FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 "If you don't read the Blast, you are uninformed, if you read something else you are misinformed." -El Jefe FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. Soren Kierkegaard ATTENTION MEMBERS!!! ON APRIL 17TH OUR PRESIDENT'S BLAST DID NOT GET PUBLISHED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. PLEASE NOTE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR APRIL 17TH.

2 PHOTO OF THE WEEK 2nd Battalion 1st Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, CA 04/07/17 Hike 10k on Recon Ridge behind Camp Horno. Photo submitted by: HM3 Book AMERICA'S HEROS

3 Marines, You may have seen this documentary before, but chapter member (Treasurer) Art Dreves says it is a fairly accurate retelling of the battle at Peleliu... When you get to Capt. Everett Pope's retelling about the battle for Hill 100, that is Art's company. Art was one of the 24 men with Capt. Pope who made it to the top and spent the night in hand-to-hand combat. After they ran out of ammunition and nearly out of grenades, they were throwing rocks at the Japanese and every 4-5 th "rock" was a grenade. These Marines were heroes, all. A tribute presented by the Government of South Korea to Veterans who risked their lives as they fought in the Korean war

4 From the Headquarters Attention Members; We have a limited amount of 76th Anniversary Challenge coins available for purchase. 3 coins for $20 or $10 each 70th Annual Reunion Journal Advertising Rate Sheet Norfolk VA Thank you to Rocky Mountain Chapter, Central Florida Chapter and Southern California Chapter for your ad. If you have not sent in your ad please send as soon as possible. The deadline is June 15, 2017 Click here to view document

5 MONEY MATTERS GENERAL FUND Bank of America Checking Beginning Balance (04/05/17) $69, Credits, Total $1, Debits, Total $ Ending Balance (04/11/17) $70, Accounts Receivable ( past due ) $23, Scholarship Fund, FMDA. " READ THE BLAST ON THE WEB, IN FACT VISIT THE FMDA WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org. IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOUT SOMETHING. " President Rios: ATTENTION MEMBERS I was surprised and pleased to find "The Old Breed News" in my mailbox yesterday. "Out of sight, out of mind" is a true statement. RE: FMDASF Almost all of the veteran's organizations I have known need lots of financial management advice! I would suggest that the transfer to MCSF would be a good thing as long as they have some good financial management advisors aboard. The ROI in your letter is sad at best! You are definitely correct that this issue needs resolution, the sooner the better. RE: Old Breed News I know that publishing and mailing newsletters is expensive. The bigger the mailing list, the more advertisements, the less cost to the 1 st MarDiv Assoc. The snail mail OBN may not cost 1 st MarDiv Association. I don't know whether or not "publishing" an edition has been considered or not. may be a low or no cost way to keep membership from "Out of sight,

6 out of mind". From personal experience, editing a newsletter is time consuming and finding enough relevant information and stories is difficult. DAMNFINO (family motto). It's nice to see Bob Montgomery's picture in OBN. One fine Marine, and a superb correspondent, excellent sense of humor. Another of Father O'Brien's many friends. His personal experiences/knowledge of the Corps would make a good book! The article from War History Online is what I passed along to all the Marines on my contact list. Since the 1 st MarDiv is the most highly decorated military unit in the world, I am certain there are many stories that are worth sharing. War History Online, at times, runs out of stories to share. This may be something that the association, or individual members, may wish to consider. Being an officer of any organization, particularly President, is time consuming and expensive. Thank You! Semper Fi Truman Powell Tyler, Texas PS: I like your flagpole in front of your home. Marines are more likely to fly a Flag than veterans of any other branch of service. I have known two Marines and one Marine Corpsman who were on Pelilieu. From what I have heard, this was indeed as hard a battle as any the Marines fought in the Pacific during WWII, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It has been "swept under the rug" by most historians because it was not necessary and Douglas MacArthur ordered it regardless. The statement in the text here by the Marine Corps Museum agrees with my opinion. After the airfield was captured and placed in use, the aircraft flying close combat support missions did so without ever taking their landing gear up because the fighting was so close to the airstrip. Fly, land, rearm, takeoff and fly again and again. On the first night, the Jap tanks were actually on the beach fighting through the Marines just ashore (in the rear with the gear my butt). In normal combat circumstances, the Division Band is used as litter bearers bringing in the wounded during combat. There were so many casualties on Pelilieu of the band litter bearers that black Marines were being used rather than their normal duties (unloading supplies on the beach and getting them to the "front"). In the 90s Jim Wright, a Dallas newspaper columnist wrote a story: One worn out badly wounded Marine opened his eyes and saw the black Marine and asked: "Are all angels black?" Pelilieu was hell on earth. Notice the AMTRAC with a stubby cannon on top and A7 numbered on the turret. There was only one unit (battalion? Regiment? Part of 3 RD Amphibious Corps, alligator logo) of the those amphibious "tanks" in the entire Marine Corps. One of the

