A Tribute To
Miami
Edison's Veteran
A Tribute To
Miami
Edison's Veteran
Thanking All Edison Veterans this Veteran Day
"This page is dedicated for all of Edison's
Veterans"
This candle burns in memory of all veterans.
You are not forgotten.
Alumni Registration and Veteran
OR
Back to O.T.H.G.
1933,
1936,
1938,
1939,
1940,
1941,
1942, 1943,
1944,
1945,
1946, 1947
1948, 1949,
1950,
1951,
1952,
1953,
1954, 19551956
1957,
1958,
1959,
1960 1961,
1962,
1963,
1964,
1965,
1966,
1967,
1973,
FACULTY1967,
1973
Thanks to all of our
Veteran's, we are probably the only class web site that has this much recorded
information about our Veteran's. Please keep the emails coming and if you have
information on anyone you don't see listed, please send it along.
?
UNKNOWN
YEAR
Deceased
P.O.W.
?Robert
Taylor
Army Engineers
.1954/1957 -PFC. 1954 Basicat Camp Gordon, Ga. Combat Engineer Training at Ft.
Leonard Wood, Mo. 1955/57 Engineer Supply Specialist 656th Eng.
Battalion (TOPO) in Schwetzingen, Germany.
?Dat Kinsbury
US Navy Chief. 14
years. Electrician 1942. Served in Pacific Okinawa: Stinga, China.
?F.B. “Sunny” Silver -Fannie Buchanan
US Navy Reserves E-6. I joined the Navy Reserves in
August 1979 and retired as a Reservist in 1999. I was in the supply corp and
spent 2 years active as a recruiter for the Reserves. In served in several
different units. SIMA, NAVAIR, SUPPLY AND The CB’s. 20 great years.
Flytygigi@yahoo.com
?Lee
Marvin Hollowell
US Navy World War II. 72nd NCB (Seabees)
held a rating of BM1C. Our unit toured on duty was Hawaii, Eniwetok, Kwajallen,
Guan, Sasebo, Kyusbu, Japan. The original 72nd battalion had 1900 men
and the last work I had was less than 200 are living.
Leemvir44@bellsouth.net
?Charles
Ronald (Ron) LaBar
USAF 20 Years. Rank: Lt. Col. I served 20 years in
the USAF and retired in 1986 as a Lt. col. Duty n Vietnam, Panama, Florida
(twice) and was in charge of FSU’s ROTC program in Tallahassee in 1970. I ran
the Air Force Conference Center in Homestead, from 1978 to 1983. Other
Assignments were Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi and last at Nellis, AFB, NV,
where I retired in 186 and immediately went to work for the City of Las Vegas.
mplabar@cox.net
?Robert
L. Franks
U.S. Army, 1st Cavalry died June 7, 1989 at the
age of 68
?Morris
Frank Kenedy
U.S.M.C. died June 25, 1989 at the age of 68. He fought in several South
Pacific Campaigns, upon discharge he joined the Miami Police Dept., resigning to
rejoin the Marines to fight in the Korean Conflict.
?Dennis
Roger McClung
U.S.A.F. died 4-12-89 and his burial took place at Veterans National Cemetery in
CA. He was a Capt. in the USAF and served in Vietnam and was discharged in
1972.
James
Kingsbery
US Navy, Chief
Electrician. Served from January 3, 1942 to October 1945. I was stationed on
the USS Louisville CA28 Heavy Cruiser. Our ship was hit by comocausi plane and
many of us were injured. We took over a Japanese Fleet Destroyer for one month
and saw them replace the Japanese Flag with the American Flag. Served in the
Korean War at Darien Mancauria China and then joined the Reserves. I would like
to pay tribute to the VFW McAllister Post located on SW 27th Avenue and 16th
Street.
Dat Kingsbery
Years of Service: 14; 1942-54 Rank: Chief Electrician in 1942 – served in
Pacific Okinawa; Stinga, China
Raymond
Wilson Elder
Raymond
Nowicky
U.S.Navy Reserve Years of Service: 5, Rank: Lt. Jg., Entered Service as
Apprentice Seamor (21.00 per mo.) Disc. Lt. Jg.
Arthur W Olson
Army Second Lieutenant 1945
Comments: Information provided by Artur W. Olson's son, Eric Olson. My dad died
on June 9,1966, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Coral Gables, FL.
I have in my care, his original Edison Diploma (w/Original Cover),
and the original June 10, 1936 "Commencement Exercises" program.
Herbert R Savage Sr.
Army, Colonel
- drafted prior to WWII commissioned a Corps of
Engr. Officer, taught minewarfare at Ft Belvoir VA. Sent to Italy and taught
incoming troops, mine warfare and demolition techniques ending up returning to
USA when enroute to Japan. The atomic bomb ended the war and our ship landed in
USA. Returning to University of Illinois, Architectural School I met and
married Emily and we had a baby boy and being 30 years old I was supposedly free
from Korea. I was recalled and ended up in Japan enroute to Korea. Being an
architect, I was assigned to Japan before returning to the USA.
William "Dub" Weekley
ARMY - 1940 - 1944 - was the owner of Weekley Asphalt Company. Past away at the
age of 59. Married to Connie Weekley.
Robert H Cotter
770-921-7052
street: 5201 Cobblestone
City:
Lilburn
State:
GA
zipcode: 30047
FromMonth: Please Choose
ToMonth: Please Choose
Branch: Navy
Rank: 20 yrs
Comments: Wondering if there is anyone out there who graduated around 1937. My
dad had his 92nd birthday last month and is doing well.
tshafer@bellsouth.net
James
Carden
USAF Years of
Service: 4, Rank:Tech SGT England and North Africa – Flight Engineer for
Eisenhower’s Plane when it came through. While in North Africa received my
draft notice, so I told my commanding office I have been drafted and I need to
go home. I was sent back to the States for Officer Training School – in
Virginia – they found out I was from Miami and gave me the option to get out and
I took it.
Lee
Marvin Hollowell
US Navy Rank: BM1C - I was in the Navy during World War 2. 72nd
NCB (Seabees) held a rating of BM1C Our unit tour of
duty was Hawaii , Eniwetok, Kwajalien, Guam , Sasebo ,
Kyusbu , Japan The original 72nd battalion had 1900 men and the last
word I had was less than 200 are still living.
mailto:leemvir44@bellsouth.net
Harold
K Parson
US Navy Dive Bomber
Pilot and Flight Instructor WWII served 1943 - 1946. The best man at my
wedding, Al Mohr was killed in a crash while I was serving. I graduated from
Stetson University in 1948. While attending Stetson University I went through
hazing where I was asked where did I graduate and I said Miami Edison. The
person doing the hazing was a graduate of Miami High and he got me good. We
later became good friends. I have been married for 57 years to my wife Rabel M.
Parson. I still have my Navy Blues, with my Wings of Gold and Service Ribbons
and my uniform still fits me
Bill
Schlesinger
1st Lt., US 9th AF
WW2
Francis
X. Knuck
U.S.A.F. Years of Service: 4 Rank Captain Former Dade County Judge
Imogene
(Coosey) McKenney
US Navy (Waves)
RM2/C 1942 - 1945 WWII. I joined the US Navy in September of 1942 and was in
the FIRST class of WAVES to be trained as Radio Operators. After four (4)
months of training at the Navy Radio School (located on the University of
Wisconsin Campus), I was assigned to Radio Central, Naval Air Station,
Jacksonville, FL. Three (3) years later, after the surrender of Japan, I was
mustered out in September of 1945.
Clyde
E. Roach
Army Air Corps Pilot World War Two Distinguished Flying, Air medal w/cluster
Lawrence
Weekley
U.S. Army and Airforce Rank: S/SGT Years
served: 3 & ¼ 29th Air Engineer Squadron 388th Air Service
Group Served in: Asiatic – Pacific Theatre Stationed at: Chanute Field, Duncan
Field, Wheeler Field and Laughlin Field.
Robert
Dowd
1921/2003 USAF Years of Service: 30 Rank: Lt. Colonel, Born in Miami, FL, Oct.
5, 1921. After graduation attended University of Florida. 8 weeks after Pearl
Harbor, eloped with my Edison High sweetheart while both of us were in college.
Volunteered for AAF Pilot training in July 1942. Was called to active duty Feb
3 1943. Received Pilot’s wings on Nov. 3 1943 and assigned to B-26 Martin
Marauders. Arrived in ETO July 1944. Flew 50 bombing missions by war’s end.
Continued career, served in Korea, Viet Nam. Headed research flights in special
equipped B-29 “Flying Laboratory” for A.F. Cambridge Research Laboratories and
was later a Project Officer for major project – last Nuclear Test Series in
1962. Graduated from FSU with meteorology degree in 1956 Auspices of USAF.
Headed weather organization at Cape Canaveral and A.F. Eastern Test Range.
Served as Special Assistant for meteorology at Houston Mission Control for all
launches of Manned Space Flight (Apollo Missions to the Moon.)
David
Watson
US Navy Years of Service: 22, Rank: CDR
Became Naval Aviation Cadet in October 1942. Completed Flight Training – got my
wings and commission as Ensign in September 1943. After various operational
training squadrons, I was assigned to VP-28 located in Philippines. Got there
the day Japan surrendered. Returned to San Diego in February 1944 with VP22.
Released from Active Duty – May 1945. Stayed Active in Reserve Squadrons.
Recalled Dec.1, 1952; released May 1954. Recalled October 1961; released August
1962.
Robert
W. Johnson U .S. Army
Pvt.
Phillip
Wexler
Army – Briefly my history was a one
year stint after 1942 graduation to the University o Florida at Gainesville; and
then a 3 year volunteering into the Army’s 35th Infantry Division
(Division Artillery). I landed on Utah Beach in Normandy about 10 or 15 days
after D-day and served under General George Patton all the way across France and
into Germany. We ended the war at the Elbe River some 40 miles from Berlin. I
was mustered out in 1945. Additional information: Getting into the 155 MM
heavy artillery probably saved my tail because we usually were back from the
front a couple of miles lobbing 100 pound shells into the German lines. I
estimate that I personally handled about 40,000 projectiles during those years.
I just hope we got a few of those Nazis, although their corpses as we moved
forward told the tale. After 1945 I returned to Gainesville, but soon
transferred to Syracuse University where I graduated with an EE Degree in 1949.
Went to work for the Long Island Lighting Company and got married. Children and
other jobs followed. I retired in 1990 and lived happily ever since, now n
Hamden Connecticut.
Bob
Butsler
US Navy, Lt. JG - Served 3 years as a Naval
Amphibious Commanding Officer of gun boat OCI.
Charles
Pharo
U.S. Navy Rank: R.M. 2/C Married 50 yrs in
2003 to Jan Pharo class of 1952. Air Traffic Control Specialist – Retired. 5
children, 3 grandchildren. Currently living in Stuart. While in the Navy –
Invasions of Casablanca and Sicily WWII. Naval Aircraft Program.
Mavis
Pape
Teacher Branch of Service: WAC Years of Service: 12 Rank:1st
Lieutenant Recruiting Officer in Oklahoma City, Cleveland and Houston. Yrs. Of
Service – 1942-1945.
Rexford
Pike
U.S. Navy Joined Navy July
'41Discharged November 1945.There is a WW11 Memorial about to be dedicated in
Washington and a website where Veterans of that war can register. I plan to use
my Beacon to see how many of the boys in my class have registered. After I
complete this task, I'll send you their names if you wish.
Mwrecksfordpike@cyberstarz.com
Robert
Butler
PHD US Navy Rank LT. JG served 3 years Cmdr Lst WWII
James
G. Worth
USAAF, USAF 22 years of service, Major. WWII veteran. Served as Aerial Gunnery
Student & Instructor, Lorado, TX. Aviation Cadet, Coe College, Cedar Rapids,
IA, Santa Anna, CA, Hemet, CA, Taft, CA, Pilot (multi-engine 8.04.44 Pecos, TX.
B-17 Kingman, AZ, B-29 Barksdale, AAB, LA. Tinian Mariannas, 3.15.46, Airline
Captain, Miami FL., Professional Engineer, FL, CA, Retired Major, USAFR 1982.
Raleigh
Masters
Rank: Petty 3rd
class Fire Control man: Mailman. December 1941-1947. Pacific Trouble with Tokyo
Rose (but liked her music), tanker and refueled many ships. Shot down 1
airplane. Only lost 1 man during the War. Atlantic – Normandy. Philippine Isle
when dropped bomb on Japan.
Bob
Butsler
Class
of 1941. Served 3 years U.S. Navy LT JG - Naval Amfibious. Commanding officer of
gun boat OCI.
Carlton S Lowe
US Marines - He was a Sgt. and served in the South Pacific somewhere. Born
1 March 1921 in Key West, Fl and moved to Miami in 1929 where he resided until
his death on 18 January 2010. Worked for the Miami Herald for 60 years. He
entered into the Marine Corps as a Sgt. in 1942 or 1943, served over in the
Pacific for the duration of World War II and returned home in December 1945. He
was not in combat.
C.E.Maro Hoffman
Lieutenant
Emily
Gile
USAF WASP
Raleigh
Masters
US Navy, Fire Control Man/Petty Officer 3rd Class; Mailman1941/1947. Served in
the Pacific and had trouble with Tokyo Rose, but liked her music. Served on a
tanker and fueled many ships. Shot down one airplane and only lost one man
during the war. I was in the Atlantic during Normandy and was in the Philippine
Islands when they dropped the bomb on Japan. A fire Control Man's duties include
Ammo, and Technical Issues. Shot down 1 airplane. Only lost 1 man during the
War. Atlantic – Normandy. Philippine Isle when dropped bomb on Japan.
Barry,
Jack Jr.
Passed
Away 4-6-2001 U.S.A.F. Jack began his military career enlisting in the US Navy
during WWII and he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1950. He entered the
Air Force, completed his flight training, and later flew the P-80 Shooting Star
in Korea and the OV-10 Bronco as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam, receiving
the Distinguished Flying Cross three times. All told, he piloted a dozen
different aircraft, training other pilots and retiring as an officer after 23
years of service. He served in military and civilian capacities at the
Aeronautical Systems Division, earning his MBA, and was currently working at the
Air Force Research Laboratory. He was an active member of the American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, as well as the Order of Deadalian,
serving as past flight captain of the local chapter. Jack Barry died April 6,
2001 and his family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his
memory to Flight 9, Order of the Deadalians Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 33041,
W-PAFB, OH, 45433.
Fred
Elijah Exum Jr.
Served
with the U.S. ARMY WWII Year 1942-1944 With the 242nd Port Battallion Corpral
Served in Sidney Australia and Lae New Guinea Injured in the served and spend 7
months in the ARMY infirmary (hospital) Discharged 1944.
Harry
Schwalb
US Army
PUT 1st Class Served in WWII in 1943 - 1945. Drew cartoons for all the PX's in
the Army.
Donald
H. McCullars
U.S.N.
March 20, 1942 - October 20, 1945. Rate--AOM 1/C. Enlisted immediately after
graduation. Served on both sides of the world and on two aircraft carriers.
USS RANGER and USS SHAMROCK BAY. Came back to Miami after the war ended.
Joseph
Downs
US Navy Years of Service: 2 Rank:
Lieutenant Killed in action – Pacific WWII
Dr.
Robert Butler
(PHD) U.S. Navy Years
of Service: 3 Rank: Lieutenant JG CMDR LST WWII
PFC.
Lorain Baird
Died in Action, Myitkyid Burma on Aug. 1st (unknown year). Baird was a graduate
of Miami Edison High School and played in the school band. After graduation in
1942, he was employed by Pan American Airways. He underwent infantry training
at Camp Swift, TX.
Curtis P Hester
Rank: USNaval Air Reserve 1951-1953 Active
email: curth28@frontier.com
Jack
L Morrison Sr
U.S. Coast Guard
jackmei@embarqmail.com
Norman
W. Smith
Marines Years of Service: 3 Rank:
Corporal Paris Island – Hilo Hi; Bugular – player taps; sang at shows; drove
jeep for everyone because he did not drink! Deceased
Robert
F. Abels
Navy –
Boot camp at Bainbridge, MD and then assigned to Motor Torpedo Boats. War ended
before we could deploy and I always wanted to fly so I passed the tests for
flight training, attended U of South Carolina for two years and then to
Pensacola where I got my wings flying F8F’s, fastest prop fighter in the world.
I made three combat trips to Korea and two to Vietnam. I flew on and off 18
different aircraft carriers. Retired after 25 years and became a high school
teacher for business, math and English for 18 year. Concurrently became an
Enrolled Agent and assisted people with personal taxes for 31 years.
abelsrf@flash.net
Hi Ralph, Don't know exactly what
you'd like, but you have my sympathy as I imagine there are
several thousand that were in the military and quite a few made the military a
career. Good luck.
Robert F. Abels was a June '44 graduate and joined the Navy. Boot camp at
Bainbridge, MD and
then assigned to Motor Torpedo Boats. War ended before we could deploy and I
always wanted
to fly so I passed the tests for flight training., attended U. of South Carolina
for two years and then
to Pensacola where I got my wings flying F8F's, fastest prop fighter in the
world. Made three combat
trips to Korea and two to Vietnam. Flew on and off 18 different aircraft
carriers. Retired after 25
years and became a high school teacher for business, math and English for 18
years. Concurrently
became an Enrolled Agent and assisted people with personal taxes for 31 years,
Use whatever you would like and if you hear from Bob Bebee or Ronald Cain, give
them my best.
Bebee sat behing me in Home Room class and we were both going to be Navy
Fighter Pilots. I
never saw or heard of him until at one of the reunions about fourteen years
ago. He joined the Army
Air Corps which, of course became the Air Corp. That turkey claims he made full
Colonel and flew
(if I remember right) over 300 missions. We used to stay on target for 2 to 3
hours as we carried a
lot of ordnance, whereas the jets had about ten to fifteen minutes. I did make
Commander and was
up for Captain but spouse's illness made retirement mandatory. Ronald Cain was
our class Presi-
dent and his slogan was "Cain is Able". Think I was as famous as he was. Both
of them were
"Good Eggs" but they were always making up big deals.
That's it. Good luck to you and all the people assisting in the reunion
Billy
Joe Ewing
30 Years Total Military Service, 21
Years Active Duty: WWII, 1944 - 1946, Pacific area, USS LST 854 Quartermaster
3C, USNR. 1948 - 1952 Navy Hurricane Weather Central, NAS Miami Aerograher's
Mate 2C, USNR. 1952 - 1967 USAF. 1952 - 1953 McDill AFB, Tampa Florida;
weather analyst, A1C. 1953 - 1954, Palm Beach AFB; West Palm Beach Florida;
Meteorologist A1C. 1954 - 1955, Chinhae, S. Korea and OSAN, S. Korea;
Meteorologists, SSGT. 1955 - 1956, Pinecastle AFB, Orlando, Florida;
meteorologists, SSGT. 1956 - 1958, Homestead AFB, Florida; Meteorologist,
TSGT. 1958 - 1961, McCoy AFB, Orlando, Florida; meteorologists, TSGT. 1961 -
1963, Anderson AFB, Guam Island; Meteorologists, TSGT. 1963 - 1967, Hunter AFB,
Savannah Georgia; meteorologists, TSGT. Please feel free to edit this down to
what you think is appropriate for your needs. I left out schools and special
assignments since this would probably make it more like a very boring laundry
list. I hope to meet you at the banquet. COMMENT BY RALPH: How could you
edit a career like this?
John
Tyson
U.S. Army Air Corp.Years of Service: 3 Rank:
Corporal I was born in Miami, FL. Elementary school was Morningside and then to
Edison. I entered the Air Corp. as an Aviation Cadet and was stationed in
Mississippi and Texas. I was employed at Pan Am Airways, a boat building Co.
and Eastern Airlines. I lived in North Miami, Hialeah and retired to Spring
Hill, FL.
Fred
(Skip) Noyes
US Navy – AECS (E8) – 25 years of service. Fred (Skip) Nyes
AECS USNR-TAR. We joined the Naval Reserve July 7 1956 after my sophomore
year. I went on active duty in October 1958 and was stationed at the Naval Ai
Station New York, initially working on FJ and later A4 aircraft. We qualified
as an ASW operator and flew as an air crewman in P2V’s during the Cuban Missile
Crises spending 3 months in Cuba earning the Naval Expeditionary Medal. In 1964
I was transferred to NAS Jacksonville and became a Loadmaster & Flight Engineer
on C118 Transport AC, spending 3 tours in Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Transferring back to NAS New York (involuntarily) in 1967 we again flew as a
Flight Engineer with 2 more tours in SE Asia earning the Viet Nam Service Medal
with 4 stars. After decommissioning of NAS NY in 1969 we transferred to ASW
Tactic at Warefare School, Los Alamitos CA where we taught South American Naval
Air crewman both ASW Tactics and maintenance of ASW equipment. Prior to
decommissioning of the ASW TAC School in 1971 we were commuting to San Diego CA
where we instructed Army and CIA pilots on P2V7 Aircraft systems. In 1972 we
transferred to Naval Airstaton Whidbey Island WA as the Maintenance Department
Chief of VS 83 flying s2E ASW Aircraft. After decommissioning (again) Vs83 we
transferred the majority of our aircraft to the Forest Service in California to
be used as “Borate Bombers”. In 1976 we transferred to NAS Alameda CA to Attack
Squadron 801 flying A7 Corsair Twos. We left my wife and 3 children in Oak
Harbor WA for 3 years and when I was selected for Master Chief E9 with transfer
orders to Andrews AFB in DC we felt enough time had been served and the East
Coast was not where we wanted to go. I retired July 7th 1979 with 25
years (2 years good time because of early enlistments) as a Senior Chief Petty
Officer E8 and returned to Whidbey Island WA. (yes I was still married to the
same woman). Ironically we had come full circle. In 1956 the fist Aircraft I
had worked on at MCAS Opaloca was an F4U Corsair and we retired from a squadron
flying A7E Corsair Two’s.
