"We missed them then, we miss them now, we will miss them always." |
Posted 14 June 2010 Linn Barringer
Originator and Author of this Site Linn Barringer, original author of this website, died suddenly in his sleep in February 2010. Linn made many friends, and probably quite a few enemies, via this site and the correspondence he had with service men and women from the TwinBases. He started the website back in 1995 - details in his words are here. We received hundreds of condolence emails from the US alone - it was very moving to hear of how many lives he had touched and so many friends we didn't even know he had. (In the picture above, he is about to go up in a Harvard for his 60th Birthday.) The website maintenance has been taken over by Jill Barringer, his daughter. |
Posted 23 October 2009 John Czarnota
F4 Crew Chief (Originally written for the F4 Phantom Society Magazine) How do you judge the quality of a man? Well, if you ever need a yardstick to measure a person against, I would suggest you look at the life of John Czarnota, F4 Crew Chief and One Hell of a Good Man. I met John at the induction center in Chicago in 1966 and for the rest of my Air Force hitch I was with him. We went through basic training and tech school together at Amarillo. At the conclusion of our training we both were assigned to RAF Bentwaters in England as rookie crew chiefs on F4C Phantoms in the 92nd TFS.
John got his nickname when we first got overseas from one of the flight sergeants who no matter how hard he tried just could not pronounce Czarnota properly and finally in frustration just decided to call him "Soggy Noodles". Nicknames are strange, sometimes they stick and sometimes they don’t. Unfortunately for John just the "Soggy" part stuck. From that point on, all the crew chiefs on the flightline called him Soggy. I called him that for the next 40 years.
He had great mechanical aptitude and being a crew chief came natural to him. For him, working on F4’s was a labor of love. There was a group of us crew chiefs who all arrived at Bentwaters at the same time and were together for 3 years crewing our jets (mine was 64-0888 and Soggy’s was 64-0872) and helping each other on launches and recoveries and most everything else. It was a tight group of guys. Some of which are F4 Phantom Society members and are still connected to this day, including Gren Stanley, Mike Vonderharr, Clark Creber, Bill Crawford, Mark Wittenwyler and Ed Deuval. I’ll always remember his laugh. When something struck him as really funny he had sort of a high-pitched giggling laugh that was contagious. I’d start laughing at him laughing and then he laugh at me laughing and soon we didn’t even remember what we were laughing about but on and on we’d go until tears were coming out of our eyes and we needed to catch our breath! God, I’m going to miss that.
We drifted apart for a few years as I spent time flitting about the country, eventually settling in Colorado, and he stayed in Illinois working as a mechanical engineer and meeting and marrying his wife Nancy. He was a devoted husband and soon there were 2 daughters that he dearly loved. When we re-connected via telephone calls and such, he would always speak proudly about his wife and daughters and how they were doing. They were the light of his life. He was a dedicated family man who worked hard to make a good life for his family.
Over the years he never lost his love for the Phantom. When he discovered the Phantom Society I don’t think he ever missed a Phancon event. He looked forward to Phancon all year like a kid looks forward to Christmas. He talked about how the whine of the J79 engines was like a symphony to him and the smell of JP4 was perfume as far as he was concerned. Whenever I came back to Chicago to see my family he would always take the time to come over and see me and we would go have a few beers and bullshit about the old days and the guys, and also what was currently going on in our lives. I always looked forward to it. We lost John in early December due to a heart attack and for me going home to Chicago will never be the same. My heart is broken that he is gone. He was my good friend for 41 years and there are not many people a man can say that about. He was one hell of a good man. He was a man of honor. A patriotic veteran, a devoted husband, a doting father and a great friend. The world needs more men like John “Soggy” Czarnota. All of those whose lives he touched will miss him forever. Mike Lynam |
Posted 6 April 2009 SMSgt. Joe G. McCormack, USAF (Ret)
Warner Robins, GA Among his many roles in life, he was most proud of being a Christian that loved the Lord, a wonderful loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins. He was a member of the F & AM, Tyrian Lodge 111, of Warner Robins, and a member of the Sahara Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. in Pine Bluff, AR. He retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service to his country. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 devices, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force commendation medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. After retiring from the Air Force, SMSgt. McCormack served 21 years at WR-ALC, primarily serving as supervisor in the manufacturing and planning office. He is survived by his wife, Pauline McCormack; Warner Robins; son, Jack McCormack (Lisa), Warner Robins; daughter, Angela McCormack, Warner Robins; son, Robert McCormack, Tinker AFB, OK; grandchildren, Jason, Chris, Matt, Missy and Minnie McCormack; all of Warner Robins; brothers, Carl McCormick, Maysville, Ky; Charles McCormick, Cookeville, TN; Randall McCormick, Cookeville, TN Roy McCormick, Aberdeen, OH; sister, Bessie Mai Allen, Algood, TN; and several loving nieces and nephews. Provided by John P Slusser jslusser(at)wd7f.com |
