SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Wim van Wegen - Dutch Marine
From: Rotterdam the Netherlands
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I had a great time surfing these pages, which are made with great pride and dedication. I invite you guys to check out the Dutch Marines and see how we are doing on our side of the world. QPO/SF Greetings. May all your LZ's have green smoke and welcome home. Wim van Wegen.

Added: October 19, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Zeke MacReynolds
From: Iowa
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Nice testimony of a job well done. Good work!

Added: September 30, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Diane C. Day
From: Fort Washington, MD
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Robert,

I have watched this site progress for several months now. Your skills as webmaster have continued to excel. The long, long hours you have put into creating this site are extremely visible, as is your heartfelt caring.

Your research and knowledge of VMB-613 will not be found elsewhere.

It is also extremely obvious that your goal of perfection is being met.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tour of VMB-613, and look forward to future additions.

SEMPER FI, my friend!

Diane

Added: September 28, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Jim "Bud" Montgomery
From: Philadelphia
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Great site!! Just saw and am thrilled!! Lot's of memories of a bunch of great guys.

Added: May 18, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Caitlin Simek
From: North Dakota
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Hello. My grandfather is Bernard C. Simek and I was wondering if you could find a picture of him and put him in your website? Or if it is available, could you help me find it? You have a very wonderful site. Thank you!!!

Added: March 24, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Kim Haddix
From: Ohio
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Hello all. I am Frank Haddix's granddaughter. This site is very intersting, but there is something missing. Photos of all the aircrews are shown except my grandpa's. He was on William Love's crew, most of whom were KIA. My grandpa didn't go on that fateful flight, his spot was taken by the photographer. Does anyone have, or know the whereabouts of, a photo of this crew? Also does anyone know what crew my grandpa might have joined after his crew was killed? Are there photos of that? I would appreciate any information. Thanks again. I know my grandpa was proud to have served with all of you. Semper Fi, Marines.

Added: March 2, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: John Lawrence
From: Lompoc, CA
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I was a member of VMB 433, a PBJ squadron, during WW II. I was a replacement and did not arrive on Emirau until January 1945. I was a tail gunner.

I found your website very interesting. I wish VMB 433 had a similar web site.

Added: February 22, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Clev Glover
From: Florida
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
If VMB 613 and 614 were the two squadrons that went to Newport, I had to have been in 614. I couldn't remember the squadron number until I came across this website. I was an ordnance/cannoneer/top turret gunner. When the squadron returned to Cherry Point, it was disbanded and most personnel became grunts, myself among them. I served with the 3rd Mar Div on Guam, Truk, 2nd Mar Div in Japan, 1st Mar Div in Korea, and finished my career in the Corps as aircrewman on AD's with VMC/VMCJ-2 at Cherry Point. Wish I could do it all again.

Semper Fi

Added: February 13, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Donald Anderson
From: Oklahoma City, OK
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
I really enjoyed this website. Thanks for making available VMB-613's story online --presenting many of the daily details that often get overlooked. One can appreciate the work involved in merely keeping the planes aloft. My heartfelt thanks to the many Marines for their service!

Added: February 9, 2005

SUBMITTED BY:
Name: Scott Doyle
From: Memphis, TN
E-mail: Contact

COMMENTS:
Thanks for the great web site, and to all members of VMB-613 who served, thank you for your service and sacrafice. As a model aircraft builder, sites like these provide a great source of information and inspiration. People ask why I spend the amount of time I do building model airplanes. I show them sites like this and explain it is a way to experience history that isn't really covered in conventional ways (movies, documentaries). Somehow it makes me connect with the men and women of a bygone era who stood up and did what they had to in order to preserve and perpetuate the life they knew and I know today.

I'm currently building a 1/48 scale VMB-613 PBJ-1H, and I must say this has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have ever done. I hope the finished product is a fitting tribute to the men of VMB-613.

Added: February 9, 2005