Dictionary of American

Naval Aviation Squadrons

Volume 2

The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and

VP(AM) Squadrons

Michael D. Roberts

Naval Historical Center

Department of the Navy
Washington, D.C., 2000
 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number
94–35647

Roberts, Michael D.

Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 2 / by Michael D.

Roberts.

CD-ROM
Contents: v. 2. The history of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) squadrons
1. United States. Navy—Aviation—History. 2. Patrol Squadrons and
Airplanes, Military—United States—History. I. Naval Historical Center
(U.S.) II. Title: American naval aviation squadrons.

CD-ROM for sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, D.C. 20402-9328
 Secretary of the Navy’s
Advisory Committee on Naval History
Dr. David A. Rosenberg, Chairman
CDR Wesley A. Brown, CEC, USN (Ret.)
Dr. Frank G. Burke
J. Revell Carr
VADM Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.)
VADM George W. Emery, USN (Ret.)
Dr. Jose-Marie Griffiths
Dr. Beverly Schreiber Jacoby
David E. Kendall
Honorable G. V. Montgomery
Dr. James R. Reckner
Dr. William N. Still, Jr.
ADM William O. Studeman, USN (Ret.)
Virginia S. Wood

iii
 About the Author

C APTAIN MICHAEL D. ROBERTS, MSC, USNR,

is a computer systems specialist with the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington,
D.C. He was a drilling reservist with Naval
Historical Center Volunteer Training Unit 0613
from 1988 to 1998. Captain Roberts graduated
from Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, in 1966
with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and minor in
History. He graduated from the Medical College of
Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, in 1968 with a
Masters in Hospital Administration.
Following graduation Captain Roberts
served four years on active duty in the Navy with
assignments in San Diego, California, and Cubi
Point, Philippines. Upon separation from active
duty, he remained in the Navy Reserves and his
assignments involved providing medical support
to Marine Corps Reserve units. In 1990 he volun-
teered to cover the historical aspects of Navy
medical units attached to the 1st and 2nd FSSG, Roberts, USNR, prior to his retirement from the Reserves in 1998.
U.S. Marine Corps during the Gulf War. During
his six months on active duty he covered over 3,000 miles on the ground in the combat
zone. He was later awarded two Navy Commendations and one Meritorius Service Medal for
his contributions.
Captain Roberts has written several articles for the magazine Navy Medicine, numerous
articles on the ironclad navies of the American Civil War, and a “History of the U.S. Navy
Department” for the Oxford Press publication A Historical Guide to the U.S. Government. The
research and writing of this reference book not only appealed to Captain Roberts as a profes-
sional historian but he also had a special interest in the subject matter because his father was
a Naval Aviator in the patrol community during World War II.
On 1 November 1998 Captain Roberts retired from the Navy Reserves after 30 years of
service. He currently resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his wife Carol and son, David.

v
 Contents
Foreword / ix
Preface / xi
Acknowledgments / xiii

Chapter 1

Origins of Navy Patrol Aviation, 1911 to 1920s / 1

Chapter 2

Guidelines for Navy Aviation Squadron Lineage and Insignia / 13

Chapter 3

Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories / 15

Chapter 4

Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) Histories / 389

Chapter 5

Heavy Patrol Squadrons (Landplane) (VP-HL) Histories / 623

Chapter 6

Amphibian Patrol Squadrons (VP-AM) Histories / 631

vii
 Title Page

Appendix 1 Aircraft Data—Technical Information and Drawings 635

Appendix 2 A Summary of Patrol Aircraft Ordnance Equipment 687

Appendix 3 Submarines Sunk by Patrol Aircraft During World War II 697

Appendix 4 Air to Air Claims and Credits for Navy and Marine Corps Patrol 713
Type Aircraft During World War II

Appendix 5 Seaplane Tender Listings 731

Appendix 6 Patrol Squadron Shore Establishments 737
Appendix 7 Lineage Listings for VP, VB, VPB, VP(HL), VP(ML), VP(MS) 769
and VP(AM) Squadrons

Appendix 8 Listing of Reserve VP Squadrons, February 1946 to January 1968 781

Appendix 9 Medal of Honor Recipients for Patrol Aviation 785

Appendix 10 Patrol Squadron Korean War Deployments 789

Appendix 11 Patrol Squadron Vietnam Deployments (1964–1972) 795

Appendix 12 Patrol Squadron Persian Gulf Deployments (1990–1991) 805

Appendix 13 Organization and Development of Patrol Wings (Fleet Air 807

Wings) 1918–Present

Appendix 14 Reserve Patrol Squadron Call-Ups in the Post-WWII Period 815

Glossary 819
Bibliography 829
Index of Patrol Squadron Histories and Aircraft Data 831

viii
 Foreword

T HIS EAGERLY ANTICIPATED SECOND VOLUME

of the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation
the United States. History is a useful subject for the
Navy for several reasons. Insofar as it represents the
Squadrons: The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and sum total of the Navy’s experience, it is an essential
VP(AM) Squadrons continues the excellent historical subject for study by naval professionals. History also is
coverage seen in the first volume of this series. The a means of giving an account to the American people
author, Captain Michael D. Roberts, MSC, USNR (Ret.) of the activities of their Navy. Finally, since history al-
and the staff of the Naval Aviation History Office of lows naval personnel to learn about the origins,
the Naval Historical Center have produced yet another achievements, and traditions of their commands and
quintessential reference work on U.S. Naval Aviation. of the Navy as a whole, it is a powerful means to pro-
This work is designed to provide naval personnel, mote naval morale. I hope this volume will be of in-
historians and aviation enthusiasts with a chronicle of terest and use to the active-duty Navy and to many
the significant events and developments of maritime other individuals interested in this nation’s rich naval
patrol aviation. The volume contains 154 histories cov- heritage.
ering every patrol squadron in existence between 1922 Subsequent volumes in this series will cover other
and the present. Also included are insightful appen- components of Naval Aviation. Currently, the Aviation
dices of technical information on patrol aircraft, sub- History Branch staff is in the early stages of work on
marines sunk by patrol squadrons, air-to-air claims for Volume 3 containing the histories and lineage of all
Navy and Marine Corps patrol aircraft during the U.S. Navy fighter squadrons.
Second World War, and a listing of patrol squadron
shore bases. Volume 2 provides an opportunity to
learn about the origins, achievements and traditions of William S. Dudley
patrol aviation as it relates to the rich naval heritage of Director of Naval History

ix
 Preface

T he Dictionary of American Naval Aviation

Squadrons, Vol. 2, is the second in the series of a mul-
ron’s establishment date may be equated to a ship’s
commissioning and the history for a squadron or ship
tivolume set. It provides a brief history of every U.S. begins on that date. When a squadron is redesignated,
Navy fixed-wing patrol squadron and their precursors there is no break in the history of that squadron. The
back to the year 1922. The format of this text follows history of a squadron covers the period from it estab-
that of the first volume, with special topics and appen- lishment to it disestablishment, regardless of how
dices pertaining to maritime patrol aviation. As was many redesignations it undergoes. Redesigna-tions can
the case with the earlier volume, the dictionary is writ- cause confusion when tracing the lineage of squadron.
ten primarily for use as a reference work, stating con- For more information on how to trace squadron lin-
cise facts about each squadron. It is regrettable that eage, please refer to Appendix 5 of the Dictionary of
the story of patrol aviation could not be told in its en- American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 The
tirety, but the details of achievements of individual History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons
squadrons would require a separate volume for each and Chapter 2 of this volume.
unit. There were over 154 separate patrol squadrons in A short description and photograph for all officially
existence between 1922 and the present. Their com- approved insignia used by a squadron follows the lin-
bined years of existence as operational units total over eage section. The chronology narrates the squadron’s
1,300 years of naval aviation history. important operational events and developments. The
Patrol squadrons have never received the publicity remaining sections pertain to the evolutionary history
of the more glamorous carrier aviation community, for of the squadron and include listings of home port as-
their jobs usually entail the endless tedium of antisub- signments, commanding officers, aircraft assignments,
marine searches and long-range patrols, serving as the overseas deployments, wing assignments and major
“eyes of the fleet.” It is a historical fact, however, that unit awards.
the Curtiss A-1 seaplane was the first type of aircraft This second volume covers the patrol community
ordered by the Navy in May 1911. Carrier aviation did and includes the history for VP (patrol squadron), VB
not come into its own until the first takeoff from the (bombing squadron, non-carrier based), VPB (patrol
deck of an aircraft carrier on 17 October 1922. Patrol bombing squadron), VP-HL (patrol, heavy landplane
aviation technology progressed on a separate track squadron), VP-ML (patrol, medium landplane squad-
from carrier-based aviation. Instead of speed and strik- ron), VP-MS (patrol, medium seaplane squadron) and
ing power, patrol aircraft were epitomized by en- VP-AM (patrol, amphibian squadron). The squadron
durance, long-range and reliability. It was not until the histories in this volume cover only those squadrons
global nature of the conflict in WWII that patrol avia- that are currently designated VP or those that had the
tion transformed its mounts from slow seaplanes to VP, VPB, VP-HL or VP-AM designations when they
fast, heavily armored and armed, long-range, multi-en- were disestablished. Any patrol squadron redesignated
gine strike aircraft. The proven effectiveness of that VX or VAH and did not revert back to a VP designa-
transition is embodied in the present day series of tion prior to its disestablishment is not included in this
multi-role P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. volume. The lineage listing in appendix 7 provides a
As in the previous volume, each squadron history cross reference list for all squadrons that may have
begins with a lineage section that starts with the date had the VP designation. Although most patrol
of establishment. It also includes any redesignations squadrons also performed a variety of photographic
and disestablishment date if applicable. The squad- and reconnaissance missions, squadrons with designa-

xi
tions such as VD (photographic squadron), VW (air- Photographs used in the book are official U.S. Navy
borne early warning squadron) and VQ (fleet air re- photographs unless otherwise indicated. If available, a
connaissance squadrons) will be described in future photograph of at least one squadron aircraft is in-
volumes. The histories of the active patrol squadrons, cluded for each squadron listed. Throughout the book
including the reserves, cover the period from estab- one or more photographs are included for each
lishment up through 1996, an arbitrary cutoff date. If a known type of aircraft flown by all of the squadrons.
squadron was disestablished after 1996 its history was Photographs of squadron insignia include only offi-
updated to its disestablishment or deactivation date, if cially approved insignia. Insignia for squadron detach-
that date was prior to the manuscript being forwarded ments and “other insignia” used by the squadrons are
for typesetting. All active duty patrol squadron histo- not included in this book.
ries will be updated at a later date and published in a As in the previous volume, every attempt has been
separate book.
made to exclude errors through exhaustive research
An attempt has been made to trace the development
and careful editing. The vast amount of the material
of the many Naval Air Reserve patrol squadrons that
presented increases the likelihood of mistakes.
came into existence after 1946. The paucity of records
Hopefully, these are few and minor in nature. In a
on these squadrons makes the task of tracing lineage
difficult at best, complicated by the fact that none of work of this scope, conflicts in dates or representa-
the early squadrons had permanently assigned aircraft tions of events are an inevitable consequence of multi-
or submitted history reports. During weekend drills ple sources. In such cases, the professional opinions
they used aircraft from their local naval air station. A of the Aviation Branch staff were solicited to assist in
listing of all known reserve squadrons in existence determining the most accurate representation. As the
from 1946 to 1968 is found in Appendix 8. More detail writer and major compiler of the data for this volume,
is available for those squadrons called up during the I accept full responsibility for any mistakes or errors of
Korean War, the Berlin Crisis and Vietnam War, and is fact or misinterpretations that may have occurred in
presented in Appendix 14. Reserve squadron histories the book, and I welcome any corrections.
included in this volume begin in 1970 when the Naval
Air Reserves were reorganized into the same structure Michael D. Roberts
used by the active duty Navy squadrons. Captain, MSC, USNR (Ret.)

xii
 Acknowledgments

W ORK ON THIS BOOK BEGAN SHORTLY after

my release from active duty following the Gulf War of
The professional staff of the Naval Historical Center
was collectively of great assistance in locating research
1990–1991. I had originally intended writing a much materials for this work. Mr. Bernard Cavalcante’s
shorter version covering only the patrol squadrons of Operational Archives Branch assisted in finding many
WWII as a tribute to my father and his squadron mates records, and Mrs. Jean L. Hort and her staff in the
of VPB-102. With the encouragement of Mr. Roy A. Navy Department Library were instrumental in locating
Grossnick, Head Historian of the Naval Aviation History many out-of-print volumes.
Office, the work was expanded to become Volume 2 of Many people outside the Naval Historical Center
the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. made significant contributions to this work in review-
As time progressed, I was almost overwhelmed by the ing sections as they were completed and providing
magnitude of the task for which I had so blithely volun- data for special topics and the appendices. Mr.
teered. The seven years of effort required could never Gudmundur Helgason, webmaster of U-boat Net, Mr.
have been completed without the professional guidance John M. Elliott and Mr. James C. Sawruk contributed to
of Roy Grossnick and the encouragement and support the appendices. Special thanks are also due to five re-
of my wife, Carol, and father, Lieutenant Commander viewers of considerable experience who spent a
Marlin D. Roberts, USN (ret). significant amount of time reviewing the manuscript in
A reference text of this complexity is actually the its entirety: Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.),
culmination of efforts of many different people. First Captain Richard C. Knott, USN (Ret.); Captain Albert L.
and foremost of the contributors were the staff of the Raithel, Jr., USN (Ret.); Dr. Jeffery G. Barlow; and
Naval Aviation History Office. Their guidance and sug- Lieutenant Commander Richard R. Burgess, USN (Ret.).
gestions saved me much time and effort in research The photographs in this book play an important part in
and location of source documents. My sincere thanks telling the history of the patrol community. Many of the
are extended to Naval Aviation History Office staffers photographs in the book are from the collections held in
Mr. John M. Elliott, historian, retired; Mr. W. Todd the Naval Historical Center. I would like to extend my
Baker, historian; and Ms. Gwendolyn J. Rich, archivist. thanks to Mr. Edwin Finney and Mr. Jack Green in the
The Naval Aviation News magazine staff was also of Photo Section of the Center’s Curator Branch for assist-
great assistance in editing the manuscript. No other ing with the research to locate photographs for the
group could have been more ideally suited to the task, book. Other people who contributed photos from their
with their in-depth knowledge of naval aviation history collections for use in the book include Captain Jerry
and terminology. Their exceptional mastery of the intri- Mason, USN, John M. Elliott, William L. Swisher, Captain
cacies of the English language helped steer this work Richard C. Knott, USN (Ret.), and Fred C. Dickey, Jr.
clear of many grammatical reefs encountered. I am most grateful to my wife, Carol, and our chil-
Commander James Carlton’s staff includes: Ms. Sandra K. dren, David and Meredith, for their forbearance over
Russell, Ms. Wendy E. Karppi, Journalist Second Class the many weekends and evenings spent apart from
Blake Towler and Mr. Morgan I. Wilbur, Art Director. family activities while working on this book. A special
A special acknowledgement is extended to my fel- debt of gratitude is extended to Mr. John Grier, the de-
low members of Naval Historical Center Unit 0615 for sign and typesetting specialist who had produced the
their encouragement in pursuit of this task. I am espe- layout for Volume 1 of this series, and now in retire-
cially grateful to previous unit commanding officers, ment graciously accepted the request to produce the
Captain Harold S. Tiernan and Captain Thomas G. Hilt layout for Volume 2.
for their generous assistance in keeping me free of the
entanglements of Navy paperwork so that all of my Captain Michael D. Roberts,
time could be spent in research and writing. MSC, USNR (Ret.)

xiii
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 1

CHAPTER 1

Origins of Navy Patrol Aviation,

1911 to 1920s

T HE DEVELOPMENT OF PATROL aviation in the

U.S. Navy is really the story of Naval Aviation itself. It
craft on hand and experimented with a variety of float
designs being developed by the newly established
began as early as 1908, when the Navy detailed aerodynamics laboratory at the Washington Navy Yard.
Lieutenant George C. Sweet and Naval Constructor The shakedown period for the Navy’s fledgling air
William McIntee as observers at a test of a Wright force was brief. The skeptical admirals of the “old line
brothers airplane at Fort Meyer, Va. They were so im- Navy” wished to see the results of the Naval
pressed by what they saw that the Navy extended an Aeronautics Desk experiments. In January 1913, the
invitation to the Wright brothers to attempt the launch annual fleet exercises were conducted off Cuba. The
of one of their inventions from a battleship. The duties of the unit were carried out with considerable
Wright brothers declined this opportunity to make avi- success. It was noted after the exercise that the air-
ation history. It was left to a Glenn H. Curtiss pilot, crews were able to discern the outline of submarines
Eugene Ely, to make the first flight from a ship, flying just beneath the surface and floating mines on the sur-
off a platform built on the bow of the cruiser face of the ocean. Messages with streamers attached
Birmingham (CL 2) at Hampton Roads, Va., on 14 were dropped on the decks of vessels below, giving
November 1910.1 the locations of these hazards.2
The successful conclusion of the testing in Hampton The results of the annual exercises proved satisfac-
Roads and the competitive interest of the U.S. Army in tory enough to temporarily silence the critics of Naval
use of aircraft for scouting spurred the Navy to request Aviation. In October 1913, the Secretary of the Navy
$25,000 in the 1911–1912 Naval Appropriation Act for established a Board of Aeronautics to plan the future of
aviation procurement. On 13 March 1911, the first of- the Navy’s newest addition. The board’s first action
fice for dealing with Naval Aviation was organized was to relocate the Greenbury Point detachment from
with the detailing of Captain Washington I. Chambers the Annapolis area to Pensacola, Fla., where better
to the Aeronautics Desk at the Bureau of Navigation flying weather was available year around. On 20
(BuNav). His first task as head of aeronautics was January 1914, the first naval air station (NAS) was put
placement of an order for the Navy’s first aircraft on 8 in operation with the arrival of the detachment aircraft.3
May 1911. This date marks the official birth of U.S. The test of battle for the Navy’s first aircraft unit
Naval Aviation. His second task was the establishment came shortly after its move to Pensacola, barely 36
of the first naval aviation camp at Greenbury Point, months after its birth. In early 1914, political unrest in
near Annapolis, Md., in the summer of 1911. Two Mexico led to an increase of incidents along the bor-
Curtiss pusher floatplanes were sent to the camp, fol- der. The harsh policies of Mexican president
lowed by a Wright airplane and a small group of naval Victoriano Huerta in dealing with the insurgency re-
officers hoping to learn to fly them. sulted in eventual military intervention by the adminis-
The shortage of qualified instructors for the aircraft tration of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. On 20 April
on hand led Chambers to relocate the aviation cadre 1914, two sections of two aircraft each were loaded
from the Greenbury Point aviation camp to the Glen aboard Mississippi (BB 23) and Birmingham (CL 2).
Curtiss Flying School in San Diego, Calif., in the winter The group aboard Mississippi saw most of the action
of 1911. The aspiring students quickly became aviators during the conflict, flying 43 days in action scouting
over the winter months. The unit returned to the the enemy trenches around Veracruz. During a patrol
Greenbury Point facility in the summer of 1912. Here near the city on 6 May 1914, one of this section’s sea-
they continued their practice flights with the three air-
2Sitz: p 8.
3“Air stations Established Prior to and During World War I.” NHC
1Walter H. Sitz, Captain, USMC. A History of U.S. Naval Aviation. Aviation History Branch, WWI Collection, box entitled WWI (NAS)
BuAer April 1925, Record Group #72, National Archives. Naval Air Stations (A–Z).

1
2 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

planes earned the dubious distinction of being the first hours later after an extremely frosty reception by the
Navy aircraft damaged by enemy fire.4 base commander. Within 24 hours the U-boat captain
Further organizational changes continued to take sank five steamers of British, Dutch and Norwegian
place during this formative period of naval patrol avia- registration inside U.S. continental waters. This new-
tion. The recommendations of the Board of Aeronau- generation German submarine was one of the recently
tics resulted in moving the head of the Naval developed class of U-boats with extended cruising
Aeronautics section from the offices of BuNav to the range and large displacement. The sole purpose of the
“Aviation Desk” under the Chief of Naval Operations visit and subsequent demonstration of formidable
(CNO) on 1 March 1916. Although nominally remain- German technology was to deter the United States
ing under the BuNav organization, the new Aviation from entering the war or continuing to supply the
Desk began operating as a largely independent branch Allied cause.
that evolved into the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer)
after World War I.5
The entry of the United States into World War I America Enters the War
came as no surprise to the naval establishment. The
Naval Appropriations Bill signed into law on 29
August 1916, provided $3,500,000 for aviation. It also
W HEN THE BOARD OF AERONAUTICS chose
Pensacola as the primary location for Naval Aviation in
authorized the establishment of a Naval Reserve Flying 1914, other potential sites had also been assessed.
Corps and the purchase of aircraft, including 10 planes With the U.S. declaration of war against Germany on 6
for loan to the Naval Militia. The funds also provided April 1917, plans for these sites were dusted-off and
for the expansion of shore activities to support put into effect. Additional air stations were established
wartime requirements.6 or transferred from state militias. The following is a list
The National Aerial Coast Patrol Commission, under of the naval aviation stations in the Western
the direction of Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary, was Hemisphere and its assigned functions:
formed in 1916 to provide trained Aerial Coast Patrol
Units and aircraft to patrol the coasts of the United Akron, Ohio Lighter-than-air training
States against potential enemy activity. Aerial Coast Anacostia, D.C. Experimental station
Patrol Units were recruited primarily from students at Bay Shore, L.I., N.Y. Elementary flight station,
Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Columbia Universities. emergency patrol station
There was also a unit at Great Lakes, Ill. The members Brunswick, Ga. Patrol station
of these units were recruited into the U.S. Naval Cape May, N.J. Patrol station
Reserve Force, Class 5 (Aviation), which had been au- Chatham, Mass. Patrol station
thorized by the 1916 Naval Appropriations Bill. Several Coco Solo, Panama C.Z. Patrol station
state naval militias, notably Massachusetts and New Halifax, N.S., Canada Patrol station
York, established aviation units that trained at Hampton Roads, Va. Experimental and patrol
Squantum, Mass., and Bay Shore, Long Island, N.Y., station
respectively.7 Key West, Fla. Elementary flight station
The several hundred naval aviators recruited and Miami (Dinner Key), Fla. Elementary flight station
trained by the Aerial Coast Patrol and the various state and patrol station
naval militias, plus the few early naval aviators and ex- Miami (Curtiss Field), Fla. Marine Corps landplane
perienced civilian aviators recruited directly into the training station
USNRF, constituted the leadership of Naval Aviation in Montauk, L.I., N.Y. Patrol station
World War I. Morehead City, N.C. Patrol station
On 16 October 1916, the German submarine U-53 North Sydney, N.S., Canada Patrol station
entered the harbor of Newport, R. I., to allow the cap- Pensacola, Fla. Advanced ground school
tain of the vessel to “pay his respects to the naval au- and flight station
thorities of the base.”8 The U-53 departed only a few Rockaway, L.I., N.Y. Patrol station
San Diego, Calif. Elementary flying station9
4
Sitz: p 8.
5Walter H. Sitz, Captain, USMC. A History of U.S. Naval Aviation, Shortly after the entry of the United States into the
BuAer, April 1925, Record Group No. 72, National Archives. war, the urgency of the situation and lack of sufficient
6 Archibald D. Turnbull, Captain, USNR and Lord, Clifford L.,

Lieutenant Commander, USNR. History of United States Naval training facilities led the Navy to accept the offer of
Aviation, New Haven, Yale University Press, 1949, p 81 (hereafter: the Canadian government to train pilot applicants at
Turnbull & Lord).
7 Henry Woodhouse. Textbook of Naval Aeronautics, New York, the School of Military Aeronautics, Royal Flying Corps,
The Century Company, June 1917, pp 135-176. Toronto. In July 1917, 25 candidates reported for duty.
8 Charles E. Mathews, Lieutenant (jg), USNRF, “History of U.S.

Naval Aviation During the World War: Patrolling and Patrol Station
on the Western Atlantic.” Unpublished document. BuAer 1921,
9 Sitz: p 12.
Record Group #45, National Archives.
 CHAPTER 1 3

One of the students, Thomas H. Chapman, relates a Perhaps it was just as well we did not understand his
tradition at that base: “The plane I was using was one words!”11
of the veterans of CTS 85, as was evident from the While the initial expansion of training was under-
right paw of the Black Cat painted on either side of way utilizing any and all means and facilities which
the fuselage. We were the Black Cat Squadron, and could be identified, plans were being developed for
after each crash the upraised right paw of the cat was an overall training system for Naval Aviation. This re-
marked with a white stripe. My plane had eight of sulted in a three-phase program for pilots: ground
those white stripes already and one more would finish school, elementary flight training and advanced flight
the proverb.”10 training.12 Lighter-than-air training and operations will
The situation in Europe was desperate in the Spring be covered in another volume of this series.
of 1917. With the entry of the U.S. on the side of the Ground school instruction extending over eight
Allies, a number of foreign delegations soon appeared weeks, was designed to indoctrinate student officers
in Washington. At a meeting with a French naval dele- with the fundamentals of the naval service and to in-
gation, the Navy promised to send aviators to France culcate in them the conception of strict military disci-
as soon as possible. Personnel were recruited, pline and secondly, to give them instruction in aero-
screened and transferred to Norfolk, Va., for transporta- nautical matters. Ground schools were established at
tion to France. What the French wanted was a contin- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and later at
gent of trained naval aviators. What they received was the University of Washington and the Dunwoody
“The First Aeronautic Detachment,” U.S. Navy. Arriving Institute, Minneapolis, Minn.
in France in two ships on 7 and 8 June 1917, the de- Elementary flight training was conducted at Bay
tachment consisted of seven officers, 50 student naval Shore, Long Island, N.Y.; Key West, Fla.; Miami, Fla.;
aviators, 50 student aviation mechanics and 22 admin- and San Diego, Calif. Advanced ground school and
istrative support personnel. This was the first U.S. mili- flight training was concentrated at Pensacola, Fla, the
tary or naval unit to arrive for war service in Europe Navy’s oldest, largest, and best equipped air station.
during World War I. The French were initially dismayed Aerologists were trained at the Blue Hills Observa-
to receive students rather than qualified aviators, but tory, Boston, Mass., and officer speciallity training was
upon learning of the true situation of U.S. Naval conducted at several locations. Enlisted technical train-
Aviation, they readily agreed to provide the required ing was concentrated at the schools established at the
training. The student aviators were transferred to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, supplemented with
French Flying School at Tours, France, and the me- specific equipment training at many manufacturing
chanics to the schools in St. Raphael. plants.13 Additionally, elementary flight training was ac-
The American students did not speak or understand complished at Lake Bolsena, Italy, and advanced flight
French and this frequently resulted in humorous situa- training at Moutchic, France, and Lake Bolsena.14
tions when students and instructors had to improvise The magnitude of the growth of Naval Aviation and the
to communicate. Lieutenant Joe C. Cline, USNRF, de- training accomplished is illustrated in the following table:
scribed one such event in his history of the detach- 6 April 11 November
ment: “The type of airplane used for our primary in- 1917 1918
struction was the Caudron G-3, a French biplane with Officers (naval aviators) 38 1,656
warping wings and a Nacelle two-place cockpit, pow- Officers (student naval aviators) 0 288
Officers (ground) 0 891
ered by a 90 hp Enzani or LeRhone rotary engine. The
Student officers (in training for
instructor sat in the rear cockpit. After takeoff he commission) 0 3,881
would turn controls over to the student and instruc- Total officer personnel 38 6,716
tions would begin. If the nose were high he would
push forward on your helmet. If it was low, he would Enlisted men (aviation ratings) 163 21,951
pull back on the helmet. If the left wing was down, Enlisted men (general service
he’d tap on the right shoulder, right wing down, tap ratings assigned aviation duty) 0 8,742
on the left shoulder. Each flight per student was about Total enlisted personnel 163 30,693
20 minutes duration. After each flight the instructor
would pull out a pasteboard card with a line drawn Total personnel 201 37,409
down the center. One side was written in English and
the other in French, and would explain all the mis- 11 Joe C. Cline, “Personal History of the First Aeronautic

takes you had made while in flight. He gave you hell Detachment, United States Navy in World War I.” Unpublished docu-
ment, NHC Aviation Branch. WWI collection, box entitled WWI
in French while pointing to the English translation. European Theater (A–Z).
12 Charles E. Mathews, Lieutenant, USNRF, History of U.S. Naval

Aviation During the World War: Training in America. Unpublished

10 Thomas H. Chapman, Commander, USNR (Ret.), “A Naval
manuscript, BuAer 1921, Record Group No. 45, National Archives
Reservist in the Royal Flying Corps,” NHC Aviation History Branch. (hereafter: Matthews, Training).
Unpublished document, Naval Flying Corps folder, WW-I collection, 13 Matthews, Training.
box entitled WW-I (M–Z). 14 Sitz, p 34.
4 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

6 April 11 November Additionally, by a resolution adopted 6 November

1917 1918
1917, the board determined that “all air measures
Officers sent overseas 1,237
against submarines should have precedence over all
Enlisted men sent overseas 16,287
other air measures.” This gave the Navy priority in the
Total personnel sent overseas 17,52415
War Industries Board over controlled raw materials, on
the railroads for cars and trains, and in general made
the Navy’s task of creating a force of patrol flying
Aircraft Production boats for antisubmarine operations possible.19

I N MANY WAYS THE SUPPLY OF aircraft and engines

determined the tasks that could be accomplished. The
Aircraft Production Board, created in May 1917, func-
The Naval Aircraft Factory
tioned during the war as the supreme authority with
regard to aircraft production by and for the Army and
T HE NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY (NAF) was estab-
lished in order to assist in solving the problem of air-
Navy. In October 1917, the name was changed to the
craft supply which faced the Navy Department upon
Aircraft Board. Overall, the influence of the board on
the entry of the U.S. into the war. The Army’s require-
the Navy’s aircraft production program was neither fre-
ments for an enormous quantity of planes created a
quent or detailed, but several actions of the board had
decided lack of interest among aircraft manufacturers
major influences on Naval Aviation.16
in the Navy’s requirements for a comparatively small
Under the guidance of the Navy’s senior representa-
quantity of machines. The Navy Department con-
tive, Rear Admiral David Taylor, the board decided
cluded that it was necessary to build an aircraft fac-
that the Navy should be allocated the following plants
tory, to be owned by the Navy, in order, first, to as-
to build aircraft and parts: a part of the Standard
sure a part of it’s aircraft supply; second, to obtain cost
Aircraft plant at Elizabeth, N.J.; and the full output
data for the Department’s guidance in its dealings with
from Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company, Keyport,
private manufacturers; and third, to have under its
N.J.; Boeing Aeroplane Company, Seattle, Wash.;
own control a factory capable of producing experi-
Burgess Company, Marblehead, Mass.; Canadian
mental designs.
Aeroplanes, Ltd., Toronto, Canada; Curtiss Aeroplane
On 27 July 1917, the Secretary of the Navy ap-
and Motor, Ltd., Toronto, Canada; Curtiss Engineering
proved the project, the contract was let on 6 August
Corporation, Garden City, N.Y.; Gallaudet Aircraft
and ground broken four days later. The entire plant
Corporation, East Greenwich, R.I.; L.W.F. Engineering
was completed by 28 November 1917, one hundred
Corporation, College Point, N.Y.; and the Victor
and ten days after ground breaking. On completion,
Talking Machine Company, Camden, N.J.17
the greatest need was for patrol flying boats, so pro-
The board was also responsible for the creation and
duction of the H-16 design was started at the NAF. On
production of the Liberty engine. In May 1917, the engi-
27 March 1918, just 228 days after ground breaking,
neering genius J. G. Vincent of Packard Motor Car
and 151 days from receipt of drawings, the first H-16
Company and E. J. Hall of Hall-Scott Motor Car Company
built by the NAF was successfully flown. On 2 April
produced the design for the famous Liberty engine. It
1918 the first and second NAF built H-16s were
was rushed into production and the first engine passed
shipped to the patrol station at Killingholme, England.
its 50-hour check on 25 August 1917. This large V-12 en-
In the Spring of 1918, the British Admiralty provided
gine was the first of its type and experienced a host of
the plans for the F-5 improved design but the plans re-
teething problems. A multitude of hoses and clamps
quired a major redesign for adaptation to American
shook loose during operation, causing leaks; timing
mass production. This was successfully accomplished
gears shed teeth with regularity; crank shafts were of
and the F-5L model was successfully produced by the
poor quality; weld failures around intake and exhaust
NAF and civilian manufacturers, using the NAF
ports caused problems; and carburetor gaskets frequently
adapted plans.20
failed. Life expectancy of an average engine seldom ex-
ceeded 50 hours and required overhauls every 12–15
days on active service. Yet, in spite of these defects, the
Liberty was considered one of the most reliable power Patrol Flying Boat Models
plants used by the Allies during the war and remained
the standard for aero engines over the next ten years.18 S EVERAL MODELS OF PATROL FLYING boats were
procured during the course of the war. Two types
15Sitz, pp 11–12. were necessary because: the large boats could not be
16Sitz: p 14–15.
17 Turnbull & Lord, pp 108–109.
18 John Lacouture, Captain, USN (Ret.).“NAS Chatham.” 19Sitz: p 15.
Unpublished document, NHC Naval Aviation Branch, WW-I collec- 20 William F. Trimble, A History of the Naval Aircraft Factory,
tion, box entitled WW-I (NAS) Naval Air Stations (A–Z). 1917-1956, Annapolis, Md., Naval Institute Press, 1990.
 CHAPTER 1 5

constructed in sufficient quantities, it involved ship- on the plane by adding six feet to the wing span and
ping difficulties and drew too much water for use at designating it the HS-2. It was still necessary to install
certain French stations. three strands of Salmson cord on the right rudder bar
The single engine HS-1/HS-2 was developed from to off-set torque in order to fly this crate.”22
the successful Curtiss H-14 design. The original HS-1 The series of twin-engine flying boats procured,
proved deficient in load carrying capacity for antisub- designated the H-16/F-5L was based on an original
marine operations. It was modified to the HS-2 Curtiss 1914 design for a transatlantic flight and named
configuration by addition of six feet of wingspan and the “America.” The design was modified to a larger air-
provision for a larger rudder.21 One American pilot in craft by Curtiss, the H-12, and was produced for the
France, Ensign Joe C. Cline, who later flew the HS-1 British Admiralty. The hull of the H-12 was further
and HS-2 flying boats, had this interesting story to tell modified by the British at the Felixstowe Air Station by
about the development of this early aircraft: “At Brest I the addition of a deep vee bottom with two steps. The
saw my first American airplane. We had heard in third iteration of the Felixstowe design known as the
glowing terms much about the Curtiss HS-1 seaplane F-3 was produced in America as the H-16, utilizing
Liberty engines. In December 1917 the British
with the famous Liberty engine, and they began to ar-
Admiralty produced a further modification of the de-
rive from the States. After all necessary equipment for
sign which provided additional load carrying capacity
submarine patrol, such as bombs, radio, Aldis lamp
and additional endurance. For American production
and battery, pigeons, machine gun, fire extinguishers, the design was adapted by the NAF and produced as
and full load of gas for a four-hour patrol, nobody the F-5L.23
could get the plane off the water. Corry who had been
promoted to Lieutenant Commander sent this report to 22 Cline, “Personal History of the First Aeronautic Detachment,

Washington. In a short time a modification was made United States Navy in World War I.” Unpublished document, NHC
Aviation Branch, WW-I collection, box entitled WW-I European
Theater (A–Z).
21 Sitz: p 52. 2 3 Sitz: pp 53–54.

An F-5L at Killingholm, England during World War I.

6 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

four submarine cruisers, each armed with six inch

guns, 36 mines and 16 torpedoes, capable of at least
one month of activity on station off our eastern
seaboard, could occur without warning.
In the months that followed, six of the cruiser U-
boats—the U-117, U-140, U-151, U-152, U-155, and U-
156—were sent to the shipping lanes along the east
coast of the United States. They caused extensive
losses along the eastern seaboard between May and
October 1918. The losses included 79 vessels (42 U.S.)
sunk by gunfire, 14 (2 U.S.) by torpedoes and seven (5
An F-5L (F2A) taking off at Felixstone, United Kingdom, circa 1918.
U.S.) by submarine-laid mines.25
The first seaplanes used on patrols were single en-
gine HS-1 and HS-2 flying boats. These aircraft were
World War I American Patrol Flying Boat
known as “flying boats” because their fuselage func-
Production24
tioned in both air and water. By the middle of July
No. and No. 1918, sufficient numbers of these aircraft were on
Type No Shipped
Manufacturer Ordered Delivered Abroad hand to extend patrols out to 75 miles from land near
the principal harbors and important points along the
Boeing Airplane Company 50, HS-2 25 0
eastern seaboard. Patrols were generally of three cate-
Curtiss Aircraft & Motor Corp. 19, H-12 19 0
gories: standard patrols, emergency patrols and escort
74, H-16 74 62
410, F-5L 60 0 patrols. The first covered a fixed patrol area. The sin-
674, HS-2 674 213 gle-engine HS-1 and HS-2 flying boats could cover
Curtiss Engineering Corp. 50, F-5L 50 0 about 1,500 square miles during a five-hour flight.
Canadian Aeroplane, Ltd. 50, F-5L 50 1 Larger H-12, H-16 and F-5L twin-engine flying boats
Gallaudet Aircraft Company 60, HS-2 60 0 could cover about 3,000 square miles during an eight-
Loughhead Company 2, HS-2 2 0 hour flight. Standard patrols were usually in forma-
L.W.F. Engineering Company 300, HS-2 250 10 tions of two aircraft at an altitude of around 1,000 feet.
Naval Aircraft Factory 150, H-16 150 78 Emergency patrols were groups of two or more air-
680, F-5L 137 0 craft put into the air upon report of a ship sinking or
Standard Aircraft Company 150, HS-2 80 6
submarine sighting. Convoy patrols generally consisted
of two aircraft flying at 1,000 feet as a forward screen
Totals (by model) 1,236, HS-2 1,091 229
19, H-12 19 0 in front of the lead elements in the convoy.
274, H-16 274 158 Aircraft were equipped with Lewis machine guns,
1,140, F-5L 227 1 bombs with combined contact/pressure fuses, and the
Davis recoilless 6-pounder gun. Each airplane carried
Total (all models) 2,669 1,611 388 a radio, signal flares, flash bulbs and even carrier pi-
geons as means of communication. Larger twin-engine
flying boats carried a crew consisting of a chief pilot,
assistant pilot/observer/navigator/bombardier/bow
Patrol Operations—Western gunner, a wireless operator and an engineer/rear gun-
Atlantic ner. Smaller single-engine flying boats like the HS-1

I NITIAL PROVISIONS FOR ANTISUBMARINE aircraft

had only a first pilot, second pilot and engineer.
Frequently, especially on long-duration patrols, only
patrols were concentrated in the European Theater. the two pilots were aboard. Only two pilots manned
Caution was observed with reference to the protection the R-type Curtiss twin-pontoon floatplanes. Single-en-
of shipping in the Western Atlantic, however, no threat gine pushers like the HS-1 and HS-2 were never well
materialized during 1917. liked by their pilots. Unlike the tractor-engine R-types
In early 1918, the report of a Special Board was sub- and twin-engine H-16 and F-5L seaplanes, the little
mitted to the Chief of Naval Operations, noting the HS-1 and HS-2 flying boats had an engine mounted di-
construction by the Germans of a number of large rectly above and behind the crew. Even moderately
submarines of great cruising radius and capacity and rough landings could produce casualties if the engine
the rapid expansion of shipping supporting American broke loose from its mountings.
operations in Europe made submarine operations in By the end of the war ten patrol stations had been
American waters probable. It stated that a division of completed along the Atlantic coast. Great emphasis

24 Ibid. 25 Mathews, Patrolling, p 2–5..

 CHAPTER 1 7

was given to the approaches to New York harbor and Patrol Operations—European
Chesapeake Bay due to the concentration of shipping
in these areas. An estimated 419 pilots, 5,664 aviation
Theater
enlisted ratings and 204 aircraft were available for pa-
trols on a day-to-day basis. 26
P LANNING OF U.S. NAVAL AVIATION base sites in
Europe began shortly after the arrival of the first U.S.
The effectiveness of the coastal patrols was a subject
military units in France in June 1917. Several fully
of considerable debate in the naval community after the
equipped French-built bases were turned over to the
war. Throughout the 15 months of the war during which
Americans. Rapid progress in the development of new
patrols were flown from the eastern U.S. seaboard, there
sites began in earnest with the appointment of Captain
was only one recorded sighting of a German submarine
Hutch I. Cone as Commander U.S. Naval Aviation
by seaplanes. On 21 July 1918, U-156 was in the process
Forces, Foreign Service, on 24 October 1917, by the
of sinking a tug towing four barges off the coast near
Force Commander, Vice Admiral William S. Sims.29
Nausett Harbor, only five miles from NAS Chatham.
Prior to the signing of the armistice in November 1918,
Repeated attacks on the surfaced submarine by HS-2 and
Captain Cone had overseen the establishment of 21
R-9 seaplanes were unsuccessful due to the failure of
bases in England, Ireland, France and Italy. Of these
their Mark IV bombs to detonate. One pilot, Lieutenant
21 bases, 16 were active patrol/bombing air stations
Eaton, became so frustrated that he made a second run
with over 1,237 officers, 16,287 enlisted aviation per-
and threw the heaviest item at hand, a monkey wrench.
sonnel and 336 aircraft available for patrol on a day-
The captain of the U-156, observing that none of the
to-day basis.
bombs exploded and seeing a monkey wrench land on
his deck, kept the aircraft at bay with machine gun fire The survival of U.S. naval patrol aviation in the
and calmly remained on the surface, sinking the remain- European Theater was a matter of some contention
ing barges before departing. Fortunately, few of the with the U.S. Army from the very onset. Concentration
German U-boat captains were so bold, and most were on the priorities of Army aviation had pushed Naval
kept from the seaplanes or remained submerged when Aviation into the background at the beginning of
seaplanes were with the convoys. 27 America’s involvement in the war. Brigadier General
The extensive and comprehensive general plan for Benjamin D. Foulois, Chairman of the joint
the patrol and protection of home waters was pre- Army–Navy Aircraft Committee in Paris, continually
sented by the Navy General board in July 1918, and did his utmost to deflect resources away from the
was approved by the Secretary on 19 August 1918. Navy into Army channels. In 1919, the general told
The Naval Aviation program portion of the plan pro- Congressmen that “he considered the Navy’s plan to
vided for enlargement of existing air stations and the use land-based machines contradictory to the polices
establishment of additional stations. New stations were of the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) and in-
planned for the coast of Maine between Rockland and sisted that all American aircraft operating in France
Portland; the vicinity of Newport, R.I.; Charleston, S.C.; should have been placed under his control.” Only the
Port Arthur, Texas; and Galveston, Texas. Additional dissolution of the Paris committee in April 1918 pre-
stations were proposed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; served the future of Navy patrol aviation. In that same
Samana Bay, Dominican Republic; and Vieques, month, the Aircraft Production Board allocated 734
Puerto Rico. Auxiliary bases were to be used in con- Liberty engines to the U.S. Navy.30
nection with existing and proposed main patrol sta- Under the agreement with the French on the arrival
tions. The plan called for a total of 33 rest and refuel- of the First Aeronautical Detachment, in addition to
ing stations with limited facilities. the training provided to members of the detachment,
With all these stations in operation, there would the Navy agreed to maintain and operate four existing
have been a main station at practically every 150 miles French air stations. Shortly thereafter, additional
along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. and a French air stations were authorized. In addition to
sub or rest station between each pair of main stations. Moutchi, which served as an advanced training station
On this basis, and with patrols extending 150 miles to for patrol aviation, there were nine French stations en-
sea, a limit which covers nearly all points within the gaged in heavier-than-air patrol operations. Other
100 fathom curve, each main station would have been French stations were engaged in lighter-than-air, as-
able to patrol 11,250 square miles, a task that could sembly and repair, kite balloon and support functions.
have been adequately performed by a complement of Agreements with the British government resulted in
18 flying boats in operational status at all times at each the Navy operating five patrol stations in England and
main station. The armistice intervened before the pro-
jected expansion could be accomplished.28 29 Force Commander ltr. #cs6282 of 12 Jan 1918, NHC Operational

Archives Branch. Box entitled WW-I—General.

30 Procurement of Aviation Material in Europe, 1917–1918, Office
26 Sitz: p 11. of Naval Aviation, 1920:10. Unpublished document, NHC Naval
27 Lacouture, p 14. Aviation Branch. WWI collection, box entitled WWI European
28 Matthews, Patrolling, pp 215–216. Theater (A–Z).
8 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Ireland, in addition to a kite balloon station and the The squadron at Porto Corsini was very active in
assembly and repair station for the Northern Bombing pressing the attack against the Austrian naval base at
Group. In Italy, the Navy operated an elementary Pola. In an action taking place on 24 August 1918, two
flying station at Lake Bolsena and a very active patrol Macchi M-8 flying boats were escorted by five Macchi
and bombing station at Porto Corsini, south of Venice. M-5s were en route to attack the Austrian base. Within
Additionally, the Marine Corps operated an antisubma- 20 minutes one of the M-8s and one M-5 had to turn
rine patrol station at Punta Delgado, Azores, flying R-6 back due to engine trouble. The Austrians were well
float planes.31 prepared for the attack, having formed a specialized
Individual pilots were also placed with British fighter detachment for the defense of the base as a re-
squadrons flying seaplanes out of English bases. On sult of earlier attacks. The Austrians flew Phonix D.I
15 February 1918, during a sortie from RNAS land fighters. In the ensuing combat over Pola, the
Felixstowe, a sharp, but brief combat occurred be- enemy forced down one of the American M-5s by
tween a flight of two British H-12B flying boats and damaging its engine. The burning M-5, flown by
five German Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 mono-wing Ensign George H. Ludlow, landed safely on the water.
floatplanes. An observer in one of the German aircraft, Ensign Charles H. Hammann observed Ludlow’s air-
Lieutenant Fritz Stormer, described the ensuing fight: craft going down smoking heavily and broke off com-
“We were victorious over the Curtiss flying boats that bat with the enemy aircraft to land next to his friend’s
we encountered over the sea and subsequently en- sinking flying boat. Somehow Hammann managed to
gaged in aerial combat. We suffered no casualties and stow Ludlow aboard his tiny one-man aircraft for a
only a few hits during these battles. We were able to rough takeoff over the pounding waves. After evading
demolish one of the craft in a formation of Curtiss the Austrian aircraft, the two returned to Porto Corsini
flying boats because we had the advantage of speed to find that their names had already been posted as
and maneuverability”32 Ensign Albert D. Sturtevant, US- “Killed in Action!” For this heroic act, Ensign
NRFC, and his three enlisted RNAS crewmen perished Hammann was awarded the Medal of Honor—the first
in that attack, making him the first U.S. naval aviation Navy aviator to be so honored.34
combat casualty of World War I. Aircraft maintenance was a continual problem due
American naval aviators had been on French soil to the short life of engines during combat operations.
since June 1917, but it was 22 November before the French and Italian engines seldom lasted as long as
first American seaplane patrol flew over the English the Liberty engine. French Hispano-Suiza 200 hp en-
Channel from the U.S. Naval Air Station at Le Croisic gines generally averaged 48 hours between overhauls,
(established only four days earlier). The flight con- Renault 80 hp engines lasted barely 24 hours and
sisted of six Tellier seaplanes, assembled by the Italian Fiat 600 motors seldom ran more than four
Americans at the air station. American aircraft had not hours.
reached Europe by the time many of the air stations Despite the deficiencies in equipment, positive re-
were being activated. It was not until 23 April 1918 sults were obtained through the efforts of determined
that 37 Liberty engines, 36 HS-1 and two HS-16 sea- American air and ground crews. There is little doubt
planes finally arrived for assembly at Le Croisic.33 that American naval air patrols contributed
The lack of American-made aircraft was countered significantly to the suppression of German submarine
by the generosity of the Allies, who shared their thinly activity. Total activity for the French bases,
stretched aircraft output with the newly arrived units. Killingholme, England, and Irish bases resulted in 44
The desperate shortages of suitable aircraft led to the sub sightings, 42 attacks, 16 submarines probably
acceptance of many outdated airplanes barely suited damaged, and four probable sinkings with one “assist”
to the work at hand. The first coastal aviation groups by an American destroyer.35 As was the case off the
commenced flying operations against German sub- coasts of the United States, the greatest contribution of
marines in small single-engine French Tellier, Levy Le American naval air power was the establishment of a
Pen and DD seaplanes. The squadron at Porto Corsini, threat sufficient to keep German submarines at bay
Italy, in operation by August 1918, flew Italian FBA along the convoy routes.
and Macchi M-5 seaplanes against the Austrians at The hardships faced by the crews of these fragile
Pola. In the north of France, the Northern Bombing aircraft while carrying out the patrols speaks highly of
Group, operating out of Champagne and Dunkirk, their dedication. Navy pilots faced hazards never en-
flew 600 hp, 3-engine Caproni bombers on night countered by pilots of land planes, as most of their
bombing missions.
34 Cline, p 8.
31Sitz: pp various. 35Sitz and Cohen. This is further substantiated by German records
32 Dr. Fritz Stormer, translated by Peter Kilduff. “Seaplanes in
of WWI which list 6 U-boats sunk by aircraft. Erich Groner, in his
Combat,” manuscript, NHC Aviation History Branch. WW-I collec- book German Warships, 1815-1945, Vol. II, lists one of the six as
tion, box entitled WW-I European Theater (A–Z). being sunk by a Russian aircraft. This would presumably leave the
33 Cohen, Appendix #3: p 8.
remaining 5 to the credit of the U.S. Navy.
 CHAPTER 1 9

time on patrol was spent over water. In the following As waves came over we began to feel lower and
account Ensign J. Smith, USNRF, describes an ordeal lower. It was finally decided to cast off wing and let
following a landing at sea due to engine failure: what might come. We tried to get other wing ready to
“Thursday, Nov. 22, 1917–Weather conditions were not be cast off, but we could not get off nuts as we were
ideal for flying, clouds being very low and quite a sea so weak and tools were very inadequate. We were
running. After leaving Le Croisic, we started south going over gradually on the starboard side. We were
steering course 195. On reaching Ile D’Yeu, found our all on port side trying to keep her righted. We then
drift to be considerably to the east. After picking up saw that there was no hope of us staying up much
Point Breton on Ile D’Yeu, we sighted a four masted longer unless we could get the wing off. We had just
bark to the N.E. We circled over her a number of about given up everything when Wilkinson let out a
times increasing our radius on each turn until we were yell.” Ensign Smith and his crew were sighted by a
nearly out of sight of Ile D’Yeu. After searching the French destroyer and taken to La Pallice. Their Tellier
shore for mines and submarines, returned to Point seaplane sank a few minutes after the crew had been
Breton. Motor died and were forced to make a tail to taken off.36
wind landing. We found it possible to land the Tellier Patrol squadron pilots often endured hair-raising
in rough water. Dispatched at 2:30 P.M. a pigeon with experiences much closer to home. One pilot, Ensign
a (location) message. Joe Cline, recounts an unfortunate incident that oc-
The sea was very rough. Could not tell for certain curred just as he was taking off from his base at Le
our location. We took watches during the night. One Croisic: “We flew French Tellier seaplanes powered
bailed while the other 2 slept. As we could not get the by 220 Hispano engines, and our job was to escort
motor started we thought over all possible things that
the convoys from the States through our sector from
could happen to it. Wilkinson found the left gas tank
Quiberon to St. Nazaire in defense (against the threat)
had not been feeding, too late to fix it as we could not
of submarines. Le Croisic was a little fishing village on
see. Passed a very uncertain night. We knew they
would do all possible things to help us. the north coast of Brittany and was always a welcome
Friday, Nov. 23, 1917—Put in a new spark plug, sight after a long cold four hour patrol.
cleaned magneto, shifted gasoline from left to right One afternoon I taxied to the outer harbor, warmed
tank. We were all so seasick that we could not work up my engine before taking off in a Tellier on patrol,
to best advantage. Bailed water out of boat (aircraft). headed into the wind, rocked the plane on the step,
Wilkinson finally got motor started at 11:40 a.m. Saw was just about to pull her off when a tremendous ex-
hydroplane and blimp to the north of us. Did not give plosion blew the plane in half. Someone had not
up hope. Beautiful day. Got motor going and started cocked the trigger spring properly on the two mark 4
to taxi towards Ile D’Yeu. We were not making much bombs hung under the wings on each side of the
headway on account of the sea. Our left pontoon had boat, and the vibration at take-off caused them to fall
filled with water. Finally decided our only hope was to off, sink into nine feet of water and explode. The
try and get machine off water. As a result of trying, I time it took for the bombs to hit bottom and detonate
broke left wing and got ourselves into a hell of a was just enough at my speed to take the forward half
scrape. Things began to look black. There was no of the boat outside the point of irruption (sic). The
finding fault with anyone. Could not help marveling at after half right behind the engine section was sliced
the morale of the men. It was a case of heroic bravery off as though cut with a saw. There was a lighthouse
on their part to see their only hope smashed. We took at the harbor entrance, eighty feet high, and people
watches during the night by first laying on wing, then
who saw and heard the blast said the after part and
bailing, then sleeping. Wilkinson turned to and got all
tail surface were blown 50 feet higher.
ready to cast adrift the left wing. We had anxious mo-
The weight of the engine made the forward part
ments of the ship rolling over. No one faltered or
failed to do his part. We all decided to die game to the sink stern first–my observer, Fred Lovejoy, and I
end. As a result no one ate or drank water. Wing started shedding clothes. We released our carrier pi-
began to crumble. We all decided to let it stay on as geons and prepared to swim to the beach, which was
long as possible. Sea began to grow bigger towards not far, but the remaining half of the ship settled in
evening and the water began to come in. We all that nine feet of water. We climbed on the nose
hoped that we would be able to ride out the night. which was out of the water and waited for the crash
Very uncomfortable night and we were all growing boat to come and get us. Neither of us had a scratch,
very weak. Very long night. Our hopes were begin- I was only wet to my knees, but we both could have
ning to go very low but no one showed it. used a drink.” 37
Saturday, Nov. 24, 1917—Day finally came. Wing
getting near to the boat as it crumpled. It was heart- 36 Cohen, p 352.
rending. We had to bail and stay out on the wing-tip. 37 Cline, p 6.
10 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Northern Bombing Group On the credit side of the ledger, Navy patrol aircraft
in France had escorted 477 convoys, flying over 9,960
T HE NORTHERN BOMBING GROUP (NBG) was the hours on patrols. Between June 1918 and the
armistice, Navy pilots of the Northern Bombing Group
only operational organization in Naval Aviation during
World War I to operate using the squadron form of or- had dropped over 141,854 pounds of bombs on
ganization. Operational antisubmarine patrols flying enemy positions.41 The Navy patrol/bombing group at
out of naval air stations were identified by the name Porto Corsini conducted 745 combat operations flights
of their parent station, and were under the command during this period, with no casualties from combat.
of the station’s commanding officer. The NBG was The British base at Killingholme conducted over 233
formed in 1918 in order to concentrate on the destruc- patrols; and the Irish bases at Wexford, Lough Foyle
tion of German submarines and their support facilities and Whiddy Island conducted over 380 patrols under
in Belgium. The Night Wing was composed of Navy the most difficult weather conditions. Nine U.S. bases
squadrons flying the Italian Caproni multi-engine reported a total of 19,019 hours flown on patrols by
bomber. Headquarters of the Night Wing and Navy the end of the war–approximately 4,755 four-hour pa-
Squadrons 1 and 2 were based at St. Inglebert, France. trols compared to the 3,103 patrols conducted in the
Four additional Navy squadrons were planned. The European Theater during this same period.4 2
Day Wing was ultimately composed of four U.S. The raw numbers involved in describing the activi-
Marine Corps squadrons flying the DH-4 and DH-9 ties of the patrol squadrons during the war do not do
bombing aircraft. The Day Wing operated from sta- justice to their importance nearly as well as a brief
tions at Oye, France (Squadrons 7 and 8) and Le summary from Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant
Frene, France (Squadrons 9 and 10). Secretary of the Navy, near the close of the conflict: “I
Because the NBG received personnel prior to the ar- had but to examine the weekly charts of German sub-
rival of its aircraft, pilots, observers and ground per- marine operations to realize how much our aviators
sonnel were assigned to the following British were doing to make these waters safe. To the men en-
squadrons: Number 214 Handley-Page night bombing gaged in these duties, whether on land or actually
squadron, Number 217 and 218 day bombing flying, there came few of the thrills of actual war, but
squadrons, and Number 213 Chasse Squadron. One they will always have the deep satisfaction of knowing
pilot, Lieutenant (jg) David S. Ingalls (later Assistant that their work, though silent, counted much in the
Secretary of the Navy for Aeronautics), while attached winning of the war. I venture to predict that when the
to No. 213 Squadron, RAF, between 9 August and 3 records of the German naval activities become avail-
October 1918, shot down four enemy aircraft and one able, we will find that the enemy also recognized the
observation balloon, thus becoming the first Navy importance of the American Navy in the air as well as
“ace.”38 on the sea.”43
While Naval patrol aviation had emerged from
World War I as a force tested in combat, its battles in
the next decade would be fought in the halls of
World War I Summary Congress, within the ranks of the old line Navy and
B Y THE END OF THE WAR, A TRIUMPH in indus-
with its inter-service rival, the U.S. Army Air Corps.
trial organization had been achieved in this country
that almost equaled the military victory over the
Germans. Naval patrol aviation grew from a fledgling Post War Doldrums and the
detachment of only 38 aviators to 1,656 trained pilots
by the end of hostilities, with another 5,070 under in-
Ferment of the Twenties
struction, and 2,107 aircraft on hand.39 But the victory
and growth of Naval Aviation did not come without its
T HE CONCLUSION OF THE “War to End All Wars”
was greeted by the American public with a great sigh
price. Thirty-six naval officers and 86 enlisted aviation
of relief and a determination to get back to business.
personnel in Europe had been killed in ground acci-
“Getting back to business” for most Americans in 1919
dents, crashes, or were listed as missing in action. In
meant exactly that–the business of making money, not
the eastern Atlantic patrols off the coast of the U.S., 38
spending it on European troubles of little consequence
naval officers, and 48 enlisted personnel were listed as
to this side of the Atlantic. The manufacturing estab-
missing on patrol or killed in accidents.4 0

4 1 Cohen, p.249, and Commander, N. Bombing Group ltr. dtd. 18

38 Commander Northern Bombing Group letter to Commander DEC 1918, p.21.
U.S. Naval Aviation Forces in France, HQ-702, of 3 Dec 1918, record 4 2 Mathews, pp 65–211.
group 26N, National Archives. 4 3 Franklin D. Roosevelt, Asst. Secretary of the Navy, published
3 9 Sitz: p 11.
4 0 Sitz: p 11.
statement, dtd. August 28, 1919. Naval Aviation Branch archives,
Box #1663.
 CHAPTER 1 11

lishment that had helped to bring about the end of the May.4 5 The flight of NC-4 served to bring Navy avia-
war abruptly shifted gears to begin peacetime produc- tion into public attention and earned a higher place
tion of goods and services for civilian consumption. for aviation in U.S. Navy hierarchy. The feat was not
There was little interest in Congress, and even less rivaled in the eyes of the public until Lindbergh’s solo
among the electorate in the maintenance of an up-to- flight in 1927.
date military establishment. Just as the Navy had been The post World War I problems of reduction in mili-
required to operate its rusting fleet of ironclads for 25 tary expenditures and the conservatism of Navy and
years after the Civil War, that same Navy was now re- Army leaders to maintain the status quo of its organi-
quired to keep its aging F-5L and H-16 seaplanes zations without accommodating the growing demands
flying long past their prime. The National Defense Act for an air arm, in both the Navy and Army, led to
of 1920 which required the Army and Navy to coordi- some unhappy times. The situation in the Army actu-
nate their plans for military production did nothing to ally became more acute than in the Navy and it left
rescue the ship building and aircraft industries, whose behind a heritage of bitterness that lasted for a long
business base collapsed at the end of World War I. In time. The same problems that existed in the Army
fiscal year 1919 the defense appropriation for the Navy were also present in the Navy. These aviation prob-
was $2,002,311,000. By FY 1922 the Navy budget had lems included lack of rank, of promotional difficulties,
been cut 76.2 percent to $476,775,000. The FY 1920 control of funds and policies by non-aviators, and cur-
budget for Naval Aviation was $20 million, reduced by tailed plans for expansion. Similar attitudes existed
FY 1921 to less than $7 million.44 Only two of the among some senior officers in both the Army and
seven aircraft manufacturers supplying military aircraft Navy. “The ground officers of the General Staff had
during the war were still in business by 1921. their counter-part in certain of the so-called battleship
Patrol aviation and aviation in general faced consid- admirals.”4 6 However, the main difference between
erable integration problems within the Navy. Despite these two groups was the Navy never had any desire
the radical military cutbacks and retrenchments after to develop a strategic bombing force.
World War I, a handful of visionaries strove to keep The Navy managed to prevent a real explosion of
the pioneering spirit of aviation in the Navy alive. In differences that developed in the Army as a result of
1914 Glenn H. Curtiss had constructed a transatlantic General “Billy” Mitchell’s concept of air superiority. In
flying boat, America, for Lewis Rodman Wanamaker. the Navy, “the liberal attitude of the General Board,
Although the outbreak of World War I prevented the support given aviation by key men in the fleet and
Wanamaker from using the huge flying boat for the in the Department like Admirals Fiske, Taylor, Sims,
first transatlantic attempt, the design led to develop- Fullam, Winterhalter, Badger, and many others, offset
ment and construction of four NC series aircraft in the intransigeance of the Straussses, the Bensons, and
August 1917. The first, NC-1, was finished and test the Wainwrights and prevented the development of
flown by October 1918. Commander John H. Towers lasting bitterness among the aviators, while the politi-
proposed using the aircraft for a transatlantic flight cal sense and ability of Moffett and his colleagues in
during a meeting with CNO in the spring of 1919. the Bureau of Aeronautics prevented the excesses with
Secretary of the Navy Daniels agreed after hearing the which their colleagues in the sister service exacerbated
proposal, and put Towers in charge of the newly relations with their superiors.”4 7 Aviators in the Navy
formed Seaplane Division One. The attempt at a managed to be modest in their goals and aspirations
transatlantic flight began on 8 May 1919, departing and attempted to be one cog in the wheel and not the
from NAS Rockaway, N.Y. Problems soon arose, and central hub.
NC-2 had to be cannibalized for parts for the other air- The Navy was able to gradually, although at times
craft of the Division. Pilots of the remaining aircraft painfully, evolve an organization to administer aviation
were: NC-1, Lieutenant Commander Patrick N. L. forces afloat and ashore. The passage of time eventu-
Bellinger; NC-3, Commander Towers; and NC-4, ally produced a closely integrated surface and air fleet.
Lieutenant Commander Albert C. Read. Seaplane Problems existed but they were usually kept out of
Division One departed from Trepassey Bay, public view and did not explode into open bitterness
Newfoundland, on 16 May bound for Plymouth, among factions within the Navy. Much of this credit
England. NC-1 landed short of the first stop in the must be given to Admiral Moffett, who was a shrewd
Azores and sank shortly after the crew was rescued. politician and able to gain his ends peaceably within
NC-3 also landed short of the Azores, but managed to the Navy.
taxi to its destination, Porta Delgada, Azores. NC-4
made it all the way, continuing a few days later to 4 5 John M. Lindley, “Wings Over the Ocean: A History of Sea-Air
Lisbon, Portugal, finally arriving at Plymouth on 31 Aviation,” Naval Aviation News, July 1977–December 1978: 33–35.
4 6 U.S. Naval Administrative Histories of World War II, Office of

the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air), “The History of Naval

44 Paolo E. Coletta, “Creating the U.S. Bureau of Aeronautics,” The Aviation 1898–1939,” p. 1034.
4 7 Ibid., p 1035.
American Neptune, Vol. 50, No. 1 (Winter 1990): 51.
12 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

The early and mid 1920s produced a period of fer- this reorganization, VP-1 was established on 4 March
ment for aviation not only within the Navy but be- 1922, at NAS San Diego, Calif., as a utility squadron of
tween the Navy and Army regarding control of avia- six patrol airplanes (F-5L), under Aircraft Squadrons,
tion assets. However, because important elements had Battle Fleet. This marked the first formal designation
already been introduced in the Navy to weave aviation of a heavier-than-air patrol squadron (VP) in the U.S.
into its operations the integration of aviation moved Navy.4 8 A further reorganization on 29 May 1924,
along a smoother road. Air had been recognized as a added Naval Coast Defense Forces, with patrol
coordinate type command in the fleet under each of squadrons assigned to each region: Chesapeake Bay
the chief fleet commands. Command posts had been Region, NAS Hampton Roads, VP-6 (two F-5L); San
assured to aviators at naval air stations and over two- Diego Region, NAS San Diego, VP-1 (two F-5L);
thirds of the aeronautic “bureaucrats” had to qualify as Panama Canal Zone Region, NAS Coco Solo, VP-10
aviators or observers. Aviation became an integral part (six F-5L and H-16); and Hawaii Region, NAS Pearl
of the fleet and was about to prove its value in the Harbor, VP-14 (two F-5L).4 9
fleet problems of the late 1920s and 1930s. It was the Despite the contentious intraservice bickering over
studies at the Naval War College games whereby more the next decade, the future of naval patrol aviation
and more commanders gained a new appreciation of had been secured. While the buildup and moderniza-
aviation’s potentialities. tion of patrol squadrons was slow between the world
While the debate over unification of airpower sim- wars, it was a steady progression guided by seasoned
mered on in the halls of Congress over the next few professional aviators. The heroic deeds of the many
years, the Navy continued on with its incorporation of members of this community over the next 75 years of
patrol aviation into the fleet. On 17 June 1922, the service could fill many volumes. To give credit to this
practice of numbering aircraft squadrons to conform to aviation community, without writing volumes of his-
the number of the ship squadrons they served, was of- torical work, the stories of these dedicated patrol avia-
ficially changed to a system of numbering all tion personnel can be seen in the composite histories
squadrons serially by class in the order in which they of their squadrons beginning in Chapter Three.
were initially authorized. The use of letter abbrevia-
tions to indicate mission was also adopted. Fleet avia- 4 8 CNO, “Naval Aeronautic Organization for FY1923,” CNO Order

tion commands were redesignated Aircraft Squadrons 26983, 17 June 1922.

4 9 CNO, “Naval Aeronautic Organization for FY1925,” CNO Order
of the Scouting and Battle Fleets. In conformance with s.c. 111–78:1, 29 May 1924.
CHAPTER 1 13
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 13

CHAPTER 2

Guidelines for Navy Aviation

Squadron Lineage and Insignia

T HE LINEAGE OF NAVY AVIATION squadrons has

been a source of confusion since the advent of the
Deactivation: This term means the squadron’s per-
sonnel and equipment are all reassigned and it is
squadron concept after World War I. Much of this con- placed on an inactive status list. The squadron desig-
fusion arose because of the terminology used by the nation remains on a record of inactive squadrons until
Navy; the lack of a consistent policy in selecting al- it is reactivated and becomes an active operating unit
phanumeric squadron designations; the reuse of letter once again.
and numeric designations; the many establishments, re- Reactivation: A squadron may be reactivated from
designations and disestablishments of aviation the inactive list and placed back in active operational
squadrons; and the use of the same insignia by different service with new personnel and equipment. When this
squadrons. Naval aviation insignia is a modern form of occurs, the squadron can only be reactivated using the
heraldry that dates back to the early period of Naval last designation it was assigned prior to deactivation.
Aviation in the 1920s and captures many proud mo- The history of this reactivated squadron may be traced
ments of its history. This practice fosters a sense of using the lineage of the squadron prior to its deactiva-
pride, unit cohesion and contributes to high morale, es- tion. A squadron cannot be deactivated and reacti-
prit de corps and professionalism within the naval avia- vated the same day or activated and redesignated on
tion community. It also serves as an effective means of the same day.
preserving a command’s tradition, continuity of purpose Under current Navy policy for squadron designations
and recognition, as traced by the squadron’s lineage. and lineage, as set forth by CNO’s OPNAV Instruction
The following terms are essential in developing an 5030.4E of 19 March 1998, once a squadron letter and
understanding of how lineage is determined: number have been assigned to a squadron, that letter
Establishment: A squadron’s lineage and history be- and number combination can never be assigned to an-
gins on the date it is established and assigned a letter other squadron. As an example, if VP-5, a currently ac-
and number designation, such as VP-46. In the past tive squadron, were to be deactivated none of the
the terms commission and decommission have been squadron’s designations in its lineage could be used as
incorrectly used interchangeably with establishment a designation for the establishment of a new squadron.
and disestablishment, resulting in additional confusion That means the following designations in VP-5’s lin-
regarding squadron lineage. These terms should not eage could never be used to establish a new squadron:
be used interchangeably and should not be connected VP-17F, VP-17, VP-42, VB-135, VPB-135, VP-135, VP-
with each other. Commission and decommission refer ML-5 and VP-5. VP-5, if deactivated, could be reacti-
only to ships. They do not refer to squadrons because vated and placed in an operational status but all the
squadrons do not receive commissioning pennants former designations in VP-5’s lineage will always be as-
when they are established. sociated with only VP-5. Hence, the letter and number
Redesignation: A squadron’s function may be combinations of VP-17F, VP-17, VP-42, VB-135, VPB-
changed from time to time due to changes in technol- 135, VP-135 and VP-ML-5 may never be used again by
ogy or mission requirements. As an example, a any squadron other than VP-5.
squadron such as VP-1, established as Bombing Historically, confusion has reigned regarding
Squadron 128 (VB-128) during World War II, under- squadrons that have been assigned the same designa-
went the following redesignations: Patrol Bombing tion. As an example, since the squadron concept was
Squadron 128 (VPB-128), Patrol Squadron 128 (VP- established in the early 1920s there have been five
128), Medium Patrol Squadron (landplane) 1(VP-ML-1) separate squadrons assigned the VP-1 designation.
and then to Patrol Squadron 1(VP-1). These redesigna- Hence, when one speaks of VP-1 you have to ask
tions involved changes in the squadron’s mission as what time frame in order to identify the correct
well as the type of aircraft assigned to the squadron. squadron. Due to the confusion resulting from the use

13
14 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

of the same designation time after time, with no lin- squadron by any Navy aviation command will be
eage connection between these squadrons, the new cleared through (N88H) for consistency with the his-
set of guidelines, referenced in the above paragraph, torical record. Insignia proposals for newly established
were developed to end the lineage and insignia confu- squadrons also will be cleared through (N88H) in ac-
sion. After 1998, when a squadron is deactivated its cordance with OPNAV Instruction 5030.4E.
designation and approved insignia will be placed on The policy regarding activation or deactivation only
the inactive list. The lineage and insignia of the applies to squadrons listed in enclosure (2) of OPNAV
squadron is retired and remains with the history of Instruction 5030.4E. Any squadron designations that
that deactivated squadron. A newly established were disestablished prior to 19 March 1998 may not be
squadron cannot adopt the insignia of a deactivated considered for reactivation. Reactivation only applies
unit. A squadron that is reactivated will use the in- to those squadrons listed in enclosure (2) or estab-
signia it had approved for use prior to its deactivation. lished as new squadrons after 19 March 1998.
The records for inactive or deactivated squadrons are The old policy regarding squadron lineage was pub-
maintained by the Director, Air Warfare’s Assistant for lished in Appendix 5 of the Dictionary of American
Aviation History and Publications (N88H). Naval Aviation Squadron, Volume 1, The History of VA,
Establishment, redesignation or activation of any VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons.

Patrol Wing One insignia.

CHAPTER 2 15
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 15

CHAPTER 3

Patrol Squadron (VP) Histories

VP-1 to VP-153

First VP-1 13 Feb 1922: VP-1 aircraft operated with California

(BB 44) photographing gunfire.
6 Jul 1922: Squadron aircraft rescued five fishermen
whose boat had caught fire and sunk off the coast of
Lineage San Diego.
Established as Seaplane Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) Jul 1922: VP-1 was disestablished at NAS San
circa late 1921, the first squadron to be assigned the Diego, Calif. Personnel and equipment were used to
VP-1 designation. form the nucleus of Torpedo and Bombing Plane
Disestablished circa July 1922. Squadron 2 (VT-2).

Squadron Insignia and Nickname Home Port Assignments

None on record.
Location Date of Assignment
NAS San Diego, Calif. Circa late 1921
Chronology of Significant Events
16 Jan 1922: VP-1 started the annual bombing exer-
cises with eight officers and five Naval Aviation Pilots Commanding Officers
(NAPS, enlisted pilots). The squadron was supported
by seaplane tenders Aroostook (CM 3) and Gannet (AM Date Assumed Command
41). The squadron also conducted mail flights between LCDR Robert A. Burg 5 May 1922
San Diego, Calif., and the fleet at San Pedro, Calif.
20 Jan 1922: Squadron aircraft flew Rear Admiral
John K. Robison, Chief of the Bureau of Engineering, Aircraft Assignment
to San Pedro for a visit to the fleet.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
23 Jan–3 Feb 1922: Squadron aircraft were as-
signed the responsibility for torpedo recovery for F-5L Circa late 1921
Submarine Division 9. N-9 Apr 1922

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments

Wing Assignment Date

Pacific Fleet, Air Squadrons Circa late 1921
Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet Jul 1922

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

An F-5L with a Tennessee class battleship in the background, possibly
California (BB 44). VP-1 provided gunfire support to California in 1922. None on record.

15
16 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-1 Convoy and Patrol, Pacific. Although no documenta-

tion can be found that clarifies the status of the
squadron during this period, evidence suggests that
VP-1 remained at NAS Pearl Harbor after the exercises
Lineage in early May 1925. Its assets and personnel may have
Established as Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) on 29 been incorporated into VP-14 during this time period,
May 1924, the second squadron to be assigned the VP- because the aging F-5L seaplanes flown by both
1 designation. squadrons were being taken out of service and re-
Removed from the Naval Aeronautic Organization placed by new SC seaplanes. Budget restrictions and
on 3 May 1926. limited production deliveries of new aircraft may have
prompted this merger.
3 May 1926: VP-1 does not appear on “Naval
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Aeronautic Organization for Fiscal Year 1927.” The
None on record. squadron was supplanted by the naval base training
command squadron VN-1. There is no official date for
the squadron’s disestablishment.
Chronology of Significant Events
29 May 1924: VP-1 was established under the oper-
ational control of Naval Coast Defense Forces, San Home Port Assignments
Diego Region. The squadron was designated as a pa- Location Date of Assignment
trol squadron flying two F-5L seaplanes. VP-1 was
NAS San Diego, Calif. 29 May 1924
given the patrol squadron designation by Chief of
NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1 July 1925
Naval Operations in the “Naval Aeronautic
Organization for Fiscal Year 1925” letter (serial no.
111-78:1). The new designation placed it under the Commanding Officers
Naval Coast Defense Forces, San Diego Region, to
Date Assumed Command
“. . . endeavor to improve cooperation between aircraft,
destroyers and submarines based at San Diego.” Unknown
1 May 1925: VP-1 participated in exercises against
the fleet at Oahu. Aircraft Assignment
29 May 1925: Operational control over the
squadron shifted during the reorganization of patrol Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
squadrons, placing VP-1 under Aircraft Squadrons, F-5L May 1924

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments

Wing Assignment Date

Naval Coast Defense
Forces, San Diego Region 29 May 1924
Aircraft Squadrons,
Convoy & Patrol, Pacific 29 May 1925

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

An F-5L taxing. None on record.