Posted 16 March 2009 Richard 'Bo' Bowman 1LT 79th FBS Just an FYI for those that flew in the 79th FBS from 56-58 at RAF Woodbridge, and might have known my Dad, 1LT Richard 'Bo' Bowman (my mom is Maria). He passed away in 1991 from natural causes. Rich M. Bowman Jr.t
djrich(at)earthlink.net |
Posted 27 February 2009 John B (Coon-Ass) McDaniel "Bushmaster" - 78th FBS It is regret, that I must inform you, that " Bushmaster" John B. ( Coon-Ass) McDaniel, of Haynesville, Louisiana, passed away February 25th 2009, at his home in Humble, (Houston), Texas. Harry George (Peaches) Wright
wright9611(at)comcast.net |
Posted 21 October 2008 Col. Charles Simpson 78th FBS It is with regret, that I was informed, that Col. Charles Simpson , Sq. Comm. , 78th F.B.S. , passed away appx. 2006. His wife, Babbette, remarried and lives in San Antonio, TX. Col.Simpson was our C.O., pilot and friend. Harry George (Peaches) Wright
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Posted 2 October 2008 Manager, Rod & Gun Club, Bentwaters It is my sad task to report that Ken Missen passed away on 18 September 2008. Ken was a manager at the Bentwaters Rod and Gun Club for many years. He was a “Kiwi”, and served in the British Army, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. He was a great friend to many, and his Christmas dinners put on with his lovely wife Sheila, were legendary. Ken was a true sportsman, and gentlemen, and will be missed by a host of former Bentwaters/Woodbridge personnel. Skip Dunscomb, 67th ARRS, RAF Woodbridge, 1970-1973 |
Posted 13 September 2008 CMSgt Thomas G Lokken
(Retired) CMSGT Thomas G. Lokken, 73, of Gwinn, MI While stationed at RAF Bentwaters, England, he met and married a beautiful British girl, Daphne M. Harper, on April 5, 1957. Over the next 30 years they, along with their six children, were stationed at several stateside and overseas bases. Tom came to be known as "The Mayor of Bentwaters" as they were stationed mainly at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge England for over 12 years covering four decades. After retiring from the Air Force after 30 years of service he and Daphne spent their winters in Florida and crossed the United States and England visiting their children, relatives and friends. He always said the United States was the most beautiful country in the world. Those that didn't travel and see her were missing out on one of life's most satisfying experiences in life. Daphne passed away on Oct. 21, 2005, after more than 48 years of marriage. Dad we love you and miss you but know that you are at peace now with mom. Tammy Clawson
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Posted 29 August 2008
Past Vice President I received notification from Mike Bonnell on behalf of Elouise Bouwhuis, sent to me during a 'normal' exchange of emails, at the request of Elouise Bouwhuis to inform me that Chris passed away on the evening of July 31, 2008, due to medical complications. I cannot express how shocked and saddened I was at this unexpected bad news. I met Chris and Elouise during the 81st FWA Reunion that fateful week in September 2001, and had exchanged many, many emails since. Linn Barringer
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Posted 29 August 2008 David Nagy I am sorry to say but my dad passed away yesterday 8/10/2008 after a hard fought battle against cancer. He put all his efforts into the fight against the cancer. After retiring from th AF, David had also retired from the Veterans Admin Police. He lived in/near Boise, Idaho. For all who new him, this is a great loss. He was hard in life, but he was one of the fairest people as well. My dad worked hard, hunted and fished hard, played hard, fought death hard, but most of all, he lived hard and enjoyed life. Larry Meyer (David's son)
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Posted 16 July 2008
Click here for the full obituary and contributors' comments. |
Posted 22 June 2007
Extract from obituary on Air Force Link. 6/15/2007 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Legendary fighter pilot, retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, died June 14, one month short of his 85th birthday. General Olds, rated a triple ace for having shot down a total of 16 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War, served his country in assignments to England, Germany, Libya, Thailand and the United States, in positions of squadron, base, group and wing commander, and assignments to Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Triple-ace Robin Olds' legendary leadership and heroic service to the cause of freedom have been an inspiration to our nation and our Air Force," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "He is one of our 'great captains' and a pioneer of air power. General Olds is survived by two daughters, Christina Olds of Vail, Colo., and Susan Scott-Risner of North Bend, Wash.; one granddaughter, Jennifer Newman of Santa Monica, Calif., and half-brother, Fred Olds of Virginia. He died peacefully at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colo., in the company of family and friends After I sent a link to the article about the life of Brigadier General Robin Olds, on Air Force Link, responses were sent to this website compiler, and are shown here...
