “Ben”
“Ben” Bennett, Curator Emeritus
Rod & Peggy Church, Curators
Andrew Anzanos, Director of Operations & Facilities
Meredyth Dinniman, Membership Coordinator
William Frostick, Manager B-17 Reconstruction
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
tell our story to the many visitors touring our facility
every year. Anyone who has the desire and the time to
spend at the museum here in Tucson is invited to participate in this program.
In closing, there are three important thoughts I need to
leave with you:
•
•
•
Our annual membership dues notice will be
mailed in a few weeks. We have much unfinished work to do. Please help us accomplish our
mission by renewing your membership for at
least another year. If you can, a little extra, fully
tax deductible donation would be greatly appreciated and judiciously used.
Our seventh annual foundation reunion is scheduled for April 3-6, 2008. Please plan now to join
us for some great fellowship, outstanding tours
and a wonderful banquet program on Saturday.
Information packets/applications will be in the
mail in a few weeks.
If you are a descendant, plan now to attend the
390th Bomb Group veterans’ reunion in San
Antonio September 8-14, 2008 by sending us
your request with your name and address. The
applications will be sent to you from the
Veterans Association in June 2008. If you don’t
ask, you won’t be invited.
This J-Bulletin and the dues notice includes some holiday gift specials from our BX. Please take advantage of
some great prices for our premium 390th BG merchandise. We wish you and yours the best for the holiday season. God bless our magnificent troops and their mission.
Thomas Drugan
Don Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator
Marcia Balmut Ward, Descendants Correspondent
mward@ctcn.net
Carolyn Beaubien, Research Director Res390@aol.com
Web Master. Stephen Presswood, skpress@swbell.net
“J” Bulletin
Editor Andrew Anzanos,
Andy 390th@aol.com
Associate Editor Meredyth Dinniman
The Square J Bulletin is published quarterly by the 390th
Memorial Museum Foundation, a nonprofit educational
organization. The Foundation is recognized by the Internal
Revenue Service as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All dues and
donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent
allowed by law. (IRS identification number 94-2764158.)
The 390th Memorial Museum is located on the grounds of the
Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ. The Museum is open
daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Square J Bulletin
Page 2
REUNION OF THE 390TH BOMB GROUP
VETERANS ASSOCIATION
S
ince October 7, 1977 the veterans of the
390th Bomb Group have been gathering in
mostly annual reunions. That first reunion was
held in St. Louis as an offshoot of the 8th Air
Force Historical Society meeting. Two other
reunions in the early years were likewise as a
result of an 8th Air Force Historical Society
gathering. In their fifth reunion held October
27, 1979 in Phoenix, Arizona, the Moller hangar
party was born. There has been a Moller hangar
party at each of the next 28 reunions since then.
In honor of the contributions of Joe and Dorothy
Moller over the many years, the Veterans Association has voted to continue to hold a Moller
hangar party at all of their remaining reunions.
The 33rd reunion
of the 390th Bomb
Group was held in
Salt Lake City
September 23-27,
2007. There were
about 227 people
registered for the
event including 56
390th Bomb Group
veterans. The atmosphere was a
little somber as the
tragic passing of
President Bill MacVicar
Dorothy Moller
was in the minds of everyone in attendance.
However, the reunion proceeded with the normal sharing of fellowship which characterized
all the preceding gatherings since 1977.
Salt Lake City proved to be a wonderful host
city. The weather was a little cool, but the hospitality was warm. Several tours were offered
and all were very interesting. On Wednesday a
six hour bus tour took us to many of the city’s
important and famous sites. On Thursday we
enjoyed a trip to the Kennecott copper mine,
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
which measures more than half a mile deep and
utilizes some of the most incredible equipment
on earth. Thursday evening we were treated to a
performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
featuring more than 250 singers and a twelve
thousand pipe organ. Saturday found us at Hill
Air Force Base Aerospace Museum which has
more than fifty military aircraft, including a fine
B-17G.
By far the most defining and exhilarating moment of the entire reunion occurred Thursday
evening at the choir performance. Midway
through the program, the director stopped and
introduced a visiting dignitary, the President of
the Czech Republic. He received friendly, polite
applause. Then the director introduced the veterans of the 390th Bomb Group and asked them
to stand to be recognized. Then the entire
house, more than 3,000 people plus the choir,
rose and gave the veterans a solid minute of sustained, standing ovation. That brought tears to
many eyes and won’t soon be forgotten!
Friday evening we had the first Moller hangar
party without Joe and or Dorothy being present.
