Re: Flying Peon at CamPen 1968

swcbob1@aol.com;17243 wrote: Although I was an electrician, I was working for the VMO-5/HML-267 SgtMaj (WT Boyland) at MCALF CamPen sometime in 1968. One day, he told me to come with him. We went down to the pad in front of the hangar as an R4D taxied up. He waved at the pilot and they exchanged extreme vulgarities as the pilot came over to meet Boyland. As I remember the R4D was from ElToro and had some VIP pax.

I was startled to see that the pilot was an E-9 (can't remember which) and his name was Rip Schroeder, as I remember. I went back to work. Top Boyland later told me Schroeder (I think that was his name) was one of the last enlisted pilots in the Corps.

I was astounded to see a G-1 flight jacket sell a year or so ago on Ebay with Rip Schroeder's name tag on it, a Flying Peon patch, and 3 or 4 Korean coins on the leather zipper pull. The item description said it was customary for Korean war pilots to add one coin for each landing on Korean soil.

EUREKA--- of all people Bob Hughes posted this--- A Marine that I served with at Campen (VMO-5/HML-267 & VMO-6 Quang Tri. Bob--last year a Marine I served with at NAS South Weymouth MA,( 1970's) Sgt Owen McNiff (retired as US Army CWO-4 helo driver) emailed me and stated that there was a flight jacket for sale with the patch M/GYSGT Rip Schrader USMC. I searched around for a while and no joy r/t who this man was. Recently the search engines are adding more info.. Owen (Omar to friends) sent the jacket to me. It's the real deal. Now that I know it is authentic---and it definitely is WWII/Korea vintage I can get Pensacola Air Museum or perhaps the USMC Heritage Museum to display some interest. Funny this guy would be a friend of Sgt Maj William Boyland---I always knew that man would come back to haunt me!

Re: Sgt Major Pilot

Tom cannot find the name Schroeder in the NAP Reunion rosters. Found Schaeffer class 52-46 & Schrader Class 36-47. However many NAP enlisted came to that rank from comissioned pilots that came back to active duty as enlisted in order to get back in flight status . Many came back as Warrant O or were promoted to WO from enlisted. In 1948 CMC came out with a list of reductions VS promtion s of about 800 where some were field grade & Msgts back to TSgt !! They had the option of TSgt or out of the Corp. Also I recall back WW2 couple NCOs in VMO-6 that had expieriece they got just from unauthorized flight time in the OY were given their wings by special order from CMC with out attending Flight training. The NAP Roster contains only those that attended NAP training.

Re: Sgt Major Pilot

While serving in HMR(C)263 in the late 50's we had two NAP'S. MSGT BOB DEVITT and TSGT KAYODES (spelling?) and MSGT BAKER flew with us although I don't think he
was 263 member. I believe MSGT BAKER flew the HOK's and DEVITT and KAYODES flew both the HOK's and the HRS-3's

BOB ADAMS
1stSGT RET>

Re: Sgt Major Pilot

Devitt was in Class 4-46, Two Bakers Frank Class 130-47,Graydon Class 51-47. Kayodes not listed as graduating NAP Possible one of the NAVCADS that came back as a Tsgt . Edit. found a Kozachick Class 42-45. No names with K closer. SF PM

Re: Sgt Major Pilot

paulmoore;39318 wrote: Devitt was in Class 4-46, Two Bakers Frank Class 130-47,Graydon Class 51-47. Kayodes not listed as graduating NAP Possible one of the NAVCADS that came back as a Tsgt . Edit. found a Kozachick Class 42-45. No names with K closer. SF PM

Paul, you should remember CWO Catron (not sure of the spelling) and CWO BJ Bjornaas both were flying enlisted. Up and down the ranks. They were flying CH-37's at Santa Ana when I arrived in 61 and I think they were still there when I arrived back again in 63. Gunner Catron won a lottery and retired and Gunner BJ retired later.