[jpnote:  The Andy Andrews in the snackbar photo located elsewhere is the step-dad of  Carl Peters (CHAD Student of '66.)

AUCOIN, Gerald "Jerry"   
@ Chas:  1955-57
7373rd Hospital Sq
San Francisco Area, CA
  6-5-04 I am an Air Force veteran who was stationed at Châteauroux  Air Station from 1955 to 1957. I knew quite a few dependent people there including high school kids, one of whom I dated for awhile;  Raedell Bunn,  Kay Cox, Barbara Douglas [still missing] and Joan Jessie Partridge [passed away] and others. I would very much  like to hear from anyone who knew me there.  I live in central California near San Francisco. Looking forward to corresponding with any and all.   Photo: Raedell Bunn (Chad '56) & Jerry

Jerry & wife, Jeannette - 40th anniversary on the Holland America Cruise ship to Alaska - Spring 2003

 Jerry's Page

Searching for: William Kerr, Danny Simone, Johnny McKenna, and Injun Joe of Oklahoma

Found June 2004:  John Hall, Danny Shea, Joe Mongelluzzo

July 2005 - Jerry & John Hall had a mini-reunion at John's Indiana home.  See more photos on John Hall's entry -3130th Air Installation

3-11-07  [note from  Dave Madril (7373rd Hospital Sq)    Col Bauer retired at Châteauroux and went to work in Civil Service on his retirement. I don't remember where he went to work but I remember seeing him visiting the hospital and on base all the time.  He was a fine man and a good Executive Officer.

3-11-07 [jpnote:  Col Bauer is the father of one of my classmates and friend, Dr. Barbara (Babs) Bauer (aka Bower).  Her sisters Dottie and Terri also attended school at CHAD.  I am in touch with them.]

BOCCARA, Paulette MOREAU 
French Civilian Employee - 7373rd Hospital 
@ Chas:   1951-62

Note from Paulette:  I visited your site “Châteauroux American High School Band/65”  and I would like to receive it please.  I  enjoyed it for the following reason:  I was employed at the American Hospital at “La Martinerie” (7373rd USAF Hospital) from 1951 to 1962. 

[note to Paulette from Ben Donatelli:  Bonjour Paulette,  Moi, j"étais à Châteauroux . Je travaillais dans le laboratoire dental une trentaine de mois. Maintenant, je suis en retrait comme instituteur dans les écoles publiques et comme prof à mi-parti à l'université locale. Je commence à oublier la langue française et je veux vous écrire.  Ma femme et moi nous avions voulu voyager en France mais la situation à Paris nous fait peur ! Ecrivez - nous si vous voulez.  Sincèrement, Benedetto Donatelli

[jpnote:  6-10-08  Reconnected Paulette & Ben.]

5-19-08  Note to Paulette from Don Jones:  I very well remember you at the  hospital receptionist desk and your co-worker (Collette or Claudette?) I recall how impressed you were that I could read lab reports to you in french over the phone. (I studied french at the Univ. of Maryland the three years I was there.) I was once refused service at the snack bar because the workers there did not believe I was American by the way I spoke french. I took that as a compliment. I hope that you are doing well.

@ Chas: 1961 - 1963 
7373rd USAF Hospital  - Dental Clinic
Florence, OR

 05/26/2002  I worked at the Dental Clinic. I have been back three times in the 90s. The place has changed. 

[3-23-06 Note from John Tomasello to Gary:  Not surprised, Gary, that you went back.  I remember you in your Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe.  You even taught me how to brush my teeth properly -- have never forgotten!]

[jpnote:  Gary Blew is searching for Henry Amen DDS.  I did a search for Dr. Amen, but he was not the dentist in Brooklyn, NY.  However, that Dr. Amen was approximately the same age with the same name, but did not serve at Châteauroux.]

08/17/2002:  Was a long time ago, back when I had hair on top of my head, and my navel was only a few inches from my backbone.  smile, smile.

3-2008  Charley emails JP frequently with interesting items.

