for
220th Reconnaissance Airplane
Company
"Catkillers"
and Family,
and all Friends and Brothers in
Arms
in memory of those who have
served
FORMAT AND CONTENT OF E-NEWS
LETTER:
Regarding the content of CATCOM E-News Letter: those
of you who have something to post to the list, just send your input to
CATCOM EdPub at any time before the 10th of the next month. E-News Letters will
be sent each month, not later than that date.
Let me know if you cannot receive HTML format e-mail,
and I will adjust your address to receive text only.
Catkillers new to the list and who have not reviewed
past newsletters and alerts, please visit the Catkiller Photo page link
below.
CATKILLER CONTACT
REQUESTS:
This was posted at a web site:
Trying to locate: Cat Killer 39 (radio call sign of Army Artillery Aerial Observer)
Branch of Service: Army
Unit was: don know - presume Army Artillery or aviation unit assigned to Artillery
Where served: Southern I Corps
When served: August 19, 1967
Message is: Looking for FAC who flew under call lsign of Cat Killer 39 on a mission on August 19, 1967, near the village on My Lai. On this mission Marine UH1E pilot Stephen Pless earned the Medal of Honor. The FAC Cat Killer 39 was on station during portions of this historic mission. I would like to interview him for an article that I am writing in relation to a project to create a commemorative sculpture and memorial to recognize Pless and his flight crew as well as the three Army personnel who died on the beach despite Pless's efforts to rescue.
Mark Byrd
13309 Peyton Drive
Dallas, TX 75240<br>
Or send email to: mark@markbyrd.com
E-MAIL LIST
UPDATE:
Welcome to Robert Lewin (CatkillerMech), Bill Snyder
(CatkillerMech), Darrell Harrison (CatkillerCC) [Crew Chief], Gary
Oamilda (CatkillerCC), Jack Bentley (Catkiller 16), and Ron Lamonds (Flight Line). The e-list used to send this list is
the latest.
Looking for Steve
Grass, Pete Blevins, Nelson Kunitake, Bob Arrington, and any other Catkillers not located (there
aren't that many of us, you know!).
Regarding personal information, like addresses, phone
numbers, etc., I will retain this information in my files but will not reveal
such information without your permission. If you have a need for such
information, please contact me or the specific person on the
list.
The latest e-mail listing, Catkiller Group Mailing
List, is available in text format, if needed. E-mail CATCOM EdPub or Jerry
DeGrezio for a copy.
SNAIL MAIL TO THOSE WHO DON'T
COMPUTE:
There was no response from the two postal mailings,
so I will discontinue mailing them (EdPub). If you know of a former member
who does not have email, please forward a printed copy to
them.
CATKILLER REUNION:
To restate the specifics: 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company REUNION
When:
October 19, 20, 21, 2003
October 19, 20, 21, 2003
Where:
Palace Station Hotel & Casino
2411
West Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(Reservations) 800-634-3101
702-367-2411
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(Reservations) 800-634-3101
702-367-2411
Staff:
Reunion 6 - Paul V. Brennan
Reunion 5 - John Hillman (Executive in Charge)
Reunion 4 - Jerry Bonning (Logistics) Rooms, hotel, meeting rooms, banquet
Reunion 3 - Jerry DeGrezio (Operations; Keeper of the list, e-mail addresses, notifications, etc.)
Newsletter- Don Ricks (also maintains an e-list)
Golf One-Joe "Beans" Brett (Sundowner Yankee)
We have reserved a block of rooms under: "220th
RECONNAISSANCE AIRPLANE COMPANY" (CATKILLERS). Please state this when you make
your reservations. Cost of rooms: $69 per night. Paul has his room reserved, and
you, too, can make reservations NOW! Contact
Paul V. Brennan
(Reunion 6) with questions, suggestions,
and recommendations.
INCIDENT INQUIRY:
Johnny Moore inquired about the name of a Marine Corps
artillery observer who apparently lost his life, when he took a round through
his leg, while riding back seat with Leonard Bumgardner. The circumstances were
heartbreaking, and Leonard made an heroic but unsuccessful effort to get
the Bird Dog back to a suitable landing area before the AO lost his life blood.
