MEMO TO:  MY FELLOW LEATHERNECKS AND VMB-613 FRIENDS

Let me begin by giving everyone an update on Charlie Knapp.  Charlie was discharged from the hospital in Santa Fe on 1 May and transported to a skilled nursing facility in Colorado Springs near the home of his son, Edward.  I've received a number of e-mails from Charlie's daughter, Caroline, and she reported that although he is still having difficulty in speaking, his condition has improved greatly.  Caroline also sent her thanks to everyone for the many cards her Dad received from his fellow 613'ers.  Anyone wishing to send Charlie any letters or cards may do so by mailing it to his address at the skilled nursing facility in Colorado Springs:

Charles F. Knapp

835 Tenderfoothill Road, Room 306

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

NOTES FROM MEMBERS AND VMB-613 FRIENDS:  I received a note from Lloyd McDaniel concerning the names of the women who were in the photograph of the USO troupe in last month's newsletter.  Lloyd recalled seeing this group playing basketball in the squadron recreation against Robert Cherry.  Unfortunately, he did not see the USO show as he was on a flight that particular day.  He provided their names, from left to right on the accompanying photograph of the basketball game, as: Mary Ann McCarthy; Shelly Ryan, and; Shirley Gray.  Lloyd also passed a recollection of meeting his brother on, of all places, Eniwetok.  Lloyd's brother, serving in the Army, was aboard a ship in a convoy that the squadron was escorting.  The convoy stopped and anchored briefly in the lagoon off Eniwetok Island.  While the convoy was moored, Lloyd's brother noticed one of our PBJs landing on the airstrip on Eniwetok.  Knowing the type of aircraft that Lloyd flew on, his brother convinced his CO to let him go ashore.  As luck would have it Lloyd just happened to be on the island on that particular day and was able to spend about thirty minutes with his surprise visitor.  The following day as his brother's ship headed out to sea, Lloyd's aircraft over-flew the ship and, at Lloyd's request, the pilot rocked the PBJ's wings in salute.

Brooks Kaufman sent a note this past month expressing encouragement and thanks to me for publishing the VMB-613 Newsletter last month.  His kind words and thanks are greatly appreciated.

A member of VMB-622 by the name of George Tisdale contacted me by e-mail recently.  George mentioned that VMB-622 flew H-model PBJs, but that the squadron did not go overseas as it was decided late in the war to send replacement crews rather than deploying entirely new squadrons.  In going over a list of the 5,811 names of Marine Bombing Squadron members that I have compiled over the years, I discovered a "Corporal George E. Tisdale" on the rolls of VMB-613 during March and April of 1944!  When I mentioned this to him, George indicated that it was indeed him.  His brief tour with VMB-613 immediately followed his training as an ordnance-gunner.  George also sent me the accompanying photo which has been added to our website.

Carmine Nasta called to say hello and passed his best wishes to one and all.  Carmine expressed his appreciation for my assistance covering the newsletter during Charlie's illness and added that he remembered my father, Paul Yanacek.  We had a great conversation in which he recalled playing baseball for the squadron team and the diving and swimming that everyone enjoyed on the lagoon side of Kwajalein.

Robert Litzau also wrote to send his regards and thanks for the assistance on the newsletter.  He reported that he and his wife recently moved to a senior ranch-style apartment in Plover, Wisconsin.  Robert also indicated after reviewing the photograph of the pilots on Eniwetok in last month's newsletter that he believes the unidentified man standing on the left is pilot, First Lieutenant Robert W. Jackson.

An unexpected bit of VMB-613 history came to light recently.  It was brought to my attention by Mary Moon, daughter of VMB-611 squadron member James "A" Murphy.  Mary sent me a copy of her father's navigator-bombardier class photograph.  In that photograph, Mary identified one of the instructors as VMB-613 member, Second Lieutenant Carroll O. Pappas.  Second Lieutenant Pappas served as a navigator-bombardier and as assistant navigation officer with VMB-613 from March through June 1944.  Following his tour with VMB-613, he was reassigned to Naval Air Station Dallas.  The photograph of Second Lieutenant Pappas, seen to the right, has been added to our website.

HEALTH REPORT: We received a note from Dotti Roberson informing us that John recently underwent triple bypass surgery.  She added that he seems to be recovering very well and will continue to get better over time.  Those who wish to send John a card or note may do so by mailing it to:

John Roberson

209 North Jarvis Street

Troup, TX 75789-1206

VMB-613 WEBSITE NEWS: Late last year, a jukebox was added to our squadron website for the purpose of providing our visitors with music to enjoy while viewing the many pages of the site.  This feature has proven to be quite popular with our visitors and I frequently receive both compliments and requests for additional musical selections.  I recently added a number of new songs, bringing the total number of selections to 44.  All the selections are original recordings from the World War Two era, performed by the original artists such as Glenn Miller, Jo Stafford, Bing Crosby, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, the Andrews Sister, and many, many more.  Those with Internet access can check out the latest selections at: http://www.vmb613.com/music.htm.  Requests for additional selections may be made using the e-mail link provided on this same page.

VMB-613 AIRCRAFT:  The below image is one I created depicting a VMB-613 PBJ.  This rendering was prepared from information provided by various squadron members and photographic evidence. Depicted is Mike-Baker 8, Bureau Number 35264, as it appeared on Kwajalein in early 1945.

VMB-613 FLASHBACK: I wanted to share the below photograph with those who do not have Internet access to our website.  This photograph was provided by Diane Hindy, daughter of our adjutant, Art Navarre.  It was taken in March 1944 while VMB-613 was based at Naval Air Station Boca Chica and shows squadron members waiting to board PBJs for the flight to Batista Field in Cuba.  Many members still talk about the swell time they had on liberty in Havana.

HISTORICAL TRIVIA: We all know that "VMB" was used as an abbreviation for "Marine Bombing Squadron."  Most can figure out that the "MB" part of this abbreviation stands for "Marine Bombing."  But did you every wonder exactly what the letter "V" stood for and why it was used?  Well, here's the answer.  The letter "V" was used during the Second World War to denote naval aviation squadrons that operated aircraft that were "heavier-than-air" while the letter "Z" was used for squadrons operating aircraft that were "lighter-than-air" (blimps).  The reason the letter "V" was used to denote "heavier-than-air" was simply that it was selected by the Bureau of Aeronautics in the 1920s using the first letter of the French verb "Voler," meaning "to fly."  Literally, "VMB" means "Voler Marine Bombing."  It just goes to show you that everything sounds a little fancier if you sprinkle a few French words here and there!

VMB-613 HATS: Nathan LaRicca, grandson of squadron member Dale Faith wrote to let us know that he was able to locate a vendor that is willing to produce our VMB-613 hat that has been out of stock for a few years.  Charlie Knapp had asked me to look into this a number of months ago and Nathan graciously took on this project.  The vendor that Nathan located has a son currently serving in the Marine Corps and he has quoted an excellent price based on an order of 50 hats.  Based on the price quoted, these hats could be offered to members and their families for $10 per hat.  These hats are virtually identical to our previous ones, with the exception that they do not have the field-grade officer's gold oak leaf braid on the visor.  An example of the actual embroidered logo on the hat is shown in the accompanying image.  At this time I have received tentative orders for about four hats.  Please let me know if you are interested in obtaining one for yourself or members of your family.  They make excellent and reasonably-priced gifts and I'm sure that the children and grandchildren of squadron members would proudly wear them.

ASSOCIATION BUSINESS: In light of the illness of our association president, Charlie Knapp, the membership should collectively work to decide as to the course and future of the VMB-613 Association.  There are two primary issues that need to be addressed.

1.  Do we want to fund the purchase of additional VMB-613 hats to be offered for sale?  This would involve an expenditure of approximately $350 for 50 hats.

2.  Should we continue the monthly newsletter, and if so, who should publish it?  The newsletter is currently being written and produced by me.  It is being mailed to approximately 60 paid members of the VMB-613 Association and being sent by e-mail to many family members.  The cost to the VMB-613 Association for producing the newsletter each month is less than $50, the majority of that cost being devoted to postage.  I am able to keep this cost rather low since I have access to a high speed color printer and do not require the services of a company to print copies of the newsletter.  I will continue to do my best to assist on the newsletter in Charlie's absence however I don't want to continue to use the Association's funds without authority of the membership.  Should another member desire to publish the newsletter, I will turn over my records at the instruction of the membership and will in no way feel offended.

Please consider these two issues and provide your thoughts to either me or "JD" Garls.  Our contact information is:

James D. Garls	Robert J. Yanacek
824 Henrietta Street	1718 Creek Street
Pekin, IL 61554-3445	Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-9481
Phone: 309-346-8492	Phone: 252-441-9026
E-Mail: jaydeegee@centurytel.net	E-Mail: webmaster@vmb613.com

                                                 

VMB-613 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP: Many thanks to those members who recently sent their annual dues to maintain their membership.  Our annual dues of $20 are necessary as they defray the costs associated with the publication of this newsletter and permit us to send flowers on behalf of VMB-613 for the funeral of deceased members.  Members are asked to check their records to ensure their dues are current.  Checks should be made out to the "VMB-613 Association."

Semper Fidelis,

Robert J. Yanacek

M/Sgt, USMCR (Ret)

Acting