Invader vol 35 issue 1 2017 by Don Henderson

Vol. 35 No. 1

Spring 2017

Celebrating 100 years of Service!

Spring 2017

The President's Corner

this is a reunion you do not want to miss; so stop reading right now, find and fill out the form from this magazine and get it in the mail.

CONTRIBUTIONS:

Greetings:

Please note that there is a space on the form for you to contribute to the association. Contributions will be used to defray hospitality room and other incidental costs that are difficult to accurately budget before we have a good estimate of the number of attendees. So, please be as generous as possible.

In this issue there is a sign-up form for the 100th Anniversary Charley Brown Reunion which will take place at Whiteman AFB, MO from 11-15 June, 2017. Our host, the 509th Bomb Wing and its commander, Brigadier General Paul Tibbetts IV, have planned a full schedule— including visits to a B-2 bomber, flying the B-2 simulator, touring the maintenance facility and watching the weapons loading operations—which will give us a better understanding of the 509th Bomb Wing’s capabilities and its preparedness to defend the United States if, and when, needed. If you have not seen the B-2 aircraft up-close, you will be surprised by its large size and its flight system components. (I, for one, was extraordinarily impressed when I saw this beautiful bird the first time, and each time thereafter.)

BOARD AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:

Currently the BoD meeting is set up for 3-5 PM on Monday, June 12, and the General Membership meeting on either the 12th or 13th. We will have a better idea about when to hold the GM meeting after we analyze the attendance reservations. This year we will elect/reelect the president, 2nd vice president, treasurer, Korean era member and the GWOT member. Any member in good standing may be elected to any open position. So if you would like to serve, In addition to the B-2 events, Dr. Douglas please notify me or Bob Butterfield, the Kane, who attended the DC reunion in Nomination Committee chairman, as soon 2011, has graciously accepted my invitation as possible. to attend this year as well. So we can look forward to speaking with him and browsing Since I have decided to not seek reelection, through his very interesting memorabilia I want to thank all of you for allowing me to represent you for the past three years and from WW II. to work for your best interests. Hopefully, I The annual banquet will be held in a Wing have served you well; and I will always be hangar uniquely configured for this occasion; honored for having had this privilege. and Gen. Tibbetts has secured the promise I look forward to seeing from a previous commander to come and you at Whiteman. speak. For you golfers, there will be a game on the 15th followed by a bar-b-que lunch that will send us off tired and full. In total, 2

Spring 2017

Special Note to Readers The proper protocol for reporting the passing of a member of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association. You are to contact Bob Parks, his e-mail is: bob-parks@satx. rr.com Contacting Bob will ensure that your friend or loved one will be listed and honored on our Memomiam page. Also, I am always looking for articles for the INVADER, especially articles with photos. If you are able to scan photos, to ensure good quality reproduction, they must be scanned at high resolution, 300 dpi or better. They can be burned to CD, DVD, or put onto a thumb drive. If you can't scan your photos and you want to have me scan them, you can mail them to me and I'll scan them. Please be sure to include your return address and pack them safely so they don't get damaged in transit. Also, include captions for the photos and where they need to be inserted in the article. If you can type the article in Microsoft Word, that would be great, if not, send typed copies of your manuscript and we will retype it on the computer. I can't guarantee that every article will make it into the next issue, but I will try and do my best to get them in the INVADER.

Celebrating 100 Years of Delivering Freedom Whiteman AFB will proudly host a Grand Celebration on 12-15 June as the 13th Bomb Squadron pays tribute to 100 years of the Devil's Own Grim Reapers. This 4-day historic event will bring together past, present, and future generations of Reapers with a program of activities that connect those who built our legacy with those who carry it on. The Association has arranged for lodging at the Comfort Inn in Warrensburg, MO and alumni members are encouraged to contact the Comfort Inn at 660-429-4848 no later than 14 May 2017 to reserve accommodations. A special rate of $89 per night (includes breakfast) will be available for event attendees effective 12-16 June. Full program details will be provided in the March INVADER.

The INVADER is the official newsletter of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association, a Non-profit organization. The INVADER is published three times yearly for the benefit of the Association members. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association or of the Department of the Air Force. *Members of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association must maintain contact with the Association or “after two years of not communicating with the association, a member will no longer receive the INVADER or the Directory”. Editor: Don Henderson 254 Freeport Road New Kensington, PA 15068-5421 Tel: (412) 417-6667 e-mail: Don@HendersonGDI.com Henderson Graphic Design & Illustration www.HendersonGDI.com

For additional information prior to March, you can contact Bob Parks, at : bob-parks@satx.rr.com or 210-825-8661 . Reserve your calendars and make those reservations now, this is sure to be...

The Reunion You Don't Want To Miss!!

Cover photo: Some of the first Reapers of the newly formed 13th Aero Squadron showing their fighting spirit with one of their new Curtiss "R-2" observation/ light attack biplanes at Camp Kelly, Texas.

The INVADER masthead displays the principal combat aircraft of the 13th Squadron since its initial activation in 1917. ©13th Bomb Squadron Association 2015

Spring 2017

Officers of the 13th Bomb Squadron Association Charles J. (Charley) Brown 905 Holbrook Circle Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547-6733 charley6272@yahoo.com

President

1st Vice President/

Secretary

Member at Large WWII

Member at Large Vietnam

Robert R. (Bob) Koehne 23332 SE 225th St. Maple Valley, WA 98038 csrrk@comcast.net

2nd Vice President Locator Data Manager

Edward T. (Tighe) Carvey 6980 Olympic View Ct. Silverdale, WA 98383 tcarvey@gmail.com

Treasurer Locator Data Manager

Edward D. (Ed) Connor, Jr. 1217 Earnestine St. McLean, VA 22101-2646 ravenfive5@verizon.net

Member at Large Korea

Ron Silvia 20 Green Lane Assonet, MA 02702-1410 finefiftynine@charter.net

Member at Large GWOT

James R. (Bob) Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St. San Antonio, TX, 78247 bob-parks@satx.rr.com

Bill Hamman 2950 SE Ocean Blvd. Apt 124-2 Stuart, FL 34996-3512 LNME95@gmail.com

Ron Jarrett 10349 416th Avenue Britton, SD 57430-5005 rjarrett@brittonsd.com

Major Bradley R. Nadolny 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO bradleynadolny@gmail.com

Spring 2017

Letters & e-mails to the Editor

13TH BOMB SQUADRON

I would like to thank you for your outstanding job as Editor of the Invader. I look forward to it's arrival. Your articles are always interesting.

ASSOCIATION DONATION FORM NAME:_______________________________________

I'm proud to have been a member of the 13th, even though for a short time Was stationed with the 13th at Johnson AFB, Japan as a B-57 pilot and did some alert duty with the Squadron in Korea. It was somewhat short, as I was assigned duty as an instructor in the 3rd Bomb Wing Stan/Board. Was in Japan four years, as we were all extended a year (59 to 63). Ended my career with 4300 hours in the Canberra. Of course all the Canberra time, was not in Japan. Towed targets with it in Tyndall, ECM missions in Stewart AFB and Hill, and Recon in Vietnam. Retired in 1972. Thanks again! Dean A. Rydholm Lt/Col.

