STATESIDE reunions
The 489th Bomb Group Association have held annual Reunions in the States for many years.
This photo was taken at the Reunion in Branson MO – September 2010 and published in the 489th’s October Newsletter by Charlie Freudenthal.
2010 Branson, MO Reunion
The Branson Reunion was a great success with 14 voting members present. The 489th Newsletter noted that the “….food, accommodations, and the WWII Museum were A+…….. , and the Hospitality Room – food, drink, war stories, new and old friends; what a place to hang out!”
The Group voted for the next Reunion, going to Dayton and the National Museum of the Air Force “for one more time”. Bill Smith is working on it. Charlie Freudenthal writes in the 489th Newsletter, “if you weren’t with us at Branson, we sure missed you, …… God Bless and Cheers to you all.”
The following photo was taken at the 1981 San Antonio Reunion. It was published in the October 2010 Newsletter alongside the 2010 photo.
1981 San Antonio TX Reunion
This photo was taken at the Reunion in Texas – October 2008 and published in the 489th’s October Newsletter by Charlie Freudenthal.
2008 Texas Reunion: Seated L to R: Charlie Freudenthal, Mel Pontillo, Mickey Baskin, Russell Hurst, Jim Gilliland. Standing: Bob Deasy, Sam Syracuse, John Lamar, Will Plate, RB Tolson, Joe Modrich, Marlin Gehrke.
UK reunions
Over the years there have been a number of 489th Reunions organised by the Friends of the 489th in Halesworth. There have also been visits organised by the Second Air Division in Norwich. * Second Air Division Memorial
Many 489th veterans have attended both. Veterans have also visited the old base on their own at various times.
The following list of 489th visitors has been put together from photographs, lists and visitor/signature books. The dates include visits with the Second Air Division, Halesworth Reunions and separate visits by veterans and their families. If you feel you can add to this list, please let us know.
1986 :
George Dilberian
1987 :
James T Pace
John Homan
1990 :
Sunday 29 July (2nd Air Division Base Day)
1990 - 489th Memorial Service
Bob Boyle
Jack and MaryAnne Kennedy
Jim and Jean Davis
John and Pat Lamar
Ed Myles
Ivan (I.D.) and Lillian Brown
Bud and Mike Chamberlain
John de Cani
Les Dahn
Raywood and Lynette Blanchard
Neal and Pat Sorensen
Ralph and Gini Belward
Harold Morris
David Kernodle
John (Jake) and Marion Jacobs
Charles and Helen Freudenthal
Sandy Gaylord
Seth and Muriel Lobdell
John Dalgleish
Dick and Josie Dietrick
Otey and Ruth Berkeley
Robert (Bob) Boyle
Don and Betty Champagne
Mel Pontillo
John Nemeth
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson
(List not complete)
1992 :
Halesworth Reunion : May
1992 - 489th Memorial Service
Horace (Mickey) and Rita Baskin
Ralph and Gini Belward
Otey and Ruth Berkeley
George and Leah Bookwalter
Clarence and Shirley Booth
Ivan (I.D.) and Lillian Brown
Clarence (Bud) Chamberlain and Ann (‘Mike’)
Robert (Bob) and Teresa Cline
Louis (Lou) and Irene Duke
Charles and Helen Freudenthal
Sandy Gaylord
Tom Green
Clifford and Margaret Hart
Ralph (Rudy) and Annie Hoerr
David Kernodle
Sharon D Vance and Jim Kiernan
William (Bill) and Betty Koch
John and Pat Lamar
Walter and Patricia Laut
Seth Lobdell
Ted and Gladys Maruschak
Edmund (Ed) Myles
John Nemeth + his nephew and wife
Karen Opel
Wilmer (Will) and Helen Plate
Tony Provenzano
William Mayo Reeves
Richard (Dick) and Beverly Stenger
Robin (R.B.) Tolson
John and Helen Van Winkle
Joe and Mary Victor
Richard (Dick) Wagner
Harry and Ginny Wagnon
1994 :
Halesworth Reunion : May
1994 - Veterans at the 489th Memorial
Horace (Mickey) and Rita Baskin
Ralph and Gini Belward
Bill and Karen Berry
George and Leah Bookwalter
Ivan (I.D.) and Lillian Brown
Florence Cordes
John and Kathleen Dalgliesh
Donald Davis
Pat and Loretta Effertz
Earl and Willie Garrett
Matthew and Grace Gasperich
Sandy Gaylord
Rudy and Annie Hoerr
Richard (Dick) and Anita Ives
John (Jake) and Marion Jacobs
Norman Kanwisher and Nona
David Kernodle
Sharon and Jim Kiernan
William (Bill) and Betty Koch
John and Pat Lamar
