Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA

The Frye Legacy

A Lifetime of Accomplishment

A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – Memorial – Boeing Superfortress – B29 Heavy Bomber 42-24698

By Randall Reynolds

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents the Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

My purpose in creation of this website is to not repeat narrative found in my novel ‘the Jack and Helen Frye Story’ but rather provide readers with images and text to complement the book

To purchase my Biography-Novel-Love Story please click:  Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA which is available on Amazon in Softcover or Kindle

B-29 ‘A-Broad With Eleven Yanks’ 42-24698 (Crashed on April 27th 1945) Death 1, Missing In Action, Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Clinton Northrop

In my Sedona Legend Research I have had close contact with the daughter of Jack Frye’s personal TWA Hostess (Harriet Appelwick). In her mother’s photo albums, Hollis Huntoon discovered the image (below). Obviously, Harriet knew a crew member, but who? The notation states simply, ‘Wilks Crew’. This is a mystery as Harriet’s career was all about TWA, as a V.I.P. TWA Hostess for President Jack Frye, and later, Howard Hughes. This photo opened a window into this aircraft, but not the same crew (as seen below), which was all but forgotten. Research shows this aircraft (when lost) had an onboard crew of 11 + 1 passenger, 12. 11 came home, 10 crew, 1 passenger. Missing crew member (M.I.A.) Isley Field Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Clinton Northrop

In honor of Isley Field Base Commander Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Clinton Northrop, lost April 27th, 1945, aboard B-29, 42-24698, ‘A-Broad With Eleven Yanks’

Boeing B-29, V8 Superfortress, 4-engine long range bomber, used in the Pacific Theater, 42-24698, ‘A-Broad With Eleven Yanks’. Harriet likely knew one of the men seen (above) through her association with TWA. This B-29 image (shown with crew) is NOT the same crew which manned the plane when it crashed (it is not uncommon for a B-29 to have more than one crew). This ship was lost on April 27, 1945, on Agrihan Island, near B29 home base of Saipan. The plane was part of a bombing mission to Kyushu Japan. 1 man lost (Lt. Col. Douglas C. Northrop) co-pilot. Very sad that many men and planes never saw American soil again. This image appears to have been taken on a B29 homebase Saipan

73rd BW, 499th BG, 877BS

MACR 14334–Boozer crew-27 April 1945

Target, Izumi Airfield, Kyushu. Mission Bullish 5 [sic]. 22 B-29s. 15,800-17,700 feet. Flak. Bailed out at Agrihan, 10 of 11 survived

This said, ‘From 1941 on TWA President Frye was working 24/7 with his contemporaries toward the war effort. This included committing all available TWA resources to serve our troops and personally setting up instruction centers to train U.S. servicemen to fly the larger support planes of the day. Many of the aircraft were airline flying stock previously unfamiliar to military pilots. One of the most famous facilities was the Eagle Nest Flight Center (more commonly known as the Jack Frye Training School) at Albuquerque, N.M. The training center became an invaluable asset for the United States Military in World War II, as based at Kirtland A.F.B. New Mexico’

Research reveals Northrop was from Connecticut his body was never recovered. Service number O-393187, served with 499th Bomber Group, Very Heavy, 877th Bomber Squadron, Purple Heart and Air Medal. Honored at the National Cemetery at Honolulu Hawaii. It was a miracle that 10 survived this crash (one passenger). Northrop was 31 when he died, one of many who never saw adulthood while dying for our freedom. Also of interest, there was a severe shortage of TWA pilots and TWA personnel during WWII, this because so many contributed to the war effort

 

Seen above is Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Clinton Northrop (July 02, 1913 – April 27, 1945)

B-29 ‘A-Broad With Eleven Yanks’ 42-24698, crashed April 27th, 1945, one man lost, never to see United States of America soil again

Born:

July 02, 1913 (Glenbrook, Connecticut)

Parents:

Louis Leroy Northrop & Jennie Anna Nowak (Austria heritage)

Brother:

Arthur Leroy Northrop

Father Occupation:

(United States Post Office Stamford)

Primary Education:

Stamford/King High Schools (1927-1931)

Achievements:

Scholar of the Second Rank (Junior)

Oration Appointment (Senior)

