WELCOME
40th FIGHTER /
FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON ASSOCIATION




40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
Fightin' Red Devils

Prologue

On June 25, 1950 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan and had just completed the transition from P-51D Mustangs to F-80C Shooting Stars. Their mission was to provide for the air defense of the Kanto Plains. The Squadron had 25 new airplanes manned by twenty-five officers and one hundred airmen. On July 4, 1950 the Squadron heard hints that all this might change, and on July 7 they received orders to move to Ashiya Air Base and to begin flying combat missions into Korea. Sixteen aircraft flew into the new base that evening with crew chiefs and essential equipment followed during the night in C-47s and C-54s. The first combat mission was flown on July 8, 1950.

On July 10 the Squadron learned that it was to be the first jet fighter squadron to be converted back to P-51Ds in order to provide loiter time in the target areas in support of our ground forces. The first P-51D was received on July 11, and the conversion was completed on July 16. During that period the 40th FIS flew combat missions in both F-80Cs and F-51Ds. Then the Squadron was alerted for a move from Ashiya AB to Korea, and on July 17 moved to Po Hang (K-3), the first Fifth Air Force Squadron to be based in Korea. This resulted in quite a scramble since the 40th had only eleven assigned armorers. Other skills including crew chiefs, sheet metal, and clerks filled in temporarily to get the job done.

Po Hang (K-3) came under increasing pressure from enemy ground forces, and on Aug 13 the Squadron was ordered to move to Tsuiki Air Base in Japan. The 40th FIS operated from Tsuiki AB until October 7 when our advancing Ground Forces made possible a return to K-3. The sortiesA" party moved up on October 3 and 4 with the F-51Ds following on October 7. The sortiesB" party of remaining personnel and equipment followed on October 8 and 9. Operations were easier now since the Squadron had been augmented by some fifty airmen and fifteen officers, and all the Wing support units were operational except the Maintenance Squadron. The 40th FIS remained at Po Hang (K-3) until October 31, 1950.

Other Actions Involving 40th FIS Personnel

While the above basic Squadron movements were taking place, 40th personnel and equipment were committed to other actions which do not show up in the 40th FIS official history. The first requirement from Fifth Air Force was to establish Bout One at Itazuke Air Base, Japan to provide for the training of ROKAF in P-51D combat operations. This occurred on June 30, 1950. The 40th FIS provided Capt. William Hook, Lts. Holet, Bryan, Edwards, and Helseth. Capt. Mike Smith, a GCI Controller assigned to the 40th for flying purposes, volunteered. Also, Capt. Grisham and Lt. Gordon served as weather officers. (Both of these officers flew P-51Ds on combat missions). Major Dean Hess commanded the Bout One detachment, and others from the 8th Fighter Group were in the detachment. Walter Bryan tells of his personnel record which shows him attached Detachment #1, 36 Fighter Bomber Squadron at Itazuke AB.

On 30 June 1950 Capt. William Hook and Lt. Walter Bryan the first mission from Itazuke AB, Japan. On 1 July 1950 the Bout One volunteers got in a C-47 and rode to K-2, while the ROKAF trainees prepared to fly the 10 P-51Ds. The volunteers watched the ROK pilots in the landing pattern. All but one made it o. k., and that one made a go-around pattern, putting on full throttle without advancing the prop control. The landing was successful, but the engine was ruined. The first missions from K-2 were on 2 July and Capt. Hook, Lt. Bryan, Capt. Mike Smith, and Lt. Alan Helseth were in the first flight.

When the Dallas Project brought thirty P-51Ds with pilots and ground crews from the 18th Fighter Bomber Group, the 40th FIS personnel stayed in place at K-2 and transferred to the 51st FBS (Provisional). Walter Bryan was designated a Tactical Air Controller (TACP) and joined Maj. Gen. William Dean and the U. S. Army 24th Division in the Taejon area on 13 July. He was Gen. Dean's personal TACP. Sometime in August the 40th FIS pilots were directed to Johnson AB where they were to begin the check-out of the replacement P-51 pilots who came over on the USS Boxer. By 1 Sept 1950 all were again in the 40th at Tsuiki AB.

The Other Actions above are cited because the Operational Reporting of the 40th Personnel are not shown in the official 40th history. Lt. George Edwards shot down a YAK-9 while on his 21st mission out of K-2. Lt. Walter Bryan was on the ground at the time, and an Army Captain reported the kill to Walter. Unfortunately, this victory never made its way into the official claims records. Communications were particularly poor during these early days and the compilation of aircraft and equipment destroyed, aswell as MIA and KIA reporting, all suffered, and many cases have not been settled.

