"If you don't read the Blast, you are uninformed, if you read something else you
are misinformed."
-El Jefe
FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to
refuse to believe what is true.
Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855
ATTENTION MEMBERS!!!
ON APRIL 17TH OUR PRESIDENT'S BLAST DID NOT
GET PUBLISHED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
PLEASE NOTE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR
APRIL 17TH.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
2nd Battalion 1st Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, CA 04/07/17
Hike 10k on Recon Ridge behind Camp Horno.
Photo submitted by: HM3 Book
AMERICA'S HEROS
Marines,
You may have seen this documentary before, but chapter member (Treasurer) Art
Dreves says it is a fairly accurate retelling of the battle at Peleliu... When you get to
Capt. Everett Pope's retelling about the battle for Hill 100, that is Art's company. Art
was one of the 24 men with Capt. Pope who made it to the top and spent the night in
hand-to-hand combat. After they ran out of ammunition and nearly out of grenades,
they were throwing rocks at the Japanese and every 4 - 5th "rock" was a grenade. These
Marines were heroes, all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSdliFVC3Ks
A tribute presented by the Government of South Korea to Veterans who risked
their lives as they fought in the Korean war. 1950 - 1953.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrJ3SvKM-8
From the Headquarters
Attention Members; We have a limited amount of 76th
Anniversary Challenge coins available for purchase.
3 coins for $20 or $10 each
70th Annual Reunion Journal Advertising Rate Sheet Norfolk
VA
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Chapter, Central Florida
Chapter and Southern California Chapter for your ad.
If you have not sent in your ad please send as soon as possible.
The deadline is June 15, 2017
Click here to view document
MONEY MATTERS
GENERAL FUND
Bank of America Checking
Beginning Balance (04/05/17)
Credits, Total
Debits, Total
Ending Balance (04/11/17)
Accounts Receivable ( past due )
Scholarship Fund, FMDA.
$69,663.99
$1,133.00
$118.90
$70,678.09
$23,106.34
" READ THE BLAST ON THE WEB, IN FACT VISIT THE FMDA
WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org .
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT
EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOUT SOMETHING. "
ATTENTION MEMBERS
President Rios:
I was surprised and pleased to find "The Old Breed News" in my mailbox yesterday. "Out of
sight, out of mind" is a true statement.
RE: FMDASF
Almost all of the veteran's organizations I have known need lots of financial management
advice! I would suggest that the transfer to MCSF would be a good thing as long as they have
some good financial management advisors aboard. The ROI in your letter is sad at best! You
are definitely correct that this issue needs resolution, the sooner the better.
RE: Old Breed News
I know that publishing and mailing newsletters is expensive. The bigger the mailing list, the
more advertisements, the less cost to the 1st MarDiv Assoc. The snail mail OBN may not cost 1st
MarDiv Association. I don't know whether or not "publishing" an email edition has been
considered or not. Email may be a low or no cost way to keep membership from "Out of sight,
out of mind". From personal experience, editing a newsletter is time consuming and finding
enough relevant information and stories is difficult. DAMNFINO (family motto).
It's nice to see Bob Montgomery's picture in OBN. One fine Marine, and a superb email
correspondent, excellent sense of humor. Another of Father O'Brien's many friends. His
personal experiences/knowledge of the Corps would make a good book!
The article from War History Online is what I passed along to all the Marines on my contact
list. Since the 1st MarDiv is the most highly decorated military unit in the world, I am certain
there are many stories that are worth sharing. War History Online, at times, runs out of stories
to share. This may be something that the association, or individual members, may wish to
consider.
Being an officer of any organization, particularly President, is time consuming and
expensive. Thank You!
Semper Fi
Truman Powell
Tyler, Texas
PS: I like your flagpole in front of your home. Marines are more likely to fly a Flag than
veterans of any other branch of service.
I have known two Marines and one Marine Corpsman who were on Pelilieu. From
what I have heard, this was indeed as hard a battle as any the Marines fought in the
Pacific during WWII, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It has been "swept under the
rug" by most historians because it was not necessary and Douglas MacArthur ordered it
regardless. The statement in the text here by the Marine Corps Museum agrees with my
opinion.
After the airfield was captured and placed in use, the aircraft flying close combat support
missions did so without ever taking their landing gear up because the fighting was so
close to the airstrip. Fly, land, rearm, takeoff and fly again and again. On the first night,
the Jap tanks were actually on the beach fighting through the Marines just ashore (in the
rear with the gear my butt).
