A bridge to the past
Capt. Gail Currie
A few months back, my friend Carol Schlaepfer helped to run an estate sale in California for former pilot, Gail Currie. Mr. Currie, a U.S. Army Air Corps captain, became a photographer after WWII and Carol was kind enough to salvage some of his posters left at his Rancho Cucamonga home and ship them to me.
Alexander Vraciu, USN, F6F Hellcat, PTO
I was able to name some of the aircraft, but others were identified by another dear friend, Scott Brady, a former member of the U.S. Air Force and an avid aviation buff and model builder. The T-38 Talons were used as “trainers” for new pilots and by the Thunderbirds; who now use the F-16. The F-4 Phantoms were used by the Blue Angels in Wichita, Kansas when Scott was only 7 years old – and he was hooked!!
I sincerely hope everyone enjoys the picture show and will remember Capt. Currie. I was unable to locate further research on this pilot, but should anything surface, I will either update this post or create another.
Thank you – and everyone have a wonderful day!
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Also sent from Carol was this picture of Red Cross workers landing in Normandy……
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Air Force Humor______
Click on images to enlarge and read.
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Farewell Salutes –
F. William Bauers Jr. – Washington DC; US Army Air Corps, Lt.Colonel (Ret.), WWII, pilot
James Buell – Oneida, NY & Clearwater, FL; US Army, WWII
Stanley Curtis – Vancouver, Can & Pomona, CA; US Navy, Lt., WWII, minesweeper duty
Paul Manginnis – Alexandria, VA; US Coast Guard; USMC, Colonel (Ret.)
Herbert Ollis – Knoxville, TN; US Army,278th Armored Cavalry Regiment
Jack Riley – Hamilton, NZ; RAF, squadron leader, WWII
Virginia Rossine – Memphis, TN, WAVES, WWII
Kent Thoren – Belvidere, IL; US navy, WWII
Johannes Veldhuis – Almelo, Netherlands; Mount Home, AR & Sorrento, FL; Dutch Army & Navy, WWII, PTO
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Correction –
Curtis P-40
Pierre Lagacé has noted that the plane noted as a P-40 should be listed as a RCAF Spitfire from the 443 Squadron. How Capt. Currie acquired this is unknown, but Carol has informed me today that the research out in California is continuing.
Posted on June 30, 2014, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged Airborne, aviation, family history, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 102 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Captain Gail Currie is my grandfather….if you’d like to know more, feel free to contact Robb S. Ashburn and we will be happy to share more about him.
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Amazing! I acquired some of your grandfather’s photos from the estate sale his brother held in CA. I presently have them included in a collection of WWII paraphernalia that is to be donated to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. How would I contact Robb S. Ashburn?
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Jonathan,
I hope my requests are not going to your Spam file. You told me to contact Robb S, Ashburn about your grandfather Captain Gail Currie, but left no address for me to do that. Please inform him that I welcome any story of the Captain he wishes to tell me.
GP Cox
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Thanks for the fantastic airplanslideshow
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Thank you. I was thrilled to receive them!
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Great post. I love the photos. I really need to share your blog with my Dad. He loves military aircraft. BTW, I read the Girls of Atomic City. It was a great read!
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I thought you might – good book! Thank you for referring me to your Dad – hope he enjoys the posts!
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Another splendid post! Brave Red Cross ladies, dressed in their civvies. One has to love someone who goes to a war zone in a skirt and saddle oxfords. Are all those old planes restored and in museums, or do we only have photographs by which to remember them?
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The B-24 is a composite of numerous planes and the only one flying in the world today. I believe there are airports,etc. that have a token display around the country and other flying exhibitions – but not as many as we’d like. I’m sure the area was secured by the time the Red Cross got there, but I was surprised to see them at all. Thanks for reading.
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Red Cross at Normandy…yikes. Much more than they could have possibly imagined. Strange how they were able to capture that image with all the devastation that was going on.
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I’m sure the girls arrived after the beach and surrounding area was secured. I was just surprised they were there at all!
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Love these planes! Have you ever been to the Naval Air Force Museum that is the home of the Blue Angels? I’ve been several times and learn something new each time! Thanks for posting.
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I’m afraid I have not yet been to the museum, but I have seen the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds fly exhibition. Truly remarkable!
