Families of Flying Tiger Line 1962 Secret Flight 739 A New Hope
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Gives the Families of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 A New Hope
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the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
COLUMBIA FALLS, ME — November 23, 2021 — Very little is known about what happened to Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, a military mission plane that went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 US Army Soldiers on board and 11 crew members. Due to the complexities surrounding the mission, the names of all those who have been lost have not yet been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. However, This past Saturday, August 21, the families of those lost received the good news that U.S. Senator Gary Peters introduced a bill to allow the American Servicemen onboard Flying Tiger Line Flight (FTLF) 739 to finally have their names placed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
The story of the ill-fated flight. https://www.
This bill introduction stems from a kind gesture by Wreaths Across America Founder Morrill Worchester. On May 15, 2001, Mr. Worchester donated land from his property known as “The Tip-land” in Columbia Falls, ME. The Tip-land is where balsam trees are sustainably managed and pruned once every three years to make veterans’ remembrance wreaths to be placed on the headstones of our nations heroes on Wreaths Across America Day (December 18th, 2021.) On the land he donated, he erected a monument to FTLF 739 and invited all known living family and descendants of the ill-fated flight to attend its unveiling.
Video: What is a remembrance wreath?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
This simple gesture became a media sensation, as almost 2000 articles (Radio, TV, Newspaper, and internet) were written, reaching out to over 2 billion people from around the world. This media effort helped connect over 30 new families associated with the history of FTLF 739. Some of these new families shared their history and included such stories as:
- A woman who was married just two weeks before the flight left and awaited her newly wed husband for a honeymoon she never had.
- One of Bob hope’s USO tour Pilots and the inspiration for his granddaughter to become a pilot
- Being credited as the life affirming driving force for 1 Fortune 500 CEO.
- And creating a family healing moment as a family, scattered across the US, tuned into the social media ceremony via conference call, so they could all watch and discuss their families legacy together.
Despite the kindness of the media and the success of this outreach, there are still more families that need to be identified so that they may all take part in the process of the next leg of this journey.
As A. Phillip Waite, Chief, Strategic Engagement, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration stated at the unveiling of the FTLF 739 monument on “The Tip-Lands,” “This monument is a first-step, there are many to come.”
A. Phillip Waite, Chief, Strategic Engagement, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration stated at the unveiling of the FTLF 739 monument https://www.dropbox.com/s/
For many in attendance at the monument unveiling in May, they were surprised and delighted to hear that this was not the last-leg of they journey. As prior attempts to have families recognized have either been met with failure or stalled on the way to competition such as Senate bill 1891. However, The introduction of this new Senate bill, 2571 gives new hope to the families that their loved ones contributions and sacrifice for our freedoms and that their service will be recognized federally ahead of the 60th anniversary of this memorable mission commissioned by John F. Kennedy.
Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing wreaths on veteran’s headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2020, the organization placed more than 1.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at 2,557 participating locations nationwide.
You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest at noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021, as part of National Wreaths across America Day.
Click here to find a local participating cemetery near you to support go to and type in your town and/or state.
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About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.
For more information watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?
