by Mary Ellen Jefferson-Long

The 760th A.C.& W. article appearing in our April 2003 "Pioneer Branches" has sparked a flood of memories, as well as a few hundred more names, for some of the Airmen stationed there. There are also corrections which needed to be made and several more pictures retrieved from long forgotten photo albums and boxes. It seemed important to do a follow-up to the original article to include this information. My thanks to all who wrote, sent names, shared pictures and memories.   (Note:  most recent additions are in red)

There is also a web site www.radomes.org dedicated to preserving A.C. & W. information from all radar sites. Their official name is the "Online Air Defense Radar Museum." This site contains information, pictures, names and newspaper articles pertaining to radar sites. Dick Konizeski, one of the researchers for ‘radomes’ sent information about ‘Gap Filler’ radar sites which supported the Colville AFS. These sites were Curlew, Ione, Mazsma, Northport and Okanogan. Prior to becoming a gap filler, Curlew was known as the 638th AC&W. Capt. Frank Davis was operations officer of the 760th in 1954 and went on to become squadron commander at Curlew. This site is now the Curlew Job Corps. Pat Graham, former owner and Editor of the Statesman Examiner, wrote an article about the Ione site and it and several pictures are on the ‘radomes’ website. Tom Page, the Historian for ‘radomes’, noted the 760th is now the Dome Paintball Park and what is currently left of the Operations building can be seen by going to that website-- http://www.cet.com/~sbryant/thedome692.html.

In late 1953, the Army and Navy Publishing Company put out a year book in which many of the members of the 760th are pictured. It is titled ‘760th A.C.& W. Squadron, 4702nd Defense Wing.’ James Irwin sent pictures of various sites around the 760th from an Air Force newspaper which states that "Hunting and fishing facilities in the Colville area are unsurpassed and greatly compensate for the lack of ‘Big City Living.’" Jim Irwin was instrumental in starting the 760th Squadron Newspaper, "The Railway Express", in Feb 1955. "Railway" was the 760th Radio Call Sign. Major McCune (a WW2 POW) was Squadron Commander at that time, 1st Lt. Irwin (Adjutant), the editor and 2nd Lt. Dale Feaster the Sports Editor. Bowling, table tennis, basketball and gossip (all in good fun) were the primary sports. From these three sources, as well as e-mail and letters, I was able to add over 200 names to our original list of Airmen.

In the letters received, most of the men remarked on the fishing and hunting. The next most common memory was the gravel road and/or the cold, snowy winters. Many wondered just how much Colville has changed. I encouraged them to purchase the genealogy society’s latest publication "Little Journeys Around the Town" which is the history of Colville’s Main street in the early 1920’s with updated photos of each block on Main street. Information on purchasing this book is available on our web site www.newgs.org.

One of the pilots wrote that he doubted any pilot did low passes on the radar site with his wheels down as it would be a court martial offense with severe consequences. But, he added, "the guys in WW2, much less disciplined than military pilots, could have gotten away with it, and I’ll admit it was fun to contemplate such acts." The story probably originated because the Air Defense Command had calibration aircraft that flew over the radar sites and helped the site operators calibrate their height finders, which were notoriously inaccurate. These aircraft, in order to slow down and call out their altitudes over the VHF radio in use in those days, may have dropped their landing gear and approached at different altitudes.

Another airman commented that the 760th was part of the Western Air Defense Force (WADF) in the Air Defense Command (later NORAD) and friendly rivals of the Strategic Air Command. A clarification of which division the 760th belonged to has also been addressed. The 760th started out as part of the 4702d Defense Wing of the 25th AD (Air Division). Then, when the Ninth Air Division was created in October 1954, it was assigned to the Ninth AD, then went back to the 25th AD around 1958-59 when, apparently, the Ninth AD was discontinued. The 760th closed in 1960.

A list of Commanders (plus another 100 some names) was sent by John FRIEL. John was stationed at the 760th twice; once from April 1951 to October 1953, then after a tour of Korea, he returned in October 1954 and stayed until April 1957. During that time he served for over two years as Personnel Sgt Major. John married a girl from Colville and they now live in Canton, Massachusetts.

