Photos

If you have any photos of interest to all of us, please beam them over to the Webmeister, and he'll post them here for the world to see!

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These four photos of the recent Thanksgiving Day feast were sent in 11 December 2007 by the current Squadron Commander, Lt Col Tom "Cy" Klopotek.

These two great photos were sent in 25 November 2007 by Col William "Willie" Brandt. Here is his e-mail message:

Willie Brandt here. I am sending a photo of Col Eric 'Wiener' Schnitzer and me taken 25 Nov 2007 on the back patio of 'Air Force House', Camp Victory Base, Baghdad, Iraq. Wiener was 'transferring authority' of the Air Support Operations Group he has been in command of for the past 6-months. Since I was 'conveniently' at Balad Air Base, Iraq, I caught a Blackhawk helicopter ride down south to attend. This photo was taken immediately after the ceremony, but it is unique in that it was 5-years almost to the day that we took a similar photo together at Kunsan in our ops building while waiting for the Secretary of the Air Force to visit. Wiener was Juvat Lead at the time and I was the Operations Officer. The older photo, taken with 'Woody Juvat', is still posted on your web site today and was taken 27 Nov 2002 (photo attached). The new photo was taken five years later on 25 Nov 2007. Amazing how things like that happen!

You, our fellow Headhunters & Juvats and all your families are in my prayers and thoughts as this Christmas and Holiday season are upon us.

Our thanks to Willie for these great photos. You all are also in our prayers. Hurry home.

This photo of four of our Korean-era LTM's was sent in 8 Oct 2007 by Neil O'keefe. The Headhunter Squadron buddies got together in Lafayette, LA the 6th and 7th to talk over old times in the 80th. (L-R) Neil O'Keefe, Brig Gen Elwood Kees, Col Jim Davenport, & Maj Bob Swartz. Thanks to Neil for the great photo!

Click here for a short 1min 48sec video of the painting of the nose art on a beautifully restored flying P-38 at Oshkosh this summer. The paint scheme is that of our own Norb Ruff -- one of our Association founders, reunion regulars and LTM. Below are some photos sent in by John "Weebs" Wiebener. Thanks, Weebs! Beautiful bird! The young lady in the last photo is Weebs' college-bound daughter!

Jay - I just had to let you know about this one. A particular group of 1950 graduates from VA Tech (actually the members of the Regimental Band, the Highty-tighties) went back to the campus in September for a mini-reunion. While there, we visited the Cadet Corps lounge where Col. Rock Roszak, USAF, Ret. has started a wall of framed computer art aircraft pictures of various planes flown by the Cadet Corps Alumni. He does the computer art himself as a hobby. When I found out that he did not have an F-80 up there, I of course volunteered myself. (He has just about a complete collection from WWII on up to present.) The end result is on the attachment. I am sending this on just for your personal enjoyment because I am so proud of the picture, and of having my 80th F-80 up there in the Cadet lounge with other VT alumni. It is, I believe, quite accurate in detail to include my crew chief's name.

Our thanks to Col Rock Roszak for this beautiful computer art--it is spectacular!

That's 1/Lt Archie Caldwell (left) and Mr Errol Flynn ( 1951). Flynn stopped by Kimpo on his way to Japan and then the States. I think I remember there was a large amount of whiskey and beer consumed that afternoon. Is that Billy Dixon in the doorway?
Check six, Archie.

"I thought you might like to have a photo of the current Specialist Flight in the 80th AMU at the Kun. I am the flight chief of the Spec Flight (MSgt Bill Barnett). This is a photo I took with my flight in April of 2006 (I am the bald guy with sleeves rolled up) Later, Bill Barnett"

Hi, Folks!
My good bud (and Webmeister) has put up some pix of the Europe Tour on
my website. Go to <www.erosonic.com> and click on the "concerts" link;
then scroll down to the bottom to link to the pix. Thanks!
--
Dick Jonas

On 5 July 2003, a USO Show with Wayne Newton and the Dallas Cowboys' Cheerleaders, Chris Isaak, and Miss USA visited Kunsan. To show their appreciation, the Juvats went backstage after the show and sang our Squadron song, Twin-Tailed Lightning, to Wayne and the Cheerleaders. As you can see from these photos, they also had a chance to meet our mascot, Woody the Headhunter. Woody decided to stay a little while after we were finished. Our thanks go out to the USO, Mr. Newton, the Cheerleaders, and these other great people for giving our people in the military this outstanding opportunity and show.

(These photos were sent in by Lt Col Eric "Wiener" Schnitzer on 7 July 2003)

The repainting of the P-38J of the Planes of Fame Museum in California began on 22 January. Here are photos of the project sent in by Chris "Zippo" Fahey, fellow Headhunter, pilot for the Museum, and who was just checked out in the bird a few weeks ago. This Lightning, only one of two in the world which flies regularly, will be repainted in the Olive Drab colors of Headhunter Jay T. Robbins’ 2nd Aircraft. This aircraft, showing 13 aerial victories, was flown by Capt (later Maj) Robbins when he first took command of the 80th Fighter Squadron on 26 Dec 1943 upon the loss of Capt "Porky" Cragg. Maj Robbins went on to become the 80th and the 8th Fighter Group's leading Ace with 22 confirmed kills before returning home on 1 December 1944.