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My father was a airplane mechanic during WWII. They lived in some pretty primitive conditions.
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Where was he? Do you have a unit number?
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I loved the last two pictures. Thank you for the chuckle. Maybe there is a way to combine a rifle with a bow?
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😆 Who knows, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tried it!
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Hope more surfaces on Lt Currie, sounds like an interesting story waiting to be told.
The Red Cross girls picture landing at Normandy must be considered priceless.
Regards
Ian
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I was surprised myself to see this in Carol’s email, frankly I did not know the the girls were there. I only expected nurses to have landed.
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What a great opportunity for you. Those are wonderful pictures. Love the humor, too. The military is good about laughing with themselves.
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Yup, what could be better than laughter to get you over the rough or lonely times? Thanks, Jacqui.
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I wonder if those Red Cross workers had any idea what they would be facing.
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They were probably told what to expect, but that wouldn’t be the same as reality. Thanks for coming, Sue.
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Stirs memories, these are the first aircraft memories i have, electric lightnings cracking the sound barrier over Stradishall
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Very nice photo. I remember similar sound-barrier booms over my area while growing up. I take it we’re about the same age then.
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Possibly, I hit the big five oh last year 🙂
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Oh – I’ve got a few years on you then, kiddo. 😆
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Only a few? That’s not much 😀
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gpcox, nice to see photos of some of the old planes, like the German , I thought it was a FW 350 didnt look like a Messerschmidt to me , of course the Thunderbolts always look class, thanks for the nostalgia.
Ron
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Thanks for coming by Ron – I appreciate it.
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There’s some really great pics here !
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Appreciate it!!
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Nice aircraft snaps too~! (Those ‘clipped’ wings on the Spit could be confusing; somehow a Spit doesn’t look quite right without the ellipses …)
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Thanks, Argus.
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The clipped wings were for better performance on low altitude missions.
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Thanks, Pierre. I wondered about that …
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Just passing that info along. The Spitfire Mk V had a hard time against the new Fw-190. The British made a new version, the Mk IX with a more powerful engine. It could fight on more equal terms with the Focke-Wulf.
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Here…
I just published it.
You can reblog it tomorrow.
Thanks.
Pierre
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I wasn’t trying to make you frustrated, but you know how I am. Address is down for tomorrow!!
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Was not frustrated at all. Just making it simple.
I hope some readers will learn something about all this.
I know this is a long story but there is a message in all this.
I know you already know it.
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Maybe I missed the comment but that’s Alexander Vraciu, USN, in his F6F Hellcat…
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Thank you, Koji!!! I knew the picture looked familiar, but for the life of me I couldn’t remember why, it’s been driving me crazy!
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Aw, c’mon, gpcox! You’re just being humble as always! He may still be alive…
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I’m not being humble, Koji – just brain-dead!!
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Great slide show! Reminded me of viisting the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
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Aren’t they pretty! Thank you for coming by to see them, Bev.
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Planes were interesting but my favorite was the Red Cross workers trying to land without getting their feet wet. 🙂 –Curt
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A lot of people agree with you, I’m glad Carol included that photo for me. Thanks for reading, Curt.
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Great post! It’s wonderful that your friend was able to get these posters and things to you. So many don’t understand or care about the significance and just toss it. It’s in good hands now! Interesting photo about the women and I love the humor! 🙂
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I am thrilled to hear that you enjoy it, Linda. You’ve always been a good person for me to bounce ideas off of. Thank you.
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Interesting post, GP. The posters are gems. Do you know what type of photography he did after the war?
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Carol and I have been trying to look into Capt. Currie’s life and we are having a bit of a stone-wall problem – but we will keep hoping to find something.
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As usual, I loved the entire post. I love the planes and of course the Nurses bravely running ashore to help our brave military. I love the spirit of the photo.
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I do suppose that’s why you sent it? Without you – there’d be NO post!! Thank you!!
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Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
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My pleasure, Lorri. I appreciate you stopping in to see this.
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I love the images of those aircraft. The Curtis was a beaut.
Interesting, too, the ladies stepping ashore, and the humour!
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I’m glad you feel it fits together – I aims to pleeze!!
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I wonder if you have seen this. It is excellent!
