My thoughts of our life together, all the memories I share of you and our life together have been fulfilling for me in my final years.Kristi has given me so much pleasure for being our daughter. She arranged such a beautiful burial service for you at Arlington National Cemetery. Love, Kathy

8/31/16, 7:56 AM
Gretchen
Gretchen Mueller Glaub
Hi Kathy, I am so sad to hear of Herb's passing. Even though we haven't seen each other in a very long time, he remained very special to me. His parents were some of my favorite people while I was growing up and even though I only saw Herb a few times I have always adored him. I will always remember the time he was stationed at Westboro in Massachusetts and he flew one of his planes over our house really low then when straight up into the air and broke the sound barrier. It scared the whole town to pieces but my dad was thrilled and so were we. It is a special memory! Please know that you and Kristi are in our thoughts. Cyber hugs. Please tell Kristi I sent her a message on FB too. It may not show up in her regular messages because we aren't friends on FB. Thanks.
Write to Gretchen Mueller Glaub

Each day, I miss you more. I think of all the many wonderful memories that we have shared together. I am so lucky to have found you and to have become your wife and father of our daughter. My love forever. Kathy

Subject: Fwd: Deep Rescue -- Vietnam
This was like Herb flew while in Viet Nam as a Jolly Green.
Very impressive. Thought you might enjoy. Kathy

I hope all of you take a few minutes to watch this great speaker and story teller. If you don’t, you’ve really missed an opportunity.

A great story and message, well-told, by a USAFA grad who was also an "ace" in Vietnam. 8+ minutes, but well worth it. Sorry about the ads, just click them off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvRcP4go-eg

Think of our Angel Fire treks every day now. I have a 1 1/4 mi. Trek I do every other day. The training out skiing and trekking with you and Kathy makes it still possible at 93. You are forever missed indeed.

Every day is filled with thoughts of our wonderful life together. Miss you very much
with lots of love, Kathy

The pictures of Herb's burial at Arlington are beautiful. He is so deserving
of the respect and honor he is being given. Wish so so much we could
have been there. I know he's been smiling from heaven. We have missed him
so much and keep looking at the gallery of his life and you all in the forevermissed
website. The website is beautiful and takes us to a whole new level in knowing Herb
over the years before we met and what an amazing person he has been to so many.
Lots of love to you all,
Lynne and Charlie

Last weekend, four of us ladies from Alegria in Bernalillo drove to Angel Fire and visited the Viet Nam Memorial. We saw your uniform and I told them all about you. It brought back so many memories of our precious time with you and Kathy. We miss you every day, Herb. Blessings, Cheryl and Bill Mason

I remember many events that happened with Herb while we were in Angel Fire. This time, it was early in our friendship. Three of us were sitting on a hillside up above the Angel Fire Village. We had been hiking to nowhere in particular. Our companion was Bob Ickes. In fact, we probably weren’t on a bona-fide “hike” as we came to know later the true meaning of a hike. We were just walking up the terrain.
We had paused to sit down on the hillside to the southwest of town to talk. The conversation turned to our ages. When I stated that I was 58. Herb said: “You have a year on me”. I didn’t know, at the time, what Herb meant. But the year must have been 1987. There were many more happy outings in the following years hiking, skiing, and trying to win just one game of tennis from Herb.
Thank you and Bless you, Herb Kalen.

My memories of our life together are so wonderful. I visit this love story so often, it makes me feel you are next to me. We miss you so very much and very thankful of our many years we have shared together. With love, Kathy

Happy Birthday, Herb! We still miss you every day, dear friend. You added so much to our lives. We have wonderful memories of all our trips, hikes, and your good cooking. Bet you've got all your friend up there hiking! Love you always, Cheryl & Bill

We miss Herb! In his lifetime he did so much good for everyone around him and even for the freedoms of us Americans. We will always remember people like Herb, who devoted his life to the betterment of mankind and touched the lives of those around him with goodness and love. What a blessing he has been!

Happy Birthday, Herb! Wish you could be with us this year as the snow has been wonderful for skiing. We miss you every day, Herb, and remember you on this special day.

Happy birthday, old buddy! I miss all our bantering about you being a flyboy and me a ground pounder.
Sgt. Gene Kirk
4th Infantry Division
Pleiku
"When God gives the world an enema this is where the hose goes"

The years fly by, Herb, but our memories of you and our times with you are still as fresh in our minds as if they happened yesterday. We miss you every day. Cheryl & Bill Mason

We miss you, Herb. It was a pleasure being with you in Panama City Beach. You are still respected and admired for all you have accomplished in life and for the great person you have been. You are a real hero!