Charles
A Frensdorf
USAF – Master Sergeant – 26 years – married with five children and six grandsons from two months to twenty three years. Orchid hobbyist.
silvercartwheel@comcast.net
John
(Buster) Allen Zeigler
Navy - MOMM2C V-6 SV USNR - served 2 years and 8 months. Joined 1943 and
received Honorable Discharge. Mortar Machinist Mate Second Class - Diesel
Engineer - Foreign and/or Sea Service. Naval training school Richmond, VA.,
entered into active service Jacksonville, FL. Foreign Service: WWII.
Robert
“Bob” Craig
U.S. Army
Years of Service: 2 Rank: Lieutenant A.P.U. 929 “Army Postal Unit” Heavy
Weapons. Okinawa and Occupation of Japan in 1945.
Karl
Kaiser
Army Years of Service: October 3, 1946 - September 26, 1951 - Rank: SH3.Served
aboard the same destroyer, USS Lloyd Thomas DDE764.The destroyer had 3 twin 5"38
caliber gun mounts. Served a world cruise from March 21, 1947 to June 11, 1948
on the USS Lloyd Thomas DD764 after going to Hawaii, Sydney Australia, Hong Kong
and Tsingtow, China. The destroyer then was dry docked and two of the gun mounts
were taken off and a Hedgehog Mount was added and then became know as the USS
Lloyd Thomas DDE764.The Hedgehog could fire 36 rounds in any type of patterns
such as stars and squares Once a round hit, the other 35rounds would be set off.
The destroyer was named after Lloyd Thomas who was born March 10, 1912 at
Nelsonville Ohio. He entered the Navy May 6, 1938 and after completing an
aviation course in Pensacola Florida was commissioned into the US Navy on
December 13, 1941 and was shot down over the battle of Midway. I was in the
North Atlantic when the Korean War broke out. During a fueling exercise we lost
18 men over the side in 28 degree water. We were acting as a lifeguard during
the fueling exercise and picked up one sailor who was in the water for 9 minutes
and his body temperature was 45.He was the only one of the 18 men who were
saved. I acted as Lee helmsman during general quarters and during all exercises.
William
W. Weaver
US Navy Years of Service: 26+ Rank: SFC US Army ETO WWII – 2 yrs. NG & Reserve –
24 yrs
Frank
O. Pruitt
Korean War
Service With the 40th Division 1952 – 1953
Basic Training, OCS, Fort Meade, 1946 – 1947
November 1947, I was detailed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and assigned to the
Graves Registration Service. I was assigned the mission of escorting the bodies
of Army officers who were killed in the European theatre who were Lieutenants,
and their families had requested their bodies be returned at government expense
for burial near their homes. In June of 1948, I was dispatched to Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania to participate in the Army’s takeover of the U.S. railroad system,
which was ordered by President Harry Truman. In September of 1948, I completed
my service obligation and was separated, receiving an Honorable Discharge, and
went back to the University of Florida at Gainesville on the G.I. Bill, where I
enrolled as a Sophomore. On June 10, 1951, I graduated from the University of
Florida and three days later, was driving to Louisiana where I would report to
the 842nd Tank Battalion at Camp Polk, Louisiana. I arrived in Tokyo
for CBR Training at Gifu, Japan, February 1952. From there I was sent to Pusan
Korea and was assigned to the 40th Infantry Division. In March of
1952 I made my first patrol into Chinese territory where we took the 3rd
Platoon about 1,000 yards in front of the Hill to set up an ambush for Chinese
patrols that had been coming close to our positions. On April 7, 1952, I
received notice that I was being transferred from “E” Company 223rd
Infantry Regiment to the Tank Company of the 223rd Infantry Regiment.
James
W. (Shorty) Brackin
US Navy,
Senior Chef Yeoman: 1943-1946, 1950-1975 (28 years) James W. "Shorty" Brackin
was born in Webb, AL on December 2, 1925. At an early age he moved with his
family to Miami. Shorty attended Miami Edison and was in the Class of 1945;
however, he left school before graduation to join the US Navy in February of
1943. He was stationed aboard the USS Grundy (APA-111), a troop transport, and
was in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II and was in the
Pacific when the Japanese surrendered. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Shorty married Dorothy Palmer of Lincoln, Rhode Island in 1947 and they settled
in Miami. Three children were born to the family: James, Jr., Aug. 1948, Ernest
K., June 1950 and Kathi A., Nov. 1959. In November of 1950, Shorty, a member of
the Naval Reserve was recalled to active duty (Korean War), and was sent to the
Naval Training Center, Charleston, S.C. After his tour at Charleston (1952), he
had a chance to remain on active duty and serve at the Naval Reserve Training
Center back in Miami. He did this and his future assignments were as follows:
Naval Reserve Training Center Miami, FL 1952-1955; Naval Reserve Training
Center, Birmingham, AL 1955-1958; Naval Reserve Training Center, Miami, FL
1958-1960. At this point Shorty enlisted in the regular Navy and Navy life
picked up a much faster pace. He enlisted in November 1960 and his assignments
were as follows: Administration School in Bainbridge, MD at the Naval Training
Center, Nov. 1960 - April 1961. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, home ported Mayport,
FL. 1961 -1962. Squadron (Naval Air Station), Jacksonville, FL. Went aboard the
USS Constellation, (Home ported Mayport, FL) 1962 (Caribbean Cruise). Admiral's
Writer aboard USS Wasp, South Boston, MA 1962-1963. Sailed to Cuba during the
Cuban Missile Crisis. Helicopters from the Wasp made photos of the missiles on
the Russian ships as they took them out of Cuba. Naval Ordinance Test Unit
(Polaris Missile Program) Patrick AFB, FL 1963-1967. Admiral's Writer, HQ US
European Command, Stuttgard, Germany, 1967-1970. Squadron (RVAH-9) at US Naval
Air Station, Albany, GA (Operated aboard the USS Saratoga)...Mediterranean
Cruise, 1970-1971. USS Lexington, home ported US Naval Air Station, Pensacola,
FL. Administrator Ship's Office, Operated Training Pilots in the Gulf of Mexico
between Pensacola and Corpus Christi, TX. His family went with Shorty
wherever he was transferred; if it was sea duty, we moved to the home port.
Maybe it was not what you would call an easy life, but it surely was rewarding
and interesting and none of us would ever want to change it. Fortunately, our
three children are all college graduates. Jim, the oldest, lives in Fairfax, VA
and is a computer consultant in the Washington, D.C. area; Ernest (Butch) is a
Math Teacher at Alabama Southern Community College; Butch lives in Leroy, AL.;
and, Kathi, the youngest, lives here in Webb, AL and is an accountant with the
City of Dothan, Al. After 28 years of active duty, Shorty retired on June 1,
1975. He retired to the small farm where he was born. He farmed, raising
peanuts, corn and soybeans. We had a motor home and traveled a lot. Visiting
friends and relatives, and also going to Softball (Fast Pitch) Tournaments. Our
oldest son, Jim, was very active in this sport, as Shorty was in his younger
years. Shorty lived to see Jim inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame
in Oklahoma in 1966. We are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren: Eric,
age 29, who is married and lives in Marietta, GA (he is a paramedic); Jon, age
24, who is a draftsman and surveyor, lives in Jackson, AL (They are both Butch's
sons). Jon is engaged to be married next year; James, Jr., (Jim's son) who is a
Computer Programmer in Washington, D.C.; he is also 24; Kristi, age 19, and is
Kathi's daughter, and is a 2nd year college student at Wallace Community
College, Dothan, AL; and Whitney, also Kathi's daughter, age 7, and going in the
3rd grade. To complete our family we
have Butch's wife, Betty, who is a School Librarian/Media Specialist at Leroy
High School, Leroy, AL; Jim's wife, Mary, a Receptionist with a Doctor's Group
in Fairfax, VA. Kathi's husband, Venston Faulk, who is a homebuilder in Dothan,
AL area, and Tamara Brackin, our grandson Eric's wife, who is a nurse
anesthetist. Shorty's grandparents had moved here on this farm in 1917; our
daughters and son-in-law Kathi and Venston Faulk, and their two daughters live
here on the land, so five generations have already lived here and we hope that
many more generations will live here. Shorty died on June 24, 1997 where he was
born ... he came into this world and left this world at the same place... and
during his lifetime, traveled the world over.
Rudy
Morales
I was drafted right out of high
school in April 1945 in my senior year.I was sent to Ft. McClellan for 17 weeks
of combat training as a rifleman.On my 17th week of training the A bombs were
dropped in Japan which ended the war.I was a very lucky person. I was then sent
to Korea for one year in the occupation army.After my discharge from the army I
entered the University of Miami,graduating in 1950 with a B.ED.degree.I taught
in the public schools for 37 years,retiring in 1988.
mailto:rudog1026@aol.com
Robert
Frederick (Bob Abe)
US Navy, 25 years of service – Abels was born 18 November
1926 in West Palm Beach, FL and attended schools through the 5th
grade, then the family moved to Miami. Entered the 7th grade at
Miami Edison about 1939 and graduated in June 1944. Tried to join the V-5
Program or Naval Aviation but did not get called, so enlisted in the Navy in
late 1944. Attended “Boot Camp” at Bainbridge, MD and volunteered for Motor
Torpedo Boats (PT Boats). While on maneuvers off Miami, FL as a petty officer,
the war ended.
Puit in again for the V-5 Program, was accepted
and attended two years at the U. of South Carolina. In October of 1947,
appointed a flying midshipman at Pensacola and trained in SNJs and F8F
Bearcats. Rejoined the fleet as an ensign and participated in three combat
tours to Korea, the invasion at Inchon, the evacuation of the Marines at
Haiphong and airstrikes throughout Korea. Made two combat tours to Vietnam, one
of which I was on General Westmoreland’s Staff and briefed several generals on
the capabilities of the B-52 (odd duty for a Naval Officer, but I was the Deputy
of the Air Ops Div of the J-3). Last tour was the Director of the Officer
Candidate School and X.O. of the Schools Command in Pensacola, Fl. Served or
landed aboard 17 different aircraft carriers during my 20 years of flying.
Received an MBA at U. of West Florida in 1971, moved to San Diego and became a
high school English, math and business teacher for 16 years and, concurrently an
enrolled agent (tax preparer) for 31 years.
On 29 February 1952, met Shirley M. Larsen, a native of Elmhurst, IL, who was
residing in San Diego and owned a candy store with her mother called “Shirley
Mae’s Fine Candies”. We married on 31 May 1953, and now have three sons. A
great Navy wife, she handled nine major moves and so was given the choice of our
retirement home, which was San Diego, CA.
Raymond
J Wiese
US Navy 1945 - 1948 WW2 - when he got out of the Navy he played minor league
baseball for the Chicago Sun Sox Baseball Team and some farm teams in South
Florida. He passed away in 1990.
1946
WD
Cline
Coast Guard Army Years of Service: 31 Rank: Commander In during Korea,
Kuwait
Blair
Conner
USMC
Service 2 Years Rank PFC
Curtis P Hester
USNaval Air Reserve 1951-1953 Active
email: curth28@frontier.com
Ronald
Eefting
Years of Service: 1952-1955 Rank:
Captain ROTC – University of FL; Judge-Advocate – 1952-1955; Practicing Lawyer –
1955-1995.
Lawrence
Leggett
Navy, Rank: AOM 2nd Class, Served 1943 - 1946. NAS, Jacksonville, FL, NAS, Key
West, FL, CASU 22 Quonset Point, RI, CASU24 USS Randolph, CASU23 USS Lake
Champlain VF44, CASU67 USS Oriskany
George
Peters
USAF - I left Miami in Jan 1951, joining the Air Force for four years during the
Korean War. Had a very interesting tour with SAC serving with various heavy
bomber commands in Europe and Far East (98th HBW Japan). After the war returned
to the states to Spokane, Washington where I met the love of my life (now
married 48 years). Went to college in the mid-west on the GI Bill (supported by
my wife) and after graduating had a wonderful career working for an aerospace
company in Engineering for 32 years. We had two children (boy and girl) now
both married. I'm now retired (since 1991) enjoying life (spent some time
tutoring math, US Government and Science for perspective GED students) and some
literary tutoring for those who couldn't read). I enjoyed it but it took a lot
of patience. I don't get to Miami anymore but get down as far as Orlando to see
my kid sister. Helen, the older of my sisters lives in Baltimore (Class of
51?).
Henry
Pruitt
USMC 2Lt. Commissioned June 1951.
Called to active duty September 1951 to attend Special Officers Basic School
Class at Quantico, Va. March 1952 finished school and assigned to the Trainning
and Replacement Command Camp Pendelton, Ca. September 1952 shipped out to Korea
with a replacement draft on troop ship President Polk. October 1952 in Korea
assigned to Weapons Co. 3rd Bat. 1st Marine Regiment as
Platoon Leader 81mm Mortar Platoon. At this job I spent 40 days on OP#2 which
overlooked Panmunjon, our mission was to rescue our delegates to the cease-fire
talks should they fail, fat chance! March 1953 assigned to 4.2in. Mortar Co.1st
Marines as Gunnery Officer and was on line at that post when the cease-fire was
signed in June 1953. October 1953 assigned to return draft and was shipped back
to the U.S. via Ashcom City, Inchon and San Francisco. That was the end of my
active military service.
pruitthl@bellsouth.net
James
Richard Tucker
US Marines & Army
1947-1948, 1952-1954. Rank: First Lieutenant. Class of 1947.
jrtinc@bellsouth.net
Alfred
Underwood Sr.
US Army, Capt. 1953 - 1955. Served August 12, 53 - April 1954. Ft. Jackson, SC
June 54 - March 55. Korea Discharged active duty. March 1955 Toyko Army
Hospital (Annex. Patient)
Paul
Remillet
Army - ARH Years of Service: 2 Rank: CPL
Korea, 2 Bronze Stars; UN Ribbon
Charles
Hall
Air Force
Robert
Parker
US Navy
Allen
Milledge
Wayne
Kaiser
US Army Years of Service: 2 Rank: SP2
Robert
Axelrod
US Navy, E-8 - served 1948 – 1969
Paul
G. Andes
USN-USNR Captain (Ret) 24 years of
service
gatorgowdy@aol.com
James
Richard Tucker
Marines & Army, First Lieutanant –
Years of Service 1947 – 1948, 1952 – 1954
jrtinc@bellsouth.net
William Bolds
USAF M/Sgt - 22 years of service
bbolds@bellsouth.net
Earl H Jones
Navy 22
Comments: I live in North Carolina now. I am retired Military, Post office. Is
there any one from the class of 1949 that is still around.
Earl Jones
ringsofsaturn@cox.net
Jim
Young
John
Loren Tennant
U.S. Army after i received a degree in civil engineering at Ga. Tech, i was
drafted into the army in January 1955 and took basic training at camp Gordon,
Georgia. After basic i was assigned to the engineer school at ft Belvoir,
Virginia. in august 1955 I was attached to the air force and went to Beale air
force base in northern California where i made pfc in November. My best
assignment was temporary duty with the military aid and advisory group in
Pingtung, Taiwan in august 1956. the Chinese army was building some new runways
on an old Japanese air base. we were there six months teaching them modern
construction techniques. for an enlisted man maag duty is like heaven. Upon
returning to the states in august i went to Ft. Ord near Monterrey, California.
i made sp-3(corporal) in November 1956 and was released from active duty there
in January 1957. After the required six years in the inactive reserves, i was
discharged in April 1963 and my military career came to an end.
Gerald
Burkhart
Army Years of Service: 2 Rank: Specialist Army Audit Agency in Japan;
University of Miami MBA 54, CPA 53; Wometco Enterprises 1960-1992 Audited Supply
Depots as an enlisted man doing the work of Civilian GS92, because I was a CPA
when drafted. Peacetime Soldier.
Robert
F. Maning
USAF Al/C, Served 4 years 1951 - 1955 Joined the U.S. Air Force on March 5,
1951. Became an electronic technician and served two 3 month TDY's in Japan.
Most of my tour was at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia. Married Roberta
Jean Featherstone on 11/11/52 on the Bride and Groom TV show in New York City.
Honorable discharge on 2/19/55 as Al/C.
mailto:bobnbobbe9232@aol.com
Josehp Galiana
US Army SGM -E9 35 years of serivce
Earl
H Jones
Navy
Rank: 22
Comments: I live in
North Carolina now. I am retired Military, Post office. Is there any one
from the class of 1949 that is still around.
ringsofsaturn@cox.net
Walter
L. Elden P.E.
(Ret) Enlisted for 4 years in US Navy in May 1951, one year after the start of
the Korean War, which interrupted my college education at the University of
Miami, majoring in
Music Education to become a conductor. Received extensive training in Aviation
Electronics and Sonar. Served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, up through
Petty Officer Second Class, in Anti-Submarine
Development Squadron VX-1, at Boca Chica Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida.
Maintained all Loran, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), and Radar Altimiter
electronics for all aircraft, including blimps, B-17, TBF,
and P2V. Upon discharge, with GI Bill, obtained a Bachelor of Electrical
Engineering (With Honors) degree from the University of Florida in 3 years.
After 40 years employed as a Systems Engineer, designing equipment,
products and systems for the US Government and Military services, retired in
1997 from Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fl. My personal WEB page is: http://home.cfl.rr.com/welden/ and
my
E-Mail is: welden@cfl.rr.com
Vernon Hendrix M.D.
US Army Captain, US Army, Korean Military Advisory Group 1958 & 1959, medical
doctor to 1st Corp., South Korean Army. Retired from Ob-Gyn in Atlanta in 1992.
Author, six novels, the last being "Ivar, Takk Gud", Providence House
Publishers. Since 1992 has been a missionary on Norwegian freighters in the
North Sea and in the Arctic Ocean.
Ray Perez
U.S.A.F. Years of Service: 2 Rank: SGT Football and Baseball Official
Ben (Jamin) Strickland
US Army M/Sgt E-8. Entered the US Army October 1950, was wounded in 1951. I
remained in the Army until 1977. Served in Vietnam 1969 - 1970. After the Korean
War I requested to serve the rest of my service in the Hoepitah Senior Hospital
Food Service Steward position. I served most of my hospital career in Germany,
20 years in which I enjoyed very much. I met a very beautiful German Lady in
1952 and was married in 1955. After my retirement from the Army I moved back to
Miami in March 1977 and lived in the West Kendall area. My phone number is
305-387-8889. If we go to the reunion this year it will be Saturday evening for
a while.
Robert E. (Bob) Johnston
S/SGT U. S. ARMY - ARTILLERY 1952 - 1953
KOREA - PART 1
I was drafted one year and one month (March 11, 1952) after my wife & I were
married in Miami on Feb. 11, 1951. Left Miami by train on March 11, 1952 to go
to Ft. Jackson, SC to be "processed". After a few days of testing and physical's
at Ft. Jackson, I was assigned to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for Artillery Basic
Training. I arrived at Ft. Sill in April,
1952. My wife at this time was living with her parents in Albany, GA.
When I arrived at Ft. Sill for the 16 weeks of basic training; my wife said she
was going to come out to Lawton, OK (Ft. Sill's Town) to join me for whatever
time we could have together. She arrived in Lawton on Friday night, April, 12th,
two days before Easter. She checked into the only hotel in town. The next day,
Saturday, I got a message to report to the Battery Orderly Room. When I got
there a Capt., whose name I don't remember, told me that my wife had called to
tell him
that the night before, the hotel had caught fire and she would not be in the
hotel where I expected to meet her. She was placed in a "Rooming House" and I
was given the address and phone number where she was. The Capt. told me to get
out of there and go take care of my wife. He gave me a week-end pass and I was
off. When I got to the "Rooming House" where my wife was, I found out the
"Rooming House" was really the local house of "Ill Repute". My wife, at 19, was
so naive she told me that the other ladies living here have a lot of friends,
but they don't stay very long. Needless to say, we didn't stay another night.
We started looking for a place for her to stay and looked in the Sunday paper
for apartments to rent. We found an ad, from a very Christian lady who rented
rooms to the wives of soldiers and in our case she had a garage apartment that
we rented. My wife went to work at Montgomery Wards selling tires and batteries.
It was so hot (110 in the shade) and she would press her finger into the battery
sealers and leave finger marks. She did so well; they wanted
her to come back when I went overseas. Mary would work during the day and come
out to Ft. Sill in the evening, taking the last bus back to Lawton at night.
