THE 36th BOMB SQUADRON RCM


NEWS

September 2003

Verification was received from the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency that 36th Bomb Squadron Radar Countermeasure Unit veterans are entitled to wear the blue and gold Distinguished Unit Citation ribbon.

June 2002

36th Bomb Squadron Reunion - Dayton, Ohio - June 6-8

Our 36th Bomb Squadron reunion began at 2:00pm on Thursday June the 6th when everyone met at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. I introduced our special guests, Arbutus Topliff, Virginia Chatfield, and Alberta Tagtmeyer, who are the sisters of Charles Dautel of Lt. Boehm’s crew, William M. “Dub” Vandegriff of the 95th Bomb Group Association, and Deacon Joseph Melita, the radio operator from Lt. Sandberg’s crew. Deacon Melita officiated and led us in all our blessings and prayers of Thanksgiving during our celebration. From overseas our friends Chas and Debbie Jellis from England joined us again for another reunion. They traveled to Dayton with friends Norman Landberg, a 36th Bomb Squadron pilot and his wife Elizabeth. Those who attended the 2000 Savannah reunion remember the connection between Norman and Chas. Chas again brought some mementos from England, bits and pieces of 36th Bomb Squadron aircraft that had crashed in his neighborhood.

On the display tables were 36th Bomb Squadron Radar Countermeasure (RCM) unit memorabilia and albums showing photographs that I collected during my research, plus items brought by the veterans who are known as the “Gremlins”.

To start off I briefed everyone on the schedule of upcoming reunion events. Following my brief we viewed a 10 minute video titled The Mighty 8th Air Force Story, provided by the Commanding Officer 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. That seemed to stir the gray matter for the vets and offered all of us a good glimpse of what the 8th Air Force was all about.

After the video it was Hanger Flying time, allowing our veterans the opportunity to take the podium to speak about their days in the Gremlin radar countermeasure squadron. This was an informal thing and the audience enjoyed some personal stories offered by 36BS pilots Art Brusila, Paul Pond, and navigator Des Howarth.

At 6:00pm we ate and then following our dinner I spoke about the 803rd Bomb Squadron, the fledgling electronic warfare unit that was to become the 36th, and their first mission on the morning before D-Day. Our featured guest speaker that evening was William M. “Dub” Vandegriff, President of the 95th Bomb Group Association who spoke on the role of his outfit during WWII and their association with the 803rd. We heard that not only is the 95th known for sending men to start the 803rd, but it was the 95th that put the 8th Air Force’s first B17’s over Berlin in March of 1944. Joining Dub from the 95th was Col. Bill Owen who was the pilot of the first B17 to bomb Berlin.

On Friday, June 7 at 8am, before the U.S. Air Force Museum officially opened to the general public, our group gathered at the museum. There the veteran Gremlins were able to get inside to view and enjoy an up close and personal “long look” at a B24 Liberator and B17 Flying Fortress similar to what the 36th Bomb Squadron flew during World War II. WKEF-TV, NBC-22 was there to cover this event and interviewed some of the men. After viewing these aircraft everyone was free to conduct their own self-guided tour and visit other hangers and exhibits. Pam and I, along with my Mom and Dad, and brother
Henry took in the IMAX and saw a fascinating movie about the International Space Station.

Seeing the USAF Museum is such a wonderful thrill. It is the largest aviation museum in the world with 10 acres of exhibits featuring over 300 aircraft and missiles, and includes thousands of personal artifacts, documents, photos, and mementos.

Now the highlight of our reunion celebration was to unveil a memorial plaque to honor the men of the 36th Bomb Squadron. This took place at the U.S. Air Force Memorial Park. Everyone arrived at 11:30am to commence the ceremony. Again, WKEF-TV was there to capture the story. Diane Zukoski, the Special Events Coordinator for the USAF Museum opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and introducing me as the MC. I first introduced our special guests and then our Air Force honor guard was posted. Next Deacon Joe Melita came forward and offered a prayer remembering the men the squadron had lost during World War II. After that I asked 803BS aerial gunner Jack Kings and 36BS navigator Chris Chrisner to come forward to unveil the 36th Bomb Squadron memorial plaque. They lowered the drape and it revealed a beautiful bronze and gold plaque. After the unveiling taps was played by Keith Brown. Next pilot Art Brusila representing the 36th Bomb Squadron gave a Certificate of Presentation to Maj. Gen. Ray Moorman who represented the USAF Museum. Following the presentation I told the audience to expect an Air Force B52 Stratofortress flyover to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the Gremlins. Initially my plans had called for a B52 Stratofortress and a B1 Lancer to fly over at high noon, however, I was notified just before the ceremony that the Pentagon was canceling the B1’s participation. This I told to our gathering.

