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EMAIL US		 bullet Sterling CULPS Parents: Henry Burrell CULPS and Mary Eliza F. CLEMENTS.

bullet Steven Wayne CULPS was born on NOV 4 1959 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Parents: Donald Wayne CULPS and Berta Jean MCCLUNG.

bullet Sue Mae CULPS was born on MAY 12 1908 in Tennessee. Parents: Robert O. CULPS and Alice COLE.

bulletTerrell CULPS was born on MAR 23 1926 in Limestone Co., AL. He was buried in 1987 in Westland, Michigan, Cadillac, Memorial Gardens. He died on DEC 24 1987 in Wayne, Michigan. His wife

He was found dead in his apartment. He was believed to have been dead 2 or 3 days. Natural causes. (Letter from his sister, Galier Bailes, RIN 427). Parents: William Shields CULPS and Leona SWANNER.

Children were: Terry Dean CULPS, David Shields CULPS.

bulletTerry Dean CULPS. Parents: Terrell CULPS and Lettie WAY.

bulletThelma Jean CULPS was born on APR 7 1934. Parents: Aaron Flenoy CULPS and Florence Tennie BURNS.

Children were: Diana Lynn DUNCAN, William Earl DUNCAN, Teresa Fay COLLINS.

bulletTommy Lee CULPS Photo was born on MAR 30 1966. Parents: George Lee CULPS and Dorothy Jane UNKNOWN.

bullet Tommy Lewis CULPS was born on OCT 7 1947 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. He died on SEP 6 1952. Parents: Robert Lewis CULPS and Modena Love HAWKINS.

bullet Una Elaine CULPS Photo was born on NOV 18 1933 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. notes Parents: George Dewey CULPS and Nona Delma Nonie LANDRY .

She was married to Curtis Lee HARTMAN on AUG 20 1951 in Jacinto City, Harris County, Texas, First Baptist. Children were: Janet Lea HARTMAN, Kenneth Ralph HARTMAN, Allen Leroy HARTMAN.

bullet Vernon Claud Burnie CULPS Photo was born on JAN 18 1925 in Port Arthur, Jefferson Co., TX. Notes
The following comments are from Vernon Claud Culps, August 1999.

Some of my earlier childhood memories were, visiting with my grandmothers, Effie May (Hall) Culps at her home on Azle Ave. in Fort Worth, Texas, and Rosalee (Vincent) Landry on a
farm near Sulfur, Louisiana. At that time grandmother Rosalee was married to
Joseph M. Elender, whom we called Daddy Joe. I never knew either of my
natural grandfathers because they had both died before I was born. My Brother
Wallace (Wally) and I spent several memorable weeks during the summer with
Grandmother Culps (before my sister Elaine was born). We would always hate
to leave after one week of fun at her house, and could usually talk our
parents into letting us stay another week. She was a very patient and loving
Grandmother. We went to Grandmother Elender's for short visits, but Daddy Joe
would always entertain us kids by letting us take a ride on one of his farm
mules.
At the time their house did not have electricity, and they used oil lamps for
light, their chairs were hand crafted and the seats were made from cow hides. The
house always had the aroma of freshly ground coffee. (from a coffe grinder on the wall)

My memory of my early childhood was a very happy one, even though part of it
was during the depression when my parents were having a hard time keeping
food on the table. Fortunately I was unaware of their struggle. My teenage
years were also good, I was fortunate to live, most of the time, close to a
park in Austin Texas where most of my friends gathered for games and other activities
arranged by two very fine park directors. When World War II started we moved
to Houston, Texas where my Father was employed by Brown & Root to work in
the ship yard building war ships. I finished my last year of high school
there and enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps, as a flying cadet in June of 1943.

After a lot of moving around during my early school life, the Dewey Culps
family stopped long enough for me to finish elementary school and attend Allen, Jr.
High School in Austin, Texas. When I was 16 and attending Allen, Jr. High, I
met Patsy (Pat) Jean Whitley (age 14) in typing class. Two years later, while I
was in the Air Corps, stationed in San Antonio, Texas and visiting the Alamo, I asked
Pat to marry me. Pat agreed and we picked out an engagement ring. We agreed
to wait until WW II was over before we got married. After the war, and before I
was discharged, we were married in Austin, Texas December 2, 1945, and
moved to Riverside California until I was discharged.

Pat and I moved to Austin after my discharge (February 28, 1946). I had
several jobs that did not work for me, so I took advantage of the G.I.
educational benefits to study Accounting. During this time, Pat & I had one still born
child.
We thought we could not have another child, so we adopted Paul Wayne (He
was born May 15, 1955, in Houston, Harris County Texas and we got him July 5,
1955, in Austin, Texas). That same month I went to work for the Internal
Revenue Service as an Internal Revenue Agent in Houston, Texas. Our natural daughter
Cindy Jean (Culps) Hickman was born May 7, 1961, in a Pasadena, Texas
Hospital. We lived in Houston until 1967 when I was transferred to the Dallas
Texas Appeals office. We bought a house in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

I finished my Government career in Dallas and retired January 3, 1983, at age
58.
When I applied for my Social Security benefits, I requested a new birth
certificate from Jefferson County, Texas. The certificate showed my name as
"Veron Claude (with an e) Culp." I don't know if the county records show this
information or someone was a very bad typist. As long as the Social Security
office accepted it I did not follow up to see. After retiring I started
playing golf, and Pat took up oil painting. I am not a very good golfer, but Pat has
received several awards and certificates for her art work.

Parents: George Dewey CULPS and Nona Delma Nonie LANDRY.

He was married to Patsy Jean (Pat) WHITLEY on DEC 2 1945 in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Children were: Paul Wayne CULPS (Adopted), Cindy Jean CULPS.

bullet Virgel CULPS was born on DEC 7 1919 in Limestone Co., AL. Lives Rt. 1, Ardmore, AL 35739. Parents: William Shields CULPS and Leona SWANNER.