We were somewhat subdued but carried on with
dining and dancing. Saturday night we enjoyed
the banquet complete with presenting and retiring the colors, a fine after dinner program by
members of the veterans Association, and a
magnificent presentation by Dr. Don Miller, renowned author, who discussed the significance
and impact of World War II and specifically the
(Continued on page 4)
Square J Bulletin
Page 3
(Continued from page 3)
8th Air Force participation. Dr. Miller’s latest
book, “Masters of the Sky,” is a most authoritative
work documenting the fight for superiority in the
air over Europe in World War II.
The Veterans Association will be holding the 34th
iteration of their reunion September 8-14, 2008 at
the Double Tree Hotel in San Antonio, TX. The
Veterans Association has invited all descendants
who are members of the 390th Memorial Museum
Foundation to attend. Those of you who wish to do
so must register with the museum office in order to
receive registration packets.
Tom Drugan
Dr. Don Miller
Cover Page - Station 153
T
he 390th Bomb Group base was noted as Station 153 in East Suffolk, East Anglia, England.
The base was located in farm country, flat and rolling, the fields neatly divided by hedges and
with scattered squared patches of woodland. The field was originally turned over to the 95th Bomb
Group in May 1943. They had extremely bad luck. On one raid, only three of eighteen airplanes
returned, and the commanding officer went down. A few days later they were moved to another
Base. In the first part of July, the 390th arrived and took over.
This was the base from which the four operational flight squadrons lived and operated against the
enemy. It was a community that contained all-inclusive support to make the missions possible with
complete administrative, technical, security, medical, entertainment, etc. to make the next mission.
The field was located mid-distance between the country towns of Wickham Market and Framlingham. It was the nearest bomber base to the North Sea at a distance of ten miles. Ipswich was the
larger town 17 miles to the southwest of the base.
The longest runway, east-west, was 6,337 ft. and with two other diagonal runways of 4,400 ft. The
bombers were dispersed among the 50 hardstands. All the living and communal and technical sites
were located on the west side and on the east side was the ammunition and bomb dump. The communal site held the officers’ club, Red Cross Aero Club and the mess halls. The living areas were well
apart from the airfield and dispersed so that a German bombing raid could not wipe out the field in
one blow.
From this base, the 390th flew 301 combat missions, dropping 18,755 tons of bombs, had six missions of food drop to the starving Dutch and at the end, flew missions to bring back prisoners of war.
See page 12 to order a print of Station 153
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 4
What’s New at the Museum
Museum Receives Life Raft
A
Life Raft is now on display in the museum. This is quite fitting to go along with the
“Gibson Girl” emergency transmitter previously on display.
The B-17 carried two life rafts in
external compartments above
each wing. In an emergency
ditching, the crew released the
rafts with a pull handle on each
side of the upper forward radio
room compartment. The rafts
would self inflate on release and
were capable of carrying six persons each.
One raft would carry the Gibson
Girl emergency transmitter. This
transmitter required a long antenna and therefore a kite or balloon was included to raise the
antenna. A crew member would
Life Raft with Emergency Transmitter
straddle the set and hand crank for power. The set could be set for automatic emergency transmitting or selected for manually keying Morse code.
Also included in the rafts were provisions of food and water, signaling mirror, dye markers, first
aid kit, a paddle, fishing line and hooks and material for cover.
It was recommended that a parachute would be brought aboard to provide shade or a makeshift sail
using the chute materials. A parachute generally floats quite a few minutes before becoming water
logged and sinking, enabling an ease in handling during the emergency deployment operation.
The 390th Bomb Group had ten aircraft that ditched in the seas or English Channel with 81 surviving with the aid of the life raft. One of these aircraft ditched unsuccessfully killing all ten members. Four other men were killed probably from prior injuries and one was killed by being strafed
by an enemy fighter while aboard a rescue boat.
We were briefed that the survival rate was only 15 or 20 minutes in the icy waters without protection but the 390th had one sole survivor who bailed out before the aircraft blew-up killing all the
other crew members. Lt. James Keelan, Navigator/Mickey Operator, was in the water for all of
hour and a half before a British Walrus picked him up in a semi-conscious state. Jim survived that
ordeal only to fly again and experience another ditching but this time successfully with the other
crew members included in the 81 life raft survivors.
AA
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 5
Letters to the Editor
From 390th Pilot to Commander of the 8th Air Force
August 22, 2007
Andy,
Congratulations on the fine article that you had in the "J Bulletin" about Dorothy. It was
very well done.
