|
Commanders:
Col Blake Miller
Maj Irving H Gravin
January
Construction of the St Albans AFS was completed.
Jan 23
St Albans Messenger
Khaki Vocalist At Rotary Club
Voice and piano selections by Pfc John Howard Burke, who is stationed here at the Bellevue Hill Project,
entertained Rotarians at their weekly luncheon Monday at the Owl Club. He was presented by J. Gregory Smith, program
chairman for the week.
A native of Houston, Texas, he was educated at the University of Texas,
Trinity University and the Houston Conservatory of Music. He has been in New York City since 1945, where he has sung with
the Colony Opera Guild, Village opera Company, Lemonade Opera Company, the Near York City Center Opera Company; similar groups
in Texas. and on TV and radio networks.
He was accompanied at. the Rotary luncheon by Pvt. James Van De Valde, formerly of Cleveland, O., who also
is assigned to the special services section at the project.
Pvt Burke will be heard again, by the Rotarians and their wives at the
dinner and dance at the Owl Club next Monday night, starting at 7.
Jan 26
St
Albans Messenger
John Burke to Sing on Sunday
John Howard Burke , a native of Houston. Tex., will sing at the 1I o'clock
service Sunday, Jan 28, in the First Congregational Church.
Mr. Burke, who is stationed at the federal project Bellevue Hill, has
been in the U. S. Air Force since last August.
Prior to his enlistment he sang with the New York City Center Opera
Company, the Colony Opera Guild of New York, the Village opera Company, also of New York and Summertime Opera of Houston.
He also sang for radio audiences in Schenectady N.Y. and Houston.
His academic training was secured in the University of Term, Houston conservatory
of Music, and Trinity University. He was a pupil of Oscar Beagle. Mr. Burke has a voice of unusual range, tone and quality. He will be accompanied by Ralph E. Tuscany,
organist and choir director of the church.
Jan 29
St Albans Messenger
Maj Gravin Named New CO of Station
Maj Irving H. Gravin will succeed Col Blake Miller as commanding officer
of the 764th Air Force squadron stationed here effective Feb 1. Maj Gravin, who
has been attached to headquarter at Stuart Air Base, Newburgh. N. Y., will move his family of his wife Dorothy, and three
children here approximately Feb 10. Col. Miller will be assigned to headquarters
at Stuart.
The new commanding officer is a recent graduate of Air University.
Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery. Ala., former member of the U.S. Joint Advisory Commission to China, He saw wartime service
with the 12th and 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean theatre. Col. Miller, who
bas been in charge of the squadron during the period of its activation at Fort Ethan, Allen, moved here only last week.
February 1
St Albans Messenger
Maj Irving H Gravin succeeded Col Blake Miller as commanding officer of the
764th Radar Squadron.
February 6
St Albans Messenger
Air Force Vehicle Wrecked
on Hill
William Prescott Brewer, 20. of the local Air Force squadron lost control
of the Air Force Dodge station wagon as he was proceeding down St Albans hill yesterday at 12 : 45 p.m. and the vehicle skidded
from the left side of the slippery highway into a ditch, according to investigating state police.
Neither the driver nor his passenger, Henry Allen of St Albans was injured
but damage to the pickup was estimated at $880.
February 25
St Albans Messenger
Burlington AFB.
USAF to Take S. Burlington
Land for Base
Runway to Extend Over Airport Dr. Says Finnegan
(Special to The Sunday
News)
Several South Burlington property holders will be forced to move
in the near future if the Air Force carries out the tentative plans revealed yesterday by Hugh Finnegan, manager of the Burlington
Airport.
Finnegan said that it is his belief that Army engineers will extend the northwest end of the Northwest‑southeast
runway a distance of 4,000 feet, making .a total runway length of 9,000 feet and
width of 150 feet. He said the engineers are planning to return here either tomorrow or Tuesday, at which time
they will announce definite plans. May 1 has been set as the date when it is hoped to start work on the project,
If such a program is carried
out, the runway would extend across Airport Road, which runs between Williston Road and St. Michael's College. No word has
been received as yet as to what arrangements, if any, will be made to rejoin the road thus severed. Neither has it been told
how many home owners in the area will be required to vacate their property.
