1 Nov 05

80th FIGHTER SQUADRON
905 Arapaho Court; Columbus, GA 31904-1242
Phone or Fax: (706) 324-7360
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.mindspring.com/~jaybirdone/headhunters
Vol. XV, No. 60
"AUDENTES FORTUNA JUVAT"
_ November 1, 2005
Greetings, Fellow HEADHUNTERS!
Bonnie & I hope this newsletter finds all of you in the very best of
health and happiness as we enter this beautiful Holliday Season!
23RD REUNION PHOTOS!
nother of our great reunions has become a fond memory! Our 23rd reunion, 6-9 October
in Las Vegas, has entered the history books! About 90 of us enjoyed the relaxing, and
very enjoyable atmosphere and camaraderie in the Alexis Park Hotel. Here are just a few
photos. Please check our web site for more in a couple of weeks!
A
Friday morning golfers of the Headhunter Open!
Hugh & Betty Shoults enjoying the
Hospitality Room!
WWII Members minus Kirby
More new friendships at
the Farewell Breakfast!
Guest Speaker and fellow
Headhunter Col New & JayBird
Jim & Lois Ince with Bonnie (C)
“Speed” Brake (L) & Robbie Robbins (R) on the
way to the 19th Hole!
Art McNay (L) & Whitey Freeberg (R) swap war
stories.
Norb Ruff (L) & Jim Ince (R) reminisce over their WWII
days in the Squadron.
Norb Ruff & Kirby – two of our Reunion founders
Another great sing-a-long with Dick Jonas in the Hospitality Room!
Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you.
2
DID YOU KNOW?
D
id you know that our first reunion was at the Wort Hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in
June 1970. It was hosted by Kirby, and it was for the WWII Headhunters. Headhunters
from our other eras were invited to future reunions.
HEADHUNTER Songs CD’s ARE HERE!!
O
ur Headhunter Songs CD was released 16
August, and it’s selling great! Unfortunately
we can’t do color in these newsletters, so this
is a B&W version of the beautiful cover. Same-day
shipments of orders are now being accepted for this
unique Squadron treasure. This CD isn’t just some
guys singing just some songs—it is a professional
CD of some of our own Juvat Boys Choir (JBC)
alumni singing 14 fighter pilot songs written totally
by our own 80th Squadron members. I’m quite sure
there isn’t anything else like it in the world! The
cost for the CD, under Dick Jonas’ professional
Erosonic Label, is only $15 plus $2 postage. Order
now, and be the first on your block to own one of
these gems! Or better yet, get a few extra for Holiday gifts—it’s that time of the year again!
Please send your order & check to Headhunters; 905 Arapaho Ct; Columbus, GA 319041242. E-mail orders may be sent to [email protected]
lso, Dick’s Passing the Flame CD was released 6 October. This CD was burned at the
same time that our JBC CD was made. The JBC
has two songs on it out of the 16 songs on the CD.
Dos Gringos, an outstanding duo of two fighter
pilots who write & sing their own songs, have 5
songs on the CD. Five female fighter pilots who
call themselves Fresh out of the Box sing 2 songs.
The rest of the CD include songs by fighter pilot
singing legends Irv LeVine, Chip Dockery, Toby
Hughes, and, of course, Dick Jonas. It is truly a
unique and great CD—standard from Dick Jonas!
This CD can be ordered from here as above, or directly from Dick at: Erosonic; PO Box 1226; Chino Valley, AZ 86323-1226, or his web site at
www.erosonic.com
A
A
s a side note, every singer on both of these CD’s is also a combat veteran! That’s right—
even the five female fighter pilots!
3
*** Order some today! ***
SQUADRON HISTORY DVD HAS ARRIVED!