It was sad to learn of John Quinn's death. I spent many hours
on the phone with John. Unfortunately I wasn't too much assistance
to him on his search effort. Other than my crew, the only other ones
I knew in the Group were those in my hut and some of the pilots
who were my classmates. I spent no time in the club and when on
pass, I would be visiting one of my two brothers there in England
before the invasion. My third brother was in the Pacific. We were
extremely fortunate in flying my tour. Thirty five missions between
27 April and 12 August 1944 without anyone getting a scratch. My
last three missions were on the second shuttle to Russia. I think I
must have been living a charmed life, or the Good Man above was
listening when I would talk to him from the edge of the hard stand
before each mission. Upon returning to the States, I was assigned to Lt. General George H. McKee
Mac Dill AFB as an instructor in a B-17 RTU. Later we converted
to B-29s.
I remained in the military after the war. My first SAC assignment was with the 2nd Bomb
Group at Davis-Monthan as a B-29 aircraft commander. I was assigned to the 49th Bomb Squadron for eight years. I flew a crew for four years, was the operations officer for two years and the
Squadron Commander for two years. The 2nd Group transferred from DM to Savannah in 1949.
My next assignment was to SAC Headquarters for five years as the Command project officer for
their Command and Control System. From there I went to Spain for a three-year assignment as a
Base Commander, then back to Washington for a year of schooling at the Armed Forces Industrial College. After that it was back to SAC where I Commanded three different B-52 Wings, an
Air Division and the 8th Air Force. One of the highlights of my career was when I assumed command of the 8th on Guam. General J. C. Meyer, CINCSAC, brought all of the earlier commanders of 8th Air Force over for the change of command ceremony. Present was Ira Eacker, Doolittle, Kepner and others. I was extremely pleased because to my knowledge I was the only WWII
combat crew member to later command the 8th.
Andy, in your article on John Quinn, thanks for remembering the Four Horsemen. They
were my favorites. But, I think we should add a Fifth Horseman, Andy Anzanos.
Take Care,
Editor’s Note:
During George McKee’s tour with the 390th he flew missions as lead pilot including two with one of our
museum founders, Robert Waltz, as command pilot. McKee’s crew was also noted for having two brothers
on the same crew, the Pierce brothers: Alton as flight engineer/top turret and Theodore as waist gunner.
After retirement the president appointed George as Governor of U.S. Soldier’s and Airmen’s Home. Lt.
General McKee makes his retirement home in Patomac Falls, Va.
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 6
Annual Foundation Reunion
Plan now to attend the 7th Annual 390th Memorial Museum Members’
Reunion at the museum in Tucson, Arizona!
April 3-6, 2008
Please come to enjoy this enjoyable gathering and …
Join interesting and educational tours;
Renew old acquaintances;
See what is new at your museum;
Enjoy fine food and entertainment at the annual foundation banquet
and volunteer recognition ceremony!
Registration packages will be mailed shortly—look for them!
What’s New
(Continued From Page 2)
The briefing map for the Berlin mission of 8 March 1944 displayed on the side of the mission
diorama has been upgraded. This display, like the Marienburg upgrade, replaces the hand painted
and paste-up presentations. Computerized technology was utilized for the enhancements. The
Marienburg mission was presented on our Museum Tour as Part I in the Winter 2005/2006 issue
and the upgrade in our last issue, Summer 2007. “Target for Today” was first presented in the
Summer 2006 issue.
AA
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 7
From Our Website Guest Book (390th.org)
Selected Entries
I
have just received my copy of the Framlingham
Times Newsletter and I read with interest Alan
Brooks' article (page 9) wherein he had the pleasure
of meeting Darcy and Bob Cocozza and was their
guide for the day of their visit to the Parham Airfield
Museum. It brought back fond memories of my visit
with my wife Norma (March '06) and was met in
Suffolk by Mick Tipple and the wonderful day we
spent at Parham and had the honor of meeting Peter
and Kathy Kindred as well as many other volunteers.
My uncle, Joseph P. Callahan, was a waist gunner
with the 569th and actually flew with Darcy Cocozza's father, Dingness J. Verschuure who was his
radio operator on Joe's last two missions.
