| Roy Van Order, Sinop
1960-1961 |
Date: Tue, 5
Aug 2008 17:04:15 -0400
From: Roy rvo@twcny.rr.com
Subject: Sinop class of 60-61
Memories of the "Hill"
I arrived in Ankara in Sept of 1960 via Olympic
Airlines from Frankfurt. First class no less. As I
recall there were three of us Army guys and an Air
Force wife and her two children. I believe one of the
guys was the new field first sat. The fight from
Germany to Athens was uneventful with the exception
that the two boys would not settle down. We were in
the process of drinking the flight out of champagne
when I noticed the mother of the boys finally fell
asleep. Unfortunately the boys did not, that is until
I introduced them to the bubbly. Within the hour both
were peacefully off to never land.. And yes we drank
them out of champagne..
After arrival in Ankara we were put up at a hotel
until a flight was scheduled for the hill. After two
attempts in an L20 because of wing icing we made it
to the runway by the sea. Must admit the flights
really kicked up my heart rate. I don't remember the
pilot's name only that he was a warrant who people
said was an ex Korean war fighter pilot. I believe he
was flying the plane that went down in the mountains
months later with the mayor and other dignitaries
from Sinop aboard.. They were all rescued.
I was on the hill from Sept 60 until May 61 and
worked as a 283. My other 283 buddies were Jim beetle
Bailey and Mel Wilcox. My tent mates were Harry
Abrams "the crazy Syrian" from Detroit,Phil
Price from GA, and a great guy we called the
"corporal" Can't remember his name. There
were lots of other guys who I can picture but their
names escape me. I worked swings so I didn't spend a
lot of time with guys except on weekends.
I remember when the hill was taken over by the Turks
because of the shooting, but that was about the most
exciting thing with the exception of the guys who use
to put paddle locks on the outhouse when the first
Sgt used it after his shower... Even after he posted
a guard who walked a post they timed him and slapped
another lock on the door...
I have a lot of photos I will send if you tell me
where to send them.
Roy Van Order
Sp5 283 1956-10962