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Posted 21 April 2007
Joseph Kosuda Joe was in the 81st Field Maintenance Squadron from November 1955 to November 1959. He loved Bentwaters, which he called Crooked Creek. I was born in Lowestoft Suffolk, and we were married on August 4th 1956. Everyone loved Joe. His best man was George Cumbee, who was also stationed with Joe in the 81st. Their pictures are in the 1959 yearbook (from which the above photo is taken). We were stationed at Bentwaters, then Peace AFB, Alconbury, and finally Seymore Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, where I still live. Valerie Kosuda |
Posted 19 April 2007
Frank Stuart Palmer FRANK was my mentor and ran cover for me as we put the 81st FWA together and we all owe him a great deal of THANKS. He is one of the best friends (mates) a person could have. He had many skills and knew how to get things done. Chuck "Flipper" Wrobel
Lt. Col. Frank Palmer, USAF, was among the team of pilots who brought the first
F-86A Sabres from Moses Lake, Washington to Shepherd's Grove, Suffolk
and on to RAF Bentwaters in 1951. Linn Barringer
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Posted 25 July
2005
Airman James Ray Short, "Shorty," assigned to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, 81st Field Maintenance Squadron was killed performing aircraft fuel systems maintenance in Hangar 7, Building 688 on Phase Row on the RAF Bentwaters flightline on Monday, April 17, 1978 at 2035 hours. While performing a Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) on a McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II centerline external fuel tank, static electricity ignited fuel fumes within the tank and the tank exploded. The nose cone separated and was blown, with Airman Short, up to the roof and across the Hangar. The remainder of the tank blew through the wall of Hangar 7 landing outside on the grass between Hangars 6 and 7. Cheerio Shorty. You will never be forgotten and I wish for you and for everyone who remembers the evening of April 17, 1978 peace. (Read more, in Chuck Dalldorf's In Memoriam). Chuck Dalldorf If anyone happens to know where James Ray Short is buried and can share that information, I would be forever grateful. We never had a proper good-bye and I still hope to do that. The above request is now redundant. See the update...