Major John A. Singer was the first Commander and some of the others, not necessarily in order, are Major Donald Jones, Major James K. Golden, Major John A. McCune, Major Wendell A. Steele, Major Paul D. Werner, and Capt John Samba. Capt. Jack Riddle was Acting Commander for 45 days between Commanders.

ADAMS, Kenneth A3/C
ADAMSON, Douglas V. 2nd Lt.
ADKERSON, James K. T/Sgt
AHLGREN, Richard L. A2/C
ANDERSON, Gary G A2/C
ANDERSON, James C. A/2C
APPERSON, John D. A2/C
ARSENEAU, Ebner J. A1/C
BAKER, George T. A1/C
BALCH, George A1/C
BANDEMERE, Marat M. A3/C
BANKS, Billy K., A/1C
BARKER, Stewart G. Capt (Radar Operations Officer)
BARNES, James H. A3/C
BARNES, Jerry L. A1/C
BARRAGAR, William A3/C
BAUMAN, Donald ??
BEARDSLEE, Eugene R. A2/C
BEARDSLEY, Douglas R. S/Sgt
BECK, Gary D. A1/C 2
BELNAP, Ronald V. S/Sgt
BENEDICT, Hunter S/Sgt
BERG, Larry C. A2/C
BERGMAN, Ralph ??
BERGMAN, Robert D. S/Sgt
BINGHAM, Paul J. S/Sgt
BLANKENFELD, Robert D. A2/C
BLANKENSHIP, Robert ??
BLASCHUK, Stephen C. S/Sgt
BLUME, Robert W. S/Sgt
BLUMME, Stanley M. A2/C
BOUND (sp?) ?? Sgt
BOUTWELL, Walter ??
BOWD, Charles E. S/Sgt
BRAY, Stanley M. 2nd Lt
BRENNON, Earnest W. A1/C (corrected from 1st list)
BROADSTON, Richard H. A2/C
BROWN, ?? Major
BROWN, Frederick S/Sgt
BROWN, Gerald W. A2/C
BROWN, James C. A2/C
BROWN, James L. A2/C
BROWN, Louie H. ??
BROWN, Otis W. A2/C
BROWN, Robert A. A2/C
BRUMMETT, Houston (Civilian)
BUCKNER, John N. A2/C
BUIE, Glyn Lt
BURCH, Raymond M. A1/C
BURGER, William F. A2/C
BURNS, Richard S. A/B
CALDWELL, Joe K. 2nd Lt
CALLAWAY, James A T/Sgt
CANTRELL, Abe A3/C
CARBINE, Dennis Lt.
CARDWELL, T.R. 'Dick' (Civilian)
CAREY Daniel J. Jr. A1/C
CAREY, James P. Jr. S/Sgt
CARR, Russell A. S/Sgt
CASADA, Charles H. A2/C
CASSIL, John F. Major
CHAPPELL, Billy E. 2/C
CHESTNUT, John
CHILDRESS, James A. A3/C
CHIODO, Wayne W. A3/C
CHITTAM, Bobby L. A2/C
CHOUINARD, Arthur J. A1/C
CLARK, Donald R. A2/C
CLEEK, Fred D. A2/C
CLELAND, Robert D. A3/C
CLESTER, Richard H. A2/C
CLINE, William L. A1/C
CLUM, Henry Lt
COBB, John H. A2/C
COLLARD, Frank E. S/Sgt
CONLEY, James A. A1/C
CONNOLLY, Gary J. 2nd Lt
COOK, William ??
CORDELL, Cecil K. A1/C
COTE, William J. T/Sgt
COX, Henry A. A3/C
COYAN, Richard D. ??
CRANO, Frederick V. A2/C
CREFELD, Emil E. A1/C
CROSBY, Gordon A/2C
CROWL (sp?),  Montana  A/2C
CULLEN, Maurice C. Jr A1/C
DAVIDSON, John M/Sgt
