[DADoser]

Gil Cathey

Christian
Husband
Father
WWII Vet
VB-16 Dauntless Pilot '44 USS Lexington
Survivor "Mission Beyond Darkness"
VB-16 Helldiver Pilot '45 USS Randolf
Hero

My friend and brother in Christ died today.

I met Gil a few years ago when he and his wife moved from CA to AZ. I met them at church where they placed membership. I had known Gil for a couple years - he was a great guy and radiated love for his fellow man and the church in general. About 1 year ago, my family went to a church party of the "mature" Sunday school class. We were the youngest there. I was wearing a T-shirt with an early Flying Tiger's P-40 on the front. Gil said - "A P-40, huh. I flew during WWII." I asked "What did you fly?" He then (to my suprise) said "Dauntlesses off the Lexington." I was shocked that I was just learning that. We talked WWII that night and def. connected on another level due to my interest in WWII as well as my love of the Dauntless.

Due to the logistics of the Phoenix metro area - we live(d) an hour apart - and life getting in the way, I was finally able to spend an extended afternoon with Gil on July 30th '07. I took my Dauntless and Helldiver book collection as well as my FM VB-16 Dauntless with me. His health was not the best - so I literally sat on the floor at his feet (like I was a kid again) listening to him for 2 hours and occasionally asking a question. Just the affection he had for the Dauntless and the men he served with was amazing. Again, as he was speaking, I could see him going back "in the moment" as he was talking to me. He was so impressed with the Osprey book "SBD Units..." - he offered to pay me to get him a copy. I gave him mine. (He later told me he went through it and made notes in the margins.) A couple weeks later I found and bought for him a copy of "The Dauntless Dive Bomber of WWII" by Barrett Tillman (1976)

About 4 weeks ago, I met Gil for lunch in central Phoenix. We ate and talked for 2 hours. No WWII conversation this time - just his concern for the church/congregation and congregation history (He was a member of our congregation when he lived in Phoenix durring the 1970's - I was a kid in IL at that time.) We were parked on opposite sides of the resturant. I had brought my FM Dauntless with me again, but leaving it in the car as we ate. As we were leaving, I told him I had it with me and said I would like him to sign it for me. I said we could do it later. His reply to me was "We better do it now." I also told him I needed to get a hold of a video camera because I'd like to interview him and record his experiences. He said, "Yes, we need to do that soon."

Little did I know how soon we should have done that..............................

I'll just get on a little soapbox here and say - we need to seek these WWII veterans out and listen to their stories/memories before they are all gone. (Which I'm afraid, won't be very long.)


Seems like I have had a lot of interaction on the board the past couple days regarding mutual prayer request.

Pray for Gil's wife, Nancy and his family (physical and church) - Gil meant a lot to us beyond his service to the country.

While this is a sad occasion from a worldly perspective - Gil will be deeply missed. From a spiritual sense, after a long life, Gil is finally home.,,,and THAT is something to celebrate.

Gil, I love you as a brother - Rest in your reward.