Air Commando
Association (ACA) 60th Annual Reunion
7-10 Oct 2004
Fort Walton Beach, FL
_________________________________________________________________________
President Bush sent us a greetings for the Air Commando 60th Anniversary and
reunion. The letter, from the Executive Office of the President, Office of
Presidential Messages, was dated 7 Oct 2004 and read as follows:
The White
House
Washington
October 7, 2004
I send greetings to those gathered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the Air
Commando Association reunion.
As the United States engages in a global war against terrorism, we look to our
veterans as examples of courage, dedication, and sacrifice. The Soldiers,
Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have fought for America have
helped to secure our Nation, liberate people around the world from the threats
of tyranny and terror, and advance the cause of freedom worldwide. Throughout
history, these brave men and women have answered the call of duty and risked
their lives to protect their fellow citizens. These patriots continue to
inspire new generations.
I join all Americans in expressing our gratitude for your abiding patriotism and
selfless in defense of our nation. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes
for a reunion filled with renewed friendships and shared memories.
George Bush
______________________________________________________________________________
I asked for the letter from my Congressman, Garry Miller of California, with
instructions to send it to the ACA HQ with all the data they needed. When the
letter didn't arrive in FWB I thought they didn't have sufficient time to get
one signed. When I got back to my office on 12 Oct 2004 I found that they had
sent it there. It is a little late but better late than never.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Thursday 7 Oct 2004
The Quality Inn Hospitality Room in Fort Walton Beach Florida opened in the
afternoon for registration for the ACA Reunion. Pete Bowman was all organized
to take our money which he eagerly did. Dick Goren was behind the bar to soothe
the dry throats of all who made it across Florida’s “Ivan” the Terrible
Hurricane destruction and damage which lined the roads from Pensacola to our
beloved FWB. Dick’s wisdom and real estate lessons intrigued all the
customers. Members trickled in for the rest of the day and eventually found the
hospitality suite. Joyce Harrington had the country store open and offered a
variety of ACA memorabilia. An addition to the store this year was military
book sales which were donated by the AU library which sent their surplus and old
AF history books which were a real bargain. Heinie Aderholt and Fred Platt were
missing from the bar room scene. Don Maxwell didn’t show up even though several
beautiful women asked about his presence. Fred had no excuse but Heinie was
busy taking care of his property, which was severely damaged by Ivan the
Terrible, and had repairman and insurance running around like only Heinie can
do. Chili Wells showed up to stir up conversation, with both politically
debates and old war stories. The Spooky troops established their territory in
a good shooting range of the bar. They were still fighting the war when the
last footstep was heard leaving the bar. Nick Emigholz of Intelligence fame and
wild travels in Latin America showed up from a long journey in a van leaving
Seattle Washington 30 days before. This was his first reunion and he is trying
to find his old friend Sam Osuna from Panama days. I wanted the report of his
trip with Jim Wright they made in the badlands of Peru and Bolivia where they
were caught in a gun battle at a train station between the Communists and the
locals. He also had a great time in staying in 39 cents a night hotels in the
backwoods of Peru. Since he left Boeing he is looking for something to
contribute to society so if anyone in the Seattle area has something contact
Nick. The bar closed about 2400 hours with Jim Roper (author of “Quoth the
Raven” and “Aardvarks & Rangers--”www.PublishAmerica.com, email JRoper3531@aol,
com), Spookys, Bill Brown, Dick Goren and myself returning to our newly
refurbished hotel rooms. The Quality Inn offered some real nice facilities for
the price and in stumbling distance of the bar.
