 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a cast of outstanding players public service time has been made available by this station for your army and your Air Force to bring you this story as proudly we hail the United States Army our story is entitled skyhook one this is a story about a man a machine and a job the man warned officer Bill Wester the machine an army H-19 helicopter the job finding out what helicopters can do our first act curtain will rise in just a moment but first with men who know the army it's the job you do that counts take the yard breakman the dental technician the petroleum chemist or the weather observer they're all soldiers like me and they're all doing a wonderful job of making the United States Army the world's best why not make use of your skills in the army there's a job for every specialist and technician and a need for his special skills and a satisfying career for you with those special skills visit your local United States Army recruiting station real soon and learn about the benefits you can have when you enlist in the United States Army and now your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production skyhook one to begin we must go back a little more than three years to March 1951 at Hutchison Field Kansas Master Sergeant Bill Wester in charge of the maintenance and flight records of five units of National Guard liaison planes you an opportunity when you saw one in the army nearly 10 years a former liaison pilot with nearly 2,000 hours flying time Bill Wester only had to read the directive on the requirements for helicopter training once to know he was on his way what are you grinning about you read this thing you mean on helicopter training that's what I mean so so the sooner I put in for transfer the sooner I'll be driving a helicopter hey you don't know when you're well off do you build huh why don't you retire Matt ah what do you want to fly one of them things for that nice soft job keeping these puddle jumpers flying why do you want to go off and risk your neck helicopter is not an aircraft it's a thing they're gonna play a big part in any man's army don't you forget it who told you I've read a couple of articles on him looks like the cross between a bee and a sewing machine once I've learned how to fly one I'll come back and give you a ride now suppose you don't make the grade where you be then right where I am now and my uncle Samuel's army but I'll let you in on a secret for years only I'm gonna make the grade now lend me your pen the Army's first helicopter class took its training at Fort Sill Oklahoma there were 32 men in that first class and one of them was Bill Wester the prescribed course called for 90 hours of flight time 35 dual and the remainder solo ground school subjects consisted of helicopter maintenance aerodynamics meteorology and navigation the training ship used was the two-place army age 13 which was being employed extensively in Korea for evacuation work not a toughest job you men are gonna have is forgetting to have it you form the flying conventional aircraft the more time you've had the harder it will probably be try to fix it in your heads right now that the only similarity between the operation of a helicopter and any plane you've been in is that they both fly for example in a conventional aircraft how do you correct for torque all right you with rotors sir right torque control on this baby is on the throttle instead of one stick you'll notice there are two this one we call the pitch stick this the cyclic pitch for the rotor blades cyclic for the rotor disc and pedals for the small rotor on the tail all right I'm of the old school I figure the only way to learn how to flies to get in a fly let's go sergeant Wester guess your last man up learn anything from what you've been watching no sir don't figure I'll start learning till I get inside it I think that about sums it up climb aboard back figure in the nose will come up and we start going backwards that you're gonna take some getting used to Jim you got to be flying at every minute that's for sure I could use a couple of extra arms where are you going in such a hurry got a date yeah my wife's arriving tonight my my a married man thoroughly got two kids to prove it have you got a place for them to stay the hotel till Billy can find something Billy what you mean her name is the same as yours that's right only she's a sight prettier I should hope so say how does your wife feel about you're getting into this business I can tell you've never been married Billy feels about this helicopter business the way I do it's a new thing it's big and it's gonna grow we want to grow along with it see you later and don't take any wooden pitch sticks well Esther how'd you like to take this thing out by yourself I'll try not to dent it too much sir now watch the weather vaning okay take her up fly around the field and bring her back down here what are you smiling about I was thinking of the first time I soloed sir a little different this time a little different flying machine I better remember that we'll be standing here watching good luck thanks sir well as they say in my hometown tomorrow's the day they give babies away with us half a pound of tea that's sure enough the way it looks honey how long we've been at this business almost seven