Jump to content

Sparks

Members
  • Posts

    206
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never

Everything posted by Sparks

  1. Oh I'll be there. I'm sorry I missed Langley last year. As far as the Fridge goes....You might be disappointed. My doc says I need to diet and exercise (whatever the h that means) :mad:
  2. Well, I sent my DD149 (application for correction of military records) off to Randolph today. I noticed my DD214 stated "Indochina or Korea Service" and listed the number of Days. I thought that it read "South East Asia Service". It makes a difference because Southeast Asia includes the countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,Vietnam, Burma; essentially the entire region. However, Indochina historically includes the countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The Geneva Accords of 1954 recognizes Indochina as being the countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Reference materials such as Wikipedia also list those countries referring to "Indochina". I have no idea whether it will make any difference at all, but I included this information with my request for "correction". We will see.........
  3. Chris. I couldn't agree with you more. The people I've "met" on this site are a special group, more like family than some family members. I hope to meet some of you in person at WPAFB in June. Farewell Dan. I will miss you.
  4. I read this post last night but was too numb to respond appropriately. I, like many others knew Dan only through his posts on this site. However, I feel as though I lost a friend and am saddened to learn of his passing. Condolences to the family. Dan......Soar with the Eagles my friend.
  5. I love salmon fishing in Alaska. I hate swimming upstream against the current with the VA. I just hope, like some others that I can get what I need before I spawn and die. Thanks J for the Randolph address. I cannot believe that the VA is even questioning your record Greywolf. Asinine is a very polite word in your case !
  6. Like you said, You knew you were there. But it sure is nice that you now have an official letter stating you had boots on the ground. You have given me another avenue to pursue. I have the VSM but cant prove "Boots on the ground". Think I'll write to those Randolph folks an see if I can get one of those golden letters........Thanks One of the great things about this site, is the comradeship among us Vets. Also, the great information shared by all.
  7. I was assigned to the 37th FMS in early 1971. At that time, there were 3 maintenance squadrons; 36th, 37th, 38th. At some point, the three squadrons were consolidated into the 316th FMS. I do (think) I remember there was an OMS squadron. I remember being taken off separate rats and being forced by the 1st Sgt to maintain a room in the barracks. I lived off base with a couple other guys and, except for making up the bed, never lived in the barracks. The guy that shared my barracks room had the place to himself. I distinctly recall the 1st Sgt didn't like me at all. Course, the feeling was mutual. We were always on standby and always had bags packed. I went on at least one "bag drag" ending up on the Azores. Made 2 ROTES to Moldy Hole and one to RAF Linham (Sp), participating in an exchange program with the British RAF maintenance guys. That was a great trip. We were treated like royalty by the Brits. Several had invited me to parties, home dinners, etc. We were kept busy, often working more than one shift on that blazing tarmac at Langley. Individuals (me much more than once) got tapped to drive dispatch for an additional 12 hours after our regular shift was over. There was one particular evening at about 1800 that I called job control on the radio to request a break for dinner. They refused. I wasn't being tasked for anything, just sitting in the damn bread truck getting madder by the minute, hungry as hell after being on duty for 11 hours already and not getting off till 0600. Made second request "Job control, Dispatch 1. Request dinner break". "Negative Dispatch 1". Immediately.. "Job Control, Dispatch 1. F..K YOU!" Well that got some immediate negative attention. But after a somewhat mild ass chewing by some Msgt in Job Control, I got my lunch break and suffered no further fallout. The people I worked with at the shop were fantastic. I wouldn't give a crap about the 1st Shirt or administration.
  8. Was that a drop check/finger sweep?
  9. Yeah, we always called them B C Glasses (B C = Birth Control) Heck, even the girlfriends and wives called em that. If ya wanted a date You either went blind (no glasses) or wore your civilian glasses. Pretty ugly!!!
  10. I remember one at Langley. The bird was making a routine landing when the anti-skid failed and brakes locked on the left main gear. Both tires blew taking the left wheel well with them. Of course this caused all kinds of excitement. Maintenence worked on that hanger queen for months putting it back together.
  11. Yep, BSing with a bunch of friends
  12. I broke my spleen laughing at this (yeah, it hurt). Thanks for making my day !!!
  13. It seems there may be starkly different opinions based on age, experiance or generaational differences. My age and experience make me think the drone medal (especially ranked higher than a combat medal) is an insult to those engaged in getting shot at.
  14. I was given 10% for tinnitis. I think they took into account my AF Specialty (Airctaft Electrician) my verbal claim that as a young invincable troop I didn't wear ear protection around those engines and GTC's, and they had audiology tests from that time period to compare with the testing the VA did. Additionally beleive they "threw me a bone" by not making a determination on the presumptive Dx of Diabetes because of insufficient evedence of boots on the ground at TSN. Got a total of 20% overall.
  15. Correction: S/Sgt David Thatcher was an Engineer/Gunner. All other information is correct.
  16. Well I got out of the house today and shook hands with some true American Heroes. I had the priveledge of attending the 71st Anniversary Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders at the Air Armorment Musieum at Eglin AFB, Fl. The 4 raiders still alive have decided to make this their last renuion. Three of the four were in attendance: Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, Co-Pilot Crew 1. Decorations include; Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 OLC, Air Medal with 1 OLC, Bronze Star Medal, Commendation Medal, and Chinese Army, Navy and Air Corp Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. Lt. Col. Edward J Saylor, Co-Pilot, Crew 15. Decorations include; Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Chinese Army, Navy and Air Corp Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. S/SGT David J Thatcher, Co-Pilot, Crew 7. Decorations include; Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 OLC, and the Chinese Army, Navy and Air Corp Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. Facts: Eighty men took part in the raid, five men each in 16 planes. One man died on a bail-out after the mission. Two men drowned as the result of a crash landing in the water off the China coast. Eight men were captured by the Japanese: Three men were executed by firing squad, one died of beri-beri and malunitrition while in prison, and four survived 40 months of prison, most of which was in solitary confinement. All Raiders received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission. Those imprisoned and tortured were also awarded the Purple Heart. Two Raders received the Silver Star for gallantry in the line of duty, 1st Lt. Thomas R. White, MD and Sgt David Thatcher. All Raiders received decorations from the Chinese Government. General Doolittle received the Medal of Honor from President Roosevelt. It was truely an honor and priveldege to have met these living legends. I am humbled by the experience.
  17. The Air Force already has the Acheivement Medal given for specific acts of "acheivement". Maybe, like the ACES (5 air to air kills = ACE) of old, the drone operator could get an Acheivement Medal for individual acts with 5 (or some number) of acheivement medals equaling a Commendation Medal (or Drone medal or whatever). Just sayin
  18. I'll claim total ignorance about E Flight, but what a history lesson ! Question for the electricians: Were you trained at Chanute? I was there during the winter months 1970-1971. (Don't hold it against me; I was a red rope).
  19. US Herk : Agree with your thoughtful post 100%. It was the ranking of this medal that blew my pressure valve. Keith
  20. Congrats Giz. Glad you outlasted the nameless paper pushers.
  21. I guess the powers that be DO occassionally listen to the outrage created by their dumb decisions. It seems Chuck Hagel has decided to scrap plans for the "Drone Medal". It just didn't pass the smell test and he had to back down after hearing all the displeasure expressed by all of us. (:
  22. Giz and Jerry,.......Check is in the mail. See you at W-P. Again, condolences to Capt Craft and family
  23. I had no idea. Guess I should get out of the house more
  24. While I didn't personally know Bob, we were at Langley at the same time. May have worked on his aircraft. RIP Bob.
×
×
  • Create New...