FOR  YOUR INFORMATION
This page is to present information of interest to all viewers. The content will be of current or forthcoming events or of continuing interest. Some editing of data presented for inclusion may be required to conserve time and space.

Latest information of interest is recorded here as for instance:

29 May 2004 was the day the World War II Memorial on the Mall of Washington, D.C. was dedicated. If you didn't get to the opening ceremonies, you missed a great event. However, the Memorial is open to the public and is being visited by large crowds. It is worth the time to visit.

6 June 2004 was the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Hugh crowds were in England and France for many days before and after 6 June.

It should be noted that Ronald Hirst considers himself the unofficial historian for 9th Air Force activities in WW II. He is loaded with lots of WW II data about 9th AF. He may be able to tell you about areas and events all over Europe each year. If they are of interest to you. Send him a fax at: 011-49-611-8907845.

It should be remembered that the American Battle Monuments Commission  keeps records to let interested friends or relatives know the exact location in any American Cemetery where individuals are buried. If you visit one of the ABMC sites, they will be glad to assist you.

The Ninth Air Force Association, on occasion, has had people ask for guidance on what to do with memorabilia or previously unheard of information associated with 9th Air Force. Please do not throw it away. It is valuable and should be saved. Our advise is to send it to:
  The University of Akron
Archival Services
Akron, OH  44235-1702

Be sure to advise them the items are from and for the Ninth Air Force Association.
Viewers have made inquiries into actions or units of the 9th Air Force during World War II.   To the extent possible, answers are provided. A source for information that could answer many questions is a book published by the Government. The following is found in that book:
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publications Data Main entry under title: Air Force combat units of World War II
  Reprint. Originally published : Washington, D.C. : U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1961.
Includes index.
Supt. of Docs. No.: D 301.2:C73/3/983
1. United States. Army Air Forces--History
2. World War, 1939-1945-- Aerial operations, American.
I. Maurer, Maurer.
D790.A533 1983    940.54'4973     83-600169
ISBN 0-912799-02-1

 
In the current period of world strife, we are grateful that we have General Moseley as the  Chief of Staff of the USAF. He is the kind of leader we should have. Why? He has the courage to face realities of managing a war and doing so under the constant list of comments from the congress that often think differently than he does. We think he is doing a great job.

    Following that,  be advised that General Hal Hornburg has retired as Commander of the Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, VA.  As Commander of 9th Air Force from 31 May 1998 to 31 January 2005, we had the good fortune of hearing his ideas for not only the 9th Air Force, but the USAF as well. We wish him well.

This article is presented on behalf of another WW II based association, the 358th Fighter Group Association.  They received the following from the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinoze, France:

I am doing researches to locate the family of a WWII Fighter pilot, KIA on 28 August 1944.  A Lt Ferris C. Suttle, Jr. is the pilot.  He was with the 369th Fighter Squadron of the 359th Fighter Group.   Unfortunately, I have no addresses for the 369th FS, nor the 359th FG, this is why I am sending the inquiry to you 358th FG, hoping that you may be able to help or forward the letter to someone of his squadron.

Lt. Suttle was from Lancaster, South Carolina.  He is buried in France.  The people of the village, in France, where his aircraft crashed, on 28 August 1944, would like to honor him and let his family know where he was buried originally and how flowers were regularly placed on his grave.   Some eye witnesses are still alive and a few pictures of that time are available.

Any assistance you can provide will be appreciated.

Roland B. Prieur,
Superintendent
Some research was done on the above.  Results of that research indicate the 359th Fighter Group was assigned to the 8th Air Force in WWII when the pilot was lost.  The Group was located at East Wretham, England at that time; and, after the war, was stationed at Camp Kilmer, NJ, Standiford Municipal Airport, KY, Godman AFB, KY, and Manston RAF Station, England. This data is presented as possible source locations for information needed.

As noted in the Activities page, some members of this 9AFA are also members of the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society. Such is the case with Bob Izzard. A recent edition of the AFEES publication contains a story about Bob Izzard written by Mary Kate Tripp for the Amarillo (Tex.) News-Globe. The double headline of the article reads:

'Dog Fight' shown on French television
Documentary tells Jug pilot's story.
Although the published story goes into considerable detail, the following is intended to give an overall view of his story. The television documentary was written by Jacques Besson of Paris. He discovered a filmed record of the 371st Fighter Group in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. He became acquainted with Izzard when he dropped in on a group reunion in New York City. From that point on,  he wrote the story of what a Jug pilot did and high-lighted the occasion of Izzard being shot down on 8 June 1944. He was hid and protected by the French underground who also helped him get back to his group near Ste Mere Eglise.