months seven months and 90 hours flying time seems like yesterday we got here and tomorrow they can pin those everloving wings on us and then what I kind of got an idea they'll keep us busy you know honey you've been wearing those stripes so long I don't know if I'll recognize you without them he can pin a rose in his hair from stripes to warrant officers bars and one twist of the rotor blade hey Bill no kidding where do you think they'll send us well if you promise not to tell anyone I got it directly from the horse's mouth which horse you know so many a third on the left we're taking the first flight of helicopters to the moon you don't say I do what I say let's dance that next day was a big one for Bill Wester his buddy Jim Abbott and the other members of their class as a matter of fact it was a big day for the United States Army because for the first time in its history it had graduated a class of cargo helicopter pilots well how do you feel mr. Abbott ready to ship out ready to go mr. Wester but I sure wish I knew where I told you the moon the moon mr. Abbott I'll bet you know I feel like I've been launched the only way you can be launched is to be in the Navy well and maybe I've been dedicated if you're not careful you'll be bucking for general you're a warned officer you're a hot helicopter pilot and all right gentlemen at ease congratulations to all of you and these are our orders we leave for camp drum tomorrow we'll be taking part in cold weather maneuvers and boys it's going to be plenty cold we're pretty much of an experiment we're the first cargo helicopter company this Army's ever had and we've got to prove we're worth our salt and then some now that any questions yes well we be using the Army H-19 cargo helicopter you dream too much boy no I'm afraid we won't gentlemen we'll be getting them soon I hope but for now it's the H-13 recon type we'll have 10 of them and we'll have to simulate that they're cargo carriers and not puddle jumpers yes are they going to use it in any and every way they can our primary mission will be one of supply man and material naturally we'll evacuate wounded and we'll also be used for reconnaissance we'll be learning a lot from this taffy pull and in case you haven't guessed we're on the spot so let's all do the job I know we can do you weren't so far off what do you mean you said we were going to the moon I bet it isn't any cold or any bleaker looking up there that's a many trees either keep your eyes peeled they should be dug in near here how can you see anything in this snow I can't that's why I want you to keep looking isn't that ridgeline the one marked on the map you see the brook there below it and the way it bumps around the edge yeah that's it don't see anyone I'll go lower you go much lower we'll be traveling on the ground those over there they're dug in on the edge of those trees you see okay boys here comes your ammo you guys better hold up with us to this thing blows itself out like to captain but we can't still enough visibility for us to get back and if we turn the old girl off here we won't get her fired up till spring cold really bothers you guys to we have our little problems well I'll tell you this nothing on foot around wheels could have gotten through to us few birds hadn't brought up ammo we'd have had to give up this high ground we are indeed a wonderful invention too bad we have to simulate all this once we got the H-19 we'll really be bringing the mail up when's that gonna be a fine question now we better high-tail it out of here this thing's getting mean I can't see a thing you can't fly one of these on instruments all right we'll get out and walk watch that altimeter dark are we ever gonna find home plate dead reckoning can say that again there's the road follow it we'll be okay road I don't see any brother mixture we're freezing up carburetor heaters on full with me Don gently brother I'll try get ready to pick the bark out of your teeth don't holler up too soon can't see much now bell now I didn't land at the earth just came up and got us now what the roads close by one of us will go get help the other state I flip you for it all the same one of the stays here and freezes the other walks and freeze car variance is Western Abbott had although it was a bit rough on them it's just one more thing we're learning up here we know why she froze up it's up to the boys who make them to figure out how they can build them so they won't freeze up but one thing's for sure despite the fact that our maintenance is slower because of the cold we certainly proved our worth in these exercises we are not expendable we're dependable yes why don't we go into Korea Hank you may quote me as saying one day that's one day right now we've got a little job ahead of us maneuvers are over tomorrow we'll be on our way back to sill when we get there we'll start getting ready for maneuvers in Texas whoever said Longhorn is right that's what they're calling it operation Longhorn after camp drum came Longhorn and after Longhorn came Fort Bragg and a much awaited day the company which was made up of 28 warrant officer pilots three platoon officers and the CO got what they'd been looking forward to for so long there they are boys 21 of them they're all out oh look at those sweetheart real sure enough h19 cargo helicopters