40th FIS Operational Reporting

The first report in the 40th History is dated 13 Oct 1950 and covers actions for 1 - 30 Sept. The 40th was labeled a Fighter Interceptor Squadron throughout the Korean War, even though its combat missions were predominantly fighter bomber category. The 40th flew seven hundred thirty three (733) combat sorties, and the pilots who did the flying are listed below:

Arasmith, Lester L. Capt. 33 sorties
Bartimus, Neil R. 2nd Lt 31 sorties
Bryan, Walter H. 1st Lt 23 sorties
Burton, Woodrow 1st Lt 30 sorties
Cadwallader, Charles W. 1st Lt 20 sorties
Canning, Douglas S. Capt 6 sorties
Edwards, George M. 1st Lt 24 sorties
Gaskins, Aubrey S. 1st Lt 4 sorties
Guernsey, Arthur B. Capt 16 sorties
Hannon, James D. Capt 23 sorties
Harned, Donne C. 2nd Lt 1 sorties
Haythorne, Justice K. 1st Lt 21 sorties
Helseth, Alan E. 2nd Lt 22 sorties
Hook, William K. Capt 23 sorties
Hundley, Everett L. Capt 3 sorties
Johnson, Neil R. Major 24 sorties
Jordan, William J. Capt 9 sorties
Kirkendall, James F. Lt Col 8 sorties
Krause, Harris F. Lt Col 6 sorties
Lamar, James L. 2nd Lt 16 sorties
Lamp, Richard E. 1st Lt 19 sorties
Lee, Ronald E. 1st Lt 20 sorties
Marling, Joseph F. 1st Lt 31 sorties
Miles, Joseph C. 1st Lt 25 sorties
Nicholson, Hubert L. Capt 31 sorties
Opalenik, Basil O. 1st Lt 26 sorties
Priday, Allen C. Capt 37 sorties
Roberts, Leroy Jr. 1st Lt 14 sorties
Roberts, Howard D. 1st Lt 15 sorties
Schiltz, Glen D. Jr. Capt 6 sorties
Steffens, Randall L. 1st Lt 27 sorties
Stewart, Raymond R. Capt 17 sorties
Stinson, Edward A. 1st Lt 7 sorties
Travers, Medford J. 1st Lt 2 sorties
Tubbs, William R. 1st Lt 9 sorties
Veatch, Clarence P. 1st Lt 22 sorties
Wilkins, Paul H. Capt 26 sorties
Williams, Jay H. 1st Lt 28 sorties
Oakes, Russell E. Capt 10 sorties
Barnes, James A. 1st Lt 10 sorties
Meyer, Charles B. 1st Lt 8 sorties

The 40th FIS suffered the loss of two pilots during this period of combat operations.

1st Lt Ronald E. Lee AO 2062829 Missing in action
1st Lt William J. Levi AO 818489 Killed in action

No enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air or on the ground during this period.

This organization lost two pilots and two (2) F-51 aircraft.

Special comments by the Commander: Napalm proves to be the best weapon for attacking tanks, vehicles, and troops. Rockets are not accurate enough to be a dependable weapon. 50 cal. guns were effective against all targets except medium and heavy tanks. Strafing of defended targets while carrying external fuel tanks is deemed not advisable.

Also, the Joint Operations Control (JOC) had the responsibility to coordinate activities between air, ground and naval units as well as close support missions. One heartening result for this squadron was the fact that several missions flown which were thought to be failures were later verified by ground forces as having been extremely successful in the annihilation of hundreds of enemy troops and large amounts of equipment.

s/ James F. Kirkendal
l Lt. Colonel
USAF
Commanding


Editor's note: 1st Lt William J. Levi was not credited with any sorties during the month even though he was KIA. This is because Lt. Levi was lost in weather on a take-off from Tsuiki AB. It is not known how many combat sorties Lt. Levi had flown at the time he went down. He is cited as the wingman for Lt. William R. Tubbs on July 17, 1950 when Tubbs was shot down and rescued at sea. See the ROA magazine, July 2000 issue, p. 21.

October 1950

Narrative

The first day of Oct 1950 found the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron still at Tsuiki Air Base, Japan. From there combat missions were flown in support of the all-out offensive of the United Nations forces in Korea.

On 7 Oct 1950 the long anticipated move finally took place. The 40th FIS returned to Po Hang Dong, its original site of operations in the present conflict. Fortunately, the ground fighting which caused the 40th to evacuate in August 1950 left the airfield virtually intact, so that it was possible to fly combat missions from K-3 before the last elements of the squadron had ever completed the move. Facilities and accommodations were a bit primitive at the beginning, but Tsuiki had conditioned members of the 40th. So even in this respect the move was not for the worse.

Efforts were made from the start to improve the air strip and various facilities with highly gratifying results. A Group Mess Hall was set up in close proximity to the flight line and was in operation by 15 Oct 1950. In addition to hot food thusly provided, cold drinks were made available in the recently established Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers clubs. After completion of a shower house, the winterization of the tents was begun and is rapidly progressing.

