Vermillion Civil Air Patrol 1957-1959

My grandfather, Elmer Sorensen, was an original member of the Vermillion, South Dakota squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.  During his service, he kept a scrapbook of photos, newspaper clippings, programs, letters, and posters.  I have finished digitizing the 72 page album and am making the contents available online for public use. This album not only chronicles the history of the Vermillion squadron of the CAP but also the spread of aviation in the Post-war Period. As a family historian, it is my hope that the content in this album will help others paint a more complete picture of their loved ones and offer a glimpse of the past.

Vermillion Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP); Apr. 28, 1957

The album is presented in chronological order starting in 1957.




The album starts off with newspaper clippings announcing the formation of the Vermillion squadron and the appointment of Bud Benson as Squadron Commander. The newspaper articles in the album are clipped from an unknown paper. They are likely from the Vermillion Plain Talk.

March 15, 1957

March 29, 1957

April 5, 1957

 Local Men Hike 17 Miles When Plane Forced Down By Storm

"Four Vermillion fliers did some long distance hiking this past weekend when the plane in which they were riding was forced by storm and rain to land in the middle of a ranch in western South Dakota.

The four men, Elwood Macy, Jon Davidson, Jack Meisenholder and Dick Cisar, were returning to Vermillion from Gillette, Wyoming last Friday afternoon when weather troubles developed.  They were in a Beechcraft which is owned and was piloted by Elwood Macy.

     They had stopped at Hot Springs to get gas and weather information.  As they flew east they made radio contact with the airport at Philip and then began to run into bad weather.   They tried to reach Pierre by radio but couldn't get any response.

     The area was hit by one of the heaviest rain storms in years and it was decided to make a landing.  The terrain in the area, about 50 miles west of Gettysburg, is pretty rugged but Macy spotted a level trough between high hills and landed without any damage to plane or personnel.  The time was about 6:15 p.m.

     There were no roads visible from the air.  After landing the men started out to look for help and used a wire fence as a guide.  Seven miles along the fence from the plane they found a trail.

     It was pitch dark and raining heavily and they decided to make their way back to the plane rather than take a chance on the trail.  it turned out that it was just as well that they did.  The first habitation on the trail was 40 miles distant.  They followed the fence back to the plane and bedded down for the night using maps as covers.

     In the morning they slogged their way to the top of a nearby hill which they later learned had an elevation of about 2300 feet.  Only building in sight was a school house.  Macy and Jon Davidson hiked in that direction.  They found the school house was deserted but was on a trail which they followed.

     Seventeen miles from the plane they came to a ranch house.  They found that they were in the middle of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and west of the Missouri River.  The nearest town was Ridgeview.

     The rancher took Macy and Davidson to Ridgeview and they soon had plenty of help.  In the meantime both the state Civil Air Patrol and the state Highway Patrol had been alerted to be on the lookout for the missing plane.

     On Saturday afternoon the Beechcraft was pushed part way up the nearby hill to provide a downhill run for a takeoff.  Macy flew the plane out to a strip used by a rancher who has a plane.  The other passengers made the trip out by car.

     They all boarded the Beechcraft at the strip and returned to Vermillion on Saturday night."

Local CAP Members Fly to Omaha

Dining Room, Municipal Airport

     "Twenty-nine members and guests of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol squadron were present on Sunday morning for the group's first planned flying get-together ‒ a breakfast flight to Omaha, Neb.

     The above Plain Talk photo shows those who participated in the flight in ten planes from the local airport.  Kneeling, left to right are Ray Bechtold, Burdette Lindblom, Ellsworth Gregoire, Jon Davidson, Nels Brunick, Mike Collins, Dick Anderson and Tom Urup.

Dining Room

     Standing, left to right, are Wally Watson, Jack Meisenholder, Gus Westre, Mrs. R. E. Macy, R. E. Macy, Bud Benson, Jim White, Mel Steffen, Elmer Sorensen, Arden Jensen, Brad Simons, Mrs. Harry Jensen, Maurice Erickson, Al Russo, Don Hunter, Mrs. Al Russo, Glen Danielson, Harry Jensen, Alan Osmanson and Jack Litzelman.

     The first plane to take off for the 135-mile flight was in the air at 7:28 a.m., and within a matter of minutes all ten planes were in the air.  The last aircraft to take off at Vermillion, a Beechcraft Bonanza piloted by R.E. Macy, was the first to arrive in Omaha.

Tower & Dining Room

     Macy's time for the trip was about 42 minutes, cruising at a speed of 160 miles per hour at an altitude of 3,000 feet.

     On arrival in Omaha the group enjoyed breakfast at the beautiful municipal airport there.  Some of the planes then flew to Milford, Nebr., where they surveyed from the air the damage left by a tornado which struck last week.

Planes on Flight Line

     All planes were back in Vermillion by about noon after a very successful outing.  The next meeting of the local CAP squadron will be at 8p.m. tomorrow (Friday) in the City Hall.  

     According to Bud Benson, squadron commander, a practice search mission is being planned for Sunday, May 19."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.A.P. Meeting

C.A.P. Meeting; Fri. May 3, 1957

Meeting; May 3, 1957

Mary Lou Gregoire

Mrs. Ellsworth (Mary Lou) Gregoire was a trailblazer. She was the first woman pilot of the Vermillion CAP.  From what I've read of the CAP in general, they seem to have been one of the pioneering institutions in promoting gender equality at the time.  During WWII the CAP depended on women to fill in for men who were now flying overseas. After the war the CAP continued to recruit women.  Mary Lou was one of many who answered the call.

