OE Attends
HEADHUNTERS 80th Fighter Squadron
2007 Reunion Fort Worth, TX

80th Tactical Fighter Squadron Flag HEADHUNTERS .......This 80th photo was taken in August 1943 in Port Moresby 4 months before Battle For New Britain.

The OE team with the invitation of ‘Jaybird’ Reidel (80th Fighter Squadron Association President) attended the HEADHUNTERS reunion at the Stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas on Friday April 20th. ‘Tex’ Ritter was the gracious host of the three-day event and greeted George and I upon our arrival and provided us a location to setup some Show & Tell for the “Fighter Jocks” and their families.

.......................

John looking at Norb Ruff's new book. Great meet Norb's son Mark. ......John during our interview with Sid Adelstein, Crew Cheif for Jay Robbins.

When I asked what members here were WWII vets ‘Tex’ glanced and said, “Well over there is ‘Norb’ Ruff, with Glenn Hope, and ‘Kirby’ (Marion Kirby) is around here some where”!! While still in recovery from the prior declaration ‘Tex’ then added “…And ‘Saffros’ wife and daughter (Ruth & Shelly) are here to”!! I had just walked in the place and already George and I felt welcomed and right at home, we set-forth to set-up and take it all in. We met so many interesting people from the WWII ‘Plank-Owners’ to Korean and Vietnam vets, and even current or recent HEADHUNTERS. One very impressive young warrior I had good conversation with was Captain David “Duece” Paulus a recent 80th Fighter Squadron member now stationed State Side. Once we were set up the interviews started. First was Sidney Adelstein, Jay Robbins crew chief with his insights to the war as he remembered it.

................
John interviewing Yale Saffro's wife Ruth and Shelly Daughter. ..........John, Glenn Hope and Norb Ruff has some great stories.

Next were Ruth Saffro and her daughter Shelly with their story of husband and father Yale Saffro, 80th Fighter Squadron Line Chief and the original artist of the HEADHUNTER insignia. Then it was the turn of Norb Ruff and his old squadron mate Glenn Hope. One interesting note about Glenn, he achieved the first P-38 era Air Combat Victory for the 80th Fighter Squadron on 11 April 1943, over Oro Bay, a Zeke. Norb had four victories during his tour including an Oscar over Boram on 15 September 1943, the same mission that 2nd Lt Strommen was lost and made an 8-day walk through the New Guinea jungle back to his unit.

(L to R) John Holder, Joel Kirby, Marion Kirby and Frank Kirby

Our last interview was Marion Kirby an early 80th FS member who transferred to the new 475th FG’s 431st FS and achieved five victories including two on 2 November 1943 “Bloody Tuesday” over Rabaul. His two sons Frank and Joel, new friends with a WWII Fighter pilot father, joined Marion. We were so honored to be included in this reunion of some of our nations finest war heroes the fighter pilots of the 80th Fighter Squadron HEADHUNTERS, Audentes Fortuna Juvat.