Children were: Glenda F. CULPS .

bulletVivian Vera (Virginia) CULPS was born on NOV 30 1912. She was buried in 1982 in Franklin, Kentucky, Greenlawn. She died on JAN 5 1982 in Franklin, Kentucky. Parents: Henry Robert CULPS and Zania Thomas DAVIDSON.

She was married to Olby Horace (Kidd) ROBERTS on MAY 29 1933. Children were: Larry Horace ROBERTS.

bullet W. A. Stephen CULPS was born on FEB 8 1883 in Alabama. He died on FEB 11 1887. Parents: Henry Burrell CULPS and Mary Eliza F. CLEMENTS.

bullet Wallace David CULPS Photo was born on OCT 13 1952 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX. This was my first son. I still remember the feelings that I had. I could not believe that 'I' would or could have a child. What would he look like? Would he have any of my physical features? Would he be healthy? I prayed several times that he would not be deformed and or have any other health problems. I was serious about the matter. I, as a Baptist, dedicated him to the Lord, like Samuels mother. He turned out to be healthy but like any other child or Adult. No special calling that I can observe. He loves computers and programing. Works with Union Carbide as a systems analyist, in Houston, TX. Parents: Wallace Douglas CULPS and Brooksie Nell WHITFIELD.

He was married to Melody Irene ANDERS (Adopted) in 1977 in Pasadena, Harris, TX, 1st Baptist. He was divorced from Melody Irene ANDERS (Adopted) in OCT 1996 in Houston. TX. Children were: Amanda Kay CULPS, Daniel David CULPS, Michelle Angela CULPS.

bullet Wallace Douglas CULPS Photo was born on DEC 19 1922 in Lowellville, Mahoning Co., OH. He served in the military on JUN 6 1942 in Houston, TX. He received a degree in Baylor Waco, TX on MAY 27 1951 in Batchelor of Arts. He retired on FEB 28 1981 in Pasadena, TX. Was born in Ohio. Moved several times as a boy, because my father earned his living following construction work, changed schools too often, and finally, after finishing high school in Austin, TX (Austin High, Maroons), went into the Army Air Force from Houston, TX. Served as a tail gunner on a 4 engined B-24 in WW II, was shot down near Canton, China, escaped with the help of Chinese guerillas, and after 11 months and 19 days overseas returned to the States. Served as gunnery instructor and reference librarian with Military Intelligence. Dischared from Service Oct 10, 1945.

Went to school in Waco for the Baptist ministry. From there to Ft.Worth for 2 1/2 years at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastored 5 SBC churches, but felt I made a mistake in my calling. Went to work for State of Texas (Welfare Dept; T.E.C Tax Dept.) for 27 years and finally retired at the age of 58.

Received Baptism of the Holy Spirit in April 1960 under ministry of J.R. Goodwin, 1st Assembly of God, Pasadena, TX. Pastored one independent Spirit filled Baptist chuch in Houston for 18 months, but still, I was not satisfied in the ministry.

Took flying lessons from Orange Co. airport. First solo was on 8/24/1978. Received pilots license shortly afterward from FAA in Lake Charles, La.

