Noel Dees, Mojave resident and WWII Navy Veteran

Our friend, Noel Dees, was the middle child of five children. He was born November 3, 1918 – eight days before the end of WWI, in Wirt, OK, an oil boom town. His father worked in the oil fields and the family came to Calif. in 1923.

His Father worked for Shell Oil Co. and they first lived in LaHabra for almost a year, then moved to Brownsville, Tex. hoping for more money. After 10 months, the family was back in Calif., this time in Long Beach, but his father always liked Mojave and when Noel was eight years old they moved to Mojave and his father bought the service station at Hwy. 58 and Hwy 14 in 1928.

Noel attended school in Mojave in 1928 – he was in the third grade. The gas station was sold a year later in 1929 for $1,700, because the roof blew off of their house and Noel's mother, wanted out of Mojave!

They went back to Long Beach! After a while, they were back in East Kern, this time in Rosamond. His father bought a garage, also 32 lots and the Hamilton Hotel. He then bought a house from the railroad and had it moved onto one of the Rosamond lots. Always productive, his father converted the two-story motel into a restaurant and bar in 1933.

His father passed away in 1934 and Noel's mother moved to Walker Pass, as she didn't want to run the restaurant. His sister Jaunita, took over the restaurant and called it Juanita's Indian Lodge.

Noel stayed with his sister while he attended Antelope Valley High School. He went to school with Irma 'Babe' Story – WWII WASP! Babe was a student of Pancho Barnes in her Civilian Pilot Training class in 1941. She then trained at Sweetwater, Texas, Class 43-W-6 and was then sent to Dodge City Army Air Base, Harlingen Army Air Field where she flew B-26s and B-24s.

In September 2009, Noel, Irma 'Babe' Story and Flora Belle Reece (WASP Class 44-W-4) were invited to ride in the World War II B-17 Sentimental Journey at Mojave Airport. The photo shows them in front of the 'Flying Fortress' with the pilot and co-pilot.

In the 1930s Juanita's had dance bands every Saturday night and they installed a maple dance floor. In the 1940s, the place was converted into a bowling alley.

Noel's first job was with Ed Beyer Oil Co. where he made $18 a week. In 1939, he worked for his sister, making $25 a week, had the use of her car, plus free room and board. He thought he had it made for a while.

In 1940, he signed up for the U.S. Navy in Los Angeles and went off to boot camp on Sept. 23, 1940. He was a 2nd Class Petty Officer when Pearl Harbor was bombed, Dec. 7, 1941. He worked on Navy aircraft and attended classes for aircraft overhaul and repair, dope and fabric work (airplanes at the beginning of World War II were covered in fabric or had fabric covered control surfaces. Nitrate and Butyrate dope was brushed or spayed on the fabric to seal and stiffen the fabric before painting. The process is still used today on some aircraft.) He learned how to work on propellers, hydraulic systems and fuel systems. He became the shop foreman, but wanted to see some action.

In 1943, he was sent out on a destroyer to Hawaii and worked on flying boats, including PBY Catalina's and PBM Mariner's. He flew aboard PBYs as the maintenance officer. He learned celestial navigation and used a sextant and octant, while serving in Honolulu. He later attended navigation school when based in San Diego.

In 1946, Noel met his soulmate, Daphnie Joan, (everyone called her JoAnn) and they were married within a month of their first date and their never-ending love remained for 70 years! They had three children, two sons and a daughter. She sadly passed away on Jan. 6, 2016.

Noel remained in the U.S. Navy and was Crew Chief in charge of all mechanics on the Douglas A-4D and served at China Lake in Ridgecrest from 1955 to 1957. During his time at China Lake, he built a house for his mother in Walker Pass.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years active duty and 9 years in the Reserves. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Chief.

His next career was with the Fire Department at Edwards Air Force Base, he retired as Captain in 1976.

Today, Noel remains active and plays golf every Friday with his son who lives in Lancaster. His 98th birthday was Nov. 3, 2016. An amazing guy!

See you on our next flight!