All Son Tay Raiders will be remembered at 50th reunion in October 2020. Hurlburt Field will be the location and the Air Commando Association will help sponsor it. It will be on a scale equal to the last Doolittle Raider reunion that was held at Hurlburt.

As we are planning and preparing for another winter at The Dunes in Panama City Beach it is not possible to do so without having such fond memories of Herb. We so enjoyed his military stories and his telling us about his latest skiing adventures. We had known Herb for over 15 years and we do miss him greatly. I am so grateful to Kathy for establishing this wonderful way to pay tribute to Herb.

We miss you, Herb! When we are in PCB, there is a definite void. We still listen to your voice on your answering machine, though, and it's like you're here with us. You missed a good ski season in Angel Fire this winter, Herb. Much love, Cheryl and Bill

It's hard to believe it's been two years since your passing. A day doesn't go by that we don't think of you, Herb. You are missed by both of us.  Much Love, Cheryl & Bill

On the second anniversary of Herb's passing we still find it sad to know that when we return to the Dunes this November he will not be there. He was a true friend and we so enjoyed his stories and our chats. It is comforting to know that he lived such a full, rich and active life right until the end. We miss you dear friend. We send our love to you Kathy and to Kristi as you are surely reflecting on Herb and what a remarkable man he was.
Love,
Gayle and Len

I have great memories of skiing and talking with a great American hero, super skier and friend. You are very missed, Herb.

RIP My friend still think of you all the time

As Len and I plan for another winter in PCB at the Dunes we so often and fondly think of Herb. We have such wonderful memories of the close friendship that grew between us and Herb and Kathy. We miss you very much and all of the lively stories and conversations that we shared. I'm sure that your heaven has ski slopes, hiking trails and sailboats! We are thinking of Kathy and Kristi at this time.

Herb, Miss ya!
Your Buddy, Wally

Today is the first anniversary of Herb's passing and we miss him as much today as when he left us. We have so many wonderful memories of our times together. Rest in peace, dear friend. Cheryl & Bill

What a great gift in memory of Herb. I could not watch much of it because of the tears in my eyes. Perhaps I will be able to watch more later. Thinking of Herb and how great our lasting friendship is very hard.  I’m so glad you had this done. Thank you, Kristi.

Love, Bob

Dearest Kathy, what a moving story in pictures. We were with you in spirit that day as we shared Herb's story among the sailors in our marina. At sunset, we asked everyone to stand in Herb's honor and Wally led a prayer. Herb's life was celebrated that day by strangers who have their freedom to travel on sailboats in and out of America because of Herb and all of our military heroes.
Neil was very proud to experience the honor with you and Kristi.
Love to you,
Connie and Wally

First class ceremony at ANC for a first class sky pilot attended by first class American patriots. In 1995 i visited Son Tay POW camp.I have a picture of me on the spot where Herb control crashed Banana One in front the prison cells. I gave copies to friends and families.I kept LtGen Manor informed; he thought so highly of Herb.The NAMPOW/Riader reunion will be in New Orleans this November. Attend if you can. We will keep alive the spirit and memories of Herb's good works in and out of the cockpit to inspire others to high flight. Blue skies always! Captain Norm Bild,USAF,(ret).

Mrs. Kalen & Kristi - took me awhile to compose my thoughts after talking with Kristi. The Colonel was a great man, mentor and instrumental in making me the man I am today. I met Kristi in grade school and had the opportunity to be around the Colonel when we were in high school. He taught me to be proud of my beginnings, where I came and from and not to be ashamed of what I had or not had, and to walk with my head up. He instilled in me what the essence of military bearing was and attention to detail in everything I did. Even though that was junior ROTC, those lessons I carried with me during my years of USMC service and beyond. I didn't know it at that time but the love he showed for both of you is what I aspired for with my daughter. Thank you for allowing me into your family. My love and prayers are for both of you.

We are home, dead tired as usual after one of our hikes with Herb.
I feel as worn out as one of those challenging, but rewarding, adventures that you and Herb led us through many times.

Could be we just trekked up into the Truchas and across that mile long ridge from which there seemed to be only cliffs to descend through.
As always, Herb found a path out of the dilemma; down through a snow-filled chimney shallow enough to allow us to negotiate our way down safely.

On this trip, as so often on others, Herb lifted us up to heights that I might never have known except for his leadership and your careful planning.
We are grateful that you and Kristi made possible this experience for us to bid farewell to Herb.

I realize that, except for having known you and Herb, I would never have been so privileged as to be a part of the Arlington experience.