O
ur Squadron History DVD was released 6 October! It is approximately 2 hours of photos, video clips, text history, and music on two professionally created disks. All of our
Squadron’s eras are represented: WWII (1941-45), between the wars (BTW) (1945-50),
Korea (1950-53), BTW (1953-63), Vietnam (1963-73), and the Juvats (1971-Present). This
must-have keepsake is only $15 plus $2 postage. Order now, and get a few extra for Holiday
gifts! Please send your order & check to Headhunters; 905 Arapaho Ct; Columbus, GA
31904-1242. E-mail orders can also be sent to [email protected]
CHANGES OF COMMAND AT KUNSAN
here have been three major changes in the command structure in the 8th Fighter Wing
“Wolfpack” in the past few months that we haven’t officially reported. Col Brian Bishop, a member of our Headhunter Squadron in the 90’s, has returned to Kunsan as the
“Wolf”—the Wing Commander. Col Eric Best, another Juvat from the ‘90’s, has also returned
to be “Viper”—the 8th Operations Group Commander. Last but not least, our Squadron changed
command when Lt Col Steven Clapp handed our Squadron guidon to Lt Col Stephen Langford
on 1 July. We wish you all the very best of luck in your new positions of great responsibilities!
T
The ideal fighter pilot is the perfect blend of discipline and aggressiveness.
Too little or too much of either will most probably lead to failure.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
IMPORTANT VOTE FOR NEXT REUNION
4
O
ur next reunion, in the Spring of 2007, will either be in the Charleston, SC; Langley
AFB-Williamsburg, VA; Ft Worth, TX; or Jackson Hole, WY area. The decision will
be made by a vote of all members. Enclosed with this newsletter is a ballot for these
four locations. Please vote for your preference and return your ballot or e-mail your vote NLT
20 NOVEMBER. Ballots will be counted and the decision made shortly thereafter. The decision
will be posted on our Reunions Page of our web site and in the next (1 February) newsletter. Our
next reunion promises to be another great one!!
A
nother decision that was made at our business meeting at the reunion was to change the people that do our reunions. Up until these last two reunions, we have been hosting our own.
For those of you who have volunteered to do this, you know that it’s a lot of work to do it right.
It was decided 3 years ago to try someone else to put on the reunions for us, which would release
us from all the time and work required to do the job. For the past 2 reunions we have used The
Reunion Brats. They have done a fairly good job for us, but some details we’re used to have fallen through the cracks—the most important being the golf tournament, which, unfortunately, has
been unstructured in both reunions. Therefore, in order to get the reunions back to the way we’re
all used to, a discussion yielded the decision to try another individual in lieu of doing it our
selves. Her name is Pat Carnevale, and she is highly recommended.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
I
t gives us great pleasure to welcome these 5 new members to our ranks for the first time (in
the order of “signing up” since 1 August). Equally rewarding are the many members who
have rejoined after 1, 2, 3, or even up to 13 years absence! Welcome to all! At press time
we have 326 Yearly, plus 619 LifeTime Members (LTMs)—945 Total!!
Here is the roll call of our new members—with their time in the 80th:
1Lt George C. Collings (05 - 06)
Capt Kristoffer R. Smith (04 – 05)
Capt James E. Echlin (73 – 74)
A/2C Merle E. Hambly (53 – 54)
Chaplain Maj George Youstra (04 – 05)
riends of yours? You bet!! Look 'em up in your new Master Roster Change
and/or Master E-mail & Fax List Change (enclosed), give 'em a call, write 'em a
letter, or beam an e-mail message over to them. Or better yet, ask them to meet you
at the next reunion in the Spring of 2007! Great to have you all in formation—and
what a super one it is!! Do you have Headhunter friends that aren’t members? If so,
please let me have their addresses, and I’ll send a “Please Join Us” letter to them. How about all
of our active duty JUVATS in the 80th today? Cleared to join up, Y’all! See your
SNACKO for Member Information Forms and mailing envelopes, or contact me directly—
Thank you!
F
Nobody who ever gave
THE MAIL BAG
5
his best regretted it.
etter received 20 June: “Dear Sirs: It is my sad duty
L
to inform you of the recent death of my step-father
Major Jack Katz USAF (Ret). Jack Katz took his
‘Last Takeoff’ on 12 May 2005 from his home in San Diego, California. He was 81 years of age; death was caused
from heart failure.