The weather that morning had started out clear, but by the time our service started an overcast to broken ceiling of clouds had formed. Right on time and just as scheduled at twelve o’clock, upon hearing a tremendous noise from above the clouds, the audience looked up and saw a big black B52 punch a hole through the ceiling and come roaring over. Everyone stared in awe. Then after only a dozen seconds or so we saw the Stratofortress drop its tail, begin climbing and finally disappear into the clouds. Wow! What a thrill! Some sixty seconds later another roar was heard. I figured it must be the B52 coming back around for another pass, like what we had seen in Savannah at our 2000 reunion. However, to our shock and amazement a black B1 Lancer with its sleek and elegant profile came streaking past. Everyone was so astounded, especially me. This was not supposed to happen because as far as I knew the Pentagon had restricted our ceremony to only one aircraft. I later learned that the B1 Lancer squadron had still scheduled their aircraft to operate in the traffic pattern at Wright-Patterson AFB and that air traffic control conveniently put the aircraft over Memorial Park at 12:01pm in order to accommodate us. It was so stunning! I believe that we all felt tremendous pleasure and satisfaction in knowing that today’s Air Force was paying special recognition to the Gremlins in such a grand way – by providing a double flyover.

After the ceremony we all broke for lunch. Then some our group continued to tour the aviation museum and some of us, including myself returned to Hope Hotel to continue our camaraderie and fellowship.

That evening at 6:00pm we again gathered for our dinner and festivities. The folks at Hope Hotel placed a wide screen TV in our banquet room where we all were thrilled to witness WKEF’s coverage of our reunion. It was fantastic. Deacon Melita then offered our blessing to the Almighty and we ate. Following the meal I gave my speech on the history and the accomplishments of the 36th. Capping off the evening Lt. Col. Luke Shingledecker, the new incoming Commanding Officer of the present day 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron spoke to the audience about the mission of the squadron today. How satisfying it was for us to hear that the lifesaving efforts of the 36th continues into the 21st century in hi-tech fashion.

On Saturday, June 8th the last day of our celebration we gathered at 10:00am at Memorial Park, the site of the newly dedicated 36th Bomb Squadron memorial for a final prayer and farewell. I addressed the audience and thanked everyone for coming. Deacon Melita then came forward and offered a prayer of Thanksgiving and remembrance. Next for the audience I read from Squadron of Deception, S/Sgt. Arthur Clemens favorite poem titled Be Strong. The poem is just as powerful and fitting today as it was back then.

Ending our service Deacon Melita came forward again and read the 23rd Psalms. He then asked the Almighty to give us safe journey as we parted ways. But as we were beginning to leave squadron mechanic Kent MacGillivray stepped up and showed me something that he had had during the war. It was a poem titled The Mechanics 23rd Psalm. I immediately spoke up and stopped everyone from leaving and read the poem. It was just great!

So, in summary I think I can safely say that we all truly had a wonderful experience in Dayton, enjoying the tremendous museum, our memorial ceremony, good fellowship, delicious food, fun, and remembrance.

A U.S. Air Force B52 bomber honors Gremlins of the 36th Bomb Squadron RCM with a flyover at their 2002 reunion in Dayton, Ohio	Veterans of the 36th Bomb Squadron in Dayton, Ohio.	A U.S. Air Force B1 bomber surprises the Gremlins of the 36th Bomb Squadron RCM with a second aircraft flyover.

36th Bomb Squadron RCM Memorial Plaque

June 2001

The Air Classics magazine (Volume 37, No.7) issue features part one of an article about World War II's Squadron of Deception.   Part two coming in July.

October 2000

36th Bomb Squadron airmen and their families gathered in Savannah, Georgia at the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum for their 2000 reunion.  This wonderful gathering was a resounding success. The entire experience exceeded my wildest expectations and dreams. Here is a rundown on what happened.

First, on Wednesday afternoon, October 11th seventy-some attendees flowed into the High Wycombe Room of the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum to register for the event and to join in fellowship and remembrance. On display for guests to see were many squadron photographs, research material, and memorabilia. I had my book Squadron of Deception on hand for sale (at a discount) plus I signed many others the folks brought from home. Before our evening dinner I spoke to everyone telling them of the next day’s events and ceremonies. We then enjoyed our meal with delightful conversation and fellowship.

