November Retiree's Corner

We had a lively crowd of about 60-65 folks to show for the October Luncheon. We had a first timer, David Goodwin, who happened to be our youngest retiree, at age 56. Our oldest person was Al Jordan, Mark Jordan’s dad, who is 88 years of age. He is a retired Air Force pilot. Colonel Tim Dotson was our featured speaker. He took us through the alphabet from A to Z pertaining to McEntire JNGB. What is going on, what will go on and what has gone on at the base. We folks who attend the luncheons are well informed.

McEntire History:  We have been and will continue to honor the Berlin Crisis Call Up folks, which are many, so this will be a long process. We are still immersed into the 169th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS), by far the largest squadron during the call up. Of the 47 names this month, 15 are known retirees. This brings a current total of 236 names, of which 117 have become known retirees, which is an approximate 50% of the call ups.

As always, I may not be 100% accurate due to missing or unknown information, etc. This is an amazing number of people who stayed as active members, and became a formidable part of McEntire’s history. However, I expect the percentage to go down, since many served as one term members. If you recall, this was in the midst of the Cold War, and the draft. A lot of people were only interested in serving their minimum time.

The November group as follows:

• A1C John R. Amick No information on him.
• Chevis F. Ballentine No information on him.
• Albert E. Bostic, Sr. No information on him.
• Willis F. Britt No information on him.
• Roy W. Burroughs No information on him.
• Edward M. Claytor, he retired in 1989 as an E-7. He passed away in 2007 and his name is on the SCANG monument.
• Ronald E. Campbell, I have no information on him at this time.
• Jimmie L. Childers, he retired in 1975 as an E-6. He passed away in 1985, and his name is on the SCANG monument.
• Howard R. Clay, he retired in 1988 as an E-9. He became the Fire Chief at McEntire and he is still living.
• William T. Farrell, I have no information on him at this time.
• George T. Grubbs, he retired in 1991 as an E-7 and he is still living.
• Garry D. Gullett, I have no information on him at this time.
• Robert W. Harbrick, I have no information on him at this time.
• William E. Hartin, I have no information on him at this time.
• Hubert O. Johnson, I have no information on him at this time.
• SSgt Donald W. Joyner, he retired in 1986 as an E-7. He is presumed to still be living.
• Richard E. Kerr, I have no information on him at this time.
• Thomas W. Kinard, I have no information on him at this time.
• Robert J. Landrum, he retired in 1996 as an E-8 and is also a Desert Storm veteran. He is still living and is one of the Dentsville HS boys that came to McEntire.
• Robert G. Lott, I have no information on him at this time.
• Hanley A. Mack, I have no information on him at this time.
• Darryl B. Maples, he retired in 1975 as an E-7. He is still living.
• Paul G. Marsha, a one-term member. He was quite the electronics guy and Ham Radio Operator. He passed away July 16, 2019.
• Furman D. Mattox, he retired in 1989 as an E-8. He passed away April 19, 2016 and his name is on the SCANG monument.
• James L. Maxwell, he retired in 1994 as an E-7 and presumed to be still living.
• Eugene W. McLain, I have no information on him at this time.
• Claudus E. McNure, I have no information on him at this time.
• Leon M. Metcalf, I have no information on him at this time.
• James M. Mitchell, Jr. , I have no information on him at this time.
• James B. Oswald, he retired in 1983 as an E-6. He died January 31, 2017. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Melburn L. Oswald, he retired in 1988 as an E-8. He died August 4, 2015. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Charles L. Platt Charles, he did not retire, but served 13 years in SCANG. He died February 8, 2019 and lived on Olar, S.C. all his life.
• Melvin P. Rogers, I have no information on him at this time.
• Homer E. Rose, he retired in 1984 as an E-7. He passed away in 1996. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Claude A. Shealy, Sr., he retired in 1991 as an E-9. He passed away August 10, 2014. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Horace E. Shull, I have no information on him at this time.
• Robert C. Shull, I have no information on him at this time.
• Walter J. Skipper, I have no information on him at this time.
• Henry H. Spratlin, Jr. , I have no information on him at this time.
• Gerald W. Stoudemayer, he retired in 1990 as an E-9. He passed away August 16, 2010. His name is on the SCANG monument.
• Clyde H. Surratt, I have no information on him at this time.
• Neville E. Teague, I have no information on him at this time.
• Doyle L. Wicker, Jr. , I have no information on him at this time.
• Paul D. Wicker, I have no information on him at this time.
• Wallace M. Williams, I have no information on him at this time.
• Donald G. Wilson, he retired in 1990 as an E-7. He is still living.
• Fennial D. Wilson, Jr. No information on him.

With this group we had retiring, 3 CMSgt’s , 3 SMSgt’s, 7 MSgt’s, and 2 TSgt’s. Again a lot of experience and a lot of time at McEntire. What I will do eventually is check out all the “no information people’ hopefully at the TAG Building to ensure I have not missed any missing link folks.

Our November Luncheon will be on the 5th at our usual time and place, noon at the Fort Jackson NCO Club. Come see us if you can. We always try to have an engaging time, food is good, fellowship even better.