Notes from my military service in China during WWII:
RAID ON TIEN HO AIRDROME DECEMBER 24, 1943. (...by Wallace D. Culps)
On Christmas eve morning, flight officers from 4 heavy bombardment squadrons of
the 308th Bombardment Group met for a 06:00 briefing at Kweilin, Kwangsi Province on
mainland China. These squadrons were the 425th, 373rd, 374th and 375th, made up of 36 four engined B-24 Liberator bombers. The Kweilin airfield was in a forward area, close to Japaneese occupied China; a few hundred miles from our home base at Chenkung. The briefing room was small, so the enlisted men were unable to be in the meeting. Flight Officer Harold Linahan, pilot and commander of the "Johnnnie Doughboy" crew, explained the mission to us.
The target is to be White Cloud airdrome located at Canton, China, near the coast. The
objective of the raid is to destroy grounded Japanese aircraft”. He said, “Fighter interception is expected and that anti-aircraft fire at the target will be heavy. The initial point (first turning point) will be 60 miles north-east of Canton, where a southwest run on the target will begin. After the bomb release, all aircraft will make a right turn and take a heading for Kunming (14th Air Force Hdqtrs.). Each air-craft will be fueled with 2,500 gallons of gasoline, loaded with 3,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition, and 12 - 250 pound bombs, fused instantaneously. (to shower grounded aircraft with shrapnel). Thirty six B-24's will form in 12 flights of 3 planes at an altitude of 3,000 feet, and will rendezvous with thirty six P-40 fighters over the field at 09:00 AM.
Of the 9 original planes of the 374th squadron, one was shot down over Hankow, China in
August of 1943. The whole crew was lost. The "Johnnie Doughboy" was a replacement. I was not an original member of that crew. My plane was named the "Jinx" because our crew was identified as crew 13. The "Jinx" was on the red cross (disabled because of engine problems), so I was not schedule to fly on this mission, but fate had scheduled other plans. The tail gunner (Paul Yates) on the "Johnnie Doughboy" fell sick, so the squadron commander assigned me to take his place for this one mission.
Before we could start the mission, the warning tower sent up a red ball alert, indicating
that there were Jap raiders within a radius of 50 miles from the field. The crews boarded their
planes and started their "put puts" (auxiliary power plants), The radio and machine guns needed power for operation as they had electrical gunsights and firing mechanisms. We tuned our radios to the warning network. (this was a network of ground observers located at various distances from Jap installations.) Reports came from them that 30 Jap planes had taken off from Canton. They were flying in formations of 20 planes at a high altitude and 10
at a lower altitude, indicating a possible strafing attack. B-24 crews manned each gun position inside the planes.
Engines were started so that the planes could be taxied to a dispersal area. We were
parked on the taxi strip with 8 other B- 24's. The lead ship started to move but accidentally ran the tip of his wing into a telephone pole, blocking the rest of us where we were. This, of course made a good target for strafing. I felt a bit apprehensive. The "put put" on our ship ran out of fuel, forcing us to leave the plane (I was glad). We started running in the direction of an under ground tunnel, dug by the Chinese as a public air raid shelter.
Soon, a second red ball was raised. This indicated that the Japs were only ten minutes away. The fighters (P-40's) were already in the air patrolling at various altitudes. I remember being very nervous at the prospect of having the Japs drop bombs on the field.
Almost like an answer to prayer, the sky began to get cloudy and a low overcast began
to cover the field. We waited at the, entrance to the tunnel for about 30 minutes but no Jap
raiders came. Later, we learned that a few of our fighters made interception of the Jap
planes about 5 minutes flying time from the field. They jetti- soned their bombs and
retreated. Neither side suffered any losses. Probably, the reason the Japs did not try to
come in was due to the low overcast protecting the field. (I'm sure that you have noticed
that I use Jap or Japs instead of Japanese, in those days, we had no respect for them as a
nation).
Our fighters returned to the field and proceeded to land and then refuel for their
escort mission with us. At about 11:00 o'clock engines were started and we taxied to the
end of the runway. The squadron leader, who smashed his wing tip when he hit the
telephone pole, was forced to use another bomber. (He bumped someone)
Engines were "run up" and all essentials were checked. The squadron leader began
his take off run and slowly climbed into the air. He was followed by the other planes at
one minute intervals. The "Johnny Doughboy" was the sixth ship into the air.
Squadrons began to form. (The lead plane would not only climb but would make a
long drawn-out turn to the left. The second plane would follow suit except that he would
make a shorter inside turn to the left. The third plane likewise with an even shorter left
turn, etc. The lead plane would deepen his turn and start to come back toward the other
planes until they all met) After the squadrons formed then came the group rendezvous
(made up of four squadrons). The 373rd squadron was leading, the 425th was in the
number two position, our squadron, the 374th was in the number three position and our
ship was number 3 in the 2nd flight (left outside) and the 375th squadron filled the
diamond.
I heard the intercom begin to crackle, "Pilot to crew, do you see our escort?" Then
my answer, "Tail gunner to pilot, I see 8 fighters at 6:00 o'clock low, climbing. Waist
gunner to pilot, 4 ships at 9:00 o'clock, same altitude."
The formation took a heading for the initial point and was fast gathering its escort of
36 fighters. The sky was cloudless but a heavy haze made ground observation difficult and
seemed to be getting worse.
It was past noon when I heard the intercom crackle again. "Navigator to crew, fit
your oxygen masks. We have reached an altitude of 13,000 feet. Gunners be on the alert,
We have crossed into enemy territory." Several minutes later the formation began making
a turn, as we had reached the initial point. We took a new heading in order to make a
northeast to southwest run on the White Cloud Airdrome at Canton. (in peace times this is
commercial airport)
The navigator called again and told us we were 50 miles from the target and at an
altitude of 16,500 feet. A few more minutes, and we reached our bombing altitude of
17,000 feet. As I heard the bomb bay doors began to open, I felt the outside air rush into
the open bomb bay and cause the airplane to strain and shutter from the in-rushing wind.
I felt a little nervous, not only from what is happening to the airplane but in
anticipation of what lay ahead. We are now only 10 seconds from the bomb release
point. The heavy ground haze has prevented accurate observation! The navigator came
on the air and said with a high pitched voice, "The lead plane has made a mistake! We
are making a run on the wrong target." (It was the auxiliary field for White Cloud, a
place called Tien Ho airdrome.)
I had been watching our escort of fighters planes on the left side of the plane (my
right, as I was sitting backwards). On the lower nose of the P-40 are the huge teeth of a
tiger shark, symbol of the ‘Flying Tigers’, now a part of Gen. Claire Chennaults' 14th Air
Force. Each of the fighters had an auxiliary gasoline tank attached to the bottom of the
plane to give it added range. I noticed that two of the P-40's dropped these tanks. They
always did this before going into combat as these tanks are highly inflammable.
At that moment I heard this, "Waist gunner to all positions, P-40's are dropping
their auxiliary tanks, Jap Zero at 10:00 o'clock high. One Zero came in from the front,
diving as he came toward the 8:00 o'clock position, low. I managed a few short bursts
from my two .50 caliber tail turret guns but he was going so fast that it felt futile to even
try to hit him. Three more came from about 2:00 o'clock, high, diving down about 2,000
feet below the formation, then they pulled up in a steep climb to the left, away from the
formation.
The nose gunner called out a new attack from about 11 o'clock, suddenly our
plane went into some violent uncontrolled maneuvers. The ship banked to the left of the
formation, dropped into a steep dive, pulled up, shuddering violently and vibrating like it
was about to shake itself to pieces. It then fell into another steep bank, again to the left
and started loosing altitude fast. I saw smoke pouring past the tail, apparently from one
of the engines. I immediately opened the tail turret doors, almost in a panic, and looked
into the waist of the airplane to see about the rest of the crew.
The plane was filled with smoke. The crew were putting on their parachutes. I
climbed quickly out of my turret, squatted behind it and glanced out through the tail for
enemy fighters, then back to the waist. I started to climb back into the turret for fear of
attack from the rear. Finally, I realized that we were badly hit. Ripping off my oxygen
mask, I threw it to the floor.
I reached for my chest type parachute and snapped it to the harness that I was wearing. I then made my way to the camera hatch where Lt. Swanson was bending over the camera. I glanced out the waist window and I saw that the number 2 engine was trailing smoke, and the left landing gear had fallen down in a landing position. That partly explained why the airplane was falling to the left. I helped Swanson remove the big camera so that we could bail-out, if the pilot gave us orders to do so.
The left wing suddenly dropped into a steeper bank and made a screaming noise
similar to the sounds Hollywood creates with a falling airplane. It was very scary. I was
thrown to the floor and could feel pressure holding me down. The pilot never gave us any
orders to abandon ship. He had apparently been killed. Lt. Swanson looked at me and I at
him. He then hung his feet through the camera hatch, in the bottom of the airplane,
and went out, feet first.
At one time I started to go out first but hesitated, thinking that if the plane regained control I would be out there all alone. When I saw Lt. Swanson go, then immediately I crawled on my hands and knees to the opening and went out head first.
Hitting the air was like stepping to the ground from a fast moving car. I immediately started tumbling head over heels. I savagely tried to find some way to control my wild-falling, but couldn't. Unfortunately none of the air crews had been given any parachute training before now. Seems like we always try prayer last. It felt as if some one just took hold of my body and put me in a sitting position.
I saw the plane pass over me, still banking sharply. The pilot’s cabin was engulfed in a blazing Inferno. The flames were crackling like a fire in a forest being swept by a high wind. I knew the crew in the front part of the plane did not have a chance.
I was now falling in a half reclining position. I had no sensation of falling. Hoever, I knew I was, because I could feel the wind passing around my body. I watched the plane moving away from me. Suddenly it made a wide 180 degree turn and started coming toward me.
Needless to say I called on the Lord again. I have never seen prayer answered so quickly. Now, this is the second answer. The airplane just went into a flat spin, dropping straight down to the ground, being consumed by this huge mass of flames.