Freshman Track Team

Freshman Football Team

Basketball Squad

Secondary Education:

Saybrook College, Yale College (1931-1936), Class of ‘36

Achievements:

150-Pound Football team (Junior & Senior years) Co-Captain Senior Year

Saybrook College Basketball Team (Junior & Senior) years

Graduated 1936 (B.A.) Bachelor of Arts (2nd Rank Dean’s List)

Employment:

Manager Deliveries at Western Union Telegraph Company (Stamford) 1936-1937

Somerset Hills Preparatory School (Far Hills, New Jersey)

Teacher & Athletic Coach (1938-1939)

(Noted as coach of the famous Connecticut boys’ basketball team ‘the Deuces’ which regularly won championship honors)

Faith:

Episcopal Church (St John’s) Stamford, Connecticut

Military/Aviation Career:

Enlisted:

Aviation Cadet (U.S. Army Air Corps) August 14, 1939

Primary Training at Parks Air College

Basic & Advanced Training at Randolph Field & Kelly Field

Promotion:

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Air Corps Reserve (May 14, 1940)

First Assignment:

49th Bombardment Squadron, Langley Field, Washington D.C. (May 1940 – August 1941)

Assignment:

41st Reconnaissance Squadron, Newfoundland, (August 1941 – November 1942)

Promotion:

First Lieutenant (U.S.A.A.F.) November 01, 1941

Captain (U.S.A.A.F.) March 01, 1942

Assignment:

England (Anti-Submarine Patrol) November 1942 – March 1943)

Promotion:

Major (U.S.A.A.F.) January 07, 1943

Assignment:

Africa (March 1943 – June 1943)

Promotion:

Commander (January 22, 1944)

Assignment:

877th Bomber Squadron, Smoky Hill Army Airfield (Spring 1944)

Citation:

Air Medal (May 1944)

Assignment:

Saipan (Marianas) Isley Field, Pacific Theater (September 1944)

877th Bomber Squadron, 499th Bomb Group, (September 1944)

Commander(s) of Saipan Operations:

(Dates of Commander promotions notated)

Major Douglas C. Northrop (01/22/1944)

Colonel Thomas C. Musgrave (02/01/1944)

Colonel Samuel R. Harris (04/04/1944)

Colonel Morris J. Lee (03/17/1945)

Lieutenant Colonel Walter E. Chambers (08/13/1945)

A Square 42 (Joker’s Wild) 871st BS 497th BG 20th AF

Promotion:

Lieutenant Colonel (November 06, 1944)

Historical Notation:

Pilot of the first B-29 Superfortress Bomber to bomb Tokyo Japan (November 1944)

Died April 27th, 1945 (not known to have been married or had children)

Rank at time of death:

Lieutenant Colonel (one of five Commanders Saipan Air Operations)

Possibly served on last flight as an ‘observer’ officially notated as (co-pilot)

Challenger of the 794th Bomb Squadron 468th Bomber Group Saipan Northern Mariana Islands

Because of Lt. Col. Northrop’s rank my conclusion is he served on this flight as an observer or filled in at the last moment on this bombing mission. He was a captain and would not normally fill a co-pilot position (he was a Commander in Charge of Air Operations at Saipan). At the time of his death, he was said to have flown 70 missions (many with his own crew and plane as captain). This man is a true hero, not only a leader of men, but a man who was revered and admired by all he served under him at his side. He was a Yale graduate (class of 1936). He joined the Air Corp in 1939 as he was alarmed at the escalation of the war in Europe, and had a fervent desire to serve his country (he was not drafted). His loss was devastating to his family, the town of Stamford Connecticut, and Yale College

In conclusion, I will continue to document the men and the last moments of this plane. But my heart rests with Douglas Northrop, the only man lost on this mission. As I tabulated the accomplishments of life, my heart was heavy with each assignment and promotion as I saw the clock unwind on his life, the days less and less, until at the young age of 31-years old, with so much to offer, he died on a bombing mission. Sobering, to say the least, however, this is the story duplicated so many times over and over with American servicemen. When will it ever end? When will we ever achieve peace on earth? I know in my heart Douglas would want his life to have meaning and contribute to that end. Prayers for you Douglas Northrop and your soul path

