California State Guard - formerly the CSMR

[RHT447]

I see folks reminiscing here, so thought I would toss in my 2 cents from the way back machine. Joined in 1983 as 2Lt., had three years prior service enlisted Army. My unit was the 102 Bn in Oroville. Promoted to Major in '93, took command of the unit in '96. Shortly after that the unit was transferred to the Roseville armory and was designated the 115th support Bn.I retired out in 2001. Attached is a letter of appreciation from the NG 140th Aviation at Mather Field for a support mission we did for them in 2000, by request. Would I do it all again? In a heart beat.

Maj Robert Thompson (Ret)
NG Letter001.jpg

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Bravo Zulu and thanks for your truly selfless service Major!

Semper Fi, Hooah and Hooyah!

LT Tim

[RHT447]

Tim,
Thanks for the kind words. Here's an addendum to the Mather Field mission.

If you look on Google Earth at Mather Field, you can find a street starting right next to the east end ramp and running North called Femoyer St.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Edward_Femoyer

My dad (pilot) and his crew were assigned to 711 squadron the following month on December 14, 1944. They flew 35 combat missions.

At the end of our day at Mather, before everyone was dismissed, I told the above to those present and then passed out hard copies of Lt. Femoyer's story.

At the above link, bottom of the third paragraph, is the link "711th Bombardment Squadron". At that link you will see a photo of a B-17g. Indeed. It is this one:

https://447bg.com/fortresses-of-the-447th/42-97392/ Scroll down into 1945 and you will see that my dad flew this ship on two of his missions.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

That's something you should have submitted to the California Military Museum's History unit - great (and sad) story and amazing he kept his head despite mortal wounds and helped ensure the crew made it back to England...

One of my uncles was a B-24 bomber pilot in WW2 - want to say convoy patrol in the Atlantic. Unforgiving stuff getting shot down in the ocean...