Every moment together was precious and even if we only had a few hours together,
they were wonderful. We were so happy to be together and didn't think about the
immediate future. She always jokes that she was a "camp follower".
Basic training was over on July, 19th and I had a 20 day leave so we "hitched" a
ride with a new Lt. from OCS from Ft. Sill to Meridian, Miss. Then from there to
Albany, GA by bus. My wife's parents were living in Albany, Ga. at the time. My
parents met us in Albany and after a short visit with my wife's parents, my Dad
&
Mom, Brother, my wife & I toured our relatives in Ohio, Pa, and my Dad's present
to us, a tour of New York City, finally getting back to Miami the beginning of
August. I flew out to Camp Stoneman, Pittsburg, Calif. on 10th of August, to
arrive on August, 11th, 1952. I flew on a "No Name Airlines" and on the same day
my wife left Miami by bus to go to her parent’s home in Albany, GA... While
flying from Miami to what was supposed to be Camp Stoneman, Calif., the plane's
right engine caught fire and we had to emergency land at an old WW-II airstrip
outside of Tampa. About the same time we were in Tampa waiting for another
plane, my wife was passing through Tampa.
Of course, neither of us knew it. I finally made it to Camp Stoneman. Because of
the unexpected engine fire on the first plane, I missed all my connecting
flights and I had letters to explain my being late to report from everyone I
could get to write one. I did report to Camp Stoneman, but was 2 days late. When
I showed the letters to the NCO who processed us in, he said "we
don't even report you late until after 5 days so don't worry about it".
END OF KOREA - PART 1
KOREA - PART 2
From Camp Stoneman, I shipped out to Japan on the "Gen.
W. H. Gordon" troop ship. On the trip to the Far East, I volunteered to take
care of dependents dogs that had been quarantined before shipping to Japan. That
was my whole duty and I had access to the mess hall, cooks and baker because
that was where the dog's food was stored.
I crossed the international date line (180th Meridian) on Sept. 3rd, 1952 and
arrived in Japan the middle of September.
When processing through Japan, I was selected to attend the Far East Command,
Chemical, Biological & Radiological (CBR) training at Camp Drake, Japan. This
course lasted two weeks and consisted of special training on CBR warfare. I
graduated the 4th of October, 1952 and was shipped to Korea,
arriving the 2nd week of October. After a very interesting train ride from
Pusan, with bullet holes in the boxcars, I arrived at my unit in the late
evening. I was told to go find a "bunk" in the 3rd gun crew's tent and I would
process the next morning. Needless to say, I was dead tired and was asleep in a
micro second. Sometime later in the night I was awakened by the Crew Chief
(S/Sgt Dean) and told we were being shelled and to go to the "bunker". I didn't
know where the bunker was, it was dark, I couldn't find my eye glasses which I
put in my shoes, and finally the Sgt. guided me to the bunker where the others
were huddled. One of the crew lit a cigarette and I asked for one also. That's
when I started smoking, Oct. 10, 1952. I quit Sept. 1, 1991. It was standard
procedure to take the field telephone into the bunker and after a few minutes,
the phone rang to announce a fire mission to shoot at those who were shooting at
us. Since I was new, I was told to stay in the bunker unless someone told me
different. Finally we (or rather) they knocked out the enemy's guns or at least
made them quit shooting at us and the rest of the night passed uneventfully.
What a welcome to the Korean War.
The next day, I was processed and became a member of Gun Crew #3. Since I was
the newest man, I was assigned to the Ammo Dump. These were 155 mm
Howitzers Powder Bag's came in separate cans. You had to "cut the strings" to
make the charge called for. That was my job. The powder bags had strings
connecting the various charges, 1 through 7. When the fire mission commands were
sent down from the fire direction center the gun crew would repeat the orders,
i.e. charge 5, and I would have to cut the strings for the bags
that were equivalent to charge 5.
Since winter was approaching and it was really getting cold, I kept noticing
that little bunker up on the hill overlooking the gun line where there was a
heating stove and shelter from the cold. I was told that was where the Battery
Exec, a Lt. Herbert Morse, and the Battery Assist. Exec, a Lt. Stan Willis,
stayed. It was the Battery Fire Direction Center and communications center to
pass fire mission commands down to the gun crews. Since that seemed like a
pretty warm place to work and was out of the weather, I asked how I could learn
about "fire direction" and the other things you needed to know to work there.
The Battery
commander finally got the word that I was interested and told me to go up and
watch them when I had time. I spent almost all of my free time "watching" and
finally filling in for the men who worked there when they were at "chow" or
away from the Battery. When one of the Sgt's rotated home in November, I was
asked if I wanted to move to the FD Center and I jumped at the chance. It was
really getting cold now and the first snow had fallen.
During that winter of 1952 - 1953 we stayed pretty much in the same place and
since the "war" had stabilized along the 38th parallel, it became an Artillery
battle. We would shoot at the CCF's (Chinese Communist Forces) and they would
shoot at us. Since it was part of my job to record the number of rounds each gun
fired and send a report to Battalion I noted that in one 24 hour period we fired
1,040 rounds and many days we fired between 400 & 600 rounds.
END OF PART 2
KOREA - PART 3
finally, in the spring of 1953 the Panmounjon peace talks started to "Come
Together" and things quieted down a little. In late June and the middle of July,
just before the cease fire, the CCF's mounted one last offensive to try to take
favorable ground. In front of us was the 555th (Triple Nickel) Battalion of 105
Howitzers and in front of them was a ROK (Republic Of Korea) infantry unit. This
was the night we fired the 1,040 rounds. The ROK Infantry were overrun and the
CCF's overran the 555th FAB in back of the ROK Infantry. The CCF were on the way
up the hill to our position. The Battery Commander gave the order to move the
"Tractors" that pulled the guns up to the firing line to be ready to CFMO (Cease
Fire, Move Out) if the order came down. Fortunately, that order never came. We
were using "Charge 1" in some cases which translated into a range of only 750
yards or just into the valley in front of us. For some reason, the CCF stopped
when they captured the ROK and 555th units. That was a night I will never
forget.
In July, almost all the action in our sector slowed down and the Peace Talks
were making headway. I kept talking to my friends at Battalion HQ and other
units in our area and it seemed they were quiet also. Finally the end of July,
1953 (July 27th, at 10:00 PM) the cease fire went into effect and the fighting
was over. Our Battalion moved back to Camp Indianhead and from there I rotated
home. Arriving in Seattle first and then in Miami on Sept. 15th, 1953. I had
been traveling for about 2 days and on the last leg of the flight to Miami, I
fell asleep and when we landed in Miami, with Mary, Mom & Dad, my brothers
waiting. Everyone else got off the plane and I was still asleep. The airline
attendant shook me awake and asked if I wasn't supposed to get off here in
Miami. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for my family, I ran down the
airplane stairs and returned to my loved ones.
I had leave from Sept. 15th to Oct. 26th when I was to report to Camp Rucker,
Alabama. Of course, Mary "The Camp Follower" joined me in Enterprise, Alabama,
the home of School Days peanut butter. We stayed in a motel, since by this time
Mary had bought a 1952 Plymouth and drove it to Alabama, with everything we
owned in the back seat. At this time I was a Staff Sgt. and could live off base
if I wanted to, and I REALLY WANTED TO. We started looking for an apartment to
rent. We went into a restaurant on the main street of Enterprise for breakfast
one Saturday morning. The restaurant was run by a lady called Miss Bessy. We
explained that we were looking for a place to rent and she told us she had a
garage apartment Mary could rent. We went out to look at it and took it on the
spot. Miss Bessy, it turned out, rented the apartment to Mary because Mary could
drive and Miss Bessy had bought a brand new Buick with half dollars she saved
from the restaurant but never learned to drive. So if Mary would drive her to
see her son, to the restaurant and shopping, she could rent her garage
apartment. We were together again and stayed there until I was discharged on
December 10th, 1953, one day after my 23 rd birthday.
After my discharge we went back to Miami and moved into another "Garage
Apartment" in South Miami. I went to work for The Miami Daily News as a
Circulation Territory Manager. My Dad had worked for The Miami Daily News for
several years and got me the job. All this time, I was aware that the G.I. Bill
had been passed and I was eligible to go to college. Mary and I thought it over
and decided to "try it".
END OF PART 3
KOREA - PART 4
After my discharge we went back to Miami and moved into another "Garage
Apartment" in South Miami. I went to work for The Miami Daily News as a
Circulation Territory Manager. My Dad had worked for The Miami Daily News for
several years and got me the job. All this time, I was aware that the G.I. Bill
had been passed and I was eligible to go to college. Mary and I thought it over
and decided to "try it".
The next July, 1954 I enrolled in the Pre-pharmacy course at The University of
Florida, in Gainesville. Again another move. We packed up all our "Stuff" and
moved into Flavet Village at the University of Florida. Since I was discharged
after only 21 months of duty, I only had 42 months of college time and had to
make it through a 4 year (48 months) course in 42 months. I went to the Dean of
the College Of Pharmacy, Dr. Perry Foote, and showed him 'my plan'. I would
'audit' several courses, where I could just take the final exam and if I passed,
I got credit for the course and not have to attend the classes. The dean said
"No-one has ever completed the Pharmacy Curriculum in 42 months". I told him I
had no choice and would have to 'do the best I could'. He gave me his permission
and wished me good luck. Mary started working in the circulation dept. of the
Library at the University and I went to school.
On June 14th, 1955 at 9:30 AM, Barbara was born in Alachua General Hospital in
Gainesville, Fla. After Barbara was born, we moved again into a two bedroom
apartment at Flavet III and after many long nights studying and going to class
during the day, I graduated from the College Of Pharmacy with a B.S. in Pharmacy
on August 10th, 1957.
We moved again, this time back to Miami, into a house we had bought on the G. I.
Bill. I worked in two different drug stores for the next 3 years. In July, 1960
our Squibb representative, Rupert Smith called on the store and told me he was
being promoted to a Clinical Research Associate and would I like to take his
sales job. I interviewed with Rease Inge for a Sales Representative job with E.
R. Squibb & Sons, Inc. I was hired and started work in the North Miami, South
Broward area on August 1, 1960. I continued as a Sales Representative (Detail
Man), Hospital Representative and Nuclear Medicine Specialist in the Miami area
for the next 12 years. Carol, our second daughter was born on January 22, 1958
and Patricia Ann, our third daughter was born on January 10, 1963.
In 1972 I was offered a promotion to Nuclear Medicine Product Co-coordinator in
our home office in Princeton, N.J... I accepted and we moved again from Miami to
Newtown, Pa., which was right across the Delaware River from Princeton. I worked
in Princeton at our home office until; you guessed it, August, 1976 when I
requested a job back in the field. A territory in Central Virginia was available
and I took it. We moved to Chester, VA in October, 1976. I worked as a Nuclear
Medicine Technical Associate (Specialist) from August, 1976 to August, 1991 when
I retired after 31 years. Our retirement benefits with Squibb are excellent and
the retirement income, healthcare combined with the Federal Governments Medicare
Protection protect us from the medical expenses or care needed in the older
retirement years.
In 1996 I was diagnosed as having Prostate Cancer and had to have major surgery
to remove the Prostate Gland. I entered Johnston Willis Hospital in June, 1996
and the surgery was performed by an Urologist, Anesthesiologist, and the other
personnel involved in major surgery. After two days in the hospital, I asked to
be allowed to return home where the family could take care of me much better
than the Hospital personnel. I came home and the recovery was uneventful.
Mary worked at The Medical College of Virginia from 1977 until 1993 when she
retired.
During the 1970's and 1980's, our three daughters went to college, Barbara got
two B.F.A. (Bachelor Of Fine Arts) degree's, one in Communication Arts & Design
and one in Art History, her M.A. in Art History, and is now finishing her
Ph.D. in Art History at the Florida State University.
Carol, our middle daughter, got her B.S. in Business Administration from
Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She recently got her teaching
certificate and is now teaching in a Jacksonville elementary school. Pat got her
B.S. in Pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia.
Carol & my son-in-law, Bill have two children, a daughter, Lauren who is now in
her second year at the University Of Florida College Of Engineering. A son
Michael who is just starting elementary school. They are living in Jacksonville,
Fla where Bill is Chief Financial Officer of Rail Link Corporation.
Pat and my son-in-law, Mark have a son, Taylor who is now 12. All are doing well
and enjoying the fruits of Mary's and My STINT IN KOREA. I am convinced that if
it were not for the G.I. Bill, which was a result of my Korea duty, we would not
be in the position we are in today, so you see:
"KOREA: THE FORGOTTEN WAR" WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ME OR MY FAMILY. I hope
you enjoyed our little trip down memory lane. I
enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Best regards, Bob Johnston former S/Sgt, 936 FAB, Korea 1952 to 1953 (The End of
the War)
Grant
Fonda
Robert
D Charles
Army Sgt 1st Class 7
Fred
J. Larsen
USNR
Rank:
LT 20
fredandpenny2001@yahoo.com
Robert
D Charles
Army
Sgt 1st class .1952-1959
Airind@bellsouth.net
Jim
Frank Davis
My military record: I dropped out of Edison in the 10th grade. Received my
Florida High School Equivalency Diploma while stationed at NAS Master Field,
Miami, as a Navy Corpsman in 1949. Went to live with my mother in Texarkana,
Texas in 1950. I was called to active duty July 28, 1950, assigned to the 1ts
Marine Division and made the wave landing (Blue Beach) at Inchon, Korea. I was
a collecting team corpsman, transporting wounded to aid stations. After we
secured Seoul, we boarded ship and landed at Wonsan and proceeded to the Chosin
Reservoir. As you may remember, 150,000 Chinese troops were engaged against our
16,000 Marines. The cold, - 20 to - 30 degree temperatures was our enemy but
more of an enemy to the Chinese as they were not clothed as well (however we did
have 7,000 cases of frostbite). In the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir there were
718 KIA's, 3,500 WIA's. This isn't counting the 2,500 Army KIA's on the East
side of the reservoir out of 3,200 Army infantry. I read that there was an
estimated 40,000 Chinese KIA's in this single campaign.
I don't know why I'm writing so much - it isn't what you wrote that you wanted.
I wasn't awarded any personal battle medals. However, I received two Purple
Hearts, Pres. Unit Citation (with two stars), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy FMF
Service Ribbon, Republic of Korea Pres. Unit Citation, UN Service Medal, and US
Korean Service Medal.
Hope that I have given you something to pick through. I am retired from the Navy
and have been for over 50 years. I have a B Ed, (U of M), M S (FSU) Best
regards, Jim Frank Davis Ralph: I am an Over the Hill member. My wife and I
have been to several reunions in the '80's and early '90's. However for the past
9 years we have served as volunteers for the US Forest Service from Memorial Day
to Labor Day. We are in the Lolo National Forest in western Montana in our 5th
wheel trailer, and we run a visitors center in an old ranger station. It has
been a great deal of fun and feels that we are giving back to our country the
many blessings we have received.
Sorry that we will miss the reunion this summer - when we fully retire someday.
(E-mail - jimngerri1@aol.com)
Leonard
Schwalb
USAF A/3 - 4 years’ active duty and 6 years active reserves. Held rating of 5.0
served with 435th TCW and 2585 AFRTC. Main position Finance Specialists - also
Military Police.
Harry
V. Mowry (Bud)
USAF Major: Enlisted USAF July '52. Received Pilot Wings and Commissioned 2nd
Lt. August '54. Four tours in Far East; Okinawa 30 months, Korea 13 months,
Philippines 24 months, Viet Nam 12 months. Stationed stateside in Texas,
Vermont, Ohio and Louisiana. While married in the service, we moved 25 times in
18 years. Pat and I did travel to Tokyo, Taipeh and Hong Kong. She and our
sons, Rick and Mike, joined me in Hawaii for a week’s R & R while stationed in
Viet Nam. Ferried a DC-3 from Hawaii to Philippines. Had numerous missions to
Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Tokyo, Taiwan and throughout the Far East. Was crew
member on 1st B-29 into Hiroshima 1955. Flew combat support missions most of my
career. Also "Flew a Desk" as Material) officer and Chief Special Services for
15 years while flying. Was a Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner in DC-3
(Gooney Bird) for last 10 years in USAF.
Al
Slobusky
U.S.
Army 1952, while at the University of Florida on a track scholarship. Served
three years in the 25th Infantry division, Sargent, honorably
discharged, returned to UF but transferred to UM and graduated from UM. Served
in Korea, detached duty to Thailand, etc.
M.
Gordon "Bo" Lemmond
U.S. Air Force eight years 1951-1959
Joe
Freidberg
Enrolled for engineering studies at UM. Dropped out in 1954 to enlist in USAF.
Served as Jet Aircraft Mechanic Instructor (A/1C) at Amarillo AFB, TX until Dec.
1957. Returned to UM and received B.S.M.E. August 1960. Worked for several
different aerospace companies until 1977. Received M.B.A. and also started
engineering consulting business in 1973. Relocated from Dallas to Cedar Park in
1999 to be nearer to our three grandsons.
Joe Freidberg
frdbrg@yahoo.com
Jackie
Nall
U.S. Army Years of Service: 2 Rank: SGT.
George
Beers
USN Years of Service: 24 Rank: AQC Flew as a bombardier/navigator for 10
years. Worked for Lockhed Martin as Senior Engineer for 17 years. Retired from
L. Martin while working in Korea
J.
Leon Hamilton
Navy Years of Service: ’52-’56 Rank: TE3Boot January ’52 in San Diego. USS
KulaGulk VE108 in Philadelphia PA. Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico – ’53-’56.
Martin
Ballas
Army 1952--1955 Rank: Corpl. Class of 1951--was in the US Army from 1952 to 1955
was in Korea in 1952 when the fighting was going on. I was on the first troop
ship that came back to New York from Korea.
mailto:msbmrb@mchsi.com
Thomas
Adkins
US NAVY
Herman
"Jerry" Harris
USAF, Lt. Col. served 1953 - 1973. Enlisted June '53 - Aviation Cadets Dec. '53
March '55 Fighter Gunnery March 55 - November 55, 69 FBS Oscn. Korea December 55
- November 56. 435 TFS January 57 - June 61, George AFB, CAL. F-101 transition
Shaw AFB, SC June 61 - September 61. 78 TFS RAF Woodbridge UK October 61 - July
65. 391st TFS Holloman AFB/Camron Bay, Vietnam August 65 - December 66. 434TFS
George AFB, CA January 67 - June 70. 32TFS Camp New Amsterdam, Netherlands July
70 - June 73. Retired 1 July 73
U.S. Navy
419-14-32. Served active duty 1951 thru 1953. Korean War.
US Air Force eight years
1951-1959
Class of 1951.
Was in the US Army from 1952 to 1955. Corpl. Was in Korea in 1952 when the
fighting was going on. I was on the first troop ship that came back to New York
from Korea.
msbmrb@mchsi.com
Richard W Moss,
D.D.S
dbmoss1@sbcglobal.net
USN 4
In the High School Yearbook, I was listed as Jim Worden,in 1995I changed my name
back
to my Birth name of Robert James Maillard. Worden was my Step Fathers last name.
Like to hear from some of the old gang!
dbmoss1@sbcglobal.net
James
C. Osborn
Capt USCG (ret) 1953-1983. Edison class of '52. I was enlisted in the CG
(sonar) before going to the Coast Guard Academy
(New London, CT) in '53. Graduated as an ensign in '57 and assigned to the
CG cutter Winnebago as the gunnery officer and then 1st Lieutenant. In '58
went to flight training and got my wings in '60. Assigned to the now defunct CG
Air Station (CGAS) Salem, MA '60-'63 flying the Grumman Albatross
off Salem Harbor. In '63-'66 I flew the Albatross out of the now defunct CGAS
Bermuda and was the asst ops officer in charge of search and rescue training.
'66 to '70 saw me as the ops officer at CGAS Miami (at Opa Locka Airport).
There I cross trained and flew a single turbine amphibious Sikorsky helo
(including launch abort rescue for several of the Saturn moon rocket launches).
At the end of that tour, I was the pilot for President elect Nixon and flew him
to numerous locations around the Bahamas. '70 to '73 I was the XO at the CG VIP
Unit, CGAS Washington and flew the Gulfstream I and II on world wide executive
transportation trips. '73 to '76 I spent a tour in CG Headquarters in D.C.
involved in supervising safety aspects of recreational boat construction. '76
to '78 I was the XO at CGAS Corpus
Christi, TX. '78 to '81 I was the CO of CGAS Barbers Pt. Hawaii. '81 to '83 I
was head of the CG Command Center in D.C. and briefing officer for the
Commandant and Staff Admirals. I retired from the CG as a Capt (O-6) in '83 and
did a variety of jobs through to '94: teaching, corporate flying, staff with
United Way, and finished my working as an aircraft simulator instructor at NAS
Corpus Christi, TX.
