Lt Condo, Lt Kelly, Lt Keil

[markjsheppard]

Hi

Anything on these three guys - all with VF-38 at the end of December 1943.

Ens/Lt Condo - unusual name?
Lt Kelly - Common name so more difficult?

Lt Keil - Intelligence Officer.

The two pilots would be good to gave names/initial for.

regards

Mark

[Leendert]

Mark,

I found Lt Jg W.G. Keil, Acting CI Officer, VF-38 for starters.

Regards,

Leendert

[Frank Olynyk]

Condo has no claims with VF-38, and the name is not in my database for any squadron.

Wilson Calvert Kelly is credited with 4.5 dest, 1 prob, and 3 damaged. File number 130191. A-VN Classification. Born Feb 1921.

W G Keil is presumable Walter G Keil, 130927, A-VS Classification. Born May 1917.

Only one Condo in the Jan 1, 1943 Reserve Officers list. Ens. Theodore S Condo, 130186, A-VN, born March 1921.

Details from my files, and the Jan 1, 1943 Register of Commissioned Officers, Cadets, Midshipmen, and Warrent Officers of the United States Naval Reserve. (it doesn't give middle names).

Enjoy!

Frank.

[markjsheppard]

Leenert and Frank

Thank you very much. Some more names to research.

Have 20 names on my list - Found 3 surviving pilots and 11 families. (Excludes Fonvielle and Boyd who were CO's of VF-38 after Hellcat 25910 came home.)

I cannot find anything more on the first Co John Howard Anderson - too much of a common name. Beleive he was still in the Navy in 1946. A State and DOB would be handy.

Also Wayne Riley. Any middle initial. Seems he also survived WWII.

Great leads guys, thankyou very much.

Have a good weekend

regards

Mark

[markjsheppard]

Looks like Walter Gustave Keil had a very well known wife!

He died 1980, she died 2005!

http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0716/lillian.htm

regards

Mark

[markjsheppard]

Found the families of all three - now just letters/phonecalls.

Ta again!

Mark

So 18/20 found and written to and so far contacted by 14.

Last two. Both July 1943

Lt WAYNE RILEY USNR
LCdr JOHN HOWARD ANDERSON

[Leendert]

Mark,

Theodore S. Condo is listed on findagrave.com. Born Mar 8, 1921, died Jan 6, 2003, Oregon. There's an obituary attached that confirms he was a naval aviator serving in the Aleutians and South Pacific.

Gravelocator.org says his remains are at Pacific Sunset Cemetery, Florence, OR.

Regards,

Leendert

[markjsheppard]

Leendert

Found it. Good lead and a bit more info.

regards

Mark

[markjsheppard]

In contact with the son of Condo and the daughter of Keil. 10-15 years ago this research would have taken 6 months and not the three days!

Kelly's family are only contactable by letter so will have to wait.

Thanks again.

Mark