Reflections by Dick "Stache" Warne, VMO-6 1954 to 1959
MSGT Jack Pittman joined VMO-6 in the winter of '54 in Korea. I was a PFC at the time, Jack was a "Flying Peon" NAP, and ACE with 7 Jap planes to his credit in WWII.
We had HO5S and HTL's flying at the time. We first met on a Sunday in about six inches of snow. His assiged chopper needed a starter replaced. Being a Sunday morning I got the job, and feeling no pain from the night before. To make the story short, he helped to get it going. After his hop, he looked me up and we opened the staff hootch.
When we got back to 24 Area at Pendelton he became my test pilot, even took my two boys, ages 2 and 4, flying with him. Made a hell of a baby sitter. At this time we has two more NAPs, Zoom Adelton and (not sure of the other, but think it was) Don Merath.
One time at a formation I needed an emblem form my cover. Jack had one in his pockted, and officers type, but I made it through the formation ok. Nine years later I pinned the same on one of my covers when I made 2nd Lt. in Nam. Jack retired at his highest rank, Capt. He has 7 kills flying F4s and F6s.
My friendship with MSGT Pittman lasted to 1961 when he retired. He was later killed in the Grand Canyon flying for the U.S. Forestry a year later.
MSGT "Zoom" Adelon was killed back in the states testing HOK's at the factory.
Semper Fi
Dick Warne
USMC image: "Zoom" Adalan & PFC Dick Warne 1954