DAVIS, Charles W. Capt (Radar Maint. 1953)
DAVIS, Frank Capt (Operations officer 1953-55)
DAVIS, James B. A/1C
DAVIS, Walter M. Jr. A2/C
DEACON, Pat ??
DELL, Arthur T/Sgt
DeMARCO, Robert J. A2/C
DEWAR, Robert D. S/Sgt
DICE, Lee Roy L. A2/C
DICK, Henry J. M/Sgt
DICKERSON, Preston ??
DIEGEL, Russell E. Jr. S/Sgt
DILL, Claude A. A1/C
DILLON, Bobby J. A1/C
DIX, ?? T/Sgt
DOUCETTE, Robert S/Sgt
DOWNEY, Robert J. A/B
DRAPER, Williard 1st Lt
DRENNAN, S. A2/C
DROZDOWSKI, Robert C. A1/C 2
DUNAGIN, Edward M. A2/C
ELLIS, Roger L. S/Sgt
ENNIS, William J. CWO
EPENS, Robert A1/C
ESSEX, Charles S/Sgt 2
ESTILL, Elliot J. S/Sgt
EVANS, Samuel Sgt
FAINTER, Fred O. A2/C
FALVEY, Richard T. 1st Lt
FEASTER, Dale Capt. (corrected from 1st list)
FELTY, Carl J.  A/2C
FERGUSON, John F. A1/C
FERRELL, Dallas H. A2/C
FESTER, Reginold D. A2/C
FETTER, Kenneth S/Sgt
FORD, Fred W. A2/C
FORTNER, Edward L. A1/C
FOSDIKE, Gerald E. A2/C
FOSTER, Reginold D. A1/C
FOURNIER, James D. 2nd Lt
FRAZER, Eugene L. A2/C
FRIEL, John J. S/Sgt 2
FRYER, Donald R. A2/C
FULLER, Irwin A2/C
FYFE, Arthur J A2/C
GARDNER, William E. A3/C
GERLACHE, Norman D. A3/C
GIBSON, Charles ??
GIBSON, Ronald W. A1/C
GILES, John A/1C
GINOZA, Hideo A1/C
GIOVANNINI, Charles A3/C
GISLASON, Derryl E. A2/C
GOLDSCHMIDT, Donald E. T/Sgt
GORRINGE, Deane K. S/Sgt
GOUGER, Jack S. A1/C (corrected from 1st list)
GRAYBEAL, Leland D. A2/C
GREEN, Kenneth R. S/Sgt
GROOMES, Robert M/Sgt 1st Sgt
HALTERMAN, Donald L. A2/C
HARDY, James A2/C
HARDY, Riley M. A2/C
HARKINS, Roger M/Sgt 1st Sgt
HARRIS, Charles W. Captain
HARRIS, Lee F. A3/C
HART, Ed ??
HAWKINS, E. P. ??
HAYES, Donald J. A2/C
HEDERMAN, Joseph F. A2/C
HEINZ, Edward E. A1/C
HELTON, Bobby G. A1/C
HENDERSON, Robert H. A3/C
HENDRICKS, Harvery L. A2/C
HIGGINS, Ralph W. A1/C
HILL, Melvin H. S/Sgt
HIMES, Lawrence S. ??
HIRNING, Leon P. A3/C
HITCH, Thomas
HODEK, Henry Capt (Radar Operations Officer)
HOFFERBER, Donald E. A2/C
HOFFSMITH, Richard E. A2/C
HOLIDAY, Eugene R. A2/C
HOLLINGSWORTH, H. S. A1/C
HOLLOWAY, Charles T/Sgt (corrected from 1st list)
HOLST, Donald M. A1/C 2
HOLT, Charles L. S/Sgt
HOWARD, Chester A1/C
HOWARD, Maurice ??
HOXIE, Robert W. A1/C
HUDLIN, Robert E. A2/C
HYLAND, Odein L. 1st Lt
IBEN, Marlo C
IRION, Raymond J Lt
IRWIN, James W. 1st Lt
IRWIN, Walter W. 2nd Lt
JACKSON, Robert E. Major 3 (Commander 1 mo. June 52)
JACKSON, William B. A2/C
