As a writer and historian who has studied and written about Colonel Sidney Mashbir, it was my good fortune when Robert Warren and his son William Warren contacted me in 2018 to discuss their close friendship with Colonel Mashbir many years earlier.
William and Robert generously shared various historical materials linked to Colonel Mashbir (1891-1973). This blog post will present a number of those items, as well as Robert and William’s recollections of Colonel Mashbir. Also included is biographic material about Robert and William Warren, who being younger than Mashbir, were inspired and influenced by Colonel Mashbir’s heroic dedication to our nation.
-The oil painting illustration of General Douglas MacArthur shown above is courtesy of the William Warren.
Further details about the General MacArthur oil painting.
Below is an email sent by William (aka Bill) dated April 17, 2018, giving more info about the history of the painting and why it was gifted to him.
“Stan, here are photographs of the portrait of General MacArthur. I have provided three views, one where I stood back in order to give you an idea of the relative size of it.
According to Alice Mashbir, she thought that Sid would have wanted me to have this portrait as it was one of his most loved things. The portrait hung over his mantle at his house in Emerald Bay (Laguna Beach). Also according to Alice, Sid acquired this portrait from an art store in New York (City I think) and it was a big secret about what he may have paid for it. It was apparently commissioned by General MacArthur’s wife. The story goes that when she discovered an infidelity she threw champagne at the portrait. That may be true since one can clearly see very faint dribbles of something.
The artist of the portrait was Julian Lamar. I am not sure when it was painted. A bit about Julian Lamar:
Born Julian Kitchen Lamar Miller in Augusta, Georgia, he shortened his name to Lamar in 1922 to honor his mother’s family and to make his name more memorable as an artist. Although he began painting as a child, his family encouraged him to attend the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1918. After the Armistice, he resigned his commission to concentrate on his career as an artist. Lamar lived for a while in Chicago, then moved to New York in 1920.
He maintained an active studio in New York, but traveled extensively to paint his subjects in their native surroundings. He painted many prominent figures, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill; President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Franklin H. Martin, President, American College of Surgeons; and Governor Frank Dixon, Alabama. He was also an accomplished landscape painter.
You can Google him…there is a lot of information about him on the web.
Enjoy Stan. I will forward documents this afternoon.
Bill Warren”
August 19, 1945, Lt. General Kawabe, Takashiro met by Mashbir. Source of photo: courtesy of William Warren.
Besides taking a decisive role in the winning of WWII, Colonel Mashbir also helped orchestrate the Japanese Surrender Signing Ceremony, officially ending the conflict. In the above photo, Mashbir receives the Japanese Surrender Signing Arrangement committee in Manila, Philippines. They would work together to organize the details for the surrender.
The term V-J Day represents both the initial announcement of Japan’s surrender on the afternoon of August 15, 1945 in Japan, and because of time zone differences, August 14, 1945 when it was announced in the United States and the rest of the Americas and Eastern Pacific Islands. V-J Day is also represented as September 2, 1945, when the actual signing of the surrender document occurred, officially ending World War II.
The below inscribed photo was gifted to Colonel Mashbir by General MacArthur. The inscription gives an idea of Mashbir’s significant role in winning World War Two.
To Mashbir:
With admiration and cordial regard from his old comrade-in-arms.
Douglas MacArthur
Tokyo – 1945
Twenty seven years later, in 1972, the below inscribed portrait photo of Colonel Mashbir was respectfully gifted to his good friend, who Mashbir addressed as “Colonel Bob Warren, a gallant Marine”.
Robert’s son William has added a description below it.
“Here is a photo of Sid with an inscription to my Dad and Mother (Millie). Mother passed away in January 2010, but she, my Dad, Sid and Alice became good friends over the years. This photo is dated 1972. There are two photos of my Dad that I thought you might like to have, one was his official USMC photo taken in 1969 I think and the other where he is posed on the jet was taken, I think, in 1965 (see below). He was then a Lt. Colonel and was the Commanding Officer of the Marine Attack Squadron, VMA-331 based in Beaufort, SC. The squadron flew the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. A side note, one of the previous Commanding Officers of VMA-331 was Lt. Colonel Don Conroy who was the “Great Santini” character in Pat Conroy’s novel of the same name.”
1965: Colonel Robert F. Warren VMA 331 CO.
Below is the jet linked to Colonel Robert F. Warren:
1969: Colonel Robert F. Warren.
Col. Robert F. Warren was honored into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame on May 21, 2011. This hall of fame is part of what is known as the Air Zoo, which described below:
About the Air Zoo
The Air Zoo is a highly charged, multi-sensory atmosphere that goes beyond anything you’ve ever seen. It’s like no place else on Earth!