Always proud of being a
‘HEADHUNTER’, he was a pilot in the 80th FighterBomber Squadron in the Korean War from 1950 – 1951.
Flying the F-80 ‘Shooting Star’, he completed 100 combat
missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with six oak leaf
clusters. Survivors are his wife of 56 years Arlene Katz, daughter Sara Katz, step-son Roger Elliott, and two grandchildren. His callsign was ‘Hep Kat’. He is loved by his family and missed
by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Sincerely yours, Roger A. Elliott, Step-Son.” [Ed
note] This letter was inadvertently left out of our 1 August newsletter. On behalf of the entire
Headhunters’ Association, I would like to pass on to Arlene, Roger and their entire family our
sincere condolences on their loss. Jack will be missed by all of us. May he rest in Peace and
forever soar with the Eagles.
ote received with dues on 30 July: “Jay—Being the Wolf is the most amazing job in the
N
USAF – and knowing Juvat tradition makes it even better – thank you for keeping the Association alive. [signed] Brian Bishop “Wolf 44”. [Ed note] Col Bishop was in our Squadron in
the 1990’s. He went on to be the Commander/Leader of the USAF Thunderbirds, and had many
key staff jobs before being selected earlier this summer as the 8th Fighter Wing Commander
(“Wolf”) back at Kunsan. We wish Col Bishop great success in this extremely important position.
E
-mail received 10 August: “Jaybird, Thanks for the update. News on me: I leave next week
for ICAF. Got extended at Cannon for an additional three weeks (school actually started the
5th of Aug) because my wife had an emergency c-section. I am now the proud father of 5 fighter
pilots-in-waiting; this last one being the first girl. Now mom and I can stop procreating. After a
solid 4-ship of boys, we were certain we'd never be able to add balance and have a daughter. Lo
and behold, she got pregnant in December and now we have our first girl. My school email will
be: [email protected] and I also have an "email for life" account as [email protected]. Won't
be able to make the reunion in Vegas but sure would like to. Hope all is well. Smat Dodson”
E
-mail received 12 August: “JayBird, My new snail mail is: 251 W. South St; Carlisle, PA
17013. It is good to be back in the states. People don't realize how much we as Americans
take for granted until you don't have it for almost 4 years. Also nice to give up the fast pace of
command for a while and settle into a more "academic" lifestyle and recharge the batteries (even
if it is with the Army!). Take care, Willie [Lt Col William Brandt].”
E
-mail received 18 August: “Guys: Received my copy [of the JBC Songs CD] today, and am
super-whelmed!! You did a wonderful job with this one Dick [Jonas]! Everyone sounded
so real and relaxed that I felt like I was back at the Kun on a Friday afternoon. Made me more
pissed off that I hadn't picked up on your invitation to attend Jay, 'cause I really would've liked to
have been there. Just the sounds of your voices told me that you all had a great time putting it all
together. WELL DONE TO ALL!!! Big Fella” [Bruce MacLennan] [Ed note] Big Fella was
6
the one who came up with the name “Juvat Boys Choir” when he was in the Squadron back in
1972. “Big Fella--Is it OK if I put your e-mail in our next newsletter? Good info for all!!”
“Yea! Tell 'em if any HEADHUNTER doesn't have this one in their house, they ain't a
Headhunter!! In fact, they ought to have two or three of them! Well done Jay! Big Fella”
E
-mail received 24 August: “I am sending this email in the hopes that you might be able to
direct me in finding family members of a WWII fighter pilot. An acquaintance of mine
found some old documents by a trash dumpster and thought that if this man has family members,
they might want these documents. The person relating to the documents is Capt Kenneth G.