In normal combat circumstances, the Division Band is used as litter bearers bringing in
the wounded during combat. There were so many casualties on Pelilieu of the band
litter bearers that black Marines were being used rather than their normal duties
(unloading supplies on the beach and getting them to the "front"). In the 90s Jim
Wright, a Dallas newspaper columnist wrote a story: One worn out badly wounded
Marine opened his eyes and saw the black Marine and asked: "Are all angels
black?" Pelilieu was hell on earth.
Notice the AMTRAC with a stubby cannon on top and A7 numbered on the
turret. There was only one unit (battalion? Regiment? Part of 3RD Amphibious Corps,
alligator logo) of the those amphibious "tanks" in the entire Marine Corps. One of the
crewmen years later told me: "They kept sending us into those islands till we were all
used up". I would be very surprised if those AMTRAC Marines did not see more
combat than any other Marines in the Pacific.
The Army was landed to relieve the decimated 1st Marine Division just before the battle
was finally over. This is typical, the Marines were used as "shock troops" to secure the
beaches. Years later on a return trip a couple of Marines visiting the island found a Jap
position that they had not been able to take out. "No wonder we could not get past
there". So many years later, the memories were like yesterday.
I highly recommend: "With The Old Breed" by "Sledgehammer" Sledge, superb book
about Marines in combat any time.
Truman
http://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/5th-marines-combat-footage-x.html
_______________________________________________________________________
Howdy Top,
This is an excellent e-mail, one of the best in awhile.
Thank you for weighing in on the side of practical solutions. I'm doing my best to leave
my post as President in as good a shape as it was in and hopefully a better shape than
when I assumed my post.
I'll ask you as I ask everyone: Complete the ballot you received with the OBN and
VOTE ! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO.
Thank you again for your moral support.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios, El Jefe
_______________________________________________________________________
_
2017 REUNION SHAPE UP
FROM THE MEMBERS/ CHAPTERS
Salute to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Thursday, April 20, 2017 Marines' Memorial Club
Registration at 5:30 PM | Program at 6:00 PM
Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel
609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Join us in honoring Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our featured speaker will be
Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, I MEF Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Kasal distinguished
himself during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 and was awarded the
Navy Cross for heroism when he suffered seven gunshot wounds and 43 shrapnel
wounds during a battle in which he was credited with saving the lives of several fellow
Marines. At the time he was evacuated for his wounds, he had lost approximately 60
percent of his blood.
This is a free event. Wine and beer reception to follow. To register, click here.
S/f
Mike Myatt
MajGen. Mike Myatt, USMC (Ret.)
President & CEO
Marines' Memorial Association
Office: 415-673-6681
Mobile: 415-254-9940
Email: [email protected]
Jefe,
Love getting the Blast, but why am i getting four copies?
Best,
Neal Meier
P. Neal Meier, PhD
Director of Alumni Relations
Union Institute & University
[email protected]
www.myunion.edu
802-279-1373
_______________________________________________________________________
__
Hmmm...
Thanks, Good Doctor for letting me know. I'll see to it that we send only one.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios, El Jefe
President Rios,
I'm still looking for a St. Christoper medal of the Father Capodanno gave out to 5th
Marines. Please ask around to see if some has one they are willing to part with.
Thank you in advance: John Stuertz.
In this latest "Blast" from El Jeffe", I find myself puzzled by who,
when and why anyone would put an article that I wrote
exclusively for the Semper Fi Newsletter (Official newsletter of
the Los Angeles County Chapter) to be printed in the Blast.
At our Officer's & Director's meeting held this date, I questioned
them all about this incident and they all denied authorizing any
one to re-print my article.
Granted, the article was part of our 8 page newsletter that is sent
out electronically to many members including the FMDA.
I would request that in the future you NOT re-print any articles
from the Semper Fi Newsletter without first contacting either Dale
Turner or myself (Dick Cesaroni)
For the life of us we cannot understand why anyone would pick
one of my articles to print in your Blast
See, I do read your Blast as did several of our O's & D's.
Semper Fi
Dick Cesaroni
Los Angeles County Chapter, Inc.
_____________________________________________________
___
Sir,
I will forward your e-mail to President Rios.
June
June Cormier
Executive Assistant to the President
1st Marine Division Association
[email protected]
(760) 763-3267
_____________________________________________________
____
Howdy Dick,
My practice is to always give credit to anyone for anything I print
from the " Public Domain , " did I ? I don't remember the item of
which you speak but I do see your point of view.
