City, State: Ramona, CA Comments: The VR-24 website Scrapbook now includes pages for Rota! Today, I completed and uploaded four pages with photos from Rota of squadron ops and personnel. All but one of the photos posted in this, hopefully the first batch about Rota, were contributed by Ray Schenone who served with VR-24 in Rota from 1963 to 1966. Many thanks to Ray for the photos. Check out the new Rota pages, and two new ones for Naples as well. Also uploaded one photo each of the TF/C-1A, C-130, and R6D. I welcome new photos and articles from all who served with, or have interesting information about VR-24 . Dick Prather VR-24 website manager/editor
City, State: iron river,mi. 49935 Comments: I WAS IN NAPLES VR 24 JAN 56 TO JULY 57 WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANY OF YOU GUYS I WAS WITH. LOOKING FOR TERRY RICE, JOE YUMA.AND MANY OTHERS. WE SURE HAD SOME GREAT TIMES.
City, State: Mission Viejo, California Homepage URL: 23 May, 2007 Comments: We just received word that another of our old timers is gone. His name was Bill Witzke and he passed away Monday AM, the 21st of May, 2007 at Alpine, Utah. Bill was 79 years of age and had been suffering from Alzheimers for quite some time now and he was living in a Home in Alpine. Bill had several years in VR24, about 7 or so between 1953 when he first came to Port Lyautey and 1961 when he finally returned to the states. He was married to an English lady named Lil who had passed on a few years ago. He is survived by two daughters, both born in Port Lyautey, and his brother Bill along with a number of grand children. He will be interred in the National cemetary at Riverside, California. Bill had been a member of our VR24 Association Committee and in past years had been quite involved in the planning and execution of our many Reunions. Pete Owen--provr24@cox.net
City, State: Paradise, CA 95969 Comments: (May, 2007) A few months ago found a few photos of Capodichino and the planes, but just this week found this extensive webpage. Fine job! I was with FASRON 77 AND VR-24 Detachment, Capodichino, Naples, from March 1954 through January 1956. What an great way to spend the last two years of my enlistment! Worked mainly in the terminal (weight and balance calculation/passenger check-in/flight stats) but did "a half a set of skins" monthly en route to diverse destinations in most of the aircraft assigned to our squadron. Most fun -- TBMs... Have been in touch with Gino Guidotte recently. (He is trying to match my bio with a face.) I remember him quite well because I envied the guys who flew in those Avengers. Is anyone in contact with the officers of that period: Roland, Oddo, Elgee, Mountain, Hubbard, Doss, Jandebauer (spelling?), Drago, Thompson, Privatera..? Glad you have put this page together! Rich Clark, Paradise, CA
City, State: Lexington , KY Comments: Here is an excellent site to keep in touch with shipmates from many different squadrons. Take the time to view the site. http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/index.jsp
City, State: Houston, Texas Comments: LOOKING FOR JOSEPH E CLARK, LT(jg) I was a dependent in Port from 1958 to 1961. A lot of my friends dads were pilots in the squadron. Will anyone knowing the where abouts of LTJG Joseph E Clark or his family please contact me. Mr. Clark retired a LCDR in the early 60s. As far as I know his son Joey was a army WO helio pilot in VN and has sinced passed although not in combat. I am looking for his ndaughters Grace and Debbie. More unpleasant news the greatest Navy pilot I ever knew has also passed away LCDR Harvey G. (High Gear) Speed who served in the squadron fron 1958-1961. He died several years ago of Lou Gehrig's Disease and Chief Earl Flint who server with the squadron in the early 50s as a silver eagle has also died as has his very beautiful daughter Billye. May they all rest in peace. Eternal Father be with them on their heavenly voyages. John Fleming
City, State: Scottdale, PA Comments: I served with COMFAIRMED Staff (ASCOMED) in Naples from 73-76. Most of our work was with VR-24 and the reserve C-118 and C-9 crews. I had the pleasure of working with CDR Don Angier, VR-24 Det Rota OIC 71-74 and head of ASCOMED 74-77. Don made his final flight west in December of 2005 from his home in Iowa.
City, State: Orlando, FL. Comments: I was stationed in what I will always consider the finest tour of duty I ever had, from Dec. 1987 to April 1990. I flew the mighty COD is a CAPC and also as a NATOPS and Instrument Evaluator. I had the distinct honor of working alongside the finest pilots and sailors in the European Theater. I miss Sigonella very much and the Navy since I retired in 1995. Looking forward to the reunion "anytime, anywhere", Ghandi will be there......Check Six, Rolando "Ghandi" Diaz
Comments: I was in vr-24 1986 thru 1989 I was a flight crew plane capt. i had the honor of flying and working with some of the finest crews anywhere, I came back to conus and after a split tour in vrc-40, i took over duties as airlant enlisted evaluator,, and taught the course for plane capts. before getting out in 92.
City, State: San Diego, CA Comments: Hi Dick, hope you and Anne Marie are doing well. Long time no hear from you. Its time for lunch at Nati's!! Finally got to browse through your website, its great. I was stationed at NAVCOMMSTA Spain (Rota) 65-68 and had several opportunities to fly on your fine VR-24 Airline to/from Naples, Sig, Deci, Port Lautey, and Weisbaden. A very memorable trip was when I was OIC of an Air Transportable Comm Unit (ATCU) and we "deployed" to Deci in 1966. Had lots of liaison with VR-24 planners so we could schedule about 3 of your birds to move our gear and about 100 Radiomen, Electronic Techs, & Marines. Will never forget the loggie support given to us at Deci NATO Air Base by USS TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY (Advanced Base Ship). Come out to USS MIDWAY Museum and get re-acquainted with the Blackshoe Navy, and a little of the Brown shoe Navy. Best regards, /jg |
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