The Air Zoo, founded as the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, is an aviation museum and indoor amusement park next to the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport in Portage, Michigan. The Air Zoo holds many historical and rare aircraft, including the world’s fastest air-breathing aircraft, the SR-71B Blackbird. Many of its antique planes are airworthy. Among its other attractions are a 180-degree Theater that projects a 4-D simulation of a B-17 bombing mission during World War II. There are also various amusement park-style rides, including Full-Motion Flight Simulators of a rocket trip to Mars, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets, a stunt biplane, a hot air balloon, and more. Air Zoo is a Smithsonian Affiliate.
https://www.airzoo.org/
Voted the “Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners” and “Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family” three years in a row, offering historical exhibits and educational activities.
Our Mission is to preserve the legacy of flight for present and future generations.
Our Vision is to be the number one aviation museum in the world.
Our Pledge is to provide the best experience possible to everyone, every time.
The below biographical material comes from the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame:
Colonel Robert F. Warren, USMC, Retired
1923-
Colonel Robert F. Warren was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1923 and went on to join Helicopter Experimental Squadron One in Quantico, Virginia where he instructed marine fixed-wing pilots transitioning to helicopters at the outbreak of the Korean War. Warren was one of three original officers assigned to Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMR-161), the first U.S. Military all-helicopter squadron.
Seven months after receiving its first helicopter, HMR-161 embarked on the USS Sitkoh Bay for Korea. Using the ship’s machine shops on route to Korea, Warren helped design and manufacture external sling hoists and quick-loading external cargo hooks which became the norm for helicopter operations for years to come.
Warren was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for Operation Blackbird, a night combat operation executed in complete darkness and considered the most hazardous by HMR-161 during its entire Korean combat tour.
On February 8, 1952, he rescued a downed pilot 40 miles behind enemy lines for which he was award a second Distinguished Flying Cross. In 14 years of helicopter flying, he never had a single accident, although he experienced complete engine failure twice. Both times he auto rotated to a safe landing.
Back in the U.S., Warren was promoted to major and selected as aide-de-camp to Medal of Honor winner General Christian Schilt, USMC. Upon Schilt’s retirement in 1957, Warren returned to Santa Ana where he joined HMM-363. He was in charge of a three helicopter special mission which transported President Dwight Eisenhower from the San Francisco International Airport to the Presidio.
In the U.S., he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as a helicopter tactics instructor in the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico for the next four years. He was then transferred to the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C. to transition to flying fixed-wing jets. Upon completion, he was assigned as commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron-331 (VMA-331). Warren is the only pilot to have commanded both a Marine Corps helicopter squadron (HMH-363) and a Marine Corps jet attack squadron (VMA-331).
In June of 1968, he returned to California in command of a Marine helicopter air group comprising seven squadrons and more than 5,000 Marines. He retired in September, 1969 after 27 years of active duty flying. From 1981 to 1987 he was recalled to active duty and ordered to the Pentagon six times to serve on an advisory committee for the Secretary of the Navy.
Col. Robert F. Warren was enshrined into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame on May 21, 2011.
___________________________________
Information gathered during an interview with Colonel Robert F. Warren May 18, 2018.
Colonel Robert F. Warren proudly mentioned that his son William had been an infantry platoon leader in Viet Nam, and that the survival rate for that position averaged only 4-6 months. Thank God he made it back.
Robert stated he spent many hours with Mashbir and recalled that Mashbir was angry with General Willoughby, who was General MacArthur’s chief of staff GHQ during WWII. Robert said that Mashbir would mockingly imitate Willoughby’s accent. Mashbir’s anger stemmed from his feeling that Willoughby had often prevented Mashbir from directly delivering urgent strategic information to MacArthur, and that Willoughby regularly took credit for many of Mashbir’s ideas.
Below are a number of other comments Colonel Warren made related to Colonel Mashbir.
-When Mashbir returned to the Imperial Hotel after surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Hotel Manager Inmaru (sp?) responded as if, “He couldn’t be more surprised if he’d seen the Buddha step out of Hell.”
-Robert clarified a matter linked to the historical novel about Colonel Mashbir, titled The Emperor and the Spy. Robert said that Mashbir’s good friend James Moriarty (Marine) was sent to China first, then to Japan.
-Sidney Mashbir’s son Forrester (his older son) became the manager of entertainment at the Sands Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas.
-Robert met Don Mashbir (Sidney’s younger son) and Don’s wife Rosa.