Credit for this article would not have been possible if not for the obituary archives of Graduates of Yale University. As well special thanks to aviation author and historian John Bybee

Witness Overviews:

Military Report: The following is a log of special Dumbo missions flown by the squadron. All other search standby or escort missions were negative. April 21st: Lieutenant Danaher flew the Station Neurologist on a special reconnaissance of report of tropical disturbances. Northeast was established to enable units in the B-29’s probable path when distress was alerted. Lieutenant Fontnew [sic] with lieutenant Colonel Kitchens AAF, and liaison officer, between forward area Air Sea Rescue Task Group, and XXI Bombardier Commander Board, conducted search of Agrihan Island in Northern Marianas for survivors of the crew, which bailed out of the burning B-29 in the early morning hours. Army Rescue Squadron 4 picked up six survivors from the water near the shore. A small boat from the AVP Cook Inlet picked up three. We continued in our climb at 0410 where the message was intercepted that the B-29 had lost an engine and was in trouble. This message was intercepted by several other planes at the ground station. The coordinates were location of Pacific Ocean, about 250 miles northwest of Iwo Jima Volcanic Islands. Crew number 3, (Missing Air Crew Report dated January 10th, 1945, states B-29, Aircraft Number 42-24665 [sic] (should read 42-24658), of the 877 Bomb Squadron 499th Bomb Group, took off from Saipan Island home base….. (incomplete- missing text). Please Note: As to be expected, information in regard to this nearly forgotten B-29 crash is limited. The above USAAF report is somewhat jumbled but corrected as when possible. A revisit of this report will be undertaken and reposted here when located in my files.)

Memorialized: Honolulu Memorial

Operation Olympic

Operation Downfall

Operatives of B-29 missions on that fateful day, and ‘A-Broad With Eleven Yanks’ A final bombing mission to Japanese held island Kyushu, which should have been routine. Every citizen of the United States need read the following. This is why we were at war with Japan and Germany, we must never forget WWII, and tragically, our current generation has. This is also why TWA President Jack Frye launched the Jack Frye Training Center at Albuquerque to commit all available TWA pilots to command World War heavy planes during WWII. At the time, Army pilots were not sufficiently trained to navigate the large aircraft of the day, but TWA pilots were. TWA stewardess Harriet Appelwick was aware of these facts, as she dated a veteran who marched in the Battle of Baton, a broken man which Jack and Helen Frye were instrumental in rehabilitation. This will be further covered on the TWA Lockheed Lodestar page which is forthcoming

From Wiki overview on Operation Olympic and Operation Downfall:

‘In addition to battle casualties, hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war and civilian internees were also scheduled to be executed by the Japanese. Beginning in the summer of 1944, Japanese leaders issued a series of directives to prison camp commandants that all prisoners were to be “liquidated” when Allied troops approached the camps. The objective was to prevent the prisoners from rioting or being utilized as a fighting force, and camp commandants were given flexibility as to how the “liquidation” would be accomplished.^[e] The main emphasis was to “annihilate all captives, not allowing a single one to escape,” and that “no trace” should be left of their existence or the existence of the prison camps.^[117] At the end of the war many POWs were in the process of digging their own graves in preparation for their deaths^[118]

Historically, the orders led to the massacre of POWs on several occasions, including on Palawan Island, in which men were burned alive in their barracks, shot, or stabbed. The Palawan massacre prompted American forces to organize daring rescue missions to save other prisoners from execution, such as the “Great Raid” on Cabanatuan. On August 20, 1945, the Japanese government secretly distributed an order formally authorizing guards and other perpetrators to flee to escape punishment for their crimes’

 

March into Hell – Battle of Bataan

From the publication: Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Jack and Helen Story

‘June 1, 1946’