Friday 8 October 2004
Only 11 players showed up for the annual ACA Golf tournament. Jim Boney was
really disappointed but understood Ivan’s discouragement of members from
attending the reunion. The poor weather didn’t help either. Due to the poor
showing it was decided to cancel the golf tournament. He will make the 2005
tournament a sure thing. Most visitors to Heinie’s store and office were
disappointed of not seeing him but as Rose said he was all over the area solving
his property problems by damage done by Ivan. The day was slow with the rain;
overcast and major activity of multiple crews cleaning up FWB from Ivan’s
furry. The streets were lined with discarded furniture and household items
damaged and destroyed by Ivan. The Hospitality Suite and Joyce’s country store
were kept busy by free spending members. Hap Lutz and his crew outdid
themselves with the fish fry. The food was absolutely delicious. The fish fry
was held under the awning over the entrance of the Quality Inn (entrance to old
Hospitality Suite as well as the current one). The old HOJO motel is now
divided into two hotels-Roadway Inn and Quality Inn. Roadway has the half which
had the registration desk in the past and the Quality Inn has the other half
which includes the old and current hospitality suite. The Roadway Inn kept the
balconies on the rooms and the Quality Inn removed all the balconies during
their remodeling.
The Quality Inn was remodeled, repainted and was very nice as well as having a
first class TV system with 70-80 stations. The hotel remodeling was not totally
finished and they were still working on rooms. Apparently Ivan did a lot of
damage to the hotel.
Heinie and Fred Platt showed up to liven up the hospitality suite. Jan Sanborn
was there and her house was damaged by Ivan. Harry Bishop came from North
Carolina to enjoy the festivities and was wondering why his email on the B-26
cameras was found by a friend on the Internet. I told him I had put it on the
ACA Home Page because of its historical value. Big Bill Brown stepped up to the
bar and we all had an interesting discussion with Bill on C-119, AC-119, C-130,
C-47 and Vietnam. He had more time in the C-119 than any active duty pilot. The
only thing that was missing for Bill and me was Belinda Green who was invited to
the reunion who is a big political figure in KY and who was involved with both
of us in Australia and the B-17C Memorial which her uncle died in the crash.
Jim Roper gave us his opinion why the F-111 was the greatest fighter airplane
around. He spent a lot of time in the aircraft. Ed Douglas said he helped push
Heinie out of perfectly good aircraft-never knew Heinie was a jumper. Ed has
been busy with the TTU Vietnam/Oral History, email
vaoralhistory@ttu.edu and telephone 806-742-9010, Fax 0496, and wants to
invite them next year to gather our unwritten history from our warriors. In
the meantime anyone who would like to contribute his oral history can call or
email them their history. John Plaster, author of SOG and a former USA SF
warrior, showed up for the reunion. Lt Gen Tex Brown ( Sept 20 Aviation Week
under Who’s Where States; USAF LtGen (ret) Richard E. Tex Brown has been named
VP-Air Force programs for the Anteon International Corp, Fairfax, VA. He was
acting assistant Air Force vice chief of staff) made his acquaintance at the
bar. Jim Boney and Jim Yaley and their wives were with them at the hospitality
suite. Sugie and Charlie Jones were there also even though they are still
recovering from the loss of their house during the hurricane. Paul and Sue
Marschalk, fresh from Tennessee, were there and as usual Paul came with his
great sense of humor. Sue is related to BG Ben King. Jimmy Ifland had his camera
capturing all of us in our glory at the hospitality room. Dick Secord attended
and he is still working on his company which I own a few shares.
Saturday 9 October 2004
A large group attended the 0900 business meeting at the Quality Inn Hospitality
room. Dick Goren brought the meeting to order and Charlie Jones led us off in
prayer and just about turned us into born again Christians. Charlie has that
unique southern charm to make us feel the wonders of spiritual connection to the
Supreme Being. Old business was discussed and everything was accepted. During
new business we found out that our founder in 1961, BG Benjamin King (resume at
http://home.earthlink.net/~aircommando1/BGBenKingBio.htm) a WWII hero and
fighter Ace who shot down aircraft in the European and Pacific theaters in WWII
and who fought in 3 wars had died on Thursday 7 October 2004. This was a great
loss for the Air Commandos during our 60th Anniversary. King was
famous for the remark when asked “Will we have spot promotions?” sometime in
1961 and his answer was “I wouldn't say no!” He was a man I remembered well
when he would come down and say modify aircraft without USAF regulations
being meet. He was a fast mover all the time. He is remembered well by all
those who have served under him.