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Excellent link for us, Mustang. Spitfire 944 and Mr. Savage at home and in war; terrific. Thanks.
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Funny we were just looking at old photographs yesterday, my Mum nursed in Gibraltar and there were a lot of soldiers / navy etc from all over sent there for training.
It’s fascinating to see pictures and be educated, so thank you as always 🙂
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And, as always, you are very welcome. Do you have a post with those photos?
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No my Aunt is over from the States so she and my Mum were talking about my Grandas days in the RAF. I must have a look and see if I can find some.
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Ah-ha!! I new project…..
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Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing. My favorite was the Red Cross crew jumping to shore. There’s a story there!
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I’ll bet there is, but being that they were civilians, they had to arriving after we had completely secured the beaches and much territory inland. Thanks for reading, Cindy.
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What a treasure trove!
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Carol said a lot of his stuff was being overlooked at the estate sale and she couldn’t understand why, but thank goodness, she knew I would like it!!
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Enjoyed the post–topped off with a little USAF humor.
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Thank you, Adam – it was a fun one to put together, too. But I couldn’t have done it without Carol and Scott. I’m still hoping more info comes in about Capt. Currie.
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443 squadron
Piece of cake as the British said…
I thought it was important to set the record straight. This is not meant to ridicule anyone.
In fact these comments can be deleted. I won’t be offended GP.
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No GP that’s not the one.
It’s the translation of the meeting between Jacques Gagnon and Mr. Morin the veteran air gunner who learned about his old friend Georges.
That story sums up all that I have been doing since 2009 with all my blogs.
It does not matter if I have published it by mistake on 425 Alouette. I just want you readers to be able to read it without using automatic translation.
The introduction will be different. I will be linking this post with your blog.
How can someone read in the same day around Christmas time about 40 posts on an unknown Pacific paratrooper?
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Give me a heads-up bright and early, Wednesday morning!
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Will do.
I will finish it tonight.
I will keep you informed.
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Thanks, Pierre.
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I have just completed the translation.
http://425alouette.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/my-meeting-with-jacques-morin-june-23rd-2014/
Tomorrow I will post it again with a different title and a modified introduction.
I just have to proofread it.
This will be the version to reblog.
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I’ll be looking for it.
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I will post the article with a different introduction on Wednesday. Then you can reblog it.
Simple as apple pie.
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Okie-dokey. I’ll be here.
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I will be posted tomorrow morning 5 o’clock Eastern Daylight Time.
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See you shortly after that.
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A bridge to the past… by the way I like that title.
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Thanks, to me it is.
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Great photos…Imagine sending those women into a battle zone inadequately dressed though – bizarre!
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I was surprised by the apparel myself, but they are civilians…what are you goin’ to do?
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NASA is still using a small fleet of 60’s vintage T-38’s for proficiency training and transportation, even with the Shuttle program ended. Not only pilots train in them but non-pilot specialists to get the crews experienced in the sensations of supersonic flight and G-forces of launches and reentries. Also practicing the necessities of fast reactions and decision making needed for high speed space flight. They are 50 year old aircraft still serving an active role. A very cool airplane.
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That’s good to know – thanks for adding that info!
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Reblogged this on Dead Citizen's Rights Society.
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Once again, thank you, Paul.
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Love the photo of the Red Cross workers arriving in Normandy. They look rather elegant.
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Pretty as a peach – even in war. Thank you for stopping in, Gallivanta.
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Wow, the F-4 Phantoms. I recall how these jets blazed the skies over Manila at the height of a coup d etat
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Impressive, aren’t they. Thank you for coming today.
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Awesome. Never seen or heard anything like it. We were atop a roof watching and the spectacle was more powerful than our fear of getting hit by stray bullets
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I can not even imagine your experience.
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Very unique and enjoyable post–love the planes
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Thanks, the moment I received them in the mail – I knew I had to get them on the computer. So, any faulty photography is mine.
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It is the overall post that counts and it is a good one ☆
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Thanks for the Star!! I had a good time doing this post (just wish my photography was better.)
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Once again, I am sincere when I say that I was focusing in the post as a whole. But I do appreciate your high technical standards. Rest assured that your post works :》
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Thank you very much!
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You are welcome…
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