In Memory of
Charlie Welling
Our squadron mate and good friend Charlie Welling passed away this morning surrounded by his wife Mary and close family. Abiding by Charlie's wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes distributed into Narrangansett Bay. There will be no visitation in Florida. The family suggests a donation to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, would be appreciated.
Charlie was a very talented individual who made a great impact on those that knew him. His warm good humor, supurb memory, great story telling ability, keen insight, political acumen, and writing abilities will be sorely missed.
For those of you who didn't know Charlie, a brief biography along with a couple of pictures follow.
With Deep Regret,
Joel Jacobs, for All the Aces
Charlie's Story in Brief
Volume One, Issue 7.0; Published, 1 OCT 2001
=====================================
PALM BEACH POST covers McCampbell's Aces
Commissioning Ceremony
Read Staff Writer Tom Collins' 20 SEP report:
M. Kamin, J. Buchanan, J. Butterfield, K. Weaver, J. Jacobs, J. Magnon, L. A. Snead, P.X. O'Neill, I. Currie, V. Consgli, P.D. Smith
.
Published by ANA's Latest Squadron, # 62; McCampbell's Aces, Greater Palm Beach Area, Florida
PREFLIGHT BRIEFING:
The main event for September is our formal launch as a full fledged ANA squadron on 19 SEP. The event will be held, in combination with the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, at the Ballen Isles Country Club which is noted for its elegant surroundings and fine food. A keynote speech will be given by RADM P.D. Smith, ANA's president who will also officiate over the ceremony. His biography and Tours of Duty appear on the page, "19 SEP Speaker".
Members and guests are welcome, so make your reservations now. Out-of-town guests will include CAPT Irene N. Wirtschafter, USNR (Ret), ANA Trustee, noted aviation enthusiast, and civic minded citizen, and CAPT Allard G. Russell, USN (Ret), commander of Sarasota's "Golden Pelicans" Squadron, survivor of multiple wars, torpedoings and a shootdown, and honorary battlefield Marine, along with others of equal distinction.
CHARLIE WELLING, our senior Contributing Editor, passed away peacefully on the morning of 4 SEP. His immediate family was by his side. His many friends and admirerers extend their prayers and sympathy. No visitation in Florida is planned. Donations to the Jupiter Hospice would be appreciated. SEE "IN MEMORY" BELOW.
We still haven't heard anything from the Infernal Revenue Service concerning our filing for Tax Exempt status under Section 501(C)3. However, our State of Florida Tax Exempt status was received in August.
Soon we expect our members who are off traveling to begin returning, and look forward to being regaled by tales of their adventures.
We continue to seek other offerings about your flying experiences, war or hangar stories and pictures both past and present. If you don't have a scanner for pictures, I can do that and return them to you.
Lastly, on August 4th, the board of directors adopted an amendment to ARTICLE II, of the squadron BY-LAWS making the collection, preservation, and distrubution of Oral Histories of Naval Aviators from the surrounding area a primary focus of the squadron's mission. This amendment was proposed by the squadron's secretary-treasurer, LCDR Alvin A Haworth, Jr., USN-RET, who has agreed to lead the effort. Members or non-members, who know of someone who has been a part of history making events are invited to submit candidates for inclusion in this program. Other details may be found under the squadron's "Mission Statement".
Keep your wings level, your course straight and be high enough to clear the terrain
Joel Jacobs, '59(H), Commanding Officer,
and Editor-in-Chief
4 SEP 2001
Contact the Editor
MESSAGE FROM CNO
PAAUZYUW RUEACMC 2551500-UUUU--RUEASUU RUEACMC. ZNR UUUUU P 121500Z SEP 01 ZYW
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//00//
TO NAVOP BT UNCLAS PERSONAL
FOR COMMANDERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS, AND OFFICERS IN CHARGE FROM ADMIRAL CLARK
SUBJ/ATTACK ON AMERICA// RMKS/
1. TUESDAY'S ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL HAS PUT ALL U.S. FORCES ON HIGH ALERT. IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A CAREFULLY PLANNED AND EXECUTED OPERATION, CONDUCTED BY INDIVIDUALS DETERMINED TO WEAKEN AMERICA'S WILL AND INFLUENCE. OUR TASK IS TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT SUCCEED.
2. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE LOVED ONES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION. THEIR LOSS UNDERLINES THE INSIDIOUS NATURE OF TERRORISM.