CARPENTER, Bobby
@ Chas: 1963-1965
7373rd USAF Hospital
Del Rio, Texas

9-18-07  Bobby wrote that he was searching Jack Carter - email was no good.  Then Bobby wrote he had found Jack the same day.  Bobby & Jack are reconnected.

11-14-07 See Chas Marriages

CARPENTER, Robert "Bob"    
@ Chas: 1957-1960 (ouch)
7373rd USAF Hospital
Beaumont, CA
6/27/2002 -  Comments: I don't recall breakfast this morning and you want me to tell you WHAT SQUADRON I was in! Heck, I don't even remember what a 'Squadron' was !!

[jpnote:  I am linked to Bob through Howard Gunn.  Howard Gunn was Bob's roommate and the choir director of the non-denominational church during my years at Chad.  (Bob recalls that Howard was known as Deano at the time.)   My mother and I sang in the choir at the Base Chapel Protestant services with Bob.  We practiced in the cafeteria at Touvent (410).  Howard returned to the states to my hometown, San Antonio, TX, and remained friends with my mother and attended the same church.  He married a lady named Marianne.  Unfortunately, they have both passed away several years ago.  I still have several books of sheet music that belonged to Howard.  We also sang in a French choir with Howard which was located in downtown Châteauroux.  There are some other people who Bob remembers and I remember them as being my mother's friends.  One of them was "Lyda."]

1-24-05 - Searching for  Bobby Carpenter from years @ Chas 63-65 - Flight Surgeons Group. 

9-19-07  [jpnote:  Jack & Bobby are reconnected.]

11-14-07  I retired from the USAF in 1989 after 27 years and have been working for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System for the past 18 years. One of these days I might stop working, but then what would I do?

 CASTILLE, Pete - 7373rd Hospital Sq     See Chas Memorium
 

CHAMBERLAIN, Mick    
@ Chas: May 61-May 63
7373rd Hospital Sq
Sacramento, CA

2-20-06  I worked in Admin, the OP Clinic, and Air Evac and ran the movie projector for patients, upstairs in the theatre (patient lounge?). My room, in the barracks, was on the bottom floor, on the east end towards the Airmen's Club. Highlighting my tour there were trips to the French Riviera, Mont Dorn, the Alps, Geneva, Orleans and many trips to Paris but the real thrill was going to the 1962 running of Le 24 Heures du Le Mans. That was the first year that an American car (Corvette) was entered and it had the fastest practice runs and we (two car-loads from the Hospital) were all excited about it. Then the race began, the Corvette had everyone eating its dust and we were near the Dunlop Tire overpass, timing it.  We waited and waited and here came all of the other cars but no Corvette. It didn't even make ONE lap. With nothing else to root for, we spent the rest of the weekend getting drunk.

3-29-08  I have emailed to Mick several times this past year, but no reply.

 See Mick's  LeMans Race 1962 Memories

COLES, Dr. William "Bill"

 4-18-07  jpnote:  T'was moving some information around and came across Caroline Cole's entry from 2003.  At that time, I did not know where Jack & Jackie Russell were located.  Since I had found them lately, I searched for Caroline again (the email address she had left in 2003 was no longer valid.  I found her and had a fun conversation with her and Jackie and I'm sure they will enjoy reminiscing.  Ahhhh!  Technology.

 Entry from Caroline -  Dr. Cole's former wife
 5-2003 I had no affiliation with the high school other than having the students as babysitters. My husband was a medical officer. Jackie Porowski was the babysitter we used most. Those were very happy days. [jpnote: Jackie lives in the Dallas, TX area. She married g.i. Jack Russell. ]

8-6-07  jpnote:  During my conversation with Caroline, she mentioned her friends, Dr. Jim & Robbie Urban.  I located Dr. Urban, but had a difficult time convincing his office staff to contact him and let him know about his old friends from Chateauroux.   Patience pays off!  See Dr. Urban's note below.