Jack’s TWA Lodestar lands at Continental Airport south of Santa Fe. After deplaning, the Frye’s and their hostess take a car to La Fonda. The next day, after a meeting with their architect John Gaw Meem, Helen and Jack relax over drinks at La Fonda with their private hostess Harriet Appelwick. As they decide what to have for dinner, Harriet notices a good-looking man observing her from across the room. She whispers to Helen, “I think he’s interested in me Helen.” Jack and Helen both look over and observe the young man who is having a drink at the bar. Helen turns to Harriet saying, “Well, sweetie, why don’t you go over there and say hello?” Harriet looks at Jack and Helen and responds embarrassingly, “Goodness gracious Helen, I can’t just walk up to some strange man and say hello!” Jack laughs heartily, while Helen replies, “Well darling, I certainly can!” Helen rises as Harriet tries to grab her arm pleading, “Don’t you dare, please Helen, sit down!” Approaching the young man, Helen introduces herself and inquires, “Do you want to meet her?” The young man replies with a grin, “You bet I do!” Helen invites him over to their table and introduces him to Harriet and Jack. “Jack, Harriet, this is Frank Pecarich, but he prefers we call him Yanks.” Helen turns to Frank and says, “This is my husband Jack, and our private hostess Harriet Appelwick.” Jack asks Yanks to sit down, after which the four immediately hit it off. Noticing Yanks is very thin, Jack is concerned, he says, “What would you like for dinner Yanks? We’re all having steak and I’m buying; won’t you join us son?”  During dinner, Jack talks about TWA and the war, while Yanks asks Harriet about her life as a TWA Hostess and living in Washington

Finally, Yanks starts opening up about the war. He shipped out in August of 1941, soon though, he found himself in the Philippines on the Bataan Peninsula with the Two Hundredth Coast Artillery. Frank pauses a moment, and a shadow passes over his face, then he continues solemnly, “I was 159 pounds when I enlisted but down to 85 pounds when I finally set foot on American soil again. I was held for four years as a prisoner of war. When I was rescued, I was at Osaka POW Camp.” Yanks relates he and his division were captured and forced to walk some eighty miles in the march of Bataan, nothing more than a ‘march of death” he says quietly. “The details,” Yanks says solemnly, “well, they can’t be discussed in front of ladies. I never lost hope, but it was truly the darkest time of my life. All I could think about was my life in Gallup, my family, and all the things I loved about the United States. After our liberation, I and many of the other men felt guilty. ‘Why were we allowed to live when so many died in such agony?’” Finally, the young man says no more. He looks down at his plate in silence, his eyes misty and far away

At this point, Helen and Harriet are both wiping their eyes, Helen reaches out and squeezes Yanks’ hand, “No one,” Helen says softly, “should ever have to endure such cruelty and inhumane treatment.” Jack speaks in a fatherly tone, “I’ve heard these stories Yanks, and it’s hard for me to even comment, except to say, ‘thank you’. You and all the other boys who went over there and experienced these untold atrocities are the heart and soul of this great nation! We are all eternally grateful for your contributions toward freedom, not just for our country, but for the world as well.” Looking up at Jack, Yanks says, “Thank you Mr. Frye, from you, sir, that’s truly an honor.” Helen asks Yanks what he’s doing to regain his health and weight. Unsatisfied with his answer, she turns to Jack and says, “Jack darling, why don’t we have Yanks flown out to the ranch and let him stay there for some R&R? When we are out there, I can cook for him and help him recover.” Jack turns to Yanks, “We would be honored to have you at the ranch, you can stay at the Willow House. Helen and I will be in and out, flying back and forth to Washington, we could see you each time we are there. In addition, as far as Helen’s cooking, well, you couldn’t be in better hands! Just look at how she’s fattened me up!” Jack pats his belly, Yanks, overcome by such a generous offer thanks Jack saying, “I’m certainly honored Mr. Frye. I never dreamed in a million years I would run into you and your beautiful wife, and your lovely stewardess, and be invited for a visit. I just don’t know what to say?” Helen speaks with a warm smile, “Just say yes, darling, there’s no reason why you can’t come stay for a spell. We have plenty of room, and the ‘lay of the land’ will heal you and help you center yourself. You can swim in the creek and immerse yourself in its healing properties.” Yanks smiles, and with misty eyes, he says, “Thanks, yes, yes, I would love to!” Jack makes arrangements for Yanks to fly out on a date they both agree on, and Yanks stays at the Frye private residence, the Willow House, for several months. True to her word, Helen nurses Yanks back to a full recovery and Yanks remains close to both her and Jack for the rest of his life. Harriet too, is often at the ranch with the Frye’s, and she is able to spend time with Yanks, riding and walking by the creek. Later, in the early 1960’s Yanks dates another friend of Helen’s, Santa Fe artist Doris Steider, who he met at the Frye Ranch through Helen

