My Dad - Gone West

Craig59 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:52 pm

Five combat missions with VMB-433 during WWII. Recovered from adult polio shortly thereafter. Recalled for Korea and transitioned to helicopters becoming the 523rd Naval Helicopter pilot. Survived a helicopter to helicopter mid-air while serving with HMR-162 in 1952. Survived testicular cancer in 1955.

Hey, after all that, every day was a blessing. I will really, really miss him but, it's a journey we must all make.

JDK · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:59 pm

That's tough.

Thanks for sharing his story, though.

Best wishes at this time,

Holedigger · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:59 pm

Deepest condolences, he is at peace now.
Hang in there, sounds like you had many good years with him that easily could have gone the other way.

Chris

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:09 pm

muddyboots · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:11 pm

Sorry to hear of your loss, Craig. He sure did his duty, didn't he?

Marine helo crews were few and far between in the Korean era. Wonder if he and my uncle ever ran into each other?

BigGrey · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:12 pm

My condolences Craig. Your website is a wonderful tribute to him.

Les

Hellcat · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:23 pm

Craig, very sorry to hear of your loss. You have friends here always that will support you and your family anytime.

Mark

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:39 pm

Very sorry to hear of your loss Craig... I can't imagine how you must feel right now. You have a lot of people out here thinking of you and your Dad though. I hope that helps a little. Take care. Richard

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:46 pm

I'm sorry to hear about your lost Craig.

My feelings are with you, your family and everyone your father touched during his life.

It sounds like your father had a very trying life; now he can rest.

-David

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:48 pm

Craig, I would like add my condolences as well. May he rest in peace.....

Lynn

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:55 pm

Sorry to hear that he's gone Craig. Remember the fun times with him, they are the ones that should last forever.

PbyCat-Guy · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:04 pm

I'm sorry for your loss. Im not sure how much influence, if any, he had on you persuing aviation. If he did, Im sure that he's proud of you. I know that when my grandfather passed away this last summer (he flew B-17s, B-24s then flew for Continental when he retired as a DC-10 Captain) he said how proud he was that I was following in his, as well as my dad's footsteps of becoming an aviator.

I wish him fair winds and calm skies on his eternal flight.
-Jonas

Ztex · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:29 pm

So sorry to hear of your loss.

Our Prayers are with you.

valdez25 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:41 pm

Sorry Craig.

Eric Presten · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:49 pm

I lost my second and last great aviation mentor this week, so I too am feeling some loss. I'm sorry for your loss, and maybe the poem posted below will help you think warm thoughts about your dad in his years with you.

Oh please do not mourn me, as I am not really gone.
The heavens have called me and I’m just moving on.

The time that I came from, where I first learned to fly,
was a place full of limits that blinded my eyes.

Many thanks to the people who gave me a start,
who showed me the way to make flying an art.

The memories I have made here will always be grand,
but I’ll no longer be tied by the limits of man.

I may fly with the best men where “Lindy” has gone.
I may fly with the birds while your time marches on.

But when all your time passes, and you’ve flown your last ride,
look out off your wing tip, I’ll be there by your side.

I wrote this poem a few years ago when I lost my other aviation mentor.

My condolences Craig, Eric P.

Warbird Information Exchange

My Dad - Gone West

Who is online