8-6-07  Reconnected Dr. & Prue Rosenthal, Caroline Coles & Dr. Jim & Robbi Urban

COLLIER, Barry    
Years @ Chas: 1956 -57
7373rd Hospital Sq (Dental Clinic)
Albion, MI

04/07/2002 :  I was a dental officer and have many fond memories.  I wish to thank again those responsible for putting me on the plane to England.
 

 CONLAN, Herb - 7373rd Hospital Sq    
 @ Chas:  1964-65
 Alaska

10/24/2002  Entry from son, Matthew Conlan:  Born at Chas My dad (Herb Conlan) was stationed at Châteauroux AS 1964-1966, and I was born in the AF hospital there. He worked at the hospital, I think in immunology. We left there in Dec 1966 and went to Athens Air Base. He retired from the AF in 1978 and both he and mom are doing well in Alaska. I'm now on active duty myself (once a Brat, always a Brat) at Hickam AFB, HI.

DONATELLI, Ben - 7373rd Dental Clinic (Dental Lab Tech) 
 @ Chas 55-56
Akron, OH

12-12-05  Those were good years. I found my life's work...teaching French for 40 yrs at all levels ...ending at the university.  Searching for any dental employee.

12-18-05  I have been fortunate to have used my experiences in France during my life's work. I was a French teacher in public schools and after retirement in "88" , I taught at the local university for 10 years. Along the way, I picked up a BA and MA degree and returned to France via a scholarship from the University of Oregon. While in France, I revisited Châteauroux and the Air Base (which of course was under French command) My wife is a retired teacher too. We are physical fitness buffs and our main hobby is ballroom dancing. It has been a full life. [jpnote:  Connected Ben & Richard Fulton - see below, this page.]   

  Photo from Ben Donatelli - Ben says it was a great meal!

 4-21-08  Judy Alger (Chad Student) searching for Larry Duncan.  

7373rd USAF Hospital
@ Chas 58-61
San Antonio, TX
 

Steve Fletcher (Chad student - class of 68) shared this photo.  It was taken outside the Church of Christ in Downtown Châteauroux around 59-60.

6-14-04  jpnote:  "Perhaps" the Durhams returned to San Antonio, TX in the early 60's.  I did a people search for Eugene, but no success.  Gloria, his daughter, was my classmate, but I don't know her married name.

2-27-07  note from Dave Madril (7373rd Hospital Sq)  TSgt Eugene F. Durham. NCOIC of Medical Supply, 7373rd USAF Hospital.  He was my first USAF NCOIC and like many troops that worked for him went to his home for dinner where we loved to have his wife fuss over us much to his consternation.
 

FULTON, Richard 
7373rd Dental Clinic
Marshfield, Mo.

12/19/2000  On a fluke I thought I would look up Old Chad and to my surprise there was a listing. I was stationed at Chas during 55-58 with the 7373rd Hospital Squadron. I was assigned to the Dental clinic in the Hospital Squadron.  Made a lot of pretty teeth for service personnel and dependents in both France and Germany. What a place.  Searching for:  A/1c Bennidito R. Donatelli; A/1c Billy Stokes  [jpnote:  Connected Richard & Ben Donatelli]

Deano - 1958
Medical Barracks in the background

10-8-03 Comments:   Stationed at Chas 57-59.  Worked as an X-ray tech in 7373rd USAF Hospital under Dr. Arnold Z. Geller, Radiologist with 2 other techs.  Col. Lawn was C.O. at that time.  I have photos and memories of that time period to share. Tisch (see Deano & Friends Photos) and I have been dancing professionally for over 25 years and continue to do so.   
 

 
Deano & Alexander Zonjac, Flautist

jpnote:  Deano toured  as a performer at many service centers throughout Europe.  He surely boosted the morale of the G.I.'s "enduring" their stay at Chas and other exotic bases.  Thanks, Deano,  for sharing these great photos.]  More photos:  Deano & Friends

GRAHAM, George W.  - 7373rd  Hospital
@ Chas:  1959-1962

  See 7373rd Intramural Sports & CHAS Sports

 

8-3-05 Any news of Pete Peterson? My friend Pete Peterson was from Texas and was stationed at Chad from about 56 to 58. We both were dental tech's and worked at the main clinic. I also did a lot of time at the Deol's clinic. We hung out with Pete Peterson and Frank Latimer.  [8-3-05  jpnote:  Gerald C. Peterson was at Chas the same years as Les.  Gerald is listed on classmates - emailed him but no reply.  Perhaps he's not a gold member and doesn't receive emails.]