ADDRESS:____________________________________ CITY:_________________STATE_____ZIP_________

DONATION AMOUNT ❏ $35.00 ❏ $50.00 ❏ $75.00❏ $100.00 ❏ Other If other, Please specify amount: $______ Please Make Check Payable to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association and mail to: Col (Ret) Bill Hamann, 2950 SE Ocean Blvd, Apt 124-2, Stuart, FL 34996-3551 To help with the cost of producing and mailing the Invader. Here is my most generous contribution to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association.

Editor's note: Thank you Dean for the kind words, I'm glad you are enjoying the INVADER! That means a lot to me.

Ground crews of the newly formed 13th Aero Squadron assemble their new aircraft, a Curtiss "R-2" observation/light attack biplane, so the air crews could go snake chasing and cactus-cutting. The 13th Aero Squadron was formed at Kelly Field, Texas, 1917.

Spring 2017

History of 13th Aero Squadron By 1st Lts. Earl F. Richards and Stephen M. Avery

on December 4th and began to totalize time for that coveted decoration. And speaking of a hard passage, just ask who was conserving food on that rough trip up to Halifax.

Just when the Numerical Mother gave birth to the original “wee Thirteen” is something we can’t discuss, but a modern birthday which we shall never forget is that of a cactus-born squadron on an early June day– and when the christening came no one complained that the number was Thirteen. From then on, it was just a “hobby”, a kind of self-inflicted task of ours to disprove the somewhat ancient belief that this number was anything but a good one, and we proudly believe we succeeded!

The stop over in Halifax gave us the opportunity to judge the violency of TNT, gasoline and nitroglycerine when they get together, nor did we hesitate to help the stricken folk in the Nova Scotia town.

Convoys being popular, we put in with seven other ships and made it in ten days, landing at Liverpool After details at snake chasing and cactus-cutting, the Sixth of Uncle Sam’s Aero Squadrons took a short hop on Christmas Day, and heaved that historical sigh of relief when we placed foot on land. Then, on to and flattened out “up-Dayton-way” where Lieutenant Southampton and across to Le Havre in one of the Trewbridge succeeded Major Kirby, later met in the oldest boats still wheeling about. field of France. Quite naturally we thought we were quite learned and One splendid stay at Le Havre, and not to spoil an itinerary of holidays, set out for St. Maxient on a New experienced in wild airplanes when our next cross country came and on November first we negotiated the Year’s resolution to find civilization, heat or happiness. A longer wait and then the somewhat scarred and trip to Garden City without “fouling a single plug”. worldly-wise Thirteenth made another move to do Of course, we rested a little, while the S.S. Northland a bit for Democracy, arriving at the Third A.I.C. at laid in coal, putting in Thanksgiving in the iniquitous Issoudun the twenty-seventh, with a new commanding city nearby, at least some say that New York officer, Lt. Sanborn. And we swung French preps cranberries were among the little details. When, since some! This stay of ours was the longest one at any one we had so long pictured the gold chevron on the fixed spot and having absorbed a detail of knowledge lower left arm we finally sailed from Philadelphia 6

cont. on page 7

Spring 2017

We set aside the sixth for the Reception to Medical officers and Lt. Worthington was the doctor we drew, initials “W.C.” and we have believed it should have been “C.C.” for all the pills he gave us –– ugh!

until “June’s Fair Days Grew Mellow”, we “stepped off” for real business with the new Plane News banner for superiority in athletics nailed to the leading car. On the fifth day of June, we were welcomed with “open arms” at the 1st Air Depot at Colombeyles-Belles. Fatigue work was our lot, and just once somebody wondered again whether “Thirteen” was really a good number after all––Lt. Ellis in command, for we soon moved to a happier community at Gengoult Field near Toul and smiled again! True, that some “someone” dropped bombs and there was open air sleeping done, but yet, no one really cared, we had our Spads, and that was something!

Two days more and we had more guests for dinner, and having fondled those shiny new “skycarts”, they decided to make a permanent home, at least, permanent as to the word may be interspersed in the Air Service. Lt. Armstrong there and the “Wild Irish Rose”, Lt. Riley, towered above little Lt. Drew as he led a fourth quiet, austere “bit” of a pilot, who signed his name Rochards. And all this time, we did something besides “polish the brass”, secretly hoping that this pilot and that flight might “leadoff” in the glories of real work. Lt. Kull came in looking for a “big natural” and sure enough, his plane was #11; little Lt. “Steve” Brody (we heard Lt. Freeman call him that) said he’d take a chance so he just drew a “loose number”. Lt. Jones joined the squadron on one of our many birthdays, and Lt. Hobert A.H. Baker whose athletic exploits have made it possible for even mechanics to call him by his first name. Then Lt. Este flew in with a Spad of his own choosing, and Lt. Fisher came into the “hollow Square” to fill the last place in the Flight Commander’s list, which Maury Jones and “Hobey” had just started.

Then, came the necessary additions to our little circle beginning early in July, and rapidly the family grew, the Yale and Harvard inseparables (not Siamese) Lts. Converse and Elliot, were delivered unto us with Lt. Rubin thrown in. That was the first birthday, and from that time forth, we swelled and swelled our numbers. “Buck” Freeman and “Laddie” Brewer came a day later and even if we didn’t call them by their names, we almost wished we could! The future “Aces” dropped in to stay on the fifth of July and “Dave” Howe was ambling along with them, needless to say all three Lts. Stovall Howe, and Seerly had to be in the same flight, at its infancy!

Some of the original Reapers of the newly formed 13th Aero Squadron showing some fighting spirit as they envision a Lewis gun on one of their new aircraft, a Curtiss "R-2" observation/light attack biplanes, at Kelly Field, Texas, 1917. Note: there is no evidence that guns or bombs were ever carried, except perhaps for a test.

cont. on page 8

Spring 2017

The original 13th Aero Squadron, July 13, 1918 at Gengoult Field, Toul, France. L to R: 1) Capt. Charles Biddle CO of the 13th Aero Squadron, 2) Lt. Col. Davenport Johnson CO of the 2nd Pursuit Group, 3) Lt. Murry Jones, 4) Lt. Hobart Baker, 5) Lt. Alton Brody, 6) Lt. George Kull, 7) Lt. Robert Converse, 8) Lt. Leighton Brewer, 9) Lt. Charles Drew, 10) Lt. J.J. Seerly, 11) Lt. Taggart, 12) Lt. Earl Richards, 13) Lt. Henry Riley, 14) Lt. Hugh Ellis, 15) Lt. Guyon Armstrong, 16) Lt. Worthington, 17) Lt. Hank Stovall, 18) Lt. Elliot, 19) Lt. David Howe.

