The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

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This story is true, but the only real name is my own Ernie Botti; I don’t remember any of the other flyers names. I was prompted to relate this story for two reasons; one, to maybe create an incentive for other flyers to tell their stories about their experiences in the “Nite Fighter” Squadrons. Albeit - our missions were not as exciting as the “Day Fighters” - mostly; however, there were times! Two, I have always wondered what happened to the other seven crew members? What role did I play in their life that by an act of providence, by a twist of my head to look at little “Dial” saved all our asses. If any of you are out there I would like to hear from you. I was the Navigator/RO in the lead ship. The event occurred while flying out of K-13, I think - it could have been Pusan or Osan - don’t remember. Time was mid or late 1954. “Roger–Red Bird One-Eight Rolling” “Joe you will be the lead ship” - “Yes Sir”. “Take your flight of four up for night formation drill - have GCI (Ground Control Intercept) vector you North then West along the 38th.” “Yes Sir.” “Ernie - are you ready?” “I’m ready.” “Tower this is Red Bird One- Eight ready to take the active.” “Roger One-Eight you are cleared to roll - switch to GCI as soon as you clear the field.” “Wilco, One-Eight out.” “GCI this is Red Bird leader One-Eight requesting vector to the 38th.” “I read One-Eight this is GCI, vector 015 - do not maintain this heading for more than fifteen minutes, then take up a heading of Two-Six-Zero and climb to angels Three-Zero, (30,000 ft).” “GCI this is Red Bird leader One-Eight at Angels Three- Zero on a heading of Two-Six-Zero.” “Continue your course One-Eight until I give you let down instructions.” “Roger, this is Red Bird One-Eight, I read.” “Ernie do you have anything on NITE FIGHTER SQUADRONS By Ernest A. Botti, 1st/Lt 319th Fighter Interceptor Squadron A Flight of F-94B All Weather Fighters over Korea your scope?” “Negative - it’s clean.” “Red Bird One-Eight this is GCI - what is your fuel status?” “Red Bird One-Eight - fuel OK.” “Descend to angels Two-Three and report in.” “Roger - Red Bird One-Eight, out.” “Ernie, can you see anything out there?” “are you kidding - we are flying in the original Black Hole.” “GCI - this is Red Bird One-Eight reporting in - angels Two-Three.” “I copy One- Eight - this is GCI - vector One- Seven-Zero Red Bird, and report in at Angels One-Eight - I repeat Angels One-Eight.” “Wilco -Red Bird One- Eight.” “Joe can you see our man in the slot in your mirror?” “Negative Ernie, but he’s out there.” “how’s our fuel Joe?” “Ok Ernie.” “GCI - GCI - this Red Bird leader reporting in at angels One-Eight – “ “What! Jesus Joe we’re at 1800 feet - what the hell are you doing?” “GCI - Red Bird flight leveling off!” A few weeks before, or was it after - time dims recall. A flight of Marine Fighter Aircraft flew into one of those innocuous Korean hills - all crew members perished. A NAME ON THE WALL When Johnny was just little boy He’d call on me for tea, We’d sit for hours lost with joy And wondered how life would be. Johnny was only a doorknob high And I a keyhole measure, We’d hold each other and with a sigh Savor our hidden treasure. The years were swift and Johnny has grown And I’m a lady too, Autumn winds the leaves have blown The skies are azure blue. Johnny heard the clarion call Now Johnny’s become a name on THE WALL. We have our wall also. We honor our fallen comrades in arms and their families. Recently it came to mind that there is a part of the pain of battle that is not so visible. I speak of those young ladies with a promise – a ring on their finger; forever trapped in an eternity of emotion, transfixed by that perpetual sunset in the Western Sky. To those young women who never were able to marry their chosen one I dedicate this humble effort......EAB Page 28 The Graybeards
2001 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster • Since this nation’s beginnings, American families and their sons anddaughters have answered their nation’s call in time of need • On this poster, an elderly family member pauses during a late night chore to remember those sacrifices. • At the top, the hometown unit that shipped out together. Where are they now? • Remember that proud day when our grandson began his flight training? • Grandad was so pleased, but we were all frightened that he would soon face the enemy. • Then there was our son, posing proudly as entered the military academy. • And there’s the young warrior beside his new jet aircraft • Wasn’t it just yesterday that he and the neighborhood kids posed for their school pictures? • Many came home, but some are still missing in action • It was a sad — but proud — day when the whole family gathered at Arlington cemetery. • Some were coming home. • We were proud, but we knew that the final chapter had been closed for some of us. • Our young men answered our nation’s call • Now we must honor them, and continue the work to achieve the fullest possible accounting of those still missing. • “Their Service ... Our Duty” July/August, 2001 Page 29
Page 2 and 3: The Graybeards The Magazine for Mem
Page 4 and 5: President’s Message Harley Coon P
Page 6 and 7: Korean War Veterans Association —
Page 8 and 9: The Glendale, depicted in exquisite
Page 10 and 11: Before dawn on June 25, 1950, Sovie
Page 12 and 13: Listen Up STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIAB
Page 14 and 15: Monuments and Memories Korea, The F
Page 16 and 17: California Remembers ABOVE: Korean
Page 18 and 19: F-82 Twin Mustang Top Speed: 482 mp
Page 20 and 21: The Language of the Heart By Janice
Page 22 and 23: STYLE A STYLE B ARMY BRANCHES OF SE
Page 24 and 25: Letters Travels in Korea—-Then an
Page 26 and 27: “No thank you, sir.” Now it was
Page 30 and 31: Reunion Showplace........ 772nd Mil
Page 32 and 33: KWV 5oth Comm Wreath laying event a
Page 34: How many of you recognize this logo
Page 37 and 38: Finger Lakes Chapter of New York Ch
Page 39 and 40: Gen. Raymond G. Davis Chapter of Ge
Page 42 and 43: Continued from page 39 Mid Florida
Page 45 and 46: Photo file... These are pictures ta
Page 47 and 48: Command had flown 221 airdrop and a
Page 49 and 50: a hazard than a help” to the othe
Page 51 and 52: hopes they would deliver it to his
Page 53 and 54: is looking for our lost comrades. W
Page 55 and 56: manner which Wilkins, the senior of
Page 57 and 58: Korea A soldier crouched in his fox
Page 59 and 60: Korean War Veterans National Museum
Page 61 and 62: THE AIR FORCE HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Page 63 and 64: landing aboard the Princeton. On th
Page 65 and 66: Korean War Veterans Memorial—The
Page 67 and 68: to July 1950. Also those who wre in
Page 69: United States of America Commemorat

The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

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