Legendary Squadron Members

We have a number of very interesting Marines who have served in the Squadron. Here are summaries of a few of them:

CWO-4 Walt Kidden

The Gunner was an amazing Marine. He served in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters in World War II, flying as a radio operator / gunner in Torpedo Bombers. He did not talk about his war exploits, but told us many funny stories about the war. One of his favorites was one about how the Marines stole the SeaBees beer.

Once we were at the officer club at New River Air Station in about 1975. The Gunner noticed two men who had long hair. He decided to roust them.  Our CO Major Russ Hackert asked him not to do it, but there was no stopping the Gunner.  They had a confrontation but no blows were thrown.

The CO told me to go and calm the waters.  I went to the two long haired men who were very angry. They were Civilian Naval Investigators.  I calmed them down by telling them that the Gunner was a brave guy who flew in both the Atlantic and Pacific in WW II.

Everything was fine, but then I realized the Gunner had seen me talk to them. Now he was mad at me.  "What did you say to them!" he said angrily.

I told him the truth. I told them that the Gunner was a brave guy who flew in both the Atlantic and Pacific in WW II. That satisfied him.

We used to conduct war games at the old Nike Site in Libertyville, Illinois. The abandoned site was a great location for mini wars.  Walt was sent out on patrol leading a small group.  I was leading another small patrol.  The night was very foggy.  We bumped into Walt without his men. "I lost my F___ men", said Walt. I encouraged Walt to join us but he continued to search for his men.

Later he found them and bunked them down comfortably in an old underground bunker. The rest of us were cold and wet.

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1st Sergeant Henry White

HENRY WHITE 

Henry "Hank" White, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, beloved husband of Brenda White (nee Greeney); loving father of Norman (Sharon), Karen (Chris), Marc (Donna Sue) and Jeffrey; cherished grandfather of Julie, Phillip and Steven; fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. 

Hank was a proud First Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps and a Veterans Service Officer for the State of Illinois. He was the First Sergeant of MWCS-48 for many years. He was the Director of the Young Marine Battalion for the State of Illinois, and a founding member of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. 

Hank was also Marine of the Year for 1978, and served as the National Chaplain for the Marine Corps League for 15 years. He was a former President of the American Cancer Society's Mount Greenwood Chapter, and served many years as a business mentor for General Telephone's Junior Achievement Program. Services to be held Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, Bethany United Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60643 (773) 779-0123, Memorial Visitation from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Memorial Service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Hank's name may be made to: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 549-0060.

Semper Fi, First Sergeant

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=henry-white&pid=155623344&eid=sp_shareobit

February 10, 2012
Hank White served Corps and country for many years. Dedication, sacrifice and hardship were his primary rewards - those are all a Marine needs to feel he has done his duty.
Hank will be missed, and losing his wit and humor will leave this world a little sadder place.

Semper Fidelis, Marine.

SgtMaj. Daniel Flynn,
Schaumburg, Illinois


January 28, 2012
We will miss you Top. You were a Marine's Marine. Semper Fi!

Sgt Tony Neven,
Bonfield, Illinois


January 25, 2012
We have lost a great Marine and friend to all. Our prayers go out to his family. LtCol Don and Linda Motz
Don Motz Jr,
Wheaton, Illinois


January 24, 2012
We salute your Marine. Our condolences for your loss and gratitude for your loved one's service to our country.

See you on the other side Brother.

Don "Boots" Jensen
Sgt. USMC
Don & Maria Jensen,
Eagle, Wisconsin


January 24, 2012
Very sorry to hear of the passing of 1st Sergeant White. He was a great Marine.
http://glenviewmarines.blogspot.com/

Craig Hullinger,
Sarasota, Florida

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Colonel Eldon Dilworth, CO MWCS 48

Eldon Russell Dilworth, age 78, of Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Adair, Ill., passed away at his home in Sac City on Tuesday (Dec. 18, 2012).

Eldon was born on Aug. 22, 1934, to James and Helen (Miner) Dilworth at Table Grove. He was baptized and confirmed at Table Grove Community Church in Table Grove, and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Sac City. He attended Table Grove country school and graduated from Adair High School in 1952. 

He went on to college, graduating from Western Illinois University at Macomb in 1954 and completed his BS in Agriculture from the University of Illinois (1959-1961). In 1965 he earned his Masters in Agronomy.

Colonel Dilworth enlisted in the Marine Corps in March of 1953 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and designated a Naval Aviator on July 11, 1956. He served with VMF (AW)-531st Gray Ghosts and H&S-24 at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. until July of 1962. At this time, he transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and served with VMA-611, Naval Air Station, Glenview, Ill., as Flight Line Officer and Squadron Pilot. 

In March of 1969, he became a member of HML-776 and served as Avionics officer. In subsequent years, Colonel Dilworth served at various assignments with VMA-124, Naval Air Station, Memphis, Tenn.; 7th Staff Group, Lambert Field, St. Louis, Mo.; and with the 4th Marine Division.

Colonel Dilworth assumed command of Marine Wing Communications Squadron-4B on Nov. 7, 1981, and commanded the Squadron through Operation Phantom Fox at Cherry Point, N.C., and Operation High Sky at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

Eldon served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 33 years and also served in the United States Navy for four years. He began his career in 1953, serving with the 531st Gray Ghosts as a Pilot and earning the rank of Colonel on May 1, 1983. One of his special honors was the Fighting Leather Neck Award for 33 years of service to the USMC. He was transferred to Retired Reserve Oct. 1, 1986, and retired from reserves Jan. 29, 1988.

He was married to Jean Cotter, and they were blessed with two children, Doug and Sondra.

Eldon was proud to be the first Agronomist to work closely with the Amish in Missouri. He was also employed as an Agronomist by ISU, Ames, working on the Newell Allee Farm and at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. He retired in 2001.

He had many personal interests including horses, flying, hunting, fishing, traveling and reading (especially history books and westerns). He was an avid rock hound and collector belonging to Macomb Rock Club. He enjoyed being a "go-fer," carrying rocks to the truck. He was involved with community events as a Volunteer Fire Fighter, 55 year member of the Masons as a member of the Newell Masonic Lodge, Newell, Iowa, Vermont Masonic Lodge, Vermont, Ill., and Colony Masonic Lodge, Colony, Mo. He also served as a member of the board at Table Grove Community Church, school board member in Macomb, Editor of the Marine Squadron Grey Ghost News Letter, and enjoyed attending U.S. Marine Corp social activities.

On Dec. 27, 1992, Eldon was united in marriage to 

Sandra Naydene Zemke at Colony, Mo. His family grew with the addition of Sandra's children, Jason and Cassandra.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Sandi Dilworth of Sac City; son Dr. Doug Dilworth of Charlotte, N.C., and daughter Sondra (Chad) Brown of Brighton, Ill.; stepson Jason (Erin) Ballou of Newell; stepdaughter Cassandra Ballou of Newell; four stepgrandchildren, Wyatt, Mackenzie, Grace, and Bryce Ballou of Newell; and extended family members.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen Dilworth; brother Eugene Dilworth; and sister Harriett Dilworth Slack.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Sac City under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Sac City.

On Feb. 16, 2013, memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. at Table Grove Community Church in Table Grove. A private internment will be held at the Harris Cemetery in Table Grove at a later date.

Memorial contributions will be directed to the Alzheimer's Association out of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

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