I strongly suspect that Mary Lou Gregoire contributed a great deal to this collection. There are letters addressed to her from the governor of South Dakota and two photos of her holding what I suspect is this book.

Bob Warren (Instructor) and Mary Lou Gregoire; first woman pilot of Vermillion CAP Sqd.

Cliff Foss of Sioux Falls, who was present & showed movies of his trip to Canada & Alaska, May 17, 1957

L-5 Stinson landed; To Vermillion Sqd.; Arrived May 18, 1957

Practice Search Mission

Pilots and members in the Ready Room at local airport prior to take off time Sunday morning May 26.  Lt. Bud Benson is giving each pilot his grid to search and his observer. Wind from northwest at about 30 Per.

E. Macy landing after searching his grid but later took off and at 12 noon had found plane.  Lt. Macy pilot, Lt. Benson, Lt. Bechtold, & Senior member B. Lindblom.

 Some of the members who took part in the search Sunday May 26.

A few of the members & their families who had a picnic Thursday May 30.

 

40 Planes, 200 People Attend Flight Breakfast

June 23, 1957

Yankton Runways

Ercoupe L-5, Russo CAP

     "Some 40 planes came into the Yankton airport Sunday morning for the flight breakfast planned by the Yankton Air Patrol Squadron, Yankton chamber of Commerce and Yankton national Guard unit, according to J. R. Kussman, chairman in charge of the arrangements. 

     Over 200 persons were served breakfast at the airport.  Cooking the meal were the cooks of Btry B. 260th Field Artillery, South Dakota National Guard.

     The rest of the battery had been scheduled to be on maneuvers at the airport Sunday, but had been called out for sandbagging work in the Vermillion river flood emergency instead.

     Over 100 of the visitors enjoyed a tour of Gavins Point dam and Lewis and Clark lake Sunday.  Kussman said the event was considered a success, since the visitors enjoyed their contact with Yankton and vicinity.

There were a number of family groups among the visitors flying in here Sunday.  The prize for the pilot from the farthest point went to M.A. Smith, Council Bluffs, IA., who was selected by lot from the 16 Council Bluffs visitors here Sunday.

    The oldest pilot registered, Wallace Curry, South Sioux City, Nebr., 58 years old, also received a prize.  The prize for the youngest pilot registered was awarded to Don Irish, Wagner, 19 years old, after a drawing between him and Al Koesters, Council Bluffs, also 19.

     Food was donated for the breakfast by several business firms.  The Cimpl Packing company donated the bacon, and Stuelpnagel's Hatchery the eggs.  Drier's and Keating Creameries donated the milk, butter, and cream.  The pancake flour was donated by Reed Sales and the coffee by Nash Finch."

Lewis and Clark Lake 1957

Gavins Point Dam 1957

1957 marked the completion of the Gavins Point Dam. The dam and reservoir (Lewis and Clark Lake) were part of the larger Pick-Sloan Plan which radically changed the character of the Missouri River.  A string of reservoirs now stretches all the way up the river from Yankton, SD to Montana.  The lakes provide great fishing and recreational opportunities.  Yankton has become a regional tourism hub because of its proximity to Lake Lewis and Clark.

It's amazing to think about the massive infrastructure projects implemented in the fifties. The Pick-Sloan Plan seems inconceivable today.  People alive at the time must have felt they had conquered the natural world.

CAP Planes 'Bomb' Hidden Gun Position of Guard on Sunday

Bombing of National Guard Guns on 21 July 1957 at Wherry's Pasture

Air View of Vermillion

"Members of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol spotted and "bombed" a gun emplacement which was hidden under camouflage by the local National Guard unit in Wherry's pasture southwest of town Sunday.

The above picture was taken with a Polaroid camera from one of the spotting planes by Dick Anderson.  The plane was flown by Junior Brunick.

The activity was a training exercise for the national guardsmen who established a defense position against enemy attack.

The CAP pilots collaborated to make the exercise more realistic by serving as 'enemy' observers.

The pilots reported that the gun was well hidden from the air and might not have been detected except they were aware of its general position.  The guardsmen, whose commanding officer is Lt. Bob Colvin, set up a dummy gun position which diverted the attention of the observers at first.

Other CAP pilots who participated were Ellsworth Gregorie, Wayne Iverson, Bob Warren, Elwood Macy, and Mary Gregoire.  Each plane carried an observer.  CAP commanding officer is Bud Benson.

After locating the position of the gun the CAP fliers dropped some 50 'bombs' which paper sacks filled with flour.

Following the exercise the members of the National Guard and the CAP joined in a barbecue at Wherry picnic grounds."

Iverson's Plane

Local Civil Air Patrol Is Given Job

"The Civil Air Patrol was the only Vermillion or Clay county unit with civilian defense responsibilities which was called upon to participate in the 'make-believe' enemy attack on South Dakota last Friday.

The Civil Air Patrol unit was alerted on Thursday night and Bud Benson, commanding officer, was requested to arrange transportation for two University scientists, Dr. Edwin H. Shaw and Dr. Charles R. Estee, to Pierre on Friday morning.

Dr. Estee is head of the department of chemistry and Dr. Shaw is professor of biochemistry.

The two men were flown to Pierre early Friday morning by Civil Air Patrol pilots.

On Friday afternoon the patrol was called upon to fly Eldon Anderson of the State Chemical Laboratory at the University on a simulated monitoring tour of this area to measure radioactive fallout resulting from the 'bombing' of Sioux Falls.

The flight was from Vermillion to Canton, to Garretson, to Sioux Falls, Lennox and back here.  The purpose was to determine path of the imaginary fallout and the speed and the plane flew at various altitudes.