7 crewmen years later told me: "They kept sending us into those islands till we were all used up". I would be very surprised if those AMTRAC Marines did not see more combat than any other Marines in the Pacific. The Army was landed to relieve the decimated 1 st Marine Division just before the battle was finally over. This is typical, the Marines were used as "shock troops" to secure the beaches. Years later on a return trip a couple of Marines visiting the island found a Jap position that they had not been able to take out. "No wonder we could not get past there". So many years later, the memories were like yesterday. I highly recommend: "With The Old Breed" by "Sledgehammer" Sledge, superb book about Marines in combat any time. Truman Howdy Top, This is an excellent , one of the best in awhile. Thank you for weighing in on the side of practical solutions. I'm doing my best to leave my post as President in as good a shape as it was in and hopefully a better shape than when I assumed my post. I'll ask you as I ask everyone: Complete the ballot you received with the OBN and VOTE! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO. Thank you again for your moral support. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios, El Jefe 2017 REUNION SHAPE UP

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10 FROM THE MEMBERS/ CHAPTERS Salute to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Thursday, April 20, 2017 Marines' Memorial Club Registration at 5:30 PM Program at 6:00 PM Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco Join us in honoring Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our featured speaker will be Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, I MEF Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Kasal distinguished himself during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 and was awarded the

11 Navy Cross for heroism when he suffered seven gunshot wounds and 43 shrapnel wounds during a battle in which he was credited with saving the lives of several fellow Marines. At the time he was evacuated for his wounds, he had lost approximately 60 percent of his blood. This is a free event. Wine and beer reception to follow. To register, click here. S/f Mike Myatt MajGen. Mike Myatt, USMC (Ret.) President & CEO Marines' Memorial Association Office: Mobile: m2@marineclub.com Jefe, Love getting the Blast, but why am i getting four copies? Best, Neal Meier P. Neal Meier, PhD Director of Alumni Relations Union Institute & University Alumni@myunion.edu Hmmm... Thanks, Good Doctor for letting me know. I'll see to it that we send only one. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios, El Jefe President Rios, I'm still looking for a St. Christoper medal of the Father Capodanno gave out to 5th

12 Marines. Please ask around to see if some has one they are willing to part with. Thank you in advance: John Stuertz. In this latest "Blast" from El Jeffe", I find myself puzzled by who, when and why anyone would put an article that I wrote exclusively for the Semper Fi Newsletter (Official newsletter of the Los Angeles County Chapter) to be printed in the Blast. At our Officer's & Director's meeting held this date, I questioned them all about this incident and they all denied authorizing any one to re-print my article. Granted, the article was part of our 8 page newsletter that is sent out electronically to many members including the FMDA. I would request that in the future you NOT re-print any articles from the Semper Fi Newsletter without first contacting either Dale Turner or myself (Dick Cesaroni) For the life of us we cannot understand why anyone would pick one of my articles to print in your Blast See, I do read your Blast as did several of our O's & D's. Semper Fi Dick Cesaroni Los Angeles County Chapter, Inc. Sir,

13 I will forward your to President Rios. June June Cormier Executive Assistant to the President 1st Marine Division Association (760) Howdy Dick, My practice is to always give credit to anyone for anything I print from the " Public Domain, " did I? I don't remember the item of which you speak but I do see your point of view. It wont happen again. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios YOU NEED TO KNOW

