PAGE 5 GO SPORT November25, 2009 Enlisted naval aviation pilots bid farewell By Lt. Brenda Way Special to Gosport s one retired enlisted pilot described it, the weekend of the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show represented the end of an era. An era not understood by many. Excitement filled the air as the group, mostly over 80, mingled. But they talk like they flew together yesterday. Their minds still sharp as tacks. They are an elite few. The enlisted naval aviation pilots have an impressive 65- year history of accomplishments and contributions to naval avia- tion having served in every conflict from World War I to the Vietnam War. In any capacity imaginable they are legend. Walking through the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, those of us honored to attend their final reunion Nov. 12-15 with fathers, grandfathers, uncles and friends received a world-class tour. Hearing time and time again "I flew that." Unlike naval aviation today, the era that raised these men came with varied assignments. Most flew more than 15 dif- ferent types of aircraft in their career; whatever the U.S. Navy asked them to fly. Master Chief John Culbert joked: "Whatever they gave me the keys to that day, that's what I flew." It all began 1916 in Pensacola where all 5,000 enlisted men would receive their wings of gold. The final class graduated in 1947. Three went on to the rank of admiral; all went on to achieve great significance and shaped aviation history. Laughing they spoke of flight pay received coming out of flight school in the 1940s. Just $105 per month; some even received 50 cents per land- ing. It wasn't much, even back then. But enlisted pilots didn't sign up to fly for the money. The Silver Eagles are a rare breed of Sailor. With less than 200 members left, they are near- ing extinction. Culbert and Palmer enlisted pilots to the end Culbert grew up in Dodge City, Kan., during the Great Depression. He joined the Navy in Wichita on Dec. 6, 1940. The Navy was an opportunity to gain valuable skills while serving his country. Little did he know as a high school graduate he would soon be one of the small percentage of enlisted men accepted into flight school. He received his orders signed by Adm. Chester W Nimitz, Pacific commander, in 1945. He began flight school as an aviation mechanic second class and grad- uated aviator pilot first class in 1947. Culbert's career spanned 30 years. His service included patrol squadron, drone control, air sea rescue via sea planes and heli- copters, admiral's pilot and sta- tion administration pilot. He was involved in several evaluation projects, most notably the evaluation of light water for use in fire fighting by the naval laboratory. He flew the UH2B to dispense the light water, which is now used for firefighting world- wide. Culbert speaks of a man over- board alarm while attached to air sea rescue. He received the call while in the chief's mess onboard the USS Wasp. Within minutes he was airborne in his HUP helicopter with a rescue crewman. The young ordnance man was found and brought back to safe- ty. Later that evening the young Sailor brought a box of cigars as a gift for saving his life. When asked about the extraordinary rescue Culbert said: "I was just doing what I was trained to do." With qualification in 22 air- craft, both fixed wing and heli- copter, and 6,720 flight hours, Culbert retired after 30 years of service in July 1970. He achieved the rank of master chief Harry Palmer grew up in Connecticut, New York and France. Attending school in France and the United States set him back and left him wanting more. Tired of school, he joined the Navy in New York in 1937 after completing his sophomore year. Six years later he was accept- ed into flight school at the rank of air traffic controlman second class. He graduated in September Bud Baudouin 1944 and received his wings of gold. He was promoted to avia- tor pilot first class. He went on to get his GED and complete two years of college. Palmer qualified in 15 air- planes and two helicopters log- ging an impressive 12,000 hours. His most memorable tour was a trip to the Marshall Islands after World War II. The mission was to check for radioactivity. Gamma rays had to be below a certain level to get the people back in their homes. It was important to Palmer. Palmer retired after 20 years of service as a chief He went on to work with the Boy Scouts of America for several years. The last to get wings Bud Baudouin, from Silsbee, Texas, joined the Navy inAugust 1940. Baudouin said about his decision to join the navy: "Things were not looking good in England. I wanted to get in on the ground floor before the draft." Baudouin received orders to flight school in June 1945 as an aviation metalsmith first class. He graduated in December 1947, the final group of enlisted pilots to attend flight school and the John Culbert last to be pinned. He attained the rate of aviator pilot first class. The command- ing officer said to him: "You are the last of an era." Baudouin started in utility and transport as a pilot for the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team. After receiving a commission he was transferred to a ferry squadron where he flew many types of aircraft. Baudouin believes enlisted pilots had just as much skill as any of his counterparts. Skill demonstrated time and time again by these brave men. He tells of a day in San Antonio, Texas, when he was assigned to fly an air evac mis- sion. He made many split-second decisions regarding the flight plan, at times against the recom- mendation of the air control tower, ultimately saving a young Marine's life. "I knew that kid needed to get to the hospital as fast as possi- ble," Baudouin said. "My deter- mination paid off." Baudouin qualified in 24 planes and clocked 7,000 hours. He retired in March 1961 at the rank of lieutenant. Dillard's Announces HERO APPRECIATION DAYS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2N THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3O ATTENTION ALL: Police Officers S* Firefighters Active Military Members and their immediate families o Full-time Active Guardsmen immediate families Po. f lhs ad the o abov ividuas or a irepres atie irom tr n medialamily are icord inedo hop a area D rd' sore an either or bh days These guests are asked to SAVE their sales receipts Upon completing tar shopping each day. gest are asked to ake recepts to a Dillard's Custom Servie area and show validpolidrceir, tacive or full-time military ID. Immecale family members Shopping behalofll lulime or actwated membs o l e military nit pre5st will be asked to preserit ID that rKes the are au@rrly of such -nary perionnel Dmard's will glacdy deduct he discount from part1icpah5' total purchase In tthe same form of payment thy used or pW ases. 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