John Tool Introduction

Jean was born 1/1/1919 in Murdock, NE. He graduated from Nebraska University in 1941 and from Aviation Cadets. He took his Primary Flight training at Hicks Field, his Basic Flight Training at Randolph Field and Advanced Flight Training at Brooks Field, where he graduated in Class 42-J. He went on to instructed in C-47s with the 52nd Troop Carrier Squadron stateside until September 1944 when he delivered a C-47, crew and himself to Sylhet, India. for a year's duty with the 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron, where he served as the Squadrons Operations Officer

The 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron operated out of Tulihal (at Imphal) and Hathazari, giving cargo support to the 5th Indian and 11th African Divisions who were retaking Burma from the towns Tiddim and Fort White. He continued flying all the to the victory at Myitkyina, and even hauling the Chinese First Army (four horses and four mules per trip) home to Nanking.

Final rank in CBI was Major with 362 missions. His decorations included Theater Medal, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

Jean entered into the advertising agency business in Denver, CO. in 1945 and is still located in that area. He served as Chairman of the Republican Party in Colorado 1960-1964 leading the election of a governor, the legislature and a number of Congressman and Senators, including the late U.S/ Senator Peter Dominick, a member of the HPA.

Jean began keeping a journal in a sketchbook when he began his trip to deliver a C-47 its crew and himself to the CBI. He kept using the sketchbook as a diary until April 21, 1945 when he gave recording in any detail daily life. Although Jean spent an additional five months in the CBI and had discontinued making daily entries into his sketchbook, he did manage to record in some detail a number of experiences and incidents during that period. Jean was also a fine illustrator, he drew many picture in his Sketchbook of the people, places and things he saw. (Bill Bielauskas 2000)

Reference 'China Airlift the Hump' Vol. 4 by the Hump Pilots Association, published by Dave Truner and Associates.

I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group, 1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group. In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc.)

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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