CATCOM ANNOUNCEMENTS, 2024
15 November 2024
LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS: (click to go direct)
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CPT DARYL V. WESLEY, DECEASED 23 OCTOBER 2024, DOTHAN, AL:
Daryl Vernon Wesley, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Thursday, October 24, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 79.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
Daryl was born to the late Vernon and Mary Alice Hatter Wesley on July 1, 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Sycamore High School in 1963, where he excelled in the ROTC program. After joining the Army, Daryl served his country valiantly in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He commanded the 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company. His dedication and bravely earned him numerous medals including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Air Medal 10 Awards, Bronze Star Medal, Army Aviation Badge, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After his military career he began a career in sales, where he worked and retired after twenty-eight years with Moore Business Forms. Daryl was a loving husband of thirty-six years to Judi Bellflower Wesley. He enjoyed spending precious time with his family. He will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew him.
Daryl was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Connie Haas.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife; two sons, Justin Wesley (Shannon), and Brannon Wesley (Mandy); five grandchildren, Lydie Wesley, Rhett Wesley, Shepard Wesley, Anderson Wesley, and Alexander Wesley; the mother of his children, Cindi Wesley along with many friends.
Sources: https://www.rickeystokesnews.com/obituaries/article.php/mr-daryl-vernon-wesley-209201
https://www.southernheritagefh.com/obituary/Daryl-Wesley
Initial announcement from Daryl’s longtime friend, Curt Perry:
Sad news [indeed!] Daryl Wesley passed away last night at 10:45 pm. He was home with his wife Judi and his two sons. He had pancreatic cancer. He had asked me not to tell everybody until after he passed. He was a great man and a good friend and I’ll miss him.
I talked with Judi and his wishes were to be cremated and buried with his family at a later date in Cincinnati, Ohio. [More to follow when we have additional information. Don Ricks]
Comments:
I lost a BROTHER this week. Not a brother that is randomly assigned to me by biological happenstance but one that was presented to me by the Army and common circumstances of airplanes, war and love. We met in Vietnam 54 years ago. After DEROS we met again when he was assigned to Ft Rucker and I went to the helicopter Q Course. He was a man that had a perpetual smile on his face. When we got together with other Catkillers, the abuse was unrelenting. Although it could only be compared to a circular firing squad, it was always comical and never mean or vindictive. It was the type of camaraderie that we Veterans yearn for and only experience with other Veterans.
We talked about every couple of months and my great regret is that I did not know what my friend was going through.
I will always regret not asking him, “Really, how are you doing?’ Maybe if I had done so, I might have picked up on how seriously ill he was. BROTHERS we all have our personal demons, some great and some small. As those who have been through what we have endured we have more expertise and credibility with our BROTHER Vets than all the Psychiatrists, Psychologists and MD’s combined. What they will not share with them, they will share with us. So, PLEASE maintain your contacts with your BROTHERS. Ask them how they are doing and don’t accept a pat answer in response. It is up to us to be vigilant and to provide as much support as humanly possible.. If we won’t do it for our BROTHERS, who can and who will?
RIP Daryl I love you.
Jerry DiGrezio
Catkiller 25/3
Yes, Daryl was a great person, and a kind, gentle and caring one who did not boast or draw attention to himself. Few know of the times Daryl showed compassion and cared for his family, friends and brothers in arms. His nature was as he requested Curt Perry to honor. Yes, the world will miss Daryl V. Wesley. He was a warrior and a upstanding American. I count myself fortunate to have known him.
God bless Daryl and his family.
I spoke with Judi this morning (Oct 25) and expressed my condolences, which I am certain are universal from everyone who personally knew Daryl. Will let us know when Daryl’s Celebration of Life will take place.
Donald M. Ricks, Catkiller 49
Catkillers, I was saddened to hear this of Daryl. Every time we were together even in Vietnam, he always had a smile on his face. What a gracious and kind friend.
Warren B. Taylor, Catkiller 30/02
HERITAGE FLIGHT MUSEUM COMMERATES THE LIFE OF BILL ANDERS (19 October):
A celebration of life was recently attended by Dick Tobiason, who sent these photos. As you probably know, Bill Anders did in a tragic warbird aircraft crash not far from his beloved museum. Dick reminds us that the Catkiller connection still exists within the museum, as Bill Anders eagerly agreed to display within their facility:
I attended Bill Anders celebration of life ceremony last Saturday [19 Oct]. Our Catkiller memorial is still grand. Will send more photos to share with Catkillers. Photo containing Bill Anders and his son and Dick was taken at Bill’s birthday in 2023:
Dick, CK26
SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS HONOR FLIGHT TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY:
“The Texas South Plains Honor Flight is a chapter of the Honor Flight Network with 128 hubs in 44 states. Our goal is to send as many veterans to Washington D.C. to pay homage to their fellow brothers and sister in arms by visiting the War and Service Memorials built in their honor. ”
From Scott: “October 12, 2024 I traveled to Washington DC with 83 Vietnam vets, 6 Korean vets, and 5 women vets. My son got to accompany me as a Guardian. We went to all the museums and memorials except the Coast Guard. The trip was sponsored by the Texas South Plains Honor Flight who sends vets to WDC at least once a year. When we arrived at Dulles there was a large group there to meet us with cheers, flags, and placards welcoming us home. When we left they were there to tell us good bye. It was very emotional and thoughtful.
While in Washington there were Honor Flights from Ohio, Arkansas, and a couple other states. If any vet would like go go on this trip it's paid for by the Honor Flight and well worth your time. When we got home to Lubbock International Airport we were met by family and friends, 600+ people cheering for us and waving flags and placards welcoming us home. That was the most emotional for all of us.
If you get a chance support the Honor Flight in your area, they are wonderful people.”
Obviously, from the above overview and photo, our own Catkiller Cummings took part in this 2024 deeply moving event that touches many each year.You can check out what this organization is all about by visiting the link below Scott’s photograph:
https://www.texassouthplainshonorflight.org/
CATKILLERS RIDE AGAIN AT KEY WEST, FLORIDA, VETERANS DAY PARADE: (11 Nov):
Carl Drechsel made a galliant effort to represent the 220th Aviation Company at this year’s Veterans Day Parade at Key West. It was no simple task, indeed, as he was unexpectedly alone in this venture, at least for a little while. Being resourseful, Carl did what any intelligent Catkliller would do, he called upon the skills given to every member of the unit, Grace Under Fire! He visited a local wateriung hole and convincingly enlisted the first available and willing recruits with charm and extreme coinfidence. How could they say no?
The results are (now) three people smiling and making many people also happyand cheerful as the Catkiller car passed their location. More than once, Carl passed out Birddog (O-1) model kits for lucky, fortunate and eager youngsters along the route, which brought about smiles, cheers and good response from the crowd.
Thank you, Carl!
OVERVIEW: 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company (RAC)
The 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company (RAC) was a unit that flew the Army’s 0-1 aircraft out of Phu Bai, South Vietnam. The mission was to find and destroy enemy units and equipment. Primarily using Airforce jet fighters, Army artillery, and Navy ships like the USS New Jersey, which we attacked the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units in northern area of South Vietnam to include the DMZ. The 220tht RAC supported the 101st Airborne division, as well as all south Vietnamese unis in our area of operation (AO). Our unit flew up to 60 missions per day, 7 days a week. The 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company (RAC) received 3 Presidential Unit Citations.