Dick Richards company, and casting a wary eye at a suspicious machine framed shrapnel and in the sun. The machines pulled away into lines and “George” and “Dick” (we again apologize for our familiarity) set out to re-establish their location—nor were they very successful—except that someone said when they came in eleven hours later, that their guns were dirty and there was a story on their reports about chasing a single seater which we might have believed had they kept away from the lower southern coast of France. At any rate both machines came back as well as they started and none ever mentioned the projected trip to Two days later, the “twenty-second” brought more news, and Lt. Este can best give the details because he Berne! We were glad to see them! came back bewildered and bleeding. It all happened on Lt. Inglis joined us the day following the “party” and nothing much happened to keep the machines out of a so-called protection patrol, when the Sopwith failed condition—a day or two of comparative rest—and Lt. us, and the customary “verve and vivacity”, Captain Biddle set out to seek trouble “higher up”. He found it Stovall’s mirror was in a new place; for confirmation and when the attack on the Rumbler below came, they see Lt. Gross, whose investigations brought forth dove from thirty-five hundred meters with the speed of details of the case. Corporal Hart had done it, and for which the “two-twenties” are famous. A hundred slugs a whole day forward not a word of his eloquent and of the best lead and the captain pulled off to let Lt. Este expressive French was heard! Then came visitors from various parts of the States, not to exclude Arkansasclose in, but alas! A suspended map case flew out of the cockpit stunning and blinding him so that his plane the blues J.T. McAteer, “Rouge” Stiles and another became unsteady, and he straightened out beneath the inseparable pair, Gerry Stivers and Murray Guthrie— and the Barnhouse was there. bi-plane to collect and calm himself! The captain’s jam was fixed, but Dick’s misfortune left him in the Then to close the month, a protection patrol hopped path which “business like” bullets should have taken, over Thiacourt way, but were rocked about by the but the lower four saw black smoke curling up from the angular fuselage and the attacking pilots asked for “cream-puffy” air. No one cared, and so again, with the completion of the protection, the captain caught confirmation. Still higher up, above Lt. Jones, Este, two Rumblers cavorting near Vignoulle as Lt. and Riley, circled two Spads whose later fate was Freeman and Elliott watched the leader fire a few odd a matter of speculation. Lt. Kull was there keeping By then our pilots had put in a few good hops, and our wrist, which were really very supple, had a bit of calisthenics in the manual of spark plugs! And even at that, it didn’t matter much, for it brought our first stories of how things looked “over–there–in–the–land– of–Gott” and brown beer. On this twentieth of July someone really saw a bi-plane, and the guns had to be cleaned in consequence; it wasn’t much, but at least, a bit interesting. Lt. Drew was out on a still hunt for trouble, but came home disappointed.

cont. on page 9

Spring 2017

rounds, which troubled the two Huns, and they dove towards the northeast. August broke upon us without a suspicion of those newer deeds and exploits of the Thirteenth shock troops, but we do repeat “they dropt pills, and we hate them for it! Words appropriate would be, of necessity, deleted by the censor’s pen. The very first day began quite early, in fact, we were all ready for a good story when Lt. Armstrong ran to the captain after landing, but neither were sure that the two Huns which had disappeared in the melee were booked for a resting place up Mardigny way. Four Folkers flying together “dropped” to two, and we don’t really know, even yet, whether the ammunition fired was excellently expanded. Later that day four machines zoomed (at least one did) up from the field and set out for Preny in search of Breguets on the “way out”. Lts. Seerley, Stovall, Freeman and Captain Biddle came back with a good story. They were albatross single seaters this time, and all but “Jack” Seerley figured in the action, sticking above where we heard someone say there always ought to be protection. The captain’s machine proved it was a “fair party” for we checked up on the holes; one in the struts, one in the wing, and two in the fuselage; that made four! And no one knows yet were the two machines that “hopped” the captain came from. Just another military secret! And the party went on through a mile and a half of ether! Five other planes formed a successful protection patrol in the forenoon, so unless we mention Lt. Drew’s little separate party with a Rumbler late that afternoon one may easily tell we put in an average day. That day we “got started”.

Capt. Charles J. Biddle, CO of the 13th Aero Squadron and the Squadron's first Ace. Finished the war with 8 victories.

heart together with two fence posts. But he “got down” and Fred Kauth fondles the little red wagon a bit gently, amen now! There was a good show on our August birthday but despite ammunition expended and much maneuvering, nothing was signaled by the observation posts. The captain and Lts. Stovall and Drew bumped down ever so hopefully, but their enthusiasm and firm conviction of success availed them nothing. And Corporal Isball said one day—“I’m going to take off some day and see what it is like over there. Another “dead day” and there dawned the fifteenth, a good day it proved, too, and Flight One gave the show, quite early in the day. “Rouge” Stiles stepped in on the little fracas—in fact, everyone took a hand –Lt. Drew and Lt. Freeman were literally “up to their necks” warping their flexible Spads and pulled out of all intact for which if one really followed, matters. Lt. Drew drew down a decoration for this and we think he deserved it; we counted nineteen holes, and little “Charlie” came over Flirey with not the least bit of water in his radiator, and a nasty scratch across his helmet that he didn’t notice at first. German metal did it, nor did we begrudge Flight A, a bit of their ammunition—it had been a good day and we began to think of insignia for the busses. And on the very next day, the captain had his victory over the Rumpler which reads like a “story book”. He

Still we got up early for fear we would miss a show or two and then, there was reveille. Captain Biddle picked up a hole or two from ground fire, but for nearly a week there was nothing exciting. Lt. Stivers had bigger holes in his cart six days later, but we expected that when we saw where he had “laid down his crash landing”, it literally was an excellent example of the marksmanship of German seventy-fives. Alerts were also much in vogue, but produced nothing as seemed usually to be the case. The tenth brought more thrills, but nothing definite came of it. Lt. Riley was detached from the high patrol, and bumped into three loose, lazy Albatrosses near Bucourt and had it out, with a deal of satisfaction; worse luck! —Then he seemed to have seen the Hun fall, and Lt. Riley’s landing in the near darkness at Gironvillers broke his 9