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SMSgt Sammy K Hardison 1948-1992
18 June 2005
James David "KB" Kreighbaum I regret to inform you that James David Kreighbaum, number two man on a weapons load crew for the 79th TFS at RAF Woodbridge from 1966 to 1969, passed away Wednesday, June 8th, 2005. We all knew him as KB. KB had diabetes, and heart and lung problems. He died of a massive heart attack. Our prayers are with his family. KB always seemed to be upbeat. Even with all the health problems, he always had a smile in his voice. Rest
in peace KB Mike Doss
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| I think many people knew KB for at least a short while. While in the giant scheme of things it may be just a short time but two of us, Charlie Southern and I, first ran into KB when our flight to Lackland AFB, enroute from Spokane to San Antonio, landed in Portland and picked up a few more good future Air Force enlistees. KB, Charlie and I spent our whole enlistment on the same assignment. From the very start he gained a friendship with many of us in BMT the same as he did with others at Lowry and at the 79th. He was always quick with a good laugh when needed and a serious side to listen when he could see the need. During those years we knew him so well I enjoyed any time that I was able to spend with him, even when it was hot and dry at Wheelus or in the club at Gigli, or at the Running Buck in Ipswich. For a number of years after we all "escaped" I lost track of KB but then found he was doing about the same job as I but at the Washougal, Wa. PD, being a Crime Prevention officer (and other things that went with it). As he grew older his health took a turn for the dark side in several respects as Mike mentioned. I spoke with KB a number of times over the past years with the last being just a few months ago. We exchanged a few e-mails along the way as well. I regret that I was unable to meet with him last Fall as he and I had scheduled. I am happy to say that up through my last talk with KB he still maintained the upbeat "kick you in the butt" humor that he always had. He was giving himself to helping a partner in her life trials as well as trying to keep up with his own, but he didn't falter. I don't know if anyone is monitoring his email anymore (it still isn't inactive) but I know people will visit the Bentwaters.org web site, so I want to pass on to his special friend Susan, and his family, my many thanks and appreciation for the time I did know KB and the inspiration he is to me at times. Thank God there are people like KB in this world. Dan Aycock |
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Jim Grubbs James Ray Grubbs Picture from 1997, when Jim was Landlord of The Ship at Blaxhall I have just been singing Glory, glory, hallelujah! while at the funeral of Jim Grubbs today, in Middleton, Suffolk, with a couple for whom Jim was the Best Man of their wedding-twenty years ago. I didn’t know Jim very well at Sculthorpe because he was married and I was in the dorm. When I came to RAF Bentwaters in ’79 Jim was retiring. When I separated from my first wife, a friend led me out to the Theberton Red Lion. This is where Jim held court. For a while I thought he was the publican of the establishment. Jim had developed a superior "Suffolkian" accent and was the friend of everyone there. We bellied up to the bar on many a night! I remember one extremely foggy night when I had far too many drinks, I lived more than 20 miles away. I told Jim of my dilemma and he immediately put me on ‘Calibre’, non-alcoholic ale. I supped on those for two to three hours and drove my little MG through the fog, with my head out the side window watching the cat’s eyes in the road. The service today was very emotional. His coffin had a floral guitar on the top, and his daughters read heart-rending poems. There was a send-off at the Middleton Bell. What a send off! The whiskey I had was about the size of four and I went back again! We all reminisced about the personable Jim and the good times at his pub, the Blaxhall Ship. When I told his daughters that I would print up copies of my Sculthorpe photos and give to Sue to distribute, they were ecstatic. Through the whiskey haze I decided I would ask everyone to e-mail any photos they had so I could add them. The girls said they had very few photos of this time in their dad’s life. I just wish I could expect as many mourners at my funeral as Jim had, it was standing room only. Dave Galvan |
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16 February 2004 A1C William Temlak From: R.A. "Tiny" HAMILTON
- SHIVA69(a)MSN.COM I regret to say a good friend and fellow A.P. A1C William Temlak passed away 2,12,04 Good bye, "Nosewheel" We
will miss you. |
