WMB

Here is our tribute to the only weatherman to make a combat jump with the 82nd Airborne Division.  http://www.bragg.army.mil/www-wx/dodson.htm

Special thanks to Jerry White, formerly of the AFWA historian's office, for tracking down SSgt Dodson's widow and securing these portraits, and for passing me the excerpts from the 21WS history/AARs from WWII that helped fill in the historic blanks.

Enjoy!

WMB

Nice job, WMB!

Hey - Ask Jerry White about S/Sgt Warren Wolfe, who also jumped in with the 82nd and was apparently wounded on the DZ then evacuated out.

FYI - The 101st also had 2 weather guys jump in with them.

Hey - I've cleaned up the "artifacts" around those combat wings and attached the improved graphic here so you can re-post it. 

BTW - You might want to re-name it, since it's directly lifted off of Military Graphics' website (name and all) and they might get the ass at you for using their copyrighted artwork - Especially on a public webpage.  Just a word of caution, Hooah?!?!?

I can also give you a graphic of the badge he's wearing, if you like.  It was a USAAF trade badge and it said WX OBSVR in the bar.  I have one of them in my collection and I think it was in one of the display cases we had out at the Heritage Dinner.

JR,

Thanks for the clean up and advice.  I threw this together last night on a swing shift, so it has a ways to go before it's where I want it.  Eventually it will be a 18WS/combat weather heritage page, so please send the graphic of the badge he's wearing because it will fit in nicely.  

Last I heard, Warren Wolfe was living in the pacific northwest, around Tacoma I believe.  I've tried prodding AFWA HO along on that one, but I think it's time to be more pro-active.  Charlie Staub jumped with the 101st on D-Day, and there was another, Sgt John Motylewski, who jumped during Market Garden with the 101st.  Charlie Staub we know has passed away, but Motylewski could still be with us.  What I really want is a permanent display with portraits of all of them, and I'll work towards that end.

Thanks!

WMB

WMB -

I threw together a graphic for you in the limited time I had today - See attached. 

Use it if you like!

Done.  They look great!

Can you identify the unit(?) pin on his lapel below the AAF pins?  Also, do you know if the wx observer pin is available, commercially or otherwise?  I'd love to get one.  Time to hit the military memorabilia tables at the next antique show...

Thanks! 

WMB

BTW, I snatched your background.  It looked too go to pass up...

WMB

Looks GREAT, Will!

I believe the lapel pins are of a Weather Squadron - Might be 21st, but it would depend on when and where he got the pic taken.

Jerry White should have artwork for all the WWII Weather Squadrons - Ask him.

Reference where to find the pin - Remember, it's a USAAF Technician Badge you're looking for.  The bars are all different, just like the current shooting badges the Army wears.

If you're looking for one, I'd suggest eBay - That's where I got mine.

Do a search for any of the following:

WWII USAAF Badge
WWII USAAF Pin
WW2 USAAF Badge
WW2 USAAF Pin

And any variations thereof...

Good luck!

OBTW - I just did a search on eBay and didn't find the badge, but I did find a uniform listed that LOOKS LIKE it has the badge on it.  Check it out here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4729&item=6525604111&rd=1

I did a little research and determined that the pins on Dodson's lapel are from the Air Service Command which was a sub-command of Ninth Air Force.  My guess is the 21st weather squadron fell under this command, but there is no mention of Air Service Command in Thor's Legions.  I attached a pic of the pins for those geeky enough to be interested.

Here is the breakdown of Ninth Air Force's commands:

"The new air force was formally established on 16 October 1943 and was to comprise six commands.  They were - Bomber Command (taking over from the VIII Air Support Command of the Eighth Air Force and taking on board the Eighth's four B-26 Marauder groups); Fighter Command to comprise fighter and fighter bomber groups about ready to arrive from USA; Troop Carrier Command for airborne operation and air supply; Service Command to supply and service the Ninth's aircraft; an Engineer Command to construct airfields and installations; and an Air Defense Command to protect installations." 

I've been on swing shifts and yes, I do have too much time on my hands.

WMB

I had the honor of meeting Mr & Mrs Robert Dodson when they named the AWS Award after him.  (CMSgt Charlie Melson was instrumental in making that happen because until the chief got involved the search had involved looking for a deserving officer)

The only training Robert received was jumping off of a platform a few times before jumping into combat.  We all can only imagine what that must have been like.  He told me that he was never awarded jump wings so I took my jump wings off and gave them to him and told him how much we appreciated his service to our country and how proud the jumping community was that an award was being named after him.

Of all the famous people I met while on active duty (JR will tell you there was a few) the time my wife and I got to spend with the Dodson's still ranks as one of the best.

fh