Arthur Farwell’s entry in the National Museum of Naval Aviation’s Flight Log.

February 11, 2004

Arlene and I visited Captain Arthur Farwell, VP6 Co 1950-1951, and his wife Marlyn at their retirement apartment at  Atlantic Beach, Florida.

They moved to Fleet Landing from Pensacola, Florida twelve years ago. Capt. Farwell is 88 (soon to be 89) years old.  His wife is approximately the same age and gave up driving her car last year.

They have four children, two boys and two girls.  Two of them live in California, one in Florida and the other in Virginia.  They have several grandchildren, and some great grandchildren.

We discussed the de-activation of VP-6 in 1993.  He asked how many years it was active.  I told him I thought 50 years.  We reviewed a lot of names, including those lost at Vladivostok and others.  He was impressed when I mentioned that Charles Pomeroy flew 79 recon flights, and several others including Richard Colley flew about the same, during the Tachikawa and Atsugi deployments.  He was happy to hear that Richard Colley achieved the rank of Commander in his 37-1/2 years.  I gave him the picture of him decorating Russell McKnight and also a copy of the DFC award picture.

We were sitting near the swimming pool off the patio and Marlyn mentioned that Arthur was a good swimmer.  I asked him if he remembered heading and entering a VP-6 team in an Air Force Swim Meet and then winning a couple of events himself.  He said, now I do, and laughed.

They attended the VP-6 Reunion at New Orleans about 15 years ago and inquired if there have been any recent reunions.  I mentioned the San Diego reunion last year and the possible Peoria reunion this year.  They probably couldn’t attend a reunion now because of their physical condition.

They missed the P.C. and Internet craze and wish they had gotten into it when it started.  They do not have an e-mail address and feel they have missed a lot.

They both seem to be in fair health.  He has Parkinsons and a heart condition (pacemaker).  She also has a heart condition and has the same heart specialist as my wife Arlene.  He uses a right hand wheel walker and electric wheel chair.  Both are able to walk and get around.  She has a good memory and he remembers with some jogging (like me).  They seem to be pretty active.  As Marlyn says, they are busy with not enough time to do everything.

Yes, it is true, he has an island named after him (see bottom of this page).  I believe as a result of his tour of duty in Antarctica.  By the way for you guys that think Kodiak is cold, his base at Antarctica was –70F.  Along with commanding a number of squadrons, at one time he was in charge of Far East Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan.  He had many other assignments in his 32 years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Captain.

I discussed some of the activities of VP-6 during both deployments during the Korea War and that Charles Pomeroy is sending some information to him in the mail.  He said he will look for it.

Because Fleet Landing is a secure retirement facility, we didn’t know if we would be received on our visit, and as a result didn’t have a good agenda prepared for the visit, but everything went well and we had a very enjoyable visit.

Ron and Arlene Tinsley


*Entry listed in the online Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)

Farwell Island USGS

Farwell Island                                          7249S 09110W            
An ice-covered island, about 38 mi long and 10 mi wide, lying between McNamara  and Dendtler Islands in the E part of Abbot Ice Shelf.  The feature was positioned by parties from the USS Glacier and Staten Island in February 1961, and was mapped by USGS from USN air photos of 1966.  Named by US-ACAN for Capt. A.F. Farwell, Chief of Staff to the Commander, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Deep Freeze 1968 and 1969.


Rear Admiral Maness’ entry in the National Museum of Naval Aviation’s Flight Log can be found HERE.