Finally, on March 31, 1965, Yanks dies at just 48, his short life, no doubt, a reflection of the horrors he faced as a young man. Yanks was laid to rest with honors at the National Cemetery off North Guadalupe at Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yanks rejoined his brothers who suffered the Battle of Bataan debacle, cut down in their prime, many, never to see American soil again, except at death. (Battle of Bataan, 80-Mile March of Death (under direction of the Japanese Imperial Army) 10,000 men died. This region is now considered one of the most haunted of Asia

Jack Frye, Helen Frye, Harriet Appelwick, Frank Henry ‘Yanks’ Pecarich (July 4th, 1946) Prescott Arizona (1.5 miles from the Frye at Ranch at Sedona). likely The Palace Restaurant on Whiskey Row

Yanks (Gallop) and renowned (Santa Fe) artist Doris Steider (friend of Helen Frye Sedona)

Santa Fe, New Mexico (July 4th, 2019)

Links:

One of the best aircraft links I have ever seen, talk about a long roll out! ‘B36 Peacemaker Six Turning Four Burning‘

 

This is the ‘NEW’ Sedona Legend Helen Frye – the Camelot Years of TWA website, the original rendition launched in 2003 is no longer supported by host Yahoo GeoCities and has been discontinued. The original website will be rebuilt within these pages. The new revised overview title is now ‘The Sedona Frye TWA Story’ with world URL www.sedonatwa.com. This effort is managed and owned by Sedona Legend Publishing. Herein, you will find a historic perspective of Sedona that was nearly lost to time itself, the real HISTORY of Red Rock State Park, a rich and valuable legacy which must not ever be forgotten or swept under the carpet, a showcase of treasured information and documentation. Sedona’s history with Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA), one of the world’s largest and most beloved airlines and how this association helped put Sedona Arizona on the map! Red Rock State Park, a ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Arizona State Park system and one-time private playground of the rich and famous. Originally owned and discovered in 1941 by one of the most glamorous couples in America and one of the greatest aviation legends this country has ever known! An association so powerful, the original identity of the property will always be known as the Frye ‘Smoke Trail Ranch’ and the ‘TWA Ranch at Sedona’. Dare to delve beneath the surface and discover the hidden and forgotten history of one of the most pristine, beautiful, and priceless real estate parcels of the Southwestern United States and the legendary couple who owned it! This website serves to offer readers of the book “Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA” with images which complement the biography. Photos were not included in the publication because of copywrite restrictions. An effort will be made to not include a lot of repetitive narrative on these pages as this can be found when reading the book. This website will be updated and refined as time allows, and as well, the layout will be improved in an easy to navigate format. Please click the following link to purchase the Biography-Novel-Love-Story Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA available on Amazon in soft cover or Kindle. This presentation is best viewed on a Personal Computer

 

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes, some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors with a comprehensive historic overview of the Jack and Helen Frye Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor does it seek, or has it ever accepted, a single donation, it is an independent venture

Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye and was in fact launched at Red Rock State Park when volunteering for (two) 6-month sojourns, this presentation is not a disconnected effort. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm, also thanks to the TWA Museum at Kansas City for their dedication to Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. (Trans World Airlines)

Formerly this effort was called Sedona Legend Helen Frye (the Jack & Helen Frye Story)

Order the Biography-Novel on Amazon ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA’

 

Sedona TWA Online Presentations:

Sedona Legend Entry Page

Standard Airlines – Aero Corporation 1920’s

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1930’s

TWA President Jack Frye Northrop Gamma 2D

Western Air Express

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1940’s

A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – A Memorial to Boeing Superfortress 42-24698

TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A

TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A Robinson

TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Lodestar 18

TWA Executive Mansion Doubleday Washington D.C. 

Winslow Arizona Transcontinental & Western Air  (TWA) Airport

Deer-Lick – Smoke Trail Ranches Sedona Arizona 1940’s 

Helen Vanderbilt Frye Sedona

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (Helen and Neil)

Sedona Frye Tumblr Blog

 

22-years of Research & Presentation – Created By Randall D. Reynolds (Sedona Legend Publishing)
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