CATCOM ANNOUNCEMENTS, 2021
Update: 20 December 2021
LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS: (click to go direct)
A HUNDRED FEET OVER HELL (REVISED), BY JIM HOOPER:
Greetings, Catkillers and Friends:
Last year Zenith Press let the book go out of print and reverted all rights to me, so I decided to self–publish with Amazon KDP. It’s new only in that I undertook a ruthless edit. A couple of vignettes that didn’t contribute much and slowed the pace were taken out. Passages that were too wordy have been tightened up considerably, new voices added, and is now better organized. The equivalent of about 15 pages of the first edition are gone and about 30 added. Zenith retained copyright on the original cover, map and interior layout, which meant I had to find a graphic designer, cartographer and someone to format everything for both the print edition and ebook (links below at Amazon.com).
Sincerely,
Jim Hooper
A HUNDRED FEET OVER HELL, Amazon.com [Revised Edition, 2021]
All available books by Jim Hooper
Jim Hooper BioEditor: Send comments and I will post them.
COMMENTS:
They came today. All looks very well done. Covers back and front are nice. Good fonts, easy to read maps and the black and white photos look fine. The book has a nice feel to it, easy to hold and page thru it. Catkillers will like it.
Charles Finch
CATKILLERS AT IBDA ROUNDUP, FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS, 2021:
A small group of Catkillers defied the norm of avoiding COVID concerns to attend a popular Hill Country event put on by the International Birddog Association committee. There was no officially designated Catkiller committee for this event, just a come–and–join–in fun time for all attendees. Yes, membership IDBA was a requirement and all who attended took advantage of excellent member benefits. The following photos and report are from available members:Catkillers:
It was a wonderful roundup by the IBDA for sure. The Catkillers had their own mini-reunion thanks to the hospitality of the IBDA. We were embraced and certainly added to their function. I have several videos that I may pass on.
Grayson Davis was a last minute scrub as his wife was admitted to the hospital. She is now home so that is good.
There are two group photos. One with me in yellow jacket. Harold Vail, Carl Drechsel, Dave Ohare, Finch, Bud Bruton, Bob Arrington, Doc Clement.
Dark photo with group sitting down. Bob Arrington, Bud Bruton, Harold Vail, Henry Milam, Finch. Back row Glenn Troha, Andy Anderson, Carl Drechsel, Doc Clement, Rich Buster, Scott Cummings.
Gary Vance in Orange Shirt with me. Glenn Troha with Son David in Texas A&M shirt and his wife Amy. Rick Johnson at table with Ray Caryl and Dave Ohare.
Will forward some airplane photos when I can.
Wish all of you could have come. Fredricksburg Texas is marvelous. Hangar Hotel was terrific in every respect. Seeing 19 Birddogs on the ramp in all their colors and then watching them fly to another grass strip and land and then takeoff; sounds brought back so many memories.
I will write another letter about some issues we were discussing and need your impact.
Seeing Rich Buster, the crew chief that took care of us at Dong Ha, was the highlight for many of us. His stories from stealing the jeep for Dong Ha and the truck were hilarious.
Many blessings.
Charles FinchDon, It was so nice to see everyone after 52 years. Some people are naturally photogenic and then there’s me. Great shot of the other guys though. If you ever ride anywhere with Bud Bruton and Bobby Arrington make sure you write your name on their windshield, so they’ll remember your riding with them and they won’t drive off and forget you. It’s a short–term memory thing.
Morris R. Buster
Photos, Scott Cummings:
Photos, Charles Finch:
DEATH OF SANDY DRECHSEL, 27 NOVEMBER 2021, NASSAU BAY, TEXAS:
Sandra (Sandy) Drechsel devoted much of her free time and energy to be a blessing to people and organizations throughout her life. She enjoyed a reputation for willing and enthusiastic service in her family, business and many social circles, and she certainly considered the Catkillers a big part of both her and her husband’s special emphasis and dedication. In 2005, Carl and Sandy Drechsel served jointly as coordinators for one of the most enjoyable and attended reunions held by the Catkillers, and they were very helpful in planning and executing following Catkiller events in Philadelphia and Seattle. An example of the comments following the 2005 reunion can be read at: 2005 Reunion text regarding Sandy
With condolences and sympathy to Carl, and her family and friends:
Sandra K. Drechsel 68 years old lived in Nassau Bay, Texas, passed away on Saturday, November 27, 2021, with Carl her husband of 41 years by her side. Mrs. Drechsel was born in Borger, Texas, on December 6, 1953. She was the executive administrator for the CEO and President of Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas. She was an active member of the Lakewood Yacht Club to include Editor of the Monthly LYC Log for over 10 years, Land organizer of numerous national Regattas for adult and youth both local and offshore plus other committees. Supporter and Reunion organizer for the United States Army 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company which served in South Vietnam. She was a supporter of Second Chance Pets. She loved her Shih Tzu dog Abby. Member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay. She is survived by: mother, Drusilla Hall; brothers Greg Hall and wife Nicky, Danny Hall: husband, Carl Drechsel; stepsons Colby Drechsel, and grandsons Owen Drechsel, Everett Drechsel, and Ryan Drechsel and wife Carolyn, and granddaughters Taylor Drechsel, Quinn Drechsel; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Flowers can be sent to Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Blvd, Webster, Texas 77598 and / or donation to “Second Chance Pets” at www.secondchancepets.org
Viewing 5–7pm on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Blvd, Webster, Texas 77598. Funeral services 10:30 AM Thursday, December 2, 2021, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, Texas 77058 with Rev. Randy Miller officiating.
