Subj:    USNA55-USAF
       Date:   5/2/98 2:08:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
       Frm:    JClarkson
 
       Mike Nassr and Harv Tafflet of USNA54 have been compiling a bibliography of U. S. Naval Academy graduates who entered the Air Force during the "compelling" years of 1950-1959. These efforts have been assisted by the Air Force Historian and somewhat by the military personnel community. The project has grown to the point where they are requesting assistance from each class. One of my Primary Flying School table mates (the one whose body was subsequently flung into space)nominated me for USNA55.
 
         Mike and Harv have provided an extensive database gleaned from AF records and checked against the old Air Force Registers(published periodically until the early 60's), Alumni Numbers, etc. What they do not have is our current mailing addresses, company numbers, the original AFSN's assigned at graduation and some other key tracking data. They have also provided a questionnaire which will be mailed out to all known "live" recipients - from moi - in the near future.
 
         Since the class, as a whole, went through a rigorous effort to locate folks for the 40th reunion, this mailing should also serve as an upgrade check for the 45th. Before, we start the mailing, however, we have 4 known "holes in the status and whereabouts of our group".
 
        1.  Status of Two Retirees: (We are pursuing some additional avenues to locate, but any leads will help.)

            From the 24th Company:
 
           JAMES WRIGHT ELLSTROM - medically retired as a Captain USAF; circumstances unknown. His VA files have been inactive for the past 20 years. No database trace. He entered USNA from Fort Dodge Iowa after a stint in the Iowa State Teachers College. A James W. Ellstrom shows up in the Bossier City LA database but he t'aint the one. Don't know SSAN. An Oct.95 letter from Moi to Jim thru MPC was not returned to me as undeliverable. Can't verify, however, if it was ever forwarded.
 
            From the 17th company:
 
           IRVIN MATTHEW SMALL - Maj USAF (Ret.). Matt was very active in Alumni and AF military-industrial affairs in the Colorado Springs area until about 7 years ago. We traced phone numbers to "Greater" Kansas City (where he orgininated)and in Northern Florida. In both cases, the numbers had been defunct long enough to be reassigned. In both, however, the current users of the number commented that the Smalls must have been very popular because there had been many phone calls for them. An October 95 letter (from Moi) to Matt through AFM PC was not returned as undeliverable. Can't verify, however, if it was ever forwarded.
 
         2. Unconfirmed Death - Hearsay.
 
           RICHARD ASHLEY MORAN - 23rd Company. Pilot. One of the initial assignees to USAF Academy. Resigned as Captain. Married, divorced, Married again. Last known address (to the Alumni Association) is Hudson MI. Don Alderson, same company, reports that a mutual friend told him of his death from cancer sometime in the early 70's or late 60's. Not confirmed
 
         3. Recluse.
 
            DONALD LOUIS ZUCKERMAN - Non-Rated. Lt Col USAF (Ret.). Career in OSI. Seen by classmates on duty stations in Madrid, Athens and Bangkok. Living somewhere in the greater Chicago area. Letters sent through MPC were received but not acknowledged. We have contact with a son in Texas but have not been able to turn that into a response from "Zuck". If true to form he probably still winters in Miami and spends the muggy summer in Chicago. Any leads or additional career sightings etc. Appreciated.
 
         Requests for Assistance.
 
         When we all entered the Air Force, each of us had a copy of the Air Force General Order that assigned Regular Air Force Serial Numbers (AFSN) and first duty stations after graduation. I need a copy of that order to enhance the database. Government agencies won't give out SSAN but will assist (in pointing) if older serial numbers are mentioned. Let me know by email if one is available. Chance for Rat packers to shine.
 
         If anyone has leads on email addresses not included let me know. This list is taken from Carl Strang's last listserv reiteration - includes Anders, John Anderson, Bendrick, Binish, Clarkson, Conway, Crosby, Eassa, Ebert, Everett, Fuqua, Gerdon, Hamley, Hatch, Hlawek, Loosley, Low, Lunnen, May, McPherson, Mitchell, Monnich, Nay, Nelson, O'Connor, Pabst, Palladino, Rodes, Seborg, Volgenau, Wilhelm and Wynne.
 
         Tom Kielaber (Class Secretary) and John Roberts (Keeper of the Class Memorial Lists) have also been included as info addressees on this message.
 
         Cheers from the misty Pacific Northwest.
 
         Joe Clarkson