It wont happen again.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios
YOU NEED TO KNOW
VA Secretary Praises Congress for Extending Choice Program: Calls legislation major
step toward increasing access to care
SICK BAY
Larry,
I took a bad fall at the gun club and landed hard. Broke upper the part of the femur and
had to have some long screws inserted to hold it together. Got back from hospital
yesterday and will be getting some therapy at home for the next few weeks.
Semper Fi.
Jim " Horse Collar " Smith
______________________________________________________________________
NEW MEMBERS
OUR GOAL: Every member recruit at least one
member.
-President Vince Rios
PETE V. RIOS
Recruited by:
VINCE RIOS
The First Marine Division Association has not had much
active recruitment in quite awhile. Invest $35 to personally
recruit and sponsor some deserving soul. Set a good example.
I welcome any and all responses; I'll put them in the BLAST
and will list and applaud those who read this and respond
with, " I just recruited my pal from my combat tour " in the
subsequent issue.
President Rios
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
All FMDA Members please use your USAA card- the First Marine
Division Association, Inc gets a small but helpful rebate.
TAPS
THANKS TO JACK O'CONNOR FRIEND AND
MARINE FOR THIS HISTORIC STORY.
JOHN KELLY
WWII P51 PILOT BILL OVERSTREET HAS DIED, he flew through
the Eiffel Tower in 1944.
In the spring of 1944 Bill and his P-51C, the 'Berlin Express'
were near Paris when the scene that is immortalized in the
artwork by Len Krenzler of Action Art that leads this article
took place. Bill had followed a German Bf109 from the
bombers he was escorting when most of the German
fighters left. The two planes had been in a running dogfight.
The German pilot flew over Paris hoping that the heavy
German anti-aircraft artillery would solve his problem and
eliminate Overstreet and the 'Berlin Express', though Bill
managed to get some hits in at about 1500 feet.
The German's engine was hit, and Bill stayed on his tail
braving the intense enemy flak. His desperation undoubtedly
growing, the German pilot aimed his plane at the Eiffel Tower
and in a surprising maneuver, flew beneath it.
Undeterred, Bill followed right behind him, scoring several
more hits in the process. The German plane crashed and
Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and
full throttle over the river until he had cleared the city's
heavy anti-aircraft batteries.
WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to
take down a
German plane dies in Virginia aged 92. , a former
captain in the U.S. Air Corps, passed away on Sunday at a
hospital in
Roanoke, Virginia.
He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazioccupied
Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground.
In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor.
Hero: World War II
Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath
the
Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in
his
military days.
Before the ceremony, Overstreet had previously said that, if
he lived long enough
to receive the Legion of Honor, he would be accepting it in
memory of his fallen
brothers. In particular, he wanted to pay tribute to a
friend, Eddy Simpson, who
died fighting the Nazis on the ground so his comrades,
including Overstreet,
could escape.
After the award was pinned to his lapel, Overstreet said:
'If I said, "Thank you," it wouldn't be enough,' before
adding:
'What more than "thank you" do you need?'
He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1921 and after
Pearl Harbor, he
enlisted in the Air Corps as a fighter pilot.
By February 1942, he was a private and sent to California
for flight
training; there, his instructors prepared him for the
unexpected
mid-flight by cutting the engine as he landed.
Remembered:
Overstreet was presented with France's Legion of Honour
in 2009.
Aircraft: Overstreet is pictured by his P-51 'Berlin
Express', the plane he flew
beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Proud: Overstreet is pictured in 1943 with his cherished
1938 Buick in
California, where he was trained.
Close call: The wreckage of his Bell P-39 Airacobra which
spun out of control
mid-air as he completed combat training in 1943. He
managed to force his
way out of the craft and walked away unhurt.
Loss: Bill Overstreet is pictured at an event, Warbirds Over the
Beach,
in 2013.
'He was always humble. Whenever the press interviewed him, he
said,
"I didn't do anything. We were a team".'
RIP Bill Overstreet.
President Vince Rios
First Marine Division Association
Office (760) 763-3268 President Vince Rios (817) 847-9954
President Vince Rios E-mail [email protected]
Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside, CA 92051
(760) 763-3268
1st Marine Division Association, P.O. Box 9000, Box #902, Oceanside, CA 92051
SafeUnsubscribe™ [email protected]
Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider
Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with
Try it free today
Reply Reply to All Forward More
June Cormier <[email protected]>
To
Sandra Melander
Today at 5:05 PM
From: 1st Marine Division Association <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 1, 2017 2:58 PM
To: June Cormier
Subject: President's Blast April 17, 2017
"If you don't read the Blast, you are uninformed, if you read something else you
are misinformed."
