Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Mr Moore is a legend ! After reading this thread I'm thinking that I have confused Gunner Buss with Gunner Poe and that Doc Hanna is Doc Hanner who went to WO school & Pepperdine U. in 1973 ? & from HMM 163 ? was the Poe crash in 1974 from Hmm164 ? any way I can't remember . SF kc sorry for all the confusion !

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

I agree, as Paul was there, and knows bout all of it. Thats Great. Marine Wildfang is right there with him. Thats a Very Good number of hours Flying for our Corps. I bet Paul is not far behind him, more likely close to the same amount. Its Great they know how to take care of themselves, and Thank God we still have them with us. I Salute Both, thats certain. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

This is a reply from my buddy Robert Doktor who we call RedDok. He's a retired Masterguns in his 80's and knows Henry.
S/F
Tim

Hi Tim,
I am somewhat confused in the pop a smoke postings that you have below. Henry went to flight school in 1942, when he got his wings I am not sure. Who was the one who wanted send his address and phone number. Henry was commissioned as a officer when he finished flight school and did attain the rank of Capt. When the war was over he got out of the Maine Corps and like many re-enlisted most came back as Sgt. (E4) or StSgt (E5) and after a while most were promoted one rank and Henry made TSgt as time passed by he made E9 and finally WO. He retired at the rank of Major and receives his pay as such.

Henry and I are close friends and we speak to each other at least once a week and at the reunion that just passed we shared a room.

Semper Fi,
Red

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Good info Tim! That's what I call from the horse's mouth!!

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Believe that is what I posted after talking to Henry. Appears to be the facts. SF PM

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

This is the last e-mail from my buddy RedDok.
S/F
Tim

Tim the confusion was from those two items from some forum or other. I do not go to any other just TSF. I did make an error in my email in that henry entered the Naval Cadet program when the AR started and had no idea he would have made it. He got his commission in late 1942. His name is on the NAP list as of 1947 and the reason is that he had enlisted after being out and he came back as a pilot and therefore his date was set in 1947 as a NAP, This was in regard to the last message on the bottom. I could set this guy straight if I knew how to contact him.
S/F.....Red

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

pm3777 give me your e-mail address and I'll put you in touch with RedDok or you can contact him at Bob Doktor [reddok@pop-server.ca.rr.com].
S/F
Tim

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Tim be glad to contact him. However cant figure what all the "He said etc" is about. Very simply it is explained going back to my two posts. One was I could not understand the WW2 service since the NAP roster showed him graduating as an NAP in 1947. My second post was after I had called Henry & had a long conversation in which he repeated all the things you have posted for your friend Red. Wasnt aware I had a problem with the friend !! SF PM

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Contact him and you two can figure out any misunderstanding, he was with C-130 prior to retirement. He also has a son living in Hawaii.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

I sent a message to the Email you posted & it came back. I think this subject has been overworked. I clearly explained I had a long conversation with Henry & there is no misunderstanding!!! Certainly think Henry is capable of speaking for hisself.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

From my buddy RedDok.
S/F
Tim

Tim I got a email today telling me that Cherry Point just opened the new Officer/SNCO club. Only thing apart are the bars and the rest is for common use. Each outfit is having something dedicated for showing at the entrance and one one from VMGR-252 I am posting the pictures and was supprised it was a model of 148896 and dedicated to Henry Wildfang.The Gy is a retired Radio Operator/Loadmaster.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Allyn Hinton;31738 wrote: I served with Henry Wildfang in VMGR-252. He retired in the late 1970's well past the 60 year old retirement age for WO. I think during his career he was an enlisted, officer, and WO pilot. I was at his retirement; he went out with the rank of major. I heard he had been a squadron CO in World War II and a couple Lt. that served under him went on to be generals. I would bet he has more flight hours than anyone else in Marine Aviation.

