Korean War Air-Ground Glossary
Note: the Korean-War Air-Ground Glossary is under construction. New pages and images are being added daily. Find terms or phrases more easily by using the Google Search Engine above. Click on the Truckbusters From Dogpatch web site button.We welcome your suggestions for new slang or terms from the Korean War. Use the Contact link above to submit your term.
The Korean War Air Combat Glossary includes military terms, slang and definitions used by the Korean War veterans to whom Truckbusters From Dogpatch is dedicated.
To help establish additional military and air force history resources about the so-called "Forgotten War," the Glossary also includes biographical information, Korean War stories and photographs of many leaders of the 18th Fighter-Wing, Fifth Air Force and other senior military leaders whose decisions affected the missions and operations of the 18th Wing, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group and the Wing's associated squadrons. The Glossary includes many photographs and video of 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing Korean War air combat operations when they were flying the P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabrejet aircraft.
The list includes the names and where known, biographical information about those pilots and Airmen who lost their lives during 37 months of Korean War combat. The information is far from complete and will certainly be expanded through the efforts of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing Association and others.
The names of Two Squadron, South African Air Force (SAAF) fliers are also included.
Information on American pilots is drawn from the files of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing Association, family records and recollections, and, where possible, from unit history reports. Sadly, even the unit histories were often incomplete or hasty in recording the status or circumstances of a pilot and his loss to the unit. When the unit history does mention the pilot, however briefly, that notation is included.
Excerpted from over 3,500 terms and definitions found in Truckbusters From Dogpatch
Letters: A-Al ♦ Am-Az ♦ B-Bi ♦ Bi-Bz ♦ C-Cl♦ Co-Cz ♦ D ♦ E ♦ F-Fl ♦ Fm-Fz ♦ G ♦ Ha-Hf ♦ Hg-Hz ♦ I ♦ J ♦ K ♦ L ♦ M-Me ♦ Mf-Mz ♦ N ♦ O ♦ Pa-Pi ♦ Pj-Pz ♦ Q ♦ Ra-Ri ♦ Rj-Rz ♦ Sa-Sh ♦ Si-Sz ♦ Ta-Tg ♦ Th-Tz ♦ U ♦ V ♦ W ♦ X ♦ Y ♦ Z
- W -
Walker, General Walton Harris - When the war began, General Walker directed the commitment of EUSA to combat and its subsequent withdrawal into the Naktong Perimeter and is famous for his “stand or die” speech. Walker was killed on 24 December 1950 in a vehicle accident.
Walking stick - A dangerous condition during which external air forces could take effective control of the aircraft away from the pilot. See Compressibility.
WD - War Diary
WEE Teams - Weapons Effectiveness Evaluation Teams. Operational analysis teams fielded by Fifth Air Force Office of Tactical Air Power Evaluation (see) to determine the most effective weapons to use on designated targets, e.g. tanks, guns, positions. Each WEE Team was “a self-sustaining field unit and consisted of a team captain, an intelligence specialist, photographer, driver and Korean interpreter.”
Weyland, Otto Paul - Named commanding general of the Tactical Air Command in July 1950, replacing General Stratemeyer as commanding general, Far East Air Force on 10 June 1951 and remaining in that position for the remainder of the war. LTG Weyland assumed command on 10 June 1951 in Tokyo of Far East Air Forces, replacing General Partridge.
WESPAC - Western Pacific
Weyland, Lt. Gen. Otto Paul - Named commanding general of the Tactical Air Command in July 1950, he replaced General Stratemeyer as commanding general, Far East Air Force on 10 June 1951 and remaining in that position for the remainder of the war. Lt. Gen. Weyland assumed command on 10 June 1951 in Tokyo of Far East Air Forces, replacing General Partridge.
WIA - Wounded in Action.
Wigwam - Pilot slang for Waegwan, South Korea.
Wilkerson, Maj. Sam - In March 1951, the 12th Squadron was commanded by Wilkerson, who led the 43 officers and 139 airmen of the squadron. The 12th set a new record in March by destroying over 600 vehicles and damaging many others, the unit reported.
WINDR - Wind Direction
Windmill - Slang for helicopter, e.g. “…shortly thereafter the ‘windmill’ (helicopter) arrived and the downed pilot was safely removed to Kimpo, AB.”
Windmilling - See Deadstick.
Windscreen - SAAF slang term for “wind shield.”
Wing gaggle - See Gaggle.
Wing - A major organizational element of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Winking spinners - See Blinking Squadron (39th FIS).
Wintermute, Lt. Col. Ira L. “Ike” - Commander, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group from 16 June 1950-20 February 1951, when he was relieved by Lt. Col. Homer M. Cox. Wintermute was then assigned to the Thirteenth Air Force.
WIP - Work in progress.
Wkly - Weekly
WOJG - Warrant Officer Junior Grade
WOLFHOUND - During August 1950, whenever the NKPA punched a hold in the Pusan Perimeter, the 27th Wolfhound Regiment was dispatched to plug the hole, recalled Col. Bill Myers. “It was the only effective fighting unit at the time,” he noted. Korean War (January 15-17, 1951) attack by the 25th Infantry Division in the Suwon-Osan area. When Chinese troops attempted to flank U.N forces in Korea they stretched their line so thin that the Eighth U.S. Army initiated Operation Wolfhound to exploit the gaps. The reconnaissance-in-force resulted in 1,800 Chinese casualties in the Osan-Suwon area with the loss of only three American lives. Operation Wolfhound was seen as the first sign of the aggressive attitude that General Ridgway had brought to Eighth Army.
Wonsan - A port city and rail center on Korea’s eastern coast about 110 air miles north of the 38th Parallel at Korea’s narrow waist.
WP - Waypoint.
WRANGLER - Korean War plan to follow up CUDGEL with an amphibious operation on the east coast of Korea
Wt - Weight
WT - Wireless telegraphy. See RT.
Wx - Weather.