We sold our house in TX and lived full time alternating between our cruising
catamaran and a motor home. We put about 25,000 miles on our sailboat (mostly
intracoastal and near coastal cruising). We sailed all around the Gulf of
Mexico; the FL keys; the Bahamas and the east coast as far as Rhode Island. We
sailed portions of the east coast on four different trips. We settled (for now)
in the Cocoa/ Cape Canaveral area on north Merritt Island where we enjoy
watching the rocket launches from our house. Our Edison classmates snickered
when I did a composition on 3 stage rockets to the moon and space stations in
Miss Gerry Pendleton's English class in the
Regards,
Jim Osborn
Joe
Grayson
US Navy
Petty Officer served from 14 April 1952 thru 10 April 1956.
James
(Frank) Whidden
USAF, Major 1954 - 74 20 Years served (USAF) 1954 - 1974
Principle Duties: Instructor Pilot in T-28, T-33, F-100 Combat Fighter / Bomber
Pilot in F-100 and F-111.
Assignments: Stateside – 12 years, Texas, Arizona, Alabama.
Europe – 7 years, England – NATO, Vietnam – 1 year, Bien Hoa Airbase.
Awards – Decorations: Command Pilot - +/- 4,300 hours (Single Engine), 10 Air
Medals, 3 DFC’S, 1 Bronze Star (Valor), 1 Good Conduct Medal and various Unit
Citations, Select Crew, etc.
Family: Airforce Colonel Jim (son) is currently Commander of the 607th
Air Intelligence Group Osan Airbase, Korea. Wife (Shirley) raised 3 sons in
military environment. They are all great kids.
USAF Retired
Howard
Burkhart Jr.
U.S.A.F. E.4 - I managed to get a 2-year
enlistment in the U.S.A.F.in March 1954. Spent a few months at Lackland AFB in
Texas, then a few months at George AFB in Victorville, CA. Then a cruise aboard
a Liberty Ship Gen. R.E. Callan which lasted about 2 weeks and spent the rest of
my enlistment at Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya North Africa. I busied myself as
a clerk typist in the Personal Affairs Office. I was honorably discharged in
March of 1956 as an A/1C (E-4).
James
Daniel Frost “Danny”
frostdan@bellsouth.net
Gene
Ankinson
U.S. Army Years of Service: 3 Rank: SP4
gatora@mindspring.com
Gene Adkinson
Army 1957 - 1960 SP4
James
McLellan
US Army and US Air Force
Ray
Hinely
U.S.A.F. Graduated from Miami Edison Senior
High School 1952. Attended University of Miami as an engineering student
1952-1953. Entered the USAF Aviation Ca
Ray and I are blessed with 4 children, two of which are twins and three of which
are sons that participate in the Marina endeavor. Their daughter is married and
resides in Tampa, FL
My E-mail address is
sailshiloh@aol.com
US Navy – AECS
(E8) – 25 years of service. Fred (Skip) Nyes AECS USNR-TAR. We joined the
Naval Reserve July 7 1956 after my sophomore year. I went on active duty in
October 1958 and was stationed at the Naval Ai Station New York, initially
working on FJ and later A4 aircraft. We qualified as an ASW operator and flew
as an air crewman in P2V’s during the Cuban Missile Crises spending 3 months in
Cuba earning the Naval Expeditionary Medal. In 1964 I was transferred to NAS
Jacksonville and became a Loadmaster & Flight Engineer on C118 Transport AC,
spending 3 tours in Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos. Transferring back to NAS New
York (involuntarily) in 1967 we again flew as a Flight Engineer with 2 more
tours in SE Asia earning the Viet Nam Service Medal with 4 stars. After
decommissioning of NAS NY in 1969 we transferred to ASW Tactic at Warefare
School, Los Alamitos CA where we taught South American Naval Air crewman both
ASW Tactics and maintenance of ASW equipment. Prior to decommissioning of the
ASW TAC School in 1971 we were commuting to San Diego CA where we instructed
Army and CIA pilots on P2V7 Aircraft systems. In 1972 we transferred to Naval
Airstaton Whidbey Island WA as the Maintenance Department Chief of VS 83 flying
s2E ASW Aircraft. After decommissioning (again) Vs83 we transferred the
majority of our aircraft to the Forest Service in California to be used as
“Borate Bombers”. In 1976 we transferred to NAS Alameda CA to Attack Squadron
801 flying A7 Corsair Twos. We left my wife and 3 children in Oak Harbor WA for
3 years and when I was selected for Master Chief E9 with transfer orders to
Andrews AFB in DC we felt enough time had been served and the East Coast was not
where we wanted to go. I retired July 7th 1979 with 25 years (2
years good time because of early enlistments) as a Senior Chief Petty Officer E8
and returned to Whidbey Island WA. (yes I was still married to the same
woman). Ironically we had come full circle. In 1956 the fist Aircraft I had
worked on at MCAS Opaloca was an F4U Corsair and we retired from a squadron
flying A7E Corsair Two’s.
Fdnoes000@centurytel.et
Irvin
L. (Irv) Gaines
USCG
CWO4
Class of 1952. USAF E-4. I
managed to get a 2-year enlistment in the U.S.A.F. in March 1954. Spent a few
months at Lackland AFB in Texas, then a few months at George AFB in Victorville,
CA. Then a cruise aboard a Liberty Ship Gen. R.E. Callan which lasted about 2
weeks and spent the rest of my enlistment at Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Lybia, Noth
Africa.I busied myself as a clerk typist in the Personal Affairs Office. I was
honorably discharged in March of 1956 as an A/1c (E-4).
Class of 1953. US Army
1957-1963. 1st Lt. After graduation from the University of Miami in
1957, I entered the Army, spent three
years on active duty and three years in
the reserves. I was stationed at Ft. Monmouth, NJ and Ft. Sill, Ok, then I
returned
to Miami and moved to North Florida, (Jacksonville) where I have lived
ever since. I retired from
as Senior Vice
President after 25 years. I am currently a partner in my own marketing company
in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. I still have
and wear my ’53 Edition “Ring”, can
anyone else say that? I get questioned all the time about it, still looks great. Loo forward to
seeing all the Raiders in Miami in August.
Jamesgoodwin121@hotmail.com
Class of 1954. USCMR/USCG. 6 ½ in USMCR & 26 years
in USCG – CWO
jckrause_2000@yahoo.com
My wife of 56 years, Jeanette Cosper Martin
died Feb 28, 2010
died
Feb. 28, 2010.
email:
jhumar10@bellsouth.net
usaf airman 6 this is my new address and phone number.keep up the good work
gcrusso@me.com
rpbr1117@bellsouth.net
Jim
Zell
U.S.A.F. Master Sgt. 1954-1980 I retired with the rank of Master Sgt. I served
in Florida, Mississippi, Colorado, California, Washington,
Mass., New York and
Alaska. Started out in A.F. Intelligence (SAC) then computers (Air Defense
Command) Intelligence again monitory
for atomic testing (Headquarters Command).
Three temporary assignments in North Africa with SAC.
JOHN
RABUN
ARMY: 54/57 Jump School, FT. Bragg, N. Assigned To 82nd. Recon. Jan.55, Went to
Ga.
John
McDonald(Mickey)
He graduated from the Citadel, Charleston, SC in 1957. He entered the USA May
'58 and retired as a Lt. Col. July '79. We have signed
up to attend the reunion
in Miami. Aug.20-22.
mailto:Memomhoho@msn,com
Bernard
Bright
Army Year of Service: 22 Rank: E-8 my first tour in the Army was a 2 year stint,
1956-1958. During that time I was in Germany as a combat
engineer. Upon return
to Miami I served 4 years in the Army Reserves. In 1963 I re-enlisted in the
Army and spent the next 20 years serving
my country. I graduated jump school in
Fort Benning GA, was then assigned to Special Forces Training Group at Fort
Bragg, NC. After
graduating Special Forces Training I was assigned to 1st
Special Forces Group in Okinawa and received a badge for scuba training.
I
spent two tours in Vietnam while assigned to Special Forces. My first tour in
Vietnam was in II CORE with an A Team. My Second
Tour was in Special Operations
with I CORE. In 1968 I returned to the United States was assigned to the 10th
Special Forces in Fort
Devens, MA. In 1970 I returned to Vietnam for a third
time to serve with Special Operations in Kontun. I spent the next 11 years
serving
in various assignments between the US and Europe During my 22 years in
the military I was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, as a
parachutist. I was
awarded Master Parachute Wings, Military Free Fall Wings, and Vietnamese and
Chinese Jump Wings. I received the
Bronze Star for Valor with 1 Oak Leaf
Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, and Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal, and Army
Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct
Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Received an Associate Degree in
General
Studies in 1980.
Email milto:jwayne211@netzero.net
James
J. Goodwin
U S Army 1957-1963 Rank: 1st Lt. after
graduating from the University of Miami in 1957 I entered the Army, spent three
years on active
(Jacksonville) where I have lived ever since. Retired from Barnett Bank as
Senior Vice President after 25 years, am currently a partner in
my own marketing
company in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
I still have and wear my '53 Edison "Ring", can anyone else say that? I get
questioned all the time about it, it still looks great! Look forward
to seeing
all the Raiders in Miami in August.
jamesgoodwin121@hotmail.com
Albert
Headlee
USAF: 54/58 Sgt. Instructor Hydraulic Spee School, Chanute Field. Mechanic,
Langley Field, VA, mechanic - Landstuhl Germany.
Paul
Gaither
USAF, S/Sgt.
Served 8 years as aircraft mechanic
Phillip
C. Noland
USAFSS
Rank: SSGT 1951-1965
Comments: The above information is in the name of my brother, SSGT Phillip C.
Noland USAFSS (Ret)deceased 1986.
I am writing my fifth book - about Phil's time spent in USAFSS, 1951-1965 and
have been looking for information about the 2585th AFRCTC, Miami, Fl.(assigned)
11 Jul 53 22 Dec 53.
I want to know what the 2585th AFRCTC stands for: what my brother may have done
here.
If someone could contact me at:
Clara19126@msn.com
or the above telephone
number.
My name is TRISH SCHIESSER.
Thank you for reading this and I hope to hear from someone with some
information.
Phil wound up a SSGT - his last post 1962-1964 at the 6901stSCG, Zweibrucken,
Germany as a 20270 (Radio Intercept Analyst.)
Branch: Army
Rank: 0-6 22
Comments: Long time away from MEHS. Hope to make it to a reunion one of these
days. Stan Pearce also a 1953 grad is close by.
Army - Rank: Capt. 6
Comments: My wife of 56 years, Jeanette Cosper Martin, died Feb. 28, 2010.
Submit: Submit
humar10@bellsouth.net
Army - 82nd Abn - Cpl 1953 - 1956 - Basic at
Camp Gordan Ga - Advanced Inf Training Ft Jackson SC - Airborne Training
Ft
Bragg NC - Assigned to 307th Combt. Eng. Battalion, 82nd Abn. Division
Gene Russo
USAF - Airman 6
gcrusso@me.com
ARMY E-5 - 1954 - 1957 - Like to hear
from any Raider grads and reminese of times gone by from NW 2nd Ave. and 62nd
St.
As I recall the "Sun" was on the corner where everyone hung out at lunch
and after school
jpd57chevy@live.com
dreid1953@bellsouth.net
Paul
Westbrook
U.S.A. E5 1955-1978 Ft Riley, Ks. Germany,
and Ft. Benning, Ga. 1960-1978 Commissioned Officer Candidate School, Ft.
Benning,
Ga. - 2nd Lt. served in Korea, Ft. Bragg, N.C., Dominican Republic, Ft. Benning, Ga. Two tours Viet Nam, Ft. Monmouth, N.J., and Ft.
Gordon, Ga.
Retired 1978-Lieutenant Colonel and is living in Ks.
Charles
Owens
USMC Years of Service: 28 Rank: 1st SGT Regular 1954 1960, Active Reserve
1960 - 1967, Active 1967 - 1969, Reserve 1969 - Retired 1981.
Robert
Taylor
Army Engineers P.F.C. 1954/1957 1954 Basic at Camp Gordon, GA, Combat
Engineer Training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO 1955/57
Engineer Supply Specialist
656th Engr. Battalion (TOPO) in Switzerland, Germany.
bobtaylor8@yahoo.com
John
C. Krause
USMCR & USCG USMCR 6 1/2...USCG 26 Rank: CWO
mailto:jckrause_2000@yahoo.com
Edwin
Gordon
Edwin
L. Young
USMC,
Sergeant, Years of
William
B. McCoy
ARMY, First
Lt. – Years of Service: 2
bill.mccoy@mindspring.com
US Army sp-3
(corporal). After I received a degree in civil engineering at Georgia Tech, I
was drafted into the army in January 1955 and took
basic training at Camp Gordan, Georgia. After basic, I was assigned to the engineer school at Ft.
Belvoir, Virginia. In August 1955, I was
attached to the Air Force and went to
Beale Air Force Base in Northern California where I made PFC in November. My
best assignment
was temporary duty with the Military Aid and Advisory Group in Pingtung, Taiwan in August 1956. The Chinese Army was building
tome new runways
on an old Japanese air base. We were there six months teaching them modern
construction techniques. For an
enlisted man maag duty is like heaven. Upon
returning to the States in August, I went to Ft. Ord, near Monterrey,
California. I made SP-3
(Corporal) in November 1956 and was released from active
duty there in January 1957. After the required six years in the inactive
reserves,
I was discharged in April 1963 and my military career came to an end.
jitennant@att.net
Class of 1955 U.S. Navy commander 32
USMCR & USCG 26 – Rank CWO. Class of 1954.
jckrause_2000@yahoo.com
bill.mccoy@mindspring.com
Army: SGT 7 1/2 Years
Look
forward to Visiting with the Red Raiders in 2012!
donbrownstone@yahoo.com
USAF:
E4 4
johnaeastman@sbcglobal.net
James
R. Groover
US Navy QM3 1956 - 1958. Army CWO2 helicopter pilot 1963 - 1967, Vietnam. DFC,
Purple Heart, Air Medal w/V/13 OLC, ACM.
Retired civilian helicopter pilot;
mostly knocks around in an RV.
mailto:JPilotRet@msn.com
Richard John Russo
U.S.A.F 4August 4, 1958 - June 26, 1962)
mailto:cassflorida@yahoo.com
Joel
A. Burkes
1955 U.S.A.F. 4 & 4 Rank; Airman 2nd Class Spent 4 years in the Military Police
at S.A.C. bases stateside, U.K., and Greenland.
Cobuns1!@aol.com
Joe
B. Welch
U S Navy 1956 to 1958 Rank: BMSN
I served aboard the USS Waldron DD699 from 1956 to 1958 I also served in the
active reserve two years and inactive for 4 years.
welchl@bellsouth.net
Bill
Lacey
US NAVY1955-1958 E3 US NAVY
wglaceysr@aol.com
James
F. Hunter, Jr.
U.S.Navy
Years of Service: 8 Rank: LCDR
GEORGE
D LOSADA
US AIR FORCE 4 YEARS SGT.
GEORGE D LOSADA GRADUATED MIAMI EDISON JUNE 1955. ENLISTED IN US AIR FORCE 1
DAY AFTER GRADUATION SERVED 4 YEARS I
N AIR CRASH RESCUE.
MRGD1137@AOL.COM
Branch of Service: United States Coast
Guard Years of Service: 1955-1959 Rank: BM2
jimfh@mindspring.com
jackp62@earthlink.net
Robert
E. Baden
USAF 1960-64 Staff Sgt E5
Richard
Roley
Graduated: 1955: Navy Years of Service:1959-1966
Rank: LT. I was stationed in the Pentagon, the CNO office- Radio Frequency
Branch. In the active reserves 1962 to 1966 in the Naval Security Group.
mailto:rgroley@gmail.com
Robert
D. Hepburn
Graduated 1955 United States Marine Corps 1955-1959 Sgt. - Served in the
United States Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959. Paris Island;
Camp Geiger (advanced combat training), Jacksonville Florida, Pensacola Florida,
El Toro California Marine Air Base; Atzuta Japan; Formosa
and the Philipines. Honorably
discharged in 1959 Sergeant of Marines, MOS 4611 aerial photograpy
mailto:cumb@frontiernet.net
Richard
Jacobs
Graduated: 1955 Rank: Capt USAF Years Of
Service: 9 Captain F-102 Fighter Interceptor, Zaragoza, Spain 1962-64, Ramstien,
Germany 64-65.
T-38 IP, Laredo AFB, Texas 65-69. F-102 Texas ANG, Ellington
AFB, Texas 69-72.
rjacobssr@aol.com
John
Richard Bledsoe
Branch : US Navy, Years Of Service: 32, Rank: Commander
1958-1990
Comments: 6th Fleet, Villefranche, France; US Navy Band, Washington, DC;
Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 8, Norfolk, VA. Director,
US Navy Sea Chanters; Office of the Navy Chief of Information; Director,
US Naval Academy Band; Executive Officer, Armed Forces School of Music;
Director of Bands, Headquarters, US Atlantic Fleet.
BledsoeJohn@MSN.com
Peter
K. von Klock
Years o f Service: 8 (4 ACTIVE &4 reserve) Rank: ET3 Graduated Miami Edison
1955, enlisted in U.S. Coast Guard Sept. 1955,
served at USCG Air Station
Elizabeth City, NC, transferred to USCG cutter Androsoggin in Miami in 1956,
transferred to reserve in
1959, discharged in 1963. Rank ET3
mailto:vonklockpete@wmconnect.com
Paul
Thomas Kayye (Kmieciak)
USN-USNR
– 31 years of service, Rank 08
drkayye@aol.com
USAF 20 years
1954-1974. Aviation Cadet class 55-P-Hondo Air Force Base. Principal duties:
Instructor pilot in T-28, T-33, F-100
and combat fighter / bomber pilot in F-100
and F-111. Assignments: Stateside – 12 years, Texas, Arizona and Alabama.
Europe
7 years – England –NATO and Vietnam – 1 year, Bien Hoa Air Base. Award
Decorations: A. Command Pilot- 4,300 hours (
single engine), B. 23 Air medals, C.
3 DFC’S, D. Bronze Star (Valor), E. 1 Good conduct meal and various unit
citations, selected
crew, etc… Family – A. Airforce Colonial Jim (son is currently Commanders of
the607th Air Intelligence Group Osan Airbase,
Korea. B.
Wife (Shirley) raised 3 sons in military environment. They are all great kids.
shank@strato.net
Class of 1955.
U.S. Marine Corps 1955-1959. Sgt. Paris Island, Recruit Training 1955. Camp
Geiger/LeJune, Combat training. NAS
Jacksonville, Florida, Air Wing School. NAS Pensicola, Florida, Air Wing School. El Toro, California, VMCJ-3. Atsugi, Japan,
VMJ-1
(Philippines, Formosa). Formosa 1958, Atsugi, Japan, VMJ-1, El Toro,
California, VMCJ-1. Honorable Seperation, 1959. Sgt. Of Marines.
Honorable
Discharge 1963.
cumbdes@frontiernet.net
U.S. Army – E-8. My first tour in the Army
was a 2 year stint. 1956-1958. During that time I was in Germany as a combat
engineer,
Upon return to Miami, I served 4 years in the Army Reserve. In 1963 I
re-enlisted in the Army and spent the next 20 years
serving my country. I
graduated jump school in Fort Benning, Ga, and was then assigned to Special
Forces Training Group
at Fort Bragg, NC. After graduating Special Forces, I was
assigned to 1st Special Forces Group in Okanowa and received a
badge
for scuba training. I spent two tours in Vietnam while assigned to Special
Forces. My first tour in Vietnam was in II CORE
with an A Team. My Second Tour
was in Special Operations with I CORE. In 1968, I returned to the United States
was assigned
to the 10th Special Forces in Fort Devens, MA. In 1970 I
returned to Vietnam for a third time to serve with Special Operations
in Kontun.
I spent the next 11 years serving in various assignments between the US and
Europe. During my 22 years in
the military, I was awarded a Combat Infantry
Badge, as a parachuter, I was awarded Master Parachute Wings, Military Free Fall
Wings, and Vietnamese and Chinese Jump Wings. I received the Bronze Star for
Valor with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious
Service Medal, Purple Heart with 1
Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster,
Good
Conduct Medal and Vietnam Cross Gallantry. Received an Associates Degree in
General Studies in 1980.
jwayne211@netzero.net
USCG YN3 - 1956 to 1957 Stetson University USCG - 1958 worked for Caterpillar
Inc. Retired 1998 - 2002 Ordained Episcopal Church
ARMY - 2 years 1959-1962 Korea 60-61, Ft Bening 61-62 - OCS Grad 62
Alan
Goldfarb
USCG Years of
Service: 6-8 Rank: YN2 In First Company of 6 months active duty; 8 years
Reserve in USCG. Discharged as Yeoman 2nd Class.
CHAR
LES ALEXANDER, JR
US NAVY (AIR FORCE)Years Of Service:
1957-1963
Rank: ACW 2ND CLASS I WAS ALTERNATELY STATIONED IN ICELAND, NEWFOUNDLAND,
ANDPATUXENT RIVER, MD.
FOR THIRTY-THREE MONTHS.I WAS IN THE VW-13
AEW/ACWSQUADRON,AS SENIOR ENLISTED RADAR OPERATOR, AND
WE WON THE BEST AIR CREW
IN THEAEW/ACW COMPETITION FOR 3 STRAIGHT QUARTERS.TOTAL FLIGHT TIME WAS 3000
HRS.