| 19 July 2003 Sq. Ldr. "Sid" Cyril Scorer, DFC Dear Linn, It is with much sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Sq Ldr "Sid " Cyril Scorer DFC. Sid suffered a massive stroke last Sunday and died a few days later in Ipswich Hospital. As you know, Sid Scorer (RAF), together with Frank Palmer (USAF), unveiled the Bentwaters memorial stone during the 81st 50 year celebrations. The funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Bawdsey, at 1100, Thursday 24th July. The family will miss him dreadfully as will his many friends. Sid was never one to boast about his achievements, in fact, it was difficult for him to talk about the combat side of his war service, I guess he lost too many friends for his part in the conflict to seem that important. He was, however, in his element whilst engaged in the subject of flying. Although not dogmatic, he was sincere in his thesis that "safe pilots are good pilots". This was simple advice that I took with me throughout my flying career as no doubt did many others who were fortunate to have had the benefit of his vast experience in aviation. When asked "which aircraft did you most enjoy flying?", his answer was, "without doubt the F86". People will of course remember him as "Sid the Pilot", however, to members of the family and close friends he was a wonderful, kind, generous and loving man. He loved his garden was a very keen fly fisherman and a connoisseur of good beer. The hangar doors are now closed on Sid's life and we are all the richer for having known him. Please feel free to post this on your web site as there may be some old colleagues from his Bentwaters days out there who would wish to learn of his passing. Dudley "Doug" Deas. |
| 22 December 2002 - Notified by Ray Morgan Chaplain, Colonel, Joe McCausland Colonel Joe McCausland, who was also stationed at RAF Woodbridge from 1966 through 1969, died suddenly in November of this 2002. |
| 20 December 2002 - Notified by Ray Morgan Chaplain, Lt Col, Charles H. Glaize Senior Installation Chaplain for RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge from 1967 to 1970, passed away on 26 April 2002, following a lengthy hospital stay. Lt. Col. Charles H. Glaize was born Feb. 2, 1916 in Strasburg, Va., graduated Strasburg High School, 1935; B.A. Emory and Henry College, Emory, Va., 1940; BDiv. Candler School of Theology, Emory Univer-sity, Atlanta, Ga., 1942; Army Chaplain School, Harvard University, May 1943 and ordained elder, United Methodist Church, Virginia Annual Conference, February 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the South Pacific Bouganville and in the Phillipines. Released from the Army in 1946, he was appointed to Ferrum College as a professor of history and dean of men and the pastor of the Mountain View Methodist Church. He was recalled to active duty in the Army Chaplain Corps in 1948 and assigned to Fort Knox, Ky. Charles was selected as one of the first chaplains for the Air Force in 1949. He served for 24 years at various Air Force bases around the world, including England - where he participated in the 25th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings, June 1969. He received the Meritorious Service Medal upon his retirement from active duty in 1973. He then served as a supply pastor at variuos churches in south Alabama and northwest Florida, including 19 years at the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, Laurel Hill, Fla. Charles is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Robertson Glaize; four children and their spouses, Beth and David Butler, Charles H. Jr. and Carole Glaize, John W. and Barbara Glaize, and Edward R. and Alecia Glaize; 11 grandchildren as well as two sisters, Mrs. Herbert Manuel and Mrs. Philip Porter. Funeral services was at 2 p.m., Monday, April 29, at the Mary Esther United Methodist Chuch, with Rev. Mike Roberts officiating, followed by burial at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Friends may wish to contact his widow: |
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Monday, November 19, 2001 Jacqueline Carmack Nee Jacqueline Nevard, from Eyke Jacqueline recently passed away in the St. Louis, MO area. Jackie worked as the cashier/secretary at the B/W Officers Club 57-59 and her father and mother ran the Eyke general store in the 50s. Jackie married Larry Carmack (stationed at Woodbridge Base, Weather) in 1959 in Ipswich. Jackie's sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Willie Lightfoot owned the fish shop at Crown Point near Martlesham during the 60s and 70s. Jackie had many friends in the Woodbridge/Melton area and I wanted them to know she never forgot them or her roots. She was a lady and will be sadly missed by all who knew her on both sides of the Atlantic. Larry Carmack, loving husband and best friend. |
| 1 June 2001
Stewart S Stabley Fighter Pilot A few informal notes of tribute to Stu Stabley. Stewart S. Stabley, 80, of Honolulu, a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Air Force died Friday, June l, 2001. He was born in Red Lion, PA and is survived by wife Nancy, son Gordon S. Stabley, daughter Sue Ann Stabley and sister Rebecca Chavarria. Memorial Services were at the Missing Man Formation at Hickham A.F.B. Channel Monument on June 7. Inurnment at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. |
| Like with so many
other 81st-ers, I suppose, I regret those long years
with no contact with any of you. Down in San
Antonio I avoided that last contact with Stu as we
were all checking out. I couldn't bear to say good
bye to him one more time.
