CATCOM ANNOUNCEMENTS, 2022
Update: 13 November2022
LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS: (click to go direct)
MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE:
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Harry S. Truman
Richmond Register article, Highway dedication
CATKILLERS CHECKING IN:
Nelson Kunitake (Catkiller26/03) sent in a new email address. If you want to get in touch with Nelson, just send me a message for him.
Sorry to hear of one of our Catkillers passing [concerning William Lloyd Patterson last year]. It is sad and at the same time we are proud of him for serving his country. My name is Richard Luna, Specialest 5, 68G20. I was station in Phu Ba, Vietnam, 1967 to 1969. I repaired the airframe on the Birddogs, bullet holes, etc..
I’m also the one that made the Catkiller sign for the Officers Club. I was very proud of myself on making that sign. I cut it out of one piece of sheet metal, and the brackets to attatch to the wall of the Club. That was quite a feat in itself. I keep in touch with Jay Faust, Frank Fettera and Jim Toslog. We all were in Phu Bai. My address is [new address available] I’m very Proud to have served the 220th. Hooray to all the Catkillers. Be well and safe and thank you for all that you do.
Spec 5 Richard Luna
Vernon Seybold sent this note in recently:
I served with the 220th RAC from March 1968 to October 1969. I came to the unit with an MOS as a Prop and Rotor Repairman. There was Little need for Prop Repairman, so I crossed trained as an engine mechanic. I worked in the engine shop with Frank Fatera. He’s the only one I can recall. Our Maintenance Sergeant was SFC Johnson. I do recall one of the Techs was SP6 Burns. Our Maintenance Officer was Cpt Kovach. I attained the rank As SP5.
Vern
Sir, well said!!
[Regarding Memorial Day Message sent to all:] “Let’s remember in thanksgiving spirit....”
Very Best Regards and Thank You for “owning the web site” and your continued roll in updates!
Robert Lewin
Former Sp4 67B20 then Sp5 67B20 HQ Crew Chief, 1969
Remodeler/Builder of Flight Line Shack with observation deck and HQ Flight Line PSP Revetments;
provider of Christmas Trees (with Papasan’s local knowledge) to Company Clubs Christmas, 1968;
CatKiller 672 Beaver Engine Change (a developing disaster with an engine in the can from 1959 cork gaskets and all!),
I heard the guys did another change sometime later as the push–rod tubes were leaking badly by then.
(Jun 10, 1969 DEROS)
I retired Aug 1, 2019 as Owner/President of Tactical Power Systems Corp. after spending 23 years providing and supporting critical communications power systems for the USAF Central Command Communications community all over the AOR. It was an honor to serve them and to support their many faceted requirements.
Very Best Regards,
Robert Lewin
Tahlequah, OK
SURPRISE FROM A SHOEBOX:
CW2 Lyle E. Borders, a well–known Vietnam OH-6 pilot, contacted us with a photo of a damaged Birddog, which he photographed in February of 1971. His objective was to identify the Catkiller 22 pilot by name. He asked Dennis Currie to assist with his goal. Dennis did a search of Catkillers who were assigned that callsign and persued WO–1 Gordon B. Greer, who served during 1971. Below is the response we received from Gordon:This Is GRIER, Gordon B., WO1, PhuBai, 4 March—14 December 1971 Yes, I was Catkiller22 and, yes, I did take some antiacft hits in the AShau at 3500AGL with broken ceiling over Tiger Mountain interdiction point. I was high ship covering low ship Catkiller26, but that was 1000 hours [10 AM], 29 June 1971.
No, the 0–1 in the pic was not my aircraft. That 0–1 was flown by CPT Richard Wright, who was in 4th Platoon. He was also the company Instructor Pilot (IP). He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) as a result of that battle damage. He kept that tail section mounted in his hootch and took it back to the world with him when he DEROSed. He retired as an LTC. He is deceased.
EDITOR: You can view the record of Richard’s DFC from those listings in the Catkiller History Index. Another different angle photo of this tail section appears withing the page of photos provided by Angel De La Fuente at http://catkillers.org/history-DeLaFuente.htm
ON POINT: JOURNAL OF ARMY HISTORY ARTICLE, 220TH AVIATION COMPANY
A few weeks ago I received the following note from an intern and assistant historian at the Army Historical Foundation, Joshua Cline. He promised to share an article he was then writing regarding the 220th Aviation Company:Good afternoon! I am Joshua Cline, an intern at the Army Historical Foundation, located at the National Museum of the United States Army. I am also a college student majoring in military history at George Washington University.
Over the summer, I wrote an article about the 220th RAC, with Ray Caryl’s help (I discovered the unit through his book). I am pleased to say that it will be published in On Point: The Journal Of Army History, Volume 27 No. 4. Unless Murphy has something to say about it, I will likely have the physical copy by this time next week.
Once I have it, I intend to scan the article and send it to you as a PDF, as Mr. Caryl suggested. I’d be happy to have it on the Catkiller website. It was a fascinating summer research project and I’m glad to have done such work.
