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Museum Volunteer Remembered
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April 2013
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Naval Ace Represents Contribution to War Effort
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The Navy and Marine aviation contribution to World War II resulted in major developments in aircraft carriers and the naval aircraft that were a part of the carrier fleet. One of the Naval Aces of World War II was Captain Walter "Jake" Lundin. Jake was born in Queens, New York, to parents who had emigrated from Sweden. He married Gladys Hillenbrand. On July 7, 1941, he went to Montreal and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After completing flight training, he was commissioned on April 24, 1942, in Moncton, New Brunswick. Walter Lundin then received training on celestial navigation at Prince Edward Island, Canada, before going to Northern Ireland to train in the Wellington Bomber.  At this point American participation in the war changed many of the rules and Jake was able to join the United States Navy on November 9, 1942, reporting to Naval Air Station Jacksonville where his carrier training began. As a fighter pilot in Fighting Squadron Fifteen, (VF-15 Fighting Aces) attached to the USS Essex (CV-9) during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea in June, 1944, he was among a group of distinguished Naval Aviators including the Navy's highest scoring ace, Lt. Commander David McCampbell. The Essex was equipped with Grumman F6F Hellcats and VF-15 was aboard the Essex from May through November 1944. The Hellcat was destined to become the US Navy's most significant WWII fighter with over 12,000 eventually built.
 The Fighting Aces of VF-15 scored 310 kills during that cruise in 1944 and recognized 26 aces. The fleet accompanying the Essex was subjected to numerous enemy air attacks. Lt. Lundin destroyed one enemy fighter and one enemy dive bomber plane and assisted materially in the total destruction by his squadron of sixty-seven enemy aircraft. In action in the central Philippines in September, 1944, while attacked by a vastly superior force of intercepting enemy fighters, he destroyed one and assisted another pilot in destroying an enemy medium bomber, thereby contributing to his flight's total of twenty-nine planes destroyed during this action. Pressing home relentless strafing attacks against grounded aircraft, he succeeded in setting fire to and destroying one grounded plane. During this period he was a lieutenant and served as a section leader.
 On October 24, 1944, during operations in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, after intercepting a force of enemy aircraft during a combat patrol mission, he engaged the enemy shooting down two planes and assisted in dispersing the remainder.
In February, 1945, he was assigned to VBF-151 flying F4U-4 Corsairs. The conflict was over before his Corsair unit reached the forward area. Lt. Lundin served solely on the aircraft carrier Essex during WWII and never flew from a land base. During his time on the Essex kamikazes began to attack the fleet but the Essex was never hit while he was aboard. Bonsais was the original name given to the kamikazes. The only plane flown by Lt. Lundin during combat in WWII was the F6F Hellcat. Lt. Lundin and three other pilots were dispatched late one afternoon against Betty bombers and other targets. By the time they were ready to return to the ship, it was well after dark and they had to make their first night landing. One of the important things he noted during his cruise aboard the Essex was the team spirit and professionalism of the pilots. Leadership was excellent and that was reflected in the number of kills VF-15 was able to document.
 Captain Lundin is credited with 6.5 enemy aircraft kills and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Gold Star. He was a member of the American Fighter Aces Association. Captain Walter Lundin and Gladys raised two sons, Mark and George. He went on to have a successful 24 year career in the United States Navy and lived to the age of 91. It was through the efforts of Gladys that much of the military history of Walter has been preserved in documents and pictures. He is in the company of military aces of World War II who used their aircraft and skills to engage and defeat an enemy of the western world and international peace. The Museum is proud to be the recipient of materials representing the life of Captain Walter Axel "Jake" Lundin.
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Museum Education Mission at Full Throttle
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The Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education (CCESSE) is working closely with the Museum to provide a quality educational experience for K-12 students visiting the Museum campus. During the initial school visits comprised of fourth and fifth graders, students have learned about the basic principles of flight (lift, drag, thrust, and weight). They have built and flown their own balsa wood and paper airplanes changing control surfaces to examine those basic principles. Each student has gotten the opportunity to operate the controls of our N3N trainer and see the results of their actions.
