I have just been notified of the passing of our brother William Atkinson (66 Pilot) on June 13, 2025. Please keep his family in your prayers. Rest in Peace Brother.
I finally remembered the platoon sergeant that was shorter than me, very bald and greying hair at the time..........Sgt Moreland.........one hell of a platoon sergeant.
Some of the guys I flew with were some of the best friends I have ever had. Ron Lovell who extended his tour as I did so we could fly together was who I considered my best friend. We had some good times and some bad times together. I remember Mike Curtain, and Danny Beck with very fond memories, they played a couple dirty tricks on me that I look back on at times and laugh at the actions. Can't remember who our platoon sergeant was at the time but I remember him as an older, bald headed sergeant that I grew to greatly admire. I read these messages from members before and after me and it makes me smile, they were all great.
God bless all the members of the Black Cats and AlleyCats
David I mailed your Dad our last news letter with all the information on the reunion next. Check with him to see if he got the news letter that was sent US mail.
Black Cats,
My name is Kevin Mawae, my dad is David Mawae....some of you may know him by "Pineapple". Dad is not 80 years old, still living in Louisiana after retiring from Ft. Polk in 1986. He will never say anything, but I ask for your prayers as dad has been battling cancer for nearly 2 years. He is doing well, very alert, strong, mobile and tough dude! Anyways, he has mentioned the next Black Cat reunion, I believe in Tennessee in May of 2026....Is there any info regarding this, as I will be coordinating his trip for him.
Thank you
Thank you for your service and Welcome Home!
It is with deep sorrow I report to you the loss of our great Brother, Bill Ralph (67-68 Pilot AC-37) August 8, 2025. Please keep all of his family in your prayers. Rest in Peace Brother.
Ron Lovell if you provide me a contact email I will get in touch with you and let you know how to become a member.
Let's honor and remember those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Let/s NEVER FORGET our Brothers of the 282nd AHC who gave their all and may they REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
Arthur Anthony Freda, Jr., Crew Chief, KIA 9/3/66
Roy James Bultman, Gunner, KIA 9/3/66
Leonard Eugene Easley, Pilot, KIA 8/14/67
Gerald Leroy McKinsey, Jr. Pilot, KIA 1/21/68
Billy David Hill, Gunner, KIA 1/21/68
Jerry Williams Elliott, Gunner, MIA 1/21/68 Declared Deceased 8/16/76
Dwight A. Dedrick, Pilot, KIA 1/31/68
Lewis Nelson Langford, Crew Chief, KIA 2/25/68
Joseph Albert Reichlin, Jr., Pilot, KIA 5/10/678
Robert Charles O'Hara, Crew Chief, KIA 2/6/69
Eugene Francis Christiansen, Gunner MIA 2/6/69 Declared Deceased 10/30/78
Charles Irvin Stanley, Pilot, MIA 2/6/69 Declared Deceased 6/19/78
David Eugene Padgett, Pilot, MIA 2/6/69 Declared Deceased 10/15/79
Harry Grover Kunkler, lll, Crew Chief, KIA 6/11/69
Gary Charles Salanitro, Pilot, KIA 6/18/69
Jose De La Torre, Crew Chief, KIA 6/18/69
George Dare Carr, Pilot, KIA 6/18/69
George Robert Browning, Gunner KI 6/18/69
Clifford James Rush, Pilot, KIA 10/24/69
William Charles Keeler, Gunner KIA 12/1/69
Robert Garland Simes, Jr., Gunner KIA 8/23/70
John David Phillips, Pilot, KIA 8/23/70
Joseph Earl Rohlinger, Gunner, KIA 11/1/70
William George Hasselman, Pilot, KIA 4/29/71
Ray,
While looking for a friend, I came across your site. Cudos for keeping it going this long. How can I become a member of your 282nd AHC site?
I was an Alley Cat crewchief Dec69- Apr70
before getting transferred to the 281st AHC in Nha Trang? I crewed on 943 with Danny Smith as my gunner. Good friends with Danny, Mike Curtain and Skip Fitzpatrick.
I had extended after my first tour with the provision I could be assigned to the 282nd so I could fly with my best friend from high school Frederick "Skip" Fitzpatrick.
best Regards
Ron Lovell
