Nomad News Vol.5-No.115

SMELLEY'S STINKERS FROM BUZZ BOMB ALLEY:  In the winter of 1944-45, while I was in Belgium, we were in the direct flight path for the German V-1 pulse jet powered flying bombs destined for London.  We called them buzz bombs.  We knew when one was coming when we heard the anti-aircraft batteries in the distance firing at one.  As the next battery in line picked up the target we would soon hear the "put-put" of the  engine and soon it would be in our general area and heading westward toward London.  Often, one would  malfunction and the engine would stop.   It was then a case of waiting to see where it would land.  Fortunately, none ever dropped close or I wouldn't be writing this
     Our squadron was part of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group.  While we already had a unit crest featuring a figure from Greek mythology, I came up with a less than classical idea for  an insignia for Colonel James Smelley's Group.  I wrote a letter to Len Warren, assistant political cartoonist for The Philadelphia Record, who I knew from working at the Record before the war.  I asked Len if he would render his interpretation of an eager beaver with a brown nose and a red derriere riding a buzz bomb and holding a gold brick.  The result was the drawing on the left.  I drew a circle with the words "363rd Photo Reconnaissance Group around the circle and Len's sketch in the middle.  I showed my art to Colonel Smelley  during a visit he made to our squadron.  It went over like a lead balloon.  In fact, I nearly lost my Staff Sergeant stripes.  I understand a more dignified group insignia was approved in 1952 and that Colonel Smelley officially changed his last name to "Shelley" in 1959.  (Copyright-Andrew M. Dolan 2014)
     (P.S.) I have the original sketch of the insignia I showed to Colonel Smelley but I can't lay my hands on it.  When and if I do, I will place it next to Len Warren's art.)