My main reason for this message is the comment by
Alan Brooks where he states "These visits by descendents of veterans are a pleasure for the volunteers at our Museum and we hope to have many
more in the future. Anyone thinking of making the
trip over to see us are guaranteed a warm welcome
and a real trip back in history. This makes us very
proud of Parham Airfield Museum." I couldn't agree
more. If it is ones future plans or thinking about it do it! You won't be disappointed. I have also visited
the 390th this past spring and was delighted to finally meet Carolyn Beaubien and her husband Richard. With Carolyn's help she has touched the hearts
of our family with her wonderful assisted research.
If you are a descendent or just interested in this great
organization I would encourage you becoming a
member of both organizations. They could certainly
use your support. Tom Twohill hollie@infionline.net 9/4/2007 7:58 PM
W
hen I attended the memorial services for
Col Joe Moller's wife, Dorothy, at the Air
Force Academy yesterday, I became aware of additional details of the great history of the 390th.
(Even though I am an Air Force Academy graduate, there is a lot of Air Force history that I have
yet to learn.) I consider myself fortunate to live in
close proximity to your great museum. My congratulations for all your success and my thanks for
preserving this heritage. Roy Miller RMiller451@aol.com 6/27/2007 5:35 PM
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
H
i, Many of you knew my Dad, Gus Mencow.
Dad passed away on May 27th. His memory
is truly a blessing to us all. He was the navigator on
the film that is shown at the museum, "Betty Boop
-Pistol Packin' Mama." I can report that since Dad
passed away, I have been in touch with Betty
Geary, wife of Jim Geary, the plane's pilot, and
Betty and Leo McCarthy, wife and son of Hugh,
the plane's bombardier. About two days before Dad
died, he referred to "Nine fine fellows," no doubt
his crewmates. Dad had many fine friends in the
390th. He often referred to you all as the finest
people he had met. Billy Mencow, billymencow@gmail.com 7/14/2007 1:55 PM
I
was very impressed and touched by the 390th's
Museum in Tucson. My girlfriend Sarah, my
son, and I drove from Vegas to Tucson to visit her
brother. But what a treat we discovered at the air
and space museum (to include your museum as
well)! The service and sacrifice put forth by the
WWII generation is still seen by many, myself included, as the standard by which modern sacrifice
and service is measured. Thank you all for your
service. Under all of the history gracing your walls,
all of the bravery, sorrow, sacrifice and joy within
that history, I truly stood there in awe of all of you.
Wayne M. Cordes waynec1@cox.net 6/10/2007
10:01 PM
I
recently moved to Marysville, CA. I live in a
RV park. My next door neighbor is 83 & was a
member of 390th 570th squadron 8th Air Force.
His name is Ross Farris. He is very much a quiet
man. But after a bad incident in the park with another resident Ross started opening up to me. With
a little tear in his eyes he began telling me about
Munster Mission. He was on the ship Miss Carry.
A door gunner & bomb rack man. I found your site
the museum & a photo of Miss Carry. Wow he had
no idea of the love & respect of everyone out there!
When he saw that ship he couldn't believe his eyes.
Anyway, if you have anybody that was on Miss
Carry please email me their names. He was on her
from around August 1943 until late 1945. He did
not know he is a hero # down in history. Any info
on his crew members would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you Dennis Holt.
holt1122@comcast.net 5/17/2007 7:41 PM
Square J Bulletin
Page 8
From Our Research Department
Carolyn Beaubien
W
e receive many interesting inquires via email to the 390th BG Research Department, and this one caught my
eye as to something our veterans and associates might be interested in. This inquiry came in June and states:
"My name is John Fuffles, I was born in Framlingham in 1946. My mom and dad were married there on May 10,
1944. My dad's best man at their wedding was a member of the 390th BG with the nick name of "Molly". I never
knew his real name. Often 390th BG airmen would come out to stay at the farm and help with the chores. My
mother's name was Ivy and my dad's name was John, they are both now deceased. I wonder if there is anybody out
there who remembers the farm or my parents or had a relative who stayed at the farm during that time period?"
If you care to respond to this inquiry you may do so at: rufflesjo@hotmail.com
****************************************
T
his past year we have had several inquiries about the grave sites at the United States Military Cemetery at Margraten in the Netherlands. Right after WWII, many Dutch families in the Netherlands "adopted" grave sites of
Americans who were buried there. This obligation is carried down through the family and many families are into their
second and third generations of caring. Several of these people have written to learn more about the man or men
whose grave sites they tend.
A
family with the surname of Scholl tends a grave site that bears their same name. The airman was Harlan B.