cont. on page 10

Spring 2017

was up on a “hunch” to stave off a Hun photo plane in his morning mission, and had his altitude before the sun seemed bright enough for even visual reconnaissance, but as if by appointment, the Hun came “jockeying” across in just the way he’d hoped. A dive of six hundred meters, three burst in separate attacks, and the observer didn’t care whether the sun was bright enough for pictures or not! Then on down in most business like circles with the much needed memory bursts to keep the Rumpler unquestionably on this side of the lines. The young man landed, and circling above him as a reminder that his destructive Capt. Charles J. Biddle in his SPAD XIIca 1, this aircraft was equipped with a 37mm canon that fired bomb ought not to be used in through the propeller shaft. This aircraft was originally to be used by Lt. Frank Luke the noted Balloon this particular instance, the victor Buster of the 27th Aero Squadron, but after Luke's death, it was given to Capt. Biddle. landed beside the much-shot-up, came back no one had seen the Boche crash, in fact, but otherwise intact machine, to find the observer dying and the pilot slightly wounded. A “Sprechen Sie the report was when Lt. Guthrie turned back from over Deutsche”, to which the captain replied “Nix”, and the the lines at 100 meters the fine Fokker had straightened out for home. Curse the luck. two shook hands. We sure were proud of our captive ship and all Toul saw it, practically intact in the muddy Lt. Billard came in that day and Lt. Inglis left, bound square. A splendid holiday. for the “Etats-Unis” –how some of the young men envied him. And the next day the Chicago, debonair Then, a week or more of quiet-the machines had lots of patches of course, sometimes Lt. Brody broke a tail and smiling Frank Hays came to us—nor do we wonder why the pilots welcomed him as “perfect skid. Otherwise quiet unless someone whispers that sometimes the “Dr” and pilots played at “noisy poker”, peach” (Dick Este says that) –and he sure did some through with the stuff. Lt. Bartrom came on the however different that is! thirteenth, and a second “Steve” Brodie thundered in as the month was ending, with his reinforced cot and Lts. Baker and Jones had gone , and with Lt. Fisher’s his enlarged “smile”. leaving, ours was a new set of flight commanders. Lts. Freeman, Armstrong and Este, took on charge of Perhaps the most amusing combat of all we have to Flights A., B., and C. in that order. tell about was that of August thirtieth, which was staged well in our lines, and we challenge anyone to August twenty-eighth was “balloon day” for the equal the story. As Lt. Stoval tells it—“It started at damnable Huns, but the last young man who came 5500 meters and the captain fired some two hundred across had a surprise awaiting him in the nature rounds at the Rumpler from 150 to 40 yards disabling of Spads with a heavily belted Vickers or two. Lt. Armstrong fired some two hundred slugs at the fleeting the observers guns when his own failed and Lt. Stovall and Este swung into the show, the former’s guns “Red Bird” and believing “Konfident Karl” to be on jamming hopelessly—and the later’s motor gave out fire he pulled off before he really needed to, but Lts. completely forcing him to land. The elimination of McAteer and Kull sent a few more “hot messages” two from the attack left Captain Biddle alone, and after him, and Murray Guthrie fearlessly tore across the circus began—a twist, and the Rumpler began the lines on the Hun’s tail so low, he still swears he saw gray and strangely Hun-like figures in “boys aux” more rapidly to descend—another, and the “pretzetunder him. But someone spoiled it all. When Lt. Gross guzzling” pair thought their time had come. And all 10

cont. on page 11

Spring 2017

A pilot and ground crew for 13th Aero Squadron SPAD XIII, No. 19 with fresh paint "Oscar" at Gengoult Field, Toul, France. Editor's Note: I have no information on SPAD No. 19, Lt.. David Howe flew No. 18, but no reference is made of who flew No. 19 in the History of the 13th Aero Squadron in WWI. I have also checked Leighton Brewer's and Stuart Elliott's books, but no reference to No. 19. It is possibly Lt. Arthur Billard who joined the 13th on 8/21/1918.

this time the Spad was bluffing. The Captain was as close as 20 yards, and not a shot could the “vixen Vickers vomit”—and down the machines wavered, each uncertain of other, but the captain always above. And if you can believe it the Rumpler was nearly bluffed into landing. Lt. Stovall who was madly trying to restart his motor on the ground beneath, said if he could have found a bigger stone he might have brought it down from where he stood. Then (the Hun mind works very slowly) the occupants the “lower dog” realized that it was all a game, and off they piked for Germany, followed by the exasperated Captain at 400 meters altitude—the pleasant and playful Boche waving a kindly farewell with an occasional direction to his pilot, and then to cap the climax when the captain turned back, friend Schweinhund twisted about, and whistled past a merry and fond “lebe wohl” of Essen lead. “Amusing and terribly exasperating” quoth Dick Este. Thus we missed one more. The same day Lt. Drew essayed an attack on a biplane, but gun jams spoiled the parade, and back be came, also exasperated. Thus badly the month ended. SEPTEMBER Lt. Este aroused our fond hopes when he rubbed his hand together and told us about the bi-plane show that he and “Bob” Converse had put on about the fourth—but no news came in on it, so we settled back to wait until the captain came down. And when he did his was the same story of misfortune, jams and disappointment. Three days later Lt. Freeman, Brewer and Brody, Drew and Elliott had a long range chase

that brought nothing but a change of plugs and work for the armorers. Major Spaatz dropped in for a practical visit and it wasn’t a week later he had a skeleton on his fuselage. He was happy to have it and we were sure glad he could. Then came the confirmation of the rumors that things would be more interesting in the future. Lts. Freeman and Este made a dash under the clouds to see what was happening across the lines and they found out. That same night the guns commenced roaring and when we tumbled out across the field in the darkness the next morning the sky “Up North” was ablaze with light. All through the day flying was almost impossible, but our Spads went out just the same, flying as low as 150 meters and 100 meters, forced to land many times on account of the mist and stinging rain. The thirteenth fell on Friday and some everyone was doggone glad when their particular pilot landed—we thought we’d been pretty lucky until Lt. Converse didn’t come in from that last patrol and Dick Este’s report aroused our suspicions. The patrol was forced to fly below the clouds at 2400 meters when seven Fokkers hopped out of the sun on the formation. Lt. Hays came to Dick’s assistance and one “streak” went tumbling to an excellent “resting place”, and Lt. Este’s motor picking up enabled him to knock down another, while Dave Howe and Jack Seerley fought it out with three others getting in on one they were sure of. Lt. Converse’s own luck can only be known when he comes in from out Karlsruhe way—we know he’ll find transportation. 11

cont. on page 14

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The squadron slipped out again the next morning—two confirmations resulted and the pilots registered six combats. Sixteen birds took off and it made a pretty sight from the ground. How we envied them, forming there over the hill and all we could do cuss and pray at the same breath. At eight they were Lt. George Kull, pilot of SPAD No. 11, KIA, Sept. over Thiacourt 14, 1918. Photo courtesy W. John Phillips III and drove some Fokkers off a Liberty formation (we mention these Liberties for the skeptical public). Ten minutes later and three Fokkers dove on the patrol and “Steve” Brody disappeared in their lead. Lts. Guthrie and Stiles ruined one for further military service, while Jerry Stivers jumped another and “got” him. Captain Biddle followed a third for a thousand meters without “decision” and then turned to help a lone Spad with two Fokkers at his tail, but the Hispano-Suiza gave out and his last glimpse of the Red Nosed Spad came as he landed and went up on his nose south of Fresoaty. The machine guns were busy from the ground. Thus the report of the captain closes, summarized that the flight went on from 3000 down to 100 meters except in some individual cases. The Fokker were red winged and tailed and another more distant formation had machines dark in color. Dick Richards had a party more or less of his own at practically the same time. The motor in old #10 wasn’t very good so “Heavy” found later and the old bird tacked on with another formation to receive a jump by some of the dark Fokker, and singling out a fleeting monoplane he pumped out a few odd rounds forcing the Hun down chasing the stork around the fuselage until eight bustling “Schwein” came along to take part. Lt. Brewer was separated, too, and came back to tell what he’d seen but hadn’t been able to do. The sky looked like the air above a New Jersey river flat, “bugs” and lots of ‘em. Dick Este, although not on the big show,

