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Message posted July 1, 2008

Hello,

I found your name and email address on the Eastern Airlines Employee listing. I am doing a genealogic search of my family history and am hoping to find someone who may have known John Adams Whitley III, a pilot with Eastern Airlines out of Miami in 1966.

John Whitley was married to Mary. They had a daughter named Anna, and a son who went by either John or Jack.

If you know anything about J.A. Whitley, and could help me, please reply to this email or feel free to telephone collect to 802-722-3119.

Thank you for your time,
Jasmine

jasmine_k_@hotmail.com

We later did some searching for Jasmine and discovered that the correct name apparently is Adam John Whitley III, as we had a Captain A. J. Whitley, who hired on at Eastern on March 28, 1955 and on December 2, 1974, he was holding a bid in Miami as a Captain on the DC-9… Per ALPA HQ he took a Medical Retirement sometime in 1977 and perhaps moved to Spain…. Anyone who even knew Captain Whitley is requested to contact Jasmine at the above EM address…

Message posted October 9, 2007

I am Larry Beveridge, a son of Captain Boyd R. "Speedy" Beveridge and Ann McDougle Beveridge, former "stewardess" (when they actually called them that) from 1955-57 when she married my father and then had to quit flying to have me in 1961.

My father was an Eastern pilot, and later a captain, back in the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s when he had to retire due to health reasons. I still remember when he made Captain when I was a very little boy, and his shirt being cut out the back scared me to death the night he came home from Atlanta where he was based.

I have a few stories of my own perceptions as a child.

He told lots of stories over the years about the War and leading into the days he went into Eastern in the 50s and then later.

Flight School, and all those huge manuals, Miami, "Screw Schedule", teletype machines, type 2 bids, layovers, New York, feeling like a glorified bus driver...

I am just writing a note here for possible contact with anyone who may have memories of the days when he was flying. He died back in 2000, and it would be nice to hear from some folks who actually knew him. I think he and I had a lot of uncovered ground as a father and son. I don't even care if the memories might be negative; just a word is enough for me.

He was a surly character at best, and I know that, so I would expect to hear some colorful stories; I am 46 now, so I can handle it. :-) It would just be nice to get in contact with someone, even for a little while; stewardesses, pilots, co-pilots, "ramp rats", whatever, who actually knew him during those old days.

Larry Beveridge, Son of Two Duck Hawks
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
formerly of Bedford County, Tennessee
EM larryb13@bellsouth.net

Message posted August 24, 2007

Dear sirs,

My grandfather was Jerome Eugene Wood. He died in 1990. I was told grand stories about him and while he was a great man in my eyes I would like to validate any of them I can for my own personal historical reasons. If you can provide any statements (even hearsay) about the following I would be greatly appreciative.

1) My grandfather received his pilot’s license from Wilbur Wright.

2) He co-owned a barnstorming company with three ford tri-motors, named American Air Tours

3) He was a barnstormer in 1927 and good golfer winning three golf cups

4) He sold the three tri-motors for $15,000 to the founder of American Airlines who renamed the company

5) He flew medical supply missions during WWII and delivered mail

6) He was one of the first pilots to fly with eastern airlines and was a captain flying the DC-3 I think it was.

7) He knew or was an associate of Edward Rickenbacker

8) He was VP of Eastern Airlines in the late 60’s possibly early 70’s.

9) He is in the OX5 hall of fame

10) One of his ford tri-motors is hanging in the Air & Space museum in Washington DC.

11) The DC-3 hanging in the same museum was almost crashed by him (pilot) and son of American Airlines founder (co-pilot).

12) My great uncle Gene flew the DC-3 to Washington and the manikin on display is wearing the Gene’s aviator cap.

My name is Jerome Eugene Wood III, my father Jerry lives in Apopka, FL and is retired Command Sergeant Major from the Special Forces. I work as a project manager and have always been fascinated with the stories I have heard. If you know of any pilots who might have know my Grandfather, feel free to pass this email around so other may reply.

Sincerely,

Jerry E. Wood III
papawood69@insightbb.com

Message posted February 14, 2007

Hello,

I am the son of Henry Lloyd Jordan, retired and deceased captain at Eastern Air Lines.
He was stationed in Miami from 1966-1980 and moved to North Carolina in 1982. If anyone has any information about my father I would love to hear from you. I am also looking for old photos.

Thank you,

Grant Michael Jordan.
grantjordan@bellsouth.net

Message posted August 2, 2006

I am hoping that an Eastern Pilot will be able to help me with a bit of information on a name listed in the "In Memoriam" list on the REPA site. You list J.F. (Buddy) Batzel as a Captain who died in 1993. Do you have any more information on him? Our family continues its quest for a complete geneology tree... And information on Buddy Batzel is needed. Do you know where he died? Where he is buried? Surviving children? Is this the same Buddy Batzel who was a pilot, skydiver, and daredevil stuntman in the 1930's?
Do you have pictures in your archives of Buddy?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mark Hershberger
markwayne61@yahoo.com