 CHAPTER 3 17

Fifth VP-1 ful bombing mission. Colors: background, blue and

white U.S. star insignia; body of Captain Marvel, red
with yellow cuffs, belt, chest design and boots; face
and hands flesh color; hair, black; scarf, white with
Lineage yellow border and tie; and bomb, black with red nose
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED and tail.
TWENTY EIGHT (VB-128) on 15 February 1943. The Captain Marvel insignia continued in use fol-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- lowing VB-128’s redesignation to VPB-128 in 1944, VP-
DRED TWENTY EIGHT (VPB-128) 1 October 1944. 128 in 1946, VP-ML-1 in 1946 and VP-1 in 1948.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED The Captain Marvel insignia was dropped from use
TWENTY EIGHT (VP-128) on 15 May 1946. on 3 March 1949. A new design was submitted and ap-
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) proved by CNO on 14 March 1949. Although official
ONE (VP-ML-1) on 15 November 1946. records on this design are not present in the files, a
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) on 1 black and white photograph from a cruise book shows
September 1948, the fifth squadron to be assigned the a circular patch, globe central encircled by a chain, sur-
VP-1 designation. mounted by a winged turtle. Inscribed inside the patch
at the bottom were the letters Patrol Squadron One.
A replacement design for the “turtle” patch was sub-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname mitted on 12 June 1958 and was officially approved by
The squadron insignia, approved by CNO on 12 CNO on 22 July 1958. It was a circular patch with an
April 1943, depicted the “Captain Marvel” figure of eagle clutching a submarine on top of a globe encircled

In the squadron’s third insignia The squadron’s current insignia,

the flying turtle was replaced by approved in 1985, continued to
an eagle. use the eagle as the primary theme.

by a single strand of chain with the words “Patron One”

located at the bottom of the circular insignia. The in-
signia commemorated the first around-the-world flight
by a patrol aircraft (symbolized by the globe-encircling
The squadron’s first insignia approved in 1943. chain), a feat accomplished by VP-1 in May 1955.
Colors for the insignia were Navy blue background;
comic book fame, with bomb in hand like a football eagle, yellow with white head; globe and oceans, blue
ready to throw. Captain Marvel had the power to con- with white continents; anchor surrounding globe, yel-
vert himself from a low; submarine, silver with red trim topside; trim
boy to a gigantic around patch, red; and letters of “Patron One,” yellow.
man, symbolizing The fourth VP-1 squadron insignia was approved by
the squadron’s belief CNO on 17 January 1985. It was a circular patch with
that future battles a central figure of a soaring eagle; the nickname
would separate the “Screaming Eagles” appeared in the upper banner and
boys from the men. “Patron One” in the lower banner. Colors of the top
It also represented half of the background were tan, bottom half orange-
the importance of brown; and the eagle’s body, brown with white head.
the “man behind the All letters were yellow with black outlines.
machine” in all Nickname: Fleet’s Finest, 1955–1985.
The second insignia used by the squadron phases of a success- Screaming Eagles, 1985–present.
18 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Chronology of Significant Events launcher rails. Outfitting was completed by 11 May

15 Feb 1943: VB-128 was established at Deland, 1944, and routine antisubmarine patrols commenced
Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12. Aircrew from Ensenada Honda, P.R., until 1 June 1944.
and aircraft shakedown was incorporated with ASW 26 Sep 1944: After returning to NAS Norfolk for a
training in coastal Florida waters over a period of ap- period of crew leave, and a short spell of ASW train-
proximately two weeks. ing at NAS New York, the squadron personnel and as-
12 May 1943: A seven-aircraft detachment of PV-1 sets were transshipped to NAS Alameda, Calif.,
Venturas was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for con- preparatory to assignment overseas.
6 Oct 1944: VPB-128 personnel and assets were en
voy coverage. The remainder of the squadron contin-
route to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving on the 13th.
ued training at Boca Chica, Fla.
Training commenced immediately, with half of the
17 May 1943: The remainder of the squadron, five
squadron rotating to Midway for weather patrols every
PV-1s, was sent to Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y., to pro-
three weeks.
vide coastal convoy protection. They were rejoined by
21 Dec 1944: VPB-128 personnel and assets were
the detachment from Guantanamo on 24 May 1943.
transferred to Owi Island in the South Pacific, under
7 Aug 1943: A U-boat was encountered on the sur-
the operational control of FAW-17. On 3 January 1945,
face 300 miles off Norfolk by one of the squadron air-
the squadron’s new PV-1 Ventura aircraft were given
craft. In the ensuing attack, the Ventura was shot
to other squadrons as replacement aircraft. VPB-128
down with the loss of all hands after damaging the U-
personnel were put on standby.
boat.
28 Feb 1945: New PV-1 Venturas were received and
23 Aug 1943: The squadron was relocated to
the squadron was transferred to a base on Guiuan,
Reykjavik, Iceland, under the operational control of
Samar, Philippines. Antishipping searches and convoy
FAW-7, to assist in antisubmarine convoy patrols in co-
cover patrols were run on a daily basis from this base.
operation with British controllers of the RAF Coastal
18 Mar 1945: During an attack on shipping in inlets
Command.
along the Davao Gulf, Philippines, squadron aircraft
4 Oct 1943: The squadron made its first confirmed
flown by Lieutenants Dorrington and Snyder sank one
U-boat kill, sinking U-279, commanded by
Japanese midget submarine and damaged another.
Oberleutenant Otto Finke. The submarine was caught
22 Mar 1945: Repeating the success of four days
on the surface off the southwest coast of Iceland and
earlier, an attack by squadron aircraft on the wharf at
sunk by bombs from a Ventura flown by Lieutenant Cebu City, Philippines, resulted in the sinking of one
Charles L. Westhofen. None of the 48 crewmen sur- Japanese midget submarine with rockets. The
vived the attack. squadron PV-1s involved in the attack were flown by
19 Dec 1943: The squadron and all support person- Lieutenants Hall and Tepuni. Immediately following
nel were relocated to San Juan, P.R., under the opera- the attack Tepuni’s aircraft was shot down by AA fire
tional control of FAW-11, for refit of the squadron air- and the entire crew was lost.
craft with rockets and training in the use of this new 29 Mar 1945: VPB-128 was relocated to Tacloban,
form of air-to-surface ordnance. Aircraft were sent in Leyte. Antishipping patrols and convoy coverage were
rotation to Boca Chica, Fla., for mounting of rocket the squadron’s main responsibilities until transferred to
Puerta Princessa, Palawan, on 6 April 1945.
28 Apr 1945: VPB-128 switched to land target at-
tacks exclusively, striking sites selected by the US
Army. Targets included sites on Itu Aba Island;
Brooketon, Marua Island; Brunei, Kudat, Seria, and
Tagai Town, Borneo.
21 Jun 1945: The squadron was transferred to
Tinian Island, under the operational control of FAW-1,
where it conducted daily search patrols while rotating
crews for local R & R. By 19 September 1945, the sur-
render of Japanese forces made daily search patrols
unnecessary. From 30 October 1945 on, the squadron
conducted four flights daily to Pagan for meteorologi-
cal reports.
15 May 1946: On this date the squadron was oper-
ating from Okinawa, under the operational control of
FAW-1, when it was redesignated.
The squadron’s first aircraft was the PV-1. This photo shows a PV-1
at San Juan, P.R., with a collapsed tail wheel, 21 March 1944, 80-G- Mar 1947: VP-ML-1 moved to NAS San Diego, Calif.
411758 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN). Over the next nine months the squadron transitioned
 CHAPTER 3 19

armistice at Panmunjom on 27
July 1953.
5 May 1955: VP-1 returned
to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.,
the first patrol squadron to
complete an around-the-world
flight. The squadron had de-
parted the continental U.S. on
21 April 1955. In 1946 a single
U.S. Navy P2V-1 Neptune, the
“Truculent Turtle,” had flown
halfway around the world
(11,236 miles) nonstop from
Perth, Australia, to Columbus,
Ohio, demonstrating the long-
distance capability of the new
patrol aircraft. The May 1955
event demonstrated the Navy’s
ability to deploy quickly with
an entire land-based Neptune-
equipped squadron to virtually
any spot on the globe.
Politically, it bolstered the
Navy’s claims to strategic air-
power in the face of continuing
U.S. Air Force demands for
control over all land-based air-
power. The successful comple-
A squadron P2V-5 (P-2) Neptune in flight over Japan, 12 September 1952.
tion of the flight served to pre-
serve the land-based patrol
to the P2V-2 Neptune, a long-range, twin-engine, land- squadrons of the Navy in the face of Congressional
based patrol aircraft. calls for post-Korean War defense cutbacks. The
13 Jan 1948: VP-ML-1 was given a permanent record-breaking flight was incorporated into the new
change of station to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. squadron patch with a chain encircling the globe to
Frequent deployments would be made from this loca- symbolize the feat.
tion to bases in Alaska, Japan, Vietnam and the 1956: The squadron was deployed to the island of
Philippines. Kwajalein for a period of three months to monitor the
7 Aug 1950: On 25 June 1950, the North Koreans in- radiation in the aftermath of nuclear testing in a pro-
vaded South Korea. On 30 June President Truman autho- ject called Operation Redwing.
rized U.S. military forces to deploy to repel the aggres- 7 Oct 1964: VP-1 was deployed to MCAS Iwakuni,
sors. VP-1 deployed to WestPac under the operational Japan, for ASW and shipping reconnaissance off the
control of FAW-1 (TG 70.6), beginning combat operations coasts of Vietnam and in the Gulf of Tonkin. A detach-
from Naha AFB, Okinawa, on 19 August 1950. The ment was maintained at NAF Tan Son Nhut and Da
squadron’s primary duty was patrolling the sea lanes of Nang. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island
the Formosa Straits for enemy resupply vessels. on 1 April 1965.
Apr 1951: VP-1 returned to the combat zone in 13 Feb 1966: VP-1 relieved VP-22 at MCAS
Korea for its second tour, based at Naha AFB, Iwakuni, Japan, with a seven aircraft detachment at
Okinawa. The squadron’s primary patrol areas were NAF Tan Son Nhut Air Base in the Republic of
the waters off the Korean coastline. Vietnam in support of Operation Market Time. The
29 Mar 1952: The squadron conducted its third de- primary objective of the Market Time coastal patrol
ployment to the Korean combat zone, based at Naha was to prevent seaborne delivery of supplies and mu-
AFB, Okinawa. Patrol duties were resumed as in the nitions to the enemy. The patrols were a joint U.S.-
two previous tours. South Vietnamese effort established on 11 March 1965.
27 May 1953: The fourth and final tour in the VP-1 became the first patrol squadron to suffer casual-
Korean combat zone for VP-1 occurred at the end of ties in the Vietnam conflict when the Tan Son Nhut Air
the Korean War. The squadron arrived at Naha AFB Base was attacked on 13 April 1966. During this attack
two months to the day before the signing of an one squadron member was killed and five others
20 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

ment at NAS Cubi Point, R.P., the first patrol squadron

to operate from that facility after the base closure at
Sangley Point on 25 May 1971.
1 Nov 1972: VP-1 deployed to NAS Cubi Point, R.P.,
with the new DIFAR (Directional Low Frequency
Analysis and Recording ) equipped P-3B Orion. A de-
tachment of six aircraft was maintained at U-Tapao,
Thailand. This would be the squadron’s last deploy-
ment to the combat zone during the Vietnam conflict.
10 Dec 1976: The squadron deployed a detachment
of aircraft to NAS Agana, Guam, rotating detachments
between NAS Agana and NAS Barber’s Point. This
marked the last occasion that a P-3B baseline aircraft
A squadron SP-2H flying over several junks during Market Time pa-
trols off the coast of South Vietnam. deployed to WestPac with an active fleet squadron.
July 1978: Three VP-1 crews fired the last Bullpup
(AGM-12) missiles during runs on practice targets. The
wounded, and five of the detachment aircraft were practice firings were the last by Navy patrol aircraft, as
damaged. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey the missile was removed that month from the Navy’s
Island on 6 August 1966, after a six and a half-month inventory.
tour, four months of which was in the combat zone. July 1979: VP-1 transferred to NAS Moffett Field,
6 May 1967: VP-1 returned to WestPac to NS Calif., for transition to the P-3B TAC/NAV MOD aircraft
Sangley Point, R.P., with a detachment at NAF Cam with more powerful engines and improved avionics,
Rahn Bay. It was the first squadron to operate full time completing transition and crew training in November
out of the new Naval Air Facility at Cam Ranh Bay, 1979. The last P-3B baseline aircraft was replaced in
Republic of Vietnam. January 1980.
15 Dec 1967: Squadron SP-2H aircraft, number YB- Feb 1980: VP-1 and VP-26 provided detachments
2, operating from Annette, Alaska, was lost over on 30-day rotations to the NAS Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.,
Alaskan waters during a patrol while tracking Soviet due to the Iranian Hostage crisis.
submarines. No trace of crew or aircraft was ever 9 May 1980: The squadron deployed to NAS Cubi
found. Point, R.P., continuing to maintain a three aircraft de-
15 Aug 1968: VP-1 returned to NS Sangley Point, tachment at NAS Diego Garcia. During this period the
with a detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay. This de- squadron was heavily involved in location and rescue
ployment marked the last time the squadron would of Vietnamese refugee vessels carrying over 4,000
deploy with the SP-2H Neptune to a combat zone. refugees. The squadron received a Humanitarian
July 1969: The squadron received it first P-3B Service Medal for operations during this deployment,
Orion as a replacement for its SP-2H Neptunes. VP-1 and the Navy Expeditionary Medal for the Iranian cri-
was the last fleet squadron to transition from the sis.
Neptune to the Orion. Transition to the new aircraft 27 Mar 1982: Implementation of IRDS/HACLS
was completed by 1 October 1969. By that time, VP-1 modifications to the P-3B Orions in the squadron was
was the last patrol squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, undertaken at NAS Alameda, Calif., adding infrared de-
Wash.
Oct 1969: VP-1 was nominated for deactivation dur-
ing a congressionally mandated review of bases and
units that could be shut down to curtail rising DoD ex-
penses from the increasing costs of the Vietnam
conflict. The squadron was placed in standdown sta-
tus, and action to curtail personnel inputs to the
squadron had began. In December 1969, CNO made
the decision to retain VP-1 and relocate the squadron
to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii.
1 Feb 1970: The squadron conducted its WestPac
deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, with detachments at U-
Tapao, Thailand; NAF Tan Son Nhut, RVN; and NAF
Cam Rahn Bay, RVN.
1 Apr 1971: VP-1 deployed to Sangley Point, R.P.,
with a detachment operating at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, A VP-1 P-3B on approach for a landing at NAS Moffett Field in June
RVN. Detachment A of VP-1 completed the deploy- 1982. (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
 CHAPTER 3 21

tection and Harpoon missile launch capability to the AFB, Alaska; a second detachment at NAS Moffett
aircraft. Aircraft to be modified were shuttled by their Field, Calif.; and a third detachment to Howard AFB,
crews between NAS Alameda and NAS Barber’s Point. Panama, C.Z., for counter-narcotics operations. The
17 May 1983: A squadron P-3B (BuNo. 152733) latter detachment also conducted operations out of
made a wheels-up landing at NAS Barbers Point, Mexican air force facilities at Acapulco, Mexico, a first
Hawaii, due to pilot error, ending a 14-year record of for a U.S. Navy patrol squadron.
over 101,000 hours of accident-free flying. 9 Nov 1994: VP-1 began a split deployment with a
16 Jun 1983: A VP-1 P-3B (BuNo. 152720) crashed detachment at NAF Kadena, Japan, and Misawa AFB,
into a mountain on Kauai, Hawaii, killing all 14 crew Japan. Additional detachment sites in support of
members. The inquiry into the causes for the two Seventh Fleet operations included Guam, Korea,
crashes that followed resulted in the relieving of both Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Oman and
the squadron commanding officer and the executive Saudi Arabia.
officer. 24 Apr 1996: The squadron commenced another
8 Jul 1983: The Japanese Maritime Self Defense multisite deployment in the Indian Ocean and Arabian
Force Detachment 18 arrived at Barber’s Point for a Gulf, with detachments at Masirah, Oman; Jeddah,
month of training with U.S. forces. VP-1 served as the Saudi Arabia; and Kadena, Okinawa. Two SAR mis-
host squadron for the Japanese, providing mainte- sions during deployment in the gulf resulted in the lo-
nance and administrative support. cation and eventual rescue of crews on a disabled
Oct 1984: VP-1 received its first P-3C MOD aircraft Omani tugboat and a demolished Somali fishing boat.
from VP-30 as replacement for the squadron’s older P- The squadron provided escort and surveillance mis-
3B MOD airframes. The P-3C MOD had many sions for the task force conducting Operation Desert
retrofitted features that had already been introduced in Strike in September, the Tomahawk Land Attack
later production series airframes of the P-3C UI Missile launchings against targets in Iraq. In
through P-3C UIII. November, VP-1 flew the first live Maverick-armed
14 Aug 1990: Within 72 hours of notification, VP-1 maritime patrol aircraft surveillance flights in the
completed redeployment to NAF Diego Garcia, Arabian Gulf.
B.I.O.T., in support of operation Desert Shield in the
protection of Saudi Arabia against aggressor forces of
Home Port Assignments
Iraq. Two detachments were maintained: four aircraft
and four aircrews at Masirah, Oman; and two aircraft, Location Date of Assignment
two aircrews at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 17 May 1943
Feb 1991: VP-1 began the transition from P-3C
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 6 Oct 1944
MOD to P-3C Update III aircraft, with training at NAS
Tinian Island 21 Jun 1945
Moffett Field, Calif. One-third of the aircrews were de-
tached at a time until transition was completed at the Naha, Okinawa 15 May 1946
end of July 1991. The new aircraft had an entirely new NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 13 Jan 1948
underwater acoustic monitoring system, doubling the NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 30 Jun 1970
number of sonobuoys that could be monitored con- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Jul 1995
currently over earlier marks. Improvements in avion-
ics, computers (AN/AYA-8) and cooling systems were Commanding Officers
added, in addition to a retractable forward-looking in-
frared turret under the chin. Date Assumed Command
Jun 1991: A detachment of two crews, two aircraft LCDR Charles L. Westhofen 15 Feb 1943
and a maintenance crew were sent to Howard AFB, LCDR Groome E. Marcus 1 Jan 1944
Panama, C.Z., in support of the Joint Task Force in LCDR Jay B. Yakeley 4 Jun 1944
Panama Law Enforcement Operations in Central CDR James W. Lenney 19 Sep 1945
America. Operations were concluded in July 1991, and
LCDR J. D. Seal 23 Nov 1946
the det returned to NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii.
LCDR W. W. Titsworth 17 Jul 1947
Oct 1991: A second detachment with identical as-
CDR I. J. Heizer 1 Jan 1949
sets was sent to Howard AFB, Panama, C.Z., to con-
CDR J. B. Honan 8 Jul 1949
tinue support of the Law Enforcement Operations in
Central America. Operations were concluded in CDR William M. Ringness 15 Jan 1951
November 1991, and the detachment returned to NAS CDR I. E. Quillan 31 May 1952
Barber’s Point. CDR Irving A. Kittel Apr 1954
10 Jan 1992: VP-1 deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska. CDR W. J. Bowers Jul 1955
Several weeks into the deployment the squadron was CDR J. H. Caldwell 5 Sep 1956
redeployed to three sites: one detachment at Eielson CDR Vance W. Alder 3 Apr 1958
22 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR John W. Murphy 1 Jan 1959 CDR Timothy A. Rocklein Jul 1987
CDR Robert E. Dimmitt 11 Apr 1960 CDR David C. Hull 26 Jul 1988
CDR Jack E. Elizey 17 May 1961 CDR William R. Blake 20 Jul 1989
CDR Thomas H. Adams 1 Oct 1962 CDR William F. Eckert, Jr. Jul 1990
CDR F. C. Forsberg 2 May 1963 CDR James J. Miller Jul 1991
CDR William T. Vierreger 4 May 1964 CDR Raymond B. Bowling 10 Jul 1992
CDR Frank D. Armstrong, Jr. 6 May 1965 CDR Mark Wisniewski 3 Jul 1993
CDR Angelo E. Clemente 23 Mar 1966 CDR Woody T. Short 6 Jul 1994
CDR Lawrence C. Day 2 Mar 1967 CDR Mark T. Ackerman 21 Jun 1995
CDR Phillip R. Hawkins 1 Mar 1968 CDR Ronald R. Evans 31 Jul 1996
CDR James O. Coleman 17 Feb 1969 CDR Robert S. Winneg 21 May 1997
CDR A. W. Howard, Jr. Feb 1970 CDR Brian E. Burlingame 2 July 1998
CDR H. C. Freund 24 Nov 1970
CDR B .D. Johnson 16 Nov 1971
CDR R. E. Fredrick 30 Nov 1972 Aircraft Assignment
CDR M .L. Gesling 6 Dec 1973
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR J. A. Luper 30 Oct 1974
CDR John C. McLaurin 22 Oct 1975 PV-1 Feb 1943
CDR Richard W. Micheaux 20 Oct 1976 PV-2 Nov 1946
CDR Walter T. Cook 7 Oct 1977 P2V-2 Mar 1947
CDR William J. Green, Jr. 20 Oct 1978 P2V-3 Jul 1950
CDR J. L. Landon 5 Oct 1979 P2V-5 May 1953
CDR T. K. Morrisey 7 Oct 1980 P2V-5F 1957
CDR Charles G. Flint 2 Oct 1981 P2V-7 Aug 1959
CDR John D. Holzapfel 15 Oct 1982 SP-2H Aug 1963
CDR Michael D. Haskins 27 Jun 1983 P-3B Jul 1969
CDR Dennis W. Delear 7 May 1984 P-3B MOD Nov 1979
CDR P. K. Bolton 1985 P-3C MOD Oct 1984
CDR P. A. Zambernardi 1986 P-3C UIIIR Feb 1991

A squadron P-3C Orion flies over Diamond Head, Hawaii, 1987.

 CHAPTER 3 23

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

23 Aug 1943 19 Dec 1943 FAW-7 Reykjavik PV-1 NorLant

19 Dec 1943 26 Sep 1944 FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib
6 Oct 1944 15 May 1946 FAW-1/2/17 Philippines PV-1 SoPac
1 Jan 1948 30 Mar 1948 FAW-4 Aleutians P2V-2 NorPac
1 Sep 1948 30 Dec 1948 FAW-4 Aleutians P2V-2 NorPac
7 Aug 1950 13 Nov 1950 FAW-1 Naha/Korea P2V-3 WestPac
Apr 1951 29 Aug 1951 FAW-1 Naha/Korea P2V-3 WestPac
29 Mar 1952 5 Oct 1952 FAW-6 Naha/Korea P2V-3 WestPac
27 May 1953 1 Dec 1953 FAW-6 Naha/Korea P2V-5 WestPac
Nov 1954 20 Apr 1955 FAW-1 Naha P2V-5 WestPac
21 Apr 1955 5 May 1955 FAW-4 Whidbey Is. P2V-5 Trans-global
1956 1956 FAW-1 Kwajalein P2V-5 SoPac
1957 1957 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
Aug 1959 Jan 1960 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-7 WestPac
Dec 1960 May 1961 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
Feb 1962 Jun 1962 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
7 Oct 1964* 1 Apr 1965 FAW-8 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
7 Oct 1964* 1 Apr 1965 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
1 Apr 1965 30 Sep 1964 FAW-4 Kodiak SP-2H NorPac
13 Feb 1966* 6 Aug 1966 FAW-8 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
13 Feb 1966* 27 May 1966 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
15 May 1967* 12 Nov 1967 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-2H WestPac
6 May 1967* 12 Nov 67 FAW-8 Sangley Point SP-2H WestPac
15 Aug 1968* 25 Feb 1969 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-2H WestPac
15 Aug 1968* 25 Feb 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Point SP-2H WestPac
31 Jan 1970* 30 Jul 1970 FAW-8 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
1 Feb 1970* 15 Apr 1970 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
1 May 1970* 27 Jul 1970 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut P-3B WestPac
1970* 1970 FAW-8 Cam Rahn P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1971* 25 May 1971 FAW-8 Sangley P-3B WestPac
25 May 1971* 1 Oct 1971 FAW-8 Cubi Point P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1971* 1 Oct 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac
1 Nov 1972* 30 Apr 1973 FAW-8 Cubi Point P-3B WestPac
1 Nov 1972* 30 Apr 1973 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
1 Jun 1974 10 Dec 1974 PatWing-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
Nov 1975 2 May 1976 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B WestPac
10 Dec 1976 6 Jun 1977 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B WestPac
Oct 1978 10 May 1979 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B WestPac
Feb 1980 May 1980 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3B MOD IO
9 May 1980 10 Nov 1980 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
Aug 1981 7 Dec 1981 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
7 Feb 1982 10 Apr 1982 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
10 Nov 82 20 May 1983 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3B MOD IO
10 Feb 1984 Aug 1984 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C MOD WestPac
Aug 1985 Feb 1986 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C MOD WestPac
Feb 1987 Aug 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C MOD WestPac
Jun 1988 Dec 1988 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C MOD NorPac
May 1990 14 Aug 1990 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3C MOD WestPac
14 Aug 1990 19 Nov 1990 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C MOD IO
24 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jun 1991 Jul 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib

Oct 1991 Nov 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
10 Jan 1992* Jun 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIIIR NorPac
Jan 1992* Jun 1992 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
Sep 1992 Oct 1992 PatWing-10 Acapulco P-3C UIIIR Carib
28 Apr 1993 Dec 1993 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIIIR IO
9 Nov 1994* May 1995 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIIIR WestPac
9 Nov 1994* May 1995 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIIIR WestPac
24 Apr 1996 16 Nov 1996 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
Nov 1997* Jun 1998 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
Nov 1997* Jun 1998 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
* The squadron conducted a split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 15 Feb 1943 NUC 01 Jan 1967 14 May 1967
FAW-9 17 May 1943 16 Nov 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-7 23 Aug 1943 02 Aug 1990 01 Nov 1990
MUC 15 May 1967 15 Nov 1967
FAW-11 19 Dec 1943
20 Apr 1970 01 Aug 1970
FAW-1 6 Oct 1944 01 Apr 1971 20 Apr 1971
FAW-17 21 Dec 1944 28 Aug 1982 07 Sep 1982
FAW-1 AC* 7 Nov 1946 10 Jun 1988 10 Dec 1988
FAW-14 AC Mar 1947 (Sel Crews) 20 Apr 1970 01 Aug 1970
FAW-4 AC/CD†/YB‡ 13 Jan 1948 01 Apr 1971 20 Apr 1971
RVNGC 13 May 1967 05 Nov 1967
FAW-2/PatWing-2§ YB 30 Jun 1970
01 Aug 1968 01 Mar 1969
PatWing-10 YB Jul 1995 VNSM 07 Feb 1966 02 Jun 1966
AFEM 28 Mar 1952 30 Apr 1952
* The squadron was assigned the tail code AC on 7 November 1946.
†
01 May 1952 03 Oct 1952
The squadron’s tail code was changed from AC to CD on 4 August
(Sel Crews) 20 May 1980 10 Nov 1980
1948.
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from CD to YB in 1957. The (Guam Det) 05 Aug 1981 20 Oct 1981
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY NOSM 15 Nov 1946 07 Nov 1947
1958 (1 July 1957). 01 Aug 1950 07 Nov 1950
§ FAW-2 was redesignated Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) on 30 June 12 May 1951 23 Jul 1951
1973. SASM 14 Aug 1990 19 Nov 1990
 CHAPTER 3 25

Second VP-2

Lineage
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY (VB-130) on 1 March 1943.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED THIRTY (VPB-130) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY (VP-130) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
TWO (VP-ML-2) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-2) on 1
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned
the VP-2 designation.
The squadron’s second insignia took on a more cartoon design.
Disestablished on 30 September 1969.

ment of basic mission to antisubmarine warfare, a new

Squadron Insignia and Nickname squadron insignia was deemed appropriate. The new
VB-130 was established at Deland, Fla., on 1 March design, approved by CNO on 10 June 1947, presented a
1943, but it was not until after the squadron had been cartoon King Neptune riding a rocket, against a starry
redesignated VPB-130 that any record of a squadron sky and globe background. In Neptune’s hand was a tri-
insignia was found. The first insignia, approved by dent with cannon barrels in place of tines. The back-
CNO on 8 November 1945, superimposed a clock face ground of the globe represented the long-range capabil-
with a bomb for the hour hand and rocket for the ity of the P2V Neptune. The night sky denoted
minute hand set at one thirty, on a silhouette of a PV-1 around-the-clock flying and King Neptune symbolized
Ventura aircraft with a the sea and squadron’s aircraft. The rocket was incorpo-
starlit sky as back- rated into the insignia to show the fast punch of
ground. The design Neptune’s armament. The trident with multiple gun bar-
symbolized the round- rels denoted the aircraft’s multiple firepower. Colors:
the-clock bombing stars, white; sky, dark blue; water, light blue; continents,
and rocket operations white; rocket, light gray; King Neptune’s belt, blue;
capability of the pants, red; beard, white; crown and trident, yellow;
squadron’s first air- nose, red; body, pink; and guns, gray.
craft, the PV-1 The cartoon King Neptune insignia was adopted by
Ventura. The field was the squadron after its redesignation from VP-ML-2 to
royal blue; stars, VP-2, and remained in use until 1 October 1956. At that
white; aircraft, light time, CNO directed the squadron to come up with a
The squadron’s first insignia. Unfor-
tunately, someone clipped the design gray with black mark- new design “. . . in keeping with the dignity of the
to make it fit into a file folder. ings; clock, white; nu- naval service, [as] cartoon portrayals are not authorized
merals, black; in Naval Aviation
and clock hands, Insignia . . . ” The re-
red. sulting modi-fication
VPB-130 was of the squadron in-
redesignated VP- signia portrayed a
130, then VP- less stylized King
ML-2, and transi- Neptune inside a
tioned from the blue disk with white
PV-2 Harpoon to border, Neptune
the P2V Neptune white-haired and
patrol bomber. bearded, crowned
In keeping with yellow, and clothed
the redesigna- in flowing red toga.
tions, transition The right arm ex-
to a new aircraft, The squadron’s final insignia portrayed
tended forward, the
A copy of the full design of the first insignia. and reassign- King Neptune riding a torpedo. left hand grasping a
26 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

yellow trident, Neptune was astride a black torpedo, squadron undertook a variety of missions in conjunc-
colored white, above the top portion of a blue globe tion with 13th Army Air Force operations.
were longitude and latitude lines outlined in white. In Detachments operating from Morotai and Owi Island
an arc at the top of the shield there were three white conducted 300 to 600-mile sector searches. The re-
stars, two above the extended arm and one behind the mainder of the squadron at Tacloban conducted 1,000-
figure. The inscription PATROL SQUADRON TWO was mile sector searches. Numerous attacks were made on
on a blue scroll in white capital letters. This design Japanese island installations, radar sites, airfields and
was approved by CNO on 28 February 1957 and re- small ships.
mained in effect until the squadron’s disestablishment 24 Apr 1945: VPB-130 transferred to Manus Island,
in 1969. where all personnel boarded Kadashan Bay (CVE 76)
Nickname: Unknown. on 1 May 1945 for return to the continental United
States, where home leave was given to all hands.
31 Aug 1945: VPB-130 was reformed at Ault Field,
Chronology of Significant Events
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., and training of personnel
3 Mar 1943: VB-130 was established at Deland, Fla. commenced utilizing new aircraft, the PV-2 Harpoon.
Organization and training of squadron personnel took 29 Sep 1946: The “Truculent Turtle,” the squadron’s
place over the next two and a half months, followed first P2V-1 Neptune land-based patrol bomber, flew
on 17 May 1943 by shake-down training flying the PV- from Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio, a distance of
1 Ventura at Boca Chica, Fla. 11,236 miles in 55 hours and 18 minutes. The aircraft
7 Jun 1943: The squadron deployed to San Juan, (bureau number 89082) was manned by Commanders
P.R., to provide convoy protection and ASW in Thomas D. Davies, Eugene P. Rankin, Walter S. Reid and
Caribbean waters. On 16 June 1943, the squadron was Lieutenant Commander Roy H. Tabeling. The flight was
relocated to Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, to continue nonstop, without refueling, establishing a world record
convoy protection and antisubmarine patrols. for nonstop flight. When the aircraft was taken out of
6 Aug 1943: Lieutenant Holmes and his crew sank service years later, it was placed on display at NAS
the German submarine, U-615, commanded by Norfolk, Va. This historic aircraft is now on display at
Kaptainleutnant Ralph Kapitzky. The submarine was the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Fla.
caught on the surface in the Caribbean southeast of March 1947: VP-ML-2 began receiving the rest of
Curacao and damaged badly enough by the bombs its compliment of P2V-1 Neptunes from Lockheed
to prevent it from submerging. Unable to escape, the Aircraft Company, Burbank, Calif. These replacements
German crew scuttled the vessel. Forty-five of the U- for the PV-2 Harpoons marked the beginning of an in-
boat’s crew of 49 were rescued by U.S. Navy vessels. tense period of training for all squadron personnel in
12–27 Aug 1943: The squadron moved to Recife, antisubmarine warfare.
Brazil, where it remained until 27 August 1943, when 5 Jun 1950: VP-2 was assigned a tour in Alaska for
it was shifted again to Pici Field, Fortaleza. cold-weather operational training. The squadron pro-
Antisubmarine patrols and convoy coverage were the vided resupply missions for the Oceanographic Survey
primary activities of the squadron during the next being conducted in Alaskan waters.
eight months. 1 Aug 1951: A detachment of VP-2 flying P2V-3Ws
30 April 1944: VB-130 was relieved by VB-134 and deployed to NAF Naha, Okinawa, to patrol the East
returned to NAS Norfolk, Va. For home leave. China Sea and Yellow Sea in the Korean theater of op-
3 Jun 1944: The squadron was reequipped with erations. The detachment remained in the combat
rocket launchers. Ground attack training using rockets zone until December 1951, this was squadron’s first
took place over the next 30 days. and last involvement in the Korean War.
3 Jul 1944: VB-130 began ferry operations to shift 1 Sep 1951: VP-2 became the first squadron to re-
equipment, personnel and aircraft from NAS Norfolk, ceive the new P2V-4 with the Wright Aero R-3350W
Va., to NAS Alameda, Calif. On 6 August 1944 the compound-turbo engine. Testing of the new engines
squadron boarded Shirley Bay (CVE 85) for transfer to was performed onsite at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.,
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving on 13 August 1944. without missing deployments. Detachments during this
10 Oct 1944: VPB-130 transferred to Ponam on period were assigned to NAS Kodiak, Alaska, and
Manus Island. Training continued along with opera- Naha, Okinawa. The Naha Detachment remained until
tional ASW and antishipping patrols. 2 December 1951, flying several combat missions in
1 Nov 1944: VPB-130 began transferring its assets support of the UN action in Korea.
and personnel to Tacloban in the Philippine Islands, 9 Apr 1954: A Neptune from VP-2 was attacked by
via Owi Island, Peleliu, Palau and Morotai. Squadron a Chinese MiG-15 while on patrol over the Yellow Sea.
aircraft arrived on 6 November 1944, and were placed The MiG made three firing passes and the crew of the
under the tactical control of the 308th Bomb Wing of Neptune returned fire. There was no apparent damage
the Army 5th Air Force. Through April 1945, the to either aircraft resulting from the encounter.
 CHAPTER 3 27

30 Nov 1964: VP-2 took first place among the Commanding Officers
Pacific Fleet squadrons in bombing, mining and rocket
competition despite instrument flying conditions dur- Date Assumed Command
ing 90 percent of the competition period. LCDR C. G. Price 1 Mar 1943
25 Jan 1965: VP-2 relieved VP-6 for a six-month LCDR C. R. Dodds 3 Jun 1944
deployment at Iwakuni, Japan. Squadron detachments LCDR D. G. White 25 Apr 1945
were assigned to Naha, Okinawa; Sangley Point, R.P.; LCDR Jesse L. Pennell 31 Aug 1945
Taiwan, Formosa; Bangkok, Thailand; and Da Nang LCDR Francis E. Schrader May 1946
and Saigon, RVN. The last three months of the LCDR Charles E. Healy Oct 1946
squadron’s WestPac tour was conducted at Tan Son CDR Robert M. Kercheval Jul 1947
Nhut Air Base, Saigon, RVN—the squadron’s first tour CDR C. A. Karaberis Dec 1948
in a combat zone since World War II. CDR Renfro Turner, Jr. Feb 1950
1 Apr 1966: VP-2 relieved VP-42 for a six-month CDR Mervin J. Berg Oct 1951
WestPac deployment at Iwakuni, Japan. Four months CDR H. C. Weart 6 Dec 1952
of the tour were spent at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, CDR J. M. Barlow Oct 1954
Saigon, RVN. CDR R .B. Minton Apr 1956
1 Oct 1967: VP-2 deployed to WestPac with half of CDR A. W. LaMarre 1 Jul 1957
the squadron at NS Sangley Point, R.P., and a six-air- CDR H. M. Kalstad 4 Jun 1958
craft detachment at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, CDR D. F. Johnson Apr 1959
RVN. The detachment at Ton Son Nhut moved a few CDR W. G. Foster 30 Apr 1960
weeks later to Cam Rahn Bay, RVN. CDR E. E.Pierre, Jr. 24 Apr 1961
17 Feb 1969: The squadron conducted its last de- CDR D. P. Lanaghan 26 Jan 1962
ployment, its fourth to the Vietnam theater of opera- CDR W. C. Kistler 1 Feb 1963
tions, based at NS Sangley Point, R.P. CDR Robert R. Ohsiek 4 Feb 1964
30 Sep 1969: VP-2 was disestablished at NAS CDR Dwight A. Lane, Jr. 8 Jan 1965
Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Wash. CDR Homer C. Ragsdale, Jr. 7 Jan 1966
CDR Richard B. Campbell 11 Jan 1967
CDR Robert M. Dagg 11 Dec 1967
Home Port Assignments
CDR Lee Maice, Jr. Jul 1968
Location Date of Assignment
Deland, Fla. 1 Mar 1943 Aircraft Assignment
Boca Chica, Fla. 17 May 1943
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Edinburgh Field, Trinidad 16 Jun 1943
PV-1 1 Mar 1943
Pici Field, Fortaleza, Brazil 27 Aug 1943
PV-2 31 Aug 1945
NAS Norfolk, Va. 30 Apr 1944
P2V-1 Mar 1947
NAS Alameda, Calif. 3 Jul 1944 P2V-3/3W Nov 1948
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 13 Aug 1944 P2V-4 Sep 1951
Ault Field, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 31 Aug 1945 P2V-5 1952
NAS Miramar, Calif. Mar 1947 P2V-7 1955
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1953 SP-2H 1963

A squadron SP-2H at
Sangley Point, R.P.
28 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

18 Jun 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib

27 Aug 1943 30 Apr 1944 FAW-16 Fortaleza PV-1 SoLant
13 Aug 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac
10 Oct 1944 * FAW-2 Manus Is. PV-1 WestPac
1 Nov 1944 * USAAF Tacloban PV-1 WestPac
24 Apr 1945 May 1945 FAW-2 Manus Is. PV-1 WestPac
5 Jun 1950 Nov 1950 FAW-4 Adak P2V-3W NorPac
1 Aug 1951 2 Dec 1951 FAW-6 Naha P2V-3W WestPac
1 Sep 1951 1 Dec 1951 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-4 NorPac
Sep 1952 Nov 1952 FAW-4 Kwajalein P2V-4/5 WestPac
Jan 1953 Mar 1953 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-4 NorPac
Dec 1953 Jun 1954 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5 WestPac
Aug 1955 Jan 1956 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5 NorPac
Nov 1956 May 1957 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
Sep 1958 Feb 1959 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-2V7 WestPac
Nov 1959 May 1960 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
May 1961 Oct 1961 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
Aug 1962 Jan 1963 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
Nov 1963 Apr 1964 FAW-4 Adak SP-2H NorPac
Aug 1964 Oct 1964 FAW-4 Kodiak SP-2H NorPac
25 Jan 1965 1 Mar 1965 FAW-8 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
15 Mar 1965 1 May 1965 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
1 Apr 1966† 7 Oct 1966 FAW-8 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
25 May 1966† 30 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
1 Oct 1967† 1 Apr 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Point SP-2H WestPac
1 Oct 1967† 15 Oct 1967 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
15 Oct 1967 1 Apr 1968 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-2H WestPac
17 Feb 1969 17 Aug 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Point SP-2H WestPac
* The squadron remained deployed overseas, but moved to a new operating base during the deployment.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-11 16 Jun 1943 NUC 01 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-16 27 Aug 1943 MUC 01 Mar 1969 10 Aug 1969
FAW-5 30 Apr 1944 RVNGC 01 Sep 1967 30 Apr 1968
FAW-2 13 Aug 1944 05 Feb 1969 10 Aug 1969
FAW-10/17 and the 1 Nov 1944 11 Aug 1969 31 Aug 1969
30th Bomb. Wing, VNSM 24 May 1966 03 Oct 1966
Army 5th Air Force AFEM 11 Mar 1965 01 May 1965
FAW-14 25 Apr 1945 01 Jan 1968 28 Feb 1968
FAW-4 SB* 31 Aug 1945 NOSM 01 Aug 1951 02 Dec 1951
FAW-14 SB Mar 1947
FAW-4 SB/ YC† 1953

* The squadron remained part of FAW-4 but was assigned the tail
code SB on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from SB to YC in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
 CHAPTER 3 29

Second VP-3 Haines. Colors for this design are unknown. The
Husky insignia was restored to use during the second
VB-136 tour of duty by the next squadron command-
ing officer, Lieutenant Commander Charles Wayne.
Lineage Nickname: Huskies, 1937–1955.
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN-F (VP-16F)
on 2 January 1937. Chronology of Significant Events
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) on
1 October 1937. 2 Jan 1937: VP-16F was established at FAB Seattle,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY ONE (VP-41) Wash., as a patrol squadron comprised of 12 PM-1
on 1 July 1939. flying boats. Thrush (AVP 3) provided tender support.
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED 1 Oct 1937: VP-16F was redesignated VP-16 when
THIRTY SIX (VB-136) on 1 March 1943. all patrol squadrons were reassigned to Patrol Wings.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED THIRTY SIX (VPB-136) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
THIRTY SIX (VP-136) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (landplane)
THREE (VP-ML-3) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THREE (VP-3) on 1
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned
the VP-3 designation.
Disestablished on 1 November 1955.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

Members of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN-F designed This photo shows a squadron PM-1, the first aircraft type assigned to
the first squadron insignia in 1937. There is no letter of the squadron.
official BuAer approval of the design on record. The
VP-16 came under the air wing organization of
PatWing-4.
17 Mar 1938: VP-16 and patrol squadrons 7, 9, 11,
12, 17 and 19 participated in Fleet Problem XIX
(Phase II) as part of White Force, operating against
Black Force at a distance of 600 miles. The patrol
squadrons of White Force successfully attacked and
damaged major elements of Black Force. The exer-
cise was notable in that it was the first use of long-
distance radio bearings for aircraft navigation in fleet
operations.
The squadron’s primary insignia For a brief period the squadron
was the head of Husky with a used this insignia but then re-
8 Jul 1941: VP-41 began ferry flights to San Diego,
pine tree in the background. turned to the Husky design. Calif., to turn in PBY-3s for new PBY-5 flying boats
fresh from the factory. Upon reequipping, VP-41 flew
the new aircraft to Kodiak, Alaska, to relieve VP-42,
head of a Husky was drawn on a circular background, returning to Seattle in early September 1941.
depicted licking his lips in anticipation of jumping into 7 Dec 1941: VP-41 returned to Kodiak, Alaska, in a
an impending fray. Colors: sky, light blue; hills, purple combat status, conducting the maximum number of
and mauve; tree, green and white; foreground, white; patrols possible at extreme ranges. The squadron was
and husky’s tongue orange and red. This insignia was relieved of patrol duties in Alaska by VP-42 on 5
used by the squadron through each of its redesigna- February 1941.
tions from VP-41 to VP-3. 7 Feb 1941: Upon returning from Alaska, VP-41
A second apparently unofficial insignia was briefly turned in its PBY-5s and was refitted with new PBY-
used by the squadron during its first tour as VB-136 in 5A amphibious aircraft. War patrols were commenced
1943. The design featured a rabbit “jockey” riding a from Tongue Point, Wash., providing escort coverage
bomb labeled “136.” On the rabbit’s shirt is the letter for convoys out of NAS Astoria.
N, reportedly representing the initial of the squadron 26 May 1942: VP-41 returned to NAF Dutch Harbor,
commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Nathan Alaska, in preparation for the anticipated attacks by
30 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

ceived a message from Commander in Chief Pacific

which said, “bomb the enemy out of Kiska.” Following
unsuccessful missions by USAAF B24s and B-17s, air-
craft available from VPs 41, 42, 43 and 51 commenced
continuous bombing missions against targets in Kiska
harbor from 11 to 13 June. These missions became
known as the “Kiska Blitz.” During these bombing
strikes the aircraft were serviced by Gillis (AVD 12) at
Nazan Bay, Atka Island. Efforts to use the PBYs as
horizontal bombers dropping their bombs from above
the clouds proved futile. Pilots began attacking singly,
approaching from a direction that provided the best
cloud cover. When they were over the harbor the
Catalinas were put into a dive and bombs released at
A PBY Catalina on a flooded field in the Aleutian Islands. appropriate time. The flak was intense. A pullout was
initiated at between 500 and 1,500 feet, and the plane
immediately again sought cover in the clouds. The
Japanese naval forces. VP-42 arrived at the same time raids continued until Gillis ran out of bombs and fuel.
and was based at NAF Cold Bay, Alaska. Aircraft of During the “Blitz” Lieutenant William N. Thies was
both squadrons were dispersed to fjords and operated awarded the Navy Cross for his zealous aggressiveness
from the tender Casco (AVP 12) to prevent the reoc- in attacking enemy shipping, scoring a confirmed hit
currence of an entire squadron being destroyed due to on a large enemy transport. Ensign James T.
surprise enemy attacks like Pearl Harbor. Hildebrand, Jr., was also awarded the Navy Cross for
2–3 Jun 1942: Two VP-41 Catalinas spotted the his participation in all-night aerial patrols and bomb-
enemy task force 210 miles from Dutch Harbor. Both ing attacks on enemy ships in Kiska harbor. The Navy
aircraft were shot down with the loss of both crews, Cross citations for both men reflect their participation
except for one crewman taken prisoner. On the next in the Aleutian Islands campaign during 1 to 15 June.
day Japanese carrier aircraft were launched from Ryujo 1 Jul 1942: The various squadrons detachment re-
and Junyo to conduct the first of a series of attacks joined the rest of VP-41 at Dutch Harbor. The
against Dutch Harbor. During one such raid on the squadron returned to Seattle, Wash., on 22 August
3rd, two Japanese fighters caught Ensign James T. 1942.
Hildebrand, Jr., circling over the harbor. He managed 23 Feb 1943: VP-41 reformed at NAS Whidbey
to evade their fire and his crew succeeded in shooting Island, Wash.
down one of the aircraft. 1 Mar 1943: VP-41 was redesignated VB-136 to
5 Jun 1942: Lieutenant William N. Thies spotted a reflect its change from a patrol squadron to a bombing
crashed Zero fighter (Mitsubishi A6M) while flying his squadron. By May the PBY-5A flying boats had been
Catalina low over the tundra of Akutan Island, Alaska, turned in, and the squadron began refitting with the
near NAF Dutch Harbor. The pilot of the fighter had PV-1 Ventura.
engine problems and attempted to land on what he 23 Apr 1943: The squadron deployed again to
had assumed was a grass field, not realizing that it was Adak, Alaska, and conducted searches from Umnak to
actually a swamp. The Zero had nosed over immedi- Adak, with numerous missions to Japanese-held
ately upon landing, breaking the pilot’s neck. It had Kiska. Antisubmarine patrols were conducted in sup-
lain there undiscovered for several days until Thies port of the pending invasion of Kiska, but results
and his crew spotted it. Thies later led a recovery were negative.
party to the site to retrieve the aircraft. The Zero was 8 May 1943: The pace of operations changed from
disassembled and then sent under great secrecy to search vectors and patrols to one of ground attack and
NAS San Diego, Calif., where it was reassembled and bombing of Japanese positions on Kiska.
test flown. It was the first example of Japan’s foremost 13 Aug 1943: The squadron put forth an all out ef-
fighter to fall into Allied hands and proved to be one fort to attack the Japanese on Kiska in support of the
of the more fortuitous finds of the war. Army landings being conducted. After the staunch re-
6–13 Jun 1942: Japanese forces landed 1,250 men sistance offered by the Japanese during the landings at
on the island of Kiska, in the Aleutians, on the 6th. On Attu three months earlier, the Army requested that the
the 7th a second force began occupying the island of Navy surface and air forces thoroughly batter the
Attu, also in the Aleutian island chain. Lieutenant enemy before the landings commence. After several
Litsey of VP-41 was the first to spot the enemy troops days of intense naval gunfire and bombing, Admiral
on Kiska and the Japanese task force assembled in the Kincaid, commander of the naval forces, gave General
bay. On 11 June 1942, Commander Patrol Wing 4 re- Buckner, commander of the Army landing forces, the
 CHAPTER 3 31

A couple of squadron PVs in flight. Note the bombing mission decals just below the canopy.

Bombs being loaded aboard a PV in the Aleutians, circa summer 1943, 80-G-K-14626.
32 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

assurance that the landing zones would be clear. Upon Commander Charles Wayne, was forced down over
landing the Army found that the Japanese had con- Russian territory with battle damage. The Russians in-
ducted a withdrawal of all their personnel under cover terned the entire crew. As a result of this mishap, fur-
of bad weather. ther Empire Express missions were canceled. VB-136
1 Oct 1943: With the withdrawal of the Japanese missions were restricted to sector searches or special
forces from the Aleutians, VB-136 was relocated to photo missions where the speed of the PV-1 was
Attu and employed in long-range missions into the required.
Japanese-held northern Kurile Islands. The squadron 6 Nov 1944: Eight PV-1s from the squadron were
returned to Adak, Alaska, for rest and refit on 10 sent to obtain low oblique photographs of the
October 1943. Paramushiro coastline. Four of the aircraft provided di-
16 Nov 1943: The squadron was again assigned to versionary attacks on ground targets, while the re-
operate from Attu, and on this date Lieutenant H. K. mainder took the photos with large F-56 cameras. Two
Mantius and crew became the first FAW-4 plane to PBY-5As of VP-62 were on standby off the coast of
conduct an attack on Paramushiro, one of the Kamchatka for rescue operations if needed.
Japanese home islands. This mission marked the be- 1 Jan 1945: VPB-136 was transferred to Attu,
ginning of the “Empire Express,” taking the offensive Alaska, for fitting of rocket rails and training in use of
to the Japanese home islands. air-to-ground rockets.
13 Dec 43: The squadron returned to its home base 1 Feb 1945: The squadron continued sector searches
at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., and all personnel were from Attu, Alaska, with two missions in support of Task
given home leave for two weeks. Upon their return, Force 92.
the squadron was reformed and its PV-1s were refitted 12 Mar 1945: VPB-136 was relieved by VPB-139, and
with upgraded instrumentation, including LORAN, and returned to its home base at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
three 50-caliber nose guns. 10 May 1945: After all hands had returned from a
7 Jun 1944: The squadron deployed for a tour in 30-day home leave, the squadron was reformed at
the Aleutians, operating from the island of Attu. NAS Whidbey and a new training syllabus begun for
Operational searches, tactical bombing, and photo- the new crews. The new PV-2 Harpoon replaced the
graphic reconnaissance were conducted over the squadron’s PV-1 Venturas.
northern Kuriles. 1 Sep 1952: VP-3 and VP-34 were the only two pa-
17 Sep 1944: During a mission to Paramushiro, the trol squadrons to complete FY 1952 with 100 percent
commanding officer of the squadron, Lieutenant safety marks.

A line of squadron PVs at NAS Whidbey Island.

 CHAPTER 3 33

1 Oct 1952: VP-3 hosted 18 officers and enlisted Commanding Officers—Continued

personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force and 21
Date Assumed Command
personnel from the South African Air Force during fa-
miliarization training on the P2V-5 aircraft purchased LCDR P. Foley, Jr. Apr 1942
for their countries’ naval air forces. LCDR Nathan S. Haines 23 Feb 1943
17 Dec 1953: A VP-3 P2V-5 Neptune, BuNo 124901, LCDR Charles W. Wayne 27 Dec 1943
and its crew of nine crashed on the Myrdalsjokull LCDR Edward F. Hayes 18 Sep 1944
Glacier, Iceland. Rescue crews were able to extract LCDR Leo B. Riester 20 Aug 1945
only one body from the wreckage before storms CDR C. A. Melvin 24 Apr 1946
sealed it in the ice. The wreckage was spotted again in LCDR E. L. Harris, Jr. 1 Apr 1947
October 1981, 500 yards from the glacier’s edge. The LCDR A. J. Kinion 3 Aug 1948
bodies of the eight remaining crewmen were recov- CDR G. J. Frauenheim 13 Jun 1949
ered from the ice by the Icelandic Lifesaving CDR L. E. Decamp 31 Jan 1951
Association and returned to the United States. CDR George D. Ghesquiere 11 Sep 1952
1 Nov 1955: VP-3 was disestablished with all per- CDR Jack L. Grayson May 1954
sonnel and assets transferred to VAH-1.
CDR Edward Johnson Jul 1955

Home Port Assignments

Aircraft Assigned
Location Date of Assignment
Type Aircraft Date Type First Received
FAB Seattle/Sand Point, Wash. 2 Jan 1937
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 23 Feb 1943 PM-1 Jan1937
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 15 Nov 1946 PBY-3 Jun 1938
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 1 Sep 1948 PBY-5 Jul
1941
PBY-5A Feb 1942
Commanding Officers PV-1 Jun 1943
PV-2 May 1945
Date Assumed Command P2V-1 1946
LCDR Carleton C. Champion, Jr. Jan 1937 P2V-2 1949
LCDR Delbert L. Conley 1938 P2V-3/3W Feb 1950
LCDR Francis B. Johnson Jul 1940 P2V-5 Jan 1951

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations
8 Jul 1941 Sep 1941 PatWing-4 Kodiak PBY-5 NorPac
7 Dec 1941 5 Feb 1942 FAW-4 Kodiak PBY-5 NorPac
26 May 1942 22 Aug 1942 FAW-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5A NorPac
Casco (AVP 12)
Gillis (AVD 12)
1 Oct 1942 25 Jan 1943 FAW-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5A NorPac
23 Apr 1943 13 Dec 1943 FAW-4 Adak/Attu PV-1 NorPac
7 Jun 1944 12 Mar 1945 FAW-4 Attu PV-1 NorPac
1 Jan 1953 1 Mar 1953 FAW-11 Port Lyautey P2V-5 Med
1 Mar 1955 20 Aug 1955 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-5 NorLant

Wing Assignments Unit Awards

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

None on record.
PatWing-4/FAW-4* CB† 2 Jan 1937
FAW-3 CB 15 Nov 1946
FAW-11 CB/MB‡ 1 Sep 1948
* PatWing-4 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 (FAW-4) on 1

November 1942.
† The squadron remained part of FAW-4 but was assigned the tail

code CB on 7 November 1946.

‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from CB to MB on 19 July 1950.
34 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-4 pale rose patch on elbow; trousers, royal blue with
dull red patches; shoes, black with white highlights;
suspenders, light gray; and XXX bottle, light gray,
darker bottom. The design was approved by CNO on
Lineage 10 April 1945. It remained in use only a short time as
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED the war with Japan ended soon after the design was
FORTY FOUR (VB-144) on 1 July 1943. approved.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- There are no records to indicate whether the
DRED FORTY FOUR (VPB-144) on 1 October 1944. squadron used an insignia after its redesignation from
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED VPB-144 to VP-144, then to VP-ML-4. After its redesigna-
FORTY FOUR (VP-144) on 15 May 1946. tion from VP-ML-4 to VP-4, the squadron designed an
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) insignia with its new Neptune aircraft in mind. In the cir-
ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (VP-ML-4) on 15 cular design King Neptune sat astride a winged turtle
November 1946. (suggesting the long range of the aircraft of “Truculent
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) on 1 Turtle” fame). Neptune held a Tiny Tim rocket in his
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned raised left hand and a trident in his right. Colors: turtle,
the VP-4 designation. light green body parts with dark green shell; turtle
wings, dark blue; Neptune, flesh color with purple cape,
white beard and gold crown; rocket, gray body with
Squadron Insignia and Nickname black nose; background, yellow; and border, red.
When VB-144 was first established in 1943 a The design was
squadron insignia design was submitted to CNO for approved by CNO
approval. The figure of hillbilly “Sut Tattersal” standing on 29 November
on a Japanese flag was superimposed on a circular 1948.
background. Behind the By 1956 the
hillbilly was his jug of 1948 design was
bootleg whiskey; to no longer used.
the front of the Suggestions for its
figure was a har- replacement were
poon with the disapproved by
blade penetrat- CNO until the
ing the rising scheduled transi-
sun of the tion to the P-3A
Japanese flag. Orion prompted
Colors: field, A stylized dragon became the next offi-
cial insignia approved for used by the
the squadron to
lemon yellow; cir- squadron. The old VP-4 winged griffin submit a new de-
cle, black; flag, red was never officially approved for by the sign. The squadron
and white; harpoon, squadron.
adopted the in-
The squadron’s first insignia reflected blade royal blue and signia used by a
its stance against Japan. handle black; Sut previous VP-4 (redesignated VP-22 and disestablished
Tattersal’s hat, black in 1942). In that design a winged griffin was superim-
with green feather and face, white with black mark- posed upon the nu-
ings for hair, beard and pipe; shirt, aqua checked with meral four. The
squadron revised
the insignia in 1964
and the griffin was
replaced by a
dragon. CNO ap-
The squadr on’s proved the in-signia
second insignia change on 19
reflected the type
of the aircraft it October 1964.
was flying, the Colors: dragon,
P2V Neptune. black with white
markings; numeral,
white; and field,
light blue. At the A less stylized dragon insignia was ap-
bottom of the in- proved for the squadron in 1993.
 CHAPTER 3 35

signia was the banner PATRON FOUR. The Skinny 4 Apr 1944: The increasing tempo of operations at
Dragon design was altered slightly in honor of the Dyess Field resulted in the deployment of a second
squadron’s 50th anniversary in 1993. A more detailed detachment of VB-144 aircraft to Roi Island.
insignia was approved by CNO on 25 March 1993. The 1 Sep 1944: The remainder of the squadron was
dragon, instead of black, was changed to green with a transferred to Dyess Field, Roi Island.
gold belly, red eyes and mouth, and white claws. The 30 Sep 1944: VB-144 was transferred to NAS
number 4 was deleted from the background. Other Kaneohe, Hawaii. The squadron was redesignated
colors remained the same. VPB-144 while preparing for return to the continental
Nicknames: Feather Merchants, 1945–1948. United States.
Skinny Dragons (Oriental mythology 1 Nov 1944: VPB-144 was reformed for training at
meaning “long life”), 1965–present. NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. The squadron was re-
equipped with the newer PV-2 Harpoon.
3 Mar 1945: Training in air-to-ground attack contin-
Chronology of Significant Events
ued at NAS Moffett Field, Calif.
1 Jul 1943: VB-144 was established at NAS 8–15 Apr 1945: VPB-144 squadron personnel and
Alameda, Calif., as a squadron flying the Ventura PV-1 equipment were loaded aboard Kadashan Bay (CVE
aircraft. 76) for transport to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving on
14 Aug 1943: The squadron completed training at 15 April. Upon arrival, the squadron was based at NAS
NAS Alameda, Calif., and boarded Copahee (CVE 12) Kaneohe, where a combat training syllabus of several
for transport to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon arrival weeks was undertaken.
the squadron began an intensive period of combat 11–23 May 1945: A detachment of squadron air-
training and operational patrols over the ocean near craft and crews was flown to Midway Island to pro-
the Hawaiian Islands. vide combat air patrol coverage. On 23 May 1944, the
9 Jan 1944: VB-144 was transferred to Tarawa, detachment was increased to nine aircraft.
where combat patrols commenced as soon as the 24 May 1945: Two of the crews sent to Midway
squadron was checked in and assigned space for the earlier returned to NAS Kaneohe. The remainder of
crews and aircraft. the detachment followed, rejoining the rest of the
1 Feb 1944: The squadron was relocated to Dyess squadron on 12 June 1944.
Field, Roi Island, from which bombing missions were 27 Jun 1945: VPB-144 was transferred to Eniwetok,
carried out against Japanese installations in the Gilbert, via Johnston and Majuro Islands. The squadron was
Marshall and Eastern Caroline island chains. placed under the operational control of TF 96.1. Sector
and photographic reconnaissance patrols were con-
ducted over Wake and Ponape islands.
12 Sep 1945: Problems with malaria on Wake
Island became so severe that the aircraft of VPB-144
were fitted with sprayers to cover the island with
DDT.
15 Sep 1945: Flights were conducted over Kusaie,
Ponape and the Caroline Islands as a show of force to
the remaining Japanese troops who had not yet
surrendered.
15 May 1946: Squadron assets remained at NAB
Tinian but all personnel were rotated back to the U.S.,
leaving the squadron in a caretaker status.
Sep 1946: The squadron was retained on the Navy
roster, but was placed in an inactive status at North
Island, Calif., under FAW-14.
Nov 1947: The squadron was reactivated as VP-ML-
The squadron’s first aircraft were PV-1s. Squadron PVs are in the 4 at NAAS Miramar, Calif., with a complement of 14
background of this photo, an awards ceremony being conducted at
Roi Island, Kwajalein, Marshall Island, circa late 1944. officers and 59 enlisted men. An SNB-5 was utilized
for flight training until the arrival of the squadron’s
first operational aircraft, the P2V-1, in mid-December
30 Mar 1944: VB-144 was transferred back to 1947.
Tarawa, leaving a three-aircraft detachment at Dyess May 1948: VP-ML-4 deployed to Annette Island,
Field, Roi Island, which was engaged in strikes on 1 Alaska, to perform photographic mapping of the
April 1944 against enemy positions at Wotje and Jaluit Southeast Alaska Region for the U.S. Geological
Islands that continued through June. Region and Survey Department. The survey was com-
36 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

pleted by the end of August, earning the squadron a escorted the president back to Oahu in his plane,
commendation from CNO. “Independence.”
21 Jun 1948: A squadron P2V-2, BuNo 39353, de- 27 Nov 1950: VP-4 suffered its first fatal accident
parted on a routine flight and lost an engine due to since its reactivation in 1947. The accident, which oc-
fire within the cowling. The engine fell from the wing, curred during a routine rocket training flight off Oahu,
necessitating a wheels-up crash landing. All squadron Hawaii, took the lives of five personnel.
aircraft were subsequently grounded until engine re- May 1951: The squadron deployed to NAS Barbers
placements could be completed. The squadron was Point, Hawaii, for evaluation of a slant-range computer
back on operational status by 31 August 1948. and bombing ring for incorporation in the AN/APS-33
1 Dec 1949: The squadron’s primary mission was radar.
changed from ASW to mining. The P2V-3 was evalu- Jun 1952: The squadron deployed to NAS Barbers
ated for combat radius with full mine load and opera- Point, Hawaii, for ready-mining duty with the Pacific
tional characteristics as a minecarrier. Fleet. A number of patrol squadrons with mining ca-
1 Jan 1950: VP-4 began a tour in Alaska with pability were kept in readiness status for rapid de-
overnight stops at Adak, Attu, Fairbanks, Anchorage, ployment at selected sites in both the Pacific and
Nome, Point Barrow, Juneau, Gustavus and the Bering Atlantic operational areas. The success of aerial min-
Sea Islands. Aircrews qualified for their “Blue Nose” ing against the Japanese during WWII led to the in-
ticket, certifying that they had operated above the corporation of this mission in nearly all of the patrol
Arctic Circle. squadrons after the war (VP-17 and VP-24 were re-
Oct 1950: While deployed to NAS Barbers Point, designated VA (HM) squadrons for this purpose in
Oahu, Hawaii, the squadron sent a three-aircraft de- July 1956). In September the squadron deployed to
tachment to Wake Island to provide courier and SAR Guam to test the rapid-deployment (48-hour) capabili-
services as required for a meeting between President ties of the squadron. Only 28 hours were required for
Truman and General MacArthur. The meeting between actual deployment.
the two leaders was intended to define the lines of au- 10 Nov 1955: VP-4 departed NAS Whidbey Island,
thority between the President of the United States and Wash., with the squadron’s 10 P2V-5 aircraft to com-
the theater commander in Korea during UN operations plete a 17,000-mile goodwill tour, including stops at
in the conflict with the Communist northern aggres- Iwakuni, Japan; Manila, R.P.; Singapore; Honolulu,
sors. The president was determined that General Hawaii; and San Francisco, Calif. The squadron re-
MacArthur not exceed the operational constraints he turned to NAS Whidbey Island within three weeks.
had set forth, running the risk of further broadening 13 Aug 1956: VP-4 changed its permanent duty sta-
the conflict into a nuclear confrontation. The squadron tion, to Naha, Okinawa. Duties at that time entailed

After World War II the squadron transitioned to the P2V Neptune and was assigned the tail code SC. This photo shows squadron P2Vs in forma-
tion over Australia, 1956.
 CHAPTER 3 37

17 Apr 1967: A VP-4 P-3A Orion flying patrol off

the coast of Korea was fired upon by an infiltrating
North Korean speedboat. The damaged aircraft landed
safely after reporting the vessel’s location. South
Korean forces sank the intruder shortly thereafter.
Lieutenant Commander C. W. Larzelere III, the PPC,
received a Navy Commendation Medal for his han-
dling of the emergency while under fire.
28 Apr 1967: A VP-4 P-3A Orion (BuNo. 151365)
flown by Lieutenant C. D. Burton was lost at sea with
all hands off the coast of Tsushima Island, Japan.
15 Apr 1968: VP-4 aircrews received Bullpup mis-
sile training, with 66 percent of the missiles fired strik-
ing their intended targets.
1 Aug 1968: VP-4 was deployed to WestPac under
FAW-6 at Iwakuni, Japan. Patrols were conducted in
the South China Sea, Sea of Japan, Korea, the
A squadron P-2 in flight of the coast of Oahu, Hawaii in November Philippine Islands and Guam. Detachments were sent
1964. The squadron tail code was changed from SC to YD in 1957.
to Cam Ranh Bay, RVN, in support of Yankee Team
and Market Time operations. Yankee Team was a joint
daily patrols, fleet exercises, and training in ASW cov- U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy operation begun in 1963
erage for the first American convoy carrying supplies that provided low-level aerial reconnaissance of sus-
to the besieged island of Quemoy. pected Communist infiltration routes in eastern and
Nov 1963: VP-4 was transferred to FAW-2, at southern Laos.
Barbers Point, Hawaii.
Transition to the new
base did not begin until
April 1964.
26 Mar 1965: The
squadron began a split-
site deployment to MCAS
Iwakuni, Japan, with de-
tachments at various
dates located at NAF Tan
Son Nhut, RVN; NS
Sangley Point and NAS
Cubi Point, R.P.
11 Mar 1966: The first
P-3 Orion was received
as the replacement for
the squadron’s SP-2H
Neptunes. The squadron’s
last SP-2H was turned in
on 1 August 1966.
31 Jan 1967: The A squadron P-3 Orion taking off from NAS Cubi Point, R.P., Note the skinny dragon insignia on the tail.
squadron again deployed
to WestPac at Iwakuni, Japan, and provided support to 1 Mar 1970: VP-4 established the first permanent
Task Force 72 during Operation Market Time (coastal VP detachment at NAS Agana, Guam.
patrols off the coasts of South Vietnam). Detachments 1 Feb 1971: VP-4 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni,
were maintained at NS Sangley Point, R.P., and NAF Japan, relieving VP-19. The primary mission during the
Naha, Okinawa. Upon completion of deployment,
deployment was ocean surveillance patrol, ASW, track-
Commander Patrol Forces, Seventh Fleet presented the
ing of Soviet vessels and search and rescue missions.
squadron a letter of commendation for its support of
operations and assistance in the destruction of an Detachments were maintained at Agana, Guam; NAF
enemy trawler carrying arms destined for the Viet Cam Rahn Bay, RVN; NS Sangley Point and NAS Cubi
Cong. Point, R.P.; and NAF Naha, Okinawa.
38 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

26 Mar 1972: VP-4 deployed to NAS Cubi Point, phasis on small craft used in drug running operations
providing support to the fleet in Operations Market out of the Golden Triangle (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam,
Time over the area designated as Yankee Station (the Thailand and Malaysia).
operational staging area at 16N-110E in the South May 1975: The squadron deployed to NAS Cubi
China Sea off the coast of Vietnam). A squadron de- Point, R.P., to participate in the SS Mayaguez recovery
tachment was maintained during the deployment at U- efforts. Mayaguez had been seized on 12 May in inter-
Tapao, Thailand. Upon completion of deployment on national waters by a Cambodian gunboat controlled
1 November 1972, the squadron was awarded the by the Communist Khmer Rouge. Air strikes were
Meritorious Unit Commendation for services rendered flown by Coral Sea (CVA 43) as USAF helicopters
during this period. loaded with Marines approached the area. The ship
Dec 1973: The squadron completed a retrofit of its and crew were released on 14 May. During the rest of
P-3A Orion aircraft with the latest type of low-fre- the deployment the squadron participated in
quency navigational system and general-purpose com- Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon,
puter. The upgrade greatly improved submarine detec- providing around-the-clock surveillance of the
tion prior to another WestPac deployment at Naha, Vietnamese refugee ships.
Okinawa. 21 Aug 1976: VP-4 deployed four aircraft and crews
to Kadena, Okinawa, during the “Korean Crisis” lasting
from 20 August to 9 September 1976. The period of
heightened international tension resulted from the
murder of two U.S. Army officers in the demilitarized
zone by North Korean guards. The crews maintained
round-the-clock surveillance flights over the Tsushima
Straits and the Sea of Japan.
Feb 1979: New P-3B TAC/NAV MOD “Super Bee”
aircraft were received by VP-4, and the crews spent
the period from February to May 1979 in transition
training. This modification entailed installation of a
very low-frequency navigation system and general
purpose computer that enabled older P-3A and P-3B
A VP-4 P-3B at NAS Moffett Field in November 1972. (Courtesy Rick model Orions to stabilize a sonobuoy pattern more
R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove). effectively.
Sep 1980: VP-4 aircraft participated in exercise
5 Feb 1974: The squadron conducted a mine-drop Cope Canine. During September a detachment of air-
exercise at Iwakuni, Japan. Other operations during craft deployed to the ICBM impact range off
this period included shipping surveillance with em- Kwajelein, Marshall Islands, in conjunction with an

A squadron P-3C in
flight with Diamond
Head in the back-
ground. Note the less
stylized dragon de-
sign on the tail.
 CHAPTER 3 39

optical tracker project for the detection of test war- Home Port Assignments
heads reentering the atmosphere.
Location Date of Assignment
Apr–Oct 1981: VP-4 deployed to WestPac, partici-
pating in numerous operations at Diego Garcia, NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Jul 1943
B.I.O.T.; NAS Cubi Point, R.P.; NAF Kadena, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Nov 1944
Okinawa; and NAF Misawa, Japan. During this pe- NAB Eniwetok 27 Jun 1945
NAB Tinian 1946
riod, one squadron aircraft was assigned SAR assis-
NAS North Island, Calif. Sep 1946
tance to the inhabitants of Pagan Island, which had
NAS Miramar, Calif. Nov 1947
suffered a catastrophic volcanic eruption. The
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Jan 1948
squadron was reunited with its detachments on 10 NAF Naha, Okinawa 13 Aug 1956
October 1981, upon its return to NAS Barbers Point, NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii Nov 1963
Hawaii.
Mid–Oct 1981: VP-4 aircraft were fitted with the
Commanding Officers
Harpoon missile and infrared detection gear. In
December, one squadron P-3B was equipped with the Date Assumed Command
Harpoon Air Launch Over-the-horizon Targeting LCDR Curtis L. Tetley 1 Jul 1943
System for testing. LCDR W. N. Thies 1 Nov 1944
May 1982: VP-4 deployed to WestPac, based at NAS LCDR William J. Bowers Feb 1946
* Sep 1946
Cubi Point, R.P., with a detachment at Diego Garcia,
B.I.O.T. In August the squadron shifted to Misawa, CDR Thomas F. Pollock Nov 1947
Japan, to participate in Midway (CV 41) Battle Group CDR Hart D. Hilton Apr 1949
operations. CDR Alfred L. Gurney 31 Oct 1950
5 Mar 1984: VP-4 began transitioning to the new P- CDR A. L Dodson Jan 1952
3C MOD at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. Crew training for CDR J. C. Anderson Mar 1953
the new aircraft was conducted at NAS Moffett Field, CDR Leslie D. Davis Jul 1954
Calif., in three-crew detachments. CDR J. E. Mishan Dec 1955
9 Nov 1987: VP-4 deployed to NAS Cubi Point, R.P., CDR G. S. Clute Apr 1957
CDR Peter A.M. Griber 8 Apr 1958
under operational control of CTG-72.3 and administra-
CDR Grant L. Donnelly 7 Apr 1959
tive control of PatWing-1. On 9 to 11 December 1987,
CDR Walter E. Constance 29 Apr 1960
crew seven flew SAR over the site of the Korean Air CDR L. S. Edmonds 18 May 1961
Lines (KAL) crash. KAL 007 had gone off course and CDR Gordon R. Barnett 23 Apr 1962
had been shot down by a Soviet air defense aircraft CDR C. W. Moses 26 Apr 1963
after reputedly ignoring radio requests to leave the CDR Arthur K. Bennett, Jr. 7 Apr 1964
area, and warning shots by the Soviet fighter. CDR Edwin E. Bowen 3 Nov 1964
14 Oct 1988: The squadron was tasked by CNO CDR R. T. Duncan, Jr. 8 Oct 1965
to assist in testing the new Mark 50 torpedo CDR C. M. Walker 16 Dec 1966
(Project 225). The remainder of 1988 was spent in CDR Warren P. Vosseler 9 Nov 1967
training and squadron standdown for inspections CDR William R. Whorton 3 Dec 1968
and maintenance. CDR John R. Emerson 28 Oct 1969
1 Nov–Dec 1990: VP-4 deployed to NAF Diego CDR Evan J. Vaughan, Jr. 2 Oct 1970
Garcia, B.I.O.T., in support of Operation Desert Shield, CDR James A. Barnes 10 Sep 1971
under the operational control of CTG-72 and adminis- CDR Richard F. White 15 Sep 1972
trative control of PatWing-1. During this period the CDR R. H. Parker Sep 1973
squadron participated in exercises Imminent Thunder CDR J. A. Messegee 26 Jul 1974
and Candid Hammer while operating out of a remote CDR W. B. Powell 1 Jul 1975
site at Massirah, Oman. In December a detachment CDR W. R. Broadwell 1 Jul 1976
CDR Theodore F. Rogers, Jr. 1 Jul 1977
was sent to NAF Kadena, Okinawa.
CDR John W. Stark 30 Jun 1978
17 Jan–12 Mar 1991: The squadron conducted a
CDR Walter D. West III 15 Jun 1979
total of 89 combat missions in support of Operation
CDR Paul A. Griffin 30 Jun 1980
Desert Storm. CDR Hilary J. Nickel 26 Jun 1981
Nov 1993: VP-4 deployed to Kadena and Misawa, CDR Curtis G. Borchardt 7 Jul 1982
Japan, with detachments at Adak, Alaska, and North CDR Andrew J. Button 5 Oct 1983
Island, Calif. After return from deployment in May CDR Donald C. Ahlstrand Jan 1985
1994, the squadron concentrated on training and air- CDR Ralph M. Alford Apr 1986
craft maintenance, bringing five aircraft out of preser- CDR Timothy R. Bryan 9 May 1987
vation for restoration to full operational status. CDR Charles R. Schmidt 18 May 1988
40 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Aircraft Assigned

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Daniel J. Brennock 27 Apr 1989 PV-1 Jul 1943
CDR Robert L. Cunningham, Jr. 27 Apr 1990 PV-2 Jul 1945
CDR Carlos S. Badger 10 Apr 1991
P2V-1 Sep 1947
CDR David M. Cashbaugh Apr 1992
CDR Marshall A. Hall 16 Apr 1993 P2V-2 Jan 1948
CDR James M. Buyske 1 Apr 1994 P2V-5 Mar 1953
CDR Sean O’Brien 7 Apr 1995 P2V-5F Mar 1956
CDR Bruce Latta 4 Apr 1996 P2V-7/SP-2H Sep 1962
CDR Dean M. Kiyohara 15 Apr 1997 P-3A Orion Oct 1965
CDR Scott Jasper 3 Apr 1998 P-3B-MOD (Super Bee) Feb 1979
P-3C Mar 1984
* The squadron was temporarily inactivated for the period
P-3C UI Nov 1989
September 1946 to November 1947 and did not have a commanding
officer assigned. P-3C UIIIR 1992

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Jan 1944 1 Oct 1944 FAW-2 Tarawa/Roi PV-1 SoPac

27 Jun 1945 Sep 1946 FAW-2 Eniwetok PV-1 SoPac
May 1948 Aug 1948 FAW-4 Annette Is. P2V-2 NorPac
1 Sep 1948 Mar 1949 FAW-4 Adak P2V-2 NorPac
Oct 1949 Dec 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac
1 Jan 1950 Mar 1950 FAW-4 Adak P2V-2 NorPac
Jul 1950 Feb 1951 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P2V-2 WestPac
May 1951 Jul 1951 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P2V-2 WestPac
12 Sep 1951 Dec 1951 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac
Jun 1952 Jan 1953 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P2V-2 WestPac
1 Jan 1955 Feb 1955 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P2V-5 WestPac
10 Nov 1955 1 Dec 1955 FAW-2 Whidbey Is. P2V-5 Trans/Global
26 Mar 1965* 28 Sep 1965 FAW-8 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
26 Mar 1965* 20 Apr 1965 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac
20 Apr 1965 26 Apr 1965 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. SP-2H WestPac
22 Jan 1966 Jul 1966 FAW-8 Johnston Is. SP-2H WestPac
1 Dec 1966 Jun 1967 FAW-8 Canton Is. P-3A WestPac
31 Jan 1967 1 Aug 1967 FAW-8 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac
15 Jul 1967 20 Jul 1967 FAW-8 Naha P-3A WestPac
1 Aug 1968* 1 Feb 1969 FAW-8 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac
15 Aug 1968* 10 Jan 1969 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
1 Nov 1969 1 Jun 1970 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
1 Mar 1970 May 1970 FAW-8 Agana P-3A WestPac
1 Feb 1971* 31 Jul 1971 FAW-8 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac
Feb 1971* Jul 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
26 Mar 1972* 1 Nov 1972 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
1 May 1972* 1 Nov 1972 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
5 Feb 1974 30 May 1974 PatWing-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
May 1975 Nov 1975 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
May 1976 Dec 1976 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
21 Aug 1976 9 Sep 1976 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
May 1977 Nov 1977 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
4 Aug 1978 Dec 1978 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
Nov 1979 May 1980 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1980 Jun 1980 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3B MOD IO
Sep 1980 Sep 1980 PatWing-2 Kwajelein P-3B MOD WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 41

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Apr 1981* Oct 1981 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3B MOD IO/WestPac
Aug 1981* Oct 1981 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
May 1982 10 Nov 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi/Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
10 Aug 1983 Feb 1984 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
Jan 1985 Jul 1985 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C MOD IO
Jun 1986 Dec 1986 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C MOD NorPac
9 Nov 1987 9 May 1988 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3C MOD WestPac
1 Jun 1989 13 Oct 1989 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C MOD NorPac
1 Nov 1990* May 1991 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
10 Nov 1990* 12 Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Massirah P-3C UI Gulf
Nov 1993 May 1994 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIIIR WestPac
Nov 1995 May 1996 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIIIR WestPac
May 1997 Nov 1997 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIIIR IO
May 1997 Nov 1997 PatWing-1 Bahrain P-3C UIIIR Gulf
May 1997 Nov 1997 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIIIR Gulf
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received—Con tinued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 1 Jul 1943 (Cubi Det) 01 Feb 1971 30 Jul 1971
FAW-2 14 Aug 1943 01 Feb 1972 15 Jul 1972
FAW-6 1 Nov 1944 (Spec Proj) 01 Oct 1979 31 Dec 1981
FAW-8 3 Mar 1945 RVNGC 01 Jan 1967 01 Jul 1967
FAW-2 8 Apr 1945 21 Nov 1968 31 Dec 1968
FAW-14 SC* Sep 1946 VNSM 01 Mar 1965 01 Nov 1965
FAW-4 SC Jan 1948 31 Jan 1967 01 Aug 1967
FAW-1 SC/ YD† 13 Aug 1956 01 Aug 1968 01 Feb 1968
FAW-2/PatWing-2‡ YD Nov 1963 01 Feb 1971 31 Jul 1971
01 May 1972 01 Nov 1972
* The squadron remained part of FAW-14 but was assigned the tail NEM 08 Dec 1978 06 Jun 1979
code SC on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from SC to YD in 1957. The 10 Feb 1981 31 Mar 1981
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY (Spec Proj) 08 Dec 1978 06 Jun 1979
1958 (1 July 1957). 21 Nov 1979 30 Sep 1980
‡ FAW-2 was redesignated Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) on 30 June
(Sel Crews) 21 Nov 1979 20 Jun 1980
1973.
10 Feb 1981 30 Jun 1981
AFEM 01 Aug 1968 31 Jan 1969
Unit Awards Received (Cubi Det) 01 Feb 1967 30 Jul 1967
(Sel Crews) 15 May 1975
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award NAVE 01 Jan 1979 30 Jun 1980
NUC 01 Feb 1991 07 Feb 1991 HSM 10 May 1969 31 May 1970
17 Jan 1991 07 Feb 1991 09 Sep 1970 31 Oct 1970
MUC 12 May 1975 16 May 1975 SASM 10 Nov 1990 10 Mar 1991

A for mation of
squadron P-3s in
flight over Diamond
Head.
42 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-5 consisted of a circular design with a cartoon fox cen-

tral, riding a flying gas tank. The fox had one eye cov-
ered with a blindfold and wore a Mae West life pre-
server with a bomb under its right arm and a package
Lineage of three machine guns under the left. A cane was
Established as Patrol Squadron SEVENTEEN-F (VP- clutched in the left paw extending down through
17F) on 2 January 1937. clouds. A volcano was portrayed in the left corner of
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTEEN (VP-17) the design. The “flying gas tank” symbolized the PV-1
on 1 October 1937. Ventura flown by the squadron at the time, which was
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY TWO (VP-42) a medium-range bomber with a “package” of heavy
on 1 July 1939. 50-caliber machine guns in the nose. The blindfold
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED represented the blind flying common over Alaskan
THIRTY FIVE (VB-135) on 15 February 1943. waters and the Aleutians, while the cane was the radar
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- used to find the target. The Mae West indicated that
DRED THIRTY FIVE (VPB-135) on 1 October 1944. most of the missions were conducted over water.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED Colors: field, bright orange circled in black; fox, blue,
THIRTY FIVE (VP-135) on 15 May 1946. outlined in black; tongue, red; tip of tail, white; Mae
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) West, bright orange with black letters; package of ma-
FIVE (VP-ML-5) on 15 November 1946. chine guns, white with black outlines and black mark-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) on 1 ings; machine guns, white with black outlines and
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned markings; cane, black; flying gas tank, bright yellow
the VP-5 designation. with black outlines and markings; bomb, jade green;
clouds, white outlined in black; volcano, royal blue
with white top; and corner of field, royal blue. This
Squadron Insignia and Nickname design was retained when VPB-135 was redesignated
Patrol Squadron 17F was established at FAB Seattle, VP-ML-5 in 1946.
Wash., in 1937. The insignia submitted by VP-17 to the The fox theme was continued in the third version of
Bureau of Aeronautics was approved on 16 November the squadron insignia when the VP-ML-5 became VP-5
1938. Since most of the squadron’s activities took in 1948. There was no record of the date the new in-
place in Alaskan waters, a lion seal was chosen as the signia was approved. The design was circular, with a
central figure. The outline central cartoon fox holding a sledgehammer in its
of the insignia was circular, raised right fist, preparing to strike a periscope emerg-
with the seal in the center ing from the Atlantic area of the northern hemisphere
balancing a bomb on it of a globe. Two palm trees graced the left portion of
nose. Colors: outline of in-
signia, black; background,
white; seal, black; and
bomb, black. There were
no letters or numbers on
the insignia designating the
squadron.
The squadron’s first insignia The original design was
used a seal, indicative of its retained until VP-42 was
operations in Alaskan waters.
redesignated VB-135 in
1943. The squadron
members began the pro-
cess for requesting a
new insignia more in
keeping with their cur-
rent mission, but the
new design was not ap-
proved until 30 August
1944. Shortly thereafter,
the squadron was again
redesignated and the
In 1944 the squadron’s second in- new insignia was The squadron’s current insignia, dating from the late 1940s contin-
signia, the fox, was approved. adopted by VPB-135. It ued the fox theme.
 CHAPTER 3 43

the design, with a smoking volcano in the upper right

portion. The logo PATRON FIVE was across the out-
side top of the design, with MAD FOXES across the
outside bottom. The design represented the antisub-
marine role of the squadron, with its primary assign-
ment of duties in the Atlantic Ocean area. Colors:
field, blue with black outline; squadron logo and nick-
name, white letters on black background; continents
of hemisphere, yellow; ocean, black; trees, black trunk
with green top; volcano, black with white smoke; fox,
black with white outline and paws; periscope, white
outline; and hammer, black handle with white outline
sledge.
Nicknames: Blind Foxes (a.k.a. Empire Express),
1943–1946.
Mad Foxes, 1948–present. A squadron PBY-1 in flight over mountains in Alaska, circa 1939.

Chronology of Significant Events new electrically heated flying suits. In the first trials,
2 Jan 1937: VP-17F was established at FAB Seattle, the suits blew out fuses while at 18,700 feet. The gen-
Wash., under the administrative command of PatWing- eral opinion was that the suits were too bulky and un-
4, Base Force. The squadron’s PM-1 seaplanes were reliable in the cramped confines of the aircraft. The
tended by Thrush (AVP 3). manufacturer began to incorporate better heating and
1 Oct 1937: VP-17F was redesignated VP-17 when cabin insulation in later models of the PBY, greatly im-
all patrol squadrons were removed from the Base proving crew comfort on long flights.
Force and placed administratively under Patrol Wings. 30 Jan 1941: The squadron began a refit with new
17 Mar 1938: VP-17 turned in its PM-1s in March aircraft, turning in the older PBY-2 models for PBY-5
for the new PBY-2 Catalina seaplanes. Tender support aircraft fresh from the factory.
for the squadron was supplied by Teal (AVP 5). The 15 Jul 1941: VP-42 was deployed to Sitka, Alaska,
squadron participated in Fleet Problem XIX (Phase II) for advanced base operations and cold weather train-
as part of White Force, along with aircraft of patrol ing. A detachment was maintained at Kodiak, Alaska.
squadrons 7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19. Missions in- On 2 September 1941, the Kodiak detachment was vis-
cluded flights extending out to 600 miles to locate and ited by two aircraft from a Russian seaplane squadron
successfully attack elements of Black Force. The exer- under the command of General Gromof.
cises marked the first use of long-distance radio bear- 7 Dec 1941: Upon receiving word of the attack on
ings for aircraft. Pearl Harbor, all squadron aircraft were put on alert
1 Nov 1938: PBY aircraft of the period lacked cabin and prepared for a move to Tongue Point, British
heaters, resulting in great crew discomfort at high alti- Columbia. The movement of the squadron to the tem-
tude or in northern regions. VP-17 was selected to test porary location took place on 8 December 1941, and
remained in effect until the next week.
29 Jan 1942: VP-42 flew all of its PBY-5s to San
Diego, Calif., where they were turned in for new PBY-
5A amphibious models. Squadron strength was in-
creased to 12 aircraft.
1 Feb 1942: VP-42 relieved VP-41 of patrol duties at
Kodiak, Alaska. Beginning 1 March 1942, aircraft were
sent in elements of two to NAS Alameda, Calif., for in-
stallation of ASD-1 radar.
3–15 Jun 1942: VP-42 participated in the first attack
on Japanese vessels and positions while based at
Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians. Lieutenant (jg) Lucius
D. Campbell flew through a snow squall to make con-
tact with a heavy enemy concentration south of
Umnak Island. Despite severe damage from enemy
aircraft, he remained in the area until he had deter-
mined the extent of the enemy forces and their loca-
A squadron PM-1 at Sitka, Alaska. tion. On his return to Dutch Harbor his Catalina ran
44 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

out of fuel and he was forced to until Gillis ran out of bombs and
make an open sea landing. fuel. Lieutenant (jg) Campbell
They survived the forced was awarded the Navy
landing and were res- Cross for his conduct
cued later in the day. during the campaign
On 11 June 1942, in Alaska.
Commander Patrol 1 Jul 1942: VP-
Wing 4 received 42 relocated to
a message from Cold Bay, Alaska,
Commander in to provide sup-
Chief Pacific port to the FAW-
which said, 4 Air Search
“bomb the Group. On 20
enemy out of July 1942, the
K i s k a . ” squadron
Following un- moved again to
successful mis- Nazan Bay, Atka
sions by USAAF Island. Tender
B24s and B-17s, support was pro-
aircraft available vided by Gillis (AVD
from VPs 41, 42, 43 12, former DD 260).
and 51 commenced 3 Aug 1942: The
continuous bombing mis- squadron returned to
sions against targets in Kiska Seattle for two weeks of leave,
harbor from 11 to 13 June. These returning to Kodiak on 22 August
missions became known as the 1942, for a continuance of combat
A PBY-5A flies a patrol near the snowy Aleutian
“Kiska Blitz.” During these bomb- Islands, circa 1942, 80-G-K-15433. operations.
ing strikes the aircraft were ser- 23 Aug 1942: VP-42 was called
viced by Gillis (AVD 12) at Nazan Bay, Atka Island. upon to provide cover for the occupation of Adak.
Efforts to use the PBYs as horizontal bombers drop- 31 Aug 1942: Lieutenant S. Coleman of VP-42 heav-
ping their bombs from above the clouds proved fu- ily damaged the Japanese submarine RO-61. The sub-
tile. Pilots began attacking singly, approaching from a marine, Commander Tokutomi commanding, was
direction that provided the best cloud cover. When caught on the surface five miles north of Cape Shaw,
they were over the harbor the Catalinas were put into Atka Island. RO-61 was located later on the same day
a dive and bombs released at the appropriate time. by Reid (DD 369) and sunk. Several survivors were
The flak was intense. A pullout was initiated at be- rescued from the frigid waters.
tween 500 and 1,500 feet, and the plane immediately 15 Feb 1943: While stationed at Umnak, Alaska,
again sought cover in the clouds. The raids continued VP-42 was redesignated VB-135. On the same date,

Ground crew checks out a PBY while based in the Northern Pacific, A PBY being refueled in preparation for a patrol in Alaskan waters,
80-G-17849 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN). 80-G-17852 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 3 45

orders were received returning the squadron to and aircraft. Transition training commenced for air-
Seattle, Wash., for a refit at NAS Whidbey Island, crews, many of whom had never flown the PV-1
Wash., with new PV-1 Ventura medium bombers, the Ventura.
first to operate in the Pacific and Aleutians area. The 19 Apr 1944: The squadron flew to Adak, Alaska,
squadron began training on 24 February 1943 after a where special training began on the use of LORAN for
short leave for all hands. long-distance navigation in the hostile environment of
23 Mar 1943: VB-135 was soon en route to Adak, the far north. LORAN was a system of electronic navi-
Alaska, with its full complement of new PV-1 Venturas, gation using fixed beacons that constantly transmitted
arriving on 12 April 1943. Until May of 1943, the pri- repetitive signals. An aircraft could determine its rela-
mary duties of the squadron consisted of photorecon- tive position between the two beacons based on the
naissance and high-speed patrols over enemy held is- strength and direction of the signals. Each beacon had
lands. Most of the photo work was done with an identifying signal prefix that matched its location
hand-held K-20 cameras, since the aircraft had not on the map. The HEDRON installed the new LORAN
been fitted as photorecon models. gear in the aircraft during this period and on 4 May
5 May 1943: On this date, VB-135 made its first full- 1944 flew to Casco Field, Attu, to resume combat
scale attack on Japanese positions on Kiska in the operations.
Aleutians, using the aircraft ASD-1 radar to penetrate 10 May 1944: VB-135 conducted night photore-
the cloud cover over the target area. The squadron connaissance over the Japanese-held islands of
was based during this period at Amchitka. Paramushiro and Shimushu in the Kuriles. Photo
10 Aug 1943: VB-135 had moved to the island of flash bombs were used to light the target areas. The
Attu by August, and was given the task of providing missions soon became known as the “Empire
antiaircraft patrols 500 miles west and south of the is- Express” runs, since they were the first to encroach
land operating from a partially completed air strip at on the Japanese home islands. This time the aircraft
Alexai Point. Severe crosswinds and tent quarters had been fitted with bow-mounted Fairchild K19-A
made living and flying from the island a nightmare. cameras.
5 Nov 1943–Feb 1944: The squadron returned to 14 Jun 1944: VB-135 aircraft conducted daylight
NAS Whidbey Island for leave and reassignment of photoreconnaissance over Paramushiro and Shimushu,
personnel. Only four aircraft were able to depart Attu, resulting in the loss of two aircraft damaged and
the rest being unserviceable. On 3 February 1944, the forced to land in Russian territory. The crews were in-
squadron was reformed with new squadron personnel terned by the Soviets for several months.

In the right foreground is a PV-1 Ventura with several other PV-1s on the flight line of an Aleutians airfield in the summer of 1943. The photo also
shows several PBY-5As. The PBYs are not part of the squadron’s complement. The squadron had transitioned from the PBY to the PV-1s in
February 1943, 80-G-K-8133.
46 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

23 Jul 1944: Lieutenant Vivian attacked and sank a mous flight on 3 October 1962, orbiting six times
Japanese picket boat, but his aircraft was badly dam- around the earth.
aged by antiaircraft fire. He and his crew were forced Oct 1962: The squadron was one of the first called
to land in Russian territory to face an internment of up for the Cuban Quarantine during the Cuban Missile
several months. Crisis. VP-5 staged patrols from Jacksonville, Fla.;
23 Oct 1944: VPB-135 transferred back to NAS Roosevelt Roads, P.R.; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It
Whidbey Island, Wash., for reforming and training of was the first squadron to spot and photograph a
new crews. Instrument training was conducted at NAS Soviet ship, Bucharest, carrying missiles, and later the
Whidbey Island, Wash., from February–June 1945. first to locate and track the first Soviet ship departing
1 Jun 1945: VPB-135 transferred to NAAF Mount Cuba with dismantled missiles aboard.
Vernon, Wash., for transition training in the new PV-2 1 Jul 1966: VP-5 received its first three P-3A Orions.
Harpoon. The squadron eventually received 15 of the The squadron was the last fleet operational unit to fly
aircraft. Repairs to the wing spars of the new planes at the SP-2E.
the Burbank factory from 23–30 June delayed the 1 Jun 1967: VP-5 deployed to WestPac with the ma-
squadron’s return to combat for its third tour. jority of the squadron based at NS Sangley Point, R.P.
4 Aug 1945: The squadron returned to Attu, Alaska, Duties consisted of Yankee Station patrols (the opera-
for another combat tour. Indoctrination training on tional staging area at 16N-110E in the South China Sea
local weather conditions was given to all new crews off the coast of Vietnam), anti-infiltration surveillance,
through 18 August 1945, when the first sector searches and open ocean shipping surveillance flights. Yankee
were initiated. Station patrols provided night radar coverage of the
20 Nov 1945: On this date VPB-135 aircraft and Gulf of Tonkin as one measure in the defense of the
crews arrived at Edenton, N.C., for reforming of the fleet’s strike carriers from attack by high-speed surface
squadron. craft.
30 Nov 1946: VPB-135 was chosen to represent the 23 May 1968: VP-5 deployed to Rota, Spain, sup-
U. S. Navy patrol squadron community during presi- ported by Tallahatchie County (AVB 2) off Souda Bay,
dential inauguration ceremonies in Mexico City. Crete. The use of a support vessel for land-based air-
Jun 1948: VP-ML-5 received the first P2V Neptune, craft at an advanced base site was an experimental
and changed its nickname to the “Mad Foxes.” concept. The detachment at Crete proved that the idea
Jun 1958: The squadron deployed to Argentia, had merit, but there were no subsequent deployments
Newfoundland. “Ice reccos” and shipping patrols were with support supplied solely by tenders.
flown without incident. “Ice reccos” were patrols over 7 Dec 1979: VP-5 deployed to Bermuda with
shipping lanes on the lookout for icebergs that might squadron detachments sent at different times to
endanger surface vessels in the area. In July, half of Keflavik, Iceland; Lajes, Azores; Dakar, Africa; and
the squadron deployed to Rota, Spain, to become the Roosevelt Roads, P.R. From January–March the
first patrol squadron based there. squadron flew in relief supplies to earthquake victims
Apr 1959: VP-5 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. Two in the Azores.
other squadrons were stationed there during this pe- May 1982: VP-5 deployed to Sigonella, Sicily. The
riod, participating in exercises with the fleet. A Soviet squadron’s ASW activities during the deployment
submarine was tracked for 24 hours at one point in earned it a Meritorious Unit Commendation. For its
the exercise, but finally surfaced and proceeded on its support to the Sixth Fleet during the evacuation of the
way after failing to shake the trackers. Palestine Liberation Organization from Lebanon and
Jul 1960: The squadron was scheduled for a five the subsequent deployment of Marines into that local-
month deployment to Rota, Spain, for duties with the ity, the squadron was awarded the Navy Expeditionary
Sixth Fleet, but in September the deployment was Medal. During this period the squadron was one of
rescheduled. VP-5 became the first full squadron to be several evaluating the effect of female personnel on
deployed to Sigonella, Sicily, after the base became squadron operations. Approximately 45 women had
operational. been assigned to the roster.
Apr–May 1961: VP-5 participated in exercises in Feb 1986: The squadron was sent on a SAR mission
the Caribbean as well as aiding in the recovery of after the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. An
America’s first astronaut, Commander Alan B. Shepard, aircraft from VP-5 located the nose cone from the
Jr., on 5 May 1961. shuttle and directed surface recovery vessels to the
Jul 1961: As part of the Project Mercury recovery critical item.
team, VP-5 aided in the recovery of Captain Virgil I. Aug 1986: VP-5 deployed to NAS Bermuda. During
Grissom, USAF. the deployment the squadron conducted seven
1 Sep 1962: The squadron was again called upon to Harpoon exercises with other squadrons. In October
assist in the recovery of astronauts, participating in the the squadron spotted a Soviet Yankee-class submarine
spotting of Commander Wally M. Shirra after his fa- on the surface in sinking condition. The hour-by-hour
 CHAPTER 3 47

A squadron P2V Neptune on

patrol in January 1962.

A squadron P-3
Orion in the fore-
ground with five
other squadron
P-3s lined up on
the tarmac at
NAS Jacksonville.

A VP-5 P-3C at NAS Moffett Field in June

1979. (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection).

A squadron P-3 Orion in flight with a Harpoon missile under the wing.
48 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

monitoring of the Soviet warship was continued until NAS Keflavik, Iceland. During the Gulf War one air-
it sank beneath the waves, earning the squadron a rec- craft of the Souda Bay detachment maintained surface
ommendation for a Meritorious Unit Commendation surveillance patrols north of Egypt.
from CINCLANTFLT. 19 Jul 1991: During a change of command dinner
Dec 1986: While operating out of Bermuda, VP-5 at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., in honor of out-going com-
participated in the Coast Guard’s drug interdiction pro- manding officer Commander Franklin D. Bryant, Jr., an
gram. The resulting operations in the Caribbean netted honored guest was in attendance—Captain Vazhov,
over 17,000 pounds of marijuana. Flotilla Staff Officer from the Soviet Union’s Northern
Jun 1990: VP-5 participated in the drug interdiction Fleet, was participating in an exchange program for
program established by the Secretary of Defense. foreign officers.
Detached to bases in the Caribbean and South 3 Sep 1992: VP-5 deployed to NAS Keflavik,
America, the “Mad Foxes” played a key role in the in- Iceland. During the deployment the squadron partic-
terdiction effort spotting suspicious ships and aircraft ipated in anti-surface/mining operations with USAF
in the patrol areas. F-15 aircraft. Ten different NATO countries were vis-
1 Jan 1991: VP-5 deployed to NAS Rota, Spain. ited during this period, including the United
Detachments were deployed to NAF Souda Bay, Crete; Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, France, Germany
NAS Sigonella, Sicily; NAF Lajes Field, Azores; and and Canada.

A squadron P-3C flying over a nuclear powered submarine, 1991.

 CHAPTER 3 49

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

FAB Seattle, Wash. 2 Jan 1937 CDR George D. Barker 15 Jan 1971
NAS Edenton, N.C. 20 Nov 1945 CDR Harry A. Hoover 14 Jan 1972
NAS Quonset Pt., R.I. 15 May 1946 CDR Frank I. Woodlief Jan 1973
NS San Juan, P.R. Jan 1947 CDR Richard W. Weir 25 Jan 1974
NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R. Jun 1947 CDR Harold L. Midtvedt 23 Jan 1975
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Dec 1949 CDR Alvin C. Gross, Jr. 23 Jan 1976
CDR Jerome D. Piccioni 21 Jan 1977
Commanding Officers CDR William R. Spearman 1 Jan 1978
CDR Charles H. Conley Dec 1978
Date Assumed Command CDR Irvin C. Evans, Jr. 21 Nov 1979
LCDR Dolph C. Allen Jan 1937 CDR Karl H. Kaeser 11 Dec 1980
LCDR John Perry 30 Sep 1937 CDR Frederick A. Holk, Jr. 11 Dec 1981
LCDR Stanhope C. Ring Oct 1938 CDR Norbert R. Ryan, Jr. 17 Dec 1982
LCDR Edwin R. Peck 1939 CDR Mark B. Baldy Apr 1984
LCDR Allan R. Nash 1940 CDR Richard G. Kirkland Jul 1985
LCDR James S. Russell Jul 1941 CDR Edwin W. Dews 29 Aug 1986
LCDR Charles E. Perkins Oct 1942 CDR Paul S. Semko 24 Jul 1987
LCDR Paul C. Williams 25 Feb 1943 CDR George T. Hodermarsky 22 Jul 1988
LCDR Clyde H. Parmelee Mar 1943 CDR Howard S. Hilley 7 Jul 1989
LT Marion A. Mason (actg.) 5 Nov 1943 CDR Franklin D. Bryant, Jr. 13 Jul 1990
LCDR Paul L. Stahl Jan 1944 CDR Robert D. Whitmire 26 Jul 1991
LT Marion A. Mason Nov 1944 CDR Lawrence S. Cotton, Jr. 10 Jul 1992
LCDR A. L. Gardner 17 Oct 1945 CDR Altman L. Lawson 9 Jul 1993
CDR J. J. Worner 18 Jun 1946 CDR Richard W. O’Sullivan Jun 1994
LCDR N. E. Harris 19 Jun 1947 CDR Ronald R. Manley 7 Jul 1995
LCDR T. T. Guillory 16 Jun 1948 CDR James F. Root, Jr. 17 May 1996
CDR A. H. Dickhoff 7 Jul 1949 CDR Michael J. Szostak Jun 1997
CDR Fred Bories Aug 1950 CDR Adreon M. Ensor 19 Jun 1998
CDR Rex W. Warner Feb 1951
CDR James C. Houghton Jan 1952
Aircraft Assignment
CDR Albert R. Barbee Jan 1953
CDR William G. Matton, Jr. Apr 1954
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Edgar E. Coonrod Aug 1955
PM-1 Jan 1937
CDR Robert M. Strieter Aug 1956
PBY-2 Mar 1938
CDR John W. Crowe Jan 1958
PBY-5 Jan 1941
CDR Arthur C. Cason Jan 1959
PBY-5A Jan 1942
CDR John J. Coonan Jan 1960
CDR Thomas H. Casey, Jr. Jan 1961 PV-1 Feb 1943
CDR Robert J. Huber Jan 1962 PV-2 Jun 1945
CDR Robert P. Smyth Jan 1963 P2V-1 Jun 1948
CDR Jack A. Pate Jan 1964 P2V-3 1951
CDR Joseph T. Kosnik 15 Jan 1965 P2V-5 1952
CDR Marvin D. Marsh 14 Jan 1966 SP-2E 1964
CDR John V. Josephson 20 Jan 1967 P-3A 1 Jul 1966
CDR John R. Farrell 29 Dec 1967 P-3A (DIFAR) Dec 1971
CDR Herman C. Abelein 13 Jan 1969 P-3C Feb 1974
CDR Richard T. Thomas 16 Jan 1970 P-3C UIIIR 1989
50 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

17 Mar 1938 Apr 1938 PatWing-4 Thrush (AVP 3) PBY-2 SoPac

15 Jul 1941 1 Oct 1941 FAW-4 Sitka PBY-5 NorPac
1 Feb 1942 3 Aug 1942 FAW-4 Gillis (AVD 12) PBY-5A NorPac
23 Aug 1942 15 Feb 1943 FAW-4 Kodiak PBY-5A NorPac
23 Mar 1943 5 Nov 1943 FAW-4 Adak/Amchitka/
Attu PV-1 NorPac
19 Apr 1944 23 Oct 1944 FAW-4 Adak/Attu PV-1 NorPac
4 Aug 1945 20 Nov 1945 FAW-4 Attu PV-2 NorPac
Aug 1950 Jan 1951 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-3 NorLant
Jul 1953 Dec 1953 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5 NorLant
Oct 1954 Mar 1955 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-5 NorLant
Nov 1955 Jun 1956 FAW-11 Port Layuety P2V-5 Med
Mar 1957 1 Sep 1957 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5 Norlant
Mar 1957 Oct 1957 FAW-11 Port Layuety P2V-5 Med
Jun 1958 Oct 1958 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-5 NorLant
Jul 1958 Oct 1958 FAW-11 Rota P2V-5 Med
Apr 1959 Jun 1959 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5 NorLant
Jul 1960 Sep 1960 FAW-11 Rota P2V-5 Med
Sep 1960 Dec 1960 FAW-11 Sigonella P2V-5 Med
Dec 1961 1 Sep 1962 FAW-11 Rota P2V-5 Med
Dec 1961 Jul 1962 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5 NorLant
Jul 1963 Nov 1963 FAW-11 Sigonella P2V-5 Med
1 Dec 1964 15 Jan 1965 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2E Carib
15 Jan 1965 Jun 1965 FAW-11 Sigonella SP-2E Med
1 Jun 1967 3 Dec 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Point P-3A WestPac
23 May 1968 3 Dec 1968 FAW-11 Crete/Tallahatchie
County (AVB 2) P-3A Med
1 Mar 1970 Jul 1970 FAW-11 Sigonella P-3A Med
1 Mar 1971 1 Jul 1971 FAW-11 Rota P-3A Med
1 Mar 1971 Jun 1971 FAW-11 Lajes P-3A NorLant
24 Mar 1972 20 Aug 1972 FAW-11 Sigonella P-3A DIFAR Med
Mar 1973 May 1973 FAW-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
Jun 1973 Aug 1973 FAW-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR NorLant
Sep 1974 Mar 1975 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Feb 1976 Jul 1976 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
Apr 1977 Sep 1977 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
22 Sep 1978 Feb 1979 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
7 Dec 1979 Apr 1980 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
7 Feb 1981 Jul 1981 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
May 1982 3 Nov 1982 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Nov 1983* Apr 1984 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C Med
Nov 1983* Apr 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Med
Jan 1985 20 Jun 1985 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Aug 1986 Jan 1987 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
Jan 1988 Jun 1988 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
1 Aug 1989 10 Feb 1990 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UIIIR Lant
1 Jan 1991 Jul 1991 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIIIR Med
3 Sep 1992 Mar 1993 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
1 Sep 1993 Mar 1994 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Feb 1994 Aug 1994 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Aug 1995 Feb 1996 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Feb 1997* Aug 1997 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Feb 1997* Aug 1997 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Roads P-3C UIIIR Carib
Feb 1997* Aug 1997 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
* The squadron conducted a split-site deployment to two different bases on the same dates.
 CHAPTER 3 51

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Base Force 2 Jan 1937
NUC 1 Jun 1942 1 Aug 1942
PatWing-4/FAW-4* 1 Oct 1937
FAW-6 15 Feb 1943 01 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-4 25 Mar 1943 MUC 29 Mar 1976 30 Apr 1976
FAW-6 5 Nov 1943 05 Dec 1979 14 May 1980
FAW-4 19 Apr 1944 09 Feb 1981 15 Jul 1981
FAW-6 5 Dec 1944 21 May 1982 02 Nov 1982
FAW-4 4 Aug 1945 (Det) 26 May 1981 31 May 1981
FAW-5 ED† 20 Nov 1945
RVNGC 01 May 1967 01 Dec 1967
FAW-11/ PatWing-11§ ED/MC‡/LA** 1 Jan 1947
NAVE 01 Jul 1974 30 Jun 1975
* Patrol Wing 4 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 on 1 November 01 Jul 1975 30 Sep 1976
1942.
† The squadron remained a part of FAW-5, but was assigned the tail HSM 19 May 1980 31 May 1980
code ED on 7 November 1946. JMUA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990
‡ The squadron remained part of Fleet Air Wing 11 but was assigned

the new tail code MC on 4 August 1948.

§ FAW-11 was redesignated PatWing-11 on 1 July 1973.
** The squadron’s tail code was changed from MC to LA in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957). Squadron personnel form the designation VP-5 with squadron P-3Cs
in the background, 1991.
52 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

First VP-6 squadrons in the Navy. Unfortunately, documenta-

tion does not exist to verify that this squadron was
actually established. It appears to have been a
paper squadron listed in the records, but never
Lineage formed.
Established on paper as Patrol Squadron SIX (VP-6) 3 May 1926: VP-6 was removed from the records.
on 29 May 1924.
Removed from the records on 3 May 1926. Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

Squadron Insignia and Nickname
NAS Hampton Roads, Va. Scheduled for 1924
None on record.

Commanding Officers
Chronology of Significant Events
29 May 1924: VP-6 was scheduled for establish- Date Assumed Command
ment using naval station assets (two F-5L sea- Not known if any personnel were assigned.
planes) at NAS Hampton Roads, Va. Prior to the
designation of patrol squadrons, each naval station
Aircraft Assignment
had maintained a small section of flying boats and
float planes. These aircraft, pilots and support per- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Assigned
sonnel formed the cadre of the first true patrol
F-5L 1924

An F-5L assigned to Hampton Roads

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return PatWing Operations Aircraft Operations

None

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Date Assigned

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Not applicable for 1920s time frame. None on Record.
 CHAPTER 3 53

Third VP-6 was developed from a design prepared by Bradley

Kelly of King Features Syndicate. It was approved by
CNO on 3 June 1947. Since the squadron had transi-
tioned from the PV-2 Harpoon to the P2V-1 Neptune,
Lineage the design featured the Neptune aircraft straddled by
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED the cartoon charter Popeye, holding an aircraft rocket
FORTY-SIX (VB-146) on 15 July 1943. and a 50-caliber machine gun while flying above the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- silhouette of a submarine. Colors: inner circle, yellow;
DRED FORTY-SIX (VPB-146) on 1 October 1944. outer circle, orange; lettering, yellow; plane, blue; star
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED on plane, white with red and white stripe; rocket,
FORTY-SIX (VP-146) on 15 May 1946. white with red head; machine gun, black with red
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) flame and white smoke; submarine, black; Popeye,
SIX (VP-ML-6) on 15 November 1946. blue sailor pants with yellow belt, black blouse with
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIX (VP-6) on 1 yellow buttons, red and black collar and blue cuffs
September 1948, the third squadron to be assigned the and a white cape; pipe, red. This insignia was used by
VP-6 designation. VP-ML-6 only.
Disestablished on 31 May 1993. The squadron’s second insignia was derived from
the name “Blue Sharks” based on a 1950 Colliers mag-
azine article titled “Blue Sharks Off the Red Coastline.”
Squadron Insignia and Nickname The article described the squadron’s operations off the
There is no record of an approved insignia for VB- enemy coast during the Korean War. The shark,
146, VPB-146 or VP-146. The squadron’s first insignia “Mano” in Hawaiian, is regarded as a fierce warrior
and hunter. It patrols the ocean, searching for prey
and protecting its territory. The insignia portrayed a
blue shark, arching over a splash in the sea where
ordnance had obviously just been dropped. The
Popeye astride a P2V squadron designation was inside scrollwork at the bot-
was the squadron’s tom of the circular patch. Colors: shark, blue with
first approved insignia.
This design is the hand white highlighting; background, white; left quadrant of
drawn one submitted patch blue with white stars; water blue, with white
for approval by CNO. splash from dropped depth charge; scroll at bottom,
blue with orange let-
ters and piping. The
insignia was approved
with modifications by
CNO on 7 October
1952. A “streamlined”
design without any
significant changes
was submitted to CNO
a decade later and ap-
proved as the new of-
ficial insignia on 26
December 1962.
This is the squadron’s modified shark Nickname: Blue
insignia approved by CNO in 1962. Sharks, 1950–1993.

Chronology of Significant Events

15 Jul 1943: VB-146 established at NAS Whidbey
Island, Wash. The squadron was assigned to fly the
PV-1 Ventura. On 5 December 1943, the squadron
moved to NAS Alameda, Calif., for final training prior
to combat deployment. On 22 December all squadron
aircraft, equipment and personnel were embarked
aboard Coral Sea (CVE 57) for conveyance to NAS
This insignia is the more formal design of Popeye and the P2V. Kaneohe, Hawaii.
54 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

29 Aug 1943: Lieutenant Commander Ralph R.

Beacham and his crew of five were lost between
Bellingham and Everett, Wash., in inclement weather
during a routine instrument training flight in a PV-1
(BuNo. 34637). A search for the aircraft was begun
when it became overdue, but the dense tree cover in
the mountains and poor visibility due to bad weather
conditions prevented the search teams from finding
the aircraft or crew.
28 Dec 1943: VB-146 commenced combat training
while conducting actual wartime patrols off the coasts
of the Hawaiian islands, convoy patrol duties in the
Central Pacific and advanced base patrols from
Midway and Johnston Island.
9 Apr 1944: VB-146 aircrews received training in air-
to-ground rocket firing and advanced ASW techniques.
8 Jun 1944: The squadron was deployed to the
A squadron P2V in flight.
South Pacific area of the Admiralty Islands, conducting
combat operations from Palmyra, Canton, Funafuti,
Espiritu Santo and Pityilu. On 24 June, while based at Apr 1950: New P2V-3 and P2V-3N aircraft were re-
Pityilu Island, the squadron was placed under Task ceived as replacements for the older P2V-2 aircraft
Force 70.2 for operational control. flown by the squadron.
19 Oct 1944: VPB-146 deployed to Morotoi to con- 28 Jun 1950–12 Feb 1951: VP-6 deployed to Korea
duct sector searches and strikes on Japanese shipping. as the first patrol squadron in the theater of opera-
1 Dec 1944: VPB-146 deployed to Mokerang air- tions, and the first to fly the P2V Neptune in combat.
drome, Los Negros Island. Duties included 800-mile During this tour the squadron operated from Johnson
search sectors, ASW patrol and antishipping missions AFB, Japan, 7 July–6 August 1950; Tachikawa AFB,
in support of the Morotoi landings and the Leyte, Japan, 6 August 1950–12 February 1951; and a detach-
Philippines occupation. Upon arrival at Mokerang one ment at Atsugi, Japan, 5 January–12 February 1951.
half of the squadron personnel were given R&R to Patrols were flown over the Yellow Sea and Sea of
Australia. Japan, and in support of the Inchon landings.
18 Feb 1945: VPB-146 departed the combat zone 29 Jul 1950: Two squadron P2V-3s, piloted by
for return to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, and on to NAS Lieutenant Commander R. L. Ettinger and Lieutenant
San Diego, Calif. William J. Pressler, sighted a train along the Korean
15 Apr 1945: VPB-146 was reformed and com- coast near Chongjin. The two crews destroyed the
menced familiarization training on the new PV-2 train with 5-inch rockets and 20-mm bow guns.
Harpoon at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 13 Aug 1950: Two squadron Neptunes, led by
Sep 1946: Orders were received for deployment to Lieutenant Command E. B. Rogers, attacked several
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The squadron arrived on 2 boats and barges engaged in minelaying near
October 1946, and was stationed at NAS Barbers Point. Chinnampo. Three boats and two barges were sunk.
Over the next several months duties consisted of Roger’s P2V was holed six times by enemy fire. On
search and ASW exercises with the fleet. the same day, other VP-6 aircraft damaged two surface
7 Nov 1946: A detachment of squadron aircraft was craft near Wonson.
sent to NAS Alameda, Calif., for deployment to Mexico 16 Aug 1950: A squadron P2V piloted by Ensign
City to participate in an air demonstration for the pres- William F. Goodman, attacked an enemy patrol vessel
idential inauguration ceremonies. Upon completion of near Chinnampo. The starboard engine of his aircraft
the detail, the detachment ferried PV-2s to NAS was damaged by enemy fire and was ditched near the
Quonset Point, R.I., before returning to NAS Barbers enemy shoreline. The entire crew was rescued by the
Point on 13 December 1946. Royal Navy cruiser HMS Kenya. As a result of this loss,
12 Dec 1947: VP-ML-6 was notified of a change in patrol aircraft were no longer assigned attack missions
permanent home base to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. in Korea.
The first elements of squadron personnel boarded 1 Aug 1951: During the squadron’s second combat
Suisan (AVP 53) for return to the continental United deployment to Korea it moved to NAF Naha,
States on 12 January 1948. The squadron officially de- Okinawa, to conduct aerial reconnaissance off the
tached from FAW-2 on 30 January 1948. China Coast under the operational control of FAW-1.
30 Jan 1948: VP-ML-6 began transition training to 6 Nov 1951: A squadron P2V-3W was shot down
the P2V-2 at NAAS Miramar, Calif. with the loss of all hands (10 aircrewmen) by Russian
 CHAPTER 3 55

fighter aircraft while on patrol in the Sea of Japan off All four engines had failed because cleaning fluid had
Vladisvostok, Siberia. BuNo 124284 was conducting a been mistakenly substituted for water-injection fluid.
weather reconnaissance mission under United Nations 21 Sep 1971: VP-6 deployed to NAS Cubi Point,
command. The attack occurred over international wa- R.P., in support of the Seventh Fleet operations in
ters, but the Russians claimed the aircraft had violated WestPac. A detachment was maintained at Cam Rahn
Soviet airspace over Cape Ostrovnaya. Bay, Vietnam. Missions were generally flown through-
7 Jul 1952: VP-6 departed Hawaii for NAS Kodiak, out South China Sea and off the coast of Vietnam.
Alaska. Detachments were maintained at Ladd AFB Operations during this period concentrated on
from 14 August–17 September and at NAS Adak from Vietnamese infiltrator trawler interceptions.
10–20 December 1952, in support of the Cold Weather 30 Nov 1972: The squadron was again deployed to
Advance Base exercise. WestPac based at NAF Naha, Okinawa, with a detach-
Nov 1957: In November VP-6 participated in the ment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. The deployment
search for Pan-American Flight 944, lost in the western marked the last for the squadron in the Vietnamese
Pacific. The futile search for survivors was the largest theatre of operations.
air-sea rescue operation ever conducted in the Pacific. Aug 1975: VP-6 was the first squadron to deploy a
Jul 1962: VP-6 flew 1,000 hours during operations detachment to NAS Agana, Guam, with the P-3B. The
at Johnston Island in conjunction with testing of nu- three-aircraft/four-crew detachment remained until
clear devices. Air samples were collected in the zone March 1976.
near the test site and downwind to check on radioac- Aug 1977: Upon return from its 1976–1977 deploy-
tivity and particle dispersion. ment, the squadron began the update program from
Apr 1962: A squadron Neptune, flown by the P-3B to the P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Super Bee. The
Lieutenant Commander G. L. Page, ditched in the Sea retrofits to the P-3B airframes included more powerful
of Japan after both reciprocating engines experienced engines, improved navigation equipment and up-
mechanical problems and were feathered. The ditch- graded avionics.
ing was smoothly executed and the crew was picked
up within minutes with no injuries.
9 Aug 1964: VP-6 participated in the response to
the Tonkin Gulf Crisis with the Seventh Fleet, in wa-
ters off Southeast Asia. The squadron flew surveillance
and ASW patrols over the Gulf of Tonkin and the
South China Sea during this period. VP-6 was based at
NAF Naha, Okinawa, on 18 August 1964, relieving VP-
17. A detachment was maintained at NAS Cubi Point,
R.P. A few months later VP-6 was transferred to MCAS
Iwakuni, Japan, where it was relieved in January by
VP-2.
15 Aug 1967: The Blue Sharks were the first patrol
squadron at NAS Barbers Point to receive Bullpup mis-
siles for the P-3A Orion. The small missile was carried A VP-6 P-3B(Mod) at NAS Barbers Point in April 1979. (Courtesy
Rick R. Burgress Collection).
under the wing of the P-3A, and was intended for air-
to-surface attacks against small targets ashore and
afloat. May 1978: VP-6 returned to Cubi Point, R.P., and
1 Jan 1968: The squadron deployed to WestPac became the first of the patrol squadrons to deploy the
based at NAF Naha, Okinawa, with a detachment at P-3B MOD aircraft. During this assignment the
NS Sangley Point, R.P., and NAF Cam Ranh Bay, squadron visited Australia, Kenya, Djibouti and Japan.
Vietnam. During the deployment VP-6 conducted its A detachment was also maintained throughout the de-
first patrols over a combat zone since the Korean War. ployment on the island of Diego Garcia.
5 Apr 1968: A squadron aircraft, BuNo. 151350, Jun 1979: VP-6 deployed a detachment to NAS
crashed on patrol over the China Sea with all hands Agana, Guam, for ASW coverage, Marianas Island
lost. surveillance flights and routine training missions.
1 Jun 1969: VP-6 deployed to NS Sangley Point, During this period the detachment assisted in support
R.P., with a detachment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. of refugee rescue operations flown from Cubi Point,
14 Jul 1970: The squadron deployed to NAF Naha, aiding in the recovery of over 500 Vietnamese.
Okinawa, in support of Seventh Fleet operations off 5 Sep 1980: A VP-6 Orion, BuNo. 154591, made a
the sea lane approaches to North Vietnam. wheels up landing at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. One
12 May 1971: A squadron P-3A (BuNo. 152151) crewman was injured, with extensive damage to the
crashed shortly after takeoff from NAS Cubi Point, R.P. aircraft.
56 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3C loaded with Harpoon missiles, 1984.

Nov 1980: The squadron deployed to NAS Cubi 15 Oct 1995: A hiker spotted the burned and shat-
Point, R.P., as the first Pacific fleet squadron to deploy tered remains of an aircraft in a remote area usually
with full Harpoon missile capabilities. Throughout the covered by snow near Mt. Baker in northwestern
deployment a detachment was maintained on the is- Washington. It was the remains of the PV-1 Ventura
land of Diego Garcia. belonging to VB-146 flown by Lieutenant Commander
Feb 1982: VP-6 deployed to NAS Agana, Guam. Ralph R. Beacham, missing since 29 August 1943. A
During this period the squadron aircraft visited numer- Navy Recovery Team removed the remains of the two
ous Southeast Asia countries. In the last two months of officers and four enlisted crewmen for positive
the tour, the squadron was deployed to NS Adak, identification and notification of next of kin.
Alaska, for a period of intense ASW operations against
Soviet submarines in the northern Pacific.
Home Port Assignments
Jun–Sep 1988: VP-6 was placed in “Cold Iron” sta-
tus due to fiscal constraints. Basically, the standdown Location Date of Assignment
permitted only the bare minimum of maintenance re- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 15 Jul 1943
quired to preserve the aircraft, but did not allow for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 28 Dec 1943
sufficient flying time to retain top crew proficiency. As NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 15 Apr 1945
a result of the standdown aircrew proficiency was NAS Alameda, Calif. 30 Jul 1945
graded unsatisfactory on the COMNAVAIRPAC Naval NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 2 Oct 1946
Aviation Training and Procedures Standardization NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 30 Jan 1948
(NATOPS) inspection conducted 26–30 September NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 1 May 1949
1988.
Feb 1990: The Blue Sharks became the first patrol
squadron at NAS Barbers Point to receive the first P-3C Commanding Officers
Update II.5 aircraft. This update had improved elec-
Date Assumed Command
tronics systems, new IACS (Integrated Acoustic
Communication System), improved MAD, standardized LCDR J. P. Robinson, Jr. 5 Jul 1943
wing pylons and improved wing fuel tank venting. LCDR V. L. Schrager 15 May 1945
10 Jun 1992: VP-6 Blue Sharks went on their last LCDR U. B. Holloway 1 Jul 1946
deployment to Misawa, Japan, to participate in opera- LCDR M. W. Nicholson 24 Oct 1946
tion Final Frenzy, a standard SEATO exercise with U.S. LCDR R. F. Stultz 5 Sep 1947
and allied nations providing surveillance and ASW CDR W. F. Dawson 18 Mar 1949
coverage. Exercises took the squadron from the CDR E. W. Bridewell 6 Mar 1950
Persian Gulf to Australia and involved allies from CDR A. F. Farwell 25 Jun 1950
Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. CDR G. Howard 11 May 1951
31 May 1993: VP-6 was disestablished at NAS CDR B. J. Moynahan 9 Jun 1952
Barbers Point, Hawaii, after 13 years and over 73,600 CDR P. F. Bankhardt Jun 1953
flight hours mishap free. CDR J. Lynn Jun 1954
 CHAPTER 3 57

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR C. C. Schumuck 15 Dec 1955 CDR T. N. Danner 12 Jun 1981
CDR R. Rodriguez 15 Sep 1956 CDR T. A. Richardson 18 Jun 1982
CDR J. H. Todd 24 Sep 1957 CDR R. J. Miles 9 Jun 1983
CDR R. G. Wissman 10 Oct 1958 CDR J. K. Sikes 19 Dec 1984
CDR W. L. Garrett 13 Oct 1959 CDR B. L. Tempel 7 Mar 1986
CDR W. T. Welles 23 Nov 1960 CDR G. B. James 12 Mar 1987
CDR E. F. Leonard 18 Oct 1961 CDR W. B. Massenburg 30 Mar 1988
CDR R. J. Davis 26 Sep 1962 CDR D. J. Nelson 30 Mar 1989
CDR D. J. Worrall 3 Sep 1963 CDR J. M. O’Brien 30 Mar 1990
CDR H. S. Potter 25 Aug 1964 CDR J. S. Cooper 15 Mar 1991
CDR D. P. Riley 15 Sep 1965 CDR S. R. White 27 Mar 1992
CDR J. C. Wold 5 Jul 1966
CDR R. L. Miller 3 Jul 1967
Aircraft Assignment
CDR J. G. Loberger 10 May 1968
CDR T. G. Cooper 23 May 1969 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR R. H. Botts 15 May 1970 PV-1 Jul 1943
CDR W. B. Castro 28 May 1971
PV-2 Apr 1945
CDR G. W. Mackay 26 May 1972
P2V-2 Feb 1948
CDR E. K. Anderson 7 Jun 1973
P2V-3/P2V-3W Apr 1950
CDR P. O’Connor 21 Jun 1974
P2V-5 Feb 1954
CDR R. E. Sorna 28 May 1975
P2V-5F Mar 1955
CDR D. A. Meyer 28 May 1976
SP-2E Mod II May 1962
CDR L. W. Wright 24 Jun 1977
P-3A Orion 1965
CDR A. R. Maness 23 Jun 1978
P-3B Nov 1974
CDR J. A. Mason 1 Jun 1979
P-3B MOD Dec 1977
CDR J. M. Jarratt 6 Jun 1980
P-3C UII.5 Jan 1990

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 Dec 1943 8 Jun 1944 FAW-2 Midway PV-1 WestPac

8 Jun 1944 18 Feb 1945 FAW-17 Admiralty Is. PV-1 SoPac
15 Sep 1948 16 Jan 1949 FAW-4 Adak P2V-2 NorPac
5 Jul 1949 4 Oct 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac
7 Jul 1950 6 Aug 1950 FAW-6 Atsugi P2V-3 WestPac
7 Aug 1950 12 Feb 1951 FAW-6 Tachikawa P2V-3 WestPac
27 Jul 1951 15 Jan 1952 FAW-1 Atsugi P2V-3 WestPac
7 Jul 1952 Jan 1953 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-3 NorPac
Jul 1953 Feb 1954 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P2V-3 WestPac
Oct 1954 Mar 1955 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5 NorPac
Mar 1956 Sep 1956 FAW-2 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
Mar 1958 Sep 1958 FAW-2 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
Jun 1960 Oct 1960 FAW-2 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
Oct 1961 May 1962 FAW-2 Iwakuni P2V-5FS WestPac
Jul 1962 Jul 1962 FAW-2 Johnston Is. P2V-5FS WestPac
Sep 1962* Sep 1962 FAW-2 Australia P2V-5FS SoPac
9 May 1963 Oct 1963 FAW-2 Iwakuni SP-2E Mod 2 WestPac
9 Aug 1964 25 Jan 1965 FAW-8 Iwakuni/Naha SP-2E Mod II WestPac
1 Sep 1964 28 Sep 1964 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. SP-2E Mod II WestPac
Jul 1965 20 Dec 1966 FAW-4 Adak SP-2E Mod II NorPac
1 Jan 1968* 1 Jul 1968 FAW-8 Naha P-3A WestPac
1 Jan 1968* 1 Jul 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
58 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

13 May 1968 7 Jun 1968 FAW-8 Cam Rahn P-3A WestPac

1 Jun 1969 15 Nov 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
27 May 1969 15 Nov 1969 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
14 Jul 1970 15 Jan 1971 FAW-8 Naha P-3A WestPac
21 Sep 1971* 10 May 1972 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
21 Sep 1971* 2 Dec 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh B. P-3A WestPac
30 Nov 1972 28 May 1973 FAW-8 Naha P-3A WestPac
20 Dec 1972 1 Feb 1973 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
Jan 1974 Jul 1974 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
Aug 1975 Mar 1976 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B WestPac
Dec 1976 Jun 1977 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B WestPac
May 1978 Nov 1978 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
Jun 1979 Jan 1980 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
Nov 1980 May 1981 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
Feb 1982 May 1982 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1983 Nov 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
Nov 1984 10 May 1985 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
10 May 1986 10 Nov 1986 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
1 Dec 1987 13 May 1988 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
1 May 1989 6 Nov 1989 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
4 Dec 1990 10 Jun 1991 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UII.5 NorPac
5 Dec 1991 May 1992 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UII.5 Carib
10 Jun 1992 19 Nov 1992 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UII.5 WestPac
* The squadron conducted split-site deployments to different bases on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

FAW-8 15 Jul 1943 NUC 30 Jul 1951 16 Jan 1952

31 Jan 1967 8 Mar 1967
FAW-2 28 Dec 1943
(Det) Spring 1970
FAW-17 8 Jun 1944 MUC 1 Jun 1969 15 Nov 1969
Task Force 70.2 24 Jun 1944 15 Jul 1970 16 Nov 1970
FAW-2 18 Feb 1945 17 Nov 1970 22 Nov 1970
FAW-8 15 Apr 1945 23 Nov 1970 16 Jan 1971
FAW-2/PatWing-2§ BE†/ PC‡ 2 Oct 1946 1 Oct 1971 12 Jan 1972
2 Mar 1972 15 Dec 1972
† The squadron remained a part of FAW-2, but was assigned the tail 2 Jul 1981 4 Aug 1981
code BE on 7 November 1946. 5 Sep 1981 22 Sep 1981
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from BE to PC in 1957. The
8 Dec 1981 8 Jan 1982
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957). RVNGC 1 May 1969 30 Nov 1969
§ FAW-2 was redesignated Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) on 30 June 1 Jul 1970 21 Nov 1970
1973. AFEM 1 Jan 1968 30 Jun 1968

A squadron P-3C in flight.

 CHAPTER 3 59

Second VP-7 depth charge. Colors:

background, light
green; binoculars,
black and white; tur-
Lineage tle’s back, blue and
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED white; arms, legs, neck
NINETEEN (VB-119) on 15 August 1944. and head, light gray;
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- torpedo and rocket,
DRED NINETEEN (VPB-119) on 1 October 1944 yellow; bomb, red;
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED machine gun, black.
NINETEEN (VP-119) on 15 May 1946. The weaponry was in-
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) cluded in the design to
NINE (VP-HL-9) on 15 November 1946. The skull design became the suggest the potential
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) squadron’s third insignia. capabilities and the
SEVEN (VP-ML-7) on 25 June 1947. well-rounded offensive
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVEN (VP-7) on 1 and defensive capabilities of the P2V-2 in accomplish-
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned ing its mission.
the VP-7 designation. The squadron’s third insignia was approved by CNO
Disestablished on 8 October 1969. on 19 January 1950. This insignia incorporated a skull
superimposed on a radar screen in a circular design.
Colors were: background, black; skull, white with red
Squadron Insignia and Nickname and black markings; teeth, yellow and red; circular
The first squadron insignia was designed by the lines on radar scope, red and white; the line of the
members of VB-119 in the 1944 to 1945 time frame. sweep on the radar scope, white and blue; two circles
Since there are no official records on file indicating at top portion of the design, red; the number 2 and
CNO approval of the design, it would appear to be an letter D, white; and the naval aviator wings gold with
“unofficial” insignia used by the members of the black markings.
squadron until its redesignation to VP-119 in 1946. The The squadron’s fourth insignia incorporated twin
patch featured a dragon with the Japanese rising sun falcons as the central figures of their design. The fal-
in its jaws. At the top of the patch was the name con is a bird of
“Dragon Patrol,” with “Bombing Squadron 119” at the prey with superb
bottom. Colors: dragon, green, yellow and pinkish red; long-distance vi-
flag, red and white; background, black; letters and sion, swooping
piping around patch, yellow. down on its vic-
The squadron’s second insignia was submitted to tims from great
CNO and approved on 8 July 1948. The squadron had height. The patch
been redesignated VP-ML-7 in 1947 and was assigned was circular with
the P2V-2 Neptune, then famous due to the long-dis- the squadron
logo at the bot-
tance flight of the “Truculent Turtle” from Australia to
tom. The birds,
Ohio on 29 September to 1 October 1946. Squadron
with wings verti-
personnel designed a patch that borrowed from the
cal, dive on an
feat by featuring a turtle armed with binoculars,
un-seen enemy
rocket, torpedo, 20-mm machine gun and a flat-nose The stylized bird design was the squadron’s with rays shoot-
fourth and final design.
ing from their
eyes and electric
current (MAD gear) extending from their tail feathers.
The allusion between the far-seeing bird of prey and
the radar-equipped patrol plane is obvious. Colors:
background, medium blue; water, dark blue; birds,
dark blue edged in white; eyes and bomb, yellow;
spotlight from eyes and beam from tail, yellow. This
design was submitted to CNO and approved on 5
October 1953. It remained in effect until a more
“streamlined” version was approved on 30 April 1963.
This is the only example available The turtle motif was used for the Colors remained the same.
in the records of the squadron’s squadron’s second insignia which Nicknames: Dragon Patrol, 1944–1945 (unofficial).
unofficial dragon insignia. was approved by CNO in 1948. Black Falcons, 1963–1969.
60 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Chronology of Significant Events 15 Nov–Dec 1945: A three-plane detachment was

15 Aug–14 Dec 1944: VB-119 was established at flown to NAB Samar to fly weather reconnaissance. In
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. Crew training commenced December, the remainder of the squadron joined the
immediately on the PB4Y-1 Liberator and the PB4Y-2 detachment. The principal mission of the squadron
Privateer bombers. while stationed at Samar was weather reconnaissance,
15 Dec 1944–14 Jan 1945: The squadron was trans- shipping lane patrols and air-sea search.
8 Feb 1946: The squadron received orders to re-
ferred to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, for further combat
duce the size of the aircraft complement from 12 to 8.
readiness training. The first planes departed for Kaneohe
Rapid demobilization drastically decreased the officer
on 15 December and the last planes to transpac left on
and enlisted ranks. During this period VPB-119 was
25 December. Training of crews continued at Kaneohe,
again tasked with weather reconnaissance and ty-
including combat patrols operating from Midway Island
phoon tracking, as well as air-sea search and patrol.
from 3 to 14 January 1945. At that time the squadron
3 Jun 1946: VP-119 was relocated to NAB Sangley
had 15 aircraft and 18 crews assigned.
Point, Philippines, with principal duties of shipping
7 Feb 1945: VPB-119 was transferred to Tacloban
lane patrol and special flights as directed by FAW-10.
Air Base, Leyte, Philippines. Training flights were con-
The transfer was completed on 25 June 1946.
ducted through the end of the month in the area of
26 Aug 1946: VP-119 began monthly shuttle flights from
Mokerang Airfield, Los Negros, Admiralty Islands.
Sangley to China, Okinawa and return. The flights were
1 Mar 1945: VPB-119 was transferred to Clark Air
utilized as occasions for training in long distance naviga-
Base, Luzon, Philippines. On the following day the
tion, radio range procedures and cruise control settings.
squadron conducted its first combat patrols over the
10 Jan 1947: At the request of the Philippine gov-
South China Sea.
ernment, two aircraft of VP-119 made several flights
22 Mar 1945: Lieutenant (jg) James Evans and crew,
over Mount Mayon volcano during an eruption to pro-
accompanied by war correspondent Don Bell, were
vide information on the direction of lava flow and the
shot down over Amoy Harbor on the China coast by
resulting damage to inhabited areas.
enemy antiaircraft fire. Bell, only recently released
20 May–6 Jun 1947: The squadron was notified of
from a POW camp in Manila, was anxious to get back
pending transfer to the Atlantic Fleet, with movement
into the war effort. Seven personnel survived the crash commencing immediately. Air crews and aircraft ar-
of the PB4Y-2 Privateer. Chinese fishermen rescued rived at MCAS Miramar, Calif., on 6 June 1947.
Bell and the six surviving crewmembers, and in a race 25 Jul–Oct 1947: Transition to the P2V-2 aircraft
with three Japanese motor boats made it to shore commenced at MCAS Miramar with the arrival of the
where they were hidden in a village. A few days later, first aircraft and instructor crew. Crew training was
a shore party from a Navy installation only 27 miles completed just in time for relocation to a new home
away rescued the survivors. port at NAS Quonset Point, R.I. The first squadron air
1 Apr–14 Aug 1945: Lieutenant Commander Bales, crew departed for NAS Quonset Point on 9 September
the commanding officer of VPB-119, and his crew 1947, with the last arriving on 18 October 1947.
were shot down over China on 1 April with no sur- Dec 1948: Four crews flew to Kitty Hawk, N.C., to
vivors. Lieutenant Commander Ragan, executive offi- participate in the Wright Brother’s Memorial Service
cer, assumed command of the squadron. Patrols con- and the anniversary of powered flight.
tinued through 14 August 1945 when word of the 14 Apr 1950: The first of the new P2V-4 aircraft ar-
armistice was received. During the squadron’s six rived and familiarization training was begun. Problems
months of combat operations from Clark Air Base it with the engines prevented the squadron from meet-
claimed the destruction of 13 aircraft in the in air, the ing its operational obligations for several months. The
sinking or damaging of a large number of ships and difficulties were not fully corrected until late 1951.
the destruction of many shore installations.
15 Aug–3 Sep 1945: Routine shipping reconnais-
sance patrols were conducted in conjunction with
VPB-104. The squadron was also responsible for sup-
plying weather information and typhoon tracking.
25 Oct–2 Nov 1945: VPB-119 was relocated to
Puerto Princessa, Philippines, with all assets and per-
sonnel aboard by 2 November. Operations were com-
menced immediately in concert with VPB-106. The pri-
mary duty of the two squadrons included weather
reconnaissance and shipping surveillance flights over
the Indochina area. Weather during this period was
extremely adverse. A squadron P2V-4 on patrol in 1952.
 CHAPTER 3 61

1 Jun 1953: VP-7 deployed to San Juan, P.R., to Soviet transports during the Cuban Quarantine. The
participate in Operation Springboard, the annual fleet squadron was relieved at the end of November
training exercise. 1962.
28 Jun 1953–Jan 1954: The squadron redeployed May 1963: VP-7 participated in the Project Mercury
to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, under the command of FAW- MA-9 operations in the Caribbean. Patrol squadrons
6, for operations in support of United Nations action and surface units were routinely stationed downrange
in Korea. VP-7 was called upon to fly reconnaissance some distance from the projected launch or impact
and screening missions in support of Task Force 77. point in the event of an overshoot by the Mercury
The squadron returned to NAS Quonset Point in capsules. On 16 May 1963, Kearsage (CVS 33) recov-
January 1954. ered Major L. Gordon Cooper, USAF, and his Faith 7
Jan 1959: The squadron conducted a split deploy- capsule 80 miles southeast of Midway, after his 22-
ment to Rota, Spain, and Keflavik, Iceland. During the orbit flight.
deployment in the North Atlantic excellent pho- Jun 1967: The squadron was called upon to pro-
tographs were taken of a Soviet Zulu-class submarine vide shipping surveillance during the Arab-Israeli War
located off the coast of Iceland. The photos were re- in June 1967. VP-7 was deployed to NAF Sigonella,
leased to the international press. Sicily, to take part in exercises with NATO and the
23 Oct 1962: VP-7 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Sixth Fleet when the war broke out.
Cuba, to conduct surveillance operations against 8 Oct 1969: VP-7 was disestablished.

A squadron SP-2H lands at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads for an annual exercise in the Caribbean, 1965.
62 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 15 Aug 1944 CDR D. W. Bowman 4 Jan 1955
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Dec 1944 CDR A. L. Wooten 20 Dec 1955
Various bases in the Philippines 11 Feb 1945 CDR H. J. Dobbs Jan 1957
NAB Samar, Philippines 16 Dec 1945 CDR B. A. Thompson 7 Feb 1958
NAB Sangley Point, Philippines 3 Jun 1946 CDR I. J. Gersuk 2 Mar 1959
MCAS Miramar 6 Jun 1947 CDR L.H. Thomas 18 May 1960
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 18 Oct 1947 CDR W. F. Abernathy 1 May 1961
NAS Brunswick, Maine 4 Dec 1956 CDR Louis B. Crayton, Jr. 2 May 1962
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Sep 1961 CDR P. B. Derr, Jr. 17 May 1963
CDR Thomas A. Graham 1 May 1964
CDR Wycliffe D. Toole, Jr. 10 May 1965
Commanding Officers
CDR Alfred N. Fowler 3 Jun 1966
Date Assumed Command CDR John R. Swadener 1 May 1967
CDR R. F. Wenzel 29 May 1968
LT Austin Fox (actg) 15 Aug 1944
CDR Charles I. Stratmann 7 Oct 1968
LCDR Raymond C. Bales 16 Aug 1944
LCDR Malcolm S. Ragan 1 Apr 1945
LCDR Arthur L. Jacobson 16 Aug 1945 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR William J. Denholm 23 Feb 1946
CDR Ira W. Brown, Jr. 1 Sep 1946 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR Milton R. Dahl 26 May 1947 PB4Y-1/2 Aug 1944
CDR Harwill E. Robinson 4 Aug 1947 P2V-2 Aug 1947
CDR George C. Bullard 28 Jan 1949 P2V-3 Mar 1949
CDR Rorbert J. Slagle 9 Jan 1950 P2V-4 Apr 1950
CDR Robert H. Wood 22 Jul 1950 P2V-5 1953
CDR Raymond L. Milner 14 May 1952 P2V-5F Jul 1955
CDR J. P. English 29 Nov 1953 SP-2H Dec 1962

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Dec 1944 7 Feb 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 WestPac

7 Feb 1945 * FAW-17 Tacloban PB4Y-2 SoPac
1 Mar 1945 * FAW-17 Clark PB4Y-2 WestPac
25 Oct 1945 * FAW-17 Puerto Princ. PB4Y-2 WestPac
15 Nov 1945 * FAW-17 Samar PB4Y-2 WestPac
3 Jun 1946 1 Oct 1947 FAW-10 Sangley Pt. PB4Y-2 WestPac
1 Oct 1948 12 Dec 1948 FAW-5 Argentia P2V-2 NorLant
19 Feb 1949 18 Mar 1949 FAW-5 Guantanamo P2V-2 Carib
29 Jul 1949 Oct 1949 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-3 NorLant
13 Feb 1952 24 Mar 1952 FAW-3 Naples P2V-4 Med
1 Jul 1952 1 Oct 1952 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-4 NorLant
1 Jun 1953 28 Jun 1953 FAW-3 San Juan P2V-5 Carib
28 Jun 1953 Jan 1954 FAW-6 Iwakuni/Korea P2V-5 WestPac
Feb 1955 Jul 1955 FAW-7 Port Lyautey P2V-5 Med
21 Nov 1958 Jan 1959 FAW-3 Rota P2V-5F Med
Jan 1959† Jun 1959 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
Jan 1959† Jun 1959 FAW-3 Rota P2V-5F Med
5 Aug 1960 Jan 1961 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
Apr 1961 Sep 1961 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
28 Feb 1962 8 Aug 1962 FAW-11 Sigonella SP-2H Med
23 Oct 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
May 1963 May 1963 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
4 May 1963† Oct 1964 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med
 CHAPTER 3 63

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

4 May 1963† Oct 1964 FAW-11 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant

1 Jan 1965 4 Apr 1965 FAW-11 Roosevelt Rds.SP-2H Carib
3 Dec 1965 May 1966 FAW-11 Sigonella SP-2H Med
8 May 1967 1 Nov 1967 FAW-11 Sigonella SP-2H Med
8 Oct 1968 21 Feb 1969 FAW-11 Sigonella SP-2H Med
* The squadron was deployed to the South Pacific and relocated frequently to different deployment sites without returning to their home base.
† The dates are for squadron detachments on split deployments at the same time to different bases.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from LB to HE on 4 August
FAW-14 15 Aug 1944
FAW-2 15 Dec 1944 1948.
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from HE back to LB in 1957.
FAW-10 7 Feb 1945
The effective date for this changed was most likely the beginning of
FAW-17 11 Feb 1945 FY 1958 (1 July 1957).
FAW-10 LB* 30 Sep 1945
FAW-14 LB 6 Jun 1947
FAW-3 LB/HE†/LB‡ Oct 1947 Unit Awards
FAW-11 LB Sep 1961
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
*The squadron remained part of FAW-10 but was assigned the tail AFEM 23 Oct 1962 30 Nov 1962
code LB on 7 November 1946.
64 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-8 Colors of the design were

as follows: body of whale,
light blue; wings, medium
blue; submarine, black;
Lineage markings on submarine,
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED white; teeth, white; back-
ONE (VP-201) on 1 September 1942. ground of eye, white with
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- black pupil; whale outline,
DRED ONE (VPB-201) on 1 October 1944. black.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED A cartoon design pink elephant
The squadron’s second
ONE (VP-201) on 15 May 1946. was approved for the squadron’s was approved by CNO on
Redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Seaplane second insignia. 28 March 1947. This col-
ONE (VP-MS-1) on 15 November 1946. orful cartoon design had
Redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Landplane a red ship’s wheel as the border and the inside
EIGHT (VP-ML-8) on 5 June 1947. background was light blue with white clouds out-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8) on 1 lined in black. A pink elephant was walking on the
September 1948, the second squadron to be assigned clouds dressed in the motif of an inspector search-
the VP-8 designation. ing for the illusive submarine. The elephant had a
magnifying glass in its trunk and a pipe in his
mouth. He was wearing a small hat and had a waist
Squadron Insignia and Nickname band with a gun holster. The pipe, magnifying glass,
The first insignia adopted by VP-201 shortly after its belt and holster were yellow with black markings.
formation in 1942 used the motif of the whale. In the His hat was yellow and green with black markings.
design a winged whale crushed an Axis submarine in The elephant’s feet were orange and his eye was
its jaws. The shape of the whale vaguely suggested the black, blue and white. The banner was blue with
side view of the PBM-3 aircraft used by the squadron. black markings and the lettering was yellow with
black markings.
The third squadron insignia was approved by CNO
on 15 February 1950. This insignia showed an old salt
(probably Father Neptune)
sitting astride a globe,
clutching a machine gun in
his left hand and dropping
a bomb with his right.
Shown near at hand were
an air-to-surface rocket and
a telescope, neatly featur-
ing the array of weapons
available to an ASW
The King Neptune design was squadron. The background
The squadron’s first insignia. Unfortunately, someone clipped the de- the squadron’s third insignia. consisted of a full moon
sign to make it fit into a file folder.
and lighting bolt, typifying
the nature of the work in day or night and the ability
to strike like a “bolt from the blue.” Colors: back-
ground, red; lightning, yellow; globe, blue oceans with
white continents; Neptune, cream; all outlines and fea-
tures, black.
In the early 1960s the squadron received the new
P-3 Orion. Because it was the first of two squadrons
to receive the new Orion it felt compelled to revise
the insignia design. CNO approved a new insignia
for the squadron on 25 June 1962. This insignia dis-
played a disc divided horizontally into a light blue
sky and a blue stylized sea. In the upper half of the
disc a signal pattern was issuing forth from a yellow
A copy of the full design of the first insignia. radar scope with a yellow and red trail. The signal
 CHAPTER 3 65

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Sep–1 Dec 1942: VP-201 was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va., under the operational command of FAW-
5, flying PBM-3 seaplanes. The squadron was sent on
6 October 1942 to NAS Banana River, Fla., where most
of the operational unit training was undertaken. The
squadron received its own PBM-3C aircraft fresh from
the factory on 1 December 1942.

A very stylized design was ap- The squadron’s fifth insignia

proved for the squadron’s featured a Bengal tiger.
fourth insignia.

pattern arched behind the scope and terminated in

the center of the disc with a red clenched fist grasp-
ing and plunging a red trident into a yellow explo-
sive impact area. On each side of the disc arching to
the impact area was a yellow lightning flash. Below
the disc was a white scroll outlined in blue with the
letters Patrol Squadron Eight in blue. The symbolism
of the design represented: the sky and sea; the radar
scope was for detection; the two lightning flashes
the tracking capability of the Orion; the clenched
fist and trident alluded to the striking power of
the P-3 and the combination of all three elements A squadron PBM-3C at NAS Banana River, circa December 1942,
80-G-383019 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
represented
the squadron’s
all weather 6 Feb 1943: VP-201 returned to its home port at
antisubmarine NAS Norfolk, Va. Flight crew training continued con-
currently with patrol operations along the Atlantic
capabilities.
seaboard as a part of Task Force 28 in the Eastern Sea
The new in-
Frontier.
signia featuring a
27 May 1943: The PBM-3C aircraft flown by the
snarling Bengal
squadron were replaced by a newer version with im-
tiger crushing a proved radar, the PBM-3S. After refitting, a six-aircraft
generic subma- detachment deployed to Bermuda. Patrols were flown
rine beneath its ranging out to 800 miles, lasting 12 to 18 hours.
paws was ap-
proved by CNO
on 21 March
1967. At the bot-
The Bengal tiger insignia was modified in
1979, adding a figure 8 and replacing the tom of the patch
clouds with continents. was the designa-
tion “Patron 8.”
Colors were: tiger, yellow and black stripes; white back-
ground; letters and number “8” in black; submarine,
black. This design has remained the general theme of
the squadron insignia since 1967. In 1979 a minor revi-
sion of the design resulted in a patch with the tiger
emerging from the loop of a large central number “8,”
crushing a submarine on the ocean surface with its left
paw, with continents in the background of the design.
Colors remained the same as in the previous insignia. A squadron attack on a U-boat with depth bombs and machine gun.
CNO approved the modification on 9 July 1979. Note the men manning the submarine’s machine gun. See the
chronology entry for 9 July 1943, 80-G-205264 (Courtesy Captain
Nickname: The Tigers, 21 March 1967–present. Jerry Mason, USN).
66 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron PBM-3Cs on the ramp at NAS Banana River, 80-G-33231 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Convoys to and from Europe were covered in a radius the deployment, the squadron was reassigned to a
of 500 miles from Bermuda. new home port at NAS Key West under control of
9 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Soverel and crew attacked a FAW-12, on 27 July 1944.
German U-boat off Bermuda with negative results. 1 Nov 1944: Half of the squadron’s PBM-3S aircraft
The submarine, caught on the surface, manned its po- were outfitted with L-8C Leigh searchlights at NAS Key
tent antiaircraft defenses and heavily damaged the West. After training in use of the new British-designed
PBM-3S, forcing it to return to base. As a result of this equipment, the squadron was assigned routine opera-
encounter, subsequent patrols were made in pairs of tional flights involving ASW patrols and convoy escort.
aircraft. 1 Apr 1945: Squadron flight crews were divided
30 Jul 1943: VP-201 held a change of command at into three sections and sent in rotation to Harvey
NAS Norfolk, Va. The former commanding officer, Point, N.C., to pick up replacement aircraft, the PBM-
Lieutenant Commander M. H. Tuttle, and half of the 5. Familiarization training on the new seaplanes was
squadron personnel and assets were transferred to conducted at Harvey Point before sending the section
form the cadre of a new PB4Y-2 Liberator squadron, back to NAS Key West.
VB-111. The remainder of the squadron and its newly 29 May 1945: VPB-201 was transferred to a new
assigned personnel were transferred the next week to home port at NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., under the opera-
a new home port at NAS Bermuda under the adminis-
trative control of the Commander Bermuda Air Group.
An intensive period of training ensued.
8 Jun 1944: VP-201 was transferred back to its orig-
inal home port at NAS Norfolk under the administra-
tive control of FAW-5, and assigned duties involving
regular flights between Bermuda and Norfolk carrying
supplies and personnel.
12 Jun 1944: The squadron deployed to Key West,
Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12 for a
two-week period of ASW refresher training.
12 Jul 1944: VP-201 deployed to NAS Coco Solo,
C.Z., under the operational control of FAW-3 under the
Commander Panama Sea Frontier. Upon completion of A PBM-3 Mariner on patrol, circa 1942-1943, 80-G-K-13517.
 CHAPTER 3 67

A squadron PBM being refueled from a barge in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, January 1945, 80-G-304438 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

tional control of FAW-3. The squadron engaged in 1 Apr 1954: The squadron deployed to Port
ASW, searchlight tactics, gunnery, bombing, and in- Lyautey, French Morocco. During the five-month pe-
strument training flights. Following the end of World riod, the squadron was based temporarily on Crete
War II, the squadron’s aircraft inventory was reduced while participating in NATO exercises. It proved to be
from 15 to 9 and it also experienced a reduction in a good test of operations from primitive airstrips with
personnel due to the postwar demobilization. minimal support facilities.
15 Mar 1946: VPB-201 was assigned a new home 15 Jul 1955: VP-8 marked its first deployment to
port at NS San Juan, P.R., under the operational con- Argentia with new P2V-5Fs. During the deployment
trol of FAW-11. The squadron was supported by San detachments operated from Goose Bay, Labrador;
Carlos (AVP 51) during the relocation from Panama to Frobisher Bay and Thule, Greenland, flying ice patrol.
Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, a detachment of three air- They also provided cover for convoys carrying sup-
craft was sent to Trinidad to serve as part of the Air plies to the new Dew Line sites. The Distant Early
Sea Rescue Task Unit. Warning (DEW) Line stretched more than 3,000 miles
Dec 1947: VP-ML-8 received its first contingent of re- across the 69th parallel, spanning the frozen north from
placement aircraft, the new
P2V-2 Neptune. The
squadron, home ported at
NAS Norfolk, was under the
control of FAW-5. A period
of transition training com-
menced for the switch from
seaplanes to landplanes.
1 Mar 1949: VP-8 de-
ployed to Argentia,
Newfoundland. The pri-
mary emphasis during this
tour of duty was the test-
ing of the P2V aircraft in
cold weather conditions,
flying in temperatures as
low as -55° F. Aircrews re-
ceived training in instru-
ment and night flying and
GCA landings. A squadron P2V, circa 1949.
68 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P2V on patrol,

circa late 1950s.

Barter Island, Alaska, to Thule, Greenland. These DEW

Line stations called for highly skilled, dedicated techni-
cians who could man them without regard to weather,
absence from family and boredom. The DEW Line
began test operations in 1953 and was completed by
1955.
Apr 1958: In April VP-8 joined the newly formed
Task Group Alpha, a temporary unit established for
the purpose of testing a variety of new ASW technolo-
gies for potential use by fleet patrol units. During the
next 20 months the squadron actively participated in
every phase of ASW, ranging from basic techniques to
the practical evaluation of new tactics and equipment.
13 Aug–Oct 1962: VP-8 relinquished its last P2V-5F
to share the distinction with VP-44 of being among the
Navy’s first patrol squadrons to receive the P-3A Orion
A formation of the squadron’s new P-3As, August 1962.
aircraft. The new aircraft received a thorough break-in
during the squadron’s participation in the Cuban
Missile Crisis in late 1962. A four-plane detachment provided coverage for a convoy across the entire
was flown to Bermuda to supplement aircraft involved Atlantic transit.
in the Cuban missile blockade on 23 October 1962. Dec 1965: VP-8 received the second P-3B Orion off
9 Mar 1963: VP-8 conducted the first transatlantic the assembly line. This was the beginning of the re-
flight in a P-3A, flying non-stop from Norfolk, Va., to placement cycle for its older P-3As.
West Malling, England, in 9 hours and 10 minutes. 25 May 1966: VP-8 relieved VP-28 at NS Sangley
30 Jan 1963: A squadron aircraft, BuNo. 149672, Point, R.P., for it first WestPac deployment. The
operating from NAS Patuxent River, Md., was lost at squadron was involved in combat missions in support
sea while on patrol with all 14 crewmembers. of Commander Seventh Fleet operations in the
1964: VP-8 flew convoy ASW operations support of Vietnam theater of operations.
Fleet Exercise Steel Pike I, operating from the east 1 Nov 1967: VP-8 visited Squadron 404 of the RCAF
coast of Spain and alternating with VP-49 and VP-44. It Maritime Command at Greenwood, Nova Scotia,
marked the first occasion that land-based escorts had Canada, to compare systems between the P-3A Orion
 CHAPTER 3 69

and the Argus patrol aircraft. The CP-107 Argus was a Lajes, Azores. Both detachments returned to NAS
modification of the basic design of the Bristol Brunswick on 9 August 1978. As a result of the
Britannia passenger airliner to meet the RCAF require- squadron’s superior performance during the deploy-
ments for a long-range maritime reconnaissance air- ment, it was awarded its second Navy Unit
craft. The aircraft were equipped with four tur- Commendation.
bocharged piston engines, search radar under the 22 Sep 1978: Eight crew members of a VP-8 Orion,
nose, a MAD installation in the tail and air navigation BuNo. 152757, were killed in a midair collision with
and tactical air control (ANTAC) gear. The first Argus another military aircraft near Portland, Maine. The ac-
aircraft entered the RCAF inventory in 1957. cident ended a 15-year period of over 120,000 acci-
1–2 Mar 1972: The squadron maintained surveil- dent free flying hours.
lance on a disabled Soviet SSBN in the North Atlantic. Aug 1981: VP-8 became the last squadron at NAS
8 Feb–9 Aug 1978: VP-8 deployed with eight air- Brunswick to replace the P-3B Orion with the newer
craft to Bermuda and two aircraft with three crews to P-3C UII. The squadron’s P-3Bs were dispersed to var-
ious reserve squadrons rather than being sent to
Davis-Montham Air Force
Base, Ariz., for storage.
5 Oct 1983: The
squadron deployed to
Sigonella, Sicily, with de-
tachments at Rota, Spain;
Souda Bay, Crete; and
Nimes-Garon, France.
During this deployment the
squadron participated in
many ASW exercises.
27 Oct–8 Dec 1985:
Two-crew and two-aircraft
detachments, in rotation
from the squadron for one
week periods, operated
from NS Roosevelt Roads,
P.R., to assist the U.S. Coast
Guard in drug interdiction
missions in the Caribbean.
2 Dec 1990: VP-8 de-
ployed to NAS Sigonella,
Sicily. During the period of
A squadron P-3B flying over two Soviet ships, 1975. Operation Desert Shield

A squadron P-3 in flight.

70 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

the squadron was tasked with monitoring Russian, Commanding Officers—Continued

Libyan and Iraqi vessels in the Mediterranean that
might attempt to circumvent the UN embargo of Iraq. Date Assumed Command
A three-aircraft and three-crew detachment was estab- LCDR Clement V. Horrigan 30 Jul 1943
lished at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to assist in operations LCDR Edward Sternlieb 9 Jul 1944
monitoring the Gulf area of operations. With the be- LCDR R. M. J. Hallman 25 Sep 1945
ginning of hostilities during the Operation Desert LCDR J. W. McCrocklin 15 Jun 1946
Storm phase of the war, the Jeddah detachment flew LCDR W. R. Ford 1 Jul 1947
93 combat support missions totaling 830.5 flight hours. CDR P. E. Hartman Dec1948
CDR H. F. Lloyd 5 Jul 1949
CDR D. C. Carmichael 25 Sep 1950
CDR W. J. Wehmeyer 30 Oct 1950
CDR S. E. Ellison 15 Aug 1952
CDR T. H. Bookout 31 Oct 1952
CDR L. R. Burnett 17 Jun 1954
CDR T. G. Doyle 1 Dec 1955
CDR W. E. Thomas 18 Apr 1957
CDR G. F. Nasworthy 21 Jul 1958
CDR M. A. Holsprichter 10 Jul 1959
CDR J. B. Hansen 13 Jul 1960
CDR J. R. Grieve 6 Jul 1961
A VP-8 P-3B on approach to NAS Moffett Field in June 1981. (Courtesy CDR Creighton W. Cook 29 May 1962
Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
CDR S. S. Bates 29 May 1963
CDR. D. R. Johnson 5 Jun 1964
24 Jan 1994: VP-8 deployed to NS Roosevelt Roads, CDR H. G. Rich 9 Mar 1965
Puerto Rico. During the deployment detachments op- CDR Richard A. Hoffman 31 Mar 1966
erated from Howard AFB, Panama; Soto Cano Air CDR H. F. Knudsen 28 Feb 1967
Base, Honduras; and Curacao Island, Netherlands CDR Troy E. Todd 12 Mar 1968
Antilles, in support of the international drug interdic- CDR D. H. McVay 8 Apr 1969
tion program. Close working relationships were devel- CDR J. W. Shoemyer 9 Feb 1970
oped with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs CDR E. A. Wilkinson, Jr. Feb 1971
Service during these operations. CDR Edwin E. Hanson 30 Mar 1972
CDR Donald G. Debode 30 Mar 1973
CDR Edward E. Anderson 18 Mar 1974
Home Port Assignments
CDR R.V. Mowery 1 Mar 1975
Location Date of Assignment CDR Paul L. Lawrence 26 Mar 1976
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Sep 1942 CDR William E. Jackson 14 Mar 1977
NAS Banana River, Fla. 6 Oct 1942 CDR Earl R. Riffle 1 Feb 1978
NAS Norfolk, Va. 6 Feb 1943 CDR Thomas F. Hall 15 Mar 1979
NAS Bermuda Aug 1943 CDR Melvin E. Thompson 10 Jul 1980
NAS Norfolk, Va. 8 Jun 1944 CDR Richard L. Norwood 17 Jul 1981
NAS Key West, Fla. 27 Jul 1944 CDR Thomas B. Nesbit 16 Jul 1982
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 29 May 1945 CDR Raymond J. Figueras 15 Jul 1983
NS San Juan, P.R. 15 Mar 1946 CDR Charles A. Gabriel 21 Sep 1984
NAS Norfolk, Va. Dec 1947 CDR Wayne E. Foshay 24 Jan 1986
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. Sep 1948 CDR Denzil D. Thies 20 Feb 1987
NAS Chincoteague, Va. Apr 1958 CDR Joseph S. Littleton III 1 Mar 1988
NAS Norfolk, Va. Jul 1959 CDR Robert J. Scott 7 Apr 1989
NAS Patuxent River, Md. Jul 1961 CDR Bruce W. Crawford 25 May 1990
NAS Brunswick, Maine Jul 1971 CDR Hugh C. Dawson 27 Jun 1991
CDR Stephen M. Wellock 1992
CDR Richard D. High 1993
Commanding Officers CDR Timothy J. Cepak 24 Jun 1994
CDR Glenn A. Fogg 21 Apr 1995
Date Assumed Command
CDR Michael Fralen 19 Apr 1996
LCDR Paul P. Blackburn 1 Sep 1942 CDR William Harrison, Jr. 11 Apr 1997
LCDR Magruder H. Tuttle 29 Dec 1942 CDR Raymond Para 3 Apr 1998
 CHAPTER 3 71

Aircraft Assignment Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
PBM-3 Sep 1942 P2V-5F Jul 1955
PBM-3C Dec 1942 P-3A Aug 1962
PBM-3S May 1943 P-3B Dec 1965
PBM-5E Apr 1945 P-3C UII Aug 1981
P2V-2 Dec 1947 P-3C UII.5 Sep 1985
P2V-3 Jan 1949 P-3C UIIIR Jun 1994

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

27 May 1943 Jun 1944 FAW-5 Bermuda PBM-3S Lant

12 Jul 1944 27 Jul 1944 FAW-3 Panama PBM-3S Carib
24 Oct 1945 31 Oct 1945 FAW-3 Galapagos PBM-5 SoLant
Barnegat (AVP 10)
3 Jun 1946 10 Jun 1946 FAW-11 Chaguaramas PBM-5 Carib
Shelikof (AVP 52)
1 Mar 1949 1 May 1949 FAW-5 Argentia P2V-3 NorLant
1 Feb 1950 1 Apr 1950 FAW-5 Argentia P2V-3 NorLant
22 Feb 1950 28 Mar 1950 FAW-5 Cuba P2V-3 Carib
5 Jan 1952 20 May 1952 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-3 NorLant
Dec 1952 Jul 1953 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-3 NorLant
1 Aug 1953 Jan 1954 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-3 NorLant
1 Apr 1954 Sep 1954 FAW-3 Morocco P2V-3 Med
19 Feb 1955 4 Mar 1955 FAW-11 San Juan P2V-3 Carib
15 Jul 1955 8 Oct 1955 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
1 Dec 1955 10 Jan 1955 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
31 Oct 1956 4 Apr 1957 FAW-3 Morocco P2V-5F Med
1 Oct 1957 Dec 1957 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
13 Aug 1962 Dec 1962 FAW-11 Cuba P-3A Carib
25 May 1966 2 Dec 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
Dec 1967 8 Jun 1968 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
28 Feb 1969 28 Jun 1969 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
2 Mar 1970 17 Jul 1970 FAW-5 Multi-site P-3B Med
25 Oct 1970* 26 Feb 1971 FAW-5 Multi-site P-3B Med
Nov 1970* Apr 1971 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Nov 1971 1 Mar 1972 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
9 Oct 1972 13 Nov 1972 FAW-5 Rota P-3B Med
10 Jan 1973 6 Jun 1973 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Jul 1975 Feb 1976 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
Oct 1976* Mar 1977 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Oct 1976* Mar 1977 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
8 Feb 1978* 8 Aug 1978 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
8 Feb 1978* 8 Aug 1978 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
Jul 1979* Dec 1979 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
Jul 1979* Dec 1979 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
4 Nov 1980* 12 May 1981 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
4 Nov 1980* 12 May 1981 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
5 Aug 1982 12 Jan 1983 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
5 Oct 1983 13 Mar 1984 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
Feb 1985* 15 Jul 1985 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
Feb 1985* 15 Jul 1985 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
27 Oct 1985 8 Dec 1985 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UII.5 Carib
24 May 1986 10 Nov 1986 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII.5 NorLant
72 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

27 May 1943 Jun 1944 FAW-5 Bermuda PBM-3S Lan

10 Dec 1987* 10 Jun 1988 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII.5 Med
10 Dec 1987* 10 Jun 1988 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII.5 Lant
2 May 1989 9 Nov 1989 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII.5 NorLant
2 Dec 1990* 10 Jun 1991 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Med
5 Dec 1990* 10 Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII.5 Gulf
1 Jul 1992 Feb 1993 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UII.5 Carib
Sep 1992 Jan 1993 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII.5 Med
24 Jan 1994 17 Jun 1994 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UII.5 Carib
Jul 1995 Jan 1996 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
Feb 1997 Aug 1997 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-5/FAW-5 ** 1 Sep 1942 NUC 5 Oct 1983 14 Mar 1984
Commander Bermuda Air Group Aug 1943 Det 17 Jan 1991 28 Feb 1991
FAW-5 8 Jun 1944 Det 8 Feb 1978 9 Aug 1978
FAW-12 12 Jun 1944 MUC 2 Mar 1970 17 Jul 1970
FAW-3 12 Jul 1944 25 Oct 1970 26 Feb 1971
FAW-12 27 Jul 1944 13 Feb 1977 22 May 1977
FAW-3 29 May 1945 11 Jul 1979 4 Dec 1979
FAW-11 MA* 15 Mar 1946 11 Aug 1982 12 Jan 1983
FAW-5 MA/HD†/ LC‡ Dec 1947 24 May 1986 10 Nov 1986
FAW-3 LC Mar 1958 Det 11 Jan 1976 30 Jan 1976
FAW-5/PatWing-5§ LC Jul 1961 NAVE 1 Jan 1982 31 Dec 1982
SASM 5 Dec 1990 10 Mar 1991
* The squadron remained a part of FAW-11, but was assigned the tail
JMUA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990
code MA on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from MA to HD on 4 August 10 Oct 1991 6 Dec 1991
1948.
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from HD to LC in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
§ FAW-5 was redesignated Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) and COM-

PATWINGSLANT, a dual-hatted command, on 1 July 1973. PatWing-5

became a separate command on 1 July 1974.
** PatWing-5 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5 (FAW-5) on 1

November 1942.

A close up of a
squadron P2V
tail showing
the squadron’s
fourth insignia
and its tail
code LC.

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail showing the squadron’s fifth in-

signia and its tail code LC.
 CHAPTER 3 73

A photo of VP-8 personnel and its P-3 in the background.

74 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

orange, rust, green and red. The design was approved

Second VP-9 by CNO on 11 July 1951, and remained in use until
1954.
The second insignia of VP-9 was approved by CNO
Lineage on 15 June 1954. The quality and aspect of the art-
work reflected its Disney Hollywood studio origins.
Established as Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) on 15
March 1951, the second squadron to be assigned the
VP-9 designation.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

Patrol Squadron 9 devised its first insignia shortly This is a copy of
the squadron’s sec-
after its establishment in 1951. The insignia depicted ond insignia devel-
the squadron’s primary duty of mining “with a chain oped into a patch.
of nine mines encircling the globe, the Navy wing for
the branch of service, and the globe signifying round-
the-world operations.” Colors: background, gray with
blue border; wings, red and gold; pole, red and white,
mines, black; globe, blue, green, tan and white; rays,

The squadron’s first

insignia depicted its The circular patch had a muscular-looking cartoon
primary mission of eagle standing on a cloud with a 5-inch rocket in a
mining.
raised right wing, poised to hurl the missile at a
periscope emerging from the waves below. The eagle
reflected the bird of prey favored by the squadron,
and the missile was the primary weapon against its
submarine prey. The designation Patron Nine was lo-
cated in a banner at the bottom of the design. Colors:
background, sky blue; water, dark blue; eagle, brown
with yellow beak and feet; missile, red; periscope,
brown; banner, red with white letters.
The third insignia of VP-9 was adopted in 1984 after
the squadron had completed Harpoon modifications
to the P-3C aircraft. The decision to modernize and
streamline the insignia was based on the inordinate

The squadron’s
third insignia used
a stylized eagle
design.

The second approved insignia used by the squadron was a cartoon

design depicting an eagle.
 CHAPTER 3 75

amount of time and effort required to paint the previ-

ous multicolored insignia on squadron aircraft. The
new insignia sported a stylized eagle in profile with
upthrust wings carrying the Harpoon missile in its
claws. This updated insignia was approved by CNO
on 15 January 1985. Colors: eagle, gold with black
eye; harpoon body gold with dark brown fins and
trim; background, white; trim around insignia, gold.
Nickname: Golden Eagles, 1969–present.

Chronology of Significant Events

15 Mar 1951: VP-9 was established at NAS Seattle,
Wash., flying the P4Y-2 (PB4Y-2) Privateer. Fleet
A squadron SP-2H at NAS Alameda, July 1963 (Courtesy of William
Aircraft Service Squadron 895 at NAS Sand Point, L. Swisher Collection).
Seattle, Wash., undertook training of the squadron’s
new crews.
Feb 1952: VP-9 was given a permanent change of the only incident in which the Soviet Union admitted
station to NAS Alameda, Calif., under operational con- any responsibility.
trol of FAW-4. The squadron flew the P4Y-2/2S with 15 May 1958: VP-9 deployed to the Aleutians,
improved radar. based at Kodiak, Alaska, with detachments at Adak
27 Jun 1952: VP-9 deployed to NAF Iwakuni, and Fairbanks. The squadron made a series of ex-
Japan. During this deployment a detachment was sent ploratory flights over the Polar ice cap to aid the sub-
to Korea to aid in UN operations. VP-9 aircraft oper- marine Nautilus (SSN 571) in her historic polar pene-
ated in conjunction with USMC night-fighter F7F air- tration.
craft, dropping parachute flares to light North Korean 21 Apr 1960: The squadron assisted the USAF in lo-
roads, bridges, supply dumps and convoys to aid the cating a B-58 Hustler bomber that crashed into the
attacking F7Fs. Great Salt Lake. A VP-9 P2V-7 located the sunken
Jan 1953: VP-9 turned in its PB4Y-2 Privateer wreckage using Magnetic Airborne Detection (MAD)
bombers for new P2V-2 Neptune aircraft. Conversion equipment.
training was completed by September 1953. Feb 1962: VP-9 aircraft began receiving the
Sep 1953: VP-9 was deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan, AN/ASA-16 integrated display system, an upgrade of
minus 12 of its newly trained pilots who had just been existing submarine detection equipment.
released from active duty due to the cessation of hos- 13 Jul 1962: Six aircraft of VP-9 participated with
tilities with North Korea on 27 July 1953. the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron 407 in an ASW
22 Jun 1955: While patrolling in the Aleutians area, exercise off the coast of British Columbia.
a P2V-5 (BuNo 131515) of VP-9 based at NAS Kodiak, 1 Dec 1963: VP-9 was given a change of permanent
Alaska, was attacked by two Russian MiG-15s. The duty station from NAS Alameda to NAS Moffett Field,
Neptune’s starboard engine was hit and caught fire, Calif. During December the squadron began the transi-
forcing the crew to crash on St. Lawrence Island near tion to the P-3A.
Gambell in the Bering Sea. There were no fatalities to 12 Nov 1964: VP-9 deployed to WestPac, based at
the crew of 11, but four were injured by MiG gunfire Naha, Okinawa, patrolling the Formosan Straits, South
and six others were hurt in the crash landing. This is China Sea, Yellow Sea and Philippine Sea. The deploy-
ment marked the first operational use of the P-3A in
WestPac.
4 Dec 1964: A squadron P-3A, BuNo. 150508, and
crew were lost over the South China Sea after a flare
ignited a fire inside the aircraft.
17 Jan 1966: The squadron received its first P-3B
Orion, the first assigned to a West Coast operational
squadron. The ninth and final P-3B was received on
11 May 1967.
25 Jul–4 Dec 1966: VP-9 deployed to NAF Naha,
Okinawa, under the operational control of
Commander Task Force 72. The deployment marked
the first operational use of the P-3B Orion in the
A squadron P2V at NAS Atsugi, Japan, 1954. Western Pacific. A detachment was sent to Tainan,
76 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3B in flight with Bullpup missiles under the wings, February 1969. Note the squadron’s insignia on both the tail and nose of the aircraft.

Taiwan, for one week commencing 4 December 1966 5 May 1972: The squadron deployed a six-aircraft
to participate in Operation Yankee Team. The joint detachment to NAS Cubi Point, R.P., marking the last
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy operation inaugurated on patrols for VP-9 in the combat zone during the
21 May 1963, provided low-level aerial reconnaissance Vietnam Conflict. The detachment augmented the VP
of suspected Communist infiltration routes in eastern units tasked with ocean surveillance air patrols in rela-
and southern Laos. tionship to the mining of North Vietnamese harbors
9 Sep–1 Oct 1968: A detachment of three squadron and the corresponding movement of Communist bloc
aircraft was maintained at NAS Agana, Guam, in sup- ships.
port of the Acoustic Survey of the Philippine Sea. The 1 Jul–Oct 1976: VP-9 began the transition to the
survey was completed on 1 October 1968 and the air- new P-3C UI aircraft. The transition training was pro-
craft and crews returned to NAS Moffet Field, Calif.. vided by VP-31 and continued through early
Feb 1969: VP-9 aircraft were retrofitted to make September. The squadron’s inventory of P-3B aircraft
them Bullpup missile capable. was turned over to VP-8. The squadron’s full comple-
1 Apr–10 Aug 1969: VP-9 relieved VP-47 at NS ment of nine new aircraft was reached in October.
Sangley Point, R.P., and at Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. 10 May 1978: VP-9 deployed to Adak, Alaska.
Operational control was under FAW-8 until 4 August During the six-month deployment the squadron flew
1969, when relieved by FAW-10. On 5 August the reconnaissance patrols, ASW missions and surveillance
squadron relocated to Cam Ranh Bay for watch duties. coverage for over 10-million square miles of ocean.
During the deployment the squadron conducted 26 Oct 1978: While on a routine patrol mission
Market Time patrols of the Tonkin Gulf and coastal Crew 6, in a P-3C, BuNo. 159892, ditched in heavy
waters of South Vietnam. On 7 August the detachment seas off the Aleutians due to an engine fire. Four of
at Cam Rahn Bay came under Viet Cong rocket attack the 14 crew aboard perished before being rescued by
with no damage resulting to squadron aircraft or per- the Soviet Vessel Mys Senyavina. The survivors were
sonnel. The aircraft were immediately dispersed to taken to Petropavlovak and returned to U.S. custody
Sangley Point and U-Tapao, Thailand, until 10 August. on 5 November 1978.
31 May 1969: VP-9 participated in SEATO exercise 27 Jun–Nov 1979: VP-9 deployed to NAF Misawa,
Sea Spirit, which was abruptly terminated on 2 June Japan. During the next month the squadron flew 125
1969 with the collision of the Frank E. Evans (DD 754) sorties in support of exercise Multiplex 6-79. In August
and HMAS Melbourne. the squadron was called upon to support CTG 72.3 in
29 Jul 1971: VP-9 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, the humanitarian effort to locate and rescue South
Japan, with a detachment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. Vietnamese refugees. During the month of November
 CHAPTER 3 77

the squadron participated in joint exercises with the 2 Nov 1986–Jan 1987: The Golden Eagles de-
Japanese Defense Forces and South Korean forces. ployed for six months to WestPac, based at Misawa,
10 Oct 1981: A squadron detachment of three air- Japan. The squadron was the first to deploy with the
craft deployed to Adak, Alaska, and another three-air- AN/APS-137 Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR),
craft det deployed to Kadena AFB, Okinawa, on the which reduced the size of the electronics package
same day. The latter detachment returned in late through microminiaturization and presented a greatly
December 1981 and the former in February 1982, after improved operator interface. In January 1987 the
months of diverse missions in very different climates. squadron was based at NAS Cubi Point, R.P., during
10 Jan 1984: The Golden Eagles deployed to Diego the Sea Siam 87-1 and Team Spirit 2-87 exercises.
Garcia and maintained a detachment in Kadena. The
Remote sites at Guam, Midway, Korea and Okinawa
squadron established a new precedent on the deploy-
were visited during this period.
ment by becoming the first patrol squadron to operate
20 Sep 1989: VP-9, while deployed to Eielson AFB,
detachments out of Berbera, Somalia, and Al Masirah,
Oman. Alaska, received a modified P-3C, aircraft side number
1 Jun 1985: VP-9 was the first “full” squadron to PD-01, with the “Outlaw Hunter” satellite communica-
deploy to NAS Adak, Alaska, in over 13 years. Adak tion and navigation gear for testing and operational
was reestablished as a Third Fleet forward-deployed evaluation.
site and VP-9 played a key role in the build-up of the 24 Oct 1989: The squadron’s complement of air-
Adak facilities to support a full patrol squadron. craft was reduced from nine to eight P-3Cs due to de-
During the deployment the squadron participated in creased operational funding.
Bering Sea mammal surveys and flights over the polar Jan–Mar 1991: Three VP-9 detachments were sent
ice cap to ensure safe navigational passage to Alaska’s to Panama on one-month deployments to assist the
North Slope. drug interdiction effort.

A squadron P-3C in flight, 1984.