Bob Gleason sent out his death notice on 8 Oct and his emails read
as follows:
Dear Friends.
I have just received the sad news that this evening a true hero has passed away
(Oct 7 2004)--Gen. Ben King.
He died in the hospital from pneumonia and other complications associated with
his continuing fight with cancer.
He died as he had lived in complete control of and full awareness of his fate.
The word I received from a member of the hospital staff was that he declared to
those present that today he was going to die, and he did.
Besides the personal sorrow that all his friends must now endure his passing
signifies an end of an era to the Air Commando movement. In broader terms we
mourn the a loss of a USAF fighter ace "Nonparallel" whose contributions to his
country were truly major and spanned the course of three major wars. May he
rest in eternal peace in the hands of his God.
His wife Maxine is presently residing at 1155 Alder, CT. Florence, OR 97439.
To all others. Please pass to General Kings' other friends whose name I may have
omitted from the above address list.
I talked to Gen. King's daughter a short while ago. The General will be
cremated and his ashes will be dispersed over the Pacific Ocean by his wife from
his own plane flown by a friend. She relates that they are inundated by flowers
but those caring to do so may make a contribution in General King's name to:
The McCoskrie Threshold Foundation (at the Air Commando Association)
P.O. Box 67
Mary Esther, FL. 32569-0067
About a week ago General King was in good health and walking down town when he
fell. The results were a broken vertebra in his back. He was taken to the
hospital and placed on oxygen. However due to the cancer operations previously
performed on his throat he could not swallow normally and fluids continue to
collect in his lungs. This of course developed into pneumonia and it was this
that was the immediate cause of his death on 7 October.
Bob Gleason
Col Bob Gleason, who was BG King's DO and a close friend, will write a final
salute to BG King for the ACA Newsletter. He needs good photos of Ben King to
include in his final salute. If you have any send them to Bob and when finished
they will be sent to the ACA HQ for use in the museum.
Four (4) F-15s from Kingsley
Field, Oregon Air National Guard, Klamath Falls, OR of the 114th Fighter
Squadron, 173d Fighter Wing made a
missing man formation over Florence, Or for his final burial on 19
October. BG King's ashes were then spread in the ocean from the ocean
shorelines due to winds where Rennie Kirk couldn't fly his aircraft to drop over
the ocean. The flyover was arranged by the Florence airport manager, a good
friend of BG King, Rennie Kirk (2001 Airport Way, Florence, OR 97439, Tel
541-997-8069, and Email rkirk24@msn.com) called the Oregon ANG to arrange this
flyover which they did in record time. He was responsible for getting the
flyover and it would be nice if some Commandos emailed him a letter of thanks.
The pilots who flew the F-15s were:
Lt Col Rich "Pee Wee" Kelly
Lt Col Wayne "Wang" Adkisson
Lt Col Brian "Gash" Tonnell
Lt Col Robert "Cricket" Renner
MAJ Erickson Megan, the Wing Community Manager (243 Vandenberg Dr, Ste 22,
Klamath Falls, Or 97603-1935, Tel 541-885-6198, Email megan.erickson@orklam.ang.af.mil
), setup the flyover and if anyone is interested in thanking the ANG for their
flyover they can emailed, both the unit and the pilots who made the flyover, at
the address above. According to Rennie Kirk said it was spectacular--the F-15
came low over the airport (below 2000 ft) and one peeled off over the site in
afterburner and disappeared in the clouds at 4000 ft.
Candidates for offices were announced and all were asked to make statements and
all did. Since there wasn’t a person for the Treasurer Bobby Downs was
nominated to be put on the ballot.
Elections were held and the following people were elected to the following
offices:
President Felix “Sam” Bogna
Treasurer Bobby Downs
Board John Connors
Dave Harrington
Ted Saunders
The business meeting and elections were held and finished in record time just
over an hour so that those who wanted to attend the 6th SOS briefing at
Hurlburt could attend. Thanks to Dick Goren we were of the meeting so that we
could hear an exciting briefing.
