Announcements

It is with sadness that I annoounce the passing of Marvin Demanzuk, Chaplain of the 39th Bomb Group (VH) Association.

1st Lt Marvin Demanzuk served as Radar Observer on Crew 02 of the 60th Bomb Squadron. He took his final flight on 03 February 2014.

My first contact with Marvin was via email in 2002. From that point forward I knew he was one special guy. His willingness to share was only limited by comparision to his willingness to share of himself when asked. As the years progressed as questions would come from visitors to the web site ... especially if they were Radar oriented Marvin was right there with the answer.

When asked to "fill-in" for Betty Wyckoff in 2007 & 2009 to lead the annual Memorial Service .. Marvin gave 100% to the task. In 2010 when asked if he take on the position as Chaplain ... he was once again there; a position he held until his passing.

During the year, our family was fortunate to live near Marvin (an hour or so away) so we were able to get together and have lunch, something I will miss very much.

A copy of Marvin's obituary can be viewed by clicking here

Thank you Jane, Donna and Ruth for sharing your father with us ... and Marvin, thank you for sharing your WWII and life experiences with me .....

Pete Weiler
Historian/Webmaster
Proud Son of Robert Weiler Crew 30
39th Bomb Group (VH) Association

1st Lt Arthur Swanberg, Radar Observer, Crew 30 (61st BS) took his final flight on 18 January 2014.

This is especially saddening on personal note because Art was on the same crew as my father, and his passing comes literally 7 days following the passing of Bill Costa, Navigator of the crew (see below).

Art and his wife, Alice attended reunions from 2002 through 2008. Art was very active in Kiwanis Club. In 1993, he was elected president of Kiwanis International.

Here is the link to Art Swanberg's obituary found on The Dallas News web site:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=arthur-swanberg&pid=169387809&

Here is a news article dated January 29, 2014 about Art that appearred in the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/obituary-headlines/20140131-arthur-swanberg-carwash-pioneer-dies-at-91.ece

Art you are missed ....

Pete Weiler
Historian/Webmaster
Proud Son of Robert Weiler Crew 30
39th Bomb Group (VH) Association

1st Lt William A. Costa, Navigator Crew 30 (61st BS) took his final flight on 11 January 2014.

This is especially saddening on personal note because Bill was on the same crew as my father ... one of last 3 surviving crew members at the time of his passing. One week later ... Art Swanberg, Radar Observer took his Final Flight.

For the last 11 out of 13 years I seen Bill and his wife Lida at the reunions ...

Bill - always willing to answer any questions I asked regarding their missions or his job as Navigator ... always a smile on his face ... Lida and her infectious laugh and always enjoying herself ....

Bill you will be missed .... Lida and the Costa Family .. you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Here is the link to Bill Costa's obituary found on The Journal News web site:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.aspx?pid=169068078

Pete Weiler
Historian/Webmaster
Proud Son of Robert Weiler Crew 30
39th Bomb Group (VH) Association

Major General Leo C. Lewis, USAF Ret. (then Major) Airplane Commander, Crew 8 took his final flight on 21 July 2012.

Pete Weiler
Historian 39th BGA

Lt. Colonel Urban F. Thinnes USAF, Ret, (then 2nd Lt) Bombardier, Romspert Crew (61st BS) took his final flight on 21 September 2010.

"A great man, he will be missed by all who ever knew him! He served in the USAF from the end of WWII through the end of the Viet Nam war."

Becki Horsewood & Family,
Daughter

Capt Kenneth T. Trow, Airplane Commander of the Weather Observation Crew, 61st Bomb Squadron, took his final flight on 21 July 2009.