-El Jefe
FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to
refuse to believe what is true.
Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855
ATTENTION MEMBERS!!!
ON APRIL 17TH OUR PRESIDENT'S BLAST DID NOT
GET PUBLISHED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
PLEASE NOTE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR
APRIL 17TH.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
2nd Battalion 1st Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, CA 04/07/17
Hike 10k on Recon Ridge behind Camp Horno.
Photo submitted by: HM3 Book
AMERICA'S HEROS
Marines,
You may have seen this documentary before, but chapter member (Treasurer) Art
Dreves says it is a fairly accurate retelling of the battle at Peleliu... When you get to
Capt. Everett Pope's retelling about the battle for Hill 100, that is Art's company. Art
was one of the 24 men with Capt. Pope who made it to the top and spent the night in
hand-to-hand combat. After they ran out of ammunition and nearly out of grenades,
they were throwing rocks at the Japanese and every 4 - 5th "rock" was a grenade. These
Marines were heroes, all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSdliFVC3Ks
A tribute presented by the Government of South Korea to Veterans who risked
their lives as they fought in the Korean war. 1950 - 1953.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMrJ3SvKM-8
From the Headquarters
Attention Members; We have a limited amount of 76th
Anniversary Challenge coins available for purchase.
3 coins for $20 or $10 each
70th Annual Reunion Journal Advertising Rate Sheet Norfolk
VA
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Chapter, Central Florida
Chapter and Southern California Chapter for your ad.
If you have not sent in your ad please send as soon as possible.
The deadline is June 15, 2017
Click here to view document
MONEY MATTERS
GENERAL FUND
Bank of America Checking
Beginning Balance (04/05/17)
Credits, Total
Debits, Total
Ending Balance (04/11/17)
Accounts Receivable ( past due )
Scholarship Fund, FMDA.
$69,663.99
$1,133.00
$118.90
$70,678.09
$23,106.34
" READ THE BLAST ON THE WEB, IN FACT VISIT THE FMDA
WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org .
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT
EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOUT SOMETHING. "
ATTENTION MEMBERS
President Rios:
I was surprised and pleased to find "The Old Breed News" in my mailbox yesterday. "Out of
sight, out of mind" is a true statement.
RE: FMDASF
Almost all of the veteran's organizations I have known need lots of financial management
advice! I would suggest that the transfer to MCSF would be a good thing as long as they have
some good financial management advisors aboard. The ROI in your letter is sad at best! You
are definitely correct that this issue needs resolution, the sooner the better.
RE: Old Breed News
I know that publishing and mailing newsletters is expensive. The bigger the mailing list, the
more advertisements, the less cost to the 1st MarDiv Assoc. The snail mail OBN may not cost 1st
MarDiv Association. I don't know whether or not "publishing" an email edition has been
considered or not. Email may be a low or no cost way to keep membership from "Out of sight,
out of mind". From personal experience, editing a newsletter is time consuming and finding
enough relevant information and stories is difficult. DAMNFINO (family motto).
It's nice to see Bob Montgomery's picture in OBN. One fine Marine, and a superb email
correspondent, excellent sense of humor. Another of Father O'Brien's many friends. His
personal experiences/knowledge of the Corps would make a good book!
The article from War History Online is what I passed along to all the Marines on my contact
list. Since the 1st MarDiv is the most highly decorated military unit in the world, I am certain
there are many stories that are worth sharing. War History Online, at times, runs out of stories
to share. This may be something that the association, or individual members, may wish to
consider.
Being an officer of any organization, particularly President, is time consuming and
expensive. Thank You!
Semper Fi
Truman Powell
Tyler, Texas
PS: I like your flagpole in front of your home. Marines are more likely to fly a Flag than
veterans of any other branch of service.
I have known two Marines and one Marine Corpsman who were on Pelilieu. From
what I have heard, this was indeed as hard a battle as any the Marines fought in the
Pacific during WWII, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It has been "swept under the
rug" by most historians because it was not necessary and Douglas MacArthur ordered it
regardless. The statement in the text here by the Marine Corps Museum agrees with my
opinion.