3. THIS CONFLICT PUTS EVERY ONE OF US ON THE FRONT LINES AT ALL TIMES, AT HOME AND OVERSEAS. WHETHER AT SEA OR ASHORE, IN THE FLEET OR SUPPORTING THE FLEET, WE MUST UNDERSTAND AND BE READY FOR THE ENEMY THAT CONFRONTS US. AS COMMANDERS LEADING OUR PEOPLE, WE HAVE THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUALLY MAKE THIS POINT WITH OUR NAVY FAMILY.
4. THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES ARE BEING CALLED UPON TO FULFILL OUR DUTY OF DEFENDING THE REPUBLIC FROM THOSE WHO WISH US HARM. LET US ENSURE THAT OUR ACTIONS ADD TO THE NAVY'S UNBROKEN LEGACY OF SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
5. STAY SHARP. BE READY. ADM VERN CLARK, CNO, SENDS.// BT
In Memory of
Charlie Welling
Our squadron mate and good friend Charlie Welling passed away this morning surrounded by his wife Mary and close family. Abiding by Charlie's wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes distributed into Narrangansett Bay. There will be no visitation in Florida. The family suggests a donation to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, would be appreciated.
Charlie was a very talented individual who made a great impact on those that knew him. His warm good humor, supurb memory, great story telling ability, keen insight, political acumen, and writing abilities will be sorely missed.
For those of you who didn't know Charlie, a brief biography along with a couple of pictures follow.
With Deep Regret,
Joel Jacobs, for All the Aces
Charlie's Story in Brief
"PICTURE"
The caption might read, "CDR Jesse L. Pennel, CO of VJ-61, welcomes LTJG Charlie Welling, PPC of VJ-61's PB4Y-1P (B-24M) EF-6 from a four month detachment to NAS Whiting Field where the entire Gulf Coast was re-mapped for the USCGS erosion studies. CDR Pennel; was so happy to see Charlie home to NAAS Miramar that he told him to have his crew at muster at 0700 the following day. As this picture suggests, Charlie has just told his skipper, "Sorry, Boss. I just gave'm them 72 hours at home with their wives, kids and mothers-in-law."
Welling's insistence won him rave notices with the squadron flight crews but a less than salutary fitness report from his boss. But the Korean War was on and current B-24 pilots were hard to find so the lieutenant survived to fly old "Easy Fox Six" around the Med' for six months snapping pictures of potential WW-III targets."
Charlie Welling joined the Navy in May, 1945; won his wings as an Aviation Midshipman after OT in "Privateers" in July 1948; and was commissioned, Ensign USNR, in April 1949 while serving with VP- 25 at NAS Kaneohe Bay, HI. In 1950, he joined VC-61 as a replacement PIC in "Liberators" where his all-ensign flight crew served on detachments in Labrador and the Mediterranean in PB4Y-1P, PP- 13. Welling's flying experience included time in Yellow Perils, SNJs, Privateers, Liberators, Bug Smashers, Hellcats, and Tigercats with the F7F being his favorite "toy" as Ops Officer for the Photo Center at NAS Anacostia. Only Charlie would have freely admitted to transporting lobsters from NAS Brunswick; oysters from NAS Chincoteague; and fresh shrimp from NAS Boca Chica to Washington for a number of "naval personages" without being caught by Drew Pearson.
Unable to secure a Regular Navy commission in the wake of WW-II, compounded by Korea, Charlie went inactive in 1954. He joined the Glenn L. Martin Company almost immediately and in 1956 became its General Sales Manager. In 1965, with the support from the Martin company, he fulfilled a life long ambition and started his own Washington, DC-based aerospace/defense consulting firm which specialized in defense marketing. In 1972, at the request of Boeing Aerospace, Charlie accepted its invitation to join their Washington office while still keeping his interest in the Welling Company. By 1974, Charlie Welling was responsible for all Boeing's field marketing offices and assisted in developing its marketing strategies and programs. In 1980, Charlie transferred to Boeing's Seattle headquarters, but less than a year later returned to Washington, DC where he rejoined the Welling Company. In 1981, he formed a corporate partnership to market the Fokker F-28 to the Navy. He also served with a number of other defense oriented companies in executive positions. In 1998, he retired from active management and moved to Jupiter, FL. Charlie was a member of a long list of military and naval organizations and associations. He was one of the original seven members of the group who first met on 7 DEC 1999 and gave birth to what is now McCampbell's Aces Squadron. Charlie was also instrumental in launching our squadron newsletter and served as its senior columnist. He liked to be known as the squadron's 1st Lieutenant, a job he held years ago.
He leaves behind his wife, Mary LeBow Welling; his children Charles H. Welling III, Karen Welling Artuso, and Richard Perry Welling; and his brother, W. Lambert Welling.
|