Thursday morning there was an unveiling of a display I created featuring bits and pieces from five of the six B24 Liberators that the 36th Squadron lost. The unveiling of this beautiful mahogany framed, double matted display was performed by Arbutus Topliff and Louis McCarthy. Arbutus’s brother was Charles Dautel who was with Lt. Boehm’s crew which was lost to the Irish Sea in December 1944. Louis was a pilot who lost three men of his crew in a take-off crash in February 1945. For me, the ceremony was very moving. Wade Scrogham, Director of Collections and Exhibits accepted this display on behalf of the museum. On hand were two Savannah TV stations cover this event and interview squadron members and guests.

Following the presentation everyone viewed a World War II home movie made at Alconbury, England airfield in 1945 by 36BS pilot Lt. Royce Kittle. The film was just beautiful. I know it brought laughs and tears to the eyes of many. After the movie we all moved outside under beautiful crystal clear blue skies to witness a U.S. Air Force B1 bomber in a flyover to honor the Gremlins - the men of the 36th Squadron. The B1 bomber flyover passed first from South to North and then from East to West. This sight gave us all a great rush and thrill. At that moment I believe we all knew and realized that the work of the this secret WWII outfit was appreciated and recognized by our present day Air Force. After the flyover all the Gremlins gathered in front of the museum flagpole for a group photograph.

On Thursday evening we all gathered in the museum’s art gallery for dinner and to listen to our speakers. I began with my speech on the life of the 36th and detailed some of its missions and accomplishments. I was followed by Chas Jellis, a British crash researcher who spoke of his finding bits and pieces of two squadron aircraft in his backyard near Cheddington, England. Because of this research, Chas and Norman Landberg, a pilot of one of these aircraft and also in attendance, have become friends. Chas presented Norman with a special gift in friendship. He then offered 36BS B24 bits and pieces mementos to anyone wanting them.

Topping off the night’s festivities was a speech by Major Wayne Canipe, the Assistant Operations Officer of today’s 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron. Major Canipe spoke on the current activities of the squadron which involves operational testing and reprogramming of all electronic warfare systems in America’s combat Air Forces. His speech was very interesting. Major Canipe then gave both Dad and I a beautiful oak framed display featuring the insignias of the 36th Bomb Squadron of 1945 and the 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron of today. This priceless gift shall always hold a special place in our hearts. He also gave out 36EWS patches to all wanting one.

Time seemed to pass too soon and our festivities came to a close. Long good-bye hugs, handshakes, and goodwill filled the room from end to end. I believe I can say we all experienced a most memorable and wonderful time.

Gremlins of the 36th Bomb Squadron rally around the flagpole in front of the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum during their reunion on October 12, 2000.

Display honoring the Gremlins presented to the Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum featuring "Bits & Pieces" of 36th Bomb Squadron B24 Liberators.	A U.S. Air Force B1 bomber honors Gremlins of the 36th Bomb Squadron RCM with a flyover at their 2000 reunion in Savannah.

May 2000

My wife Pam and I traveled to France and Great Britain.  There I found bits and pieces from crash sites of 36th Bomb Squadron B24 Liberators to be displayed in an exhibit to honor airmen of the secret squadron.

February 2000

The 36th Bomb Squadron RCM Internet web site at http://www.36rcm.com goes on line for the whole world to see and enjoy.

August 23, 1999

Schiffer Publishing Ltd. announces release of 803rd & 36th Bomb Squadron RCM unit history book titled SQUADRON OF DECEPTION by Stephen Hutton. This book is now on sale through the publisher, at most Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores and also at Amazon.com on the Internet.

August 19, 1999

In order to compliment a Royal Air Force 100 Group memorabilia display at the City of Norwich (England) Aviation Museum, I, Stephen Hutton contributed thirty-six items to represent the 8th Air Force’s 803rd & 36th Bomb Squadrons RCM. These items included an 8th Air Force officer’s dress jacket, an A2 leather flight jacket, an Eisenhower jacket, a B24 Liberator training manual, a New York Post June 6, 1944 D-Day newspaper, an American identification recognition pass or blood chit, an airman’s Individual Flight Record or Form 5, plus 28 squadron photographs. These items can now be seen by former airmen and their families when traveling that part of Great Britain.

For more information, questions, or to send photos email Stephen M. Hutton at smhutton@36rcm.com