This page will contain new members who have joined and members who have passed away. It will be updated weekly if necessary or monthly
NEW MEMBERS DECEASED MEMBERS
Richard J. Unger 1960-1962 AT2 Sherrill Wade 10/26/11 ADR2 1955-1957
Stanley E. Skupien 1956-1960 AEAN Billy Joe Mars 02/2011 AE3 1962-1965
Michael J. Kane 1964-1968 AK3 Thomas Rice 05/2011 AK3 1950-1953
Phillip R. Frank 1966-1969 ATR2 Rayford Carter 08/2010 AK3 1957-1958
Henry Young 1965-1967 AO3 Hugh Longino 08/2010 CDR XO/CO 1964-1967
Richard D Boyer 1961-1963 LTJG Valarius (Larry) Kugler 08/2010 CDR 1964-1966
Fred Malick 1964-1967 AT3 David Wilson 08/2010 AEC 1956-1959
Jack Mason 1961-1963 ATN3 Ted Hergenrader 12/2007 LTJG 1963-1965
Joseph Harman 1964-1967 LT Gene Haun 1/2012 AD2 1952-1955
Richard Magnuson 1961-1963 AT2 John DeSantis 2/19/2012 AN 1965-1967
Harmon Neatfeld 1965-1968 AME2 John Malcik 6/26, 2011 AN 1956-1957
Howard Stephens 1947-1949 AL3 Calvin Kammeyer 8/2010 LT 1967-1970
Roland Edmunds 1953-1957 AD2 Bob Hook 2011 ABU3 1957-1961
Robert Harvey 1956-1959 PH3 Robert G. Vance ???? AD1 1962-1967
Harvey Simmons 1962-1965 AT1 Robert H. Alves 9/4/2012 AETM1 1950-1951
John Masterson 1958-1961 AMS2 Audie R. Perkins 9/3/2012 ATCM 1963-1964
Mike Buckels 1963-1964 ATR3 Eugene Wisenbaker 11/16/2012 LCDR 1962-1964
Joseph Mavilia 1959-1961 AN Glenn Errington 2/12/2013 AEAN 1951-1953
Paul Renoud 1966-1967 AX3 Frank Beamon 5/11/2013 AM2 1955-1958
Gary W. Armstrong 1966-1967 AX3 William VanLandingham 5/18/2013 AT1 1955-1958
Richard Carrel 1965-1967 AX3 Ralph Buesking 8/19/2013 AM2 1953-1957
Arlen Shire 1961-1962 AK3 Gerald (Jerry) Holmes 8/25/2013 AD3 1956-1959
Kenneth Colson 1965-1967 ATN2 James Carrigan 6/2011 PN3 1965-1968
Carl Brooks 1966-1967 ATR3 William Martin 6/11/2013 AMAN 1950-1954
David Molnar 1960-1961 ATS3 Terry Durst 5/2013 AMS3 1964-1967
Tom Jessen 1962-1965 AO2 Leon Peachie 9/23/2013 AO1 1952-1954
Robert Blechle 1953-1955 AMS3 Marvin Register 12/13/2013 LT 1956-1959
Kirby Hamm 1962-1965 AO2 Archie Bigwood 9/2013 ?? ??
