Josephine the Kinkajou

Above SGT Nolan O. Bryan plays with Josephine, or "Josie," while a friend looks on. Josie is a Kinkajou, which is an arboreal carnivore found in the tropical forests, and is related to racoons. Kinkajous have prehensile tails and claws used for climbing trees. Kinkajous are also known as "Honey Bears," because of their taste for honey.

Josie was presented to LT Howell by a General of the Mexican Army for pleasantries exchanged in performance of his flight duties. LT Howell then presented Josie to COL Overing, who, in turn, gave the animal to the enlisted men.

Josie was a morale boost and was relatively easy to care for. Her only problem was a "leaky kidney," which displayed itself at the most inconvenient times.

Josie was a mascot of the 9th Anti-submarine squadron in Miami, and moved with the group to Tucson. She became the charge of SGT Bryan, who was a clerk in the engineering section. When the 486th prepared to move overseas, SGT Bryan was informed that Josephine would not be allowed to come along. SGT Bryan then asked for permission to ship Josie home to his mother in Texas. The Bryan family took good care of Josie, but eventually placed her in a zoo in Abilene. A fire at the zoo would claim Josie.

Below, Nolan's brother, Lloyd, poses with Josie at the family home.

- Nolan O. Bryan, 835th

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