Kenneth Schauer,
Grandson

Pete Weiler
Webmaster 39th.org

Passing of Harold J. Pfeffer, 1st Lt, Navigator, Crew 15, 60th BS

Born: 3 July 1923
Died: 11 Nov 2007

Mark Pfeffer ,
Son of Harold J. Pfeffer

Herbert L. Greer age 85, son of Fred and Nellie Greer made his final flight August 30, 2007 and will assume his place next to Hazel Jean Greer his wife of some 63 years. Herbert was born in Chelan, Washington and was the eldest of three brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his son, Ronald Lyndon Greer, daughter Linda Diane Greer, grandson Jonathan Daugherty, granddaughter Susannah Cox and two great grand children Gracie and Jake Cox. Mr. Greer spent 23 years in the United States Air Force and served his country during World War II and Korea. He is a recipient of the “Distinguished Flying Cross” and has published his personal memoirs “FIRE FROM THE SKY” – A diary over Japan.

Ron Greer,
Son of Herbert L. Greer

39th BG Association Founder and President has taken his final flight on 4 Oct 2006. James W. Wyckoff served as the group's President from the first reunion held in 1990 until his passing having guided our destiny for 17 years.


Click here for letter from 1st VP Bob Weiler.

BobWeiler
1st VP 39th BG (VH) Assoc

During Social Secuirty Death Index database located on the rootsweb.com web site, the name of Ralph A. Weston with a last residence of Goleta, CA, and a DOD of 25 January 2006 was found. The City/State listed in the SSDI is the same as listed in the 39th Bomb Group Association records for 1st Lt. Ralph A. Weston, Pilot, P-47/Repl Airplane Commander, P-41.

A search of the Santa Barbara News-Press resulted in the finding of Mr. Weston's obituary listing the date of his Final Flight as 25 January 2006 - thus confirming that the SSDI entry is indeed our 39th BG (VH) Veteran. Additionally, in the same search for "Weston" an obituary was found for Patricia F. Weston, his wife of 60 yrs, who passed away on 10 January 2006 - just 15 days prior to Mr. Weston.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Weston Family.

Pete Weiler
Webmaster 39th.org

TO ALL 39ers and Families:

The 2006 Reunion of the 39th BG Association scheduled to be held in BRANSON, MO 10 -13 August has been cancelled !!

For details please click here

Pete Weiler
Webmaster 39th.org

My name is Danielle Green and I am Robert Bettinson's grandaughter. Sadly, Pop-Pop passed away on Tuesday, May 30th. He went peacefully with his family by his side. He had been recovering from several strokes in a Life Care Center in MA.

I thought it would be important to let you folks know because your Group meant the world to him and it was a part of who he was. I remember hearing his amazing stories from my earliest days and he still kept that passion to the end. He had his cap with all of his pins right next to his bedside.

We plan to hold two memorial services for him. One will be during the July 4th weekend most likely in Taunton, MA and the other will be in Philadelphia, PA but the date is TBA. We want to incorporate as much of his love for flying and the military as we can into these memorials. I hope you will spread the word and let us know if you would like to attend one of the small memorial tributes we will be having.

Please feel free to contact me via email - know it would mean so much to my mother Karen and the rest of my family to hear from any of my grandfather's friends and fellow servicemen.

Respectfully yours,
Danielle Green

Be advised that on May 30, 2006 Lt Glen Durkin---P43 Passed away. He had been ill and in the end suffered a heart attack. This reduces the remaining crew members to four. Co-pilot-Bob Johnson--Tail gunner-Tommy Mayfield--right gunner Paul Kasmar and Martin McDonough---left gunner.

Glen can best be remembered for his endless efforts at his tiny desk----many times giving his last heading report---when Guam was visable on the horizon......He shall be missed......

Martin McDonough
P-43, Left Gunner

Sgt Roy Hanning Ground Crew 26R, passed away on May 7, 2006
in Ilwaco Washington.

Joe Murry, Nephew

To all concerned,

Kenneth J Setzer passed away to a better place at 1:43 Wednesday afternoon on May 3rd 2006.

At his side was his wife of 59 years, Betty - his son James and his daughter Cheryl.

He passed away quietly and without pain.

