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Our History

Danbury's 399th Squadron dates back to  days after Civil Air Patrol was founded 

  • Squadron Commander:  Marshall C. Sewall of New Canaan Pilot
  • Executive Officer:  George H. Day | New Canaan
  • Adjutant:  David Lapham | New Canaan
  • Personnel & Medical Officer:  Dr. H.S. Phillips | Westport
  • Intelligence and Public Relations:  Benjamin A. Pollett | New Canaan
  • Training and Operations Officer:  Clifford Sadler | Danbury
  • Equipment and Supplies Officer:  Julian Ransome | New Canaan
  • Transportation Officer: Frederick Osborn | Darien
  • Communication Officer: Sumner Foster | Darien

Sumner Hatherly Foster

Danbury and the sinking of U-Boats

A rare honor for a unique man | Solon Economist and North Liberty Leader: http://www.soloneconomist.com/content/rare-honor-unique-man

The article above dated June 12th 2018 was about a Major Robert Dunn of Iowa who received the Congressional Gold Medal. The article notes Dunn's Meeting with Major Eugene "Sumner: Foster as a cadet in 1942.

While a cadet, Dunn met some other interesting and special people. In late 1942, a CAP Major, Eugene (Sumner) Foster arrived as Commander. Maj. Foster had been part of an east coast squadron, which had helped in the sinking of two German submarines off the coast. “In an intercepted message from a sub captain he said, ‘Those damned yellow airplanes make us dive every time.’”

Marshall C. Sewall: 1st Danbury Squadron Commander

Marshall Sewall was a Pilot from New Canaan and businessman. Sewall joined the Navy shortly after World War II began. He enjoyed sailing. 

Born December 3 1908 Died September 19 1983

David Lapham: Adjudant

David Lapham, Danbury Squadron's First Adjutant was the grandson of Lewis Henry Lapham. who made his fortune in the leather industry and was one of the founders of Texaco Oil. He grew up at Waveny House in New Canaan. He grew up on the same property as actor Christopher Lloyd.

​An Article in the New Canaan Advertiser ​Excerpt here:

In 1927, their son Jack, no longer into polo, took up flying lessons and landed the first ever plane in New Canaan in 1928 — a new Spartan biplane, which he flew up from Texas. That year they built a hangar to house the plane (with a price tag of $1,400). Over the next 10 years, the family had two hangers and a few planes. Jack’s wife and children all became licensed pilots and the family frequently flew in and out of Waveny. (Jack’s wife was also a proficient golfer who captured the national Woman’s Senior Golf title at Westchester Country Club according to an article in the New York Times circa 1936 from the New Canaan Historical Society.) 

In 1934, Lewis Lapham died. David Lapham (Jack’s second son) was living in the bungalow by now with his family. David was the last to have an airplane (a Piper Cub coupe), which he retired in 1939 at the start of World War II. He entered the service in 1942.

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