This Branch of the Reindl Family
My father, Paul Joseph Reindl, was the oldest of eight kids in a family. This was a big family, but it was not as big as my grandfather's family. My grandfather, Glenn Joseph Reindl, was one of TEN BOYS in the Reindl clan. Needless to say, you were one of a HUGE extended family of Reindls you were anywhere near Manly or Mason City, Iowa. Many times at family reunions the question was "To which Reindl grandfather to you belong?"
This a page that honors Glenn Reindl's oldest son, Paul Joseph, aka "Daddy" to a little girl not yet five. We were stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. He was part of a Pararescue team and was on a mission to save crew members of the freighter called the Shoka Maru . Dad was to jump from a C-130 (a type of airplane use for search and rescue) and harness the ship's crew members who then could be hoisted by a helicopter and get back to safety. The problem was the plane. It was flying too low to the water and consequently crashed into the South China Sea on February 5th, 1969.
Over the years, I have learned bits and pieces of his life in almost 50 years since his death, but never had the definitive information regarding the night of his death. Years ago, through the power of the internet, my sister, Linda, researched and located the name of the only survivor of the crash, Jim Phelps. He was also a Pararescue Airman. He has corresponded with her and my mom and brother since he connected with our family. We were fortunate to get to see him as he passed through Dayton, Ohio. Because my immediate family as well as our extended family (which included two of dad's sisters and two brothers) had never heard the complete details, we all converged in Ohio for the opportunity to meet Jim Phelps and talk to him. This web page is the result of that meeting. I hope it sheds enough light on the last day of my father's life and gives some closure to those who knew my dad.
This a page that honors Glenn Reindl's oldest son, Paul Joseph, aka "Daddy" to a little girl not yet five. We were stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. He was part of a Pararescue team and was on a mission to save crew members of the freighter called the Shoka Maru . Dad was to jump from a C-130 (a type of airplane use for search and rescue) and harness the ship's crew members who then could be hoisted by a helicopter and get back to safety. The problem was the plane. It was flying too low to the water and consequently crashed into the South China Sea on February 5th, 1969.
Over the years, I have learned bits and pieces of his life in almost 50 years since his death, but never had the definitive information regarding the night of his death. Years ago, through the power of the internet, my sister, Linda, researched and located the name of the only survivor of the crash, Jim Phelps. He was also a Pararescue Airman. He has corresponded with her and my mom and brother since he connected with our family. We were fortunate to get to see him as he passed through Dayton, Ohio. Because my immediate family as well as our extended family (which included two of dad's sisters and two brothers) had never heard the complete details, we all converged in Ohio for the opportunity to meet Jim Phelps and talk to him. This web page is the result of that meeting. I hope it sheds enough light on the last day of my father's life and gives some closure to those who knew my dad.
A little bit about the family:
Paul Reindl entered the Air Force in 1954. He spent time in the states and in Korea. In 1961 he met my mom in New Jersey and they were married in 1962. He rolled up in ranks and by 1967, he was part of the Pararescue team with orders to go to Clark AFB. He went ahead of the family and in 1968 the small family of Joan (my mom), myself and Stephen (my brother) were reunited. Mom soon became pregnant with my sister, Linda. We were to be a small family in a new (to us) country during some exciting times. Side note: If it were not for Linda being a part of our family, we would never have had the opportunity to meet Jim Phelps. She was the one who was searching for anyone who knew my dad as she was only 10 weeks old when he died. |
Video of the meeting with Jim Phelps - July 13, 2018
This video is housed on Youtube. Because of this, you are able to click on the icon to show it as full screen on your computer. Closed caption works but some of the technical jargon may not translate correctly. Both icons can be found in the bottom right of this screen. One last thing, I want to thank my brother, Steve and is lovely wife, Sue for hosting this get together.
Some Visual References
In the video above, Jim Phelps describes machinery and processes used by pararescue service men. Here are some visuals to go along with the descriptions.
Documents connected with the crash of the C-130 into the South China Sea
As of July 17, this page is still in the "processing" stage to make sure documents are properly documented so that they can be posted here.