To those interested in the 438th Troop Carrier Group of WWII,

Sorry I couldn't get this to you sooner but the 438th just had a reunion in Florida in early April 2005. The reunion was held in Fort Walton (?), Florida. It was organized by the last surviving squadron commander, Col. Bob Gates, who lives there. Here is some information about him and what I hope is his current e-mail, I haven't emailed him for a couple of years.

Bob Gates is the last surviving Squadron commander (88th TCS) of the 438th Troop Carrier Group. He led his squadron to deliver the very first elements of the 502nd PIR of the 101st Airborne into Normandy on D-Day June 6, 1944. Retired Colonel, USAF (former Army Air Corps). He flew Bob Hope and his entertainers to the troops in 1940-41 and after WWII. He has a great deal of first-hand documentation of the Troop Carrier training for D-Day, the D-Day flights and paratroop drops that Ambrose and many of the other "historians" have ignored in their maligning of the troop carrier pilots and crews. The 438th received the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous accolades from the commanding generals of the 101st and 82nd Airborne. General Eisenhower and the 101's commanding officers personally selected the 438th to lead the airborne drops into Normandy because of its high-level of training and skill in the pre-invasion rehearsals and air drops.

His email is/was Robert W. (Bob) Gates [bobgates@cox.net].

My father, Orlando H. "Bill" Allin was a first pilot who flew as co-pilot for his buddy on D-day. He was a pilot in the 87th Troop Carrier Squadron. He and his buddy flew wing for Donalson and the squadron commander who were in the in the "Belle of Birmingham". My dad has a squadron photo with the pilots and ground echelon around the "Belle". Dad still flies his own plane and attended the reunion.

Gary Allin

2006 Reunion
The 2006 Troop Carrier Reunion will be held October 1-5, 2006 at the Ramada Beach Plaza Resort, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It will be hosted by the last surviving Squadron Commander, Bob Gates. For more information try the following: Mr. Robert W. Gates 254 Yacht Club Dr NE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548-6452 Ph 850-243-7465 email bobgates@cox.net

My sister and I just returned from a visit to the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, TX.  We are looking for info on our father, Martin George Meier, who was a glider pilot with the 438 TCG, 87 TCS (we just found out from our visit!).  The name of his glider was "Jerre Ann", my sister's name.  All his military records were destroyed when the St Louis depository was burned.  Are there any websites we can research that may have some of his records.  Unfortunately the Curator of the SWM said they did not have the yearbook from his glider training class.  I think he was in class 42-12.  Most of his missions were EAME missions.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[image]local://upfiles/13127/3B89B9A012B04B86A59F9E2D43208576.jpg[/image]

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If you google search Glider Pilots WW II you will get some Sites
and Glider Pilots Assn. Site
New Documentary  - Silent Wings , recently released
Mike

Lynda:
Resources:
County he was from - Records
Local newspaper Archives
If he ever dealt with the VA - VA has records.
Mike

Thanks for your quick response!  We have tried most of these places, it seems he didn't exist in ANY of them!  I did purchase several DVD's while in Lubbock & the new Silent Wings movie - terrific movie!

Here is a partial picture of the 87th Troop Carrier Squadron.  I have the full picture framed a my wall...a prized piece.

[image]local://upfiles/9173/CBCB5939D6F649BDBE4DC289D0415992.jpg[/image]

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438 TCG, 87 TCS

My dad was with the 438 TCG, 87 TCS.  Born in Coyle, OKLA.   "Loren West" He was a glider co-pilot
I wonder if you have many pictures of the 87th?
Buddy

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Excellent pictures, thanks for sharing. My Dad was in the 88th TCS. My brother may have some of his pictures scanned I will have to see.
Thanks again

I only have a couple pics with just a few men.  Would be happy to either email or post here if you like.

Hi
Charles Day is a glider guru. He may be able to give you more info. His email is gliderman.one@verizon.net

Take Care

Randy

Thanks!  I will try him.  I truly appreciate all the information that everyone has sent!

My father, Orlando H. "Bill" Allin was a first pilot who flew as co-pilot for his buddy on D-day.

Hello Gary

I come back on this phrase.. It means that your father was not the pilot of the "Drag em Oot" during d-day mission but the co-pilot. Who was the pilot?

Patrick Elie - Normandy - France
http://www.6juin1944.com
http://www.the-snafu-special.com

Looking for photos of crews and planes of the 438thTCG - 90th TCS
My dad - Richard T. Walsh - was a navigator. His group's planes were marked "Q7".
I *think* his plane was called "Tidbit" or "Tid Bit".
 
Dad is alive and well. His captain was Walker - now deceased.
 
Richard T. Walsh, Jr

I am looking for information on Raymond Lyman. This is what I have so far.
 
Raymond Lyman graduated from advanced glider pilot training at Dalhart, TX in class number 43-4 on Feb. 27, 1943 and was appointed to the warrant rank of Flight Officer with serial number T-121432.  He was assigned to the 86th Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. He flew on three combat glider missions.  The first was into Normandy on D-Day.  The second was into Southern France and the third was across the Rhine River landing near Wesel on March 24, 1945. He was awarded the Air Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters and was authorized to wear the bronze arrowhead device on his ETO ribbon. On October 26, 1944, he was given a direct commission to Second Lieutenant with serial number O-1996186.
 
 This is the extent of our information in our data base system.  I noticed that in his new book, "Forgotten Wings" by Philippe Esvelin, on page 173, he lists F/O Raymond Lyman as the copilot on the second glider on the Normandy mission, code named "Galveston."   The pilot's name was 2nd Lt Charles Brenimer.  This mission originated in England at Ramsbury. The take-off time was approximately 04:30 hrs on the morning of June 7, 1944. The destination was Landing Zone E in France at approximately 06:55 hrs.
 
Regards,
 
Jack C. Bates
Home # 281-859-9544

Gary,
 You are the first person other than myself to mention the Bell of Birmingham.  My father was Allen Goodwin.  Dad passed away on Oct 1st, 2006.  I am trying to find out who painted the drawing on the Bell of Birmingham.  Dad always love going to the reunions, and if I remember correctly he has mentioned Bob Gates.  I remember him talking about being at Greenham comman, and would love to hear anything you can tell me.  If you want to show your dad a picture of my dad, he in the fourth row just to the right of the plane in picture i found on this forum.  Please if you can help me with any info, please email me at:  abungard@gmail.com

Thank you for your time.

donna goodwin