real sure enough h19s the long awaited cargo helicopter capable of carrying a thousand pounds of most anything this was the baby that could do the job handles like a dream enough rollback there to build a house here you take her you know where we're gonna take her I got a fairly good idea but who told you didn't I ever tell you I'm an underground agent for the Irish Navy oh this baby's a real baby yeah just don't try to slow roll it wouldn't surprise me if she could when you think we'll be shipping out as our noble CO says one day boy one day well if they can use us anywhere they can use us over there I shall now execute an avid to the rear march we shall fly to Korea backwards and confound everyone you are listening to the proudly we hail production skyhook one we'll return in just a moment for the second act it shall not happen here that is the unspoken prayer of every man in the or United States Army that is the unspoken reason for our growing military might but the time has come to speak the time has come to tell of that small phrase those five words it shall not happen here let me speak only to those young men of America who have not taken pause to think let's shout it in a voice that will reach into every city and village across the length and breadth of this great land young man you're needed you are needed to help preserve the peace you are needed to serve in your United States Army to ensure for your loved ones that it shall not happen here you are urged to visit your local United States Army recruiting station today and enlist in the United States Army the need is urgent do it today you are listening to proudly we hail and now we present the second act of skyhook one kids going to bed I try to keep them up if they had an awfully big day today what kept you so long the CEO was checking us all out on the new machines you're going looks that way better go in and wash up I saved supper for you can you tell me where you're going not yet you think we could come along with you I'm going to try there's a long waiting list I don't mind waiting bill I know it's foolish to ask you not to worry honey but remember we're on the right side and whatever we do is done with that in mind okay how long before you go at least a month better not mention it to the kids until the last week they might get too excited now what did you say about supper I'm starting you'd better be I've got a stake the size of a rotor blade I'm going away present I'll remember it it was shortly after the first of the year that warrant officer Bill Wester and the rest of the company arrived in Korea Korea with its jagged tortuous mountains its screaming isolated winds it's gray for boating aspect Korea where our job had to be done yeah we got you have it up there since we can get a loaded right right Hank cold supply give them this list okay have them load up 61 and 62 on the double bill Jim dog Fred gather round a company's dug in along this ridge right here now they're expecting trouble probably take you three trips to give them all they need reserve their CP's right here just on the other side of the bridge set your stuff down there okay okay take off be careful able Fox over that looks like it just a head way sticking our heads over the top of that ridge line somebody might try and knock them off one good thing about this place it's got a lot of valleys must be their CP don't put out there singly can you see docking Fred behind it to the right okay let's set her down that's what I call special delivery service Anderson get your men on it get that stuff unloaded we got more coming good I think we're gonna need it they're concentrating on you high point we overlook part of their line they don't like what we're doing to it you need any men holler we'll bring them up to all you characters are just what the doctor ordered we're like happens he says where'd he go he's up there having a look come on Jim let's help get this stuff off we've got a lot more to bring up wait a minute hold it I just got word a company's under heavy artillery attack be awfully careful where you sit down don't get it too close do the best we can unload ourselves Jim looks like they got everybody up there okay where do we put it that hut here come docking Fred wave them over I think they are I have a suggestion to make so have I on the double on the double the boys of helicopter company found themselves moving on the double everywhere helicopters aren't equipped to fly on instruments but they fly in all kinds of weather and in between times they work like beavers to keep as many of those ships flying as they could then came the real test they had brought supplies to companies battalions even regiments but now with the bridges out across the Imjin River they were given the biggest job of all got a little job men we're gonna completely resupply the 25th division the roads are impassable bridges out no room for transport to set down so we're elected Hank how many we got in flying shapes 16 figure one pilot per ship and that leaves a 16 man reserve to get the other five in shape I'll set up a schedule we'll be flying the stuff in from base supply questions yes when we start ten minutes ago it's gonna be big it's gonna be rugged we can do it never before in the history of warfare had an operation such as this been attempted