Lee Gripon Mendenhall ~ 1918-2002

Lt. Mendenhall, who graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont in 1935 and from Lamar College in 1939, was employed by Chambers County Telephone Company before entering the Air Corps in July, 1942.

Lt. Menenhall also wears the Air Medal with the three Oak Leaf Clusters awarded "For meritorious service."

4 May 1944 -- Lt. Bags 3JU88 Enemy Planes -- 8th AAF Fighter Station In England. Less than two weeks after he had tallied his first victory by blowing up a Messerschmitt 109, Lt. Lee G. "Mendy" Mendenhall, P51, Mustang pilot from Anahuac, TX., scored a "triple" by destroying three German aircraft on the ground.

In the low level attack in airfields deep in southwestern Germany, the 23 year old Texas, former manager of the Chambers County Telephone Company, also damaged three enemy planes, a locomotive, and shot up airdome buildings.

Describing today how he bagged his triple, Lt. Mendenhall said, "I sprayed three JU88s, which were parked close together, on our first trip across the field. I saw hits on 'em all, and as we pulled up I put a lot of holes in a building. I had time to spray one more before we pulled off."

"As we started around to make a third pass I spotted a railroad station with quite a few engines and coaches standing alongside. I wasn't in very good position, but by rolling almost on my back I was able to pull a stream of bullets through a locomotive."

"On the third pass at the field I hit another JU88 and when we circled the field, just before starting home, I saw it burning like hell."

"It was a busy afternoon, all right. We were happy as hell when we got back, but oh, brother, were we tired!"

The Lt., who was an outstanding backfield star at Lamar Junior College, from which he was graduated in 1939, is the son of M/M C. G. Mendenhall, of Anahuac.

He wears the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded "for extra-ordinary achievement" and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Barker 'Moose' Morehead, the son of Katie Mae Fisher Morehead, enlisted in the Air Force, at the age of 16, after graduating from Anahuac High School and attended flying school in Texas. He was appointed a flight attendant in 1943 and received his commission as Second Lieutenant in January of 1944. Lieutenant Morehead received the Distinguished Flying Cross that same month "for extraordinary achievement" while participating in 50 operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific area during which hostile contact was probable and expected while serving with a troop carrier squadron with the Fifth Air Force.

These operations consisted of dropping supplies and transporting troops to advanced positions in flights which involved low altitudes over mountainous terrain under adverse weather conditions in a transport plane which often necessitated landing within a few miles of enemy bases. Throughout the flights, he demonstrated outstanding ability and devotion to duty. 

In May of 1944, somewhere in New Guinea, he received a bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the Air Medal. The award was made "for meritorious achievement" while participating in operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific Area, during which hostile contact was probable and expected.

These operational missions consisted of dropping supplies and transporting troops to advanced positions in Gen. MacArthur's coordinated air, land, and sea offensive against the Japanese in New Guinea and northward from Australia. These flights were under the same hazardous conditions as the previous missions for which he received an award.

By May of 1945 Lieutenant Barker Morehead had been promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. 

In July of 1945, Barker received an honorable discharged after serving 4 years and 10 months. Eighteen months of his service was overseas on troop carrier command.

After his discharge from the Air Corps he secured a job with Pennsylvania Central Airline (PCA) as a co-pilot. He was one of 36 Army combat pilots accepted by PCA as co-pilots immediately after the war. He had logged over 2500 hours of flight time and flew 149 missions while serving in Central America, Hawaii, Australia, New Guinea, and the Caribbean.  

The following letter was written to Buster from his hometown friend Barney Chambliss.   Sadly, it was the last he would hear from him, as Barney was killed in action just over two months later.

Belgium

Jan 27-45

Dear Buster,

Rec’d your letter 12/27/44 a few days ago and thought I’d try to throw a few scampy lines together to for somewhat of a letter.

Sure was good to hear from you. Been a long time since either of us has written – sure glad you broke the ice.

I’ve been hearing from home about what you’ve been doing but it’s not like hearing first hand.

I received a nice X-mas card from your Mother – she sure is thoughtful to think about the boys in the service – especially your pals. She’s a really thoughtful mother.