Now I stand in silence and salute a true friend and comrade
in arms. |
| I'm sure Stu will
be with us at the UK reunion - he was the "last man" in
Fox Able 9 |
| He was a great
supporter of the 81st Fighter Wing, the Daedalians
and all things Air Force. We'll miss him greatly. |
| Take time to honor our dear
friend and colleague. Like many of you, I too, as editor,
am just trying to give something back to the 81st and
Stu Stabley and all the others I had the honor to serve
with !!! Stu did an OUTSTANDING JOB of putting the 81st
FWA together and got me inspired to get involved, roll
up my sleeves and go to work on the Newsletter. |
| 25 March 2001 Poppy Smith Poppy worked at the USAF Clinic, RAF Bentwaters, as Appointments Clerk from 16 January 1967 until her retirement on 31 May 1987. She was loved and respected by all who worked with her and received numerous letters and awards for outstanding performance. In 1983 she was honoured in the Queens New Years Honours List with the award of a Commendation by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, RAF Support Command. When she first started at the Clinic in 1967 she worked in an old 1944 built building but moved to the new Clinic in October 1981. Poppy lived all her life in Blaxhall until 1983 when she and her husband moved to Woodbridge. She died suddenly on 13 September 1991 and is still missed by many. by Poppy's daughter Stella Sokolis (previously Stella Rose, nee Smith) |
| Notified by Floyd
Walden, Rogue River, Oregon: General James E Hill Retired Dec. 31, 1979, Died May 20, 1999 |
| 16 December 1999 Janis, daughter of Basil and Gladys Smith of Fourwinds, Tunstall, informed Ron Burrell that Janis's Mum died last week and was buried at Eyke Church. Gladys worked on Bentwaters at Billeting for many years. Ron and Pam say that Gladys was a real Suffolk sweetie. Basil Smith was also a British firefighter on Bentwaters for many years, worked with Tom Beal at the BW firestation. Perhaps people who remember Gladys and Basil, might want to send a card to Basil Smith Ron is sure that Basil will appreciate that and getting in contact with fellow former firefighters. |
| Colonel Miles A Connor passed away December 14 1999
Colonel Connor was the original 81st Air Base Group Commander Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, attended college then served in the CCCs. Joined the Army Air Corps and completed a distinguished 35 year career in the United States Air force. The funeral mass was celebrated on Friday December 17 1999 at 10:00am at St John Neumann Catholic Church with Father Howard Krick as the celebrant. Interment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado, with Full Military Honors |
| Maj. Thomas H. Amos Viet Nam MIA, remains recovered this year. Maj. Amos was stationed at RAF Bentwaters from 10/66-8/69. THE POW/MIA E-MAIL NETWORK (c) The write-up sent to the League office by Pat Amos Dunlap and her husband, Frank, regarding the ID on Major Tom Amos, USAF, one of the 7 Americans whose names have not yet been announced by DOD, but likely will be today, November 3rd. Pat is the League's OK Coordinator. In talking with me last evening, Pat and Frank were very complimentary about the efforts made by CILHI, JTF and USAF personnel, how hard they worked to obtain a successful ID and what it means to their family. Of course, I know all of you are very thankful that they could finally end so many years of uncertainty. - Ann Mills Griffiths Here is the info sent to the Springfield, Missouri newspaper: THOMAS HUGH AMOS former Springfield Aviator, son of Dr James Amos, former Springfield, Greene County Health Officer and Missouri State Health Officer, who was lost in Vietnam during April 1972 and carried as Missing In Action (MIA) for many years, will finally be returned for burial). Thomas Hugh Amos was born on September 25, 1940 in Fulton, Missouri. Tom was the third child of Dr. James Roy and Marie Mulcare Amos. He attended Helias High School in Jefferson City, Missouri for three years and was graduated from Parkview High School, May 1958, in Springfield, Missouri. Tom was graduated from Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, August 1963, with a BA degree in Biology. Tom married Virginia A. "Ginny" Johnson in Springfield, Missouri on June 23, 1962. Tom and Ginny had two children. Julie Ann Amos was born in Enid, Oklahoma on March 26, 1965 and James William Amos was born in England on May 30, 1967. Tom joined the Air Force in November 1963 and attended Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1964. He entered Pilot Training during February 1964 at Vance AFB, Enid, Oklahoma. He completed Pilot Training in March 1965 where he receiving his Pilot rating and wings. After pilot training, Tom was assigned to Davis Montham AFB, Arizona for check out in the F-4, Phantom, and a top of the line fighter-bomber. Tom had assignments at MacDill AFB, Florida then to Okinawa for several months prior to assignment in Thailand where he was flying combat missions in Vietnam from February to August of 1966. It was during this tour