-Sid told Don that Sid didn’t want heroics to keep him alive when he got near the end.
-Sidney Mashbir’s home was in Emerald Bay, in Laguna Beach, which has beautiful views.
-Sid came to Robert’s military retirement party.
-Sid started the Pan-Pacific Club of Tokyo. Robert said, “Sid had a strong positive feeling for the whole nation of Japan.”
-Robert stated, “Sid had respect for the top levels of the Japanese hierarchy who were against war; they were almost prisoners of the military or they were eliminated altogether.”
-When Mashbir was leaving Japan, he laid on the floor of the ship, so as not to see Mt. Fuji, because he was superstitious that if you do not wish to return to Japan, you should not look back at that magnificent mountain view.
Below is a letter from William Warren:
“I have just ordered two copies of your book, one for my father and one for myself. Both of us had the pleasure of calling Colonel Mashbir our friend. I personally spent many, many hours with Colonel Mashbir at his home in Laguna Beach. He and his second wife, Alice were host to me on many, many weekends when I was a young Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. Sid also invited me to the Army and Navy Club in Washington DC where I believe he was a charter member. He was a most amazing man and one of my all-time heroes!! After Sid’s death, Alice sent me the original oil painting of General MacArthur that was one of his prized possessions. This portrait hung over the mantel in his Laguna Beach home. Alice told me that Sid would have wanted me to have this portrait and that I was to forever keep this in my family, never giving it to a museum or selling it. That portrait still hangs in my home today. Alice also gave me a copy of Sid’s book, “I was an American Spy” and she endorsed the book for me.
I have not yet read your book, but would love to keep in touch with you. Thank you for honoring this great man.
(William) Bill Warren, 9026 Mossy Hill Lane, Indian Land, SC 29707.”
Bill Warren was most generous in his praise:
Review of The Emperor and the Spy:
A true story of intrigue, history and a little known American hero.
By Bill Warren on May 27, 2018
“I had the good fortune to have met Colonel Sidney Mashbir when I was a newly minted Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It was my distinct honor to have spent hours and hours with him over the years, visiting him both in his home in Laguna Beach, California and at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC where he enjoyed the status as a charter member. During those visits, Colonel Mashbir related hundreds of stories and showed me untold number of documents and I think I spent hundreds of hours listening to him. I am not sure what cemented the relationship I had with this fascinating hero, but I treasured every moment and consider him to have been among my very best friends, mentor and teacher. I am both in awe of and pleased with Stan S. Katz who recognized a real hero of our country and that he undertook the mission to write this book. His research for The Emperor and the Spy, appears to be meticulous and he tells a story that NEEDS to be told. Not many would ever have guessed that Colonel Mashbir served with General Pershing in Mexico. Likewise, who would have believed that Colonel Mashbir would have become so endeared with, respected by and maintained a secret alliance with the royal family of Japan prior to World War II. The Colonel indeed had a special relationship with Prince Tokugawa, the Emperor Hirohito and their families. Through these relationships, Colonel Mashbir made a valiant attempt to avert WWII in the Pacific. That is just part of the story. The other part is the intelligence work performed for General Douglas MacArthur during the war that, without a doubt, shortened the war with Japan. Even after the war, Colonel Mashbir utilized his deep understanding of the Japanese and his friendship with many of its leaders to make major contributions to the peaceful occupation of Japan and without those efforts, the outcome of post-war Japan would have been a completely different country.
Stan Katz skillfully weaves this story into a very readable and exciting historical fictionalized novel. His facts, based on the stories told to me by Colonel Mashbir are genuine and because of the nature of Colonel’s work, are irrefutable. Stan easily stands with Bernard Cornwell, Jeff Sharra and Michael Sharra in his skill constructing a superb story around historical facts and with Brad Meltzer in his ability to develop historical characters while keeping the adventure exciting. If you like historical novels and want to learn about a real American hero, you will find it in this magnificent book.” Note: On May 13th, 2018, Bill Warren called his father Robert and related, “That his Dad had read the first half of The Emperor and the Spy, and was thoroughly enjoying it.”
Interviews with William Warren
William described Sidney Mashbir as the consummate gentlemen. Rarely, if ever, did he hear him raise his voice. William commented that I had captured the essence of the man in The Emperor and the Spy, and that he thought Sidney and I would have gotten along well, which made my day.
William confirmed what his father Robert had told him, that during WWII, Mashbir hated General Willoughby and they had numerous confrontations/tussles. William felt that Willoughby outranked Mashbir and Mashbir had to take it. “Mashbir couldn’t stand the man.” William said, “Willoughby might have blocked Mashbir from getting directly to General MacArthur, but Mashbir probably violated the chain of command to get to General MacArthur on occasion.”