You talk about cold weather – I’ve seen my share of it this year – and then some. Within the past 3 weeks we’ve had no less than 24” of snow and the only protection we’ve had against that was fox holes. Many mornings we’ve awakened to find ourselves snowed in. If it’s not snowing -- it’s blowing giving the same effect. I’m sure you’ve had some snow there in N.J. and know what I’m talking about. One good thing however, we’re being issued Arctic clothing – from snow shoes, waterproof pants, and scarf, Arctic mittens, head, hand, etc. Really getting us equipped for the weather. It’s about time tho’. Been here in the front line – looking down Jennys throat for about 80 days now. Sure hope he gives up one of these days – I’m ready to call it quits. It’s not a very pleasant feeling to be standing outside your “humble abode” and some blasted Kraut take a pot shot from across the way. How do we know they’re shooting at us? Can see the snow fly around us & also the zings of those shots going over our heads. It’s a good thing he’s a piss poor shot – Amen!!

Well, this is about it for now! Write when you get the chance & I’ll do said same.

Your pal and buddy,

Barney

  Lloyd Whitman Steen, born 31 July 1924 in Jackson, Mississippi to John and Ruby Steen, was a captain in the Army Air Forces. Because of an inner ear problem they would not license him to fly at the higher altitudes, so he became a navigator of a B-26.

He began flying with A. T. Morgan of Lake Charles Louisiana and flew in the Anahuac area beginning in the late 40s when Morgan set up a satellite base there. Morgan then set up a base camp in Leland, Mississippi in 1960 and left it under the capable supervision of Lloyd.  Lloyd's son, David said when his dad first began running the business he made more money working the cotton gin than he did flying, but once the business got off the ground they were working 80 to 100 hour weeks.

Steen ran this unit so well he eventually bought the business and operated it under his own name until his untimely death in Leland, Mississippi on 20 July 1974 in a two-plane midair collision with Tony Stanfield of Houston, TX. 

Steen was a leader in Mississippi’s agricultural flying industry. He served as president of the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association for two years.  His son, David Steen followed in his father's path as a crop duster and owned and operated Mid Delta Ag Crop Dusting Service in Leland, Mississippi.  Much of Lloyd's crop dusting information came from the book Low and Slow by Mabry I. Anderson. 

Dick began flying with the Anahuac Flyers in 1957 and was also a flight instructor.  Two pilots I have been told he taught were Bobby Wheat and Tommy Willcox.  Tommy told Dick's daughter, Cheryl that he was amazed to witness Dick crash a plane one day, crawl out of it, hop in another one and take off!  It never even phased him, he had crashed so many.

In 1967 he joined Coastal Air Ag, then flew for Bill Brown from 1973-1975. In 1976 he went into full time farming and he and his son, Brett bought their own plane in 1977 and began their crop dusting business at that time. 

In this photo, Dick loads his son, Brett's plane.  This photo was taken a year before Dick passed away.  I know he would be so proud that his son is continuing his legacy.

Lt. John R. Tunze 0-755704

501st Bomb Sq. 345th GP.

APO 929 C/O PM San Francisco

July 22, 1942

Dear Folks,

Just completed 9 hours of good sleep. Didn't have to get up this morning. This being my day off I'll spend the rest of the day reading, writing a few letters, & more sleep. Today is an ideal day for all this, very cloudy, looks like rain, which makes for good rest.

Received two Waterloo Republicans & a Columbia Star the past two days. Also day 'fore yesterday I received a letter from Pop. The papers were dated from the first 2 days in May but it does pass the time and that's what counts around here. The Republican has huge headlines about "The Worst Flood in Century." I see by the "News of Armed Services" that several more Columbia men were called. Was Beans Volkert ever taken? I see they still have their "Red Cross drives and blood banks."

In reference to Pop's letter, no, we don't have any big game hunting over here. The only animals or game I've heard or seen are plenty of insects, large birds, parrots, wild hogs, wallabys, kangaroos, rats, and snakes. Pythons are the most common, but quite harmless. Several have been killed 15 feet long. They aren't poisonous.

Our canteen is now open. Of course not mush variety. Mostly all canned stuff like meats, sliced peaches, cordial, cheese, etc. The other day our ___stocked up on stalks of bananas and coconuts. The natives sell them to us fairly cheap. The Yanks really spoil the natives by giving them too much. There was I time I've heard when one could buy anything for an old razor blade.

We are still getting up- to-the-minute news by our "guinea gold." There is almost a fight for our limited supply each day after dinner. It's good to hear of the much awaited invasion. We also get quite a bit of the most important news from back home. Also a bit of Australian news. Right now they have a very "hot" election going on over here.

Our crew is still all together and everything is O.K. How's everything at home?

Love,

Jack