Riverside, California: Air museum seeks volunteer docents

Joe Onesty flew 27 missions during World War II.

Seven decades later, the 88-year-old needs reinforcements.

Onesty is in charge of finding volunteer docents at the P-38 Museum next to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside. The museum houses the history of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a classic World War II military aircraft.

“The mission is needed badly,” Onesty said in an interview at the museum.

The Seal Beach resident has about a dozen docents he calls on for help.

But he said it’s hard getting volunteers to show up on a regular basis.

Onesty had two World War II vets who were docents. One is in his 90s. The other lives in Oceanside and doesn’t come anymore, Onesty said.

“I’m usually the only one here,” he said.

He said anyone can be a docent.

“They don’t need a military background. They can just like airplanes,” he said.

Onesty said it’s helpful if they have an interest in and knowledge of the P-38. But it’s not required.

He needs docents 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, when the museum is open.

Onesty said he’ll teach docents whatever they need to know.

“We want to educate the younger generation about the plane,” he said.

The museum has displays containing photos, antiques and memorabilia related to the P-38 and World War II. A full-sized P-38 replica greets visitors entering the hangar just south of the March Field Air Museum.

Onesty served in the 48th Fighter Squadron. He pointed to a helmet he contributed to the collection. It’s housed in a glass case along with a map of Italy he used in 1945.

He moved on to a display about fighter pilot Dick Bong, the “Ace of Aces,” who shot down a record 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II.

Ron Smith joined Onesty to talk about the P-38 National Association. The nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the memory of the P-38. Smith, past president of the association, said there are about 900 members nationwide.

“It’s amazing how many people come in and say, ‘This has been my favorite plane since I was a kid,’” said Smith, a 75-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident.

Jeremy Suh took a detour to visit the museum on the way from Barstow to his home in the San Fernando Valley.

“It’s well worth it,” said Suh, 42. “It’s educational. There’s a lot of history here as well.”

Information about becoming a docent at the P-38 Museum is available by calling Joe Onesty at 562-431-2901.

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