The USAF sent, what appeared as, new buses from Hurlburt to pick us up at 10:30
sharp. The buses were AF blue and white and were quite a change from our old
blue school buses in the past.
We arrived at the 6th SOS squadron facilities and went right into
their briefing room which was a first class auditorium nothing of which we had
40 years ago at Hulburt. What a difference time and a little money do for our
special warriors. The theatre seats and stage was a delight to see after what
the Jungle Jim was given to brief the troops and guests. Lt Col Juan Alvarez,
the squadron Operations Officer and soon to become commander, was the briefer.
LtC Alvarez has a unique background for this assignment. He first flew for the
Navy but after an accident lost part of his leg. He left the Navy and was able
to get into the AF with a mechanical leg which was rumored to be one of Ross
Perot project-the same guy that used Bull Simmon in Iran to try and rescue his
men. LtC Alvarez gave us an excellent briefing on the 6th SOS
mission and their unique equipment. They lease Russian AN-2, AN-26, AN-32 cargo
aircraft, MI-6 and MI-16 helicopters and a C-47 which has turbo props and
modified for the 21 century. Their mission is to provide assistance and
training to countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East who fly
these aircraft. They have used a concept from the USA Special Forces using an A
& B team. They do this with a 109 person squadron. Their concept appeared
similar to our old MTT training teams with different aircraft, modified team
concept and a little more sophistication for the modern world. We were told
that Jerry Klingman (old Air Commando from the sixties) help setup the
squadron. All of the Russian aircraft are maintained and supported by a leasing
company. Fred Platt at the bar laid claim to getting the turbo prop C-47 from
the DEA who had captured it from drug runners and they were looking for a home
for it. Fred recommended it be given to AFSOC.
The 6th SOS has a Question Mark in the middle of a circle which was used by the
Air Commandos of WWII. The question arose as what it signified and the AFSOC
history gave this account:
The 1944 Air commando Transport section adopted the white circle with the
question mark because of the secrecy of the mission (could not tell anyone what
the mission was, where they were going, etc--reminded me of EBF and SBF in
Jungle Jim). There was also a story when the troops traveled to the theater
some of the C-47's had the glider snatch hook and curious people wanted to know
what it was and of course the crews could not tell them.
Lt Col Alvarez then gave us a tour of the two aircraft which was still on
base-a turbo prop C-47 and a Huey. The Huey had a wire cutter mounted above and
below the cockpit to cut any wires which they may encounter in their missions.
Probably would have been a great thing if we had it back in the sixties when one
of our Huey hit some power lines. The turboprop C-47 was a grand improvement
over our Jungle Jim SC-47. The inside of the aircraft was insulated, had an air
conditioner, the paratrooper seats had padded backs and seats, the pilot seats
were changed to give more room than before-even Earthquake Magoon (James
McGovern) would have been proud of, turbo prop engines and they had
mirrors on their wings so that the pilot could check his landing wheels and the
engines. When we left the flight line they even had electrical operated
gates-none of this pushing some old rusty gate that weighed a ton. What
luxury! After returning to the hospitality room at the Quality Inn it was
filled with members. There was cheer all around and tipping of the last glass
since 1600 hours was approaching for the march to the rooms for dressing for the
banquet at the Soundside Club (old Hurlburt Officer Club) at 1800 hours.
Dick Goren opened the banquet at 1900 hours after the cocktail hours. Charlie
Jones led us in prayer followed by a pledge of allegiance. After a delicious
meal we then proceeded with the night festivities. All the dignitaries were
introduced (Lt Gen Woolsey, Lt Gen “Tex” Brown, Maj Gen Secord, BG Aderholt).
Felix "Sam" Bogna was introduced as our new president and our MC was introduced
Bill Campbell. Howie Pierson made some comments and told us his father “Pop”
lived to 103 + years-shows you what young women and good drinks will do to your
life. Dick Secord introduced three new members who were inducted into the ACA
Hall of Fame. They were:
1. CMSgt Wayne G. Norad
2. Col Roland K. McCoskrie
3. John Plaster-first Army Special Forces to be inducted into the HOF. He was a
Covey FAC rider.