Truly, Kathy, thank you for allowing us this farewell. Dick and Linda

Connie Conway .
April 7 at 2:42pm ·
Today at 3:00 EDT, an American hero will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Herb Kalen was an enigma. He was a heroic USAF helicopter pilot who volunteered for a secret rescue mission to release POW's in Vietnam. He was Prince Charming to me as a little 5 year old flower girl in his wedding to Kathy, a stunning Princess. He was Herb the Superb on the ski slopes and hiking trails. He was my friend and advisor as an adult. He was a hero to his family, his friends and to America. His legend will live on and I will cherish the void he leaves behind.

Darlene St George-Galindez What a great family and group of friends! His daughter Kristi & I have been friends since the start of our own USAF careers. It was an honor to be able to attend the services and a pleasure to finally meet the people I have heard stories about for the past 24 years. God bless!

We were very blessed to have known such a remarkable man.

Happy Birthday, Herb. I miss you, Bob

‎Penni Davey‎ to Kathy Kalen
September 19, 2016 ·
Kathy, We just heard about Herb, we couldn't believe it. We so look forward to skiing with him each year. He's our idle. He will be missed and you too! Love and Hugs to you!

In the name, Colonel Herbert D Kalen, a tree is being planted in his honor in one of our National Forests. The gift comes from Ann A Huckaba. Your tree, a gift that endures, will help replenish a magnificent forest and preserve the habitat of the wildlife that call it their home. The Arbor Day Foundation

Photo #1 Bob Bunker, Co-Pilot, James Badley Survivor, Herb Kalen Aircraft Commander, William Carroll Flight Engineer, Donald Claudius Pararescue Specialist, in the door

Photo #2 Herb Kalen & Bob Bunker greeted by Lt Col Caughron, Squadron Commander

Photos from Charles Wells Collection. The photo was taken by his father Lt Col Joe Wells at Da Nang RVN 20 November 1968 after pick-p of Lt Badley.

This rescue took place on a beach area in North Viet Nam. The following is from Lt Badley’s web site

“On 20 November 1967 while flying his 25th mission in North Vietnam, Lt. Badley's aircraft (an F-4) was shot down and he was forced to bail out. He remained calm under the pressure of intense small arms fire and vectored the rescue helicopter to his position within seconds of Viet Cong capture. For his heroic actions, he received the Silver Star for Gallantry and the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement.”

Herb and crew were returning from an orbit mission over the Gulf of Tonkin when an F-4 was shot down in North Viet Nam near their position. They proceeded to the area making radio contact with the downed pilot Lt James Badley. He was located inland a few hundred yards from the shore in a sandy area covered with low shrubbery. Lt Badley vectored them to his general location. They asked him to pop smoke, which he did. Herb flew to the smoke and landed. The crew could not see Lt Badley. They finally sighted him some distance away when he jumped out from behind a bush and waved at them. The crew motioned for him to come to them but he jumped back behind the bush. Herb picked up the helicopter and hovered over to Lt Badley’s position where he was taken aboard the helicopter. They safely egressed the area proceeding out to the Gulf of Tonkin and returned to Da Nang RVN. Lt Badley was asked why he left the area of the smoke. He said when he popped smoke, he started receiving small arms fire so he ran away from that area and hid where they finally picked him up.

On his 85th mission, on 27 March 1968, Lt Bradley was shot down and listed as MIA. He was officially declared Killed in Action (KIA) on 8 May 1968.

Lt Badley was a F-4 back seater. The front seater status was unknown. A chute had not been by anyone in the area. I had been on an orbit mission over the Gulf of Tonkin and had arrived in the area just after Herb and crew had completed the pick-up. We found aircraft debris a few hundred yards off shore. We scanned the area and landed in the water near a deflated life raft among the debris. The pilot would have the raft hooked to him during ejection. We were not able to see any sign of a parachute or any other sign that the F-4 front seater had been able to eject. We continued to search and we came under small arms fire from the shore. We departed the area. We were confident that we would have seen the pilot if he had been able to get out of the aircraft.
Additionally, I have written an article for the USAF Museum Friends Journal that will be published later this month. The subject is about my first combat mission. It was one of my checkout missions required before I took over as commander on my own. Often these flights only involved going to Quang Tri to stand alert or go on an orbit mission over the Gulf of Tonkin. Herb was the instructor for this mission. It turned out we would end up in North Viet Nam. We were the” High Bird”, (the cover aircraft for the pick-up helicopter). Initially our team (High & Low Bird (pick-up helicopter) were just to be back-up for another team. Due to battle damage on the other team, we were thrust into the fray. Our Low Bird completed the pick-up without a problem and we went to Quang Tri and spent the rest of the day on alert. I will send you a copy of that article after it is published.

Major Kalen flew an Air Force "Jolly Green" rescue helicopter that pulled me from the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam on 2 July 1967 after my F8 aircraft had been shot down. I don't believe I ever adequately thanked him for my rescue. For those who read this tribute, know that Major Kalen and those like him who dedicated themselves to saving lives at great risk to themselves are the true heroes of that or any war. God bless him and may he rest in peace.


