Massara, Kenneth D., A2C

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
It was my father's position this country was ours and if the need is it was our responsibility to respond.

That led to my elder brother, at the ripe old age of 17, to enlist in the Marines when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. He became part of 5th Marines, Headquarters Battalion, taking the Island of Iwo Jima.

I was attending Creighton University, in Omaha, when the North Korean invasion of the South took place, and within few days enlisted in the Air Force. Sibling rivalry and the fact I was not much of a swimmer left the thought of being part of a sea-going-fighting force, with a very low appeal, so that left only two choices the Army, or Air Force and my older brother's suggested wisdom.

Sibling rivalry again played a hand during the '60s when my younger brother became part of the Army and served in Viet Nam. We all came home, though the youngest not without souvenir lead from a grenade near Da Nang.

My brothers are on the other side now, and though I hope to see them again, I will be happy in a delayed celebration.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I obtained my Basic Airman certificate at Lackland AFB on, 7th of May 1951. The Training Command was looking for manpower, as new recruits were pouring in by the thousands. I was interested as I was in good physical condition from high school athletics and association with the Omaha Athletic Boxing Club. I spoke to one of the Priest brothers, both Sargent's and members of my basic squadron, of my interest.

Fortunately, no one challenged me to a boxing match as a prerequisite for admittance, for I was known as the "Candlelight Kid" at the club: "One Blow and Out." The workouts kept me in shape though and that carried me through basic, and I stayed on.

I left Lackland because of a moment of indiscretion, which is explained in greater detail in the next segment.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
My assignment to Korea War Zone in early 53 was the direct result of stateside verbal combat, with a 2nd Lt., a few weeks following my second group award. It has been said: "intelligence is no match for natural stupidity."

Regardless the reassignment was life-changing and the result of verbal disagreement with local management. Had I become too "big" for my britches, or an evening on the town, loosened my tongue and shot me down. Perhaps both, but nothing can change the fact it was self-inflicted.

I was reassigned to the Military Police Replacement Training Center, under the guidance of Army personnel, at Camp Gordon, Georgia October 53. Following training was assigned to Eglin AFB for a short period, took leave, and reported to San Francisco in time to obtain quarters the luxury cruise ship arranged by the Air Force to Japan.

While in Korea as a member of the 49th Air Police Squadron and my records question that, I came in contact with pilot whom I had the honor of guiding through basic. He approached and asked if I was ever Flight Chief at Lackland. His tour was nearly up, and during the conversation, I expressed my interest in a run north of the line. He said he would see what he could do: I never saw him again but did get word that my request was turned down.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Without any doubt, the BMTG groups at Lackland Air Force Base. An assignment a young man with a temporary lack of intelligence, and manners, required a change in scenery.

The efforts of all the airmen associated with flights 1595 and 375 winnings of Group Competition, and 375 Group with Honors. Leadership by Flight and Assistant Flight Chiefs provide the catalyst in the development of teamwork; teamwork the catalyst leading to awards. Members in the above two examples require belief in the group, themselves and the goal, without this belief the goal will not be achieved, the awards will never materialize. The men of these groups won the honor of the competition, I won the honor of a plaque for providing guidance.

Each of the participants is my wingman.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Priest bothers, both Staff Sergeants and assigned to the 3734th Squadron, from which I completed my BMG. I admired both of them, for the interest they had in recruits as a whole and individually.

Assistant Flight Chief PFC Bell, and CPL Busby, who was more than assistants. Both have long disappeared into the night so to speak. Tom's friendship went beyond Lackland, as much as it ended there. He moved on after Flight 1595 to assignments unknown, but associated with representing the AF as a Light Heavy boxer I believe. I heard from him once, in 56 when he made contact with me while living in Illinois, asking if he could bunk down for the night. That was the last time I ever saw him or heard from, though he had our address. He was headed for home in San Francisco. The conversation was mainly about family, boxing and not about the service. Air Force search records have come up negative If I didn't have a photo of him and I and group 1595, I would think I had lost my marbles.

The honor of meeting and flying with General Curtis Emerson LeMay out of Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska in 1952 on a hop south as I headed to Tyndall AFB, Florida, but that ride and destination is another story within itself.

Last but not least I think of the pilot I meet in Korea and remembered me. I have always wondered if he made it home The short time we had to talk about our experiences and my inability to remember his name. I searched my photographic records and was never able to find him, but in truth, I am missing some Group/Flight photos.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Those associated with the BMTG 3734th and 3735th Training Squadrons in 1951 and 1952 at Lackland AFB with PFC Bell and CPL Busby. The efforts of all the Airmen within the award groups, that put the effort behind winning, resulted in two 1st Place Group Awards. Everyone worked hard at making these awards a reality.

To the Officers who weighed into my moment of indiscretion and who's names I do not know for certain, but believe one to be 1st. Lt. Majors. If it did not form my participation in those Group Awards, and all reviews reflecting "excellent" on my Military Records, my stupidity would have cost more than couple pay grades, an international all-expense award trip.