Joe Favreau 1965-1967 AX2 John King 12/27/2013 AO3 1965-1968
Jim Feflie 1964-1966 AKAN Richard Romano 11/2013 ATN2 1962-1963
Edward Williams 1961-1964 AM1 Ralph VanderNaillen 2/14/2014 LTJG 1953-1955
Richard Strimel 1961-1963 AT1 George O’Bryan 8/24/2013 CDR 1957-1958
Harry Bound 1961-1963 AT2 Walter Smith 3/14/2014 AD3 1957-1959
John Honaker 1965-1966 ADR2 Dan Hoff 4/24/2014 AT1 1965-1967
Bryce Billings 1964-1967 LT Richard Roggansack 11/9/2012 1st Ordinance 1950’s
Don Yancey 1963-1966 AE3 F.L. (Joe) Bartlett 8/10/2013 HM3 1951-1952
Ronnie Bozeman 1965-1967 AX3 John Fetros 5/19/2014 YN3 1956-1957
David Seltzer 1962-1964 ADR3 Mike Crownover 10/2014 LCDR 1962-1964
Thomas McLees 1953-1954 AT3 James Stevens 7/04/2014 ATCS 1965-1969
Jim Fleming 1964-1966 AE4 David Dearolph 7/2015 LTJG 1951-1953
Jerry Bowman 1965-1966 AX3 Bill Hammatt 7/15/2013 AX3 1965-1967
Thomas Lewis 1964-67 and 1968-1972 AX2 -AW1 Jim Gard 2/2015 AT2 1959-1960
Phillip F. Smith 1966-1967 AX2 David H. Partridge 3/21/2016 ATR2 1961-1963
Dick Pennington 1964-1966 AMS3 Gorman Ponds 11/11/2013 E3 1964-1967
Dale Wietzke 1971-1974 AT2 Richard Magnuson 2015 AT2 1961-1963
Dick Wilcox 1958-1961 AE2 Ed Feeney 1/31/2016 LTJG 1959-1960
Tom McClelland 1961-1964 AX2 Harvey Simmons 6/27/2014 AT1 1962-1965
Raymond Wegrzyn 1961-1963 AE1 James Barr 8/27/2016 AO2 1952-1054
Robert Maley 1951-1951 AL3 Jack Laney 5/12/2016 CDR 1961-1962
Paul Dorman 1967-1970 RM3 Harry Hindon 2/25/2016 CDR 1964-1966
Robert Buie 1966-1969 LT Anthony Lazzaretti 9/29/2016 LT 1963-1966
Joe Leatherwood 1966-70 ATR2 John Honaker 9/27/2016 ADR2 1965-1966
David Mathes 1967-1968 ATR3 Fred Turbeville 12/20/2016 LTJG 1964-1966
Richard Kilmer 1968-1969 ADJ2 Richard Freeman 2/11/2017 LT 1959-1962
Welcome our latest addition to our group please.
Richard Kilmer (Rick) and his wife Cindy.
Rick was in VP40 from 1968 to 1969. He was an aircrewman as a ADJ2/2nd mech.
Welcome Aboard Richard.
Another former VP40 person passed away
Richard Freeman was in VP40 from 1959-1962. He was a LT while there.
Here is an email I received from his son Steve Freeman. Followed by his Obit.
Subject: Richard C. Freeman lll
Guy, here is the notice of Dad’s Memorial Service/Funeral/Celebration of Life, and Obituary of Dad.
Dad was for My Best Friend!!
Please share with any and all Friends of Dad’s. Please, if anyone would like to reach out to me, and share stories, ask questions, please feel free to.
Not only a Great Man, Incredible Husband of over 52 yrs to my Mom, Anne K. Freeman, and the Greatest Father anyone could ever have!
I talked to Dad several times a day Every day of my Life! I miss Dad so much, but I am thankful for the 49yrs I had him with me here on earth.
I know Dad will always be with me and watching over me, and we will All be together in Heaven!
I am truly sorry to be the bearer of such sad news.
Sincerely
Stephen Freeman (middle Son)
404-808-3603. Or email me @
Skater28.skf@gmail.com
In Memory of
Richard Columbus Freeman III
January 21, 1936 – February 11, 2017
Obituary
Richard “Dick” Columbus Freeman, III, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Piedmont Hospital. He was 81.
His funeral service will be held on Friday, February 24th, at 10:30am in the sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, located at: 3180 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305. His viewing will precede the service that morning, and will also be conducted in the sanctuary, beginning at 9. His burial will follow the funeral, and will be conducted that afternoon at 1:30, at the Georgia National Military Cemetery located at: 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114.