The reopening of K-3 has made it possible for this organization to intensify its efforts to support the advancing United Nations forces. All these factors combined have kept the morale of the members of this organization on a high scale and, as victory moves rapidly into sight, the men of this organization look forward to the return to a permanent base in Japan.

Operations

During the period 1 Oct 1950 to 31 Oct 1950 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew a total of three hundred thirty seven (337) combat sorties. Listed below are the pilots participating in the squadron's effort with total sorties flown.

Arasmith, Lester L. Capt. 14 sorties
Bartimus, Neil R. 2nd Lt. 11 sorties
Beisner, Gerald J. 1st Lt. 6 sorties
Bryan, Walter H. 1st Lt. 13 sorties
Budesa, Paul G. Capt. 5 sorties
Cadwallader, Charles W. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Canning, Douglas S. Capt. 1 sorties
Edwards, George M. Jr. 1st Lt. 3 sorties
Gaskins, Aubrey S. 1st Lt. 1 sorties
Guernsey, Arthur B. Capt. 4 sorties
Hannon, James D. Capt. 9 sorties
Harned, Donne W. 2nd Lt. 10 sorties
Haythorne, Justice K. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Helseth, Alan E. 2nd Lt. 9 sorties
Hodges, Kenneth S . Major 9 sorties
Hook, William K. Capt. 10 sorties
Hundley, Everett L. Capt. 11 sorties
Jodoin, Edgar 1st Lt. 5 sorties
Johnson, Neil R. Major 16 sorties
Jordon, William J. Jr. Capt. 13 sorties
Kirkendall, James F. Lt Col 8 sorties
Krause, Harris F. Lt Col 4 sorties
Koen, Albert T. 1st Lt. 8 sorties
Lamar, James L. 1st Lt. 0 sorties
Lamp, Richard E. 1st Lt. 6 sorties
Mana, Roy R. Capt. 3 sorties
Marling, James F. 1st Lt. 11 sorties
McKinney, Cecil W. Capt. 0 sorties
Miles, Joseph G. 1st Lt. 11 sorties
Nicholson, Herbert L. Capt. 10 sorties
Opalenik, Basil C. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Priday, Allen C. Capt. 14 sorties
Roberts, Howard D. 1st Lt. 7 sorties
Roberts, Leroy Jr. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Sanders, Samuel C. 1st Lt. 13 sorties
Steffins, Randall L. 1st Lt. 10 sorties
Stewart, Raymond R. Capt. 7 sorties
Stinson, Edward R. 1st Lt. 1 sorties
Travers, Medford J. 1st Lt. 10 sorties
Tubbs, William R. 1st Lt. 5 sorties
Veatch, Clarence C. 1st Lt. 12 sorties
Wilkins, Paul H. Capt. 16 sorties
Williams, Jay H. 1st Lt. 2 sorties
Total 337 Sorties


b. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron suffered the loss of two pilots during this period from combat operations.

Capt. Glen D. Schiltz   10634A MIA
1st Lt. Woodrow Burton   AO-210160 8 MIA


c. No enemy aircraft were destroyed either in the air or on the ground during the period covered by this report.

d. This organization lost two pilots, reference paragraph b. above and three (3) P-51 aircraft.

e. The below listed officers of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were recommended for the following Awards and Decorations:

Capt. Lester L. Arasmith: Distinguished Flying Cross, 3rd to 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Disting- uished Flying Cross.

2nd Lt. Neil R. Bartimus: Distinguished Flying Cross, 3rd to 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Charles W. Cadwallader: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. George M. Edwards, Jr.: Air Medal. 1st to 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Aubrey S. Gaskins: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Arthur B. Guernsey: 1st to 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. James D. Hannon: 1st to 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

2nd Lt. Alan E. Helseth: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. William M. Meek: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Everett L. Hundley: Air Medal.

1st Lt. Richard M. Lamp: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Joseph F. Marling: 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Joseph C. Miles: 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Howard B. Roberts: Air Medal, 1st to 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Jay Williams: Air Medal, 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star.

The below named officers of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron received the listed decorations during the period covered by this report:

Capt. Lester L. Arasmith: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

2nd Lt. Neil R. Bartimus: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Walter H. Bryan: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.
s/ James F. Kirkendall
JAMES F. KIRKENDALL
Lt. Col.
USAF
Commanding

 

November 1950

Narrative

During the first part of November the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron continued to operate from Po Hang Dong. Combat missions were flown from there in support of advancing United Nations Forces steadily moving north. As had been the case at Tsuiki, Japan the scene of hostilities had moved so far from our base that the move had to be undertaken in order to maintain full effectiveness of the squadron.

The move took place on 10 November 1950 and the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was part of the 35th Fighter Interceptor Group conducting operations at Yon Po Base, Hamhung. The base itself did not interfere with the mission of the Squadron and combat missions were flown without interruption.