Walter and Pat Laut
Seth Lobdell
D.C. (Carl) Loughry
Ted and Gladys Maruschak
Corky and Barbara McGee
Jack and Helen McMullen
David and Elizabeth Moore
Harold Morris
Boyd Morse and Judy Morice
Edmund (Ed) Myles
Wilmer (Will) and Helen
Tony and Mary Provenzano
Richard (Dick) Sherburne
Richard (Dick) and Beverly Stenger
John Rogers and son Dan Rogers
Charles (Chuck) Taylor
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson
Jerry Vanerwegen
Richard (Dick) Wagner
Edward (Ed) and Betty Wall
Michael and Christine Wall
Sarah Warren
Charles and Elaine Weaver
J.D. Coffman and family
1995:
8 May – 50th Anniversary of VE Day (2nd Air Division Base Day)
1995 - 489th Veterans Paul (Varyl) Gannaway and John deCani, Halesworth
Clarence (Bud) and Ann (‘Mike’) Chamberlain
Neal and Pat Sorensen
John de Cani
Paul (Varyl) and Elsie Gannaway
1995 :
Ralph Nix – 29 June
1996 :
Halesworth Reunion : 23-30 May
1996 - The 489th Veterans return
Ralph and Gini Belward
Ivan (I.D.) and Lillian Brown
Hugh Carroll
John and Kathleen Dalgleish
Joe and Marie Dougherty
Louis (Lou) and Irene Duke
Charles and Helen Freudenthal
Bob and Evelyn Gast
Sandy Gaylord
Marlin and Nell Gehrke
Ted and Flo Harris
Norman Kanwisher
Sharon and Jim Kiernan
Ken and Betty Koch
John and Pat Lamar
Walter Laut and his sister-in-law
Joe Loadholtes
Jack and Helen McMullen
Harold Morris
Edmund (Ed) Myles with son Robert Myles
Wilmer (Will) and Helen Plate
Robert and Jeannie Prince
Richard (Dick) and Alice Sherburne
Dick and Beverly Stenger
Charles (Chuck) Taylor
Edward (Ed) and Betty Wall
Charles and Elaine Weaver
1996 :
Ka Gwinn – August (daughter of Sgt Pearl Toothman, Gunner, 847th)
Jack Porter – October
1997 :
1997 - Dave Glick raises the flag at the 489th Memorial - Tony Kerrison looks on
David (Dave) and Patricia Glick – 11 June
CN (Rusty) and Kathy Chamberlain – 13 June (family of Bud Chamberlain)
CN (Bud) and ‘Mike’ Chamberlain – 26 July
Robert (Bob) Hayley – 22 August
Daniel Liebnez and Robert Thomas – 7 December
Robert (Bob) Kirby with daughter Carolyn and son-in-law Steve Rogers – 12 December
1998 :
Halesworth Reunion: 14-20 August
1998 - Veterans ID Brown and Jack McMullen fold the flag at the 489th Memorial Service
Ralph and Gini Belward
Ivan (I.D.) and Lillian Brown
Sandy Gaylord
Walter Laut
John and Pat Lamar
Jack and Helen McMullen
Edmund (Ed) Myles
John and Mildred Rainey
Richard (Dick) Sherburne with family Meredith and Rebecca Hirtle
William (Bill) and Connie Smith
Charles (Chuck) Taylor
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson
Marilyn and Bill Tobash (family of Harry Pomles)
Charles and Elaine Weaver
1998 :
8 November – Remembrance Sunday (2nd Air Division Base Day)
John de Cani
CN (Bud) and Ann (Mike) Chamberlain
1999 :
Mike Hannan and son Robert Hannan – 1 June
Hal and Louise Young – 25/26/27 June
Debora Kay Betts – 5 July (family of Freemont Betts)
Stan, Diana and Tristan Foster – 16 July (family of John Foster)
Kathy S Graf Peterson and husband Michael Peterson, Amelia and Sarah – 27 July (family of Laverne S Graf)
Anne Sluckin Pancella and family – 31 July (family of Paul Sluckin)
Fred Shein and family – 15 August
William C Nemchock and son Bill Nemchock, and Dave Cave – 2 October
2000 :
Wayne and Kathryn Jeglum – 2 June
Ralph and Gay Nix – 16 June
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson – 18 June
Bob Drake – 18 July
Ralph Peacock with daughter Nancy and Bob Mackey – 5 August
Henry Markowitz and Irv Berkowitz – 5 October
2001 :
Robert (Bob) and Fran Mannix – May
Colin Allen, Scott Allan and family – 8 June (family of Evan Allan)
Marilyn and Bill Tobash – 13 September (family of Harry Pomles)
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson – 16 September
2001 :
8 November (2nd AD Base Day)
John de Cani
CN (Bud) and Ann (‘Mike’) Chamberlain
Jim and Edna Reeves
Pat Sullivan
Bill Neuman
MaryAnne Swanson
Rick and FridaComingore
Evelyn Lingenberg (widow of Dick Lingenberg)
Owen Wade Wilson
Steve and Paul Peloquin
Jean McGrath
2002 :
Visit from the family of Clifford Wayne Anderson – 15 June
Virginia (Ginny) Anderson Johnson
