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Fighting Six (VF-6) Reunions
& Gatherings
Reunions Page 7
VF-6 Gathering at Pensacola, Florida,
March 16-19, 1993
March 16, 17, 18 and 19, 1993, VF-6 Gathered at Pensacola, Florida for their 50th Anniversary. Sy
Mendenhall was the host for this Milestone gathering of "Butch" O'Hare's VF-6 Fighter Squadron, which
was held in a Pensacola motel near some good eating places which some pilots remembered during their training and
active duty assignments.
At the outset of the gathering, it was decided that the next squadron gathering would be three (3)
years later, on the west coast in 1996.
During our visiting sessions, under Sy's leadership, each attendee was afforded the opportunity to
talk about memories and things current in each individual's lives. Later we held our traditional memorial review
and remembered each of our VF-6 buddies who had already passed on. Rather than being morbid, it was done in the
most honorable way possible.
As a group, we visited the Navy Air Museum which helped us recall our old flying days.
Those present were Al Vraciu, Willie & Sue Callan, Sy & Gloria Mendenhall, Hank & Elbess
Landry, Herschel & Bonnie Pahl, Spook Smollen, Sverre O. Bach and others.
- No Pictures currently available for
this Reunion -
Reunions continue to be Planned and Take Place
In May of 1995, Clifford Seaver joyfully announced that he had been found and gave details of a plan
to have the next VF-6 gathering in San Diego, California.
In July, 1995, Willie Callan reported (in a letter) on the health of Jim Nichols and about John Stann having a
stroke and talked more about the next VF-6 Gathering planned for March 1996 in San Diego which Cliff had announced
a couple months earlier.
Note: In early July '95, John Stann had a massive stroke in St. Louis.
September 10, 1997, a Mini VF-6 Gathering was held in the home of John and Mary Jane Stann. John
was brought home from the health Care establishment for a short time and was present in his home during dinner
and for the evening of visiting. The family and the attendees tried to make it a memorable occasion for John; however,
his stroke had been so severe that it was doubtful that he even knew what was going on.
Those present were: Hank & Elbess Landry, Willie and Sue Callan, Hersch & Bonnie Pahl, Sy
and Glorial Mendenhall. Sadly, there were no photographs taken at this gathering.
From March 21st through the 23rd, 1996, a VF-6 Gathering was held in a San Diego motel as planned.
Cliff Seaver was the host. The attendees represented a good cross section of both Officer (pilots) and enlisted
men of the squadron.
In addition to visiting, eating together and having the traditional memorial or remembrance session,
the group toured several places of interest in the San Diego Area.
Those present were "Hoot" Hutt, "Cliff" Seaver with his future wife, and others.
The Photos below are included to help tell the story of who were in attendance:
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Members of the crew gather at the San Diego hotel to remember
old times. Buzzy Baur on right with, Ken Decker and others.
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Four members of VF-6 Crew discuss old times (names uncertain)
during the VF-6 reunion at San Diego on
March 22, 1998.
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On March 22, 1998 during the VF-6 reunion at San Diego, Hersch
Pahl and Larry Oliver enjoyed a surprise meeting 53 years after Larry gave away the bride at Hersch and Bonnie's
wedding in Coronado CA., 15 May 1943.
Looking on Hoot Hutt (L) and Steve Bach (R).
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Pilots and crew visit following a field trip in San Diego.
L-R:- Steve Bach, Hersch Pahl, Honicker, Larry Oliver, Ken Decker, and Willton "Hoot" Hutt.
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Larry Oliver and Hersch Pahl with photos of VF-6 crew on the
wall (L) while aboard the USS Independence CVL-22 after raid on Marcus Island,
September 1943.
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[The complete story with more photographs
is not available at this time]
U.S.S. HANCOCK CV-19 and
VF-6 Reunion - Corpus Christi, Texas - 1998
Pilots, Kipp and Killian attended the Hancock
reunion at Corpus Christy Tex 1998...
VF-6 Pilots gather at a reunion in 1998
Left to Right - Dick Olson, Hersch Pahl, Willie Moeller, Jim
Driver, unknown pilot, David Kipp and Ray Killian.
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David Kipp - Roland Baker
Ray Killian
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VF-6 Reunion at NAS, Oceana, Virginia
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Commemorating the 55th Year
of the Squadron
September 23, 24 and 25, 1998
September 23, 24 and 25, 1998, Sverre
"Steve" Bach hosted the VF-6 Reunion
at NAS Oceana, Virginia, commemorating the 55th year of the squadron.
All attendees had very comfortable accommodations in the BOQ (Bachelor Officer Quarters). A few attendees
had flag officers suites which were also used for our all-hands gatherings.
It was decided at the outset to start having future VF-6 gatherings every year. We were very much
aware that our ages (at that time) were between 65 and 71, which gave us the incentive to get together more often
while we were still active travelers.
The gathering followed the usual format with lots of visiting and remembering.
At one time, Herschel Pahl guided the attendees through a memorial remembrance of each of our buddies
who were lost during the war and those who have passed on since the war.
We were blessed this time with the presence of several old VF-6 pilots and crewmen that we had not
seen for quite awhile, such as Byron "By" Webster, Cliff Seaver, David Moyer and others.
The group took advantage of some of the excellent eating establishments located in the Norfolk/Virginia
Beach area.
The following photos were taken during the general meetings:
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Sverre O. "Steve" Bach and his wife Sally were the leaders or sponsors
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Former Pilots visiting: L-R: Hersch Pahl, Cliff Seaver, and Harvey
Odenbrett.
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Hersch Pahl leads Memorial presentation and discussion. Sitting L-R: Bonnie Pahl, Elbess Landry, Sally Bach, and
Mary Lamb.
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Hersch and Bonnie Pahl after memorial discussion.
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Danny Lamb leading discussion
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Visiting group. L-R: Hank Landry, Byron Webster, Harvey Odenbrett,
Sy Mendenhall and Elbess Landry foreground..
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VF-6 Oceana, Virginia Reunion continues
on Page 8...
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