"He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help."
Abraham Lincoln
ICQ & Potpourri Mail - 2007
Informal or Partial Messages
Most recent first...as determined by arrival.
Dec 27, 2007
From: Roger McCumber
Subject: Photo ID
Thanks for the update and for all of the work on the 482nd Website. I check it out almost daily to see if there are any new messages or changes.
The Enlisted-Promotions photo, c1962, has bugged me ever since you posted it. The Airman to the extreme right is either Mathis Colson or Aubrey Broomfield and I can't decide which. From the date, I think it must be Colson, but my poor, failing memory says it looks like Broomfield. I worked with and was friends with both, but it has been quite a while.
Best wishes for the New Year, keep up the good work, and stay in touch.
Dec 12, 2007
From: Jason Moore
Subject: Col. Carl T. Weaver Jr.
I am the late Col. Weaver's grandson, Jason Moore. I have been trying to find his plane # and didn't know if you might have this info, so I could check the list to see if possibly his plane is somewhere I could see it. I appreciate the work you do not only for my grandfather, but for all of those who served. This is a great place to go to show my child and friends about "Our greatest fighter pilot." Any info you could get me on that # would be great.
[Reply excerpt: "There were two City of Goldsboro F-102s. Both became drones and were destroyed. If you ever run into the formal information that Col. Weaver held at the time of his death, about the timeline of the remainder of his career...please send it along. Good to hear from you...GCW]
Nov 3, 2007
[Robert W. "Bill" Curtis sent along a copy of the Air Force Times for Sept. 17th that included an article on the Air Force losing track of several nuclear weapons. Mentioned among them was the Goldsboro/Wayne County incident quoted below. GCW]
"Jan 24, 1961. A B-52 carrying two nuclear weapons crashes near Goldsboro, N.C., after its wing tank ruptures during re-fueling. The two nuclear weapons separate from the aircraft during its breakup: one's parachute deploys, landing the weapon with little damage; the other breaks apart upon impact. There is no detonation, but the weapon buries itself in the ground, and the secondary passes through the weapon case into the subsoil and is never recovered."
[Aside: "There is no detonation" seems an odd thing to say...implies there has been one somewhere, sometime.]
Oct 13, 2007
Macon, Georgia. The Telegraph printed the obituary for (ret) Col. Howard Hart McWhorter, Jr.
Sept 29, 2007
From: Sandra L. Levell
Subject: Larry D Levell
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your letter from last year, but I kept putting it on the back burner.
1. Did not know if this was a scam.
2. Never knew you.
Now my husband did not have a sports car --- we had a wagon back in NC --- but Larry bowled and was very good at it. His remains were cremated.
[ED NOTE: The questions answered above dealt with my trying to find the name of an airman who owned the orange(?) Corvette that was vandalized after I left in 1960. My mind(?) recalls the first name as Lonnie, close enough to Larry, and he was a good bowler, which was mentioned in Larry's obituary...so I took the chance. GCW]
August 2, 2007
From: Frank Kurzenhauser
Forwarded by Bill Murray on August 2 - written July 25
I'm still hanging in there.
I am due to start Cyber Knife treatments on July 26th. It is a focused form of radiation and is aimed at the corpus callosum. Seems there is a hot spot there. The Cyber Knife treatments will only be for three days. One other area concerns the doctors, but since it is immediately adjacent to the excision site, it could well be scar tissue.
Never the less, they only give me 2-5 months to live, if I do all of the nasty treatments, less if I choose not to. I should be starting on the heavy doses of Chemo in a week or two, and if it is unbearable, I will opt out. I would still appreciate you keeping Barb and me in your prayers. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Love, Frank & Barb
Recent photo of Frank & Bill Murray.
Frank M. Kurzenhauser, 3665 Brunner Blvd., Johnstown, CO 80534
July 30, 2007
From: George Willick
Can anyone identify this man as being T/Sgt CECIL DIXON: WWII veteran and member of the 482nd circa 1961? Mobile, Alabama native, who lived in the west Florida panhandle. Died June 21, 2007.
July 6, 2007
From: Jim McConeghy
Received your letter today. I was assigned to the 482nd, Seymour Johnson AFB, from Feb '64-Aug '65. Had just returned from a 12 month tour at Thule AB, Greenland and was soooo happy to be in the sunny south. Was ranked as an A1C and was a Weapons Control Systems 5 level. Spent most of my time on the flight line.
