Warbird Information Exchange

Last Monday on my drive back to Raleigh from the Philadelphia area, I stopped in DC for a few hours, went to the Air and Space and Arlington to visit a relative buried there. I've had this jacket that I made up in his honor, and let him "wear" it. I feel bad that no one really visits him, all of my relatives miss him (that remember him) but no one goes there. Was it wrong of me to let him see the jacket? I've been in the Army the last 10 years and i didn't see any harm in it. There are a few MOH recipients buried pretty close, was wondering if someone can help me out to learn what these gentlemen did?

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

Thomas J Ryan Jr http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Ryan_(admiral)

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Jay Zeamer was amazing at the controls of a B-17 on the mission for which he earned the medal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Zeamer,_Jr.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Zeamer's citation www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_livi ... eamer.html

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

In my opinion its awesome that you let your relative "wear" the jacket and equally awesome that you took the time to visit the gravesite and to share this with all of us. People leave all kinds of things at gravesites and at memorials. Look at all the momentoes that have been left at the Vietnam Memorial in Wash DC over the years. Literally 10's of thousands of items have been left there for the soldiers whose names are etched into the wall. I'm pretty sure Robert Frazier would be very proud of your service in the Army. Do you know anything about Mr Frazier's military career?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Wrong of you to let him see the jacket? Oh, HECK no! In my eyes, that was a wonderful thing to do, and I'm sure he thinks so, too. I'd bet he's happy to know that you're thinking of him and care enough to honor him. I have no combat vets in my family (simply because of the timing of everyones' births), but I'd be doing the same thing if I did!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

I think he would love it!

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Magister Aviation
It's all in my book

that really is a true honor to have that jacket made and to bring it to your relative. You def. deserve this

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Interesting to note that the MoH for Ryan was for the Peacetime action of rescuing a civilian woman from a burning building. Today, that would net him the Sailor's Medal (Awarded for saving a life - normally in non-combat situations). Not detracting from the award. Just an observation.

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Cheers!

Lance Jones

For a guy that was a LT at 20 years old as a B-29 Navigator that tied too early. He never lived to see microwaves, color tv, landing on the moon, and 747s, so he has to be remembered. Not just him, but everyone who lost their lives in combat. I'm not sure if the dead can see us, but if they can, especially him, want them to know that they are not forgotten, which is the bigger tragedy.

I appreciate all the feedback. It's good to know he's in good company. All that I know is more or less about the mission he was shot down on. I don't know how many he went on, and where he attended Basic, OCS, Navigator training. No one in my family is sure where his letters are, that would really help.

I'm thinking about getting into the airplane delivery business, I've done a few coast to coast ferries, and I would probably name the company with some sort of reference to him or the B-29 he was on.

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"According to the map, we've only gone 4 inches."

I was thinking the same thing. The criteria for awarding the medal has obviously changed over the years.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Thanks for posting this.
jacket was a real honor to see on his stone. Great idea.

BTW, Post-war, Jay Zeamer flew "Liberty Belle" for Pratt & Whitney while it tested turboprops.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

I remember reading about that mission recently....truly amazing stuff.

Amazing stuff! Thanks for the pictures and bringing this to our attention...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

FYI - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4cksG7JoE8&NR=1