7373 USAFE Hospital (Dental Clinic). This had to be the original "MASH" unit. At Christmas, every department had its own signature drink. Ours was Champagne, oranges, and seventy-five year old Napoleon Cognac. The dental "specialty" was mixed in a large washtub sporting an even taller ice sculpture. Such class!  Patients were wandering, staggering and then eventually falling all over the place. I worked in Surgery or at Déols Dental Clinic most of the time. It was located in one of the glass side rooms overlooking the runway and the milling area. The Luftwaffe certainly knew how to build a hanger. Of course, there were those great weekends in Normandy, Argenton, Paris, and especially Blvd Hausman. Then there were the Brit dancers at the Moulin Rouge, dancing all night at the Plata Bar, Breakfast at Les Halles and swimming the Seine (Aggggh). Thank you Mademoiselle C. Desire, you were so right!  Truth of course is that you can never go back, but it was fun... Wait! I did go back in 1978; it was then a French Army Base. They graciously assigned a young Lt to escort the family. The main square was unchanged. The exchange and the hospital were the same, but nicer. However, the old Dental Clinic was gone. Quontown looked the same, just painted. Déols is now a commercial airport, with factories along the entrance road from Châteauroux. As for the town, the overpass at the RR station seemed a little smaller. The "White Swan" was still there and the Beaujolais’, Escargots, French bread, and Onion soup just as good. There were also many new factories, mostly electronic plants built by De Gaulle to compensate for the loss of the "Ugly" Americans. Remember the, "Go Home US" signs? Well, unfortunately, we did!

 

Upon return to the States, the Harrises settled in Syracuse, NY

8-17-08 Daughter, Sabine Brown sent this info:  My father, Larry Thomas Johnson, Jr. was stationed in Chateauroux AFB La Martinerie and he was a nurse from 1958 to 1961....  .He loved to play basketball.  When he left France he went to Ogden, UT. 

[jpnote:  Daughter Sabine was Born at Chas

 

See Dick's LeMans Race 1962 Photos & Memories

 2-18-06  Dave Shively and I worked together for CMSgt Yankovich.

See Dick's Photo Page

 Has anyone heard from our buddy Joe Yates of Otumwa, Iowa? [Note from Dave Madril:  Dick, you asked about  little Joe Yates who was from Fergus Falls, MN.   I got a call from a Joe Yates from Coon Rapids, MN who said Joe was his great uncle. He had never met his Uncle Joe.  He said Joe was in the USAF in France in the 60s and he was named after him. Little Joe sadly passed away around 1975 while still in his 40s.]

5-12-07  Note from Dave Madril:  Guys, Tonite I got a real shock!! I received a phone call from the "dead" Joe Yates and he wasn't calling from heaven. He's not very computer literate but was messing with yahoo and he typed in Châteauroux and found the web page. Was surprised to find out he had passed on. As it turns out, it was his brother John who is no longer with us. Anyway, we spoke for about an hour and he lives in Farmington, NM.

 How about Wes Reamer (the best in the West) or Mike Dupree, Bobo, Gochenour, Taylor?

 Hey Dave, remember all the old vinyl LP records we had in the storage room? Little did I know then what great memories we were making.

Searching:  Old friends. Hello to Dave Shively and Mick Chamberlain. I saw Dave's note. [jpnote:  emailed Richard, Dave & Vince Pandolfi  to reconnect.]

[note to Richard from John Tomasello:  3-23-06 Certainly remember Yankovich, Dupree, Gochenour (I traveled to France and back 3 years later with Ralph G.), and good ole’ Wiley Taylor!

  
7373rd Hospital - Lab Technician
@ Chas 60-63
Hammond, LA

4-23-08  Guestbook Entry:  The time of my life was spent @ Chas.

[jpnote:  Don is sending copies of the 63 La Martinerie phone book to me.  Great source of info to find other Chas Guys!]

5-19-08   Let me mention some names. . .   In the lab with me were: Lt. John Kennedy, Sgt. Zorichak, Sgt. Wright, Sgt. Gerald "Charlie" Brown, [photo above] Sgt. Hansen, Doug Oglesby, William Bronson, [photo above] Thomas Mann, Sortiris Nacopolous, Bobo (?), and I may have forgotten one or two.  French Nationals: Jean Romain, Michele Lecompte & Solange (?) Heading up the hospital was Col. Nagle and Dr. Gillispie. I worked the hospital photo lab as a sideline (in the basement under the ER) and  I was on the track team with Holcy Gay, Pandolfi and others.

KRAMER, Donald C.  DDS & Janet

My son Donald M. Kramer  was born to Janet and Donald C. Kramer on the 4th of November 1964 at the 7373 Hospital. Dr.Kramer was a dentist assigned to the dental clinic at Chas from 1963-1966.   Dr. Harold Miller delivered Don and now lives along with the Kramer's in Houston, Texas.

LANGE, Christopher  - 7373rd Hospital  
@ Chas 64-66
Rhode Island

11-27-06  I was at CHAS from June '64 to June '66 at 7373 USAF Hospital Sq.  I served as a field medic and worked all depts. of the hospital, including surgery and ER.  Fond memories of the USO club downtown and the young women who worked there.  I drove a beat up old VW and often rode the bus from the base to the train station and back.  Drove all over central France photographing chateaux and beautiful country side.  I left CHAS and was stationed with the 48th TAC Hospital at RAF Lakenheath in the UK.  At one point I covered the medical unit at Déols.

 LAQUA, Bill  - CHAS Memorium
7373rd Hospital Sq - Pharmacy Technician

3-23-07  Dave Madril wrote that he had located Bill Laqua only to find that he had passed away.  Dave spoke with Bill's brother.

LEVITZ, Gene MD
7373rd Hospital
@ Chas 59-63
San Jose, CA

[jpnote:  3-11-07 Dr. Levitz and I had a fun phone conversation last evening.  He said to tell the 7373rd Hospital Squadron servicemen hello.  He has a family practice in San Jose.  Dr. Levitz and Drs Karl Robinson; Jack Fulton; Ed Slagle and Wally Silberman have been "reunioning" for several years; reminiscing about old times at CHAS.  They all recalled fond memories of their time there. Unfortunately, Drs Silberman and Slagle have recently passed away.  See Chas Memorium 

L'HEUREUX, William "Bill" "Lash" - No Email address - Corresponds with Dave Madril

 MADRIL, Dave        See Dave's Photo Page
7373rd Hospital
@ Chas 59-63
Grand Junction, CO

    4-7-05 Sending memorabilia - [jpnote:  Dave's son, James, Born @ Chas

 6-1-06  [jpnote:  Received Sports Newspaper articles from Dave's daughter, Danielle.  They're posted on Vet Sports Page.  Thank you, Danielle.]

2-20-07  I've got some photos of the 1998 reunion of a lot of people I don't know that were just snapped at random.

See the 1998 Vet Comeback Reunion

10-06  Dave plans on attending the CHAS 2007 Reunion.

3-07  Notes from Dave regarding 7373rd Hospital Sq G.I.'s:  I  visited William "Bill" "Lash" L'Heureux at Hamilton AFB when I returned from France since I was in San Jose with my Mom. Had a great visit. I've kept up with them over the years, visited them in Moreno Valley, in southern Cal and we always exchanged Christmas letters. I got a call in 1995 from Bill telling me that his wife, Bea, had passed away but to keep the letters coming as that's mainly how we kept up. If any of you would like to talk to him, I have his number.  He doesn't have an email address.