RECEIVED NUMEROUS MEDALS AWARDED BY US NAVY.
mailto:alexchase19732003@yahoo.com
Roger
Baldwin Whitney
US Navy
Years of Service:23, Rank SCPO(E-8) - Retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief
Petty Officer, ACCS. Served at NARF Miami,
as Control Tower Operator, Control Tower Supervisor, Ground
Controlled Approach Radar Supervisor and as Leading Chief Petty
Officer for the
Air Operations Departments. Also flew as air crewman (Radio Operator) on SP2H
Submarine Hunter and C54, Cii8 transport aircraft.
Charlie
Coe
USAF I served active duty with the USAF from
November 1961 until May of 1966
William
(Bill) Newberry
served in the Army
from October 1961-October 1963
Basic training Fort Jackson, SC
Medical training Fort Sam Houston, TX Jan-Mar 1962, medical corpsman
Shipped to
Germany for the Berlin Crisis when the city was divided by the Berlin wall
Stationed at 98th General Hospital in Neubrucke,
Germany and passed test for
Dental Specialist/Assistant MOS917.10
Belong
to VFW post 7216 Bakersfield California
rngin@bak.rr.com
Donald
Q. Vining
USAF Captain, Flight Surgeon - Oct. 1965- Nov.1967
Chief, Medical Section, Detachment 1,1129th Special Activities Squadron at Area
51,(Groom Lake), north of Las Vegas. Top secret mission,
eventually became the USAF SR-71.We
flew multiple covert missions over north Vietnam and north Korea in 1967-68 from
Kadena AFB,
Okinawa. Project was declassified in 1991. I was awarded the U.s.
Air Force Commendation Medal for this service. Web sites about this
project are: roadrunnersinternationale.com and area51specialprojects.com
Walter
Michael Mullins
US Navy - Retired 30 June 1985 - Served on the following ships: 1958 - 1962 USS
Nitro (AE23), 1966 - 1969 USS San Pablo (AGS70), 1971 - 1985)
service in Vietnam
rtomes@ec.rr.com
Robert
F Abels
Navy –
Boot camp at Bainbridge, MD and then assigned to Motor Torpedo Boats. War ended
before we could deploy and I always wanted
to fly so I passed the tests for
flight training, attended U of South Carolina for two years and then to
Pensacola where I got my wings flying
F8F’s, fastest prop fighter in the world.
I made three combat trips to Korea and two to Vietnam. I flew on and off 18
different aircraft carriers.
Retired after 25 years and became a high school
teacher for business, math and English for 18 year. Concurrently became an
Enrolled
Agent and assisted people with personal taxes for 31 years.
Roger
Baldwin Whitney
Class of 1956 US Navy. Retired from Navy as a
Senior Chief Petty Officer, ACCS. Served at NARF Miami, NAS Willow Grove, Pa. IN
1979.
I served as Control Tower Operator, Control Tower Supervisor, Ground
Controlled Approach Radar Supervisor and as Leading
Chief Petty Officer for the
Air Operations Departments. Also served as air crewman (Radio Operator) on SP2H
Submarine Hunter and C54, Cii8
transport aircraft.
Rwhit10055@aol.com
John McDonald
(Mickey)
Class of 1953. USA. May 1958-July 1979. Rank Lt.
Col.Graduated from the Citadel, Charleston, SC IN 1957. Entered the USA May 1958
and
retired as a Lt. Col. July 1979.
memomhoho@msn.com
Charles
e. Alexander, Jr.
US Navy (Air Force) 1957-1963. Rank: AWC 2nd
Class Air Control man. Class of 1956. I was alternately stationed in Iceland,
New
Foundland, and Patuxent River, MD for thirty-three months. I was in the
VW-13 AEW/ACW Squadron, as senior enlisted radar operator,
and we won the best
air crew in the AEW/ACW competition for 3 straight quarters. Total flight time
was 3000 hours. Received
numerous medals & awards by US Navy.
alexchase19732003@yahoo.com
Donald
Q. Vining
USAF – Oct. 1965 – Nov. 1967. Rank:
Flight Surgeon. Chief Medical Section Detachment 1, 1129th Special
Activities Squadron at
Area 51 (Groom Lake), north of Las Vegas. Top secret
mission, joined project of U.S. Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency,
flying the reconnaissance aircraft A-12, the successor to the U2. This aircraft
eventually became the USAF SR-71. We flew multiple
covert missions over North
Vietnam and North Korea in 1967-68 from Kadena AFB, Okinawa. Project was
declassified in 1991. I was
warded the U.S. Air Force commendation Medal for
this service. Web sites about this project are
roadrunnersinternationale.com and
area51specialprojects.com
John
J. Hassekbach
U.S. NAVY MILITARY VETERAN, U.S. NAVY DUTIES IN AERIAL
FLIGHT.VIET-NAM, 1964-1966
Donald
P. Achim
USAF YEARS of SERVICE .26 SERVED 1957 thru 1983 RETIRED, OCCUPATION Sr.
Electronic Technician EMPLOYED White Sands
Missile Range, N.M. RESIDENCE
Alamogordo, N.M
Gerald
Kilpatrick
LT. Commander, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy 1967-1970
67-68 Little Creek, VA General Medical Officer (pediatrician)
68-69 Hoi An, Vietnam, Physician component of the people-to-people program
(MILPHAP)
69-70 Key West, FL Submarine Base, Chief Medical Officer
KILPATD@aol.com
Gerald
James Lowe
Air Force 1967-1971 MSgt (E-7) I served in the USAF after graduation in 1957 and
then later on active duty from 1967-1971 including two
tours in Vietnam. After
that I served with the active Reserve at Homestead AFB for several years.
Graduated from FIU in 1975; single.
Rex
W Anderson
USN AE3 3 years service
rexwandersonjr@gmail.com
Rick
Persson
US Army –
Basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. Stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA 537th
Eng. Co. Topo Surveyors. Did time at Ft. Sill, OK., Camp Drum,
N.Y. and Camp
Century Greenland. Discharged Sept. 1965
Rpbr1117@bellsouth.net
Dennis
Glider
Army – I
received my Army Commission as 2nd Lt Artillery Officer after
completing my College ROTC program at Florida Southern
College. I served in
Berlin in 1961 – 1062 just as the Infamous Berlin Wall went up. (rather
testy). Also weathered the Cuban Crisis.
I received promotions to 1st
Lt. and Capt. prior to my dismissal from active duty. I was stationed at Ft.
Lewis Wash. With the 29th Field
Artillery with 4th
Division. When the Vietnam War started to heat up I chose to get out. I served
an additional two years in an active
reserve unit and two years as an inactive
reservist.
I appreciate you taking on this
project, it is nice to know someone cares that the sacrifices our military
personnel make to insur
our continued freedom and way of life and not in
vain.
dglider@mindspring.com
John
R. Becker (Jack)
USAR –
Captain USAR Retired. Active Duty Armor Officer 1963 – 1965: Reserves through
1972. Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky –
Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas part o
(STRAC) Shit The Russians Are Coming
teamsys@verizon.net
Rene
Reineke
USMC 1957 - 1960 CPL served 3 years overseas in Lebonone. Served as CPL for
Miami Dade Police Department from 1961 - 2001
(40 years and 2 months)
Lee
Martines
USAF Served 4 years, Rank E-4
Ted
Costello
(Miami Edison Class of '57); I enlisted in the United States Air Force
right out of high school with five Edison school mates on the "buddy
plan". I
served for almost 21 years and retired after having a wonderful career. I
served in England, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, California
and Washington
DC. My wife of 46 years is from England, we have two boys who are now
successful business men, we all traveled together
for most of my career. I was
in the intelligence career field and enjoyed every minute of it. I retired in
Washington and worked for a short time
at the National Security Agency (NSA). I
then returned to Florida where I finished my Master Degree in Marketing and was
in a partnership in the
Sales and Marketing field. My wife and I retired in
2000 and we now enjoy our family and traveling.
tjcostello@earthlink.net
H.
Lawrence Garrett, III
US Navy, CDR 1961 - 1981 - Enlisted in the US Navy on 31 October 1961; retired
November 1981. Qualified in submarines aboard USS
SEAPOACHER (SS-406);
participated in the Cuban Missle Crisis. Completed Navy Flight training April
1964; served in the JAG Corps
until retirement in 1981. Last tour was as
Associate White House Counsel to President Ronald Regan. Continued service in
the Pentagon
as General Counsel to Sec. Weinberger (1986-1987); Under Secretary
of the Navy (1987-1989), and as Secretary of the Navy (1989-1992).
mailto:hlg3@msn.com
Owen
E. Bailey
USN, served 9 years – Rank:
MM1(SS) Served in Submarines from 1959 thru 1966. I served on the USS
Quillback SS-424, and the USS
Archerfish SS-311 out of Key West. I also served
on the USS Sea Fox SS-402, USS Menhaden SS-396 and the USS Ronquil SS-377 all
out
of San Diego. Graduated Nuclear Power School and served on The USS Seadragon SSN-584 out of Pearl Harbor. Much time on Vietnam
patrol and support.
obailey@mindspring.com
Richard
'Rick' Swanson Jr.
2021-301
HM3 (E4) U.S COAST GUARD RESERVE
(1939 - 2004)
Rick joined the USCGR on Sept 23, 1959, where he underwent 13 weeks of basic
training at USCG Receiving Center in Cape May, NJ. Upon
completion of boot
camp, Rick was assigned to USCG specialty school in Groton, CT, when he attended
school for his requested specialty
which was Hospital Corpsman (HM).
Following his release from active duty with
the rank of SN (E3), he joined the Miami reserve unit where he attended weekly
reserve meetings
and studied for advancement in rating to Hospital Corpsman 3rd
Class (E-4). During this period, he performed his annual two week summer
active
duty training at various Florida locations. One was at Coast Guard Lifeboat
Station, Port Canaveral, FL, where he received a commendation
for helping to
rescue 3 men whose boat had capsized in shark infested waters.
standby for activation
during the Cuban Missile Crises.
Rick completed his eight year reserve obligation
and received an Honorable Discharge on August 27, 1967.
Kenneth
Earle Tompkins 1939
– 2006
US
Army -Cpt, - helicopter pilot - 10 years of service. - Widow Rosemary Hutton
Tompkins, class of 1957
UA
Army –CPT., 10 years of service – Helicopter Pilot
Widow:
Rosemary Hutton Tompkins, Class of 1957
Sister: Suzanne Tompkins Currie, Class of 1955
Gerald
James Lowe
Class of 1957. US Air
Force 1957-1961 and 1967-1971. MSGT (E-7). I served as the USAF after graduation
in 1957 and then later
on active duty from 1967-1971, including two tours in
Vietnam. After that I served with the active Reserve at Homestead AFB for
several years.
Gschemer@bellsouth.net
Rick
Persson
US Army – Basic training at Ft. Jackson,
S.C. Stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA 537th Eng. Co. Topo Surveyors.
Did time at Ft. Sill, OK., Camp
Drum, N.Y. and Camp Century Greenland.
Discharged Sept. 1965
Rpbr1117@bellsouth.net
John
R. Becker (Jack)
Captain USAR Retired Active Duty Armor officer 1963 – 1965: Reserves
through 1972. Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky Stationed at Fort Hood,
Texas part of (STRAC) The Russians Are Coming hope this is info you want
for Edison veterans.
teamsys@verizon.net
Ralph V
Comito
Army - CW4 1962 - 1986 - Following
graduation in 1957 I attended U of M on a music scholarship. I married Ann
Marshall while still in college.
Commissioned 2nd Lt in 1962, I was sent to
Germany for 3 years. Our daughter Nina was born in Wurtzburg in 1963. We
returned to Ft Knox
KY for a two year tour. Our second daughter Alicia was
born there in 1965. From 1967 - 1968 I served as the senior advisor to the
23rd Vietnamese
Division Reconnaissance Company in the Central Highlands. I
left active duty and moved the family to Upland CA in 1968. Both Ann and I
retired
from the Upland Unified School District. Over the past years I
continue my military career in the California National Guard and Army
Reserves,
retiring in 1986. Concurrently, I continued to play
professionally on woodwinds instruments and the bass along with teaching
music privately.
Following retirement from the school district I also spend
several years teaching for the California State University system and the
University of
California, Riverside. We now enjoy our retirement and spend
many wonderful hours with our two daughters and our five grandchildren who
all live within a mile from our home.
rcomito@earthlink.net
Ronnie Wrye
REX
W ANDERSON
USN AE3 3
email:
rexwandersonjr@gmail.com
DAVID
L BRUNDAGE
USCG ENGINEMAN 1st Class 8
dlbrundage@gmail.com
Johnny
Floyd
I\\ was honored to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak
Leaf Cluster, the Bronz Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force
Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Viet Nam Service Medal with 1
Silver and 2 Bronze Service Stars, plus some others. Can I be included in the
Vets program? Oh, yes, after graduating from Edison, I became a Navigator and
Pilot in the Air Force retiring as a Major in 1984.
Lester
Johnson
US Navy, Electricians Mate 2nd Class 1958 - 1962. Served on the USS
Howard W. Gilmore Submarine Tender. At the age of 19, was the youngest to
achieve 3rd Class Petty Officer at the time. While serving on the USS Howard W.
Gilmore Submarine Tender the first time the USS Nautilus was able to go under
the Polar Ice Caps.
Thomas
Jackley
US ARMY SP 5, E-5 1963-1966 I served in the US Army from 1963-1966.
After basic training at Fort Gordon, GA., I was sent to Fort Sill, OK. where I
was trained as a Fire Direction Specialist for the Little John missile system.
While on duty at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, the whole 25th ID, including the
25th Division Artillery, was deployed to Viet Nam in 1966. Due to the fact that
we were a nuclear capable unit, we were not deployed into battle and were all
sent back for stateside duty. I was sent to Fort Bragg, NC to train the Special
Forces students in the artillery phase of their training. Honorably discharged
in 1966, rank of SP 5, E-5. Thanks for remembering the vets! God bless!
mailto:twjackley@yahoo.com
H.B. "Rob" Robinson
Army SP$
1961 - 1964. I served in the United States Army from February 5, 1961, to
January 30, 1963. Upon completion of Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, my
permanent Duty Assignment was with the 549th MP Company at Fort Davis, Panama
Canal Zone.
After leaving the Army, I continued with a career in law enforcement with the
City of North Miami Police Department, and took advantage of my Veteran's
Benefits to obtain a B.S. Degree from Florida International University in
Criminal Justice Administration. I was also fortunate to attend the FBI
National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. I retired from North Miami PD in 1992,
with the rank of Major, to accept the position of Chief of Police in Davenport,
Florida. Thereafter, from1999 to 2001, I served as Chief of Police in Bunnell,
Florida. I now serve as the City Manager for the City of Davenport, Florida.
Lowell
"Blackie" Ballasq
USMA Corporal Paris Island Okinawa ( 4 years ) Vietnam ( 2 months ) Discharged
in 1963 Joined the City of Miami Fire Department and served for thirty-six (36)
years. Retired in 1999. Chairman of the Miami Edison Over The Hill Gang
mailto:Bephyfit@aol.com
John
S. Wild
USAF E4 I joined the Air Force in '59 and served Active duty until May 63
specialty: Pharmacy Tech highest grade E3 stationed most of my time at Travis
California, Active Reserve at Homestead Fl.
from June 65 to sometime in '72 grade E5.
mailto:john.wild@experian.com
Barbara
Howard
US Navy Stationed at Alameda California Naval Base 1959 - 1962. Rank PSN - Was
an honor guard for President Kennedy. I delivered the mail to our USS Carriers
when they came home to our base. With me in the picture is my solemate Jim Beno
who served the US Marine Corps as a Staff Sgt from 1944 until 1948.
bjeastern@earthlink.net
Gerald
Neal Plymale
US Navy - 30 Years of Service - Rank: RMC (Deceased 2004) Served 30 Years in
the Navy, died August 2004 of 3 types of cancer - had 5 children
txmeemaw42@hotmail.com
- submitted by his wife
Donald
Gordon Shaw
USNR - Rank: QMSN (SS) Years of service 2 + 4
sailoredon@yahoo.com
eft my
Fred
(Skip) Noyes
York, initially
working on FJ and later A4 aircraft. We qualified as an ASW operator and flew
as an air crewman in P2V’s during the Cuban Missile Crises spending 3 months in
Cuba earning the Naval Expeditionary Medal. In 1964 I was transferred to NAS
Jacksonville and became a Loadmaster & Flight Engineer on C118 Transport AC,
spending 3 tours in Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos. Transferring back to NAS New
York (involuntarily) in 1967 we again flew as a Flight Engineer with 2 more
tours in SE Asia earning the Viet Nam Service Medal with 4 stars. After
decommissioning of NAS NY in 1969 we transferred to ASW Tactic at Warefare
School, Los Alamitos CA where we taught South American Naval Air crewman both
ASW Tactics and maintenance of ASW equipment. Prior to decommissioning of the
ASW TAC School in 1971 we were commuting to San Diego CA where we instructed
Army and CIA pilots on P2V7 Aircraft systems. In 1972 we transferred to Naval
Airstaton Whidbey Island WA as the Maintenance Department Chief of VS 83 flying
S2E ASW Aircraft. After decommissioning (again) Vs83 we transferred the
majority of our aircraft to the Forest Service in California to be used as
“Borate Bombers”. In 1976 we transferred to NAS Alameda CA to Attack Squadron
801 flying A7 Corsair Twos. We left my wife and 3 children in Oak Harbor WA for
3 years and when I was selected for Master Chief E9 with transfer orders to
Andrews AFB in DC we felt enough time had been served and the East Coast was not
where we wanted to go. I retired Julyth 1979 with 25 years (2 years good time
because of early enlistments) as a Senior Chief Petty Office E8 and returned to
Whidbey Island WA. (yes I was still married to the same woman). Ironically we
had come full circle. In 1956 the first Aircraft I had worked on at MCAS
Opaloca was an F4U Corsiar and we retired from a squadron flying A7E Corsair
Two's.
fdnoyes000@centurytel.net
John
S. Wild
SAF 1959-1963. Rank E3. Class of 1958. I joined the Air Force in ’59 and served
Active duty until May ’63. Specialty: Pharmacy Tech highest grade E3. Stationed
most of my time at Travis, California. Active Reserve at Homestead, FL. From
June ‘65 to sometime in’72 grade E5. J.
Ron
Nussle
US Army 1959-1962.
Rank 0-1
Richard
McCloskey
I am a 1958 graduate of Miami Edison High School.
I am planning on attending the August reunion and am sending you my military
info.
I enlisted in the US Army in July 1958 and was honorably discharged in June of
1961
with the rank of sergeant. I spent one year in Korea and one year in Japan in
the Signal Corps.
Please contact me if you would like any other information.
Thanks, Richard McCloskey
mcdiko06@comcast.net
US ARMY - 20 years and retired as a Signal Corp
Major in December 1980.
rwrye@aol.com
US Army 1957-1960 –
Rank SP4
gatora@mindspring.com
Thomas
Jackley
US Army 1963-1966. Rank: SP 5, E-5. I served in the
US Army from 1963-166 After basic training at Fort Gordon, Ga. I was sent to
Fort Sill, OK,
where I was trained as a Fire Direction Specialist for the Little
John missile system. While on duty at Schoefield Barracks, Hawaii, the whole
25th
ID, including the 25th Division Artillery, was deployed to Viet Nam
in 1966. Due to the fact that we were a nuclear capable unit, we were
not
deployed into battle and were all sent back for stateside duty. I was sent to
Fort Bragg, NC to train the Special Forces students in the
artillery phase of
their training. Honorably discharged in 1966, rank of SP 5, E-5. Thanks for
remembering the vets. God Glass!
twjackley@yahoo.com
Charles A Frensdorf
U.S.A.F. Master sergeant twentysix
Entered the U.S. Army Feb. 1959 and left the
Air Force Feb. !987. Most rewarding time
in the military was the eight years I flew as a Flight Mechanic in Aerospace
Rescue and Recovery Service
Comments: Married with five children and six grandsons from two months to
twentythree years. Orchid hobbiest. Will tell more if someone is interested.
silvercartwheel@comcast.net
Richard
McCloskey.
I am a 1958 graduate of Miami Edison High School.
I am planning on attending the August reunion and am sending you my military
info.
I enlisted in the US Army in July 1958 and was honorably discharged in June of
1961
with the rank of sergeant. I spent one year in Korea and one year in Japan in
the Signal Corps.
Please contact me if you would like any other information.
Richard McCloskey
Charles A Frensdorf
USAF master sergeant twentysix
Entered the U.S. Army Feb. 1959 and left the Air Force Feb. !987. Most
rewarding time in the military was the eight years I flew as a Flight Mechanic
in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service.
silvercartwheel@comcast.net
Don
Armstrong
U.S.N.
