Why do I post old photos? ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

... this is why ...

I'm no expert, no historian, no authority and never claim to be one. I'm just a dude who likes to post old photos I find from time to time. It's one of my ways to keep my mind right in a nutty world. Guess you can call it a hobby, therapy, whatever! ... Works for me anyway. (My Golf game certainly doesn't) And if I post too many photo threads on WIX, tough!! it's NOT about you guys, but all about me!! .. ha that's a joke of course. Actually all I care is that you enjoy them as much as I do. I know I've posted some stuff many of you have seen before, but sometimes some reasonably rare stuff appears and it's fun to sit back learn from you guys.

I've been fortunate and humbled at times to be asked for help from other members to find photos of veterans history for their family and relatives. Very happy to try to help anytime. Again I'm no expert, but I'm grateful to try to help.

I get many PM's (why me I'm still not sure) inquiring about many things involving what WIX is about. The PM (abbreviated) below is what really hits home with me.

Hello Mark,

I've tried looking up some pictures of my grandfather's squadrons that he flew with during WWII but have had no luck at all. I'm not entirely sure whether he flew FM-2's or F4F's, but he was with VC-6 in '44 off of the USS Block Island. I'd love to see some stuff from those squadrons...and hopefully some pics of my grandfather in service. I don't have much.

Thank you so much for all you do to help keep history alive!

it doesn't get any better than this around here for me ...

CDR William Harold "Tex" Cole, Naval Aviator 14774, Naval Helicopter Pilot 1869 VC-6, VBF-152, VR-23 (Korea), DFC, Air Medal

Part 1 (VC-6, not in any particular order and captions for each photo to follow, too lazy right now, source NMNA archives)
Now Chris go find your grandfather in these photos (second photo down, lower right for one) :wink:

He was quite a guy and you and your brother have a great deal to be proud of. As we all are proud and grateful to his service. He may no longer be with us, but memories of his service and the appreciation we all have for his service will never die.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

Part 2 ... apparently your grandfather had "the finest cultivated mustache of all pilots"

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

Part 3 VR-23 Korea

"It's all about the veterans and their kin" ... J Cook

TBM-3R's of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) on the deck of a carrier at K-3 in Korea

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) off CVA-9 (USS Essex) in Korean waters.

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) off CVA-34 (USS Oriskany) in Korean waters

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) in K-3 Korea.

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) in K-3, Korea, on the ground.

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) in flight in Korea.

TBM-3R Avenger of Transport Squadron (VR) 23 at Briscoe Field, Yodo Island, South Korea.

TBM-3R Avenger of Transport Squadron (VR) 23 in flight over Korea.

TBM-3R Avenger of Transport Squadron (VR) 23 pictured on the flight deck of the carrier Lake Champlain (CVA 39)

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron (VR) 23 pictured on the flight deck of the carrier Lake Champlain (CVA 39) off Korea.

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) being loaded with papers and mail bags. In K-3 Korea.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

Part 4 VBF-152

F4U-4 Corsair aircraft of VBF-152 in flight over Long Island Sound. The aircraft is from NAF Groton, CT 1946

F4U-1D Corsair of VBF-152 crashed on the ground at NAS Wildwood, NJ.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:11 pm

mark, hands down you are a pillar to this site!! :spit

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Fantastic stuff Mark! If anyone ever poo-poos what you post refer them to me! :supz:

I love this stuff! It is one thing to read about history but to be able to see it, especially the people who lived it cannot be beat. I love the group photos especially the candid shots. These young men were facing an uncertain future but they still had fun whenever they could. When I see shots like that I always wonder- Did they survive the war?

Also, these photos are a teaching tool, there is always something new to learn. Like now- I never knew Avengers served in Korea!

Cheers,
Chappie

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

Ha! good grief!!! none of that 'pillar' stuff. lol I'm just the poster of old photos, nuthin else!!! I appreciate the kind remarks, I truly do, but the "atta-boys' are for the real dudes that post the real stuff here after I post the photos. Thankfully my trophy case is now empty and has been for a while.

And who would dare try to mess with me ... lol

Again to quote some old WIX knucklehead who rarely posts here anymore :wink:

... that's right J Cook you heard me lol

"It's all about the veterans and their kin" ...

Cherrybomber13 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:33 pm

Mark, thank you for the photos you post. :supz:

DH82EH · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:52 pm

Add me to the list of folks who appreciate all the photos you post!

Thank you Mark :drink3:

Andy Scott

groggie · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 2:53 pm

[quote="Mark Allen M"]Part 3 VR-23 Korea

"It's all about the veterans and their kin" ... J Cook

TBM-3R of Transport Squadron Twenty-Three (VR-23) in flight in Korea.

Mark, this is the one I have as my wallpaper. Thank you so very much for all of this!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Chris

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7826

Hey Chris there you are, your very welcome ... So lets here about your granddad and point out the photos you find that he is in ...

The floor is yours my friend. :prayer:

Hopefully you can change your wallpaper several times now. ha!

groggie · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 3:11 pm

Ok, I'm going to attempt to upload a summary that my grandfather Tex Cole had written for me not too long before he passed. I hope it works and that you guys will enjoy it.

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

That's some cool stuff. Thanks for all the pics and followup!

DH82EH · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:15 pm

Great stuff Chris.
Thanks for that window in to history. It's first hand stuff like that, that is the real deal.

Welcome to WIX.

Nicely done Mark. Thanks :drinkers:

Andy

jwc50 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 26, 2013 8:58 pm

Because you don't have any new ones.........?

:wink:

Mark - love your photos - keep on posting!

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