I could tell I was still very high but couldn't tell how close to the ground I was getting. I began to spin slowly but I found that I could control this just by moving my legs up or down. I came close to turning over doing this and it put a scare into me.
I was able to see the after-explosions of the bombs on the field from the
formation, even though I do not remember seeing any of the bombers, not even any
Zeros. Other survivors said that they did see a few Zeros. I later learned that several
P-40 pilots saw us bail out and covered our landing.
I looked up and saw four other parachutes quite a distance above me. By now I
decided it was time to make a decision about pulling the rip cord of my parachute. I
started counting ... I don't remember how far but soon decided it was time to take action.
I took the parachute ring into my hand and pulled it with all of my might. Nothing
happened. The ring came, off into my hand, dangling a little short cable. I thought I had
broken it. I wildly tore at the pack, but almost immediately, the parachute came out and
strung out above me and popped open. I received such a jolt that I wrenched my back
and must have lost consciousness for a short time, because I have no recollection of the
airplane hitting the ground.
I looked toward the ground and saw that the airplane had crashed and was burning
over a wide area, with heavy black smoke everywhere. Once again I looked up but still
saw only 4 parachutes. Six of 11 on board had bailed out, I think. I looked back at the ground in a different direction and saw several Chinese civilians working in a field. They apparently never noticed the descending chutes. My parachute was now beginning to swing from side to side, but I finally was able to stop this by pulling on the opposite parachute cords to that of the swing.
I experienced another miraculous answer to prayer. The fire from the airplane was
burning over such a large area that I found myself descending into the flames. The wind
was calm. I tried to pull one side of my chute to try and make it go in a another direction. I
pulled so hard I nearly collapsed one side but I just did not know quite what to do. I called
on the Lord, again. The wind started to blow. it blew hard enough to carry me away from
the flames. The astonishing thing to me was that after this, the wind became calm again.
The ground began coming up at me at a fast clip. I was heading into a bank about 3
feet high. I was still swinging slightly and went into the bank backwards. I expected a
pretty hard jolt. On touching the ground with my feet, I just let my body go limp and
experienced a surprisingly easy landing. Unsnapping my chute from the harness and pulling
off my heavy flying shoes (it was cold at 17,000 ft.), I took off in a run across a road, and
into a plowed field towards one of the other crew members who was coming down. It was
Al Giebel, the ball turret gunner.
By the time I had gotten to him, I had exhausted myself and sat down in a clump of
bushes and took off my parachute hardness. We saw two other chutes coming down and
we decided to try to get together. We took off, in a run, across the road again, in the
opposite direction of our burning plane.
Two Chinese civilians approached us and made motions for us to move out of this
area. After moving a short way we saw a Jap Zero flying in the direction of one of the
chutes that was still in the air. We could hear the pilot throttle back his engine to slow the
flight of his plane. Then we saw white smoke curling back over the leading edge of his
wings, then we saw two tracer bullets and then came the sound of his machine guns. He
strafed Terry Humphries to death.
When I saw this, I quickly slid into a five foot ditch and hugged the sides with my
body and stuck my head down in the dirt. There was a good sized tree nearby that gave me
a little more protection. That could have been me up there (I only weighed 120 lbs.) but,
God somehow gave me the courage to refrain from pulling my rip cord at a higher altitude.
Al and I got separated from each other at this point for a little while. The Zero flew
on over. As I lay there, I could hear his engine fading in the distance.
I was again approached by the same two Chinese civilians. One pointed to the money belt that I was wearing around my waist, suggesting he wanted money. With- out arguing I
took the belt off and tried to tear it open. It was sewed together by machine. There was no
opening and I couldn't get to the money. (For emergencies, the air force furnished each of
us with $2,000 Chinese CN, worth about $200 American dollars). One of the men handed
me a knife which I used to cut the belt open. The first thing I found was a silk map of China,
a Chinese language dictionary called a "Pointee -Talkee", a small thumb-nail size compass,
and some silver Indian (India) rupee’s. The Chinese wanted all of the money, but I finally
satisfied him with $400 CN for he and his buddy.
After taking my money, he pointed to my high school class ring, which I also gave him. Then He wanted my flight Jacket. At this point, we heard the engine of another Zero so l left my "new friends" and jumped off the bank down into the ditch again and up into some high grass. I don't know where they disappeared to. As soon as the Zero passed over me I started moving away f'rom this area because of a nearby road. Hardly, had I moved when another Zero flew over. It began to look like I might get caught If I did not get away from here pretty soon.
Out of the ditch I came and up one of the mountain trails, where I found Al sitting In
the grass. Together, we started again and before we had gone 100 yards we heard another
Zero. Once more we started clawing dirt. We decided that we would have a better chance
to move if we went down into a nearby narrow valley. (We didn't know at the time that our
P-40 fighters had covered us long enough for most of us to get on the ground.
After this the Japanese fighters circled the area of our wrecked airplane trying to find us.)
We made it to this small valley and started walking parallel to our burning airplane.
Several Chinese civilians, on top of one of the hills, motioned excitedly for us to keep
moving. While approaching a Chinese village, we had to duck another Zero.
Stopping at the outskirts of this village, Al and I debated as whether to take a chance
on locating a group of Chinese guerrillas (underground civilian soldiers) or wait until we
were further away from the wreckage. We decided to by-pass this village an go on. Just as
we started to climb one of the hills, 4 Chinese men saw us, and came to the edge of the
village. They made excited motions for us come inside. They were civilians and they could
be the help that we were looking for. (Briefing officers had told us many times about the
several bands of Chinese guerrilla fighters that were helping downed American flyers)
The four officers of a flight crew carried .45 automatic pistols, the engineer was the
only enlisted man that carried a side arm. The rest of us did not have them, however, before
I left on this mission, Roland Hamel, our Jinx crew engineer said to me, "Take my weapon
with you". This was the first time in 77 missions that I wore a side arm. (There were so
many coincidences on this mission that I could not help but believe that all this was the
Lord's plan, just for me.)
We decided to go into the village but to go with our guns in our hands. (I don't
remember where Al got his gun) Not that we would have been any kind of match with a