Scholl, naturally they are curious about the man and wrote to the 390th Museum for information. Unfortunately
I have been unable to locate a family member. Harlan B. Scholl was an Engineer/Top Turret with crew #78, Lawrence
J. Gregor, Pilot. They wanted to know his birthday so that they could lay flowers at his site. Eight of his 10 man crew
were killed when their aircraft collided with #2107070 "North Star" over the Zuder Zee. These men will never be forgotten by the Dutch people.
In my search I found there were 197 families with the surname of Scholl in St. Louis, Missouri, which was his enlistment address. If you know the whereabouts of any of his family, please let us know.
****************************************
L
ouis Hensgens, also of the Netherlands, has inquired about John E. Sewell whose gravesite he tends. I have been
unable to locate any relative of that person. John E. Sewell gave an enlistment address of Tucson; unfortunately,
the Sewells I have contacted here in Tucson have no connection with the John E. Sewell of the 390th. John E. Sewell
was a Radio Operation on the Leonard Gaik crew. If you have any information you can contact Louis Hensgens at:
Louis.Hensgens@home.nl.
****************************************
B
ill Turner, 390th BG veteran of the 568th BG
ground crew wrote that he was searching on his
computer one day and found an article about the S.S.
James Parker which was the ship that he was shipped
out on to England. The ship was transferred to the
Army on June 13, 1941, and named the James Parker, in
honor of Brigadier General James Parker. The ship was
built in 1939 by Bethlehem Steel's Fore River shipyard
in Quincy Massachusetts and christened the S.S.Panama.
As a troop carrier, it could carry 2,324 troops. After the
war she was returned to the Panama Railroad and
Steamship Company. I'm sure the 390th personnel that
shipped over on her remember her well. Some of our
390th BG veterans may be surprised to know that she is
still carrying passengers.
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
S S Panama
Square J Bulletin
Page 9
Museum Tour
Part VIII
Andy Anzanos
I
mmediately after our hangar interior walls were erected and painted our Museum Founders selected
quotations from the World War II leaders, both Allied and German. The quotes were placed on the
upper portion of our walls surrounding the Museum; they drew considerable attention. Most of the quotes
now have the Nose Art exhibits just above them.
The Quotes
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 10
Tapings of
390th Bomb Group Veterans
A
bout three years ago, Ray and Sally McFalone wandered into our Museum and were so
impressed with the volunteers that it occurred to them that someone should videotape the
volunteers’ stories for posterity. So with the help of Tom Drugan, they taped both the volunteers
on duty at the museum. Our descendants, led by Mary Truitt, had been searching for someone to
tape our veterans and subsequently without persuasion got Ray to plan on recording our veterans
during our Museum’s Spring reunion in 2005. Both Ray and Sally then attended every 390th
Museum and Veterans Associations reunions thereafter until this date.
Ray records the interview on DVD disks and provides copies
for each veteran and his immediate descendants. Although
they attend the reunions, their devotion to the project almost
totally excludes them from other social events. They are self
motivated and have this need to get that next interview
recorded.
Last April, Ray and Sally presented their first album of
recorded disks to the museum. This album contained 56
Ray recording George Hartman
recordings. Subsequently, there have been two more reunions
of recording that Ray is now working on which will bring the total recordings to about 82. Since
there were 55 veterans that attended the last reunion in Salt Lake City, it becomes obvious that the
available veterans were well taken care of. They are also planning on attending our Museum
reunion next April where it is hoped that any missed or latecomers will be available. The following selected part was enclosed in the album presented to the museum.
This collection includes interviews of flight crew and ground crew. Each veteran offers a
unique perspective that reflects their personal contribution. Taken together, these interviews begin to form a picture of the overall 390th experience. The stories told by these veterans are lessons in commitment, sacrifice and courage.
As you watch the interviews, at first glance you may think you are watching an elderly white
haired gentleman who is a little stooped in posture and halting in speech. But look closely
and you will see the eyes of a 20-year-old whose resolve to do what had to be done
changed the world.
We are honored that the veterans of the 390th trusted us enough to share their stories with
us. It with great pleasure that we present this collection of interviews to the 390th Museum.
Ray & Sally McFalone
Ray is an estate planning attorney and Sally currently heads a children’s asthma program for the
County Health Department; residing in Lafayette, California. Ray was originally from Canada and
Sally from Rolla, Missouri. Ray began his hobby as a volunteer who videotaped the life stories of
hospice patients.
AA
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 11
Museum Tour Book
Now on the Internet
Know your Museum in this fully colored publication showing all major exhibits in the museum, internal aircraft shots and all 64 nose
arts, that line our wall tops, complete with aircraft missions, casualties and demise. This is a
high quality booklet with every page colored.