CMSGT Christian was introduced who was the only WWII Air Commando attending the
reunion. US Air Force Academy Cadet Christine Lukasik, daughter of Capt Bernard
Francis Lukasik who was KIA in Phuong Dinh Province, (inland from the Mekong
Delta) Vietnam on 19 February 1964 in a T-28D 53-8855 (the 10th so
far) when supporting ARVN ground troops in the Province. She is in 4th
year at the Academy and will be commissioned in June 2005. The man who her
father saved from being captured LtC Ken Lengfield, the day before on 18
February 1964, by hacked off VCs he attacked that day, who was flying T-28
53-8369 which got shot down, was introduced. He told the story how Capt
Lukasik saved him from capture by the VC which he was attacking with his T-28
before being shot down. Capt Lukasik attacked the VC with his guns and after he
ran out of ammunition he then took his T-28 down on the deck using his
propellers to drive off the VC. A helicopter finally arrives and picked him and
his Vietnamese AF back sweater for another day of fighting. The next day on 19
February 1964 Capt Bernard Francis Lukasik was shot down and killed. Cadet
Catherine Lukasik was given a life long membership in the ACA. Heinie Aderholt
arranged for all this to happen including getting Cadet Lukasik out of class at
the Academy to attend our reunion. Twenty of our members, who were involved
with humanitarian work and the McCoskrie/Threshold Foundation (MTF), were
introduced to receive a humanitarian award. They were BG Aderholt, John Grove,
Doris Eaton, Jody Duncan, James "Doc" Fitzpatrick, James Boney, Lester T.
Hansen, Jo Bailey, Rose Dykes, Gaylord L. Hall, Eulice Shelly, Kenneth H. Poole,
Richard P. Goren, Robert H. White, Roland "Hap" Lutz Jr, Roland K. McCoskrie,
Charles E. "Mac" McDaniels, Roger L. Klair, David W. Freeman, Asa M. Stackhouse
and Clyde Howard. BG Heinie Aderholt was recognized as the driving force
for this effort. Col McCoskrie’s widow was introduced which the McCoskrie
Threshold Fund is named after.
Lt General Michael Wooley (bio at www.af.mil/bios.asp?bioID=7654), the new AFSOC
Commander, was introduced as our guest speaker. General Wooley is a graduate of
Northeast Louisana State University, a distinguished graduate of UPT, former VC
of AFSOC; aircraft flown were airlifter and helicopters and became AFSOC
commander in July 2004 when he replaced General Hester. His speech was a slide
show of updating how AFSOC was organized and outside of the 6th SOS
it is a two plane unit with H-53() helicopters and AC-130(). AFSOC recently
became responsible for the AF Rescue forces and in addition to the PJ he has the
Combat Controllers and combat weathermen. He talked about the CV-22, which he
has flown in and said they are programmed to receive it in 2009. AFSOC has
approximately 20,000 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian
professional. He concluded his speech with a statement that we were all heroes
regardless what we did in the war.
The Banquet was concluded with Les Brown playing until dawn for those who wanted
to dance the rest of the night and who could still take it.
The Hospitality Suite was reopened which still attracted a small crowd. Dick
Goren kept the bar going with great stories and Fred Platt and Jim Roper added
their stories which were quite interesting. A question came up who were the
AFSOC Commanders which no one could name after a few drinks. The AFSOC
Commanders were as follows:
Maj Gen Thomas E. Eggers 22 May 90 to 21 June 91
MG Bruce L. Fister 21 Jun 91 to 21 Jul 94
MG James L. Hobson, Jr. 22 Jul 94 to 8 Jul 97
MG Charles R. Holland 9Jul 97 to 4 Aug 99
Lt Gen Maxwell C. Bailey 5 Aug 99 to 15 Jan 02
Lt Gen Paul V. Hester 16 Jan 02 to 1 Jul 04
Lt Gen Michael W. Wooley 1 Jul 04 to Present
10 October Sunday 2004
It was a bad weather day with threat of coast line flooding in New Orleans.