On Sunday, Dr. Estee and Dr. Shaw were returned to Vermillion from Pierre in Civil Air Patrol planes of the local unit.

Pilots participating in the missions were Nels Brunick, Mike Collins and Ellsworth Gregoire.

Neither Herman Nelson, county civil defense chairman, nor Dr. R.H. Knapp, Vermillion chairman, received orders for any activity of their units during the practice operation."

Members of Local Civil Air Patrol Attend Regional Meet

"Shown above are six of the 15 members of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol who attended the Conference at Kansas City, Kansas, Saturday.  Left to Right, are Elmer Sorensen, Mary Lou Gregoire, Bud Benson, who is local unit commanding officer, Al Russo, Burdette Lindblom, and Maurice Erickson.

Local Civil Air Patrol members attended the North Central Regional Civil Air Patrol Conference in Kansas City, Saturday and Sunday.  One group left Sioux Falls at 8:15 Saturday morning on an Air Force C-1-19 flying boxcar.

Conferences were held throughout the day Saturday and each memeber attnded the conference which pertained to his individual assignment in the unit.

A banquet was held Saturday evening with Col. Frank E. Sorenson, Director of Air-Age education at the University of Nebraska as the main speaker.

After a General Assembly on Sunday morning, the group returned home.  The group traveling by Air Force plane arrived in Sioux Falls at 3:55 Sunday afternoon.

Others attending were Charles Murphy, Nels Urup, Wayne Iverson, Elsworth Gregoire, Armella Steffin, Matilda Iverson and Jeanne Peterson."

C-1-19 Flying Boxcar

Inside C1-19

Al, Morris, Jeanne, Burdette, Murphy, Bud, Maryl, Elmer

Omaha at 6,000'

Fairfax Air Port

Pilots of C1-19

Dakota Days 1957

Niels and Brad walked.

Mary Lou and Mathilda rode in Holger's car and lead.

Al Russo's plane in Oct. 12 Dakota Day Parade

Al Russo; Ercoupe

Local CAP Takes Part in Practice Search

Readying for our Oct. 13th; Wayne I., A. Jenson, Al Russo

"Seventeen members of the local CAP met at the airport at 9:00 Sunday morning to take part in a practice search mission.

Six planes were used in the search which lasted until 1:00 p.m. when the 'missing aircraft' (crossed strips of bright metal) was located south of Elk Point near the Missouri River."

Lt. Ellsworth Gregoire giving ride to Cadet members

W.O. Wayne Iverson; Nov. 24, 1957

Vermillion CAP Cadets

Members of the local chapter of Civil Air Patrol cadets and two of their officers are shown left to right. Back row, Lt. Al Russo, Dennis Johnson, Roger Marcotte, Bill Kephart, Jack Larson, Harvey Stephens, SM Nels Urup.  Front row: Roger Mount, Allen Stalheim, Frank Coffin, Arden Aust, Teddy Erickson, Robert Reifenrath, Darrel Swanson, Gary Messler and Jan Murphy.

Taken Dec. 1957 at Cadet drill session.

"Vermillion Squadron Civil Air Patrol Cadets held an exhibition drill on Friday evening, March 21, at the National Guard Armory.

Col. Rupert P. Brizica, Wing Commander, and the Wing Staff from Sioux Falls were present.

Highlight of the evening was when Capt. B. H. 'Bud' Benson announced that a Flight Scholarship will be given to the outstanding Cadet this summer."

CAP Cadets; Dec. 1957

 Col. Rupert P. Brzica, Capt. Bud Benson, Col. Charles Daughty

Reviewing CAP Cadets Exhibition drill Feb. 1958.

Sioux Falls Cadets Feb. 1958

Vermillion Cadets Feb. 1958

CAP Squadron Stage 'Rescue'

Wreckage as seen from air 10 miles north of Vermillion.
Taken from Elwood Macy's Beach Bonanza by Jeanne P.

"Vermillion C.A.P. Squadron held a practice search and rescue mission Sunday to celebrate their first anniversary.  Twenty-one senior members and 18 Cadets took part.  2nd Lt. Maurice Erickson, Operations Officer, was in charge of hiding the 'missing aircraft' which was strips of sheet metal to resemble a crashed airplane.  4 C.A.P. Cadets acted as 'victims' by the wreck.

2nd Lt. Elwood Macy and S/M Jeanne Peterson spotted the 'wreck' 10 miles north of Vermillion along the Vermillion River bank.  Macy radioed in to the Airport and they sent out the members who have been taking the First Aid course, Lt. Mary Lou Gregoire, W.O. Mathilda Iverson, S/M Armela Steffin, and S/M Neil Urup.  The victims were Cadet members Arden Aust, Robert Reifenrath, Vernen Kahler and Donald Kniffen."

Above Wreckage and 4 'injured' cadets.

CAP Red Cross Members attending injured Cadets; Mar. 30, 1958

Plane Ready for Search.

Al Russo, Mary Lou Gregoire, Elwood Macy

Larson & H. Stephens carrying A. Aust on stretcher, Kahler, Kniffen, Reifenrath 'injured'

CAP Cadet Squadron Appears on TV Program

"The Cadet Squadron of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol appeared on the Eddie Osborn Variety show on KTIV Wednesday, April 30 at 4:30.  A panel discussion was held with 1st Lt. Al Russo, who is commandant of cadets, 1st Lt. Mary Lou Gregoire, 2nd Lt. Jeanne Peterson and 2nd Lt. Charles Murphy taking part.

Murphy, Eddie Osborn, Mary Lou, Jeanne Peterson

A crack drill team made up of Jack Larson, Robert Riefenrath, Arden Aust, Donald Niffen, Gary Messler, Roger Marcotte, Jan Murphy and Marlin Haggestad performed."