Respectfully,
Joshua Cline
Assistant Historian Army Historical Foundation
intern@armyhistory.org
www.armyhistory.com
Today, I published the PDF file as the last article in the Historical Overviews, Catkiller History Index:
Click here or visit the Historican IndexTo view the complete ON POINT Voilumn 7, Issue 4: Visit this link.
COMMENTS:
Don,
I’m beginning to think that between CK 3-2, Hooper’s One hundred Feet Over Hell and your incredible stewardship of the Catkiller Website, that the 220th RAC will continue to live a long life in the annals of History.
I see that as a good thing, not just because I wrote a book, but because of the brave and devoted young men who maintained, flew and rode in the backseat of those Birddogs. We were the last of a breed and I am sure that most would tell you that it was a privilege to have served in, with and for the 220th.
Our antics were many, our backgrounds (and futures) diverse and in some cases our actions were downright heroic, but we all shared that ONE common goal of protecting the grunts on the ground. I think we should hold our heads high and each of us, regardless of our assigned job, be proud.
I am looking forward to reading what our young intern has written. I do know that he was excited to write about the Catkillers (and just a bit in awe of what we did), but I have NO idea what he has written.
Best,
Ray Caryl,
Unit Historian
This is absolutely wonderful! At this point it has been those of us who served that has brought life to the 220th Aviation Company story. To have an individual take this level of interest and carry on with our legacy is an honor indeed. I am anxious to read Joshua’s article.
Dennis Currie,
Assistant Editor
CPT RICHARD P. “DICK” WOLFE, DECEASED 5 OCTOBER 2022, TACOMA, WA:
I received an email from Jerry DoGrezio stating that Dick Wolfe had passed away and would be buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Wasgington, on 17 October. As of today there are no further specific details but the family will prepare an obituary. More information to follow at this posting when received.
“Dick retired with the rank of Colonel and had accumulated the most OV–1 Mohawk hours of any Army Aviator. This was a result of the two OV–1 units he served with in Vietnam and as a member and eventual commander of the OV–1 National Guard Unit to which he was assigned.”
Jerry DiGrezio”
Richard Wolfe Obituary (1942 - 2022) News Tribune (Tacoma):
Richard Paul Wolfe the beloved son of Geraldine Sage Wolfe and Paul Wolfe was born November 30, 1942, and grew up in Tacoma, Washington. Rick loved radio; a love that began when as a 10–year-old boy he heard the famous radio broadcast of the Korean war ending by President Eisenhower. Rick heard the broadcast while at the “Hand Out” drive-thru restaurant in Parkland. Little did Rick know that the “Hand Out” would become Wolfe Club Coffee owned by his daughter Pam and now his grandson Mark Larkin. By the age of 15 Rick had made his own shortwave radio which made him a local celebrity in Tacoma. Rick graduated from Tacoma’s Bellarmine High School in 1960, attended Washington State University, and received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
In 2001, Rick married Sharon Wittmier, who worked with him during his 20–year tenure at the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. He was previously married to Patricia (Pat) Miner Wolfe with both working at the U.S. Army Southeastern Signal School, Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was also previously married to Catherine (Cathy) Hill just after her high school graduation in 1963.
Rick had a distinguished military career, joining the Washington Army National Guard in 1962 as a Private. He completed Officer Candidate School and was subsequently called to active duty in 1966 and served until 1976. During this time, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, first as a Signal Corps Officer and then as an Army Aviator after completing flight school. He flew numerous combat and reconnaissance missions, piloting the Grumman OV–1 Mohawk aircraft. During his assignment at Fort Huachuca, Arizona he flew a variety of missions supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as ferrying aircraft around the world to South Korea with stops in Israel, Egypt and many other places. After leaving active duty in 1976 he returned to National Guard status and continued to fly his beloved Mohawk with the Oregon National Guard. He flew the Mohawk over the Great Lakes for ice studies and into Mt. St. Helen’s during the weeks leading up to the volcanic eruption in 1980. He held the positions of Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Chief Aviation Officer, and Chief Intelligence Officer. He achieved the rank of Colonel (O–6) before retiring in 1996.
Returning to Tacoma in 1976, Rick joined the Pierce County Sheriffs Department as a deputy and became a sergeant. He also flew the Sheriff’s plane from Thun Field on police reconnaissance missions, made several trips to Alaska and received a “Cop of the Year” award.
During his 34 years in the military, Rick received numerous awards and honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with V attachment, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Rick passed away at home on October 5, 2022. He is survived by his wife Sharon Wittmier Wolfe, daughters Susan Wolfe (Khristine), Pamela Larkin Boyle (Forrest), Carolyn Wolfe (Greg Piercy) of Tacoma and daughter Kristina Wolfe of Centreville, Virginia; seven grandchildren (Regan Robinson (Auston), Kristen Basargin (Dennis), Mark Larkin (Molly), Katelynn Haas, Tyler Haas (Julivete), Catherine Wolfe, and Jacob Piercy; and 13 great grandchildren; and brother Pastor William (Bill) Wolfe and wife Sandi of Port Townsend, He was preceded in death by his two sisters Patricia (Patty) and Paula.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM on October 17, 2022, Tuell–McKee Funeral Home on 6 th Avenue in Tacoma and is open to friends and family. A private interment will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aeries #3, Tacoma WA.