I kept in touch with Oliver Spaulding from Med Supply for about 30 years but stopped hearing from him around 1995. He had moved in with his son in South Carolina but I believe he passed away.

 Another I lost track of over 15 years ago was James W. Cutlip, also of Med Supply. He was from West Virginia.

Others I knew but have no idea where they are now:

SSgt Michael (Sou Sou) Southard - Air Force Clinic, last seen in Spain
TSgt Allen, Medical Ward NCOIC, last seen Lakenheath England as SMSgt
Sgt Mathew Bonolevitz, last seen Lakenheath England as TSgt
Sgt William O'Dell, last seen as SSgt, Cam Rahn Bay, RVN
Lt Houlihan, Surg Ward Male Nurse, last seen as patient, Cam Rahn Bay, RVN
Lt Globus, Surg Ward male Nurse, last seen at Cam Rahn Bay, RVN
John Waitman, seen a couple times, lives in Wheatland, WY
Capt. Richard Preator, Ortho Surgeon, last seen 1975 at Wilford Hall, Lackland
Lloyd Linderhof, Medical Maintenance, address unknown. Gored at Pamplona one year. !!!!!!!!!
Wayne Haertling, Medical Maintenance, address unknown, replaced by Linderhof
Klaus Krueger, last seen as SSgt at Ramstein Germany, now retired in Germany
William Hightshoe, Supply Squadron, Last seen Nha Trang RVN in 1968.
Lt Charles S. Batchelor, SPS, Football coach, last seen Nha Trang RVN in 68 as Lt Col.
MSgt St. George, SPS, last seen Nha Trang RVN as CMSgt SP Superintendent
Maj Lloyd G. Thomas, last seen in Denver, ill with Alzheimer's in 1998
Leonard Wentz, Orderly Room, last seen Glendive, MT in 1967

3-13-07  Lt B.H. Corum, Sqdn Cmdr, last seen as Col and Exec Officer at Wilford Hall, Lackland.  Just thought I'd let you all know that I spoke to B.H. Corum today and mentioned his photo has surfaced. He got a big kick out of it and I told him I'd burn a cd for him to see of all the photos we end up with. He remembered your names and even told me about TSgt Carter. Turns out he was an Army general's aide as a MSgt and was pretty well shot up with a lot of metal in his body. When he enlisted in the USAF they started him off as an A1C and BH said he went right up the ladder and retired as a CMSgt. He's since passed away but BH and I had a nice conversation.

7-24-07  Hi Jenelle, Was on the internet getting ready to get a plane ticket for the reunion and I naturally started looking over the Chas page. It brought something I had forgotten about a person assigned to the flight line at Deols. I'm not sure what squadron he was in but he was in the control tower at Deols or passenger service. His name was Dwight (Fritz) Cottington. He married a French lady by the name of Helene and when I ran into him they owned a couple of gift shops in the Torrejon AB area. They had a shop downtown Madrid (where I ran into him) and they opened one right outside the main gate at Torrejon. I do remember he also played football on the 1962 Sabres. I don't know if they're still in Spain or not but I doubt it. I thought I'd tell you in case someone knew him or knows where he's at.  

8-23-07  Jenelle, I've been downsizing since my move and today while getting rid of some stuff from storage I came across an old Chateauroux Sabre baseball uniform. The only thing missing is the socks and hat. I've also got packed away somewhere my old football letterman's jacket with the leather sleeves. I guess I'm just a packrat! Looking forward to the trip.

5-19-08  Note to Dave from Don Jones:  Dave Madril, with your contributions, you are like the ever ready bunny, you just keep on going and from all over the place.. My compliments to you.  You asked about a couple people that I possibly can fill you in on. Sgt Alfred Allen died in the early 90's in Omaha, NE; Tommy Smith as of the late 80's was retired and living out from Riverside, Ca. Sgt. Gerald Brown was retired and living in Riverside but has moved and I lost contact. Sgt James "Jim" Collins, orderly room, died in California about late 80's or early 90's.