Local CAP Squadron Participates In State-wide Mission

Beach Bonanza (Macy's), Tri Pacer Piper (Russo), Taken from Cesna 171 (Gregoire)

"Sunday, June 15, the state-wide Civil Air Patrol Practice 'Search and Rescue Mission' was held at Skee Airfield near Lennox, SD with the Sioux Falls Squadron as host.

The mission was under supervision of Col. Rupert P. Brzica and Wing Staff of Sioux Falls , Major Robert Mende is the Liaison Officer.

The 'Search' began at 10 a.m. with a short briefing of the pilots.  The pilots were assigned their 'grid' and observers and a close contact was kept with 2-way radios from planes to base station at Lennox.

The 'Search' was completed at 1 p.m. when the wreckage was spotted southeast of Marion, SD from a Tri-Pacer piloted by Al Russo and Jeanne Peterson.  Also aboard were Cadets Coffin and Swanson.

Other Vermillion C.A.P. members who participated were Capt. Bud Benson, Commander of the Squadron; Ray Bechtold, Bonnie Blaschke, Nels Brunick Jr., Maurice Erickson, Mary Lou and Ellsworth Gregoire, Mathilda and Wayne Iverson, Arden Jensen, Pat Leer, Burdette Lindblom, Elwood Macy, Elmer Sorensen, Armella Steffen, Niels Urup and several Cadet members.

Other Squadrons represented were Hot Springs, Yankton, Milbank and Aberdeen."

 2 Photos of missing aircraft in search at Lennox June 1958.  

Taken from Russo's Tri Pacer southwest of Marrion, SD.

Capt. Bud Benson, 2nd Lt. Jeanne Peterson, Cadet Darrell Swanson, Cadet Ricky Coffin; Lennox S&R CAP 1958

1st Lt. Al Russo & 2nd Lt. Jeanne Peterson (missing plane spotters); Lennox S&R CAP 1958

Eight CAP Cadets Leave For Summer Encampment Tuesday

Front: Gary Messler, Larry Heggestad, Vern Kahler, Jan Murphy, Teddy Erickson
Back: Russo, Peterson

"Air Force planes carrying eight young men from Vermillion and vicinity took off Tuesday for Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City.  The local teenagers, all Civil Air Patrol cadets, are participating in the 1958 CAP Summer Encampment, one of the many encampments being held at 38 Air Force Bases this summer.

Cadets left Sioux Falls noon in C124 above for Rapid City

1st Lt. Al Russo, local CAP Cadet Commander, said that at Ellsworth Air Force Base the cadets will live as airmen for their nine-day stay.  They will receive Air Force academic and vocational training and will be given orientation flights in Air Force aircraft, where possible.

Attending the encampment are Jack Larson, Larry Heggestad, Roger Marcotte, Teddy Erickson, Arden Aust, Vernon Kahler, Gary Messler and Jan Murphy.  Project officers from Vermillion are Lt. Russo and 2nd Lt. Charles Murphy.

C124 Cadets to Rapid city

As junior members of the CAP, the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, the cadets subscribe voluntarily to a three-year  aviation education program, designed to familiarize them with the military and commercial aspects of modern aviation and to point out vocational opportunities in the aviation and related fields.

Only costs to the cadets, who range in age from 14 to 21, is a nominal charge for meals.  All facilities are made available by the Air Force.  Recreational activities are planned in addition to the academic schedule.

While at the encampment, the cadets will see demonstrations of the aviation techniques and procedures outlined in their regular weekly study sessions.  Encampment attendance is one of the requirements for the Certificate of Proficiency, the CAP 'diploma' which entitles a cadet to enter Air Force service as an Airman Third Class, if he so desires."

Back: Roger Marcotte, Jack Larson, Arden Aust, Vernon Kahler, Gary Messler
Front: Larry Heggestad, Jan Murphy, Ted Erickson

Local CAP Squadron Assists With Air Show At Watertown Sunday

"Members of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol flew to Watertown on Sunday to assist with the Air Show there.  Uniformed members who served in policing the viewer's stands were Bud Benson, Commander of the local squadron; Ray Bechtold, Pete Berglund, Nels Brunick, Ellsworth Gregoire, Pat Leer, Charles Murphy, Al Russo, Brad Simons and Elmer Sorensen.

Mary Lou Gregoire and Jeanne Peterson sold tickets at the gate.  The CAP squadron from Milbank also assisted with the show.

A group of Civil Air Patrol cadets accompanied the group.  They were Frank Coffin, Jack Larson, Roger Marcotte, Darrell Swanson, Jan Murphy, David Seney and Donald Kniffen.

The two hour show consisted of demonstrations of stalls, rolls, a handkerchief pick-up by a man on a ladder hanging from a plane, a parachute jump, a girl riding on top of a plane and other exhibitions of stunt flying."

CAP Scholarship

"Cadet Lt. Arden Aust, son Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Aust, RFD, Vermillion, has been chosen as winner of a flight scholarship from the local Civil Air Patrol Cadet squadron.

Six cadets were picked from the group as eligible for the scholarship based on effort and achievement in the cadet training program.  These cadets appeared before a reviewing board of senior members composed of B.H. Benson, Mary Lou Gregoire, Maurice Erickson, Carl Mollet and Al Russo.

Arden will begin his flight training immediately at the Vermillion Municipal airport.  The scholarship consists of dual flight instruction through solo.

In the picture on the left, Arden is shown receiving the award from B.H. Benson, Commanding Officer of the Vermillion Senior Squadron.  Looking on is Lt. Al Russo, Cadet Commander.

