Nov. 7, 1969,: "FAMED SNOOPY GOES HOME": KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE: "Snoopy has returned home from Southeast Asia. This Snoopy is a real life black and white beagle-plus dog, with two full tours of duty to his credit as a member of the US Air Force's Batcats, the 553rd Reconnaisance Wing at Korat Royal Thai AFB...Though credited with 158 missions and more than 1,500 hours in the EC-121 Constellation, Snoopy's trip home was in a civilian airplane from Bangkok. Snoopy flew home to Detroit, via London. He was to be met by former SSgt. James H. Robinson, III, his old buddy and master.
Snoopy began his Air Force career on June 12, 1967, when an Eglin AFB, FL. airman purchased him for $3 from the Fort Walton Beach dog pound. The airman won a $25 prize for finding a dog that most resembled Snoopy of the Peanuts comic strip, as a wing mascot for the newly formed 553rd. Snoopy went first to Otis AFB, then to Korat, Thailand with his outfit. On June 12, 1968, Snoopy celebrated his first wing birthday and the Batcats commander presented him with the unofficial Sky Badge Award and Snoopy Wings with First Cluster. Snoopy was present at most 553rd events and significant happenings. He was usually the first to arrive and the last to leave, always a friendly greeter for USO troupes and visiting dignitaries. Snoopy often forgot the dignity of his position to chase a truckload of sentry dogs.
During his two-year tenure in Thailand, the sad-eyed mascot became internationally famous. Newspapers carried articles on the flying mascot. He was introduced to the press in the Presidential Suite of a Bangkok hotel prior to his departure for Detroit and civilian life." Besides Detroit, he lived in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Galveston, San Jose and El Cerito, CA. He enjoyed riding in cars, on motorcycles and in boats. They took him fishing numerous times. He also enjoyed swimming. He lived a full life; a life that many humans could only hope for.
Snoopy lived and travelled over a decade as a pampered civilian, passing away in 1980, in Dallas, Texas. His master, former SSgt. James "Robby" Robinson, passed away July 10, 2011. Snoopy's probably chasing the sentry dogs in Heaven!
--Excerpts from various newspaper and military items about Snoopy. Photos taken by various folks who flew with, and loved, Snoopy---
Nov. 7, 1969,: "FAMED SNOOPY GOES HOME": KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE: "Snoopy has returned home from Southeast Asia. This Snoopy is a real life black and white beagle-plus dog, with two full tours of duty to his credit as a member of the US Air Force's Batcats, the 553rd Reconnaisance Wing at Korat Royal Thai AFB...Though credited with 158 missions and more than 1,500 hours in the EC-121 Constellation, Snoopy's trip home was in a civilian airplane from Bangkok. Snoopy flew home to Detroit, via London. He was to be met by former SSgt. James H. Robinson, III, his old buddy and master.
Snoopy began his Air Force career on June 12, 1967, when an Eglin AFB, FL. airman purchased him for $3 from the Fort Walton Beach dog pound. The airman won a $25 prize for finding a dog that most resembled Snoopy of the Peanuts comic strip, as a wing mascot for the newly formed 553rd. Snoopy went first to Otis AFB, then to Korat, Thailand with his outfit. On June 12, 1968, Snoopy celebrated his first wing birthday and the Batcats commander presented him with the unofficial Sky Badge Award and Snoopy Wings with First Cluster. Snoopy was present at most 553rd events and significant happenings. He was usually the first to arrive and the last to leave, always a friendly greeter for USO troupes and visiting dignitaries. Snoopy often forgot the dignity of his position to chase a truckload of sentry dogs.
During his two-year tenure in Thailand, the sad-eyed mascot became internationally famous. Newspapers carried articles on the flying mascot. He was introduced to the press in the Presidential Suite of a Bangkok hotel prior to his departure for Detroit and civilian life." Besides Detroit, he lived in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Galveston, San Jose and El Cerito, CA. He enjoyed riding in cars, on motorcycles and in boats. They took him fishing numerous times. He also enjoyed swimming. He lived a full life; a life that many humans could only hope for.
Snoopy lived and travelled over a decade as a pampered civilian, passing away in 1980, in Dallas, Texas. His master, former SSgt. James "Robby" Robinson, passed away July 10, 2011. Snoopy's probably chasing the sentry dogs in Heaven!
--Excerpts from various newspaper and military items about Snoopy. Photos taken by various folks who flew with, and loved, Snoopy---
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