78 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Seattle, Wash. 15 Mar 1951 CDR Delbert A. Ritchhart 25 Mar 1977
NAS Alameda, Calif. Feb 1952 CDR Byrons L. Powers 3 Mar 1978
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Dec 1963 CDR Peter H. Cressy 23 Mar 1979
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 20 Nov 1992 CDR Charles C. Nute 31 Mar 1980
CDR James L. Mattson 31 Mar 1981
Commanding Officers CDR R. J. Quinn 4 Mar 1982
CDR J. C. Wyatt III Mar 1983
Date Assumed Command CDR Nicholas P. Burhans 5 Jun1984
CDR M. B. Bailey 15 Mar 1951 CDR W. G. Bozin 16 May 1985
CDR J. B. Filson Apr 1952 CDR Philippe M. Lenfant 16 Jul1986
CDR M. T. Ebright Jan 1953 CDR David W. Stromquist 29 May 1987
CDR H. M. Murphy May 1954 CDR Christopher L. Weiss 27 May 1988
CDR T. H. T. Norris Aug 1955 CDR Thomas M. Feeks 27 May 1989
CDR M. A. Merrill Mar 1957 CDR P. E. Hallowell 27 May 1990
CDR R. F. Peterson 10 Mar 1958 CDR A. J. Ruoti May 1991
CDR V. Deitchman 25 Mar 1959 CDR K. A. Morrell, Jr. 14 May 1992
CDR C. H. Cox 29 Apr 1960
CDR S. C. Lavender 14 May 1993
CDR T. L. Healey 28 Apr 1961
CDR John V. Plehal 1994
CDR R. C. Schubert 9 Mar 1962
CDR Brendan L. Gray 5 May 1995
CDR J. T. Freeman 12 Mar 1963
CDR J. F. Kurfess 10 Jan 1964 CDR T. K. Hohl 24 May 1996
CDR R. A. Dunning Dec 1964
CDR James H. B. Smith 3 Dec 1965 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Richard B. Mahon 30 Nov 1966
CDR Gordon J. Schuller 1 Nov 1967 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Roger G. Booth 24 Jul 1968 P4Y-2 Mar 1951
CDR L. Phillips, Jr. 8 Jul 1969 P4Y-2/2S Jun 1952
CDR M. F. Pasztalaniec Apr 1970 P2V-2 Jan 1953
CDR Noel Melville 31 Mar 1971 P2V-7 1960
CDR B. J. Adams 30 Mar 1972 SP-2H Dec 1962
CDR R. F. Marryott 30 Mar 1973 P-3A Dec 1963
CDR Patrick Cleary Mar 1974 P-3B Feb 1966
CDR Joseph Dressler 27 Mar 1975 P-3C UI Jul 1976
CDR Daniel M. Truax 13 Mar 1976 P-3C UIIIR Aug 1990

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jul 1951 Dec 1951 FAW-4 Kodiak P4Y-2 NorPac

Sep 1951 Feb 1952 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P4Y-2 WestPac
27 Jun 1952* 16 Nov 1952 FAW-6 Iwakuni P4Y-2S WestPac
Jul 1952* 3 Jan 1953 FAW-6 Pusan P4Y-2S WestPac
Sep 1953 Apr 1954 FAW-1 Atsugi P2V-2 WestPac
Jul 1955 Dec 1955 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac
31 Aug 1956 Mar 1957 FAW-1 Iwakuni P2V-2 WestPac
15 May 1958 30 Sep 1958 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac
Oct 1960 Nov 1960 FAW-4 Kodiak/Adak P2V-7 NorPac
13 Jul 1962 21 Jul 1962 FAW-4 B.C., Canada SP-2H NorPac
5 Sep 1962 30 Sep 1962 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. SP-2H WestPac
12 Nov 1964 8 Jul 1965 FAW-8 Naha P-3A WestPac
25 Jul 1966* 10 Jan 1967 FAW-8 Naha P-3B WestPac
25 Jun 1966* 12 Dec 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
4 Dec 1966 11 Dec 1966 FAW-8 Tainan P-3B WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 79

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Dec 1967 1 Jun 1968 FAW-4 Adak P-3B NorPac

9 Sep 1968 1 Oct 1968 FAW-8 Agana P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1969* 1 Oct 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1969* 1 Oct 1969 FAW-8 Cam Rahn P-3B WestPac
Jun 1970* Nov 1970 FAW-10 Adak P-3B NorPac
Jun 1970* Nov 1970 FAW-8 Agana P-3B WestPac
29 Jul 1971* 11 Feb 1972 FAW-8 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
Dec 1971* 11 Feb 1972 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B IO
5 May 1972 24 Jul 1972 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. P-3B WestPac
4 Jan 1973 31 Jul 1973 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
Jun 1974 10 Feb 1975 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
1 Dec 1975 10 Jun 1976 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B WestPac
Jul 1977 Dec 1977 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
10 May 1978 10 Nov 1978 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
27 Jun 1979 10 Jan 1980 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
18 Sep 1980 10 Feb 1981 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UI NorLant
10 Oct 1981* Dec 1981 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UI NorPac

Two squadron P-3s in

flight near Great Sitkin
Mountain, Adak, Alaska.

10 Oct 1981* Feb 1982 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac

Aug 1982* Jan 1983 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
Aug 1982* Jan 1983 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
10 Jan 1984* 10 Jul 1984 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
10 Jan 1984* 10 Jul 1984 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
1 Jun 1985 10 Dec 1985 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UI NorPac
2 Nov 1986 11 May 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
Jul 1988 16 Jan 1989 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
30 Aug 1989 30 Sep 1989 PatWing-8 Eielson AFB P-3C UI NorPac
Feb 1990 Aug 1990 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
Jan 1991 Mar 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
24 Jul 1991 9 Aug 1991 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIIIR NorPac
8 Jun 1992* 12 Nov 1992 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
18 Jun 1992* 15 Nov 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIIIR NorPac
29 Oct 1993 May 1994 PatWing-1 Kadena/ P-3C UIIIR WestPac/IO
Masirah
May 1994 Nov 1995 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIIIR WestPac
Nov 1996* May 1997 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIIIR IO
Nov 1996* May 1997 PatWing-1 Bahrain P-3C UIIIR Gulf
Nov 1996* May 1997 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIIIR Gulf
* The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites during the deployment.
80 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail with the squadron’s third insignia

and tail code PD.

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

NUC 19 Mar 1967 1 Apr 1967
A close up of a squadron P-3 tail with the squadron’s second in- MUC 1 Dec 1967 31 May 1968
signia and tail code PD. 1 Jun 1970 30 Nov 1970
1 Jun 1971 20 Jul 1971
8 Dec 1981 8 Jan 1982
Wing Assignments (Cubi Det) 1 Feb 1972 15 Jul 1972
RVNGC 1 Mar 1969 30 Sep 1969
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date KSM 25 Jun 1952 5 Jan 1953
FAW-4 CB 15 Mar 1951 AFEM 1 Oct 1966 14 Jan 1967
FAW-2 CB Sep 1951 15 Apr 1969 15 May 1969
FAW-4 CB Feb 1952 HSM (Crew 11) 4 May 1990 5 May 1990
COMFAIRALAMEDA CB/PD† Jun 1953
FAW-10 PD 29 Jun 1963
COMPATWINGSPAC‡ PD 30 Jun 1973
PatWing-10 PD 1 Jun 1981
PatWing-2 PD 20 Nov 1992

† The squadron’s tail code was changed from CB to PD in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-10 was disestablished on 30 June 1973 and the squadron was

assigned to Commander Patrol Wings Pacific (COM- A VP-9 P-3C(U) on approach to NAS Moffett Field in May 1982
PATWINGSPAC). Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
 CHAPTER 3 81

Third VP-10 Chronology of Significant Events

Feb–Jun 1954: VP-10 deployed to various locations
in the Caribbean area during the unrest in Guatemala
and a tense revolutionary atmosphere in Central
Lineage
America. Detachments were located in the Azores, San
Established as Patrol Squadron TEN (VP-10) on 19 Juan, P.R., Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Key West, Fla.
March 1951, the third squadron to be assigned the VP- Oct 1954: VP-10 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland.
10 designation. During the period of Icelandic patrols, the squadron
was tasked with conversion from the P2V-5 to the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
In an effort to establish a link with the history of
the previous VP-10 (disestablished as VPB-23 on 25
January 1946), the squadron adopted the insignia
devised by the earlier organization upon its forma-
tion in 1930. The date on which the official insignia
of the squadron was accepted by CNO is unknown.
A compass rose with the Big Dipper and Polaris as

A squadron P2V in flight.

newer P2V-5F, which necessitated sending crews to

Burbank, Calif., to pick up the replacement aircraft at
the factory. The transition was completed prior to the
return of the squadron to NAS Brunswick in January
1955.
1957: VP-10 deployed to Argentia, Newfoundland.
During the deployment the squadron participated in
the annual exercise Operation Springboard at
Roosevelt Roads, P.R. Before returning to home base
in late 1957, the squadron flew to Thule, Greenland,
to collect valuable information on the location and
movement of ice formations in the northeast areas of
Canada and Greenland.
Jul 1958: VP-10 was split into two detachments.
One detachment deployed to Iceland with six aircraft
The squadron’s insignia was developed from a design used by a for- to plot the ice coverage over the Denmark Straits.
mer VP-10.
During the deployment the detachment visited
Norway, Denmark, Holland, England, Germany and
background encloses the circular design. A homing French Morocco. The second detachment flew to
torpedo is central (updated from the earlier design Lebanon and provided support during the Lebanon
of a Mark IV depth charge). Two pairs of lighting- Crisis. Following the end of the crisis, they visited
like radio waves are on either side of the torpedo at Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Libya and Malta.
the top, the radio being an essential element of Feb 1959: A three-aircraft detachment visited
long-range patrols. The background stars are the Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. A second detach-
navigator’s guide in celestial navigation. The tor- ment of three aircraft visited Brazil, Uruguay,
pedo signifies the squadron’s role in ASW. A banner Argentina and Dutch Guyana. The flights were in-
at the bottom of the design contains the designation tended to bolster the faltering democratic governments
“Patrol Squadron Ten.” Colors of the design: blue of South American allies with a demonstration of U.S.
field with white stars; radio waves and torpedo, yel- military power and the “long reach” of Navy patrol
low with tip of torpedo red; banner, blue, with yel- squadrons.
low letters. Sep 1960: VP-10 conducted a “Hurrivac,” flying to
Nickname: Red Lancers, 1968–present. Battle Creek, Mich., to escape Hurricane Donna. At the
82 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

end of the month, a part of the squadron deployed to Rico to take part in the annual Operation Springboard
Argentia, Newfoundland, for one week to assist the exercises at Roosevelt Roads. Upon completion, three
fleet in ASW exercises. aircraft deployed to Lajes, Azores, while the fourth re-
6–29 Jan 1961: VP-10 conducted a split deploy- joined the squadron at Keflavik.
ment with six aircraft deployed to Rota, Spain, and 15 Mar 1974: The squadron lost P-3B, BuNo.
five aircraft to Keflavik, Iceland. On 27 Jan 1961, the 152749, in a crash at sea 41 miles from NAS
Rota detachment received an unusual request from the Brunswick, Maine. The crash resulted in the death of
Portuguese government to assist in the search for all five crew members and ended the squadron’s
Santa Maria, a Portuguese luxury liner, the seized by record of 95,232 accident-free flying hours.
“pirates.” The detachment operated briefly from the 9 Aug 1978: VP-10 deployed to NAS Bermuda, dur-
Isle DeSal in the Cape Verde Islands from 27 to 29 ing which the squadron received a Meritorious Unit
January 1961, before Portuguese authorities captured Commendation for its achievements in tracking Soviet
the ship. submarines.
7 Nov 1961: A VP-10 P2V-5F Neptune flying on Jan–Sep 1980: The squadron began receiving the
ASW patrol crashed into the ocean with the loss of all updated P-3C UII aircraft at the rate of one per month.
11 crewmen. The squadron’s P-3Bs were transferred to fleet reserve
10 Oct 1962: VP-10 deployed a four-aircraft detach-
squadrons.
ment to Lajes AFB, Azores, in support of the Cuban
2 Jan 1980: A detachment of P-3B Orions of VP-10
Quarantine.
deployed to Rota, Spain, flew photoreconnaissance
13 Apr 1963: VP-10 flew SAR flights in an attempt
missions to locate areas damaged by an earthquake
to locate the missing nuclear submarine Thresher (SSN
which struck the Azores the day before, killing some
593). After several hours of searching, a squadron air-
craft spotted an oil slick at 41°43'N 64°57'W and ra- 50 people and injuring another 500.
dioed the position to surface vessels involved in the 26 Jul 1981: VP-10 deployed to NAS Keflavik,
search. Remote submersible cameras located the Iceland. During the deployment the squadron was en-
wreckage, but all hands were lost. gaged in operation Ocean Venture against numerous
30 Jan 1966: VP-10 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland, friendly “targets.” One of the players in the exercise
relieving VP-21. A detachment of the squadron also turned out to be a Soviet Papa-class submarine that
deployed to Argentia, Newfoundland. VP-10 was the had wandered into the area while trying to conduct
first patrol squadron on that station with the P-3A surveillance of the NATO surface activities. The suc-
Orion. The squadron transitioned to the newer P-3B cessful exposure of the submarine and the squadron’s
upon return from deployment in June. general performance during the deployment earned
13 Jan 1967: VP-10 deployed to Keflavik with five VP-10 a Meritorious Unit Commendation from the
of its new P-3Bs. Four other crews deployed to Puerto Secretary of the Navy.

A squadron P-3B in flight over the Arctic, 1967.

 CHAPTER 3 83

25 Oct–2 Nov 1983: VP-10 provided several aircraft Santo Domingo attempting to off-load 2,930 pounds of
and crews for patrols in the vicinity of Grenada during pure cocaine.
Operation Urgent Fury in which U.S. forces deployed 1 Jun 1991: VP-10 deployed to Sigonella, Sicily,
to Grenada to protect the lives of Americans on the and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The deployment had origi-
island. nally been planned for the Caribbean, but two factors
13 Sep 1989: A VP-10 P-3C Orion deployed on changed those plans abruptly at the last moment: the
anti-drug patrol in the Puerto Rico operating area spot- disestablishment of VP-44 and Operation Desert
ted a suspicious ship in the offshore waters of the Storm. In 4,500 accident-free flight hours during de-
Dominican Republic. Authorities were notified and the ployment, the squadron flew the equivalent of 6.5
suspects were caught on the beach 11 miles from times around the earth.

A squadron P-3C with a Harpoon missile under its wing being escorted by a TA-4J from VC-8, February 1996.

Home Port Assignments Home Port Assignments—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Location Date of Assignment

NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 10 Mar 1951 NAS Brunswick, Maine Feb 1952

A squadron P-3C firing a

Harpoon missile, February
1996.
84 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR C. W. Craven 19 Mar 1951 CDR D. P. Hickman 24 Nov 1981
CDR A. H. Henderson, Jr. 29 May 1952 CDR D. B. Bellamy 16 Nov 1982
CDR D. C. Carmichael Jul 1953 CDR John E. Kane 17 Feb 1984
CDR R. J. Fleming 26 Aug 1954 CDR N. L. Spires 31 May 1985
CDR W. E. Scarborough Mar 1955 CDR C. T. Butler Aug 1986
CDR E. L. Moss Jul 1956 CDR Perry J. Martini Sep 1987
CDR W. W. Lape 18 Dec 1957 CDR John D. Roberts 3 Aug 1988
CDR W. T. Rapp 2 Dec 1958 CDR James A. Carman, Jr. 8 Sep 1989
CDR R. A. Kimener 29 Jan 1960 CDR Peter A. Masciangelo 12 Sep 1990
CDR T. J. Brady 7 Feb 1961 CDR Carl P. Norton 6 Sep 1991
CDR Jens B. Hansen 9 Jan 1962 CDR Duane J. Phillips 4 Sep 1992
CDR E. Luka 28 Jan 1963 CDR Keith F. Koon 21 Oct 1993
CDR D. E. Gately 9 Jan 1964 CDR Thomas J. Arminio 30 Sep 1994
CDR K. W. Sharer 20 Nov 1964 CDR Frank M. Munoz 8 Sep 1995
CDR L. R. Roberts, Jr. 18 Nov 1965 CDR Glen O. Woods 13 Sep 1996
CDR K. J. Bernstein 21 Sep 1966 CDR David C. Johnson 1997
CDR J. G. Redmond 3 Aug 1967 CDR Richard W. Goodwyn 26 Jun 1998
CDR Thomas K. Anaston, Jr. 26 Jul 1968
CDR Robert L. Williamson 15 Jul 1969
Aircraft Assignment
CDR Robert L. Latta 28 May 1970
CDR Joseph A. Pertel 30 Dec 1970 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR R. J. Wallace Dec 1971
P2V-2 Mar 1951
CDR J. R. Sheets 10 Dec 1972
P2V-3 1952
CDR R. J. Lanning 7 Dec 1973
P2V-5 1954
CDR N. E. Koehler III 20 Dec 1974
P2V-5F Dec 1954
CDR D. F. Parker 5 Dec 1975
P2V-5F Mod Oct 1960
CDR P. W. Wright 3 Dec 1976
P-3A Jul 1965
CDR F. W. Gullett 2 Dec 1977
P-3B Jan 1967
CDR K. D. Sullivan 14 Nov 1978
P-3C UII Jan 1980
CDR J. M. Kaiser 16 Nov 1979 P-3C UII.5 1993
CDR E. B. Darsey 21 Nov 1980 P-3C UIIIR 1995

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jul 1953 15 Jan 1954 FAW-3 Malta P2V-2 Med

Feb 1954 Jun 1954 FAW-11 Puerto R. P2V-5 Carib
Oct 1954 2 Jan 1955 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
Nov 1955 Feb 1956 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
1957 1957 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
Jul 1958* Nov 1958 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
Jul 1958* Nov 1958 FAW-3 Malta P2V-5F Med
Feb 1959 Apr 1959 FAW-11 Pan-American P2V-5F SoLant
19 Aug 1959 25 Jan 1960 FAW-3 Rota P2V-5F Med
Sep 1960 Sep 1960 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
6 Jan 1961 31 Mar 1961 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F Mod NorLant
7 Apr 1962 Aug 1962 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F Mod NorLant
10 Oct 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-3 Lajes P2V-5F Mod Lant
Jun 1963 Aug 1963 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F Mod NorLant
1 Nov 1963 9 Apr 1964 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-5F Mod Med
Aug 1964 Jan 1965 FAW-11 Key West P2V-5F Mod Carib
30 Jan 1966 Jun 1966 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3A NorLant
13 Jan 1967 15 Jul 1967 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
 CHAPTER 3 85

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

4 Jun 1968* 4 Dec 1968 FAW-3 Argentia P-3B NorLant

4 Jun 1968* 4 Dec 1968 FAW-3 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Jun 1969 Nov 1969 FAW-3 Rota P-3B Med
22 Feb 1970 17 Jul 1970 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
26 Feb 1971 9 Jul 1971 FAW-3 Sigonella P-3B Med
13 Dec 1972 21 Jan 1973 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
31 Jul 1973 9 Jan 1974 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B Med
26 Aug 1974* 23 Jan 1975 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
26 Aug 1974* 23 Jan 1975 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
2 Feb 1976* 29 Jun 76 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
2 Feb 1976* 29 Jun 1976 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
4 May 1977* 20 Oct 1977 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
4 May 1977* 20 Oct 1977 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
9 Aug 1978 2 Feb 1979 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
3 Dec 1979* 7 May 1980 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
3 Dec 1979* 7 May 1980 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
26 Jul 1981 26 Jan 1982 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
8 Dec 1982 11 May 1983 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
9 Apr 1984 11 Sep 1984 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
11 Jul 1985 18 Dec 1985 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
10 Dec 1986* May 1987 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
10 Dec 1986* May 1987 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
10 May 1988 10 Nov 1988 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
13 Sep 1989 Oct 1989 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UII Carib
Dec 1989* 23 Jun 1990 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
Dec 1989* 23 Jun 1990 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1 Jun 1991* 29 Nov 1991 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII Gulf
1 Jun 1991* 29 Nov 1991 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
Feb 1993 Jul 1993 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds P-3C UII.5 Carib
Jul 1994 Jan 1995 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Carib
Feb 1996 Aug 1996 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Aug 1997* Feb 1998 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Aug 1997* Feb 1998 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIIIR Carib
Aug 1997* Feb 1998 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-11 HK 10 Mar 1951 NUC 15 Nov 1967 2 Jul 1968
FAW-3 HK/LD† Feb 1952 15 Dec 1982 11 May 1983
FAW-5/PatWing-5‡ LD 1 Jul 1971 MUC 28 Jun 1968 27 Jul 1968
†
8 Apr 1970 15 Apr 1970
The squadron’s tail code was changed from HK to LD in 1957. The
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 30 Jul 1973 9 Jan 1974
1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-5 was redesignated PatWing-5 and COMPATWINGSLANT on 1
29 Mar 1976 30 Apr 1976
July 1973, a dual hatted command. On 1 July 1974 Patrol Wing 5 9 Aug 1978 8 Feb 1979
(PatWing-5) was established as a separate command. 30 Jul 1981 26 Jan 1982
5 Apr 1984 12 Sep 1984
9 Dec 1986 9 Jun 1987
(Cuba Det) 18 Sep 1978 23 Sep 1978
A VP-10 P-3B at (Panama Det) 18 Sep 1978 30 Sep 1978
NAS Moffett Field in
June 1979 (Courtesy
AFEM 4 Oct 1962 31 Dec 1962
Rick R. Burgress (Part.Aircrew) 23 Oct 1983 21 Nov 1983
Collection). JMUA 5 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990
10 May 1991 9 Nov 1991
86 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Fourth VP-11

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11) on
15 May 1952, the fourth squadron to be assigned the
VP-11 designation.
Disestablished on 15 January 1997.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The insignia of VP-11 was adopted from an earlier
squadron with the same designation (VP-11, later
VPB-11) that was disestablished on 20 June 1945. The
central figure of the
circular design was
Pegasus, a flying horse A close up of a squadron P4Y-2 showing personnel installing a .50
caliber machine gun in a side turret, 1952.
from Greek mythol-
ogy. Like Pegasus, the
patrol aircraft was a Nov 1960–Mar 1961: VP-11 participated in under-
mighty winged crea- water sound tests (Project Breezeway) with the Office
ture capable of flying of Naval Research from November to December 1960.
great distances to carry The squadron was again called upon to assist in tests
out its mission. At the of new sonobuoy equipment during January to March
bottom of the design 1961.
was a scroll with the 8 Feb 1962: A detachment of VP-11 at NAS
The squadron’s insignia was devel- squadron’s designa- Argentia, Newfoundland, began ice reconnaissance
oped from a design used by a former flights over the Gulf of St. Lawrence to aid in evaluat-
VP-11.
tion Patron Eleven.
Colors: Pegasus, white ing satellite readings of the ice formations transmitted
with gold wings; background, navy blue; piping, gold; by Tiros 4 which was put into orbit the same day.
letters, gold. 24 Oct–14 Nov 1962: VP-11 deployed to Argentia,
Nickname: Lovin’ Eleven, 1981. Newfoundland, on 12 hours’ notice during the Cuban
Pegasus, 1982–1997. Missile Crisis. Surveillance flights totaling 1,065 flying
hours were conducted through 14 November 1962.
6 May–19 Aug 1965: VP-11 conducted around-the-
Chronology of Significant Events clock surveillance operations with nine aircraft operat-
15 May 1952: VP-11 was established at NAS ing out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the
Quonset Point, R.I., with a complement of 12 P4Y-2 Dominican Republic Crisis. Operations ceased on 3
patrol aircraft (a redesignated Privateer PB4Y-2 June 1965 and all but four aircraft returned to NAS
bomber, with the B for bomber dropped in favor of its Brunswick. The remaining four aircraft and crews con-
new patrol designation). tinued surveillance in the Caribbean until 19 August
Jan–Jun 1953: VP-11 conducted its first deployment 1965.
to Argentia, Newfoundland. Upon return, the 12 Oct 1967: VP-11 deployed to NAF Keflavik,
squadron was assigned new Neptune P2V-5s as re- Iceland. The squadron was awarded a Navy Unit
placements for the WWII vintage Privateers. Commendation for its ASW activities during that pe-
riod of operations. It was the first time the award had
been given to a patrol squadron not in a combat zone.
14–26 Sep 1969: Elements of VP-11 participated in
a NATO exercise Operation Squeezeplay, conducted
from St. Mawgan, England.
23 Jul 1972: VP-11 received emergency deployment
orders to WestPac. The squadron departed NAS
Brunswick for NAS Cubi Point, R.P., arriving 26 July. A
small detachment was maintained at RTNB U-Tapao,
Thailand. Upon arrival in the Philippines the
A couple of squadron P4Y-2s in flight, circa 1953. squadron’s deployment was greatly impeded by a
 CHAPTER 3 87

A squadron P-3B in flight, 1974.

record rainfall of 74.4 inches. Despite the difficulties, 12 Nov 1981: VP-11 sent five crews to NS Roosevelt
the squadron was able to conduct assigned sector pa- Roads to participate in READEX 1-82. During the exer-
trols of the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin. For cise the squadron had its first opportunity to fire a
its humanitarian efforts during disaster relief opera- “live” Harpoon missile, successfully hitting the target.
tions in the Philippines, the squadron was awarded a 13 Dec 1985–24 May 1986: VP-11 deployed to NS
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Keflavik, Iceland, returning to NAS Brunswick on 24
25 Oct 1973: The last P-3B DIFAR upgrade on the May 1986. During the deployment the squadron col-
squadron’s aircraft was completed on this date. VP-11 lected environmental data on the Marginal Ice Zone,
was the last East Coast P-3 squadron to be fitted with and tested the efficiency of ice-penetrating sonobouys.
DIFAR, which replaced the 10-year-old JULIE system
for detection and tracking of submarines.
14 Apr 1975: VP-11 conducted a split deployment
to Rota, Spain, and Lajes, Azores. During the deploy-
ment the squadron hosted officers from Canada, Iran
and Norway to familiarize them with the P-3 and it op-
erational capabilities.
15 Oct 1977: VP-11 deployed to Rota, Spain, and
Lajes, Azores. On 11 December 1977, one of the
squadron’ P-3Bs, BuNo. 153428, crashed into a moun-
tain on Hierro Island, Canary Islands; all 13 crew
members were lost. A VP-11 P-3B at NAS Glenview in February 1980 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection).
26 Jul 1978: Squadron detachments participated in
UNITAS operations and visited seven South American
countries during the excercises. 9 Jun 1987: The squadron conducted a split de-
23 Jan 1979: VP-11 conducted a split deployment ployment to Rota, Spain, and Lajes, Azores. During op-
to Rota, Spain, and Lajes, Azores. During the deploy- erations in the Mediterranean Sea the squadron had
ment the opportunity was taken to run exercise simu- numerous practice attack simulations against Iowa bat-
lations against the Soviet Kiev and Minsk battle groups tle group and the Soviet Kiev battle group—the former
present in the Mediterranean Sea. willingly, the latter unknowingly.
24 Jul 1979: Commander G. T. Martinsen, the 10 Nov 1988: VP-11 deployed to NAS Keflavik,
squadron’s commanding officer, died of a myocardial Iceland. The first two months of the deployment were
infarction during a squadron briefing at NAS during the worst weather conditions on record for
Brunswick, Maine. Commander J. M. Evans, executive over a decade; never-the-less, squadron P-3s per-
officer, acceded to command. formed all assigned missions. By the end of the de-
2 Feb 1981: Phase I in the transition from the P-3B ployment 744 sorties had been flown, with 17 frontline
DIFAR to the P-3C UII began with the training of the Soviet submarines contacted.
first increment of four VP-11 crews at NAS Jun 1989: A detachment of eight aircraft deployed
Jacksonville, Fla. VP-30 conducted the transition train- to NAS Key West, Fla., to assist in anti-drug operations
ing for VP-11. with Joint Task Force Four. The detachment flew over
88 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Two squadron P-3Cs in flight, circa early 1990s.

300 hours in support of task force operations, resulting 15 Jan–2 Aug 1997: VP-11 was disestablished. The
in severe disruption of the drug smuggling routes into disestablishment ceremony was held at NAS
the U.S. Brunswick, Maine, on 2 August 1997.
10 Jun 1990: VP-11 deployed to NAF Sigonella,
Sicily. During the deployment the squadron flew nu-
Home Port Assignments
merous missions in support of Operation Desert
Shield, which began on 2 August 1990. Two detach- Location Date of Assignment
ments were maintained for Operation Desert Shield NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 15 May 1952
support, one at Souda Bay, Crete, the other at Jeddah, NAS Brunswick, Maine 1954
Saudi Arabia.
4 Jan 1992: VP-11 conducted a split deployment to
NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., and NAF Rota, Spain. The Commanding Officers
detachment at Roosevelt Roads flew many missions in
Date Assumed Command
support of national drug control strategy. As the lead
squadron, the detachment was responsible for the de- CDR J. Weiss 15 May 1952
tection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of CDR H. Hines Oct 1953
illegal drugs into the U.S. The detachment’s participa- CDR J. S. Kilner, Jr. Oct 1954
tion in the operation resulted in the seizure of 10,000 CDR William M. Hodges Nov 1955
kilos of cocaine and 20 tons of marijuana. CDR W. B. Oliver Jan 1957
1993: VP-11 conducted another split deployment CDR D. Lawson 27 May 1958
with detachments at Sigonella, Sicily, and Jeddah, CDR J. H. Burton 8 Jun 1959
Saudi Arabia. The squadron flew over 250-armed sor- CDR Vance E. Horswell 13 Jun 1960
ties in the Adriatic Sea in support of UN resolutions CDR William L. Hudspeth 20 Jun 1961
against the former Republic of Yugoslavia. The CDR Raymond G. Neal 21 Jun 1962
squadron was the first to carry the new AGM-65 CDR R. A. Gaul 6 Jun 1963
Maverick missile on patrol aircraft. CDR James P. Richardson 17 Jul 1964
17 Jun 1994: VP-11 deployed to NS Roosevelt CDR J. E. Klause 6 May 1965
Roads, P.R. During the deployment the squadron flew CDR R. R. Falkenstein 6 May 1966
numerous missions in support of the U.S. Coast Guard CDR R. D. Hartell May 1967
and U.S. Customs Service. Operations resulted in 29 CDR W. S. Myers May 1968
interdictions, 13 vessels seized and 77 narcotics traf- CDR R. Gradel 2 Jul 1969
fickers arrested. A total of 12,000 kilos of cocaine and CDR S. G. Boyett 26 Jun 1970
45,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street CDR Robert C. Crawford 15 Jun 1971
value of over $1 billion was destroyed. CDR C. F. Hendrickson, Jr. 6 Jun 1972
CDR W. A. O’Neil 15 Jun 1973
 CHAPTER 3 89

Commanding Officers—Continued Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

CDR Josef S. Kuckelkorn 28 Jun 1974 P4Y-2 May 1952
CDR Robert L. Prehn 30 Jun 1975 P2V-5 Jun 1953
CDR David A. Hilty 28 Jun 1976 P2V-7 1956
CDR M. J. Bartolomei 30 Jun 1977 SP-2H Dec 1962
CDR E. M. Brittingham 29 Jun 1978 P-3B Jan 1967
CDR G. T. Martinsen 5 Jun 1979 P-3B DIFAR Oct 1973
CDR John M. Evans 24 Jul 1979 P-3C UII 1981
CDR Glenn W. Ritchey, Jr. 5 Sep 1980 P-3C UII.5 1993
CDR R. S. Noce 6 Aug 1981
CDR J. R. Ryan 13 Aug 1982
CDR Robert G. Nolan 19 Nov 1983
CDR Rocklin E. Gmeiner, Jr. 19 Feb 1985
CDR Gregory A. Markwell 28 Jun 1986
CDR David A. Larson 1987
CDR Donald K. Miskill, Jr. 12 Aug 1988
CDR Robert P. Scott 1989
CDR John R. Miller Aug 1990
CDR John P. Horsman, Jr. Aug 1991
CDR Alex S. Hill 13 Aug 1992
CDR Anthony L. Winns 24 Jul 1993
CDR Paul J. C. Hulley 29 Jul 1994
CDR David A. Williams 7 Jul 1995 A squadron P2V in flight, circa late 1950s.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jan 1953 Jun 1953 FAW-3 Argentia P4Y-2 NorLant

Jan 1954 Jun 1954 FAW-3 Malta P2V-5 Med
Apr 1955 Sep 1955 FAW-3 Malta P2V-5 Med
1956 1956 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7 Med
17 Oct 1957 24 Feb 1958 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7 Med
1 Mar 1959 22 Aug 1959 FAW-3 Rota P2V-7 Med
Feb 1960 Mar 1960 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
7 Aug 1960* 8 Jan 1961 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
7 Aug 1960* 8 Jan 1961 FAW-3 Sicily P2V-7 Med
24 Oct 1962 14 Nov 1962 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-7 NorLant
9 Feb 1963* 2 Jul 1963 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
9 Feb 1963* 2 Jul 1963 FAW-3 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
Mar 1964 May 1964 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
29 Aug 1964 2 Feb 1965 FAW-3 Sicily SP-2H Med
6 May 1965 19 Aug 1965 FAW-11 Cuba SP-2H Carib
27 Jan 1966 7 Jul 1966 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
12 Oct 1967 Mar 1968 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
25 Feb 1969* 27 Jun 1969 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
25 Feb 1969* 27 Jun 1969 FAW-3 Lajes P-3B Lant
3 Feb 1970 2 Mar 1970 FAW-3 Bermuda P-3B Lant
12 Jul 1970 13 Nov 1970 FAW-3 Lajes P-3B NorLant
29 Jun 1971 15 Dec 1971 FAW-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B Med
23 Jul 1972* 8 Nov 1972 FAW-8 Cubi P-3B WestPac
23 Jul 1972* 8 Nov 1972 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
Jan 1973 Mar 1973 FAW-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B Med
1 Nov 1973 25 Mar 1974 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B DIFAR Lant
14 Apr 1975 5 Sep 1975 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B DIFAR Med
90 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 May 1976 30 Jun 1976 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B DIFAR Lant

15 Oct 1977 23 Mar 1978 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B DIFAR Med
26 Jul 1978 1 Dec 1978 PatWing-11 Pan-American P-3B DIFAR SoLant
23 Jan 1979 11 Jul 1979 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B DIFAR Med
1 May 1980 4 Nov 1980 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3B DIFAR Med
19 Jan 1982 26 Jul 1982 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
9 May 1983 5 Oct 1983 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
9 Sep 1984 13 Feb 1985 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
13 Dec 1985 24 May 1986 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
9 Jun 1987 7 Dec 1987 PatWing-5 Rota/Lajes P-3C UII Med
10 Nov 1988 10 May 1989 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
Jun 1989 Jul 1989 PatWing-11 Key West P-3C UII Carib
10 Jun 1990* 10 Dec 1990 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
2 Aug 1990* 10 Dec 1990 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII Red Sea
4 Jan 1992* 11 Jul 1992 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UII Carib
4 Jan 1992* 11 Jul 1992 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
May 1993* Sep 1993 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Med
May 1993* Sep 1993 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII.5 Red Sea
17 Jun 1994 17 Dec 1994 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UII.5 Carib
Jan 1996 Jun 1996 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
NUC 12 Oct 1967 15 Feb 1968
FAW-3 HB/LE† 15 May 1952 5 May 1980 5 Nov 1980
FAW-5/PatWing-5‡ LE 1 Jul 1971 MUC 5 Sep 1969 30 Jun 1970
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from HB to LE in 1957. The
1 Jun 1975 16 Jul 1975
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning FY 1958
27 Jan 1982 27 Jul 1982
(1 July 1957). 11 May 1983 5 Oct 1983
‡ FAW-5 was redesignated PatWing-5 and COMPATWINGS LANT on 10 Jun 1990 10 Dec 1990
1 July 1973, a dual hatted command. On 1 July 1974 Patrol Wing 5 NEM 5 Aug 1990 21 Feb 1991
(PatWing-5) was established as a separate command. AFEM 24 Oct 1962 31 Dec 1962
10 May 1965 10 Aug 1965
NAVE 1 Oct 1979 30 Sep 1980
SASM 10 Nov 1990 9 Dec 1990
JMUA 19 Jun 1991 14 Aug 1991
9 Jan 1992 30 Apr 1992
RPPUC 21 Jul 1972 15 Aug 1972

Two squadron P-3s on the tarmac with personnel forming the desig-
A close up of a squadron P-3 tail with the insignia and tail code LE. nation VP-11.
 CHAPTER 3 91

Third VP-16 perched on a fish bowl probing for a small, fish-like

submarine. The heraldic significance of the American
Eagle probing for the submarine in its confined space
of operation portrays the antisubmarine warfare mis-
Lineage sion of the squadron. Colors: background, red; body
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron NINE HUN- and wings of eagle, black; head, white; beak and feet,
DRED SIX (VP-906) in May 1946. orange; water in fish bowl, blue; submarine, black.
Redesignated Medium Seaplane Squadron FIFTY SIX The nickname “Eagles,” is highlighted in white against
(VP-ML-56) on 15 November 1946. a black background over the top of the design and
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED Patrol Squadron Sixteen across the bottom.
FORTY ONE (VP-741) in February 1950. Nickname: Fighting Gators, 1951–1953.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) on Eagles, 1961–1968.
4 February 1953, the third squadron to be assigned the War Eagles, 1983–present.
VP-16 designation.
Chronology of Significant Events
Squadron Insignia and Nickname May 1946: VP-906 was established as a reserve
The first insignia used by the squadron was ap- squadron, home-ported at NAS Jacksonville, Fla.,
proved by CNO on 15 October 1951 when it was still under operational control of FAW-11 and administra-
VP-741. The design featured a Disney-like alligator tively under Naval Air Reserve Training Command.
wearing a sailor’s hat with a spy glass in its left hand The squadron was one of 21 reserve patrol squadrons
and in its right a bomb poised ready to throw at a established after the war to accommodate the large
number of aircrews recently released from active duty,
utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft in the inventory
and serve as an experienced manpower pool in the
event new Cold War tensions erupted into a shooting
war. VP-906 flew the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon and the
amphibious PBY-5A/6A Catalina.
The squadr on’s 15 Nov 1946: VP-906 was redesignated VP-ML-56
first insignia was while at Cecil Field, Fla. Under the new designation
a cartoon designed system, reserve squadron number designations began
alligator.
with the number 51 and regular Navy squadrons
began with 1. All reserve patrol squadrons were desig-
nated as ML. The ML designation used by the reserves
stood for either Medium Patrol Squadrons flying the
twin-engine PV-2 Harpoon or Medium Seaplane
Squadrons flying the amphibious PBY-5A Catalina.
Regular Navy patrol squadrons flying the PV-2 were
designated ML also, but those flying the PBY-5A were
designated AM for Amphibian.
Feb 1950: VP-ML-56 was redesignated VP-741 dur-
ing the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve units,
periscope projecting from the
water. Colors: background, effective the first quarter of 1950. In this period of ex-
white; water, light blue; tensive defense spending reductions the number of
periscope, telescope and Naval Aviation reserve patrol squadrons was reduced
bomb, black; upper body of from a 1949 total of 24 to only 9.
alligator, dark green; alligator 1 Mar 1951: VP-741 was recalled to active duty by
chest, light green; tongue and the president, the last of the nine reserve patrol
bomb tip, red. The nickname squadrons recalled for service during the Korean War
“Fighting Gators,” was high- period. Of the Atlantic fleet squadrons, only one regu-
lighted in red above the top The squadron’s second in- lar Navy squadron, VP-7, saw limited combat while
of the design, and the desig- signia featured an eagle stationed at Iwakuni, Japan, in the last month of the
nation Patrol Squadron 741, probing for a submarine. war.
across the bottom. 4 Feb 1953: After the Korean War the decision was
The second insignia used by the squadron super- made to augment all of the nine reserve patrol
seded the previous design after its approval by CNO squadrons activated during the 1950 to 1951 time pe-
on 30 October 1953. The insignia portrays an eagle riod as part of the regular Navy. VP-741 was redesig-
92 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron personnel surrounding one of its P2Vs at NAS Jacksonville, 1952.

nated VP-16. The redesignations did not require to the Santa Maria incident—the seizure of a
changes in tail codes or home ports. Portuguese vessel by dissidents. VP-16 was one of sev-
10 Nov 1956: The squadron deployed to Keflavik, eral squadrons called on to assist in the search for the
Iceland. While on duty at this location the Middle East ship.
Crisis, sparked by the seizure of the Suez Canal, kept 29 Nov 1963–Mar 1964: Seven squadron aircraft
the squadron flying around the clock to protect departed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to provide
NATO’s northern flank. After the situation was de- surveillance during the Cuban Missile Crisis, relieving
fused, VP-16 conducted a series of goodwill tours to VP-23. The detachment was relieved in March 1964 by
several European countries before returning to the VP-11.
U.S. in April 1957. 1 Dec 1964: VP-16 relieved VP-49 at Kindley AFB,
Mar 1960: VP-16 deployed to NS Roosevelt Roads, Bermuda. This was the first deployment for the
P.R., and participated in Operation Springboard 1960. squadron in its new P-3A Orion aircraft.
May 1960: The squadron participated in test shots 23 Mar 1965: The squadron participated in opera-
of the Redstone and Atlas missiles as part of Task tions involving the launching and recovery of the
Force 140, Project Mercury Recovery Force. Gemini 3 space capsule, which carried John Young
12 Dec 1960: VP-16 deployed to NAF Sigonella, and Virgil Grissom into orbit and returned them safely
Sicily, for a five-month tour of duty, relieving VP-5. after completing three orbits.
The squadron provided shipping surveillance in the 27 Jul 1965: A squadron Orion, BuNo. 151380,
Mediterranean Sea for the Sixth Fleet and responded crashed at Bermuda with four crew casualties.
15 Feb 1966: A detachment
of three aircraft was sent to
Ascension Island in support of
the project Apollo-Saturn 201,
Task Force 140. This operation
was the first unmanned space-
craft of the Apollo series to be
fired into suborbital flight by a
Saturn rocket.
2 Dec 1966: VP-17 deployed
to NS Sangley Point, R.P., with a
detachment at NAF U-Tapao,
Thailand. During the deploy-
A squadron P2V in flight. ment the squadron missions in-
 CHAPTER 3 93

cluded Market Time patrols and equipment during numerous exer-

Yankee Team patrols, Ocean cises in the Mediterranean
Surveillance Air Patrol, Sea.
and Special Ocean 25 Oct–2 Nov 1983:
Surveillance Air VP-16 provided sev-
Patrols. Patrols eral aircraft and
were often con- crews for patrols
ducted within in the vicinity of
12 miles of the Grenada during
coasts of North Operation
Vietnam and Urgent Fury, in
throughout the which U.S. forces
Gulf of Tonkin. were deployed
to Grenada to
The squadron
protect the lives of
completed over
Americans on the
500 missions during
island.
its only tour in the
Aug 1985: VP-16 de-
Vietnam zone of operations.
ployed to NAS Bermuda.
12 Dec 1967: The Eagles de-
ployed to NS Rota, Spain, as the During the deployment three-air-
A VP-16 P-3C(U2) at NAS Keflavik in June 1984
first P-3 Orion detachment to (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collec-tion via D. Jay). craft detachments were main-
operate from a Mediterranean tained at NS Roosevelt Roads,
base. P.R., to participate in Operation
Jan 1971: VP-16 retrofitted all of its P-3A aircraft Hat Trick II, drug interdiction patrols in the Caribbean.
with the DIFAR advanced submarine detection system. 10 Aug 1988: VP-16 deployed to NAS Bermuda, re-
In July, the Eagles deployed to NAF Sigonella, Sicily, lieving VP-24. The squadron participated in Operation
to test their newly outfitted DIFAR aircraft. The Checkmate 7, interdicting suspected drug trafficking in
squadron conducted extensive testing of the new the Caribbean.

A squadron P-3C in flight, 1990.

94 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Jacksonville, Fla. May 1946 CDR G. F. Wright 12 May 1978
CDR R. F. Testa 15 Jun 1979
Commanding Officers CDR C. T. Moyer III 12 Jun 1980
CDR Daniel Oliver Jun 1981
Date Assumed Command CDR J. E. Mutty 11 Jun 1982
Unknown 1946–1950 CDR J. L. Harford Jun 1983
CDR Charles W. Rodgers Jan 1951 CDR James V. Qurollo, Jr. 6 Jul 1984
CDR James W. Hardy 6 Dec 1952 CDR James R. Love 31 Aug 1985
CDR Paul J. Bruneau Feb 1954 CDR James M. Piotrowski 5 Dec 1986
CDR P. Bazier Feb 1955 CDR Ernest L. Morris, Jr. 4 Dec 1987
CDR M. A. Piper Feb 1956 CDR Gregory P. Harper 9 Dec 1988
CDR E. B. Abrams Mar 1957 CDR Greg L. Wedding 15 Dec 1989
CDR J. W. Clark 9 Jul 1958 CDR John L. Bohn II 7 Dec 1990
CDR L. T. Barco, Jr. 3 Sep 1959 CDR David K. Oliveria 6 Dec 1991
CDR R. F. Bishop 13 May 1960 CDR Christopher C. Ames 14 Jan 1993
CDR R. G. Bagby 31 May 1961 CDR Robert W. Andersen 25 Feb 1994
CDR C. E. Rodgers 9 Apr 1962 CDR James J. Cardosi 20 Jan 1995
CDR L. H. Boutte 30 Apr 1963
CDR William Vaught 6 Mar 1964
CDR Charles Eadie 1 May 1965 Aircraft Assignment
CDR D. D. Spoon 29 Apr 1966 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR D. C. Carruth 28 Apr 1967
CDR T. H. Ross Apr 1968 PV-2/PBY-5A/PBY-6A May 1946
CDR R. H. Schulze 30 Apr 1969 P2V-2/3 1950
CDR E. R. Nordtvedt 2 Apr 1970 P2V-5 Feb 1955
CDR J. F. Wetzel 29 Apr 1971 P2V-5F Mar 1956
CDR K. W. Mirise 21 Apr 1972 SP-2E Dec 1962
CDR R. G. Castle Apr 1973 P-3A Jul 1964
CDR L. L. Maloy 30 Apr 1974 P-3A DIFAR Jan 1971
CDR C. C. Pease Apr 1975 P-3C Aug 1973
CDR Richard Silverman Apr 1976 P-3C UII.5 Jun 1983
CDR Austin W. Rehfield Apr 1977 P-3C UIIIR Oct 1990

A squadron P-3C carrying a Harpoon missile en route to Viegues Island, Puerto Rico for a test launch, February 1996.
 CHAPTER 3 95

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Mar 1952* Jul 1952 FAW-11 Fr. Morocco P2V-2/3 Med

1 Mar 1952* Jul 1952 FAW-11 Lajes P2V-2/3 Lant
1 Mar 1953 Aug 1953 FAW-11 Port Lyautey P2V-2/3 Med
May 1954 Sep 1954 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-2/3 NorLant
Jul 1955 10 Dec 1955 FAW-11 Port Lyautey P2V-5 Med
10 Nov 1956 1 Apr 1957 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
Feb 1958* Jul 1958 FAW-11 Port Lyautey P2V-5F Med
Feb 1958* Jul 1958 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
4 May 1959 5 Oct 1959 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
Mar 1960 May 1960 FAW-11 Roosevelt Rds. P2V-5F Carib
12 Dec 1960 8 May 1961 FAW-11 Sigonella P2V-5F Med
3 Jul 1961 Sep 1961 FAW-11 Roosevelt Rds. P2V-5F Carib
9 Dec 1961* 13 Feb 1962 FAW-11 Rota P2V-5F Med
9 Dec 1961* 13 Feb 1962 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
10 Sep 1962 Feb 1963 FAW-11 Keflavik SP-2E NorLant
3 Jun 1963 Aug 1963 FAW-11 Roosevelt Rds. SP-2E Carib
29 Nov 1963 2 Mar 1964 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2E Carib
1 Dec 1964 1 Sep 1965 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
18 Jan 1966 1 Mar 1966 FAW-8 Ascension Is. P-3A SoLant
2 Dec 1966 2 Jun 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
18 Jan 1967* 18 Feb 1967 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
12 Dec 1967 25 May 1967 FAW-11 Rota P-3A Med
Oct 1968* Jan 1969 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Oct 1968* Jan 1969 FAW-11 Argentia P-3A NorLant
Oct 1969 Feb 1970 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Jun 1970 27 Oct 1970 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Jul 1971 Dec 1971 FAW-11 Sigonella P-3A DIFAR Med
9 Aug 1972 Jan 1973 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
Nov 1973 May 1974 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med

A squadron P-3C in the snow, most likely Keflavik, 1984.

96 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Apr 1975 Sep 1975 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant

Jun 1976 Nov 1976 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Nov 1977 May 1978 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
14 Dec 1978 15 May 1979 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
6 Apr 1980 6 Sep 1980 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Aug 1981 Feb 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
Jan 1983* Jun 1983 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C Med
Jan 1983* Jun 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
12 Mar 1984 Aug 1984 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
Aug 1985 4 Feb 1986 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
2 Jan 1987 2 Jun 1987 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
10 Aug 1988 Feb 1989 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UII.5 Lant
1 Jan 1990 Jun 1990 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Med
1 Aug 1991* Mar 1992 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UII.5 NorLant
1 Aug 1991* Mar 1992 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UIIIR Lant
1 Jul 1992 Sep 1992 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIIIR Med
21 Jul 1993* 31 Dec 1993 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIIIR Carib
21 Jul 1993* Jan 1994 PatWing-11 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
Feb 1995 Aug 1995 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
Aug 1996 Feb 1997 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-11/PatWing-11§ HH†/LF‡ May 1946 9 Jun 1976 6 Nov 1976
† The squadron remained a part of FAW-11, but was assigned tail MUC 11 Mar 1981 10 Feb 1982
code HH when called to active duty in 1951. 29 Dec 1982 1 Jun 1983
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from HH to LF in 1957. The 15 Mar 1984 15 Aug 1984
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY NAVE 1 Jan 1983 31 Dec 1983
1958 (1 July 1957). RVNGC 1 Dec 1966 31 May 1967
§ FAW-11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) on 30 June
AFEM (Grenada) 23 Oct 1983 21 Nov 1983
1973. NEM (Lebanon) 3 Jan 1983 31 May 1983

A couple of squadron P-3Cs

fly over Jacksonville, Fla.,
December 1994.
 CHAPTER 3 97

Third VP-17 that had made contact with a submarine and was pre-
pared to release a bomb to complete the mission.
Colors: eagle, tan; beak, yellow; suit, blue; hat, white;
bomb, yellow; periscope, black; water, blue; border,
Lineage red; background, white.
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron NINE HUN- A third insignia was submitted to CNO for approval
DRED SIXTEEN (VP-916) on 1 July 1946. after VP-772 was redesignated VP-17. CNO approved
Redesignated Medium Patron SIXTY SIX (VP-ML-66) the design with minor changes on 11 May 1955. The
on 15 November 1946. insignia featured an eagle with raised wings, clutching
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVEN HUNDRED a submarine in one claw and a
SEVENTY TWO (VP-772) in February 1950. bomb in the other. Three
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTEEN (VP-17) on small white lightning bolts
4 February 1953, the third squadron to be assigned the were highlighted on the
VP-17 designation. wings and a large light-
Redesignated Heavy Attack Mining Squadron TEN ning bolt slanted
(VA-HM-10) on 1 July 1956. downward between
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTEEN (VP-17) the upthrust wings.
on 1 July 1959. The new squadron
Disestablished on 31 March 1995. designation, Patron
Seventeen was en-
closed in a scroll at the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname bottom of the design.
The first insignia was submitted by the squadron for The significance of The squadron’s third insignia kept
approval shortly after VP-916 had been redesignated the eagle was un- the eagle theme but dropped the car-
VP-ML-66. It was approved by CNO on 25 September changed, with the toon style.
1947. The design was circular bomb and submarine
with an Indian chief cen- symbolizing the squadron’s primary assignment of
tral, carrying a large ASW. Colors: eagle, brown body with white head;
bomb under his arm. eyes and tongue, red; beak and claws, yellow; bomb,
The Indian’s left hand black; submarine, gray with black trim outline; sea,
was raised over his blue; small lightning bolts, white; large lightning bolt,
eyes as if seeking the yellow; background, white; trim around patch and
enemy. The subject scroll, red; letters of squadron designation, yellow.
of the design, the The fourth squadron insignia of VP-17 was ap-
American Indian, was proved by CNO on 22 December 1989. The new de-
symbolic of the tactical sign featured a surface vessel and a submarine, joined
mission of the squad-
ron, “ . . . scouting and
The squadron’s second insignia was
a cartoon designed eagle. search with ordnance
participation.” The
squadron designation was inscribed inside the design
below the Indian. Colors: Indian, red brown flesh; tan The fourth insignia
leggings; dark brown moccasins; white feather head- dropped the eagle theme
and more accurately rep-
dress; rising sun, yellow with purple rays; bomb, blue resented the squadron’s
with white stripes; squadron letters, brown. A photo mission of antisubma-
copy of this design was not available in the squadron rine and antisur face
warfare.
records.
The second squadron insignia was approved by
CNO on 11 April 1951, shortly after VP-ML-66 had
been redesignated VP-772. The American Indian was
replaced with a nautical-looking eagle wearing a petty
officer third class uniform. The bomb was under the overhead by two white lightning bolts. The top of the
eagle’s left wing pointing to a submarine periscope. design was a rainbow. The two vessels typify the dual
The eagle, perched on the periscope, was giving a big mission of the patrol squadrons of antiship and anti-
wink with the left eye. The insignia was based on one submarine warfare. The rainbow symbolized the
of the primary missions for the squadron, antisubma- squadron’s affiliation with the “Rainbow Fleet” of
rine warfare. The white-hat eagle represents an aircraft PatWing-2 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Colors: rain-
98 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

bow, red, yellow, green and blue; lightning bolts,

white; surface ship, gray; submarine, black; sea, blue-
green; border of design, blue; letters of squadron at
bottom, white on background of light blue.
The fifth and final insignia of the squadron was a
return to the third, more historic version originally ap-
proved after the squadron became VP-17 in 1953. The

A squadron P4Y-2 (PB4Y-2) in flight.

The squadron’s fifth in- 1 Sep 1950: VP-772 was called to active duty by the
signia reverted back to president for service during the Korean War. The
the third insignia design.
squadron relocated from its home base at Los
Alamitos, Calif., to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
Aircrews were given transition training for conversion
to the Consolidated P4Y-2/2S (a redesignated PB4Y-2)
Privateer. The 2S version of this aircraft featured sur-
face search radar. A brief lull occurred in the intensive
training cycle when the squadron paid a visit to the
design and colors remained essentially unchanged fighting French in Saigon. The squadron left several
from the earlier version. The request for the reversion Privateers for use by the French in the Indochina war.
to the earlier design was approved by CNO on 26 1–31 Jan 1951: VP-772 deployed to Iwakuni, Japan,
March 1993. where VP-772 became the first activated naval reserve
Nickname: White Lightnings, 1959–1995. squadron to participate in the Korean conflict. On 31
January 1951, the squadron began combat operations
from NAS Atsugi, Japan, flying missions over Korea,
Chronology of Significant Events
the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea and the Tsushima
May 1946: VP-916 was established at NAS Los Straits.
Alamitos, Calif. The squadron came under the opera- Jun–Aug 1951: From 12 June through the end of
tional control of FAW-4 and administrative control by August several of the squadron’s aircraft were de-
Naval Air Reserve Training (NARTU). It was another of tached in two-aircraft elements for operations with the
the 21 naval reserve squadrons established after the night attack aircraft of the 1st Marine Air Wing at K-1
war to accommodate the large number of aircrews re- Pusan, South Korea. The detachment provided direct
cently released from active duty and utilize the enor- support for ground operations by dropping MK-6
mous stocks of aircraft on the inventory. The squadron flares at night to provide illumination for USMC
flew the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon and the amphibious ground attack aircraft. Although initially an experi-
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina. ment, the operations proved so successful they were
15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig- continued by other similarly equipped patrol
nated. Regular Navy patrol squadron designation num- squadrons.
bers began with 1 and reserve squadron numbers 1 Jan–Feb 1953: VP-772 deployed to NAS Barbers
began with 5. VP-916 was redesignated VP-ML-66. The Point, Hawaii, in preparation for duty in the Korean
ML designation, medium patrol squadrons, included combat zone. On 1 February 1953, the squadron
twin-engine medium amphibious seaplanes, as well as began combat operations from Iwakuni, Japan, flying
twin-engine land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol missions over the Sea of Japan, Tsushima Straits and
squadrons with the ML designation were for twin-en- the Yellow Sea. The squadron was the last to fly the
gine medium land-based bombers only. The amphibi- P4Y-2/2S in combat. No losses in personnel or equip-
ous medium seaplanes like the PBY-5A used the AM, ment were incurred in 435 combat missions.
amphibian designation for regular Navy squadrons. 4 Feb 1953: VP-772 was augmented into the regular
Feb 1950: VP-ML-66 was redesignated VP-772 dur- Navy and redesignated VP-17. Toward the end of the
ing the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve units Korean War the decision was made to augment all of
in 1949, but the change did not take effect until the nine reserve patrol squadrons activated during the
February 1950. During this period the number of 1950 to 1951 time period as part of the regular Navy.
Naval Aviation reserve squadrons was reduced from The redesignations did not require changes in tail
the 1949 total of 24 to 9. codes or home bases.
 CHAPTER 3 99

1 Aug 1953: The squadron returned from its Korean

deployment to a new home base at NAS Whidbey
Island. Immediately upon return, the squadron began
conversion to the Lockheed P2V-6 Neptune. VP-17 was
the last West Coast patrol squadron to fly the P4Y-2.
Apr 1956: VP-17 deployed to Naha, Okinawa.
During this deployment the squadron was redesig-
nated VP(HM)-10 on 1 July 1956, one of only two
such squadrons in the Navy. VP(HM)-10 was the only
Heavy Attack Mining squadron on the West Coast.
Shortly after its return from Okinawa, the aircrews
began transition training to the P2V-6M, which was
configured for firing the Petrel air-to-surface turbojet
missile.
Apr 1957: The squadron’s P2V-6M aircraft were
transferred to the reserves and replaced with P2V-5Fs.
Transition training commenced immediately in prepa-
ration for the pending WestPac deployment. A squadron SP-2H in flight, 1966.
19 Aug 1960: The squadron deployed to NAS
Kodiak, assisting the Navy Hydrographic Office in
compiling information on the Arctic Ocean and con- 15 Sep–Dec 1966: VP-17 deployed to MCAS
ducting ASW training in an adverse weather opera- Iwakuni, Japan, for two and one-half months’ of duty
tional environment. in support of operations interdicting gun runners off
20 Oct 1961: VP-17 deployed to NAS Kodiak, South Vietnam coastal waters. On 5 December 1966,
Alaska, with a detachment at Adak. During this period the squadron relocated from Iwakuni to Sangley Point,
the squadron participated in tests of the Regulus mis- R.P., with a detachment at Tan Son Nhut airfield, South
sile with Grayback (SS 208). Vietnam, for support of Market Time missions with the
9 Jan–May 1963: VP-17 returned to NAS Kodiak, Seventh Fleet. VP-17 was relieved at Sangley Point,
Alaska, for joint exercises with Sea Frontier forces and R.P., by VP-42.
the Canadian Maritime Air Command. On 10 January 9 Nov 1967–Mar 1968: VP-17 deployed to NS
1963, the squadron incurred it first aircraft accident in Sangley Point, R.P., with a detachment in Cam Ranh
over eight years. A squadron SP-2H crashed into a Bay, South Vietnam. Following the seizure of the intel-
mountainside while attempting a wave-off at Kodiak. ligence ship Pueblo (AGER 2) by the North Koreans,
Five of the crew survived but seven lives were lost. In VP-17 participated in a mission from 14 January to 11
May 1963, the squadron was called upon to assist in February 1968 to provide an ASW patrol net for ele-
breaking up an ice jam in the Yukon and Kuskokwim ments of the Seventh Fleet in the Sea of Japan. On 4
Rivers which was causing a great deal of flooding. March 1968, a Vietcong unit mortared the detachment
Several planes were sent to bomb the jam with 500- at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. One squadron aircraft was
pound bombs. heavily damaged, but no VP-17 personnel were in-
27 Apr–Aug 1964: VP-17 relieved VP-6 at NAF jured. The squadron was relieved at the end of its tour
Naha, Okinawa. In August the squadron provided by VP-50.
ASW coverage for the task groups moving into the 19 Jul 1969: VP-17 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni,
South China Sea after the Gulf of Tonkin Crisis. Japan, relieving VP-1. During the deployment
Dec 1964: The squadron began rotations of three- squadron detachments flew from bases at NAS Atsugi,
aircraft detachments to Kodiak, Alaska. In that same Japan; Misawa AFB, Japan; NAS Agana, Guam; NS
month, Detachment 2 assisted the Army Corps of Sangley Point, R.P.; NAF Cam Ranh Bay, RVN; and U-
Engineers in breaking up ice jams on the Klatina and Tapao AFB, Thailand. The squadron was relieved by
Copper rivers during subzero weather conditions. VP-1.
Mar 1965: VP-17 received a new look. A white 3 Aug 1970: A squadron P-3A, ZE-06, BuNo.
lightning bolt on a blue background was painted on 152159, exploded in flight after takeoff from Nellis
top of the vertical fin and propeller spinner domes on AFB, Calif. The plane crashed near Searchlight,
all squadron aircraft. Nev., with 10 crew members aboard. There were
9 Jul 1965: The squadron deployed to MCAS no survivors. The cause of the accident was never
Iwakuni, Japan, maintaining a detachment at NAF Tan determined.
Son Nhut. The deployment marked the first deploy- 24 Oct 1970: VP-17 deployed to NS Sangley Point,
ment of the squadron to a combat zone since the R.P., under the operational control of FAW-10 and TU
Korean Conflict. 72.3.2. Detachments were maintained at U-Tapao,
100 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3B flying over Brewton (DE 1086) during an antisubmarine exercise, 1974.

Thailand and Taipei, Taiwan. Ninety-three Market 12 Jul 1976: A VP-17 P-3 aircraft visiting Nairobi
Time patrols were flown along the coast of South demonstrated U.S. friendly ties and support for Kenya
Vietnam. The squadron was relieved by VP-48. during her crisis with Uganda. Ranger (CV 61) and her
13 Jan–Apr 1972: The squadron deployed to NAF escort ships of Task Force 77.7 operated off the coast
Naha, Okinawa, with a detachment maintained at NAS of Kenya to deter military operations by Uganda
Cubi Point, R.P., from 9 April through 23 April. against Kenya.
Numerous Market Time patrols were flown during the Mar 1977: Three aircraft and four aircrews de-
deployment. ployed to NAF Midway Island to participate in Pony
19 Apr–2 Oct 1973: The squadron deployed to Express operations in conjunction with the U.S. Air
NAS Cubi Point, R.P. On 2 October 1973, VP-17 flew Force, an intelligence gathering operation on Soviet
the final Market Time combat support patrol, which missile launches.
marked the end of over 10 years of daily surveillance May 1990: During deployment to Adak, Alaska, the
flights by patrol squadrons in the South China Sea dur- White Lightnings sent a detachment on a SAR mission
ing the Vietnam conflict. to locate a stranded Norwegian expedition at the
10 Dec 1974: VP-17 became the last patrol North Pole. After locating the group, food and medical
squadron to deploy to Naha Air Base, Okinawa. supplies were dropped.
29 Apr 1975: VP-17 provided operational support Aug 1990: VP-17 deployed detachments to Panama
in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of to take part in drug interdiction operations called
Americans from Saigon, South Vietnam. Operations 90-43 and 90-46.
May 1975: The squadron became the first patrol 10 May 1991: VP-17 deployed to NAF Diego
squadron to operate from the newly constructed facili- Garcia, B.I.O.T., with a detachment at NAF Kadena,
ties at Kadena Air Base, Koza, Okinawa. Their relocation Okinawa, and Masirah, Oman, to support UN maritime
to the new base took less than two weeks without dis- sanctions against Iraq following Operation Desert
ruption to the squadron’s operational mission. During Storm.
the deployment the squadron conducted operations Jun–Nov 1993: The squadron began to transition
throughout the western Pacific, the South China Sea and from the P-3C UI Orion to the P-3C UIII. During the
the Indian Ocean. These operations included surveil- squadron’s September to November drug interdiction
lance patrols for Vietnam refugees and support in the re- deployment to Panama, the squadron’s acoustic opera-
capture of the hijacked merchant ship SS Mayaguez. On tors were given ample opportunity to test their new
12 May 1975, elements of the Khmer Rouge seized the equipment on the P-3CUIII.
cargo ship Mayaguez in international waters. One VP-17 31 Mar 1995: VP-17 was disestablished after com-
aircraft suffered slight damage from enemy fire during piling a record of 24 years and 161,000 mishap-free
the successful action to rescue the crew. flight hours.
 CHAPTER 3 101

A squadron P-3B in flight off the coast of Hawaii, 1978.

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Los Alamitos, Calif. May 1946 CDR Harley L. Stuntz III 3 Dec 1971
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Sep 1950 CDR Willaim H. Ketchum 8 Dec 1972
NAS Seattle, Wash. 3 Aug 1951 CDR Godfrey A. Rettig 10 Jan 1974
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Aug 1953 CDR Earl T. Maurer 8 Nov 1974
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 1 Dec 1968 CDR Russell K. Schulz 12 Dec 1975
CDR John C. Murphy 15 Dec 1976
CDR Robert S. Richmond 16 Dec 1977
Commanding Officers
CDR Ronald W. Martin 3 Nov 1978
Date Assumed Command CDR Gene M. Bowman 16 Nov 1979
CDR Richard Gilman 1946 CDR Richard P. Munro 16 Nov 1980
Unknown 1948–1950 CDR Francis J. Ferry Dec 1981
LCDR Donald D. Nittinger 1950 CDR Dunbar Lawson, Jr. 30 Nov 1982
LCDR James F. Hayward 9 Jun 1952 CDR Thomas T. Verhoef 10 Mar 1984
CDR Robert L. Dahllof 11 Aug 1952 CDR Richard McAdoo 14 Jun 1985
CDR F. W. Snyder Jul 1953 CDR Robert White 23 Jun 1986
CDR A. A. Allemand Jan 1955 CDR Daniel L. Baas 17 Jul 1987
CDR E. L. Plowman Aug 1956 CDR Hugh N. McWilliams 15 Jul 1988
CDR J. P. Wheatley 19 Apr 1958 CDR John E. Fink 6 Jul 1989
CDR R. Larson 24 Apr 1959 CDR Charles A. Jedlicka 18 Jul 1990
CDR C. B. McKinney 29 Apr 1960 CDR Gerald K. Stair 30 Jul 1991
CDR W. J. Pressler, Jr. 21 Apr 1961 CDR James J. O’Rourke 29 Jul 1992
CDR D. E. McKinley Apr 1962 CDR George G. Brown 14 Jul 1993
CDR W. O. McLean 18 Feb 1963 CDR Robert J. Quinn 10 Jun 1994
CDR Robert H. Lenson 3 Feb 1964
CDR Robert J. Sadler 10 Dec 1964 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Leland A. Holdren 5 Aug 1965
CDR Milton O. Paul 14 Dec 1966 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Don L. Wuethrich 13 Dec 1967 PV-2/PBY-5A May 1946
CDR C. R. Behnken Sep 1968 P4Y-2/2S 1949
CDR Robert E. May 21 Nov 1969 P2V-6 Aug 1953
CDR John M. Quin 4 Dec 1970 P2V-6M Sep 1956
102 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

P2V-5F Apr 1957
P2V-7S (SP-2H) Dec 1959
P2V-7 Dec 1960
P-3A Dec 1968
P-3A DIFAR Sep 1972
P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Jun 1978
P-3C (MOD) Jan 1986
P-3C UI Nov 1990
A VP-17 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in November 1975 (Courtesy Rick
P-3C UIIR Jun 1993 R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Oct 1950 Oct 1950 FAW-4 Saigon P4Y-2S WestPac

1 Jan 1951* 3 Aug 1951 FAW-6 Atsugi P4Y-2S WestPac
12 Jun 1951* 3 Aug 1951 FAW-6 Pusan P4Y-2S WestPac
1 Jan 1953 10 Feb 1953 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P4Y-2S WestPac
Feb 1953 1 Aug 1953 FAW-6 Iwakuni P4Y-2S WestPac
Sep 1954 May 1955 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-6 WestPac
Apr 1956 Sep 1956 FAW-1 Naha P2V-6 WestPac
1 Sep 1957 11 Mar 1958 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
18 May 1959 20 Nov 1959 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
19 Aug 1960 16 Dec 1960 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
20 Oct 1961 16 Mar 1962 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
9 Jan 1963 15 Jun 1963 FAW-4 Kodiak SP-2H NorPac
27 Apr 1964 1 Oct 1964 FAW-1 Naha SP-2H WestPac
9 Jul 1965* 1 Feb 1966 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
9 Jul 1965* 1 Feb 1966 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
15 Sep 1966 5 Dec 1966 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
5 Dec 1966* 1 Apr 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac
5 Dec 1966* 1 Apr 1967 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
9 Nov 1967* 29 Apr 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac *

9 Nov 1967* 29 Apr 1968 FAW-8 Cam Rahn B. SP-2H WestPac

19 Jul 1969 20 Jan 1970 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac
24 Oct 1970* 29 Apr 1971 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
29 Oct 1970* 29 Apr 1971 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
24 Oct 1970* 29 Apr 1971 FAW-8 Taipei P-3A WestPac
13 Jan 1972 1 Aug 1972 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
19 Apr 1973 1 Nov 1973 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3 DIFAR WestPac
10 Dec 1974 10 Jun 1975 PatWing-1 Naha P-3 DIFAR WestPac
2 May 1976 10 Nov 1976 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3 DIFAR WestPac
Mar 1977* Dec 1977 PatWing-1 Midway P-3 DIFAR WestPac
Jul 1977* Dec 1977 PatWing-1 Agana P-3 DIFAR WestPac
15 Nov 1978 30 May 1979 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
9 Jan 1980* 10 Jun 1980 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
8 May 1980* 10 Jul 1980 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3B MOD NorPac
10 May 1981 10 Nov 1981 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
5 Aug 1982 1 Feb 1983 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
1 Feb 1983 22 Apr 1983 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
1 Nov 1983 May 1984 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
10 May 1985 10 Nov 1985 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
4 Dec 1986 10 Jun 1987 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C (MOD) NorPac
 CHAPTER 3 103

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 May 1988 10 Nov 1988 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3C (MOD) WestPac
10 Dec 1989 10 Jun 1990 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C (MOD) NorPac
Aug 1990 Aug 1990 PatWing-2 Panama P-3C (MOD) Carib
10 May 1991 10 Nov 1991 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
1 Nov 1992 15 May 1993 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
Sep 1993 Nov 1993 PatWing-2 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
5 May 1994 10 Nov 1994 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIIIR IO
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 BH /ZE † ‡ May 1946 12 May 1975 16 May 1975
FAW-2/PatWing-2§ ZE 1 Dec 1968 RVNGC 8 Mar 1965 25 May 1967
COMPATWINGSPAC ZE Jun 1993 1 Aug 1969 30 Sep 1969
† The squadron was assigned the tail code BH when it was called to
2 Nov 1969 31 Jan 1970
active duty on 1 September 1950. 3 Sep 1970 21 Nov 1970
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from BH to ZE in 1957. The VNSM 28 Sep 1966 1 Mar 1967
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957). 9 Nov 1967 29 Apr 1968
§ FAW-2 was redesignated Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) 30 June 1973.
(Det) 13 Jul 1965 3 Oct 1965
NEM 8 Dec 1978 6 Jun 1979
Unit Awards Received 21 Nov 1979 10 Jun 1980
10 May 1981 20 Oct 1981
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award AFEM 4 Aug 1964 1 Oct 1964
NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968 1 Oct 1966 6 Dec 1966
MUC 1 Nov 1970 20 Apr 1971 1 Jan 1968 28 Feb 1968
17 Nov 1970 22 Nov 1970 (Element) 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975
2 Mar 1972 15 Dec 1972 NAVE 1 Jul 1974 1 Apr 1976
8 Dec 1981 8 Jan 1982 KSM 1 Feb 1951 3 Aug 1951
(Det) Spring 1970 HSM (Crew 17) 6 Aug 1981
(Element) 22 Apr 1975 7 May 1975 (Element) 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975

A squadron P-3 in flight.

104 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-18 of FAW-11 and administrative control by Naval Air

Reserve Training (NART). Another of the 21 reserve
squadrons established after the war to accommodate
the large number of aircrews recently released from
Lineage active duty and utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron NINE HUN- in the inventory. The squadron flew the Lockheed PV-
DRED FOURTEEN (VP-914) in May 1946. 2 Harpoon.
Redesignated Medium Patron SIXTY FOUR (VP-ML- 15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig-
64) on 15 November 1946. nated. Regular Navy patrol squadron designation num-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED bers began with 1 and reserve patrol squadrons began
SIXTY ONE (VP-861) in February 1950. with 5. VP-914 was redesignated VP-ML-64. The ML
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHTEEN (VP-18) designation, medium patrol squadrons, included twin-
on 4 February 1953, the third squadron to be assigned engine medium amphibious seaplanes, as well as
the VP-18 designation. twin-engine land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol
Disestablished on 10 October 1968. squadrons with the ML designation were for twin-en-
gine medium land-based bombers only. The amphibi-
ous medium seaplanes like the PBY-5A were in the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname AM, amphibian designation for regular Navy
The squadron’s first insignia was approved for VP- squadrons.
861. It was a black and white design depicting Feb 1950: VP-ML-64 was redesignated VP-861 dur-
Neptune riding a dolphin. ing the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve units
CNO approved in 1949, but the change did not take effect until
the squadron’s February1950. During this period the number of Naval
second insignia on Aviation reserve squadrons was reduced from the 1949
28 April 1954. The total of 24 to nine.
central figure of 1 Sep 1950: VP-861 was among the first of the re-
the design was a serve patrol squadrons called to active duty by the
hooded horseman president for service during the Korean War. The
spearing a subma- squadron had by this date converted to the Lockheed
rine with a light- P2V-2 and P2V-3 Neptunes. None of the recalled re-
ning-like lance. serve squadrons of the Atlantic Fleet Command served
The significance in Korea.
was in keeping Jan–Jun 1953: The squadron deployed to Luqa
with the primary Airfield, Malta. In June, the squadron flew two P2V-3s
ASW role of the on a 12,000-mile familiarization flight to acquaint allies
squadron. Colors: with the new patrol bomber.
The squadron’s first insignia. background, blue; 4 Feb 1953: The decision was made to augment all
horse and rider, of the recalled reserve patrol squadrons to regular
black with white Navy patrol squadrons. VP-861 was redesignated VP-
highlights; lance, 18. The conversions did not necessitate changes in tail
white; submarine, codes or home ports.
black with white Apr 1954: VP-18 began a five-month deployment to
highlights; patch NS Argentia, Newfoundland. During this period, a VP-
border, red. In 18 aircraft became the first P2V-5 and first FAW-11 air-
1961, colors of the craft to fly over the North Pole.
insignia were 1 Mar–Apr 1955: VP-18 received the first of its new
modified to: patch P2V-7 aircraft with improved electronics, cockpit, en-
border, blue; larged bomb bays and jet engine auxiliaries. In April a
lance, gold. detachment of six of the squadron aircraft made sev-
Nickname: eral public relations stops along the East Coast to dis-
The squadron’s second insignia. Flying Phantoms, play the new bomber while en route to their deploy-
1953–1968. ment site at San Juan, P.R.
15 Sep 1955: VP-18 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland.
The Icelandic government requested assistance in rid-
Chronology of Significant Events
ding its fishing fleet of killer whale attacks on their
May 1946: VP-914 was established at NAS Norfolk, herring drift nets. Permission was obtained, and three
Va. The squadron came under the operational control squadron aircraft destroyed approximately 40 to 50
 CHAPTER 3 105

whales in less than 25 minutes with depth bomb and and remained deployed during the entire Cuban
strafing attacks. The new Neptunes maintained a 92 Quarantine operation.
percent availability rate during this period, despite bad 30 Nov 1962: One of the squadron’s aircraft was
weather conditions and only four hours of daylight. the first to spot the missing Nina II approximately 800
Nov 1957: VP-18 participated in the recovery effort miles east of Puerto Rico. The vessel, a reproduction
in the Caribbean of an Army Jupiter missile nose cone. of one of Columbus’ original three sailing ships, be-
This nose cone later appeared on a nationwide tele- came the subject of an international search after it
cast as President Eisenhower explained how the U.S. failed to arrive at its destination of San Salvador as
had solved the space reentry problem. scheduled. The crew of the Neptune aircraft dropped
Apr–Jun 1958: VP-18 participated in the pre- emergency supplies, including a new sextant, enabling
Mercury primate space program recovery missions in the vessel to complete its journey.
the Caribbean. 30 Apr–26 May 1965: VP-18 provided patrol cover-
May 1959: The Flying Phantoms deployed two air- age and surveillance flights of the waters around the
craft to Panama to help the Organization of American island of Hispaniola during the Dominican Republic
States (OAS) counter an invasion by Cuban guerrilla Crisis. Continuous coverage was given through 26 May
forces. During the same period a second detachment 1965.
of three aircraft participated in the recovery of two pri- 10 Oct 1968: VP-18 was disestablished at NAS
mates, Able and Baker, that had reentered the atmo- Roosevelt Roads, P.R.
sphere after being rocketed into space. The capsule
was recovered from the Atlantic east of Puerto Rico.
1 Sep 1960: VP-18 established new airborne en-
durance record of 20 hours and 33 minutes for the
P2V-7 Neptune in the Caribbean.
Jan 1961: VP-18 participated in the search for the
hijacked Portuguese cruise liner Santa Maria in the
Caribbean area. Later that same month, squadron air-
craft participated in the successful recovery of the
space capsule containing the monkey Ham.
24 May 1962: VP-18 participated in space program
recovery missions for a Mercury flight piloted by
Lieutenant Commander M. Scott Carpenter. The
squadron’s aircraft number 6 was first on the scene, di-
recting helicopters from Intrepid (CV 11) to the capsule.
21 Oct 1962: VP-18 was one of several patrol
squadrons deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis, A squadron SP-2H in flight, 1968.

A squadr on
P2V-7 flying
over a Soviet
cargo ship dur-
ing the Cuban
Crisis, 1962.
106 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. May 1946 CDR W. W. Honour 1 May 1961
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 1 Sep 1950 CDR R. F. Lyons Jan 1962
NAS Roosevelt Roads, P.R. 1 Nov 1964 CDR V. F. Anderson Jan 1963
CDR S. K. Mansfield Jan 1964
Commanding Officers CDR A. J. Carneghi Dec 1964
CDR R. M. Deffenbaugh 1 Dec 1965
Date Assumed Command CDR A. L. Zicht 1 Nov 1966
Unknown 1946–1950 CDR R. H. Wagner 24 Oct 1967
LCDR George H. Wilson 15 May 1950
CDR Edward A. Rodgers 4 May 1951
Aircraft Assignment
CDR W. D. Bonvillian 6 Jun 1952
CDR W. H. Roth Sep 1953 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR J. T. Sraker Oct 1954 PV-2 May 1946
CDR J. A. Cooper Jan 1956 P2V-2/P2V-3 Sep 1950
CDR Robert H. Gillock May 1957 P2V-5 Mar 1954
CDR Curtis J. Zane 24 Apr 1958 P2V-7/SP-2H* Mar 1955
CDR J. H. McGhee May 1959
CDR R. A. Sampson 31 May 1960 * The P2V-7 was redesigned SP-2H in 1962.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jan 1953 Jun 1953 FAW-11 Malta P2V-2/3 Med

Apr 1954 Oct 1954 FAW-11 Argentia P2V-5 NorLant
Apr 1955 Apr 1955 FAW-11 San Juan P2V-7 Carib
15 Sep 1955 15 Feb 1956 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
Aug 1956 Jan 1957 FAW-11 Pt. Lyautey P2V-7 Med
Jul 1957 Sep 1957 FAW-11 San Juan P2V-7 Carib
Apr 1958 Jun 1958 FAW-11 Key West P2V-7 Carib
May 1959* Jun 1959 FAW-11 Panama P2V-7 Carib
May 1959* Jun 1959 FAW-11 San Juan P2V-7 Carib
1 Oct 1959* Mar 1960 FAW-11 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
1 Oct 1959* Mar 1960 FAW-11 Sigonella P2V-7 Med
May 1961 Sep 1961 FAW-11 Sigonella P2V-7 Med
21 Oct 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
1 Jul 1963* Dec 1963 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med
1 Jul 1963* Dec 1963 FAW-11 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
1 Apr 1965 30 Sep 1965 FAW-11 Roosevelt Rds. SP-2H Carib
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-11 HF /LG † ‡ May 1946 AFEM 28 Apr 1965 16 Dec 1965
†The squadron was assigned the tail code HF when it was called to
active duty on 1 September 1950.
‡The squadron’s tail code was changed from HF to LG in 1957. The
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
 CHAPTER 3 107

Third VP-19 The third insignia

of VP-19 was submit-
ted to CNO and ap-
proved on 31 July
Lineage 1964. The design fea-
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron NINE HUN- tured a globe super-
DRED SEVEN (VP-907) on 4 July 1946. imposed over a battle
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron FIFTY ax and lightning bolt,
SEVEN (VP-ML-57) on 15 November 1946. surmounted by a
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED Roman-style helmet.
SEVENTY ONE (VP-871) in February 1950. The globe repre-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron NINETEEN (VP-19) sented the squadron’s
The third insignia kept the lightning
on 4 February 1953, the third squadron to be assigned bolt but used other symbols to show the far-reaching capabil-
the VP-19 designation. squadron’s capabilities and mission. ity, while the ax and
Disestablished on 31 August 1991. lightning bolt repre-
sented the attack and electronic capabilities of the P-
3A Orion. A scroll below the design bears the inscrip-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname tion Patrol Squadron Nineteen. Colors: disc
There are no records available indicating an insignia circumference, lightning bolt and scroll, yellow; back-
was ever approved for VP-907 or VP-ML-57. The lamp- ground, blue; clouds, white; ax, brown shaft with gray
lighter insignia was blade; globe, black continents with blue seas;
approved for VP-871 squadron designation, red letters.
but the approval date The squadron’s fourth insignia was approved by
is unknown. This car- CNO on 23 March 1978, and harkened back to its
toon design shows a Korean War service as
cat carrying a ma- VP-871. The design
chine gun with a featured a sleek bird of
lamp hanging from prey in the attack posi-
the end of the gun tion. The bird’s attitude
and the background symbolized aggressive-
of the design is a ness, mobility and vigi-
mine. Colors: outer lance. Its coloring al-
The cartoon cat design was the squad- circle light yellow; ludes to the squadron’s
ron’s first insignia. mine shades of green nickname, “Big Red,”
with black markings; gained during the
cat was black and white with red nose and tongue squadron’s service in
and yellow eyes; the machine gun was black with Korea for dropping red
The fourth insignia was a stylized
white markings; and the lamp was black with a yel- bird design. night illumination
low-orange light. flares for allied air and
On 29 June 1959, CNO approved a new design sub- ground units. Colors: blue trim on circumference of
mitted by the squadron. The insignia was a red-edged disc; bird, red; scroll at bottom yellow, with Patrol
disc with white clouds and a yellow flash issuing from Squadron Nineteen in black.
the upper left, pierc- Nickname: Big Red, 1951–1991.
ing a white cloud on
a background of light
Chronology of Significant Events
blue sky and blue-
green wave-topped May 1946: VP-907 was established at NAAS
water. The yellow Livermore, Calif. The squadron came under the opera-
flash was striking a tional control of FAW-4, Pacific Fleet, and administra-
submerged subma- tive control by Naval Air Reserve Training (NARTU).
rine outlined in yel- The squadron was another of the 21 reserve
low. Below the disc squadrons established after the war to accommodate
was a yellow scroll the large number of aircrews recently released from
backed with red and active duty and utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft
bearing the inscrip- in the inventory. The squadron flew the PV-2
The squadron’s second insignia was
a stylized design with a lightning bolt tion Patrol Squadron Harpoon, and the amphibious PBY-5A and PBY-6A
and submarine. Nineteen in black. Catalina.
108 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig- posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps
nated. Regular Navy squadron designation numbers Medal.
began with 1 and reserve squadron numbers began 1 Aug 1955: VP-19 received the first of its new
with 5. VP-907 was redesignated VP-ML-57. The ML, Lockheed P2V-7 Neptunes with improved electronics,
medium patrol squadrons, included twin-engine cockpit and enlarged bomb bays.
medium amphibious seaplanes, as well as twin-engine May 1957: VP-19 deployed to NS Kodiak, Alaska,
land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol squadrons with detachments at NAS Adak and Ladd AFB in
with the ML designation were for twin-engine medium Fairbanks. In five brief months, the squadron spotted
land-based bombers only. The amphibious medium 169 Russian ships. This compared with previous sight-
seaplanes like the PBY-5A used the AM, amphibian ings in the Alaskan Sea Frontier of 92 Russian ships
designation for regular Navy patrol squadrons. over a full year.
Feb 1950: The personnel and assets of VP-ML-57 10 May 1960: VP-19 deployed to NS Kodiak,
and VP-ML-72 were merged and redesignated VP-871 Alaska. During the deployment the squadron con-
during the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve ducted operational bombing exercises by breaking up
units in 1949, the effective date for this action was
February 1950. During this period the number of naval
aviation reserve squadrons was reduced from the 1949
total of 24 to 9. The squadron transitioned to the P2V-
2 Neptune during this period.
1 Mar 1951: VP-871 was recalled to active duty by
the president for service during the Korean War. The
squadron relocated from its home base at Oakland,
Calif., to NAS Alameda, Calif. Aircrews were given
transition training for conversion to the P4Y-2/2S (a re-
designated PB4Y-2) Privateer. The 2S version of this
aircraft featured surface search radar.
Oct 1951–Jul 1952: On its first deployment to NAS
Atsugi, Japan in October VP-871 conducted shipping
surveillance over the Sea of Japan. On 12 December
1952, the squadron formed a detachment that oper-
ated from Kimpo AFB, South Korea, to provide night
A squadron P2V-7 flying over the Golden Gate Bridge, 1960 (Courtesy
interdiction missions in support of Marine Corps night- of Robert L. Lawson Collection).
fighter squadrons in Korea. The squadron received its
nickname, “Big Red,” for dropping red night illumina-
tion flares (150 Mk-6 flares per mission) for allied air ice covered rivers that were causing flooding along the
and ground units. Upon its return from Japan in July Yukon River.
1952, the squadron began the transition to P2V-2 and - 1 Aug 1961: The squadron conducted weekly mail
3 model Neptunes. drops to ships of radar picket squadrons in the Pacific.
Jan–Jul 1953: VP-871 deployed to Guam. Toward This operation provided training for the squadron in
the end of the Korean War the decision was made to locating ships at sea.
establish all nine reserve patrol squadrons activated 23 Oct 1964–Jul 1965: Big Red deployed to NS
during the 1950 to 1951 time period as part of the reg- Adak, Alaska. This tour of duty marked the first winter
ular Navy. On 4 February 1953, VP-871 was redesig- deployment of a P-3 Orion squadron to Adak, and one
nated VP-19. The redesignations did not require of the longest for a patrol squadron to date. The
changes in tail codes or home bases. After returning to squadron was relieved by VP-45 in July 1965.
NAS Alameda in July 1953, the squadron commenced 9 Apr 1966: A squadron P-3A PE-4, BuNo. 152171,
transition to the P2V-5 Neptune. was lost off the coast of Baja, Calif., while engaged in
4 Sep 1954: During the squadron’s deployment to an ASW training flight. All 11 members of the flight
NAS Atsugi, Japan, one of the squadron’s P2V-5 air- crew were killed.
craft on a routine ECM and weather surveillance flight 4 Jul 1966: The crew a squadron P-3A PE-5, BuNo.
over the Sea of Japan, 40 miles off the coast of Siberia, 152-172, was lost on a training flight near Battle Creek,
was attacked and set on fire by two Soviet MiG-15 air- Mich. All four members of the flight crew were killed.
craft. The Neptune ditched successfully at sea, and all 1 Aug 1966: The squadron deployed to MCAS
hands except for the navigator were able to exit the Iwakuni, Japan. Various detachments conducted pa-
sinking aircraft and climb aboard a life raft. A USAF trols over the South China Sea off the coasts of
SA-16 amphibian picked the aircrew up the next day. Vietnam, marking the first deployment of the
Ensign R. H. Reid, the missing crew member, was squadron to a combat zone since the Korean War.
 CHAPTER 3 109

1 Feb–Jun 1968: VP-19 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, evacuation of American citizens from the capital of
Japan, under the operational control of FAW-6. Upon South Vietnam under heavy attack from the invading
arrival, the squadron was put on alert due to the forces of North Vietnam.
seizure of the intelligence ship Pueblo (AGER 2) on 23 5 May 1976: VP-19 deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska.
January 1968 by the North Korean Navy. Through the Big Red was the first patrol squadron to operate the
end of February the squadron flew more than 1,500 new P-3C UI at the detachment site.
hours in support of the surveillance of North Korea 1 Jan 1977: VP-19 deployed to Adak, Alaska. The
waters. In April, the squadron flew missions in support deployment proved to be exceptional in the number
of operations in Vietnam, with detachments at Guam; of SAR missions the squadron was called upon to per-
Sangley Point, R.P.; U-Tapao, Thailand; and Iwakuni. form. A record 20 SAR missions were successfully
In June, operations shifted to the air base at Cam Ranh completed, contributing to the awarding of the
Bay, Vietnam. squadron’s second Battle Efficiency “E” award in its
28 May 1969: VP-19 deployed to NAS Adak, Alaska. history.
During the deployment the squadron provided sup- 28 Dec 1979: VP-19 deployed to NAF Misawa,
port for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) con- Japan. The squadron participated in operations to res-
ducting nuclear weapons testing in the vicinity of cue Vietnamese boat people, as authorized by the
Amchitka Island. The squadron earned a Meritorious president on 19 July 1979. By May of 1980, over 2,500
Unit Commendation for its support of the AEC. refugees had been rescued by elements of the Navy.
26 Jul 1970: VP-19 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Jul 1987: The squadron split-deployed to NAF
Japan. Three crews were detached for duty at Cam Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.; and NAF Kadena, Okinawa. In
Ranh Bay, Vietnam, in support of Market Time opera- October, a detachment of four aircraft was deployed to
tions, (coastal patrol operations off the coast of South King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on
Vietnam). Activities during the deployment earned the orders from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During deploy-
squadron its second Meritorious Unit Commendation. ment VP-19 flew support missions for five separate
1 Nov 1971: VP-19 deployed to NAS Cubi Point, battle groups, including operations with battleships
R.P., with a detachment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. Missouri (BB 63) and Iowa (BB 61).
This would mark the squadron’s fourth and final tour Jul 1990: VP-19 became the first patrol squadron to
in the Vietnam theater of operations. ever fire a Mark 50 torpedo war shot. The addition of
1 Aug 1973: Ensign Beverly A. Burns, USNR, re- this weapon to the armory of the Orion greatly in-
ported aboard VP-19 at Naha, Okinawa, as the first fe- creased its offensive capabilities.
male officer to be assigned to an operational squadron Aug 1990–Mar 1991: VP-19 deployed to NAF
in the Pacific Fleet. Ensign Burns joined the squadron Misawa, Japan. On 28 August, crew 4 and a squadron
as a non-flying officer filling a ground officer billet. aircraft detached for duty to the Persian Gulf in sup-
23 Oct 1974: The squadron deployed to WestPac at port of Operation Desert Shield. Single crews rotated
NAS Cubi Point, R.P. During the deployment the to the gulf to share this duty until December 1990,
squadron participated in Valiant Heritage, the largest when three crews were sent forward in support of
Pacific Fleet readiness exercise in the North Pacific Operation Desert Storm. Additional detachments were
since World War II. maintained during the deployment at NAF Kadena,
18–30 April 1975: The squadron was tasked with Okinawa; and Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.
SAR missions as part of Operation Frequent Wind, the 31 Aug 1991: VP-19 was disestablished.

