In Memory of Joe Tobul

High Flight
by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

From Joe's website, www.koreanwarhero.com:

I just want to offer my deepest regrets to Joe's family on their loss. Joe was one of the best people I ever got a chance to know and I am very proud to have called him my friend. Joe and "Korean War Hero" starred in my film "some trouble of a SeRRious nature". He flew up to Long Island against a 30 knot head wind and idiot flight controllers who forced him spend most of the trip 30 miles off the coast line. I offered him a hotel room, but he preferred to stay with me and my family for one unforgettable week last November. He was so kind and generous with his Corsair and even helped out with the making of sets, moving props, driving the equipment truck and doing countless fly bys and take offs for us. After production ended he was off again to South Carolina for the very same Veteran's Day Fly In as November 10th of this year.

We spoke or emailed each other every couple of weeks and he was thrilled to get a copy of the film and just loved being a part of it all.

My best memories of Joe were when, late at night, and I couldn't sleep due to all the stress of making my first movie, he would come downstairs and we would spend hours drinking a beer and taking about the joy of flying, aviation history and family. Since "Some Trouble..." is about a Navy Pilot, Joe had suggested that we digitally remove his name from the side of the Corsair for the sake of historical accuracy. We were in the process of doing so, but the film will now be dedicated to his memory and the original footage will not be altered.

It is an honor to have "Joe Tobul USMC" on the side of the cockpit.

Joe was truly one of the Greats and with his passing, Deborah and I feel as though we have lost a family member and our love and condolences go out to Nancy, Jim and all of Joe's family.

Again, he was one of the best people I've ever met, and he will be missed.

Blue Skies Hammer,
Your friend, Billy

Press Release: Crusade Family Tragedy

Please pay your respects at Joe's website: www.koreanwarhero.com

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