Oregon Aviation

Historical Society
N e w s l e t t e r
VoI . 18 No. 1 P. O. Box 553 Cot t age Grove, OR 97424 Apri I 2009
ANNUAL MEETING AND PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19TH
The annual meeting of the
Oregon Aviation Historical
Society will be held in Cottage
Grove, Sunday April 19,
2009 in the Cascadia Room
of the Village Green Resort.
Attendees will gather for a
no-host luncheon at 11:30am
followed by a short business
meeting and program.
The cost of the hardy luncheon
is $18.00 and includes coffee,
dessert and gratuity. The
extensive gardens at the
Village Green can be seen
from the large windows in the
comfort of the Cascadia Room.
Members are encouraged to
invite interested guests.
Please assist us in the planning
of this event by mailing your
check for $18 each to: OAHS
Annual Meeting, c/o Annette
Whittington, 555 West A
Street, Creswell, OR 97426
BY APRIL 9th.
Our program will be presented by Lorraine Gabel, Ph.D. of Independence, Oregon.
Lorraine is the daughter of Hank Troh, Pioneer Aviation Enthusiast, Gresham
Outlook, 1959. Lorraine has just written a book, Trohs Air Taxi, Time Flies, Why
Dont You? It covers her dads aviation career from just before 1930 through 1960 and
includes people, places and planes of a special time in Oregons aviation history.
(continued on page 7)
Our Mission:
The Oregon Aviation
Historical Society was
incorporated as the Oregon
Aviation Museum in June
1983 through the efforts of a
group of aviation enthusiasts
who recognized the need
to preserve Oregons rich
aviation heritage for the
beneft and enjoyment oI
future generations.
Its purposes are to collect,
preserve, restore and exhibit
aviation artifacts; to develop
facilities for the restoration
and preservation of
artifacts, public viewing and
exhibition of the collection;
to establish and maintain
an Oregon Aviation Hall of
Fame; establish a resource
center for Oregon aviation
historical research and to
disseminate information
about Oregon aviation
history.
Whats Inside
Random Flight
Tiger Attack
Upcoming Events
Oregon WASP
Page 2 -
Page 3 -
Page 6 -
Page 6 -
Hank Troh with his rst airplane
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 2
Board of Directors
Roger Starr, President
Canby (503) 266-4282
WiIbur Heath, Vice-President
Cottage Grove (541) 942-2567
Tom BedeII, Secretary
Philomath (541) 929-5598
Gretchen Bencene, Treasurer
Philomath (541) 929-5598
Dorothy Austin
Roseburg (541) 679-7276
DanieI Cathey
Cottage Grove (541) 745-5175
Ray CosteIIo
Corvallis (541) 745-5175
AIbert (AI) GreII
Tangent (541) 928-7068
Jan Hedberg
Corvallis (541) 754-7315
Rex Hume
Grants Pass (541) 846-6620
MariIyn Husser
Independence (503) 910-7238
Doug Kindred
Eugene (541) 687-9490
HaI Skinner
Springfeld (541) 746-3387
Tim TaIen
Springfeld (541) 746-6572
Annette Whittington
Creswell (541) 895-3910
LIoyd WiIIiams
Cottage Grove (541) 942-1268
The OAHS Newsletter is published by the
Society (PO Box 553, Cottage Grove, OR
97424) and edited by Roger Starr for the
beneft of the members. Member
contributions are encouraged but should
relate to Oregon aviation history.
Contents 2008 OAHS.
www.oregonaviation.org
RANDOM FLIGHT
By Roger Starr
We hear and read a lot about the need for the aviation
community to encourage potential new pilots to
take the plunge into the world of aviation. This is
important to most of us who are already involved to
ensure that what we have accomplished or archived
is carried through to the next generations.
It takes someone who is unselfsh to take that next
generation by the collar and lead them through the trials, tribulations and joys of
aviation for a hobby or perhaps a career. Take a good look at the picture below.
What do you see? Yes, there is the Boeing 40C airplane and Addison Pemberton,
second from left. Most of the other folks are probably from around Bellefonte,
Pennsylvania where this shot was taken at the frst stop on the trip Addison and
others took last September to recreate airmail travel in the early part of the last
century.
What about the young
pilot in the cockpit?
This is probably the most
apt photo I have seen that
speaks loud and clear of
what Addison espouses.
