1987 AND PREVIOUS YEARS
8 DEC 1987
Theodore P. Tatum, COL, USAF, RETIRED
Click Photo For Bio
COL. THEODORE P. TATUM, 70, 5850 Cove Drive, Orlando, FL, died Friday, December 8, 1987. Born in Montgomery, Ala., he moved to Orlando from Washington in 1954. He was retired from the Air Force and was a Protestant. Survivors: wife, Beverly; son, Todd, Orlando; daughter, Leigh, Seattle; brother, Jack, Dallas; one grandchild. Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Orlando.
3rd Air Rescue Group awards granted during its existence:
The Ted Tatum Trophy. Named in honor of Col. Theodore P. Tatum, formerly Group Operation Officer. Given to the pararescue team with greatest accuracy in a jump.
Globemaster Crash, June 18, 1953 (Tachikawa, Japan)
Theodore P. Tatum Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF
"At 16:50 hours Johnson tower called the alert crew of the 36th Air Rescue Squadron - and advised that Tachikawa GCA had called and reported that a C-124 was apparently down, as they (Tachikawa GCA) had lost it on their scope after take off.
Upon receipt of this message the helicopter pilot, Lt. Colonel Tatum and Captain Mecca and the Land and Para-Rescue team were alerted and given the information available in a quick briefing as the helicopter (H-19) was being rolled out of the hanger. The crew and load consist of pilot and co-pilot, a two man para-rescue team, litters blankets and assorted emergency equipment. A second para-rescue team was briefed to stand by in vehicles to be dispatched by the helicopter crew if needed. A second helicopter was rolled out (H-5) and cranked up to await further instructions and the Johnson Air Base Air Police and Hospital were alerted to stand by.
We the undersigned took off in the H-19 at 17:06, after receiving instructions from Johnson tower to report to Tachikawa GCA when airborne. The weather at Johnson at this time was approximately 200' and 1/2 to 3/4 miles. we took off on a heading of 200 degrees cruising at 75 to 100 feet at 50 KTS. and attempted to contact Tachikawa GCA. Initial radio contact was made immediately, however the instructions were garbled, we continued this heading until passing the south end of the reservoirs. At this time solid communications were established with Tachikawa GCA. We were given heading of 190 degrees for about two minutes - 90 degrees for about two minutes and 140 degrees for about 1 minute and a final heading of 160 degrees. At this time GCA advised the aircraft wreck should be dead ahead at 3/4 miles. At exactly this location we observed the smoke and fire of the wreck. At 17:13 we hovered over the wreck at 100 feet to give GCA another fix and then landed approximately 150 feet from the wreckage. The AF Officer in charge at the scene (a Major name unknown) was immediately contacted to determine if there were any survivors or if rescue was needed to evacuate anyone. He replied there were no survivors. The para-rescue team were directed to inspect the area for any possible unlocated survivors. After examining the area thoroughly this team determined that there were no survivors.
We then advised the [not legible] that as no survivors existed we would return to base. He requested that a message be passed to Tachy tower for chaplains and graves registration personnel be sent to the scene, this was done immediately.
We departed at 17:35 and returned to Johnson Air Base the land rescue team were dispatched to the scene and instructed to remain until all personnel were accounted for.
The weather in route was approximately the same as at the time of take off. At the scene of the accident, the weather was approximately 200' with light rain with about 3/4 mile visibility. During the period we were on the ground, the rain increased and the visibility decreased somewhat. The weather on return to Johnson deteriorated and some difficulty was experienced in returning to the base. We arrived at Johnson at 17:55.
In conclusion, we feel some comment should be made of the detailed accuracy of the Tachikawa GCA in directing the helicopter to the site of the accident under the most adverse conditions. Without their instructions and guidance, it is doubtful if the wreckage would have been located by the helicopter."
The 1370th Photo Mapping Wing moved from Turner AFB, GA to Forbes AFB, KS in May 1966. It's commander, Col. Ted Tatum, had previously headed the USAF's Air Rescue and Recovery Service. Equipped with big four-jet Boeing RC-135's, the 1370th had a global mission: Triangulating on ground transmitters manned by small parties of airmen, the planes took high-resolution strip photos from nearly five miles up and used them to produce history's most accurate maps. In October 1968 the wing was redesignated the Aerospace Cartographic and Geodetic Service. It remained at Forbes until 1973 and was the last major unit to leave the base.
24 SEP 1987
J.W. "Mac" Mc Camic
J.W. "Mac" Mc Camic died at his Oceana residence. He was buried in Coleman, TX, with full military honors. Reported by his wife Lexie.
AUG 1986
Mark McAlpin
Reported at 1990 reunion by Opal McAlpin
23 MAR 1985
John A. Pickrell
John was a member of 1370th Photo Mapping Group, W. Palm Beach AFB, FL
Click HERE for Biography
21 JAN 1985
Wayne L. "Hap" Holladay
Wayne L. "Hap" Holladay was a 1370th member from 1958-1963. reported by his wife Margaret.
1 JUN 1982
Herbert G. Baldwin
Herb was a member of 1374th Mapping and Charting Squadron, Dates- Locations Unknown, Obituary Submitted by his son, Shad Baldwin.
12 DEC 1971
Bernard P. Conway
Bernard P. Conway, a member of the 1374th from 1957-1966. Reported by his wife Elsie at the 1990 reunion.
10/2/1970
Maj. Thomas George Dietsch
Killed in Taiwan, Oct 2 1970. Plane down on their way to Vietnam
2/6/1967
PATRICK H WOOD
PATRICK H WOOD was a 1370th PMW Helicopter Pilot
PATRICK HARDY WOOD
is honored on Panel 15E, Row 1 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.Full Name: PATRICK HARDY WOOD
Wall Name: PATRICK H WOOD
Date of Birth: 1/23/1931
Date of Casualty: 2/6/1967
Home of Record: KANSAS CITY
State: MO
Branch of Service: U.S. AIR FORCE
Rank: COL
Casualty Country: NORTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: NZ
Status: KIA
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS MOST HEROIC UNITED STATES AIR FORCE OFFICER, A POSTHUMOUS RECIPIENT OF THE AIR FORCE CROSS, WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE
Reported by Greg Etzel
ANTONE PATRICK MARKS Former 1373rd M&C Squadron, 1370th PMG, WPBAFB, FL
TSGT - E6 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 16 years
Casualty was on Jun 5, 1966
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Ambushed while riding in a Jeep
Body was recovered
Reported By Mike Walczak
JOHN PETER GUERIN Former 1373rd M&C Squadron, 1370th PMG, WPBAFB, FL
SSGT - E5 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 10 years
Casualty was on Jun 5, 1966
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE Ambushed while riding in a Jeep
Body was recovered
Reported By Mike Walczak
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