or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Wreaths Across America Founder Morrill Worcester https://www.dropbox.com/s/ Wreaths Across America Introduction Video https://www.youtube.com/watch? What is a Veteran’s Wreath? Wreaths Across America Day https://www.dropbox.com/home/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ Additional WAA Media Resources Page FTLF 739 Plane https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTLF 739 Families in Washington DC https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTLF 739 Documentation https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTL Pilots Association in NH FTLF 739 Pilot 739 Pilot w/ Bob Hope aboard FTLF FTLF 739 Rescue Effort https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTLF 739 Monument Groundbreaking https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTLF 739 Monument Unveiling https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ https://www.dropbox.com/s/ FTLF 739 Facebook live groundbreaking of monument in Maine: FTLF 739 Facebook Live Broadcast of monument unveiling on May 15th FTLF 739 Memorial Video FTLF 739 Family Quote 1: Jane Wendell East explained “My father, SFC John Wendell (From San Antonio, TX,) was on this plane. The day my Dad volunteered to go he went to my Mom and said, "Mommy, I think I signed my death warrant". I don't know what the military said in the briefing of this mission, but I have learned that several others said the same thing. My dad died the day before my parents 10th wedding anniversary and my sister's birthday. I was only 6 years old and my Dad was only 32. It took me 27 years to accept his death. As a child, my mother told me that my Dad was a good swimmer and being a Ranger I knew he had a parachute. I just knew he got out safely. My Mom purchased a new house with his life insurance, so we would have the security of having a place to live. Shortly after moving in, it was my bedtime. My Dad came to me. I wasn't dreaming as I hadn't fallen asleep. I could hear his voice in my head but I talked out loud. He came to tell me good-bye. He said he wouldn't be coming home and that God needed him. He told me to be a good girl and to help my Mom. I replied, "No, daddy, I promise to be a good girl. Please don't leave me." Then he was gone. I was crying and screaming for him to come back. I got hysterical. My mom heard me and came to my room. I had told her what had just happened. Years later I was watching the movie "Heart and Souls" with Robert Downey, Jr. There was a scene where this little boy had to say good-bye to ghosts and it was so similar to what happened to me. When I turned 33 there was Hospice event on how to accept the death of a loved one. It allowed me to let go of the hold I had on my Dad. I realized all those years I prevented him from finding his peace. This epic ended with me about to drive home. The radio was on and a song I had never i had never heard play came on. The title was "Diane", which is my middle name that my Dad gave to me. I could feel his presence and I knew he was happy. There is a line in the song that goes: "I'm in Heaven when I see you smile. Smile for me my Diane". Oddly the next morning on my way to work, the same song played again. I said, "I got your message, Daddy. I love you. Be free". Another of John Wendell’s daughters Monica Young, Stated, “I was 15 when we lost our dad on this flight. I don’t mind talking about how our family handled and survived this tragedy!” FTLF 739 Family Quote 2: Mary Thorn wrote, “My uncle John “Corky” Jennings (from West Virginia) was on this flight. I was 2 years old when this happened. But I have numerous pictures and my father, his oldest brother has many memories and stories about John (Corky) Jennings.” FTLF 739 Crew, Passengers, and Home States: (please be aware that remaining family members are scattered throughout the US.) United States Military Personnel and Flight Crew -- Flight 739/14/1962 United States Military Personnel Listed Alphabetically Rank First Name Last Name Where they are from SFC James Armes Virginia SP4 Robert Baggett Burlington, North Carolina Sgt Donald Aaron Barnes Granite City, Illinois SP5 Richard Bayse Prince George, Virginia SFC George Bliss Ft. Jay, New York Pvt Joseph Broome Danville, Virginia Sgt John H. Callahan Hazelton, Pennsylvania MSgt William F. Caseldine Dover, Tennessee Sgt Lucius D. Croft Augusta, Georgia SP5 Douglas Patrick Dickey Alexandria, Louisiana Pvt James Allen Edwards Hanceville, Alabama MSgt Howard Gallipeau Jr. Alerwood Manor, Washington Sgt John L. Geiser