William stated I got the story right in the novel, that when recruiting the Nisei for the WWII intelligence organization ATIS, it helped that they could both speak and read the language. Speaking Japanese is relatively easy, but reading it is much more difficult.
William said he thought that MacArthur felt somewhat abandoned in the Pacific theater, with most of the military resources going to the European theater of war.
William’s father Robert met Mashbir through a mutual friend, Kelvin Bailey (who in the marines flew with Robert).
Robert Warren shared additional biographical info about his and Mashbir’s mutual friend, Kelvin Bailey.
Kelvin Bailey’s Marine Corps service in WWII included combat flying dive bombers in the Philippine Islands, were exemplary.
Years later, Kelvin became the staff pilot for Medal of Honor recipient Marine Major General Christian Schilt. Schilt received the MOH at a White House Lawn ceremony in 1928. It was presented by President Calvin Coolidge for General Schilt’s heroic action during the Banana Wars in Central America during the 1920s. During a battle, Schilt saved the lives of many wounded Marines by landing his bi-plane, under intense gunfire, on a dirt road in the middle of a town in Nicaragua, delivering ammunition and taking out the wounded who were fastened to the wings. Christian F. Schilt was the 2nd person promoted to the rank of 4 Star Marine Corps General. Previously, the only 4 Star Marine Corps General was the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Schilt received his promotion to 4 Stars on the day he retired.
Robert first met Mashbir’s friend Kelvin in 1952, at the El Toro Marine Air Station in California, when Robert started his five year tenure as General Schilt’s Aide. The reason Robert was selected for that job was because he could teach Schilt to fly a helicopter. Schilt wore his Lieutenant General (3 Star) rank as the Director of Marine Aviation when Kelvin Bailey and Robert Warren worked for him in Washington for a couple of years.
Robert and Kelvin planned the General’s multiple trips to the Far East and many around the USA as well, often to Washington, D.C. When General Schilt retired in 1957, Kelvin started flying from Washington National Airport, his flights included Presidential candidates Goldwater, Kennedy, and Nixon, monitored by the CIA.
Unexpectedly, Kelvin received a call from a Walt Disney Productions Executive who asked if he would be interested in flying a newly manufactured Disney jet called “Mickey Mouse One.” He accepted the offer and became Walt Disney’s personal pilot, flying the Walt Disney Productions Gulfstream for over ten years. He often flew Walt to Kissimmee, Florida during the planning and building of Walt Disney World. The Gulfstream call sign was, ‘2-3-4 Mickey Mouse’.
Regrettably, Kelvin had a serious automobile accident and his health went downhill, but Robert remained his close friend throughout the remainder of Kelvin’s life. For the past several years, Robert recommended Kelvin Bailey be enshrined in the Michigan Aviation Hall Of Fame. On April 18th, 2020, a dinner ceremony was scheduled to honor Bailey’s induction into that museum.
Robert stated that he was proud of his long association with Kelvin Bailey and was very pleased with Kel’s forthcoming inclusion into military aviation history. “He richly deserves this high honor.”
Walt Disney’s office in Burbank, California: Standing with Walt (he didn’t like being called Mr. Disney) is his corporate pilot Marine Lt. Colonel Kelvin Bailey (Retired), and Kelvin’s wife Gwen, who was something of a starlet in her day. Please note the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots gift boxes in the photo; this national organization distributes toys to needy kids during the Holidays.
Above photo courtesy of Robert Warren.
Below is a transcription of this newspaper article which gives some details about the Toys for Tots gifting program and the history of Walt Disney Co. as one of the earliest supporters of this organization, working with the Marine Corps Reserves.
The article is written by Teresa Anicola, Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, 07 November 2002, Page 17.
“Bring a new toy to the movie”
“If you’re planning to see Disney’s holiday movie The Santa Clause 2 starring Tim Allen this month bring along something extra – a new toy. Collection bins for the Marine Corp Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program will be place in theaters nationwide so needy children can receive a new toy this holiday season. Toy collections began Sunday and continue through Dec. 18. In addition to theaters, the bins will be place in restaurants and major malls nationwide.
55th season
This year marks the 55th holiday season the Marine Corp Reserves and Disney, a founding sponsor of the drive, have joined to brighten the lives of children. “The mission of both Toys for Tots and the Walt Disney Co. is to help bring a smile to a child’s face.” Said Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner.