DEATH OF WILLIAM LLOYD PATTERSON, 20 NOVEMBER 2021, SHARPSBURG, GEORGIA:
Mr. William Lloyd Patterson, 78 of Sharpsburg, GA, died November 20, 2021. Lloyd was born in Hollywood, AL to the late Mitchell and Altus Patterson. He was raised in Tuscumbia, AL and graduated from the University of North Alabama, where he was active in the ROTC. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, he joined the US Army as a pilot, and served in Vietnam. He went on to become a commercial pilot with Southern Airways and later retired from Northwest Airlines. He was a GIA certified gemologist and loved fishing and spending time with his family. He set a high example of what a man should be and was a wealth of knowledge, who always had a side-eye of mischief up his sleeve. He was a wonderful husband, loving father and grandfather.
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Bobbie D. Patterson of Sharpsburg; daughters, Tracey and Jimmy Canavan of Locust Grove and Valerie and Chris Shellnutt of Sharpsburg; grandchildren, Tyler and McKenzie Shellnutt and Katelyn, Kylie, and Jared Canavan; sisters, Joyce Clark and Annie Harvey, both of Alabama, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mr. Patterson will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Peachtree City. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lloyd’s memory to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).
Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service – Peachtree City, GASource:
Mowells Funeral Home web site
COMMENTS:
Henry H. Milam III: Lloyd and Jimmy were roommates in 2nd Plt at Marble Mountain when Gene and I got there in Oct, 1967. Ray was also there when Gene and I arrived. Lloyd was a greatguy and friend, but I never saw him after he left Vietnam. Talked with him a few times but never got together with him in Atlanta.
CHRISTMAS, 1968:
Sent: Mon, Dec 20, 2021 12:53 PM
Subject: Christmas, 1968
To Friends of Norman Lane,
On Christmas Eve morning, 1968, Army captains Charles Finch and Roger Bounds flew a two-hour forward air controller (FAC) mission out of Dong Ha. Capt. Finch was leader of 1st Platoon, 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Group, better known as the Catkillers. That same afternoon the two O-1 ‘Bird Dog’ pilots were being greeted aboard the battleship USS New Jersey, on station off the northern coast of South Vietnam. Captains Finch and Bounds would spend two days as guests of the New Jersey’s skipper, Capt. Edward Snyder. The 1968 Bob Hope Christmas show troupe, featuring Ann–Margret, would perform on the ship at noon Christmas Day. In a serious vein, however, the two Army captains would provide an interview with the ship’s radio station later that Christmas night, 1968. With Charles Finch’s help, a YouTube link to that recording appears in the full story, “Christmas, 1968.”
You can access the story, which also includes a link to color footage of the Christmas Day Bob Hope show on the New Jersey, at: https://tinyurl.com/Christmas-1968
Special thanks go to Charles, who also provided most of the photos for the story, and to Jim Hooper, whose A Hundred Feet Over Hell chronicles the Christmas, 1968, episode aboard the New Jersey.
On behalf of the Norman Lane Jr. Memorial Project, and in honor of Charles Finch, Roger Bounds, and the countless others who served our country in a very difficult time, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.
Al Claiborne, Professor Emeritus
Chair, Norman Lane Jr. Memorial Project
NORMAN LANE JR. MEMORIAL PROJECT [PDF]
COMMENTS:
Found Catkiller!Thanks Don, I recall that Roger Bounds story and that Christmas of 1968. Today, my wife and I visited the Pearl Harbor Memorials and the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Oahu. My second visit to the Punchbowl Cemetery as I was there on RR in October of ’68 as well.
All the Best, Merry Christmas
Chris
William C Burnell
SP5 3rd Platoon, Da Nang, March 1968 – April 1969