Left SJAFB in summer of '65 headed to Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, and some F101 work. Stayed there until Aug. of '68. Went to Kingsley Field, OR, still doing Weapons Control System work. While there retrained into base level data automation. Left Kingsley in Aug 1971 headed to North Truro AFS, MA, after going through a 4 month training program on the BUIC system (a back up to SAGE). Stayed at Truro till Dec '72 when accepted into Bootstrap program. Completed degree work at Univ. Neb. at Omaha in Dec '73.
Attended OTS Jan-April '73. Assigned to Gunter AFS, AL in April '74 and stayed there till Jun '79, doing computer development and maintenance on base Burroughs base level computer systems. Assigned to OTS June '79 as instructor and stayed until Oct. of '82. Returned to Gunter until April '89, when I retired after 30 years active as a Major with an LC line number (Pentagon or Scott AFB were not appealing at all).
I worked over the next 13 years for ATT, Lucent, and Avaya (last 2 spin offs from ATT). Full fledged retirement in Oct 2001 and I have been loving it. Trained all my life for retirement and I excel at it. Will be 68 in Oct., going strong and playing lots of golf. Wife, 2 children, 2 granddaughters and two grandsons occupy the rest of my time.
Will look through accumulated stuff to see what I have on the 482nd.
James G. McConeghy, 421 Seminole Dr., Montgomery AL, 36117
June 25, 2007
From: Bobby Menius
I just got around to checking out the reports for the reunion. It was great to see a couple faces that I had served with at Seymour Johnson. I especially was pleased to see Ted and Lil Robinson. They were really the only folks my wife knew from the 482nd. We spent most of our time with a couple who went to high school with us. He was in the TAC outfit and lived in the same complex with us.
I confess that I have thought about looking for orders in the past but have just been lazy. At any rate, enclosed are three copies of orders on me from 1957. I hope they are readable.
Thanks for your continued effort to keep the site up-dated. Let me know if I can be of any help.
Bobby R. Menius, 2154 Baywood Drive, Biloxi, MS 39532
June 19, 2007
From: Bryan Hart
I was discussing my military days with a fellow worker recently and for no particular reason, did a search on one of my old squadrons ... the 482nd FIS. I was amazed at the site that came up and have been browsing through it every chance I get. The 482nd was my first duty assignment out of technical school (Amarillo, TX, 1962). I was a Crew Chief and was assigned to the squadron when it was deactivated in 1965. I went on to make the AF a career and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1985. Have since worked for Northrop Grumman and now Lockheed Martin.
I was in Key West when the bird overshot the runway and went in the drink- ... helped get it out. Was also there when President Kennedy was assassinated.
It was wonderful to take a nostalgia trip on your web site. Was sorry to see some of my old mates have passed on.
Bryan W. Hart, CMSgt (ret), 663 County Road 5511, Troy, AL 36081
May 25, 2007
From: Charles Byrd
Re: 482nd Reunion
On the photos, Andy did a great job and our sincere thanks to everyone and especially to Tom and Andy. We had a great time and met lots of great people. Karen and I attempted to find the old 482nd area following the barbeque on Friday as I wanted to share it with her. Well, guess what ... things change!
Unfortunately we received a call late Friday night and had to return to Ocean Isle early Saturday. Sorry we missed the banquet ... especially after seeing Charlie Beck in the photos. Charlie is one of the individuals I remember well.
This was our first reunion and we sincerely hope it will somehow continue.
Charles & Karen Byrd, 1533 Gores Landing Rd., Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
May 24, 2007
From: Roy Thompson
I just found your site on the web and found it very interesting.
I was in the 482nd at Seymour Johnson from 1962 (I think) until 1964 when I transferred to the 59th FIS in Goose Bay, Labrador.
I saw some familiar names on your web site. Incidentally, the unknown figure, bottom left, in the 1964 Group shot [http://www.gcwillick.com/482ndFIS/photos/1964Right.html] is T/Sgt Moynihan.
Roy Thompson
May 23, 2007
From: George Willick
An outstanding group of reunion photos has arrived here safely ... taken and sent by Andy DeCuzzi. Focus and detail are exceptional. Will take a few more days for me to create and fill page templates ... which I will post sans comment ... adding those later as time and information allow.
THREE THINGS: Doesn't mean I don't want to see other shots as no single photographer can cover everyone AND I still NEED copies of orders, if you have any with data I'm missing. Don't suppose anyone in Goldsboro (Wayne county environs) would VOLUNTEER to copy JOHN BELL's and FRED PRIDGEN's, as they seem to be totally NOT up to the task. I ain't gonna live forever.