His cancer was found in December and could not be stopped. He put up a good fight and stayed with us as long as he could.

Thank you for your prayers.

Jim Setzer
Son

Lauren Taylor Elaine
Weiler

I'd like to announce the newest member of the 39th Bomb Group (VH) family - She is the 12th grandchild of Robert Weiler, LG, Crew 30 and the daughter of Peter & Cammie Weiler .. she was born at 11:31a 13 April 2006 (this photo taken 5 hrs 45 mins after her birth).

1st Lt Edmund J. Flynn, Airplane Commander, Crew 6 took his final flight 11 January 2006 at the age of 89.

He graduated from Harvard. His first job as an attorney was on the Washington staff of the National Labor Relations Board; afew years later as counsel at the Printer's Union. From 1969 he became president of the Pacific Maritime Association retiring in 1982.

Flynn met his wife Jean while attending Indiana University at Bloomington. They were married for 50 years until her death in 1992. They have 5 Children, 4 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren. In 1994 he married again, Noriko Sawada. She died in Feb 2003.

Pete Weiler
webmaster

S/Sgt George C. Tighman, Left Gunner of 1st Repl Crew 1 (Killpack crew) took his Final Flight on March 1, 2006.

He was the last of 3 of his crew that survived WWII. 8 members of his crew were lost 29 May 1945 - Yokohoma Mission.

Mr. Tilghman served as the Association's Treasurer from 1996 to present.

Mr. Tilghman was a architect by trade in Maryland.

Pete Weiler
webmaster

Then 1st Lt James W. Frey, Airplane Commander of Replacement Crew 42, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side in Keizer, Oregon on Dec 24, 2005. He was 84 yrs old. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 27 Jan 2006. In his later service he flew B-47s, KC97s, B-52s and C-123s in Vietnam.

Nicholas Livingston his Flight Engineer and Herbert Verry his Radio Operator from his WWII crew were present at in Arlington, VA. in addition to family.

Todd Phillips
Son in-law

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that my father, Albert L. Fierro, Sr., passed from this life Saturday morning, December 3, 2005 at 6:55 AM. He had been in a coma since Thursday night. I arose Saturday, early and suddenly, and felt the call to be with him. I was blessed to be present when he opened his eyes one last time, looked at me, took one last breath, and closed them as he left our world.

I am sure he would have liked the fact that he will be laid to rest on Pearl Harbor Day, Wednesday, December 7, 2005.

Al Fierro
Proud Son S/Sgt Albert L. Fierro
Crew 41, Left Gunner

James Graves Sherman, S/Sgt, 62nd BS, CFC Maint Section passed away 1 July 2005.

Mr. Sherman had the distinguished honor of being the "Dean of Louisiana Mayors" a title bestowed upon him because of his 41 yrs of service as Mayor of Columbia, LA. He served from 1964 to 1980 and again 1984 until his death.

Pete Weiler
webmaster

Edward L. Bates, 1st Lt, Navigator, Crew 21 passed away yesterday, August 26, 2005.

Vic Durrance
Tail Gunner, Crew 21

Dr. James Clayton Wilkes Radio Operator, Crew 43 took his Final Flight on 6 August 2005.

Tommy Mayfield
Tail Gunner Crew 43

I regret to inform you that Mr. Morris Yancey died this morning at about 4:30a (Jul 25, 2005).

I don’t know the arrangements as of yet. He is survived by his new wife Kathryn “Pinny” Pinson Cook Yancey. This will be most difficult for her as they have also been life long friends and she has been his caregiver for quite some time. They were the cutest couple, so attentive and loving toward one another and so very playful. I know she will be very lonely. His daughter died about 3 years ago and his wife Jewel has been in a nursing home for a long time with Alzheimer until her death about 2 months ago. His only brother died years ago as well as his parents.

Truly he is in a better place but “I” will miss him greatly. He is one of the sweetest and dearest gentlemen I have encountered. I loved him like my own father.

Meba Finlay

My grandfather, Julian Arnold of crew 44, passed away yesterday afternoon. He fought lung cancer for almost two years. Please let everyone know and thank them for their prayers.

If anyone is in Orlando or Miami and is interested in coming to the funeral, the service will be next Saturday in Miami, and the burial will be Sunday in Orlando and they can contact me for details.

Lindsey

"I lost one of my all time wonderful friends, Richard A. Wachs, Sr., he was an ideal crew member, anxious to please, competent, loyal, faithful, of exemplary character and all around great american and human being.

His family had every reason to be proud of dick, an unassuming hero of WWII .

We will all miss this delightful man. may god bless him, his family and Helen Kelly who did a phenomenal job tending him in the final years of his life".

- Bernie Greene,
Bombardier, Repl Crew 31

My husband, Lt. Col. Francis K. Race died at Ohio State University on June 14, 2005

Marjorie Race

Unforunately I am reporting a new member to the "final flight" roll call. My Father in Law, Ralph T Gray passed away on May 20, 2005.

Ralph left a wife of 58 years and six children. Mr. Gray was a retired Northwest Airlines pilot who had a very interesting life. Ralph was on short list of pilots that have logged over 35 thousand hours. If you would like any additional information about Ralph, I would be happy to oblige.

Bob Carroll
Son In-Law

Cpl Glenn Allan Porter
Flight Engineer

Passed away 14 December 2003.

Tim Porter, Son

2nd Lt William K. Brooks - Airplane Commander
Replacement Crew 11
"Censored Lady"
B-29 # 44-69810

Passed away 10 February 2005

Will Brooks, son

T/Sgt Gene C. Kolb
Flight Engineer, Crew 15

Passed away 7 April 2005 at the age of 85 yrs old at Clovis Community Hospital. A memorial service was held 22 April at the Chowchilla United Methodist Church. Burial was at Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, CA.

Ben Piteo
Tail Gunner, Crew 15

I am the youngest daughter of Joseph H. Feldhake. My father passed away on February 29, 2004. He suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and had been in a nursing home since February 2001. My mother, Jean, continues to reside in Sigel, Illinois. At my father's death he had nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Teresa Feldhake

Lewis Dale Barton
BARTON, LEWIS DALE (AGE 86)

On January 20, 2004 of Bowie, MD., U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Beloved husband of the late Susan I. "Pat" Barton; father of the late Phillip Barton; brother of Merle D. and Leslie Wayne Barton. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 22, 2004 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 7210 Race Track Rd., Bowie, MD where funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens, Davidsonville, MD. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Baptist Church.
Arrangements by BEALL FUNERAL HOME, Bowie, MD.

This ad appeared in The Washington Post on 1/21/2004.

Webmaster 39th BG (VH)

Sadly, I must inform you that David Potters passed away on Monday, January 12.

I had mailed him prints of the last couple of update emails, hesitantly, being as they had more reports of passings. He had struggled with health issues the last few years but his mind was sharp to the end.

He is my maternal uncle and I had the privilege of spending a day with he and his wife Marian and my children this last summer. David was a man of integrity and grace and he will remain an influence on my life as a man and a hero.

John Bermudez

I wanted to let you know that my Uncle died this morning from pneumonia. From what I understand he was having trouble breathing and was on an oxygen machine which could not sustain him. They switched him to a bottle but he couldn't hold on. His heart started to race and they tried to shock it back to the correct rhythm and it didn't work.

This morning 15 Nov 2003 at 3:30a Marion D. (Bud) Foster, Tail Gunner, Crew 48, 62nd Squadron died after suffering a heart attack.

We had a normal day on Friday Nov. 14 and no warning that anything was amiss. However, at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, Bud had a heart attack and died instantly. The paramedics were here within 5 minutes and worked on him for 20 minutes without success. He has suffered so much the past year that I am consoled by the thought that he is no longer in pain and is with Our Lord in Heaven. We had 56 years together and I will have trouble getting used to the idea that he is not with me.