He enthusiastically shares
his wonderful creation
with as many people as
possible. Some restorers
of such rare machines
would be aghast if a
mere child even asked to
climb up and look inside
the cockpit. Not Addison. That is called an extremely unselfsh act in my book.
I am just completely blown away by what this image represents.
To a similar degree, I view anyone who volunteers to make an organization such
as your Society a thriving worthwhile effort. One can not thank them enough.
From the volunteer board to the volunteer sweeper, they are all essential.
When you read Carol Skinners article about our recent receipt of many artifacts
Irom the Iamily oI an Oregon born WASP, refect back on how this came about.
Not by happenstance, but by a solid foundation being laid by Carol and others
that demonstrated to the family that we were worthy of this gift. So it is now up
to us to ensure that our legacy is passed on to the next generation. That means
more unselfsh volunteer eIIort Irom even more and diIIerent volunteers.
Is this another plea for you to consider volunteering? Sure, but maybe you are
not able to for a number of reasons. Could you encourage those who are able
through your continued fnancial support? Yes, and I have seen and Ielt what
that does to help buoy the moral around the History Center. Maybe you know
someone who would enjoy volunteering but is not aware of the opportunity.
Encourage them, or let us know of that person so we can make a contact.
Remember, Addison and the Boeing 40 are coming to the Oregon Aviation
History Center this summer. Look inside, plan to come and ask him about the
fight mentioned above.
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 3
The following is part of an article appearing in Air Classics, Volume 45, Number 3 and is reprinted by permission.
Ken Jernstedt is a 2003 inductee of the Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Society. For the service
to his country, partly related in this article, and a lifetime of service to his community and state we are proud to
be able to bring you this article. Ken resides in Hood River, Oregon.
TIGER ATTACK AT MOULMEIN
By Bob Bergin
Ask which American Volunteer Group (AVG) Flying Tiger actions were the most signifcant and three come
immediately to mind: The Battle of Rangoon where the Tigers won their fame; the Tigers surprise raid on the
Japanese Air Force Headquarters at Chiang Mai; and the Salween River Gorge where the Tigers stopped the
Japanese Army from advancing into China. There are other actions, not as well known perhaps, that should also
be remembered. One that should be put near the top oI the list is the Tigers` attack on two Japanese-held airfelds
in Burma near the city of Moulmein.
The Moulmein raid was not a planned operation like the Chiang Mai raid, but a quick strike on a target of
opportunity. It took place on 19 March 1942, and was carried out by two Third Squadron pilots, Flight leaders
Bill Reed and Ken Jernstedt. Reed was an Army pilot when he signed up with the AVG; Jernstedt was a Marine.
Both had participated in the early air battles over Rangoon in December 1941; each was credited with three aerial
victories.
In March 1942, Moulmein was a city of about 50,000, sited near the mouth of the Salween River, across the Gulf
of Martaban from Burmas capital at Rangoon. It was the center of
the teak and the rice trade, and the British had been there since the
1820s. In January 1941, when the Japanese Army came across the
hills from Thailand, it was at Moulmein where the British Army
decided to make a stand. The Japanese took the city in 24-hrs,
and continued their march up the peninsula. By the end oI the frst
week of March, they were in Rangoon.
On 27 February, with the Japanese Army approaching the city and
the British evacuating, the AVG moved its P-40s out of Rangoon.
The AVGs new base of operations in Burma would be the British
RAF airfeld at Magwe, 200-mi to the north. Reed and Jernstedt
were among the Third Squadron pilots sent to reinforce First
Squadron pilots who had been briefy based there.
Magwe was distant from the main action, and Ken Jernstedt was
recently asked if the raid on Moulmein came about - as sometimes
suggested to escape the boredom that set in after the Third
Squadron arrived at Magwe. Jernstedt said, I dont recall anything
like that. What I remember is that the fight was a reconnaissance
mission. Our commander, Gen. Chennault, wanted to know what the Japanese were doing down on the Peninsula
along the Gulf of Martaban. He had information that they were getting ready for something and talked with
Oley Olson and Bill Reed. Oley was our Squadron Leader. He didnt particularly want to go on the mission, so
Bill Reed asked me to go along. Oley was a different kind of squadron leader, a very good one, I thought. He left
a lot oI things up to the fight leaders, let them make their own decisions. (continued on page 4)
Ken 1ernstedt seated at center with fellow Flying Tigers
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 4
Bill Reed was from Marion, Iowa, and Jernstedt from Hood River (Carlton ed.), Oregon. As AVG pilots they
oIten few together and were great Iriends. 'Bill Reed was a good pilot, Jernstedt remembered. 'Very personable
and well-liked. We played together in the AVGs softball league. We were both pitchers and alternated pitching
and playing frst base. The Third Squadron won the AVG championship. We had a great time.