collaborated as to the profusion of “Black Orchids”, there were plenty of them. Roll call afterwards showed four missing—Lts. Drew, Freeman, Brody and Kull, and we have since learned the Hun metal reached one of them—Lt. Kull. Lt. Drew came back from Metz with his good right arm gone- and now we have a deal of news, Lts. Freeman, Brody and Converse are all back from Karlsruhe. Far be it from us to let the days be dull and uninteresting, so we “put on another” the following day with individual credits for Major Spaatz, Lts. Stovall, Brewer and Hays. Captain Biddle had to leave and Hank Stovall took the lead of the remaining machines of the seventeen that took off. Of the seven who left later, only Lt. Guthrie stayed long enough to get off a “wad of hate” in on the fourteen Boche near Vaux (or, to tell the truth, almost over Metz). The first that they saw were only nine in number and Lt. Hays added another to his list, dividing confirmation of a Fokker with Lt. Guthrie. Lt. Brewer tried his guns on another, but wasn’t certain as to the “long fall”. “Hank” sent some sparkling “Half dollars” at three others, one of which went down for the “summer”, and Major Spaatz with his skeleton turned out an unmistakable “Note” in hottest manifestation of his true feelings. Thus end the first part. But there were more dark brown and green Fokkers flying South of their aerodromes and Lt. Stovall spilled a little more lead while Major Spaatz held off two inquisitive “Heinies” up above—the result was uncertain. Frank Hays said they tried to decoy him under the Hun formation but he fooled them, giving the “brown bird” a party all his own, off at the side. Lt. Guthrie jumped in too and had a burst or two before his water system forced him to pull out. They got the Hun right so Corp. Black believed and Syd Gross proved it. Lt. Richards was at least able to explain the direction from which the last Fokkers came, for they jumped him alone and he pegged off between Thiacourt and Pont a Mousson with tracers singing over his head. These were the seven that undoubtedly “Laddie” Brewer knocked to six along with “Hank” and Major Spaatz near Corney. But it really wasn’t bad, and five men stepped in on credit for a splendidly inflicted sorrow for some Boche family fireside. And every day the lines were changing, and the gossip made the new pilots who had just come, very anxious. Lts. “Steve” Avery, Thomas P. Evans, Barmore, Harrington and “Cy” Presley and Burgin joined our circle. Just about 3 days “Shorty”

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(Auld) didn’t have much trouble in getting the room straightened up; there wasn’t any poker, nor were many sleeping very late! The next day the first flight lost another man in a bad mix up early in the morning. Sixteen “busses” took off and only Lt. Stiles failed to return. The Captain attacked a balloon and forced it down and the upper formation continued above towards Metz drawing an attack from nine Fokkers, seven concentrating on Lts. Stiles and Guthrie, while the other two hiked after Major Spaatz. Lt. Guthrie, in turn, “slipped the wave” to “Rouge” who seemed to see it, but Hun tracers forced Lt. Guthrie to go into a dive to avoid disaster leaving Lt. Stiles in his justifiable run for safety. So, they must have hit him, we think before he really understood. The day after, we welcomed his replacement, Lt. Bishop. Nor, as much as we need the rest, did it matter how guns thundered—we had to stay up anyway, “on our busses”. Then things quieted down a little, and hardly anything was signaled of interest, that is, our idea of a big was so much bigger than a really big day in the remote days of “straw hats and red ties”—that someone had to tell a “good one” when he landed or he didn’t get away with it. There were Liberties to protect, and odd jobs to do, but so quiet everything seemed after the first five days in what they called in “home town”, the St. Mihiel drive, some one said in the Armory, it was like “Sunday on the farm”. Then they hurried us over into the Argonne and we were just getting set when the word came to be ready the morning of the twenty-sixth, and we were! BELRAIN AND ON Lt. Stephen Avery takes up the story from here. Seven Spads came bumping along from the east. They stood out black and clear against the drooping gray roof except when a rilling billow of mist enfolded one of seven until it could escape and dart into view.

We didn’t have a great deal of time to bemoan the loss of our individual rooms and running water and electric lights. Things of greater interest than living conditions began to occupy us. At the table after super in the evening of September 25th, Captain Biddle told us to be ready for any sort Lt. William Howard "Hank"Stovall, was one of 5 Aces of action at day- that the 13th Aero Squadron produced with 6 victories. break. Things were to start moving between Meuse and the Argonne Forest. The evening was occupied was occupied with studying the new sector and thinking about the probability of action in the morning. Several of us sat up until pretty late and were not greatly surprised to hear the guns open up about eleven o’clock. There were a few isolated bursts of fire at first, swelling gradually into a sheet of flame and the rolling road of the guns had become one great blast. No one slept very much that night. We were up at 5, going to breakfast in the moonlight. A group patrol was ordered. By the we reach the operations tent a sickly sort of gray light had driven away the night and our Spads were waiting on the line. The roar of the warming motors charged the situation with a suppressed excitement, born of anticipation, which proceeds all patrol take offs. We got away with eleven Spads, flying in two formations. Lt Armstrong lead the high group consisting of Lts. Stovall, Guthrie, Harrington, Billard. In the lower flight were Captain Biddle, Lts. Brewer, Elliott, Burgin, Avery and Major Spaatz. We climbed steadily towards the lines and had about 4500 meters of altitude when we crossed in the region of Grandpre.

They buzzed around for a bit over what major Spaatz had described “not a very nice place” and what we had determined in advance as a hell-hole. The major didn’t complain much and when he said Belrain didn’t Down below in the river valley hung a low ground look nice, we thought it must be a pretty bad place. mist which was being rent by the dull red flashes 15

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of the guns. Puffs of murky smoke stained the whiteness of the mist and occasionally an immense smoke ring, swollen from the muzzle of some great gun rose slowly above that, from the viewpoint of the clear blue peace in which we flew, seem a veritable inferno. We swung along the sector once without sighting anything and then turned in north of Romagne. Captain Biddle led us in a sort of semi-circle and by so doing enabled us to cut off a formation of seven Fokkers which were heading west with about 4000 meters of altitude. We had them cold. Captain Biddle turned into the sun and then dove on their rear men. The rest of us followed on down while our high flight patrolled above us, ready to ward off Fokker reinforcement or come to our assistance if necessary.

Lt. Frank Hayes ended the war with 6 victories. On Sept. 13, 1918 he won his first three victories.