A squadron P-3C in flight. Note

the Battle E on the nose of the
aircraft, circa late 1970s.
110 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAAS Livermore, Calif. May 1946 CDR Leo V. Rabuck 20 Jul 1973
NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Mar 1951 CDR Carl Leban 19 Jul 1974
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Sep 1963 CDR Keith J. Frederick 11 Jul 1975
CDR Gerald R. Schroeder 11 Jun 1976
CDR Andrew C. Jampoler 30 Jun 1977
Commanding Officers
CDR Norman C. Lord 30 Jun 1978
Date Assumed Command CDR Paul C. Moessner 7 Jun 1979
CDR Howard R. McDaniel 28 May 1980
Unknown 1946–1947
CDR John P. Brockley 12 Jun 1981
LCDR R. B. Daley 1948
CDR James S. Humphrey III 18 Jun 1982
CDR Frank H. Holt 1949
CDR Donald C. Hefkin 2 Sep 1983
CDR J. F. Merritt, Jr. 1952
CDR Jerry A. Thompson 8 Dec 1984
CDR John B. Wayne 1 Sep 1953
CDR James R. O’Donnell 31 Mar 1986
CDR Francis P. Cuccias 25 Nov 1954
CDR Richard A. Crosby 27 Mar 1987
CDR Robert C. Starkey 1956
CDR Dennis J. Kern Jul 1988
CDR Arthur E. Mix 27 Nov 1957
CDR Barry D. Einsidler 14 Jul 1989
CDR Edward E. Wood 21 Nov 1958
CDR Richard E. Brooks 29 Jun 1990
CDR B. B. Smith 30 Dec 1959
CDR P. C. Cooper 15 Dec 1960
CDR R. E. Anglemyer Dec 1961 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Robert E. Burrell 28 Dec 1962
CDR Richard D. Gless Dec 1963 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Donnelly Howard 9 Dec 1964 PV-2/PBY-5A/PBY-6A May 1946
CDR Albert P. Lesperance 24 Nov 1965 P2V-2 Dec 1949
CDR George L. Page 9 Nov 1966 P4Y-2S Mar 1951
CDR Franklin H. Barker 22 Nov 1967 P2V-2/3 Mar 1952
CDR Robert A. Cooke 22 Nov 1968 P2V-5 Jul 1953
CDR Donald R. Yeager 3 Dec 1969 P2V-7 Aug 1955
CDR Alan W. Crandall 30 Oct 1970 P-3A Jul 1963
CDR Harold A. Taylor 22 Jul 1971 P-3B Jun 1967
CDR Herschel L. Plowman 11 Jul 1972 P-3C UI Jul 1975

A squadron P-
3 in flight over
a submarine.
 CHAPTER 3 111

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Oct 1951* 7 Jul 1952 FAW-6 Atsugi P4Y-2 WestPac

12 Dec 1951* 7 Jul 1952 FAW-6 Kimpo P4Y-2 WestPac
Jan 1953 Jul 1953 FAW-6 Agana P2V-2 WestPac
1 Jul 1954 27 Sep 1954 FAW-6 Atsugi P2V-5 WestPac
Nov 1955 Apr 1956 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-7 WestPac
May 1957 20 Nov 1957 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
1 Feb 1959 15 Aug 1959 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-7 WestPac
10 May 1960 23 Aug 1960 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-7 NorPac
9 Jan 1963 30 Jun 1963 FAW-4 Adak P2V-7 NorPac
23 Oct 1964* 22 Jul 1965 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
1 Jan 1965* 1 Sep 1965 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
1 Aug 1966 1 Feb 1967 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac
1 Feb 1968 31 Jul 1968 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1968* 14 Jun 1968 FAW-1 Agana P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1968* 14 Apr 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1968* 14 Apr 1968 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
15 Jun 1968 15 Jul 1968 FAW-8 Cam Ranh B. P-3B WestPac
28 May 1969 28 Nov 1969 FAW-4 Adak P-3B NorPac
26 Jul 1970* 30 Jan 1971 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
10 Oct 1970* 30 Jan 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh B. P-3B WestPac
1 Nov 1971 29 Apr 1972 FAW-8 Cubi/U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
21 May 1973 1 Dec 1973 PatWing-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
23 Oct 1974 10 May 1975 PatWing-1 Cubi P-3B WestPac
5 May 1976 31 Dec 1976 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
1 Jan 1977 30 Jun 1977 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
10 Dec 1977 10 Jun 1978 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
10 Nov 1978 May 1979 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
28 Dec 1979 10 Jul 1980 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
10 Nov 1980 10 Feb 1981 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
28 Jul 1981 Feb 1982 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
Nov 1982 Jun 1983 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
10 Jul 1984 23 Jan 1985 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO

A VP-19 P-3C(U) taking off from NAS Moffett Field in May 1982
(Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
112 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

6 Feb 1986 2 Aug 1986 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac

Jul 1987* Jan 1988 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
Oct 1987* Jan 1988 PatWing-1 Dhahran P-3C UI Persian Gulf
1 Feb 1989 Aug 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
Aug 1990* Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
28 Aug 1990* 2 Feb 1991 PatWing-1 Dhahran P-3C UI Persian Gulf
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 Feb 1950 AFEM 1 Oct 1966 31 Jan 1967
COMFAIRALAMEDA CH* Mar 1951 1 Feb 1968 31 Jul 1968
FAW-6 CH Oct 1951 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975
FAW-4 CH Mar 1952 SASM 28 Aug 1990 2 Feb 1991
COMFAIRALAMEDA CH/PE† Jun 1953 HSM (Sel Crews) 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975
FAW-10 PE 29 Jun 1963
COMPATWINGSPAC PE 30 Jun 1973
PatWing-10 PE 1 Jun 1981
* VP-871 was assigned the tail code CH on 8 February 1951.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from CH to PE in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

NUC 1 Jan 1967 18 Mar 19967
19 Mar 1967 1 Apr 1967
2 Apr 1967 31 May 1968
17 Jan 1991 7 Feb 1991
MUC 1 Jun 1969 30 Nov 1969
1 Aug 1970 31 Jan 1971
1 Jun 1971 20 Jul 1971
2 Mar 1972 15 Dec 1972
22 Apr 1975 7 May 1975
1 Jan 1984 1 Jul 1986
(Det) Winter 1969
RVNGC 1 Aug 1970 30 Sep 1970
VNSM 4 Nov 1965
NEM 1 Jan 1976 30 Jun 1977
1 Jul 1983 31 Dec 1984
(Sel Crews) 10 Aug 1981 20 Oct 1981 Two squadron P-3Cs in flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, 1984.
 CHAPTER 3 113

Third VP-20

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron EIGHT-S (VP-8S)
from elements of VT-9S on 1 July 1929.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT-F (VP-8F) on
3 April 1933.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT (VP-8) on
1 October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FOUR (VP-
24) on 1 July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWELVE (VP-12) on 1
August 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED TWENTY (VPB-120) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY (VP-120) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
TEN (VP-HL-10) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY (VP-20) on The squadron’s second insignia was the flying 8 ball.
1 September 1948, the third squadron to be assigned
the VP-20 designation. With the loss of the 8-ball insignia through redesig-
Disestablished on 31 March 1949. nation, the squadron adopted a “winged monster,
guided by the experienced hands of the squadron per-
sonnel, the winged man (bearing great resemblance to
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Flash Gordon), guarding and patrolling the Hawaiian
The squadron’s first insignia was designed shortly Islands portrayed by Diamond Head, the Gibraltar of
after its formation as VP-8S in 1929. The circular de- the Pacific.” Colors scheme: Diamond Head, dark
sign depicted King golden tan; sea, blue; lower part of monster, dark red;
Neptune sitting on a upper part, coral; white ribs; bill and claws, gold;
rock, shading his eyes green eyes; wings of man, pale blue; gold shirt, red
with his right hand as girdle, bright blue trunks; man’s skin, dark tan color;
he looks across the sea. blue banner with gold staff and the number “24” in
Colors are unknown. white; gold helmet with red plume. White clouds in
The second insignia the background were shaded pale blue.
adopted by VP-8 in
1933 was that of a
“flying eight ball,” in-
spired by the number
of the squadron. In the
The squadron’s first insignia. game of pool, the eight
ball is the last ball to
drop. The significance of the number was correlated
to the squadron’s mission in antisubmarine warfare.
The loss of this popular emblem in 1939 when the
squadron was redesignated VP-24 resulted in a poem
titled “Ode to the Eight Ball”:
Aye, tear that rusted 8-ball down!
long has it rolled on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
that emblem in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout,
and burst the Mark 3’s roar;
The meteor of the ocean air The squadron adopted the winged man and monster flying over Dia-
shall sweep the clouds no more. mond Head as its third insignia.
114 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A few years after the redesignation of VP-24 to VP- 1 Nov 1930: VP-8S became a true patrol squadron
12, the squadron applied to CNO for another change with the replacement of its T4M twin-float torpedo
of insignia. The design requested in June 1944 was a bombers with the new mono-hull PM-1 flying boats
fresh from the factory.
1 Jan 1931: The squadron had the first opportunity
to test its new aircraft during the annual fleet exercises
The fourth insignia was a black cat (Fleet Problem XII) with the fleet off Guantanamo,
with a life saver ring and bomb. Cuba. During the exercise VP-8S was provided tender
service by Wright (AV 1).
1 Jul 1931: Another round of fleet exercises was
conducted off the shores of Cuba. These operations
included joint participation by the squadron and VPs
3S, 5S and 10S, based at FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. Wright
(AV 1) provided tender services for all the squadrons.
1 Jan 1932: VP-8S and VP-10S conducted exercises
“ . . . life-saver cat, which symbolized the many tasks with the fleet in Cuban waters.
performed by all Black Cat squadrons, from bombing
to sea rescue.”
Colors: black details with white background.

The fifth insignia reflected the

squadron’s Alaskan area of
operations.

A squadron PH-1, note the insignia on the bow and the Battle E, 80-
G-3454 (Courtesy William L. Swisher Collection).
The squadron’s final insignia was approved by CNO
on 19 March 1947. The insignia reflects the squadron’s
Alaskan operating area when deployed. The totem 1 Apr 1933: VP-8S was reorganized from Scouting
pole and chain links for the Aleutian Island chain Fleet to Base Force, changing its designation to VP-8F
show the area of operation and the spy glass and in the process. The squadron was still flying six PM-1
bomb reflect the capability of the squadron’s PB4Y flying boats, with tender support provided by Swann
Privateer. Colors for the design are unknown. (AM 34) and Lapwing (AM 1).
Nicknames: Flying Eight-Balls, 1933–1939. 13 Jan 1934: VP-8F participated in fleet exercises
Black Cats, 1944–1946. off Hawaii with VPs 1F, 4F, 6F and 10F.
22 Apr 1935: VP-8F participated in Fleet Exercise
XVI with VPs 1F, 4F, 6F, 7F, 9F and 10F off Midway
Chronology of Significant Events
Island in a test of advanced basing at remote sites uti-
1 Jul–Sep 1929: A detachment of six aircraft and lizing numerous support (tender and supply) vessels.
crews from VT-9S were used to provide the cadre for 1 Oct 1937: VP-8F was redesignated VP-8 when pa-
the establishment of a new patrol squadron, VP-8S. trol squadrons were reorganized for operational con-
The squadron was assigned the Martin T3M-2 torpedo- trol transferred from Base Force to Patrol Wings. VP-8
bombers, the same type flown by VT-9S. In and all of the other patrol squadrons in the Hawaii re-
September, the VP-8S received the XPY-1 for service gion came under PatWing-2 .
tests and development of the Bellini Tosi radio 25 Mar 1938: Aircrews from VPs 1, 4, 6, 8, 10 and
compass. 18 participated in Fleet Exercise XIX (Phase V) as part
1 May 1930: VP-8S operated with VT-9S during fleet of Red Force operating against Blue Force. The exer-
exercises at Guantanamo, Cuba. cises showed that slow flying patrol aircraft had virtu-
1 Jun 1930: VP-8S was a new home port at ally no chance of penetrating the AA screen of the
Newport, R.I., with tender support provided by Wright fleet. The majority of aircraft conducting mock attacks
(AV 1). Squadron T3M-2 aircraft were turned in and re- during the exercises were judged to have been shot
placed with the Martin T4M. down.
 CHAPTER 3 115

9 Apr 1940: Aircrews from VPs 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 through 1 December 1943, when preparations for the
and 26 participated in Fleet Exercise XXI with the transpac back to NAS Kaneohe were begun.
Army 72nd Bombardment Squadron and the 4th 13 Dec 1943: VP-12 began the transpac from San
Reconnaissance Squadron. The purpose of the exer- Diego to Kaneohe, Hawaii, with seven PBY-5As.
cise was to judge the effectiveness of joint services air 20 Dec 1943: The squadron sent a detachment of
support during an attack on the islands by an enemy six aircraft to Midway Island to relieve VB-144. Four of
carrier fleet. Coordination between Army and Naval air the aircraft and the six crews returned to Kaneohe on
units was judged very poor. Communications prob- 13 January 1943, leaving two aircraft and three crews
lems between the Army and Navy aircraft and ground behind which rejoined the squadron on 18 January
controllers resulted in disjointed efforts at defense. 1944.
10 Mar 1941: VP-24 was relocated to NAS 7 Feb 1944: VP-12 arrived at Guadalcanal for duty
Kaneohe, Hawaii, as one of the first squadrons to oc- under the operational control of FAW-1. The
cupy the new base. The facility was located at the foot squadron’s complement at this point had been
of a sheer windward range of mountains protected by boosted to 15 PBY-5As. Two days after arrival one
the arm of Makapu Peninsula on the north-east side of plane and one crew were dispatched to Tarawa and
Oahu, Hawaii. Majuro for photoreconnaissance duties.
1 Aug 1941: VP-24 with 14 PBY-1s on hand was re- 17 Feb 1944: VP-12 was relocated to Ondonga,
designated VP-12. The original VP-12 at NAS San New Georgia. Over the next month the principal du-
Diego, Calif., was split into halves with one group be- ties of the squadron consisted of ferry and supply trips
coming a new VP-24 and the second half flying between Kaneohe and Ondonga.
transpac to NAS Kaneohe on 2 September 1941, to 1 Mar 1944: The squadron switched from ferry du-
join the newly redesignated VP-12 in Hawaii. The San ties to combat missions on this date. The squadron’s
Diego contingent of the squadron brought with them duties consisted of antishipping searches, artillery
six newer model PBY-5s as replacements for the older spotting and Dumbo missions. On 3 March 1944, VP-
PBY-1 aircraft. Upon arrival, the squadron and its six 12 conducted a night bombing raid on Saipasi Island.
aircraft were based at NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. 1 Apr 1944: Two aircraft were detached from the
7 Dec 1941: Only one of the squadron’s six new squadron for Dumbo duty searching for downed Army
PBY-5s was damaged during the attack on Pearl bomber aircrews. One crew was based at Green Island
Harbor. One in front of the hangar on ready alert re- and another at Torokina. Each worked with a subma-
ceived bullet holes through one wing, but was other- rine along the routes of aircraft returning from bomb-
wise intact. The remaining four aircraft been sent on ing missions. When a crew was spotted on the water
an early morning exercise and were not caught on the the Dumbo would contact the submarine to pick them
ground by the Japanese fighters. The VP-12 hangar up, or if the sea was not too rough, land and pick
was undamaged, but the VP-21 and VP-22 hangars them up.
had burned, along with several aircraft. For a while, 17 May–14 Jun 1944: VP-12 aircraft were detailed
Ford Island was the only installation with flyable to conduct antishipping searches north of Emirau
Catalinas, as NAS Kaneohe had lost nearly all of it air- Island. These duties continued until 14 June 1944,
craft on the ground. when the entire squadron was relocated to Espiritu
8 Dec 1941–30 Oct 1942: During this period VP-12 Santo. After the relocation, three aircraft were detailed
was transferred to NAS Kaneohe conducting patrols in to conduct antishipping patrols, and one aircraft for
the waters off Hawaii and rotating detachments to air-sea rescue.
Midway Island. Crews were trained on the new re- 30 Jul 1944: VP-12 was relieved of duty in the com-
placement PBY-5A aircraft received in September bat zone and was en route to Kaneohe, Hawaii, for
1942. further transfer to the continental United States.
22 Nov 1942: VP-12 was transferred to the Fiji 1 Oct 1944–Jul 1945: VP-12 had been relocated to
Islands, with an operational base on Nandi. NAS Whidbey Island under the operational control of
Operational control for the squadron was transferred FAW-6 for refitting and reforming of the squadron. On
from FAW-2 to FAW-1. this date the squadron was redesignated VPB-120. The
15 Dec 1942: As a result of the matte-black paint new squadron was in the process of transitioning from
schemes and night-time bombing operations con- the amphibious PBY-5A to the land-based PB4Y-2.
ducted by the squadron, VP-12 officially became The training period was extended through 19 July
known as a “Black Cat” squadron, along with VPs 11, 1945, when the squadron deployed to Shemya,
91 and 51. The area of operations during this period Aleutian Islands, under the operational control of
was concentrated around Guadalcanal. FAW-4. Upon arrival on 25 July 1945, area indoctrina-
24 Jul 1943: VP-12 was withdrawn from combat tion training was undertaken.
and returned to NAS San Diego, Calif.. The squadron 1 Aug 1945: VPB-120 began antishipping patrols
was reformed and new personnel given training north of Kuriles. These missions and photoreconnais-
116 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

sance missions were conducted until the end of Commanding Officers

September when the squadron was relocated from
Shemya to Attu Island. Date Assumed Command
29 Sep 1945: VPB-120 was relocated to Casco Field, LCDR George T. Owen 1934
Attu. The squadron remained at this location for the LT Thomas D. Guinn 1936
remainder of the deployment and then returned to LCDR George A. Seitz 1937
NAS Whidbey Island in early 1946. LCDR Dolph C. Allen 1939
31 Mar 1949: VP-20 was disestablished. LCDR John P. Fitzsimmons Apr 1941
CDR Clarence O. Taff Aug 1942
CDR Francis R. Drake Jul 1943
Home Port Assignments
LT Archie D. Saint (actg) 1 Oct 1944
Location Date of Assignment CDR Frank G. Reynolds 27 Oct 1944
CDR Richard J. Davis 16 Jan 1946
Hampton Roads, Va. 1 Jul 1929
LCDR John F. Litsey (actg) 25 Jun 1946
Newport, R.I. 1 Jun 1930
LCDR Winford A. Swenson 17 Jul 1946
FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. 1 Feb 1932
LCDR John F. Litsey 16 Jun 1947
NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 19 May 1933
CDR Hart D. Hilton 26 Jan 1949
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 10 Mar 1941
NAS Ford Island, Hawaii Aug 1941
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Dec 1941 Aircraft Assignment
NAS San Diego, Calif. 24 Jul 1943
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Dec 1943 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Aug 1944 T4M-1 Aug 1927
T3M-2 Jul1929
XPY-1 Sep 1929
Commanding Officers
T4M Jun 1930
Date Assumed Command PM-1 Nov 1930
LCDR Allen I. Price Jul 1929 PH-1 1932
LT Harvey R. Bowes (actg.) 1931 PBY-1 1937
LT George L. Compo 1931 PBY-5 Aug 1941
LCDR Clifton A. F. Sprague 1931 PBY-5A Sep 1942
LT E. C. Peterson (actg) 1934 PB4Y-2 Aug 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations
Jan 1930 1930 ScoFlt Guantanamo T3M-2 Carib
1 May 1930 1930 ScoFlt Guantanamo T3M-2 Carib
1 Jul 1931 1931 ScoFlt Guantanamo PM-1 Carib
Wright (AV 1)
1 Jan 1932 1932 ScoFlt Wright (AV 1) PM-1 Carib
13 Jan 1934 1934 BasFor Pearl Harbor PH-1 WestPac
22 Apr 1935 1935 BasFor Midway PH-1 WestPac
25 Mar 1938 1938 PatWing-2 Pearl Harbor PBY-1 WestPac
22 Nov 1942* FAW-1 Nandi, Fiji PBY-5A WestPac
15 Dec 1942 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PBY-5A WestPac
20 Dec 1943 * FAW-2 Midway PBY-5A WestPac
7 Feb 1944 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PBY-5A WestPac
17 Feb 1944 * FAW-1 Ondonga PBY-5A WestPac
14 Jun 1944 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A WestPac
25 Jul 1944 * FAW-4 Shemya PB4Y-2 NorPac
29 Sep 1944 Dec 1945 FAW-4 Attu PB4Y-2 NorPac
May 1946 Sep 1946 † Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
Mar 1947 Jun 1947 † Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
Dec 1947 Mar 1948 † Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
Aug 1948 Nov 1948 † Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
† While deployed to NAS Kodiak, Alaska, the squadron came under the operational control of Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier.
 CHAPTER 3 117

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-4 DD† 19 Jul 1945
Scouting Fleet 1 Jul 1929
*Patrol Wing 2 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2) on 1
Base Force 1 Apr 1933 November 1942.
Patrol Wing-2/FAW-2* 1 Oct 1937 †The squadron remained a part of FAW-4, but was assigned the tail
code DD on 7 November 1946.
FAW-1 22 Nov 1942
FAW-14 Jul 1943
Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 Dec 1943
FAW-1 Feb 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 Aug 1944 PUC 24 Nov 1942 1 Jun 1943

A squadron PM-1 in flight, circa 1930.

118 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-21 Chronology of Significant Events

23 Jul 1929: Patrol Squadron SEVEN-B was estab-
lished at NAS San Diego, Calif., with six NB-1 float-
planes from the assets of the disestablished squadron
Lineage
VN-7D11. VP-7B came under the operational com-
Established as Patrol Squadron SEVEN-B (VP-7B) on mand of the Battle Fleet. Tender support was provided
23 July 1929. at that time by Aroostook (CM 3). PD-1 aircraft soon
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVEN-F (VP-7F) on replaced the NB-1s. Training of flight crews continued
1 July 1931. through February 1930.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVEN (VP-7) on 1
October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11) on 1
July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VP-
21) on 1 February 1941, the third squadron to be as-
signed the VP-21 designation.
Disestablished 18 April 1942, squadron assets
merged with VP-101.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

Patrol Squadron SEVEN-F chose the great white al-
batross for the central design of its insignia. The alba-
tross is the largest seabird, capable of prolonged flight
over long distances of open sea. Although no letter Two squadron PD-1s preparing to take off, note the Battle E on the
nose of the second aircraft, 80-G-453499.

26 Jun 1930: The squadron set an flight endurance

record for the PD-1, remaining in the air for 18 hours.
1 Jul 1931: VP-7B was redesignated VP-7F as a re-
sult of a 1 December 1930 reorganization that placed
the squadron under the operational command of the
Base Force.
21 Apr 1934: VP-7F participated in a fleet exercise
with VPs 2F, 3F, 5F and 9F to test the ability of the air-
craft tenders to move with the fleet. The exercise con-
cluded on 28 May 1934.
1 Aug 1934: VP-7F conducted an exercise with VP-
9F in Alaskan waters to test the ability of tenders to
provide advance base support in cold weather condi-
tions. Tenders participating in the exercise were
Wright (AV 1), Avocet (AVP 4), Sandpiper (AM 51) and
Swan (AM 34).
22 Apr 1935: VPs 7F and 9F returned to operations
off Humbolt Bay and Sitka, Alaska. Gannet (AM 41)
and Wright (AV 1) provided tender support.
1935: VPs 7F, 1F, 4F, 6F, 8F, 9F and 10F participated
in Fleet Problem XVI in the area off Midway Island.
The squadron’s insignia was the great white albatross. 1 Oct 1937: VP-7F came under the operational
command of PatWing-1, following the establishment of
from CNO was on file approving the design, it was the Patrol Wing concept.
considered the official insignia. Colors: outer circle, 17 Mar 1938: VPs 7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19 partici-
yellow; field within circle, blue; albatross, white with pated in Fleet Problem XIX (Phase II) as part of White
wings tipped with black; beak and talons, brown. The Force, operating against Black Force. Patrol sectors
insignia continued in use following the squadron’s re- were covered at an extreme range of 600 miles in the
designation to VP-11, and then VP-21. new PBY-1 and PBY-2 aircraft, using for the first time
Nickname: None on record. long-distance radio bearings for navigation. Results of
 CHAPTER 3 119

A squadron PM-1 in flight.

A squadron P2Y-3 in flight.

120 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

the tests showed major estimated damage to the Black detect the Japanese fleet. One VP-21 Catalina was de-
Force by the attacking air elements of White Force. stroyed in its hangar and two others were damaged
25 Jun 1938: VP-7 departed with the other elements after hitting buoys during takeoffs without lights.
of PatWing-1 (VPs 7, 9, 11 and 12) for cold weather ex- Ensign John M. Eaton, Jr., was one of the ground offi-
ercises in the area of Kodiak, Alaska. Wright (AV 1) cers of VP-21 who organized a crew of civilian work-
provided tender support for the operation. men to remove the surviving Catalinas from the burn-
15 Jan 1940: VP-11 participated in joint Army-Navy ing hangars and launch as many of them as possible
exercises in setting up advance bases in the San while still under fire from the Japanese task force.
Francisco, Calif., area. The conclusion of the exercises Ensign Eaton was later awarded the Navy Cross for his
pointed out major deficiencies in the “bird” class AVP heroic actions during the attack. The squadron de-
small seaplane tenders—Lapwing (AVP 1), Heron (AVP parted Midway for a return to Pearl Harbor the 13th.
2), Thrush (AVP 3), Avocet (AVP 4), Teal (AVP 5), Patrols and sector searches over the waters off Hawaii
Pelican (AVP 6), Swan (AVP 7), Gannet (AVP 8) and remained the order of the day until March 1942.
the Sandpiper (AVP 9). These vessels had been con- 6 Jan 1942: A squadron aircraft claimed the sinking
verted from AM-class minesweepers completed in of an enemy submarine in the waters off Hawaii on
1918 and 1919. They were found to be deficient in the this date, but postwar records show no Japanese sub-
amount of berthing spaces, adequacy of galleys and marine losses during that period.
supply-carrying capacity. 2 Mar 1942: Replacement aircraft began arriving in
15 Dec 1940: VP-21 received orders to transfer to a significant numbers from the States. VP-21 was refitted
new home base at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with new PBY-5 seaplanes, equipped with the latest
The transpac of 12 PBY-3 and PBY-4 aircraft began on navigation and radio equipment.
31 December 1940 with all arriving safely on 1 January 28 Mar 1942: After a brief shakedown period for
1941. the new aircraft, VP-21 was transferred south to
Australia in four divisions.
3 Apr 1942: After arriving at Adelaide, Australia, the
squadron was split into two detachments: Detachment
One operating from the bay at Crawley, and
Detachment Two at Albany. The squadron was under
the operational control of PatWing-10.
18 Apr 1942: The two detachments returned to
Adelaide, and VP-21 was disestablished. The entire
assets of the squadron—aircraft, aircrews, supplies
and ground crews—were merged with the remains of
VP-101.

Home Port Assignments

A squadron PBY, circa 1940. Location Date of Assignment

NAS San Diego, Calif. 7 Jan 1930
NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 15 Dec 1940
15 Nov 1941: The squadron was assigned Wake
Adelaide, Australia 3 Apr 1942
Island as its wartime battle station. In mid-November
the squadron packed up, publicly for “fleet exercises,”
and headed for Wake with Midway Island as a stop-
ping point. En route the squadron flew ASW patrols
for Enterprise (CV 6) and Lexington (CV 2), which
were carrying Marine Corps fighters and dive-bombers
to Wake and Midway. The squadron arrived at Midway
on 1 December 1941 and began operations.
7 Dec 1941: VP-21 was still based at Midway during
the attack on Pearl Harbor. On 8 December 1941, the
Konishi Midway Neutralization Force consisting of two
Japanese destroyers commanded by Captain Minour
Togo, approached Midway and began shelling the
airfield. Togo’s assigned task was to screen for the re-
treating First Air Fleet after its attack on Pearl Harbor,
and to destroy the patrol aircraft on Midway that might A squadron PBY-3, April 1938.
 CHAPTER 3 121

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Assigned

LCDR George R. Fairlamb, Jr. 15 Jul 1929
LT Rico Botta 27 Jun 1931 PD-1 Jan 1930
LCDR Frank C. Fake 18 Jul 1932 PM-1 1933
LCDR Rutledge Irvine Jun 1934 P2Y-3 1935
LCDR Robert L. Fuller 5 Jun 1936
PBY-1/2 Dec 1937
LCDR Silas B. Moore 2 Mar 1938
LCDR Frank T. Ward, Jr. Jun 1939 PBY-3 Apr 1938
LCDR John W. Harris 1 Feb 1940 PBY-4 1940
LCDR George T. Mundorff, Jr. Feb 1941 PBY-5 Mar 1942

A squadron P2Y (on right) in formation with a PBY-1 from VP-11 during an exhibition for Movietone News. The aircraft are flying over Dale
(DD 353), September 1936, NH-67305.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Aug 1934 Oct 1934 BasFor Wright (AV 1) PM-1 NorPac

22 Apr 1935 Jul 1935 BasFor Gannet P2Y-3 NorPac
(AM 41)
1935 1935 BasFor Midway P2Y-3 WestPac
25 Jun 1938 Sep 1938 PatWing-1 Kodiak PBY-3 NorPac
11 Jan 1939 10 May 1939 PatWing-3 Coco Solo PBY-3 Carib
3 Apr 1942* 18 Apr 1942 FAW-10 Crawley PBY-5 SoPac
3 Apr 1942* 18 Apr 1942 FAW-10 Albany PBY-5 SoPac
18 Apr 1942 18 Apr 1942 FAW-10 Adelaide PBY-5 SoPac
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.
122 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Unit Awards Received

Wing Assignments
None on record.
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Battle Fleet 7 Jan 1930
Base Force 1 Jul 1931
PatWing-1 1 Oct 1937
PatWing-2/FAW-2* 16 Oct 1941
FAW-10 31 Mar 1942
* PatWing-2 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2) on 1
November 1942.

A formation of squadron PBYs in flight, December 1939, 80-G-63414 (Courtesy of Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 3 123

Fifth VP-21 common theme of the

period, featured in in-
signia used earlier by
both VPs 52 and 101.
Lineage The “elephant” of VP-
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED HL-11 was the Navy’s
ELEVEN (VB-111) on 30 July 1943. largest land-based
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- bomber, the PB4Y-2
DRED ELEVEN (VPB-111) on 1 October 1944. Privateer. It was utilized
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED in an ASW role and
ELEVEN (VP-111) on 15 May 1946. equipped with search-
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) lights for night attacks
ELEVEN (VP-HL-11) on 15 November 1946. against surfaced sub-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY ONE (VP- This photo shows the entire design marines. Colors: ele-
21) on 1 September 1948, the fifth squadron to be as- of the flying elephant insignia. phant, gray, black and
signed the VP-21 designation. white; wings, yellow;
Disestablished on 21 November 1969. turret, black; clouds, white; sky, blue; searchlight, yel-
low; anchor, blue and white. VP-HL-11 and VP-21
used the insignia through 1954.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname The squadron’s second insignia was submitted in
The squadron’s first insignia on record was not sub- 1954 and approved by CNO on 10 March 1954. The
mitted to CNO for approval until after WWII, when it motif of the design was the “Truculent Turtle,” named
was designated VP-HL-11. The design approved by after the P2V-1 flown by
CNO on 19 February 1948, was that of an elephant Commander Thomas D.
centered in a circular design overlaid on an anchor. Davies on a record-break-
The elephant held a depth bomb in its trunk, a search- ing flight on 29
light around its neck, wings on its back and a gun tur- September 1946, from
ret on top of its back. The elephant was apparently a Perth, Australia, to
Columbus, Ohio. The tur-
tle was rampant in a
cloud-filled night sky,
searching out the adver-
sary with a lantern in his
right hand (correspond-
The squadron’s second insignia
was a cartoon design turtle. ing to the searchlight on
the starboard wing tip of
the P2V-6), and ready to attack with a rocket carried in
his left hand. In the background was a para-chute
mine, symbolic of the squadron’s primary mission in
sea and air warfare. Colors: turtle, light green body,
yellow eyes, dark green shell; lamp, black frame;
lantern light, yellow; missile, red; cloud, gray; sky,
blue; mine, black with
white para-chute; insignia
border, black.
The squadron’s third
insignia was approved by
CNO on 17 August 1959.
It was a circular patch
with VP-21 at the bottom.
In the patch were two
playing cards, an ace of
spades and a jack of
spades. The squadron de-
The squadron’s last insignia was rived its nickname from
the jack and ace of spades, re-
The squadron’s first insignia was the flying elephant. Unfortunately flecting the squadron’s designa- the latter card, the “Black
the color design submitted for approval was cut to fit in a file folder. tion of 21. Jacks.” The squadron in-
124 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

signia was changed when its primary mission was through the end of November. On the 29th, the
changed from aerial mine warfare to antisubmarine squadron received orders to transfer to the combat
warfare. Colors: playing cards, black and white; back- zone at NAB West Field, Tinian. The last section of air-
ground, blue; squadron logo, black with white letters; craft arrived on 1 December 1944, and the squadron
border, black. came under the operational control of FAW-1. Strategic
Nickname: Black Jacks, 1959–1969. long-range searches were conducted from that loca-
tion through the middle of January 1945.
5 Jan 1945: Two squadron PB4Y-1s, flown by
Chronology of Significant Events
Lieutenant Howard E. Sires and Franklin B. Emerson,
30 Jul 1943: VB-111 was established at NAS spotted an attacked a midget submarine two miles
Norfolk, Va. Half of the personnel from VP-201 southwest of Chichi Jima. The submarine was sunk
formed the cadre of the new squadron. The next day using 250-poound G.P. bombs and strafing with 50-
a new commanding officer was designated and all caliber guns.
personnel began relocating to NAAS Oceana, Va., for 15 Jan 1945: The squadron and its headquarters
training in the Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator patrol were relocated to NAB Morotai under the operational
bomber. Operational control of the squadron came control of FAW-17, with a detachment of four aircraft
under FAW-5. at Tacloban Air Base, Leyte, Philippines, under FAW-
15 Aug 1943: Six crews were sent to San Diego, 10. Long-range reconnaissance missions and antiship-
Calif., to pick up half of the squadron’s allotment of ping patrols were carried out from both locations.
aircraft. After their arrival the crews completed their fa- 1 Feb 1945: VPB-111 began transferring personnel
miliarization training using auxiliary fields at and assets to the Tacloban Air Base from Morotai. By
Chincoteague, Va., and Cherry Point, N.C. 6 February 1945, the entire squadron had been relo-
1 Oct 1943: The squadron received its orders to de- cated, with a detachment of four crews at McGuire
ploy to St. Eval, England, under the operational con- Field, Mindoro. Long-range reconnaissance missions
trol of FAW-7. and antishipping patrols were carried out from both
4 Nov 1943: VB-111 transferred to Port Lyautey, locations.
French Morocco, under the operational control of 17 Mar 1945: The Mindoro detachment rejoined the
FAW-15, to guard the western approaches to Gibraltar. squadron at Tacloban to prepare for the upcoming in-
8 Feb 1944: The squadron had its first contact with vasion of Okinawa. Interdiction cover patrols for TF
the enemy on this date, carrying out one attack on a 58 en route to Okinawa began on 21 March 1945.
German U-boat. Postwar records indicate no enemy 11 Apr 1945: VPB-111 relocated to Palawan Army
losses on that date. Air Field. On 1 May 1945, the squadron received sev-
2 Mar 1944: Over a period of four months, sections eral new PB4Y-2 Privateers as replacements for its
of three aircraft at a time were transferred back to St. worn-out PB4Y-1s. With its new and refurbished com-
Eval, England, under the operational control of FAW-7. plement of aircraft, the squadron commenced a series
By 13 July 1944, the entire squadron was gathered at of daytime strikes on targets along the Borneo and
St. Eval in preparation for its return to NAS Quonset Malaya coasts. On one such mission against the enemy
Point, R.I. installations at Singapore, two squadron Privateers
14 Jul 1944: The first section of three aircraft de- were teamed up for an attack. One of the aircraft was
parted England for the U.S., arriving on the 19th. The badly damaged during its bombing run, and the sec-
last section arrived at NAS Quonset Point on 23 July ond, flown by Lieutenant (jg) Romayn F. Heyler, flew
1944. The squadron began a training program that was through heavy enemy fire to protect its withdrawal
conducted through 19 August 1944. from the area. During the escape from the target area
20 Aug 1944: The first section of VB-111 aircraft a squadron of enemy fighters attacked the Privateers.
began the transit across the U.S. to the West Coast, Lieutenant (jg) Heyler’s crew managed to shoot down
with the last section arriving at NAAS Camp Kearney, one fighter and damage several others while escorting
Calif., on the 22d. The squadron came under the oper- their squadron mates safely back to base. For his
ational control of FAW-14. A brief period of training heroic actions while protecting his comrades
for South Pacific operations was undertaken through Lieutenant (jg) Heyler was later awarded the Navy
the end of September. Cross.
24 Sep 1944: VB-111 personnel (13 officers and 102 7 Jul 1945: A detachment of five aircraft was sent to
enlisted) boarded Makassar Strait (CVE 91) for trans- Mindoro, Philippines, for a two-week tour of duty, re-
portation to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. Aircrews began turning to Palawan on 20 July.
the transpac on 1 October 1944, with the last section 27 Oct 1945: After a brief period of standdown for
arriving on 5 October 1944. maintenance, the squadron began the transit back to
29 Nov 1944: VPB-111 was given combat indoctri- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, and from there to the U.S.
nation training under operational control of FAW-2 24 Nov 1945: VPB-111 concluded its transit from
 CHAPTER 3 125

the South Pacific to NAS New York, where crews were which included minelaying to show the bomber’s abil-
given leave. Over the next three months many of the ity to carry 13,000 pounds of mines in an internal
wartime personnel were discharged from military serv- bomb bay.
ice to civilian status. Feb 1953: VP-21 replaced its P4M-1 Mercators with
1 Mar 1946: VPB-111 began a period of postwar re- P2V-6 Neptunes, carrying the latest equipment for
forming and retraining of new crews at NAS New York. minelaying and ASW, a steerable nose wheel and re-
Jun 1946: The squadron was designated an Atlantic versible pitch propellers.
Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron. 1 Aug 1958: The squadron’s primary mission was
3 Jan 1949: VP-21 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, changed from aerial minelaying to antisubmarine warfare.
Cuba, for training. One squadron aircraft crashed at 8 Jul 1958: VP-21 deployed to RNAS Halfar, Malta.
Patuxent River, Md., killing two crewmen. During the deployment, the squadron participated in
28 Jun 1950: The squadron received its first P4M-1. the Lebanon Incident from 15 July to 1 October 1958.
VP-21 was selected to be one of the few Navy patrol VPs 21 and 10 provided ASW coverage to the Sixth
squadrons to fly the new Mercator. On 1 July 1951, the Fleet during the crisis.
untested aircraft were flown on a 6,500-mile circuit 1 Jan 1967: Six VP-21 aircraft deployed to Rota,
from Pensacola, Fla., to San Diego and Alameda, Spain, relieving VP-24. On 6 June to 23 June 1967, the
Calif., and Seattle, Wash. During the test flights all of Rota detachment deployed four aircraft to Souda Bay,
the aircraft were operational, with no down time for Crete, for advanced base operations during the Arab-
repair. Israeli conflict.
21 Oct 1952: The squadron gave a demonstration 21 Nov 1969: VP-21 was disestablished at NAS
of the P4M-1’s capabilities to CNO and BuAer officials, Brunswick, Maine.

A squadron P4M-1 in flight, 1950.

A squadron P2V, circa mid-1950s.

126 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P2V-7 (SP-2H) in flight.

Base Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. 30 Jul 1943 CDR Ralph D. Ettinger 31 Dec 1953
NAAS Oceana, Va. 1 Aug 1943 CDR James D. Ifft Jun 1954
NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. 4 Nov 1943 CDR Gerald E. Minor Mar 1956
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 23 Jul 1944 CDR John T. Griffith 25 May 1957
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 Oct 1944 CDR W. H. Patterson 26 Sep 1958
NAB Tinian 1 Dec 1944 CDR H. S. Ainsworth 2 Nov 1959
NAB Morotai 15 Jan 1945 CDR J. J. Cryan 10 Nov1960
NAB Tacloban, Philippines 1 Feb 1945 CDR C. E. Mackey 7 Nov 1961
AAF Palawan 11 Apr 1945 CDR C. R. Robertson 2 Nov 1962
NAS New York, N.Y. 24 Nov 1945 CDR John G. Boniface 16 Oct 1963
NAS Atlantic City, N.J. 23 May 1946 CDR W. W. McCue 15 Oct 1964
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 11 May 1948 CDR John W. Orrill 25 Sep 1965
NAS Brunswick, Maine 26 May 1954 CDR Ian J. Johnson 1 Aug 1966
CDR Edward L. Wilkinson 4 Aug 1967
CDR John Goodfellow 9 Jul 1968
Commanding Officers
CDR R. L. Latta 8 Jul 1969
Date Assumed Command
LCDR M. H. Tuttle 1 Aug 1943 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR J. V. Barry 20 Jan 1944
LCDR Gordon R. Egbert 19 Apr 1945 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR J. L. Hall 10 Oct 1945 PB4Y-1 Aug 1943
LCDR B. C. Wheatley 31 May 1946 PB4Y-2 May 1945
CDR R. H. Rice 20 Jun 1947 P4M-1 Jun 1950
CDR C. D. Mott 25 Jun 1948 P2V-6 Feb 1953
CDR R. Semmes 21 Oct 1949 P2V-5F Aug 1953
CDR R. G. Albright 10 May 1951 P2V-7S/SP-2H* Dec 1957
CDR A. A. Barthes 25 Jun 1952 * The P2V-7S was redesignated SP-2H in 1962.
 CHAPTER 3 127

A squadron P4M-1 in flight.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Oct 1943 3 Nov 1943 FAW-7 St. Eval PB4Y-1 NorLant

4 Nov 1943 1 Mar 1944 FAW-15 Port Lyautey PB4Y-1 Med
2 Mar 1944 13 Jul 1944 FAW-7 St. Eval PB4Y-1 NorLant
24 Sep 1944 27 Oct 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 WestPac
1 Dec 1944 14 Jan 1945 FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-1 SoPac
15 Jan 1945* 5 Feb 1945 FAW-17 Morotai PB4Y-1 SoPac
15 Jan 1945* 5 Feb 1945 FAW-10 Tacloban PB4Y-1 SoPac
6 Feb 1945 10 Apr 1945 FAW-10 Mindoro PB4Y-1 SoPac
11 Apr 1945 27 Oct 1945 FAW-10 Palawan PB4Y-2 SoPac
28 Apr 1947 14 May 1947 FAW-5 Argentia PB4Y-2 NorLant
3 Jan 1949 26 Feb 1949 FAW-5 Guantanamo PB4Y-2 Carib
21 Apr 1949 2 Aug 1949 FAW-5 Argentia PB4Y-2 NorLant
1953 1953 FAW-5 Malta P4M-1 Med
1954 1954 FAW-3 Malta P4M-1 Med
Aug 1955 Dec 1955 FAW-3 Malta P2V-5F Med
8 Jul 1958 7 Dec 1958 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1959* 10 Aug 1959 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1959* 10 Aug 1959 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7S NorLant
2 Mar 1960* Aug 1960 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-7S Med
2 Mar 1960* Aug 1960 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7S NorLant
4 Jun 1961 6 Nov 1961 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-7S NorLant
27 Oct 1962* 26 Nov 1962 FAW-3 Lajes SP-2H NorLant
27 Oct 1962* 3 Dec 1962 FAW-3 Argentia SP-2H NorLant
5 Jan 1963 1 Jun 1963 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
29 Apr 1963 1 Jun 1963 FAW-3 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
Apr 1964 Jun 1964 FAW-3 Argentia SP-2H NorLant
128 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

May 1964 Jun 1964 FAW-3 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib

20 Aug 1965* 1 Feb 1966 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
20 Aug 1965* 1 Feb 1966 FAW-3 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
1 Apr 1966 18 Apr 1966 FAW-3 Bermuda SP-2H Lant
1 Jan 1967* 29 Jun 1967 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
6 Jun 1967* 29 Jun 1967 FAW-3 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
15 Oct 1967 15 Apr 1968 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
20 Feb 1969 26 Jun 1969 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Aug 1943 NUC 2 Dec 1944 31 Jul 1945
FAW-7 1 Oct 1943 AFEM 24 Oct 1962 31 Dec 1962
FAW-15 4 Nov 1943
FAW-7 2 Mar 1944
FAW-5 23 Jul 1944
FAW-14 22 Aug 1944
FAW-2 5 Oct 1944
FAW-1 1 Dec 1944
FAW-17/10 15 Jan 1945
FAW-2 HC* 28 Oct 1945
FAW-5 HC 24 Nov 1945
FAW-3 HC/LH† 26 May 1954
* The squadron was assigned the tail code HC on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from HC to LH in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957). A squadron P4M-1 in flight.

A close up of the tail of a squadron P2V showing the tail code LH and
a spade at the top of the tail.
 CHAPTER 3 129

First VP-22 Chronology of Significant Events

15 Sep 1928: VP-4D14 established at NAS Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, with the D14 representing the 14th
Naval District. The squadron began operations with six
Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron FOUR D-14 (VP-
4D14) on 15 September 1928.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR-B (VP-4B) on
21 January 1931.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR-F (VP-4F) on
17 July 1933.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) on 1
October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY TWO (VP-
22) on 1 July 1939.
Disestablished and merged with VP-101 on 18 April
1942.

Insignia and Nickname

The first insignia used by VP-4D14 was a series of An H-16 in flight.
concentric circles enclosing a
four-leaf clover, symboliz- H-16 seaplanes. Primary mission of the squadron was
ing both luck and the patrol and bombing in connection with the plan of de-
squadron number. fense for the Hawaiian Islands.
Colors were: circles, 20 Feb 1929: Mechanics from the Wright
from outside in to- Aeronautical Corporation arrived to begin alterations
ward center, red, on the engines of the H-16 and new T2D aircraft.
blue, green, yellow; 28 Feb 1930: The first PD-1 aircraft was received by
clover leaf was green the squadron for testing to evaluate its operational ca-
on a white field. This pability. Results of the tests were very favorable, with
insignia was adopted by transition training rapidly bringing the squadron com-
the squadron without for- plement up to 12 PD-1 seaplanes.
mal approval by the 8 Mar 1930: A flight of three VP-4D14 aircraft from
The squadron’s first insignia
used the four leaf clover. Bureau of Aeronautics on Barbers Point, Hawaii, to Nawiliwili, Hawaii, set a
1 July 1930. record time of 42 minutes, proving the worth of the
The second insignia, devised by members of VP-4F, de- PD-1 as an operational aircraft.
picted the Griffin, an imaginary creature of Greek mythol- 14 May 1930: VP-4D14 provided an escort for 44
Army aircraft in transit from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to
ogy with the body and
the island of Maui, Hawaii. During the flight one
legs of a lion and
Keystone bomber went down in mid-channel.
wings and beak of an
Lieutenant Schur landed his PD-1 next to the sinking
eagle. Symbolically,
bomber and res-
the design implied a
cued the crew,
vigilant and powerful
but was unable
guardian. The Griffin to take off again
was superimposed due to high
upon the numeral waves and over-
four. Colors: Griffin, loading. Both air-
orange and gold; nu- crews were res-
meral, white; field, cued by SS
light blue. Chief of the Hawaii at sunset,
Bureau of Aeronautics leaving the sea-
approved this insignia plane in a sink-
The squadron’s second insignia used
the Griffin. on 8 July 1936. The in- ing condition.
signia was used by the 14 Sep 1930:
squadron until its disestablishment on 18 April 1942. VP-4D14, VP-
Nickname: unknown. Two squadron PD-1s in flight, March 1930. 1D14 and VJ-
130 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

The squadron at this time was

comprised of 12 PD-1 aircraft,
supported by tenders Pelican
(AM 27) and Avocet (AM 19).
22 Apr 1935: VP-4F, with
VP-1F and VP-6F from Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii; VP-8F and
VP-10F from San Diego,
Calif.; and VP-7F and VP- 9F
from Coco Solo, C.Z., partici-
pated in Fleet Problem XVI in
Hawaiian waters.
28 May 1935: VP-4F was
realigned organizationally
when patrol squadrons were
placed under Patrol Wings,
Base Force. VPs 1F, 4F, 6F, 8F,
10F, 16F and 17F came under
PatWing-2 at FAB Pearl
Harbor.
1 Oct 1937: VP-4F was re-
A squadron PD-1 taking off in Hilo Harbor, Hawaii, August 1932. designated VP-4 when patrol squadrons were reorga-
nized under Commander, Air Scouting Force, Patrol
6D14 departed Pearl Harbor for Hilo in company with Wings. VPs 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were based at FAB Pearl
Pelican (AM 27) for tests of advanced base operations Harbor, Hawaii, under PatWing-2 and supported by
and extended operations from a tender, including the Swan (AVP 7), Pelican (AVP 6) and Avocet (AVP 4).
servicing of the PD-1 while afloat. 25 Mar 1938: The squadron, along with VPs 1, 6, 8,
9 Jan 1931: A flight of nine squadron aircraft made 10 and 18 participated in Fleet Problem XIX (Phase V)
the first nonstop circumnavigation of the Hawaiian as part of Red Force. During “attacks” on Blue Force
Islands, completing a distance of 850 miles in 12 the vulnerability of the slow-moving patrol aircraft be-
hours. came apparent when the majority were judged shot
21 Jan 1931: VP-4D14 was redesignated VP-4B down in the face of strong antiaircraft fire from the de-
when realigned by CNO from the 14th Naval District fending force. The squadrons were flying P2Y-3 and
to Fleet Aviation, Battle Force, Minecraft at NAS Pearl PBY-1 aircraft. VP-4 had just transitioned to the PBY-1
Harbor, Hawaii. from the P2Y-3, and the fleet exercise was its first op-
26 Apr 1931: VP-4B was forced to reduce its flying erational test.
to a minimum, since half the engines available for Jun–Aug 1938: VP-4 spent three months transition-
squadron aircraft had reached the 250-hour mark and ing into newer model Catalinas, the PBY-2 and PBY-3.
needed replacing or rebuilding. No replacements were 9 Apr 1940: The squadron, along with VPs 21, 23,
available in the inventory for several months. 24, 25 and 26 participated in Fleet Problem XXI in co-
17 Jul 1933: VP-4B was redesignated VP-4F when operation with the Army 72nd Bombardment
realigned by CNO from Battle Force to Base Force. Squadron and the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, de-
fending the Hawaiian Islands against carrier attack.
The exercise pointed out serious problems that existed
in the coordination between air arms in defense of the
islands. VP-22 had by this date transitioned to the
PBY-5 flying boat.
7 Dec 1941: VP-22 was caught on the ground dur-
ing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and all its air-
craft destroyed. At NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, 27 Catalinas
of PatWing-2 were destroyed and six damaged.
11–20 Jan 1942: After receiving 12 replacement
PBY-5 aircraft ferried in by VP-51 from Atlantic bases,
VP-22 joined PatWing-10 at Ambon, N.E.I.
Unfortunately, the PBY-5 aircraft they received were
A squadron P2Y-3 in flight, note the insignia on the bow, 80-G-4651 the early models without self-sealing fuel tanks and
(Courtesy William L. Swisher Collection). armor. PatWing-10 later received five newer model
 CHAPTER 3 131

PBY-5 Catalinas from the Dutch in Java. All of the rest gent departed Freemantle aboard transport Mount
of the PatWing’s original aircraft were the older PBY-4 Vernon (AP 22) bound for San Francisco, Calif.
models. The VP-22 aircraft were the first aviation rein- 18 Apr 1942: VP-22 was officially disestablished
forcements of the U.S. Navy in the Central Pacific to and its assets merged with those of VP-101.
oppose the Japanese advance in the East Indies.
Lieutenant Thomas H. Moorer, later CNO and Base Assignments
Chairman of JCS, was VP-22’s engineering officer.
Almost immediately after arrival several of the VP-22 Location Date of Assignment
Catalinas were caught at anchor at Ambon and de- NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 15 Sep 1928
stroyed. A few days later, Ensign Jack L. Grayson and
crew were shot down in aircraft 22-P-6 near Magole Commanding Officers
Island. They made it to shore in five days and were
Date Assumed Command
picked up by a VP-22 aircraft on 20 January 1941.
5 Feb 1942: VP-22 flew to Darwin, Australia, and Unknown 1928–1930
patrolled from that location, tender support provided LT John B. Lyon 1 Jul 1930
by William B. Preston (AVD 7). LT Dixie Kiefer 1933
19–23 Feb 1942: Lieutenant Moorer and his crew, LCDR Harold J. Brow 1934
while on a patrol mission, were shot down by LT Walter F. Boone 1936
Japanese fighters en route to an attack on Darwin. LCDR Andrew Crinkley 1937
None of the crew were seriously wounded and all LCDR Robert L. Fuller 1938
LCDR Aaron P. Storrs III 1938
were picked up shortly after by an American tramp
LCDR Wilson P. Cogswell 1939
steamer, SS Florence D. That same afternoon Japanese
LCDR Frank O’Beirne Oct 1941
dive-bombers sank the steamer, killing two of
Moorer’s crew. The survivors made Bathurst Island
that night, and all were picked up on the 23rd by Aircraft Assignment
HMAS Warranambool for return to Darwin. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
25 Feb 1942: By this date, VP-22 had lost all but H-16 Sep 1928
three of its aircraft to enemy action and only two of T2D Sep 1928
the remainder were in serviceable condition. PD-1 Feb 1930
1 Mar 1942: Surabaya was evacuated in the face of P2Y-3 Jul 1935
the advancing Japanese, and the squadron was relo- PBY-1 Mar 1938
cated to Perth, Australia. PBY-2 Jun 1938
5 Mar 1942: It was decided at this time to return PBY-3 Oct 1938
half of the squadron personnel to the U.S. That contin- PBY-5 Apr 1940

A formation of squadron
PD-1s over Hawaii, March
1930.
132 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Jan 1942 4 Feb 1942 PatWing-10 Ambon PBY-5 SoPac

5 Feb 1942 24 Feb 1942 PatWing-10 Darwin PBY-5 SoPac
25 Feb 1942 1 Mar 1942 PatWing-10 Surabaya PBY-5 SoPac
1 Mar 1942 18 Apr 1942 PatWing-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Naval District 14 15 Sep 1928
PUC 8 Dec 1941 3 Mar 1942
Fleet Aviation, Battle
Force, Minecraft 21 Jan 1931 1 Jan 1942 3 Mar 1942
Fleet Aviation, Base
Force 1 Oct 1937
PatWing-10/American/British/Dutch
and Australian Forces (ABDA) 11 Jan 1942

A formation of squadron PD-1s dropping bombs, May 1932.

 CHAPTER 3 133

Third VP-22 ing the end of Imperial Japan, just as surely as it had
marked its beginning. Colors: outer circle, chocolate
brown; inner circle, forest green; field, bright yellow;
triangle, light gray-blue; cloud, white; dragon body,
Lineage forest green; dragon stomach, face, claws and wings,
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED olive green outlined in black; head with black top,
TWO (VB-102) on 15 February 1943. white eye, white teeth, black mouth; scaly tail, pale
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- yellow; bomb, black; ball turret guns, forest green
DRED TWO (VPB-102) on 1 October 1944. with white openings. The design was used by VB-102,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED VPB-102, VP-102 and VP-HL-2.
TWO (VP-102) on 15 May 1946. When VP-HL-2 was redesignated VP-22, its primary
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) mission as a squadron was changed from that of pa-
TWO (VP-HL-2) on 15 November 1946. trolling/bombing to long-range overwater search com-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY TWO (VP-
22) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as-
signed the VP-22 designation.
Disestablished on 31 March 1994.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first known insignia for the squadron was de-
signed by the author’s father while the squadron was
being reformed at NAAS Kearney Field, Calif., and was
approved by CNO on 29 June 1944. The central figure

The squadron’ second insignia used a cartoon goose to show its mis-
sion of long range flights over water.

bined with ASW. The design submitted to CNO and

approved on 9 October 1951 portrayed a tired-looking
goose with wingtip tanks, flying over an ocean in
which a lightning bolt had just struck a surfaced sub-
marine. The physical and mental strain caused by the
search was portrayed by the spent expression on the
face of the goose and by the tired look in its eyes. The
lightning was intended to portray search radar com-
mon to patrol aviation. Colors: goose, blue with yel-
low bill, red tongue; cloud, white; submarine, black;
lightning, yellow; globe, blue and tan; sky, black and
The squadron’s first insignia was a dragon. blue; border, green and yellow. The design was used
by VP-22 from 1951 to 1959.
of the design was a dragon breathing fire and smoke, The third insignia used by VP-22 was approved by
poised on a cloud with a bomb held in its claws over- CNO on 11 June 1959. It portrays a wolf howling at
head, framed in a downward pointing triangle. Its the moon, astride a crushed submarine. The squadron
nose, belly and tail were equipped with ERCO gun at this time was frequently deployed to Alaska; there-
turrets. According to legend, the fiery dragon was the fore, the wolf motif was thought quite appropriate. In
scourge of the Japanese people in the far-distant past keeping with the age of the atom, electrons are seen
of that nation. It was felt fitting, therefore, to symbol- circling the ascendant moon. Colors: outer circle, blue;
ize the return of the dragon as an omen of fury mark- field, black; stars, moon, submarine, ripples on the
134 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

water and nose of streamlined to reflect the modern jet age environment,
dog, white; neu- still ever ready to search out and destroy the adver-
trons circling the sary. In the design, the goose flies above the sea over
moon, yellow; ocean, a submerged submarine. Colors: outer circle, gold;
blue; field for the field in upper half of circle, light blue; goose, dark
scroll at the bottom blue; two outer diagonal lines cutting insignia in half,
of the insignia, dark blue and gold; field in lower half of the circle,
black with yellow light blue; submarine, red; scroll outline in gold with
letters PATRON 22. letters PATRON TWENTY-TWO in gold, with blue
The insignia was background. This insignia was in effect until the
used by VP-22 from squadron’s disestablishment in 1994.
1959 to 1961. Nickname: Dragons, 1944–1950.
With the fourth Blue Geese Squadron, 1951–1994.
The squadron’s third insignia used a insignia, the squad-
howling wolf as its center piece. ron had returned to
Chronology of Significant Events
a goose theme, ap-
proved by CNO on 13 March 1961. This time the 15 Feb 1943: VB-102 was established at NAS
goose was more aggressive, clawing at a submarine Kaneohe, Hawaii, from half of the squadron assets and
which was breaking in two, with wings thrust up- personnel of VP-14. It operated under the operational
wards. In a scroll at the bottom of the design was the control of FAW-2 during its formation and training pe-
squadron designa- riod. The squadron continued flying the PBY-5A
tion, PATRON 22. Catalinas from VP-14 as additional crews and ground
No record of colors personnel were brought aboard. As the squadron was
was available for designated for conversion to the landplane PB4Y-1
this design. The in- Liberator, the crews began transition training as the
signia was in use new aircraft were received over the next two months.
from 1961 to 1969. VB-101 was the first squadron to fly the new land-
The assignment based bomber, and VB-102 was the second.
of the P-3A Orion to 28 Feb 1943: Single aircraft detachments (PBY-5As)
VP-22 in 1964 were sent to Canton, Midway and Johnston Islands to
marked a techno- provide patrol sector coverage. By 1 March 1943, simi-
logical turning point lar patrols were being conducted in the vicinity of the
in the history of the Hawaiian islands by the squadron at Kaneohe flying
squadron. The the newly assigned PB4Y-1 Liberators.
The fourth insignia returned to the theme
of the goose used in the squadron’s sec- squadron decided 7 Apr 1943: The squadron suffered its first opera-
ond design. that a newer, more tional loss when Lieutenant (jg) Herbert S. Bonn flew
modern insignia into the water during a night takeoff.
would be more appropriate with the advent of the 22 Apr 1943: All of the Liberators received for
new aircraft. The goose theme was retained, but it was squadron use were the early model Army versions (B-
24D) without a powered nose turret. Reports from the
combat zone showed that Liberator squadrons with
30-caliber nose guns were sustaining very high casu-
alty rates. Newer models of the Liberator destined for
The squadron
last insignia Army use (B-24H with Emerson or Consolidated tur-
was a very rets) did not come off the assembly lines in the States
stylized goose until June 1943. PB4Y-1 Liberators destined for Navy
and subma-
rine design. use did not get the refit at NAS San Diego with ERCO
250SH-1 powered turrets with twin 50-caliber gun
mounts until after May 1943. VB-102 was scheduled to
go into combat before any of the refitted models could
be obtained. In a flash of inspiration, Commander
Chick Hayward (later Vice Admiral), who was in com-
mand of the newly established Patrol Service Wing at
Kaneohe, decided that tail gun turrets (Consolidated
versions) in the slow and unwieldly PB2Y-2 Coronado
seaplanes—then sitting on the ramp awaiting mainte-
nance or cargo runs to the mainland—would be more
 CHAPTER 3 135

useful in the noses of the PB4Y-1s which were going 14 Feb 1944: VB-102 was reformed at NAAS
into combat. A few days later the commander of the Kearney Field, Calif., from a nucleus of veterans (14 of
PB2Y squadron walked down on the ramp to find all the original 18 PPCs) from the first combat tour.
the tail turrets of his aircraft missing! They had been During the training period the squadron came under
put in the noses of the VB-102 aircraft. the operational control of FAW-14. The squadron re-
22 Apr 1943: VB-102 received its first combat as- ceived the newer version of the PB4Y-1 Liberator with
signment at Carney Field, Guadalcanal, under the op- ERCO nose turrets and retractable belly turret. The
erational control of FAW-1. A five-aircraft detachment squadron remained at Kearney Field until June, when
was maintained at Espiritu Santos. Daily search sectors preparations were made for the transpac to Kaneohe,
of 800 miles were conducted in conjunction with VB- Hawaii. These preparations suffered a one-month set-
101, which had arrived at Carney Field prior to VB- back on 6 June when a PB4Y-1 from VB-117 flown by
102. The squadron’s primary mission was to protect Lieutenant (jg) Golden crashed into the squadron sup-
the southern Solomons from invasion and to intercept ply office, killing the supply chief and his assistant,
enemy shipping. During one such mission a squadron and destroying most of the stores intended for the de-
Liberator was heavily damaged during an attack on ployment. The training accident resulted in the death
the enemy seaplane base on Greenwich Island. of nine VB-117 personnel and nine VB-102 personnel,
7 Jul 1943: The commanding officer of VB-102, and injuries to 11 others.
Lieutenant Commander Bruce A. Van Voorhis, and his 9 July 1944: VB-102 flew its transpac to NAS
entire crew were killed during a daytime attack on Kaneohe without incident and commenced combat
enemy positions on the island of Kapingamarangi. operational training on the 18th. Crew skills were
Lieutenant Commander Van Voorhis received the Medal honed in bombing, ASW, use of new night radar sets
of Honor for this action and his co-pilot, Lieutenant (jg) and gunnery.
Herschel A. Oehlert, Jr., was awarded the Navy Cross. 12 Aug 1944: The squadron flew from Kaneohe
All of the other crew members were awarded the to Eniwetok in five increments of three aircraft each,
Distinguished Flying Cross. Official accounts of the ac- arriving at Stickell Field on the 14th. VB-102 re-
tion describe it as a long-distance bombing mission lieved VB-109 and assumed duties as part of CTG
(700 miles) against enemy positions on the Japanese- 59.3 under FAW-1. Missions consisted of long-range
occupied Greenwich Islands chain. Van Voorhis made reconnaissance.
six bombing runs against a radio station and several 27 Aug 1944: VB-102 was reassigned to North
strafing runs against three seaplanes and shipping in Field, Tinian, as part of the Search, Reconnaissance
the lagoon. It was reported that on his last run his air- and Photographic Command of Task Force 57. On 10
craft was “too low and too slow” and was caught in its September 1944 operational control of the command
own bomb blast. An enemy account found after the was transferred from FAW-2 to FAW-1. Long-range re-
war, however, claimed that the bomber was shot down connaissance missions with 800-mile sectors continued
by one of the floatplanes. The bomber crashed in the to be the order of the day.
lagoon with no survivors. 27 Mar 1945: One of the missions liked the least by
9 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Shiley and crew were shot all squadrons in the South Pacific was the destruction
down by Japanese night-fighters over Kahili airfield on of enemy picket boats. These small, heavily armed
Bugainville. There were no known survivors. and armored vessels were stationed several hundred
Aug 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Haskett and his crew miles from the Japanese coasts along routes flown by
were lost in a night bombing mission over Kahili. The the bomber streams attacking Japanese cities. Their re-
squadron’s losses in July and August 1943 occurred ports of approaching attack forces gave the Japanese
during bombing missions. However, the majority of Home Defense forces time to prepare for intercep-
work done by the squadron entailed search and re- tions. Lieutenant Wayne D. Rorman and his crew at-
connaissance, with bombing strictly secondary. tacked one of the picket boats on the 27th, making a
Approximately 95 percent of the squadron’s opera- low-level, high-speed approach. During such a run
tions were single-plane search missions north of only one pass was usually made and all ordnance was
Guadalcanal and east of Bougainville. dropped by eye, rather than with complicated bomb
1 Nov 1943: The squadron continued its operations sights. Rorman’s bombing and strafing run was suc-
from Carney Field at Guadalcanal, flying several mis- cessful and the picket boat was sunk but his aircraft
sions with the 13th Army Air Force which also oper- was heavily damaged. With great skill and good luck,
ated Liberators and B-25s out of Carney Field. VB-102 Rorman managed to bring the bomber back to Tinian.
remained at Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo until re- For his heroic action, Lieutenant Rorman was subse-
lieved on the first of November by VB-106. The air- quently awarded the Navy Cross.
craft were flown back to NAS Kaneohe for refit and 1 Apr 1945: Routine search and long-range recon-
reassignment while the crews and ground personnel naissance missions continued from Tinian through the
departed for the States. first of April 1945, when the squadron received orders
136 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

to establish an eight-aircraft detachment at Iwo Jima. duce the squadron complement of aircraft from 15 to
The detachment flew two daily 800-mile sector 12. Duties during this period consisted primarily of
searches with two aircraft to the borders of the weather reconnaissance. On 6 December 1945, a de-
Japanese homeland across Nansei Shoto and south tachment of four aircraft was sent to Peleliu to provide
Kyushu. The squadron was placed under the opera- weather reconnaissance for the fleet.
tional control of FAW-18. 29 Dec 1945: VPB-102 and the Peleliu detachment
23 Apr 1945: VPB-102 was based temporarily on returned to Tinian, with a two-aircraft detachment re-
Peleliu, flying three daily 600-mile search sectors maining at Guam for weather reconnaissance. This de-
north of Peleliu. Night antishipping patrols were tachment rejoined the squadron on 29 January 1946.
flown on a periodic basis. The squadron was joined 3 Jan 1946: The squadron received orders to re-
on 24 April by VPB-152. Search sector patrols north of duce the squadron complement of aircraft and crews
Palau Island and all night antishipping patrols were from 12 to 9. On 12 April 1946, two aircraft detach-
carried out through 2 May 1945, when the squadron ments were sent to Peleliu and Agana, Guam, for
was relocated to Tinian under the operational control weather reconnaissance. A third weather reconnais-
of FAW-18. sance detachment was sent to Iwo Jima on 24 April.
3 May 1945: After settling in at Tinian, the 1 May 1946: The squadron headquarters staff was
squadron commenced 1,000-mile sector searches and transferred back to Agana, Guam. The squadron re-
reconnaissance of the Japanese-held Truk Island mained there for the next several months, spraying
airstrips. Occasional attacks were made on Japanese DDT on Iwo Jima, Marcus Island, Yap, Ulithi, Pagan,
held Marcus Island. A detachment of four aircraft was Tinian and other outlying islands.
sent to Central Field, Iwo Jima, for long range recon- 6 Jun 1946: NAS San Diego, Calif., was designated
naissance to Honshu and Kyushu through north as the squadron’s permanent state-side home port,
Nansei Shoto. On 18 May an additional six aircraft with Agana, Guam, as its primary deployment site.
were sent to supplement the detachment and begin The squadron was still based primarily on Guam
night antishipping patrols. During the next two throughout the year.
months, the aircraft remaining at Tinian with the head- 15 Nov 1946: VP-102 was redesignated VP-HL-2 with
quarters staff, provided the fleet with weather reports. its primary mission remaining weather reconnaissance.
Both the Tinian and Iwo Jima detachments provided 10 Mar 1947: The squadron participated for the first
daytime air-sea rescue patrols for B-29 crews returning time in a week of ASW exercises off the coast of
from nighttime bombing missions. Guam. Lieutenant Degennaro had the distinction of
9 May 1945: On 9 May Lieutenant Elwood C. hitting a submarine’s periscope with a miniature bomb
Mildahn led his aircraft in a low level attack on Marcus during the exercises, putting the vessel out of commis-
Island. He pressed home his attack in the face of in- sion for the rest of the week.
tense antiaircraft fire and successfully struck his target 31 Dec 1947: The primary mission of VP-HL-2 was
resulting in large fires. He was awarded the Navy changed from weather reconnaissance to ASW. The
Cross for this action. Lieutenant Commander Louis P. squadron continued to fly weather missions periodi-
Pressler, VPB-102’s commanding officer, was also cally over the next several years on an as needed
awarded the Navy Cross for his action during the basis.
strike on Marcus Island. Despite the intense antiaircraft 2 Jul 1948: NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was desig-
fire he succeeded in destroying three enemy planes nated as the squadron’s new permanent home port.
preparing for take off and damaged the airstrip with a 1 May 1949: The squadron’s permanent home port
string of accurately placed bombs along the length of was relocated from NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, to NAS
the runway. Barbers Point, Hawaii.
1 Jul 1945: VPB-102 received its first PB4Y-2 30 Jun 1950: VP-22 received its first Neptune P2V-
Privateer replacements for the slower, less heavily 4s, at a cost of $693,000 per aircraft, as replacements
armed Liberators. From 22 February 1945 to 7 August for the Privateers.
1945, squadron losses were six PB4Y-1 aircraft, 23 1 Nov 1950: VP-22 deployed to WestPac during the
killed and 12 wounded. Korean Conflict, based at Naha AFB, Okinawa, with
2 Sep 1945: V-J Day, VPB-102 was still based at nine P2V-4 aircraft and 12 flight crews. Duties con-
Iwo Jima operating with 11 PB4Y-2s and 18 crews. sisted of two armed reconnaissance patrols daily along
19 Sep 1945: Three of the aircraft assigned to the the China coast and Formosa Strait. On 21 January
Iwo Jima detachment were sent to Agana Field, Guam, 1951, the squadron lost one aircraft due to starboard
as an advance echelon. On 29 September the remain- engine failure during takeoff. The P2V crashed and
der of the squadron, including the headquarters de- sank in 20 fathoms of water one mile off the end of
tachment at Tinian, joined the advance echelon on the runway. There were 11 survivors and two crew-
Guam. Shortly after arrival, the squadron began crew men were listed as missing (their bodies were later re-
rotations back to the States and received orders to re- covered).
 CHAPTER 3 137

1 Dec 1951: VP-22 was deployed to WestPac for a takeoff capability; the jet engines assisted in maintain-
second Korean combat zone tour at NAF Atsugi, ing higher airspeed and altitude.
Japan. Patrol duties consisted of ASW and weather re- 19 Nov 1958: The Blue Geese deployed to NS
connaissance flights over the Sea of Japan and the Adak, Alaska. During deployment the size of the
Tsushima Straits. squadron was increased from 45 officers and 197 en-
29 Nov 1952: VP-22 began its third tour of opera- listed to 55 officers and 300 enlisted personnel.
tions in the Korean theater conducting shipping Jul 1960: Squadron aircraft were retrofitted for anti-
surveillance of the China Sea. The squadron carried submarine warfare with JULIE and JEZEBEL electronic
out 486 combat patrols during deployment, losing one equipment. JULIE was an electronic system for detec-
aircraft in combat and another in an accident. tion and tracking of submarines, while JEZEBEL acous-
18 Jan 1953: A P2V-4 of VP-22 patrolling the tic signal processors were used to track submerged
Formosa Strait was shot down off Swatow, China, by targets. The new equipment was thoroughly tested
Communist Chinese antiaircraft fire and ditched in the during a November 1960 to May 1961 deployment.
Formosa Strait. Eleven of 13 crew members escaped 1 Nov 1964: VP-22 picked up its first P-3A Orion at
the aircraft. Shore battery gunfire and high seas ham- the Lockheed plant in Burbank, Calif. Cost of the new
pered rescue operations, the latter causing the Coast aircraft was $3,950,000.
Guard PBM-5 rescue plane to crash on takeoff. Total 23 Apr 1965: The squadron deployed to NS
losses from the incident were 11 men, 7 of them from Sangley Point, R.P., for duty with the 7th Fleet in
the Neptune crew. Halsey Powell (DD 686), while Operation Market Time, coastal patrol operations off
under fire from the shore batteries, rescued 10 sur- the coast of South Vietnam. A detachment operated
vivors from the sea. from Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, with VP-42.
31 Jan 1953: One of the squadron’s P2V-5s was 21 Apr 1966: VP-22 deployed a detachment to
listed as missing. Subsequent search revealed the Midway and Kwajalein for advance base operations as
wreckage with 11 victims on a mountainside at the part of operation Elusive Elk. The operation involved
northeast end of Okinawa. test firings of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM)
1 Feb 1955: VP-22 received its first jet-assisted P2V- with an impact zone in the vicinity of Midway and
5F Neptune. The new aircraft had improved short field Kwajalein. All of the squadron crews were rotated for

A squadron P2V-5F in flight, March 1955.

138 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

these exercises for two-week periods extending at that time to NAS Cubi Point, R.P., and was tasked
through 30 September 1966. with locating boatloads of refugees in the South China
26 Jun 1968: The squadron commenced a six- Sea and directing surface ships of the 7th fleet to assist
month Progressive Aircraft Rework Cycle, equipping them. During the remainder of the deployment the
its P-3A aircraft with new communications gear, air-to- squadron was engaged in SAR missions to rescue the
surface missiles and the AGM-12B Bullpup missile sys- Vietnamese “boat people,” who were still fleeing their
tem. During the rework, the squadron deployed on 30 homeland following the Communist take over in 1975.
June 1968, to NAF Naha with a detachment supported 31 Dec 1982: VP-22 was designated as the test
at NAF Cam Ranh Bay. squadron for the operational deployment of the ALR-
15 Nov 1969: VP-22 deployed to NS Sangley Point 66 electronic warfare instrumentation package.
with a detachment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. Jul 1990: The squadron received its first P-3C UII.5
14 Jan 1971: The squadron deployed to NAF Naha, aircraft replacements for the P-3B MODs. Transition
Okinawa, with detachments at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, was completed in October, with all of the older P-3B
RVN, and RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. models going to various reserve patrol squadrons.
11 Oct 1971: VP-22 began the refit for the P-3B Apr 1992: The squadron received it first P-3C UIIIR
DIFAR system, which utilized the Navy’s most sophisti- aircraft. Transition training was undertaken at NAS
cated ASW sensor equipment. The refit continued Moffett Field, Calif., in increments of four crews.
through April 1972. 24 Feb 1992: Four crews were detached for duty
21 Apr 1972: VP-22 deployed to NAF Naha, with the JCS sponsored Counter Narcotics Operations
Okinawa, with a detachment at NAS Cubi Point, R.P. at Howard AFB, Panama. The detachment returned on
This deployment marked the squadron’s last deploy- 26 March 1992.
ment to a combat zone during the Vietnam Conflict. 15 Mar 1994: VP-22 was disestablished at NAS
29 Aug 1978: A detachment was sent to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii.
Moffett Field, Calif., for transition to the P-3B MOD
(TAC/NAV) aircraft, returning to NAS Barbers Point,
Base Assignments
Hawaii, on 31 December 1978.
Location Date of Assignment
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Feb 1943
NAAS Kearney Field, Calif. 14 Feb 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 9 Jul 1944
NAS San Diego, Calif. 6 Jun 1946
NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii 2 Jul 1948
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 1 May 1949

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

LCDR Bruce A. VanVoorhis 15 Feb 1943
LCDR Gordon Fowler 7 Jul 1943
LCDR Gerald R. Pearson 14 Feb 1944
LCDR Louis P. Pressler 22 Feb 1945
LCDR Langford W. Bates 7 Aug 1945
LCDR M. L. Lowe, Jr. 3 Dec 1945
CDR H. A. Rowe 4 Oct 1946
CDR D. S. Gray, Jr. 14 Feb 1948
A squadron P-3B in flight near the coast line of Hawaii, August 1973. CDR J. W. Hughes 2 Apr 1949
CDR A. F. Farwell 13 May 1949
1 Jun 1979: The Blue Geese deployed to NAS Cubi CDR R. J. Davis 23 Feb 1950
Point, R.P. On 27 June a squadron aircraft, BuNo. CDR William Godwin 11 May 1951
154596, suffered a two-engine failure resulting in a CDR W. P. Tanner, Jr. 20 Jun 1952
crash at sea. Five of the 15 crew members were killed. CDR J. E. Hardy 15 Jun 1953
The accident broke the squadron’s safety record of 25 CDR W. H. Game 20 Oct 1954
years, 7 months and 8 days of accident-free flying. CDR W. C. Tuggle 23 Mar 1956
19 Jul 1979: The president announced he had in- CDR M. W. Munk 10 Apr 1956
structed the U.S. 7th Fleet to aid the Vietnamese “boat CDR R. B. Varner 26 Apr 1956
people” and assist them to safety. VP-22 was deployed CDR M. W. Munk 20 Sep 1957
 CHAPTER 3 139

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR J. R. Ward 16 Aug 1958 CDR Michael D. Haskins 28 May 1982
CDR J. V. Hart 27 Jul 1959 CDR J. E. Dulin 27 Jun 1983
CDR C. E. Olsen 1 Jul 1960 CDR R. J. Morris, Jr. 23 Aug 1984
CDR C. E. Ruffin 13 Sep 1960 CDR F. E. Barker, Jr. 18 Oct 1985
CDR C. E. Olsen 28 Jul 1961 CDR Frederick E. Crecelius 7 Nov 1986
CDR J. L. Kauth 10 Jul 1962 CDR Mark A. Crim 18 Dec 1987
CDR L.E. Redden 5 Jul 1963 CDR Chester A. Zeller 14 Dec 1988
CDR Paul J. Hartley 1 Apr 1964 CDR Robert D. Ford 8 Dec 1989
CDR George Prassinos 9 Aug 1965 CDR John T. Sting 6 Dec 1990
CDR Jack D. Fuller 24 Feb 1966 CDR Dennis M. Corrigan 21 Nov 1991
CDR John T. Coughlin 15 Dec 1966 CDR Richard T. Holloway 16 Dec 1992
CDR James M. Barron 13 Nov 1967
CDR James W. Cornwell 19 Oct 1968 Aircraft Assignment
CDR J. F. Kneisl 7 Oct 1969
CDR R. W. Case 14 Aug 1970 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR T. J. Keene 20 Jul 1971 PBY-5A/PB4Y-1 Feb 1943
CDR D. E. Canada 23 Jun 1972 PB4Y-2 Jul 1945
CDR George C. Wheeler 22 Jun 1973 P2V-4 Jul 1950
CDR William L. Rice 26 Jun 1974 P2V-5 Jul 1952
CDR G. L. Cole 15 May 1975 P2V-5F Feb 1955
CDR Hawkins G. Miller 14 May 1976 SP-2E Nov 1962
CDR David K. Moore 27 May 1977 P-3A Nov 1964
CDR Michael B. Hughes 24 Mar 1978 P-3B DIFAR Oct 1971
CDR V. P. Merz 27 Apr 1979 P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Aug 1978
CDR Raymond M. White 16 May 1980 P-3C UII.5 Sep 1990
CDR Edward R. Enterline 29 May 1981 P-3C UIIIR Apr 1992

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 Feb 1943* 22 Apr 1943 FAW-2 Canton PB4Y-1 WestPac

28 Feb 1943* 22 Apr 1943 FAW-2 Midway PB4Y-1 WestPac
28 Feb 1943* 22 Apr 1943 FAW-2 Johnston Is. PB4Y-1 EastPac
Apr 1943* 1 Nov 1943 FAW-1 Guadalcanal PB4Y-1 SoPac
Apr 1943* 1 Nov 1943 FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PB4Y-1 SoPac
9 Jul 1944 12 Aug 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 EastPac
12 Aug 1944 27 Aug 1944 FAW-1 Eniwetok PB4Y-1 SoPac
27 Aug 1944 1 Apr 1945 FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-1 SoPac
1 Apr 1945 19 Sep 1945 FAW-18 Iwo Jima PB4Y-1 WestPac
23 Apr 1945 3 May 1945 FAW-18 Peleliu PB4Y-1 SoPac
3 May 1945 19 Sep 1945 FAW-18 Tinian PB4Y-1 SoPac
19 Sep 1945 29 Dec 1945 FAW-1 Agana PB4Y-1/2 WestPac
29 Dec 1945 1 May 1946 FAW-18 Tinian PB4Y-1/2 SoPac
1 May 1946 6 Jun 1946 FAW-1 Agana PB4Y-1/2 WestPac
14 Oct 1947 2 Jul 1948 FAW-1 Naha PB4Y-2 WestPac
7 Jul 1949 8 Feb 1950 FAW-1 Agana PB4Y-2 WestPac
1 Nov 1950 1 May 1951 FAW-1 Naha P2V-4 WestPac
1 Dec 1951 31 May 1952 FAW-6 Atsugi P2V-4 WestPac
29 Nov 1952 27 May 1953 FAW-6 Atsugi P2V-5 WestPac
1954 1954 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5 NorPac
Apr 1957 Sep 1957 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
140 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

19 Nov 1958 19 May 1959 FAW-4 Adak P2V-5F NorPac

10 Nov 1960 10 May 1961 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
May 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
15 Nov 1963 19 May 1964 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2E WestPac
23 Apr 1965 1 Jan 1966 FAW-8 Sangley P-3A WestPac
Apr 1965 Jan 1966 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
21 Apr 1966 30 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Midway P-3A WestPac
27 Nov 1966 1 Jun 1967 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
30 Jun 1968 11 Jan 1969 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
16 Jul 1968 10 Dec 1968 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
15 Nov 1969 1 May 1970 FAW-8 Sangley P-3A WestPac
30 Nov 1969 29 Apr 1970 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
14 Jan 1971* 14 Jul 1971 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
25 Jan 1971* 2 Feb 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
27 Mar 1971* 3 Apr 1971 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
21 Apr 1972* 30 Nov 1972 PatWing-1 Naha P-3B DIFAR WestPac
29 Apr 1972* 16 May 1972 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B DIFAR WestPac
11 Nov 1973 20 Apr 1974 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B DIFAR WestPac
10 Jun 1975 10 Dec 1975 PatWing-1 Naha P-3B DIFAR WestPac
8 Nov 1976 8 May 1977 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B DIFAR WestPac
1 Jan 1978 12 Jun 1978 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B DIFAR WestPac
1 Jun 1979 30 Nov 1979 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
2 Aug 1980 1 Jan 1981 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
10 Nov 1981 15 May 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
5 Feb 1983 5 Aug 1983 PatWing-2 Midway P-3B MOD WestPac
10 May 1984 10 Nov 1984 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
10 Nov 1985 10 May 1986 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
1 Jun 1987 11 Dec 1987 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
10 Nov 1988 10 May 1989 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3B MOD WestPac
10 Feb 1990 15 May 1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
1 Aug 1991 Jan 1992 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UII.5 WestPac
24 Feb 1992 26 Mar 1992 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIIIR Carib
30 Oct 1992 10 May 1993 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIIIR WestPac
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

FAW-2 15 Feb 1943 * The squadron remained part of FAW-14 but was assigned the tail
code WB on 12 December 1946. However, due to an administrative
FAW-1 22 Apr 1943 error, Aviation Circular Letter No. 165-46 of 12 December 1946 had
FAW-14 14 Feb 1944 identified two units, VP-22 and HEDRON MAG-25 with the tail code
WB. VP-22’s tail code was later changed to AE but the effective date
FAW-2 9 Jul 1944 of this change is unknown.
† VP-22’s tail code was changed from AE to CE on 4 August 1948.
FAW-1 12 Aug 1944
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from CE to QA in 1957. The
FAW-18 1 Apr 1945 effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
FAW-14 WB/AE* 6 Jun 1946 1958 (1 July 1957).
§ Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2) was redesignated Patrol Wing 2

FAW-2/PatWing-2§ AE/CE†/QA‡ 2 Jul 1948 (PatWing-2) on 30 June 1973.

