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Gary Speer LM on 63-7886


bobdaley
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Ok guys. It's me again. Just wanted to share something and ask one last thing. First of all, thanks to my not taking no for an answer and all the help on here from everyone, i have found many answers to a lot of questions we have had. You guys have been great to help me out and very giving of information. The last leg of my journey is to find anyone who might have known John back then. Even if they only knew him a short time. It doesn't matter. I would like to talk to them. I was looking for two of his best friends from back then. John enlisted 9-1-1955 so looking for friend from Basic Training named Bill Bailey. And recently I found out John served his Aircraft Mechanic Tech School at Sheppard AFB in Texas from 11-1955 to 5-1956. He had a very close friend that served with him there named Andy Franklin that I am looking for. Please everyone, this is very important to find out if he is still alive. He was the escort for John's body. Please send messages to anyone you think could help. I'm desperate right now. Please give my email of batsb4@aol.com to anyone who has info. I can't explain it all right now but it is very important that i find out if he is still alive. Thanks again to all of you. You have been my lifeline. God Bless you all..

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  • 5 weeks later...

I acquired a copy of the accident report last year as part of my search to find out more about my wife's father, 1Lt. Karl Klein, the NAV on that mission. Thanks to John Conner and Bob Daley for providing much information so that I could find people that knew Karl. We got some very nice photos and information on him. See my post towards the top of this tread.

Without spouting the report verbatim, it states the Primary Cause as "Undetermined", with the Probable Cause as operator error, with the pilot putting the aircraft into an attitude from which it could not recover. It lists Possible Contributing Cause as vertigo from night low level conditions and operator error from inadvertently actuating the elevator down trim and not realizing this in time to recover. There are a lot of things redacted in this area of the report, however there are also photos of the B-47 and C-130 control yokes and a photo of the trim tab with 5 degrees of down trim applied. I was also told that, as part of the investigation, a crew went up to recreate this scenario (at higher altitude). They could not recover to level flight within the stated altitude. If I have said too much let me know and we can delete this post.

Sandy, I will send you a copy of the accident report as soon as I get a chance to make one. Send me your mailing address - you have my email. I also have Pete Fisher's contact info if you still need it.

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  • 4 months later...

Just wanted to give you all an update. This past summer I took Brian on a geneology trip all over. I had found several people, that we were able to meet, that had known John, had pictures of John and could tell us stories about John. Even some people who served back then. It has been an amazing journey and wanted to say thank you to a lot of you on here for your help. Words can't describe how we felt when meeting these servicemen, a lost family member and seeing the military thru John's eyes. We have seen many pictures, heard many stories and realized why he loved what he did. There is never a replacement for a parent, but doing all this has made Brian feel like he knew his dad even though he was 3 when he died. We have made such lifelong friends during this and feel like each of you are family. God Bless each of you for what you have done for us, what you have done for our country and what your loved ones also sacrificed for us. If we can ever repay any of you, all you have to do is ask. We are there for you.

Brian & Sandy Brace

PS I would love for someone to give me Pete Fischers address, phone or email if you have it. :)

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...

It's been awhile fella's but I'm still looking for Pete Fischer and Bob about the reunions.  Still interested in trying to find some of they guys from then who knew John Brace. Especially Bill Bailey and Andy Franklin. Can anyone help me with this? Please?  I have been hitting a brick wall and really need to break it down. This is the last leg of our journey that I am trying to help my husband with. He needs this closure and I am determined to get it for him. Thanks again guys for all you have done.

 

Sandy Brace

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