The Fokkers seemed to be completely surprised and broke up all over the sky after our first attack. The combat turned into a level of Spads diving upon a lower level of twisting, squirming Fokkers. Three of these were sent down with dispatch before the flight began to drag too far into “Germany”. Captain Biddle gave one of the them awful drumming and Lts. Brewer and Avery each had individual combats. Major Spaatz and Lt. Bergin pressed the attack upon the fleeing Huns. The major poured it into one of them at a friendly little ten meters range. Then two of the Fokkers “hopped” him until Captain Biddle drove them off. Lt. Bergin had less luck. His part of the story will have to wait his return from the “Karlsrube Club”. He was last seen going down with two Huns on his tail. WE thought he was killed but some way or other he must have made it to the ground. “Burgins the name”, as he was wont to declare, and we’ll be glad to see him back. Four confirmations were requested for this fight and

it was generally agreed in the talk-it-over that this number had been knocked down. The action was so far behind their lines, however, that we doubted that confirmation could be obtained. Sydney (Lt.) Gross made a journey in his Harley Davidson limousine the next day and mixed it with the doughboys until he had found someone who had seen the Fokkers crash. The 26th of September was a busy day for the 13th. At 11:30 A.M. it was suggested to the squadron that a little strafing expedition would help out, especially if bombs were carried and our boys hit off toward Etain. Lt. Seerley was leading the lower flight followed by Lts. Billard, Hays, Evans and Bishop. Lts. Stovall and Harrington were all that was left of a high flight that was intended to be five planes strong. One of the 22nd men hung on the skirts of the lower flight as they flew toward the lines. The formation arrived over the objective which was a road north of Etain with 2000 meters under them. They searched for moving trucks or troops on this road without success. No one had any idea of returning with any of those bombs aboard, so Lt. Seerley decided that the town of Etain might appreciate them. Down went the lower flight. At about 1000 meters Lt. Seerley dropped his “eggs” and streaked for friendly territory. Lt. Bishop pulled off to the south too but caught the devil from archies and machine guns on the way back. He was finally able to deposit his shot-to-pieces old wreck safely on the side of a mountain near St. Mihiel. But we got away from Etain. Lt. Billard had just dropped his bombs and pulled off to pray for a bad acting motor when the sky rained Fokkers. Three of them hopped upon his tail and the others dived upon Lts. Hays and Evans. Lt. Stovall dropped upon the Fokkes back, shot one down and drove two off from Lt. Billard’s tail. Bill’s concking motor was good enough to get him away from the remaining one. Lt. Harrington, attacking with Lt. Stovall, fired a burst but was in turn hopped from above by the Huns until he had to trip along in the general direction of Belrain with the stick forward and throttle back. Lt. Hays ran away from his pursuers but Lt. Evans was cut off. He was heading north accompanied by three Fokkers when last seen. He was also given up for dead until we heard later that he’d become a member of a certain select circle at Karlrube. We lost “Red” and cracked one Hun on this expedition. On the whole we were very lucky with 16

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the loss of only one man. The Huns should have done better. Lt. Stovall won the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallant work. On Sept. 27th Lt. McAteer nearly achieved the prime ambition of his career, to crown a balloon. The 13th was ordered to attack two of them which were in ascension at Fontaine. Lts. McAteer and Stivers were elected to the special honor and captain Biddle led a patrol to protect them. After a tour of the sector Captain Biddle maneuvered into position above the intended victims and gave the signal for Jerry and Mac to go to it. They did. Jerry dived upon one just east of the Meuse and Mac chose one to the west. Jerry opened fire at about 600 meters and carried on down until the balloon was hauled to the ground and a couple of dozen machine guns made the locality unpleasant and he departed. We can quote Lt. McAteer’s report for his part of combat. It throws much light upon the mystery of why he is heralded as the only living flatboat Ace. “Left Montfaucon,” he writes, “and flew under the clouds to the balloon which was slightly N.E. of Bantheville. I fired 50 to 70 rounds into the balloon and when I pulled away I was about 300 or 400 meters off the ground. The enemy fired many machine guns at me after I dived on the balloon and continued to fire at me until I was about 5 or 6 kilometers away. I flew home at an altitude of 250 meters and there was very little shooting done at me returning home. Balloon was pulled all the way to the ground and I’m quite sure it didn’t burn. On the canal below Brieulles there was a number of German flatboats and I fired about 50 rounds at them etc.” The following week was the darkest and yet most glorious in the squadron’s history. Two of its members and probably three were killed over the lines and a fourth was seriously injured in a crash. The last mentioned was Lt. Richards. He volunteered to fly a ship to Belrain from Souilly where it had panned. No one knows what happened. The circumstances were blotted from his memory on account of the serious injuries received in the fall. It was a nasty 50 meter dive which broke both legs and cut his face badly. Then it became a long dreary drag for Dick in a hospital south of Dijon. After the armistice we were delighted to have him join up again. Lt. Barton came with us on the same day Dick was hurt. In the afternoon of October 1st Lt. Este led a patrol over Bantheville to protect some day bombers. Only

five men reached the lines. Dick Este, Jerry Stivers, Murray Guthrie, Jack Harrington and Steve Brodie. Two had motor trouble. Near Andvance the patrol was surprised by 8 or 9 Fokkers and a very bad situation resulted. Two of Lt. Murray Kenneth Guthrie, became a Flight Leader the Huns jumped and end the war with 6 victories. on “Big Steve” Brodie and shot him down before he could dive away. Murray pulled around in a chandelle and shot one of the Fokkers down, but it was too late to save Steve. Our patrol was broken up and the boys made for home as best they could. Murray and Dick and Jack Harrington came in and stood around the hangar waiting for Jerry. But Jerry never came. We haven’t heard a word from him or of him since and 6 weeks have passed and the war has ended and no word has come. We cling to the uncertainty, especially as Jerry was seen to pull pretty well out of danger. To say that the squadron could ill afford the loss of these men is true enough but it speaks nothing of the personal sorrow for the loss of fellows whom we have lived and flown and fought. It drops a wall between men who through the day of cadethood and training had become as close as brothers. But still another blow awaited us. In the morning of October 4th Guyon Armstrong led out a patrol composed of Lts. Stovall, Guthrie, Seerley, Howe, and McAteer. The clouds were quite low and Murray and Mac became separated from the others before they made for the lines Murray, however , found the formation as it was about to attack a group of 6 Fokkers between Brieulles and Nantillois. Our fellow dived but no sooner had Guyon fired a burst when his plane seemed to explode in a black cloud of smoke and fell to the ground in pieces. He had evidently been hit by one of our own shells. This terrible misfortune rather stunned the others of the patrol and they did not press the attack. Murray Guthrie had not seen it and 17

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dived on down into the midst of the Huns and saved himself only by skillful maneuvering. He fired about 200 rounds and probably knocked one of the Fokkers down. He and Guyon shared the confirmation. To speak of the dull ache Lt. John J. Seerley Jr. ended the war with 5 victories. which Guyon’s loss left in the squadron’s heart it is necessary to understand his rare personality. Even the newest members of the 13th had become attached to him because of his unfailing cordiality, his fine humor. The older men knew of his ability and gallantry as a pilot and of the deeper things that drew together friendships of long standing. Guyon was a victim of terribly bad luck, of the “potential death”, that is present over the lines and which we sometimes forget. Syd Gross and Doc Worthington—the Doc loved the trenches and should have been a doughboy—made and expedition to try and locate Guyon’s body. They went as far north as they could beyond Nantillois but couldn’t find any trace. While they were searching about the Huns laid down a heavy barrage of gas shells. Both Syd and the Doc were quite seriously gassed and had to be taken to a hospital. WE were all in such a state of apathy that we expected misfortune. After the Huns had been thrown back, Guyon’s final resting place was found in a little wood and we erected a cross of propellers, carved as best we could to mark his grave. It is only the larger things of his life and his highest purpose which consoles us in this hour. With the 7th of October came the arrival of Lts. Smith, Hadden, Ewing, and McFadden. As these new men came in with new enthusiasm, the moral of the 13th soon returned to 100 percent and we carried on through an extended period of bad weather, flying low patrols and strafing jobs. We had a large quota of ships in shape at this time and drove them regularly. This was somewhat unfortunate, because we spent most of