Born in Washington, DC on January 21, 1936, to Mr. James Newton Buck Freeman, ESQ. and Mrs. Lillian Perry at the Columbia Hospital for Women, he was raised in Mount Airy, NC, where he was a Boy Scout. He graduated from Mount Airy High School with the class of 1954, completing his high school course work early to enlist in the United States Navy in 1953. He then received an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy (class of 1958), from United States Congressman Ralph Scott of the Fifth Congressional District for North Carolina.
Upon graduation from USNA with a Bachelor of Science, he entered flight school in Pensacola, where he trained in multiple aircraft, including the T-34 and T28. Upon becoming a Naval Aviator on March 04, 1960, he served in Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40, Crew 5), at Naval Station Sangley Point in the Philippines, where he was a pilot and ordnance officer on a Martin P5M Marlin float plane, conducting air patrols during the Vietnam War. He was later a Patrol Plane Commander. He also attended Military Justice training, and received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Cold War Service Medal, among other awards. It was during his time in the Navy, that he met his beloved wife, of 52 years, Martha Anne Kemp on St. Simons Island, GA in 1963, and married on January 29th, 1965, at Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta.
Upon his medical retirement from the Navy, Mr. Freeman attended law school at the University of North Carolina, during which time his first two sons were born in Chapel Hill. Upon graduation on June 2nd, 1969, he became licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and Georgia, electing to move to Atlanta to join Haas, Holland, Levison & Gilbert. He then started a successful sole proprietorship, Richard C. Freeman III, PC, where he pracitced law for over 40 years, specializing in complex business litigation. During this time, he became well known in the area for his keen wit, compelling storytelling abilities, courtroom tenacity and dedication to his clients, with cases throughout local, state and federal courts, including: Georgia Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia, United States Court of Appeals (Fifth, Eighth and Eleventh Circuits) and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. He was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
When not practicing law, he was a devoted husband and father, spending as much time as he could with his family, including his kids’ sporting events and activities, and numerous family trips, as well as an annual family vacation to Sanibel Island, FL. He also enjoyed watching Navy football, Tar Heel basketball, and Braves baseball, and reading the Sunday Comics.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mrs. Anne Kemp Freeman, brother, James Newton Freeman, Jr., his sons, Richard Columbus Freeman, IV., Stephen Kemp Freeman and Duncan Perry Freeman, his daughters-in-law, Karen Marie Freeman, Cynthia Sanders Freeman and Rachel LaRue Freeman, and four grandchildren: Stella Ann Freeman, Calista Marie Freeman, Duncan Perry Freeman, II., and Parker LaRue Freeman, as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He will be sorely missed.
I talked with his son Steve and the family wishes to remain with the group and he plans on attending our next reunion in Nashville Tn in 2018. He had attended the 2000 reunion in Pensacola with Dick and enjoyed it.
Just noticed a name from my past. Paul E. Dorman. lived on the beach with him Quebec Court, Sunnyvale, CA while stationed Moffett Field
I have some more sad news to report.
Fred Turbeville passed away on 12/20/2016
Fred was a LTJG while in VP40 from 1964-1966.
I will miss his emails and I am sure Tom Bigley will also.
I received his Obit from his daughter Deanie and here it is.
Fred Morton Turbeville, Jr. (Buster to his family and friends), 76, of Pensacola, Florida, took his last flight, a heavenly mission that is hard to reject, a permanent deployment, to re-unite with family and friends on December 20th, 2016. Fred’s wonderful new residence is in a fabulous location where he will be socializing, dancing, playing piano and being the life of the party to his heart’s delight.
A military service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 4th at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida at the Barrancas National Cemetery followed by a celebration of his amazing life filled with music and stories back at his home in Pensacola, Florida.
Fred Morton Turbeville, Jr. was the son of Dr. & Mrs. Fred Morton Turbeville, Sr. Fred’s brother is Dr. David Franklin Turbeville of Fort Worth, Texas (sister-in-law Priscilla, and nephews Mark and Jason). Fred was born July 14th, 1940 in Birmingham, Alabama (November 14th if you ask his brother David). He grew-up in Greenville, Texas and attended Greenville High School (home of the Greenville Lions, where Fred is considered a “Lion for Life”), and graduated in 1957. He attended Texas A&M, and later graduated from East Texas State University in 1961.
