Remembering Skywatch

Dear Editor,

A friend of mine was doing volunteer work at the Montana Historical Society and forwarded this article (below.)

I thought you might like to republish it as it has so many names of old residents. I left Malta in 1957 and recall sitting at the airport with Bernie Sandlie and Harry Whitcomb as they put in time for Skywatch. We played cards and Chess and they watched the sky.

Great old memories.

Regards,

Tom Harrison,

Surprise, Ariz.

65 observers get Wings for Skywatch Activities

Phillips County News, March 3, 1955

The silver wings of the Ground Observer Corps were presented to 35 members of the Malta Volunteer Service Group at a meeting held last Wednesday evening at the City Hall. The wings were presented by Lt. Purdy of the Great Falls airbase after the volunteer workers were introduced by George Walker, post supervisor.

In addition to the 35 pins awarded, about 30 other volunteers who were not present, will receive their awards for service by mail.

A talk by Lt. Prudy and a description of air defense in England during World War II by Rev. J. Reginald Butt of St. Mary's Episcopal Church highlighted the program. There was also the showing of an air defense film and the introduction of all the day chiefs. Refreshments were served by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Veseth.

Wings were awarded to the following volunteers observers: Shirley Fortin, Sig Flom, Barbara Leib, Mr. and Mrs. Harlod Leib, Fred Southwick, Laura Snyder, Mrs. Rex Ulrich, Frances Wright, Mrs. Leon Snyder, Carol Fortin, Roger LaFond, Mrs. George Walker, Frank Schindler, Mrs. Grant Wheeler, Keith Holmes, Mrs. Steve Granat, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Ereaux, Don Davenport, Mary Alice Duty, Betty Duty, Larry Dove, Marfaret Cruikshank, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Costello, Eldon Bates, Rev. J.R. Butt, Clifford Bergsagel, Lynda Folkman, Mrs. Carl Livdahl, Mrs. Levi Ostlund, Gary Paulson, Mrs. Ruby Rothie and Pat Minehan.

The following volunteers will receive their wings by mail: Clarence Beyer, Ted Didier, Christine Halvorson, William Reitmeier, Mrs. Pete Stewart, Mrs. Robert Simpson, Mrs. Paul Stengal, Mrs. L.P. Strope, Bill Veseth, Robert Stenswick, Joe Young, Dick Garlinghouse, LeRoy Ekedahl, N.W. Dobson, Paul Verdon, C.K. Hanson, Eloise Johnson, Mrs. R.G. Monroe, Mrs. Sid Moir, Carol Nelson, Phil Perry, Victor Pcukett, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Rose, Marguerite Runge, Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Robertson, Mrs. Budd Taylor, Mrs. Maude Waters and Bella Sawyer.

Editor's Note: During the Korean War and the early years of the Cold War, the Ground Observer Corp of the Civil Defense were activated in 1950. The group was meant to prevent a sneak air attacks. The unpaid volunteer Ground Observers were needed to fill the gap in the nation's radar defense network that was considered too small – Source, Encyclopedia Dubuque