This caused members to leave early and later finding that New Orleans was not
being flooded. The 1200 Memorial service was held in the 6th SOS
auditorium because of the weather. A BBQ was held under the Quality Inn drive
through porch. The Air commando Auction was held and was a success. The
reunion ended at 1600 hours and most people left for home except the diehards in
the hospitality room.
About 225 people attended this year and low attendance was primarily due to
weather and the hurricane which really chewed up Fort Walton Beach
Eugene D. Rossel
Email me if there are any clarification/corrections/addition needed at
aircommando1@earthlink.net
With help from:
Sam Bogna
Jim Boney
AFSOC History
Pete Bowman
Bob Gleason
______________________________________________________________________________________
Who Was Ben King
A final toast to our Fabled Leader and Commander
The 1964 Special Air Warfare Center put out a PR pamphlet
called Special Air
Warfare Center (SAWC) 1964 "1st Air Commando Wing" Booklet
The 1964 Special Air Warfare Center put out a PR pamphlet called "First Air
Commando Wing" which had a front cover in color showing B-26 dropping ordnance.
On the second to last page the magazine depicted the past commanders starting
with Col Philip G. Cochran and followed by Benjamin H. King. The following is
the write up for Col King:
"BENJAMIN H. KING--Colonel King, entered military service as an Aviation Cadet
from Oklahoma City Feb. 28, 1942. He was commissioned Nov. 10 at Foster Field,
Tex. During the period between commissioning and August 1948, Colonel King held
varied assignments as fighter pilot, group commander and operations officer. The
Colonel was a World War II "Ace" and also flew in Korea. Col. Ben King was the
father of the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron and the 1st Air Commando
Group."
This makes BG Benjamin King the modern era father of the USAF Air Commandos and
Special Operations.
__________________________________________________________
USAF Biography
Brigadier General Benjamin H. King
Retired Jan 31 1971
Brigadier General Benjamin H. King was born in Addie Lee, OK in 1919. He
received his high school education in Fayeteville, Ark. He entered aviation
cadet training in February 1942 at Foster Field, Texas, and received his pilot
wings and commission as a second lieutenant in November of the same year.
During World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific and European-Middle
Eastern theaters of operations as a pilot flying P-38s, P-39s and P-51s. He
scored seven victories in air battle and logged 122 combat missions totaling 480
combat hours. During the Korean War, he destroyed two aircraft on the ground,
flew 200 combat missions and accumulated 382 combat hours.
He graduated from the Army Command and General Staff School in February 1946 and
from the Air Command and Staff School in June 1950.
From January 1957 until July 1959, General King was assigned as commander,
4750th Air Defense Group, and later as deputy commander and commander, 4750th
Air Defense Wing at Vincent Air Force Base, AZ. He moved with the Wing to
Macdill Air Force BASE, FL. In July 1960 he was reassigned as director, Joint
BOMARC Test Staff, Detachment 1, Montgomery Air Defense Sector, Eglin Air Force
Base, FL.
From May 1961 until March 1962, he served as commander, 4400th Combat Crew
Training Squadron and 4400th CCT Group, Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #9, FL
and in April 1962 he was assigned as commander, 1st Combat Applications Group,
Eglin Air Force Base, FL.
General King was assigned in October 1963 as deputy director of the Secretary of
Defense Advisory Research Project Agency Field Unit, Bangkok, Thailand. During
this period he flew some 100 missions in Vietnam in T-28, C-47, L-28 and B-26
aircraft.
He returned to the United States in October 1964 and was assigned to the
Aerospace Defense Command. He served as vice commander, Los Angeles Air Defense
Sector, Norton Air Force Base, CA; as deputy for operations, 28th Air Division
and the Fourth Air Force; and as vice commander, Fourth Air Force at Hamilton
Air Force Base, CA.