The Walt Disney Co. has been an original sponsor of the program since its inception in 1947. In 1948, Walt Disney personally designed the original Toys for Tots logo, which is still in use. He also designed the first poster created for the campaign in 1956 featuring Donald Duck dressed as Santa Claus driving the Toys for Tots logo train.
“We are extremely grateful to Walt Disney for all of their years of support,” said Maj. Bill Green of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Last year, more than 6 million children received toys. Toy collection and distribution will take place in 1,400 communities.
Colonel Robert F. Warren, still active in his 90’s, wrote a screenplay, and in association with U.S. military historian and writer, Navy Lt. Charles Wyatt, they recently completed an adaptation of that screenplay into a short novel titled: The Elephants of Trabong – This dramatic and engaging story is linked to Robert’s experiences during the Viet Nam War, where his assignment was to win the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese citizenry thru improving the economic life in their villages. It would definitely make a great movie!
*Representatives of the film industry can receive a synopsis of the screenplay and novel thru the below contacts:
William Warren: [email protected]
Robert Warren: [email protected]
Colonel Warren is also passionately engaged in writing an autobiography based on his personal life story & his military experiences in three wars.
ONLY IN AMERICA
By Robert (Bob) Warren
Forward
My motivation for writing this story came from my two children and their spouses, and from other relatives and from many close friends. When told of the prominent people I had met during my career as a Marine Aviator in three wars and in peacetime, they all urged me to write the story of those encounters and experiences, thereby providing an historical record for my family descendants and others who would be interested in this material. When I agreed and commenced writing, it quickly became apparent that my wonderful family and dear friends had had a continuing and very important supporting role that contributed to my career success.
To my readers, I hope you enjoy this tale of love, happiness and dedication to the service of our Nation.
Introduction
This chronicle of my life could have happened “Only In America” – Where else could an orphaned farm kid from Michigan have the good fortune to be adopted and raised by a loving family? Then, after growing up, have the opportunity to serve my country as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot in WW II, a helicopter pilot in Korea, and in Vietnam, serve as the chief of staff to the State Department Director for Civil Operations in the five northern provinces of South Vietnam!
Where else could I have commanded both a Marine Helicopter squadron and years later, a Marine Jet Attack squadron? Then commanded a Marine Air Group with seven squadrons, manned by over 5000 highly skilled Marines, and one day have the honor and privilege to transport President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a Marine Helicopter…I would meet other notables, such as South Korean President Syngman Rhee in his office in Seoul, and Lord Louis Mountbatten in London, and was fortunate to come to know other impressive individuals whose names I shall share with the readers of this story.
Throughout this narrative, I’ve included some related historical information, so the reader would have an appreciation for the surrounding events of that period. For instance, what was the purpose in my flying from the island of Saipan a year after that island had been captured? And, why was I sent from Japan to Laos twice, traveling on two passports, one civilian and the other military?
Conclusion
Overall, the Marine Corps taught me how to become a better military leader through extensive schooling, and then trusted me to command several aviation units…Looking back, I came to the surprising realization that I had little or no appreciation of what being a Marine really meant until after WW II ended, when I was ordered to attend a six month Air/Infantry School in Quantico, Virginia. It was there, that I first understood how fortunate I was to be a member of such a first class war-fighting organization. It was there, I learned why the Marine Corps is highly respected and held in great esteem by the American public. I learned that the Marine Corps would always care and support my family insofar as possible. I learned the importance of having civilian leadership in America over its military.
I also learned that my Naval Aviator gold wings were always subordinate to the Globe and Anchor emblem worn on my Marine Corps uniform, and it is for good reason, that every Marine is first, a rifleman.
At Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, lifelong friendships were forged with other Marines having infantry, artillery, and aviation skills. I learned that a Marine’s net worth is measured by individual training, followed by combat performance. Little else really matters. Above all, the main reason for having a Marine Corps, is that the American people want one. Accordingly, they always stand ready to pay for it.
Bob Warren
June 2018
Hope you enjoyed your visit!
This blog post honors true American military heroes.
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Tony Fisher says
April 15, 2020 at 4:04 pmHi Bob…
Stan S. Katz probably told you that I was also a friend of Col. Mashbir. During the summer months (June, July, & August) our house was directly across the street from Col. Mashbir’s house. I found your remembrances about General MacArthur’s portrait which hung over the mantel of his fireplace interesting, because…prior to MacArthur’s oil painting, his deceased wife’s oil painting of herself was above the mantle and each week Col. Mashbir would place one dozen long stem red roses next to his wife’s oil painting…after her passing, General MacArthur reigned over the fireplace mantel. I enjoyed reading about your friendship with Sidney Mashbir. He was a great man.
Best wishes,
Tony Fisher