In general, the move to Hamhung proved to be a benefit to the morale of the squadron personnel. Although the climate at Hamhung was less agreeable than that at Po Hang, facilities included several buildings which were far more adequate than before. Also, Hamhung would probably be the last stop before returning to Japan. Due to the proximity to the front lines, our squadron could more effectively carry out its mission of close support for advancing United Nations ground forces.

a. During the period of 1 November 1950 to 30 November 1950 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew a total of four-hundred twenty (420) combat sorties. Listed below are the pilots participating in the squadron effort with the total number of sorties flown by each pilot.

Allen, Oakley 1st Lt. 20 sorties
Arasmith, Lester Capt. 20 sorties
Bartimus, Neil R. 2nd Lt. 11 sorties
Beisner, Gerald R. 1st Lt. 13 sorties
Bryan, Walter H. 1st Lt. 4 sorties
Budesi, Paul Capt. 2 sorties
Cadwallader, Charles W. Capt. 17 sorties
Davies, Cecil M. Capt. 13 sorties
Duffy, John C. 1st Lt. 7 sorties
Edwards, George M. Jr. 1st Lt. 6 sorties
Gaskins, Aubrey B. Capt. 2 sorties
Guernsey, Arthur B. Capt. 6 sorties
Hannon, James D. Capt. 5 sorties
Harned, Donne O. 2nd Lt. 17 sorties
Haythorne, Justice 1st Lt. 14 sorties
Helseth, Alan 1st Lt. 7 sorties
Hodges, Kenneth Major 12 sorties
Hook, William Capt. 12 sorties
Hundley, Everett Capt. 2 sorties
Johnson, Neil R. Major 17 sorties
Jordon, Wm. J. Jr. Capt. 10 sorties
Kirkendall, James F. Lt Col 13 sorties
Krause, Harris F. Lt Col 4 sorties
Lamar, James L. 1st Lt. 15 sorties
Mann, Roy E. Capt. 17 sorties
Marling, Joseph F. 1st Lt. 6 sorties
McKinney, Cecil Capt. 2 sorties
Miles, Joseph C. 1st Lt. 10 sorties
Nicholson, Herbert L. Capt. 13 sorties
Opalanick, Basil 1st Lt. 5 sorties
Priday, Allan C. Capt. 15 sorties
Roberts, Leroy Jr. 1st Lt. 13 sorties
Sanders, Samuel G. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Steffins, Randall L. 1st Lt. 1 sorties
Stewart, Raymond R. Capt. 15 sorties
Stinson, Edward R. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Street, William Capt. 2 sorties
Travers, Medford 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Tubbs, William R. 1st Lt. 5 sorties
Vanderyerk, Allen B. Capt. 5 sorties
Veatch, Clarence Capt. 12 sorties
Wilkins, Paul H. Capt. 17 sorties
Total 420 sorties


b. No aircraft of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were lost during combat operations.

c. No pilots of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were lost during this period of combat operations. d. Claims made by the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron are listed below:

Destroyed
Damaged
Buildings
245
34
Tanks
15
40
Trucks
25
50
Ox Carts
33
0
Supply Dumps
8
1
Locomotives
2
2
Boats
1
0
Villages
9
0
Lumber Yards
1
0
Artillery Pieces
16
0
Warehouses
2
3
Horses
1
0
Flak Positions
3
1
Tank Traps
20
0
Bridges
1
0
Pill Boxes
1
0
Fuel Dumps
0
0
Railroad Cars
0
4

e. The below listed officers of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were recommended for the following Awards and Decorations:

1st Lt. Oakley C. Allen: Air Medal

Capt. Lester L. Arasmith: 6th to 8th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. Cecil E. Davies: 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. George M. Edwards: Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Arthur B. Guernsey: Distinguished Flying Cross, 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. William H. Hook: 3rd to the th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, also 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. James L. Lamar: Air Medal, 1st to 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Joseph H. Marling: 4th to the th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Joseph C. Miles: 7th and 8th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Howard D. Roberts: 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Edward A. Stinson: 2nd and 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

The below listed officers of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron received the listed decorations during the period covered by this report:

Capt. Lester L. Arasmith: 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

2nd Lt. Neil R. Bartimus: 6th and 7th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Charles W. Cadwallader: 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Cecil M. Davies: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. George M. Edwards: Air Medal, 1st to 5th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. Aubrey B. Gaskins: Air Medal. 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. Arthur B. Guernsey: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. James D. Hannon: 1st to 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal

1st Lt. Alan Helseth: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. William H. Hook: Air Medal, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Capt. Everett L. Hundley: 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.
1st Lt. Richard E. Lamp: Air Medal.

1st Lt. Joseph F. Marling: 1st to the 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Joseph C. Miles: 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Howard D. Roberts: Air Medal, 1st to 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Jay H. Williams: 9th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.