If you know the name of this observer, or can add specific details to better
inform us (date of incident believed to be in mid 1969), please share your
knowledge.
Quick response from Jack: "Regarding the AO killed in mid '69: His name was Michael S. Lafromboise, a Marine AO killed June 6, 1969. He had only 19 days left in country.. Len Bumgardner was the pilot and made a valiant and desperate effort to get the aircraft into Quang Tri (the most sophisticated medical treatment facility in the area). They took a 12.7 round through the bottom of the aircraft, which hit Mike in the right leg and wrist. The tail number of the aircraft was 742. My first mission on the DMZ with troops in contact, was with Mike in my back seat. I remember being in awe of his cool/calm demeanor and professionalism. Whenever you drew a mission with Mike, you knew it was going to be a good one....Jack Bentley [Catkiller 16]"
Now, does anyone know the whereabouts of Leonard Bumgardner? DMR
Quick response from Jack: "Regarding the AO killed in mid '69: His name was Michael S. Lafromboise, a Marine AO killed June 6, 1969. He had only 19 days left in country.. Len Bumgardner was the pilot and made a valiant and desperate effort to get the aircraft into Quang Tri (the most sophisticated medical treatment facility in the area). They took a 12.7 round through the bottom of the aircraft, which hit Mike in the right leg and wrist. The tail number of the aircraft was 742. My first mission on the DMZ with troops in contact, was with Mike in my back seat. I remember being in awe of his cool/calm demeanor and professionalism. Whenever you drew a mission with Mike, you knew it was going to be a good one....Jack Bentley [Catkiller 16]"
Now, does anyone know the whereabouts of Leonard Bumgardner? DMR
Searching the web for information about the
Marine AO revealed by Jack, here is what I found:
CATKILLER HOME
PAGE:
Thanks to Scott Cummings for maintaining this site at:
http://www.catkillers.org
Don Ricks has a photo page that has a link to Scott's
Catkiller Home Page:
www.catkillers.org (contains
a link to previously published newsletters and alerts)
CATKILLER HISTORY:
In addition to what appears in this section of
the CATCOM Alert [12-21-2002], Brown Cabell states "the date we furled the
colors was December 1971 (not '72)." Thanks, Brown, and now if we had the
"official" activation date.... Perhaps General Curry knows this
date?
MIA/KIA LIST
DEVELOPMENT:
There is a text file now in the initial
stages to gather and organize as much information about those who
have fallen or are missing, including anyone who has died after returning from
Vietnam. If you have an official citation, announcement, or personal
knowledge to help in the development of this document, please send it
along.
UNIT ORDERS, LISTS AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS:
Seeking to establish those who were members of the
unit, for historical purposes, from official sources, if possible. Anyone with
orders, lists, etc., from official documents, please scan them or send them to
me. I'll provide my address upon request.
SEARCHING FOR A LOST
AO:
From Jim Hooper: Still searching for any
clue to whereabouts of Lieutenant Bill Norton. [Please check your old orders,
letters, awards, plaques, etc., to locate any mention of this officer in
official documents. If you recall where he was from in the States or where he
went to school, please let Jim know. This is the last time we will publish this
notice. LT Norton's photo is at Don Ricks' photo page (link above).
DMR]
CALLING CARDS:
The graphic used at the top of this page would
help make a personal calling card look great. It might also be a
starting idea for or name tags, etc.,for use at the reunion.
Anyone computer oriented and desiring to tackle the job
of coming up with something interesting feel free to use the
graphic.
We hope all had a safe and enjoyable
holiday. From all indications, this is going to be a good year for a
reunion; our contact list has grown, and plans are moving along towards our
gathering in Las Vegas. Thanks for all the enthusiasm and
support!
Paul V.
Brennan
Donald M. Ricks
Reunion 6 CATCOM EdPub
Atlanta, Georgia Pleasant View, Tennessee
Reunion 6 CATCOM EdPub
Atlanta, Georgia Pleasant View, Tennessee