SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Mitch Kesner
From: US
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I created a memorial page on fold3 dot Com for VBM-613 and I have put as many pictures as I can find and information.

Added: April 23, 2022

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Lee Brown
From: Navarre, FL
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My Father was Ned H. Brown, a Bombardier-Navigator with VMB-613. He passed in 2009 and all I have is his service record. I'm looking for anything anyone can tell me or any pictures.

Thank you from a grateful son

Added: February 4, 2022

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Colin Abernethy
From: Clarksburg, MD
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My grandfather, Otis E. Abernethy Jr. was an electrician and mechanic for this squadron. Unfortunately, he passed nearly two decades ago and would never talk about his service other than to say that he never saw any action and that his life was pretty "boring" compared to other veterans regarding his service during the war. My wife's grandfather was stationed on Bora Bora, so there were probably even less "exciting" stations to be assigned than as a ground crew member on Kwajalein.

While moving things out of my grandmother's house, we came across my grandfather's photo album from the war. I am hoping an administrator or moderator will contact me so I can send over scans of all the photos. There are some absolutely beautiful ones he took from the waist and tail-gun positions while ferrying bombers to the forward bases. PBJ's information with F4U Corsairs flying escort, etc.

Thank you for keeping this site going. I'm looking forward to finding out more about my grandfather's unit during the war.

Added: July 7, 2021

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Mary O'Reilly Zagozda
From: Carter Lake, IA
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My father was a 613 pilot. He flew the Pacific. I've learned more about my father, Richard C O'Reilly on this website than anywhere else. Us O'Reilly kids (5) thought our dad dropped supplies, bombs! I was born in Ridgecrest, CA, just outside of China Lake, where my dad was stationed. I don't know where he flew out of during WWII. Also wondering how to reach Robert Polakowsk's daughters, Joan and Nancy. Thanks to all the people of the six thirteen and their service!

Added: July 14, 2020

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Cory Shellman
From: Valley, AL
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I found this web page after seeing a "This day in Marine Corps History" post about VMB-613 being deactivated in 1945. I served with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3), based at Cherry Point from 1997-2001.
I just want to say thanks to all of the old timers that paved the way for what Marine Corps aviation has become today.
Semper Fi, Marines.

Added: November 21, 2019

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Adam E
From: Iowa
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Addressing this to Peggy Guttshall who posted below...

Good day, mam. To answer your question directly - the wife of tail gunner Alva A Evans, Jr. (Dorothy) is still living. Alva was my grandfather. I had the high privilege of attending one of the reunions you mention with my grandma Dorothy in the mid 1990’s in San Diego. I just happened to ‘Google’ the term “VMB-613” tonight, and I’m very happy to see that others are still (evidently) searching and posting about these great individuals. Grandma Dorothy is alive and well and lives around the corner from me. Very best regards. ~Adam

If any other descendants or interested parties are monitoring this logbook and interested in connecting, please post a similar message - then hopefully we can figure out secure method to get in touch.

Added: November 5, 2019

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: George Doxtator
From: Wisconsin Veterans Home at King
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Marine Lt Robert F. Litzau passed September 19, 2019.
Thank you for your service sir.

Added: October 26, 2019

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Peggy Gutshall
From: Martinsburg Pa.
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
My husband, Gerald J Gutshall passed in January, 2009. He was a Radio Gunner on a B25, stationed in the Marshall Islands. There were Reunions every two years, at different places across the Country, and mini reunions in the Pocono Mountains in Pa. Are any of the squadron still living, or any of the wives still living. Would like to hear some news from any one about them. Peggy Gutshall

Added: October 13, 2019

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Wendell Cummings
From: Colorado
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
To All:

I'm one of Foster "Hoss" Cummings sons who was a proud member of VMB - 613. My dad had an extensive collection of materials related to the squadron, which I am presently working with The National Museum of World War II Aviation to create an exhibit of the squadron for public display from commissioning through the reunions.

If anyone would like to donate items for this exhibit, please contact Chris Pierce, Curator, at chris.pierce@worldwariiaviation.org.

They will be adding 40,000 sq ft in the near future and this exhibit will be a focus of that showing the Marines use of the B-25.

The museum has an airworthy B-25 H model.

Feel free to contact me by clicking on the email tab.

Added: July 2, 2018

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: JAMES PARKER
From: Oceanside, CA
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Our father, Corpsman Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class, Arthur F. Parker, died in his sleep at the age of 97. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Ruth, 6 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He and Mom were married in Newport, AR in 1944 prior to the company shipping out to the West Coast and eventually to Kwajalein.

Added: June 14, 2018