The proposed runway will enable the Burlington Airport (now the
Burlington Air Force Base) to accommodate the largest and fastest jet planes now in use.
Col. H. J. Woodbury, division engineer of the Army Corps of Engineers in Boston has revealed a total of $2,491,000
will be spent on construction at the field.
The funds will be apportioned as follows:
For barracks, hangars and normal base development buildings, $1,229,000.
For runways, parking aprons and utilities, $543,000
For navigational needs, $349,000.
For petroleum, oils and lubricant facilities, $300,000.
Col. Woodbury said "There will be no formal public advertising, but
selected bidders will be contacted and given an opportunity to bid on the work."
He also pointed out that his office is establishing a registration
of contractors based upon experience records. "This office," he continued "will be happy to accept and consider any experience
records."
All such information should be addressed to Col. H J. Woodbury, division
engineer, Corps of Engineers, Boston Naval Shipyard, Building 21, FO Box 2318, South Boston.
Evidence submitted should indicate business background and financial
status and should indicate the particular type of construction in which the f1rm is interested.
March 5
St Albans Messenger
Military Rites
for Mr.Richard
ST. ALBANS BAY ‑‑‑ Full military honors were accorded
Homer J Richard World War I veteran, at the funeral held Saturday at 9 a. from Our Lady of the Lake Church with the Rev. Edward
J Gelineau, celebrating a high mass of requiem. The Gregorian Mass Pro de
Funtis was chanted by the organist Mrs. Mabel Viens. The flag which draped the
casket was presented relatives by Clinton Daigue, acting assistant adjutant of Green Mountain Pest 1. American Legion.
Bearers were, Pfc. Richard S. Cuter, Pfc Pina J. Augustine, Pfc. James
R. Vanchidde, Pfc. John E. Burke, Pfc. James R. Wimbish and Sgt. Norman Schmidt, all members of the U.S. Air Force in St.
Albans. Entombment took place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
March 5
St Albans Messenger
Smith Brother In
Air Force
Two West Panton youths, Cpl. John R. and Pvt. James W. Smith sons of
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, are now serving fn the United States Air force. John
enlisted in 1948, attended Control Tower School and Ground Approach School and is now stationed in California. James, who
enlisted in 1950,
attended a radar school in Mississippi, was stationed at Fort Ethan
Allan and is now in St Albans. The two boys are the nephews of John Tatro of
Burlington.
March 15
St Albans Messenger
Bellevue Hill Endorses
Center
This city’s proposed recreation center for teen‑agers received
solid encouragement this week from the Bellevue Hill project, which has leisure time problems of its own.
Writing to Atty. Gordon E Peggs, president of Teen-Aid Inc. Maj Irving
H. Gravin commanding officer pointed out that personnel on the hill includes 35 Percent who are under 21 years of age. He said in part, "We would like to take
this opportunity to state officially that our organization is 100 percent for this proposed project. "Due to the fart that our recreational facilities are extremely limited we believe that this proposed project would
be of great benefit to the airmen of this organization and would help immeasurably to establish fine social relationship between
our personnel and the young people of St.. Albans."
Attorney Peggs added: It is nice to realize that
we are receiving active support from the Air Forces in the matter of community projects, and I am hoping that this assistance may bring us a step closer to realizing a community center.
March 26
St Albans Messenger
Military Honors for F. St. Pierre
Military honors were accorded Frank St. Pierre, World War I veteran
at his funeral held this morning at 9 in Holy Angels Church. The pastor,the Rev.
Arthur J. LeVeer celebrated a high mass of requiem.
Bearers, all members of the U. S. Air Force, stationed here were Sgt.
Norman S. Schmidt and Pfcs Custer, Augustine, White, Grogan and Robinson. Entombment
took place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
The American flag, which draped the casket, was presented to Mrs. St.