Ladd, 0732277, 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter group. According to some of the documentation, Captain Ladd went missing in action on 14 October 1944 over Balikapapan, Borneo. There
are several documents sent to the fighter pilot’s parents in 1944-45, along with a letter dated
2/10/44 informing his parents that he was MIA, a letter dated 12/10/44 informing his parents that
he was indeed killed in action. There are also letters awarding him several medals posthumously,
letters from the War Department detailing several air combat situations he was involved in. In
the documents was also an army reserve military I.D. issued on 13 Sept 81 for a Capt Kenneth G.
Ladd II who I am going to assume is his grandson or great grandson. I will also assume that these documents may have been in his possession at one time. Can you give me any resources as to
how I may be able to locate family members? Any advise or help you can give me is greatly appreciated. [signed] Tamie C. Logan; J.D. Construction, Inc.; Human Resources Manager; Phone
(702) 564-8322 Fax (702) 564-8354 e-mail: [email protected]” [Ed note] We forwarded
Tamie’s message to all of our on-line WWII members. She was able to track down Ken Ladd II
living in Henderson, NV! He would like the items returned to him, as they were stolen after a
break-in of his storage area. We are getting copies for our Squadron’s History! I answered her,
and asked if she would like to see 3 other photos of Ken Ladd and other WWII members. Here is
her reply:
“Jay, Yes, please send the photos. We have high speed DSL so I think it is the same connection
as cable. I will be thrilled to see them! I have spent a lot of time on the computer looking at
photos and reading memoirs from fighter pilots of that era. It is amazing the clarity of the stories
and details that are written about. I have to say that I get goose bumps when I read some of it,
knowing that some of those men didn't come back. This event of finding the documents of Capt.
Ladd has renewed a search for knowledge for me that I have not experienced for a long time. I
cannot express to you in words what I feel for those men, except to say that they were all so
young and experienced so much at such a young age, I doubt anyone I know could ever relate to
those experiences. I read on one of the sites that there is a reunion scheduled in Las Vegas this
year. What a place that must be, reminiscing and telling stories! I put the copies of the documents in the mail today so I hope you will be able to include them in the rest of the squadron history archives. I also received an email from Dr. Richard Kenneth Saffro, the son of the crew
chief of the "Windy City Ruthie", the p-38 that Capt. Ladd flew. I was so excited! Evidently his
dad, Yale Saffro and Capt. Ladd were very close. In fact, his dad gave him his middle name in
honor of Capt. Ladd. Well, take care and I look forward to seeing the photos. Tamie”
“Jay, Thank you so much for the photos. They are absolutely wonderful! I just spoke to Capt.
Ladd's nephew, Ken Ladd. I told him of the emails I had received from you and also from Dr.
Saffro. He is familiar with Saffro and told me he would be by my office tomorrow to pick up the
documents and bring some pictures of Capt. Ladd for me to see. I am so thrilled! I also had a
conversation with Dino Cerutti from N.Y. He received an email from you regarding my quest.
7
What a character he is...very nice man with many stories. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation
with him as he enlightened me with more details of the fighter pilots training, etc. I cannot wait
to speak to him again to hear more. I would be thrilled to see our correspondence in your newsletter and would love for you to send me a copy. This has been, and I hope will continue to be,
an excellent experience for me. Thank you so much for your information and knowledge. My
best regards to all of our heroes, Tamie” [Ed note] Tamie and Ken Ladd were invited to our reunion banquet; however, Ken and his wife were out of town and couldn’t make it. Tamie was
going to stop in on Saturday to say hello and meet some of our members, but had to cancel out.
E
-mail received 30 August: “Jaybird, Makes me want to change my tickets! Unfortunately I
E
-mail received 15 October: “Hello Jay! I surely had a great time. The reunion met all my
can't do that. I’m in Vegas now—what a great town. Can’t believe we can’t get people to
come to “sin city.” Where are all the fighter pilots?? Our new info is: PSC 2 Box 9442, APO
AE, 09012. German home and cell phones to follow. We will have a huge house (7BR with a
full-up downstairs 2 BR apt.) in the quiet (until we get there) German town of Neiderkirchen.
