Subject: Dan Sevin Bio
Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 22:24:59 -0700
From: Daniel J Sevin <[email protected]>
Ollie,
Ed Garcia�s impassioned exhortation has FINALLY spurred me into action.
For what it is worth, this is my bio...
The following was originally sent to John Quinn when he notified me of
our original OCS class reunion. [slightly revised and enhanced several
times since] Thanks John, for taking on this reunion organizing assignment, your
efforts are sincerely appreciated. Will probably not attend our reunion,
but appreciate the opportunity to briefly share experiences with fellow
OC classmates.
Daniel J. & Laura M. (BOYCE) SEVIN - OCS Class 58B - Sixth Squadron, Lima
Flight
31 May 1949 enlisted in Pittsburgh, PA., a few days before graduation
from Ambridge High School, Ambridge, PA. - recruiter promised a 3-day
pass to return home for graduation, but was charged three days leave -
first lie.
06 Mar 1952 - 6 Mar 1953 - Served as a S/Sgt at Taegu AB, Korea & Itazuke
AB, Japan.
28 Dec 1957 Entered OCS, (from Presque Isle AFB, ME.), as a T/Sgt -
Aircraft Jet Engine Overhaul Technician.
20 Jun 1958 commissioned - 2nd Lieutenant.
When I received my OCS assignment, Laura and I owned a mobile home at
Presque Isle AFB, ME. We had three sons, Douglas age 3 (Aug 20), and
twins, Daniel & Donald age 1 (Jan 18). After reading all the
informational material received from OCS, we knew that I would be
confined to the base most of the time and Laura would be almost
completely on her own. We decided that she would be better off with the
three children if she stayed in her home town of Alliance, OH, where her
family could be of some assistance to her if necessary. After setting up
the mobile home, I made the lonesome trip to Texas by train.
Arrived at Lackland AFB a day early and spent the night in the transient
quarters. Sometime that evening I met another classmate (how I wish I
could recall his name). We were both totally ignorant of what was about
to befall us! We planed on reporting in at 0730, eat a leisurely
breakfast, attend church services, write a letter home and get settled in
for the activity which we assumed would begin on Monday. Well! We
reported in about 0730. Don�t know for certain, but perhaps I was the
first second class to arrive at the Savage Six that fateful day when the
brutal nightmare began... I only know I was in total shock and exhaustion
in the later evening hours and don�t know how I survived that first day.
I wish I knew who our classmate acquaintance was and if he was fortunate
enough to survive the ordeal.
That first Sunday was the last time I ate toast for breakfast until the
break between second and first class...
During the week break between second and first class, I did not feel I
could take the trip to Ohio and back, so I did not take any leave. If I
recall correctly, there were less than a dozen first class that remained
through this time. We pulled details and rested (both a lot). I believe
Agee was in charge at the wheel-house during this time. OC Lt Carlton
Buchart was in charge of our details.
After graduation (commissioning) I did not receive immediate assignment
orders. While in casual status, I was temporarily assigned to a Basic
Squadron for a couple weeks as assistant Administrative Officer where I
pulled various details, such as Lackland AFB OD a few times. From OCS I received direct duty assignment orders to McDill AFB, Tampa,
FL., 306 Bomb Wing, 367 Bomb Squadron, (B-47), as an Aircraft Maintenance
Officer. Assigned first as Squadron Flight Line Maintenance Officer.
(Assigned numerous additional duties and details!) Sent TDY to
Maintenance Engineering Production Analysis (MEPA) school at Chanute AFB
in Rantoul, IL for 6 weeks, but never given an opportunity to work in
Analysis. Upon reorganization of the Wing I was assigned to establish
(set up) and manage the Servicing Branch (responsible for all aircraft
towing and refueling operations plus tasked to maintain all non-powered
support maintenance equipment for the entire 306 Bomb wing (including
three B-47 Squadrons and a squadron of tanker (KC-97) aircraft). The Wing
completed a successful ORI, but the ORI team reported that my position
was too responsible for a 2nd Lt. - so I was assigned as Flight Line
Maintenance Officer of "A" Section (formerly the 367th Bomb Squadron).