Now it can be shipped directly to you from the
printer. No handling or commitments required
from the Museum and the Museum will receive $3 royalty on every sale.
All buyers to-date consider it an exceptional
publication. Order your copy from the printer.
The cost is $17.68 plus a shipping cost to your
home. Order at:
www.lulu.com/content/372977
Framlingham Station 153
Durable Print Available
A printed layout of the 390th Bomb Group Base,
Station 153 Framlingham, is now available.
Printed on vinyl, in color, that is very durable
and will not tear. By special order only.
You determine the size you want. The costs will
be approximately:
2 Ft. wide $50
3 Ft wide $75
4 Ft wide $120
Place your order by contacting the Museum or
E-mail Andy390th@aol.com
Blown-up section of the full view on Cover
The size above approximates what would be seen
with a 2 foot wide order
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 12
Marcia Balmut Ward
A
pril 23, 2006 was “B-17 Day” at Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix, Arizona. The veteran flying fortress, Liberty Belle, was on display. Fidel Galletti, my father-in-law, had been a B-17 bomber pilot during WWII, so my wife, Marie, and I were anxious to inspect the plane he once flew. My wife and in-laws
(Fidel and Marie Galletti) all drove with me to Deer Valley Airport to see the plane.
As my mother-in-law waited outside the plane, Fidel, Marie and I went inside the Liberty Belle for a
tour. While viewing the cockpit, we met 85-year-old W.W. Schira, of Glendale, Arizona, who happened to be
visiting the bomber at the same time. Mr. Schira had been a co-pilot on another B-17 during the time of my
father-in-law’s tour of duty.
Mr. Schira told us that, although his eyesight is not good, his hearing is excellent. On the other hand,
my 90- year-old father-in-law’s hearing is not good, though his eyesight is excellent. After briefly swapping a
few war stories, Mr. Shira quipped, “With Fidel’s good eyesight and my good hearing, we could become a
working team and lift this Liberty Belle right off the tarmac and back into the wild blue yonder.”
It would have been a first for the Guinness Book of World Records, but I believe that this crew, ages 85
and 90, could have gotten that bomber into the sky and back again. What a ride that would have been.
Submitted by Wayne Mitchell, Box 9592, Phoenix, Arizona 85068
NOTE: Fidel Galletti passed away on June 27, 2007 at the age of 91. As shared by his son-in-law, Wayne
Mitchell, “He was a great guy and we’ll miss him.” He closed his communication with a quote from Crowfoot,
Lakota Sioux Medicine Man:
“What is Life? It is the flash of a firefly at night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in wintertime.
It is the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses
itself in the sunset.”
Realizing that life does indeed continue and we who are left behind may
find great comfort in knowing the ideals and freedoms our loved ones
fought for are enjoyed by so many is comforting! Recently Richard
Drain’s son, Frank, and I experienced the 102nd Anniversary of Practical
Flight at the first airport in the world – Huffman Prairie Flying Field,
WPAFB, Dayton, Ohio. Our band of students from Graham Digital Academy and Hi-Point Joint Vocational School here in Ohio watched as Mark
Dusenberry, builder and
pilot of Replica 1905
Wright Flyer III, lifted from
The Wright Flyer in the air.
the ground and traveled
across the prairie as Orville and Wilbur Wright had done so long
ago. It was an exciting and amazing opportunity for our students
to “live” a moment in flight history.
We later visited the Air Force Museum and also stopped to pay
homage to the 390th monument in the adjacent park. I couldn’t
help but think of my Dad, Henry “Hank” Balmut, Richard Drain,
Colonel Joseph Moeller, Fidel Galletti,
Marcia Ward and Frank Drain’s students at the Stan Kozik …along with many others…
Square J Monument.
who fought the fight to create a free
country, a free world. If you have a story
or remembrance of your 390th hero, please allow others to share in it. We would love to
hear it!
Most fittingly, a red-tailed hawk flew in front of the staging area in view of all participants and students the morning we visited Huffman Prairie Flying Field. His shadow ran
across the grass and lost itself in the mist of the morning! Yes, that is what life is!
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Watching over.
Page 13
Donations and Club Memberships
W
Museum Donors
e are pleased to announce the names of the ladies
and gentlemen who have made donations to the
museum general fund and endowment fund during the
third quarter of 2007. General funds are used to pay operating costs, fund a substantial research effort, and improve
exhibits. Endowment funds ensure our future survival.