they called it skyhook one a whole division looked to a company of helicopter pilots they brought in ammo they brought in food they brought in clothing medical supplies everything and anything that the 25th division needed it was a real job of work what day is it yesterday tomorrow I don't know many trips you made who can count that high but you're hauling this trip grub you bazooka ammo scotch and soda man's comedian gauks waving get that coffee down let's go the mission was accomplished in just seven days if anyone had ever held the capabilities of the helicopter in doubt those doubts were gone when skyhook one was over if a truck couldn't get through a plane might if a plane couldn't a helicopter would and in that one fact there's no telling how many lives have been saved bill how are you and Jim feeling all we just ran to go come good get enough sleep plenty got a job yeah remember a company here sure battalion called that a company hasn't gotten its mail in about two weeks they've located it to command and they want to know if we'd mind taking that for them heck no like to play pony express for those Joe's okay you and Jim hop over to command and pick it up right I thought you'd be glad to get your mail oh yeah yeah sure fella can't tell you how much guys up there'd like to pin a medal on you well what's the matter a patrol got cut off out front last night I mean they're out there now yeah they're out there all right how come they couldn't get back in books got around behind them my time we got rid of them it was daylight now they got zeroed in with mortar fire hold up in a gully well can't they make it back when it gets dark maybe if they can hold out that long are you in contact with them no we lost contact a couple of hours ago how many are there well it went out this weather doesn't look too good that's low stuff moving down this way yeah you guys had better clear out before it gets sucked in solid let's go up to your ML and have a look what I got in mind bill what's a helicopter for can't we go where no one else can I blessed you all over the valley not if they couldn't see us another five minutes and that should be sitting on the hills over there and I always thought fog was the device of the devil how can you fly in the fog we don't plan to when we're sure the gooks line is socked in we'll scoot down into the valley and pick your guys up we'll be back before the stuff can get to us look in your ship carry such a big load eight minutes left the most the gas put it back and we get back I guess it's not gonna do any good to argue you realize the gooks will be moving down off the hill in the fog they want those men to well let's stop John about it and get going we'll cover you the best we can keep her low buddy keep her low we're gonna have to cut this pretty fine I'll set her down you get the cargo door open we don't know what kind of shape there is somebody spotted forks moving faster than I thought to go he's just ahead of that lieutenant knew what he was talking about keep your eyes they are over to the left get that cargo door open gee will you look at the angel come on guys pull in I ain't got three that need help Jim let's give him a hand he's down doc have a mind that get in there quick on a double you guys easy easy Joe we're getting out of here car to see him have it I got him get in is that all? all the cones fall well look here they come up on leave us head for the hills well nice piece of work Bill guess anytime you guys want anything from now on all you gotta do is ask a company I wonder if they could get us a five-day pass to Japan my wife and family are coming in from the state well now I don't know but such things have been heard of before somewhere I think let's go eat that's our story but certainly it doesn't end there or as Bill Wester will tell you the helicopter is in a constant state of change and improvement it's a machine that has become a necessary and vital part of our defenses and the men who fly them see a bright future ahead today Bill Wester who is a pilot in the 506 helicopter company at Fort Benning, Georgia is on detached duty at Bridgeport, Connecticut there his family with him he's going to school at United Aircraft learning well just ask any helicopter pilot what he's learning and he'll tell you about helicopters naturally proudly we hail Sergeant Officer William Wester and his fellow helicopter pilots here's news about an important opportunity for you right now the United States Army the senior service of our armed forces has an urgent need for qualified technicians to operate and service the complex equipment that science has brought into being the need is vital and you can be trained in such interesting career fields as radio electronics radar photography meteorology mechanics and many many others yes indeed here's your chance to acquire a skill that will be of value to your country and help you later in civilian life too for full details visit the recruiting sergeant at your nearest recruiting station today this has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with this station proudly we hail is produced by the Recruiting Publicity Center the United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Service this is Mark Hamilton speaking inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail