Fond memories

Former Capt. David Baur has an excellent recollection of the events that took place [“Christmas in Combat,” December 2004]. I was the lieutenant who played Santa Claus at Ubon Air Base in 1966. ...

I guess Chappie picked me because I was the only person on the base larger than he. Chappie told me to take care of everything, and he would provide all the funds I needed. I proceeded to pick the four smallest pilots in the Triple Nickel as my elves. ... They all went on to successful military careers, with at least two of them becoming wing commanders. ...

I asked the Aussie fire-foam truck crew to come back to the U.S. side of the base and give us a white Christmas with their foam. They got a little carried away and covered every building on the base. ... The base commander took exception to the foam and asked the Australian commander to discipline the fire truck crew. When the Aussie driver informed me of this, I went into the officers club and talked to Chappie. I told him that he had told me to do whatever was necessary to celebrate Christmas, and I had asked the Aussies to spray the foam, so if anyone should get  in trouble it was I. He said, “Don’t worry about it. ... I will see to it.” And he did.

Coincidentally, Ralph Wetterhahn, the contributing editor of Military Officer who wrote “Dude, Where’s My Horse?” [December 2004], was also a member of the Triple Nickel and an eyewitness to our Christmas celebration. A couple of weeks later, he flew with Chappie and Robin Olds on Operation Bolo and shot down one of the seven MiGs we got that day.

— Lt. Col. John O. Harris, USAF-Ret.
Mashpee, Mass.

The article in the December issue by Capt. David Baur brought me wonderful memories of Chappie James’ Christmas 1966 treat for the troops at Ubon Air Base. Chappie sure understood how to inspire people.

I was one of Santa’s elves that day (small fighter pilot). The real reason for the Australian apology was that, as the Aussie fire trucks spread “white Christmas” all over our side of the base, our base commander came out of his office to investigate the fire truck sirens. As he stepped onto the porch of Base Headquarters, waving his arms to stop the foaming, our friends the Aussies gave him a perfectly aimed blast that bowled him over. Thinking this was “fair dinkum,” we all continued the Christmas cheer at our officers club that had started on the other side of the base. Later, a diplomatic apology was rendered to our base commander.

While we were on their side of the base, some of the Aussies were near tears that we would think of them on that important day. Chappie did, and it was as wonderful as Christmas can be in combat.

— Lt. Col. Marty Noel, USAF-Ret.
via e-mail

I was very distressed to read the article in the December 2004 edition [with the cover] “Holidays at War.” Tens of thousands of non-Christians have fought and died for our country during the time period covered by your article. Those individuals were also forced to celebrate their holidays and traditions, such as Chanukah, far from home and loved ones, just as you noted their Christian brothers and sisters did. Some recognition should have been given to other significant traditions observed at this season of the year.

— Col. Richard M. Goldberg, AUS-Ret.
Kingston, Pa.

Editor’s note: Servicemembers of every faith long have served and continue to serve this nation with honor. For the article in question, Military Officer solicited stories describing “winter holidays” with the intention of including non-Christian observances such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, etcetera, but every submission we received was a Christmas story.


Regarding “Christmas in Combat,” the “forgotten war” in Korea was, yes, forgotten again. I was a young gung ho rifleman in an Army infantry platoon in the front line in North Korea. My mom had sent me a small cardboard box with a crank on one end which, when turned, plucked rubber bands and played “Jingle Bells.” It sorta plucked at my heartstrings, too.

— Hobie MacQuarrie
San Francisco

It’s a dirigible, stupid!

In your December issue I read with interest your article about the Army buying a blimp for surveillance [“Army Tests Blimp” in “News Notes”]. As a lighter-than-air buff, I was disturbed that you referred to the airship Hindenburg as a blimp.
 
The Hindenburg, more than 800 feet in length, was not a blimp (a powered gondola car suspended under a shaped gasbag), but rather a dirigible or rigid airship with separate internal gasbags. The U.S. Navy had a number of dirigibles in the 1920s and 1930s, notably Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Akron, and Macon. The latter two were so large they could carry up to four fighter planes inside and launch and recover them.

— Capt. Charles F. Neuhaus, USN-Ret.
via e-mail

SBP thanks

I am writing to thank you for printing the numerous Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) articles in Military Officer. These articles helped me to understand the problem. I have written similar letters to Sen. Mary Landrieu [D-La.] and Rep. Jeff Mille[R-Fla.]. Both of them worked long and diligently for the passage
of the SBP bill. I appreciate [that] the U.S. Congress saw fit to pass the bill.

I thoroughly enjoy reading Military Officer. It’s like an old friend coming to call. I am 84 years of age. My husband served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. I had a happy life as a military dependent and appreciated the many services and benefits available to me and my family.

— Barbara Barnes
Sarasota, Fla.

Optometry experts

I have much respect for most ophthalmologists and the incredible work they do in the surgical and medical treatment of eye disease and trauma, where they are the “experts” [“Seeing Clearly,” December 2004].

However, no one profession has a monopoly on experts. [The author’s] description of an optometrist is outdated and inaccurate. She states, “although optometrists might be referred to as doctors of optometry, they are not medical doctors.” OK, what’s the point? …

Optometrists’ formal education consists of four years of professional postgraduate education.

Optometrists are primary eye-care providers who are trained and licensed to diagnose, treat, and manage various eye diseases in most, if not all, states. Optometrists frequently have been regarded as
experts regarding eyeglass, contact lens, low-vision, visual-training, and environmental-vision issues.

— Col. Ronald Fancher, USA-Ret., O.D.
via e-mail