14 VA Secretary Praises Congress for Extending Choice Program: Calls legislation major step toward increasing access to care Larry, SICK BAY I took a bad fall at the gun club and landed hard. Broke upper the part of the femur and had to have some long screws inserted to hold it together. Got back from hospital yesterday and will be getting some therapy at home for the next few weeks. Semper Fi. Jim " Horse Collar " Smith

15 NEW MEMBERS OUR GOAL: Every member recruit at least one member. -President Vince Rios PETE V. RIOS Recruited by: VINCE RIOS The First Marine Division Association has not had much active recruitment in quite awhile. Invest $35 to personally recruit and sponsor some deserving soul. Set a good example. I welcome any and all responses; I'll put them in the BLAST and will list and applaud those who read this and respond with, " I just recruited my pal from my combat tour " in the subsequent issue.

16 President Rios GENERAL FUND DONATIONS All FMDA Members please use your USAA card- the First Marine Division Association, Inc gets a small but helpful rebate. TAPS

17 THANKS TO JACK O'CONNOR FRIEND AND MARINE FOR THIS HISTORIC STORY. JOHN KELLY WWII P51 PILOT BILL OVERSTREET HAS DIED, he flew through the Eiffel Tower in In the spring of 1944 Bill and his P-51C, the 'Berlin Express' were near Paris when the scene that is immortalized in the artwork by Len Krenzler of Action Art that leads this article took place. Bill had followed a German Bf109 from the bombers he was escorting when most of the German

18 fighters left. The two planes had been in a running dogfight. The German pilot flew over Paris hoping that the heavy German anti-aircraft artillery would solve his problem and eliminate Overstreet and the 'Berlin Express', though Bill managed to get some hits in at about 1500 feet. The German's engine was hit, and Bill stayed on his tail braving the intense enemy flak. His desperation undoubtedly growing, the German pilot aimed his plane at the Eiffel Tower and in a surprising maneuver, flew beneath it. Undeterred, Bill followed right behind him, scoring several more hits in the process. The German plane crashed and Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and full throttle over the river until he had cleared the city's heavy anti-aircraft batteries. WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to take down a

19 German plane dies in Virginia aged 92., a former captain in the U.S. Air Corps, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazioccupied Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground. In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor. Hero: World War II Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in his military days. Before the ceremony, Overstreet had previously said that, if he lived long enough

20 to receive the Legion of Honor, he would be accepting it in memory of his fallen brothers. In particular, he wanted to pay tribute to a friend, Eddy Simpson, who died fighting the Nazis on the ground so his comrades, including Overstreet, could escape. After the award was pinned to his lapel, Overstreet said: 'If I said, "Thank you," it wouldn't be enough,' before adding: 'What more than "thank you" do you need?' He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1921 and after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Air Corps as a fighter pilot. By February 1942, he was a private and sent to California for flight training; there, his instructors prepared him for the unexpected mid-flight by cutting the engine as he landed. Remembered: Overstreet was presented with France's Legion of Honour in 2009.

21 Aircraft: Overstreet is pictured by his P-51 'Berlin Express', the plane he flew beneath the Eiffel Tower.

22 Proud: Overstreet is pictured in 1943 with his cherished 1938 Buick in California, where he was trained. Close call: The wreckage of his Bell P-39 Airacobra which spun out of control mid-air as he completed combat training in He managed to force his way out of the craft and walked away unhurt.

23 Loss: Bill Overstreet is pictured at an event, Warbirds Over the Beach, in 'He was always humble. Whenever the press interviewed him, he said, "I didn't do anything. We were a team".' RIP Bill Overstreet. President Vince Rios First Marine Division Association Office (760) President Vince Rios (817) President Vince Rios vrmarine@msn.com Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org

24 P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902 Oceanside, CA (760) st Marine Division Association, P.O. Box 9000, Box #902, Oceanside, CA SafeUnsubscribe thegoldcountry@yahoo.com Forward this Update Profile About our service provider Sent by vrmarine@msn.com in collaboration with Try it free today Reply Reply to All Forward More June Cormier <june.oldbreed@fmda.us> To Sandra Melander Today at 5:05 PM From: 1st Marine Division Association <vrmarine@msn.com> Sent: Monday, May 1, :58 PM To: June Cormier Subject: President's Blast April 17, 2017 "If you don't read the Blast, you are uninformed, if you read something else you are misinformed." -El Jefe

25 FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. Soren Kierkegaard ATTENTION MEMBERS!!! ON APRIL 17TH OUR PRESIDENT'S BLAST DID NOT GET PUBLISHED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. PLEASE NOTE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS FOR APRIL 17TH. PHOTO OF THE WEEK

26 2nd Battalion 1st Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, CA 04/07/17 Hike 10k on Recon Ridge behind Camp Horno. Photo submitted by: HM3 Book AMERICA'S HEROS

27 Marines, You may have seen this documentary before, but chapter member (Treasurer) Art Dreves says it is a fairly accurate retelling of the battle at Peleliu... When you get to Capt. Everett Pope's retelling about the battle for Hill 100, that is Art's company. Art was one of the 24 men with Capt. Pope who made it to the top and spent the night in hand-to-hand combat. After they ran out of ammunition and nearly out of grenades, they were throwing rocks at the Japanese and every 4-5 th "rock" was a grenade. These Marines were heroes, all. A tribute presented by the Government of South Korea to Veterans who risked their lives as they fought in the Korean war

28 From the Headquarters Attention Members; We have a limited amount of 76th Anniversary Challenge coins available for purchase. 3 coins for $20 or $10 each 70th Annual Reunion Journal Advertising Rate Sheet Norfolk VA Thank you to Rocky Mountain Chapter, Central Florida Chapter and Southern California Chapter for your ad. If you have not sent in your ad please send as soon as possible. The deadline is June 15, 2017 Click here to view document

29 MONEY MATTERS GENERAL FUND Bank of America Checking Beginning Balance (04/05/17) $69, Credits, Total $1, Debits, Total $ Ending Balance (04/11/17) $70, Accounts Receivable ( past due ) $23, Scholarship Fund, FMDA. " READ THE BLAST ON THE WEB, IN FACT VISIT THE FMDA WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org. IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOUT SOMETHING. " President Rios: ATTENTION MEMBERS I was surprised and pleased to find "The Old Breed News" in my mailbox yesterday. "Out of sight, out of mind" is a true statement. RE: FMDASF Almost all of the veteran's organizations I have known need lots of financial management advice! I would suggest that the transfer to MCSF would be a good thing as long as they have some good financial management advisors aboard. The ROI in your letter is sad at best! You are definitely correct that this issue needs resolution, the sooner the better. RE: Old Breed News I know that publishing and mailing newsletters is expensive. The bigger the mailing list, the more advertisements, the less cost to the 1 st MarDiv Assoc. The snail mail OBN may not cost 1 st MarDiv Association. I don't know whether or not "publishing" an edition has been considered or not. may be a low or no cost way to keep membership from "Out of sight,

30 out of mind". From personal experience, editing a newsletter is time consuming and finding enough relevant information and stories is difficult. DAMNFINO (family motto). It's nice to see Bob Montgomery's picture in OBN. One fine Marine, and a superb correspondent, excellent sense of humor. Another of Father O'Brien's many friends. His personal experiences/knowledge of the Corps would make a good book! The article from War History Online is what I passed along to all the Marines on my contact list. Since the 1 st MarDiv is the most highly decorated military unit in the world, I am certain there are many stories that are worth sharing. War History Online, at times, runs out of stories to share. This may be something that the association, or individual members, may wish to consider. Being an officer of any organization, particularly President, is time consuming and expensive. Thank You! Semper Fi Truman Powell Tyler, Texas PS: I like your flagpole in front of your home. Marines are more likely to fly a Flag than veterans of any other branch of service. I have known two Marines and one Marine Corpsman who were on Pelilieu. From what I have heard, this was indeed as hard a battle as any the Marines fought in the Pacific during WWII, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. It has been "swept under the rug" by most historians because it was not necessary and Douglas MacArthur ordered it regardless. The statement in the text here by the Marine Corps Museum agrees with my opinion. After the airfield was captured and placed in use, the aircraft flying close combat support missions did so without ever taking their landing gear up because the fighting was so close to the airstrip. Fly, land, rearm, takeoff and fly again and again. On the first night, the Jap tanks were actually on the beach fighting through the Marines just ashore (in the rear with the gear my butt). In normal combat circumstances, the Division Band is used as litter bearers bringing in the wounded during combat. There were so many casualties on Pelilieu of the band litter bearers that black Marines were being used rather than their normal duties (unloading supplies on the beach and getting them to the "front"). In the 90s Jim Wright, a Dallas newspaper columnist wrote a story: One worn out badly wounded Marine opened his eyes and saw the black Marine and asked: "Are all angels black?" Pelilieu was hell on earth. Notice the AMTRAC with a stubby cannon on top and A7 numbered on the turret. There was only one unit (battalion? Regiment? Part of 3 RD Amphibious Corps, alligator logo) of the those amphibious "tanks" in the entire Marine Corps. One of the