1st Lt. Edward A. Stinson: Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

f. (Editors Note: p. 2179 of the 40th History was partly readable so a synopsis is offered in lieu of exact wording) Bombs and napalm dropped, rockets fired, and ammo .50 cal. fired - the amounts were not readable.

g. During the first part of November most missions necessitated utilization of a mixed load, i.e., one napalm tank and one external fuel tank. Fittings for the drop tanks remained scarce, so drop tanks had to be retained and returned to base.

Paraphrased - The armament section received all the badly needed K-14C gunsights. F-51 bomb racks, .50 cal gun barrels, and gun cleaning materials were scarce.

h. For the first time since returning to Korea we have been able to get the daily information on the friendly and enemy order of battle. With X Corps and 3rd MAAG nearby it made this possible. In the last days of November the squadron was in close coordination with 3rd MAAG and X Corps Headquarters in flying missions to relieve the pressure on the 1st Marines and 7th Army troops in the Chosin Reservoir area.

s/ Karl Wurffel, Jr.
Karl Wurffel, Jr.
1st Lt.
USAF
Unit Historical Officer

December 1950

2. During the period 1 December 1950 to 31 December 1950 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew a total of five hundred four (504) combat sorties. Listed below are the pilots participating in the Squadron's effort with tactical sorties flown:

Kirkendall, James F. Lt. Col. 8 sorties
Krause, Harris F. Lt. Col. 2 sorties
Aubrey, Carl L. Major 12 sorties
Johnson, Neil R. Major 5 sorties
Alexander, William B. Jr. Capt. 5 sorties
Budesa, Paul H. Capt. 2 sorties
Cadwallader, Charles W. Capt. 9 sorties
Christopher, Albert M. Capt. 19 sorties
Davies, Cecil E. Capt. 18 sorties
Gaskins, Aubrey S. Capt. 1 sorties
Guernsey, Arthur B. Capt. 3 sorties
Hannon, James D. Capt. 11 sorties
Haythorne, Justice K. Capt. 19 sorties
Henry, James G. Capt. 8 sorties
Hook, William K. Capt. 16 sorties
Hundley, Everett L. Capt. 23 sorties
Jordon, William J. Jr. Capt. 24 sorties
Lay, James L. Capt. 8 sorties
Mann, Roy E. Capt. 19 sorties
Matusz, William S. Capt. 5 sorties
Nicholson, Herbert L. Capt. 14 sorties
Opalenik, Basil C. Capt. 14 sorties
Priday, Allen C. Capt. 6 sorties
Roberts, Leroy Jr. Capt. 8 sorties
Stewart, Raymond R. Capt. 3 sorties
Street, William H. Capt. 1 sorties
Vanderyerk, Allen H. Capt. 26 sorties
Veatch, Clarence L. Capt. 2 sorties
Wilkins, Paul H. Capt. 9 sorties
Williams, Hurbert L. Capt. 2 sorties
Allen, Oakley H. 1st Lt. 11 sorties
Beisner, Gerald J. 1st Lt. 3 sorties
Bryan, Walter J. 1st Lt. 12 sorties
Duffy, John C. 1st Lt. 23 sorties
Edwards, George M. Jr. 1st Lt. 15 sorties
Lamar, James L. 1st Lt. 11 sorties
Lamp, Richard E. 1st Lt. 17 sorties
Livingston, Henry H. Jr. 1st Lt. 2 sorties
Nelson, Howard W. 1st Lt. 12 sorties
Roberts, Howard D. 1st Lt. 12 sorties
Sanders, Samuel G. 1st Lt. 19 sorties
Stinson, Edward A. 1st Lt. 2 sorties
Travers, Medford J. 1st Lt. 13 sorties
Tubbs, William R. 1st Lt. 9 sorties
Bartimus, Neil R. 2nd Lt. 18 sorties
Brown, Dana W. 2nd Lt. 12 sorties
Harned, Donne C. 2nd Lt. 18 sorties

b. Two (2) F-51 type aircraft of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were lost during combat operations.

c. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron suffered the loss of two (2) pilots during this period of combat operations:

Major Neil R. Johnson Killed in Action
1st Lt. Olin W. Johnson Killed in Action (see footnote)

d. No enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air or on the ground during the period covered by this report.

e. The below listed officers of the 40th Fighter Interdeptor Squadron were recommended for the following Awards and Decorations:

Captain Clarence C. Veatch: 3rd to 11th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Captain Paul H. Wilkins: 15th to 25th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

Major Neil R. Johnson: 8th to 13th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Walter H. Bryan: Distinguished Flying Cross, 3rd and 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal.

1st Lt. Richard E. Lamp: 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart.

2nd Lt. Alan E. Helseth: 4th to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Captain Herbert L. Nicholson: 3rd to 6th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal, 2nd and 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Fkying Cross.