In August 1967 he became command inspector general, Headquarters Aerospace
Defense Command, ENT Air Force Base, CO, and in January 1969 he became director
of aerospace safety, Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Inspection and
Safety at Norton Air Force Base, CA.
General King was the director of aerospace safety, Office of the Deputy
Inspector General for Inspection and Safety, Norton Air Force Base, CA. He
retired from the USAF on January 31, 1971.
General King was an active fighter pilot and was qualified in the T-33 and the
supersonic F-106 Delta Dart. He accumulated more than 6,000 hours of flying
time including 1,146 combat hours logged in 400 missions. His decorations
include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with three
oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 24 oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart and the
French Croix de Guerre.
__________________________________________________________
BG Benjamin King
WWII Army Air Corps Aerial ACE
By
American Fighter Ace Association
Benjamin Harold King was born in Add Lee, Oklahoma on 9 December 1919.
Following a year at the University of Oklahoma, He enlisted in the Army Air
Forces in late February 1942 and was appointed a flying cadet in May at Kelly
Field, Texas. He completed flying training with Class 42-J at Foster Field,
Texas and was commissioned a second lieutenant on 10 November.
In February 1943 Lieutenant King was assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron,
347th Fighter Group, flying P-39s and P-38s. On 17 July, flying a P-38 named
"Matilda" after his mother he downed two Zekes in a morning mission over Kahli
and on 1 November destroyed another Zeke over Empress Augusta Bay. Following a
rest tour in the States, he transferred to the 359th Fighter Group in European
Theater of Operations flying P-51s a commander of the 368th Fighter Squadron.
On 11 September 1944 bear Blankenheim on an escort mission to Meseburg; the
359th encountered some 200 Luftwaffe fighters in a running dogfight ranging from
Gissen to Eisleben. King shot down two FW-190s and a Me-109 to become an ace
(the fifth for the 359th). The following day, on an escort to Berlin, King
scored his last victory, a Me-109 near Gransee. Rotating back home again, he
finished the war as a deputy director at Santa Maria, California.
King remained in the post-war Air Force and received his regular commission as a
captain in June 1947. In September 1950 he went to Korea to command the 8th
Fighter Bomber Squadron at Taegu, flying 226 missions in the P-51 and F-80. In
1961 he formed the Air Commandos at Hurlburt Field, Florida and was their
commander for the next three years, flying combat missions in Vietnam in the
C-47, T-28 and A-1E. Promoted to brigadier general in 1966 he served as deputy
Inspector General for Safety before he retired in January 1971.
Tally Record: 7 Confirmed
Decorations: Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster,
and Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters.
From the American Fighter Aces Museum Foundation, Inc,
PO Box 2020, San Antonio, TX Tel 210-354-2322, Fax 0575 San Antonio, TX
From his final Home town Newspaper
www.registerguard.com | © The Register-Guard,
Eugene, Oregon
October 20, 2004
Aerial farewell to
a fighter: Jets fly over Florence to salute pilot who flew in three wars
By Winston Ross
The Register-Guard
FLORENCE
- All Maxine King needed was a break in the clouds.
Then, she could hope to catch a glimpse of the fighter jets screaming through
the sky.
If the fog was too low, the clouds too thick, the planes would keep right on
flying. It had rained all weekend. And droplets already were beading up on her
hat, rolling down toward her weathered face. Perhaps her husband would not get
the ceremony he deserved.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. King retired in 1971, but his legacy as a fighter pilot
continued long afterward. During his time in the U.S. Air Force, King
accumulated more than 6,000 hours of flying time and 400 combat missions. He was
decorated with the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and
the Purple Heart, among many medals.
But it was Tuesday's "Missing Man" ceremony that brought the
Florence resident's
service into sharp focus. To commemorate his death last week, four F-15 fighter
jets buzzed the tiny
Florence
airport and a crowd of onlookers. By the time it was over, the rain had stopped.
But the faces in the crowd were wet with tears.
"Wasn't that beautiful," said Maxine King, Ben's wife of 59 years.
It was. First, the planes were mere dots in the southern sky, their engines
inaudible. Then they roared overhead and veered east, out of sight.