that Tom earned The Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest decorations awarded to flyers. On April 26, 1966, Tom's aircraft was part of a four-ship formation providing cover for friendly aircraft making bombing runs deep within enemy territory. His aircraft was severely damaged by hostile fire and he was able to guide his crippled aircraft away from enemy territory to a safe recovery. In October 1966, he was reassigned to RAF Station Bentwaters, England where he stayed for nearly three years. During this tour, he was upgraded to aircraft commander in the F-4C aircraft. In August 1969 he was reassigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. While at this assignment he was upgraded to an instructor pilot and flight examiner. In late March of 1972 Tom was sent to Korea as part of a military build up. Three weeks later he was flying combat missions in Vietnam. Tom was flying a night combat mission on April 20, 1972 when his plane went down in action with the enemy, near the Laos boarder. The following morning, Dr James R. Amos received a call from the Air Force advising him of Tom's situation. Search efforts in the crash area failed to establish any results. Initially, Tom was listed as Missing in Action (MIA). His status was later changed to presumed Killed in Action (KIA). Tom was promoted to the grade of Major posthumously. After 21 years, two local natives found the crash site in a mountainous region in Laos and recovered some remains and dog tags in 1993. Additional remains were recovered during three excavations conducted by a joint U.S. and Laos military teams in 1998. During the summer of 1999 the Air Force announced that a positive DNA match had been made on remains recovered from Tom crash site. His mother, Mrs. Marie Amos of Lebanon, Missouri; his daughter, Julie Ashurst of Springfield, Missouri and a son, James Amos of St. Paul, Minnesota, survive Tom. He has two grandchildren; Robert Ashurst and Samantha Ashurst of Springfield, Missouri. He has three sisters; Mrs. Pat Dunlap of Edmond, Oklahoma, Mrs. Jill Mitchell of Crane, Missouri and Mrs. Debbie Schirber of Stillwell, Minnesota. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, November 6th at 10 AM at St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield, Missouri. Burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery next to his wife, Ginny. |
| Msgt Homer M Garrigus USAF Ret Oct 2,1999 Tom Kirby received a call from Martha Remick, sister to Msgt Home M Garrigus USAF Ret, that he had passed away. He was interrred Oct 4,1999 with a full Military funeral. Sgt Garrigus was one of the top NCOs at Woodbridge. He died of cancer.
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| 11 September 1999 Roy Pryor WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) - Roy Pryor, a nationally prominent test pilot during the Cold War, died of cancer Thursday. He was 80. Pryor, a native of Dolores, Colo, began his aviation career with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, Calif. In World War II, he joined the Army's air cadet program and won his wings as a fighter pilot. With the 81st Fighter Group, stationed in Hawaii, he flew P-51s and P-47s. After the war, he remained in the service three more years, just for the opportunity to fly the new jets. He became an Air Force engineering test pilot, testing new systems as they became available for jet aircraft. Pryor joined the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and was elected a fellow in the society for his many contributions to the science of flight.
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Senior Master Sergeant Carl Anthony Koller, USAF (retired) 1912 – 1999 See Derrick Booth's Memorial Page |
| From the EADT Saturday 6 June 1998 Brian Hayes Long illness claims Life of Photographer One of Suffolk's best known photographers, who in nearly a quarter of a century pictured hundreds of weddings, has died in hospital, aged 61. Brian Hayes, whose Studio 550 business
was in Spring road, Ipswich, was an American by birth
who began taking photographs while he served with the
U.S. Air Force in Italy. When he achieved a residence qualification
enabling him to start his own business, he turned to
photography and started his Ipswich studio, opened by
Bobby Robson. Since 1977, he has undertaken the official
portraits of every Mayor of Ipswich and in 1985-6 he
was president of Ipswich Rotary Club, the only American
to hold the post. He said at his retirement: "I
get out of breath even if I move and the steroids
I am on don't help my weight." There was a private funeral on Tuesday followed by a service of thanksgiving at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, at 4:30pm. Donations can be sent to the Brittle Asthma Fund - which helps Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, which has the only specialist hospital unit in the UK dealing with the illness - c/o Farthing Singleton & Hastings, 650 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich IP4 2PW. |
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