Mary Anderson Audet and Hobie Audet
Charles W Anderson and Kathy Anderson
Michael and Melissa Dickens – 8 September (family of T.Sgt M Ed ‘Dick’ Dickens)
2003 :
Marilyn and Bill Tobash – 1 August (family of Harry Pomles)
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson – 21 September
2004
Halesworth Reunion : May
489th veteran 'RB' & Lucille Tolson with Ron Manning, Royal British Legion, Halesworth (2004 Halesworth Reunion)
Bob and Marie Deasy
John and Dorothy Hartman (family of John Rainey)
Walter Laut and his niece Carol Singhel
John and Mildred Rainey
Marilyn and Bill Tobash (family of Harry Pomles)
Robin (R.B.) and Lucille Tolson
Charles and Elaine Weaver daughter Charlotte and grandson Malcolm Gifford-Weaver
2004 :
Henry Markowitz and Irv Berkowitz – 12 November
Henry Markowitz (489th Bomb Group) and Irv Berkowitz - 12 November 2004
2005 :
Margaret (Peg) and John Howard (family of Thomas Bouley) – 11 August
David and Michael Elkins – 18 September
2007 :
Charles and Kathy Anderson (family of Clifford Wayne Anderson) – 8 June
Rosemary Cage – 8 June
Marcia Smith, Dave and Lisa Sarnowski (family of Gilman Sund) – 25 July
Heather and Zachariah Bottomley – 18 September
Marilyn and Bill Tobash (family of Harry Pomles)
2008 :
John and Pat Lamar with family Corky and Barbara McGee – 21-26 May
Robert (Bob) and Lois Carlton with daughter Roberta Russell and sons Philip Carlton and Robert Carlton – 15 September
Mickey Baskin – 22 November
2009 :
Betty Wall (wife of the late Edward Wall, Pilot) – 13 June
Michael Wall (son of the late Edward Wall, Pilot) – 13 June
Michael and Betty Wall (Wife and Son of the late Edward Wall, Pilot, 489th Bomb Group)
13 June 2009
2010 :
Dave Swanson (son of the late Carlton Swanson, Pilot) – June
2011 :
David Loo and Wilaine Loo (son and daughter-in-law of the late Horace Loo (RO) – Jacobs crew) – February
2011 David and Wilaine Loo with Bob Shiers, Sid and Pam Wilby, Angel Hotel, Halesworth
2012 :
Mickey Baskin – 19 November
2012 November 21: Mickey Baskin - Radio Operator, (Boyd Morse Crew) 489th Bomb Group inside Halesworth Airfield Memorial Museum
2014
Heritage League Reunion to Norwich
with Base Day on 28 May 2014
489th Crew Chief Robert Hall and family (4 generations)
(clik on ‘Veterans Return’ for report on Base Day)
489th veteran Crew Chief Robert Hall with his family
Chris Clark (nephew of Charles F Clark who served with the 44th and the 489th)
489th nephew Chris Clark with Buzzy Took on Base Day
Teresa Irvin Roy, daughter of Joe Irvin, 630th Material Squadron, 489th BG
2014 September 21st: Teresa Irvin Roy, daughter of Joe Irvin
489th - Joe Irvin, 630th Material Squadron
Linda and Wayne McCullough – Linda is the daughter of Lt James Bixler, Pilot 845th
2014 September: Linda and Wayne McCullough at the Halesworth Airfield Museum. Linda's father was the late Lt James Bixler, 489th Pilot.
2015
Marilyn and Bill Tobash. Marilyn is the daughter of Harry Pomles, KIA 24 July 1944
2015 - Memorial Day, Bill and Marilyn Tobash
Susan and Ron Underwood. Susan is the daughter of Roger Underwood (McMullen Crew)
2015 May: Susan and Ron Drake. Susan's father is 489th bombardier Roger Underwood. They are standing in front of Roger's crew photo.
John Judson and grandchildren of Lt Stanley Judson, Navigator
2015 June: Son of the late Stanley Judson, John and Grandson Ian Judson fold the flag
Lisa and Al Hibner. Lisa is the daughter of Carlton Swanson, 489th Navigator
2015 - September: Lisa and Al Hibner - Daughter of Lt Carlton Swanson, Navigator, Kimborough Crew
2016
Personnel from the 489th Bomb Group, Dyess AFB, Texas
2016 April: Personnel of the 489th Bomb Group, Dyess AFB, Texas
L-R: Lt Col Jimmy Jackson 345 BS; MSgt Donald Johnston, 489BG; CMSgt Ricky Fugate 489BG/CEM
Ingrid Sensor, Grand-daughter of 489th Navigator, Arthur Sensor
2016 March: Ingrid Sensor, Grand-daughter of 489th Navigator Art Sensor
Linda and Ron Robinson with Daughter Kristina and family to pay tribute to Lt Gilman Sund, 489th Navigator.
2016 April: Linda and Ron Robinson pay tribute to Lt Gilman Sund, 489th Navigator, KIA 27 September 1944