F-15s from Klamath
Falls make a Florence fly-by.
Maxine King and
daughter Alicia King watch F-15s fly by the Florence Airport on Tuesday in honor
of Brig. Gen. Benjamin King, a
Florence
resident who died last week. He flew 400 combat missions in
World War II,
Korea and Vietnam.
Photos: Kevin Clark /
The Register-Guard
"The townspeople may think
they are terrorists," Maxine chuckled.
Seconds later, the jets returned, in perfect formation, barreling toward the
runway until just the right moment, when one jet split from the pack and shot
straight into the sky, spinning slowly over and then back down, disappearing
into a wisp of clouds.
"He would have loved that," Maxine said quietly.
Born in Addielee,
Okla., in 1919,
King enlisted in the Army Air Force in late 1942 as a flying cadet in Texas. A
few months later, he was in his first fighter squadron, the 339th. By July, he
already had taken out his first two Japanese "Zekes" (nickname of the Mitsubishi
Zero, the country's primary fighting plane) in a P-38 plane he named "Matilda" -
after his mother - in a morning mission in the Philippines. It was the beginning
of a successful career.
In September 1944, King's squadron encountered 200 German fighters in a
dogfight. King shot down three planes to earn his status as an ace pilot. By the
end of the war, he had served in both the Pacific-Asiatic and European-Middle
Eastern theaters in 122 missions and 480 hours of combat.
In the book "Air Commando Chronicles" by a fellow retired Air Force officer,
Col. Robert Gleason, an entire chapter is devoted to King's exploits.
"Various Air Force publications from time to time contain a list of famous
fighter pilots along with their victories in World War II, Korea and Vietnam,"
Gleason wrote.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. King
"Someday someone will get around to publishing a list of fighter aces that flew
the most combat missions, involving the greatest number of wars, over the
longest time period. When they do Ben King will be at the top of that list."
The most harrowing days of King's time in World War II came when he was shot
down 400 miles into enemy territory in the Philippines toward the end of his
tour. After ditching the plane, King spent a week in a one-man dinghy, paddling
toward an island 40 miles away, Gleason writes. King survived by eating
seagulls, his son Carl said.
Eventually, King made it to the island, occupied by about 100 Japanese soldiers.
They searched day and night for King and other Americans, who, with the help of
a Christian native, had found one another and sought refuge in a cave where they
built a raft to escape. After three months, the raft was complete and the
soldiers paddled 70 miles toward U.S. territory, until they were picked up in
the night by a Navy boat.
"He said he ate little grub worms," Maxine said. "All kinds of things to live
on."
After the war, King transferred to Alaska and played a key role in constructing
Eielson Air Force Base, supervising 4,000 civilians building one of the longest
runways in the world.
In Korea,
King returned to combat, flying 226 missions in P-51 and F-80 planes. In 1961 he
formed the Air Commandos, a group of elite fighters, at
Hurlburt Field,
Fla. During the Cuban missile crisis, King's Commandos were ordered to stage in
southern Florida, their targets assigned. But before they could strike, the
stalemate ended, averting a nuclear attack against the Soviets.
At the start of the Vietnam War, King commanded one of the first groups of
American soldiers who were sent over. They trained South Vietnamese pilots,
King's son said.
During the next few years, King flew in 100 combat missions in Vietnam before
retiring in 1971 as director of aerospace safety in the Office of the Deputy
Inspector General for Inspection and Safety in
California.
He had lived in
Florence for only a
few years, but King quickly endeared himself to the community. Still an "airport
bum" even at age 84, King got to know several of local pilots and regaled them
with stories of war. When they learned of his death, airport manager Rennie Kirk
contacted an Air Force colonel who notified a commander at the base in Klamath
Falls.
"What a marvelous tribute to a marvelous man," said Andi Belk, a friend who
watched the ceremony. "He was absolutely the sweetest guy in the whole world."
Winston Ross can be reached at (541) 902-9030 or rgcoast@ oregonfast.net.