Rank: Lt. 1962 - 1968
armdo1140@hotmail.com
Tommy
Glass
LT. NSNR I was commissioned as and Ensign
1925, USNR in 1961 and went on active duty as a full Lieutenant and was a head
and neck
surgeon assigned to the Marines 1965-67. I am also the Forensic Odontologist who
performed a dental identified all of the 167 victims of the
Murrah Federal Building Bombing, April 19, 1995. I don't know how much more you
want, but I have taken the liberty of including a synopsis
of my career. For all
of us who only make it back every two years, it is so nice to know we still have
"a home."
Best regards and thanks to all,
Tommy Glass
Thomas
L. Gaussiran
USAF A2C 1961 – 1963
Henry
T Ledbetter
NAVY – E-5 14
years of service. Martha Scott and I were married in 1965 at First Baptist
Church of Miami, next door to “Dear Old Edison High School”. Served in the
military Navy ad Army for a total of 14 years. Graduated from Georgetown
College in Kentucky and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville,
Ky. I am presently employed at the Stanton Memorial Baptist Church in Miami as
minister of Music and Education. Martha is a retired public school music
teacher but is presently teaching music education to home-schooled students and
private piano lessons. She is also organist at Stanton and directs the
preschool and children’s choirs. We have two grwn daughters and four beautiful
grandchildren. All live here locally. We are looking forward to the reunion.
Hope to hear from you.
Henry T Ledbetter
Navy E-5 14
Comments: Martha Scott and I were married in 1965 at First Baptist Church of
Miami, next door to "dear old Edison High." Served in the military, Navy and
Army for a total of 14 years. Graduated from Georgetown College in Kentucky and
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. I am presently
employed at the Stanton Memorial Baptist Church in Miami as minister of Music
and Education. Martha is a retired public school music teacher but is presently
teaching music education to home-schooled students and private piano lessons.
She is also organist at Stanton and directs the preschool and children's
choirs. We have two grown daughters and four beautiful grandchildren. All live
here locally. We are looking forward to the reunion. Hope to hear from you.
Tom Ledbetter(1959).
Marled99@att.net
Richard A Boyer
The people who make a
difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most
money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Never wound a heart
that loves you. Never give it endless pain. For wounded hearts are just like
roses that never bloom again.
rboyer01@hotmail.comRalph
H Polster
U S Army PFC 1961-67
polsterr@bellsouth.net
P.O.W.
Ralph Gaither
There are many names not on the list yet. Ralph Gaither, USN aviator. Shot down
in Nam, spent 7 years, 3 months and 23 days POW in the Hanoi Hilton. I enlisted
into the Navy 26 Nov 1961, received pilots wings and Ensign comission on 16 Oct
1964. Served 23 years and a few months. Retired a Navy Commander Jan
1986. Taught high school technology education from 1988 - 1999 at a local
Pensacola High School then retired again. I was put on Edison’s Hall of Fame a
few years ago for my tour as a POW in North Vietnam.
rgaither@bellsouth.net
P.O.W.
Ralph Bisz
USN aviator shot down in Nam, MIA.
Tom
Zumwalt
U.S.A.F. I dropped out of Edison, and went into the Air Force. (I had been
going to the aviation school.) Spent 8 yrs active duty, in SAC B-52-D's. 4245
strat wg, 494 bomb wg Sheppard AFB Texas, 99 BW Westover Mass. Three trips
overseas, Arc Light. Lost a lot of friends, found a lot of friends, and try to
keep all the good memories.
mailto:zzu@bellsouth.net
Ray
Beaty
USAF
Robert
J Reed
USAF E-8 Years Of Service: 20
Steve
Johnson
Graduated 1960, served in the USAF 1961 - 1965 - Honorably discharged April
1965, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane Washington
Jim
Donnell
Jim
Holis Jr
US Army Retired Lt Colonel - Deceased 2002
Henry "Bucky" Fox
USAF - 1967 - 1971, reserve to 1976
- JAG assigned to 92nd Bomb Wing - SAC - Miami, Ft Lauderdale now Tallahassee
John
M Nash
USAF - Airman, 1st Class, 6 years of
serviceU.
S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class 1960 to 1966
johnnash@wrnash.com
Dennis Wales
Army - CW4, 26 years of service 1960 - 1971 Retired 1987 from Ft Lee, Va.
3 boys, 3 step daughters - on my final wife #3
dwales82@aol.com
George Faust
US Navy POI, E-6 - Sept 1960 to July
1978 - Joined Navy Reserve Miami September 1960. Went active duty April 1963
USS Alcor AK259 Charleston SC. Discharged June 1965 and returned to Miami and
rejoined Reserve July 1965. Served in MCB-14 Seabees and IUW unit and had to
resign in 1978.
Bill Barnes
USN, AT1 1962 to 1968 - Enlist January
1962, 63-64 WWII flying DEW Line out of Fezavik Iceland - 64-66 VAW-12 65 aboard
USS Independerke Vietnam cruise 66-68 USNR
Sanin Simone
calle iglesia,qta remanso prados del este
vaccity: caracas
vacstate: venezuela army-rotc cpl 2
Comments: I HAVE A BS FROM THE UCAB IN VENEZUELA DIVORCED, HAVE KARINA36,
KRYSTAL 27 AND ANGELY 9. WAS A CUMMINS ENGINE, NAVISTAR, GARRETT AIRESEARCH
DISTRIBUTOR IN VENEZUELA FOR 35 YEARS, CLOSED THE SHOP DUE TO POLITICAL
PROBLEMS. I AM RETIRED AND FINANCIALLY STABLE, THANK GOD, HAVE TWO GRANDAUGHTERS
ISABELLA 7 AND ALEXANDRA 3, WHO LIVE IN WESTON. I COLLECT ANTIQUES AND HAVE
QUITE A FEW, I ELSE COLLECT CARS. I READ A LOT I AND TRY TO LEARN ALL I CAN, I
ASK MYSELF WHAT FOR, BUT IT MAKES ME HAPPY.I AGREE COMPLETELY WITH SOCRATES THAT
ALL I KNOW IS NOTHING. I KNOW I AM JUST A PIECE OF DUST IN THE UNIVERSE, BUT MY
GOAL HAS BEEN TO HAVE GOOD DESCENDENTTS AND TO PASS MY GENES THE BEST I COULD TO
THE NEW GENERATIONS. I FEEL I HAD A VERY GOOD LIFE, I REGRET, THAT SACHA,MY
BROTHER AND CLASSMATE PASSED AWAY.I THINK THE WORLD WAS A BETTER PLACE THEN,BUT
I KEEP TRUSTING THAT GOD WILL MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE AT THE END.
Branch: USAF Rank: MSGT 20
Comments: Please provide the next planned 1961 Class Reunion gathering.
Thank you. Al
alrosey91@sbcglobal.net
ARMY - 20 yers in the ANC. Ret in 1981
went back for 5 months for Desert Storm. I was a Lt Col when I retired. Spent
some time in Germany but mostly stateside. Was W/WRAIN program for five years
and assigned to WRAIR in the Epidemiolgy Dept for three years. I was an Army
Health Nurse and served my last four in charge of Preventive Medicine at Ft
McClellan.
CAROLINE.GERTZ@GMAIL.COM
Ray Walton
US ARMY - 1964 - 1966, Detachment 1,
46th Finance Corps, US Army (Trois Fontaines, France) Rank at Discharge: 1st
Lt., FC Decorations: Vietman Service Medal. Attended National Security Forum
at US Air Force War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery AL, Class of
1993.
blitzvers@aol.com
ARMY - 1961 to 1964 E-3
USAF E-2 - 3 years, 10 months of
service. Stationed Abilene Tx - Member R-52 Atlas ICBM Combat Launch Crew
ARMY E-3 1964 - 1970 - I did what was
asked and asked few questions. Light infantry, Special Forces and Military
Police
USMC - Sgt 1964 - 1968 - 1 year in
Vietnam; 1967-1968 March - 20 weeks in bootcamp at Parris Island to build me up
since I was 3 pounds over min weight. Spent most of my time at Camp LeJune NC
US ARMY Rank 06 - 21 years of service
- July 72 to October 75 Vietnam served US Army Bwn Unit San Antinio Tx. December
1990 to June 1991 Desert Storm. Now retired US Army
wandes@nc.rr.com
USAF 1963 - 1967 Stofs Sgt
misawagt@gmail.com
caroline gertz of the 1960 class.I am an army vet,having spent 20 years in the
ANC.Ret in 1981 went back for 5 months for Dessert Storm.I was a Lt. Col when I
retired.Spent some time in Germany but mostly stateside.Was w/ WRAIN program for
five years and assigned to WRAIR in the epidemiolgy dept for three years.I was
an Army Health Nurse and served my last tour in charge of Preventive medicine at
ft McClellan.I will be at the reunion this wked.
Franz Capraro
MiddleInit:
L Good
US
Navy LT 1964 - 1969
gerry.good@gmail.com
Donald
C Evans
USMC – L/CPL 1961 – 1965 – Four years of destructive Marine Corps Service, unfortunately I destroyed mostly beer cans. Due to my finely honed skills with said, beer cans, I sky rocketed to the rank of PFC. A rank I held for over two years, a distinction attained by myself and one other young Marine who went a w o l and couldn’t be found for two years. Did I mention my nick name? “PFC fluff-dry” The Marine Corps humored me with an honorable discharge. I agreed they made a wise and just assessment. Truth be told, anything short of burning at the stake would have been fine with me.
Charles
Byers
US Army E-8 First Sgt. 1966 - 1993 Spent 2 years active duty then transferred
to Army Reserves where I was and X-ray Specialists and Medical Lab Specialists.
Spent my last 17 years as a First Sgt. of a battalion size medical unit. I was
stationed at Ft. Benning GA., Ft. Bragg NC, Ft. Sam Houston TX. and Ft. Drum NY.
I earned the following Medals and Ribbons: Expert Field Medical Badge,
Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army
Achievement Medal, Sharp Shooter with Pistol Badge, US Army Reserve Recruiters
Badge, Expert with Rifle Badge, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 4
Oak Leaf Cluster, NCO Professional Development Ribbon Level 4, Army Service
Ribbon, National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, and the Armed Force Reserve
Medal with Bronze Hour Glass.
RALPH
QUINN RICHARDSON
ARMY ,ARMY RESERVE,AIR FORCE RESERVE SGT E5 6 ACTIVE,12 RESERVE SERVED IN THE
ARMY FROM 1959 TILL 1962 WAS STATIONED IN FORT POLK LA TRAINING INFANTRY TROOPS
TO SEND TO SEND TO SOUTH EAST ASIA,WAS ALSO STATIONED IN HEILBRON GERMANY FOR 20
MONTHS HIGEST RANK WAS SGT E5,WENT INTO THE RESERVE AND SERVED UNTIL 1979
Beverley
Anderson Linsley
U.S.A.F. MSGT, RETIRED (1962 - 1966) (1974 - 2002) YEARS OF SERVICE:
28. AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN FROM 1971 - 1966. INTERESTED IN CONTACTING OTHER
MIAMI EDISON VETERANS.
usafret@cox.net
mailto:usafret@cox.net
John
Gary Holbein
USAF: 1960 - 1981 retired MSGT Vietnam 1967 - 1968, Flight Mechanic c-7a
caribou. 21 Years of Service.
jholbein@dixie-net.com
Craig
Wier
US Army, SP5 - US Army Intelligence & Security, Mar. '62 - Mar. '65. Army
Language School, Monterey, CA, Russian Linguist (988.1). Served in Shemya (end
of the Aleutian chain), Two Ranch Station (near Petaluma, CA), and TDY to East
German border.
mailto:craigw@eusers.com
Charles
Ronald (Ron) LaBar
USAF: Lt. Col. I served 20 years in the USAF and retired in 1986 as a Lt. Col.
Duty in Vietnam, Panama, Florida (twice)..Assistant Professor of FSU's ROTC
program in Tallahassee in 1970. I ran the Air Force Conference Center in
Homestead from 1978 to 1983. Other assignments were Illinois, Alabama,
Mississippi and last at Nellis AFB, Nv. where I retired in 1986 and immediately
went to work for the City of Las Vegas. Please fill free to post our address,
phone and email for our classmates to contact us.
Ron LaBar
4526 Newton Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(702)
451-1380
mplabar@cox.net
Lyle
Digby
US Army Drafted in 1966 in the US Army. Graduated 2nd Lieutenant, Ft. Sill
Artillery Officer Candidate School. Served as platoon leader and training
officer Ft Dix Advanced Infantry company,1968. Graduated Nike- Hercules Officer
Course,Ft Bliss, Tx. 1968. Served as 1st Lieutenant, XO, Nike-Hercules Missile
Battery in Korea,68-69. Served as 1st Lieutenant and as Captain in the 181st
Military Police Company, Florida National Guard,70-72
Lyle.Digby@aaronrents.com
David
E. Bergquist
USAF - BS Bus Mgt 1965 - U of F- MS Bus Admin 1975 - Univ Central Mich USAF
Major, Ret, 1966-1986 USAF Pilot and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander
ddebergquist@cox.net
Herbert
J. Winters
US ARMY - E5, Served in the U.S. Army 1961-1964, 7th Engineer Brigade, Rhein /
Main AFB Germany
hmwinters@gmail.com
James
L. Cardozo
US Navy – E5, Served 4 years
jcard1111@aol.com
Donald
C Evans USMC –
L/CPL 1961 – 1965 – Four years of destructive Marine Corps Service,
unfortunately I destroyed mostly beer cans. Due to my finely honed skills with
said, beer cans, I sky rocketed to the rank of PFC. A rank I held for over two
years, a distinction attained by myself and one other young Marine who went a w
o l and couldn’t be found for two years. Did I mention my nick name? “PFC
fluff-dry” The Marine Corps humored me with an honorable discharge. I agreed
they made a wise and just assessment. Truth be told, anything short of burning
at the stake would have been fine with me.
Bill
Barnes
USN – enlisted
January 62 until May 66 – Aviation Electronics Tech (radar & Airborne CIC 1963 –
64 V-11 Flying Dew Line from Keflavik, Iceland. 1965 VAW-12 aboard USS
Independence CVA-62 in Vietnam
B39barnes@nc.rr.com
Beverly
Anderson-Linsley
USAF. (1962-1966), (1974-2002), Rank Msgt. Retired. Class of 1961.
usafret@cot.net
Craig
Wier
US Army – 1962-1965. Rank: SP5. Class of 1961.
craigw@eusers.com
Gary
V Moorhead
USAF TSGT 1962 –
1982 - After Tech
School in Mississippi, Altus OK, Cheyenne Mountain CO, Korea; beautiful Germany;
can't tell you NKP. Thailand; oh no Ark, Homestead FL retired. Electronics
Technician then on the job training management.
1982garymrhd@yahoo.com
Bob Woodall
US Navy QM2, E5 1960 to 1965 -
Served aboard 2 ships in the navigation Dept., based mostly in San Diego CA.
Made 2 West Pac cruises - was involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964
and received the Armed Forces Expediency Medal - Vietnam. Went to Quartermaster
School in Japan. Lot's of travel and great experience and great memories.
William
E Brown
Air Force E-3 - 4 years of service -
Retired from Kennedy Space Center 2005. Self employed Electrician. Married to
Judy; two children and one step-son
jebrown@cfl.rr.com
Donald
C Evans
USMC
– L/CPL 1961 – 1965 – Four years of destructive Marine Corps Service,
unfortunately I destroyed mostly beer cans. Due to my finely honed skills with
said, beer cans, I sky rocketed to the rank of PFC. A rank I held for over two
years, a distinction attained by myself and one other young Marine who went a w
o l and couldn’t be found for two years. Did I mention my nick name? “PFC
fluff-dry” The Marine Corps humored me with an honorable discharge. I agreed
they made a wise and just assessment. Truth be told, anything short of burning
at the stake would have been fine with me.
dcevans63@yahoo.com
Albert D
Garcia
USAF MSGT 20
Please provide the next planned 1961 Class Reunion gathering.
Thank you.
alrosey91@sbcglobal.net
Gary V Moorhead
USAF
'62 - '82
garymrhd@yahoo.com
Steven MiddleInit: J Zurko
USCG
Reserves Rank: QM-2 6
Taught middle school in
Palm Beach county for 35 years.I have been
married for 42 years. We had 2 sons. The youngest one drowned at 19 years after
going surfing in 1996. My wife and I moved back to
Tallahassee where we attended college about 4 years ago.My brother Max and
my
son Grant already lived there. My mother lived with us until a couple of
years
ago when she passed at 93 years.
We have 2 miniature Schnauzers. They are delightfully funny dogs.
I've had both knees replaced. About 30 years ago my wife and I
joined the
Episcopal church.
zurkos@gmail.com
Peter
Graves
Joined USN November 1962. Musician 2nd
Class 1962-1966. Naval School of Music, Washington, DC 1963, was involved in
duties at White House at time of Kennedy assassination. Transferred to Commander
7th Fleet and served in Vietnam 1963-1965. Finished tour of duty at Jacksonville
Naval Air Station and was honorably discharged in August of 1966.
R.
Gary Pinder
USAF Colonel, 21 years: Entered Air Force
Pilot Training after graduation from college in 1966. Received a fighter
assignment to the F-100
and was sent to Vietnam in May 1968. Flew 300+ combat missions over North &
South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, got shot at but not shot down, watched too
many friends and comrades die, and was fortunate to return home in one piece in
1969. After 5 years of active service, joined the Air Force Reserve. Had the
privilege of serving as the Commander of a F-4 Phantom squadron before retiring
in 1987.
rgpinder@aol.com
Kendall
Thompson
U.S.N. 1962-1968. Served as Communications Radioman on Destroyer USS Lofberg,
Westpac stationed in Key West, Fl and San Diego, Ca.
James
J. Reilly
Marine Corp from 62-67 during Viet Nam.
captnjim@directvinternet.com
F.B. "Sunny" Silver (Fannie Buchanan)
US Navy Reserves Years Of Service: 20 Rank: E-6 I joined the Navy Reserves in
August 1979 and retired as a Reservist in 1999.
I was in the supply corp. and spent 2 years active as a recruiter for the
Reserves. I served in several different units; SIMA,NAVAIR,SUPPLY AND The CB's.
20 great years.
mailto:flytygigi@yahoo.com
Stanley
Girard
U.S.Navy (air) Rank: E-3 Years Of Service: 2 years active duty 4 years reserve
mailto:
William
T Merritt
USAF Years of Service - 4, Rand - Sgt - Joined USAF in 1964. After basic
training I was sent to Wichita Falls Texas for six months schooling in power
production. Sent to Eglin A.F.B. Florida for two years. I was sent on a secret
mission for 3 1/2 months that turned out to be in Medicine Hat Alberta Canada
(close to Calgary) in the dead of winter at 30 below and they said it was a
desirable TDY. Finally back to Florida and college ext. classes through Florida
State University. Before joining I earded extra money playing lead guitar in a
rock band. We played for University of Miami frat parties, Miami Edison sock
hops along with beach and pool parties. I decided to start a group in the Air
Force and played night clubs. We also traveled with the U.S.O. during shows for
the troops and even on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington. The money was
getting good and as fate would have it, I got orders for a place close to Laos
called Udorn Thani. A lot of air support was flown from the base into Vietnam.
After a year there I was honorably discharged in San Francisco California. I
now live in Winter Haven Florida with my wife and two daughters.
murple4@verizon.net
R.
Gary Pinder
Class of 1962
John
Kendall Thomtson
1962 N-6252
US ARMY Colonel 32
gordonarabian@aol.com
US NAVY
Rboyer01@hotmail.com
USMC Lt Col 33
pgoble6@comcast.net
USN Commander 1964 - 1968
jpgomaha@aol.com
billhorne22@yahoo.com
Rank: Commander 1964-1986
Pilot for another 22 years of flying. My wife, of 45 years, and I are now
retired (again) and living in the
Las Vegas area
(we wanted to be where our money went over the years).
Of all the memories in life - - - Edison (I went to
Edison Elementary, Junior High, and High School) are some
of my favorites
Anybody know about Jim Reilly, Jim Cardoza, or Charlie Lodico?
GIRARD13@COX.NET
joancrewc@gmail.com
E-5
3 years
Comments: Hard to believe we are approaching the 50th. Looking forward to
the
reunion and seeing fellow classmates.
Following the service and after graduating FAU I have worked in
local
government in Broward Cities as either an
Assistant City Manager or
City Manager
for most of the time. Shelley and I have been married for over 40 years and I have two grown
children, Elizabeth and John A. with two granddaughters Dinez and Angelica and a
grandson on the way.