group of trained Japanese soldiers but it was still a comfort to know that we could have put
up a fight if we had to do so. Al went first with his .45 drawn. I covered him until he was
about a 100 yards in front of me and then I started to go in.
The Chinese turned and started walking into the center of this small village and we
followed them. Just outside we saw one of the crew standing in a rice paddy but we were
unable to recognize him from where we were. He was wearing Chinese clothing. Upon
closing the distance we discovered that it was Lt. Swanson, the photographer. He had
contacted the guerrillas and made arrangements for disguise. (Soldiers are not supposed to
be out of uniform, especially if caught by the enemy).
These men led us out of the village along some narrow trails formed by dikes from
the rice paddies. Zero's again! However, this, time, instead of ducking, we walked along
the trail in single file. The planes were higher than before, so we felt like they could not
distinguish Americans from Chinese.
Upon reaching a large area of tall bushes we stopped, removed our flying jackets,
and pajama looking blue heated flying suit's. We ripped out the identification flag sewed in
the backs of our jackets. It contained a message in Chinese characters, explaining who we
were and that a reward would be paid for any one bringing home American airman. We
kept these flags on our person.
Swanson lost the pants of his uniform but kept his shirt. I kept my complete uniform,
however by this time every button on my shirt had been ripped off. One of the Chinese
guerrilla's took off his black shirt. He was stripped to the waist and gave his shirt to me to
wear as a disguise to cover part of my uniform. This overwhelmed me to actually witness
some one giving the shirt off his back to another person. Of course, he was eventually paid.
Swanson's costume was complete except for shoes. He had also obtained a large straw hat.
Al was given a shirt too. The Chinese then disposed of all our flying clothes.
Taking the lead was a young Chinese man, not very tall in stature. He wore one pant
leg rolled up to his knee. Walking approximately one quarter mile, we paused at the edge
of a second village. At one house, two women came to meet the men. They disappeared
inside and shortly returned with a pitcher of hot tea. We tried to pay these people for the
clothes and hot tea but they refused to take anything.... contrary to my earlier experience.
They absolutely refused to take any thing for the help they had rendered. They would throw
up their hands to say no to every attempt that we made to pay them.
There was no verbal communication between the two groups as none of us spoke
Chinese and they spoke no English. On leaving, we were led a short distance from this
village into a thickly brushed area for hiding. The leader soon left but he had two men stay
with us. All three of us begin taking inventory of the stuff we carried on our person and
disposed of all identification. Swanson fingered through several pages of the
Pointee-Talkee and showed one of the men a phrase asking how far we were from the
nearest Japanese. The Chinese crossed his two forefingers simulating the sign for 10. In the
back of the book were numbers and Swanson showed them to him. The Chinese pointed to
“10 Li". Examining the explanation of “Li", Swanson found that we were only three and
one half miles from the Japs. A “Li" measures one third of a mile.
We were shot down after noon, about 1:00 p.m. None of us had a watch, but
estimated the time now to be about 3:00 p.m. Over head, Zero's continued to patrol the area
until late in the day.
Not more than an hour after the leader left he returned with two more men. They
were carrying food for the party. Every one ate with with chop-sticks (not easy to use) and
made short work of the rice and hard bacon like fat. Afterward the two left with their
utensils. We then just sat around on the ground until the leader finally decided that it was
time to move out.
Stopping at the same village for more complete disguises, Al and I each, were given a
pair of pants. They had no belt loops but were large enough in the waist to wrap around us
twice. By folding the waist over and tucking it in would hold the pants up. We were also
given old "beat-up" felt hats to wear. Once more we tried to pay these Chinese but they
refused. However, the leader made signs to give this family money anyway. They finally
accepted 100 CN.
By this time night had fallen. The leader and one other Chinese acted as guide and
proceeded along the trail. They made sure we were carrying our .45's in our hand. The
guides were unarmed at this point. The trail led down a valley and through some farm land.
The sky was clear but there was no moon. Things were generally quiet and very few people
were moving around. Dogs, in the distance, were barking and making most of the noise,
except when Al would call out a warning of a ditch or foot bridge. Having nothing better to
do, he counted out foot steps and informed us when we had covered a mile. The two
Chinese were in the lead, followed by Al, then me and lastly Swanson, bringing up the rear.
A few Chinese were met along the way and words were exchanged by our leaders.
Nothing happened the first few miles but then a search light was turned on, to our rear,
spotting hillsides but not getting very close to us. it caused more dogs to start barking.
We soon outdistanced the searchlight and approached an unlighted village. Upon
entering this village we sat down while the leaders proceed to wake-up the occupants of one
of the mud huts. A fire was started in the fireplace. Activity began to pick-up in a couple of
houses down from this one. Shortly, we were ushered into the second house.
A bed was pointed out, in the corner of the room, and signs were made to use It,
which we did. The bed was supported by what looked like sawhorses. Four boards were
laid across them and a straw mat was added for a mattress, making a pretty rough bed. (I
saw first hand what it's like to be poor, really poor.) The house was made of adobe and the
floors were dirt. The main food was rice, sometimes chicken and bean sprouts. (during my
11 plus months overseas, I saw many Chinese and Indians dead, on the streets, from
starvation).
While we were taking it easy, the Chinese were cooking food in the fireplace. After
about 30 minutes they motioned for us to get up and sit at their chow table. The table was
built very close to the ground and the stools stood no higher then 6 inches. We sat on the
stools, which was incorrect. The Chinese squatted on top of them, which was the correct
way. Rice was served along with bamboo shoots. The lighting system consisted of a small
burning flame on a stick stuck into a crack on the side of the wall. Other homes used a
burning wick placed in an oil filled saucer.
We observed an old grandfather clock on the wall. I'm sure It had been stopped a
long time. Several men came in while we were eating and helped themselves to a ‘spot of
tea. One of these men handed me an identification tag, like those worn by the Chinese
army. We came to the conclusion that he was, in some way, connected to the army. He then
showed us an American made .38 cal. pistol. We were now pretty well satisfied that we
were in good hands.
This was an 11 day journey. We arrived at home base with the help of Chinese civilians, the Chinese Army and lastly the American Army and Airforce, We were greeted warmly and heartily by all of the personal at Chenkung, including our commanding officer, Maj. Burnett.