All Juvats/Headhunters are welcome any time (Pantons require prior approval). Applecorn will
be in the freezer—JBC videos on request! [signed Shane Riza] Spam”
expectations. I felt a comfortable sense of belonging. Terry and I quickly made new acquaintances, Hugh and Betty Shoults, Dick Jonas and several others that we are looking forward
to seeing next reunion. Meeting my old buddy Don Peterson after all these years (50) engendered emotion, reminiscing and a lot of reacquainting. Thanks to the HEADHUNTER reunion.
I also enjoyed the Squadron History DVD. Thanks. AL [Marcello]”
HEADHUNTER STORE!
re you looking for Christmas gifts for yourself or your favorite
Headhunter? Well, now is the time to stock up! Wear/use them
proudly—not just at the reunions, but wherever you go! It’s a great
way to find other HEADHUNTERS, too! Unless purchased at a reunion, a small fee
A
of $4 should be added for postage to all orders (unless otherwise noted)—I’ll
take care of the “handling!”
Curious to see what these items look like? Check them out on our Web Site STORE Page!
Blazer Emblem (men’s or ladies)
Squadron Unique Silk Tie
Ladies Floppy Bow (matches tie)
Sq “Nickel” Coin or Keychain
*Personalized Sq coffee mug
*Personalized Sq beer stein
*Mug & Stein set as above
Squadron Logo Golf Balls (sleeve of 3)
**Personalized etched Sq beer mug
Headhunter Tattoos (fun!)
2 for a
$35
$39
$20
$ 5
$20
$23
$40
$10
$25
$ 1
Golf Shirt (specify size)
T Shirt (specify size)
Squadron F-16 Litho Print
White & Green Trim Hat
All White Hat
Black Hat
Korean-era Sq Patch
Vietnam-era Sq Patch
WWII/Current Sq Patch
Lapel Pin/Tie Tack
$30
$17
$10
$12
$12
$12
$ 5
$ 5
$ 5
$ 3
<<< CD of Headhunter Songs by the JBC…..$15 + $2 postage >>>
8
<<< 80th Squadron History DVD…..$15 + $2 postage >>>
<<< Passing the Flame CD…..$15 + $2 postage >>>
* Please include name and/or callsign desired on your mug/stein (up to 20 letters), and
right/left handed with your order. Unless otherwise stated, the Squadron logo & your first
name in Old English will be on the front (handle left for right-handed drinker), and an F-16 will
be on the back.
** Large 25oz mug is beautiful etched glass. Please indicate Squadron logo or our Association
logo desired, choice of P-39, P-38, P-51, F-80, F-86, F-84, F-100, F-105, F-4, or F-16, and include name and/or callsign in “HEADHUNTER” or standard bold font, and right/left handed, with
your order. Personal markings (tail number/markings, aerial victories, etc.) available. Other
aircraft may be available. Please call for quote.
Please send check to “The Headhunters”; 905 Arapaho Ct; Columbus, GA 31904-1242.
Please don’t forget $4 postage on all orders (accept patches, coins, tattoos, & lapel pin—please
send $1 postage.)
Fighter pilot songs (Rated PG) on professional CDs and/or tapes are available from Worldrenowned military songwriter and balladeer, and fellow HEADHUNTER, Dick Jonas. Contact him at:
Erosonic; PO Box 1226; Chino Valley, AZ 86323-1226, or his web site at
http://www.erosonic.com
Beautiful mahogany model planes, of just about any kind, can be ordered through fellow
Headhunter Tom Slee at (253) 584-1223. Some may be able to be painted with your personal
markings. Contact Tom directly for details.
head headhunter corner
T
his year of 2005 has been unprecedented in devastating hurricanes for the Gulf Coast and
southeast Texas. To our 15 members in Louisiana, 10 members in Mississippi, 34 in Alabama, and 154 in Texas—we hope you all escaped damage from both Katrina & Rita. We
also hope our 106 members in California are safe from the wildfires this fall, and our 6 members
in New Hampshire escaped the ravages of flooding.
