rdepp632

Major, USAF retired. US Navy - WWII - USS Wilkes Barre (Captains Yoeman, 20 mm gunner, aft lookout). 1944 - 1946. Saw combat aboard the "Wille B" in the 1945, it was one of the first ships in to Tokyo Bay; Later spent time in China with her, discharged in Long Beach in 1946 US Navy- Korean War - Called up from the Naval Reserve. Assigned to the Pentagon, Yoeman to Admiral Richard Byrd. Before Retiring, ADM. Byrd arranged for him to leave the Navy, re-enlist in the USAF for pilot training (too old for USN pilot training but still under the USAF age limit). USAF - Graduated as a pilot with Class 56G - the last class to use the T-6 Texan trainer. He was also the oldest student in the class. Went on to fly heavy transports starting with the C-124 and then the C-133. Served in the 39th (ATS(H)) and 84th (MATS) trasport squadrons and was "loaned" occasionally to the 1st ATS(H) to fly 133's. Born in Pittsburg, PA, raised in Punxsutawney, PA. Retired in 1970 as a Major; Senior Pilot rating, with over 12,000 hours of logged time. As he like to say - "Over 12,000 hours and I never broke one!" Flew: T-6, B-25; B-29; C-97; C-119; C-124: and C-133 (most of his hours in the C-133, followed by the C-124). ...more