After the airfield was captured and placed in use, the aircraft flying close combat support
missions did so without ever taking their landing gear up because the fighting was so
close to the airstrip. Fly, land, rearm, takeoff and fly again and again. On the first night,
the Jap tanks were actually on the beach fighting through the Marines just ashore (in the
rear with the gear my butt).
In normal combat circumstances, the Division Band is used as litter bearers bringing in
the wounded during combat. There were so many casualties on Pelilieu of the band
litter bearers that black Marines were being used rather than their normal duties
(unloading supplies on the beach and getting them to the "front"). In the 90s Jim
Wright, a Dallas newspaper columnist wrote a story: One worn out badly wounded
Marine opened his eyes and saw the black Marine and asked: "Are all angels
black?" Pelilieu was hell on earth.
Notice the AMTRAC with a stubby cannon on top and A7 numbered on the
turret. There was only one unit (battalion? Regiment? Part of 3RD Amphibious Corps,
alligator logo) of the those amphibious "tanks" in the entire Marine Corps. One of the
crewmen years later told me: "They kept sending us into those islands till we were all
used up". I would be very surprised if those AMTRAC Marines did not see more
combat than any other Marines in the Pacific.
The Army was landed to relieve the decimated 1st Marine Division just before the battle
was finally over. This is typical, the Marines were used as "shock troops" to secure the
beaches. Years later on a return trip a couple of Marines visiting the island found a Jap
position that they had not been able to take out. "No wonder we could not get past
there". So many years later, the memories were like yesterday.
I highly recommend: "With The Old Breed" by "Sledgehammer" Sledge, superb book
about Marines in combat any time.
Truman
http://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/5th-marines-combat-footage-x.html
_______________________________________________________________________
Howdy Top,
This is an excellent e-mail, one of the best in awhile.
Thank you for weighing in on the side of practical solutions. I'm doing my best to leave
my post as President in as good a shape as it was in and hopefully a better shape than
when I assumed my post.
I'll ask you as I ask everyone: Complete the ballot you received with the OBN and
VOTE ! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO.
Thank you again for your moral support.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios, El Jefe
_______________________________________________________________________
_
2017 REUNION SHAPE UP
FROM THE MEMBERS/ CHAPTERS
Salute to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Thursday, April 20, 2017 Marines' Memorial Club
Registration at 5:30 PM | Program at 6:00 PM
Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel
609 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Join us in honoring Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our featured speaker will be
Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, I MEF Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Kasal distinguished
himself during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 and was awarded the
Navy Cross for heroism when he suffered seven gunshot wounds and 43 shrapnel
wounds during a battle in which he was credited with saving the lives of several fellow
Marines. At the time he was evacuated for his wounds, he had lost approximately 60
percent of his blood.
This is a free event. Wine and beer reception to follow. To register, click here.
S/f
Mike Myatt
MajGen. Mike Myatt, USMC (Ret.)
President & CEO
Marines' Memorial Association
Office: 415-673-6681
Mobile: 415-254-9940
Email: [email protected]
Jefe,
Love getting the Blast, but why am i getting four copies?
Best,
Neal Meier
P. Neal Meier, PhD
Director of Alumni Relations
Union Institute & University
[email protected]
www.myunion.edu
802-279-1373
_______________________________________________________________________
__
Hmmm...
Thanks, Good Doctor for letting me know. I'll see to it that we send only one.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios, El Jefe
President Rios,
I'm still looking for a St. Christoper medal of the Father Capodanno gave out to 5th
Marines. Please ask around to see if some has one they are willing to part with.
Thank you in advance: John Stuertz.
In this latest "Blast" from El Jeffe", I find myself puzzled by who,
when and why anyone would put an article that I wrote
exclusively for the Semper Fi Newsletter (Official newsletter of
the Los Angeles County Chapter) to be printed in the Blast.
At our Officer's & Director's meeting held this date, I questioned
them all about this incident and they all denied authorizing any
one to re-print my article.
Granted, the article was part of our 8 page newsletter that is sent
out electronically to many members including the FMDA.
I would request that in the future you NOT re-print any articles
from the Semper Fi Newsletter without first contacting either Dale
Turner or myself (Dick Cesaroni)
For the life of us we cannot understand why anyone would pick
one of my articles to print in your Blast
See, I do read your Blast as did several of our O's & D's.
Semper Fi
Dick Cesaroni
Los Angeles County Chapter, Inc.
_____________________________________________________
___
Sir,
I will forward your e-mail to President Rios.