Henry Wildfang would be the guy to ask, re: 21 yr old USMC Helo Pilot. He is alive and well (cept f/a broken shoulder) and lives in Midwest City, OK. He is 94. We talk weekly or so.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Thomas, I sure hope Henrys' shoulder heels up good. God bless all Military members service, and the devotion they put into it. I Salute Maj. Wolfgang, and all he has accomplished. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

I did talk to Henry & posted his reply on his career>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?
Allyn, must apolagize for not having the complete story. I only had the NAP graduation in 1947 which was what I based the lack of WW2 part you published. I just talked to Henry , Damn would you believe he is 94 and still going strong !!! He did in fact fly in WW2 in B24 photo A/C. He went through regular flight training in 1942. However he got out for a short time & came back into NAP training as an enlisted Pilot in 1947. We had mutual Brothers from back to 1942 & had a long session on many that we both knew through all those years. Tried to get him on our Site . He said he had to give up the computer as he got too many emails each day. DAMN THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT DAY AFTER THAT CONVERSATION WITH A LEGEND !!! Also he said he had 24,000 hours flying time. Semper . >>>>>>PM

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Just fiished phonecon w/Henry Wildfang...he would be glad to hear your voices and talk about USMC/Aviaition/Warrant Officer corps.
His land line is As previuosly mentioned: Midwest City, OK @94 yrs old...be aware, he's sharps as a tack and has a great humble personality.

Hooper

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Wildfang and Moore are both among the legends of our aviation community. They have forgotten more than most of us would ever know about Marine/Naval aviation!
Hand Salute!!

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Joe, I too am glad we have these Men. Just think of the numbers of Men they were able to give their knowledge of Flying to. We, and so many others stand Proud to know them, and stand with them. Hand Salute. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Ray Stetser (MCAS New River - 1971) was a winged Warrant and sent to SE Asia, came back as an LDO 1st LT. Made CPT (CH-53's) and then went back as an (OV-10 jock) again and got done...as Henry Wildfang would say...there's a story behind all the lost, and all the living...back in those days, career patterns didn't mean much, or explained anything.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Just what scam is it that you refer ??? What is the recollection 1976/77 that you refer ?? I was Rep There from 1973 to 1987 .

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

In reply to a previous post I wish to say that my profile was posted here previously & it has no claim to fame. There is only events & places where I served . I originally compiled it on another site in order to leave those facts for my family. They have an outline that made it easy to record. All the details are documented on that profile, documents , photos, certificates , orders etc . Some of that material has been utilized in quarterly news letters here. If it offends than please delete it !! However I take very seriously unsubstantiated ridicules charges !!!! I can not controll what others may percieve of those events . I have other more important things in my remaining life . Thanks Semper Fidelis PM

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Paul,

Don’t sweat the chicken sh*t. We know you are true to yourself and the Corps. I have no idea why some one who has been a member since 2001 would wait ten years to question your integrity. You have given this organization more information on the history of aviation in the Corps then all of the other members combined times a hundred.

I am only one member, but I’m sure the majority would agree that you speak the truth and the facts on what ever topic you comment on.

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Howdy;32384 wrote: Paul,

Don’t sweat the chicken sh*t. We know you are true to yourself and the Corps. I have no idea why some one who has been a member since 2001 would wait ten years to question your integrity. You have given this organization more information on the history of aviation in the Corps then all of the other members combined times a hundred.

I am only one member, but I’m sure the majority would agree that you speak the truth and the facts on what ever topic you comment on.

Howdy is right! You Betcha, Paul!!

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

Joe Reed;32389 wrote: Howdy is right! You Betcha, Paul!!

Count me in the majority, Paul

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

I wish to thank those that took time to afirm that I might be a Marine !!! I would feel my six would be secure with you Marines !!! I wonder how many here would feel if another member laid those words on you ??? I can tell you it is hard to remain Civil!!! As for the one that did that I remember you well & wont forget !!! Nuff said !!! Semper Fidelis PM

Re: 21 year old warrant officer pilot?

I wish to thank those that took time to afirm that I might be a Marine !!!

Paul,
That has never been in doubt, Sir. I missed the post that was removed but really can't understand why anyone would ever take issue with or about you! I have known you personally for many years, and on the internet for slightly longer and have never known a more personable, self sacrificing Marine from ANY generation! It has been and continues to be my pleasure to count you as my friend! Your "Six" is never uncovered!
Semper Fidelis