I still enjoy tennis, fishing and an occasional beer with
Jim Reilly
Johns@oaklandparkfl.org
Lance
(Jeff) Carbone
US Army
E-5 1967-1969
lance.carbone@yahoo.com
lance.carbone@yahoo.com
Marines Rank: S. Sgt 6
jaoncrewc@gmail.com
William
J. (Bill) Theiler
U.S.N. Radioman 2nd Class E-5 1966-1970 Basic training and service
schools, San Diego, Ca. e3 until 1967. Radioman Seaman e3 Naval Facility Grand
Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, The West Indies. 1968-1969 Naval Facility
(NavFac) Argentina, Newfoundland as Radioman 3rd Class (RM3, or E4) and at
NavFac Nantucket, Nantucket Island, MA. from mid 1969 until separation on
1-28-70 as a Radioman 2nd Class E5
Jerry
Watts
USAF:
Joined the service in 1963 and served 4 years, spent 3 years in Louisville,
Kentucky. I came back to Miami in 1969 and worked construction for 4 years. I
now work for Publix Supermarket as a Meat Cutter since November 2004 wand was
with Winn Dixie for 29 and 1/2 years. I have 3 children
Jack
Gross
ARMY: E-5, Years of service -
Enlisted in the Army in 1966 three years after graduation. Basic Training at
Fort Benning, GA and advanced training in helicopter repair Fort Eustis, VA.
Spent all of 1967 in Viet Nam and returned to Fort Eustis for the balance of my
tour. Met my wife at the College of William and Mary and have lived in
Williamsburg, VA. for 37 years. I have one daughter and two grandchildren.
jack-gross@cox.net
AIR FORCE 64-68. VIET NAM 66-68.
alguffanti@bellsouth.net
Gordon Aragian
US Army Colonel/06 - 32 years of
service - US Army 8/65, basic training, Adv and Tng, OCS, Jump School, USAJFK Sp
War 3/7/5. Special Forces Gp Abn. XVIII Abn Corps, CDR 1/20 SFG 1St ABN, CDR
1/117th Field Artillery, Emergency Preparedness Liason Office Alabama to Fed.
Two tours in Vietnam, Africa, Spain. Retired in 1997 - 32 years of service.
gordonardbian@comcast.net
U.S. Army Colonel 32 Just glad to be here
gordonarabian@aol.com
Commander 33 1964-1968 Viet Nam aboard USS Mauna Kea.
1968-1995 US Naval Reserve, Retired Commander, Engineering Duty.
leemurphy771@sbcglobal.net
William
H. Reno, II
U.S.M.C. 2nd Lt. 1968 Danange, Vietnam Aviation Ordinance Safety Officer.
Served in USMCR - 2 years active. 4 years reserve - Aviation Ordnance, Safety
Officer - UMA 142, UMA 144- Danange Vietnam - 1968.
Fred
Peters
U.S.N. Served in Vietnam, I played football for the Red Raiders
(right guard) and received a scholarship to the University of Kentucky in 1964.
I played for the Kentucky Wildcats for 2 years when I decided to join the Navy
in 1966. I served on a Submarine Tender USS Bushnell for 2 years and then as a
Sea Bee for Mobile Construction Battalion # 9. I was stationed in Okinawa from
June of 1968 until October 1969 and was honorable discharged in October 1969. I
married a girl in 1970 who also graduated from Edison (1962) and her maiden name
was Sandra Cox. Latter we found out that we shared the gymnasium home room
during the 1962 school year and never knew each other. We went to the 20th year
reunion for the 1964 graduates and have been married for 35 years this September
3.
Greg
McDowell
Served in Vietnam
Don
W. Davis
M.A.S.H. Served in Vietnam as an
Orthopedic Technician U.S.M.C. '68-72'6
Donald
B. Cox
Army Years Of Service: 2 Rank: E-4 Comments:
Drafted on Dec. 5, 1965,went to boot camp at fort Benning, GA., then to Fort
Jackson SC. for heavy equipment school.Shipped out to Thailand for one year
tour. Returned to FT. Holabird, MD., where i was discharged at the end of my
enlistment. USMC64/68 - Sgt - MWHG-1,H&HS-1== JAPAN/DaNANG,RVN -
MAG-14,MWSG-27, VMGR 252 CHERRY POINT, N. C. Retired 1 child & 1 grandchild
mailto:coxe_family@msn.com
Jorge
Guerra
USAF, Major Served 1971-1972, 1973-1977 Currently professor of
Radiology, University of Miami School of Medicine at Jackson Memorial Medical
Center.
RAUL
ALBERTO SMITH
USMC 64/68 PARRIS ISLAND - PLT# 364
MWHG,H&HS-1 - JAPAN/APR 65 DaNang,RVN/JUN65/MAY66 CHERRY POINT - MAG 14
MWSG-27/VMGR-252
mailto:KMONPAKR@HOTMAIL.COM
Alexander
Lodice
U.S Army, E-5 Sgt. Served June 66 - June 69. Served in 1st Inf. Div. November
66 - November 67. Ft. Stewart, GA January 67 - June 69.
Bob
Moore (aka "R.L.")
Enlisted Naval Air Reserve in Oct. 1965.(My interest in aviation at
the time was encouraged in no small part by Coach Fowle's Aviation Science Class
- remember that? Our final exam was the FAA Test for a Private Pilot's License.
It was tough - only one in our class passed it, he got a "A." I missed it by two
questions.) Joined Anti Submarine Squadron VS-741 at NAS Jacksonville, FL.
Active duty Nov. 1966 with fleet. Joined Attack Squadron VA-75 ("The Sunday
Punchers"), an A-6 Squadron aboard USS Independence at Palma De Mallorca, Spain.
Returned to our home base at NAS Oceana,
Virginia Beach, VA in Jan. 1967.VA-75 deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk at San
Diego, CA for WestPac cruise to Yankee Station off Viet Nam 1967 -
1968. Aviation Supply Clerk & volunteered on ship's radio station.
Never forget standing quarters as we passed the USS Arizona Memorial
at Pearl Harbor. Also won't forget standing that "wheels
watch" with the mosquitoes at the end of the runway at Oceana four nights before
being transferred to Reserve in Sept. 1968! First chance I got, I "came home" to
West Virginia - and this time, stayed. In my 20th year
with West Virginia DOT. Currently writing a history
about The Midland Trail Highway through West Virginia. Can easily recall the
influence of my English Teacher, Mrs. Sylvia Miller, who encouraged writing &
composition. In the Beacon, I'm listed as Robert Lee
Moore, but most at Edison most just called me "R.L."
(these days, I only hear "Robert Lee" is when the Mrs. is reeeeaally ticked!)
mailto:railacene@aol.com
Donald
Frazzee
USAF - enlisted in the Air Force and was shot and killed while standing
perimeter watch at Clark AFB in Philippines in 1965
Bruce
Garey
US Army
Reniero ("Rennie") Perez
US Coast Guard
Edward
Crandall
USAF 1969-1972. Rank: Sgt. Class of
1964.
Evc101@yahoo.com
Thomas
Edward Harrell
USMC 1964 - 1968 - Cpl
Stanley
Moore Harrell
USMC - Cpl. Killed in Viet Nam, November 1, 1968
Daniel
L. Rubini
COLONEL (Retired) Daniel L. Rubini served as Assistant Chief Of Staff,
Government Team and Special Functions Team and as Brigade Staff Judge Advocate
at the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade, Norristown PA.
Colonel Rubini earned his Bachelors degree in
Political Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg VA , Chartered
Financial Consultant from American College , Bryn Mawr PA, and Juris Doctor from
Temple University , Philadelphia PA. He served as Staff Judge Advocate to the
304th Civil Affairs Brigade. He served as Staff Judge Advocate to the 157th
Separate Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), 1175th US Army Outport, and as Trial/
Defense Counsel to the 153rd Judge Advocate General’s Detachment.
Colonel Rubini
served in Desert Shield/Storm as advisor to the Kuwait Ministry of Justice. He
served in Haiti (Operation Uphold Democracy) in 1994 as Ministry of Justice
Advisor and on later MAT missions II, III (Team Chief-Justice), V, and VI (Team
Chief- Justice) from 1995 to 1997. He served in Central America as Chief of
Civil Affairs (J5) to US Southern Command- Forward Command Element for Hurricane
Mitch reconstruction in 1999.
He retired in February 2000 but returned to Active Duty to serve on the
Coalitional Provisional Authority in Iraq as Senior Advisor to the Ministry of
Justice. He served in Iraq from September 2003 to February 2004.
Colonel Rubini practiced law for 22 years and is now a US Administrative Law
Judge in Philadelphia , PA.
mailto:dlrubini@earthlink.com
George
M. Ward
Army National Guard, USAR - Captain, MSC - Years of Service: 14 - Class of
1964, Captain, Medical Service Corps. DCARNG 1968 - 1977, USAR 1977 - 1982;
Honor Graduate, US Medical Field Service School, BAMC, Ft Sam Houston, Texas
1972
george.ward@earthlink.net
Joe
Zelinski
Army Staff Sargent - Years of Service: 2. I am a member of the Class of 1964
and served in the US Army, Feb 1971 through Nov 1972. I was drafted from my
first teaching job at Miami Beach Senior High and returned to teaching at
Parkway Junior High. I taught typing at the Clerk School in Columbia South
Carolina at Fort Jackson after completing basics at Fort Jackson.
Zelinski_j@firn.edu
Edward
Crandall
USAF - 1969 - 1972, SGT
evc101@yahoo.com
James
Hoff OK
Ralph
Quinn Richardson
Rank: SGT E5. Army, Army Reserve, Air Force,
Air Force Reserve, 6 Active, 12 Reserve
Donald
B. Coxe
Class of 1964. US Army 2
years. E4. Drafted on Dec. 5, 1965 and went to boot camp at Fort Benning, Ga.,
then to Fort Jackson, SC for heavy equipment school. Shipped to Thailand for a
one year tour. Returned to Ft. Holabird, MD where I was discharged at the end of
my enlistment.
Coxe_family@msn.com
Edward
Crandall
USAF 1969-1972. Rank: Sgt. Class of 1964
.Evc101@yahoo.com
Char
Bravo
USN, E-4 - 3 years of service. US Navy
Waves 1965 - 1968. Bainbridge MD - Boot Camp - Chicago IL - US Naval Hospital -
Nilton FL - NAAS Whiting Field. 3 beautiful daughters, 5 georgous grandchildren
charabravo@aol.com
George
Clifford Stringer, Jr.
Michael Skinner
Navy - e-4 Musician, 4 years of service
Charles W Schloemer
ARMY E-5 2-years - Entered US Army May
15, 1958 - School for Marine Diesel Engines, Boat Handling, Trainer - Vietnam
Jan 1969 - 1970 Rated Specialist E5
charlie@palmbeachpower.com
André
P. Tillman, Jr. (Andy)
US Army 1967-1970. Rank: E-5.Class of 1964
andy@hgi1.com
Raul
Alberto Smith
USMC
– SGT – 1964-1968. Parris Island – PLT# 364. MWHG, H&HS-1 Japan – April 1965.
DaNang, RVN – June 1965-May 1966. Cherry Point – MAG 14 – mwsg-27/VMGR-252.
Earl
K Sampson UAMC
CPL 2
Rank: CPL 2
Drafted into Marines in 1966. Served 13 months in
Vietnam, 3rd Btn. 26th Marines, 2
Purple Hearts. Returned to
Miami 1968 to work and complete college.
After graduation, started Jr. College. Received AA and AS degrees,
joined Marines in 1966 and fought in
Vietnam for 13 months. Resumed work and
college in 1968. Finally graduated from what is now
St. Thomas with BA in
1974.
Years later, earned MBA from St. Thomas in 1987. Worked with Miami-Dade PD,
Monroe Co. Sheriff and FL Prison System for 35 years. Retired and happy riding
my
Harley-Davidson to many events. Active in
American Legion and other groups.
Wish
Miami was like it was when we were in school!
sampson55@knology.net
mailto:dlrubini@earthlink.net
Doug
P Stephens
Army Sgt, 1967-1969
dps1151@earthlink.net
I would like to take a moment to thank Bill
Peeler, Class of 1965 for all his help with our Veterans Page,
Sincerely, Ralph Sanabria
Bill
Peeler
Army PFC 1969 - 1971 Drafted 03 April 1969. Served in Vietnam 1970-1971 as a
Radio Carrier Attendant, 55th Signal Bn. in Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, and with the
101st Airborne Div. in Phu Bai. Attained the rank of PFC, did my tour, my time,
honorably discharged, and glad to be done with it.
Edgar
Feliu
U.S.A. Medic E4 1966-1968 Vietnam - Thailand
Kitty
(Cox ) LaFoutain
U.S.A.R. Medvac Unit 145 1980-1986 Served as a medic on a Huey
Helicopter and drilled out of Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Ga.
Ray
Salas
U.S.M.C. Major 1965-1969 Served in the Marine Corps from June 10, 1965 through
June 9th 1969. During this period of my twenty-year career in the Marine Corps,
I served in Vietnam from December 14, 1966 through January 1968 with the 3rd
Marine Division in the infantry. I reentered the Marine Corps as a second
Lieutenant May 1973 after graduating from Florida Atlantic University. I
retired from the Marine Corps May 1989 at the rank of Major. Biography listed
at the bottom of the page. I am married to the former Terry Lynn Henderson. We
have two grown children, Philip who is 24 and a graduate of the Citadel class of
'98. Our daughter Kikki is married to Philip Wang who a third year Law Student
at the University of Michigan. They both reside in Ann Arbor. Terry and I live
in McLean, Virginia. We are very active members of our church, the Presbyterian
Reformed Church. Currently, my life's project is building a military Christian
boys club called the Puritan Vanguard Cadet Corps (PVCC) ages 10-18
www.puritanvanguard.com Respectfully submitted, Major Ray Salas
U.S. Marine Corps, Retire
Steve
Petersen
U.S.A.F. Second Lieutenant 1968- I was drafted into the Army in 1968. After
boot camp in Ft. Benning, I agreed to finish my degree at the University of
Miami and was enrolled in Army ROTC. I transferred to Air Force ROTC and
graduated with a commission as a Second Lieutenant. I attended pilot training
in Big Spring, Tx. and was eventually based in Warner Robbins, Ga. I spent a
little over two years in Vietnam as a pilot. I flew KC-135 Tankers and Spector
Gun Ships.
Rick
Lowery
U.S.M.C. Joined the Marines in about 1965. He went to Vietnam right away and
when he came back a few years later, he became ill with leukemia and passed away
shortly after. I would like to remember him as if he died in combat says Chris
Logan.
Georgiann Vagias
U.S.M.C.R. Captain 1969-1973 Administrative Officer -XO- Women Detachnent
Cherry point. Administrative Officer -Marine corps Recruit Depot - Parris
Island, SC
Don
Keeley
U.S.A.F E-4. 1966-1970 Training at Keesler AFB, MS and Eglin AFB (Hurlburt
Field), Fl. Served with the 6594th Test Group, Hickam AFB, Hawaii with TDY to
SE Asia.
Terry
Mitchell
USN in the Bering Straits
Bob
Anderson
Army MP
John
Crumley
Army did a tour in Vietnam
Carl
Thomas Hansen
US Marine Corps E-4 January 1966 to December 1968. I was in the 5th
Engineer Battalion and 3rd FSR. I served in Okinawa and the Philippines.
John
L. Cimino
Drafted in June 1967 was in VN from Nov 1967 through Nov 1968 in the central
highlands. Assigned as a "grunt" in Company B, 3/8th 4th Inf. Div. Joined the
Army reserves in 1975 and retired as CSM in 1997.
Robert
Anderson
US Army SP4
James
Hoff
USAF Years of Service: 1964-1984 Rank: Msgt – E7 Left Edison in November 1964
and joined the USAF. Twenty years mostly spent in the far east. Japan,
Philippines, Viet Nam, and Thailand.
Steve
Pollard
US Navy Years of Service: 1966-1969 Rank: HN - Initially in UDT (Underwater
Demolition Team) dis enrolled due to color-blindness. Ended up in the Hospital
Corps, stationed aboard heavy cruiser - USS Newport News - 11 months in Viet
Nam, N. of DM7. Had R & R in Hong Kong, Philippines, Kobe, Sasko and Yukaska,
Japan. Following Viet Nam attended several schools. Left the Navy 10-31-69.
Diane
Bake Murphy
Class of 1965
863-318-9869, 701 South Lake Florence Dr. Winter Haven, FL 33884
mailto:dkmurphy@gte.net
RAUL
ALBERTO SMITH
USMC Rank: SGT 64/68 PARRIS ISLAND - PLT# 364 MWHG,H&HS-1 - JAPAN/APR 65
DaNang,RVN/JUN65/MAY66 CHERRY POINT - MAG 14 MWSG-27/VMGR-252
mailto:KMONPAKR@HOTMAIL.COM
Jerald
Lee Penzo
Air Force 1966 to 1970 Rank: Sgt.
Michael
J Kilbridg
Navy, Years Of Service: Oct. 1962-May 1967 Rank: E-4
pastamon3@aol.com
Bill
Sears
Ed
Bridges
U. S. Army Years Of Service: 20 Rank: Major (Ret) Marvin (Ed) Bridges Maj. USA
(Ret) Aug 1969 to Aug 1989
mailto:marvin.bridges@us,army.mil
Samuel
(Sam) H. Wetmore
Graduated: 1965 Branch Of Service: US Army Years Of Service: 3 Rank: SP4
Comments: Enlisted US Army 1968, Basic Training in Ft. Jackson, SC. Station at
Sharpe Army Aviation Depot 1968Vietnam Service
1969-Can't tell what I did. US Army Recruiter Jacksonville, FL. 1970, Honorable
Discharge March 1971. Exhaulted rank of SP4
samwetmore@comcast.net
Thomas
R. Wade
US Navy - Lt. Commander - US Navy Medical Corps from June 1978 to June 1980. I
was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, assigned to the
Dermatology Clinic while I was there.
mailto:Trogersw47@aol.com
Peter
Priest
US ARMY - I went in the U.S. Army in November 1967 and was discharged in January
1971. I was a Warrant Officer and Helicopter Pilot, with tours in Vietnam
1968-1969 and Germany from 1969-1971.
William
D. Duncan Jr.
United States Air Force (USAF) Years of
Service: 24, Rank: Colonel Served in the USAF from 1970 until 1994.
Commissioned a 2dLt through AFROTC at Florida State University, served as an
officer in aircraft maintenance career field. Stationed at 12 locations
throughout the career, sent to Air Force Institute of Technology for Masters
Degree, and Air Force Professional Military schools. Served in leadership
positions, including Commander of an aircraft maintenance squadron, and
Production Division Chief for C-130 overhaul depot at Warner Robins Air
Logistics Center.
Retired in 1994 after 24 years service with the rank of Colonel.
wdduncan@earthlink.net
Thomas
Patrick Jaskal
Army, served 6 years – Rank: SGT I served
with the 4th ID 1st 69th Armor and HQ 10 Cav in Viet Nam, 1969-1970. Prior to
that I was with the 2nd Cav in Bamberg Gere at Fort Benning GA.
tpjaskal@purdue.edu
George
Clifford Stringer, Jr.
USAF - Graduated
summer of 1965. Enlisted in the United States Air Force November 01, 1965.
Completed Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Tx. January
01, 1966 reported for duty at Robbins Air Force Base, Warner Robbins, Ga.
Assigned to the 465 Strategic Air Command, Organizational Maintenance Squadron,
Airman First Class. September 1968 reported for duty at Non-Kom Phanom Air
Force Base (NKP) Thailand on Laos Border. Assigned to the 56th Combat Support
Group, Staff Seargeant. Returned to Miami Florida September 04, 1969.
Donald
C Evans
USMC
– L/CPL 1961 – 1965 – Four years of destructive Marine Corps Service,
unfortunately I destroyed mostly beer cans. Due to my finely honed skills with
said, beer cans, I sky rocketed to the rank of PFC. A rank I held for over two
years, a distinction attained by myself and one other young Marine who went a w
o l and couldn’t be found for two years. Did I mention my nick name? “PFC
fluff-dry” The Marine Corps humored me with an honorable discharge. I agreed
they made a wise and just assessment. Truth be told, anything short of burning
at the stake would have been fine with me.
US Army. 2 Years –
Rank: E-5.Class of 1966. Enlisted in June 1968. Schooling at US Army Missle and
Munition, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Graduated as Control computer Repairman.
ETS on June 1970 as Specialist Fifth Class, E-5.
aaltuve@bellsouth.net
Robert
Anderson
Class of 1965 – US Army 1969-1970 – SP4.
arbrt@aol.com
Donald
Frazee
Enlisted in the Air
Force and was shot and killed while standing perimeter at Clark AFB in the
Philippines in 1965.
REMEMBER OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.. THEY GAVE IT ALL.!!!!
Retired restauranteur , married a coulpe if times
Three
kids and four grand kids Live in Ocala on small horse farm
Bondofla@gmail.com
Special Warfare School Ft. Bragg, Republic of Vietnam
USAF Rank:E-5 Sgt. 3yrs, 9mos, 12 days 16hrs Comments:
Retired restauranteur , married a coulpe if times Three kids and four grand
kids
Alfredo J Recio
Viet Nam
Veteran and received the Purple Heart. Deceased July 2010 and lay in rest VA
National Military Cemetery in Lake Worth
James
Pinkston
USMC 1965-1969.
Served Vietnam.
s
Evelyn Janson Salas
USAF SSgt 1968-1972
small horse farm
esjanson@thevillages.net
Sam Wetmore
Rank: E4 1968-1971
email: samwetmore@comcast.net
Evelyn Janson Salas
Branch: USAF SSgt 1968-1972
esjanson@thevillages.net
Sam Wetmore
Branch: Army
Rank: E4 1968-1971
email: samwetmore@comcast.net
Henry f Vales
Army
Rank: First Lieutenant 3
Comments: us Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning Ga.