Lt Majors who signed my reassignment records left the "Considered for Good Conduct Medal" unchecked and that referencing character and efficiency as unk. It is possible he acted alone, but not without up line review in my opinion.

To all involved, I owe plenty of thanks.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I have no Group/Flight records, photos, and neither does the Air Force of my Group/Flight and for that reason, no Flight Chiefs or Assistant's to reflect on the group I attended basic training with. Only a dated certificate from the Indoctrination Wing of Air Training Command reflecting my completion and signed by Captain Thomas M Gardner Adjutant and Captain Charles L. Daniels Jr. Commanding

The obvious answer to the above question lies within part of the missing detail from above.

Without a doubt, 2nd Lt. Arthur L. Majors took a young man "to the woodshed", so to speak, saw to his demotion of two grades, arranged for the recommended AP schooling and followed up on Korean assignment.

When it came to Character/Efficiency Ratings he reflected Unk. He could have wiped out all previous records of excellence in both categories with a report of unsatisfactory. This man chose to be an educator. I owe the Lt. a great deal of thanks for his approach to the problem I created.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Oh how I would like to have been able to complete this field, but I can add nothing to those mentioned earlier, for time is against me.

I have only three numerical Flight photos and name records and I have gone through each name by name without location success. I cannot explain why I do not have the other basic Flight numbers I must have been a part of.

That with starting too late and with hesitating and lack of knowledge of systems of this nature. Not knowing how they work, always in the back of my mind, I would cause some catastrophe.

This rewrite was for two reasons:
Diane Short TWS Chief Admin, suggestion and I've known for a long time it needed sprucing up and corrected. TimeLine detail was incorrect when I reviewed the dates entered. Most of it I charge off to typo and my above-mentioned fear of creating an irreparable catastrophe. Which I have been assured I cannot. But if you have read my Reflections.....oh yes I can, but maybe not after all with age comes wisdom.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When you are part of the Basic Training Group the funny incidents outweigh any and all others. The Basic of today is far different than the Basic of my day, and time. In one of the flights, we had a recruit that just could not lead off with his left foot upon the command of forwarding March. After many faces to face encounters by myself and the Assistant Flight Chief, we came to the decision, he was gaming us.

The photographs of Lackland of now and Lackland of then varies in the lack of open fields and many with rocks. Following an evening march where our antagonist maintained his innocents of accidental missteps, I held Flight meeting at which time I told the Flight they had a serious problem and they were now a part of the solution. For if we couldn't work as a group and step off as a group we were going to visit one of the rock fields and everyone would be required to return to the road carrying in there left hand a rock about the size of the individuals left hand. It would be a part of the uniform until the misfit was no longer a misfit.

We never visited the rock field.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
The grass was not allowed to grow under one's feet in the Massara family. I had a job on the midnight shift in the local packing house, while I was looking for a career position during the day within two weeks of arriving home.

I signed on with United Airlines, Inc. within a couple of months and was working at Midway Airport in Chicago by May. That position lasted some 35 years, all of it in customer service. When I retired opened a delivery business that was successful and operated for another 7 years, but since it was 24/7, I shut down as I was tired of the routine and 69.

I took a few months off, and covered many miles on the back of my Gold Wing, most of it alone. Preferred that method of travel for you never lose an argument on when to do this or that. Tent, cook-stove, coffee pot, and canned beans.

I signed on full time with TWN HS DIST. 211 for another 5.5 years upon returning home. Still, do some data input for them from the comfort of home.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
This would be my first and I hope to make contact with some of the men I had the privilege of meeting in Lackland, and the Air Police assignments.

VetFriends.com. If you have never heard of them, pay them a visit.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Teaches dedication, humility, and unity.

Instills teamwork, confidence, and belief in one's self and teammates.

Education is the key to success in civilian life and the military. Teach yourself all you can about your MOS and enroll in classes/programs being offered. Today's military is much different then mine, the potential is endless from my point of view.

I carried into my afterlife the lessons learned above and the one taught by Lt. Majors. If you are going to lead be aware that leadership requires setting the example.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
I carried into my public life the lessons learned in the above segment pertaining to "how the military influenced life and career," and the one taught by Lt. Majors.

If you are going to lead be aware that leadership requires setting the example. Corny as it may sound, don't ask those you lead to do what you would not do.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I came to grips with the fact that just because my brothers saw combat and one were wounded, I too lived up to my commitment and duty for I did what the Air Force asked of me, with a bump in the road and a brief moment of self-inflicted stupidity. These two items played on my mind for many years and I should not have let it.

I will always be grateful to Lt. Majors and his guiding me though the woodshed.

Additionally my thanks to the following:

SMSgt. John Slusser
Sgt. Skip Kimbrow
TWS Admin Diane Short

All deserve my thanks for assisting me along the way and bringing me on-board, to begin with.

Because of you and your questions and guidance, I have come to accept my Military Role and look back with pride for having served. This program has been a catalyst for that accomplishment. I have learned to enjoy and yes, advertise that time in my life now with pride that was previously suppressed.


KC 4.1.20