Submitted by
Name: Peter Hopkins
From: El Cajon, California
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
It took me a long time to find this site. I regret to inform that 1st Lt. P.D. Louther passed away Oct. 17, 2006. He had resided in La Mesa, California and was retired from Pacific Telephone Co. He was a close personal friend and co-worker for many years. He is survived by his wife Dorothy and a son, Jack and wife and grandchildren. He talked little about his experiences in WWll but was a great friend to many of us, one that we sorely miss. Semper Fi

Added: May 3, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Martin Meeks
From: Murfreesboro TN
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Mike meeks was also my father and my brother and I would really appreciate any info. Great Thanks,

Marty

Added: April 26, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Melvin (Buddy) Meeks III
From: Flowery Branch, GA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My father, Melvin (Mike) Meeks Jr. was a Navy Corpsman, attached to the unit. He passed away in 1988. If you have stories to share, they would be appreciated. I can be reached at my personal email buddymeeks@yahoo.com

Added: April 26, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Bob Burns
From: Lusby, MD / Washington, DC
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
433 mech/gunner member Emirau to Philippines. Great site Bob Yanack has done an Outstanding job.
Brings back good memories.

Added: April 13, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Scott Peters
From: Mission Viejo, California
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Very good site. My dad is Allen T. Peters and although he is not listed on the roster, he has told me about his time at Emirau with VMB-433. My dad was a 1LT pilot when he got out of the Marines after the war. He went back in as a SGT in air trafic control and retired from El Toro in 1964. I grew up as a "Marine Corp Brat" mostly at Cherry Point. I noticed one old family friend, Roy Kibbee on the roster. My parents were lifelong friends with the Kibbees and I worked for Roy at his California Camper Mfg company when I returned from Viet Nam. My dad is now 86 and living in Mission Viejo. I would be more than happy to pass on a message from anyone who knew him in those days.

Added: March 11, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Bill Chambers
From: Anaheim, CA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I grew up next door to Ed Braze (Brazauskas) in Anaheim, CA. I put his name (it's also his son's name who went by Sonny) into my search engine and found out something I never knew about him. I wasn't aware that he was a Marine Pilot in WWII. I know the same story that Bill Berry wrote about his brother Vic and the VariEZ. I watched them build it from the beginning. I knew him as a mechanical draftsman, organ player, and neighbor. His wife Dorothy passed away a few days after my son was born in August of 1977.

I have very fond memories of him and his whole family.

Added: February 12, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Wendy Sage
From: Mobile Alabama
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Elton Leix is my Uncle. He was in Squadron 433, Mag. 61 as part of the repair and maintenance crew. He didn't get his medals, which is a shame. He's written to Senator Mike Rogers of Michigan and got no help. But he's very proud to have served as a Marine in this squadron, but he doesn't have a computer and can't see this page. If anyone remembers him, please feel free to write. If anyone has any photographs (all respect to the Pilots) that contain photos of him or any of his crew members (other than pilots because we have those) I would love to hear from you.

Added: February 6, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Dan Dieringer
From: Wenatchee, Washington
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Great web site. I really enjoyed reading about my Dad's squadron.

He started several stories about what he went through in the war, but could rarely finish them due to the tragic memories. As I learn more about what the squadron went though, I can now understand why. Sergeant Leroy Dieringer, radio/gunner.

Ironically, my Son now has essentially the same job on an AC130U.

Added: January 26, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Mike Miller
From: Ft. Worth, TX
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I met David Arant and he directed me to this site. It is a fantastic site, to help keep the memories of those who gave so much for our freedom.

Added: January 24, 2009

Submitted by
Name: Geoff Malloway
From: Monterey, CA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I am so pleased that this site was developed. My dad rarely shared stories about his service overseas so this has helped fill in some of the gaps. I am proud of my father and I am forever grateful to him and those who served our country during such a desperate time.

Added: January 22, 2009