Thankee...GCW
May 21, 2007
From: Frank Kurzenhauser
To: Tom Sutton, Bill Murray, Ronald J. Murphy, & Jerry Barlow
This year went downhill in a hurry. I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on April 16, 2007. It is called Glio Blastoma multi forme, and I am in stage 4. It was removed on 4/17, or as much of it as they could get. I am now undergoing chemo/radiation, but that is only expected to add weeks or perhaps months to my life.
By the way, one doctor suggested to me that this type of cancer has been associated with high electromagnetic fields, such as living under high tension power lines. I have never done that, but I have stood in front of many F102's that were transmitting their radar while we aligned IR seeker heads. Someone may want to make a project out of tracking us radar types and see if a pattern develops. I'd hate to think that other friends or even acquaintances, or anyone would have to deal with my situation, for that matter.
If you care to forward this note to any of the Radar (AWCS) folks on your mailing list, it's okay with me. It has been a pleasure being associated with the 482nd FIS ... and my cars proudly display license plate frames attesting to that fact.
Frank M. Kurzenhauser, 3665 Brunner Blvd., Johnstown, CO 80534
May 7, 2007
From: Enrique "Hank" Fulgencio
I served with the 482nd during 1958-1961, Seymour Johnson (and also Keflavik AFB).
I am looking for an old airman friend named William "Richie" Huerta. He was in weapons and originally from California ... possibly San Joaquin Valley area.
Thank you for your invitation to provide info if I have any.
Sincerely ... Hank Fulgencio
[Winter address] 5126 Tree Top Dr., San Antonio, TX 78250 (210-256-1510)
[Summer address] 4806 Webber, Saginaw, MI 48601 (989-752-1206)
Apr 10, 2007
From: Ernest Willie
Sorry, not able to attend the 14th reunion in May. My wife and I recently moved into an Assisted Living Facilities after a surgery in January.
The very best to those attending and those not able to attend.
"I Had A Dream" - Mine was retiring there in Goldsboro and spending most of my time setting beside the Neuse River fishing. It is still a wonderful dream after you reach the age of eighty.
My new address:
Ernest L. Willie, 9000 Ibis Way, Apt. 116, Venice FL. 34292
Feb. 28, 2007
From: William C. Plemmons
I just talked to Nick Luzie on the phone and his voice hasn't changed a bit from when he was that brash 21 year old airman from Phily. He has had a couple of medical dings (some serious) but is very much quick on his feet (I mean quick witted) and probably can still argue me under the table.
He said he might try to come to the reunion, but is so busy in his travels that he is not sure he can fit the trip in. He was very sorry to hear about Paul Wagner.
I'm going to book the Goldsboro motel and send in the $40 for the banquet cost. Jackie and I for once are looking forward to the "homecoming".
Bill Plemmons, 9228 Wigneil St,, Suffolk, VA 23433-1529
Feb. 27, 2007
From: Tom Sutton
Subject: 482nd Death
I was just notified by his wife in a short note that Paul L. Wagner, 2463 W. State Road 38, Pendleton, IN 46064, died on Jan 15, 2007, of a long, lingering illness.
A career letter from Ken Gero has just arrived (Feb 18) and is posted on the Letters to Everyone page. GCW
Feb. 14, 2007
From: Harold Hinson
I am planning on attending the reunion this year and trying to relocate where my records are stored. We renovated our home after hurricane Isabel and they are somewhere in my pack-rat room.
Do you have any pictures of the softball team 1961 - 1965? I have a picture of Joe Booher, Arden Sims, and myself taken at a photo booth during the time at Homestead that October (1962). The picture has been hanging on the wall for 40 years. Thanks for finding that other set of verbal orders.
Harold Hinson, 2723 Simonson Rd., Farnham, VA 22460-2215
Feb. 7, 2007
From: Isaac Twiddy, Jr. (MSgt Ret)
The picture on your web page taken of a weapons load crew, Circa 1964, where the SSgt did not remember who the two other individuals on his crew were. The A1C on his left or on the right as you are looking at the picture is A1C Royce E. Brown. He and I were personal friends. Just thought you might like to know in case you would like to update his status from unknown to his real name.
I have an old photo of myself and two other individuals having been selected as the Load Crew of the month, but it is a newspaper clipping and as I understand cannot be used.
Isaac Twiddy Jr., 1307 Park Dr., Thibodaux, LA 70301
[ED NOTE: Screened photos are a problem. There are slowly becoming ways around it, usually tedious. I have started putting these on the Scrapbook page for historical value. If you can send me a scan of yours, I'll try ... no promises. The Scrapbook postings show, at least, what the photo we're seeking looks like ... and may have helpful personal data attached. GCW]
January 19, 2007
From: Bob Hill
Subject: 482nd Info
I have been and still do radio interviews from Seymour on WGBR. I'm in my 5lst year. I flew with John Flagg and Richard Smith, the Public Information Officer, in the TF 102-A. My first Supersonic Radio Announcer Award came on 3 April 1958. It's been a most enjoyable day seeing so many of the folks I remember, interviewed, and knew socially while they were here.
By the way I just found the page on John Bell and his campaign picture. John is such a fine fellow and we get together at community events fairly frequently. He was just elected Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Wayne County. What an accomplishment for John and what a great day for the citizens of Wayne County that he has been given that job.
Bob Hill
January 14, 2007
From: Richard Fairlamb
Subject: ReUnion?
[Excerpt] "Just caught back up with Ken Gero, 482nd FIS while I was in the squadron. Ken said that he was speaking w/Les Conwell recently, and was told the dates of the 2007 ReUnion. I looked on the 482 website; found nothing about the ReUnion. Can you give me the dates of the ReUnion this year? And where it will be located?"
[Ooops...I forgot to post the data Tom sent me a LONG time ago...have corrected that (see reunion section). But experienced attendees, like Col. Conwell, know that its on the third weekend in May...which works unless the first weekend is split. I have been mailing a copy to the list every January and will do so again...which may in many cases duplicate what Tom does but it also serves as an email check for me. Thanks for the heads-up, Colonel. I refuse to hide behind old age...I'll just stand in front of it. GCW]
January 14, 2007
From: Charles W. Byrd
While surfing the web trying to locate an old Air Force buddy, Jimmie Houston, I stumbled onto the 482nd web site. I did not know the site existed, what a pleasant surprise, that is a great web site. Jimmie Houston and I were assigned to the 482nd after returning from Ramstein, Germany in '64 . We were Airman First at the time and I was assigned as Crew Chief on 770, if my memory serves me correctly. My supervisor was M/Sgt Cole. I remained with the squadron until deactivation. Subsequently, Jimmie and I were reassigned to Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, NY.
At the end of my enlistment, and following eight years of service, I departed the Air Force at Stewart as S/Sgt. I entered Civil Service and eventually retired as an inspector with the FAA in January 2002. At the time of retirement I was working out of the FAA Regional Office in Atlanta, GA. I have since retired to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. I served with the 482nd for only a short period but it was one of my better assignments. Sorry, I do not have any documents.
I would love to hear from some of the guys. Please put my name in Green, alive and well. Attached is a recent photo.
Charles W. Byrd, 1533 Gores Landing Rd., Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
January 11, 2007
From: Michael Cantley
Good to hear from you. I received a letter from you a while back but it got misplaced somehow. I have being trying to find out something about the 482nd FIS ever since I got my computer but haven't had much luck.
I was in the 482nd for a couple of years but I can't give you the exact dates, somewhere around early 1963 to 1965...not really sure...I was an F-102 crew chief. I used to have all my military records but it will take me a little while to locate them. If I do find them, I will send you what I got.
I am 63 years old now and a grandfather of seven, and a great grandfather of four.
WELL, I better close and see what else I can get into. If I can be of any further help just let me know and I will do whatever I can to help.
Michael R. Cantley, AF13766088, 2317 Dobbin Ct., Vale, NC 28168-8997
January 8, 2007
From: George Willick
EVERY day (for 6 years now) I search for data on members of the 482nd. Frustrating, you bet. But its a labor of inches...yesterday, I found a missed obituary for Raymond Vogel, German POW. Today, I tried again to find something...anything...on Milton Isaiah. He was unknown to me except that he was buried in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. No local obituary. Nothing to say how he came to be there. Nothing about the man. Then I found a little article in the Brooks AFB, TX, newspaper in 2002, the year Milton died. Nothing much...just a little bit...but he's no longer unknown. Its like he reached out to the men he served with..."I'm still here, don't forget me," I hear the voice say. Take a look...what do you hear? GCW
Short article about Milton Isaiah.
...and regrettably...
Billy G. Seale died Sunday evening at Raleigh. Re Sgt. Seale, "Positively No Damn Flowers!"
January 6, 2007
From: Collen Webb
I was at Seymour Johnson from 1961-65 in the instrument shop with Sgt. Ben Williams and Sgt. Charles Skipper. Please let me know if you receive this message. I would like to attend the next homecoming with my wife.
Collen Webb, (Gastonia area), NC