Granite, Maryland Sgt Walter Glynn Tacoma, Washington Pfc Charles W. Griffith Cincinnati, Ohio SP4 Douglas A. Haaf Syracuse, New York Pvt Donald W. Henderson Mount Auburn, Illinois SFC Lindsay Kirby Hester Fort Monroe, Virginia Sgt Clinton M. Hoy Sierra Vista, Arizona MSgt William Reeves Jarvis Glendale, Kentucky Sgt James Woodrow Johnston Clarksville, Tennessee Sgt John J. Jones Ogden, Utah Sgt John Altman Karibo Bellefontaine, Ohio SP4 Charles Edward Kissee Stockton, California SP6 Adam Sablan Leddy Guam SP4 Franklin D. McClure Dallas, Georgia Sgt Steven Medwid Alexandria, Virginia Sgt Tom B. Morrison Plattsmouth, Nebraska Sgt Nicholas Nichols Jr Seaside, California Pvt Jack C Packard Lodi, Wisconsin Sgt Frank E. Pelkey Farmington, ME SFC James A. Powell Fort Worth, Texas SFC Hubert Lloyd Rice Waynesville, Missouri WO Edison L. Roberts Tacoma, Washington SP6 Leslie J. Roderick Houston, Missouri SFC Edmond Saenz Lakeview Terrace, California SSgt Leslie M. Salada Erie, Pennsylvania Pvt Andrew Alexander Sheard III Radner, Pennsylvania SP4 George M. Slocum Westfield, New York Sgt James C. Sorenson Spanaway, Washington SP4 James Henry Taylor Olive Branch, Mississippi MSgt John A. Thomas Ridgeway, Ohio MSgt Jack E. Tanum Augusta, Georgia SFC Wallace L. Walcott Tacoma, Washington SP4 Leonard J. Wedge Millinocket, Maine SFC Albert Francis Williams Jr Tacoma, Washington (survivor) Was bumped from the flight before it left Tony Wahl (invested outsider) Robert R Pvt Homer Adams Ukon, West Virginia Pvt Billy Atkins Black Mountain, North Carolina Sgt Robert Bako Elbridge, New York Pfc Thomas W. Baxley Thomasville, Georgia MSgt Henry Francis "Hank" Biernacki Colorado Springs, Colorado Pvt James Dale Bowen Indianapolis, Indiana SFC John Joseph Burns San Luis Obispo, California Pvt Larry Dean Canon Chino, California SP5 Edward Donald P. Cox Amarillo, Texas MSgt Harold Lamonde Curry Mangum, Oklahoma Sgt Ernest T. Dixon Jesup, Georgia SP4 Lawrence A. Fox Canestoga, New York Sgt Clarence Ganance Jr. Rensselaer , New York MSgt Robert R. Glassman San Jose, California SP5 Roy Edward Greenleaf Bloomfield, New York Pfc Sidney Lee Grissom Newburgh, Missouri SFC Melvin Lewis Hatt Lansing, Michigan Pvt Robert N. Henderson San Francisco, California SP5 Timothy F. Hopkins Spokane, Washington Pfc Samuel L. Hunter Claflin, Kansas Pvt John Charles "Corky" Jennings Newell, West Virginia Pvt John H. H. Jones Columbus, Georgia Sgt John Kanisky Haren, Holland SP5 Guy Wicks Kinnison Kaneohe, Hawaii Sgt Jack E. Lattie Grovetown, Georgia Sgt Warren M. Lehmkuhl Columbus, Georgia Pvt Stanley W. McEntee Detroit, Michigan Sgt Billy W. Mick Sierra Vista, Arizona SFC Raymond E. Myers Warren, Arizona SP4 Roger L. Oliver Victory, Wisconsin SP4 Charles W. Pardonnet Colorado Springs, Colorado Pvt Lawrence R. Perkins Chicago, Illinois SFC Wlater A. Reinhardt Hammond, Indiana MSgt Delbert Leonard Riggins Boise, Idaho SP5 Eddie Fred Robinson Benton, Arkansas SP4 Samuel Rogers Jr. Pine Bluff, Arkansas SP4 George E. Sager Bergton, Virginia SP4 Donald Sargent Ossipee, New Hampshire Sgt Efisio Simola Jr San Antonio, Texas SP5 Elmer L. "Buddy" Smith Louisiana, Missouri SP4 Fred W Talbot Salamanca, New York MSgt Peter Thamy Vallejo, California SP4 Clarence Earl Thompson Big Spring, Texas SSgt James Edward Twitty Brooklyn, New York SFC Ross C. Walker Pickens, South Carolina SFC John Wendell San Antonio, Texas SP5 James Wong Lahaina, Hawaii (facebook admin for TigerFlight 739) Jim Erjavec Documentarian David Jones Michigan A family member of ? Her dad was on the flight Maria McCawley Was on duty and fielding calls pertaining to Tiger Flight when it crashed Arthur Richards Has done a lot of research and has a lot of family contacts - given to me by the Larry Dean Canon family Bruce Swander Flight Crew Navigator Grady Reese Burt Jr. Baldwin Park, California 2nd Officer Bobbie Jean Gazzaway, Fillmore, California Navigator William T. Kennedy Braintree, California Flight Engineer Clayton E. McClellan San Mateo, California Stewardess Hildegarde Muller California Flight Engineer, George Micheal Nau Pacoima, California Stewardess Christel Diana Reiter San Mateo, California Captain, Gregory P. Thomas Red Bank, New Jersey Senior Flight Attendant Barbara Jean Wamsley Santa Barbara, California Stewardess Patricia Wassum, California 1st Officer Robert J. Wish Hidden Hills, California 3 South Vietnamese Soldiers Names unknown
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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA, 4 Point St., COLUMBIA FALLS, ME 04623 United States
