Legendary mechanic lives on with ALS dedication

Published May 18, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- The Airman Leadership School received a new name at a dedication ceremony in honor of Tech. Sgt. Frank Z. Kish, a World War II Army Air Forces maintainer, here May 12.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst senior leadership, Airmen of all ranks and family members of the late Kish, gathered outside the newly-anointed Kish Airman Leadership School to unveil the new sign and building cornerstone, commemorating Kish's legacy.

"This is truly a great honor to have my father recognized for his efforts during World War II," said Ed Kish, Frank Kish's son. "My father was a blue-collar worker who poured all his energy into everything he did."

Gary Boyd, Air Force History and Museum Programs manager, was the keynote speaker. He presented the history and impact Kish had on the success of Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr., whom the base is named after.

Frank Kish, a native of Sharon, Pa., enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was known as an outstanding crew chief and maintenance professional in the Southwest Pacific during the war. He was one of the first mechanics assigned to the newly-formed 431st Fighter Squadron, which operated P-38 Lightning aircraft.

"Dad didn't speak much about his time in the service," said Betsy Kish, Frank Kish's daughter. "But when he did, praise and admiration for McGuire's character and the success they had working together was eminent."

1st Lt. McGuire hand-selected Kish to be a mechanic on his P-38, nicknamed Pudgy. Kish became lead crew chief in May 1943 and was the only maintainer to work with McGuire for his entire combat career.

McGuire often pushed his aircraft beyond the limit. Lack of parts and patchwork repairs required ingenious solutions and careful inspection by Kish. McGuire flew five different P-38 air frames throughout his career as his flying habits made them sequentially unserviceable.

"Pudgy II was especially hard-used by McGuire's combat flying," said Boyd. "Her wings were bent from McGuire's violent combat turns and stress popped the rivets holding her skin together. The damaged caused Pudgy II to fly lopsided."

Kish worked vigorously after every flight to make the plane airworthy. He frequently had to readjust the control surface tabs to compensate for the structural damage. For most, this type of damage was excessive, yet for Pudgy, it was routine.

"It was this dedication that made Kish stand out," said Boyd. "Always searching and seeking ways to improve the 431st, Kish worked tirelessly with the ground crews to ensure every aircraft assigned to Satan's Angels matched the mission readiness of Pudgy."

The fighter pilot and his crew chief recorded 38 confirmed aerial victories in the Pacific.

This devotion to their skills made McGuire and Kish the most successful team in Air Force history, according to Boyd. Boyd's recent tenure as a historian at McGuire's namesake base provided the foundation for his insight.

"They are at last reunited, the fearless aviator and his dedicated crew chief, as it should be," said Chief Master Sgt. Warren Wofford, 87th Air Base Wing command chief.

Kish's legacy is now honored by the hundreds of future leaders to pass through the leadership school.

"My father would be tickled to death to know he's being recognized," said Ed Kish, holding back tears. "He has now entered into the sainthood of the Air Force."

Ed Kish attended the first Kish Airmen Leadership School graduation later that day as an honorary guest. He gave diplomas to the recent graduates after Chief Master Sgt. John Gillette, 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief, congratulated the graduates and told them of the Kish legacy.

"He could have been any one of you," Gillette said. "(He was a) mechanic, some say the best in his day, a soldier taught to lead and mentor those around him. He represents you, the American Airman and that is exactly why this Airman Leadership School should bear his name."