Updated:  August 25, 2010

 

   7300th Materiel Control Group  
(Mutual Defense Assistance Program)

 (MDAP)

 

Châteauroux Air Station
 Châteauroux, France

 


  The Quonset Hut  between the two buildings was temporary headquarters for the 7300th MDAP

7300th Materiel Control Group (MDAP) Photo Album

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AFENTUL, Gust - buddy of Al Hanema 
June 1951-Sept 1953
7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)

Where are you Gust Afentul?  [jp posted the question and eventually, Mary Afentul, Gust's daughter, wrote about Gust - 1-6-08]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARILLA, Santos
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Rantoul, IL

DUNN, CWO (Reired) Clifton "Cliff" 
@ Chas:  1951-53 & 1955-56
7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
   Wisconsin

6-17-05    "When the 73rd ADW arrived in Châteauroux, Cliff Dunn was the Supply Sgt for the 73rd Food Service Sqdn, then he transferred to the Stock Control and then to the 7300th Sqdn as Supply Sgt.  This pic was taken in the American Division Base Camp in Chu Lai, Vietnam near the beach in early summer 1968."  [These comments and the photo are from Bud Hankins (  7300th Materiel Control Group.)

   

 

1-11-07 [jpnote:  I was scanning the 1957 CHAD High School yearbook and I noticed T/Sgt Dunn listed as the Supply Officer for the school.  Although the years served at CHAS didn't match with the info I had received from Bud Hankins, I wrote to Cliff and here is what he replied:]

1-11-07  My name is Clifton L. Dunn, Sr.  I retired from the US Army as Chief Warrant Officer in 1973. I was in the USAF and stationed at Châteauroux from June 1951 to 1953, I moved to Wiesbaden, Germany and then to USA in 1954.  I returned as a USAF T/Sgt to Châteauroux in 1955. I was assigned to the Châteauroux School as the School Supply NCOIC.  I worked for the Superintendent, I think his name was Mr. Lou Umholtz (spelling of his name may not be correct) and departed in 1956 for duty with MAAG France in Casablanca, Morocco. I have served many places since then including five years in combat zones (two tours in Vietnam).  I was awarded five Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals and other awards that I do not remember. We have two sons who were born in the Châteauroux USAF Hospital.  Thanks Cliff 

 

EHLERS, Sgt.
 @ Chas:  1951-53
    7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)

Sgt. Ehlers picking up clean laundry from 7300th Supply Tent

Photo from Bud Hankins

 

 

 

FINKENBINER, Richard "Dick" - friend of Bud Hankins - no email available - Dick has not signed the guestbook.  He and Bud converse on the phone.  Dick lives in Lewisburg, PA

 

GODDARD, John
 @ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
 

 

 

HANKINS, Clifford R. "Bud"     1930-2008
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Binghamton, NY

 

  

See CHAS Memoriam

[jpnote:  Bud and I emailed weekly for years and his many contributions to the website have not gone unnoticed.  Since his departure to Higher Ground, his wife, Dolores, has taken up his mantle and keeps in touch.  12-2009 - This is Dolores "Dee" and  her and Bud's daughter, Charla.

HANNEMA, Alvin J.
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
So. New Holland, MI

      [jpnote:  4-30-05  Bud Hankins sent this photo of his buddy, Al, and the comments following:]

 See CHAS Memoriam

 

 

 

 

HICKS, Major Gen. Joseph H.  - 7300th Materiel Control Group & 73rd Air Depot
 @ Chas 51-53
Retired 4-30-54
Passed away 6-3-91  See CHAS Memoriam

MERKLING, Cyril "Merk"
@ Chas:  1952-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Stewart, TN

 3-14-07  Info from daughter Cathy (Born @ Chas)  My father, (age 78, very active), just called and let me know about the September reunion (CHAS 2007 Reunion). He was ecstatic. Dad, Cyril ("Merk") Merkling was in the first Sqdn to be stationed there...1952-53. My name is Cathy Merkling and I was born there on April 13, 1953. My mother was Alice Merkling, who is now deceased. Dad and I would appreciate you posting my name to the "births" web page.   Many thanks for all your efforts.

9-17-07  Sue Polston, wife of Don Polston, sent this info:  Merk and Don arrived at the same time......they went to France on the USS Stewart from New York.  Arrived at La Rochelle then arrived at La Martinerie.  They both were together for almost a year when Don was transferred to 7373d AIO Hq Sqdn and Merkling went to Germany.

RAKOSKI, Carl  - Not Located
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Shamokin, PA

RUDOSKY, John  - Not Located
 @ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
 Philadelphia, PA

SLUTZKER, Gene - Not Located
 @ Chas:  1951-53
    7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)

STARK, William W. 
@ Chas:  1951 - 1953
7300th MDAP 
Harwich, MA


 12/09/2002  Comments:  My gang was the first to arrive in the tents in August 1951. I learned to love France and have been learning French and returning as much as possible. I was in Châteauroux in 1996. I could hardly recognize it. The Chat qui Fume, The Swan etc. are gone. I did get to the Faison. Even the Cafe de Paris has been moved. Where are Tobie Curry, Will Barnes, Mark Brewton, Bob Baltz, etc. I have many great memories.

THRAN, Dan   See CHAS Memoriam
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Kalamazoo, MI

UNGIER, Arthur B.  - Passed away - August 2005 - Bud Hankins provided this info.
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
Drummond Island, MI

See CHAS Memoriam

 

 

WILSON, Otto 
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)

11-05-03 Comments:  Arrived June 1951, transferred to Weisbaden in l953. Capt. Roundtree was CO, M/Sgt Dwyer was First Sgt, T/Sgt Merkling was Chief Clerk, I was skinny kid in orderly room. Black Swan restaurant in Châteauroux was great spot.

[3-15-07 jpnote:  Hello Otto!  It's been 4 years since you signed in to this website and recalled the people above.  It took awhile, but your first sergeant's daughter has found us and checked in!]

3-28-07  Remember tent city when I first arrived, muddy winter then moved into barracks. Worked in orderly room as clerk with Capt. Roundtree and M/Sgt Dwyer, T/Sgt Merkling etc. The Group moved to Weisbaden in 1953 and USA in 1954. Still in contact with Merkling, Hankins, Zimmerman and Dunn. Looking for more.

 

ZIMMERMAN, Morlin  "Morey"   
@ Chas:  1951-53
   7300th Materiel Control Group (Mutual Defense Assistance Program)
 Monroe, WI

12-13-04  Ms. Peterson, thank you for the great site.  If I ever get the time I could write a book of my experiences in CHAD from Aug 1951 to 1953 when my Sqdn 7300th Material Conrol Sqdndn was transferred to Weisbaden.  Somehow not much is ever written about the Sqdndn. We formed at Wright Patterson in May of 1951, I think , first airmen left in July to setup tents. I remember the mud and tent 8A and the cold snowy days slept with clothes on and newspapers piled under the blankets. Have some photos if I can find them. Happy Holidays.

 

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Jenelle Peterson
Dallas, TX