Posted by: Col. Bruce Martin USMC (Ret). - York, ME - military  Oct 10, 2016

I was stationed with Herb at Da Nang AB, RVN in 1967. I flew my first combat mission with him. I wrote an article for USAF Museum: Jolly Green Rescue Near Quang Khe Ferry. The article is to be published in an upcoming edition of the USAF Museum Friends Journal, a quarterly publication.
Herb was the 37th ARRS Standardization Officer. He was an outstanding pilot and officer. He was steady in his job and on his missions. I enjoyed my time with him and his quiet, but authoritative manor.
I have two photos of Herb from Da Nang that I was unable to attach. One is a photo of him and his crew with the survivor they picked up in North Viet Nam. I was also on that mission in another HH-3E Jolly: I was searching for the second pilot who we found that he was unable to eject from the F-4 aircraft.

One photo includes the following people.

Bob Bunker Co-Pilot, Survivor James Badley, Herb Kalen Aircraft Commander, William Carroll Flight Engineer, in door Donald Claudius Pararescue Specialist, (PJ), Photo from Charles Wells Collection, taken by his father Lt Col Joe Wells, 20 Nov 1967

Rich Blackwell

Hello Kathy,

Herb was a very special man and I know you must still miss him very much, but I know the opportunity to place him with other war heroes will be very meaningful for you and your family.

Right after I received news of Herb's passing I was volunteering up at the DAV Memorial. One of my duties that day was to dust the display cases.....and I had the chance to re-read the articles about Herb. He was indeed a very special man.

Love to you from us both,

Valerie & Jim

I hope this note finds you well and that you are recovering from your loss. It is so difficult losing a loved one..

Last week when I was skiing with Debby, we were exchanging stories about Herb. He was such a good skier, and on one occasion he was teaching me to Ski in powder and I fell and it was Herb that picked me up. Herb had the capability of picking up everybody's spirits around him. Take care.

Cheers and Blessings, Gordon.

I was most surprised in that I wasn’t aware he had any health issues. You guys have always been so active, guess I thought you’d be ‘going’ forever.
What I enjoyed the most about Herb was that warm smile he always greeted me with. Added with it he always seemed to come up with a compliment that made me feel better. You guys were always together, with both of you having that glow that lighten up my day. One of my fondest memories is our evening out at the Italian restaurant there in Edgewater. It was such a treat!
 Please take care of yourself and know Barbara and I miss you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Love ya,
Larry Pittman

Bill and I are saddened by your loss. We have reminesced on times together, hiking, parties various and sundries visits. Did visit with Herb when he was here in January and he called Bill some months back. It is difficult to accept he has passed, but how much more difficult for you. Love and God bless, Ella and Bill

It was a shock to hear of Herb's death. Somehow (despite his health problems) one felt he would go on forever. We remember first meeting Herb as an "old ski patroller on the ski mountain. We look back with pleasure at all the camping, trekking and skiing we have enjoyed with him and you over the years. Herb will be greatly missed. Love, Bernie and Paul

Kathy you and Herb were a part of our many memories in Angel Fire. Our first neighbors and many experiences with the Trekkers. He leaves with a very distinct trail. With sympathy and love, Anne

Kathy, I was saddened to hear about Herb. I have wonderful childhood memories of how you opened your home and cabin to me. Kristi and I had great times together.Thank you for the memories.
Kristi, It was wonderful to reconnect with you I was so sorry that you have lost your father and mentor. He as quite an extraordinary man. Love, Holly

It was with great sadness we received the news of Herb's death. We were so forturnate to see you a couple of years ago and enjoyed your visit. I am sure he is busy skiing in Heaven. Our thoughts are with you both. Fondly, Terry and Maureen

Words can't say how I feel about the loss of two fine men. This photo says it all and I hope they meet again somewhere in Heaven! So sorry, Kris Young

Tom and I are so sorry to hear about Herb's death. He was always so alive and active. He certainly met life head-on and enjoyed every bit that life could offer.
So many memories of you and Herb!
-hiking/camping trip to Gold Hill when you found Benje for Bill and Cheryl.
-hiking Hermit's Peak, with your reminescing about camping on top, watching the lights of Las Vegas with martiinis in hand (and mouth!}
-remember all the ladybugs lighting up the area?
-suppers with the Servant Event kids who worked on trails with the Trekkers.
-clearing stash from the greenbelt behind your house
-and so may other hikes and camping trips.
We certainly were blessed to have lived in Angel Fire, and you two were a big part of that. Blessings ,
Tom and Lydia Berrong