Our CO has passed away.

[Puck]

Not to sound uncaring, but there are far too many tears and not enough stories in this thread.  KO was a member of that rare group of people who was a true gentleman in everything he did.  

When I was looking for work this summer (hate it when I misplace that) he set up a fund to keep me flying.  After I got another job and was probably making more than him he offered to send me more money just to make sure I was covered.  He didn't care about landing kills, he cared about the squad and the mission, and would not hesitate to dive (or climb) into a fray to help a squaddie or pretty much any other Knight who needed a hand...

...in fact, I remember one night long ago we were in a nasty dog fight.  KO was flying a C47  when he got an SOS from a straggler about 10 miles away.  He changed course to help.  Using his .45 out the pilot's window he shot down Drex and Leviathan before he clipped the wings off Fester with his vertical stab.  Two grunts in the back engaged three other aircraft with tommy guns and M1 carbines through the open jump door while KO, wounded, tried to nurse the now stricken aircraft to the nearest freindly field...

Really KO had a knack for trying to eat trees in the C47, especially when the town was in sight and the nearest barracks six sectors away.  He tended to spend more time chatting than flying some days.  I'm not sure he EVER landed a P51 without at least a dozen holes in it, even if he had to use his own 45 to put them there, but he by gawd had fun and he made sure everyone else had fun, too.

He was one of a kind.

I'll be spending more time in the P51 now.  That was my favorite Dweeb's favorite aircraft.  What he lacked in skill he more than made up for in humanity, though, and the rest of us would do well to learn something from him.

[Sled]

Originally posted by Puck
Using his .45 out the pilot's window he shot down Drex and Leviathan before he clipped the wings off Fester with his vertical stab.  Two grunts in the back engaged three other aircraft with tommy guns and M1 carbines through the open jump door.....

WHAT???

I didn't even know this was possible???

So, you can shoot your .45 while you are flying a C47?

You can now be one of the goons in the back, and shoot a weapon?


I have been away too long, much has changed.


If anyone would have know about these things, it would have been KO.



Maybe we should start a "KO stories" thread   Yes? no?

[doobs]

KO story

I was the last of the 68th(when I flew FSO with them) in FSO, in a P40E.

got back to friendly field with KO in the back seat watchin, but the friendly field had 4 zero's over it, told him I was going in, he told me to go for it.

with him as my extra set of eyes I shot down all four zero's, he was going nuts, laughing his *** off. I always tell that story to squaddies, and used to say go ask KO if ya don't believe me, but that can no longer happen.

a lot of fun times were had with KO

and the 68th

and let's not forget 68falcon, who I know is suffering more than anybody
KO falcon

[B@tfinkV]

there is nothing left to say


S! KO

[F4J]

AUTHOR: John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (1922–41)
QUOTATION: Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air….

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
ATTRIBUTION: JOHN G. MAGEE, JR., “High Flight,” September 3, 1941

<> 68KO, You surely have slipped the surly bonds of earth. Godspeed.
F4jCH

[snibbo]

will be sadly missed , to a great combatant and deepest sympathy to all of those who knew him well .

[Dead Man Flying]

KO, and God speed.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[Nwbie]

This is some very sad news, it sucks that real life can be so cruel, maybe in the virtual sky of Heaven he can just re-up and laff his arse off as it always seemed he did, here's hoping he can.
68KO was one of the few people in this game who tried to make it more interesting and fun for everyone, his snapshot events were always fun to join in, whether there were 10 fliers or 50 - he still made his best attempts to make it worth our while to join in the event and play our virtual war battle. This game community will sorely miss him, I am sure there are many players in this game who didn't know him, but still benefited from his sharing nature, he was one of the few guys that had fun - which is what this game is meant to be - I cannot remember ever seeing 68KO fill up the all country channel with any derogatory remarks or taunts, we all can learn from his example.

68KO



NwBie

[Hornet33]

I remember a while back, must have been over a year ago by now, JG44 decided to put together a HQ bombing run. We went up with about 12-15 bomber formations with escort and started climbing out. All of a sudden Knuckles or Doobs, not sure which, comes up on VOX and says, "Hey just found out the 68th is hitting our target in a few minutes, do we want to go hit something else?" Well after a brief discussion we decided to press on to the target just in case the 68th weren't able to make it.

About 15-20 minutes out we see the enemys DAR go down. WTG 68th is flashing scross the text channel. Then 68KO pops up on text and is telling us that his guys are bailing over the HQ and are going to shoot the goons with their .45's as they come in to re supply the capital. Well we're all laughing at this but they end up doing a pretty good job of it.

Just when we are lining up on target the HQ comes back up, 1 minute later, bombs away from JG44 and down it goes again. Fighters are climbing up to us and KO is now on our vox channel asking if we need him or any of his guys to join up and gun for us. He's laughing like a little school girl because of the 1-2 punch we just gave them and is having a blast running around on the ground with his .45 shooting at goons landing, trying to re supply.

Even though we didn't plan it that way it always seemed that whenever JG44 put up a big mission like that the 68th would also be right there with us with their own mission. We'd plan it on the fly and go kick some serious butt.

KO always knew how to make the game fun for those flying with him.

[GooseAW]

Rest in Peace my ole friend!

After the demise of AirWarrior myself and several other C-HAWKS finally found a new home in AH1. As the CO early on we struggled to recreate what we missed most about our beloved AW, community, comraderie, etc...

One night this happy go lucky, almost giddy with enthusiasm, voice comes through my headset on private chat. "Hey Goose, why don't the C-HAWKS hook up with us (68th) and lets do some damage!" Well we did just that, that night and many more nights thereafter. We always loved covering the 68th Lightning Lancers' Lancaster raids into the full red dar bar! He truly was and will be a pillar of this community as he has always broken down barriers between groups and squads, and all "just for fun!"

In his memory I hope that we all realize what an important part of each others fragile lives on this plane we all are.

 I have been away from AH for awhile but will make a return for the Memorial Flight in his honor.

(stands and Salutes!) To 68KO, his family, and his Squad! I'll miss you bro!

[uberhun]

It was just a couple of weeks ago, that the 68th and JG 44 boys went on this 5-6 base run ala 68KO. It was typical KO all thought out to the last detail targets, rides, load out, always down to the last detail. We were very successful that evening. Always begining with "Thank you for joining the 68th mission." How I am going to miss that............. Just the same I know KO would want the tradition continued. I will certainly always be available for a 68th mission. Just like KO would want it. !

[Capt.Joe]

A small memorial kinda thing i did for KO





An Aces high Themed Prayer:

Pilot divine, and Lord of all on Aces High
Thine are the starry squadrons of the sky!
Lead us whose wings for freedoms sake now soar,
Into our hearts thy faith and courage pour
 
Set Thou our course whose trust is laid in Thee!
Oh Thou who chartest all eternity!
Through cloud and sunshine, through darkest night
Guide Thou our wings who battle for the right
 
Father and friend, in whose almighty name
We dedicate our lives to freedom's flame,
Bless now our wings as on through space we wend.
Bless us who to Thy care our souls commend.
We take Thy lessons not found in books,to ruin the day of those called Rooks!

[Kisters]

Damn.

He was  tons of fun to be around and quite a CO, im shocked.

[rshubert]

I met 68ko online about 3 years ago when I first started flying events.  He and the Lightning Lancers took me in, showed me the ropes, and treated me well.

Later, we served together on the command staff of a couple of scenarios, and had a good time together.  He was witty, and dedicated to the game.

I'll miss him.

68KO!

[Scherf]