Shown in the picture on the right are: back row, left to right: Theodore Erickson, Gary Messler and Roger Marcotte.  Front row, left to right: Darrel Swanson, Jan Murphy, Arden Aust, Lt. Al Russo and Capt. B.H. Benson.  There are 20 members in the cadet squadron."

 

Hot Springs Search & Rescue Mission

Wally Watson, Joe Marbach, B.H. Bud Benson, Mary Lou Gregoire, Jeanne Peterson, Pat Leer, Nels Brunick Jr., Ellsworth Gregoire and Niels Urup.  Attended S&R CAP at Hot Springs, SD; Aug. 30-31, 1958

 

CAP Members to Attend Regional Conference

"On Saturday, Sept. 13, several members of the Vermillion Squadron of the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol, will fly to Des Moines, Iowa for a Regional CAP Conference.  They will  leave from Yankton on an Air Force plane, it was announced this week by Major B.H. 'Bud' Benson, Commanding Officer of the local Squadron.

The purpose of the annual conference is to provide a common meeting place for discussion and solution of problems for all units of CAP through exchange of information and to help present a clear, concise picture of all aspects of the CAP program.

Each member will have a separate conference to attend to further inform them of the duties of their particular job in the local Squadron."

CAP Squadron Attends Meet At Des Moines

Back: Elmer Sorensen, Ells Gregoire, Elwood Macy, Bud Benson
Middle: Jeanne Peterson, Mary Lou Gregoire, Mathilda Iverson, Mary Lou Leer
Front: Wayne Iverson, Joe Marbach, Niels Urup

"Thirteen members of the Vermillion Squadron Civil Air Patrol flew to Des Moines, Ia., Sept. 13 for a 2-day North Central Region conference.

Attending were B.H. Benson, Commanding Officer; Mary Lou and Ellsworth Gregoire, Mathilda and Wayne Iverson, Mary Lou Leer, Jeanne Peterson, Elwood Macy, pat Leer, Joe Marbach, Niels Urup, Elmer Sorensen and Al Russo.

Back: Elmer Sorensen, Ells Gregoire, Elwood Macy, Bud Benson
Middle: Jeanne Peterson, Mary Lou Gregoire, Mathilda Iverson, Mary Lou Leer
Front: Wayne Iverson, Joe Marbach, Niels Urup

The flight was made in aircraft owned by Elwood Macy, Ellsworth Gregoire and Al Russo and in the L-16 which is the property of the local CAP unit.

Registration began at 9 a.m. and conferences began at 10:15 and lasted throughout the day.  A banquet was held Saturday evening with Col. Carlo Tasti of the U.S. Air Force, speaker.

On Sunday a general assembly was held with Col. Vic L. Phillips, commander of the North central Region, presiding.  Reports were given on the section conferences.  Speaker was National Civil Air Patrol commander, Gen. Walter R. Azee.

Bad weather grounded the small planes for the return trip until Monday morning.  Several members of the squadron returned to Sioux Falls via a C-119 'flying boxcar' Sunday evening."

 

Dakota Day 1958

Civil Air Patrol Has Practice Search And Rescue Mission

"The Vermillion Civil Air Patrol Squadron held a practice search and rescue mission Sunday, Eleven members and seven Cadets took part.  there were four planes in the air.  Lt. Maurice Erickson, Operations Officer, was in charge of the search.  lt. Elmer Sorensen, assisted by the Cadets, hid the 'missing aircraft' which was made of strips of sheet metal to resemble a crashed plane.

The first search plane was sent out at 2 p.m. and the 'wreckage' was spotted about seven miles northeast of Vermillion shortly thereafter from a J-3 cub piloted by Lt. Joe Marbach and Lt. Jeanne Peterson as observer.

When the plane returned to the airport, Lt. Erickson sent Lt. Sorensen and the Cadets out to hide the 'wreckage' again.  Each plane was given another grid to search.  The 'wreckage' was later found on the Al Russo property 2 miles north of Vermillion.

The senior members participating were Major 'Bud' Benson, Commanding Officer, Capt. Al Russo, Lt. Ellsworth Gregoire and Lt. Joe Marbach as pilots; Lt. Armella Steffen, Lt. Arden Jensen, S.M. Dick Tonseth and Lt. Jeanne Peterson as observers. Lt. Ray Bechtold assisted in getting the raios in the planes for ground to air contact.  Cadets who took part were Jack Larson, Arden Aust, Gary Messler, Douglas Peterson, Donald Kniffen, Larry Heggestad and Roger Marcotte."

Wreckage found Northeast of Vermillion taken from J-3; Nov. 17, 1958.

Local CAP Members Attend Conference Held in Sioux Falls

Feb. 14-15; Sioux Falls State Conference

"Fourteen members of the Vermillion Squadron Civil Air Patrol attended the South Dakota Wing Conference held at the Sheraton-Cataract Hotel in Sioux Falls on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15.  The Wing holds a conference once a year to plan the year's activities.

Mary Lou Gregoire, Ted Dolney, Elmer Sorensen, Dick Tonseth,
Ellsworth, Mary Lou Leer, Al Russo, Neils Urup

Those attending from Vermillion were B.H. 'Bud' Benson, commander of the local squadron, Niels Urup, Elwood Macy, Mary Lou Gregoire, Ellsworth Gregoire, Mary Lou Leer, Armella Steffin, Jeanne Peterson, Arden Jensen, Elmer Sorensen, Dick Tonseth, Ted Dolney, Brad Simons and Al Russo.

The conference consisted of meetings Saturday for the commanders and sections for the cadets to attend.  The ladies attended a tea and Col. Carlo Tosti, USAF from the Air Research and Development Command in Washington, D.C., spoke on Aero-Space Power at a banquet held Saturday evening.

Dr. Edwin Shaw, Jr., of Vermillion, chief of RADEF Services for South Dakota, was one of the speakers at the general assembly on Sunday.  Other speakers were Col. R.P. Brzica, Lt. Col. Charles Doughty, and USAF Liason officer Major Robert Mende.  Awards were presented by Col. Malcum McDermid, commander of the North Central Region CAP."

My Great Grandfather's First Flight

"Christoffer Sorensen of Vermillion celebrated his 90th birthday anniversary last Friday by taking his first airplane ride with Lt. Ellsworth Gregoire of the local unit of the Civil Air Patrol.  Shown with the alert and dapper Mr. Sorensen as they prepared to board the plane are two of his grandchildren, Tommy and Lu Ann, children of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Sorensen.  Arrangements for the flight were made by Lt. Niels Urup of the Civil Air Patrol.  Mr. Sorensen was much impressed with flying and said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience."

Ellsworth Gregoire, Christoffer Sorensen, Tom Sorensen

Ellsworth Gregoire, Christoffer Sorensen, Tom Sorensen, Lu Ann Sorensen

Runway Lights And Revolving Beacon Planned For Airport

Tower Before Moving

"Work is moving along rapidly on the construction of the new hard-surfaced runway at the municipal airport south of the city.  The job is being done by the J.L. Healy Company of Sioux Falls.

Plans have also been made by the city council in cooperation with the Civil Air Patrol to install runway lights and a revolving beacon.

Costs of the runway lights and beacon will be paid by the Civil Air Patrol with matching funds from the State Aeronautics Commission.  The revolving beacon will be mounted on a tower.  The former ground observer tower located on the property of Al Teutsch at Cherry street and University Road is being moved to the airport for use as the beacon tower.

The new hard-surfaced northwest-southeast runway will be 50 feet wide and 2,550 feet long.  It will be centered in an improved landing strip which will be 250 feet wide and 2,750 feet long.

Neils Urup, Pat Leer & Brad Simons

Other graded and blacktopped improvements will include a taxiway, 40 feet by 135 feet, and a parking apron for airplanes, 140 feet by 140 feet.

The total improvement program will cost about $40,000.  About 52 per cent of this total will be paid by the federal government.

Consulting engineer on the improvement project is Calvin Vaudrey of the firm of J.T. Banner and Associates in Brookings.

Niels, Pat, Brad

There are some 18 airplanes based at the Vermillion airport including one twin motor plane owned by Harrey Jensen of Electronics, Inc.  The local airport is becoming one of the most active in the state and area.

The airport improvements will be formally dedicated at a program to be held this summer, probably on July 4, according to tentative plans."

Airport Tower

"A revolving beacon is being installed atop this tower at the municipal airport.  The beacon will be in operation during all hours of darkness.  Installation of the beacon and runway lights is being completed by volunteer workers."

Bridge on Timber Road.
Had to go over bridge rails & under the wires overhead.

See The Airport

"Vermillion now has one of the finest airports of any city of this size anywhere, thanks to the planning of the governing board of the city and the work and contributions of a large number of local airplane owners and others interested in flying.

All residents of the city and the area should make it a point to visit Harold Davidson Field south of town during the all-day program of activities on Saturday.  You will be impressed by the new hard-surfaced runway and approaches and the many other improvements.

It should be emphasized that the airport is a community project which belongs to all the people of the city.  In this age of air transportation it is a community asset in which all residents may take pride."

Tree in the way. D. Macy cuts it off.
Jr. Iverson drove truck.

Now its there - to get it up?

Its Up! (Yirg & Niels)

Moving site to set up. (Joe M., Mel S., Yirg P.)

Bud B. Yirg P. (siding), Ells G. & Jr. B. (Garage)

Flying Clubs Incorporated In Vermillion

"Along with the improvement program at the Harold Davidson Field, another indication of the increasing interest in flying here, is the addition of two new flying clubs in Vermillion which filed articles of incorporation in Pierre last week.

Giving Free Plane Rides

One of the new clubs is the Flying Comets, Inc., capitalized at $4,800.  Directors are Wayne Iverson, Richard Tonseth, Armella Steffen and Ted Dolney.

The other is the Vermillion Flying Club with Wayne Austin, Jack Stewart, Gerald Collins and Nels Brunick as directors.  Last week this club purchased two new Cessna airplanes, a 150 and a 175, bringing the total to five new planes delivered to local owners this summer.

The third flying club, the Flying Coyotes, was incorporated some time ago and has approximately 15 members.

The formal dedication of new facilities at the municipal airport will be held during an all-day program on Saturday, July 4."

Vermillion to Dedicate Airport Facilities in Program on July 4

Mary Lou L., Mary Lou G., Mathilda I. (Registers Fly-ins)

"VERMILLION, S.D. ‒ Special: The new hard-surfaced runway on Vermillion's municipal airport, Harold Davidson field, will be formally dedicated during an all-day program on Saturday, July 4.  Work on the new runway is scheduled to be completed this week.

Cooks for A.M.

Fliers and their families in South Dakota and neighboring states are being invited to a free fly-in breakfast at the airport to be served from 7 to 11 a.m.  The program is being arranged by the Vermillion airport development committee which has been set up by local pilots and airplane owners.

B.H. ('Bud') Benson is chairman of the general arrangements committee.  Other members are Niels Urup, Ellsworth Gregoire, Bob Colvin Jr., Kenneth Raschke, Walter Stamm and the three members of the city council airport committee, Wallace Watson, Thomas E. Poe and Wayne Austin.

Breakfast Stand

In addition to the new 2,750-foot hard surfaced runway the improvement program includes a large hard surfaced ramp and taxiways, runway lights and a revolving beacon to be erected on the new tower."

Source: Sioux City Journal-Tribune; Saturday, June 13, 1959

Dedication Program Is Planned At Airport Here on Saturday

Guards

"Major Improvements, including a new hard-surfaced runway, at Vermillion's municipal airport, Harold Davidson Field, will be formally dedicated during an all-day program on Saturday.

Flyers and their families in South Dakota and neighboring states have been invited to a free fly-in breakfast at the airport from 7 to 11 a.m.

The program has been arranged by the Vermillion airport development committee which has been set up by local pilots and owners of airplanes.

Some 200 free airplane rides will be given during the day through the courtesy of vermillion merchants and local airplane owners and pilots.

First Woman Pilot

Mayor R.F. Patterson will give a brief address at the formal dedication ceremony at 2:30 p.m.  Jim Slack will be master of ceremonies.  A variety of civilian and military aircraft will be on display throughout the day.

B.H. Bud Benson is chairman of the general arrangements committee.  Other members are Niels Urup, Ellsworth Gregoire, Bob Colvin Jr., Kenneth Raschke, Walter Stamm and the three members of the city council airport committee, Wallace Watson, Thomas E. Poe and Wayne Austin.

The hard-surfaced northwest-southeast runway is 50 feet wide and 2,550 feet long.  It is set in an improved landing strip which is 250 feet wide and 2,750 feet long.

Jeanne P. & Mary Lou L.

Other hard-surfaced improvements include a taxiway, 40 feet by 135 feet, and parking apron for airplanes, 150 feet by 140 feet.  There is a new access road and car parking area.  contractor on these improvements was the J.L. Healy Company of Sioux Falls.  Consulting engineer was Calvin Vaudry of J.T. Banner and Associates of Brookings.

The contract bid on the new runway and other hard-surfaced improvements by the Healy company was $24,580.  The city has received a federal grant of $22,282 to cover 52 percent of the cost of the overall airport improvement program and purchase of 110 acres of land.  cost of the total improvement program will be about $40,000.

The cost of the newly-installed runway lights, the tower and a revolving beacon on the tower will be paid by the Civil Air Patrol and airport development committee with matching funds from the state aeronautics commission.  The tower was moved to the airport from the property of Al Teutsch on Cherry Street.  It was formerly used by the ground observer corps.

First Man Pilot

Among those who have contributed time and labor in the installation of runway lights and rebuilding of the tower are Al Teutsch, Harry Sorensen, Verner Sorensen, Ted Grier, Junior Iverson, Ed Moreau, Art Sammelson, Lloyd Holmes, Robert Fuchs, Carol McCluskey.

Alfred Taggart, William Boyer, Jorgen Urup, LaVerne Jepsen, Gary Nelson, Kenneth Holmes, Herman Holmes, Dennis McGuire, Leo Lane, Severt Taggart, Bob Christenson, Harry Johnson, Eugene Hult, LeRoy Sundleaf, Don Ahrendt, Royal Everson, Norman Herren, Isaac Hoag and Virgil Peterson.

Contribution of both money and time have also been made by airplane owners and pilots."

 Thousands Attend Airport and Fireworks Programs on July 4

Some of the Flyins for Breakfast 7-11

"Crowds estimated in the thousands attended the dedication program at the municipal airport, Harold Davidson Field, and the band concert and fireworks display in Prentis Park on July 4.

Activities began early with the Civil Air Patrol and members of the National Guard serving a flight breakfast to visiting flyers and other special guests at the airport from 7a.m. to 11a.m.

Fred Olson (85), First Plane Ride (E. Macy pilot)

During the morning there were 70 visiting airplanes from points in South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska at the airport.  They came on the invitation of the airport development committee headed by B.H. (Bud) Benson to enjoy the flight breakfast and to view the new hard-surfaced runway and other improvements at Harold Davidson Field.

More than 200 free airplane rides were given through the courtesy of Vermillion merchants and the local owners of airplanes.

Mr. & Mrs. Pat O'Conner, Mrs. Olson (80), Elwood Macy; First Plane Ride

The formal dedication ceremony was held at 2:30 p.m. with Jim Slack serving as master of ceremonies.  The dedication address was given by Mayor R.F. Patterson.  Don Peterson, president of the Junior chamber of commerce, presented a specially inscribed plaque to Mrs. Harold Davidson.  The plaque citing the late Harold Davidson as an 'aviation pioneer' of this area will be displayed in the administration building at the airport.

Mayor R.F. Patterson, Mrs. Davidson, Ted Grier, Duane Closs, Don Peterson

Ted Grier, vice-president of the chamber of commerce, presented Mrs. Davidson with a floral bouquet.  Mrs. Davidson then cut a ribbon on the runway to complete the dedication ceremonies.

A record crowd was on hand for the band concert and fireworks program in Prentis Park in the evening.  The fireworks display was handled in a professional manner by a crew under the direction of Dr. W.H. Fairbanks and C.R. Beatty.  The event is sponsored annually by the Vermillion chamber of commerce.  The summer band was directed by Jim Sorensen.

Following are the remarks given by Mayor R.F. Patterson at the formal dedication of the municipal airport, Harold Davidson Field, on Saturday afternoon:

The 4th of July has long been a great day in America, but it has special significance in Vermillion today.  For the first time in the one-hundred year history of the town we have gathered here in pride and satisfaction to dedicate on of the finest airports in the state.

