MY NON HEROIC MILITARY HISTORY

 

•             MISSION 4, PHILIPPINES:

  I left San Antonio on a Train to the West Coast for Transportation on to the   P.I. About all I remember about the Train trip was a short stop in Tucson and I don't recall much about getting to my Flight to the Far East. This was long before JETs and involved a long slow ride to Clark on a 4 engine C-54 with the first stop at Hickam, second stop Guam, third stop Wake Island and finally Clark AB.   

I reported to my Squadron, the31st Air Rescue Squadron. This was my first and only Assignment at Squadron level where I began to understand what the Air Force as all about.  I was their Pay Clerk which had some interesting aspects.  We had to use "SCRIP MONEY" and you could not possess any American Money.  The purpose was to prevent China from obtaining any American Money.  An Unscrupulous G.I. could trade a $5.00 American to a Filipino for Double the value in Pesos which I assume was then passed onto China for more profit.  

Payday was interesting.  . Since I as the Pay Clerk, on pay day, I had to strap on 45 Cal Pistol, get behind the Adjutant on a Lambretta Scooter, go to finance, pick up the payroll sheet and bundles of Scrip Money.  They handed it to me in  large Grocery type paper bags, get back on the Scooter, him driving and me holding on t the sacks of money and nothing else.  From there, we went to the Flight Line where the Commander and First Sgt had set up a row of tables.   This was a small Squadron of 29 officers and 99 enlisted personnel  The officers were all Pilots or Navigators on SA-16 and H-19 Rescue Helicopters.  The Crews included Flight Mechs, Radio Operator, Medic, and Para Jumpers.  I had to count out their pay, make them carefully sign the Payroll without touching the line and move to the next Table where the First Sgt checked them over for appearance and would collect $5.00 (scrip) which was used to keep from having to pull K.P. duty. 

Para Medics are a rare breed and take their calling very seriously.  Some of these guys were tasked to drop and put Flotations around John Glen's Capsule so it would not  be lost like the first one. I could look out from my balcony and watch practice jumps on the Golf Course which abutted right up to our  Dorm. I was shocked one morning to see one them, the youngest of the crew, setting on the lawn playing with a Cobra.  The oldest had made a night jump into the Jungle and broke his foot.  The Flight Surgeon wanted to take him off status and he begged to remain on and finally the Surgeon gave in and let him stay on Flying status but restricted him to water jumps. Again a happy jumper.  All Military jobs are important, but there are times when theirs is paramount.   

This spot on the Flight Line was where we all went to watch the arrival of the CAT Airline.  Following the end of WWII M/Gen Claire Chennault of "Flying Tigers" fame had stayed in the Far East and started the Air Line.  All the young Airmen in our Squadron loved to watch it land and when the door opened, a beautiful Chinese Hostess would step out and invariably have a Long Split up the side of her skirt always smiling and showing a lot of leg which caused a lot of appreciative Whoops.  

Clark was one of the most beautiful spots in the World.  When Gen MacArthur lost the Philippines, one thing the Japanese did not change was the Chow Hall an all the Cooks therein.  When the U.S. got it back, they did not change anything either.  Their Chefs could compete anywhere in the world. Fortunately, it was only a couple of hundred feet from my office.  

We had stationed one SA-16 and one Helicopter on Formosa (Taiwan)  Instead of moving the Aircraft, we simply sent a replacement crew.  Many of the involved crew and maintenance people kept volunteering to go in place of someone else and I finally figured out what the attraction was.  More of those split skirts previously mentioned.  

Clark was a beautiful place.  Everything first class.  Family quarters, The Clubs, Housing and facilities.  No wonder Gen MacArthur wanted to return which he did.  . I was anxious for Dianna & Donal were able to join me but something got in the way.  Years later disaster hit.  A volcano eruption it and was so thick it covered entire base in several feet of  of ash.,  Emergency evacuation  was so sudden that every one had to vacate immediately leaving everything behind even  vehicles in their Carports. This was the larges base in the Air Force and a total loss.     

Did a little sight seeing that included an interesting a visit to a Pygmy village.  You can see the size comparison.   

One's religious preference is always on your service records so that event of a casualty, appropriate action can be taken.  The Chaplain for the "Church of Christ" scanned all personnel records and identified myself and another of our Squadron to be members and he got us a three day trip to Tokyo to attend Church.  We found the church but never attended. Got a picture  standing in front though...

Upon return, I walked into my office and was advised that I was to go to Selfridge AFB Michigan.  I said Great, that way I will get see my Wife and Son.  Then a TWX (msg) came and said.  He will go straight to the site.  What Site?  It will be Indeterminate TDY (120 or more days).  Where?? Marshall Islands.  What for?  Confidential.  Here take this classified letter to finance so they can budge in support of project REDWING.

Well, I Did not want my 19 year old wife who had never been out of Texas and a 5 months old son coming so far and be alone for so long.  I informed her not to proceed processing which had already started.  

Next Mission  PROJECT REDWING