The below listed officer of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron received the listed decorations during the period of this report:

Captain Allan C. Priday: Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st and 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

f. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron expended the following amount of bombs, rockets, and ammunition during the period covered by this report:

Bombs, Frag 250 lb. 36
Bombs, GP 500 lb. 60 Bombs, Napalm 49,540 gallons
Rockets 1,471
Ammunition, .50 cal 413,613
Rounds

s/ James F. Kirkendall
JAMES F. KIRKENDALL
Lt. Col.
USAF
Commanding

Editor's footnote: There is an inference here that would indicate that 1st Lt. Olin W. Johnson was flying one of the two lost aircraft above. Actually, he was on duty as a FACP with the 7th U. S. Army Division in the Chosin Reservoir area. He was listed as KIA 1 December 1950.

January and February Reports are missing from the microfilm file

March 1950

1. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron continued to be based at K-9 (Pusan) Korea during the month of March 1951. However, a detachment was stationed at K-13 (Suwon) during the month. This detachment consisted of from two to four aircraft each from the 39th and 40th Squadrons and necessary pilots and ground crews to fly, maintain, and re-arm and refuel the aircraft. This detachment proved to be very effective since it moved aircraft nearly two hundred miles closer to the front lines and enabled them to fly as many as seven sorties per aircraft in one day. During the latter part of the month this detachment was stabilized at four aircraft each from the 39th and 40th Squadrons with a sortie rate of four per day for each aircraft. This squadron rotated planes and pilots every three days and ground crews weekly. All personnel were enthusiastic about the K-13 detachment. it increased our sorties considerably and was welcomed by the ground forces since in several instances the planes from K-13 were the only ones flying due to weather in the rear areas. Pilots flying four missions per day became very familiar with with the terrain covered and could readily locate targets. Missions for the squadron during March continued to place emphasis on armed reconnaisance with close support, interdiction, and escort missions also being flown. To everyone's surprise the weather remained good for the month of March contributing to the fact that the squadron had its second largest sortie month since entering the Korean conflict in July 1950. The flow of replacement pilots fell off during March with the result that the squadron was very low on pilots as the month ended. The following officers were transferred from the Squadron during March:

Major Clarice P. Numph, Jr.
Captain Samuel G. Sanders
Captain Henry M. Livingston, Jr.
Captain William H. Street
Captain Leroy Roberts
Captain Basil C. Opalenik
1st Lt Howard D. Roberts
1st Lt Ralph S. Price

No airmen were transferred from the Squadron during March. The following officers were assigned to the Squadron during March:

Major Frank C. Malone
Major Clarice P. Rumph Jr.
Captain Robert I. Cullen

Sergeant Samuel Garcia was the only airman assigned to this Squadron during March.

A total of 40 officers and 152 airmen were assigned to the Squadron as of 31 March 1951.

a. During the period 1 March 1951 through 31 March 1951 the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew 989 combat sorties totalling 2113 hours and 40 minutes flying time. Listed below are the names of the pilots participating in the Squadron's effort with the total number of sorties flown by each pilot:

Captain Allen 49
Major Anderson 5
1st Lt. Beisner 37
1st Lt. Bodak 32
1st Lt. Brown 46
Captain Budesa 3
Captain Christopher 31
Captain Cullen 4
Captain Duffy 32
1st Lt. Harned 6
1st Lt. Helseth 3
Captain Hundley 27
1st Lt. Johnson 25
Captain Jordan 16
Lt Col Kirkendall 9
Lt Col Krause 45
Captain Lay 32
Captain Livingston 17
Major Malone 13
Captain Mann 26
Captain McIrey 33
Captain Midlam 35
1st Lt. Nelson 38
Major Noble 26
Captain Page 23
Captain Ragsdale 3
Captain Ritter 40
Captain Sanders 15
2nd Lt. Sauber 38
1st Lt. Siple 36
Captain Sumner 8
1st Lt. Travers 22
1st Lt. Tubbs 10
Captain Vanderyerk 4
1st Lt. White, B. 30
2nd Lt. White, H. 34
Captain Williams 21
Major Aubrey 7
Major Rumph 21
Captain Opalenik 8
1st Lt. McKee 23
Total 989


b. Four F-51 aircraft of the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were lost during combat. Of these four, two pilots returned and two were lost. One F-51 was lost when engine failure occurred enroute to the target, and the pilot made a forced landing in friendly territory.

c. Major Carl L. Aubrey and Capt. Edward J. Williams are missing in action as of 12 March 1951 and 30 March 1951, respectively. Major Aubrey was shot down by enemy automatic weapons fire near Songchon and Captain Williams was shot down by similar fire near Suchchon. It is interesting to note that Captain Williams had been Major Aubrey's wingman when the later was shot down.

d. The following claims were amde by the 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron during March 1951: Destroyed Damaged Trucks 160 61 Buildings 907 450 Gun Positions 65 30 Tanks 5 3 Supply Dumps 49 0 Porpelled Guns 2 0 Ammo Dumps 15 0 RR Tunnels 3 0 Box Cars 7 0 Locomotives 2 0 Bridges 8 0 Motorcycles 1 0 Horses 20 0 Enemy Troops Killed 1198

e. The following officers were recommended for the following awards and decorations during March 1951:

1st Lt. Bert L. White: Air Medal
2nd Lt. Hamilton R. White: Air Medal
Captain James L. Lay: 6th OLC to the Air Medal
1st Lt. Lloyd F. Johnson: 1st OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Elvador E. Ritter: Air Medal
2nd Lt. Laurence L. Sauber: Air Medal
Captain Roy E. Mann: 10th OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Forrest D. Midlam: 16th OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Robert V. McIlroy: Air Medal
1st Lt. Gerald J. Beisner: 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Captain John C. Duffy: 4th OLC to the Air Medal
1st Lt. Howard W. Nelson: 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Everett L. Hundley: 7th OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Oakley H. Allen: 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Albert M. Christopher: 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Captain Samuel G. Sanders: 10th OLC to the Air Medal
1st Lt. Medford J. Travers: 6th OLC to the Air Medal
1st Lt. Dana W. Brown: 3rd and 4th OLC to the Air Medal
1st Lt. Ralph E. Siple: 2nd OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Col. Harris F. Krause: 17th OLC to the Air Medal
Major Daniel J. Noble: 13th OLC to the Air Medal

The following officer received the decoration listed:

1st Lt. William R. Tubbs: 1st OLC to the Distinguished Flying Cross

f. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron expended the following amount of bombs, rockets, and ammunition during March 1951:

Ammunition, .50 cal. 584,800 rounds
Rockets 2,992
Bombs, 500 lb. GP 16
Napalm 103 180 gallons

g. No new tactics were used during March, although added emphasis was placed on the moving of vehicles on the main roads, and hunting in ravines and secondary roads for camouflaged vehicles and supplies. The enemy moved in a large number of automatic weapons for use as anti-aircraft guns necessitating careful flying, and increased speed and altitude on recce in some cases. Recces were tried at 2500 feet or above but were found to be less effective at this altitude, since camouflaged objects are hard to spot at this altitude. Greater attention was paid to plotted flak, and pilots attempted to avoid low flying over heavy flak areas. Increased commitments required that 30 hour inspections be running inspections again. Maintenance personnel believe this does not hanper aircraft operation. During the month Captain Vanderyerk crash landed behind enemy lines and was rescued by helicopter. He was given air cover throughout. The helicopter was alerted through K-13 tower, and rescue was effected in 57 minutes.

h. Coordination with air, ground, and naval units continued on the same scale as in past months.

i. None

2. Appendix: None

FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER

JOSEPH R. HURLEY
1st Lt.
USAF
Adjutant

Page 2205 of the microfilm reel


April 1951

1. The month of April found the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron still at the sortiesold" home base at K-9, Pusan, Korea. However, the detachment which had been stationed at K-13, Suwon, Korea, lost no time in following the advance of the United Nations ground forces. As soon as the dust had settled on Seoul, the K-13 detachment was in place and operating at K-16, Seoul. The initial detachment consisted of approximately ten to fifteen men from the Squadron but was steadily increased during the month in order to cope with the stepped up sortie rate of the organization, which was maintained in spite of the fact that adverse weather precluded flying for several days. The new location of the detachment was found to be of incalculable value when the enemy began his long expected spring offensive, and friendly ground forces were hard pressed for firepower. Thanks to the close proximity to the battle scene and untiring efforts frequently involving round-the-clock shifts by all personnel, the Squadron together with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was able to fly over four-hundred (400) sorties within a four day period, which more than made up for the time lost due to inclement weather. The flow of replacement pilots continued to fall off during the month of April, and pilots who were eligible for rotation after completing 100 missions were compelled to continue flying combat missions. Among those leaving the Squadron during April was Lieutenant Colonel James F. Kirkendall, who commanded the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron since the beginning of the Korean conflict and completed 104 combat missions. Lieutenant Colonel Kirkendall was replaced by Major Frank C. Malone , who prior to assignment in the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron last month, was a member of the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron and had completed over 50 F-80 missions in Korea. In addition, the following officers were transferred from the Squadron during April:

Captain William J. Jordan, Jr. 1st Lt. Donne C. Harned 1st Lt. Alan E. Helseth 1st Lt. Edward A. Stinson Lt. Col. James F. Kirkendall Captain Allen H. Vanderyerk 2nd Lt. Hamilton R. White The following officers were assigned to the Squadron during April:

Major Theodore J. Urban Captain Daniel S. Elliot Captain Robert E. Keyser

A total of 36 officers and 167 airmen were assigned to the Squadron as of 30 April 1951.

a. During the period 1 April 1951 through 30 April 1951 the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron flew 926 combat sorties. Listed below are the names of the pilots participating in the Squadron's effort with the total number of sorties flown by each pilot:

Col McBride 5
Lt. Col. Kirkendall 2
Lt. Col. Krause 3
Major Anderson 24
Major Malone 37
Major Noble 26
Major Urban 11
Captain Allen 19
Captain Budesa 2
Captain Christopher 5
Captain Cullen 6
Captain Duffy 25
Captain Elliot 31
Captain Henry 15
Captain Hundley 17
Captain Keyser 43
Captain Lay 45
Captain Mann 1
Captain Midlam 61
Captain McIlroy 59
Captain Page 40
Captain Ragsdale 26
Captain Ritter 51
Captain Thompson 17
Captain Williams 14
1st Lt. Beisner 13
1st Lt. Bodak 55
1st Lt. Brown 11
1st Lt. DeConstant 18
1st Lt. Harper 18
1st Lt. Johnson 37
1st Lt. Nelson 28
1st Lt. Sauber 51
1st Lt. Siple 45
1st Lt. Travers 2
1st Lt. Tubbs 20
1st Lt. White, S 23
1st Lt. Wols 17
Total 926


b. Two (2) aircraft lost due to combat.

c. No pilots lost during the month of April.

d. The following claims were made by the 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron during April 1951:

Destroyed
Damaged
Buildings
1094
416
Vehicles
254
124
Tanks
6
8
Gun Positions
61
2
Supply stacks
116
35
Locomotives
1
0
Box Cars
12
38
Armored Vehicles
2
0
Pack Animals
59
0
Ox Carts
3
0
Bull Dozers
3
2
Bridges
3
2
Ammo Dumps
2
0
POL Dumps
28
0
Railroad Tunnels
2
1
Cut rairoad tracks in 7 places
Cut roads in 112 places
Killed a known 629 troops


e. The following officers were recommended for the following awards and decorations during April 1951:

1st Lt. Lloyd F. Johnson, 2nd OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. Elvador E. Ritter, 1st and 2nd OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Laurence L. Sauber, 1st OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. Forrest D. Midlam, 17th OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. Robert V. McIlroy, 1st OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Gerald J. Beisner, 4th OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. John C. Duffy, 5th OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Howard W. Nelson, 4th OLC to the Air Medal, and DFC.
Capt. Everett L. Hundley, 8th OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. Williams, H. L., 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Capt. Oakley H. Allen, 4th OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Garnet D. Page, 1st and 2nd OLC to the Air Medal
Major Frank C. Malone, 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Tubbs, William R., 12th OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Brown, Dana W., 4th OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Siple, Ralph E., 3rd OLC to the Air Medal
Major Noble, Daniel J.,14th OLC to the Air Medal
Lt. Bodak, John (NMI), 4th and 5th OLC to the Air Medal

The following officers received the decorations listed:

Captain John D. Duffy 4th OLC to Air Medal
Captain Robert V. McIlroy Air Medal
Captain Forrest D. Midlam 16th OLC to Air Medal
Lt. Laurence L. Sauber Air Medal
Captain Elvador E. Ritter Air Medal
Lt. Lloyd F. Johnson 1st OLC to Air Medal
Captain James L. Lay 6th OLC to Air Medal
Lt.. H. R. White Air Medal
Lt. Bert White Air Medal
Captain Albert M. Christopher 3rd OLC to Air Medal
Lt. Medford Travers 6th OLC to Air Medal
Lt. Dana W. Brown 3rd OLC to Air Medal
Lt. Ralph E. Siple 2nd OLC to Air Medal
Lt. Col. Harris F. Krause 17th OLC to Air Medal
Major Daniel J. Noble 13th OLC to Air Medal


f. The 40th Fighter Interceptor Squadron expended the following amount of bombs, rockets, and ammunition during April 1951. Ammunition, .50 cal 1,082,200 rounds Rockets 4,279 Bombs 909 Napalm 88,110 gallons

g. Tactics remained generally the same throughout the month of April as in previous months. During this period it was found that the enemy has steadily increased his anti-aircraft defenses, utilizing innumerable automatic weapons positions and creating veritable sortiesflak alleys", which in quality as well as quantity surpassed anything the enemy has offered up to that point. In addition, the enemy has apparently intensified his camouflage program, making it increasingly difficult to locate targets in obvious places. In many instances pilots found that previously destroyed villages had been rebuilt over and around supply and POL dumps. Once the offensive began, however, Chinese and North Koreans once more moved by day and in the open, which in turn resulted in very effective close support missions. The road and railroad interdiction program was continued with increasing success. Although many damaged roads were made passable within hours, reconnaisance revealed many bomb craters containing trucks, indicating that traffic to the front lines from the north was successfully being slowed down. The close proximity of K-16 to enemy territory facilitated more effective armed reconnaisance missions, allowing more time over the recce area and decreasing actual flying time and pilot fatigue.

h. Coordination with Air, Ground, and Naval units continued on.

Readings terminated on page 2214 of the film reel.

Officer Carlos Dannacher's History
Carlos E. Dannacher
Editor
8 Oct 2000


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