Without the generosity of people such as these, we would
not be able to keep the museum doors open. On behalf of
all the visitors, veterans, and descendants who enjoy the
museum and marvel in its wonders, THANK YOU!
Andy Anzanos (6)
A.R. Bassi (6)
William A. Carr
Gilbert & Tracy Chavez (2)
The Community Foundation
-Referred by Mr. &
Mrs. Richard Sharp
G. Thatcher Darwin (4)
Harrington Drake (4)
Thomas & MaryAnn
Drugan (4)
Virginia Duncan (5)
Kevin Gentry (4)
Bob Ginn
Bernice Gurgiolo (4)
Barbara Haas (4)
Charles C. Haffner (4)
Vern & Millie Hutt (4)
Chuck & Carolyn
Jackson (5)
John Johannessen
Lloyd L. Johnson (5)
Chris Kenny (3)
Mary Jane Kenny (3,4)
Norman L.
Kratschmer (4,5)
Lorraine La Porte (4)
Sam & Bea Laverty (4)
Harry Love
Maggie MacGregor (4)
William & Barbara Dower
Matyskiel (1)
Ellis McClintick
Cyril McGowan (4)
George H. McKee (4)
James L. McKenzie
Karen McMahon
Gilbert J. Mros
Barbara S. Nelson (4)
William Pace (4)
William Pennebaker
Jane Rishel (4)
Richard Sawyer
Raymond & Vivian
Schleihs (4)
Leonard & Mary Schwartz
Alan Smith (4,6)
Jean Snodgrass
Lisa N. Nevins Spence (5)
Marc Stump
Oral & Anne Thompson (4)
Jim & Mary Truitt (4)
Deborah Tyler
Richard & Isabel
Watson (4)
Warren R. Widdison (4)
Jim & Shelley Willard (5)
Bob Windle
Diane Wootton (5)
In Memoriam
1. Philip J. Dower
2. Fidel Galletti
3. H.J. Kenny, Jr.
4. Dorothy Donnelly Moller
5. Ralph Pettit
6. John Quinn
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Air Division Club
John F. Babbitt
Joan A. Keohane
Robert W. Saunders
Wing Club
David S. Buehler
Richard S. Finlayson
John H. Hammond
Albert "Dick" Harris
Peter C. Kenny
Herbert A. Nuber
William F. Pennebaker
Martin K. Presswood
Alan D. Smith
Grover L. Swearingen
Cal Worthington
Group Club
Candace Bibby
Carol A. Brezan
Donald W. Brooman
Margaret E. Brown
Russell A. Brown
Robert E. Brubaker
Thelma W. Burk
Gwendolyn S. Burnham
Richard B. Bushong
Chris Carlin
Douglas Castle
Craig Citro
Joe Commisto
Daniel J. Coonan
Donald M. Danielson
Michael David
Rayford B. Deavours
Taylor Grout Deshon
Thomas C. Drugan
Grover L. Dycus
John R. Edmondson
Louis C. Eldredge
Cheryl A. Ellefson
Daniel B. Engelbrecht
Harold J. Erickson
Brian J. Flax
Lisa M. Petruk Fleming
Bruce Fuerstenberg
Arline Garcia
John Gilcrest
David Gillmore
Robert W. Ginn
Marjorie H. Grout
Roger E. Grout
Nancy Grout-DeShon
Thomas J. Hart
George Hartman
Larry A. Hartman
Square J Bulletin
Donald K. Hassig
Wilbur H. Hendrix
Oscar E. Hille
Charles A. Hodnicki
Randall J. Hoehn
Sara Ware Howsam
Robert S. Jacobs
Donald G. Kaiser
Craig S. Kamansky
John M. Keema
Melinda R. Kimes
Joel Klein
William R. Koller
Carol Kurtz
Bernadette Laverty
Samuel J. Laverty
Paul L. Lawson
John R. Lehman
Sidney Lieberman
Samuel J. Linn
Elden G. Marquardt
James W. May
Ellis B. McClintick
Elda T. Munson
Russell Munson
William Naeve
Lisa Ford Nogar
Wanda L. Oliver
Jack Pitonak
Kenneth Poortinga
Jacob Popik
Jay Ray
Lester D. Roark
Samuel E. Robertson
Lawrence L. Rosenthal
John E. Schneider
George J. Spore
Elbert S. Steele
Richard E. Steele
Helen V. Stinnett
Thomas A. Stinnett
Patrick E. Taylor
Victor Tennery
Jack W. Thomson
Leonard W. Tranter
George W. Von Arb
Louis C. Wampler
Robert E. Warburton
Frank G. Ware
Claude E. Webber
Robert C. Westmyer
Thomas J. Woodhouse
William W. Yary
Page 14
Stock up on your 390th merchandise for holiday gift giving!