JALOUSKY, Joe ??
JESSEL, Kenneth L. A1/C
JETT, Delmer Z. A2/C
JONES, Donald E. Major 3 (Commander June 51-June 52)
JONES, George I. A2/C
JUMP, Sam A?/C
KATAIVA, Frank Lt
KELLAR, Donald G. A2/C
KELLY, Jack (John?) A. A2/C
KELLY, Steve S/Sgt
KEMP, James H. A1/C
KENDALL, Howard Capt.
KETCHUM, Robert Capt
KIEMELE, Gordon A1/C
KIMBLEY, Carl W. A1/C
KING, Jackie D. A3/C
KNAPP, Frank A. S/Sgt
KNAPP, Thomas H. A1/C
KOSUB, Edward L. A2/C
KRAUSE, William A. T/Sgt
KUNTZ, Jacob L. S/Sgt
LaFON, Jack A1/C
LAMBDIN, Gerald J. A3/C
LANG, Tom
LARSON, Durmont ??
LASATER, Elmer L. Jr. A3/C
LATTIMER, Wayne J.A2/C
LEE, Raymond ??
LEFTWICH, Raymond F. S/Sgt
LESLIE, Robert C. Capt.
LEVEILLE, Donald R. A1/C
LEWIS, Glynn P. A1/C
LLOYD, Robert L. A2/C
LOOKABILL, Thomas H. A1/C
LUDWIG, William F. A3/C
LUNA, Charles A1/C
LUNAN, M.A. 1st Lt
M(a)cDOWELL, James R. A2/C
MACIAZ, Paul E. S/Sgt
MARVEL, Warren G. A2/C
MASON, Samuel P. A3/C
MAUDSLIEN, Anthony J. A2/C
MAYFIELD, J. W. A/2C
McCUNE, John A. Major 3 (Commander in 1955)
McKEE, Donald T/Sgt
MILLER, Charles ??
MILLER, Donald R. A2/C
MILLER, John R. S/Sgt
MITGUARD, Eugene A. Capt (Radar Operations Officer)
MOLUR, James F. A2/C
MONROE, James ??
MONROE, Wesley L. S/Sgt
MOORE, James T. A2/C
MORGAN, Jim CWO3
MOSER, Oran M. T/Sgt
MOSS, Sam Civilian
MUIRHEAD, David E. A1/C
NADER, Charles
NASH, Tom J. S/Sgt
NESS, Donald G. A/Basic
NEYSSEN, John A. ??
NICKELS, Charles S/Sgt
NIXON, Ted L. A1/C
NOBLE, William (Williard?) M/Sgt (Initial 1st Sgt at Squadron)
O'CONNOR, Raymond R. A2/C
OESTREICH, William L S/Sgt
ORF, Norbert W. A1/C
O'ROURKE, Fred A1/C
ORTEGA, Fernando L. A2/C
PALMER, Stanley F. T/Sgt (corrected from 1st list)
PARKER, James B. A1/C
PATTERSON, Alfred C. S/Sgt
PEARSON, Floyd A1/C
PEARSON, Lloyd A1/C
PECOT, George A. A3/C?
PERO, Lyle A. A2/C
PERRYMAN, Jerry D. A1/C
PETERS, Donald E. A1/C
POLITI, Nick ??
PRESEWICH, Gordon S/Sgt
PRINGLE, Von A1/C
PROCTOR, Glen D. A3/C
QUINN, Charles R. T/Sgt
RAMER, George D. A2/C
RAY, Charles F. A2/C
REDMOND, John A2/C
REED, Charles G. A/B
REHN, William J. A1/C
REIDEL, Wallace R. A3/C
REINHARDT, Frank W. A2/C
RESTER, Deleaun Capt
RICE, Donald E. A3/C
RICHARDSON, Paul E. A2/C
RIOS, Arthur A2/C
ROARK, Jimmie C. A3/C
ROBERTS, Albert D. A1/C
ROBERTS, Junior E. A1/C
ROEMER, James L. A2/C
ROGERS, Robert N. A2/C
ROLPHE, Benjamin R. A1/C
ROSATI, Pasquale A. A2/C
ROSCHE, William