This is Bruce Crandall, our artist, who started the nose art today, 5 February. Note actual photos of Jay T. Robbins' P-38 taped to nose to be used by artist to copy exact details.

The little figure on the gun bay is a whimsical representation of the Chinese God of good luck.

...And here is the finished product--the P-38 painted in the same colors as Maj Jay T. Robbins' second of four Lightnings showing his 13 aerial victories at that time.

After the bird was painted in Jay T. Robbins' markings as seen above, the decision was made to redo it as Maj Ed "Porky" Cragg's second P-38, Porky II. If you notice, both birds were camouflaged in the OD paint scheme, and both birds had the "A" marking on the nose and tail. The 14 aerial victories shown on Porky II accurately reflect its markings on 26 December 1943--the day Porky Cragg was lost soon after shooting down his 15th enemy aircraft. Maj Cragg, as our Squadron Commander, gave us our nickname of the Headhunters in honor of the local New Guinea natives who helped our downed pilots elude Japanese capture and returned them back to friendly lines. This beautiful P-38 is an outstanding tribute to this 80th Fighter Squadron legend.

This is a photo of the P-39 in their shop under restoration. Zippo says," I'll try to convince the owner what a proud history the 80th had in the P-39!!"

Thought the Association might enjoy the attached picture of the current 80 FS Commander and DO. That's "Willie" Brandt (DO) on the left, Woody Juvat in the middle, and "Wiener" Schnitzer (CC) on the right. The 80 FS Ops desk is in the background. This picture was taken as they waited for the Secretary of the Air Force, Mr. James Roche, to visit the Squadron on 27 November 2002 . (Photo & info sent in by Lt Col Eric Schnitzer 30 Nov 02)

Dick Jonas, Headhunter and song writer/balladeer, and wife Mary spent a day at the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB this summer. While there, Dick found this Itazuke Tower display showing the actual sign from the tower and the original words to this famous fighter pilot song of the same name. Unknown to us, the author of this song, Lt William F. "Romeo" McCrystal, was in our 80th Fighter Squadron when he wrote the song in late 1948. Bill McCrystal has become a LifeTime Member of our Association.

Dick located our Squadron plaque that we dedicated during the Cincinnati Reunion in September 1996. Our plaque looks as great today as it did brand new 6 years ago. The dedication speech with photos can be seen on the Cincinnati Reunion Page. For more information on Dick's outstanding military songs, please visit his web site. Our thanks to Dick for sending in these photos.

These two items, the wall hanging on the left and the 5th AF Pillow on the right, were made by Mrs. Hattie Anderson for her husband, SSgt A.D. "Andy" Anderson in 1944. They are unique. Mrs. Anderson donated them to our Headhunters' Association in May 2002.

The Headhunter wall hanging measures 32” long x 28” wide. The dark blue 5^th Air Force pillow is 18” square, and about 7” thick. Our Squadron was part of 5^th AF during WWII. Note the broken bone in our logo on the wall hanging in the shape of a “V.” This signifies not only the Roman numeral for “5,” but Victory. Both the hanging and pillow look almost brand new after 58 years! Our thanks again go out to Mrs. Anderson for these beautiful and unique Squadron Keepsakes.

Gerry writes: "I just finished a painting for Korean War Headhunter Jerry Minton, titled 'The 23rd Psalm. It depicts an armed recce hop (the 94th mission of his tour) he flew the night of 7-8 January 1953. Searching Purple Route 4 north from Pyongyang, he picked up a southbound truck convoy and started to reverse course to make the run just south of Sinanju. As he started the turn, the radar-controlled searchlights defending Sinanju's bridge complex kicked on and sent Jerry's blood pressure up a point or two. Jamming everything into the corner, he tightened his diving turn and evaded the searchlight battery, and dropped his ordnance on the convoy. The title was my choice, as Minton admitted that throughout his tour, this mission was the one where he felt God's protective hand the most. The painting is oil on canvas, and measures 20" x 24".

Gerry is also one of our active members, and we thank him for sending this in to us.

Kirby & Hal Fischer
Photo taken at the Fighter Aces Reunion at the Reno Air Races Sept 2000

28 September e-mail from Kirby: "Something that is known by very few...My friend, Col Harold Fischer, flew down to Lampasas while I was in the nursing home. I can not thank him enough. Brought me a bottle of Vodka. Good medicine, but the nurse disagreed with the dosage. It is a much better story if told in person after a couple of drinks...Kirby"

80th Fighter Squadron

Current Photos from Members

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