31 crewmen years later told me: "They kept sending us into those islands till we were all used up". I would be very surprised if those AMTRAC Marines did not see more combat than any other Marines in the Pacific. The Army was landed to relieve the decimated 1 st Marine Division just before the battle was finally over. This is typical, the Marines were used as "shock troops" to secure the beaches. Years later on a return trip a couple of Marines visiting the island found a Jap position that they had not been able to take out. "No wonder we could not get past there". So many years later, the memories were like yesterday. I highly recommend: "With The Old Breed" by "Sledgehammer" Sledge, superb book about Marines in combat any time. Truman Howdy Top, This is an excellent , one of the best in awhile. Thank you for weighing in on the side of practical solutions. I'm doing my best to leave my post as President in as good a shape as it was in and hopefully a better shape than when I assumed my post. I'll ask you as I ask everyone: Complete the ballot you received with the OBN and VOTE! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO. Thank you again for your moral support. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios, El Jefe 2017 REUNION SHAPE UP

32

33

34 FROM THE MEMBERS/ CHAPTERS Salute to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Thursday, April 20, 2017 Marines' Memorial Club Registration at 5:30 PM Program at 6:00 PM Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco Join us in honoring Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our featured speaker will be Sergeant Major Brad Kasal, I MEF Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Kasal distinguished himself during the Second Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 and was awarded the

35 Navy Cross for heroism when he suffered seven gunshot wounds and 43 shrapnel wounds during a battle in which he was credited with saving the lives of several fellow Marines. At the time he was evacuated for his wounds, he had lost approximately 60 percent of his blood. This is a free event. Wine and beer reception to follow. To register, click here. S/f Mike Myatt MajGen. Mike Myatt, USMC (Ret.) President & CEO Marines' Memorial Association Office: Mobile: m2@marineclub.com Jefe, Love getting the Blast, but why am i getting four copies? Best, Neal Meier P. Neal Meier, PhD Director of Alumni Relations Union Institute & University Alumni@myunion.edu Hmmm... Thanks, Good Doctor for letting me know. I'll see to it that we send only one. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios, El Jefe President Rios, I'm still looking for a St. Christoper medal of the Father Capodanno gave out to 5th

36 Marines. Please ask around to see if some has one they are willing to part with. Thank you in advance: John Stuertz. In this latest "Blast" from El Jeffe", I find myself puzzled by who, when and why anyone would put an article that I wrote exclusively for the Semper Fi Newsletter (Official newsletter of the Los Angeles County Chapter) to be printed in the Blast. At our Officer's & Director's meeting held this date, I questioned them all about this incident and they all denied authorizing any one to re-print my article. Granted, the article was part of our 8 page newsletter that is sent out electronically to many members including the FMDA. I would request that in the future you NOT re-print any articles from the Semper Fi Newsletter without first contacting either Dale Turner or myself (Dick Cesaroni) For the life of us we cannot understand why anyone would pick one of my articles to print in your Blast See, I do read your Blast as did several of our O's & D's. Semper Fi Dick Cesaroni Los Angeles County Chapter, Inc. Sir,

37 I will forward your to President Rios. June June Cormier Executive Assistant to the President 1st Marine Division Association (760) Howdy Dick, My practice is to always give credit to anyone for anything I print from the " Public Domain, " did I? I don't remember the item of which you speak but I do see your point of view. It wont happen again. Semper Fi, President Vince Rios YOU NEED TO KNOW

38 VA Secretary Praises Congress for Extending Choice Program: Calls legislation major step toward increasing access to care Larry, SICK BAY I took a bad fall at the gun club and landed hard. Broke upper the part of the femur and had to have some long screws inserted to hold it together. Got back from hospital yesterday and will be getting some therapy at home for the next few weeks. Semper Fi. Jim " Horse Collar " Smith

39 NEW MEMBERS OUR GOAL: Every member recruit at least one member. -President Vince Rios PETE V. RIOS Recruited by: VINCE RIOS The First Marine Division Association has not had much active recruitment in quite awhile. Invest $35 to personally recruit and sponsor some deserving soul. Set a good example. I welcome any and all responses; I'll put them in the BLAST and will list and applaud those who read this and respond with, " I just recruited my pal from my combat tour " in the subsequent issue.

40 President Rios GENERAL FUND DONATIONS All FMDA Members please use your USAA card- the First Marine Division Association, Inc gets a small but helpful rebate. TAPS

41 THANKS TO JACK O'CONNOR FRIEND AND MARINE FOR THIS HISTORIC STORY. JOHN KELLY WWII P51 PILOT BILL OVERSTREET HAS DIED, he flew through the Eiffel Tower in In the spring of 1944 Bill and his P-51C, the 'Berlin Express' were near Paris when the scene that is immortalized in the artwork by Len Krenzler of Action Art that leads this article took place. Bill had followed a German Bf109 from the bombers he was escorting when most of the German

42 fighters left. The two planes had been in a running dogfight. The German pilot flew over Paris hoping that the heavy German anti-aircraft artillery would solve his problem and eliminate Overstreet and the 'Berlin Express', though Bill managed to get some hits in at about 1500 feet. The German's engine was hit, and Bill stayed on his tail braving the intense enemy flak. His desperation undoubtedly growing, the German pilot aimed his plane at the Eiffel Tower and in a surprising maneuver, flew beneath it. Undeterred, Bill followed right behind him, scoring several more hits in the process. The German plane crashed and Bill escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and full throttle over the river until he had cleared the city's heavy anti-aircraft batteries. WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to take down a

43 German plane dies in Virginia aged 92., a former captain in the U.S. Air Corps, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazioccupied Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground. In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor. Hero: World War II Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in his military days. Before the ceremony, Overstreet had previously said that, if he lived long enough

44 to receive the Legion of Honor, he would be accepting it in memory of his fallen brothers. In particular, he wanted to pay tribute to a friend, Eddy Simpson, who died fighting the Nazis on the ground so his comrades, including Overstreet, could escape. After the award was pinned to his lapel, Overstreet said: 'If I said, "Thank you," it wouldn't be enough,' before adding: 'What more than "thank you" do you need?' He was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia in 1921 and after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Air Corps as a fighter pilot. By February 1942, he was a private and sent to California for flight training; there, his instructors prepared him for the unexpected mid-flight by cutting the engine as he landed. Remembered: Overstreet was presented with France's Legion of Honour in 2009.

45 Aircraft: Overstreet is pictured by his P-51 'Berlin Express', the plane he flew beneath the Eiffel Tower.

46 Proud: Overstreet is pictured in 1943 with his cherished 1938 Buick in California, where he was trained. Close call: The wreckage of his Bell P-39 Airacobra which spun out of control mid-air as he completed combat training in He managed to force his way out of the craft and walked away unhurt.

47 Loss: Bill Overstreet is pictured at an event, Warbirds Over the Beach, in 'He was always humble. Whenever the press interviewed him, he said, "I didn't do anything. We were a team".' RIP Bill Overstreet. President Vince Rios First Marine Division Association Office (760) President Vince Rios (817) President Vince Rios vrmarine@msn.com Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org

48 P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902 Oceanside, CA (760)