ROSE, David J. A3/C
RUBINO, Rolando R. A3/C
RUNNING, Duane G. A2/C (corrected from 1st list)
RYAN, George A3/C (corrected from 1st list)
RYDER, G. L. S/Sgt
SAMILA, John Capt 3 (Commander Aug 1960)
SANCHINI, John ??
SASRAFIELD, Joseph M. S/Sgt
SAYLON, George F. A1/C
SCHEIDER, Don A/1C
SCHLERET, Eugene P. A3/C
SCHLICSTER, William Capt
SCHMITT, Thomas E. A1/C
SCHOMAN, C. W. S/Sgt
SCHOONMAKER, Wes L. A1/C
SEINEER, William P. A2/C
SGAMBATI, Antonio A1/C
SHANKS, Robert R. A2/C
SHAW, L. O. A2/C
SHEARER, Robert L. A1/C
SHEMAL, Sam P. A2/C
SHEWSON, Louie ??
SHORE, Gary L. A2/C
SIEPIELA, Matthew C. S/Sgt
SILLAPAUCH, Herbert A. A2/C
SIMMONS, Donald K.(R?) S/Sgt
SINGER, John A. Major 3 (1st Commander)
SMITH, Jack E. A1/C
SMITH, Van Capt. (Aircraft Controller)
SNYDER, Francis
SPIGNER, Drue A. S/Sgt
SPURLOCK, William M. A2/C
St. LEWIS, Robert A. A1/C
STACY, Harold E. A3/C
STARKEY, Robert E A1/C
STEEL, Wendell A. Major 3 (Commander July 1952--?)
STEWART, Donald ??
STILLINGER, Marlin M. A1/C
STOVER, Ronald N. S/Sgt
STOWERS, Albert S. A1/C
STREET, Herman G. A1/C
STRONG, Walter L. Jr. A1/C
STROZYK, James W. A3/C
SUTTON, Ted T/Sgt
SWANSON, Marion L. A2/C
TAYLOR, George M. A3/C
TAYLOR, James R. S/Sgt
TAYLOR, M. D. S/Sgt
TEWS, Norman H. A2/C
THOMAS, John R. A2/C
THORSON, Roger L.  A3/C
THRUMAN, Bobby J. A1/C
TILLAPAUGH, Herbert A. A1/C
TILLY, Richard S. A2/C
TRAUERNICHT, Thomas R. M/Sgt (corrected from 1st list)
TURNER, Theopolis A1/C
TYRELL, James F. A1/C
VAUGHN, Jerry D. A2/C
VERT, James B. A1/C
VITALETTI, Henry J. A1/C
VOSS, Matt A. A2/C
VRBA, LeVan A2/C
WAGNER, Daniel A. A3/C
WALKER, Edwin C. A2/C
WALTHER, Perry L. S/Sgt 2
WARD, William B. 2nd Lt
WARDLOW, ?? Lt.
WATKINS, James S/Sgt
WATTS, Kenneth W. S/Sgt
WEATHERS, Charles T. ??
WEBER, Walter A. S/Sgt
WEEKS, Alvia D. A1/C 2
WEINBERG, Don Lt
WERNER, Paul D. Major 3
WHEELER, Harris A3/C
WHITEFIELD, John R. A2/C
WIEDERKEHR, Ule A2/C
WILLIAMS, Alvin B. S/Sgt
WILLIAMS, Dick Lt
WILLIAMS, Howard A2/C
WILLIAMS, Walter L. Jr. A1/C
WILSON, Kenneth T. A2/C
WINSTON, James H. A2/C
WINSTON, John F. Jr. A2/C
WISE, Arland L. A1/C
WOLLACK or WALLACK? S/Sgt
WOLVERTON, Don (Dan?) S/Sgt
WOODS, Johnny A3/C
WOOLWINE, Michael M. III A3/C?
WYRICK, James W. A1/C
YOUNG, Donald E. A1/C
YOUNG, Walter L. A2/C
YOUNG, William M. A1/C
ZAMBALDO, Carmen
 

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