F-80 100 Missions 1951

Comments: My dad, who lives with me now, flew 100 combat missions in F-80's from April, 1951 until October 1951. He received the DFC for actions taken during one of these missions. He was hit by AA fire on his 77th mission while skip-bombing RR tunnel, and due to previously having ejected F80(and almost not surviving)did not bail out, but pulled up to limits of service ceiling and wing fire went out. Made base and landed. Tells of Itazuke and K-13. Have pic of his shot up F80 and others. Also hand-written Penworthy pad of each mission, date, location and ordinance expended. Also have 35 mm film from gun cams. 1st Lt. Wilbur B. Thompson 8th FBG, 35th FBS.

Keywords: F-80 8th FBG 35th FBS

Trail of the Black Panthers

Comments: Uncle was stationed with 35th in Korea from July 1950 until they were pulled back to Japan. During this period the 35th published a book about the exploits of this unit from June 1950 thru Dec 5, 1950. My Uncle donated his book to 35th Museum in Pennsylvania back years ago with the understanding they would copy it and return it----which they never did. He is looking for a copy of this book. He will be 90 years old in June and would like to get his book back.

Keywords: Sgt Edward A Zook

George Ritzman or Vince Eastridge

Comments: Looking for buddies George Ritzman and Vince Eastridge

Keywords: Chuck Johnson 35 FBS South Korea 1952-53

Comments: Looking for friends:

George Ritzman

Vince Eastridge

Keywords: Nickname - Chuck 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron Served in Suwan, K-13 , S. Korea 5/1952 - 6/1953

LOOKING FOR COL. TRACY B MATHEWSON

Comments: LOOKING FOR TRACY, SON, OR ANY FAMILY MEMBER OF COL.TRACY B MATHEWSON III-SON'S NAME IS TRACY MATHEWSON -ZAUGG.LAST I HEARD OF MY BEST FRIEND MATT - HE WAS A FULL COL. STATIONED AT ANDREWS OR THE PENTAGON.IN ABOUT 1984. I BELIEVE HE WAS FROM AUGUSTA, GA MARRIED IN 1947- I THINK IN A CHURCH THERE. I WAS IN THE AIRFORCE WITH TRACY 1943-1946 .

HE WAS SHOT DOWN IN 1951 IN KOREA WITH 35TH BOMB SQ.FLYIN F-80,NEAR THE YALU RIVER AND AGAIN ABOUT 1952 IN AN F-86-I HAVE MUCH MORE INFO INCLUDING PICTURES OF TRACY. WE WERE VERY CLOSE.

PLS E MAIL ME-IF YOU CAN PROVIDE ANY INFO.

Keywords:

Correction - Eugene R. Hansen with 36th FTR BMBR Squad. instead of 35th

Comments: Correction: I have recently been able to confirm that my great uncle Eugene R. Hansen served with the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron instead of the 35th as I had previously posted below. I have posted a new request for information on the webpage for the 36th Squadron. Please see that page if interested.

Matt Hansen Lincoln, Nebraska

Keywords:

1st Lt John Thees

Comments: I am looking for anyone who may have known my Uncle 1st Lt John Thees. He was shot down by AA on a mission to attack the Yang Ni Dong bridge complex at Sinanju on July 20, 1953. He flew with the 35 Ftr Bmr Sq, 8 Ftr Bmr Gp, APO 970.

Shelley (Thees) Fletcher

Keywords: F-86

Origins Of Hang Loose Hand Signal

Comments: I am currently a member fo the 35th and I am looking for any info on the origins of "Push It Up" and our squadron us of the Hang Loose hand signal we use.

Push It Up! Punks Rule!

Keywords: Push it up, Pantons, 35th Fighter Squadron

WWII Friend of Tracy B. Mathewson III

Comments: Tracy and I - heard that a Colonel Beverly was currently in the process of reestablishing the 4th Ftr Group - just next door at Andrews AFB. We hastend over to Andrews and talked to Colonel Ernest H. Beverly, the 4th Group Commander and were hired on the spot. Several months later we were transfered to the 51st Ftr Gp on Okinawa. Tracy met and married Nola Lorraine Lee, on 4 October 1947, while on leave and en route to San Francisco - for shipment on the Hospital Ship "Comfort" for Naha, Okinawa. In 1951, Tracy and I were seperately assigned to the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th FBGp. Tracy was shot down just before I arrived and sustained a broken neck and was returned Stateside for hospitalization. Had Tracy not been shot down - he certainly would have joined the throng of "Aces" during Korea and Vietnam - as he was one of a kind and a dedicated professional - if not our definition - as a "Hired Killer" when in the air in an air-to-air "Combat Roll" against an enemy engaged in closing your permanent Flight Plan - before you close his!!!

Keywords: I met Tracy in April of 1947 when we both reported to the Holibird Signal Depot in Baltimore, Maryland - to attend the Counter Intelligence School there! It was a deadend assignment, during austere times, where it was a matter of selecting this school - or being discharged from the US Army Air Corps - as unassigned Fighter Pilots. We both registered our dismay - when we were advised that we would lose our Wings if assigned as Spooks; and, in the end were released from the School, for lack of interest!