 CHAPTER 3 141

Unit Awards Received Unit Awards Received—Continued

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
NUC 22 Jan 1967 22 Mar 1967 1 Nov 1969 30 Apr 1970
MUC 20 Apr 1970 1 May 1970 NOSM 14 Oct 1947 2 Jul 1948
28 Aug 1982 7 Sep 1982 1 Nov 1950 1 May 1951
1 Dec 1951 1 Jun 1952
10 Oct 1982 28 Oct 1982
28 Nov 1952 26 Jan 1953
8 Dec 1982 17 Dec 1982 26 Jan 1953 30 May 1953
(Crew Det) 20 Apr 1970 1 May 1970 AFEM 1 Jul 1968 14 Jan 1969
(Crew Det) 1 Feb 1972 15 Jul 1972 (Crew Det) 23 May 1979 6 Jun 1979
RVNGC 21 Nov 1968 31 Dec 1968 (Crew Det) 21 Nov 1979 1 Dec 1979

A VP-22 P-3B preparing to land at NAS Moffett Field in August 1978 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
142 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-23 changed its insignia, with CNO approval on 5

Third VP-23 March 1953, to a design more in keeping with its pri-
mary mission of antisubmarine warfare. The central
figure of the design
Lineage was a sea hawk,
Established as Weather Reconnaissance Squadron clutching in its claws a
THREE (VPW-3) on 17 May 1946. depth charge and a
Redesignated Meteorology Squadron THREE (VPM- mine. Colors: body of
3) on 15 November 1946. hawk, white with silver
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) gray and maroon
THREE (VP-HL-3) on 8 December 1947, the second wings; bomb and
squadron to be assigned the VP-HL-3 designation. mine, black; sea, dark
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY THREE (VP- blue; sky, light blue.
23) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- The squadron sub-
signed the VP-23 designation. The second insignia featured a sea mitted a third, more
hawk carrying munitions. modern design that
Disestablished on 28 February 1995.
was approved by CNO
on 1 July 1985. It still
Squadron Insignia and Nickname featured the sea hawk,
The squadron’s first insignia was approved by CNO but rendered it in a
on 10 February 1949, shortly after it had been redesig- streamlined version
nated VP-23. The rather complex design featured two with the head of the
signal flags: one containing the helmet and baton of hawk outlined in the
center of the design.
On the top of the in-
signia in a scroll was
the squadron nick-
name, Seahawks. On
The third squadron insignia was a the bottom of the in-
stylized head of a sea hawk. signia, was a scroll
with the squadron des-
ignation, Patron-23. Colors: background, gray; beak
and eyes, yellow; feathers, white and blue; letters, yel-
low on blue background, yellow scroll border.
Nicknames: Seahawks, 1953–1995.

Chronology of Significant Events

17–21 May 1946: VPW-3 was established as a
weather reconnaissance squadron under FAW-14 at
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., for duty in the Caribbean.
Its aircraft and personnel were drawn from VPW-2.
Four days after its establishment, the new squadron
departed for its assigned home base at NAS Miami,
Fla., where the crews began flying the PB4Y-2M
The squadron’s first insignia was a complex design of two signal flags. Privateer fitted with radar for weather reconnaissance.
When the squadron arrived at NAS Miami it came
under the operational control of FAW-5.
the “Patrolman,” the other an umbrella. Both flags were
15 Nov 1946: VPW-3 was redesignated VPM-3, con-
pendants on a mast with a cloud background, pierced
tinuing to serve as a weather/meteorology squadron
by a lightning bolt. The elements of the insignia por- still based at NAS Miami, Fla..
trayed the dual mission of the squadron at that time, 8 Dec 1947: VPM-3 was redesignated VP-HL-3 after
which was antisubmarine and antishipping warfare another squadron with that same designation had
combined with weather patrolling. Colors: clouds, gray; been disestablished at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, on
lightning, orange; pole, brown; top flag, red border 22 May 1947. Although designated as a Heavy Patrol
with black background, blue police helmet with brown Squadron (Landplane), it continued to provide
club and red star; lower flag, red border, black back- weather reconnaissance and hurricane surveillance
ground with a light green umbrella with brown handle. flights for the East Coast.
 CHAPTER 3 143

15 Jan–Sep 1948: VP-HL-3 was relocated to a new 1 Jun–11 Nov 1949: VP-23 broke all records for
home port at NAS Atlantic City, N.J., but their stay at hurricane surveillance by Navy patrol squadrons, en-
the new station was cut short by an order on 29 March tering the “eyes” of 33 hurricanes during the season
1948 to base at NAS Patuxent River, Md. However, the from 1 June to 11 November 1949. The squadron then
move to Patuxent River never occurred. The squadron ended its career in weather and converted to the ASW
deployed from NAS Atlantic City on 15 April 1948 for role effective 15 November 1949. The squadron’s air-
Argentia, Newfoundland, with a detachment at NAS craft were redesignated PB4Y-2S and were retrofitted
Miami. The entire squadron joined the detachment at with the APS-15 ASW radar.
Miami at the close of the hurricane season in 1948 for 4 Dec 1949: VP-23 began its new role as a patrol
the filming of the 20th Century Fox movie Slattery’s squadron, with ASW as its primary mission, and de-
Hurricane. ployed to Newfoundland and Greenland for cold
1 Jan 1949: After the Navy sequences for the movie weather training. RON (Remain/Over Night) visits
Slattery’s Hurricane were completed at NAS Miami, were made to remote air bases at Goose Bay,
preparations for the squadrons transfer to NAS Labrador; and Narsarssuak, Greenland, carrying mail.
Patuxent River were halted and VP-23 was perma- Temperatures during the two-month deployment fre-
nently assigned to NAS Miami under the operational quently dropped to minus 20º F. During the deploy-
control of FAW-11. ment extensive use was made of LORAN gear.
1 Jul 1950: VP-23 surveyed the Gulf Stream in
Operation Cabot, in support of San Pablo (AVP 30).
The squadron recorded color changes in the gulf, took
APS-15 radar signatures, and noted LORAN fixes on
surface and subsurface features. During the operation
at least one aircraft was designated to provide weather
reconnaissance for the surface vessels participating in
the project.
9 May 1952: VP-23 was transferred from NAS
Miami, Fla., to a new permanent home base at NAS
Brunswick, Maine, under the operational control of
FAW-3. Although the squadron was transferred, 7 offi-
cers and 109 enlisted personnel remained at NAS
Miami to form VJ-2, a weather squadron that took the
place of VP-23. Shortly after the transfer, the squadron
was equipped with PB4Y-2 aircraft that were soon re-
designated P4Y-2S, fitted with antisubmarine radar.
19 May 1952: VP-23 deployed to Argentia,
Newfoundland, for three months of advanced base
training in cold weather operations, relieving VP-24.
A formation of squadron PB4Y-2s in flight over Miami Beach, Fla., The squadron flew long-distance reconnaissance
August 1949, 80-G-440198. flights over the Labrador and Davis Straits and Baffin

A squadr on
PB4Y-2 being
pr epar ed for
flight at Goose
Bay, Labrador,
January 1950.
144 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Bay. A four-aircraft detachment was maintained at

Thule, Greenland.
Jan 1953: VP-23 deployed to the Spanish Air Base
at Reus, Tarragona, Spain, for one week of training
with Spanish Air Force personnel. At the end of the
week the squadron flew to Port Lyautey, F.M. The op-
erations in Spain represented the first formal coopera-
tion with the Spanish armed forces since before WWII.
Jun 1953: VP-23 deployed to Argentia,
Newfoundland, with a detachment at Thule AFB,
Greenland. The detachments charted ice conditions in
the surface shipping lanes between Newfoundland
and Greenland, moved urgent supplies to remote
Squadron P2V-5s at Roosevelt Road, P.R., May 1954.
bases, conducted research for the Hydrographic Office
in Washington, transported personnel and dropped
mail to fleet units at sea and ashore. Routine ASW pa- squadrons put on alert for the hijacked Portugese liner
trols were also flown by the Argentia detachment. Santa Maria. The search for the missing vessel took
7 May 1954: One of the VP-23 Neptunes, MA-5, five of the squadron’s aircraft to Barbados, Trinidad
crashed on takeoff from Nassau during exercises with and Recife, Brazil, before the liner was found. This de-
the Atlantic Fleet, killing the entire crew. tachment remained at San Juan until March, when it
29 Jul 1954: A squadron Neptune, MA-7, developed rejoined the squadron at Argentia. The remaining
engine trouble during an operational readiness flight months of the deployment were spent in shipping
near NAS Qounset Point, R.I. The crew ditched with surveillance and evaluation testing of the Tiros II
no casualties and were pulled from the water after one weather satellite.
and a half hours. 1 May 1961: The squadron established a new en-
durance record for the P2V-7 Neptune during their de-
ployment to Argentia, remaining in the air for 22 hours
and 54 minutes. The flight was planned in honor of
the 50th anniversary of Naval Aviation.
8 Aug–Nov 1962: VP-23 deployed to NAF Sigonella,
Sicily, relieving VP-16. Detachments were maintained
at NAF Rota, Spain; Almas, Sardinia; and Soudha Bay,
Crete. On 30 September two detachments of four air-
craft each were put on standby at Ben Guerir,
Morocco, and Lajes, Azores, for Test 66, the six-orbit
space shot of Signma 7 containing Navy Commander
A formation of squadron P2V-5s, April 1954. Walter M. Shirra. The test concluded successfully and
the detachments returned to NAF Sigonella on 5
October. From 21 October to 21 November 1962, the
Apr 1955: VP-23 transitioned to the jet-assisted squadron was put on alert during the Cuban Missile
P2V-7 Neptune. At the end of the month the squadron Crisis, flying round-the-clock surveillance and ASW
received operational training in the new aircraft during missions in support of the Sixth Fleet. Soviet surface
its deployment to Bermuda. A three-aircraft detach- units were kept under surveillance during transit of
ment was maintained at Lajes, Azores. Exercises were the Mediterranean Sea.
conducted in ASW techniques with fleet submarines, Feb 1963: While preparing to return from
surface units, other patrol squadrons and blimp Operation Springboard exercises in Puerto Rico in late
squadrons. February, the squadron was tasked to locate another
16 Jul 1958: With the landing of U.S. Marines in hijacked ship, the Venezuelan cargo vessel Anzotegui.
Lebanon on 15 July, the squadron was quickly flown Searches were conducted in the South Atlantic and
to NAF Keflavik, Iceland, the next day to assume sta- Caribbean before the ship was discovered by VP-23 in
tion over the North Atlantic approaches. The the mouth of the Amazon.
Seahawks remained on station at this location until the Apr 1963: VP-23 was tasked with the futile search
international climate had cooled, returning to NAS for survivors or debris from the Thresher (SSN 593)
Brunswick in early September. disaster. On 30 May a squadron aircraft dropped a
1 Jan 1961: The Seahawks had just deployed to wreath over the site of the sinking.
Argentia, Newfoundland, when they received a special 6 Sep 1963: VP-23 deployed a seven-aircraft de-
assignment. VP-23 was one of several patrol tachment to NAS Guantanamo, Cuba, relieving VP-45.
 CHAPTER 3 145

Numerous patrols were conducted in support of

Cuban refugees adrift at sea.
3 Dec 1967: A squadron aircraft, LJ-4 with crew 11,
crashed in adverse weather off the end of the Otis
AFB, Falmouth, Mass., runway. The crew egressed
safely, but the aircraft was totally consumed by fire.
15 Apr–Aug 1968: VP-23 deployed to NAF
Sigonella, Sicily. On 1 August, a detachment deployed
to Souda Bay, Crete, supported by Tallahatchie
County (AVB 2).
1 Nov 1968: The squadron had been scheduled for
disestablishment on this date, but the decision was re-
scinded at the last moment by the Secretary of
Defense.
27 Jun–Aug 1969: VP-23 deployed to NAF
A close up of a Harpoon missile on the pylon of a squadron P-3. A
Sigonella, Sicily, relieving VP-21. During the deploy- squadron P-3C is in the background.
ment squadron aircraft made contacts on 37 Soviet
Bloc submarines in the Mediterranean Sea. A minor
accident occurred on 31 August when the nosewheel AGM-84 air-launched antishipping missile. VP-23 was
of one of the squadron’s aircraft collapsed during its the first operational fleet patrol squadron to make an
landing roll. Only minor injuries were sustained by the operational deployment with the Harpoon.
crew and the aircraft was repairable. 5 Sep 1979–Jan 1980: VP-23 deployed to NAF
Nov 1969–Jun 1970: The squadron received its first Keflavik, Iceland, for NATO exercises. A detachment
P-3B Orion, completing transition training on 15 June was maintained at the NATO airfield at Bodo, Norway.
1970. VP-23 was the last remaining active duty patrol With the seizure of the American embassy in Iran, a
squadron to fly the SP-2H, retiring its last Neptune on detachment of three Harpoon equipped Orions was
20 February 1970. sent on 1 January 1980 to the island of Diego Garcia,
13 Jun–Jul 1974: The Seahawks deployed to NS B.I.O.T. The squadron’s performance earned it the
Rota, Spain, with a detachment maintained at NAF Navy Unit Commendation.
Lajes, Azores. Three aircraft were sent to NAF 1 Jan 1980: VP-23 deployed from Keflavik, Iceland,
Sigonella, Sicily, during the Cyprus unrest on 20 July to Diego Garcia and made its first operational flight
in case the need arose to evacuate U.S. citizens. The out of the Indian Ocean base within 10 days after re-
detachment returned to Rota on 23 July. ceiving orders, demonstrating its rapid deployment
23 Mar–Apr 1978: The Seahawks deployed to NS capability.
Rota, Spain, with a four-aircraft/five-crew detachment 12 Jun–Oct 1983: The squadron deployed to NAS
maintained at Lajes, Azores. On 26 April 1978, aircraft Bermuda, with detachments in Panama; Lajes, Azores;
LJ-04, BuNo. 152724, crashed at sea on landing ap- and Roosevelt Roads, P.R. On 28 October 1983, VP-23
transported a film crew to observe a Victor III Soviet
proach to Lajes, killing seven. Cause of the accident
submarine that had been forced to surface after devel-
was undetermined due to inability to recover aircraft
oping problems with its propulsion system while
remains from the extreme depths.
being tracked by the squadron and McCloy (FF 1038).
18 Jul 1979: VP-23 became the first Navy patrol
The film footage was used by all major television net-
squadron to fire the new McDonnell Douglas Harpoon
works in their prime-time broadcasts.
29 Oct–3 Nov 1983: VP-23 provided a three aircraft
detachment at Puerto Rico for patrols in the vicinity of
Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury, when U.S.
forces landed in Grenada to protect the lives of
Americans on the island.
16 Jan–Apr 1985: The Seahawks deployed to NS
Rota, Spain, with a detachment at Lajes, Azores. The
Rota detachment supported the Sixth Fleet’s retaliatory
strikes against Libya during the 24 March to 15 April
1986 period of operations.
10 May 1990: VP-23 deployed to NAS Bermuda,
with a detachment at NAS Roosevelt Roads, P.R. The
Puerto Rico detachment set a record assisting in the
A VP-23 P-3C(U2) at NAS Moffett Field in March 1979 (Courtesy Rick seizure of a 1,400-kilo batch of cocaine on a ship in
R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove). the territorial waters of the Dominican Republic.
146 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

26 Sep–Nov 1990: The squadron was tasked with Commanding Officers

providing a detachment at Jedda, Saudi Arabia to pro-
vide support for Operation Desert Shield. Date Assumed Command

1 Nov 1991: VP-23 deployed to NAS Sigonella, LCDR W. D. Baird 17 May 1946
Sicily. During the deployment a detachment was main- LCDR W. Janeshek 16 Jun 1947
tained at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in support of the UN CDR R. D. Knowles 19 Oct 1948
embargo against Iraq. CDR L. D. Tamny 15 Nov 1949
1994: VP-23 operated from NAS Sigonella, Sicily, on CDR W. R. Meyer 24 Mar 1951
CDR V. A. Blandin 12 Apr 1952
its last deployment. The squadron provided NATO
CDR H. N. Hop 8 Oct 1953
forces in Bosnia with real-time tactical reconnaissance
CDR E. B. Rogers 29 Oct 1954
in support of Operation Deny Flight. The squadron’s
CDR H. M. Cocowitch 1 Sep 1956
P-3Cs, armed with AGM-65 Maverick missiles, flew CDR Floyd F. Reck 27 Nov 1957
more than 300 armed sorties in support of Operation CDR J. G. Fifield 7 Nov 1958
Sharp Guard in the Adriatic Sea. CDR T. H. Brown 9 Dec 1959
7 Dec 1994: The squadron held a disestablishment CDR W. V. Collins 19 Dec 1960
ceremony at NAS Brunswick, Maine. CDR H. A. Willyard 1 Dec 1961
28 Feb 1995: VP-23 was disestablished at NAS CDR Fred C. Watson 5 Dec 1962
Brunswick, Maine. CDR Kenneth R. Karr 5 Nov 1963
CDR Charles L. Wyman 15 Dec 1964
Base Assignments CDR T. F. Wentworth 15 Nov 1965
CDR Harold R. Lockwood 23 Sep 1966
Location Date of Assignment CDR William H. Bowling 23 Oct 1967
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 17 May 1946 CDR H. T. Smith 27 Nov 1968
NAS Miami, Fla. 21 May 1946 CDR Raymond L. Christensen 11 Dec 1969
CDR Robert J. Campbell 17 Nov 1970
NAS Atlantic City, N.J. 15 Jan 1948
CDR C. G. Gilchrist 29 Oct 1971
NAS Patuxent River, Md.* 29 Mar 1948
CDR W. R. Westlake 30 Nov 1972
NAS Miami, Fla. 1 Jan 1949
CDR Richard F. Green 28 Sep 1973
NAS Brunswick, Maine 9 May 1952 CDR J. E. Sheehan 27 Nov 1974
*NAS Patuxent River, Md., was assigned as the squadron’s home CDR George R. Allender 12 Nov 1975
port but they never physically moved to the base. CDR Peter R. Catalano 16 Nov 1976

A squadr on P-3C
launching a Harpoon
missile.
 CHAPTER 3 147

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command
Date Assumed Command
CDR Don W. Medara 18 Nov 1977 CDR Keith T. Weaver 6 Nov 1992
CDR Henry H. Davis, Jr. 20 Oct 1978 CDR Ronald C. Schuller 19 Nov 1993
CDR Peter C. Baxter 8 Nov 1979
CDR Edward L. Naro 14 Oct 1980 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Michael T. Korbet 4 Nov 1981 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Harold J. Tickle 8 Oct 1982
PB4Y-2M May 1946
CDR Gregory R. Moore 9 Dec 1983
PB4Y-2S Nov 1949
CDR R. Kelly Gray 3 Apr 1985 P4Y-2S May 1952
CDR Benjamin P. Riley III 28 Jul 1986 P2V-5 Oct 1953
CDR Paul M. Griffin 16 Sep 1987 P2V-7 Apr 1955
CDR William S. Boniface 9 Sep 1988 P2V-7S (SP-2H) 1959
CDR Frank B. Word 22 Sep 1989 P-3B Nov 1969
CDR Larry W. Crane 5 Oct 1990 P-3B DIFAR Mar 1971
CDR James L. Campbell Oct 1991 P-3C UII Oct 1978

A squadron PB4Y-2 at Gibraltar, January 1951.

A squadron P-3C, 1979.

148 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

30 Jan 1947 15 Mar 1947 FAW-11 San Juan PB4Y-2M Carib

15 Apr 1948 Sep 1948 FAW-5 Argentia PB4Y-2M NorLant
4 Dec 1949 23 Jan 1950 FAW-11 Labrador PB4Y-2S NorLant
4 Jan 1951 12 May 1951 FAW-11 Port Lyautey PB4Y-2S Med
18 May 1952 17 Sep 1952 FAW-3 Argentia P4Y-2S NorLant
Jun 1953 20 Nov 1953 FAW-3 Argentia P4Y-2S NorLant
12 Sep 1954 Jan 1955 FAW-3 Port Lyautey P2V-5 Med
Apr 1955* 5 Aug 1955 FAW-3 Bermuda P2V-7 Lant
Apr 1955* 5 Aug 1955 FAW-3 Lajes P2V-7 Carib
5 Jan 1956 Jun 1956 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
15 May 1957 Oct 1957 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7 Med
Apr 1958 May 1958 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
16 Jul 1958 Sep 1958 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
Dec 1958 17 May 1959 FAW-3 Malta P2V-7 Med
3 Oct 1959 Mar 1960 FAW-3 Thule P2V-7 NorLant
1 Sep 1960 Oct 1960 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-7 NorLant
1 Jan 1961 5 Jun 1961 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-7 NorLant
8 Aug 1962 9 Jan 1963 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-7/SP-2H Med
6 Sep 1963 2 Dec 1963 FAW-3 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
4 Oct 1964* 10 Mar 1965 FAW-3 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
4 Oct 1964* 10 Mar 1965 FAW-3 Rota SP-2H Med
9 Nov 1966 12 May 1967 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
15 Apr 1968* 14 Oct 1968 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
1 Aug 1968* 14 Oct 1968 FAW-3 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
Tallahatchie County (AVB 2)
27 Jun 1969 27 Oct 1969 FAW-3 Sigonella SP-2H Med
25 Oct 1970 5 Mar 1971 FAW-3 Sigonella P-3B Med
1 Dec 1971 25 Mar 1972 FAW-3 Rota P-3B DIFAR Med

A squadron PB4Y-2 on patrol.

 CHAPTER 3 149

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 Nov 1972 17 Dec 1972 FAW-3 Sigonella P-3B DIFAR Med

16 Jan 1973 26 Jun 1973 FAW-3 Sigonella P-3B DIFAR Med
13 Jun 1974* 14 Nov 1974 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B DIFAR Med
13 Jun 1974* 14 Nov 1974 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B DIFAR Med
2 Jul 1975* 17 Dec 1975 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B DIFAR Lant
2 Jul 1975* 17 Dec 1975 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B DIFAR Lant
1 Dec 1976* 5 May 1977 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B DIFAR Med
1 Dec 1976* 5 May 1977 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B DIFAR Lant
23 Mar 1978* 5 Sep 1978 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B DIFAR Med
23 Mar 1978* 5 Sep 1978 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B DIFAR Lant
5 Sep 1979 15 Mar 1980 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
1 Jan 1980 15 Mar 1980 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UII IO
12 Feb 1981 29 Jul 1981 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
23 Mar 1982* 11 Aug 1982 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
23 Mar 1982* 11 Aug 1982 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
12 Jun 1983* 6 Nov 1983 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
12 Jun 1983* 6 Nov 1983 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
10 Aug 1984 15 Jan 1985 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
16 Jan 1986* 10 Jun 1986 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
16 Jan 1986* 10 Jun 1986 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
5 May 1987 10 Nov 1987 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
1 Dec 1988* Jun 1989 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
1 Dec 1988* Jun 1989 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
Dec 1989 Jun 1990 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
10 May 1990* Nov 1990 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
10 May 1990* Nov 1990 PatWing-5 Roosevelt Rd. P-3C UII Carib
2 Oct 1990 10 Nov 1990 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII Gulf
1 Nov 1991* May 1992 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1 Nov 1991* May 1992 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII Red Sea
10 Feb 1994 24 Jul 1994 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

A squadron P-3 loaded with under wing stores.

150 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron SP-2H in flight.

Air Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 EH* 17 May 1946 NUC 5 Sep 1979 4 Mar 1980
FAW-5 EH 21 May 1946 MUC 9 Sep 1970 31 Oct 1970
FAW-11 EH/MA† 1 Jan 1949 15 Feb 1981 29 Jul 1981
FAW-3 MA/LJ‡ 9 May 1952
5 May 1990 10 Nov 1990
FAW-5/PatWing-5§ LJ 1 Jul 1971
NEM 1 Oct 1976 30 Sep 1977
* The squadron remained part of FAW-14 but was assigned the tail 21 Nov 1979 1 Dec 1979
code EH on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from EH to MA on 19 July 1950. AFEM 23 Oct 1983 21 Nov 1983
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from MA to LJ in 1957. The
SASM 2 Oct 1990 10 Nov 1990
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957). SLOC 10 May 1987 10 Nov 1987
§ FAW-5 was redesignated Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) on 30 June 1973.
JMUA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990

A squadron SP-2H
on patrol.
 CHAPTER 3 151

A squadron P-3B flies over a foreign sailing ship.

152 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-24 cular field of blue there was a silhouette of a PB4Y-2

Privateer, the aircraft assigned to the squadron. Colors:
background, medium blue; bat, yellow; bat’s eyes and
mouth, red; bomb, white; lightning bolts, white; air-
Lineage craft silhouette, white; letters, red. The insignia re-
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED mained in use from 1946 to 1948.
FOUR (VB-104) on 10 April 1943. The second squadron insignia was submitted when
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- the mission of the squadron changed from Bat glide
DRED FOUR (VPB-104) on 1 October 1944. bombs to ASW, reconnaissance and antishipping in
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED 1950. The squadron was so fond of the designation
FOUR (VP-104) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
FOUR (VP-HL-4) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FOUR (VP-
24) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- The second insignia
signed the VP-24 designation. continued the bat
Redesignated Attack Mining Squadron THIRTEEN theme utilizing a
Batgirl design.
(VA-HM-13) on 1 July 1956.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FOUR (VP-
24) on 1 July 1959.
Disestablished 30 April 1995.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first squadron insignia on record was designed
for VP-HL-4 and was approved by CNO on 9 July1947.
The theme of the design was based on the Bat, or
Special Weapons Ordnance Device (SWOD) Mark 9, a Batmen, that permission was requested to retain the
symbolism in the new design. Upon approval by CNO
on 23 January 1951, this insignia became unique as
the only authorized naval squadron insignia displaying
a member of the female sex. The Batgirl was depicted
leaning against a heraldic shield superimposed over a
naval officer’s sword. On the shield was a homing tor-
pedo suspended by parachute over a periscope
emerging from the ocean depths. Colors: Batgirl, black
wings and outfit; skin, flesh color; shield, red border
with white background; sea, blue; periscope, white;
torpedo, black and white with red parachute; sword,
red pommel and blade with gold tassel; VP-24 letters,
black on white background in scroll at bottom of de-
sign. The insignia was used by VP-24 from 1951 until
the squadron was disestablished in 1995.
Nicknames: Buccaneers, 1943–1945.
Batmen, 1946–1995.
The squadron’s first insignia used the bat as its theme in recognition
of it capability to launch the Bat missile.
Chronology of Significant Events
radio-controlled glide bomb assigned to the squadron 10 Apr 1943: VB-104 was established at NAS
in 1946. Although the weapon was redesignated ASM- Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The squadron was formed with
N-2 after the war, it was still affectionately called the a cadre of personnel from VP-71 and equipped with
Bat by the few squadrons carrying it. The design con- the PB4Y-1 Liberator. The squadron came under the
sisted of a yellow bat superimposed on a large red operational control of FAW-2. Daily patrols were com-
figure 4 on a circular field of blue. The bat, clutching a menced immediately after formation, covering the ap-
large bomb, and with lightning flashing from its eyes, proaches to Midway, Johnston Island and Canton. It
signified the mission of the squadron and the elec- was mid-July before the squadron attained its full
tronic nature of the device. In the upper left of the cir- complement of aircraft and personnel.
 CHAPTER 3 153

15 Aug 1943: Training at Kaneohe was completed offensive reconnaissance patrols, strike missions on
and orders were received to proceed to Carney Field, enemy shipping, night patrols and special tracking
Guadalcanal, under the operational control of FAW-1, missions.
replacing VB-101. When the squadron arrived the air- 11 Nov 1944: Lieutenant Maurice Hill and his crew
crews commenced daily search missions, formation were attacked by enemy fighters while on patrol be-
missions against enemy land targets, and photorecon- tween Leyte and Cebu. Hill’s crew was flying a PB4Y-1
naissance and Dumbo missions. called the “Frumious Bandersnatch,” from the Lewis
26 Aug 1943: Commander Harry E. Sears, squadron Carroll novel Alice and the Looking Glass. It was
commanding officer, led an eight-aircraft strike on a equipped with a radar set in place of the customary
Japanese destroyer task force attempting to evacuate belly turret. This lack of defensive armament was
personnel from Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island. The quickly noted by the Japanese fighter pilots, and the
attack, made at sunset 90 miles off Buka Passage, dis- bomber was shot down near Pacijan Island. Filipino
rupted the evacuation and left one of the destroyers natives rescued the four survivors of the crash and
heavily damaged. tended their wounds until they could be rescued by a
2 Sep 1943: A squadron attack against enemy facili- PT boat one week later. The villagers were later exe-
ties at Kahili Airfield was led by Commander Sears on cuted by the Japanese for giving assistance to the
this date, joined by elements from several Army Americans.
bomber squadrons. The airfield and parked enemy air- 1 Dec 1944: VPB-104 was relocated to the Army’s
craft were heavily damaged with the squadron suffer- Tacloban Airfield, in the southern Philippines.
ing only minor damage from heavy antiaircraft fire. 12 Dec 1944: Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class
27 Jan 1944: Commander Harry E. Sears was William E. Abbot was serving as first mechanic on a
awarded the Navy Cross for heroic actions while lead- VPB-104 Liberator on patrol over northwest Borneo.
ing his squadron in combat during the period 26 The aircraft came under intense ground fire that pene-
August to 4 November 1943. In addition to leading trated the main bomb bay tank. AMM3C Abbot was
several squadron attacks, he and his crew were cred- able to transfer fuel from the leaking tank to the
ited, during separate actions, with the destruction of empty wing tanks, saving enough for the return flight
one enemy twin-engine bomber, damage to two to base. During the process, AMM3C Abbot was over-
enemy fighters, sinking one Japanese combination come by the high-octane fumes and fell to his death
oiler and ammunition ship, damaging another oiler through the open bomb bay. For his selfless actions in
and damaging one enemy submarine. giving his life to save his crewmates AMM3C Abbot
6 Feb 1944: VB-104 was relocated from was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Guadalcanal to Munda field, New Georgia. 26 Dec 1944: Lieutenant Paul F. Stevens earned a
Operational tasking was essentially the same as that Navy Cross for his actions on the night of 26
assigned while at Carney Field. The squadron was re- December. While on patrol Lieutenant Stevens spotted
lieved by VB-115 on 29 March 1944, for return to the a Japanese task force en route to attack recently estab-
U.S. for rest and rehabilitation. The squadron record at lished U.S. bases on Mindoro, Philippines. His contact
this time was 30 enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged, report gave the garrisons time to prepare for the attack
51 ships sunk or damaged, with 1,252 sorties in a and incoming shipping was diverted. After sending the
seven-month tour. report he attacked the largest ship in the group, be-
15 May 1944: The squadron was reformed at NAAS lieved to be a large cruiser or battleship, scoring two
Kearney Field, Calif., under the operational control of direct hits on the vessel. He remained in the vicinity
FAW-14. A small cadre was present on this date, while tracking the progress of the task force, despite the
the majority of personnel were at NAS Hutchinson, heavy antiaircraft fire from the escorts.
Kansas, undergoing operational flight training on the 2 Mar 1945: The squadron was relocated to Clark
PB4Y-1. The latter completed this phase of training Field, Luzon, Philippines. When the squadron arrived
and reported to NAAS Kearney Field on 21 June 1944. the crews began operational night missions, daily
28 Jul 1944: VB-104 began the transpac to NAS search and reconnaissance patrols, and strikes on tar-
Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon arrival the squadron came gets of opportunity—covering the China Coast to
under the operational control of FAW-2, and continued within 30 miles of Shanghai, the coastline of Amami O
its combat patrol training over the waters encircling Shima, Okinawa and Daito Jima.
the Hawaiian Island chain. ASW training was intro- 14 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Paul Stevens, squadron ex-
duced into the cirriculum during this phase. ecutive officer, intercepted and damaged Vice Admiral
30 Oct 1944: VPB-104 departed Kaneohe for Yamagata’s Kawanishi H8K2 flying boat (Emily) off the
Morotai, N.E.I. The last squadron aircraft arrived on 3 China Coast. The aircraft flew on for several miles and
November 1944, with operational control over the made a forced landing in an inlet on the coast where
squadron exercised by FAW-17. Upon commencement it immediately came under fire from Chinese partisans
of operations the squadron was assigned search and ashore. The admiral and his staff committed suicide
154 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

and the crew set fire to the aircraft. Admiral Yamagata squadron’s remaining Bat missiles were expended in
was en route to Tokyo for an interview with Emperor practice runs on icebergs.
Hirohito prior to assuming the position of 31 Mar 1956: Two patrol squadrons were desig-
Undersecretary of the Imperial Japanese Navy. nated Petrel guided missile squadrons, operating P2V-
Intercepts of enemy radio messages had revealed the 6M aircraft. The Petrel was an air-to-surface guided
admiral’s intended route, and Lieutenant Stevens was missile designed for use by patrol aircraft against ship-
dispatched in the hope that the fateful rendezvous ping. VP-24 was selected as the East Coast squadron,
would occur. and VP-17 as the West Coast unit. VP-24 was the first
18 Oct 1945: Operational patrols ceased in order to to be fully equipped; VP-17 became operational in
prepare the squadron for transfer back to the west early 1957.
coast of the continental U.S. The squadron’s record for Nov 1959: VP-24 received its first four P2V-7S air-
its second tour was 49 enemy aircraft destroyed, 254 craft. Final delivery of the last of 12 aircraft took place
vessels sunk and 12,500 flight hours completed. The in March 1960.
squadron departed by sections on 26 October 1945,
for NAS San Diego, Calif., then on to NAS Floyd
Bennett Field, N.Y. VPB-104 was the only patrol
squadron in WWII to receive two Presidential Unit
Citations.
26 Dec 1946: The last squadron aircraft arrived at
NAS Floyd Bennett Field, with the squadron coming
under the operational control of FAW-5 effective 26
November 1946.
8 Apr 1946: VPB-104 was relocated to NAS
Edenton, N.C., for training in ASW.
22 May 1946: The training syllabus was completed
at NAS Edenton, N.C., and the squadron was trans-
ferred to NAS Atlantic City, N.J. Three crews were
given SWOD training at NAF Chincoteague, Va., in
September 1946 and April 1947. The ASM-N-2A Bat Two squadron P2Vs in flight.
air-to-surface guided missile gave the squadron its
nickname, the Batmen. The Bat was developed during
WWII as a derivative from an earlier glide-bomb pro- 23 Oct 1962: President Kennedy declared a quaran-
ject, the Pelican. The Bat skipped several normal tine on shipping to Cuba during the missile crisis. VP-
stages of development and went directly into combat. 24 was deployed to Leeward Point Field, Guantanamo,
During the war it was carried by three squadrons, Cuba, on 5 November 1962. The squadron flew con-
VPBs 109, 123 and 124. Only VPB-109 had any suc- tinuous surveillance missions, reporting all Communist
cess with the missile, sinking three ships and destroy- Bloc shipping transiting Cuban waters until relieved
ing a large oil tank. The project languished briefly on 17 December 1962. VP-24 returned on 17 February
after the war until two squadrons were selected to be 1963, conducting surveillance until relieved on 21
designated Bat squadrons: VP-24 in the Atlantic Fleet, March 1963. During the second tour, the squadron
and VP-25 in the Pacific. photgraphed the removal from Cuba of intermediate
Nov 1947: VP-HL-4 received additional SWOD range missiles and IL-28 Beagle bombers.
training during advanced base operations at Argentia, 29 Jun 1965: VP-24 deployed to Sigonella, Sicily,
Newfoundland. relieving VP-5. A detachment was maintained at Souda
29 Dec 1949: The squadron’s mission was revised Bay, Crete. While attached to the Royal Hellenic Air
to make aerial mining its primary role and reduced Bat Force Base at Souda Bay, the detachment was sup-
operations to a secondary role along with ASW, recon- ported by Tallahatchie County (AVB 2).
naissance and antishipping. 5 Jul 1967: VP-24 was relocated from it home base
22 Oct 1951: VP-24 deployed to RAFS Luqa, Malta, at NAS Norfolk, Va., to NAS Patuxent River, Md. The
as the first U.S. Navy squadron to ever operate from squadron assumed duties at the new station with its
the base. new aircraft, the P-3B Orion. Transition training from
1 May 1954: VP-24 flew its last mission at Argentia, the SP-2H Neptune to the P-3B began in April 1967
Newfoundland, in the P4Y-2. It was the last squadron and was completed on 7 December 1967.
in FAW-3 to fly the Privateer before receiving the 6 Mar 1968: VP-24 deployed to NS Keflavik,
Neptune and the last Atlantic Fleet Bat missile Iceland, with a three-aircraft detachment at Lajes,
squadron. VP-24 ended its five-month deployment Azores. The detachment was called to assist in the
with more than 2,500 flight hours. Several of the search for the missing submarine Scorpion (SSN 589)
 CHAPTER 3 155

A squadron P-3B in flight.

from 28 May to 25 June 1968. On 5 June 1968, the 15 October 1974. This type of deployment was being
submarine and her crew were declared “presumed tested as an alternative to the full squadron and split
lost.” Her name was struck from the Navy list on 30 deployments.
June. In late October 1968, Mizar (AK 272) located 12 Sep 1977: During the Batmen’s deployment to
sections of Scorpion’s hull in 10,000 feet of water NAS Keflavik, Iceland, the squadron successfully
about 400 miles southwest of the Azores. No cause for tracked and located the hot-air balloon Double Eagle
the loss was ever been determined. that had gone down at sea several hundred miles west
10 Nov 1969: After its return from deployment VP- of Iceland while attempting a crossing of the Atlantic.
24 commenced transition to the P-3C, becoming the The squadron’s efforts led to the rescue of the bal-
third operational P-3C Orion squadron. Transition loon’s crew.
training was completed on 9 March 1970. May 1980: VP-24 was tasked with the first of many
1974: The squadron maintained 2-crew/2-aircraft Cuban refugee surveillance flights, which continued
“mini” detachments at NAS Bermuda from 1 to 12 periodically through late September 1980.
April, 15 to 24 May, 3 to 14 June , 26 to 31 August and 30 Apr 1995: VP-24 was disestablished at NAS
1 to 5 September 1974; and to NAS Lajes, Azores, 10 to Jacksonville.

A squadron P-3B on patrol.

156 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3C in flight, 1984.

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii 10 Apr 1943 CDR Herman P. Kooy Mar 1954
NAAS Kearney Field, Calif. 15 May 1944 CDR Joseph A. Tvedt Jun 1955
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 28 Jul 1944 CDR Robert E. Rau 1 Jul 1956
NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 26 Dec 1946 CDR C. F. Rief Dec 1957
NAS Atlantic City, N.J. 22 May 1946 CDR Robert J. Wooten 10 Dec 1958
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 21 Apr 1948 CDR James B. Barnette 18 Dec 1959
NAAS Chincoteague, Md. 1954 CDR W. W. Warlick 20 Jan 1961
NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Feb 1959 CDR Michael T. Lulu 3 Oct 1961
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 5 Jul 1967 CDR Sidney Edelman 12 Oct 1962
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 30 Oct 1972 CDR J. J. DeMayo, Jr. Oct 1963
CDR Richard D. Amme 16 Oct 1964
CDR Frank C. Kolda 7 Sep 1965
Commanding Officers
CDR Alvin S. Hibbs 2 Dec 1966
Date Assumed Command CDR Kenneth L. Geitz 1 Dec 1967
CDR Clarence L. Priddy 26 Nov 1968
CDR Harry E. Sears 10 Apr 1943
CDR Richard A. Martini 10 Dec 1969
LT Henry S. Noon, Jr. 15 May 1944
CDR R. L Sewell 24 Nov 1970
LCDR Whitney Wright 21 Jun 1944
CDR Gordon L. Petri Sep 1971
LCDR William Cole 9 Jun 1945
CDR Edward F. Doherty 19 Oct 1972
LCDR R. B. Buchan 22 Jun 1946 CDR Daniel H. Demand 18 Oct 1973
CDR J. F. Bundy 16 Jun 1947 CDR Benjamin T. Hacker 22 Nov 1974
LCDR J. A. O’Neil 27 Aug 1948 CDR S. Frank Gallo 24 Nov 1975
CDR W. E. Calder III 15 Oct 1948 CDR Lynn H. Grafel 9 Dec 1976
CDR J. W. Lenney 27 Jan 1950 CDR Donald G. Gentry 8 Dec 1977
CDR J. A. McKeon 10 May 1951 CDR Gene K. Graham 6 Dec 1978
LCDR S. W. Shelton 22 Sep 1952 CDR Thomas P. Hinson 30 Nov 1979
CDR Norman L. Paxton Feb 1953 CDR Joseph C. Sullivan 5 Dec 1980
CDR Arthur E. Simmons 1954 CDR Philip C. Perine 4 Dec 1981
 CHAPTER 3 157

Commanding Officers—Continued Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

CDR Wayne M. Vickery 6 Jan 1983 PB4Y-1 Apr 1943
CDR Laurence E. Johnson Jan 1984 PB4Y-2/P4Y-2 Feb 1946
CDR Michael G. Bruner 20 Jun 1985 P4Y-2B Nov 1947
CDR Martin M. Spolarich, Jr. 25 Jul 1986 P2V-5 Jun 1954
CDR Richard L. Rodgers 17 Jul 1987 P2V-6M Mar 1956
CDR Patrick J. Fletcher May 1988 P2V-5F Mar 1957
CDR George J. Murphy 5 May 1989
P2V-7S/SP-2H* Nov 1959
CDR Michael L. Holmes 25 May 1990
P-3B Apr 1967
CDR Stephen J. Burich III 3 May 1991
CDR Stanley Bozin 1 May 1992 P-3C Nov 1969
CDR Perth F. Pearson, Jr. 21 May 1993 P-3C UIIIR 1991
CDR Steve A. Seal 20 May 1994 * The P2V-7S was redesignated SP-2H in 1962.

A VP-24 P-3C, September 1979 (Courtesy

Rick R. Burgress Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Apr 1943* 14 Aug 1943 FAW-2 Midway PB4Y-1 WestPac

11 Apr 1943* 14 Aug 1943 FAW-2 Canton PB4Y-1 WestPac
11 Apr 1943* 14 Aug 1943 FAW-2 Johnston Is. PB4Y-1 WestPac
15 Aug 1943 5 Feb 1943 FAW-1 Guadalcanal PB4Y-1 SoPac
6 Feb 1944 29 Mar 1944 FAW-1 Munda PB4Y-1 SoPac
30 Oct 1944 4 Dec 1944 FAW-17 Morotai PB4Y-1 SoPac
5 Dec 1944 1 Mar 1945 FAW-17 Tacloban PB4Y-1 SoPac
2 Mar 1945 26 Oct 1945 FAW-17 Clark Fld. PB4Y-1 SoPac
Nov 1947 20 Feb 1949 FAW-5 Argentia P4Y-2B NorLant
21 Feb 1949 21 Apr 1949 FAW-5 Argentia P4Y-2B NorLant
19 Jul 1950 15 Nov 1950 FAW-3 Port Lyautey P4Y-2B Med
22 Oct 1951 15 Mar 1952 FAW-3 Malta P4Y-2B Med
15 Sep 1952 31 Dec 1952 FAW-3 Argentia P4Y-2B NorLant
Dec 1953 1 May 1954 FAW-3 Argentia P4Y-2B NorLant
Nov 1954 Jan 1955 FAW-3 Port Lyautey P2V-6B Med
Feb 1955 Mar 1955 FAW-3 Malta P2V-6B Med
Feb 1956 Jul 1956 FAW-3 Malta P2V-6M Med
Jan 1958 13 Jul 1958 FAW-3 Malta P2V-6M Med
1 May 1959 5 Oct 1959 FAW-5 Keflavik P2V-6M NorLant
158 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

5 Nov 1962 17 Dec 1962 FAW-5 Guantanamo P2V-7S Carib

17 Feb 1963 21 Mar 1963 FAW-5 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
19 Apr 1963 11 May 1963 FAW-5 Ireland SP-2H NorLant
28 Nov 1963* 8 May 1964 FAW-5 Rota SP-2H Med
28 Nov 1963* 8 May 1964 FAW-5 Keflavik SP-2H NorLant
27 Jul 1964 1 Oct 1964 FAW-5 Guantanamo SP-2H Carib
29 Jun 1965* 10 Dec 1965 FAW-5 Sigonella SP-2H Med
29 Jun 1965* 10 Dec 1965 FAW-5 Souda Bay SP-2H Med
Tallahatchie County (AVB 2)
7 Jul 1966 6 Jan 1967 FAW-5 Rota SP-2H Med
6 Mar 1968* 30 Aug 1968 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
6 Mar 1968* 30 Aug 1968 FAW-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
25 Jun 1969* 31 Oct 1969 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
25 Jun 1969* 31 Oct 1969 FAW-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
1971 1971 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
5 May 1972 5 Oct 1972 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
23 Aug 1973* 30 Jan 1974 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
23 Aug 1973* 30 Jan 1974 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
1 Apr 1974 12 Apr 1974 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
15 May 1974 24 May 1974 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
3 Jun 1974 14 Jun 1974 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
26 Aug 1974 31 Aug 1974 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
1 Sep 1974 5 Sep 1974 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
10 Oct 1974 15 Oct 1974 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
12 Dec 1974 30 Apr 1975 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
13 Jan 1976 9 Jun 1976 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
25 May 1977 2 Nov 1977 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
12 Jul 1978 13 Dec 1978 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
24 Oct 1979 2 Apr 1980 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
10 Mar 1981* 26 Aug 1981 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
10 Mar 1981* 26 Aug 1981 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
13 Feb 1985 11 Aug 1985 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
Jul 1986 Jan 1987 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
10 Feb 1988 10 Aug 1988 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
1 Jul 1989 10 Jan 1990 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
1 Feb 1991* Aug 1991 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
1 Feb 1991* Aug 1991 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
1 Nov 1992 May 1993 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
Aug 1994 Feb 1995 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-5 HA/LR † 1952
FAW-2 10 Apr 1943
FAW-1 15 Aug 1943 FAW-11/PatWing-11‡ LR 30 Oct 1972
FAW-14 15 May 1944 * The squadron remained part of FAW-17 but was assigned the tail
FAW-2 28 Jul 1944 code HA on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from HA to LR in 1957. The
FAW-17 HA* 30 Oct 1944
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
FAW-5 HA 26 Nov 1946 1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-11 was redesignated PatWing-11 on 30 June 1973.
FAW-3 HA Feb 1950
 CHAPTER 3 159

Unit Awards Received Unit Awards Received—Continued

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PUC 15 Aug 1943 19 Mar 1944 NEM 1 Oct 1977 30 Sep 1978
6 Nov 1944 7 Jun 1945 (Sel. Crews) 15 Feb 1981 31 Mar 1981
NUC 16 Sep 1969 7 Nov 1969 (Sel. Crews) 20 Aug 1982 5 Jan 1983
MUC 1 Nov 1968 31 Oct 1969 AFEM 5 Nov 1962 31 Dec 1962
12 Jul 1978 13 Dec 1978 HSM 7 May 1980 9 May 1980
11 Mar 1981 10 Feb 1982 19 May 1980 31 May 1980
3 Feb 1991 20 Aug 1991 JUMA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1991

A squadron P-3C in flight carrying two Bullpup missiles.

160 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-25 squadron aboard Half Moon (AVP 26) and San Pablo
(AVP 30) proceeded to the new station. On 29
December 1944, the squadron aircrews flew from San
Pedro Bay to rejoin the rest of the squadron and the
Lineage two tenders at Mangarin Bay. The squadron began
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY FIVE (VP- conducting sector searches from the new location the
25) on 20 April 1944. next day. Searches from this base covered the coast-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY line of French Indochina and north reaches toward
FIVE (VPB-25) on 1 October 1944. Hainan Island.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FIVE (VP- 29 Jan 1945: One of the squadron’s aircraft was
25) on 15 May 1946, the second squadron to be as- damaged by AA fire and forced down near Tam
signed the VP-25 designation. Quam, Indochina. Only 1 of 10 crewmembers was
Disestablished on 28 June 1946. rescued.
6–25 Feb 1945: VPB-25 was transferred to Jinamoc
Island, Leyte, Philippines, under the operational con-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
trol of FAW-10 to begin courier flight service to
None on record. Mindoro, Subic Bay and Lingayen Gulf. After receiving
and checking out its new Martin PBM-3D2 Mariners,
Chronology of Significant Events the squadron transferred six aircraft back to Mangarin
Bay on 25 February 1945, supported by San Carlos
20 Apr 1944: VP-25 was established at NAAS (AVP 51).
Harvey Point, N.C., under the operational control of
7 Mar 1945: The squadron’s Mangarin Bay detach-
FAW-5, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBM-3D
ment received orders to relocate to Manila Bay, off
Mariner.
Cavite. Tender support was provided by San Carlos
26 Jun 1944: The squadron was sent to NAS Key
(AVP 51). Daylight sector antishipping patrols were
West, Fla., for operational training in ASW, returning to
conducted from this site west of the Philippine coast-
NAAS Harvey Point on 4 July 1944. The squadron re-
line. The Leyte detachment conducted similar daylight
mained at NAAS Harvey Point until 18 August 1946,
sector searches to the east of Jinamoc Island.
when it departed for NAS Alameda, Calif., in prepara-
24–28 Jun 1945: The Cavite detachment was relo-
tion for a transpac.
cated to Lingayen Gulf, with tender support provided
21 Aug–29 Sep 1944: VP-25 reported to FAW-14,
by Currituck (AV 7), relieving VPB-17. Operations
NAS Alameda, Calif., for orders. The squadron aircraft
were given final maintenance checks and filled to ca- commenced with the squadron conducting Black Cat,
pacity with supplies that would be needed in the com- nighttime, operations against enemy shipping on 28
bat theater. Orders were issued for departure on 15 June 1945. The seven aircraft of the Leyte detachment
September 1944, with 13 of the squadron’s 15 allo- flew to Cavite to take its predecessor’s place, with
cated aircraft arriving safely at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. three of the aircraft assigned to courier flights based
The remaining two aircraft arrived on 29 Sep 1944. ashore and the remaining aircraft assigned to San
1 Oct–14 Nov 1944: VP-25 was redesignated VPB- Carlos (AVP 51) for antishipping patrols west of the
25, coming under the operational control of FAW-2. Philippines.
Further operational training was conducted aboard 9 Jul 1945: The Cavite detachment was transferred
Bering Strait (AVP 34) near Hilo Bay, Hawaii, until or- to Puerto Princessa, Palawan, Philippines, with tender
ders were received for the squadron to report to the support provided by Barataria (AVP 33) and partially
combat zone on 14 November 1944. by the shore establishment. This detachment was re-
15 Nov–1 Dec 1944: VPB-25 departed Hawaii for lieved on 23 July to rejoin the rest of the squadron at
San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippines. Aircrews flew in Lingayen Gulf assigned to Currituck (AV 7).
stages to the new base, while ground support staff 20 Aug–3 Sep 1945: San Pablo (AVP 30) arrived on
and administrative personnel proceeded aboard station at Lingayen Gulf to relieve Currituck (AV 7).
Bering Strait (AVP 34). The latter arrived on station by One half of the squadron shifted to San Pablo, and the
22 November 1944, and squadron personnel were other half flew to Tawi Tawi, with tender support pro-
transferred to Half Moon (AVP 26) and San Pablo (AVP vided by Pocomoke (AV 9). Pocomoke was relieved by
30). VPB-25 began its first daytime combat sector pa- Orca (AVP 49) on 3 September 1945, and the Tawi
trols on 1 December 1944. Tawi detachment shifted aboard the latter. During this
25–29 Dec 1944: VPB-25 received orders to transfer period, the Lingayen Gulf detachment conducted nu-
its operations to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, Philippines. merous Dumbo missions. The Tawi Tawi detachment
Aircrew personnel were transferred temporarily engaged in antishipping and surveillance patrols for
aboard Barataria (AVP 33) while the rest of the convoys off the approaches to Borneo.
 CHAPTER 3 161

22 Mar 1946: VPB-25 was assigned duty with the Commanding Officers
occupation forces in Japan through 1 May 1946.
Date Assumed Command
28 Jun 1946: VP-25 was disestablished.
LT William J. Scammon 20 Apr 1944
LCDR J. C. Skorcz 25 Apr 1944
Home Port Assignments LCDR C. M. Kohr 24 Jul 1945
LCDR W. P Tanner, Jr. 1 Jan 1946
Location Date of Assignment
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 20 Apr 1944
Aircraft Assignment
NAS Alameda, Calif. 21 Aug 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Sep 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii May 1946 PBM-3D 20 Apr 1944
NAS Alameda, Calif. May 1946 PBM-3D2 6 Feb 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Area of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Nov 1944 * FAW-17 San Pedro Bay PBM-3D WestPac

Bering Strait
(AVP 34)
Half Moon
(AVP 26)
San Pablo
(AVP 30)
25 Dec 1944 * FAW-17 Mangarin Bay PBM-3D WestPac
Barataria
(AVP 33)
Half Moon
(AVP 26)
San Pablo
(AVP 30)
6 Feb 1945 * FAW-10 Jinamoc Is. PBM-3D2 WestPac
25 Feb 1945 * FAW-17 Mangarin Bay PBM-3D2 WestPac
San Carlos
(AVP 51)
7 Mar 1945 * FAW-17 Manila Bay PBM-3D2 WestPac
San Carlos
(AVP 51)
24 Jun 1945 * FAW-17 Lingayen Gulf PBM-3D2 WestPac
Currituck
(AV 7)
9 Jul 1945 * FAW-17 Palawan PBM-3D2 WestPac
Currituck
(AV 7)
San Pablo
(AVP 30)
20 Aug 1945 * FAW-17 Tawi Tawi PBM-3D2 WestPac
Pocomoke
(AV 9)
Orca
(AVP 49)
1945 1946 FAW-17/1 China PBM-3D2 WestPac
Greenwich Bay
162 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Area of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

(AVP 41)
Chincoteague
(AVP 24)
Jan 1946 May 1946 FAW-1 Japan PBM-3D2 WestPac
* The squadron relocated to many different sites in the Pacific during the war.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Assignment Date Wing Assignment Date
FAW-5 20 Apr 1944 FAW-8 May 1946
FAW-14 21 Aug 1944
FAW-2 15 Sep 1944
FAW-17 15 Nov 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 6 Feb 1945
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 22 Dec 1945
FAW-2 May 1946 NOSM 22 Mar 1946 1 May 1946
 CHAPTER 3 163

Third VP-25 represented Beelzebub, the Prince of Demons in

Milton’s Paradise Lost. The two bombs held by the bat
represented the SWOD capacity of the squadron’s air-
craft. The concentric rings in the background repre-
Lineage sented the long-range patrol capabilities of the
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED bombers used by the squadron. Beelzebub was shown
FIFTEEN (VB-115) on 1 October 1943. launching the upper SWOD, while the lower one ap-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- peared to still be on the wing rack. Colors: back-
DRED FIFTEEN (VPB-115) on 1 October 1944. ground, yellow; inner outline, black; two bombs,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIF- black; bat, black; propellers, light blue; fuse, red; out-
TEEN (VP-115) on 15 May 1946. lines on wing and bomb, white.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Nickname: Bulldogs, 1943–1946.
THIRTEEN (VP-HL-13) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FIVE (VP- Chronology of Significant Events
25) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as-
signed the VP-25 designation. 1 Oct 1943: VB-115 was established as a heavy
Disestablished on 1 January 1950. bomber squadron at NAS San Diego, Calif., flying the
PB4Y-1 Liberator. The squadron came under FAW-14
during its fitting out and initial training phase.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 1 Dec 1943–17 Jan 1944: The squadron was relo-
There is reference to an early VP-HL-13 design that cated to NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., for the comple-
featured a bat motif in keeping with the squadron’s as- tion of its training prior to its transpac to Hawaii. On 2
signed mission as transporter for the Navy’s Special January 1944, the advance team of one officer and 60
Weapon Ordnance Device (SWOD), the Bat missile. enlisted personnel departed San Diego, Calif. aboard
However, there is no official correspondence indicat- Guadalcanal (CVE 62) for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The
ing approval of this design. squadron followed by sections, beginning the transpac
The first official design was approved by CNO on on 17 January 1944. Shortly after the squadron’s ar-
30 March 1949. The design featured a cartoon bat that rival, administrative control was transferred to FAW-2
from FAW-14. Combat operational training and search
patrols in the vicinity of the Hawiian Islands began on
this date.
25–27 Mar 1944: VB-115 was transferred to the
combat zone, departing for Munda, New Georgia, by
sections. Combat operations and daily searches com-
menced from Munda on 27 March under the opera-
tional control of FAW-1.
10 Apr 1944: The squadron relocated to Green
Island. Daily searches were conducted as required.
Several attacks were conducted on enemy airfields lo-
cated on Alet Island, Puluwat Group and Satawan
Island. Antishipping strikes took place were opportu-
nities were presented.
26 May 1944: VB-115 relocated to Mokerang
Airdrome, Los Negros Island, Admiralties. Searches
were conducted in conjunction with VB-106 under TU
73.1.3. On 27 May an advanced detachment was sent
to Wakde Island to conduct searches of the northern
coastline of Dutch New Guinea toward the
Philippines. On this date, the operational control of
the squadron was placed under the 5th Air Force, des-
ignated TU 73.2.3.
15 Jul 1944: The squadron headquarters and re-
maining aircraft were transferred to Owi Island. Long-
range searches commenced upon arrival, remaining
under the operational control of the 5th Air Force.
16–18 Oct 1944: VPB-115 was tasked with search
The squadron’s insignia was a cartoon bat design. sectors extending to the inland Philippine Sea in con-
164 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

named the ASM-N-2 Bat glide bomb. The squadron

received new aircraft, the PB4Y-2B (later redesig-
nated the P4Y-2B), refitted with under-wing bomb re-
lease points for the device. The Bat was 12 feet long,
had a 10-foot wingspan and carried a 1,000-pound
warhead. The Bat, after release, was steered into a
surface target by a built-in radar homing unit, making
it the first combat cruise missile. The ASM-N-2 Bat
had been developed during WWII as a derivative
from an earlier glide-bomb project, the Pelican. The
Bat skipped several normal stages of development
and went directly into combat. During the war it was
carried by three squadrons, VPBs 109, 123 and 124.
Only VPB-109 had any success with the missile, sink-
ing three ships and destroying a large oil tank. The
project languished briefly after the war until two
squadrons were selected to be designated Bat
This photo shows an Emily (Japanese seaplane) in flames following squadrons, VP-24 in the Atlantic Fleet and VP-25 in
an attack by a squadron aircraft on 2 July 1944. The squadron air- the Pacific.
craft, piloted by Lieutenant Stoughton Atwood, shot down the Emily
southwest of Palau. The photo was taken by the co-pilot, Ensign 1 Jan 1950: By 1950, the ASM-N-2 Bat glide bomb
Emment Reagan, 80-G-241259. was obsolete. Extreme budget cuts in Fiscal Year 1950
made the squadron a prime target for cutbacks, and
was disestablished 1 January 1950.
junction with the landing operations at Leyte. To facili-
tate the searches, a detachment was located on Home Port Assignments
Morotai Island. By the end of October, all squadron el-
ements had relocated to Morotai to await orders for re- Location Date of Assignment
turn to the U.S. NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Oct 1943
29 Oct 1944: In a grand finale for VPB-115, NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 1 Dec 1943
Lieutenant (jg) Paul R. Barker and his crew sank the NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 17 Jan 1944
largest enemy ship ever destroyed by a land-based air- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 30 Apr 1945
craft in the Pacific theater. On this date Itsukushima NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 1 Jun 1945
Maru, a tanker of 10,006 tons was sunk in Marundu NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 11 Aug 1945
Bay, North Borneo.
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 30 Mar 1949
8 Nov 1944: VPB-115 departed Morotai for NAS
Kaneohe en route to the West Coast. The last aircraft
departed from Kaneohe for the U.S. on 30 November Commanding Officers
1944.
30 Apr 1945: VPB-115 reformed and commenced Date Assumed Command
training at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., under the op- LCDR James R. Compton 1 Oct 1943
erational control of FAW-6. LCDR W. R. Wallis 30 Apr 1945
1 Jun–30 Jul 1945: The squadron was relocated to CDR R. J. Sutherlin Nov 1946
NAAS Crows Landing, Calif., for familiarization training LCDR J. W. Roberts 20 Mar 1947
in the PB4Y-2 Privateer. LCDR W. B. Paulin 26 May 1947
11 Aug 1945: The squadron commenced its CDR I. W. Brown, Jr. 4 Jun 1947
transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, and began a period CDR N. A. Johnson 21 Jun 1948
of training under the operational control of FAW-2.
15 May 1946: VPB-115 was redesignated VP-115,
under the operational control of FAW-2 at NAS Aircraft Assignment
Kaneohe.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
15 Nov 1946: VP-115 was redesignated VP-HL-13.
A new mission as a Bat missile squadron was as- PB4Y-1 Oct 1943
signed to the squadron along with the redesignation. PB4Y-2 Jun 1945
The Special Weapons Ordnance Device was soon re- PB4Y-2B Nov 1946
 CHAPTER 3 165

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

17 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 EastPac

25 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Munda PB4Y-1 SoPac
10 Apr 1944 * FAW-1 Green Is. PB4Y-1 SoPac
26 May 1944 * 5th USAAF Mokerang PB4Y-1 SoPac
27 May 1944 * 5th USAAF Wakde Is. PB4Y-1 SoPac
15 Jul 1944 * 5th USAAF Owi Is. PB4Y-1 SoPac
18 Oct 1944 * 5th USAAF Morotai PB4Y-1 SoPac
15 Jul 1948 Jan 1949 FAW-1 NAS Agana PB4Y-2B WestPac
Aug 1948† Jan 1949 FAW-1 NAF Naha P4Y-2B WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† The squadron maintained a detachment at NAF Naha, Okinawa during its deployment to NAS Agana, Guam.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 Oct 1943 NOSM 28 Oct 1948 21 Nov 1948
FAW-2 17 Jan 1944
FAW-1 25 Mar 1944
5th USAAF 26 May 1944
FAW-6 30 Apr 1945
FAW-14 1 Jun 1945
W-2 BB* 11 Aug 1945
* The squadron remained a part of FAW-2, but was assigned the tail

code BB on 7 November 1946.

A squadron PB4Y-2 taking off with Bat missiles under its wing, April 1948.
166 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-26 Chronology of Significant Events

1 May 1944: VP-26 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Va., as a patrol squadron flying the Martin PBM-3D
Mariner seaplane. During the training period the
Lineage
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-5.
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY SIX (VP- 11 May 1944: The squadron moved to NAS
26) established on 1 May 1944. Charleston, S.C. Operational training was conducted in
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY the Charleston vicinity and during July in the
SIX (VPB-26) on 1 October 1944. Jacksonville, Fla., and Pensacola, Fla., areas for ASW
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SIX (VP-26) training.
on 15 May 1946, the second squadron to be assigned 2 Sep–Oct 1944: VP-26 relocated to NAS Alameda,
the VP-26 designation. Calif., from NAS Charleston in preparation for a
Disestablished on 14 December 1946. transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. Administrative con-
trol of the squadron was transferred to FAW-8 at that
Squadron Insignia and Nickname time. The ground support personnel departed NAS
Alameda for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, aboard Thetis Bay
None on record. (CVE 90) on 15 September 1945. The squadron aircraft

A squadron PBM on the deck of Norton Sound (AV 11), Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, April 1945, 80-G-K-16079).
 CHAPTER 3 167

and aircrews departed Alameda for Kaneohe by sec- Jul 1945: Relief crews for squadron crew rotation
tions throughout the month of October. began arriving from the States. Combat antishipping
2 Nov 1944: VPB-26 was officially in operation at patrols continued throughout this period.
NAS Kaneohe, with operational control transferred to 15 Jul 1945: VPB-26 relocated from Kerama to
FAW-2. Detachments had already been established at Chimu Wan, Okinawa. Long-range searches and anti-
Hilo (10 crews) aboard Cumberland Sound (AV 17), shipping patrols continued from this location.
and at NAS Kaneohe (6 crews) aboard Bering Strait
25 Jul 1945: A two-aircraft detachment was sent to
(AVP 34) on 29 October 1944.
operate with the Third Fleet to provide Dumbo cover-
Nov 1944–Jan 1945: The squadron received new
PBM-5 replacement aircraft during the month. Training age during the carrier-based attacks on the Japanese
with the new aircraft and operational patrols in the home islands.
vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands continued through 28–30 Aug 1945: Squadron ground personnel and
mid-January 1945. four flight crews arrived in Tokyo Bay aboard
25 Jan 1945: VPB-26 departed NAS Kaneohe for Cumberland Sound (AV 17), part of the first group of
NAB Parry Island, Eniwetok. The squadron operated Allied warships to enter Tokyo Bay. On 30 August the
under the operational control of TG 96.1, conducting squadron’s PBM-5s landed in Tokyo Bay, the first
searches, reconnaissance, Dumbo missions, convoy es- squadron to be based in and operating from Japan.
cort and hunter-killer missions. Occasional reconnais- 1 Sep–31 Jan 1946: The squadron assumed a
sance flights were conducted over enemy-held Ponape
peacetime role of neutrality patrols, while Japanese
and Wake islands.
units were disarmed and returned to the home islands.
30 Jan 1945: A two-aircraft detachment was sent to
Saipan for Dumbo missions and long-range searches. Ferry flights and transportation of high-priority supply
The detachment was later moved to Iwo Jima during items comprised the rest of the squadron’s duties.
the campaign for that island. 31 Jan–12 Oct 1946: The squadron moved between
19 Apr 1945: The remainder of VPB-26 joined the Shanghai and Tsingtao, China and Sasebo, Japan dur-
detachment at Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, coming under ing this period. Their primary functions were air-sea
the operational control of FAW-1. Duties included rescue operations, courier and transportation flights.
searches and night antishipping patrols. On 12 October 1946 the squadron was transferred to
20 Apr 1945: A detachment of five aircraft and Commander Fleet Air West Coast and ordered back to
crews was sent to Kerama, Okinawa. The remainder the United States for disestablishment.
of the squadron joined the detachment on 27 April 14 Dec 1946: VP-26 was disestablished.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 May 1944
NAS Charleston, S.C. 11 May 1944
NAS Alameda, Calif. 2 Sep 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 2 Nov 1944
West Coast, U.S. Oct 1946

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

LCDR Robert S. Null 1 May 1944
LCDR Lucius D. Campbell 29 Sep 1945
LCDR Jack D. Martin 13 Apr 1946
Squadron PBM-5s on the deck of a seaplane tender, possibly Norton
Sound (AV 11).
LCDR Moffett R. Plaxco 15 Sep 1946

1945, supported by Norton Sound (AV 11). Day and Aircraft Assignment
night sector searches and antishipping patrols were
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
conducted south, west, north and northeast of
Okinawa to within sight of China, Korea, Japan and PBM-3D May 1944
Sakashima Gunto, Formosa. PBM-5 Nov 1944
168 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron PBMs anchored in

Tanapag Harbor, Saipan,
April 1945, 80-G-K-16190.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

2 Nov 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D EastPac

Cumberland
Sound (AV 17)
Bering Strait
(AVP 34)
25 Jan 1945 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PBM-5 SoPac
19 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Saipan PBM-5 SoPac
26 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Kerama PBM-5 WestPac
Norton Sound
(AV 11)
15 Jul 1945 * FAW-1/17 Chimu Wan PBM-5 WestPac
30 Aug 1945 31 Jan 1946 FAW-17/1 Tokyo Bay PBM-5 WestPac
Cumberland
Sound (AV 17)
Pine Island
(AV 12)
31 Jan 1946 21 Mar 1946 FAW-1 Shanghai PBM-5 WestPac
21 Mar 1946 7 Jul 1946 FAW-1 Tsingtao PBM-5 WestPac
7 Jul 1946 12 Oct 1946 FAW-1 Sasebo PBM-5 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments

Wing Assignment Date

FAW-5 1 May 1944
FAW-8 2 Sep 1944
FAW-2 2 Nov 1944
FAW-1 19 Apr 1945
FAW-17 Jun/Jul 1945
FAW-1 20 Nov 1945
FAIR West Coast Oct 1946

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award A squadron PBM-5 being prepared for lifting aboard a seaplane ten-
der, Kerama Retto anchorage, Ryukyu Islands, circa April-July 1945,
NOSM 15 Feb 1946 21 Aug 1946 80-G-K-14006.
 CHAPTER 3 169

Third VP-26

Lineage
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEEN (VB-114) on 26 August 1943.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED FOURTEEN (VPB-114) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEEN (VP-114) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
SIX (VP-HL-6) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SIX (VP-26)
on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as-
signed the VP-26 designation. The second insignia modified the wing and owl design, adding a few
additional elements in the design.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

proval of this change is on file. The basic elements of
The first insignia used by the squadron was ap-
the original design were retained in the second ver-
proved by CNO for use by VB-114 on 23 May 1944.
sion, which the owl increased in size and the addition
The central feature of the design was a heraldic shield
of a sailor hat on its head and a spy glass under it left
divided into four sections, superimposed over a set of
wing. The background was enlarged to include a cres-
cent moon and five stars. The symbolism emphasized
the nocturnal nature of the squadron’s mission, with
the spyglass denoting an added emphasis on long-
range searches. Colors: field, deep blue; stars, white;
moon, white outlined in indigo; owl with spy glass,
black and white; Naval Aviator wings, gold with black
markings; shield, gold with black outlining of devices.
The third insignia was submitted for CNO approval
in 1948, approximately a year and a half after the
squadron had been redesignated VP-HL-6, and was
approved on 20 July. By this time, the use of search-
lights on air-
craft had been
The squadron’s first insignia utilized a set of naval aviator wings and replaced by
an owl in its design.
radar, leaving
VP-HL-6 with
Naval Aviator wings. Sitting on top of the shield was a a primary mis-
small owl, winking with one eye closed. The owl sym- sion of long-
bolized the squadron’s mission, night operations utiliz- range searches.
ing the L-7 spotlight. The four propellers in the upper The design sub-
left quadrant of the shield were indicative of the four- mitted deleted
engine aircraft used by the squadron. The bolts of The third insignia used by the squadron dropped the owl but
the owl, kept the wings and added several other
lightning in the upper right section denoted the radio elements in the design. retained the
communications and lightning-like assault of the Naval Aviator
squadron. In the lower left quadrant the design repre- wings. Icebergs of northern climes and palms of the
sented “wings in flight”, and the bombs in the lower tropics shown in the design indicated the extreme
right depicted the primary duty of the squadron, variations in regions where the squadron operated.
bombing. Colors: Naval Aviator wings, owl, and light- Central to the design was the numeral 6, with a pair of
ning, gold; propellers and bombs, blue; backgrounds, binoculars centered in the number. Below the number
blue and gold. were two bombs, denoting antishipping as the sec-
The second insignia used by the squadron was sub- ondary mission of the squadron. Colors: wings, gold;
mitted for approval following the squadron’s redesig- squadron number 6, red; binoculars and bombs, black;
nation in October 1944. No exact date for CNO’s ap- iceberg, white; palm trees, brown trunks with green
170 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

tops; sun, yellow; sand, light brown; water, blue; bor- phasis would soon be ASW, and on 11 December
der, red; background, blue. 1943, one of the squadron’s PB4Y-1s was sent to NAS
The fourth and current design for the squadron was Quonset Point, R.I., for installation of the General
approved by CNO on 13 June 1950. It embodies a Electric L-7 searchlight. On 21 December 1943, the re-
compass card superim- mainder of the squadron aircraft and aircrews were
posed on a map of the sent to NAS Quonset Point for similar refits, followed
North Atlantic Ocean to by one week of specialized training in the use of the
show the operating area searchlight in night attacks on enemy submarines.
of the squadron. The 27 Dec 1943: An advance party of one officer and
wings denoted the flight 21 enlisted personnel were ordered to NAS Norfolk,
status of the unit, and the Va., to make preparations for the squadron’s shipment
skull and crossed bombs overseas. The remainder of the squadron stayed at
signify prowess in military NAS Quonset Point to complete the ASW syllabus on
operations. Colors: skull, night attacks.
white; map, green and 12 Feb–4 Mar 1944: Orders were received for
The fourth insignia used a skull
gray; bombs, black; com- transfer to NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. On 16 February
and compass rose in the design. pass, blue, red and gold; 1944, the Norfolk detachment departed for
wings, gray and gold. Casablanca, F.M., on Rockaway (AVP 29) with the
Nickname: Little Rascals, 1958–1968. squadron’s equipment aboard. The squadron aircraft
Tridents, 1968–present. departed Quonset Point on 21 February 1944 for
Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Fla., and from there
in sections to NAF Port Lyautey. The movement was
Chronology of Significant Events
completed with the arrival of the last aircraft on 4
26 Aug 1943: VB-114 was established at NAS March 1944. VB-114 came under the administrative
Norfolk, Va., as a bombing squadron (land) flying the control of FAW-15 at that time.
PB4Y-1 Liberator heavy bomber, under the administra- 7–18 Mar 1944: A detachment of three crews and
tive control of FAW-5. aircraft was sent to Agadir, F.M., for familiarization
14 Oct–Dec 1943: The squadron relocated to NAAS flights in the combat zone. The first combat patrols
Oceana, Va., for further training on the PB4Y-1. By commenced on 18 March 1944.
December it became apparent that the squadron’s em- 29 Apr 1944: A second detachment of six aircraft
and crews was sent to
Gibraltar, arriving on the
30th, and ready for opera-
tional patrols on 1 May
1944. The lack of enemy
contacts led to the return of
four crews and aircraft to
Port Lyautey on 7 June
1944, leaving two crews and
one aircraft at Gibraltar for
contingencies.
17 Jun 1944: A detach-
ment of six searchlight-
equipped aircraft and nine
aircrews deployed to
Dunkeswell, Devon,
England, under the adminis-
trative control of FAW-7. The
mission of this detachment
was to protect Allied ship-
ping from enemy U-boats
during the invasion of
Normandy. By 9 July 1944,
the detachment had in-
creased by arrival of three
additional searchlight-
A squadron PB4Y-1 at NAS Norfolk, circa 1944, 80-G-K-15816.
equipped aircraft.
 CHAPTER 3 171

20 Jul–1 Aug 1944: The two remaining VB-114 air- mission. In actual fact, most flight activity involved
craft and crews at Port Lyautey were relocated to mail and passenger transport, search and rescue and
Lagens Field, Terceira Island, Azores, leaving no special flights as assigned by ComNavEastLantMed.
squadrons in French Morocco. On 24 July 1944, two Within a year, the remainder of the squadron was
aircraft from the Dunkeswell detachment arrived to again based at NAF Port Lyautey.
supplement the group. Movement of all equipment, 4 Jan 1948: The squadron deployed to NAS
supplies, personnel and aircraft was completed by 28 Argentia, Newfoundland, to conduct cold weather op-
July 1944. The Azores detachment came under the ad- erations and provide services to Commander Task
ministrative control of FAW-9. The first operational Force 61.
combat mission ever flown from neutral Portuguese 26 Jun 1948: Russia and its East German ally closed
territory took place on 1 August 1944. The Azores be- Berlin to all traffic except for specified air lanes. The
longed to Portugal, a neutral power in WWII. Britain, western allied air forces began the Berlin Airlift of sup-
being a long-standing ally of Portugal, was allowed to plies to sustain the beleaguered city. The airlift soon be-
establish an air base on the Azores in 1943. Although came known as Operation Vittles. VP-HL-6 flew numer-
the airfield could be used as a staging post by U.S. air- ous missions to bring medical supplies to airfields in
craft, it could not be used as a permanent base unless the Allied Zone of Occupation where they were then
the aircraft carried British markings. An agreement was transferred to unarmed transport aircraft flying missions
reached whereby the squadron would be based on into Berlin. The blockade was lifted in May 1949.
Terceira Island to operate under RAF Coastal Mar 1949: The squadron’s headquarters and home
Command operational control with both British and port was changed from NAS Patuxent River, Md., to
U.S. markings. The detachment remaining in the U.K. NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco. Consequently, the
continued under the operational control of FAW-7. squadron detachment that had been maintained at
18 Nov 1944–14 Feb 1945: Tour completion and NAS Port Lyautey now became a full squadron with a
crew rotation was imminent for the squadron. In order detachment at NAS Patuxent River.
to provide enough aircraft and experienced aircrews 8 Apr 1950: PB4Y-2 BuNo 59645 was declared
for replacement crew training, the Dunkeswell detach- overdue by Flight Service Frankfurt, Germany. The
ment was reduced to four aircrews and four aircraft, Privateer was based at NAF Port Lyautey, French
with the remainder sent to supplement the Lagens Morocco, and was conducting a patrol mission
Field, Azores, detachment. Replacement crews began launched from Wiesbaden, West Germany, over the
arriving in the Azores on 8 December 1944, and per- Baltic Sea off the coast of Lepija, Latvia. Subsequent
sonnel went into the squadron night searchlight train- search efforts over a period of 10 days in the Baltic
ing program. The four aircraft and crews left at area by VP-26 and USAF aircraft were futile. Days
Dunkeswell rejoined the squadron on 14 February later, a Swedish fishing vessel picked up a life vest
1945. identified as coming from the missing aircraft. Shortly
26 May 1945: Orders were received to established a after, the Russians published a note of protest accusing
squadron detachment of six aircraft and seven crews the missing aircraft of violating international law by
for hurricane reconnaissance at Boca Chica, Key West, crossing the Soviet border and exchanging fire with
Fla.. The aircraft departed Azores for Florida on 31 Soviet fighter aircraft (the Privateer was unarmed).
May 1945. Lieutenant John H. Fette and his crew of four officers
29 May 1945: Administrative control of the and six enlisted were never accounted for, and were
squadron at Lagens Field was transferred from FAW-9 presumed to be among the first casualties of the Cold
to FAW-11. War. Unconfirmed reports stated that the missing crew
29 Jun 1945: VB-114 deployed a detachment of 3 members were recovered from the sea after being shot
aircraft and 4 crews to Port Lyautey, F.M., leaving six down and forwarded to the KGB for interrogation.
aircraft at Lagens Field, Azores, with the squadron’s Their ultimate fates have never been determined.
administrative command staff. 30 Jun 1950: VP-26 was relocated to a new home
Oct–Nov 1945: Squadron detachments at Boca base at NAS Patuxent River, Md., under the operational
Chica, Fla. and San Juan, P.R. were closed and moved control of FAW-3. Upon arrival the squadron began
to NAS Edenton, N.C. On 29 November the squadron transition training from the PB4Y-2 Privateer to the
was ordered to move its headquarters from the Azores P2V-4 Neptune.
to NAS Edenton and maintained detachments at NAS Feb 1952: VP-26 became the first patrol squadron
Port Lyautey, Morocco and Lagens, Azores. With this to be relocated to newly established NAS Brunswick,
move the squadron came under the operational con- Maine, under the administrative control of FAW-3.
trol of FAW-5. 14 Feb 1952: VP-26 suffered its first fatal accident
Jan 1947: The squadron was home based at NAS when P2V-4 EB-7 crashed in a wooded area off the
Atlantic City, N.J. and a three aircraft detachment re- end of the runway at NAS Brunswick. The copilot and
mained at Port Lyautey, F.M., with ASW as its primary four crew members were killed in the crash.
172 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Oct 1954: VP-26 participated in Operation LANT- help maintain the quarantine of Cuba by preventing
FLEX, the annual Atlantic Fleet Exercise. Lieutenant Soviet Bloc vessels from bringing in intermediate
(jg) C. O. Paddock had the distinction of disabling range missiles and long-range bombers. The remaining
Toro (SS 422) with a small target practice bomb that squadron aircraft were deployed across the North
made a direct hit on its periscope. Toro’s skipper pre- Atlantic from Argentia, Newfoundland, to Lajes,
sented Lieutenant (jg) Paddock with a mounted por- Azores.
tion of the twisted periscope. Oct 1964: VP-26 supplied one aircraft and crew for
Mar 1955: VP-26 deployed to NS Keflavik, Iceland. a month to work with U.S. Army Special Forces per-
During the deployment the squadron replaced its P2V- sonnel at Pope AFB, N.C. The SP-2E aircraft was
5 (MAD) aircraft with 12 new P2V-5F Neptunes with reconfigured to function as a jump platform for Special
jet auxiliary engine mounts. Forces parachutists during day and night jumps at high
1956: VP-26 deployed to Thule, Greenland. During altitude.
the deployment VP-26 became the first patrol Oct 1965–5 Jan 1966: VP-26 began transition train-
squadron to fly all 12 aircraft over the North Pole. ing from the faithful P2V Neptune flown by the
5 Sep 1957: VP-26 deployed to NAS Keflavik, squadron for over 15 years, to the new P-3B Orion.
Iceland, for NATO aerial mine warfare exercises. A de- The first P-3B arrived at NAS Brunswick, Maine, on 5
tachment was maintained at NAS Port Lyautey, F.M. January 1966, when VP-26 became the Navy’s first op-
On 3 December 1957, a VP-26 P2V-5F was the first erational P-3B squadron.
U.S. Navy combat-type aircraft to land at the Spanish 19 Jul 1966: VP-26 deployed to Argentia,
air base at Rota, Spain (NAS Rota was established in Newfoundland, with a detachment at Keflavik,
November 1957).
22 Nov 1958–4 May 1959: The Little Rascals made
a split deployment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, and
Argentia, Newfoundland, during which the squadron
located the Russian trawler that had deliberately sev-
ered the transatlantic cables in February 1959.
25 Jan 1960: VP-26 deployed a six-aircraft detach-
ment to NAS Rota, Spain. In March the squadron took
part in NATO ASW exercise Dawn Breeze, based at
Lann Bihoue, France. The squadron was the first to
operate from the base in nearly a decade.
Sep 1962: VP-26 deployed a six-aircraft detachment
to NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, for a planned five-
month tour, but the Cuban Missile Crisis in October
cut short the deployment. On 23 October 1962, VP-26
deployed the detachment to NAS Key West, Fla., to A squadron P-3B flying over a new volcano off Iceland, 1966.

A squadron P2V in flight, circa 1964.