Pierre by Donald Shepard of Green Mountain Post 1, American Legion.
Mr. St. Pierre died Monday night at Kerbs Memorial Hospital following‑
a long period of ill health.
March 30
St Albans Messenger
Bellevue Boys To
Present Play
In accordance with its recreational program the St. Albans Air Force
project will produce an original musical play "You Never Had It So Good." April 6 and 7 at BFA Auditorium. The purpose of the show is to raise money to furnish recreational facilities for the St. Albans Air
Force personnel, and is sponsored completely nonprofit by the St. Albans Rotary Club.
The play, written and directed by Pfc. James R. Van DeVelde, relates
the story of a group of boys who enlisted in the Air Force together, take their basic, training together, and are shipped
together, to you know where in Vermont. The story carries with it several singing and dancing numbers which are woven
into the plot.
A ticket booth has been erected on Main Street and will be open from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting today, the official opening of the ticket drive, until April 7.
April 2
St Albans Messenger
Burke Will Sing Ballad in Play
"You Never Had it So Good." St
Albans Air Force Squadron show to appear here April 6 and 7 at the BPA auditorium. will have as its finale "Ballad for Americans",
Pfc. James R. Van DeVelde said today. It is, he explained. "a stirring cantata
describing in operatic form the origin and growth of our country. It reminds us of our obligation to ourselves and others
and leaves the listener with the strong feeling that he is proud to be a part of the American, way of life." "Ballad for Americans", will be directed by Pfc. John H. Burke, who will also sing the main role.
Tickets are now on sale at the Taylor Park ticket booth and at Sanders
Pharmacy and will also be available at the door both nights. The show is written
and directed by Pfc. Van DeVelde and acted entirely by Air Force personnel. It includes various musical numbers
introduced during the show in connection with the plot.
April 4
The radar site was inspected and accepted.
April 4
St Albans Messenger
Pfc. Van DeVelde
Is on Way Up Ladder in Theatrical World
Only 22 and already a professional writer of several monologues
and skits, and a top notch radio announcer to boot. Pfc. James Van DeVelde,
writer‑director of 'You Never Had It so Good.' a musical to be presented
by St. Albans Air Force Squadron, has a quiet sort of confidence that sort of makes one sure lie's doing a good job.
He's not at al sure how the, St. Albans‑theater goers are going
to accept his little effort to get financial assistance for a recreational center for the Bellevue Project, but he has only
kind words for the people he has met here and feels chances are good it will be a successful presentation.Pfc. Van DeVelde has had a wide range of experience in show
business, having started at the tender age of seven with Parts at Lakewood Little Theater, Cleveland and before leaving several
years later was carrying most of the leads on the by then broadened shoulders.
During his free‑lance years around Cleveland, OH, his hometown.
Van DeVelde gradually worked his way up the ladder in the field of broadcasting.
until he landed with Station WTAM in what he called a most lucrative position. Two
months later he was in the service with little prospect of getting his old job back.
Pfc. Van DeVelde, of course, doesn't know how long he will be in the
service, but once out will continue his stage aspirations. He will return to
Cleveland where his mother. Mrs. Helen Van DeVelde still lives.
Several high ranking officers from Air Force Headquarters, New York,
will arrive in St. Albans Friday to attend the opening night performance of the play to be presented at BFA auditorium
April 6 and 7, Friday and Saturday.
“The show seems to have attracted more than local attention,”
director Van DeVelde said today. The show is sponsored by the St. Albans Rotary
Club and is acted entirely by Air Force personnel. Tickets are now on sale
at the Taylor Park ticket booth, Sanders Pharmacy, and Houghton's Stationery Store.
April 6
St Albans Messenger
Find Haggerty, There's the Play
"Haggerty! " the air Force boys were shouting. "Come on, Haggerty!'°
Seems Haggerty and some more of the casts of, “You Never Had It
So Good,” were taking a last minute briefing in harmony out in the BFA hall the other night, while the dress rehearsal
waited for them in the auditorium.