Please, any info on pilot Tracy B. Mathewson III

Comments: Great site! Please help if you can. I'm looking for any information about my father TRACY B. MATHEWSON III (Pilot) flying F-80s...I think they were F-80C aircraft. He was shot down in Korea and rescued by pilot Lt. Donald R. Michaelis (flying a single engine CONVAIR (Stinson L-5 "Sentinel"). If anyone has any info, please email me.

Thank you, Tracy

Keywords: Pilot 35th FBS - Tracy B. Mathewson III

Looking for any info on my Grandfather

Comments: I am looking for any info on Grandfather, Joe F Brown. He was in the 35 FBS in Korea.

Keywords: 35 FBS, 8th FTR. BMR. WG

Comments:

Keywords: Joe Felix Brown,3200 Fighter Test Squadron

additional information

Comments: At the time he was shot down and killed, Eugene R. Hansen was serving with the 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Bomber Group. His rank was First Lieutenant and he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.

Keywords:

1st Lieutenant Eugene R. Hansen

Comments: I am searching for anyone who served with or knew my Great Uncle, 1st Lieutenant Eugene R. Hansen. He was shot down and killed in combat while flying an F-80C near Kaso-ri, Korea, on July 7, 1950.

Keywords: First Lieutenant Eugene R. Hansen 8th Fighter Bomber Group 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron F-80C

Suwon 3/53

Comments: The complete 8th Fighter Bomber Wing moved from K-13, Korea to Itazuke AB, Japan in Oct. 54.

Keywords: Was in thew 35th Fighter Bomber Squadron at K-13 AB, Suwon Korea from Mar 54 to Oct 54.

HQ HQ Sqdn Reunions for Sqdn

Comments: Iam now secretary/treas. of 8th fighter group assoc.Next reunion at Wright-Pat air force base September 23-24 and 25th. Contact if interested.

Keywords: October 53 to November 54 35h Sq and Hq & Hq Sq.

Astronaut Jim McDivitt

Comments: Anyone have ANY information regarding F-86s (or F- 80s) flown in combat by Astronaut Jim McDivitt during his service with the 35th FBS?

Keywords: McDivitt, Astronaut, F-86, Sabre, Korea, NASA,

1ST LT LOUIS THOMAS ESPOSITO

Comments: This comment, pertains to my previous Message No. 37589; Posted: 2003-10-15 @ 10:08:39. While surfing the net this morning; I noticed, in an article, by Diego Zampini - Entitled: "Russian Aces Over Korea," Russian Ace LEV KIRILOVICH SHCHUHIN, a MIG-15 pilot with 17 Air Victories -was credited with the kill of Lou Esposito on the date that Lou was listed as KIA! As I have mentioned previously; I was on that same Air-To-Ground mission with Lou - and, when most of us had retured to base, we were advised - by members of his flight, that Lou was on a shallow dive, at low altitude - on a strafe or bomb delivery pass, against a ground target - when he obtained a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire [Ground Fire] and was destroyed! I can still remember his best friend "Eddy" - going somewhat berserk - as we gathered for our "Intelligence Critique" after the mission, when Lou's Flight Members explained what they had observed - stating that: "Lou would not be coming home!"

Keywords: First Lieutenant Louis Thomas Esposito Vineland, New Jersey Born: 13 December 1924

Remembering 1st Lt. Louis Thomas Esposito

Comments: Lou was a KIA, on 22 October 1951, in Korea. He was the pilot of an F-80C, Shooting Star, Fighter Interceptor, with the 35th FBS [Black Panthers], 8th FBG. On 22 October 1951, while on a Combat Mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire; exploded in mid-air and crashed near Koma-dong and Hoechang, North Korea. For his Leadership and Valor, Lieutenant Esposito was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal; the Purple Heart; the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal; the Nationl Defense Service Medal and, the Korean War Service Medal. Major Bean, was the Squadron Commander, at the time, and - I was a Flight Commander. I was on the same operation, the day that Lou was lost. He was a Great Officer and Crack Fighter Pilot; who was missed by us all!

Keywords: First Lieutenant Louis Thomas Esposito Vineland, New Jersey Born: 13 December 1924

Looking for 35th Fighter Squadron Stories

Comments: I am currently serving in the 35th Fighter Squadron in Korea. I am looking for any stories about the squadron, missions and people from the Korean War. I appreciate your service and information. The squadron is alive and well and still defending the ROK.

Keywords: 35th Fighter squadron

Leon Waddell Pollard, Jr., was my half-brother.

Comments: Leon Waddell Pollard, Jr., was my half-brother. I was born three years after his death. You may have been lost, Billy, but not forgotten.

Keywords: Leon Waddell Pollard, Jr., "Billy", 35th Fighter Squadron, Itazuke AB, Japan. DOD July 9, 1950 over the Sea of Japan.

members 35th sqdn 52-53

Comments: looking for A flt members Jan52 to jan 53

Keywords:

35th Ftr,Bmr.Sqdn

Comments: Was with 35thFBS l954 thru l957. Had many good friend within the 35th. Lots of good men in that outfit.

Keywords: 35th FBS at K-13 in 1954, and moved to ItazukeAB Japan in 1954.

Need more info on 35th squadron-blackcats

Comments: My Dad, Earl J. Krebsbach, is somehow affiliated with the 35th squadron and work on the SR-71 Blackbird. I wish to know briefly the involvement of this airplane and crew in the Korean War.

Keywords: Earl Joseph Krebsbach 35th Squadron - Blackcats SR-71 Blackbird