Shortly after arriving at McDill I applied for Aircraft Maintenance
Officer Course (AMOC) and Sep 1959 completed a permanent change of
station (PCS) to Chanute AFB, Rantoul, IL, for AMOC.
20 Dec 1959 promoted to 1st Lieutenant while attending AMOC.
22 Sep 1960 graduated from AMOC assigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa, 18th TAC
Fighter Wing, 18th Field Maintenance Squadron - (F-100 & later converted
to F-105).
Kadena allowed only Captain and above concurrent travel so Laura and the
boys had to travel alone after I located quarters. We had been advised
that many personal items were difficult to obtain on Okinawa so Laura
stuffed her suitcase with as many scarce personal items as she could. She
had much of the kids clothes as she could stuff. Also she carried several
valuable items that could not be replaced. Laura�s luggage was stolen at
the San Francisco airport. Since she had all her clothes in the one
suitcase - she arrived 23 Dec with only the clothes she wore. What a sad
and stressful experience to began our Okinawa tour.
I was first assigned duty as OIC of the Propulsion Branch (Jet &
Reciprocating Engine Shops and the Prop Shop.) Rotations were more
abundant during summer months which caused severe personnel shortages and
constant adjustments in assignments. Second assigned duty as OIC of the
Fabrication Branch (Wood Shop - which was discontinued, Liquid Oxygen
Plant, Paint Shop, Welding Shop, Machine Shop, Sheet Metal Shop and
Parachute & Fabric Shops). A few months before rotation, assigned as OIC
of the Corrosion Control Branch and a very short time as OIC of Aircraft
Systems Branch. During our two and one-half year tour, with great
sacrifice of time with the family, I completed Squadron Officer�s Course
(correspondence), three ECI courses and attended the University of
Maryland evening classes completing one year college.
20 Dec 1962 promoted to Captain while at Kadena.
22 May 1963 assigned to Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT., 29 Fighter
Interceptor Squadron (F-101), as Squadron Shops Maintenance Officer. When
the Flight Line Maintenance Officer transferred out, I replaced him.
After we were at Great Falls about one year I was assigned as Aircraft
Maintenance Officer for the 29th FIS Detachment 1, Dispersal Site (Alert
Facility) , Logan Field, the civilian Airport at Billings, MT. The
facility was still in the construction stage and I was the only Officer.
The Det Commander was physically still at Great Falls. Only a couple
dozen enlisted men were in place when I arrived. Single personnel lived
in trailers at the main airport as the detachment barracks and hangar had
not yet been completed. The detachment was literally a miniature base
with Administration, Supply, Fire Department, Motor Pool, Refueling,
Weapons Storage, etc. Along with a myriad of duties, I was in charge of
monitoring the new facilities construction. Also the unit had weekly
aircraft turn-around exercises to orient pilots and to keep the men
proficient. Having responsibility without the authority was extremely
frustrating. The townsfolk of Billings where extremely friendly to the
military. Being the only officer there, I quickly became personally
acquainted with the Mayor and Police Chief - really fine relationship
which proved to be most necessary and beneficial for the men. We were
fortunate to have some good friends there, but Laura and I did not like
the cold climate. With the job frustration and the cold, I volunteered
for Viet Nam. Just prior to receiving orders for Viet Nam the barracks
and alert facility construction was completed and a Detachment dedication
ceremony was held. About 150 enlisted men were in place at the Detachment
when I departed. The Det Commander still lived in Great Falls, about 220
miles away.
01 Nov 1965 assigned Tan Son Nhut AB, Viet Nam, 377 Field Maintenance
Squadron (later changed to 367 CAMERON Squadron). Immediately upon
arrival I was assigned as Base Flight / Transient Maintenance Officer
which I maintained for the entire year. What an awesome challenge!
Blessed with some really fantastic men and the full support of the
Squadron Commander, it was an inordinately hectic but rewarding tour.