the strength of our motors when the skies cleared and the aerial activity became more acute. Between the 8th of October when we attacked a patrol northeast of Dun and Ideut. Este shot down one Fokker and on the 18th when two of our patrols were simultaneously engaged there were no decisive combat. In this fight of the 18th Jack Seerley was leading a patrol and hopped three biplanes. Things were looking very nice when five Fokker dropped out of the sky and riddled Jack’s plane and put the others in a bad position. A dogfight ensued in which Lts. Este and Seerley thought they scored one. Frank Hays also asked for confirmation but nothing official was obtained. We were glad to get out of there without a loss. In the high patrol were Capt. Biddle and Lts. Stovall, Avery and Hadden. We saw a lone Fokker heading into our lines near Aincreville and dived on him. Captain Biddle, Hank Stovall and Steve Avery fired into this Hun but several others appeared above and entered into the fight. Hank was caught by two of them and escaped only by a dive to 50 meters and a trip home over the treetops. We discovered later that we had crashed the lone Fokker. He was a member of the Richtofen crowd. The Huns were concentrating more and more pursuit on our sector all the time, but we missed getting together. On October 23rd Lt. Stovall knocked a Fokker off the tail of some Day Bombers. Bad weather and bad motors kept us from much activity until November 4th, the day of our last and best fight. On this occasion Murray Guthrie lad a formation of seven, Lts. Hays and Harrington who were above, and Billard, Presley, Smith, Brewer, below. Over the Bois de Consevoye they jumped a formation of seven Fokkers. Murray dived and shot down a Hun and all the others picked one out and gave him both guns. Murray’s motor began to miss and he fell below the Huns. Two of them drove him from 3000 meters to 800 meter where he escaped into a cloud. Frank dived in turn on the two Fokkers and cooled one of them. In this affair six of seven Huns were crashed and did not lose a man. It was an ideal combat. In the last few days of October Captain Biddle was given command of the 4th Pursuit Group and we lost a most valuable asset. His ideas and principles, however, had been instilled into us to such an extent that we went ahead as though he were still with us as 18

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King Pin No. 1. Dick Este became commanding officer and handled the squadron very efficiently until he was ordered to America just after the Armistice.

Apache yell that Murray uncorked as a token of his approval? Throughout this record we have spoken of the flying personal of the squadron and of the work over the On October 31st a very curious and unfortunate lines. There is a large chapter of the history of the 13th incident happened. Billy Cousins had joined us about which should be devoted to the careful and efficient ten days before, and was catching on very rapidly. work of Lts. Barnthouse and Bennet, the doctors This day Billy volunteered to bring a new ship from of our guns and our boon companions. As for Lt. Colomby. He started out in the afternoon and we never McFadden—dear old Mac—we feel that he kept us heard of our Billy until the war ended and he sent word going, watching over our planes so carefully that our from Karlsrube. The dear lad probably got his rivers confidence in old man Spad was greater than ever. mixed and went to Metz. Neither can a squadron historian pass over the steady, In the last days of the war, when our boys were capable and careful work of our mechanics and the pushing into Sedan, a heavy low mist absolutely other enlisted men. They gloried us in our victories and prevented aerial activity. Had it been otherwise it sorrowed with us in our losses. No finer loyalty and would have been a period of terrible fighting for us. personal regard could ever exist between officers and Perhaps it is just as well that there was mist. The men than that which is so vitally evident in the 13th doughboys didn’t seem to need us. Aero Squadron. The feeling came to the surface not only upon occasions such as the Thanksgiving dinner, The two or three preceding days of the Armistice but it was with us all the time. was a time of rumor run wild. Everyone had heard STEPHEN M. AVERY, 1st Lt. A.S. U.S.A. something unusual and all knew that things were really over. It was thus that we came to 11:00 A.M. November 11, 1918. Will any never forget that wild

This is the 13th Aero Squadron at the end of WWI in 1918. Starting with the back row: *Unknown pilot with walking stick, Lt .Hank Stovall, Lt. John Seerley, Lt. Murray Guthrie, Lt. Dickinson Este CO of the 13th Aero Squadron, Lt. Leighton Brewer, Lt. Steve Avery, Lt Art Billard, Dr William Worthington (Medical Officer), Lt. Sidney Gross. Middle row: Lt. Mayo Hadden, Lt. James McFadden, Lt. Frank Hays, Lt. Patrick Logan, Lt. Dave Howe, Lt Curtis Presley. Front row: Lt Norman J. Bond, *Unknown pilot, Lt Charles Luethi, Harold Bartron, Lt. Thomas Ewing, Lt. Merwin Barnthouse, Lt. H.H. Bennett. *Editor's Note: Possible unknown pilot: Lt. William P. Smith, Lt. Clyde Barton, Lt. Milborn Bishop, LT. John Harrington, Lt. Austin Barmore, Lt James McAteer, all these men were listed as 13th Aero Squadron pilots and discharged December 1, 1918.

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13th BOMB SQUADRON REUNION 2017 TOUR DESCRIPTIONS WHITEMAN AFB, 13th BOMB SQUADRON TOURS Tuesday, June 13 Spend the morning and afternoon touring the 13th Bomb Squadron aircraft and mission briefings at Whiteman AFB. The day’s events include a flight line tour of a B-2 static display aircraft, the B-2 Simulator and the B-2 Weapons Load Trainer. Enjoy a buffet luncheon at the Mission’s End Club. Return to the Mission’s End Club that evening for “Red Shirt” night! Transportation to and from the hotel for each of these events is included in your reunion registration. 9:00am board bus, 3:30pm back at hotel 5:45pm board bus for “Red Shirt” night. Return to hotel at 9:30pm $75/Person includes, meals and transportation to each event.

WHITEMAN AFB MISSILE SILO TOUR Wednesday AM, June 14 Morning tour of a deactivated Minuteman Missile Silo -- a symbol of the “Cold War” 9:00am board bus, 12:00am back at hotel Cost included in registration package

ARCADIAN MOON WINE TASTING AND LUNCH Wednesday PM, June 14 As an optional outing, we will visit the Arcadian Moon Winery. Situated among four lakes on 75 acres, this rustic paradise offers picturesque views of the Missouri countryside. Soak up the scenery as you sample locally processed wines or beer and enjoy a deli style buffet lunch. 12:30pm board bus, 3:00pm back at hotel $25/Person Security information requirements: Explicit and precise information is required for attendee access onto Whiteman AFB. For this reason, each attendee must provide the following personal information: (1) Place and Date of Birth, (2) U.S. Citizen (yes) or (no), (3) Social Security Number, (4) State issued and Driver’s License #, (5) Name (must be provided exactly as it appears on your driver’s license). Example: James R. Parks Don’t forget the initial, not even the period. Don’t add an initial if none is shown on your license. Again, this must be exact, so check to be sure all info is correct and submit it along with your registration. This info is due to Whiteman at least 30 days prior to our visit. 20

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13th Bomb Squadron • 100th Anniversary Reunion JUNE 12-15, 2017 COMFORT INN – WARRENSBURG, MO 2:00pm - 5:00pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Monday June 12 Hospitality Room Open Reunion Registration open Board Meeting General Membership Meeting Evening meal on your own

Tuesday, June 13 Hospitality Room Open 7:30am - 8:30am Reunion Registration open 8:30am - 9:00am Depart Comfort Inn 9:00am - 11:30am Whiteman AFB Tours (B-2 Aircraft, B-2 Simulator, & B-2 WLT) 11:30am - 12:30pm Buffet Lunch at Mission’s End Club 12:30pm - 3:30pm Continue Whiteman AFB B-2 Base Tours 3:30pm - 4:00pm Return to Comfort Inn 3:45pm - 5:30pm Reunion Registration open 5:45pm - 9:30pm Bus departs hotel for “RED SHIRT NIGHT” at Mission’s End Club Wednesday, June 14 Hospitality Room Open 8:30am - 9:00am Depart Comfort Inn 9:00am - 11:30am Whiteman AFB Missile Silo Tour 11:30am - 12:00pm Return to Comfort Inn 12:30pm - 1:00pm Depart Comfort Inn for travel to Arcadian Vineyards 1:00pm - 2:30pm Lunch and Wine Tasting 2:30pm - 3:00pm Return to Comfort Inn 5:30pm - 6:00pm Travel to Whiteman AFB for Banquet Celebration 9:30pm - 10:00pm Return to Comfort Inn Thursday June 15 Hospitality Room Open 8;30am - 11:30am Golf Tournament Location TBD (Travel on your own) 11:30am - 1:00pm Farewell Barbeque at Golf Course CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY A full refund (less any required deposits previously guaranteed to activity) will be made for all cancellation requests received prior to the established cut-off date. Refunds for cancellations after cut-off date will be made to the fullest extent possible, pending settlement of vendor contracts and guarantees; therefore, refund payments will be processed 4-6 weeks after reunion. Please call Bob Parks at (210) 496-0497 to cancel reunion activities. Please note cancellation of reunion activities does not cancel your hotel reservation, nor does cancellation of hotel cancel your reunion activities. 21

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13th Bomb Squadron Activity Registration Form JUNE 12-15, 2017 Listed below are all of the registration, tour and meal costs for the 100th Anniversary Reunion of the 13th Bomb Squadron to be held at Whiteman AFB, MO. Please enter how many people will be participating in each event in the columns provided and total the amount. Send that amount payable to the 13th Bomb Squadron Association in the form of check or money order along with the registration form to the address below. All registration forms and payments must be received not later than May 1, 2017. After that date, reservations will only be accepted on a space available basis.

13th Bomb Squadron Association Attn: Bob Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St San Antonio, TX 78247

TOURS Tuesday -- Tour of B-2 Aircraft, B-2 Simulator, Weapons Load Trainer, Buffet Luncheon and “Red Shirt” night! Wednesday -- Missile Silo Tour in the morning - Arcadian Moon Wine Tasting and Deli Style Buffet Lunch -

Wednesday Banquet and transportation to and from hotel to Whiteman AFB.

Please select your Wednesday Banquet Entrée below: Black Pepper Crusted Beef Medallions Pork Loin w/Apple Cranberry Stuffing Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi Pumpkin Ravioli Thursday – Golf Tournament & Farewell Barbeque Lunch - Farewell Barbeque Lunch only Contribution to 13th Bomb Squadron Association Total amount due:

Price Per Person

# of people

Total

$75

$25 $75

$40 $15

PLEASE PRINT NAME AS YOU WANT IT TO APPEAR ON YOUR NAME TAG: st

FIRST _______________________ LAST _______________________ 1 REUNION YES___ NO ___ SPOUSE NAME (IF ATTENDING) ________________________________________________________ GUEST NAMES ______________________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________ CITY _______________________ STATE _______ ZIP ____________________________________ PH. NUMBER (_____) _____-_________ EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________________ DISABILITY/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS ___________________________________________________ MUST YOU BE LIFTED HYDAULICALLY ONTO THE BUS WHILE SEATED IN YOUR WHEELCHAIR IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN BUS TRIPS? _____YES _____ NO (PLEASE NOTE AVAILABITY CANNOT GAURANTEED) EMERGENCY CONTACT ___________________________________ PH. NUMBER (______) ______-_________ For refunds and/or cancelations please refer to the policy outlined at the bottom of the reunion program page.

Spring 2017

The Hot SEAT

Deaths Not Previously Reported As of November 2016

Rest In Peace

Paul S. Black October 23, 2016 Aircraft Electrician 1952-53 James N. Madsen December 10, 2016 Pilot 1954-56 Ronald W. Kostka November 19, 2016 Armament 1952-53 Linus F. Zimmerman August 2, 2016 Gunner 1952-53 Warren W. Crane Jr. February 26, 2017 Pneudraulic Shop NCOIC 1969-71

To report the passing of 13th Bomb Squadron members, please contact: James R. (Bob) Parks, 3219 Tavern Oaks St., San Antonio, TX, 78247 or email bob-parks@satx.rr.com

Editor's Comments HAPPY 100 REAPERS! Don Henderson, Editor A Century of service to our nation! WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Global War on Terror and God only knows what's next, but I'm pretty confidant that the 13th in one of it's many incarnations will be there taking the fight to our enemies like those first Reapers in WWI. The History of the 13th Aero Squadron in this issue by Lt. Richards and Lt. Avery. Lt. Earl Richards was the artist who designed the first Oscar for Capt. Biddle's SPAD when he brought down the German Rumbler in tact to be come the 13th's first Ace. The history seems to be written verse or in code, with words that are no longer in use today, it's almost as if it's written in another language and begs for translation or to be paraphrased to understand, but there is something strangely familiar to the story and if you take the time to read it and read in between the lines, a story emerges about a dedicated group a adventurous young Americans, many of wealth a privilege, who could have sat back in the States and watched as the Europe tore itself apart in this horrific war, but the didn't. Their sense of duty, their lust for adventure caused many like Charles Biddle to join the Lafayette Escadrille and fight for France against the German "Hun". Charles Biddle was an Ivy League educated lawyer from a prominent Philadelphia family. While flying for the French, he was wounded in the leg just before the United States entered the war and entered the Army Air Corps walking on a cane, but that didn't prevent him from becoming the 13th Aero Squadron's first Ace. This is the legacy of the 13th and what the young airman today have to live up to and the power of legacy they have to up to. Happy 100 Reapers! See you all at Whiteman! 23

13th Bomb Squadron Association Bob Parks 3219 Tavern Oaks St. San Antonio, TX 78247-3080 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

13th Aero Squadron at Camp Kelly, Texas 1917.

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