Our certified teachers and volunteer docents explore the characteristics of aircraft with the students so they can discriminate between a highly maneuverable fighter and a heavily loaded transport or bomber aircraft. During longer visits, students study methods of propulsion and are exposed to the complexity of an airfoil. For middle and high school students, teachers have created group and individual projects which challenge student's knowledge of flight.
 Our docents manage to squeeze in a bit of World War II history which is totally new to many students. Because our students are visiting for a focused academic experience, they leave already planning to bring their parents back for the full tour. Our teachers and docents must be working magic because we now have a backlog into mid summer for school visits to the Museum educational complex.
If you would like to learn more about the student program and museum experience, contact Deb Haase at (719) 598-9755 or dhaase@clccs.org |
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Volunteers Welcomed
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We are approaching the busy summer season and welcome those in the local Colorado Springs area who would like to spend some time as a Docent. With three tours a day plus STEM educational activities with students, there always something exciting on the calendar. An interest in World War II history and the Home Front is desired. We will work with you to become a WWII Docent expert. You need to enjoy great people and our constantly changing history and technology environment. Some of our exhibits are operational World War II aircraft plus aircraft under restoration. On some days there may be an engine run or a test flight. We could see World War II aircraft visiting for maintenance. Sometimes pilots just want to fly over Colorado Springs or the United States Air Force Academy and share their piece of aviation history.
 Maybe you would rather do hands on projects like display construction, aircraft component restoration, military vehicle restoration, painting, or display case creation. Perhaps you are into archival activities including cataloging donations and researching their historical significance. We have both a book and film library that are looking for creative volunteers to manage and support their activities. The Front Desk as you enter the Museum can use the skills of a people oriented greeter. There is always a different daily challenge and did we mention that our volunteers are the best people in Colorado.
We have opportunities to build a Museum membership program as well as a marketing program with world wide media. Technology buffs are also welcomed since we have our Facebook presence, a Twitter account, this newsletter, and a website. So why sit at home when you can join our talented group of volunteers and make the Museum complex even more amazing and productive. Ideas and energy are always welcomed.
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| In Memoriam | |
 Mrs. Suzette Cherry completed her earthly journey on April 7, 2013, after a challenging medical battle. During her last year in the United States Air Force in Colorado Springs and during her brief retirement, she became totally engaged in opening the Museum to the public. Whether driving equipment, painting, or developing displays, Suzette was a hard working true friend of the Museum, Colorado Springs, and the United States Air Force. As a descendant of Eddie Rickenbacker, she holds a special tie to aviation history. We in the Air Force community and Museum volunteers mourn the loss of this very special lady and friend. Our heart goes out to Robert in this time of loss.
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| In Memoriam | |
Mr. Robert "Bob" Gerhardt took his final flight on January 18, 2013 at age 93. Bob was born in Corona, New York, and lived there until he joined the Army Air Corp in 1941. He trained as a P-51 pilot and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His love of planes and flying continued throughout his life. Those of us who attended the 2013 39th Fighter Squadron Association Reunion at the Museum will remember Bob and his scooter being everywhere so he did not miss a thing.
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| Your Comments | |
Mr. Bob Chastain, President and CEO o the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wrote "On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, I want to sincerely thank the National Museum of WWII Aviation for its role in helping to secure, ship and restore the incredible airplane that is part of our new Encounter Africa exhibit. We know that this plane will allow kids of all ages the opportunity to see magnificent black rhinos and African elephants from a vantage point not found at any other zoo in the country.
 The idea of incorporating a plane into this exhibit came from two of our Animal Care Managers, whose children love airplanes and are particularly fond of eating in a nearby restaurant located inside an airplane. We all know that children are fascinated with planes and all the adventure they promise. What better way to introduce kids to the wonders of the animals of Africa than from the cockpit?
We are proud to have partnered with the National Museum of WWII Aviation on this spectacular project and are so grateful for your generosity. Thank you.
The Facebook page for the Museum is a great way to follow the daily activities including veterans visits, new artifacts, and warbirds that may be visiting and could be seen during your tour. The Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/wwiiaviation or click on the link above. In the footer below, you will notice a link to Update Profile/Email Address. Please take a moment to update your information so we can personalize our contact with you. Spread the word. This is your tribute to the greatest generation and the opportunity to educate the next generations.
For Twitter users, you can find us at www.twitter.com/wwiiaviation
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