9

If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to one of your favorite organizations, our own
80th Fighter Squadron Headhunters Association qualifies! Now is the time for your 2005 tax year!
Twelve of us participated in the production of the JBC Songs and Passing the Flame CD’s back in October 2004. Fees were generated for each individual that either sang or played the guitar for each song in
which they took part. Royalties are also paid to those for original songs and/or lyrics. Each individual,
to the man, voted to donate their share to our Headhunters Association! Here are those very generous
contributions received 17 August 2005. Thanks to all!
FROM
Dick Jonas
Taz Merchant
Digger Drake
Tex Ritter
Robbie Robbins
Loco Malatesta
Dixie Corzine
Meat Tinsley
Nogas Reichert
Bull Pittner
Skin Flick
JayBird
Mrs. Frances H. Pittman
IN MEMORY OF
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
Personal Donation (JBC)
*****
Her beloved husband, Robert Pittman (WWII)
AMOUNT
$300.
568.
393.
568.
480.
480.
131.
480.
568.
568.
568.
262.
200.
THE STORK CORNER!
We take great pride in announcworld's youngest HEADHUNTERS!
L
E
ing the birth of the
etter received 27 July: “Can’t wait to hear the JBC CD finished product. On another
note, on 26 July 2005, the adoption of my step-daughter Abigail was firm. I am now the
proud father of the new (6-year-old) Abigail Rose Tinsley. [signed Jon] Meat Tinsley.”
Congratulations to Jon & Christine -- and Abigail!
10
HEADHUNTERS AT REST
L
ast, but certainly not least, we would like to take this opportunity to pass on to all
members the names of those HEADHUNTERS, who we know of, that have made their last
takeoff in this lifetime since our last newsletter.
Headhunter
Time in 80th
Last Takeoff
SSgt Kirk R. Monson
Maj Warren P. Houck
Richard Brickman
O. C. Dyer
Korea/LTM
BTW/LTM
Juvat
WWII/LTM
02 Jul 2005
05 Jul 2005
12 Aug 2005
03 Sep 2005
-mail received 1 August:
“Dear Jay, Bonnie and all our Headhunter Friends, I regret to inform you that Kirk passed away on July 2. Kirk was diagnosed with cancer in February,
he fought as hard as he could, but couldn't win the battle. I was able to keep him here at home
with the help of wonderful Hospice people. My children and I surrounded him with love until he
left us. Kirk and I had 53 happy years together. We had a great time at the Phoenix reunion, and
we will be with you in spirit as you gather in Las Vegas in October. Regards to all the
Headhunters, Marilyn Monson”
E
-mail received 22 August:
“Warren P. Houck passed away on July 5th 2005. He was preceded in death by his wife Maurine July 9th, 2004. Their ashes have been joined together
and Sprinkled over The Mountain of the Holy Cross Colorado. Warren will always be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband and father as well as The American Commander Pilot
who won a dog fight against Germany’s White Knight, Erich Hartmann.” [signed] Kasey.
E
O
n behalf of the entire Squadron, we wish to officially pass on to these families our deepest
sympathies and sincere gratitude for the outstanding contribution each of these individuals
made to the Squadron and our Country. May they rest in Peace and forever soar with the Eagles.
May God bless and keep them in His
Flight forever.
***************************
The next regular issue of the HEADHUNTER HEADLINES will be dated 1 February 2006.
11
The Headhunter Headlines is the official newsletter of the 80th Fighter Squadron Headhunters Association, Inc.,
a non-profit, tax exempt, War Veterans’ Organization.
 Copyright 2005, all rights reserved.
Veterans’ Day – 11 November
Thanksgiving – 24 November
Christmas – 25 December
New Years Day – 1 January
What a great reunion we had!
Col Jay E. "JayBird" Riedel, USAF (Ret)
The “Head Headhunter”
80th Fighter Squadron
“HEADHUNTERS"
905 Arapaho Ct
Columbus, GA 31904
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
FIRST CLASS
12