I believe this historic event means four things to our community:

Mrs. Davidson cutting the ribbon

1. The dedication of this airport is keeping with the progress we have made in meeting the needs of a growing community.  it takes only a glance at the bluffs to see how far the skyline of Vermillion has moved in the past ten years.  It is the obligation of the city government to provide those public services that are necessary for a progressive and growing community in this modern age.

Harold Davidson Field

There was a time when Vermillion's problems of expansion were few and small; when we had a stable population; and when the operation of the city was a quiet, routine matter.  That day is past.  It is no longer enough to look with nostalgia at Vermillion's quiet past.  we must meet today's problems today and in a constructive and forward - looking manner.

I am proud of the fact that your city government has met this challenge.  During the past four years we have developed and expanded more public services than in the previous twenty-five years.  We have made adequate provision for water, power, sewers, and now an airport.

2. This airport recognizes the important place that air transportation place that air transportation now plays for every community in the country.  The use of this field is bound to increase as the years go by and it is not too far-fetched to say that commercial air service will come to Vermillion in the not too distant future.

Today this airport, with the land and improvements, represents a $50,000 facility.  There are over forty people in our community who have a personal financial interest in the ownership of aircraft.  The total value of all the planes based at this airport is today in excess of $200,000.

Oldest plane Fly-in

Cessna Display

3. The completion of this airport is a fine expression of community interest and cooperation.  It is a testimonial to what a community can do when its people join together in an unselfish and public-spirited way to accomplish something for the public good.

I wish to pay tribute to the city council for its support of this project but especially to those who have served on the airport committee: Wally Watson, Ch., Tim Poe, Barney Olson, and Wayne Austin.  The members of the Vermillion Civil Air Patrol have played a tremendous part in the realization of this dream.

A long list of names could be read here of those who have generously given of time, equipment, and money, but there are three whose names must be mentioned because they have done so much in hard work and cooperation.  I refer to Bud Benson, Niels Urup, and Mike Collins.

Aircraft Landing

 

Hangers

4. Finally, the dedication of this fine airport represents the realization of the dream of Harold Davidson.  For years he took to the air from this place when it scarcely deserved to be called an airport and when about the only facility he had was his own great skill as a pilot.  Harold Davidson saw the value of an airport to Vermillion long before most of the rest of us saw it.  Though he is not here today, more than anyone else he is responsible for making this day and this dream a reality.

And so on behalf of the City of Vermillion, I have the honor to dedicate this airport to the memory of Harold Davidson and to proclaim that it be forever known as Harold Davidson Field."

310C for take off; behind is office & tower

Macy Tri Pacer Landing

August 1959

Delmar Macy putting up antenna for CAP Dakota 17 at Petersons

F.A.A. Sioux City Control Tower Operators;
Dick Davies, Dave Rawlings, Ralph Jones; Aug. 1959

Members of Civil Air Patrol To Minneapolis For 2-Day Conference

Niels Urup, Elmer Sorensen, Joe Marbach, Mary Lou Leer; Cessna 175

"Eleven Vermillion Squadron Civil Air Patrol members flew to Minneapolis on Sept. 12 for a two-day North Central Region Conference.

Attending were Mary Lou and Ellsworth Gregoire, Arden and Naomi Jensen, Armella Steffen, Mary Lou Leer, Jeanne Peterson, Joe Marbach, Niels Urup, Al Russo, and Elmer Sorensen.

Ellsworth & Mary Lou Gregoire; Macy's Beech 50-50 T

The trip was made by aircraft owned by the members.  The conference began at 10 a.m. with each member attending the sectional conference which pertained to his own work with the unit.

Speaker at the noon luncheon was Dr. Evan Evans, director of the National Aviation Education Council.  The evening banquet was followed by a speech by James T. Pyle, member of the Federation Aviation Agency.

Minneapolis, Minn. Wold-Chamberlain

General assembly was held Sunday morning with a summation of sectional conferences, presentation of awards and closed with Brigadier General Stephen D. McElroy, U.S.A.F., National Commander of Civil Air Patrol, as the main speaker.

The Vermillion unit returned Sunday afternoon.  B.H. 'Bud' Benson is the commanding officer of the local unit."

Regional Meeting of CAP in MPLS.

Minneapolis

"Civil Air Patrol personnel from seven states, including 120 members from South Dakota, will attend the Civil Air Patrol North Central Regional Conference in Minneapolis Friday through Sunday.

Attendance at the conference is expected to total more than 800 and will include Brig. Gen. Stephen D. McElroy, national commander of the Civil Air Patrol, and his staff from CAP'S new national headquarters at Ellington AFB, Tex.

Watermelon Stand; Centennial 1959

Among those attending from Sioux Falls will be CAP Col. Joe Floyd, adviser to the national commander and regional information services officer, and CAP-Col. R.P. Brzica, commander of the South Dakota Wing, who will be accompanied by members of his staff."

CAP Members Attend Mission at Milbank

"Six members of the Vermillion squadron of the Civil Air Patrol attended the statewide practice search and rescue mission held at Milbank, S.D., Oct. 10 and 11.

Those who attended included Maj. B.H. (Bud) Benson, commander; Capt. Mary Lou Gregoire, adjutant; 1st Lt. Ellsworth Gregoire, aircraft maintenance officer; 2nd Lt. Jeanne Peterson, information service officer; 2nd Lt. Niels Urup, transportation officer and 2nd Lt. Arden Jensen, supply officer."

*Please note that these items were digitized and scanned at 600 dpi.  If you would like a higher resolution scan of any item please contact me.  My scanner is able to scan up to 2400 dpi. I can be reached at plvcolin@aol.com.