Of interest is the comment from Besson in Paris. He reported that the television show called "Dog Fight" got the reaction from the viewers they had hoped for: .... profound admiration and gratitude for "what American pilots did for France....."
The following is not presented as a commercial, even if there is a temptation to do so.

d:chuinard.jpg (15624 bytes)
The above is the cover of a book entitled "A  Stormy Sky Over Normandy". The author was a 17 year old boy, full of curiosity in Granville, France during World War II. His home was in Granville which is on the west coast of the Cherbourg peninsula, not very far north of Mont St. Michel.  He saw and recorded for future use, as much of what was happening in his world as he could. His knowledge of Normandy and 9th Air Force action, accomplishments and losses during that period was nothing short of amazing. He watched and photographed as much of that period as he could. His photo albums were many, comprehensive and priceless. His memory was so vivid, he would sit and discuss events as if they happened in recent times. He met and became friends with many of the pilots and crew members of that era. He visited them in the USA and many of them went to Granville to visit with and express their appreciation of his friendship. It is sad to say he passed away leaving many of us with some wonderful memories. This presentation is our way of saying "Remy Chuinard, you were the greatest."

A comment about another book that was written in 1945 and not published at that time. It is now being prepared for publication. Those familiar with the story have provided the following information:

"We'd like to send a copy of the book (for free) to any of the men mentioned in the book. A complete list of these men is on our web page at www.harryafranck.com/journey.htm

The Ninth Air Force Association has been offered to make the book available through the "Ninth Air Force Association Base Exchange" and this web site. The Board will talk about that offer during the next meeting.

This web site has attracted a Belgium F-16 pilot. He has authored a book entitled "Runways to Victory" about the Belgium airfields used by the 9th U.S. Army and the  British 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1944-1945.  Included in the book are details about airfield construction as well as a great deal of data on many aspects of the tactical fighter war. Inquiries can be sent to pcelis@worldonline.be.

An article by Chief Master Sgt Jank Davis of Langley wrote that 'Total force includes all Air Force members."   He points out "As the active force has downsized and the missions have increased, the relevance and use of the Air Reserve Component, which includes both the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, has increased tremendously.  "Weekend Warriors" no longer train for the sake of training or just filling squares.

These warriors are force multipliers, and very much an invaluable part of the total force. Without their voluntary contributions and dedicated efforts, we would be hard pressed to continue the vital missions that the Air Force is tasked with today.

Some rather unusual things happen to those that fly over enemy territory. This story was forwarded to this web site recently and deserves some special space:

Most people have heard of the Ploesti raids. This story starts there. The interesting part is that W. C. West, a B-24 pilot of WW II was on that raid and earned the Silver Star Medal. Nice:. Yes, except that he didn't recieve it until 69 years later. The story itself is interesting. The crew survived the raid, but ran out of gas after making it to Turkey. When they landed there, they were taken into custody in that neutral nation. After several months the crew worked out an escape plan. First, they convinced the guard that the fuel tank seals, being made of rubber, would deteriorate if they remained empty. The tanks were filled because the Americans said they would teach some of the turkish pilots to fly the B-24. They then convinced the guard the engines should be tuned up if they were to teach the other pilots to fly. The tanks were filled. While they were working on the airplane, lunch time came around and only one guard was left to watch them. One of the men asked the guard to go to the hangar and get a wrench. He did. The crew then all got on board and West took off and flew to Cyprus and from there, went back to flying combat.

This is an abbreviated version of the story, but is worthy of telling even in the short form. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)

A recent letter from Tom Miller, Capt. USAF(ret), pilot of 358th Fighter Squadron, reminds us there are a lot of people in France that will not forget what was done for them in WW II.  The letter told of the visit members of the 358th made to France and included pictures of the events centered mainly around the memorials erected by the French where pilots were shot down and/or interred. Noted in the pictures were the American uniforms worn by some of the French people. The town mayors were always present and most gracious. One picture indicated one of those present was the American Air Attaché. It was evident the affairs were of great importance to those that went from the USA as well as the local town folks.

Excerpts from that letter follow:

From Jean Mohler (Marcy LeToile, France): "Our generation will never forget that you delivered us two times in a century and paid a heavy price for it."
From Pierre Varga(Saint-Mande, France): (Dated 17 Sept 2001) Finally, today, after this awful Tuesday, I want you to know we are close to you, your family, your friends and the American people."

Several newspaper articles from the French towns expressed their appreciation for the visitation and importance of the wonderful relationship of France and the United States.

 
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