This photo is from Dave's return to Chateauroux in April 2008.  The lady on the left is Michele Charvy.  She has shared many photos for the website. Evelyne and Alain Fourre' were participants at the Chas 2007 Return.  Evelyne cooked the dinner at Deols.  they are all active members of France-Etats Unis Association.   This photo was taken at dinner at the Best Western Colbert.

10-14-07  [Note from Dr. Donald C. Kramer:   Dr. Harold Miller delivered My son Donald M. Kramer and now lives along with the Kramer's in Houston, Texas.

[10-14-07  jpnote:  Wonder how many kids listed on the Born at Chas page of this website were delivered by Dr. Miller???

PANDOLFI, Vincent W. 
@ Chas: 1960-62
7373rd USAF Hospital
Pearl River, NY

4-4-04  It was a long time ago but I was able to contact 2 of many good friends, Dave (Shiveley) & Mick (Chamberlain). Hope a few more will contact us. Hey! Remember the Frog Pond? Let me hear from you.

5-9-04  Just to say Hello to some of the guys/gals I served with during those years.  It's been a few years since I was in Chad. But looking through the site it has brought back many memories.

5-31-04 Over the internet, I've been able to locate Dave Shively & Mick Chamberlain. We've had very interesting conversations. Too bad more of us don't take advantage of this site. It sure would be great if we could arrange a reunion. [jpnote:  Emailed to reconnect Mick Chamberlain with Richard Johnson.]

[note to Vincent from John Tomasello:  3-23-06 Could never forget Pandolfi, the clown!  Hey Pandolfi, if you read this, is that our Paulette from the hospital reception desk? [jpnote:  The answer to that was "yes."]

[jpnote:  See newspaper article at the bottom of this page - featuring Vince and T/Sgt Nick Carter (not located)]

5-19-08  Note to Vince from Don Jones:  You were hard not to be noticed, but I remember you most from the 50 mile run you made (to keep JFK happy), We wound up together  in Paris, Fountainbleu and Versailles a time or two with the track team. '62 USAFE Champs!!??

ROSENTHAL, Dr. Amnan 

4-19-07  Entry from Prue Rosenthal:  We live in Ann Arbor Michigan, where Ami is a professor of Pediatric Cardiology and I am a community volunteer.

8-6-07  Reconnected Dr. & Prue Rosenthal, Caroline Coles & Dr. Jim & Robbi Urban

8-15-04  Entry by friend, Jerry Aucoin

Danny loved Châteauroux, just as much as the rest of his friends did. He was a smart, funny and caring friend.  Loved to go to Paris with Jerry and John (Hall).  Montparnasse was his favorite region in Paris.  He dated Kay Cox, one of five high school girls that he and the other friends dated.

Found: Friends, Jerry Aucoin, John Hall, Joe Mongelluzzo.  John Hall & Danny Shea

 See Dave's Photo Scrapbook  &  LeMans Race 1962 Photos & Memories

 3-28-04 Comments:  I played on our basketball softball and football teams at the intramural level. In 1962 our basketball team won the intramural league.  I certainly made many trips to Joe from Maine's place to get hamburgers and chili to eat and to listen to American music.  One of our late night favorite hangouts was the "Frog Pond."  In the past year I came into contact with Vince Pandolfi and Mick Chamberlain from my old outfit. We correspond regularly.  I have lots of pictures and articles that I could forward to you for the web site.   I worked for about a year in the Airmans club as a bartender. I am retired from Law Enforcement.

[3-9-07 jpnote:  Dave dug up some great photos of his CHAS buddies!  Thanks for sharing them all with us, Dave!]

Below:  Dave Shively, C/Msgt Yankovitz, next Unknown, Leonard Tierney. Sitting:  Col Moore

STORMENT, Jim 
@ Chas:  66 to closing
7373rd  Hospital Sq
Hull, MA

2-16-04  Chas was a fantastic eye opener for young folk not far from basic. Great place to be. GI's and French pretty [girls] great to be around. Most cheerful GI's I encountered in 4 years. Must have been the water.