Dress rehearsals are great fun to watch, but not, so fascinating to
the cast, who play their hearts out to empty seats: or to the director and author, Pfc. James Van DeVelde, who was busy picking
flaws in the performance.
Tonight is the cast's baptism of theatrical fire, some probably stage
frightened, others feeling they have “found a home” as Act 3 says right here in St. Albans. At the same time, St. Albans will see for itself what it is like to join the Air‑Force, both the
sunny and the seamy sides, and the seamier side is something. Note the sergeant,
"an exact portrait."
Sgt Edward Bloomfield is in charge of properties, all the Air Force
beds, brooms, mops, and they should have given him the Doc, too. You'll see.
Along with the fun and the homesickness go a fetching dance by a coverall
trio, and a surgical number everything truly antiseptic, and a good show.
Assisting in the chorus for the finale, “Ballad for Americans"
staged by Pfc. John H. Burke who has the solo part, are J. Gregory Smith, J. James Willis, Ernest Salisbury, Lawrence J. Simpson, George Gillings, Percy Thompson,
Warren Marsden, Charles Capron, F. G. Grassett, Ralph Tuscany, and Bernard Conte.
Other Air Force voices are those of Cpl. William Jarvi, Sergeant Bloomfield,
and Pvt. Gene Williams. Mrs. Florence Bostwick is accompanist. Proceeds of the
ticket sale will be used for recreation supplies for Air Force personnel here.
April 8
St Albans Messenger
Air Force Gives Hit Show Here
St Albans
Everybody “Never Had it so Good” as the audience and cast
of the Air Force show both Friday and Saturday nights in the BFA auditorium here. Pfc. James Van DeVelde, author and director
of the musical play whose setting was Air Force born, and bred in St. Albans, was particularly happy at the reception, his
production was given here. It was justified, and nearly every auditorium seat
was filled both nights.
Act 1 showed “how the guys got into it”, a handful of the
greenest, badgered and bedeviled by the recruiting sergeant. Funny to watch,
but not so funny to be on the receiving end.
Act 2 Scene 1 showed the boys trying to get settled and Scene 2 the
further shaking down process. You were given glimpses of real homesickness and
real fun.
Highlights were the singing of Cpl. AI Spotts, the quartet, the trio
of coverall chorines with their interpretation of the secretary’s life,, and that tremendous surgical scene. Who wants penicillin, anyhow?
Pfc. John Howard Burke sang ably the solo part in “Ballad for
Americans” assisted by a chorus in which Air Force voices joined those of many St Albans men.
August 5
St Albans Messenger
YOU'LL SEE MORE
OF THESE
Recent charges in the sleeve insignia of Army and Air Force enlisted men have
left even ex‑GI's confused about relative ranks in the services. Above are current insignia for non‑commissioned
officers of the Army arid Air Force. Air Force chevrons were completely redesigned,
while the major change in Army insignia was omission of the old three-stripe sergeant chevron, and the use of reverse colors
for non‑combat branches.
September
The major electronic equipment was accepted as functional and the Squadron was assigned a “Manual” mission
Bulk of personel transfered from Burlington to St Albans.
Judging from the statistical reports, the bulk of personnel assigned
to the 764th, in early and mid year, were stationed at Ethan Allen AFB, Colchester, VT, operating temporary equipment, until
the permanent equipment, at the 764th AC&W Squadron, Bellevue Hill was installed and became operational.
Exactly how many were at St Albans and at Ethan Allen is not clear, nor is it clear exactly when all of the squadron
personnel arrived at the St Albans AFS. It appears, the move from
Ethan Allen AFB to the St Albans AFS, was completed during September and October.
The Major electronics equipment installation was not completed until
July. The equipment calibration was completed on July 23 and accepted as functional
in September. The primary radar was the AN/CPS 6-B. In
February, the 4711th Defense Wing Command, was organized replacing the 23rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing.
|
