Page 6 - Aerotech News and Review, July 23, 2021

Friends from MCAS Mojave

Beaufort, S.C., and asked him to send me a copy (CV-13 (Big Ben).
of the book he wrote, Above and Beyond. In the “Our 452 pilots had an average of 350 hours
book, Pat tells about receiving those cherished in the Corsair, but landing aboard an aircraft
Gold Wings and flying the Chance Vought F4U carrier was an unexpected experience!
Corsair. He signed the book “From one ol’ avia- “Was nice to hear from you and expect to be
tion enthusiast to another!” in contact.”
Part III of the book is titled The Desert and
tells about the scene at Marine Corps Air Station In one email, Pat Weiland said, “The books
Mojave in 1944, when squadrons VMF-451 and
VMF 452 were first organized. Pat is part of the that I have written have prolonged the enjoyment
history of the very beginnings of our Mojave Air of my life immensely.”
and Space Port. It was always enjoyable for me He continued, “It has been absolutely incred-
to email him about the latest happenings at the ible the way some situations have come to light,
airport and he would email back with stories of as a result. It has turned my life around, yes in-
yesterday. deed, that book has really lit up my life!”
Another Mojave Marine was John Cox. He Pat advised a young pilot to write about his
didn’t mention his rank while serving at Mojave, memories of flying in the military. He said, “If
but did tell a great story. Here’s the email from you don’t do it, then the events, of which you
August 2002: are now so familiar, will be lost forever. These
“Quite a surprise to be hearing from someone recordings will have their ramifications when
living in Mojave. My first visit was in early 1944 considering family and friends. And who knows,
being assigned to Marine fighter squadron VMF- a few descendants down the line might even re-
452. Pat Weiland was my Commanding Officer.
“This squadron trained for one year at Mo- member you! (Lord, forbid.) Just don’t lose it.
jave. I remember one particular flight was a high Record it.”
altitude gunnery mission. Pat was leading the I believe that is great advice for everyone.
flight when the plane towing the target lost it. Pat Even if it doesn’t involve flying, write down your
said every man for himself and return to the base. family memories to be passed on to your children
“There was a cement plant just west of Mojave and grandchildren. Reading the words written by
Courtesy photograph and I decided that now was the time to give it a people who loved you keeps them alive forever.
Retired Marine Corps Col. Bruce Porter (right) photographed with Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey. buzz. As I was pulling up from the run I caught I certainly cherish the cards and notes from my
sight of an airplane flying on my wing. It was Pat. son who passed away two years ago.
I immediately flew back to the base and waited I received sad news in April 2004 from Pat
by Cathy Hansen with him at Mojave. for the repercussions. Weiland’s son. After a lengthy illness Pat died
special to Aerotech News He was proud of a photo taken of him with “I was summoned into his office and after he
Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, U.S. Marine Corps closed the door he said, ‘Why didn’t you go back peacefully, with his son and wife holding his
Last year, I was going through some of my drill instructor who appeared in the movie, Full for another pass?’ Enough said. hand. One more of our “Greatest Generation”
old emails and aviation articles that I had written Metal Jacket. “We had a lot of fun training, but it was seri- was gone, he was 86. I am so glad he took the
almost 20 years ago. I ran across an interest- When Bruce found out how much I liked ous getting us ready for our main mission. Fi- time to write about his experiences, so we can
ing email exchange with a Marine veteran who aviation history, he contacted his fellow Ma- nally the Marine Corps assigned the squadron to read them over and over. I feel privileged to have
was stationed here at Marine Corps Air Station rine Corps pilot friend, Charles (Pat) Weiland in Navy Air Group 5, assigned to the USS Franklin had the opportunity to call him “friend.”
Mojave during World War II. So glad I printed
them out — it was really fun to read them again
and stir the memories.
A good friend was Tehachapi resident, retired
Marine Corps Col. Bruce Porter, author of Ace,
A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II.
He flew in Squadron VMF-452 at Mojave during
World War II.
Bruce came to speak at the Bakersfield Navy
League when I served as president. After that,
we became good friends and he introduced me,
via email, to some of his friends who had served

Courtesy photograph
The cover of Charles Patrick Weiland’s book Photograph by Marine Corps Brig. Gen. J.P. Adams, reprinted with permission from GySgt. Bruce Rebenstorff
Above and Beyond. Marine Corps Corsiars on the flightline at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave during World War II.

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