Special Warfare School Ft. Bragg,
Republic of Vietnam
email: henryvales@gmail.com
Alfredo
J. Recio
Ed:
Bridges
U.S. Army
Major 20
ebridges0065@bellsouth.net
Ralph
Sanabria
U.S.A.F. E4 1966-1970 96th Strategic Air Command Dyess A.F.B.,
72nd Strategic Air Command Ramey A.F.B. Went TDY to Homestead AFB and TDY to
Mac Dill AFB in a satellite mission. After graduating Miami Edison Sr. High
School, which was on a Friday; Sunday I was sworn in at 5 a.m. in Coconut
Grove. Monday morning I got my first hair cut in Amarillo Texas. After boot
camp, I was assigned to Dyess AFB in Texas where I started my on the job
training in the motor pool. I started as a heavy equipment mechanic working on
"yukes", fire trucks and refueling trucks for the planes. After accomplishing
that I changed my AFFC to a general mechanic. Then there was an opening at
Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico for my position. I ran the night shift for the motor
pool and was know to be a scrounger. If we did not have it; I could get it like
Radar in the movie M*A*S*H. For an example, they needed 10 gallons of gray
paint to paint the walls of the motor pool for an inspection and there was none
be had because everyone had already scooped up on it. So my commander came to
me and said that he had no luck in finding gray paint and could locate some. I
laughed and though with 90 days left in the service, I had to make him an offer
that if I came up with the paint, I would not have to be one of the ones doing
the painting. So I made a few phone calls to my suppliers and we ended up
getting 8 gallons of white paint and 2 gallons of black. When I came back, my
commander told me "that was not gray paint". Surprisingly to him, when I mixed
up the white and black together, we had gray paint. He smiled, nodded his head
and walked away and I then took the day off which I spent at the NCO Club while
everyone else was painting.
As we slept in the barracks at night, the B-52's would take off on missions with
the KC 130 re-fulers carrying the fuel for the mission. You would always know
when they were going on the mission because of the rumble of the motors and the
amount of time it took for them to take off. We knew they were heavily loaded
because the rumble of the motors even shook the fans we had on the walls. We
listened for the planes to come back and you could tell by the sound of the
planes that they had completed their mission. Fortunately enough, we did not
lose any of our crew during my time in the service.
I am saddened to say, it seems to
me that people never think about Veterans except in times of war. That is why I
decided to honor all Veterans Of Edison Sr. High School on this page. I will
continue until we get our Memorial placed in the center patio of our old high
school.
medison66@aol.com
Willie
Dorado
U.S.A. E5
Tom
Dean
U.S.A.F. 05 Lieutenant Colonel 1971-1991 Flew the F-4 at Luke AFB, AZ,
Holloman AFB, NM and Mac Dill AFB, Fl. Flew the OV-10 in Osan Korea and
Patrick AFB, Fl. Transitioned to F-16 in 1981 at Mac Dill AFB, Fl, then flew it
in Madrid Spain at Torrejon AB. I was an instructor pilot in all three
aircraft. I was also stationed at Langley AFB, Va.
Clinton
Sanders
G.
Sal Campagna
Enlisted in US Army June 1968 to June 1971 Specialist 5th Class
Radio Relay Carrier Repairman, Section Chief53rd Signal Battalion, Head Quarters
Company, 2nd Field Forces
Bien Hoa, Vietnam Tour of Duty Sept 1969 to Sept 1970 365 Days
James
Crooke
rewm
Ralph
Seeley
Dell Osman
USAF - SSgt E5 - Enlisted July 14, 1967. After basic training I went to Kessler
AFB for technical training as an Electronic Warfare Technician (Electronic
Countermeasures). Spent eight months at Shaw AFB (TAC) in Sumter S.C. before
going to Takhli RTAFB (TAC) in Thailand. I was involved with the Wild Weasel
program on F105’s, RF-4C’s and EB-66’s. My tour of duty lasted 18 months in SEA
before returning stateside to Loring AFB (SAC), in Limestone Maine. I was
honorably discharged on July 13, 1971.
Jim
Craven
U.S.A.F.- LTC - I was commissioned a 2 LT in the Army the day I graduated. I
was in the Army for 25 years and retired in 1994 as LTC. Half of my career was
spend overseas Far East, Middle East, Europe and 3 tough years in Hawaii. I
retired from Central Command at MacDill AFB here in Tampa.
Doug
Noecker
U.S.A.F. served in Guam
Shawn
Keeley
US Army, Sgt. E5, Vietnam Jan 1968 - 199th Light Infantry Brigade, P.H., B.S.,
F.T.A.
Jimmy
Noble
Mr. Noble proudly served his country during the Vietnam conflict, and he was a
recipient of three Purple Hearts and a Silver Cross for his services. He was
born in Miami and passed away June 19, 2003.
Greg
Fotos
U.S. Marine Corps To my knowledge I was the first graduate of the class of '66
to enlist. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and entered boot camp on 14 July,1966.
For those of you that will remember our Senior year books arrived late that year
and we had to return to school (the gym) to pick them up and have them
autographed by our fellow classmates. On that date (June something...we had
already graduated) Abel Rodriguez had taken me down town to the Marine
recruiters to be sworn in. I never had my year book signed. My kids thought I
didn't have any friends! I think, I was first to land in Viet Nam, arriving on
18 Dec. 1966. I served with India Co. 3rd. Battalion, 3rd. Marine Regiment, 3rd.
Marine Division (3/3/3) from Dec. 66 until Jan 68. I was a Corporal and Squad
leader in a Weapons Platoon. We spent our tour in "I" Corps on the DMZ north of
Dong Ha.
Steven
T. Griffin
U.S.A.F. SMSgt E-8 Entered Air Force May 1968 after friend told me I was to be
drafted, liked it and stayed for the next 21 years. Started out as a power
production specialist stationed in FL and one year in Viet Nam. I retrained as
a B-52 Gunner and spent time on Guam and Thailand flying over North and South
Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. I retired with over 850 Combat hours and close to
6000 flying hours during my service. I received the Distinguished Flying Cross,
2 Meritorious Service awards and 4 Air Medals. Duty stations Tyndall AFB FI
68-69, Can Rahn Bay, Viet Nam 69-70, Seymour Johnson AFB N.C. 71-76 (temporary
duty to Guam and Thailand 72 & 73), Castle AFB CA 76-86 and Loring AFB Me 86-89.
topdog@intplsrv.net
David
L. Minei
U.S.A.F. SSgt. 1967-1971 - I entered the Air Force in 1967 with Marty Miller.
I became an aircraft mechanic and served in Viet nam from October 1968 to
October 1969. I was there for 366 days and can remember the departure as one of
the highlights. Being on an air base the primary action I saw was dodging
rockets being lobbed into the base by VC. One of the funniest things that
happened while I was there was the base ammo dump being burned up when a fire
burning weeds got out of hand. The squadron I was in had to fly to another base
to load there planes for their missions for almost three weeks.
Anyway, I am now a civil servant in Washington, DC and work with the National
Institutes of Health in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
Diseases Institute. I wish all Vets and Edison Graduates the very best.
davidbogey@aol.com
Bill
Sullivan
U.S.A.F. E4 The Summer of 66' headlines
included "60,000 per month to be drafted", so I elected to delay the college
experience & join many fellow classmates in the military by enlisting in the
U.S. Air Force. After Basic Training & Tech School at Amarillo AFB, Texas, I was
assigned to Key West Naval Air Station (not what I had in mind) at the 671st
Radar Squadron. 18 months there, then the 33rd Air Division at Fort Lee,
Virginia for a few months. A volunteer request for a Viet Nam assignment caused
the U.S.A.F. to send me to Hickam AFB, Hawaii (??) where I pounded the
halls (way before E-Mail) at HQ Pacific Air Forces for the balance of my 4 year
stint. Did TDY's to a couple of Pacific islands (Johnston & Midway). Proud to
have served my country, and also grateful that the GI Bill enabled my eventual
Bachelor's Degree from F.I.U. in Miami. My heart goes out to the many veterans
that paid the price of life, limb, and/or sanity during that time of conflict.
All Americans should be proud of their sacrifices, and honor them accordingly.
Larry
Burnette
US ARMY, Sergeant Years of Service:
1965-1968
Served in the U.S. Army from 08-65 to 09-68, three years 26 days. Did my
time.Viet Nam was with the 2nd Bn. 503rd Inf., 173rd Abn. Bde. In the states
served with the 6th Special Forces, and the 82nd Abn. Div. Assigned duty with
the 82nd in Washington D.C. during the 68 riots. Served my time leaving the
service as a Sergeant in 1968.
lburnette@marionso.com
Armando
J. Altuve
US ARMY, E-5 Years of Service: 2
Enlisted in June 1968. Schooling at US Army Missle and Munition, Redstone
Arsenal, Alabama. Graduated as Control Computer Repairman. ETS on June 1970 as
Specialist Fifth Class,
aaltuve@bellsouth.net
Howard
M Karsh
USAR 1971 - 1977 E-6 Specialist 5
hkarsh@bellsouth.net
Andrew
John McDonouth
USCG Years of Service 31, Rank O-6 - After
graduation from Edison, I went on to matriculate from the University of Miami,
after two undergraduate years at U of Florida Gainesville. Then in 1971 off to
active duty in the USCG, where I was SAR Coordinator in Group San Francisco
Bay. After Active Duty I remained in the Reserves, accumulating 31 years
achiveving the rank of )-6; I retired in August 2002. In 1983 I produced a son;
to whom I just gave the oath of Officer in the USMC, He is 23. I have been
married to Eileen Baca for 18 years now and we live in the hills of the East
Side of San Francisco Bay in the community of Montclair. I now fly the A-330
for Northwest Airlines out of Seattle to the Orient and beyond and have two
years to go before I retire. Leisure time has my wife and I enjoying sailing on
our boat that we keep in the Gulf Islands on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
or traveling the world on "standby"
andrewmcdonough@sbcglobal.net
AM AF Vet – 23 years – Unfortunately lat call up gave severe disabilities, not to mention many other medical problems incurred in service, am now 100% disabled; can’t get out & around easily. Funny – still look almost like photo, am aged little in looks, but inside body is hell. As all other vets know, we receive vey little help, especially with ptsd issues. My VA hosp (Bay Pines, St Petersburg FL is supposed to be one of the best) still exhibits a covert attitude of “this wouldn’t be a bad place to work if it weren’t for f’ing vets”; must fight repeatedly for everything. Am exhausted from fighting the good fight, emotionally & mentally. Out of all that time, maybe 8 good years, 10 horrible, rest mediocre.
Marines – CPL
1967 – 1970 – I enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 67 and served in Viet Man
as a 0311 Grunt assigned to Golf Company 2nd Batt 5th
Maine Reg. We received the Presidential Unit Citation for our combat during the
Battle of Hue City of Tet Offensive 68 from President Nixon. Discharged in
April 70. Happy to have made it home in one piece.
maidels@bellsouth.net
US Army. 2 Years – Rank: E-5.Class of 1966.
Enlisted in June 1968. Schooling at US Army Missle and Munition, Redstone
Arsenal, Alabama. Graduated as Control computer Repairman. ETS on June 1970 as
Specialist Fifth Class, E-5.
aaltuve@bellsouth.net
US
ArmyFS - Serving in Afghanistan
USAF – MSGT - Years of Service 20
Dc10engguy@sbcglobal.net
Army – E4 Served 1968 – 1970
Rank: CPL. 1967-1970
Comments: I ENLISTED IN THE MARINE CORPS IN MAY OF 67 AND SERVED IN VIET
NAM AS
AN 0311 GRUNT ASSINGED TO GOLF COMPANY 2ND BATT 5TH MARINE REG. WE RECEIVED
THE
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR OUR COMBAT DURING THE BATTLE OF HUE CITY OF
TET
OFFENSIVE 68 FROM PRESIDENT NIXON DISCHARGED IN APRIL 70. HAPPY TO HAVE MADE
IT
HOME IN ONE PIECE.
email:
MAIDELS@BELLSOUTH.NET
email: jawacs@yahoo.com
street: 5330 E. 144th St N
email:
dnicholson95@earthlink.net
- class of 1966 - was in the Army and was at Walter Reed Hospital due to an illness, possibly
U.S.Marine corporal1966-1968
Wolf1136@msn.com
(deceased last July 2010) was a Marine and served in Viet Nam 14 months
jawacs@yahoo.com
Marty
Miller
U.S,A.F. Retired SMSgt. Enlisted October 1967 retired April 1988. Assigned to
Kadena AB Okinawa, Phan Rang AB Viet Nam, McGuire AFB NJ, Homestead AFB FL, CCK
AB Taiwan, Maxwell AFB AL, Kessler AFB MS, Norton AFB CA, Randolph AFB TX, and
Langley AFB VA. Now living in Yorktown VA.
Al
Salas
U.S.M.C prior to graduation, 1967. Served in combat in the Republic of South
Vietnam with the 3rd. batt. 5th. Marines as a infantry rifleman (Grunt) from
Dec. 6, 67 to Jan. 6, 1969 (400 days). Vietnam was the second greatest
experience in my Life. My first was my "deliverance from darkness" (Sept. 1,
1979) by the divine grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I want to thank my brother and friend Ray
Salas Jr. (Edison's Class "65") on his last day of his tour shared with me
brotherly wisdom and encouragement moments before my company embarked on
a "Search and destroy" operation. And for all the Edison's boys who served our
great country and especially those whose names are etched in memorials and in
our hearts. Semper Fi!
Cal
Hyland
USN, Hospital Corpsman, Active duty - January 1969 thru August 1973.
Assignments:
1969 - Hospital Corps School, Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA;
1970 – Med Evac. Transport, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL;
1971-1973 - Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Technician, National Naval Medical
Center, Bethesda, MD;
8/20/1973 - Honorable Discharge.
William
(Bill) Leroy HuntI
U.S.A.F Was retired from the United States Air Force in 1994 after 25 years of
service as an Air Traffic Controller. I have been stationed in Texas, Illinois,
Florida, Greece, Mississippi, England, Kansas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Nevada, Florida, Alaska, and Florida. I now have a home at Satellite Beach,
Florida were my wife and three of our six children reside.
I presently work on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean for Computer
Sciences Raytheon. I am the Chief of Airfield, and Air Traffic Control
Operations. This is a Civil/Military Airport and one of only three airports in
the South Atlantic Ocean.
I hope this is enough information.
Sincerely,
Bill Hunt, Class of 67.
Bruce
Bartlett
Army 1st Lt 1971-1974 ROTC 4 years, FSU excellent experience
Frank
Partyka
USN/USAR E-4/Major 1968-1972, 1976-1998. USN 68-72 stationed 1 year in
Key West, 2 years aboard USS Independence - 2 cruises to Med. USAR 76-98, E-4
stayed in 364 Public Affairs Dept. Direct commission in 82. Promoted to Major
in 93 and received command of 364th. June 97 - Aug 97 stationed in Bosnia -
unit was activated - published weekly newspaper did radio/tv spots.
Thomas
L. Gaussiran
USAF A2C 1961 - 1963
Robert
Butler
ARMY 1968 - 1971 SP4, Served in 44 Med. Command USARV 1970 - 1971. Graduated
1975 National Collage of Chiropractic. Have been in practice in Miami since
1976.
butlerchiro@bellsouth.net
Drafted in June 1967, served in
VN from 1967 through Nov. 1968 in the central highlands. Assigned as a “grunt”
in Company B, 3/8th 4th Inf. Div. Joined the Army in 1975
and retired as CSM in 1997.
Rank Sgt. E5. US Army,
Vietnam January 1968. 199th Light Infantry Brigade. P.H., B.S.,
F.T.A.
Married to Barry O'Connor (Married O'Connor 1966)
Barry is a Navy Vietnam Veteran who served on the USS Oriskany (Aircraft Carrier
CV 34)
The USS Oriskany now lies off the Pensacola Bay, Florida and
serves as a reef for divers. Two boys and three grandchildren.
Registered Nurse/Clinical Systems Analyst looking for work in 2010.
Enjoy cruising on Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises in between projects....
Dorothy
O'Connor bourque
Navy VietnamVeteran who served on USS Oriskany Cairraft Carrier CV 34 The
USS Oriskany now lies off the Pensacola Bay Florida and serves as a reef for
divers
Rocco J Russomano
Army NG E5` 20
Comments: Have been teaching band and choral since 1973. Have taught in
Florida, California and presently Oklahoma. Have also worked on cruise ships
as a professional musician.
rjr4band@valornet.com
LEROY
GADSON Branch
Of Service: AIR FORCE Years Of Service: 3
tgadson@mems.dadeschools.net
Wilmore
Ritchie Jr.
ARMY,
served 22 years, Retired E/7, SFC,
USA
ISLAND_SON@MSN.COM
Bruce
Collison
USN/USMC FMF
Rank EM2 E5 - Years of service four
doc9mar@verizon.net
Harry
Church
harrychurch@yahoo.com
Leroy
Gadson
Class of 1971. US Air Force 3
years.
tgadson@mems.dadeschools.net
Cheryl
Lynn Jossie
Arm Forces 1978 – 1984 – Duty Station Izmir, Turkey NATO Headquarters attached to Det 118 United States Air Force 3 years. Rank E-5/ Specialist Personnel Management. Current occupation, nurse
Dcevans63@yahoo.com
Allen
[Keita Kwame USAF
1973 - 1977, Senior Airmen
Lynn
Jossie
Arm Forces 1978 – 1984 – Duty
Station Izmir, Turkey ATO Headquarters attached to Det 118 United States Air
Force 3 years. Rank E-5/ Specialist Personnel Management. Current occupation,
nurse
Cpks25@aol.com
Guy
Allen
USAF
Rank: E4 1973-1977
Comments: aka: Guy Allen Kwame, Yeshua Ben Yosef
cheikhantadiop@bellsouth.net
Abel
A Rodriguez
Army Rank:
Sgt. 7
arod4ever1955@yahoo.com
HECTOR
L CARRASQUILLO
Army
Rank: E-5 4.5
Never forget where you came from...still proud, still bleed
Miami Edison Red Raider!
hl.carrasquillo@gmail.com
Allen M Diaz
US ARMY SP 4 6
amdjtd@hotmail.com
Eugene
Isaac
Coach
Phillip Tedder
USAF 1st Lt. served 2 years
Mavis
Pape Teacher
W.A.C., 1st Lt.
served 12 years - recruiting officer in Oklahoma City, Cleveland and Houston.
Years of service 1942 - 1945.
Robert
A. Lawrence Faculty 1950 – 1967
US Army-3rd Infantry Division WWII,
Corporal – 3 years, 4 months
anziobob@webtv.net
Just Email us 
Thank you
These
are thumbnails, click on pictures and they will ENLARGE
After
opening the pictures, to return to the thumbnails you will need to click on your
"Go Back" button.
Arlington
Korean Wall Vietnam Wall Women
of Vietnam World War 2 Memorial
Coming Soon W.W.II
You can go to the Vietnam Wall online and check names at www.vietnamwall.org and click on Virtual Rubbing, put in Miami, Fl and it will bring up a list of names. You can narrow down the search by the year of birth. Thanks to Linda Jeffries Giblin for this information.
BIOGRAPHIES
Bill Sullivan
Rank: Sergeant six
Comments: Lived in way too many places, had way too many occupations, dated
way too long before marriage,
email: rockitman23@cox.net
Bill Sullivan U.S.A.F. E4 The Summer of 66' headlines included "60,000 per month to be drafted", so I elected to delay the college experience & join many fellow classmates in the military by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. After Basic Training & Tech School at Amarillo AFB, Texas, I was assigned to Key West Naval Air Station (not what I had in mind) at the 671st Radar Squadron. 18 months there, then the 33rd Air Division at Fort Lee, Virginia for a few months. A volunteer request for a Viet Nam assignment caused the U.S.A.F. to send me to Hickam AFB, Hawaii (??) where I pounded the halls (way before E-Mail) at HQ Pacific Air Forces for the balance of my 4 year stint. Did TDY's to a couple of Pacific islands (Johnston & Midway). Proud to have served my country, and also grateful that the GI Bill enabled my eventual Bachelor's Degree from F.I.U. in Miami. My heart goes out to the many veterans that paid the price of life, limb, and/or sanity during that time of conflict. All Americans should be proud of their sacrifices, and honor them accordingly.
Ray Salas
I am married to the former Terry Lynn Henderson. We have two grown children,
Philip who is 24 and a graduate of the Citadel class of '98. Our daughter Kikki
is married to Philip Wang who a third year Law Student at the University of
Michigan. They both reside in Ann Arbor. Terry and I live in McLean,
Virginia. We are very active members of our church, the Presbyterian Reformed
Church. Currently, my life's project is building a military Christian boys club
called the Puritan Vanguard Cadet Corps (PVCC) ages 10-18
www.puritanvanguard.com Respectfully
submitted, Major Ray Salas U.S. Marine Corps, Retire
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