At this time our forces were rapidly expanding in Viet Nam and My Base
Flight Section was temporarily assigned many aircraft that were destined
for a base not yet completed. The total finally stabilize with 27
aircraft of seven different types. Base Flight handled all local Hq. VIP
traffic with the VC47 and VC123 aircraft. Gen Westmoreland traveled
somewhere in country, at least weekly and Ambassador Lodge traveled
almost as frequently.
My Transient Section marshaling responsibilities included all "dust-off"
choppers landing at Tan Son Nhut with wounded and KIA�s aboard and
assisting with transporting incoming wounded and KIA�s to ambulances.
Also we had an active roll in assisting the Medics (weekly-and often
more) loading wounded on Air Evac Aircraft for transport to Japan, Clark
AB, PI, and USA. Transient supported numerous visiting dignitaries,
Congressmen, Generals and Admirals who passed through. We also handled a
visit by Vice President Humphry. We marshaled well over 2,000 aircraft
(all kinds) each month.
Tan Son Nhut underwent a mortar attack during my tour.
I was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for my Vietnam service.
21 Oct 1966 assigned to McClelland AFB, Sacramento, CA., 552nd AEW&C Wing
(EC-121). Assigned first to OMS as Squadron Maintenance Officer until the
OMS Commander retired. Assigned as OMS Commander for about a year. There
were 52 aircraft assigned to the squadron to support around-the-clock
local missions and a detachment of 12 TDY at College Eye Task Force, two
TDY at Keflavic NAS, Iceland, and when the 551st Wing at McCoy AFB, FL
was deactivated, we maintained 12 aircraft at McCoy.
31 Oct 1967 (with a date of separation (DOS) of 31 May 1969 and over 18
years active duty) received a Regular Appointment as Capt with an
effective date of 20 Jun 1965.
Assigned as Wing Workload Control Officer and shortly thereafter as Wing
Maintenance Control Officer.
08 Feb 1969 promoted to Major.
Served two three-month TDY tours to Tainan AB, Taiwan, as Chief of
Maintenance of the College Eye Task Force, with the forward base
operating out of Korat AB, Thailand. Flew monthly to and from Korat for
maintenance coordination. Flew on an EC121 combat mission to observe the
action of an actual combat controlling mission.
01 Jun 1970 assigned to Keflavic NAS, Iceland, 57 FIS (F-102) as
Maintenance Control Officer. Left my family in Sacramento and served a
one year unaccompanied tour.
04 Jun 1971, McChord AFB, Tacoma WA, 25 Air Division as the Chief of
Aircraft Weapons Systems Maintenance. Monitored the four northwest
Fighter Interceptor Squadrons (active and guard units with F-101, F-102,
F-106). Briefed the General each morning. After a year here, and having
just purchased my first house, ADC personnel wanted to send me to Niagara Falls, NY. I said, "NO THANKS!" In
desperation, and not desiring to, I
submitted my retirement papers for two years in advance, (as far in
advance as I could). In retrospect, I guess I outsmarted myself and, with
my retirement request, signed away my chance for further advancement.
1 Aug 1975 retired as a Major with 26 years, 2 months, 1 day service. Six
years total overseas. Awarded my second Meritorious Service Medal upon
retirement.
After retirement, attended Community College and earned an AA in Arts and
Science. Had a couple short lived jobs in retail sales under managers
that received their training from the early Egyptians I think. Also got a
real estate license. My wife could not stand me around the house so she
went to college for bookkeeping and is now an accountant while I maintain
the home front. Keeps me more occupied than I would like to be. Have
labored many years researching my Sevin family history and compiled well
over 200 pages of family names and information. Published three editions
of my family history with several supplements. Most recently have found
the most contentment in being a full time Grandpa to my two
grandchildren, which I am most fortunate to watch twice weekly.
I most gratefully thank God for blessing, protecting and rewarding this
poor old country boy far beyond what I deserve. Also I thank God for my
wife, Laura. I could never have successfully achieved the above
accomplishments without her interminable sacrificial support.
Cheers to all my old classmates and May God Bless.
Thanks again John for your unselfish efforts.
Dan Sevin
PS: Although this is not very detailed, I had no idea how difficult it
would be to try to recall some of these facts.