Jernstedt may not remember all the details of the raid on Moulmein it was a fast and furious action but he
does recall the mission. 'The day beIore, on 18 March, we few to our old training base down at Toungoo. The
Japanese Armys advance had not reached there yet, and the area along the gulf that we wanted to look over was
within easy striking distance from there. We stayed over the night to be ready for an early takeoff
'We got up about fve o`clock in the morning. It was pitch dark when we took oII. There were lots oI stars and
the North Star was sitting right above the end of the runway. I just kept my eye on the old North Star, and when
I got up to fying speed, I pulled oII and joined up on Reed and we headed out.
The two Tigers few south at 20,000-It on a course that took them along the east side oI Rangoon. When they saw
the city, they turned east, across the Gulf of Martaban and in
the direction of Moulmein. In his combat report, Reed noted
that, just before going over the gulf, we encountered a thick
overcast. They kept under the clouds and the mist to keep an
eye on the gulf below, and headed for a point about l20-mi
south of Moulmein. When they got there, they picked up the
road and railroad that led into the city and started following
them. About ten miles south of Moulmein, they spotted a
small airfeld.
Jernstedt remembers: It was still early morning, and we had
everything to ourselves. As we made out the airfeld, we could
see that the Japanese were preparing for something. They had
their airplanes lined up on either side of the runway, a whole
fock oI them. Bill and I went right down. We took turns
going up one side and down the other. It was amazing! All
those airplanes were lined up so that you just couldnt miss. It
was just like shooting pumpkins.
In his combat report Reed estimated at least 30 Japanese airplanes parked on either side of the airstrip. On his
frst pass, he straIed up one side oI the feld and set two fghters on fre. He thought they were Army Type 98s.
Then he crossed over and straIed down the opposite side oI the strip. He concentrated his fre on what appeared
to be a camoufaged transport and saw strikes Irom both his .30- and .50-cal guns on the transport, but he could
not set it afre.
At the end oI the runway, he crossed to the other side oI the feld that he had hit on frst pass. He concentrated
on the lined-up fghters, but again could not get a fre going. At the end oI that line he crossed over again to the
opposite side and headed back for the transport he had hit earlier. It was not burning, but the gear had collapsed.
Reed thought he had probably gotten a hit in the hydraulics. As he passed over the line oI fghters, he concentrated
on one airplane, watched pieces fy Irom it and saw the canopy tear apart. When he crossed again to the other side,
he once again Iocused on a single plane and pieces few in the air as the landing gear collapsed. AIter this pass,
Reed turned to the north toward Moulmein. When he looked back there were fve airplanes burning.
(continued on page 5)
Ken 1ernstedt, left, reminiscing with Myron ~Buz Buswell at their
2003 induction ceremony
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 5
When Reed was fying up one side oI the feld, Jernstedt was fying down the other, heading in the opposite
direction a racetrack pattern. As the attack was not planned, what had determined that tactic, and how did the
two pilots coordinate? That was just our learned tactics, Jernstedt said, an automatic thing that we would do in
that kind of situation. We picked our tactics up from Chennault. He taught us a lot, and he was always right.
In his combat report, Jernstedt notes that on his frst pass, he set one fghter alight and 'scattered lead up the line
of planes. On his second pass, a transport plane folded up on the ground after receiving the main part of my
fre. On his third pass, Jernstedt hit several planes and watched pieces fy Irom them. On his Iourth pass he set
one bomber on fre and saw other planes take hits. On his fIth pass he saw a fghter 'crumple to the ground and
watched parts fy Irom the engine. On his sixth and last pass, he set another fghter on fre and 'sprayed up the
line. As he turned north to join Reed he saw at least fve large fres on the feld.
AIter they turned north, Reed had just enough time to charge his guns when he saw the main airfeld at Moulmein.
There were at least 30 Japanese airplanes parked on the feld. Jernstedt saw them and thought most were bombers.
Reed turned west to make his frst run. He does not describe the results oI that run in his combat report, but notes
that there were 'Iour airplanes ablaze on the feld when Jernstedt completed his pass.
There were quite a few anti-aircraft bursts now, but Reed decided to try again. On this run he had only one
.50- and two .30-cal guns fring, but set an 'Army 98 fghter on fre. He looked Ior the anti-aircraIt gun
emplacements fring at the fghters, but could not fnd them. The closest burst was about 100-yds away. As he
pulled up Irom the feld, he counted fve airplanes burning. He looked Ior Jernstedt then, but could not spot him.
He picked up the road and railroad line heading north, and followed them, continuing his reconnaissance mission.
He landed at Toungoo, and found that Jernstedt had landed just before he did.
When Jernstedt started his pass on the Moulmein airfeld, he saw a fghter warming up, concentrated his fre on it
and saw it burst into fames. As he passed over a hangar, he tried to hit it with a small incendiary bomb he carried
in the P-40`s fare compartment. It was the frst test oI a new idea, and it worked. The bomb Iell short and missed
the hangar, but it struck a Type 97 bomber parked in Iront and set it on fre. He also saw the anti-aircraIt fre, 'the
shells bursting as low as 200-ft. He saw Reed making his second pass, and then, as Reed pulled away, he spotted
two Japanese aircraft taking off.
Jernstedt turned north and started back toward Toungoo. He saw fve airplanes burning on the feld and did not
see Reed again until after he landed at Toungoo. Once on the ground, Jernstedt found he had a single bullet hole
in his left wing while Reed also found one bullet hole in his airplane.
When we got back, we put in for destroying 15 Japanese airplanes between us, Jernstedt said. We thought
we probably destroyed and damaged more than that. In his combat report, Jernstedt claimed one transport, two
bombers, and Iour fghters destroyed. Reed claimed one transport, two bombers and fve fghters.
Chennault thought we did a heck of a good job, Jernstedt recalled. He sent us a cable that said: Congratulations,
you set a new world record in airplane destruction. Bill and I felt very good about the whole thing.
The AVG paid bonuses for all 15 aircraft at $500 each. Jernstedt noted that for the AVG pilots to get paid bonuses
at that stage oI the war, the British had to be involved in; the confrmation process and the British agreed with the
number he and Reed claimed.
Chennault described the raid in his memoir, Way of a Fighter. He wrote that Jernstedt and Reed were credited
with the highest individual bags ever scored by AVG pilots, and adds the Japanese apparently never suspected
our fghters could penetrate so deeply into their territory.
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 6
AN OREGON WASP
By Carol Skinner
In 2003 the remains of a BT-13 were recovered by four OAHS members from the mountains of southern Oregon.
The basic training aircraft was piloted by Paula Loop, a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) who died in the
crash while on the Ierry fight. Her Iriend and Iellow WASP, Jerry Hardman Jordan, accompanied the body home
to Oklahoma. At the time, the WASP did not qualiIy Ior military Iunerals or death benefts.
The Society was recently contacted by Melissa Jordan, Jerry Hardmans daughter, to inquire if OAHS was interested
in receiving her mothers WASP artifacts. Of course, the answer was an immediate yes. Arrangements were
made to meet with some of Jerrys children at the Aviation History Center on February 7
th
. Daughters Melissa
Jordan, Bethesda, MD; Betsy Jordan-Montgomery, Cambridge, IL; and son Michael Jordan, Frankfurt, Germany
were received by OAHS board members Wilbur Heath and Hal Skinner, and archivist Carol Skinner. The group
spent two and one-half hours talking about Jerry and the WASP.
Jerry Hardman was born in Haines, OR in a log cabin on property homesteaded by her great-grandfather. She
learned to fy in a Stearman at Ontario, OR and joined the WASP at the age oI 20.
Several important artifacts were delivered to OAHS by Jerrys children, including a very rare graduation
announcement in excellent condition for Jerrys class 43-W-5, the 5
th
class to graduate from WASP training in
1943. Melissa indicated she had much more memorabilia that will be sent to OAHS later.
OAHS is extremely grateful to the Jordan family for choosing the Oregon Aviation Historical Society as the
repository for their mothers WASP items. We plan for them to be included in an exhibit dedicated to Oregon
women who served as WASP during World War II.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 31
st
annual Stearman fy-in hosted by your Oregon Aviation Historical Society will take place July 31 - August
2 at the Oregon Aviation History Center located on Jim Wright Field, Cottage Grove Airport. Early indications
are for a large turnout of Stearman biplanes originally used to train aviation cadets during WWII.
An extra special attraction will be the appearance oI the only fying
Boeing 40C. Restored, owned and fown by Addison Pemberton oI
Spokane, Washington the Boeing will be on display for all to enjoy.
We will also be oIIering two fights oI two people each in the 40C.
The proceeds Irom these fights will help support the Society. II
you have a suggestion of how best to promote and administer this
fund raising opportunity, please let us know. Watch our website,
oregonaviation.org, for details.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Oregon Antique and Classic AircraIt Club will again hold its fy-in and annual meeting at the History Center
on July 17-19. Come see some unique aircraft and visit with their owners. Cottage Grove will be holding their
annual Bohemia Mining Days plus an Oregon Sesquicentennial celebration at the same time. This would be a
great opportunity to take in both events.
Addison Pemberton and his 1928 Boeing 40C returning from
another ight back in time
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For membership information, please go to our website: www.oregonaviation.org
Here is a brief history of her parents unique career in aviation. Please come listen and see the entire story as told
by one who witnessed the story she tells.
Henry (Hank) Troh and wiIe, Gertrude (Ruth) Valentine, married just Iour days aIter Hank bought his frst
airplane, a CK Bird. He started fying in
1931 with Cecil Pounder Flying Service
in Parkrose. Hank and Ruth partnered
building a business from barnstorming
at county fairs to establishing one of
the Portland area`s oldest fight training
schools and aviation service businesses.
They operated Trohs Airport at 181st
and Division Street from 1934 until
1946. When the war shut down general
aviation on the west coast and the Air
Defense Zone was established (1942),
the airport was one of only two that
could store aircraft without disassembly.
During the years that general aviation
was grounded, Hank took a job with
Tex Rankin Flight Academy in Tulare,
California, where he instructed primary
fight skills in Stearman aircraIt Ior
more than fIty cadets in the two and
half years there, early 1942 to mid-1944.
Upon resuming operation of his airport in the spring of 1945, he met Harold Wagner. Together they developed a
new airport on a one hundred acre parcel, about two miles closer to Portland, described as a $100,000.00 Airport
to Serve You. The new airport, Trohs Skyport, stayed in business for thirteen years until it closed in July 1959.
Hank then built his Airport in the Sky, which he named Trohs Nest, located in Clackamas County. Hank can
be credited with developing and operating three airports with plans for a fourth.
Hank provided frst rides to thousands oI Oregon residents during his thirty-Iour years in business. His fight
school instructors assisted him in licensing hundreds of pilots in the northwest. As a Piper Aircraft Dealer and
advocate for general aviation, he demonstrated innovative uses for aircraft in the region. He had tallied up far
more than 10,000 hours in the air with an estimated 7,000 as instructor. Hank received many awards from his
students claiming he was The Best Instructor in the Northwest from all the students of the Airport. His greatest
legacy is refected in the growth oI aviation and the wide range oI uses his students put to the skills and ideals
they obtained in his tutelage. Hank died at an early age from a brain tumor in 1968, which prevented his realizing
even greater achievements.
...continued from page 1
Hank Troh, center, and cadets at Tex Rankin Flight Academy in front of Stearman primary trainer
OAHS Newsletter, April 2009 Page 8
Oregon Aviation Historical Society
PO Box 553
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Join OAHS!
If youre not yet a member, we invite you to join the Society in its
efforts to preserve and celebrate Oregon Aviation History. Fill in the
blanks and return to: OR Aviation Historical Society
PO Box 553 - Cottage Orove, OR 97424
Contributor - $100 Sustaining - $50 Family - $35 Associate - $25
Name ____________________________________________ Date_______________
Address ________________________ Home Phone (_____)______-__________
City______________________________________ yy State______Zip ____________
Current/Former Occupation__________________________________________
I am Interested in Volunteering_______________________________________
Skills and Interests __________________________________________________