COMMENTS:
Memories of my friend Dick Wolfe
I arrived in Vietnam sometime around February 10, 1970. After a couple of days in processing and getting uniforms issued near Saigon I was assigned to the 212th Combat Aviation Battalion which was headquartered in Da Nang. After signing in to the 212th I asked one of the Admin clerks if they had a Battalion roster so that I could see if I knew anyone assigned there. To my great and happy surprise when I checked the list, there was the name Richard Wolfe assigned to the 245th Aviation Unit, call signs “RedEye.”
After getting directions to where Dick’s“Hootch” (living quarters) was located I walked there and it was similar to a small motel, each having individual outside doors. I knocked on the door and Dick who was just getting out of the shower popped his head out the door, saw me, broke into his Cheshire Cat smile and uttered his often used expression,“Well Jeeesus Chriiiiiist!”
He opened the door wide and with only a bath towel around him, had me come into his quarters. We exchanged the customary pleasantries and brought each other up on what was going on in our lives both at home and there in Vietnam. After a half hour or so of this, Dick had the thought that we should go flying!
Dick brought me to the Orderly Room of his unit, had a survival vest and pistol issued to me and then got me checked out on the Martin Baker ejection seat simulator. Please know that I was not qualified in this aircraft which was the only high performance fixed wing in the Army inventory. My assignment was to fly single engine spotter planes that flew at about half the speed of the Mohawk and had one older reciprocating engine instead of the dual high–performance turbines on the Mohawk. It was like going from a VW to a Ferrari!
After takeoff we headed north and I mean North Vietnam. So here I was on my first flight in Vietnam going 40 miles deep into enemy territory. To tell you the truth, I was so inexperienced at the time that I did not know how dangerous what we were doing was and It was not until I was “in–country” for a while that I finally realized.
Flying back to the ocean and proceeding back into South Vietnamese territory Dick then started to show me the incredible performance of the aircraft that he was lucky enough to fly. Over the South China Sea we did a number of loops, barrel rolls and any other number of aerobatic maneuvers. It was absolutely exhilarating.
That entire adventure was a perfect metaphor for my friend Dick Wolfe. Never one to be satisfied with the status quo, he always pushed the envelope and lived on the edge. I know that may be hard to imagine knowing him in his later years but as a young man he was a firecracker which is one of the reasons why we loved him.
Dick was my roommate for a while when we went through flight school, in my unit in Vietnam when he was between Mohawk units, so we got to know each other pretty well. In recent years we would make yearly trips to Texas at our friend Bob Sieker’s ranch. There we hunted feral hogs, toasted with Carnivor Wine, embellished war stories and indulged in much good natured ribbing that was much like a circular firing squad because nobody was safe.
We lost another dear friend 3 years ago and now with the loss of Dicky, it will never be the same.
I never had a biological brother but was fortunate in that the Army presented me with dozens of BROTHERS. There is no stronger bond in this life then that of soldiers who would sacrifice their lives for you and you for them. We also need a great deal of understanding and those that are close to us have become accustomed to the fact that we can be quiet and even moody but seem to blossom in the company of our BROTHERS. It is not an intentional slight by us but an effect of being in a combat situation for an extended period of time away from family and loved ones.
Dicky’s death will be profoundly felt by his BROTHERS and we wish to extend or sincerest sympathies to you his family because we are acutely aware of that gravity of his loss. I love you Dicky and I will miss you terribly.
Jerry DiGrezio
Dover, NH
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN VETERANS DAY EVENTS, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA:
Yesterday, I received the following message from the Education Director of Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham, Alabama:
“My name is Melissa Morgan and I am the Education Director at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama. This year for our Veterans Day Program on November 11th we will have a Special Tribute to the FAC pilots and their crew. We would love to ask for your 220st Aviation Company Veterans to be our special guests during the Birmingham Veterans Day parade as well as our Veterans Day program that evening. I would like to invite all of your members. Please let me know if any can attend. I would like to acknowledge them during the program.
Would this be something you or your group would be interested in?
I look forward to hearing from you,
Thank you,
Melissa”
If anyone would like to volunteer to be the point of contact for our unit and to help organize an appearance, please contact the editor. The point of contact could also make initial contact with Ms. Morgan and perhaps set up a meeting place for everyone in Birmingham, etc.. Veterans Day is on 11 November 2022.
Donald M. Ricks,
Editor
PS: Thought you might enjoy watching this video performed by a young man named Owen Mac:
Play Me The Waltz of the Angles
CATKILLERS IN KEY WEST VETERANS DAY PARADE, 2022:
The 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company was in the 2022 Key West, FL Veterans Day Parade. This was the fifth time (L–R) Pete, Paul, and Carl have been in that parade. Plan to join us next year on Friday, November 10, 2023. The crowd is enthusiastic so it is really fun.
God Bless America!!
Carl Drechsel
CK 30