See the specials marked with a snowflake.
Merchandise & Publications
Order Form
 Indicate the quantity and price total for the items you wish to purchase;
 Tell us where to ship your order (all prices include shipping);
 Calculate your total;
 Decide on a payment method: check, money order, or credit card;
 Send in your completed order form via mail, fax, or give us a call!
Publications
Lithographs
Anthology I
_____ x $32 = _____
Anthology II
_____ x $32 = _____
Both Anthologies for $60 _____ x $60 = _____
Story of the 390th (Blue Book reprint)
_____ x $87 = _____
Museum History Book
“Top Cover” (20x30)
_____ x $29 = _____
“First Over Berlin” (11x15)_____ x $14 = _____
“Cabin in the Sky” (24x18)
_____ x $35 = _____
_____ x $10 = _____
My Combat Diary-A. Anzanos
signed 1/$20, 2/$38
____ x $____ = _____
Stories of a B-17 Pilot-D. Bennett ____ x $____ =_____
signed 1/$20, 2/$38
Mug
Liberty Belle Mug
_____@ $____ = _____
1/$10, 2/$19, 4/$34 1/$8, 2/$15, 4/$30
Postcard
Patches/Pins
Embroidered Patches (3” diameter, cloth)
390th BG
_____ x $10=_____
Squadrons
_____ x $8 = _____
Museum Reunion Pins
2006 Museum Pin_____ x $6 = _____
2007 Museum Pin_____ x $6 = _____
Caps/Clothing
Video/DVD/CD
Official 390th B-17 Caps
Red or White
_____ x $13 = _____
White with patriotic flag bill
_____ x $15 = _____
Pistol Packin’ Mama VHS or DVD (specify)
_____ x $22 = _____
Official Red or White Museum Polo Shirt with Logo
Med Large XL _____ x $19 = _____
“The Men Who Were There” DVD
_____ x $20 = _____
Dark Blue Jacket with Logo
S,M,L,XXL,XXXL_____ x $34 = _____
Nose Art Slide Show (PowerPoint CD-ROM)
_____ x $10 $8 = _____
Dark Blue T-shirt (1/$15, 2/$28, 3/$39) 1/$12, 2/$20, 3/$32
M, L, XL, XXL ______ @$___=____
Name
Form of Payment
Check # _______
Visa/MasterCard:
Card Number
Expiration Date
“Wild Children” Over Framlingham Castle (6x9)
5-pack/$5 $3
_____@ $3 = _____
Address
Phone
Money Order
Name as printed on card
Total Cost: $_______________
(prices include U.S. shipping & handling; call for international rates)
Signature
Send your order to:
390th Memorial Museum
6000 E. Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
Fax: 520-574-3030
Phone: 520-574-0287
E-mail: the390th@aol.com
www.390th.org
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
This form valid
until 15 January
2008
Page 15
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Membership Application
6000 East Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
Phone: 520/574-0287
Fax: 520/574-3030
E-mail: The390th@aol.com
Name___________________________________________________ □ New Membership
Address________________________________________________ □ Renewal
City, State ____________________________________________ □ Gift Membership
Zip ___________
Spouse’s Name _______________________________
Phone _____________ Fax _____________ E-mail_______________________
Please check the appropriate membership category and select your method of payment. Return this form to the
address above. Credit card information may be faxed.
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
□
Bomb Group or SMW Veteran
$20
□ Spouse
$25
□ Descendant (of whom:____________________) $25
□ Associate
$25
□ Life Member (390th BG Veteran)
$250
□ Life Member (Others)
$500
390th
SUPPORT CLUBS
Support Clubs offer you the opportunity to provide additional support to the Foundation.
□ Group Club
□ Wing Club
□ Air Division Club
□Air Force Club
$100-$499
$500-$999
$1,000-$3,999
$4,000 and more
DONATION
Enclosed is my additional donation of $___________________ in support of the Museum.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
□ Check or Money Order
□ Visa or MasterCard
Check Number: ____ Total Amount: _______________
Card Number ________________
Name on Card: ___________________________________________________
Expiration Date: _________________
390th Memorial Museum Foundation
Square J Bulletin
Page 16