Fred became an Ensign in the United States Navy in October of 1961, and completed his United States Navy Aviation Officer Training in November of the same year. In February of 1962, Fred did, alone and unassisted, take off and return to U.S. Naval Air Station Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida, thereby completing his first solo flight. On the 27th day of May,1963, Fred was designated as a Naval Aviator with his father doing the honor of pinning on his Gold Naval Aviator Wings. Fred completed the U.S. Naval Justice School in August of 1963…and then came the big event in his life…he got married!
On August 30th, 1963, he married the former Deane Bennett Sullivan at the Church of Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following a honeymoon in Las Vegas, Nevada, the newly married couple started on a life-long journey of love, affection, dancing (just ask his wife Deane about the “Disco” years), entertaining and just a few disagreements (here and there) and then building a family. Besides raising a family, and moving around from places like Houston, Texas (where Fred was an Assistant Professor of Naval Science at Rice University) to Honolulu, Hawaii, Raleigh, North Carolina and even Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Over Fred’s 23 years as an aviator, he flew the Navy’s T—28 Trojan, T-2 Buckeye, Martin P5M Marlin, the Lockheed P-3 Orion and the Convair C-131 Samaratin amounting over 19,000 flight hours. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1984, Fred spent the remaining years as one of the best-darned salesmen you would ever meet (a trait that he passed on to his children).
Fred has three children: Fred Morton Turbeville III (known as Trey to everyone), Christopher Wentworth Turbeville (just Chris) and Deane Turbeville Sexton (you can call her Deanie). Fred also has five beautiful grandchildren, two from Chris (and his wife, Bonnie), Sarah (17) & Jack (15), as well as three from Deanie and (her husband Jeff Sexton), Lily (13), Colleen (9) and Natalie (7).
Fred is preceded in the final journey of his life by his parents, grandparents and nephews John and Justin.
Because Fred was such a lifelong animal lover- in lieu of flowers, please make checks or donations to Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter or via PayPal to ecasfriends@gmail.com Payment may be sent to P.O. Box 11553, Pensacola, FL 32524. There is also a “Donate Now” button on the official facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ecasfriends/
John J. W. Honaker
1942 – 2016 Obituary Condolences
John J. W. Honaker Obituary
Honaker, John J. W.
John J. W. Honaker, 74, Green Bay, died unexpectedly Tuesday, September 27, 2016. He was born on August 28, 1942, in Winchester Center, CT to Marshall Vanmeter and Elizabeth (Bement) Honaker.
Following graduation from Oliver Wolcott Technical School, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served his country for 22 years and retired in 1982 with the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. John served for four years in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts. He survived both a plane and a helicopter crash. John visited 135 countries and had been around the world four times, including trips to both the North and South Poles.
On January 8, 1983, John was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Hindmon in the chapel at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, GA. After his military career, he worked in industrial maintenance until his retirement in 2004. John and Mary Elizabeth moved to Green Bay in 2004. He was very active in the Disabled Veterans Chapter 3. John served as past Commander and past District Commander. He was an ordained Minister and served as Chapter 3 and Wisconsin State Chapter Chaplain. John was a member of the Desert Vets, Vietnam Veterans Association, the Trench Rats, and served in the D.A.V. Honor Guard.
John is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth; son, John Joseph Wesley Honaker II; two stepsons, Alvin Leroy “Skip” Davis Jr., and Alan (D.J.) Davis; five grandchildren, Ashley Honaker, John Joseph Honaker III, Danielle Davis, Brianna (Mack) Koebach, and Tyler Davis; two great-grandchildren, Rylie and Harper; brother, Allen David Honaker; two sisters, Roberta Singleton and Susan Ruth Honaker, aka Sr. St. Paul Augustine; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A D.A.V. Auxiliary Unit 3 Memorial Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Friends may also call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, followed by the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Gerry Mathisen officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to http://www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in John’s name to benefit the D.A.V. Honor Guard.
Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2016
Here is Tony Lazzaretti’s OBIT:
Lazzaretti, Anthony F. Apr 26, 1939 – Sep 29, 2016 Survived by wife, Sharon; sons, Anthony and Victor Lazzaretti; daughter, Laurene (David) Richards; 5 Grandchildren, Anthony and Kaelyn Richards, Fiona, Eliza and Victor Lazzaretti; sister, Pauline (Bob) Kouba; many nieces and nephews. FUNERAL Monday 6pm, Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Chapel. VISITATION Monday 4-6pm at Funeral Home. KORISKO LARKIN STASKIEWICZ FUNERAL HOME 5108 “F” St. 402-731-1234 http://www.klsfuneralhome.com
I am sad to announce that Anthony (Tony) Lazzaretti passed away on 9/29/2016.
Tony was a LT while in VP40 from 1963-1966. He had been battling Melanoma for a long time
and it finally won the battle.
I will post his OBIT when I receive it. For members who knew him please reach out to his wife Sharon and his family.
HE WAS ONE OF THE GOOD ONES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a gentle reminder that according to my records,
we have LOST 14 VP40 members from death since our last reunion in 2014.
We also have added 16 New members to our group.
I have empirically derived (how do you like that statement ??)
that at that rate, our group will start rapidly reducing, unless 1 of 2 things take place.(or both)
1. Someone invents a MAGIC PILL that will let us live longer and better.
2. WE ALL need to beat the bushes and increase our membership.
WE changed our bylaws to now include ALL VP40 personnel, past and present.
Lets get the word out there folks.
WE have to much fun at our reunions to have them go away.
See you all at the reunion and lets discuss ways to make this happen.
Guy Fisk
Laging Handa
I want to welcome aboard our newest member
DAVID MATHES
Dave was in VP40 from 1967-1968
He was an ATR3 while in crew 4.
Dave and his wife Jenon will be attending our reunion this year.
His info is posted in our members only section of our web site.
I called CDR Harry Hindon and was notified by his wife that CDR Hindon
passed away on 2/25/2016. He died peacefully at home.
I talked to Harry just before our last reunion and he was bedridden at that time.
He wished us a great reunion.
CDR Hindon was in VP40 from 1964-1966 and was our skipper during part of that time period
I was notified by his caregiver that Jack Laney passed away on May 12,2016 from a stroke.
Jack retired from the Navy as a captain. Jack was 95 and his wife Alma is still living at the ripe old age of 96.
They have lived in San Diego for years.
His caregiver might attend our reunion and her former husband served on the UI.S.S. Currituck when it was decommissioned., he
might attend as well.
I was notified by his wife that James Barr passed away on 8/27/2016.
Jim was an AO2 while in VP40 from 1952-1954.
If I obtain more information I will post it here
We have another new member in our group
JOE LEATHERWOOD
Joe was in VP40 from 1966-1970. He was an ATR2 while in VP40.. He flew as crew member
in both the P5M and the P3V.
Welcome him aboard.
He will attend the reunion in San Diego, you can catch up on old times with him there.
(providing YOU ARE FORTUNATE TO BE THERE ALSO)
Please welcome another member to our group.
Robert Buie was in VP40 from 3/1966 to 8/1969.
He was a LT and flew as a Tacco in the great P5M2’s
Bob and his wife Pamela reside in CA. I am hoping they can attend our reunion this Oct. in san Diego
WELCOME ABOARD Robert
Harvey Simmons
AT1 Harvey was in VP40 from 1962-1965.
After getting my August 2016 newsletter email sent back to me, I called
and talked to Harvey Simmons wife. I found out he passed away June 27,2014 from
colon cancer. I remember Harvey as he was my family sponsor when I first arrived at Sangley Point in Jan 1963.