Parents: George Dewey CULPS and Nona Delma Nonie LANDRY.

He was married to Brooksie Nell WHITFIELD on FEB 19 1950 in Keys Valley, Bell Co., TX. He was divorced from Brooksie Nell WHITFIELD on NOV 2 1976 in Houston. Children were: Wallace David CULPS, James Douglas (Jim) CULPS.

He was married to Janette Adair Jan REAGAN on NOV 3 1976 in Houston, Harris Co., TX. He was divorced from Janette Adair Jan REAGAN on OCT 18 1979 in Jefferson Co..

He was married to Mary Jane OZIO Robin on OCT 3 1980 in Beaumont, Jefferson, TX, Church of God. He was divorced from Mary Jane OZIO Robin on JAN 27 1984 in Jefferson Co..

He was married to Elizabeth (Beth) OUSLEY on MAY 9 1987 in Alvin, Brazoria Co, Texas. He was divorced from Elizabeth (Beth) OUSLEY on APR 16 1988 in Brazoria Co..

He was married to Elizabeth (Beth) OUSLEY on SEP 18 1988 in Bridge City, Orange, TX.

bullet Wally Glen CULPS was born on MAY 28 1964. Parents: Weldon Wiley CULPS and Donna Suphin TAYLOR.

bullet Wayne CULPS Parents: Shields Kenneth CULPS and Louise FERRELL.

bullet Weldon Wiley CULPS was born on SEP 13 1943 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Parents: Robert Lewis CULPS and Modena Love HAWKINS.

He was married to Donna Suphin TAYLOR on NOV 9 1963. Children were: Wally Glen CULPS , Patricia Lynn CULPS.

bulletWilliam Anthony CULPS Photo was born about 1799 in North Carolina, (Virginia?). Decendent, Geo. Dewey Culps (deceased), my father visited with some of the Tennessee family members in about 1978. He made notes of his informal interviews and it is from these notes that the statements in this file are made.

William began his life between 1790 and 1800. He was born in North Carolina or eastern Tennessee.

He and his family and two other families crossed over the mountains and settled near Ardmore in Giles county on the Alabama and Tennesse border. One of these families was of Italian decent, which probably had some influence on some of the names of their decendents.

I have no information regarding his birth or marriage date but I have entered them to give some perspective of his life. The Federal Census of 1850 for Giles Co., TN shows Wm A to be 29. This is apparently William Augustis or (Arthur), William Anthony's son. That would mean the son was born about 1821. (See more complete notes under the family of William Augustis Culps). If William Anthony was, say 22 years old when his son was born, then his own birth would be about 1799. If he was, say 21 years old when he married then his marriage date would be about 1820. I used 1802 as a birthdate for Martha, making her 2 or 3 years younger than he.

Julia (Culps) Smith has information, from the family, that it was William Anthony's son, William Augustis (Arthur) or (George Washington Culps) who crossed over the mountains into Tennessee about 1840 and married a local girl, Margaret (Eliza) King. As Julia points out in her letter and genealogy that some of our material may still be questionable because of conflicting reports, etc.

My father talked with Mae Rolland, granddaughter of Ann Elizabeth 'Eliza' King and obtained some information in written form on the King family. These records show that Arthur King and Margaret Ann King were the parents of Ann Elizabeth. They came to Giles County, TN in the 1820's from North Carolina, where they had lived for several years, after moving there from Virginia. Arthur and Margaret were both King's; she was a distant relative.

In searching Federal Census records I have not found any records on William Anthony Culps, however I did find a William Culp in the 1830 Virginia Census, showing him to be between 30-40 years old, and a female between 20-30 years of age. (Hampshire Dist 252). These records contained very little information.

This was my great, great, great-grandfather.