4-2-07   Hello from Jim.

 3-23-06 - I was stationed [at Chas]  from November 1961 through November 1964 starting out as a "medic" at the hospital where they finally believed what I had been telling them since basic training at Lackland -- ain't gonna work !  So I wound up in the photo lab and got to work with Dave [Lairmore] quite a bit.

 As I recall, Dave had been stationed there as an airman, married a French woman and stuck around as a U.S. government employee.  I visited his home for dinner one time and met his lovely wife and child and Doberman, who didn't like me! ....

I can't say all the days at CHAS were wonderful; I was young and missed the good old USA.  But I did travel to Paris a few times, as well as Germany, Spain, Greece (where an aunt was stationed with the CIA!), Italy (where I visited relatives:  a great aunt on my mother's side, and her husband, son and his wife).  All in all, the memories make for fond nostalgia, and I wouldn't mind visiting once more and see how much has changed. 

Interesting to read articles from the guys who were there in the fifties when it was tent city.  All their stories ring true because I heard so many of them.    For us airmen, most of us anyway, it wasn't exactly a Riviera vacation; three years is a long time in a foreign country so far away from home, but I tried to make the most of my time there.   I got into town often, not just for the bars, but with a friend to a particular restaurant (great food)  that was hidden away down a narrow street (aren't they all narrow?).  We learned about it from an officer's wife, and whenever we went there, we were the only Americans.  The same friend wrote me after I got back to the states saying the man who ran the restaurant who did not speak English asked him about his "dark-haired friend".  I guess he remembered me since the last trip there I splurged on the meal, and even asked for a more expensive wine than usual which he produced from the cellar, dusting if off carefully before opening for us. 

I recognize most places in the photos on the website;  especially the barracks which were being built by those brave, hardy souls who came before us (living in Tent City) which we heard about upon our arrival.  By those standards, we were living in luxury.

 jpnote:  I located Dr. Urban after a phone conversation with Caroline Coles (entry above).  She and her former husband had been friends with the Urbans and the Rosenthals.  I located Dr. Urban's office and left word with his staff that a friend from Chateauroux would like to contact him.    After some months, Dr. Urban wrote:

6-13-07  I remember both Dr. Coles and Dr. Rosenthal very well. We kept in touch with the Rosenthals for many years- I guess we just gradually stopped doing so. Both Robbi and I would very much like to get up to date with both couples. Even better would be to get together.

8-6-07  Reconnected Dr. & Prue Rosenthal, Caroline Coles & Dr. Jim & Robbi Urban

2-9-06  I am searching Jim Hahn [not John Hahn] who was stationed there the same time with me.  He and I both ended up in England when they closed [Chas] down.   I went to Bentwaters and he went to Wethersfield I believe.  I think he lived in Indiana, he married a French girl, Arlette. I loved Châteauroux and made the best of life there. I dated a local girl named Maria Noelle, known as Merry Xmas. I often think of her, I went back to see her after I was stationed in England in my brand new MG Midget. Thank You for this opportunity to stir up good memories.  [jpnote:  Connected Dave & Jim Storment.)

[jpnote:  4-28-07  Received an email from Dave Madril that he was in touch with John.  No further info available.]

 WINTER, Bruce 
@ Chas: 1962-1965 
7373rd Hospital Sq - Dental Clinic

 Hi to all, My name is Bruce Winter and I was a dental tech in the dental clinic next to the hospital from 62 to 65. I've been trying to locate friends from that time but have had no luck so far. Even to this day I have many fond memories of France. I explored much of France, north to Scandinavia and south to Spain  in my old crash-box VW painted air force ambulance blue with a brush. I was enchanted the whole time. I had many friends in the French air force and wonder where they are too. I liked to drive to lac du Chambon on the weekend, and Argenton, a lovely town. Too many memories to write about. I'm filled with nostalgia.  Bruce

[note from John Tomasello:  3-23-06 Hi Bruce:  Couldn’t forget you!  We did one of those driv