June
June Cormier
Executive Assistant to the President
1st Marine Division Association
[email protected]
(760) 763-3267
_____________________________________________________
____
Howdy Dick,
My practice is to always give credit to anyone for anything I print
from the " Public Domain , " did I ? I don't remember the item of
which you speak but I do see your point of view.
It wont happen again.
Semper Fi,
President Vince Rios
YOU NEED TO KNOW
VA Secretary Praises Congress for Extending Choice Program: Calls legislation major
step toward increasing access to care
SICK BAY
Larry,
I took a bad fall at the gun club and landed hard. Broke upper the part of the femur and
had to have some long screws inserted to hold it together. Got back from hospital
yesterday and will be getting some therapy at home for the next few weeks.
Semper Fi.
Jim " Horse Collar " Smith
______________________________________________________________________
NEW MEMBERS
OUR GOAL: Every member recruit at least one
member.
-President Vince Rios
PETE V. RIOS
Recruited by:
VINCE RIOS
The First Marine Division Association has not had much
active recruitment in quite awhile. Invest $35 to personally
recruit and sponsor some deserving soul. Set a good example.
I welcome any and all responses; I'll put them in the BLAST
and will list and applaud those who read this and respond
with, " I just recruited my pal from my combat tour " in the
subsequent issue.
President Rios
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
All FMDA Members please use your USAA card- the First Marine
Division Association, Inc gets a small but helpful rebate.
TAPS
THANKS TO JACK O'CONNOR FRIEND AND
MARINE FOR THIS HISTORIC STORY.
JOHN KELLY
WWII P51 PILOT BILL OVERSTREET HAS DIED, he flew through
the Eiffel Tower in 1944.
In the spring of 1944 Bill and his P-51C, the 'Berlin Express'
were near Paris when the scene that is immortalized in the
artwork by Len Krenzler of Action Art that leads this article
took place. Bill had followed a German Bf109 from the
bombers he was escorting when most of the German
fighters left. The two planes had been in a running dogfight.
The German pilot flew over Paris hoping that the heavy
German anti-aircraft artillery would solve his problem and
eliminate Overstreet and the 'Berlin Express', though Bill
managed to get some hits in at about 1500 feet.
The German's engine was hit, and Bill stayed on his tail
braving the intense enemy flak. His desperation undoubtedly
growing, the German pilot aimed his plane at the Eiffel Tower
and in a surprising maneuver, flew beneath it.
Undeterred, Bill followed right behind him, scoring several
more hits in the process. The German plane crashed and
Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and
full throttle over the river until he had cleared the city's
heavy anti-aircraft batteries.
WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to
take down a
German plane dies in Virginia aged 92. , a former
captain in the U.S. Air Corps, passed away on Sunday at a
hospital in
Roanoke, Virginia.
He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazioccupied
Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground.
In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor.
Hero: World War II
Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath
the
Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in
his
military days.
Before the ceremony, Overstreet had previously said that, if
he lived long enough
to receive the Legion of Honor, he would be accepting it in
memory of his fallen
brothers. In particular, he wanted to pay tribute to a
friend, Eddy Simpson, who
died fighting the Nazis on the ground so his comrades,
including Overstreet,
could escape.
After the award was pinned to his lapel, Overstreet said:
'If I said, "Thank you," it wouldn't be enough,' before
adding:
'What more than "thank you" do you need?'
He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1921 and after
Pearl Harbor, he
enlisted in the Air Corps as a fighter pilot.
By February 1942, he was a private and sent to California
for flight
training; there, his instructors prepared him for the
unexpected
mid-flight by cutting the engine as he landed.
Remembered:
Overstreet was presented with France's Legion of Honour
in 2009.
Aircraft: Overstreet is pictured by his P-51 'Berlin
Express', the plane he flew
beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Proud: Overstreet is pictured in 1943 with his cherished
1938 Buick in
California, where he was trained.
Close call: The wreckage of his Bell P-39 Airacobra which
spun out of control
mid-air as he completed combat training in 1943. He
managed to force his
way out of the craft and walked away unhurt.
Loss: Bill Overstreet is pictured at an event, Warbirds Over the
Beach,
in 2013.
'He was always humble. Whenever the press interviewed him, he
said,
"I didn't do anything. We were a team".'
RIP Bill Overstreet.
President Vince Rios
First Marine Division Association
Office (760) 763-3268 President Vince Rios (817) 847-9954
President Vince Rios E-mail [email protected]
Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside, CA 92051
(760) 763-3268