He was married to Martha (NMN) HONEYCUTT about 1820 in North Carolina. Children were: William Augustis (Arthur) CULPS.

bullet William Anthony CULPS Photo was born on DEC 23 1849 in Elkmont Springs, Giles County, TN. He was buried in 1915 in Elkton, TN, Elliott, Cemetery. He died on FEB 13 1915 in Limestone Co, Alabama. Elliott cemetery is located on I-65 at the Alabama-TN state line, accoding to a letter dated May 15, 1984 from Galier Bailes, Rt. 1, Box 316, Ardmore, TN 38449. She is the daughter of William S. Culps and Leona (Swanner) Culps. Parents: William Augustis (Arthur) CULPS and Ann Elizabeth (Eliza) KING.

Children were: George Washington CULPS , Atha CULPS, Arthur CULPS , Candice Candis CULPS.

Children were: Alice Ann (Annie) CULPS, Mary Frances CULPS, Henry Robert CULPS, Noah Eugene (Gene) CULPS, Frank (Freddie) (Augustas) CULPS, Melvin Marvin CULPS , Aaron Flenoy CULPS, Luther Bates CULPS, Mable Drucillis CULPS.

bulletWilliam Augustis (Arthur) CULPS Photo was born about 1821 in Elkmont Springs, Giles Co., TN, (Virginia?). He died about 1860. The Federal Census of 1850 lists Wm Culp (note spelling) as age 29; Ann E as 25 years old; Robt L., 6; Geo. W., 5; Nancy E., 3 and Wm A. as 1. This record shows Wm. was born in Tenn. and Ann E. was born in N. Carolina.

The 1860 Census shows the name to be spelled with the 's'. Two more children are listed; Sara J., 8 and Henry B., 6. (Wm is missing and not listed...dead?)

The 1870 Census lists Elizabeth Culps at household 26 and 6 children. Elizabeth (Anna Elizabeth) is listed as born in Virginia (not N. Carolina), contradicting the 1850 and 1860 Census records.

Rosa Culps Wright visited with Early Culps in June of 1984 and he said that, as a single young man, stayed at night to care for his grandparents in their last years. William disappeared during the Civil War and was not heard from again. The family was afraid the "bush- whackers" had killed him.

Another story is that William was killed about a month before Henry was born (1856)...riding a horse. This was the story that Rosa's mother remembered. (The last child, Francis was born about 1857).

Information garnered by Julia Culps Smith indicates that his name was George Washington Culps and that he came from N. Carolina in the 1840's and settled near Ardmore. Oleta Culps Bailey says that his name was William Augustis Culps. A family chart from the Aaron Flenoy Culps family lists his name as Augusta.

A letter from Rosa Wright, great-grandaughter of Henry Burrell Culps, states that her family knew Henry's father to be William 'Arthur'. She said that on Henry's death certificate, his father is listed as 'Arthur'. This information was supplied by Henry's son, Sterling.

The original spelling of the family name seems to have been 'Culp'. According to the New World Registry, there are an estimated 49 total Culps households with 142 people, scattered in 11 states, mostly Texas. There are no Culps families in Canada or Australia. In Australia there are 4 million households representing 15 million people. In Canada there are 6 million households representing 24 million people and in the United states there are 80 million households with 230 million people. Halberts coat of arms illustrator says, In comparison, some family names represent over 400,000 households in the U.S.A., so it would seem that the name 'Culps' is a relatively new name.

Scotland lays claim to the majority of Culps in the United States and can trace members back to the locale of Colp near Turiff in Aberdeenshire. Germanic Culps can trace their name to Kulp and Kolp, considered pet forms of names with "Kol" as the root. This was the term for "helmet" and formed names such as Kolbert, Kolben, Kolb and Kulb. This, according to Charles Guarino and Albert Seddon in an article titled "Your Name".

The article further states, Julia Culp was a distinguished Dutch conceret singer, a titled family in Hesse, Germany. American history remembers this area for the Hessian soldiers who fought in the Revolution and is doubtless, the source of several Culp families in this county.

Rosa said that on her grandmother's (America Culps) wedding certificate it is spelled 'Culp' in 1896. Twenty years earlier it was Culps for Henry B. and Mary Clements on their certificate.

He was probably born at Elkmont Springs, near Ardmore, TN. (Ardmore was born in 1913 when the railroad came through).

The only building at Elkmont Springs was a pavillion, which travelers used as a landmark to identify the community. It was located on a high hill on the outskirts of present day Ardmore where were located several active springs. (This is according to Oleta Bailey).

The 1910 Census on the Robert L. Culps household, showed his age as 68; wife, Mary J. as 70; son, Lewis R. 34 and dtr. Martha A. 31. Apparently these two children remained at home. This record shows the birthplace of both his parents to be in Virginia. This, of course, is in contradiction of the 1950 Census report of Wm A and Ann E.

This was my great, great-grandfather. Parents: William Anthony CULPS and Martha (NMN) HONEYCUTT.

He was married to Ann Elizabeth (Eliza) KING about 1840 in TN. Children were: Robert Lewis CULPS, George Washington CULPS, Nancy Elizabeth CULPS, Sarah Anna CULPS, William Anthony CULPS, Henry Burrell CULPS, Francis B. CULPS.

bullet William Shields CULPS was born on OCT 9 1897. He died on OCT 8 1963 in Gatlin. Parents: Arthur CULPS and Alice SHANNON.

He was married to Leona SWANNER on JUN 30 1917 in Limestone Co, Alabama. Children were: Virgel CULPS, Harold B. CULPS, Terrell CULPS, Eugene W. CULPS, Galier CULPS, Shields Kenneth CULPS, Mabron CULPS, Morris Ann CULPS, Elmore CULPS.

bullet Albert Whittaker CURRIE

Children were: John Admire CURRIE .

bulletCaitlin CURRIE Photo. Parents: Vaughn Eric CURRIE and Tammy BOREL.

bulletJohn Admire CURRIE was born on MAY 26 1916 in Houston, TX. He died on JUN 3 1977 in Bridge City, TX. Parents: Albert Whittaker CURRIE and Lettie UNKNOWN.

Children were: Vaughn Albert CURRIE.

bulletMichael Shon CURRIE Photo was born on AUG 19 1974. Parents: Vaughn Albert CURRIE and Deborah Lou Debbie SONNIER.

bullet Vaughn Albert CURRIE Photo was born on MAY 17 1952 in Port Arthur, Jefferson Co., TX. Parents: John Admire CURRIE and Martha UNKNOWN-.

He was married to Deborah Lou Debbie SONNIER on SEP 11 1970 in Orange, Orange, TX. Children were: Vaughn Eric CURRIE , Michael Shon CURRIE.

bullet Vaughn Eric CURRIE Photo was born on APR 2 1971. Parents: Vaughn Albert CURRIE and Deborah Lou Debbie SONNIER.

He was married to Tammy BOREL. Children were: Caitlin CURRIE.

bullet Kathy Lynn DAILEY was born on OCT 21 1958 in Orange, TX. Parents: Theodore Lee Ted DAILEY Sr and Beverly Arlene PATILLO .

bullet Teresa Renee DAILEY was born on DEC 7 1959 in Orange, TX. Parents: Theodore Lee Ted DAILEY Sr and Beverly Arlene PATILLO .

bullet Theodore Lee DAILEY Jr was born on MAR 15 1961 in Orange, TX. Parents: Theodore Lee Ted DAILEY Sr and Beverly Arlene PATILLO .

bullet Theodore Lee Ted DAILEY Sr was born on JUL 24 1937 in Orange, TX. Notes

He was married to Beverly Arlene PATILLO on AUG 24 1957 in Orange, TX. Children were: Kathy Lynn DAILEY, Teresa Renee DAILEY, Theodore Lee DAILEY Jr.

bullet Carolyn Janice DAMRON was born on JAN 18 1937. Parents: Ezra Delmo (Buddy) DAMRON and Wanda Beatrice HALL .

She was married to R. C. ASHLEY on DEC 1 1954. She was divorced from R. C. ASHLEY in NOV 1971. Children were: Carolyn Jeanette ASHLEY, Richard Clay ASHLEY.

She was married to John Patrick HARDY on OCT 15 1976.

bullet Ezra Delmo (Buddy) DAMRON was born on AUG 12 1910.

He was married to Wanda Beatrice HALL on DEC 1 1934. Children were: Carolyn Janice DAMRON, James Paul DAMRON.

bullet James Paul DAMRON was born on FEB 23 1942. He died on FEB 23 1942 in Restland Dallas, TX. Parents: Ezra Delmo (Buddy) DAMRON and Wanda Beatrice HALL.

bullet Clarence E. DANIEL was born on SEP 14 1928 in Lampasas, Lampasas Co., Texas. He died on MAY 16 1982 in Florence, TX.

Children were: Michael D. DANIEL, Patricia A. DANIEL.

bulletMichael D. DANIEL was born on JAN 6 1974 in Georgetown, Williamson Co., TX. Parents: Clarence E. DANIEL and Barbara J. HENRY.

bullet Patricia A. DANIEL was born on JAN 9 1975 in Georgetown, Williamson Co., TX. Parents: Clarence E. DANIEL and Barbara J. HENRY.

bullet Velma DAVIDSON died in 1934. She was a sister of Zania Davidson (Henry Culps wife #227). She died from Tuberculosis.

bulletZania Thomas DAVIDSON was born on JUL 25 1889 in Giles Co., Tennessee. She was buried in 1963 in Gallatin, TN, Crestview. She died on APR 4 1963. Worked for L&NRR Co.

She was married to Henry Robert CULPS in 1908. Children were: Aileen Gladys CULPS, Vivian Vera (Virginia) CULPS, Challis Edward (Ted) CULPS, Curtis Mabron CULPS, Henry Robert CULPS Jr., Martha Nell CULPS, Geraldine CULPS.

bullet Barney DAVIS was born on DEC 31 1891. He died on MAR 22 1969.

He was married to Addie May HALL on DEC 9 1919.

bullet Bulah DAVIS Photo

She was married to Robert Lewis CULPS in JUL 1925 in Texas. She was divorced from Robert Lewis CULPS. Children were: R.L. CULPS , Leona May CULPS.

bullet Margaret 'Peggy' DAVIS was born in 1743 in England. She died in 1825 in Portland, Chautauqua Co., NY. She was buried in 1825 in On the farm. Married at the age of of 19, he was 33. Her mother is unknown.

She was married to John Thomas (Gustavus) KLUMPH #1 in 1762 in Albany, NY. Children were: Thomas J. KLUMPH.

bullet Sara DAVIS Florence, AL

Children were: John Selby SMITH .

bulletHerbert Latrelle DAWKINS was born on MAR 3 1926 in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Notes Parents: Herbert Lee DAWKINS and Mary Ethel JAMES.

He was married to Shirley Nell LANDRY on MAY 5 1945 in Highlands, Harris, TX. Children were: Janis Lynne DAWKINS, James Presley DAWKINS.

bullet Herbert Lee DAWKINS Notes

Children were: Herbert Latrelle DAWKINS.

bulletJames Presley DAWKINS was born on NOV 19 1956 in Dallas, TX. Parents: Herbert Latrelle DAWKINS and Shirley Nell LANDRY .

bulletJanis Lynne DAWKINS was born on APR 14 1953 in Dallas, TX. Notes Parents: Herbert Latrelle DAWKINS and Shirley Nell LANDRY .

bulletBillie Raylyne DAWSON was born on MAR 17 1980. Parents: Fred Clifford DAWSON and Brenda Joyce RADOCICH .

bullet Fred Clifford DAWSON

He was married to Brenda Joyce RADOCICH in 1972. Children were: Theresa Lynn DAWSON, Fred Clifford DAWSON Jr, Billie Raylyne DAWSON .

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