Please let the members know that Bud has gone on to a better place and that I hope to see them at a future reunion. We have enjoyed seeing everyone in past reunions even though we couldn't make them all. A wonderful group of people. Thank you for your email today and your support.

It is with great sadness that we inform you that following quadruple by-pass surgery and complications Ben Hill passed away Friday, October 31, 2003.

The Hill Family

From your loving Family ...

Your Son Pete

1st Lt Leonard A. Kuther, Bombardier, P-43 passed away 25 August 2003 at the age of 83

Tommy Mayfield, Tail Gunner, P-43

Charles D. Buchinski, Nose Gunner of the Weather Observation Crew, 61st BS Squadron passed away 25 August 2003. Buchinski was better known as Charles Bronson.

Webmaster 39th.org

Glenn E. Haas passed away on Sunday, August 3rd (2003) from pancreatic cancer. He enjoyed being a member and the e-mails he received.

The Haas Family

2nd Lt. Robert J. Helhorst, a pilot who flew the first missions with P-56, passed away On July 27, 2003, in Kokomo, Indiana. He was laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens in Kokomo, Indiana.

Judy Fulmer
Daughter

It covers training at Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Batista Cuba and missions flown from Guam. It includes many photos including ones taken of the USS Doherty picking me and my crew as well as combat photos. There is a section about the time we did some fancy maneuvers over Tokyo as the result of getting into a thermal.

For more information about this book, please contact Vic Durrance at vrdurrance@beggstelco.net

Ed Kosmowski, Asst Crew Chief, P-08 called and notifted the Association that John Danhof, Crew Chief, P-08 died in an auto accident today.

Jim Wyckoff
39th Bomb Group Assoc, Pres

Dear 39th Bomb Group,

Nancy Wiley called me this afternoon to tell me that Ted Wiley, Radio Operator on Heimlich's crew (P-37), had taken his final flight just after fathers day, (24 July 2003) may god bless him.

Ted was a lovely guy, a privilege to know and spend time with.
he and nancy were a great couple, along with fred and bernice dunn. we partied at the reunions when we could and also in the Winter Park, FL. area where both couples lived.

My Bernice and I last saw them all just before thanksgiving 2002.

Bernie Greene, Bombardier P-31R

With deep saddeness and tears I must report the loss of Bob Weiler (Crew 30)'s daughter in-law (my wife) Mya Weiler (23 yrs old) passed on 27 April 2003 due to cancer.

She left behind not only myself but our 17 month old son as well as her mother and step-father and father and step-mother; a brother; 2 step-brothers as well as both her sets of grandparents ... and many aunts and uncles.

Dear B-29ers of World War II,

Many of you may have met me at the reunion in Wichita, Kansas, 2001. Many of you may also know my grandfather Staff Sergeant Carmine "Campy" Camperlino and you may have even been his crewmate. I have some really bad news for you on January 2, 03 he went into the hospital because he had fallen and blacked out. He then had to have oxygen and on January 19, 2003 around 12:30 am he passed away.

This is heartbreaking to my family and me and it may be hard for some of you also. Thank you very much for your letters of courage to help my grandfather out of the hospital last year it helped him last time and this time if I would have asked for letters of courage he might have made it out. Thank you for all your help. I deeply appreciate all your help for he might have died sooner and this would be even harder for me.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Conlin

I am sorry to report that my brother, Herman T. Hagen, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2002 after a long stroke related illness.

Prior to his passing, he enjoyed information about the 39th obtained from your website as well as a contact he made with Allen Neidhardt from the 39th.

Without your help none of this would have been possible and I wish to thank you for that. In addition, Jay Ivey had mailed some never before seen photos to Herman's home in Grand Forks, ND which were deeply appreciated. The information from the website was a source of great enjoyment to him.

He is deeply missed by me, his family and friends.