Anniversary of special mission highlights wing’s tradition of readiness

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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  This story is based on the narrative of retired Master Sgt. Walter McCormick, a member of the 514th Air Mobility Wing Alumni Association.

Sept. 11 will always carry special significance for the 514th Air Mobility Wing, as many of its Airmen were tremendously impacted from both a professional and personal perspective. No Freedom Wing Airman will soon forget the events of that day.

But the period between Sept. 10 and 12 is significant to the wing for another reason. On Sept. 10, 1961, the most severe hurricane of the century hit the Gulf Coast of Texas. Hurricane Carla caused 175-mph winds and more than two billion dollars in damages.

Due to efficient evacuation efforts, the massive storm's death toll was just 46, but many towns along the coast were devastated. Luckily, good Airmen and good Americans were quick to help.

The citizens of Harrington Park, N.J., collected truckloads of food, water and clothing for the residents of Palacios, Texas, but they needed a quick way to get the supplies to those in need.

A request for assistance went through the Freedom Wing's former higher headquarters, the Continental Air Command and the Tactical Air Command, before making its way to the wing commander Campbell Jackson, who was a colonel at the time. Though it was quitting time for the day, Jackson gave the order to get a C-119 Flying Boxcar and a crew ready.

Walter McCormick, an aircraft crew chief who was in just his second of an eventual 29-year career with the wing, was asked to take part in the relief mission that would depart that day - Sept. 11.

"I said 'sure,'" he said. "I went home and threw a few things in a bag, and when I got back to the base, lights were on all over the ramp for the trucks to load up tail number 166 (his aircraft)."

He said the Boxcar was packed from the front bulkhead to the jump doors with relief supplies.

"I pre-flighted and refueled my trusty bird, and at about midnight, we took off in a rainstorm for Maxwell Field, Ala., for crew rest."

They departed from Maxwell for Palacios early the next morning.

McCormick said a large crowd warmly greeted them at Palacios, and the mayor and police chief took the Airmen downtown and treated them to a hearty meal to help show their appreciation.

"They couldn't do enough for us," he said.

The Airmen quickly discovered why the Palacios residents were so ready to show their appreciation. A tour of the town showed the destruction levied by the powerful hurricane.

"Cows were hung up on chain-link fences, and cars and trailers were picked up and carried 100 yards away. Areas were flooded out and houses collapsed," McCormick said. "Our cargo could only relieve a small portion of their losses."

After offloading their cargo, the Airmen departed Palacios.

"Soon the white-topped C-119 with red and white stripes on its tail surfaces set down at McGuire with a squeak of the tires and a feeling of accomplishment." McCormick said.

The crew also returned with a letter for Harrington Park's mayor from the Palacios' mayor and letter of appreciation for the Airmen involved with the mission.

"The good people up north didn't forget their beleaguered brothers 1,000 miles away, and our wing stood ready to assist any time the call for help came to us." McCormick said.

For more information on 514th AMW Alumni Association, contact Chief Master Sgt. Antoinette "A.K." Kolesnikov at 754-5210.