I ran into him at what is now called Reagan Airport in VA around 1974, I was in town for FAA business and he was working at the NAval
Armory in town for business also. He called my name out from across the room, I did not recognize him however. We chatted for a few minutes.
It is good to see old friends now and then.
that is a very good reason to attend our reunions as you never when we will see each other again in this life.
I am pleased to welcome our newest member into our group.
PAUL DORMAN
Paul was in VP40 from 1967-1970
He was an RM3, communications/relief radioman.
WELCOME ABOARD PAUL
We are finally having some newer ???? VP40 people join our group. That is what we need to stay
a group, so please welcome him.
Paul and his wife live in Indianapolis, IN.
his email is pdor48@gmail.com
I hope they can attend our reunion.
I want to join the groupVP-40 5/57-7/60===12/65-8/66
ATN3 === AX3
tompaden@pacbell.net
I was informed today by Adam Komisarcik that Ed Feeney passed away in 1/31/2016.
Ed was a LTJG while in VP40 from 1959-1960.
here is his OBIT
Edward Joseph Feeney
1933 – 2016
Edward Joseph Feeney was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 31, 1933. He was the youngest son of Michael J. Feeney and Bridget Devaney Feeney. Eddie, as he was known to his friends and family, attended St John’s University in Brooklyn, New York and St. Joseph’s College in New Jersey. He began his career as a Naval Aviator in 1952 and married Naval Nurse Eleanor Theresa Hanley at Sangley Point in the Philippines on February 27, 1960. His last duty assignment and major command was with the Antarctica Development Squadron. During the course of his U.S. Naval career, Lt. Commander Edward Feeney was awarded the Air Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Antarctica Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, National Defense service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Notably, a six nautical mile long, mainly ice free crest in the Wilson Hills of Antarctica is named Feeney Ridge to honor and commemorate Lt. Commander Edward Feeney’s remarkable career. He retired from the Navy in 1975.
Eleanor and Eddie moved to Pensacola in 1970 and have resided there ever since. Eddie has been an active and devoted member of the Catholic Church, a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and an avid golfer.
Edward Feeney was a devoted husband and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eleanor Hanley Feeney as well as by his nieces and nephews including Fran Hanley, John Hanley, Mary Ann Feeney Spinner, Barbara Hanley Kramer, Loretta Feeney Garvey, Thomas Gall and Kelley Gall D’Olivo as well as their spouses and children.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5 to 7 pm with the Rosary at 5 pm at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola. Entombment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. –
9/11/2016
I received this email today from Dick’s wife
Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you sooner to give you some info about Dick that can be forwarded to his navy friends. I know Dick enjoyed his stint in the navy and told me of some of his escapades while serving in the Philippines.
Dick passed away on April 13, 2015 of a glio blastoma. He was a healthy man all his life until the diagnosis, of which he had had no symptoms. He was diagnosed in November of 20l4, just a week after we arrived in Florida for the winter months. He had brain surgery in which they took out 80% of his tumor. He came through the surgery beautifully and then underwent chemo, radiation and then double chemo. The tumor grew despite all the treatment. All together, he lived 5 months after his initial diagnosis.
Dick was a wonderful person, kind, caring and he had a quick wit. He was liked/loved by so many people. He earned his doctorate and became superintendent of schools, a job he was vey proud of and worked hard at.
Before retirement we had a lake home where we spent a great deal of time. Dick enjoyed boating, photography, reading and traveling. After retirement we lived in Minnesota 5 months of the year and Florida 7 months of the year
I could not have had a more wonderful husband. He always said we were soulmates, and indeed we were. We have a son who is married and lives in San Francisco, and a daughter who is married and has our only grandchild, Ingrid – 9 years old, living in London, England. We would have been married 50 years in June of 20l5, not nearly long enough. Nothing can ever prepare you for the loss of someone you love more than life itself.
Enjoy life, never take for granted each day you are given.
