The magnificent 1st Marine Air Wing
gave the 1st Marine Division Infantry constant
close support during the withdrawal. There were
other Marine and
Naval Fighting Squadrons who also gave close
support for our troops on the ground. Those they
fought for will not forget them while we live.
Thanks to former plane captain
of WE 18,
Staff Sergeant Floyd P. Stocks, USMC, we can
now give the history of this plane and its
pilot.
Date sent: Tue, 22 Aug 2000
21:52:04 -0700
From: Floyd Stocks
Send reply to: fpstocks@ispchannel.com
To: korteng@rt66.com, gunnyg@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Pilot Identity?
Hello Marine,
Yes, I can help you with the
story of WE18. I was assigned as plane captain on
WE18 in November 1948. During March 1950 the
squadron, VMF-214, flew 3,136.6 hours syllabus
training. We18 had an engine change during that
month putting it out of commission for one
afternoon. A check crew led by SSgt. Titus Willis
and I made a complete disconnect of the engine,
towed it to the nearby SMS-12 engine shop and
swapped it out with a QEC (quick engine change),
towed it back to our hanger, completed the
installation and working all night we did the
engine "slow time" running it at idle
RPM most of the time. WE18 was 'UP' and
scheduled for a test hop the next morning. Other
than that engine change I had very little trouble
with her over the two years. I was very proud of
her record.
When the pilots of VMF-214
launched from the deck of USS Sicily (CVE-118) on
3 August 1950 WE18 was in that flight
participating in the first attack against NK
troops by Marines.
26 October 1950, WE 18 crash
landed in North Korean territory after being
disabled by ground fire. US Marines got to the
pilot before the enemy, and helped him from the
area. The Marines threw several hand grenades
into the fuselage and cockpit to complete the
destruction. Note the white marks forward of the
windshield. Each mark represents one of the (52)
combat missions flown by the plane.
My log from 26 October 1950
(Aboard US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Sicily,
CVE-118) WE18 didn't return from a mission. I
took care of that beautiful Corsair for two
years. Now she is gone. I'll never forget
WE18. Lt. Joe Bibby was the pilot. He made a
wheels-up landing near our Marines. He is ok.
They threw a few hand grenades inside the
fuselage and cockpit to complete the
destruction.
The photo of WE-18 was published
by a Chinese news agency. A VMF-214 pilot was on
leave in, I believe it was New York, and saw the
picture. He sent me a copy.
I hope this will help. If you
have more questions fire away.
Semper Fi,
Floyd Stocks
