A very interesting encounter today

[tom d. friedman]

i'm only replying to this thread because my curiosity is provoked, & i want to see where it goes. as for you hellcat, pretty admirable & compassionate!!

[Jack Cook]

Don't feel bad if he emebllished a bit.
The founder and President of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Asoociation never flew a P-51 and never was in the AAF. Research indicated he was a enlisted man of some sort in the RCAF and never left Canada. He claimed to be a RAF Mosquito pilot 1 kill DFM, Eagle Squadron Spit pilot attached from RAF, 4th FG & 355th FG in P-51s(Bulldog Squadron) and F-86s in the 18th FBW in Korean. They all bought it hook, line and sinker until Mike Howell who's dad flew in the 357th FG researched his history. For the record his name was Pete Hardiman. True story 4-1 or not!!

[Craig59]

FWIW, and with no intent to impugn the gentlemans memory, I thumbed through every page of, Joe Foss, Flying Marine, and found no mention of a Lt Beale.

[tom d. friedman]

maybe he watched to much baa baa blacksheep in the 70's??

maybe he watched to much baa baa blacksheep in the 70's??

Easy now, you won't feel too good if he's the real deal. I'll give it some more time and see what The Museum in SD has to say. Smith's going to call me Thursday and then we'll see just what Warren Beales has donated. Again, the fellow seemed to be a good guy, I'll always "believe" until it's proven I "don't believe" .... It's a good way to live your life.

Just got a call from a fellow from the Leatherneck aviation museum. Seems our friend wasn't totally full of hot air. Yes he did fly with VMF 121 @ Guadalcanal, but not too sure if he splashed 3 zero's or not too sure if he flew as Joe Foss's wing. But the folks down there are going to research a bit more and see what they can come up with. Still very interesting.

As for my Dad's Naval career, my sister is sending me my dad's logbooks. My sister has no interest and no idea what she was reading to me over the phone, but a few logs sounded very interesting. I will share photos and log entries when I receive my Dad's books.

Is anyone interested in these entries? .... Again not blowing my Dad's horn here, but if you guys have an interest in reading some entries in some war era logbooks, I will be happy to share.

Mark

[Jack Cook]

Was he with 121 at Guadalcanal or with them at some point during the war. He doesn't show on the pilots roster and is not in the photo of Joe's Foss's flight. My cousin was in 121 at G-Canal and doesn't recall the name from my research.

[marine air]

Yesterday I flew with "Black Sheep One" during the war . Okay actually we were being worked in the same airspace as a Marine Harrier, callsign "Black Sheep One One" a Marine Harrier on it's way to Smyrna (MQY) for the Nashville Airshow to be held this weekend. We were in a Learjet landing at Nashville (BNA), and there is a war going on 14,000 miles on the other side of the globe.
Give me about 60 years and an equal amout of beers and I will have quite a war story to tell at my retirement village.

[B-25 C]

[quote="Hellcat"]Just got a call from a fellow from the Leatherneck aviation museum. Seems our friend wasn't totally full of hot air. Yes he did fly with VMF 121 @ Guadalcanal, but not too sure if he splashed 3 zero's or not too sure if he flew as Joe Foss's wing. But the folks down there are going to research a bit more and see what they can come up with. Still very interesting.

As for my Dad's Naval career, my sister is sending me my dad's logbooks. My sister has no interest and no idea what she was reading to me over the phone, but a few logs sounded very interesting. I will share photos and log entries when I receive my Dad's books.

Is anyone interested in these entries? .... Again not blowing my Dad's horn here, but if you guys have an interest in reading some entries in some war era logbooks, I will be happy to share.

Mark[ Yes I would be very interested.

Was he with 121 at Guadalcanal or with them at some point during the war. He doesn't show on the pilots roster and is not in the photo of Joe's Foss's flight. My cousin was in 121 at G-Canal and doesn't recall the name from my research.

Jack, he states 121 @ Canal. I really hate to think this fellow is not truthful. He's done something with 121 according to the Museum, just not sure yet. Got a guy down there researching for me ... Stayed tuned, ....

Wasn't a pilot, but was a ground crewmember. Story over .... at least he was there and serving in some way ... I'll give him that at least.