Mar/Apr 2013 - Korean War Veterans Association

56
Members in the
Biggest Little Supporter Of A
Korean War Veteran
After attending a
50th anniversary
celebration for the signing of the
armistice, I showed my granddaughters
the medal I received in appreciation
for my service. The youngest,
Nikki, wanted to wear the medal and
my cap. My wife captured the
moment on film.
Jack Butler
401 East Kerr St. Burnet, TX 78611
512-756-4685
Nikki Butler (L) and her sister
Julia
Sandra (“Sandi”) Williams...was
featured in a January 21, 2013 New York
Post article, “NY vets head to DC for
inaugural parade,” written by Amy
Stretten. Williams writes, “I am a Korea Defense Veteran who served
in Korea from 1982 to 1983 and a member of the KWVA, CID 63,
Western New York. I was in the Presidential Inaugural Parade with
the United War Veterans Council.
“I am proud to say that I was among the 44 individuals who represented
New York State. Our group consisted of veterans from all
eras, two Gold Star mothers, and family members. [KWVA National
Sandi Williams, Jessica Bryan (founder of “Step into Their Boots” and a
member of the United War Veterans Council), Gold Star Mother Kathryn T.
Cross (President, Gold Star Mothers of America, NYC Chapter), and
Debbera Ransom (a Cold War veteran, and the Commander of AMVETS
Post 24) (L-R) at Inaugural Parade
Director] Salvatore Scarlato, the
KWVA’s New York State Dept.
President, was also in the Parade,”
Williams wrote.
Salvatore Scarlato (L) and Sandi Williams
picking up their Inaugural Parade credentials
at the Pentagon
“I am still happy and thrilled about my trip to the Presidential
Inaugural Parade,” she added. “It was a real honor to be part of this
great historic event. I will always remember that moment when our
group passed by the reviewing stand and we saluted the President of
the United States and he acknowledged us and saluted us back. Those
of us who rode on the float had a close up view of the President.”
Reach Sandi Williams at hanau86@aol.com
‘Uncle Joe’ and His Boys
By Tom Moore
With the collapse of the USSR in the 1990s, “Stalin’s
Boys” in Korea became known to the western world.
We find out that before the Korean War Soviet Premier
Joseph Stalin had sent his 29th Fighter Air Regiment from
Kubinka to China. We now know that the USSR helped plan
the North Korean invasion of South Korea, using USSR
weapons. so it was no stretch to send his 64th Fighter Air
Corps into the Korean War in “secrecy,” not wanting to start
a global war.
The USSR pilots could not fly south of a line across North
Korea, from Pyongyang east to Wonsan, or fly over the
Yellow Sea. At first, the Russians wore Chinese uniforms,
and were instructed to speak Chinese over their radios. The
Soviets who were killed were buried at Port Arthur, and not
sent home. When more and more Caucasian pilots were seen
in Chinese, North Korean, or unmarked MiGs, and Russian
was heard in air traffic, the Soviets leaked that there were
some Soviet pilot “volunteers” in China.
When the USAF brought the 4th Fighter Wing and its F-
86s into the war, the USSR, in March-April 1951, brought
into the war Ivan Kozhedub (top ace of WWII), and his 324th
Interceptor Air Division, and Georgy Lobov and his 303rd
Interceptor Air Division, with their WWII aces, and over 50
MiG 15s. The 324th IAD had the 196th Fighter Air
Regiment, commanded by the Soviets’ top Korean War ace,
Yevgeni Pepelyaev.
The two air divisions left the Korean War in 1952. It is
believed they lost perhaps up to 50 MiGs. With the night
bombing by the B-29s, the Russians sent the night-fighter
351st Air Regiment to Manchuria, as well as sending the
196th far back to Manchuria. A 351st pilot, Anatoli Karelin,
shot down five B-29s, and was a night-fighter ace.
In 1953, the Russians brought another night-fighter group
to Manchuria, the 535th FAR. At the end of the war, the
night-fighters claimed 15 to 18 B-29s. The Soviets’ total
claimed kills of UN aircraft in the war did not add up. In
truth, no one side over matched the other side. The air war
losses were near even.
It was a strange air war, with piston and jet engine aircraft
engaging each other. But, some new tactics were learned that
were used a few years later in Vietnam.
Yes, “Uncle Joe” and his boys certainly were in the
Korean War.
Tom Moore, tm103ps@yahoo.com
March - April 2013
The Graybeards