Judi Magnuson
8/7/2016
“Please take Dick’s name off your list as he passed away last year from a glib blastoma.
He was looking forward to finally being able to attend a reunion.
Judi Magnuson
Richard Magnuson joined our group in 2/2012. He was an AT2 while in VP40 from 1961-1963
I will post more info here if I receive any.
Guy
An update from Bob Marley.
Dates with VP40: 16 June 1951 to 12 Oct. 1951 Rate: AL3; Crew No. 4 under Lt.Cdr. Leon Freeman; AL3 Highest rate;
Comments: I was a WW2 veteran recalled to duty in Oct. 1950, assigned to FASRON 110 when VP 40 was being assembled and trained for overseas duty in the Korean War the following June. Our planes were salvaged from WW2, one of which had been with Adm. Byrd on his post WW2 polar expedition. That plane had 3 bladed props. The rest of the VP40’s planes had 4 bladed props. (CA3 was the side no., if my memory serves me right. Our plane was CA4 (Charlie-Able Four) and our squadron radio call sign was “Queen Bee”, hence the Queen Bee in our squadron insignia for which I received $15 for designing.
At the end of our tour in Japan, Lt. Cdr. Leon Freeman and I were assigned to be instructors on a flight with a crew from the squadron relieving VP40. Weather conditions at 5:AM being what they are at that time of year in the Inland Sea of Japan hampering visibility, our plane had just fired its first JATO and was running on the step ready to fire the second when it hit a channel buoy and caught fire and sank in the seaway. There were no casualties fortunately, although we had a full load of fuel and depth charges in the bomb bays. Upon VP40’s return to San Diego, I was discharged to civilian life once more. For that tour of duty I was awarded the Air Medal.
Robert L. Maley.
WE have a new member.
Robert (Bob) Maley has joined our group
Bob was in VP40 from 6/16/1951 to 10/12/1951
He was an AL3 while in the squadron. He lives in La. with his wife Ann.
He is 91 years young.
I have posted some pictures that his son sent me.
WELCOME ABOARD Robert.
members give him a shout out.
His info is posted on our members only section, but here is his email address
papamaley@cox.net
I believe that we lost a member of our group.
GORMAN PONDS. He was in VP40 from 1964-1967. as an E3.
I have not been able to reach him and his mail comes back to me as undeliverable “deceased”
If anyone has any info on him please forward it to me and I will publish it here.
UPDATE:
Jim Feflie sent me the link to Gorman’s OBIT, thank you Jim
PONDS GORMAN LEON
Passed, Monday, November, 11, 2013, Jacksonville, FL. Father of Simone “BB” Gorman-Shawn and Antwaun “PJ” (Amakeda) of Florida; sisters, Shirley, Maudlin, and Ruby; and a loving extended family. Predeceased by parents, Elizabeth and Charles; grandson, Shakkeem; brother and sister, Charles and Jeanette; six grandchildren; three great- grandchildren. A Pittsburgh memorial will be Saturday, November 30, 2013, at 3 p.m. South Avenue U.M. Church, 733 South Ave.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Nov. 18, 2013
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?pid=168081201#sthash.npWPOVza.dpuf
We have a new member to our group
Raymond Wegrzyn. Ray was in VP40 from July 1961 to July 1963.
He was an AE1 in the Electric Shop and was sailor of the month in April 1963.
WELCOME ABOARD Ray.
Ray and his wife Carol will be attending our reunion this Oct. Please welcome them to our group.
His info is posted on our members only pages
I am very pleased to announce the addition of our newest member
Tom A. McClelland (MAC) Mac was in VP40 from 1961 to 1964. He was an AX2 in crews 7 and crew 1, while I was in them also.
He got out of the Navy after VP40 and joined the US Army and retired from the Army. He lives in Texas and he is planning
on attending our reunion in San Diego this Oct. His contact info is listed in our MEMBERS ONLY section. Give him a shout if you remember him or just want to say Howdy.
WELCOME ABOARD TOM