Memo To: All The Snow Shovelers

Robert Yanacek, the VMB 613 webmaster, received an e-mail from Linda Morgan, the widow of Colonel Robert Morgan, the pilot of the famous B-17 name "Memphis Belle".  Colonel Morgan served as the pilot of the B-29 name "Dauntless Dotty."  Her husband left the Pacific in April 1945 and "Dauntless Dotty" was turned over to a new crew that died in the crash at Kwajalein on the morning of June 6, 1945.

Mrs. Morgan is working with a group that is attempting to locate the crash site and recover the remains of 10 crewmen that died in the crash.  The crash occurred about one minute after take- off on the ocean side of Kwajalein Island. 

The reason she was writing was to get in touch with a Marine by the name of Corporal Robert L. Marx.  It seems that Corporal Marx was serving as a sentry on "Easy Beach" the morning of June 6, 1945 and saw the aircraft’s takeoff according to an official report.  Any information he may recall could prove to be vital to locating the crash site and bringing home ten missing airmen.

Here is the link where R.L. Marx is listed as a witness on the official report:

http://www.avialantic.com/kwaj/dotty.html

Robert Yanacek further asked that I place something in the next newsletter requesting any VMB-613 members with information about the loss of "Dauntless Dotty" to come forward with their information to assist in the search.  The search for "Dauntless Dotty" was began by her late husband and she fully intends to carry out his wishes.

I have already been in touch with RL Marx regarding this matter and he is going to get in touch with Mrs. Morgan in the very near future.  When I called RL and mentioned the name of the airplane he immediately interrupted and said "I was there on guard duty the day the plane went and have all the information memorized."  RL did have the information memorized and relayed it to me for further transmission to Mrs. Morgan. 

If other members have information that they feel would be of value to the search team let me know and I will forward your name, address, et al to Mrs. Morgan via Robert Yanacek.

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NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Doc Protheroe says hello and regards to all.  He and Jane decided to stay at Hilton Head for the holiday period and go down to Punta Gorda in January for a few months.

Doc came across a copy of the Menu from the BAR BQ INN at Little Rock, AK and sent in to Robert Yanacek for inclusion in the website.

This Inn was frequented by members of the squadron when they were stationed at Newport and was considered by several to be the best eatery in the area.  A copy of the menu is attached to this newsletter for all to read and marvel at the outstanding prices charged for the menu selections.

Heard from Jim and Mary Jane Lewis who reported on the great Thanksgiving period doings in their home town.  This included their going to the big cities for the big turkey day.

They had a great time visiting with all the grand children and great grandchildren.  In addition they were able take in their groups many luncheons, review the deer shot tally in their neighborhood and attend the Community Choir Annual Christmas Concert. 

This is the time of year that they start planning and packing for their January and February trip to Texas.  They are hoping that the warm weather will help them to live better with all their aches and pains.

Bob Chrisman sends regards to all and reports that all is well in Arizona.

Joe and Dot Waldowski wish all a very happy, healthy new year.  They had a nice Christmas with all of their children and grandchildren visiting at their house on Christmas Day.  They had all of the Polish ethnic foods available for all family members.

All remains well with he and Dot.  Dot continues to have some leg and knee problems but manages to keep moving.  Both of them remain active in their Senior Service organization which includes a trip to a Casino every four to six weeks.

Joe’s Marine Corps League Detachment went to a local Veterans Home on the Marine Corps Birthday and they had a little celebration with a decorated Marine Corps cake.  He said that the Vets really appreciated their thoughtfulness.

Stan Inman sends best regards to all 613'ers.  They just moved and it was a very stressful routine.  Every thing happened so quickly, they were unprepared and had to pack and move quickly.  Slowly they are getting unpacked but realize that it wall take awhile, thirty years of accumulations have to be sorted through.

Homer Anderson sends the best of everything to the gang for the coming year.  He and Janett are doing fine considering the old age aches and pains.  They are having beautiful summer weather with temperatures as high as 89 degrees and a continuous forecast for the same for a while longer.

Here is a request received from William and Jennifer Hull.  They wrote concerning their great uncle, Lieutenant Crawford B. Malone who died many years ago and they are looking for anyone who knew him.  

Can anyone assist them, perhaps some of the pilots or his crew members can. 

They would like to receive any and all comments about him since all they have are comments from family members. 

They can be reached at e-mail as follows:

jennyhull@sbcglobal.net

williamh@sunbelt-sunline.com

After leaving VMB 613 in November 1945 Lt Malone was assigned to Headquarters Squadron, Marine Air Group Thirty-Five, Marine Corps Air Station, El Centro, CA.

Walter Brown says hello and season greetings to all.

Bob Litzau sends his seasons greeting wishes to all which includes a Good New Year.

Doc Scott sent along a message and said that he holds his good friends of 613 with real affection and wish them all well - especially the Medical Corpsmen who did such good service.

He said that he was the oldest person in 613 except perhaps for the Sgt Major, Mr. Old China Hand.  Doc will be 100 on August 15, 2006.  Life has been very good to him although he did have to have some selective medical assistance twice in the last month.  At his age the final elements in life do not worry him.

The most viewed photograph on the VMB 613 Website is a most unusual photograph.  It is the photograph of the VMB 613 Sick Bay with Doc Scott examining one of the flight crew members. Some other squadron members and the Corpsmen area also in the picture.

This picture gets viewed by at least five different people each day.  This makes Doc Scott a cyber-world superstar.

John and Doris Siergiewicz send their best to all.  They had just returned from a trip to Savannah where they stayed at a wonderful hotel and had a wonderful time. 

Bob and Helen Polakowski say hello to all.  They have been busy with family affairs but are considering going to Florida the end of January if all goes well. 

Sandy Hudspeth reports that the weather remains excellent in his area of Florida and sends his regards to all for a great new year. 

Carol (Mattox) and John Butler sent season greetings and that the New Year brings continued good health and happiness to all 613'ers. 

They have been very busy coordinating many family events and had a lot of holiday events that had to be scheduled into a short period of time.

Ed Alling says hello and greetings to all.  All continues well in Maryland he reported.

Joe Yak sends New Years Best Wishes to all.  He has been moving around the country side going fishing and trying to catch some.  His success has been in catching some white fish which are a member of the herring family.  They require special smoking or pickling in order to make them an edible delicacy.  The day we were talking he had just returned from catching two small trout which they had for dinner.

Their extreme cold winter weather gave way a little that particular day and it turned into a great spring day.  Health wise he is doing OK except for a minor eye problem which requires him to take special eye drops.  This has limited some of his activities.

His son the Lt Col is still traveling around the world for the U.S. Army checking the operation on the various posts.  Currently he is in Germany but expects to be back in the states shortly.