The Plane Scoop. A publication of the Central Valley Aviation Association

Transcription

1 The Plane Scoop June 2017 A publication of the Central Valley Aviation Association Who Raised the Stars and Stripes at Iwo Jima? (A Three Part Series by Morris Garcia) In May s The Plane Scoop, we outlined three (3) differences in photos of John Bradley that morning on Suribachi and Rosenthal s photo of the flag raising: Compare Sousley s profile to the figure second from the right in the famous Rosenthal photo. Bradley wore a pistol belt. The photo shows the flaps of a standard marine cartridge belt. Bradley carried a 45 sidearm, not an M-1 rifle. In May s The Plane Scoop, we ended with, who replaces John Bradley s replacement, Franklin Sousley in the flag raising picture on Suribachi? Again, after studying numerous photos of the Flag Raising, Eric Krelle, a WWII history buff spots something hanging off of the left side of the Mystery Marine s helmet. In a photo taken after the famous flag-raising (above), John Bradley, left, wears cuffed pants, with leggings and boots visible. Contrast those with the pants worn by the figure said to be Bradley in the famous Joe Rosenthal photo Foley studied dozens more photos taken on Iwo Jima that day, and his eyes kept coming back to the same man. This Marine is wearing uncuffed pants. He is wearing a soft cap underneath his helmet. He is wearing a cartridge belt. He has wire cutters hanging off that belt in the same place as the figure in the famous photo. Page 1 Bradley s pants had tight cuffs. The photo shows a Marine wearing un-cuffed pants; Bradley wore no cap under his hard helmet the photo shows a soft cap under the helmet; In this issue It turns out there is a second strap on the standard issue WWII Marine helmet that attaches the inner lining to its steel cover. This Marine is finally positively identified in other photos as PFC. Harold Schultz from Detroit and the strap shows up in all the other photos. Krelle took this and other evidence to Creighton University Historians who finally agreed with Krelle s Findings. Continued on Page 2

2 Page 2 Reedley Airport Day (KO32) Brought Out Many for Airplane Rides The City of Reedley hosted their annual Airport Day and Fly-in on May 13 from 11 am to 3 pm. As they did last year, they offered free airplane rides for people from the community that attended and a free hot dog lunch for all. The West Coast Taylorcraft Fly-in was the same weekend and even brought out Kevin Brown with his restored Interstate S-1A from Frazier Lake. Hundreds of people turned out for the event and the lines for free airplane rides started at 9:30 am and went until the event ended about 3 pm. Here are some images. (Photos courtesy of the Reedley Exponent/Mid Valley Publishing.) Who Raised the Stars and Stripes at Iwo Jima? (Continued from Page 1) Wounded on Iwo Jima two weeks after the flag raising, Schultz returns to the U.S., is discharged and lives in Los Angeles working for the Postal Service until retirement. He finally marries in his 60 s to Rita Reyes Schultz, who has a daughter from a previous marriage, named Dezreen. Dezreen said she asked Harold, who was always a kind person, about his WWII experiences. Harold was silent about WWII except he did tell Dezreen he lied about his age to join the marines and said nothing about Iwo Jima, Suribachi, or the famous Flag Raising Photo. After Harold s death, followed later by the death of his wife Rita, Dezreen found a manila envelope containing, among other WWII papers, a program from the Marine Corps 40 th Reunion for Iwo Jima vets which appears to have been attended by Schultz. The envelope also contained another famous photo called the Gung Ho photo taken by Rosenthal. On the back of the photo in shaky blue ink writing, Schultz has written the names of the 18 men in the photo from left to right. Fifth from the right, Schultz writes his own name. **In next months, The Plane Scoop, what is in the final item Krelle finds in Schultz envelope? June Activities June 3 Regular Meeting, Chandler Terminal Building Lobby, 9 am, Special Award of Wright Master Pilot Award to John Pugliese. June 8--Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, location is Airport Manager s Conference Room, Chandler Terminal Building at 510 W. Kearney Blvd., Fresno, CA. Central Valley Squadron of CAF Saturday Lunch. See website for details:

3 The Central Valley Aviation Association Page 3 Images from Air and Space Museum on May 1, 2017 Your newsletter editor was in Washington DC for 5 days on business and took some time on May 1 to tour through the Air and Space Museum. The following are images from that day: Of all the Smithsonian Museums around the Capitol Mall, the Air and Space Museum is the most popular with millions of visitors each year. Interest in aviation is alive and thriving in the 21st Century!!

4 Page 4 The Central Valley Aviation Association On May 13, there was a reunion of the Gathering of Warbirds at Madera Airport (KMAE). The reunion drew a collection of warbirds and about 40 attendees. Lunch was served and it was reported that the event was considered a success. Below are some images. Organizers are considering doing it again next year, so stay tuned. It looks like everyone had a great time!

5 Page 5 The Central Valley Aviation Association Aerobatic Team Competition-June 1-3, 2017 The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Northern California Chapter 38 is hosting the Coalinga Western Showdown June 1-3, If you like fun people and cool airplanes, this is the place to be. If you've never been to an aerobatic contest, here is the chance to check out the action. Spectators are welcome to watch or volunteer to get an insider view of the exciting world of competition aerobatics. 5 categories of contestants span the gamut from beginner to elite. Planes flying include Extra 300, Edge 540, Lazer, Pitts, Super Decathlons, Yak 55 and more. Thursday: registration and practice all day Friday: 6:00 am briefing, flying starts at 7:00 am, Known and Freestyle flights Saturday: 6:00 am briefing, flying starts at 7:00 am, Unknown flights and 4 minute freestyle flights (an exhibition-style flight by the Unlimited competitors). There is a NOTAM active for aerobatic activity west of the field as of Wednesday, May 31, but the airport is open. Attached is a photo of the field with the box position illustrated. Pilots flying in should use extra caution approaching the field; competition and training flights will go on all day. For more information, go to The CVAA Newsletter will be covering this event, so stay tuned for photos in the July Plane Scoop!

6 Page 6 Central Valley Aviation Association Membership Application or Update Name: Membership: Single Family Spouse s Name (If family membership): (we encourage family membership) Address: Street, City, State: Zip: Telephone: Home:, Work:, Cellular: address: (Print carefully) I would like to receive the Plane Scoop via Yes, No Airplane (you usually fly): Type:, N number:, Colors): Date of birth (just the month and day not the year): Primary member:, Spouse:. How many years have you been a member of CVAA? (estimates are OK) CVAA Service: Please list any offices or committee positions in which you are interested in serving: Please list any talent or skills you have that you would be willing to use to serve CVAA: This information will be printed in our Club roster and distributed to members only. Please omit any information you do not want to appear in the Club roster. Mail application, with $20 single membership or $25 for a family membership to: Sarah Donaldson 1959 Gateway Blvd., Suite 102 Fresno, CA If you have already paid your dues please complete the form anyway and mail it or hand it to Mable Smith. Comments or suggestions: