My cousin died Monday. You can thank him for "South Pacific".

[trof]

And James A. Michener's novels and movies.

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1957

"Probably the most surprised man in Mobile yesterday was W.J. Lambard Sr.

"He was three days late in finding out that his son was somewhat of a hero in expertly ditching an Air Force plane in the Pacific Ocean with no loss of lives to the 13 persons aboard. ... (Lambard) learned of the incident today while at work as secretary-treasurer of the Mobile Harbor Pilots Assn. His son, Capt. Allen C. Lambard , was credited with saving the lives of the 13 persons aboard a C-47 with his expert handling of the aircraft which set down in the sea near Iwo Jima last Friday.

"Among those aboard was James A. Michener , Pulitzer Prize winner for his 'Tales of the South Pacific.'"

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/n...

That's my cousin Allen.
He's told me the story of the ditching (engine failure) and saving Michener's life.

Obit:

Allen Cannon Lambard was born Dec. 7, 1922 in Mobile, Alabama to Bessie Gray Cannon and William Joshua Lambard. He died Nov. 28, 2011 in Camden, Alabama, at age 88.

He attended Marion Military Institute, Marion, Alabama, and graduated from Jackson High School, Jackson, Alabama.

Volunteering at age 18 for the U.S. Navy, he was accepted into flight school as a naval cadet, was trained flying a Stearman and became a "triple threat" pilot, navigator and bombardier. Continued training included graduating from Airborne Radar School, becoming an Advanced Flight Instructor and serving as a member of the Night Fighting Squadron 53, flying the F6F Hellcat.

In 1946 and 1947 he was with the Fighting Squadron FOURTEEN ABLE stationed at Kobler Field, Saipan, and flew missions from the USS Princeton flying the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair. After honorary discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserve, he joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1948.

He served in the Korean War with the 502 Tactical Control Group of the 605th Tactical Control Squadron in Puson, Korea, flying combat supplies to front line troops and working with radar stations.

Other posts included Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida, where he was an instructor with the Radar Bomb Dropping School, Aircraft Control and Warning School and USAF Aircraft Controllers School.

While stationed at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, he received world-wide attention when he crash-landed his disabled C-47 plane in the ocean near Iwo Jima with all persons aboard surviving, including noted author James Michener.

In 1959 he was transferred to England Air Force Base where he served as an Aircraft Control and Warning Controller in addition to flying and instructor responsibilities with the L-20, T-33 and C-123 aircrafts.

After retiring in 1962 with the rank of major, he continued aeronautical training, earning ratings as a helicopter instructor and for flying the Grumman – 1, North American Saberliner and BAC-111, as well as operating a private air charter and flight instruction business. He achieved ratings for single engine, multi-engine, helicopter, seaplane and airline – all ratings offered by the Federal Aviation Agency.

He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Eugene Lambard; grandson, David Allen Lambard; second wife, Annie Earle Turner; and stepson, Bentley Wayne Shamburger.

He is survived by his brother, William Joshua Lambard, Jr. of Gainestown, Alabama; first wife, June Lorene Gilkison of Pineville; wife of 13 years, Betty Jo Kennedy Shamburger Lambard of Pine Hill, Alabama; his son, Allen Cannon Lambard, Jr. and wife, Peggy of Haughton; son, Dr. Warren William Lambard and wife, Georgia of Minden; daughter, Lisa Lambard Norman and husband, Stephen of Alexandria; stepchildren, Robert F. Shamburger of Magnolia, Alabama, Kathryn L. Shamburger Roberts of Dothan, Alabama, Betty Jean Shamburger of Seattle and Brenda Turner Salter of Mobile; and stepdaughter-in-law, Sharon Shamburger of Childersburg, Alabama.

He is also survived by grandchildren, Dr. Brooke Lambard Kyle of Eugene, Oregon, Luke Gilkison Lambard of Dallas, Dr. Piper Lambard Norton of College Station, Texas, Catherine Norman Stead of Dallas, Laura Norman Clerc of Dallas, Matthew Stephen Norman of Muenster, Germany and Melissa Hope Norman of Baton Rouge; great-grandchildren Piper Katherine, Preston Charles and Pace Creighton Kyle of Eugene, Oregon, Mason Donald and Grant Stephen Stead and Emma June Clerc of Dallas; eight step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements have been entrusted to O'Bryant Chapel Funeral Homes, Thomasville, Alabama with visitation today (Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011) from 6 until 8 p.m.

A service will be at Gainestown United Methodist Church, Walker Springs Road, Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 at 11 a.m. with Tommy Gaillard, Pastor, officiating.

Pallbearers will be Richard Lambard Jr., Gross Lambard, Charles Lambard, Luke Lambard, Scott Shamburger and Ronnie Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be George W. Murphy, Frank Shamburger, Wilbur Jackson, Delmer Fletcher, Emmett Alexander and Thomas Edward Autrey.

Visitation before the service will be at 10 a.m., followed by burial in the Lambard family cemetery, Gainestown.

Memorials are suggested to Gainestown United Methodist Church, 513 Hicks Ave., Jackson, Alabama 36545; Pine Hill Baptist Church, PO Box 398, Pine Hill, Alabama 36769 or a charity of one's choice.

[bluesbassman]

1. RIP Allen.

What a carreer. Bet it was a treat to hear his stories!

[RebelOne]

2. He was a real hero. R.I.P Allen. n/t

[ellisonz]

3. R.I.P.

:patriot:

[pink-o]

4. So his 19th b'day was Pearl Harbor Day...

Interesting coincidence or did that influence his choice of Europe or the Pacific during WWII?

My dad is a surviving Vet of that war as well, he'll be 88 in Feb and shows no signs of failing health. He's full of stories and history, and young people love to listen to him. I somehow think your cousin was the same. It's so sad to lose these last living treasures, and I'm sorry for your loss. He must have enriched your life--as saving Michener's has enriched all of ours!

[JohnnyLib2]

5. Truly one of the Greatest Generation

RIP

[elleng]

6. Thanks to him, and to your family.

Highly instrumental in bringing attention to race matters in U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwK8HyAbFZA



:grouphug:

[applegrove]

7. vibes to a great egg.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Rest in Peace, Allen

:patriot:

[Odin2005]

9. May he RIP!!!

:(

[snagglepuss]

10. A remarkable man who did his family proud. May he Rest In Peace.

[Ohio Joe]

11. RIP - nt

[TuxedoKat]

12. So sorry for your loss

and thank you for sharing his amazing story.

[jobycom]

13. A worthy life well lived. Condolences, Trof. I hope your pride in him lessens your grief. nt

[hifiguy]

14. RIP Major Lambard.

What an amazing life. :patriot:

[trof]

15. Just returned from funeral.

Big crowd and more people with my same last name than I've ever been around before. Allen's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

We have a private family cemetery on the grounds of Uncle Billy's farm and we buried Allen there.

Billy is 95 and a retired merchant sea captain. Boy, the yarns HE can spin.

We all went back to Billy's house after the ceremony and the food was fantastic.
In the south we feed you at all occasions.
Weddings, christenings, funerals, whatever.
Everybody brings something.

I also discovered that about a half dozen of us are pilots.
I guess it runs in the family.

Many thanks for all your comments.
It really wasn't a sad time.
It was a celebration of a very interesting life.
trof

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Thank you for introducing us to your cousin, trof.

Just imagine how many lives over the years he has held in his hands.

[trof]

19. Allen was married three times.

Divorced the first one, the second one died, and the third survived him.
The preacher had a hell of a time sorting that out.
;-)

[ellisonz]

18. Sounds like a good time was had...

:toast:

[trof]

20. Yeah, it was a good time.

Lots of stories.

[Arugula Latte]

17. What a great man.

My condolences to your family.

[ellie]

21. Wow! That was very cool!

RIP Allen.

[Rowdyboy]

22. Tom Brokaw had it right-they were the Greatest Generation.....

My admiration for these men and women will never cease. Just last month we buried an 83 year old Army nurse, Mash colonel here in town, a vet who served in Korea and Viet Nam. She went to our gym and walked the treadmill carrying her oxygen tank. One day when the gym was empty she called me over and asked out of the blue asked "Are you gay?". I said "Yeah" and her reply was "I thought so. Me too."

And the stories began.

I wish your cousin the peace he so richly deserves. May all those of that generation find the same... :toast:

[EFerrari]

23. What a handsome man, and a great story.

I do thank him. Michener was one of my favorites, with those novels that begin with an atom and turn into Colorado. :)

[Skittles]

24. wonderful story

:thumbsup:

worthy of General Page posting for Greatest Page nominations, for sure

[DinahMoeHum]

25. Bookmarked. Helluva story.

:patriot::patriot::patriot:

They'll tear down the officers clubs
And write off the overdue subs
So let's drink to their memories
Our heroes and our pals
To those crazy Navy flyers
To those swell Hawaiian gals

The sailors will dance in the street
Then they'll mothball the whole damn fleet
We'll only have the picture books
Of land and sea and foam
`Cause they're sending the old man home


Jimmy Buffett - "Sending the Old Man Home"