 CHAPTER 3 173

Iceland. During the deployment squadron personnel Gulf. This deployment marked the first assignment of
had the unique experience of viewing up close the an East Coast patrol squadron to the region since
newly formed volcanic island of Syrtlindur, a subsur- 1967.
face volcano that rose from the sea in July 1965. 7 Nov 1990: VP-26 conducted a split deployment,
24 Nov 1967–Apr 1968: VP-26 deployed to with one detachment at NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., and
WestPac with detachments based at NS Sangley Point, the second at NAF Lajes, Azores. The Puerto Rico de-
R.P., and RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand. The squadron re- tachment continued drug surveillance missions previ-
lieved VP-5 at NS Sangley Point. During the deploy- ously carried out by three crew detachments that had
ment the Tridents were tasked with Team Yankee been maintained at NAS Key West, Fla..
Force patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin, Market Time 17 Sep 1993: VP-26 deployed to NAS Sigonella,
Surveillance off the southern coast of Vietnam, and Sicily, with detachments in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and
open sea patrols covering the South China Sea. The Malta. Much of the squadron’s efforts were directed at
squadron lost two aircraft during the deployment. On preventing the flow of arms into war-torn Bosnia.
6 February, P-3B, NuNo. 153440, piloted by
Lieutenant Commander Robert F. Meglio, crashed at
Home Port Assignments
sea with the loss of the entire crew of CAC-8. On 1
April another 12 men of CAC-1 lost their lives when Location Date of Assignment
their P-3B, BuNo. 153445, piloted by Lieutenant (jg)
NAS Norfolk, Va. 26 Aug 1943
Stuart M. McClellan, was shot down by enemy gunfire
NAAS Oceana, Va. 14 Oct 1943
off the coast of South Vietnam near Phuy Quoc
NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. 21 Feb 1944
Island.
NAF Terceirca Isl., Azores 20 Jul 1944
19 Jun–Oct 1970: The Tridents deployed to NAF
NAS Edenton, N.C. 29 Nov 1945
Sigonella, Sicily, relieving VP-5. During the deploy-
NAS Atlantic City, N.J. May 1946
ment a crisis in the Mediterranean area caused by the
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 16 Apr 1948
Palestinian Commando attempt to unseat the monar-
NAS Port Lyautey, F.M. Mar 1949
chy of Jordan brought all U.S. forces to top alert. VP-
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 30 Jun 1950
26 averaged two sorties each day in the eastern
NAS Brunswick, Maine 11 Jan 1952
Mediterranean from 10 September to 22 October 1970,
when the situation stabilized.
Mar 1979: VP-26 transitioned to the Lockheed P-3C Commanding Officers
Update II aircraft. The P-3C UII incorporated the latest
Date Assumed Command
in avionics and weapons systems, including a turret-
mounted infrared detection device that lowered out of LCDR Ricahrd G. Jack 26 Aug 1943
the nose to identify targets day or night. AGM-84A LCDR Lloyd H. McAlpine 28 Sep 1943
Harpoon missile capability was incorporated LCDR Donald C. Higgins 26 Aug 1944
specifically to eliminate Soviet surveillance trawlers in LCDR Gordon W. Smith 29 May 1945
the event of war. LCDR E. V. Cain, Jr. 16 Apr 1946
3 Mar 1980: The Tridents deployed with their new LCDR M. J. Reed 21 Sep 1946
P-3C UII aircraft to NAF Kadena, Okinawa. A detach- CDR R. K. Johnston 7 May 1948
ment was maintained at Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T., during CDR J. E. Whitener 11 Feb 1950
the Soviet buildup of military forces in the Persian CDR F. A. Todd 19 Mar 1951
CDR R. C. Dailey 1 Aug 1952
CDR Paul J. George 1953
CDR James F. Rumford Jan 1955
CDR L. D. Moyer 8 Dec 1956
CDR C. A. Pierce 1957
CDR F. L. Brand 7 Mar 1958
CDR E. F. Hufstedler 12 Jun 1959
CDR C. W. Sims 22 Jul 1960
CDR A. E. Dewachter 22 Jul 1961
CDR J. F. Tierney 1962
CDR Lauren M. Johnson 5 Jul 1963
CDR Robertson L. Miller 25 Mar 1964
CDR Jalmes H. Cullen 1965
CDR Karl F. Cook 18 Feb 1966
CDR James A. Cochran 22 Feb 1967
A VP-26 P-3C(U2) preparing to land at NAS Moffett Field in March
1980 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove). CDR Alexander Wasilewski 1 Mar 1968
174 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR P. J. Mulloy 7 Mar 1969 CDR Donald D. Mosser 7 Mar 1991
CDR Robert D. Porter 24 Mar 1970 CDR Robert D. Kaser, Jr. Mar 1992
CDR Thomas E. Blaine 16 Apr 1971 CDR Edward F. Lohoski, Jr. 29 Mar 1993
CDR Phillip A. Veatch 14 Apr 1972 CDR Robert B. Leininger 25 Mar 1994
CDR Leroy R. Stehle 27 Apr 1973 CDR Richard L. Marcantonio 31 Mar 1995
CDR John O. Hall 1974 CDR Mike Murray Mar 1996
CDR R. P. Berg 1975 CDR Mark Tempestilli 14 Mar 1997
CDR John S. Yow 1976
CDR Robert L. Geck Jul 1977
Aircraft Assignment
CDR R. Petrucci 1978
CDR Ralph H. Stowell, Jr. 1979 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Frank L. Hudnor III 6 Jun 1980
PB4Y-1 Aug 1943
CDR Bennie R. Gladin 15 Jun 1981
PB4Y-2 1945
CDR David A. Crump Jun 1982
CDR Donald F. Rahn 19 Jun 1983 P2V-4 Mar 1951
CDR Robin C. Larson 7 Sep 1984 P2V-5 (MAD) May 1954
CDR Robert L. Rachor, Jr. 10 Jan 1986 P2V-5F Mar 1955
CDR James M. Farley 6 Feb 1987 P-3B Jan 1966
CDR Raymond J. Nichols 16 Feb 1988 P-3C UII Jul 1979
CDR Edward C. Wallace 24 Feb 1989 P-3C UII.5 1993
CDR Kenneth W. Peters 2 Mar 1990 P-3C UIIIR 1994

A squadron P-3C in flight.

 CHAPTER 3 175

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

21 Feb 1944 * FAW-15 Port Lyautey PB4Y-1 Med

30 Apr 1944 * FAW-15 Gibraltar PB4Y-1 Med
17 Jun 1944 * FAW-7 Dunkeswell PB4Y-1 Lant
20 Jul 1944 29 Nov 1945 FAW-7/9 Azores PB4Y-1 Lant
29 Nov 1945† Mar 1949 FAW-5 Port Lyautey PB4Y-2 Med
Mar 1949‡ 30 Jun 1950 FAW-5 Port Lyautey PB4Y-2 Med
30 Sep 1952 Feb 1953 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-4 NorLant
Nov 1953 Apr 1954 FAW-3 Port Lyautey P2V-4 Med
Mar 1955 Aug 1955 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5/5F NorLant
1956 1956 FAW-3 Thule P2V-5F NorLant
5 Sep 1957 5 Feb 1958 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
22 Nov 1958§ 4 May 1959 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
22 Nov 1958§ 4 May 1959 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
25 Jan 1960 12 Jul 1960 FAW-3 Rota P2V-5F Med
1 Sep 1960 2 Oct 1960 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
2 Jun 1961§ Nov 1961 FAW-3 Rota P2V-5F Med
2 Jun 1961§ Nov 1961 FAW-3 Keflavik P2V-5F NorLant
Sep 1962 22 Oct 1962 FAW-3 Argentia P2V-5F NorLant
23 Oct 1962 Feb 1963 FAW-3 Key West P2V-5F Carib
Sep 1963 Feb 1964 FAW-3 Roosevelt Rds P2V-5F Carib
2 Apr 1964 2 Sep 1964 FAW-3 Sigonella P2V-5F Med
19 Jul 1966§ 13 Jan 1967 FAW-3 Argentia P-3B NorLant
19 Jul 1966§ 13 Jan 1967 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
24 Nov 1967§ 7 Jun 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
16 Dec 1967§ 2 Jun 1968 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
Dec 1968 6 Jun 1969 FAW-3 Rota P-3B Med
Dec 1969§ 25 Feb 1970 FAW-3 Keflavik P-3B NorLant
Dec 1969§ 25 Feb 1970 FAW-3 Lajes P-3B Lant
19 Jun 1970 Oct 1970 FAW-3 Sigonella P-3B Med
23 Jun 1971 18 Nov 1971 FAW-3 Bermuda P-3B Lant
23 Aug 1972 23 Jan 1973 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3B Med
19 Jan 1975§ 3 Jul 1975 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
19 Jan 1975§ 3 Jul 1975 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Jun 1976§ Dec 1976 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
Jun 1976§ Dec 1976 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
Sep 1977§ Jan 1978 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Sep 1977§ Jan 1978 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
Sep 1978§ Feb 1979 PatWing-5 Rota P-3B Med
Sep 1978§ Feb 1979 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3B Lant
3 Mar 1980§ 15 Sep 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UII WestPac
3 Mar 1980§ 15 Sep 1980 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UII IO
4 May 1981§ 14 Oct 1981 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
4 May 1981§ 14 Oct 1981 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
18 Jul 1982 14 Dec 1982 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
9 Nov 1983 8 Apr 1984 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
28 Jan 1985 14 Aug 1985 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UII WestPac
14 Jun 1986§ 8 Dec 1986 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
14 Jun 1986§ 8 Dec 1986 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
3 Nov 1987 10 May 1988 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
10 Jun 1989§ 10 Dec 1989 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
10 Jun 1989§ 10 Dec 1989 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
7 Nov 1990§ 10 May 1991 PatWing-5 Roosevelt Rds P-3C UII Carib
7 Nov 1990§ 10 May 1991 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
176 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

14 May 1992§ 10 Nov 1992 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med

14 May 1992§ 10 Nov 1992 PatWing-1 Jeddah P-3C UII Red Sea
17 Sep 1993 18 Feb 1994 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII.5 Med
14 Jan 1995 21 Jul 1995 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
Aug 1996 Feb 1997 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
* Continued combat deployment in Europe and the Atlantic, moving from base to base and maintaining squadron detachments at several differ-
ent sites. The squadron detachments came under the operational control of different FAWs.
† The squadron’s home port was in the United State but it maintained a detachment at NAS Port Lyautey.
‡ The squadron was permanently deployed to NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco.
§ The squadron conducted split deployments to two more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 26 Aug 1943 NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-15 21 Feb 1944 16 Sep 1969 7 Nov 1969
FAW-15/7* 17 Jun 1944 MUC 9 Sep 1970 31 Oct 1970
FAW-7/9/RAF Coastal 1 Jul 1976 30 Jun 1977
Command* 28 Jul 1944 1 Oct 1977 30 Sep 1978
FAW-9* 14 Feb 1945 21 Sep 1987 10 May 1988
FAW-11* 29 May 1945 2 Jun 1989 10 Dec 1989
FAW-5 HB† 22 Nov 1945 10 May 1992 10 Nov 1992
FAW-3 HB/EB/LK‡ 30 Jun 1950 (Det) 11 Jan 1976 30 Jan 1976
FAW-5/PatWing-5§ LK 1 July 1971 18 Sep 1978 23 Sep 1978
16 Mar 1979
* Detachments of the squadron came under the operational control
12 Apr 1979
of different FAWs.
† The squadron remained part of FAW-5 but was assigned the tail NEM 1 Jan 1988 31 Dec 1988
code HB on 7 November 1946. 1 Jan 1989 31 Dec 1989
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from HB to EB on 19 July
(Det) 15 Jan 1980 30 Sep 1980
1950. In 1957 the squadron’s tail code was changed from EB to LK.
The effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of AFEM 1 Jan 1968 28 Feb 1968
FY 1958 (1 July 1957). JMUA 10 Nov 1990 5 Apr 1991
§ FAW-5 was redesignated COMPATWINGSLANT and Patrol Wing 5
6 Apr 1991 5 May 1991
(PatWing-5) on 1 July 1973, a dual hatted command. On 1 July 1974
Patrol Wing 5 was established as a separate command. 13 Aug 1991 11 Oct 1991

A squadron P-3C on patrol.

 CHAPTER 3 177

Second VP-27

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron EIGHTY THREE (VP-
83) on 15 September 1941.
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED
SEVEN (VB-107) on 15 May 1943.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED SEVEN (VPB-107) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
SEVEN (VP-107) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
SEVEN (VP-HL-7) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SEVEN (VP- A PBY-5A in flight over Martinique, St. Lucia, W.I., 1942. Note the
depth bomb on the wing of the other PBY, 80-G-238470 (Courtesy
27) on 1 September 1948. Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
Disestablished on 11 January 1950.

Chronology of Significant Events

Squadron Insignia and Nickname
15 Sep–Nov 1941: VP-83 was established at NAS
There was no CNO-approved insignia for this squadron Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5.
during the first five years of its existence. The squadron’s The unit was designated a seaplane squadron flying
first design was approved by CNO on 18 October 1946.
the PBY-5 Catalina, but shortages in aircraft resulted in
Shortly after the insignia was offi-
cially approved, the squadron delivery delays. Until new aircraft became available in
was redesignated VP-HL-7, November, the aircrews practiced water takeoff and
necessitating the removal landings in an OS2U Kingfisher. On 24 November
of the numbers 107 from 1941, six crews were selected to proceed to San
the design and placing Diego, Calif., to collect new PBY-5A amphibious
Heavy Patrol Squadron Catalinas from the factory. Shortly after they arrived at
Seven at the bottom of San Diego, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and they were
the emblem. The cen- immediately pressed into service for antisubmarine
tral feature of the design and interceptor patrols on the West Coast. The detach-
was a flying box car, ment eventually managed to ferry 30 PBY-5As from
symbolic of the box-like the West Coast to Norfolk between January and
design of the PB4Y-2
February 1942.
Privateer flown by the
The squadron’s first insignia had the
squadron. The box car 20 Dec 1941–5 Mar 1942: VP-83 flew its first op-
107 designation on the design. erational combat patrol over the Atlantic off the coast
was shown with wings,
a forward-mounted of Virginia. On 5 February 1942, the squadron began
radome pulsing with light- night sweeps of the convoy routes into the port of
ing-like radar beams, the Norfolk, Va. These patrols were discontinued on 5
distinctive side turret of March 1942, and the squadron was given a period of
the Privateer, and a top- intensive ASW training in preparation for overseas
mounted rear turret. A deployment.
bomb was shown 30 Mar 1942: A detachment with six squadron air-
falling from the open craft deployed to Natal, Brazil and operated from
sliding door of the box Parnarmarin Field at Natal. The remaining six aircraft
car, with another ready
and crews operated from NAS Norfolk and, at various
to roll out. Colors: back-
times, also had detachments at NAS Banana River, Fla.,
ground, blue; outer circle,
yellow; box car, red; NAS Jacksonville, Fla., and NAS Charleston, S.C., to
When the squadron was redesignated wings, sparks, turrets conduct convoy coverage and search operations under
and its number changed from 107 to the operational control of FAW-5.
7 it modified its design and added and box car interior,
HL-7 to the insignia. yellow; bombs, black; 8 Jun 1942: The remaining squadron assets in the
gun barrels, black with States deployed to Natal, Brazil and rejoined the other
yellow spots; ladder, black; radar globe, white; clouds, squadron detachment. The squadron’s first fatalities
white. occurred during the final leg of the flight to Brazil
Nickname: None on record. when Lieutenant (jg) C. H. Skidmore’s Catalina en-
178 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

countered a severe thunderstorm causing it to crash

into the sea five miles northeast of Natal. Only three of
the eight crewmen aboard were rescued.
2 Jul 1942: VP-83 became operational at Natal,
Brazil, and began combat patrols over shipping lanes
along the Brazilian coastline from Rio to Cape Orange.
6 Jan 1943: Lieutenant W. Ford attacked a surfaced
U-boat located 80 miles NE of Fortaleza, Brazil. The
sinking was confirmed by rescued survivors as U-164,
A squadron PB4Y-1 commencing a bombing run on a U-boat, 1943.
Korvettenkapitän Otto Fechner commanding.
13 Jan 1943: Lieutenant L. Ludwig attacked a sur-
faced U-boat off the coast of Brazil. The sinking was flying the Army version of the B-24D Liberator (redes-
confirmed after the war as U-507, Korvettenkapitän ignated PB4Y-1 by the Navy). During the training pe-
riod, the squadron came under the opera-
tional control of FAW-5. Within a week of
reforming its personnel and assets, the
squadron was relocated in sections to NAAS
Elizabeth City, and MCAS Cherry Point,
N.C., for intensive ground and flight train-
ing on the new Consolidated bombers.
15 Jun–5 Jul 1943: The first division of
six VB-107 aircraft departed NAS Norfolk for
Natal, Brazil, followed on the 20th by the re-
mainder of the squadron. By 27 June 1943,
all of the squadron aircraft were on board at
Natal, with the squadron coming under the
operational control of FAW-16. The squadron
became operational on 5 July 1943 and
began antishipping sweeps in designated
convoy lanes off the coast of Brazil.
12 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Tobin made a
night attack on a surfaced U-boat with-
out result. In the melee the PB4Y-1 was
A squadron PBY-5A at Natal, Brazil after picking up U-boat survivors, February 1943,
damaged by the submarine’s accurate AA
80-G-60069. fire, forcing it to return to base on three
engines.
23 Jul 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Waugh, flying 107-B-6, at-
Harro Schacht commanding. This submarine’s activities tacked a surfaced U-boat in conjunction with Lieutenant
at the start of the war were responsible for Brazil en- Ford, sinking the submarine. Waugh’s aircraft apparently
tering the war on the side of the Allies. sustained damage during the attack, plunging into the
15 Apr 1943: Ensign T. E. Robertson and Lieutenant sea after his bombing pass, all hands were lost. The sub-
G. Bradford, Jr., attacked a surfaced submarine off the marine’s identity was confirmed by survivors of U-598,
coast of Brazil. Ensign Robertson made the first bomb Kapitänleutnant Gottfried Holtorf commanding.
run, dropping four depth charges that damaged the 12 Aug 1943: Squadron commanding officer
boat. Lieutenant Bradford attacked minutes later with Lieutenant Commander B. G. Prueher departed Natal
four more depth charges dropped from an altitude of 50 at 0800 with an extra-heavy load of fuel, intended for
feet. The submarine sank six minutes later. Thirty sur- a protracted search of an area of suspected U-boat op-
vivors exited the boat and boarded three rafts. One raft erations. Three surfaced U-boats were attacked in the
was found 27 days later by Brazilian fishermen. It con- afternoon. Subsequent testimony of German naval per-
tained two bodies and one survivor who later confirmed sonnel captured at a later date indicated that
the sinking of Archimede, a 913-ton Italian submarine. Lieutenant Commander Prueher’s aircraft was shot
1 May 1943: VP-83 returned to NAS Norfolk, Va. down by the combined AA of the submarines during
Shortly after its arrival, on 15 May 1943, the squadron his second bombing pass.
was redesignated VB-107 and subsequently ended its 30 Sep–1 Dec 1943: A squadron detachment de-
career as a medium seaplane squadron. ployed to Ascension Island to maintain barrier air pa-
15 May 1943: After 15 days leave, VB-107 was re- trols and sweeps between Africa and Brazil. By 1
formed at NAS Norfolk, Va., as a bombing squadron December 1943, the squadron’s mission was shifted to
 CHAPTER 3 179

On 5 November 1943 squadron air-

craft attack U-848 resulting in the
sinking of the submarine.

Depth bombs explode around U-848, 5 November 1943,

80-G-44357 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Squadron aircraft strafe U-848, 80-G-44360 (Courtesy Captain Jerry

Mason, USN).
180 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

barrier patrols in the South Atlantic narrows to inter- Kapitänleutnant Heinz-Otto Schultze commanding.
cept blockade runners. The sinking was confirmed by postwar review of
5 Nov 1943: A VB-107 aircraft from the Ascension enemy records.
Island detachment piloted by Lieutenant Baldwin at- 1–2 Jan 1944: A VB-107 aircraft, 107-B-9, flown by
tacked U-848, Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Rollmann Lieutenant M. G. Taylor, was on barrier patrol when
commanding, in conjunction with two other squadron he spotted a suspicious transport ship. When chal-
aircraft. Lieutenant Baldwin damaged the submarine lenged, the ship opened fire with its AA, knocking out
sufficiently to prevent it from submerging. Lieutenant the number three engine and injuring the ordnance
S. K. Taylor’s aircraft administered the coup de grace, man. Lieutenant Taylor returned safely to Ascension
hitting the target on both bomb runs, causing it to Island as other squadron aircraft arrived on the scene
blow up and sink within five minutes. to maintain contact with the ship. On 2 January a sec-
25 Nov 1943: A VB-107 aircraft attacked U-849, ond VB-107 aircraft, 107-B-12, flown by Lieutenant

A close up of U-848 under attack, 80-G-208284 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

U-848 smoking after last depth bomb and strafing run, 80-G-44361 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 3 181

A squadron aircraft attack on U-849 resulted in sinking the submarine, 25 November 1943, 80-G-208592a (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Robert T. Johnson, attacked the blockade runner that 29 Sep 1944: Two VB-107 aircraft flown by
had damaged Lieutenant Taylor’s aircraft. The ship Lieutenants E. A. Krug and J. T. Burton made a coordi-
opened fire, causing minor damage to the aircraft. nated attack on U-863, Kapitänleutnant Dietrich von
Lieutenant Johnson elected to remain on station until der Esch commanding. The sinking was confirmed by
relieved. The plane ditched en route to base after postwar review of enemy records.
three engines were lost. None of the crew were recov- 10 Jan–4 Jun 1945: ComAirLant directed that VPB-
ered. Squadron aircraft stayed on station until Somers 107 be redeployed from Natal, Brazil, to Dunkswell,
(DD 381) arrived to sink the vessel by gunfire. The England, to assist the Coastal Command of the RAF in
ship was the SS Wesserland headed for Germany with the battles against the U-boats in the English Channel
a load of crude rubber from the Far East. and Irish Sea. The squadron became operational, under
6 Feb 1944: A VB-107 aircraft piloted by Lieutenant the control of FAW-7 at NAF Upottery, Devon, England,
(jg) C. I. Purnell made two successful bomb runs on on 21 January 1945. VPB-107 flew with 19 Group,
U-177, Korvettenkapitän Heinz Buchholz command- Coastal Command, RAF, until relieved on 4 June 1945.
ing. The sinking was confirmed by postwar review of 4 Jun 1945: VPB-107 departed England aboard
enemy records. Albemarle (AV 5) en route to Norfolk, Va., arriving
14 Mar 1944: The squadron aircraft were updated back in the States on 14 June 1945. Rehabilitation
to the Navy equivalent of the Army B-24J, with the leave was given to all hands in conjunction with tran-
ERCO nose turret. The firm that built the nose ball tur- sit orders to NAS Alameda, Calif.
ret, Engineering and Research Company, retrofitted all 21 Jul 1945: VPB-107 was reformed at NAS
Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator bombers at Litchfield Park, Alameda, and commenced transition training in the
Ariz. Tail turrets of the same design were mounted as updated version of the Liberator, the PB4Y-2 Privateer.
standard equipment on the PB2Y Coronado. Army Flight and operational training was based at NAAS
versions of the J-model Liberator were equipped with Crows Landing, Calif., on 29 July 1945, and continued
the Emerson nose ball turret. through 1 October 1945.
182 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Nov 1946: VPB-107 was redesignated VP-HL-7,

home based at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., under
FAW-4.
Feb 1949: VP-27 deployed to NAS Kodiak, Alaska.
11 Jan 1950: VP-27 was disestablished.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Norfolk, Va. * 15 Sep 1941
Natal, Brazil 30 Mar 1942/8 Jun 1942† Squadron enlisted men with a PB4Y in the background, Natal, Brazil,
December 1944, 80-G-361316 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 May 1943
Natal, Brazil Jun 1943
NAF Upottery, England 21 Jan 1945 Commanding Officers—Continued
NAS Norfolk, Va. 14 Jun 1945 Date Assumed Command
NAS Alameda, Calif. 21 Jul 1945 LCDR Bertram J. Prueher Jan 1943
NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 29 Jul 1945 LCDR Renfro Turner, Jr. 28 Aug 1943
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1946 LCDR Paul K. Blesh 20 Feb 1944
* The squadron had detachments operating from NAS Banana River, LCDR William F. Brewer 25 Jan 1945
NAS Jacksonville and NAS Charleston, S.C. during the period from LCDR Fred H. Rand Nov 1945
April to June 1942.
† A squadron detachment was sent to Natal, Brazil on 30 March CDR H. T. Haselton 8 Jun 1946
1942. The remaining state side squadron assets operated from NAS LCDR Edward T. Hogan 3 Oct 1947
Norfolk, Va., and had detachments at NAS Banana River, Fla., NAS CDR E. W. Bridewell 1 Jul 1949
Jacksonville, Fla., and NAS Charleston, S.C. On 8 June 1942 the
squadron detachments operating in the States joined the detachment
at Natal, Brazil and VP-83 became a full operational squadron.
Aircraft Assignment

Commanding Officers Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

OS2U Sep 1941
Date Assumed Command PBY-5A Jan 1942
LCDR R. Sperry Clarke 15 Sep 1941 PB4Y-1 May 1943
LCDR Almon E. Loomis Sep 1942 PB4Y-2 Jul 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

30 Mar 1942 1 May 1943 FAW-11/16 Natal PBY-5A SoLant

15 Jun 1943 10 Jan 1945 FAW-16 Natal PB4Y-1 SoLant
30 Sep 1943 10 Jan 1945 FAW-16 Ascension PB4Y-1 SoLant
11 Jan 1945 4 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Upottery PB4Y-1 NorLant
30 Aug 1946 Nov 1946 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
7 Jun 1947 8 Sep 1947 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
7 Mar 1948 May 1948 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
23 Nov 1948 23 Feb 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
23 Aug 1949 22 Nov 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-5 * 15 Sep 1941
FAW-4 DC § 1946
PatWing-11/FAW-11† 15 Aug 1942†
FAW-16‡ 14 Apr 1943 * On 30 March 1942 a detachment was sent to Natal, Brazil. The re-
FAW-5 15 May 1943 maining squadron detachments stayed in the States under the con-
FAW-16 27 Jun 1943 trol of PatWing-5. On 8 June 1942 the remainder of the squadron
FAW-7 10 Jan 1945 transferred from the States to Natal, Brazil.
FAW-5 14 Jun 1945 † Patrol Wing 11 was established on 15 August 1942 and the

FAW-14 21 Jul 1945 squadron was officially assigned to the Patrol Wing 11 on that date.
 CHAPTER 3 183

Wing Assignments—Continued Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Patrol Wing 11 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11 (FAW-11) on 1
November 1942. PUC 1 Jan 1943 30 Apr 1943
‡ VP-83 was assigned to FAW-16 in its “paper” organization on 16
1 Jul 1943 29 Feb 1944
February 1943, the official establishment date of FAW-16. However, con-
trol was held by FAW-11 until FAW-16 arrived in Brazil on 14 April 1943. 1 Sep 1944 30 Sep 1944
§ The squadron remained a part of FAW-4, but was assigned the tail

code DC on 7 November 1946.

Loading .50 caliber

machine gun am-
munition on a PB4Y
at a Brazilian air
base prior to takeoff,
80-G-K-5241.
184 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-28 The second in-

signia of VP-28 was
approved by CNO on
18 November 1954.
Lineage The selection of a
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Hawaiian warrior in
EIGHT (VB-108) on 1 July 1943. feather helmet and
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- cape was influenced
DRED EIGHT (VPB-108) on 1 October 1944. by the fact that the
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED squadron was based
EIGHT (VP-108) on 15 May 1946. at Kaneohe Bay.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Colors: background,
EIGHT (VP-HL-8) on 15 November 1946. The squadron’s second insignia used blue; cape and hel-
a Hawaiian warrior as the central
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT (VP- figure. met, yellow; loin
28) on 1 September 1948, the second squadron to be cloth, red; exterior of
assigned the VP-28 designation. cape, red; hatchet, yellow; flesh, cream.
Disestablished on 1 October 1969. A third insignia, again featuring a Hawaiian warrior,
was approved by CNO on 26 December 1962. This
warrior was shown
Squadron Insignia and Nickname standing on the
The first insignia submitted by the squadron was ap- deck of a shattered
proved by CNO on 24 November 1948. The central submarine, wield-
figure in the design was a pirate, or Privateer, symbol- ing his battle ax on
the enemy vessel.
The extra detail
was desired by the
squadron to more
accurately depict
the primary role of
the squadron in
the sixties, antisub-
marine warfare.
Colors: background,
The third insignia used the Hawaiian
warrior standing on the deck of a sub- blue; helmet and
marine. interior of cape,
yellow; cape exte-
rior and loin cloth, red; axe, yellow; submarine, gray;
squadron designation, yellow on blue scroll.
A fourth design retained reference to the local cul-
ture, but featured the crosses of St. Andrew and St.

A cartoon pirate was the squadron’s first insignia.

The fourth insignia
featured more ele-
ments of the local
izing the type of aircraft flown by the squadron. The Hawaiian culture
pirate was shown holding a bomb in either hand in its design.
while standing astride a cloud equipped with a pro-
peller and four cannon. He was obviously intent on
sinking his victims below: a submarine and a surface
ship. Colors: sky and water, blue; clouds, white; pro-
peller and ship, brown and white; guns, bombs and
submarine, black; pirate trousers, red; shirt, white;
bandanna, red and white.
 CHAPTER 3 185

George on the shield borne by the warrior chief. A oughly strafed the runway and aircraft revetments be-
crown in the design symbolized the Hawaiian monar- fore turning his attention to the harbor. There he lo-
chist era and control over the sea. The warriors in the cated and sank an enemy transport and headed for
design were portrayals taken from the King home. On departure from Mille “Pistol Packing Mama”
Kamehameha statue. Colors were purported to be pre- was attacked by six fighters. Lieutenant Ackerman and
dominately red and yellow, the colors of the Hawaiian his crew fought off the enemy aircraft, possibly shoot-
“alii” or chief. The insignia was approved by CNO on ing down two and damaging a third. This form of low-
15 December 1966, and was used by the squadron level attack was to become the specialty of VB-108
until its disestablishment in 1969. throughout the central Pacific. It featured approach at
Nicknames: Hawaiian Warriors, October 1954–1969. no more than 25 feet above the wave tops, then a
“pop up” to 150 feet for precise dropping of bombs,
all the while blasting at every target and enemy gun
Chronology of Significant Events
site. Surprise was the key element to success, and the
1 Jul 1943: VB-108 was established at NAS San fact that the squadron suffered few casualties proved
Diego, Calif., with an initial “on paper” complement of the utility of the tactic.
12 PB4Y-1 aircraft. Within a few days, the squadron 6 Dec 1943: Lieutenant Daley and crew strafed the
was relocated to NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., where it length of Jaluit sinking a landing barge filled with
received an increase to 15 aircraft, with 57 officers and Japanese sailors, and exploding two depth bombs on
148 enlisted personnel organized into 18 flight crews. top of an Emily H8K Navy Type 2 four-engine sea-
During the training period the squadron came under plane. Later, several squadron aircraft led by their
the operational control of FAW-14. commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Renfro,
3 Oct 1943: With its training completed in late bombed and strafed Jaluit, sinking two ships and dam-
September 1943, the squadron began preparations for aging two others.
its transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The first aircraft 12 Dec 1943: Lieutenant John H. Stickell and his
departed on 2 October 1943, with all arriving safely at crew conducted a solo raid on the enemy facilities
Kaneohe on the 3rd. Routine patrols and combat train- at Jaluit. Although the aircraft arrived over the atoll
ing commenced immediately. The squadron came at tree top level, the Japanese defenders were not
under the operational control of FAW-2. caught off guard. Lieutenant Stickell flew through a
23 Oct 1943: Nine of the squadron’s 15 aircraft veritable wall of flak to reach the buildings inland,
were flown to Canton Island to provide an escort dropping his bombs squarely on target. During the
cover for photographic planes of VD-3. This was a attack a machine gun bullet hit Stickell. Despite a
most unusual move, since the PB4Y-1 aircraft previ- severe wound, he flew his aircraft safely out of the
ously had lacked nose turrets and could not have pro- target area. He elected to continue on to a base
vided the firepower to protect themselves. All of the with a long enough runway for a safe landing
early Liberators received for Navy use were Army ver- rather than risk the lives of his crew landing on a
sions (B-24D) without a powered nose turret. Reports closer, but shorter emergency strip. During the four
from the combat zone showed that Liberator hour trip to the airfield Lieutenant Stickell bled to
squadrons with 30-caliber nose guns sustained very death. As a result of his sacrifice and his earlier
high casualty rates. PB4Y-1 Liberators destined for bravery during previous attacks on enemy installa-
Navy use did not get the refit with the ERCO 250 SH-1 tions Lieutenant Stickell was awarded the Navy
powered turrets with twin 50-caliber gun mounts until Cross.
after May 1943. Retrofits with the new turrets were 11 Jan 1944: VB-108 was relocated to Apanama,
completed at Litchfield Park, Ariz. VB-108 was among Gilbert Islands, still under the operational control of
the first group of squadrons to be equipped with the FAW-2. Missions from this location were carried out
newer, more heavily armed aircraft. against Kwajalein, Rongelap, Eniwetok, Parry, Wake,
4 Nov 1943: The Canton detachment flew its first and Kusaie islands resulting in the sinking of at least
combat mission against light opposition over the four enemy vessels.
enemy-held island of Mille. 7 Mar 1944: A detachment was sent to Kwajalein to
11 Nov 1943: VB-108 was relocated to Nuku Fetau, operate with VB-109.
Ellice Islands. Its primary mission was reconnaissance 28 Feb 1944: Two aircraft piloted by Lieutenant
of enemy-held territories, with authorization to attack Commander John E. Muldrow and Lieutenant Max A.
any targets of opportunity. Generally, six missions Piper conducted the first daylight bombing attack ever
were flown each day with photographic coverage of launched on Wake Island. The attack was delivered at
the designated patrol sectors. low-level (less than 100 feet) with 500-pound bombs.
3 Dec 1943: Lieutenant Ackerman, flying “Pistol The mission was one of the longest conducted by VB-
Packing Mama,” returned to Mille at wave-top height 108 at that time, covering 2,500 miles round trip with
catching the enemy gunners by surprise. He thor- over 19 hours in the air.
186 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

11 Apr 1944: VB-108 moved to Eniwetok. On that departed in three aircraft elements on the 18th, with
day one of the squadron aircraft attacked an enemy all aircraft arriving safely at NAS Kaneohe by 19
submarine while on patrol, claiming a sinking. This January 1945.
was undoubtedly I-174, which departed on 3 April 20 Jan–12 Mar 1945: VPB-108 aircrews began in-
1944 from the Inland Sea of Japan for the Marshall tensive combat training at Kaneohe, with emphasis
Islands, Lieutenant Katsuto Suzuki commanding. It on air-to-air combat. During this period the squadron
failed to answer when called on 11 April 1944. Over came under the operational control of FAW-2. In
the next three months the squadron bombed and early February the squadron received new
strafed installations at Orolick, Ulul, Ujelang, Ant and Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer aircraft as replace-
Pakin islands. ments for its Liberators.
10 Jul 1944: VB-108 was relieved at Eniwetok by 13 Mar 1945: VPB-108 was transferred to Peleliu
VB-116 for return to Kaneohe Bay. After arriving at Island, Palau, under the operational control of FAW-1
NAS Kaneohe a week later, the squadron was put on (TG 50.5). The squadron operated as part of the
standby status as a ready squadron. Little activity took Tinian Search Group (CTU 50.5.3), and conducted
place other than routine patrols and training flights nightly antishipping patrols in the Palau area.
while crews returned to stateside for rotation and pro-
4 Apr 1945: VPB-108 was transferred to NAB Tinian
cessing of new personnel.
to conduct sector searches and continue daily antiship-
20 Sep–Oct 1944: The squadron was reformed at
ping patrols in the Marianas area. An advanced de-
NAS Alameda, Calif., with its new personnel and
tachment of eight aircraft and nine crews operated
PB4Y-1 aircraft. Training continued at NAS Alameda
from 15 to 30 April 1945 at Central Field, Iwo Jima. A
until 17 October 1944, when the squadron was relo-
cated to NAAS Crow’s Landing, Calif., for further flight second detachment operated from that location from 1
training and preparation for transpac to Hawaii. to 8 May 1945. During the stay on Tinian Lieutenant
During this period the squadron came under the oper- Commander Robert C. Lefever experimented with a
ational control of FAW-8. two-cannon arrangement mounted in the nose of his
10 Jan 1945: The ground crews and support staff aircraft. The twin 20-mm gun mount was so successful
of the squadron, consisting of one officer and 87 en- in combat operations that the remainder of the
listed personnel, departed San Diego by ship arriving squadron aircraft were quickly retrofitted with the ad-
in Hawaii on 18 January 1945. The VPB-108 aircrews ditional armament.

A squadron PB4Y-2 in flight (Courtesy James C. Miller, Sr. Collection).

 CHAPTER 3 187

Squadron PB4Y-2s on the flight line at NAS Agana, 1949 (Courtesy James C. Miller, Sr. Collection).

9 May 1945: Lieutenant Commander John E. a demonstration of power in conjunction with the for-
Muldrow, the squadron commanding officer, and mal surrender ceremonies held that same day aboard
seven of his crew were killed in a combat mission Missouri (BB 63) in Tokyo Bay, Japan.
against Japanese-held Marcus Island. The attack was 10 Jan 1949: The squadron maintained an advance
conducted in conjunction with several aircraft of VPB- detachment at NAF Naha, Okinawa, for search and
102. Jallao (SS 368) rescued five of the surviving rescue, typhoon reconnaissance and possible emer-
crewmembers. In addition to the loss of Lieutenant gency airlift in the event of problems relating to
Commander Muldrow’s aircraft, one VPB-102 Taiwan and China.
Privateers was shot down in flames. As a result of his Jun–Jul 1950: At the outbreak of the Korean
heroism in leading the attack in the face of intense Conflict on 25 June 1950, VP-28 was already deployed
ground fire, destruction of two enemy aircraft and se- to NAF Agana, Guam. On 14 July 1950, the squadron
vere damage to enemy ground targets, Lieutenant relocated to Naha AFB, Okinawa, with a detachment
Commander Muldrow was posthumously awarded the remaining at NAF Agana. During the first few weeks of
Navy Cross. Lieutenant (jg) Richard D. Panther was
the hostilities the squadron flew patrols over the
also awarded the Navy Cross for his action against
Formosa Straits, Foochow and Shanghai, China.
Marcus Island. On 9 May he led his aircraft in success-
26 Jul 1950: A squadron aircraft encountered
ful low-level attacks against enemy installations on the
enemy fighters during a patrol mission.
island. He also assisted in the destruction of two
enemy aircraft and inflicted severe casualties on Apr–Oct 1951: The squadron’s primary mission
enemy troops. during this combat deployment to Korea was ship
3 Jun–Jul 1945: The advanced detachment operat- surveillance and the secondary mission was antisub-
ing from Iwo Jima was increased to 12 aircraft and 13 marine patrol. VP-28 was also assigned the additional
crews. On 1 July 1945, the remainder of the squadron task of special night weather reconnaissance patrols
joined the detachment at Iwo Jima. Duties included along the Korean coast.
searches, antishipping patrols and barrier patrols. In 28 Jun 1951: During the squadron’s second tour in
addition to standard patrols, the squadron executed 31 the Korean combat zone it was ordered to participate
air-sea rescue missions in the month of July. in operation Firefly, the dropping of flares to provide
2 Sep 1945: From Iwo Jima the squadron con- illumination for Marine Corps night fighters attacking
ducted a flyover with VPB-117 and VPB-124 at Truk as supply routes in North Korea.
188 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3A carrying missiles on its pylons.

1 October 1951: The squadron was ordered to surveillance patrols along the northern defense
form a detachment to continue flare operations in perimeter, and assisted scientists in gathering data on
Korea following its return to NAS Barbers Point. On 1 ice conditions in the Bering Sea and volcanic activity
October four planes, 13 officers and 39 enlisted per- along the Aleutian Islands.
sonnel were detached from the squadron and assigned 23 Jul 1957: A squadron P2V-5F, BuNo. 128418,
as VP-28 Detachment Able to continue the flare drop- crashed 300 yards off the end of the NAS Barbers
ping mission in Korea until relieved by VP-871. Point runway, killing all eleven crewmen aboard.
16 Dec 1951: The squadron’s Detachment Able re- 17 Apr 1962: VP-28 deployed to advance bases on
turned to NAS Barbers Point from NAS Atsugi, Japan, Christmas and Johnston islands to provide air recon-
after 2 1/2 months of flare operations totaling 1,103 naissance during U.S. nuclear testing. The squadron
flight hours. flew enough miles during the three-month period to
26 May 1952: VP-28 deployed to Naha, Okinawa. circumnavigate the world 18 times.
From this location the squadron maintained patrols 16 May 1964: VP-28 deployed to WestPac, based at
along the Communist-held China coast and the Straits Iwakuni, Japan, with a detachment at NS Sangley
of Formosa. Point, R.P. From August to September 1964, the
20 Sep 1952: A P4Y-2S flown by Lieutenant Harvey squadron flew a total of 1,148 hours in support of the
R. Britt was attacked by two MiG-15s over the sea near Seventh Fleet during the Tonkin Gulf Crisis.
Shanghai. Five firing passes were made by the MiGs 11 Dec 1964–Apr 1965: VP-28 received its first two
without damage to the Privateer, which returned safely P-3A Lockheed Orions as replacements for the SP-2H
to Naha, Okinawa. During the remainder of the de- Neptunes. Transition to the new aircraft was com-
ployment three more squadron patrols were subjected pleted in April 1965.
to attacks by MiGs. Squadron aircraft exchanged fire 3 Nov 1965: VP-28 deployed to WestPac with its
with the MiGs but no damage was reported on any of new Orions, stationed at NS Sangley Point, R.P., with a
the aircraft. detachment at NAS Agana, Guam. Despite the difficul-
28 Nov 1952: The squadron transferred three P4Y- ties in maintaining the new type airframes at this site,
2S Privateers to Military Assistance Advisory Group the squadron flew a record number of flight hours in
(MAAG) Formosa for transfer to the Chinese Market Time and Yankee Team patrols for one month,
Nationalist Air Force. surpassing the previous record set in Neptunes during
8 Jan 1955: VP-28 deployed to Japan under the op- the August 1964 Tonkin Gulf Crisis.
erational control of FAW-6. Daily surveillance flights 27 May 1967: The Warriors deployed to NAS Adak,
were flown over the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Alaska. During the deployment the squadron received
Jun 1956: The Warriors deployed to NAS Kodiak, one of the strangest missions ever assigned to a patrol
Alaska. During the deployment the squadron flew squadron. The ex-USS Robert Louis Stevenson was a
 CHAPTER 3 189

hulk loaded with 2,000 tons of obsolete ordnance Commanding Officers—Continued

ready for disposal. The hulk was towed into position
south of Amchitka Island, where it was to be scuttled. Date Assumed Command
It was rigged to hydrostatically detonate at a depth of CDR R. W. Long Aug 1955
4,000 feet. Research vessels nearby would monitor the CDR H. D. Metke Feb 1956
explosion for oceanographic and seismic research pur- CDR Robin E. Larson Jan 1957
poses. A combination of bad weather and strong CDR Ralph W. Hart, Jr. Jul 1958
winds pushed the hulk off position after the sea cocks CDR John R. Trautmann 8 Jun 1959
were opened. The vessel sank in water too shallow to CDR Henis J. Williams 12 Jul 1960
detonate the charge. VP-28 was called upon to bomb CDR William C. Campbell 23 Aug 1960
the submerged wreckage and detonate the charge. A CDR Henis J. Williams 12 Jul 1961
total of 24 2,000-pound bombs were dropped on the CDR Lloyd A. Kurz 16 Jul 1962
position with no secondary explosions. It was later de- CDR R. T. Folsom 29 Jul 1963
termined that the hulk was thoroughly flattened and CDR Walter D. Roll 11 Apr 1964
CDR Wallace E. Sharp 26 Feb 1965
the ordnance dispersed in a manner that no longer
CDR Chandler L. Von Schrader 21 Jan 1966
posed a danger to navigation.
CDR Edward F Lebiedz 28 Dec 1966
15 Jan–26 May 1969: VP-28 deployed to Naha,
CDR Ralph R. Hedges 12 Dec 1967
Okinawa, relieving VP-22. Detachments were main-
CDR Harvey Gray, Jr. 12 Dec 1968
tained at Cam Ranh Bay, RVN, and NAS Atsugi, Japan.
On 18 April 1969, the squadron was put on alert fol-
lowing the downing of a Navy EC-121 by the North Aircraft Assignment
Koreans. The squadron dropped the alert status on 26
May, resuming normal operations. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
1 Oct 1969: VP-28 was disestablished at NAS PB4Y-1 Jul 1943
Barbers Point. PB4Y-2 Feb 1945
PB4Y-2S Oct 1949
P4Y-2/2S* 1951
Home Port Assignments P2V-5 1 Dec 1952
P2V-5F 1959
Location Date of Assignment
P2V-5FS PAR/MOD Jan 1962
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Jul 1943 SP-2H Dec 1962
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 3 Jul 1943 P-3A Dec 1964
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 3 Oct 1943 *The PB4Y-2 and PB4Y-2S were redesignated P4Y-2 and P4Y-2S in
NAS Alameda, Calif. 20 Sep 1944 1951.
NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 17 Oct 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 19 Jan 1945
NAF Naha, Okinawa Dec 1945
NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii Apr 1948
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 10 Jul 1949

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

LCDR E. C. Renfro 1 Jul 1943
LCDR J. L. Elwell Jul 1944
LCDR J. E. Muldrow 20 Sep1944
CDR R. C. Lefever 9 May 1945
LCDR Alexander D. Walter, Jr. 31 Aug 1945
LCDR G. E. Hoffman Mar 1946
CDR C. E. Olson Feb 1947
CDR F. L. Curtis 23 May 1948
LCDR C. F. Skuzinski 22 Jul 1949
CDR C. S. Minter, Jr. 12 Sep 1950
LCDR C. B. McAfee 8 Feb 1952
CDR M. V. Montgomery 17 Dec 1952
CDR J. J. Hinman III Apr 1954 A squadron P2V being worked on in the hangar.
190 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

3 Oct 1943 10 Jul 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 WestPac

23 Oct 1943 * FAW-2/1 Canton PB4Y-1 SoPac
11 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Nuku Fetau PB4Y-1 SoPac
11 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Apanama PB4Y-1 SoPac
11 Apr 1944 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PB4Y-1 SoPac
10 Jan 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 WestPac
13 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Peleliu PB4Y-2 SoPac
4 Apr 1945 * FAW-1/18 Tinian/Iwo PB4Y-2 SoPac
1 Jul 1945 * FAW-1/18 Iwo Jima PB4Y-2 SoPac
Dec 1945 Apr 1948 FAW-1 Okinawa PB4Y-2 WestPac
5 Jan 1949 10 Jul 1949 FAW-1 Agana/ PB4Y-2 WestPac
Okinawa
2 Feb 1950 14 Jul 1950 FAW-1 Agana PB4Y-2/2S WestPac
14 Jul 1950 10 Aug 1950 FAW-1 Naha/Korea PB4Y-2/2S WestPac
28 Mar 1951 11 Oct 1951 FAW-1 Itami P4Y-2/2S WestPac
1 Oct 1951‡ 13 Dec 1951 FAW-1 Kimpo/Korea P4Y-2/2S WestPac
26 May 1952 1 Dec 1952 FAW-1/2 Naha P4Y-2/2S WestPac
Sep 1953 Apr 1954 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5 NorPac
8 Jan 1955 10 Jun 1955 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5 WestPac
Jun 1956 Nov 1956 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-5F NorPac
Apr 1958 Aug 1958 FAW-6 Kwajalein P2V-5F WestPac
28 Dec 1959 15 May 1960 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
12 May 1961 11 Nov 1961 FAW-6 Iwakuni P2V-5F WestPac
17 Apr 1962§ 7 Jul 1962 FAW-2 Johnston Is. P2V-5FS SoPac
19 Nov 1962 14 May 1963 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
16 May 1964 18 Oct 1964 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
5 Aug 1964§ 30 Sep 1964 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac
3 Nov 1965† 2 Jun 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
3 Nov 1965† 2 Jun 1966 FAW-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
27 May 1967 1 Dec 1967 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
15 Jan 1969† 15 Jul 1969 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
17 Jan 1969† 18 Jul 1969 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
15 Jan 1969† 18 Jul 1969 FAW-6 Atsugi P-3A WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† Conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.
‡ A squadron detachment was maintained in Korea to continue its mission of dropping flares for Marine Corps night fighters.
§ Squadron detachments deployed to these sites but not the full squadron.

Wing Assignments
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 1 Jul 1943
FAW-2 3 Oct 1943
FAW-8 20 Sep 1944
FAW-2 19 Jan 1945
FAW-1 13 Mar 1945
FAW-18 5 May 1945
FAW-1 AB* 1 Dec 1945
FAW-2 CF†/ QC‡ Apr 1948
* The squadron remained part of FAW-1 but was assigned the tail
code AB on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from AB to CF on 4 August

1948.
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from CF to QC in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY A close up of the tail of several squadron P-3As showing the Hawaiian
1958 (1 July 1957). warrior and the QC tail code, Adak, Alaska.
 CHAPTER 3 191

Unit Awards Received Unit Awards Received—Continued

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PUC 16 Jul 1950 7 Aug 1950 VNSM 3 Nov 1965 31 Dec 1965
1 Jun 1952 30 Nov 1952 AFEM (Det) 4 Aug 1964 15 Oct 1964
NUC 1 Nov 1943 8 Jul 1944
NOSM 15 Jul 1950 6 Aug 1950 KSM 1 Apr 1951 9 Oct 1951
VNSM 3 Nov 1965 31 Dec 1965 (Det) 29 Oct 1952 30 Oct 1952

A squadron P-3A flies over the snow capped peaks near Adak, Alaska.
192 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

First VP-29

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron FOURTEEN-F (VP-
14F) on 1 November 1935.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOURTEEN (VP-14)
on 4 September 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY TWO (VP-52)
on 1 July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY TWO (VP-
72) on 1 July 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED TWENTY TWO (VPB-122) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY TWO (VP-122) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
TWELVE (VP-HL-12) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY NINE (VP-
29) on 1 September 1948.
Disestablished on 18 January 1950.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first insignia was submitted by the squadron
and accepted by CNO in 1941, shortly after VP-52 had
The squadron’s second insignia was a cartoon wolf design.
been redesignated VP-72. The background of the cir-
cular design had an outline of the eastern United
hand a bomb or torpedo, and in his left hand a tele-
scope held up to his eye. His head sports a ball cap
(first authorized for flight crews in 1944) and a set of
head phones. Colors: piping around design, gold;
background, sky blue with white clouds; wolf, black
The squadron’s first insignia with white feet, gloves and muzzle; pants, tan with red
was a V formation of six rear patch; cap, red; head phones, bomb and tele-
geese.
scope, dark blue.
Nicknames: None on record.

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Nov 1935: VP-14F was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va. The squadron flew a complement of six
States and Caribbean area. In the foreground, flying in Martin PM-2 flying boats, with tender support pro-
a “V” formation towards the land mass, were six vided by Owl (AM 2).
geese. The eastern coastline represented the area in 1 Mar 1938: VP-14 participated in Fleet Landing
which the squadron operated and the six geese repre- Exercise No. 4, visiting ports at Miami, Fla.;
sented the squadron’s six patrol planes. Colors: sea, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Port Padre, San Juan, P. R.;
light blue; geese, gray-black; land, gray. This insignia and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
was used by the squadron throughout WWII. Jun 1938: VP-14 received 11 P2Y-2s from VP-10
The squadron’s second insignia came into being ei- when that squadron received its new PBY-1 Catalinas.
ther at the end of WWII or soon after the war. The The squadron aircraft allowance was subsequently
Disney influence in the design of the insignia was ap- raised from 6 to 12, although only 11 aircraft were
parent. Disney studios designed many of the insignia ever in the inventory.
used by squadrons during the war. The diamond- 5 Sep 1939: President Roosevelt issued his procla-
shaped design features Disney’s “Big, Bad Wolf” from mation of neutrality, paving the way for the establish-
the cartoon series. On his back are wings, in his right ment of the Neutrality Patrol extending east from
 CHAPTER 3 193

A squadron P2Y-2 anchored at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, February 1938.

Boston to latitude 42-30, longitude 65, then south to Aug–Oct 1940: VP-52 operated from advanced
latitude 19, then around the island of Trinidad to the bases at Parris Island and Winyah Bay, S.C., with ten-
shore of South America. By 20 September 1939, the der support by Owl (AM 2) and Thrush (AVP 3).
Neutrality Patrol was in effect; VP-52 teamed with VP- Dec 1940–Jan 1941: VP-52 exchanged its well-
53 and a group of destroyers to protect the ap- worn P2Y-2 aircraft, the last still in operation in the
proaches to Norfolk. fleet, for new PBY-5s. The P2Y-2s were flown from
1 Oct 1939: VP-52 was relocated to NS Charleston, Charleston to Pensacola, Fla., for use as training
S.C., to fill gaps in the coverage of the southern planes. The PBY-5 aircraft were ferried across country
Atlantic coastline. The squadron operated out of the by VP-14 from San Diego, Calif., and delivered to VP-
Coast Guard Air Station in the Navy Yard at Charleston. 52 in Pensacola in January. While en route, aircraft 14-

A squadron P2Y-2 at USCG Station Charleston, S.C., 1940 (Courtesy William E. Scarbrough Collection).
194 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

HMS Hood in the Strait of Denmark. The ship was not

spotted, as it had turned south of the patrol area. Of
the 11aircraft aloft, none were able to return to
Argentia due to bad weather at landing sites in
Newfoundland, Labrador, Quebec and adjoining is-
lands. All ultimately returned to base.
29 May 1941: VP-52 deployed four aircraft to
Iceland, based on Belknap (AVD 8) at Reykjavik. The
planes surveyed the east coast of Greenland where
Danish weather stations were suspected of being in
use by the Germans for relaying forecasts to the sub-
marine wolfpacks. Inspections of the facilities showed
A squadron PBY-5 in flight, circa 1941.
them to be abandoned, and the detachment returned
to Argentia on 8 June 1941.
P-11 flown by Lieutenant (jg) Murray Hanson, met foul 1 Jul 1941: The Support Force was reorganized on
weather and made an emergency landing on a dry this date to become Patrol Wing 7, and its squadrons
lake on King Ranch, Texas. The lake had only three 51, 52, 53 and 55 became VPs 71, 72, 73, and 74
inches of water over the mud bottom, but a successful respectively.
landing was made without damage to the aircraft. 3 Jul 1941: Four new PBY-5 aircraft recently re-
After removal of gear and partial refueling, Hanson ceived by the squadron departed Argentia for
was able to make an equally successful takeoff to Reykjavik. One was lost en route with no trace of air-
complete the delivery of the new Catalina. craft or crew ever located. The remaining three re-
1 Jan 1941: VP-52 relocated from its old home port turned to Argentia on 7 July 1941.
of Charleston, S.C., to NAS Norfolk, Va., as the latter 9 Dec 1941: A few days after the attack on Pearl
station was not equipped to handle the new PBY-5s Harbor, VP-72 was one of the East Coast squadrons
now flown by the squadron. given orders to fly cross country to NAS Alameda,
1 Feb 1941: VP-52 joined VP-51 at the unfinished Calif., to prepare for transpac to Hawaii.
Naval Air Station at San Juan, P.R. Crews were forced 21–23 Dec 1941: Seven squadron aircraft departed
to live in tents next to the civilian airport until the bar- Alameda on the 21st, arriving at NAS Kaneohe,
racks were completed. The two squadrons shared Hawaii, on 23 December 1941. The three remaining
Neutrality Patrol duties through the Caribbean from aircraft of VP-72 departed NAS Alameda later in the
the West Indies to Trinidad. day with eight aircraft of VP-71. Two of the three went
1 Mar–5 Apr 1941: VP-52 held a change of com- down at sea en route. The crews were quickly rescued
mand at NAS Norfolk and, on the same date, Rear and one aircraft was salvaged, but the other sank.
Admiral A. L. Bristol assumed command of Support 24 Dec 1941: Three squadron aircraft were put on
Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet with responsibility for the patrol operating out of Kaneohe flying 700-mile patrol
Neutrality Patrol in the North Atlantic. Aviation assets sectors of 11 to12 hours duration. A detachment of
in the new command consisted of VPs 51, 52, 55, and two other aircraft flew to Johnston Island.
56; and tenders Albemarle (AV 5) and George E. 31 Jan 1942: Two more squadron aircraft left be-
Badger (AVD 3). VP-53 joined the Support Force on 5 hind at NAS Alameda, Calif., completed the transpac,
April 1941. rejoining the squadron at NAS Kaneohe.
5 May 1941: VP-52 and VP-53 were relocated to 17 Feb 1942: Plane No. 6 crashed on a predawn
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. to further improve coverage takeoff for a patrol from NAS Kaneohe, killing all but
in the Northern Atlantic sea lanes and better protect one of the crew.
passage of war material to Britain. 28 Feb 1942: Two detachments were deployed to
15 May 1941: VP-52 deployed to Argentia, the South Pacific, one at Tarawa and the other at
Newfoundland, recently obtained from Britain in the Makin.
destroyers-for-bases agreement. The squadron oper- 14 Mar–23 May 1942: VP-72 deployed a detach-
ated 10 PBY-5s from this location, with a detachment ment to Noumea with six aircraft, returning on 23 May
of two aircraft at NAS Norfolk, Va. This remained the 1942. One aircraft hit a coral head while taxiing at
forward U.S. base until July 1943, when operations Canton, requiring two weeks to repair.
were moved to locations in the United Kingdom. The 30 Apr 1942: Detachments deployed to Kwajalein,
Norfolk detachment rejoined the squadron at Argentia Eniwetok and Majuro. During this period, patrol wing
on 25 June 1941. aircraft at Kaneohe were pooled. Since some
24 May 1941: VP-52 was put aloft with all aircraft squadrons had the newer PBY-5A, all hands had to do
in the face of strong gales to search for the German transition training in case they might have to fly that
battleship Bismark, which had just engaged and sunk type aircraft. Initially, crews disliked the PBY-5A com-
 CHAPTER 3 195

pared to the non-amphibious PBY-5. It was slower in 1 Feb–1 Mar 1944: In February, the squadron was
the air, harder to get airborne, more vulnerable to consolidated at Funafuti for maintenance, while con-
damage in open-sea landings, and less capable of sin- tinuing to carry out a full mission schedule of patrols
gle-engine operation. and Dumbo missions. Two aircraft had been lost with-
4 Sep–7 Oct 1942: VP-72 began deploying to out injuries to crews: one during takeoff, the other
Espiritu Santo by sections, with the last plane arriving while attempting to land in rough seas during a
13 September 1942. On 7 October 1942, the first action Dumbo mission. By 1 March 1944, VP-72 was again
with the enemy took place when Lieutenant split into detachments operating from Makin, Eniwetok
Cocowitch was fired on by a Japanese ship at and Kwajalein islands. Tender support was provided
Noumea. by Mackinac (AVP 13).
17 Dec 1942–6 Jan 1943: Ten new PBY-5A re- 8 Jun 1944: VP-72 was consolidated at Ebeye
placement aircraft were ferried to the squadron from Island, with all aircraft and crews berthed ashore.
NAS Kaneohe. With the arrival of six more over the Maintenance and overhaul of the remaining squadron
next week, the squadron complement was brought to aircraft were conducted to prepare them for the return
16 PBY-5As by 6 January 1943. to NAS Kaneohe when relieved.
23 Jan 1943: One Japanese submarine probable kill 17 Jul 1944: VP-72 was relieved by VP-18 for return
was claimed by a squadron aircraft flying patrol in the to NAS Kaneohe and eventual transfer back to the
Solomons area. Review of postwar enemy records continental United States.
does not indicate any losses by the enemy on this 1 Aug 1944: The squadron arrived at San Diego,
date. Calif., and all hands were given 30-day rehabilitation
6 Jul 1943: By mid-June 1943, the squadron had leave.
been relieved and began its return to the continental 1 Sep–1 Oct 1944: The squadron was reformed at
United States aboard Long Island (CVE 1). It was re- NAAS Brown Field, Calif., under the operational con-
formed on 6 July 1943, at NAS San Diego, Calif., re- trol of FAW-14. The new squadron consisted of only
maining at this location undergoing crew training until seven crews training on the PB4Y-2 Privateer. On 1
mid-August. October 1944, VP-72 was redesignated VPB-122.
23 Aug 1943: VP-72 completed its transpac from
30 Nov 1944: Six of the seven VPB-122 crews were
NAS San Diego to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The
reassigned to VPB-108 to bring that squadron up to its
squadron trained at Kaneohe until 1 October 1943,
full complement. The squadron remained in an inac-
when detachments were formed and deployed to
tive status until replacement crews brought it back up
Canton, Baker, Johnston and Midway Islands.
to strength in early March 1945.
1 Nov 1943: The detachments rejoined the
15 Mar 1945: VPB-122 was relocated to NAAS
squadron at Kaneohe. The squadron then formed two
Crows Landing, Calif., under the operational control of
detachments for another deployment. Half of the
FAW-8. The squadron conducted flight operations in
squadron remained at NAS Kaneohe, while the other
PB4Y-1s in the vicinity of San Francisco and its off-
half deployed to Funafuti.
shore shipping approaches. Training was completed
11 Nov 1943: The NAS Kaneohe detachment joined
the rest of the squadron at Funafuti, with tender sup- by the end of May 1945.
port provided by Curtiss (AV 4). During this period the 1 Jun 1945: The squadron was transferred to Ault
squadron was assigned sector searches, night antiship- Field, Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational
ping patrols, and mine-laying and Dumbo missions. control of FAW-6. Training flights were conducted
By 1 December 1943, the squadron’s mission shifted from this location over the area surrounding Puget
solely to Dumbo missions, with one to two aircraft de- Sound. New PB4Y-2s were received in July.
tachments at Funafuti, Nanomea, Apamama, Tarawa 5 Aug 1945: VPB-122 deployed to Shemya Island,
and Makin islands. The Dumbo missions were often Aleutians, under the operational control of FAW-4.
flown in coordination with fast surface warships or Reconnaissance missions were flown from this loca-
submarines posted along the routes strike aircraft flew tion to within 50 miles of Paramashiru.
on their missions. The aircraft located the downed air- 1 Oct 1945: VPB-122 was temporarily based at
crews then guided the ship or submarine to them. If Casco Field, Attu, to transport squadron personnel to
surface conditions permitted, the seaplanes would Seattle, Wash., for discharge.
land and rescue the crews. 2 Jun 1948: VP-HL-12 deployed to NAS Kodiak,
1 Jan 1944: The new year brought with it an un- Alaska. Navigation training, ice patrols from Kodiak
usual change of duties for the squadron. The PBYs to Point Barrow, and collection of data on Arctic ice
were adapted for aerial minelaying. Several missions cap topography comprised the majority of squadron
were conducted throughout the month, mining ap- duties.
proaches to bypassed Japanese island garrisons to 18 Jan 1950: VP-29 was disestablished at NAS
deny them resupply by sea. Whidbey Island, Wash.
196 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Nov 1935 LCDR C. C. McDonald Nov 1940
NS Charleston, S.C. 1 Oct 1939 LCDR C. H. DuBorg 1 Oct 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jan 1941 LCDR E. J. Drew 1 Apr 1942
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 5 May 1941 CDR Sidney J. Lawrence 8 Dec 1942
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 21 Dec 1941 LCDR A. L. Burgess 1 Oct 1944
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Jul 1943 CDR L. R. Jensen 25 Mar 1946
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 23 Aug 1943 LCDR T. W. Marshall 16 Jun 1947
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Aug 1944 CDR R. J. Davis 21 Jun 1949
NAAS Brown Field, Calif. 1 Sep 1944
NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 15 Mar 1945
Aircraft Assignment
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Jun 1945
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Commanding Officers PM-2 Nov 1935
P2Y-2 Jun 1938
Date Assumed Command PBY-5 Dec 1940
LCDR W. L. Peterson 1 Nov 1935 PBY-5A Dec 1942
LCDR Barrett Studley 4 Sep 1937 PB4Y-2 Sep 1944
LCDR S. W. Callaway 1 Jul 1939 PB4Y-2/PB4Y-1 Mar–Jul 1945

A squadron PM-2, note the geese insignia on the

bow, October 1936 (Courtesy William L. Swisher
Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Mar 1938 May 1938 PatWing-5 Guantanamo P2Y-2 Carib

1 Feb 1941 1 Mar 1941 PatWing-5 San Juan PBY-5 Carib
15 May 1941 9 Dec 1941 PatWing-5 Argentia PBY-5 NorLant
29 May 1941† 8 Jun 1941 PatWing-5 Reykjavik PBY-5 NorLant
24 Dec 1941 * PatWing-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
28 Feb 1942 Jun 1942 PatWing-1 Tarawa/Makin PBY-5/5A SoPac
14 Mar 1942 * PatWing-1 Noumea PBY-5/5A SoPac
30 Apr 1942 * PatWing-1 Kwajalein PBY-5/5A SoPac
30 Apr 1942 * PatWing-1 Eniwetok PBY-5/5A SoPac
30 Apr 1942 * PatWing-1 Majuro PBY-5/5A SoPac
4 Sep 1942 Jun 1943 FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5/5A SoPac
 CHAPTER 3 197

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

23 Aug 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5A EastPac

1 Oct 1943 * FAW-2 Canton PBY-5A WestPac
1 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Funafuti PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Nanomea PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Apamama PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Tarawa PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Makin Is. PBY-5A SoPac
1 Feb 1944 * FAW-1 Funafuti PBY-5A SoPac
1 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Makin Is. PBY-5A SoPac
1 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PBY-5A SoPac
1 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Kwajalein PBY-5A SoPac
8 Jun 1944 17 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Ebeye PBY-5A SoPac
5 Aug 1945 * FAW-4 Shemya Is. PB4Y-2 NorPac
1 Oct 1945 * FAW-4 Attu PB4Y-2 NorPac
Dec 1945 27 May 1946 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
2 Dec 1946 8 Mar 1947 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
7 Sep 1947 8 Dec 1947 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
2 Jun 1948 23 Aug 1948 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
23 Feb 1949 23 May 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
23 Nov 1949 23 Dec 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak PB4Y-2 NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
† Deployment dates are only for a squadron detachment.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Base Force 1 Nov 1935 * On 4 September 1937 number designations were assigned to patrol
PatWing-5 4 Sep 1937* wings, however, the effective date for this change was 1 October
Patrol Wing, Support 1937.
† Patrol Wing, Support Force was redesignated Patrol Wing 7
Force/PatWing-7† 5 Apr 1941 (PatWing-7) on 1 July 1941.
PatWing-2 21 Dec 1941 ‡ Patrol Wing 1 (PatWing-1) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 1
PatWing-1/FAW-1‡ 4 Sep 1942 (FAW-1) on 1 November 1942.
§ The squadron remained part of FAW-4 but was assigned the tail
FAW-14 6 Jul 1943 code DE on 7 November 1946.
FAW-2 23 Aug 1943
FAW-1 11 Nov 1943
FAW-14 1 Aug 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-8 15 Mar 1945
FAW-6 1 Jun 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 DE § 5 Aug 1945 ADSM 22 Jun 1941 7 Dec 1941

Squadron personnel preparing to load

depth bombs on PBY, circa 1942.
198 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-29 ground for the of Minnesota was white outlined in

black; the star was dark blue outlined in black; the go-
pher was gold with black markings, white teeth and
hands and a white and red tongue; the sailor hat was
Lineage
white with black outlines; the binoculars were black;
Established as Patrol Squadron NINE HUNDRED the machine gun and bomb were gray with black
ELEVEN (VP-911) on 6 July 1946. markings; and the scroll had black lettering.
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane)
SIXTY ONE (VP-ML-61) on 15 November 1946.
Chronology of Significant Events
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED
TWELVE (VP-812) in February 1950. 6 Jul 1946: VP-911 was established at NAS
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY NINE (VP- Minneapolis, Minn., as a reserve training squadron,
29) on 27 August 1952, the second squadron to be as- flying PV-2 Harpoons and PBY-5A/6A Catalinas.
signed the VP-29 designation. The squadron aircraft allowance was nine aircraft,
Disestablished on 1 November 1955. but seldom exceeded more than seven operational
aircraft.
20 Jul 1950: The squadron was called to active duty
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
along with 13 other Reserve squadrons as a result of
The squadron’s only insignia on record was ap- the invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces
proved by CNO on 11 October 1950. The design on 25 June 1950. The squadron remained at NAS
reflected the reserve squadron’s home at NAS Minneapolis, Minn., until orders were received to
transfer to a new home port at NAS Whidbey Island,
Wash.
31 Jul–Oct 1950: VP-812 settled into its new home
port at NAS Whidbey Island and began training for
transition to the new P2V-2 Neptune patrol bomber.
By October 1950 the squadron had received nine new
Lockheed aircraft from the factory.
8 Nov 1950: VP-812 deployed on its first opera-
tional assignment since its recall to active duty, arriv-
ing at NAS Kodiak, Alaska, with nine P2V-2 Neptunes.
27 Sep 1952: The squadron deployed to NAS
Atsugi, Japan, providing patrol sector coverage in the
Sea of Japan and along the coasts of Korea in support
of UN forces opposing the invasion of South Korea by
the North Korean Army.
Jan–Apr 1953: The squadron was classified under
“Patrol Squadrons, Mining,” reflecting a specialty prac-
ticed by only three other Pacific Fleet squadrons (VPs
4, 9 and 19).
5 Apr 1953: The squadron returned to NAS
Whidbey Island after completing over 500 combat mis-
sions in Korea during a six-month deployment, aver-
aging 40 missions per crew, 500 hours per crewman.
The squadron’s insignia reflected its home in Minneapolis, Minn.
1 Nov 1955: VP-29 was disestablished at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash., with assets and personnel uti-
Minneapolis, Minn. Background for the insignia was lized to form Heavy Attack Squadron 2 (VAH-2).
an outline of Minnesota with a star in the center of the
design. On the star was a golden gopher with binocu- Home Port Assignments
lars. The gopher was wearing a sailor hat and carried
a machine gun and bomb. In the scroll was the desig- Location Date of Assignment
nation VP-812. Colors: circular design and scroll out- NAS Minneapolis, Minn. 6 Jul 1946
lined in gold with a light blue background; the back- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 27 Aug 1950
 CHAPTER 3 199

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

Unknown 1946–1950 PV-2/PBY-5A & 6A Jul 1946
LCDR F. L. Misner 31 Jul 1950 P2V-2 Oct 1950
CDR L. B. Smith 27 Aug 1952 P2V-5 Jun 1951
CDR W. Arnold Oct 1953 P2V-6 Sep 1952
CDR R. W. Lund Jul 1954 P2V-7 May 1955

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Nov 1950 2 Jun 1951 FAW-4 Kodiak P2V-2 NorPac

27 Sep 1952 5 Apr 1953 FAW-6 Atsugi P2V-5/6 WestPac
Jan 1954 Apr 1954 FAW-1 Kwajalein P2V-5/6 WestPac
Apr 1955 Sep 1955 FAW-1 Naha P2V-5/7 WestPac

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
NARTC 6 Jul 1946 None on record.
FAW-4 BF 31 Jul 1950
200 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-30

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) on
30 June 1960.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first insignia submitted by VP-30 was approved
by CNO on 11 August 1960. It depicted a mature crow A squadron P2V in flight.
guiding a fledgling crow in the destruction of a sub-
marine. Colors: crows,
black with orange eyes operationally qualified pilots, aircrewmen and mainte-
and beak; lightning bolt, nance personnel to fleet patrol squadrons. Detachment
orange; letters ASW, Alpha was established at NAS Norfolk, Va., to train
black; sea, blue; subma- personnel on the P5M Marlin seaplane. The NAS
rine, black; sky, white. Jacksonville unit provided training in the Lockheed
Letters in the scroll at P2V Neptune. The squadron had an initial comple-
the bottom of the de- ment of 40 officers, 271 enlisted personnel, five P5M
sign, Patrol Squadron seaplanes and 13 P2V aircraft (seven P2V-5FS and six
Thirty, orange. This in- P2V-7S).
signia was modified in 15 Jul 1961: The Alpha detachment was merged
the 1970s and the crows with the parent organization at NAS Jacksonville when
were replaced by ea- plans were made to remove the P5M Marlin from the
The squadron’s first insignia.
gles. The only change in Navy’s inventory.
colors involved the eagle which was white and black 1 Jun 1962: Det Alpha was reestablished at NAS
with an orange beak. Patuxent River, Md., to begin replacement training in
A second insignia submitted by the squadron in the new P-3A aircraft. The unit expanded until the end
1993 was a redesign of the modified device. The light- of the year, by which time it was staffed with 10 offi-
ning bolt was now cers and 53 enlisted personnel.
black, to commemorate 21 Oct 1962: VP-30 transitioned from replacement
the incorporation of the training to an operational status for participation in the
Black Lightnings of VP- naval quarantine of Cuba, providing ASW cover for
31 into VP-30 as a single Task Force 44. The squadron reverted to its primary
site fleet replacement mission in March 1963.
squadron. ASW was 10 Jan 1966: The NAS Patuxent River detachment
deleted from the design became the parent command, with the squadron
to better reflect the mul- headquarters relocating from NAS Jacksonville, Fla., to
timission capability of NAS Patuxent River, Md. Det Alpha was relocated to
the P-3C Orion aircraft. Jacksonville for replacement training in the SP-2E
Colors: eagles, black Neptune aircraft.
The squadron’s second insignia was bodies, yellow beaks 27 May–4 Jun 1968: VP-30 was called upon to as-
a modification of its first design. sist in the search for the missing Scorpion (SSN 589),
and eyes, white heads
and tail feathers; lightning, black with orange outline; overdue since 22 May 1968. The squadron searched
sky, white; sea, blue; submarine, black. Letters in the the last known location of the vessel, 700 miles east of
scroll at the bottom of the design, Patrol Squadron Norfolk, Va., until 4 June 1968, without result.
Thirty, orange. 10 Dec 1968: VP-30’s Alpha detachment at NAS
Nickname: Pro’s Nest, 1960–present. Jacksonville, Fla., was phased out with the deletion of
the SP-2E airframes from the Navy’s inventory. The as-
sets and personnel of the detachment were merged
Chronology of Significant Events with VP-31’s Det A, home based at NAS North Island,
30 Jun 1960: VP-30 was established at NAS San Diego, Calif. Personnel staffing of the former VP-
Jacksonville, Fla., under the operational control of 30 Det A was reduced from 400 to 300 with the
FAW-11. The squadron was organized to be a replace- merger. The expanded VP-31 Det A continued training
ment ASW squadron, providing a continuous flow of on the P-3 Orion airframe.
 CHAPTER 3 201

Jun 1969: VP-30 received the first computerized 1983: VP-30 had grown to a staff of 700 personnel
models of the P-3C. of all ranks, with 24 aircraft for the training of aircrew
1970: With the advent of the Fleet Readiness and maintenance people for service with Atlantic Fleet
Aviation Maintenance Training Program (FRAMP), VP-
operational patrol squadrons.
30 began training maintenance as well as flight crew
personnel, conducting ten classes a year. Oct 1993: VP-30 became the sole Navy P-3 fleet
6 Sep 1972: AXAN Colleen A. Ocha became the readiness squadron upon the disestablishment of VP-
first woman to undergo training at VP-30 in the Fleet 31 on the West Coast.
Replacement Aviation Maintenance Program (FRAMP). Jul 1995: VP-30 surpassed 31 years and 300,000
21 Jun 1972: The exceptional qualities of the P-3 flight hours of accident-free flying, a Naval Aviation
Orion aircraft were apparent when VP-30 became the record.
first squadron operating the P-3 to reach the safety
milestone of 100,000 consecutive accident-free flight
hours. Home Port Assignments
22 Mar 1972: Lieutenant (jg) Judith A. Neufer, the
second female Naval Aviator, reported aboard. She be- Location Date of Assignment
came the first female aviator to receive training in the NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 30 Jun 1960
P-3. Upon graduation, she reported to VW-4 at NAS NAS Norfolk, Va.
Jacksonville, Fla.. (Det A) 30 Jun 1960
30 Jul 1975: VP-30 was relocated from NAS
NAS Patuxent River, Md.
Patuxent River, Md., to its former home base at NAS
Jacksonville, Fla. The Navy was prompted to initiate (Det A) 1 Jun 1962
the move in the mid-1970s due to the increasing sub- NAS Patuxent River, Md. 10 Jan 1966
urban construction around the Patuxent River airfield, NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
electronic interference and danger of an air crash in a (Det A) 10 Jan 1966
residential area. NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 30 Jul 1975

A squadron P-3C flying over NAS Jacksonville, Fla., 1984.

202 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR L. T. Barco, Jr. 30 Jun 1960 CDR B. P. Riley III 14 Jul 1989
CDR T. R. McClellan 27 Jun 1961 CDR P. S. Semko 31 Aug 1990
CDR Walter W. Honour 30 Jan 1962 CAPT Ernest L. Morris, Jr. 23 Aug 1991
CDR R. F. Lyons 25 Jan 1963 CAPT Paul M. Griffin 9 Sep 1993
CDR B. B. Smith 19 Dec 1963 CAPT Michael L. Holmes 15 Sep 1995
CDR D. E. Gately 18 Dec 1964
CAPT Chalker W. Brown III 22 Aug 1997
CDR D. Howard 10 Jan 1966
CDR L. R. Roberts, Jr. 21 Oct 1966
CDR John V. Josephson 19 Jan 1968 Aircraft Assignment
CDR J. T. Coughlin 24 Jan 1969
CAPT J. A. Cochran 13 Jan 1970 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR T. K. Anaston 26 Jan 1971 P2V-5F/FS Jun 1960
CDR R. B. Olds 21 Jan 1972 P2V-7S Jun 1960
CDR R. A. Martini 26 Oct 1972 P5M-1/1S Jun 1960
CDR E. A. Wilkinson, Jr. 26 Oct 1973 P5M-2 Jan1961
CDR D. J. Wolkensdorfer 10 Jan 1975 P-3A Nov 1962
CAPT F. L. Woodlief 13 Apr 1976 SP-2E Dec 1962
CDR R. G. Castle 25 Feb 1977 SP-2H Dec 1962
CDR C. S. Campbell 18 Apr 1978 SP-5B Dec 1962
CDR R. L. Geck 18 Apr 1979 P-3B Dec 1965
CDR B. E. Tobin 19 Dec 1980 P-3C Jun 1969
CDR R. F. Testa 29 Jan 1982 P-3C UII Nov 1977
CDR J. M. Evans 29 Apr 1983 VP-3A 1978
CDR R. L. Norwood 20 Jul 1984 P-3C UII.5 Jun 1983
CDR F. A. Holk, Jr. 1 Nov 1985 TP-3A 1986
CDR D. C. Hefkin 30 Jan 1986 P-3C UIII May 1987
CDR Richard G. Kirkland 15 Apr 1988 P-3C UIIIR Jun 1989

A VP-30 P-3C(U2) at NAS Jacksonville

in April 1981 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress
Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

21 Oct 1962 Mar 1963 FAW-11 Key West P5M-2 Carib

 CHAPTER 3 203

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-11 LL 30 Jun 1960
FAW-5 (Det A) LL 30 Jun 1960 AFEM 24 Oct 1962 31 Dec 1962
FAW-5 LL 10 Jan 1966 MUC 1 Jan 1969 31 Dec 1969
FAW-11 (Det A) LL 10 Jan 1966 1 Dec 1980 30 Jun 1982
FAW-5/PatWing-5* LL Jun 1972 1 Jan 1989 1 Jul 1990
PatWing-11 LL 30 Jul 1975
1 Oct 1991 1 Jun 1993
*FAW-5 was redesignated COMPATWINGSLANT and Patrol Wing 5 SLOC Mar 1978 Jul 1978
(PatWing-5) on 1 July 1973. It remained a dual hatted command
until 1 July 1974 when Patrol Wing 5 became a separate command.

A squadron P-3C flying over Jacksonville, Fla., 1993.

204 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-31

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron THIRTY ONE (VP-
31) on 30 June 1960, the second squadron to be as-
signed the VP-31 designation.
Disestablished on 1 November 1993.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The only insignia for VP-31 was approved by CNO
on 25 July 1962, and was selected to represent the
ASW training program used to educate patrol
A squadron P2V, note the insignia just below the cockpit.

of FAW-14. The primary mission of the squadron was

training replacement aircrew and maintenance per-
sonnel for all Pacific Fleet patrol squadrons, adminis-
trative control of the sonobuoy buildup shop and all
class D maintenance for all patrol squadrons on North
Island. Limited training was begun soon after the
squadron’s establishment, but it was not until the fall
of 1960 that a complete staff of 20 officers and 300
enlisted personnel were engaged in full-scale training
operations with an inventory of two Lockheed
Neptune P2V-5FS aircraft, two P2V-7s, and one
Douglas Skymaster R-5D.
Nov 1961: The squadron’s responsibilities were ex-
panded to include training foreign personnel transi-
tioning to the P2V-7. Seventy-two members of the
Royal Australian Air Force’s Maritime Reconnaissance
Squadron 10 were among the first foreign students to
be assigned for training in this aircraft. Two Grumman
UF-1/SHU-16B Albatross seaplanes were assigned to
The squadron’s one and only insignia. VP-31 and converted to ASW specifications for training
air force personnel from Norway, Chile, Colombia,
Peru, and Spain.
squadron personnel for assignment in the fleet. The
4 Jan 1963: VP-31 Det Alpha was established at
central figure of the design was a submarine at the
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. Its primary mission was to
focal point of four beams from on high. Above the
train pilots and aircrewmen for the advanced ASW air-
submarine was a magic lamp from which issued a
craft, the Lockheed P-3 Orion. The squadron’s P-3 air-
wisp of smoke. The lamp signified the squadron’s
craft averaged 8,600 flying hours a year in training
original nickname, the Genies. The design was circu-
lar, with a scroll at the bottom containing the designa- missions.
tion Patrol Squadron Thirty One. Colors: outline of de- 8 Jan 1966: VP-31 Detachment Alpha moved from
sign, lamp and beams, silver and gold; lamp and Hangar Three into historic Hangar One aboard NAS
submarine trim, red; central portion of beams, cream; Moffett Field. Hangar One, now a Naval Memorial site,
background of design and submarine, deep blue. was built in April 1933 as a home for the Navy’s
Nickname: Genies, 1962–1971. largest dirigibles, Macon (ZRS-5) her sister ship, Akron
Black Lightnings, 1971–1993. (ZRS-4). The vast 10,000 square foot structure pro-
vided much needed space for the constantly expand-
ing operations of the squadron.
Chronology of Significant Events 1 Jul 1966: Det Alpha at NAS Moffett Field, Calif.,
30 Jun 1960: VP-31 was established at NAS North was renamed Detachment Moffett. The parent squadron
Island, San Diego, Calif., under the operational control remained at NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif.
 CHAPTER 3 205

The squadron flew UF-1s (HU-16s) for a short time in the early 1960s.

1 Jan 1967: Detachment Moffett became the parent

element of VP-31, and the unit at North Island became
Detachment North Island. This changed occurred to
accommodate the increasing numbers of students re-
ceiving training on the P-3 airframe. Detachment
North Island discontinued training on the Martin P-5
Marlin when the Navy ceased seaplane operations in
1967, but continued to provide training to crews on
the P-2 Neptunes until its disestablishment in 1970.
6 Mar 1969: All six crewmembers of the squadron’s
P-3A, BuNo. 152765, RP-07 died when it crashed at
NAS Lemoore, Calif., at the end of a practice ground
A squadron R7V-1 at NAS North Island, June 1962 (Courtesy William
L. Swisher Collection). control approach (GCA) landing.

A squadron P5M being re-

trieved from the water by the
beach crew, 1962.
206 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Jan 1970: VP-31’s Detachment North Island was of the support/maintenance training syllabus com-
disestablished, having trained over 2,000 pilots, 700 pleted by 6 June 1975.
Naval Flight Officers, and 10,600 aircrewmen/mainte- Jan 1984: VP-31 began the transition of Pacific Fleet
nance personnel. patrol squadrons to the P-3 aircraft with enhanced
7 Jul 1971: The Black Lightnings received CNO ap- avionics configurations. In one 15-month period, the
proval for the P-3A/B Fleet Replacement Aviation squadron received 22 aircraft for extensive avionics
Maintenance Program (FRAMP), designed to train air- modifications. In the years following, VP-31 averaged
crew and ground personnel in the transition from 16 to 18 Orion modifications every 12 months.
older model P-3 Orions to the newer versions. 1 Nov 1993: VP-31 was disestablished due to the
26 May 1972: A VP-31 P-3A, BuNo. 152155, failed closure of NAS Moffett Field and the consolidation of
to return to NAS Moffett Field at the completion of a training resources into one VP training squadron, VP-
routine training flight. Search operations by Navy, 30, based at NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
Army, Air Force and Civil Air Patrol aircraft continued
for seven days, but no trace of the missing aircraft was
ever found. Two crewmen, three personnel under in- Home Port Assignments
struction and three observers were listed as missing
Location Date of Assignment
and presumed dead.
Jun 1974: VP-31 was tasked with training Iranian NAS North Island, Calif. 30 Jun 1960
navy aircrews on the specially configured version of NAS Moffet Field, Calif.
the Orion, the P-3F, that would be used by that coun- (Det Alpha) 4 Jan 1963
try’s military for maritime patrol. Flight training/famil- (Det Moffet) 1 Jul 1966
iarization was completed in December, with all aspects NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Jan 1967

Two squadron P-3s in flight.

 CHAPTER 3 207

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR John W. Murph 30 Jun 1960 CDR Raymond J. Morris 12 Jun 1987
CDR Fillmore G. Koenig, Jr. 10 Apr 1961 CDR William G. Bozin 15 Jul 1988
CDR Grant L. Donnelly 29 Jun 1962 CDR Ralph M. Alford 21 Jul 1989
CDR E. E. Pierre, Jr. Oct 1963 CDR David C. Hull 20 Jul 1990
CDR H. K. Cooley, Jr. 22 Jul 1964 CAPT Gregory A. Markwell 2 Aug 1991
CDR P. J. Hartley, Jr. 15 Sep 1965
CDR George P. Prassinos Mar 1966 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Marvin D. Marsh 30 Mar 1967
CDR Roy D. Snyder, Jr. 17 Apr 1968 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Karl J. Bernstein 27 May 1969 P2V-5/SP-2E Jul1960
CDR Richard S. Zeisel 15 Jul 1970 P2V-7/SP-2H Jul1960
CDR Ralph R. Hedges 8 Jul 1971 P5M-2/SP-5B Sep 1960
CDR D. B. Pitts 28 Jul 1972 R5D-5/VC-54S Jul1960
CDR G. S. Phillips 17 Aug 1973 R7V-1 Jun 1961
CDR Edwin K. Anderson 2 Aug 1974 C-121J Jun 1961
CDR Gerald W. Mackay Nov 1975 UF-1/SHU-16B Oct 1961
P-3A Feb 1963
CDR Richard F. Green 24 Nov 1976
P-3B Dec 1965
CDR Harold L. Midtvedt 23 Nov 1977
P-3C Jul1970
CDR John Siembieda 23 Feb 1979
P-3F Dec 1974
CDR Robert M. Howard 14 May 1980 P-3C UI Jun 1975
CDR Kenneth D. Sullivan 24 Jul 1981 VP-3A 1977
CDR Clyde T. Moyer III 20 Oct 1982 P-3C UII Dec 1977
CDR Edward R. Enterline 27 Jan 1984 P-3C UII.5 1983
CDR Michael D. Haskins 21 Jun 1985 P-3C UIII Jan 1985
CDR John R. Ryan 18 Jul 1986 TP-3A 1986

An R5D transport with the tail code RP. However, this is not an R5D that was assigned to VP-31. The photo is from 1952 and the aircraft was as-
signed to VR-1. VP-31 was assigned the tail code RP in 1960 and received an R5D in July 1960.
208 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three squadron P-3s.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 RP 30 Jun 1960 MUC 1 Jun 1971 20 Jul 1971
FAW-10 (Det Alpha) RP 4 Jan 1963 1 Sep 1981 1 Sep 1982
FAW-10 (Det Moffett) RP 1 Jul 1966 SLOC 1 Nov 1988 1 Dec 1989
FAW-10 (Det North Island) RP 1 Jan 1967
COMPATWINGSPAC RP 30 Jun 1973
PatWing-10 RP 1 Jun 1981

Two squadron P-3s flying over

the Golden Gate bridge.
 CHAPTER 3 209

Third VP-32 bomber unit. Colors: background, royal blue; cat, steel
gray outlined in black; wings, yellow; jowls, white;
whiskers, black; teeth, white; eyeball, white with black
pupil; bomb, yellow with gray tail; binoculars, steel
Lineage gray. This insignia was used after each redesignation
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) of the squadron from VP-62 through VP-AM-2. There
on 6 September 1943. is no indication that it was used after the squadron
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY TWO was redesignated VP-32.
(VPB-62) on 1 October 1944. Nicknames: None on record.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62)
on 15 May 1946. Chronology of Significant Events
Redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-
AM-2) on 15 November 1946. 6 Sep 1943: VP-62 was established at NAS Whidbey
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY TWO (VP- Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6.
32) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- Like the previous VP-62 disestablished in July 1943,
signed the VP-32 designation. the squadron was designated as an amphibious
Disestablished on 6 June 1949. squadron flying the PBY-5A Catalina. The squadron re-
mained at Whidbey Island through November and
conducted training ashore.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 25 Nov 1943: VP-62 departed NAS Whidbey Island,
The only known insignia for this squadron was ap- Wash., for Dutch Harbor, Aleutians, headquarters of
proved by CNO on 9 August 1944. Its central character FAW-4, arriving on 30 November. The squadron re-
was an aggressive, gray, winged cat in keeping with ceived its assignment and departed for NS Adak,
the squadron’s aircraft (the Catalina) and the “search Alaska, the next day.
and destroy” nature of the squadron’s mission. The 10 Dec 1943: VP-62 was temporarily based ashore
bomb and binoculars gripped in the cat’s paws at Amchitka, Alaska, for familiarization flights.
signified the employment of the squadron as a patrol 31 Jan 1944: VP-62 flew to Attu, following the
Army’s recapture of the island on 29 May 1943. The
last island in the Aleutian chain, Attu was the jumping
off point for bombing missions over the Kuriles. The
squadron flew no bombing missions but conducted re-
connaissance of the waters surrounding Attu.
22 Mar 1944: Several VP-62 crews were sent to the
LORAN (long-range navigation equipment) school at
Adak, Alaska. First tested in June 1942, LORAN served
as a homing device that gave the navigator or pilot a
signal that varied if the aircraft moved away from the
center of the beam. With up to 60 percent of all the
flying in the Aleutians conducted in instrument flight
rule (IRF) conditions, LORAN saved many aircrews
that would otherwise have been unable to find their
bases due to overcast down to ground level.
12 Oct 1944: VPB-62 was relieved by VPB-43 for
return to NAS Seattle, Wash. All 12 aircraft and associ-
ated ground crew personnel returned to NAS Seattle,
Wash. On 10 November 1944, all hands were given or-
ders and home leave.
1 Dec 1944: VPB-62 was reformed at NAS Whidbey
Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6.
Training was conducted for long range patrol and
bombing.
1 Jan–Jun 1945: The squadron was relocated to
NAS Oak Harbor, Wash., for continuation of training,
which was completed by the end of June 1945.
1 Jul–Aug 1945: VPB-62 flew to NAS Whidbey
Island in preparation for deploying to the Aleutians.
The squadron’s insignia, approved during World War II. Eleven of the crews departed on 15 July. One aircraft
210 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

undergoing maintenance at Whidbey Island was left 15 Jan 1948: VP-AM-2 was en route to NAS
behind; this plane’s crew departed on a Naval Air Kaneohe, Hawaii, with its three PBY-5A Catalinas for a
Transport Service (NATS) flight to Adak, Alaska, on 25 permanent change of station. By April 1948, the
August. The ground support staff departed Seattle squadron was at Kaneohe with a full complement of
aboard SS Henry Failing, arriving at Adak on 13 six PBY-6A Catalinas, apparently issued upon arrival
August. After reporting to FAW-4 headquarters at from postwar stocks. By June, the squadron allowance
Kodiak, the squadron was deployed in four detach- had been increased to nine PBY-6As.
ments: headquarters at Adak, Det 2 at Amchitka, Det 3 1 Sep 1948: VP-AM-2 was redesignated VP-32. By
at Dutch Harbor, and Det 6 at Kodiak. The duties of December 1948, the squadron was equipped with two
the detachments were to conduct sector searches
PBN-5As and seven PBY-6A Catalinas.
along the Aleutian chain.
Feb–Apr 1949: By January 1949, the Navy had de-
4 Sep 1945: Det 2 at Amchitka, Alaska, was ab-
cided to eliminate a number of the active duty
sorbed into the headquarters group on Adak.
squadrons flying the medium seaplanes. By February
27–28 Sep 1945: Det 3 at Dutch Harbor, Alaska,
was withdrawn to Kodiak. the squadron’s inventory of aircraft had been reduced
Sep 1945: A PBY-5A piloted by VPB-62’s command- to seven. By the end of April there was only one PBY-
ing officer Commander George R. Smith, which took 6A left on hand.
off from Cold Bay, Alaska, carrying a full crew and 6 Jun 1949: VP-32 was disestablished at NAS
nine passengers, crashed at the foot of Old Woman’s Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Mountain. Eight of the 15 people aboard were killed.
Jan 1946: VPB-62 was stationed at NAS Whidbey Home Port Assignments
Island, Wash., with a complement of 14 PBY-6A
Catalinas. Location Date of Assignment
15 May 1946: VPB-62 was redesignated VP-62, and NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 6 Sep 1943
the aircraft complement was reduced to nine PBY-6A NAS Seattle, Wash. 12 Oct 1944
Catalinas. A detachment of four aircraft was deployed NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Dec 1944
to NS Adak, Alaska. NAS Oak Harbor, Wash. 1 Jan 1945
15 Nov 1946: VP-62 was redesignated VP-AM-2 and NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Jul 1945
the squadron’s complement of aircraft was reduced NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Jan 1948
again, from nine to six PBY-6A Catalinas. A detachment
of four aircraft was still deployed to NS Adak, Alaska. Commanding Officers
The number of PBY squadrons in the Navy was being
greatly reduced, with existing stocks of newer PBY-6A Date Assumed Command
aircraft going to the Navy Reserve amphibious LCDR F. R. Moore 6 Sep 1943
squadrons which were established on 1 May 1946. The LCDR George R. Smith 1 Dec 1944
active duty amphibious squadrons were being con- LCDR W. H. Withrow 3 Oct 1945
verted to the P2V Neptune and P4Y-2 Privateer. LCDR H. E. Surface 17 Aug 1946
Jun 1947: The squadron had only three PBY-5A air- LCDR R. U. Nolen 31 Dec 1947
craft at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., compared to the CDR J. H. Arnold Dec 1948
six PBY-6As they were authorized on the allowance
list. Aircraft Assignment
Sep 1947: The three remaining squadron aircraft
deployed to NS Adak, Alaska. VP-AM-2 was still an Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
operational squadron but was not assigned its full in- PBY-5A Sep 1943
ventory of aircraft and personnel due to the postwar PBY-6A Jan 1946
cutbacks. PBN-5A Sep 1948

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Nov 1943 * FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac

31 Jan 1944 12 Oct 1944 FAW-4 Attu PBY-5A NorPac
13 Aug 1945† Oct 1945 FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac
13 Aug 1945† Oct 1945 FAW-4 Kodiak PBY-5A NorPac
 CHAPTER 3 211

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

13 Aug 1945† Oct 1945 FAW-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5A NorPac

13 Aug 1945† Oct 1945 FAW-4 Amchitka PBY-5A NorPac
15 May 1946 Jun 1946 FAW-4 Adak PBY-6A NorPac
Sep 1946 Feb 1947 FAW-4 Adak PBY-6A NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the North Pacific, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 6 Sep 1943 None on record.
FAW-4 25 Nov 1943
FAW-6 12 Oct 1944
FAW-4 15 Jul 1945
FAW-6 Oct 1945
FAW-4 DB§ 15 May 1946
FAW-2 DB 15 Jan 1948
§The squadron remained a part of FAW-4, but was assigned the tail
code DB on 7 November 1946.
212 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-33 area of the squadron during that period. Mt. Rainier
was prominent in the background of the design, and
was always the landmark for patrols returning over
the fog from seaward. The foreground of the design
Lineage features a thunderbird surmounting a totem pole.
Established as Patrol Squadron TWELVE-F (VP-12F) The Indians regarded the thunderbird as a
on 1 November 1935. beneficent spirit that when angered turned its head
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWELVE (VP-12) on 1 from side to side with fire darting from its eyes. In
October 1937. the design the fire was represented by lightning. The
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY ONE (VP-51) legendary battles between the thunderbird (patrol
on 1 July 1939. aircraft) and the whale (submarines) were analogous
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY ONE (VP- to patrol plane operations. Colors: sky, blue; light-
71) on 1 July 1941. ning, yellow; snow cap of mountain, white; base of
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SEVENTY mountain, green; totem pole and thunderbird, a vari-
ONE (VPB-71) on 1 October 1944. ety of colors.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY ONE (VP-
71) on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron THREE
(VP-AM-3) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY THREE (VP-
33) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as-
signed the VP-33 designation.
Disestablished on 15 December 1949.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first insignia of the squadron was designed in
1937. It was symbolic of the northwestern United
States and Alaska, the squadron’s normal operating

The squadron’s first in-

signia was designed on
its area of operations.
The squadron’s second insignia was used during its operations as a
Black Cat squadron.

The second insignia of the squadron was adopted

when VPB-71 was operating in the South Pacific as a
Black Cat squadron. The cat chosen by the squadron
was a tough-looking customer all in black, wearing a
flotation vest, seaman’s cap, cigar stub in mouth, hold-
ing a smoking Colt .45 in both paws. Colors: cat, black
with white muzzle and yellow eyes; seaman’s cap,
This insignia is a modi- white; flotation vest, yellow; Colt .45, gray.
fication of the first in- The squadron’s third insignia was approved on 9
signia with the squad-
ron’s designation VP-71
August 1948, shortly before it was redesignated VP-33.
added at the bottom. This insignia depicted a turtle sitting on a bomb.
Colors: the sky was a very light shade of blue; white
clouds outlined in black, the ocean was blue; the tur-
tle was green outlined in black and the shell was dark
green with black markings; eye black and white; hat
 CHAPTER 3 213

Force operating against Black Force at a distance of

600 miles. The squadrons were judged to have suc-
cessfully attacked and damaged major elements of
Black Force. The exercise marked the first use of
long-distance radio bearings for naval patrol aircraft
The squadron’s last in-
signia was a cartoon navigation.
turtle design. 25 Jun 1938: PatWing-1 squadrons departed San
Diego for Kodiak, Alaska. The squadrons were de-
ployed for three months in Alaskan waters. During the
deployment the squadrons participated in another
phase of Fleet Exercise XIX, testing float lights used in
marking sites where subs had been spotted while sur-
faced. It was determined that the 10-minute burn time
of the lights was not long enough and that longer
burning lights were required.
red with black markings; life preserver yellow outlined 1 Jul 1939: VP-12 was redesignated VP-51 and reas-
in black with USN in black; and the bomb was brown signed to a new home base at NAS Norfolk, Va., under
outlined in black. the operational control of PatWing FIVE.
Nickname: Black Cats, 1944–1945. 12 Sep 1939: VP-51 deployed to San Juan, P.R., to
begin the first of the Neutrality Patrols initiated by
President Roosevelt’s proclamation on 6 September
Chronology of Significant Events 1939. The objective was to establish an air and ship
1 Nov 1935: Patrol Squadron 12F was established at patrol to observe and report movement of warships of
NAS Seattle, Wash., under the operational control of the belligerents, covering an area bounded on the
Base Force. The squadron was equipped later in the north by a line east from Boston to latitude 42-30, lon-
year with 12 PBY-1 seaplanes with tender support pro- gitude 65; south to latitude 19; then around the wind-
vided by Thrush (AM 18). ward and leeward islands to Trinidad. Patrol planes
1 Oct 1937: VP-12F was redesignated VP-12 when from VPs 33, 52, 53 and 54 were also deployed. VP-51
patrol squadrons were reorganized for operational flew the first patrol on 13 September 1939. Over the
control under Patrol Wings. VP-12 came under next year VP-51’s patrols covered harbors and ship-
PatWing ONE headquartered at San Diego, Calif. ping lanes in the West Indies from Puerto Rico to
Tender support during this period was provided by Trinidad, with special attention to the southern ap-
Langley (AV 3). proaches to the Caribbean through the Lesser Antilles.
17 Mar 1938: VP-12 and the other squadrons of The squadron utilized seaplane facilities, including
PatWing-1 (VPs 7, 9 and 11) participated in Fleet ramps and hangars, of Pan American Airways at the
Exercise XIX (Phase II) with PatWing-4 (VPs 16, 17 San Juan airport. The crew and supporting activities
and 19). The two patrol wings were part of White were housed in tents on the airport grounds.

A squadron PBY-1 in flight, note the totem pole insignia on the side of the aircraft.
214 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

30 Dec 1940: VP-51 was assigned ferry duties in the 6 Feb 1943: VP-71 deployed to New Georgia
delivery of eight older model P2Y aircraft to San Island. Duties over the next month consisted primarily
Diego, Calif., for replacement with new PBY-1 aircraft. of routine patrol operations. On 29 March 1943, the
VP-51 aircraft had already been distributed to other squadron was relieved by VB-115 for return to NAS
squadrons of the Neutrality Patrol. After a brief shake- Kanoehe, Hawaii.
down of the new aircraft at San Diego, the squadron 10 Apr 1943: VP-71 was split into two squadrons,
returned to Norfolk, Va. with half of its assets going to form VB-104. The re-
1 Mar 1941: VP-51 was brought under Task Force maining part of VP-71 was quickly reformed with new
4, Support Force, Atlantic Fleet, along with VPs 52, 55 personnel and new aircraft.
and 56. The primary objective of the task force was to 27 Jun 1943: VP-71, once again up to full strength,
prevent Axis forces from interfering with the flow of was redeployed to Vanikoro Island with tender sup-
war material from the United States to Great Britain. port provided by Mackinac (AVP 13) and
8 Apr 1941: VP-51, with nine of its aircraft, were re- Chincoteague (AVP 24). On 17 July Chincoteague was
assigned to Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y., leaving a de- bombed with minor damage. Operations were halted
tachment of three aircraft at Norfolk. The move and the squadron and tenders were moved to Halavo,
marked an expansion of the Neutrality Patrols to pro- in the Florida Island chain.
vide more convoy coverage and ASW support in the 14 Oct 1943: VP-71 was tasked with 650-mile patrol
northern offshore shipping lanes. legs, night spotting and Dumbo operations around
2 Jun 1941: VP-51 maintained a complement of six New Guinea, Rendova and the Treasury Islands. On 1
aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field, with a six aircraft de- November 1943, coverage was provided from this
tachment at Argentia, Newfoundland. On 25 June, two base for the landings at Bougainville.
of the aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field were flown to 6 Mar 1944: VP-71 was relieved by VP-81 for return
Norfolk to support operations from that location. to Kaneohe and transport back to the continental
1 Jul 1941: Under a general reorganization of fleet United States. Upon arrival at San Diego on 24 March,
patrol organizations, Patrol Wing Support Force was the squadron members were given 30 days home
redesignated Patrol Wing 7 (PatWing-7) and VP-51 leave.
was redesignated VP-71. VP-71 remained under the 25 Apr 1944: VP-71 was reformed at NAS San
operational control of PatWing-7. Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14.
6 Aug 1941: The VP-71 detachment of six aircraft at Training of new crews was begun on new PBY-5 air-
Argentia, along with four aircraft from VP-52, were craft fresh from the factory.
tasked with conducting aerial surveys of Greenland to 28 Aug 1944: The new crews and aircraft of VP-71
determine whether Danish weather stations there were completed the transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii,
being used by the Germans for the provision of coming under the operational control of FAW-2. Upon
weather information to U-boat wolfpacks. None were arrival training for combat operations commenced.
found to be in use by the enemy at that time. Patrols were conducted off the coasts of the Hawaiian
17 Dec 1941: With the start of the war several Islands with a detachment of aircraft at Midway con-
squadrons were relocated to the West Coast. VP-71 ducting operational patrols for that area.
was reassigned to NAS Alameda, Calif., where the 1 Oct 1944: VP-71 was redesignated VPB-71.
squadron began training for an overseas deployment. Aircrews were given advanced training in ASW tech-
The PBY-1 aircraft were turned in for newer PBY-5 niques. A six aircraft detachment was maintained at
models. Midway for flight operations and gunnery practice.
1 Apr 1942: VP-71 completed its transpac from San 10–24 Nov 1944: VPB-71 deployed to Manus
Diego, Calif., to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Upon arrival the Island, reporting to Commander, Air Seventh Fleet for
squadron was quickly detailed to search sectors with duty on 13 November. A detachment of two aircraft
700-mile legs out from Oahu. was loaned to the 2d Emergency Rescue Squadron of
1 May 1942: VP-71 was transferred to Noumea the 13th Army Air Force. On the 24th, VPB-71 com-
under the operational control of FAW-1, with tender menced Black Cat operations in the vicinity of
support provided by Tangier (AV 8). Antishipping and Morotai, N.E.I. Black Cat operations in WWII were
ASW patrols were conducted daily. On 26 June the flown by U.S. Navy Catalina squadrons against
squadron was shifted to Curtiss (AV 4). Japanese shipping and shore installations at night.
29 Jun 1942: VP-71 remained based at Noumea, Although originally a tactic designed to afford some
with one PBY at Efate and another at Aukland, N.Z. measure of protection for the highly vulnerable, slow
On 20 July 1942, the squadron was relieved by VP-12 moving seaplanes, Black Cat operations proved so
for return to Pearl Harbor. successful that several squadrons were assigned the
1 Sep 1942: The squadron maintained ten aircraft at role. Flat black painted surfaces and the use of radar
Kaneohe, with one at Pearl Harbor and one remaining made the outdated aircraft into a formidable weapon
with VP-12 at Noumea. of the night.
 CHAPTER 3 215

19–24 Dec 1944: VPB-71 was withdrawn from months all Catalina aircraft were withdrawn from serv-
combat operations at Morotai for rest and mainte- ice and replaced by the PBM-5 Mariner.
nance of the aircraft. By 24 December the squadron 15 Dec 1949: VP-33 was disestablished at NAS
was back in combat operations, this time conducting Norfolk.
joint operations with a PT boat flotilla in the area be-
tween Morotai and North Halmahera Island. PT boats,
Home Port Assignments
officially designated Motor Torpedo Boats, were
equipped with four torpedo tubes, a crew of 12, and Location Date of Assignment
could attack at a top speed of 45 knots. Although un- NAS Seattle, Wash. 1 Nov 1935
able to stand up to heavy opposing fire, these light NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Oct 1937
and extremely fast vessels were ideally suited for NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jul 1939
night attacks in cooperation with the Black Cat NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 8 Apr 1941
squadrons. NAS Alameda, Calif. 17 Dec 1941
1–11 Jan 1945: VPB-71 berthed 9 air crews aboard NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Apr 1942
Currituck (AV 7) and nine more aboard Barataria NAS San Diego, Calif. 24 Mar 1944
(AVP 33). On 11 January 1945, the squadron trans- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii* 28 Aug 1944
ferred its crews for berthing support from Currituck to NAS Norfolk, Va. May 1946
Tangier (AV 8). During this period, routine searches
* Once the squadron deployed from NAS Kaneohe on 10 November
were conducted between Formosa and the China
1944 it moved from base to base and remained in the western
Coast. Pacific for operations until its reassignment to NAS Norfolk, Va., in
1 Feb 1945: VPB-71 conducted strikes on shipping May 1946.
in the China Sea while operating from tenders in the
Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, P.I.
Commanding Officers
1–16 Mar 1945: VPB-71 relocated to Jinamoc
Seaplane Base, P.I., from which it conducted routine Date Assumed Command
daytime patrols. On 16 March the squadron moved LCDR James E. Dyer 1 Nov 1935
again to Guinan Airbase, Samar, Philippines, where LCDR Thomas A. Gray, Jr. Jun 1937
daytime patrols were resumed. The conclusion of the LCDR Stephen B. Cooke 5 Jul 1939
night-bombing campaign for the squadron showed LCDR William J. Mullins 20 Mar 1940
significant results, with VPB-71 credited in sinking LCDR Harry E. Sears Aug 1942
eight enemy ships and damaging nine others. LCDR Cecil K. Harper 1 Apr 1943
27 Apr 1945: VPB-71 relieved VPB-17 for air-sea LCDR Norman C. Gillette, Jr. 25 Apr 1944
rescue operations in the Central Philippines. LCDR J. W. Henderson 28 Mar 1946
1 Sep 1945: The two aircraft detachment assigned LCDR C. G. Strum 13 May 1946
to the 13th Army Air Force relocated to Puerto LCDR W. H. Christensen 28 Jun 1946
Princessa, Palawan Island. A second detachment of CDR H. K. Laing Sep 1948
five aircraft was formed on this date from the main CDR J. D. Wright 2 Mar 1949
body of the squadron located at Samar, and de-
ployed to Sangley Point, Philippines. On 2
Aircraft Assignment
September the remainder of the squadron was as-
signed to weather reconnaissance duties and air-sea Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
rescue missions. PBY-1 Dec 1936
Apr–May 1946: VPB-71 returned to the continental PBY-2 1937
U.S., with a homeport at NAS Norfolk, Va. PBY-3 1938
Jan–Mar 1948: VP-33 deployed to NAS Argentia, PBY-5 Dec 1941
Newfoundland, for cold weather operations. It was PBY-5A Jan 1945
one of the last deployments by a U.S. Navy patrol PBY-6A Jan 1946
squadron with the PBY Catalina. Over the next several PBM-5A Aug 1948

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Jun 1938 31 Oct 1938 PatWing-1 Kodiak PBY-3 NorPac

Wright (AV 1)
11 Jan 1939 10 May 1939 PatWing-1 Coco Solo PBY-3 Carib
12 Sep 1939 30 Dec 1940 PatWing-5 San Juan PBY-3 Carib
216 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron aircraft near the Pan American hangar at San Juan, P.R., airport, late 1939.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

2 Jun 1941 17 Dec 1941 PatWing-5/7 Argentia PBY-3 NorLant

1 Apr 1942 * FAW-2 Pearl Harbor PBY-5 EastPac
1 May 1942 20 Jul 1942 FAW-1 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
Curtiss (AV 4)
6 Feb 1943 29 Mar 1943 FAW-1 New Ga. PBY-5 SoPac
27 Jun 1943 * FAW-1 Vanikoro PBY-5 SoPac
Mackinac (AVP 13)
Chincoteague (AVP 24)
17 Jul 1943 6 Mar 1944 FAW-1 Halavo PBY-5 SoPac
28 Aug 1944 1 Oct 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
10 Nov 1944 * FAW-17 Manus PBY-5/5A SoPac
19 Dec 1944 * FAW-17 Morotai PBY-5/5A SoPac
1 Feb 1945 * FAW-17 Lingayen Gulf PBY-5/5A SoPac
Barataria (AVP 33)
Currituck (AV 7)
Tangier (AV 8)
1 Mar 1945 * FAW-17 Jinamoc PBY-5/5A SoPac
16 Mar 1945 * FAW-10 Samar PBY-5/5A SoPac
1 Sep 1945 * FAW-10 Sangley Point PBY-5/5A WestPac
Jan 1948 Mar 1948 FAW-5 Argentia PBY-6A NorLant
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
 CHAPTER 3 217

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Base Force 1 Nov 1935 FAW-17 10 Nov 1944
PatWing-1 1 Oct 1937 FAW-17 10 Nov 1944
PatWing-5 1 Jul 1939 FAW-10 Jan 1946
Task Force 4, Atlantic FAW-5 EB‡ May 1946
Fleet/Patrol Wing
Support Force/PatWing-7* 1 Mar 1941 * Patrol Wing Support Force was redesignated Patrol Wing 7

(PatWing-7) on 1 July 1941.

PatWing-8 17 Dec 1941 † Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2
PatWing-2 1 Apr 1942 (FAW-2) on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-1 1 May 1942 ‡ The squadron remained part of FAW-5 but was assigned the tail

code EB on 7 November 1946.

PatWing-2/FAW-2† 20 Jul 1942
FAW-1 6 Feb 1943
FAW-2 29 Mar 943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 27 Jun 1943
FAW-2 6 Mar 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 24 Mar 1944 NUC 24 Nov 1944 16 Mar 1945
FAW-2 28 Aug 1944 ADSM 22 Jun 1941 7 Dec 1941

A squadron PBY-1.
218 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-34 planes were armed with bombs and machine guns.
Colors: circumference of insignia, red with thin black
border; Indian, reddish brown; accouterments, yellow;
loin cloth, feather in headdress and war paint, red;
Lineage hair, black; squadron designation, black. This design
Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN-F (VP-15F) was used by the squadron throughout all of its redes-
on 1 September 1936. ignations up to 1951.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN (VP-15) on The original design was changed in 1951 during VP-
1 October 1937. 34’s deployment to Trinidad, B.W.I., and replaced by a
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY THREE (VP-53) design featuring a scowling vulture at rest, with a bro-
on 1 July 1939. ken submarine in its claws
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY THREE and a mooring line
(VP-73) on 1 July 1941. around its neck.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SEVENTY The significance
THREE (VPB-73) on 1 October 1944. was question-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY THREE able, but it
(VP-73) on 15 May 1946. may be safe
Redesignated Amphibian Patrol Squadron FOUR to infer that
(VP-AM-4) on 15 November 1946. the vulture
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VP- was a big-
34) on 1 September 1948, the second squadron to be winged bird
assigned the VP-34 designation. with keen eye-
Disestablished on 30 June 1956. sight, always on
the search for
prey. In a like man-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname ner, the patrol seaplane
Patrol Squadron Fifteen-F devised an insignia of a The squadron’s second insignia. covered long distances
kneeling Indian with his hand shading his eyes as he seeking its prey—the
looked off into the distance. The Indian was represen- submarine. The mooring line and mooring buoy are
tative of the native population of the early Virginia the hallmark of the seaplane at rest. Colors: vulture,
Commonwealth, and Norfolk was the home of VP-15. black body, white crest, neck and top of head red,
The figure was a scout, like the aircraft of the patrol with yellow beak; sky, blue; cloud, white; rope, yel-
squadron, and was armed with arrows just as the sea- low; mooring buoy, black and yellow.
Nickname: None known.

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Sep 1936: VP-15F was established at NAF
Annapolis, Md., under the operational control of Base
Force with six P3M-2 aircraft. Shortly thereafter, the
squadron relocated to NAF Norfolk, Va. Owl (AM 2)

A squadron P3M, note the kneeling Indian insignia on the bow of

The squadron’s first insignia became a well known design. the seaplane.
 CHAPTER 3 219

provided tender support. Over the next three years, planes from other squadrons for commencement of
the squadron flew to Annapolis in June and remained the Neutrality Patrols. There were not enough PBYs to
over the summer months, providing midshipman avia- replace all of the P2Ys, so two of the P2Y-3 seaplanes
tion training. The squadron returned to its permanent were retained and flown alongside the PBYs.
home base at NAF Norfolk each September. Feb 1940: VP-53 was relocated to NAS Key West,
1 Oct 1937: VP-15F was redesignated VP-15 when Fla. The squadron remained there until April 1941,
the Patrol Wing concept was established. Under this when it returned to NAS Norfolk and exchanged its
concept patrol squadrons were organized under Patrol older model aircraft for the newer model PBY-5.
24 May 1941: VP-53 was relocated to NAS Quonset
Wings and VP-15 came under the operational control
Point, R.I., to await the completion of the base under
of PatWing-5.
construction at Argentia, Newfoundland. On 9 June
Oct 1938: VP-15 received twelve P2Y-2 aircraft from 1941, a detachment of six aircraft deployed to
VP-10 when the latter was refitted with newer replace- Argentia, supported by tender Albemarle (AV 5). The
ment aircraft. detachment returned on 25 June, after VP-52 had
Apr 1939: The squadron received the upgraded moved ashore and assumed responsibility for patrols.
P2Y-3 in April 1939. 1 July 1941: VP-53 was redesignated VP-73 after
4 Sep 1939: President Roosevelt inaugurated the the reorganization of the fleet patrol squadrons, and
Neutrality Patrols in response to the German invasion placed under PatWing-7, Support Force. Detachments
of Poland in August. The patrol line extended east of VP-71, 72, 73 and 74 began a rotation program to
from Boston to latitude 42-30, longitude 65, then south exchange deployed aircrews at Argentia and Reykjavik
to latitude 19, then around the seaward outline of back to their home ports at Quonset Point, R.I., and
Windward and Leeward Islands to the British island of Norfolk, Va.
Trinidad, near the shore of South America. Patrol 6 Aug 1941: Six aircraft of VP-73 and five PBMs of
squadrons 51, 52, 53 and 54 of PatWing-5 and VP-33 VP-74 arrived at Skerja Fjord, near Reykjavik, Iceland.
of PatWing-3 supported Battleship Division 5, Cruiser Goldsborough (AVD 5) provided tender support to the
Division 7, 40 destroyers and 15 submarines in con- squadrons operating out of Reykjavik. Convoys were
ducting the Neutrality Patrol. VP-53 teamed up with covered up to 500-miles from base and ASW coverage
VP-52 and a group of destroyers to cover the waters of the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland
adjacent to Norfolk. was provided. The combined air strength of the British
1 Nov 1939: VP-53 replaced its P2Y-3s with a and U.S. forces in Iceland consisted of 48 British air-
mixed bag of spare PBY-1, PBY-2 and PBY-3 sea- craft and 42 American planes. Crews operating in the

Squadron P2Ys at NAS Norfolk, 1939.

220 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PBY-5A returning to Reykjavik, Iceland after a patrol, March 1942, 80-G-27351.

extreme conditions of the Arctic Circle became known and German Focke-Wulf 200Cs near Gibraltar.
as “blue noses.” Convoys were escorted by the southern route, earning
15 Jan 1942: Winter in Iceland was the worst crew members the sobriquet of “shellbacks” for cross-
enemy of the patrol squadrons. The British withdrew ing the equator. During this period a detachment was
their PBY squadron, feeling that the weather was too maintained at Ben Sergao Field, Agadir. Crews at this
extreme for operation of the slow patrol aircraft. On location rotated with VP-92.
the 15th gales reaching 133 mph struck the area, sink- 16 Aug 1943: VP-73 was relocated to Ben Sergao
ing three of VP-73’s Catalinas and two of VP-74’s Field, Agadir, French Morocco.
PBMs. 4 Dec 1943: Orders were received relieving VP-73
20 Aug 1942: While on convoy escort in Skerja of duty in French Morocco. The squadron arrived at
Fjord, near Reykjavik, Iceland, Lieutenant (jg) Robert NAS Norfolk, Va., on 25 December.
B. Hopgood and crew attacked and sank U-464, 16 Jan 1944: After a brief home leave, the
Korvettenkapitän Otto Harms commanding. Hopgood squadron was based at Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y.
and his crew pressed home the attack even though the Convoys from England were provided coverage in the
crew of the submarine elected to remain on the sur- approaches to the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and
face and fight it out with the lightly armed Catalina. ASW patrols were conducted off the coastline of the
HMS Castleton rescued 53 survivors. Returning to East Coast.
base, Hopgood sent the following message: “Sank Sub 30 May 1945: VPB-73 deployed to NS San Juan,
Open Club.” Lieutenant (jg) Hopgood was awarded
P.R. While assigned to NS San Juan the squadron came
the Navy Cross for his heroic action.
under the operational control of FAW-11, Caribbean
28 Aug 1942: Lieutenant (jg) John E. Odell and
Sea Frontier.
crew claimed a U-boat kill while on convoy escort
1 Jun 1945: VPB-73 deployed a three aircraft de-
near Reykjavik, Iceland. Postwar examination of
tachment to Port Lyautey, F.M. A second detachment
German records does not indicate any losses on that
date. with one aircraft was sent to Guantanamo, Cuba.
5 Oct 1942: Aircraft 73-P-12 of VP-73 attacked and Nov 1946: The squadron changed home ports from
sank U-582, Korvettenkapitän Werner Schulte com- San Juan, P.R., to NAS Norfolk, Va.
manding, while on convoy escort near Reykjavik, 1 Sep 1948: Following its redesignation from VP-
Iceland. AM-4 to VP-34, the squadron began conversion train-
25 Oct–Nov 1942: VP-73 was transferred to French ing for the Martin PBM-5S at Norfolk, Va. The
Morocco, based at Craw Field, Port Lyautey. The squadron’s complement was nine PBMs, with 44 offi-
squadron was operational by 11 November. During its cers and 244 enlisted personnel.
operational patrols the squadron encountered Spanish 15 Dec 1949: VP-34 conducted one week of cold
Italian-built Fiat CR-32 aircraft over the Canary Islands weather exercises at Halifax, Nova Scotia, supported
 CHAPTER 3 221

by tender Duxbury Bay (AVP 38). VP-34 was the first Commanding Officers
seaplane squadron to operate from Halifax harbor.
1 Sep 1952: VP-34 and VP-3 were the only two pa- Date Assumed Command
trol squadrons to complete FY 1952 with 100 percent LCDR George T. Owen 1 Sep 1936
safety marks. VP-34 broke all previous records by LCDR Lester T. Hundt 12 Oct 1937
flying 3,613 accident-free hours in just six months. LCDR Steven W. Callaway May 1938
Jul 1953: Twelve VP-34 aircraft were employed in LCDR Arron P. Storrs III 23 Sep 1939
patrols and long-distance flights between Trinidad LCDR James E. Leeper 1 Jul 1941
and NAS Corpus Christi, Tex., for six weeks of train- LCDR Alexander S. Heyward 13 Aug 1942
ing exercises. LCDR J. E. Odell, Jr. 5 Sep 1943
30 Jun 1956: NAS Coco Solo was selected for rever- LCDR W. H. McRee 29 Jul 1944
sion to caretaker status during the rounds of base cut- LCDR Dryden W. Hundley 11 Jul 1945
LCDR H. C. Miller 23 May 1946
backs after the Korean War. VP-34 departed NAS Coco
LCDR C. F. Vossler 30 Sep 1947
Solo, C.Z., and returned to NAS Norfolk, Va., for for-
CDR J. Sinkankas 19 Jun 1948
mal disestablishment ceremonies.
LCDR J. F. Schrefer 31 Dec 1949
CDR J. A. Gage, Jr. 30 Jun 1950
Home Port Assignments CDR C. S. Walline 30 Jun 1951
CDR C. A. Lenz 8 Mar 1952
Location Date of Assignment CDR Frank L. DeLorenzo Apr 1953
NAF Annapolis, Md. 1 Sep 1936 CDR Randall T. Boyd Jun 1954
NAS Norfolk, Va. Oct 1936 CDR Charles J. Alley Aug 1955
NAS Key West, Fla. Feb 1940
NAS Norfolk, Va. Apr 1941 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 24 May 1941
NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco 25 Oct 1942 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Ben Sergao Field, Agadir, Morocco 16 Aug 1943 P3M-2 Sep 1936
NAS Norfolk, Va. 25 Dec 1943 P2Y-2 Oct 1938
NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 16 Jan 1944 P2Y-3 Apr 1939
NS San Juan, P.R. 30 May 1945 PBY-1/2/3 Dec 1939
PBY-5 Jul 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. Nov 1946
PBY-5A 1942
NAS Trinidad, B.W.I. Oct 1950 PBY-6A 1945
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. Jun 1955 PBM-5A Sep 1948
NAS Norfolk, Va. Jun 1956 PBM-5S Jun 1949

A squadron P2Y seaplane.

222 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Jun 1941 25 Jun 1941 PatWing-5 Argentia PBY-5 NorLant

1 Jul 1941 Oct 1942 PatWing-7 Reykjavik PBY-5A NorLant
Goldsborough (AVD 5)
25 Oct 1942 * FAW-15 Port Lyautey PBY-5A Med
11 Nov 1942 25 Dec 1943 FAW-15 Agadir PBY-5A Med
May 1945 Nov 1946 FAW-11 San Juan PBY-5A Carib
1 Jun 1945 Nov 1946 FAW-5 Port Lyuatey PBY-5A Med
15 Dec 1949 21 Dec 1949 FAW-5 Halifax PBM-5S NorLant
Duxbury Bay (AVP 38)
* The squadron relocated to another base without returning to its homeport.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Base Force, Norfolk 1 Sep 1936 ADSM 22 Jun 1941 20 Jul 1941
PatWing-5 1 Oct 1937 21 Jul 1941 9 Sep 1941
PatWing-7 1 Jul 1941
FAW-15† 25 Oct 1942
FAW-5 16 Jan 1943
FAW-11 30 May 1945
FAW-5 EC* Nov 1946
FAW-11 EC Oct 1950
* The squadron remained part of FAW-5 but was assigned the tail
code EC on 7 November 1946.
† FAW-15 was not officially established until 1 December 1942.

Squadron PBY-5As returning to Reykjavik, Iceland after a patrol, March 1942, 80-G-27350.
 CHAPTER 3 223

First VP-40 portion of the North American continent. This insignia

remained in use until the squadron’s disestablishment.
Nickname: None on record.

Lineage
Chronology of Significant Events
Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTY FIVE (VP-55)
on 1 August 1940. 1 Aug 1940: VP-55 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY FOUR (VP- Va., under the administrative control of PatWing-5 as a
74) on 1 July 1941. seaplane patrol squadron destined for duty with the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SEVENTY Neutrality Patrol instituted on 6 September 1939 by
FOUR (VPB-74) on 1 October 1944. President Roosevelt, the Neutrality Patrol was estab-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SEVENTY FOUR (VP- lished to trail and report on any belligerent ships en-
74) on 15 May 1946. tering the Pan-American Neutrality Zone, an area ex-
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) tending over a 300-mile vector off the East Coast (and
TEN (VP-MS-10) on 15 November 1946. later extending to the 26th Meridian west longitude).
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40) on 1 VP-55 and sister squadron VP-56 were ordered to pro-
September 1948. vide aerial surveillance for the ships of the Support
Disestablished on 25 January 1950. Force on the offshore patrol. The first aircraft flown by
the squadron was an XPBM-1, the pre-production ver-
sion of the Martin Mariner. Training on this aircraft
Squadron Insignia and Nickname was undertaken at the Glenn L. Martin plant in
The first insignia for the squadron was submitted Baltimore, Md., from 1 September through early
by VP-74 and approved BuAer on 15 January 1942. October 1940. Engineering personnel were sent to the
The circular design encompassed a soaring eagle Wright engine plant for instruction. By the end of
above an oval globe. Colors: field, sky blue; border, January 1941 the squadron’s full complement of 12
yellow, royal blue and scarlet; eagle, black body, PBM-1 aircraft had been delivered.
lavender wings, white head, yellow eye, yellow feet, 1 Feb 1941: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to
red claws; oval globe had dark green water and olive NAS Jacksonville, Fla., for training. The six remaining
green continents. aircraft at NAS Norfolk continued training and partici-
pated in the Neutrality Patrol.
1 Mar–5 Apr 1941: The destroyer units and Patrol
Wing of Support Force (Neutrality Patrol) were reorga-
nized as elements of Support Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
under command of Rear Admiral A. L. Bristol, USN,
This insignia is the designated Task Force 4. The Patrol Wing of Task
first version ap-
proved in January
Force 4 consisted of Patrol Squadrons 51, 52, 55 and
1942. 56, with tender support provided by Albemarle (AV 5)
and George E. Badger (AVD 3). On 5 April 1941, VP-53
joined Support Force. The original offshore patrol was

This is the revised

insignia approved
in November 1944.
The only difference
between this design
and the earlier
squadron insignia
is the highlighting of
the North American
continent.

A revision of the original insignia was submitted by

VPB-74 and approved by CNO on 11 November 1944.
It differed from the original only in the positioning of
the continents of the globe to emphasize the lower A squadron PBM-1 being hoisted aboard a seaplane tender.
224 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

now extended to include a northern patrol to strategic 24 Feb 1943: The squadron experienced its first en-
islands in the north and east to help ensure the safe counter with the new German tactic of remaining on
passage of war materials to Britain. the surface to fight. Ensign W. J. Barnard sighted a U-
1 May 1941: VP-55 flew to Gardner’s Bay, N.Y., for boat in the act of torpedoing a ship. During his attack
10 days of exercises with Albemarle (AV 5). On the run against the submarine it surfaced and returned un-
conclusion of the exercises, Albemarle proceeded on usually heavy and accurate AA fire. Ensign Barnard
to Argentia, Newfoundland. The squadron returned to and his crew escaped injury, but lost track of the sub
NAS Norfolk. on the return run. By this point in the war the German
1 Jul 1941: Patrol Wing, Support Force became U-boats were being equipped with quad-mount 20-
Patrol Wing 7, remaining a patrol wing of Support mm AA guns (Flakvrieling) and presented a special
Force. Patrol Squadrons 51, 52, 53 and 55 became hazard to aircrews pressing an attack when the ele-
Patrol Squadrons 71, 72, 73 and 74, respectively. ment of surprise had been lost. Lieutenant Carey,
19 Jul 1941: A three-aircraft detachment was sent to Plane #6, was shot down in this manner in July 1943.
Argentia, Newfoundland, based aboard Albemarle (AV 20 Mar 1943: A three-aircraft detachment was es-
5) and Pocomoke (AV 9). tablished at NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil.
12 Aug 1941–Jan 1942: Six aircraft were dis- 28 Apr 1943: Ten of the squadron’s PBM-3Cs were
patched to Reykjavik, Iceland, aboard Goldsboro (AVD sent to NAF Aratu, while one remained at NAF Natal,
5). The VP-74 detachment operated from Skerja Fjord Brazil.
conducting convoy coverage patrols out 500 miles 17 May 1943: Planes #5 and #6, piloted by
from base and air patrols from the Denmark Strait to Lieutenants Howland Davis and Carey, respectively,
Greenland. The aircraft carried no bombs, but merely shared credit with Moffett (DD 362) and Jouett (DD
reported submarine contacts. That system was aban- 396) for the sinking of U-128, Kapitänleutnant
doned after 15 October 1941 when a new destroyer, Hermann Steinert commanding.
Kearney (DD 432), was torpedoed near Iceland. From 25 Jun 1943: A two-aircraft detachment was estab-
then on, it was “Sink on Sight.” On 15 January 1942, lished at NAF Galeao, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
two of the Reykjavik detachment aircraft were sunk at 19 Jul 1943: Plane #5, piloted by Lieutenant (jg)
their moorings during a storm. Roy S. Whitcomb, was credited with sinking U-513,
2 Jan–Sep 1942: The squadron’s Argentia detach- Kapitänleutnant Guggenberger commanding. The cap-
ment was relieved by VP-82 for return to NAS Norfolk. tain of the U-boat, a Type IXC boat, had elected to re-
These aircraft, plus three from the Norfolk detach- main on the surface and fight it out with his AA batter-
ment, were assigned to duty at Bermuda, based on ies. Six depth bombs settled the issue quickly.
Darrell’s Island, tended by Gannett (AVP 8). The de- 31 Jul 1943: Plane #7, piloted by Lieutenant W.
tachment moved to NAS King’s Point on 1 May 1942, F. Smith, shared honors with a Brazilian PBY in
remaining until September conducting antisubmarine sinking U-199, Kapitänleutnant Hans-Werner Kraus
patrols and air-sea rescue. commanding.
3 Jun 1942: Ensign John Cushman and his entire 27 Sep 1943: Plane #2, piloted by Lieutenant (jg)
crew were lost at sea during a mission off Bermuda. Harry B. Patterson, was credited with sinking U-161,
30 Jun 1942: Plane #1, flown by Lieutenant Richard Kapitänleutnant Albrecht Achilles (Knights Cross) com-
E. Schreder, was credited with sinking U-158, manding. Two crew members were wounded in the
Korvettenkapitän Erwin Rostin commanding. The sub- attack by return fire from the U-boat.
marine was spotted by the crew during a ferry flight.
Sep 1942: The entire squadron was relocated to
NAS Norfolk, Va., with a two-aircraft detachment at San
Juan, P.R. During this brief refit period, the squadron’s
original PBM-1 seaplanes were traded in for newer
PBM-3s. After refit, eight squadron aircraft departed
Norfolk on 22 September 1942, bound for Trinidad,
B.W.I. Upon arrival the squadron began antisubmarine
patrols and rescue work. During this assignment VP-74
came under the operational control of PatWing-11.
18 Dec 1942: Orders were received transferring the
squadron to NAF Natal, Brazil. Upon arrival, Humboldt
(AVP 21) provided tender service, while the squadron
conducted antisubmarine patrols and air-sea rescue
missions.
16 Feb 1943: The squadron at Natal received new
PBM-3Cs. A squadron PBM-1 in flight.
 CHAPTER 3 225

16 Oct 1943: VP-74 was relieved at NAF Aratu, detachment was maintained at NAS Guantanamo,
Brazil, by VPB-211. Cuba, for air-sea rescue missions.
2 Nov 1943: The squadron returned to the States Oct 1945: The squadron’s aircraft were replaced by
and had detachments assigned to NAS Norfolk, Va., new PBM-5s.
with two PBM-3Cs and 1 PBM-3S and nine PBM-3Ss at 9 Jan 1950: VP-40 was relieved for return to NAS
NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. Norfolk, Va. It was formally disestablished on 25
14 Dec 1943–Mar 1944: The entire squadron was January 1950.
reassigned to NAS Elizabeth City, N.C., for antisubma-
rine patrols and coverage of convoy routes. From 8
Home Port Assignments
January to March 1944, the squadron maintained a
three-aircraft detachment at NAS Norfolk. Location Date of Assignment
15 Dec 1944: A three-aircraft detachment was sent NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Aug 1940
to NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., for convoy and ASW opera- NAS Trinidad, B.W.I. 22 Sep 1942
tions under FAW-3. The detachment was augmented NAF Natal, Brazil 18 Dec 1942
on 2 January 1945 by three additional aircraft. NAS Norfolk, Va.* Nov 1943
24–28 Jan 1945: VPB-74 was transferred to Coco NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 14 Dec 1943
Solo, C.Z., joining the six-aircraft detachment already
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 24 Jan 1945
stationed at that location. On 28 January 1945, VPB-74
NAF Seymour Island, Galapagos 1 Feb 1945
was officially put under the operational control of
NAS Norfolk, Va. 4 Apr 1945
FAW-3.
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 15 Sep 1945
1–28 Feb 1945: The squadron relocated to NAAF
NAS Norfolk, Va. 9 Jan 1950
Seymour Island, Galapagos, with a three-aircraft de-
tachment at Corinto, Nicaragua. On 28 February 1945, *The squadron maintained a large detachment at NAS New York,
an additional four-aircraft detachment began opera- N.Y., prior to the transfer of the entire squadron to NAS Elizabeth
City, N.C.
tions at Tangus Cove, Galapagos, based aboard
Albemarle (AV 5).
4 Apr 1945: VPB-74 was relieved for return to Commanding Officers
home port NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational
control of FAW-9. Shortly thereafter, the squadron was Date Assumed Command
refitted with new PBM-5E Mariners. LCDR A. B. Vosseller 1 Aug 1940
28 May 1945: A three-aircraft detachment of VPB- LCDR W. F. Cleaves 19 Feb 1942
74 returned to the Canal Zone for duty under FAW-3 at LCDR W. A. Thorn 21 Jul 1942
Seymour Island, Galapagos, aboard Barnegat (AVP LCDR J. C. Toth 26 Dec 1942
10). The last detachment arrived by 4 June 1945. LCDR G. C. Merrick 21 Sep 1943
15 Sep 1945: After the formal Japanese surrender LCDR F. W. Brown 23 Apr 1944
on 2 September 1945, the squadron mission was LCDR J. C. Lafferty 16 Aug 1945
changed to the peacetime job of guarding the Panama LCDR J. H. Graves 18 Jul 1946
Canal. The administrative elements of the squadron CDR H. G. Perronet 21 Jun 1947
were transferred to Coco Solo, C.Z., on 15 September CDR T. R. L. McCabe 4 Dec 1948
1945. Over the next four years, a rotating three-aircraft LCDR W. D. Harrington 5 Oct 1949

A squadron PBM-1 floating offshore, 1941, NH-93645.

226 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Aircraft Assignment Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
XPBM-1 Sep 1940 PBM-3C Feb 1943
PBM-1 Jan 1941 PBM-3S Jun 1943
PBM-3 Sep 1942 PBM-5E Apr 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return PatWing Operations Aircraft Operations

19 Jul 1941 * PatWing-7 Argentia PBM-1 NorLant

Albemarle (AV 5)
Pocomoke (AV 9)
12 Aug 1941 2 Jan 1942 PatWing-7 Reykjavik PBM-1 NorLant
Goldsboro (AVD 5)
2 Jan 1942 Sep 1942 PatWing-7/5 Bermuda PBM-1 Lant
22 Sep 1942 * PatWing-11 Trinidad PBM-3 Carib
18 Dec 1942 16 Oct 1943 FAW-11/16 Natal/Bahia PBM-3C/3S SoLant
Humboldt (AVP 21)
15 Dec 1944 * FAW-3 Panama PBM-3S Carib
1 Feb 1945 4 Apr 1945 FAW-3 Galapagos PBM-3S SoLant
Albemarle (AV 5)
28 May 1945 9 Jan 1950 FAW-3 Panama PBM-5E Carib
Barnegat (AVP 10)
* Continued combat deployment in the South Atlantic, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

PatWing-5 1 Aug 1940
Patrol Wing Support
Force/PatWing7* 1 Mar 1941
PatWing-5 14 May 1942
PatWing-11/FAW-11† 22 Sep 1942
FAW-16 21 Apr 1943
FAW-5/9§ 2 Nov 1943
FAW-3 28 Jan 1945
FAW-9 4 Apr 1945
FAW-3 CA‡ 15 Sep 1945
* Patrol Wing, Support Force was redesignated Patrol Wing 7
(PatWing-7) on 1 July 1941.
† Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11

(FAW-11) on 1 November 1942.

‡ The squadron remained part of FAW-3 but was assigned the tail

code CA on 7 November 1946.

§ The squadron had a large detachment at NAS New York under the

operational control of FAW-9. The entire squadron came under the

control of FAW-5 when it was transferred to NAS Elizabeth City, N.C.
on 14 December 1943.

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

A squadron PBM on the ramp at NAS Bermuda with ordnance in the
NUC 22 Jan 1942 30 Sep 1942 background, 1942, 80-G-13341.
 CHAPTER 3 227

Second VP-40 Chronology of Significant Events

20 Jan 1951: VP-40 was established at NAS San
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14,
as a seaplane squadron flying the Mariner PBM-5.
Lineage
15 May–12 Dec 1951: The squadron conducted its
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40) on first operational deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
20 January 1951, the second squadron to be assigned Part of VP-40’s complement of aircraft had been aug-
the VP-40 designation. mented prior to deployment with new PBM-5S aircraft.
Upon arrival the squadron came under the operational
Squadron Insignia and Nickname control of FAW-6, relieving VP-892. The squadron’s
first combat patrols during the Korean War were flown
The squadron’s first insignia was submitted to CNO on 9 June 1951. Over the next six months VP-40 pa-
and returned with approval on 19 April 1951, just trolled the Tsushima Straits, flew cover for replenish-
months after the establishment of VP-40. The central ment groups in the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan and
character of the circular design was a hornet hovering made weather reconnaissance flights for the fleet
over a periscope. The well-armed insect, in addition to a forces.
prodigious tail-mounted stinger, also possessed a dorsal 2 Sep 1952: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point,
ball turret and a depth charge Philippines, with operations conducted from Okinawa
clutched in its legs. A spyglass and the Pescadores Islands, relieving VP-892. During
held to its eye was pointed this period the squadron came under the operational
at the periscope below. control of FAW-2, patrolling the Formosa Straits. VP-40
The hornet represented returned to NAS San Diego in April and began refitting
the squadron’s PBM-5 with the new P5M-1 Marlin seaplane.
seaplane, with its sting of 1 Jul 1958: Six VP-40 P5M-2 seaplanes landed at
heavy-caliber guns and Bangkok, Thailand, the first occasion on which any
depth charges. Its prey, U.S. seaplane squadron had visited the city.
the submarine, was indica-
tive of the squadron’s primary
mission of antisubmarine
The squadron’s first insignia.
warfare. Colors: periscope,
telescope and bomb, black;
hornet, black with yellow and pink markings; wings,
light blue; water, yellow, blue and green; clouds, pink;
sky, light blue.
When VP-40’s Mariner PBM-5 aircraft were re-
placed in 1953 by the P5M Marlin, the squadron de-
cided to change the insignia to better reflect the
mission of the squadron and capture the essence of
its unique aircraft. The new design was submitted
to CNO and approved on 21 February 1955. The
circular device featured a swordfish (or Marlin)
spearing the hull of a submarine. Colors: back-
A squadron P5M being placed in the water.
ground, yellow; Marlin, blue back with white
belly, red mouth; subma-
rine, blue-gray; bubbles, 1 Aug 1959: The squadron home port was changed
blue-gray; design outline, from NAS San Diego, Calif., to NS Sangley Point,
red. A squadron competi- Philippines, to become the first permanently based
tion was held in 1967 to seaplane patrol squadron in the Pacific. During the de-
consider a new insignia, ployment the squadron adopted the motto “Laging
following the squadron’s Handa,” Tagalog (a Philippine dialect) for “always
transition from the P-5 sea- ready.”
plane to the P-3 Orion land 2 Aug 1962: The VP-40 commanding officer,
plane, but the majority of Commander N. P. Vegelan, and 11 of his crew were
the personnel chose to retain killed when aircraft QE-1 crashed into the side of a
The squadron’s second in- the old insignia. mountain.
signia used a Marlin in its
design and reflected the Nickname: Fighting Marlins, 22 Mar 1964: Six month deployments for WestPac
use of the P5M Marlin. 1955–present. patrol squadrons were resumed, necessitating a
228 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

change in VP-40’s home port back to NAS North 15 Apr 1969: VP-40 assisted in the efforts to locate
Island, San Diego, Calif. survivors of a Navy EC-121 shot down by the North
27 Feb 1965: The Fighting Marlins deployed to NS Koreans in the Sea of Japan. Of 30 crewmembers in
Sangley Point, relieving VP-47. During the deployment the missing aircraft, only 2 bodies were recovered; 28
the squadron received tender support from Salisbury were listed as missing.
Sound (AV 13) and Currituck (AV 7), while conducting 1 May 1970: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point,
operations from remote sites at Ko Samui, Thailand; Philippines, with a detachment at the Royal Thai Naval
Con Son Islands; and DaNang, South Vietnam. Base, U-Tapao, Thailand. The squadron participated
15 Mar 1966: VP-40 deployed to NS Sangley Point, on a regular basis in Operation Market Time patrols
Philippines, with detachments at various locations along the 1,100-mile coastline of South Vietnam.
throughout WestPac tended by Salisbury Sound (AV 13). 14 Jul 1971: VP-40 deployed to Okinawa with its
1 Mar 1967: Seaplane tender Currituck (AV 7) par- new DIFAR-equipped aircraft, the first deployment of
ticipated in the last official tender operation in a com- this aircraft by any WestPac patrol squadron. DIFAR
bat zone with the Navy while supporting VP-40 opera- (directional low frequency analysis and recording)
tions. During the Vietnam conflict VP-40 had rotated was used in ASW for passive acoustic signal process-
assignments with VP-50 out of NS Sangley Point, ing in tracking enemy submarines. A detachment
Philippines, and Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, sup- was also maintained full time at Agana, Guam. In ad-
ported by tenders Currituck (AV 7), Salisbury Sound dition to participation in a multitude of operations
(AV 13) and Pine Island (AV 12). This was the last de- throughout the Pacific, the squadron took part in ex-
ployment for VP-40 as a seaplane squadron. perimental cloud seeding missions in the skies over
17 May 1967: Commander Hugh E. Longino, VP-40 Okinawa in an attempt to relieve the unusual
commanding officer, conducted the last patrol in a drought conditions afflicting the region. The
squadron SP-5B over the South China Sea during the squadron returned to NAS Moffett Field in late
squadron’s deployment to the Philippines. Later that December 1971, leaving a detachment at Cubi Point,
month, the NS Sangley Point seadrome was closed and Philippines, in the event of further escalation of
all remaining SP-5B aircraft were flown to Konan, events in the Pakistan/India dispute.
Japan, where they were dismantled for scrap. 1 Aug 1972: VP-40 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni,
15 Nov 1967: The last flight of a SP-5B took place, Japan, with a detachment at RTNB U-Tapao, Thailand.
marking the move of the squadron from NAS San 10 Aug 1975: In an experimental departure from
Diego to NAS Moffett Field, and the transition to the routine WestPac deployments, VP-40 participated in a
land-based P-3B Lockheed Orion. The ceremonial series of detachment deployments consisting of three
flight closed an era of Navy seaplane operations that aircraft and four aircrew elements assigned to NAS
had begun in 1911. Adak, Alaska, for a nine month period. Deployments
12 Jul 1968: The last SP-5B Marlin was flown from ended 10 May 1976 with the return of the last aircraft
NAS San Diego, Calif., to NAS Patuxent River, Md., for to NAS Moffett Field.
addition to the historic aircraft preservation program of 3 Jul 1980: VP-40 deployed to Misawa Air Base,
the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Japan, with two-crew detachments at Cubi Point,
Institution. This aircraft is now on display at the
National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS
Pensacola, Fla.
1 Feb 1969: The Fighting Marlins
made their first deployment in the
P-3B to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan,
relieving VP-4. Advanced
base elements were main-
tained at Cam Ranh Bay,
Vietnam. Operations con-
sisted of surveillance air
patrols in the Sea of Japan,
Sea of Okhotsk and North
Pacific. Anti-infiltration pa-
trols were conducted in the
Yellow Sea in search of North
Korean agent boats. Similar patrols
were flown from NAF Cam Ranh Bay,
Vietnam, against Viet Cong infiltration
and supply routes. A VP-40 P-3C at NAS Glenview in February 1980 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection).
 CHAPTER 3 229

Philippines, and Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T. In August VP- Commanding Officers—Continued

40 was the first on the scene of a Russian Echo class
nuclear submarine casualty in the Philippine Sea, ob- Date Assumed Command
serving closely the ensuing Soviet rescue and recovery CDR E. W. Meyers 30 Jul 1960
operations. CDR J. S. Laney 1961
Jun 1983: The Marlins deployed to NAF Misawa, CDR N. P. Vegelahn 20 Jun 1962
Japan, with a two-crew detachment at Diego Garcia, CDR H. K. Cooley, Jr. (actg.) 3 Aug 1962
B.I.O.T. In July, a second detachment was established CDR J. R. Johnson 14 Sep 1962
at NAF Atsugi, Japan, to conduct exercises with the CDR H. K. Cooley, Jr. 23 Aug 1963
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, ASW CDR Frank J. Schneider 26 Jun 1964
Operations Center. CDR Harry J. Hinden 15 Jun 1965
1 Sep 1983: VP-40 engaged in the search for sur- CDR Hugh E. Longino 10 Jun 1966
vivors and the flight data recorder of Flight KAL-007, CDR J. P. Smolinsky, Jr. 10 Jun 1967
the South Korean airliner shot down by a Russian SU- CDR George A. Surovik 28 Jun 1968
17 Flagon interceptor. During the search the squadron CDR G. F. Murphy, Jr. 8 May 1969
had frequent encounters with Soviet fighter aircraft. CDR J. W. Newsome 26 Mar 1970
Feb 1991: VP-40 deployed to NAF Misawa, Japan. CDR J. T. Weir 16 Mar 1971
CDR R. E. Narmi 23 Feb 1972
During the deployment the squadron participated in
CDR Oakley E. Osborn 28 Feb 1973
Operation Desert Storm, operating from the island of
CDR B. C. Farrar 15 Jan 1974
Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T., flying sorties in support of the
CDR Eric A. McVadon 31 Jan 1975
Persian Gulf operations.
CDR Ernest V. Haag 20 Jan 1976
10 Mar 1992: VP-40 celebrated 25 years of acci-
CDR Thomas J. Leshko 14 Jan 1977
dent-free flying, one of only two P-3 squadrons to lay
CDR Michael W. Gavlak 20 Jan 1978
claim to this achievement as of that date. CDR A. W. Hadley Jan 1979
13 Nov 1992: VP-40 began a multi-site deployment CDR A. D. Branch 11 Jan 1980
with detachments at NAS Adak, Alaska; Howard AFB, CDR D. S. Axtman 6 Feb 1981
Panama; and Acapulco, Mexico. The detachments at CDR E. S. Wilson 23 Feb 1982
the latter sites were in support of the drug interdiction CDR G. W. Dye 18 Feb 1983
program in the Central America region, Joint Task CDR A. L. Ross 4 May 1984
Force Four. During the deployment the squadron CDR James I. Munsterman 18 Jul 1985
began replacing all of its P-3C UIII aircraft with P-3C CDR Jesse A. Prescott III 20 Oct 1986
UII.5 versions from VP-31. The change was necessi- CDR Keith D. Hahn 2 Oct 1987
tated by the pending change of home base from NAS CDR Lawrence D. Getzfred 15 Jul 1988
Moffett Field, Calif., to NAS Brunswick, Maine, where CDR Raymond R. Yeats 1989
all of the patrol aircraft were the UII.5 version. CDR George C. Hill Jun 1990
CDR Steven K. Shegrud 10 May 1991
CDR Timothy S. Norgart 29 May 1992
Home Port Assignments
CDR James W. Gibson 1993
Location Date of Assignment CDR James P. Toscano 6 May 1994
NAS San Diego, Calif. 20 Jan 1951 CDR James D. Scola 1995
CDR William M. Dunkin 29 Feb 1996
NS Sangley Point, R.P. 1 Aug 1959
CDR Crawford A. Easterling III 27 Feb 1997
NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif. 15 Nov 1963
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 15 Nov 1967
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Spring 1993 Aircraft Assignment

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

Commanding Officers
PBM-5 Jan 1951
Date Assumed Command
PBM-5S May 1951
P5M-1 Apr 1953
CDR V. V. Utgoff 1951 P5M-2 1957
CDR Miles S. Whitener Jan 1952 SP-5B Oct 1960
CDR Joseph M. Kellam Dec 1952 P-3B Nov 1967
CDR Winton C. Sharpe Jul 1954 P-3B DIFAR Dec 1970
CDR Donald C. Coy Oct 1955 P-3C Sep 1974
CDR Jack W. Clinton Dec 1956 P-3C UIII Jul 1985
CDR C. B. Curtis, Jr. 23 Jul 1958 P-3C UII.5 1992/1993
CDR I. G. Cockroft 2 Jul 1959 P-3C UIII 1993
230 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3C flying over NAS Moffett Field.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 May 1951 12 Dec 1951 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S WestPac

2 Sep 1952 5 Apr 1953 FAW-1 Sangley Point PBM-5S WestPac
19 Jan 1954 1 Jul 1954 FAW-1 Sangley Point P5M-1 WestPac
1 Apr 1955* Sep 1955 FAW-2 Pearl Harbor P5M-1 WestPac
3 May 1955* 26 Sep 1955 FAW-1 Sangley Point P5M-1 WestPac
19 Jun 1956 Nov 1956 FAW-2 Pearl Harbor P5M-1 EastPac
20 Jul 1957 14 Jan 1957 FAW-1 Sangley Point P5M-1 WestPac
1 Jul 1958 Dec 1958 FAW-1 Bangkok P5M-1 WestPac
27 Feb 1965 4 Sep 1965 FAW-8 Sangley Point SP-5B WestPac
14 May 1965 20 May 1965 FAW-8 Ko Samui SP-5B WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
29 May 1965 3 Aug 1965 FAW-8 DaNang SP-5B WestPac
Currituck (AV 7)
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
15 Mar 1966 3 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
24 Feb 1967 10 May 67 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
1 Mar 1967 30 Apr 67 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-5B WestPac
Currituck (AV 7)
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
Pine Island (AV 13)
1 Feb 1969* 1 Aug 1969 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
1 Feb 1969* 1 Aug 1969 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac
1 May 1970 1 Nov 1970 FAW-8 Sangley Point P-3B WestPac
29 Apr 1970 30 Oct 1970 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
14 Jul 1971 13 Jan 1972 FAW-1 Agana/Naha P-3B DIFAR WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 231

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Aug 1972 14 Jan 1973 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B DIFAR WestPac

16 Nov 1972 20 Dec 1972 PatWing-1 U-Tapao P-3B DIFAR WestPac
1 Feb 1974 31 Jul 1974 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B DIFAR WestPac
10 Aug 1975 10 May 1976 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C NorPac
1 Feb 1977 1 Aug 1977 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
19 Jun 1978 10 Dec 1978 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
6 Jul 1979 10 Dec 79 PatWingsPac Adak P-3C NorPac
3 Jul 1980 Dec 1980 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
Dec 1981 Jun 1982 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
Jun 1983 Dec 1983 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
Jan 1985 Jul 1985 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
1 Aug 1986 14 Feb 1987 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
Feb 1988 Aug 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
8 Jul 1989 Feb 1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
Feb 1991* 3 Aug 1991 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
6 Feb 1991* 10 Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
13 Nov 1992* May 1993 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UII.5 NorPac
13 Nov 1992* May 1993 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UII.5 Carib
13 Nov 1992* May 1993 PatWing-10 Acapulco P-3C UII.5 Carib
May 1994 Nov 1994 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
May 1995 Nov 1996 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
May 1996* Nov 1997 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
May 1996* Nov 1997 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
* Conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 CA /QE * † 20 Jan 1951 1 Jun 1971 20 Jul 1971
FAW-1 QE 1 Aug 1959 RVNGC 8 Mar 1965 1 Aug 1965
FAW-14 QE 15 Nov 1963 1 May 1969 31 Jul 1969
FAW-10 QE 15 Nov 1967 1 May 1970 31 May 1970
FAW-8 QE 1 Jan 1968 31 Jul 1970 31 Oct 1970
FAW-10 QE 1 Jan 1969 AFEM 1 Feb 1969 14 Jun 1969
ComPatWingsPac‡ QE 30 Jun 1973 SASM 6 Feb 1991 10 Mar 1991
PatWing-10 QE 1 Jun 1981 SLOC (Crew 10) 3 May 1990 7 May 1990
JMUA 17 Jan 1992 28 Feb 1992
* The squadron remained part of FAW-14, but was assigned the tail

code CA on 20 January 1951.

† The squadron’s tail code was changed from CA to QE in 1957. The

document referencing this change was dated 9 December 1957, but

the effective date for the change was most likely the beginning of
FY 1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-10 was disestablished on 30 June 1973 and the squadron

came under administrative control of Commander Patrol Wings

Pacific (ComPatWingsPac).

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
17 Jan 1991 7 Feb 1991
(Detachment) Winter 1969
MUC 1 May 1970 1 Nov 1970 A squadron P-3C in flight, circa 1984.
232 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-41 it was used successively through all of the squadron’s

designations.
Nickname: None on record.

Lineage
Chronology of Significant Events
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY ONE (VP-
21) on 1 March 1944. 1 Mar 1944: VP-21 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY Va., as a seaplane squadron flying the PBM-3D Mariner.
ONE (VPB-21) on 1 October 1944. The next day, the squadron began relocating to NAAS
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY ONE (VP- Harvey Point, N.C., where all of the ground and flight
21) on 15 May 1946. training was given. During this period, the squadron
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) came under the operational control of FAW-5.
ELEVEN (VP-MS-11) on 15 November 1946. 9 May 1944: VP-21 was relocated to NAS Key West,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY ONE (VP-41) Fla., for advanced training in antisubmarine warfare.
on 1 September 1948. The training was completed on 16 June 1944, and the
Disestablished on 23 April 1949. squadron began to fly its aircraft cross-country to NAS
Alameda, Calif., in preparation for its transpac to the
South Pacific.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 22 Jun 1944: The squadron aircraft began the
The only insignia on record for VP-41 originated transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, from NAS Alameda,
with a previous VP-21 which was disestablished in Calif. Upon arrival, the squadron came under the op-
erational control of FAW-2. The last element of three
aircraft was aboard at Kaneohe by the 26th.
Operational patrols and advanced combat training
began immediately.
19 Aug 1944: VP-21 deployed to Parry Island,
Eniwetok, relieving VP-1. The squadron continued
under the operational control of FAW-2, conducting
patrols, searches, and the occasional bomb run over
Japanese-held Ponape Island.
17 Oct 1944: VPB-21 was relocated to Kossol
Passage, Palau Islands. The squadron conducted daily
searches, with tender support provided by Chandeleur
(AV 10) and Mackinac (AVP 13). FAW-1 assumed oper-
ational control.
24 Dec 1944: The squadron was relocated to Ulithi
Atoll to relieve VPB-17. Duties consisted of daytime
antishipping patrols and hunter-killer missions. Tender
support was provided by Chandeleur (AV 10).
21 Jan 1945: During the night of the 21st Lieutenant
(jg) Richard L. Simms and crew sank a Japanese Kaiten
midget submarine attempting to attack shipping in
Ulithi lagoon. The Kaiten had been released by the
submarine carrier I-36. Simms and his crew dropped
The squadron’s albatross insignia had been used by the another pa- four depth charges on the Kaiten, sinking it with the
trol squadron until it was disestablished in 1942. The insignia was
reassigned to this squadron in 1944. loss of its two-man crew.
29 Jan 1945: VPB-21 was relocated to Tanapag
Harbor, Saipan, aboard Chandeleur (AV 10), under the
April of 1942. Although no correspondence exists to operational control of the 5th Fleet (TG 50.5.2). The
show when the insignia was reassigned by CNO, it squadron was assigned routine patrols in the vicinity
was most likely upon its formation in March 1944. The of the island group. On 17 March the squadron was
central design of the insignia was the great white alba- able to move ashore to the naval air base barracks, re-
tross, the largest seabird capable of prolonged flight maining until the 27th.
over long distances of open sea. Colors: outer circle, 28 Mar 1945: The squadron was relocated to
yellow; field within circle, blue; albatross, white with Kerama Retto to support the Okinawa campaign.
wings tipped black; beak and talons, brown. CNO re- Tender support continued to be provided by
assigned the insignia to the second VP-21 in 1944, and Chandeleur (AV 10). While stationed at this location,
 CHAPTER 3 233

on 7 April 1945, one of the squadron aircraft spotted plies departed aboard Pine Island (AV 12), and by 27
the Japanese battleship Yamato and her escorts steam- September all nine PBM-5 aircraft arrived at Tsingtao.
ing toward Okinawa. The aircrew was able to alert el- On the 29th a detachment of three aircraft was sent to
ements of the 5th Fleet and reinforcements soon ar- Yokosuka, Japan. On 1 November 1948, five VP-41 air-
rived, resulting in the sinking of Yamato and several craft flew to Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Japan, for ASW
other Japanese vessels in the battle group. By the be- exercises, supported by Suisun (AVP 53). The exercise
ginning of May, the squadron was advancing its pa- concluded due to a tropical storm front on the 9th. On
trols as far as the Ryukyus, strafing and bombing tar- 21 November 1948, the explosion of a Nationalist
gets of opportunity on land or sea. These were Chinese Army ammunition dump next to the seaplane
gradually extended to include the Japanese home is- ramp damaged two squadron aircraft. On 21
lands, the East China Sea, the southern coast of Korea, December 1948, a PBM-5 sank during a rough water
and the China coast from north of Formosa to north of landing off Tsingtao; there were no casualties to the
Shanghai. From 1 June 1945, the patrols were con- crew. The squadron returned to NAS San Diego on 26
ducted to the south and east of Okinawa, the East March 1949.
China and Yellow Seas and the Sea of Japan. Dumbo 23 Apr 1949: VP-41 was disestablished at NAS San
and weather flights were added to the squadron’s mis- Diego, Calif.
sion list.
15 Jul 1945: VPB-21 was relocated to Chimu-Wan,
Home Port Assignments
Okinawa. Daytime search and reconnaissance patrols
were conducted through 6 August 1945, when the Location Date of Assignment
squadron was moved again to Eniwetok. NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Mar 1944
2 Sep–18 Nov 1945: After a few weeks spent relo- NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 2 Mar 1944
cating and a brief period of stand down for rest and NAS Key West, Fla. 9 May 1944
relaxation, the squadron commenced routine patrols NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 22 Jun 1944
from the island of Eniwetok, remaining at that location NAS San Diego, Calif. 23 Nov 1947
until 11 September 1945, when it was relocated to
Ominato, China. By 18 November 1945, VPB-21 had
been relocated from Ominato to Hong Kong. Commanding Officers
26 Jan 1946: The squadron moved its headquarters
Date Assumed Command
to the former Imperial Japanese Naval Air Base at
Sasebo, Japan. Detachments were maintained at Hong LCDR J. E. Dougherty 1 Mar 1944
Kong and Okinawa. LCDR James D. Wright 17 May 1945
9 Jul–3 Oct 1946: VPB-21 was relocated to Tsingtao, LCDR J. A. Kraker 25 Nov 1945
China. Detachments were maintained at Hong Kong LCDR E. C. Smith 1 Jun 1946
and Shanghai. On 3 October 1946, the Shanghai de- CDR R. R. Humes 16 Jun 1947
tachment was relocated to Yokosuka, Japan. CDR H. F. Burfeind 4 Sep 1948
23 Nov 1947: The squadron was relocated to a new
home port at NAS San Diego, Calif. Aircraft Assignment
6 Sep 1948–26 Mar 1949: VP-41 deployed from its
home port of NAS San Diego, Calif., to Tsingtao, Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
China, to relieve VP-MS-3. Ground personnel and sup- PBM-3D 2 Mar 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

19 Aug 1944 * FAW-2/1 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac

17 Oct 1944 * FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
Mackinac (AVP 13)
24 Dec 1944 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
29 Jan 1945 * FAW-1 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
28 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Kerma Retto PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
234 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Jul 1945 * FAW-1 Chimu-Wan PBM-3D SoPac

6 Aug 1945 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
11 Sep 1945 * FAW-1 Ominato PBM-3D WestPac
18 Nov 1945 * FAW-1 Hong Kong PBM-3D WestPac
26 Jan 1946 8 Jul 1946 FAW-1 Sasebo PBM-3D WestPac
9 Jul 1946 2 Oct 1946 FAW-1 Tsingtao PBM-3D WestPac
3 Oct 1946 23 Nov 1948 FAW-1 Yokosuka PBM-3D WestPac
6 Sep 1948 26 Mar 1949 FAW-1 Tsingtao PBM-3D WestPac
Pine Island (AV 12)
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Unit Awards Received

Wing Assignments
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
NOSM 7 Sep 1945 18 Nov 1945
FAW-5 1 Mar 1944
27 Jan 1946 26 Feb 1946
FAW-2 22 Jun 1944
FAW-1 AA* 17 Oct 1944
FAW-14 AA/ MA† 23 Nov 1947
FAW-1 MA 6 Sep 1948
FAW-14 MA 26 Mar 1949
* The squadron remained part of FAW-1, but was assigned the tail
code AA on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from AA to MA on 4

August 1948.

Maintenance work being done on a PBM at the Tanapag air facility, Saipan, April 1945, 80-G-K-16074.
 CHAPTER 3 235

Second VP-42 of the squadron’s primary role of antisubmarine war-

fare. In Poseidon’s left hand was a shield bearing the
squadron’s designation VP-MS-2. Colors: Poseidon,
white hair and beard, pink skin, green fish tail; trident,
Lineage black and gold; submarine, black; shield, red, white
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY TWO (VP- and blue.
22) on 7 April 1944. The first insignia was updated and officially approved
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY by CNO on 10 July 1953, after the squadron had been
TWO (VPB-22) on 1 October 1944. redesignated VP-42. The circular design still featured
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY TWO (VP- Poseidon, minus his shield and submarine. The trident
22) on 15 May 1946. was held cocked in his left hand aimed at the ocean
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) below. He was superimposed over a broad lightning
TWO (VP-MS-2) on 15 November 1946. bolt. The symbolism of the design remained the same,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY TWO (VP-42) as the mission of the squadron was still ASW. Colors:
on 1 September 1948, the second squadron to be as- Poseidon, white with gold wings; sky, blue; lightning
signed the VP-42 designation. bolt and border of insignia, red; ocean, dark blue.
Disestablished on 26 September 1969. The squadron insignia was completely changed with
the approval by CNO of a third and final design on 16
February 1965. The central figure was a muscular sea
Squadron Insignia and Nickname demon, rising from the surface of the sea, breaking a
There are no insignia on record for the squadron
until 2 September 1947, when CNO approved a design
submitted by the
commanding officer
of VP-MS-2. Its cen-
tral figure was a
The squadron’s last insignia
winged Poseidon, dropped Poseidon and fea-
whose muscular tured a sea dragon.
figure represented
strength, and wings
symbolized aviation.
Poseidon’s right
hand held a trident
spearing a subma-
The squadron’s first insignia. rine, representative submarine in two with its jaws. The obvious symbol-
ism still indicated the squadron’s primary mission of
ASW. Colors: black outlines and letters with white
background, no other colors. A scroll at the bottom of
the design contained the squadron designation in
black letters, PATROL SQUADRON 42.
Nickname: Sea Demons, 1965–1969.

Chronology of Significant Events

7 Apr–10 Jun 1944: VP-22 was established at NAAS
Harvey Point, N.C., under the operational control of
FAW-5, as a seaplane patrol squadron equipped with
the PBM-3D Mariner. Ground and flight training con-
tinued at Harvey Point until 1 June 1944, when the
squadron was relocated to NAS Key West, Fla., for
training in antisubmarine warfare. The course was
completed on 10 June 1944, and the squadron re-
turned to NAAS Harvey Point.
12–18 Jul 1944: The squadron received orders to
NAS Alameda, Calif., in preparation for a transpac to
the South Pacific. The midpoint landing area during
The squadron’s second insignia was approved for use in 1953. the cross country flight for most of the squadron was
236 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

at Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, where a temporary re- further transfer. On 9 August an advance party of six air-
fueling and minor maintenance depot had been posi- craft proceeded to Chimu Wan, Okinawa. The remain-
tioned. The last aircraft arrived at NAS Alameda on the der of the squadron arrived on by 19 August and shifted
18th, and all hands engaged in aircraft maintenance to quarters aboard the recently arrived Cumberland
and stowage of equipment/spares in the aircraft for Sound (AV 17). On 16 August the squadron moved from
use in the war zone. During the period of preparation Cumberland Sound to Norton Sound (AV 11).
for the transpac the squadron came under the control 1 Sep 1945: The squadron commenced operations
of FAW-8. from Chimu Wan, Okinawa, conducting long-range
25 Aug–Oct 1944: VP-22 ground personnel had de- patrols along the coastlines of Japan and China. These
parted on board ship in advance of the squadron flight operations were halted on 16 September, when the
crews. On the 25th the aircrews departed in elements squadron was relocated to Sangley Point, Philippines,
of three for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, with the last air- to avoid a tropical storm.
craft arriving a few days later. Upon arrival of the last 23 Sep 1945: Norton Sound (AV 11) had steamed
aircrew, operational patrols in Hawaiian waters and ahead to Sasebo, Kyushu, Japan, when the squadron
combat training began, and continued through moved temporarily to the Philippines. On the 23d,
October 1944 under the operational control of FAW-2. VPB-22 flew to the harbor of the former Imperial
10 Oct 1944: VPB-22 was transferred to Parry Japanese Naval Base at Sasebo, where Norton Sound
Island, Eniwetok, under the operational control of was at anchor. On the 28th, squadron personnel were
FAW-2. From this location the squadron conducted shifted to the tender Pine Island (AV 12). On 30
strikes against Japanese targets on Ponape and Wake. September 1945, the squadron was transferred to the
Dumbo missions were carried out on an as needed operational and administrative control of FAW-17.
basis in the vicinity of the combat zone. 1 Dec 1945: The squadron was recalled to NAS
30 Nov 1944: The squadron was relocated to Kaneohe, Hawaii, pending transportation back to the
Kossol Passage, Palau, under the operational control United States. Transportation was arranged by 5
of FAW-1. Daily sector searches and Dumbo missions December, and all hands departed for NAS San Diego,
were assigned. Calif., for rest and rehabilitation leave.
22 Jan 1945: VPB-22 was relocated from Palau to 20 Jan 1946: VPB-22 was reformed at NAS San
Ulithi Atoll, in the Carolines island group. Tender sup- Diego for training and duties as a ferry command.
port was provided by Cumberland Sound (AV 17). 3 Feb–28 Apr 1947: VP-MS-2 was transferred to
The squadron was assigned duties of long-range Duxbury Bay (AVP 38) for seaplane handling, plane
flights and night ASW patrols. refueling, arming and towing training. On 28 April, the
7 Mar–4 May 1945: The squadron again took part same training evolutions were carried out aboard
in bombing raids on the Japanese-held island of Yap. Floyds Bay (AVP 40).
Reconnaissance patrols were conducted daily in the 20 Oct 1947–30 Apr 1948: The squadron began a
vicinity of Nugla Island. Four more bombing missions split deployment to Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Yokosuka,
were carried out against Yap through 17 April 1945. Japan; and Tsingtao, China. VP-MS-2 relieved VP-MS-
On 4 May 1945, administrative and operational control 11, with its administrative headquarters at Tsingtao.
of the squadron was transferred to FAW-18. On 27 February 1948, the administrative command re-
25 May–1 Jun 1945: VPB-22 was temporarily with- located to Tanapag, Saipan. The squadron returned to
drawn from combat and patrol missions for training in NAS San Diego on 30 April 1948, under the opera-
use of the sonobuoy for ASW patrols. On 1 June 1945, tional control of FAW-14.
the squadron completed its training and recommenced 14 Jul 1950–Apr 1951: VP-42 departed NAS San
long-range reconnaissance and ASW patrols. Diego, Calif., for Iwakuni, Japan. Upon arrival on the
23 Jun 1945: The squadron relocated to Saipan and 19th, the squadron was immediately transferred to
based ashore as transients pending transfer to NAF Yokosuka where it conducted 24-hour antisubma-
Eniwetok. During this interval Cumberland Sound (AV rine patrols of shipping lanes between Japan and
17) steamed from Ulithi to Eniwetok. Korea in the Tsushima Straits. At the end of August
25 Jun 1945: Six crews and aircraft were detached 1950 the squadron returned to NAF Iwakuni where it
as an advance party to Parry Island, Eniwetok, under remained for the rest of the deployment. From
FAW-2. Duties consisted of long-range patrols around Iwakuni squadron aircraft patrolled the Korean coast-
the clock. The remainder of the squadron joined the line and conducted searches for mines on the surface
detachment at Parry Island on 30 June 1945, with all near the shipping lanes. On 7 January 1951, one VP-42
hands aboard the tender Cumberland Sound (AV 17). Mariner was damaged on landing and written off. No
The squadron was assigned long-range flights and casualties resulted from the incident. The squadron re-
night ASW missions through August. turned to NAS San Diego in April 1951.
7 Aug 1945: VPB-22 was transferred back to Saipan, 22 Nov 1951–Jun 1952: VP-42 returned to Iwakuni,
and again went ashore into transient quarters, pending Japan, for another deployment and conducted opera-
 CHAPTER 3 237

tions in the Korean combat zone. The squadron con- ducted near Quang Ngai City, South Vietnam, from 28
ducted ASW patrols, antimine searches, over-water January to 1 March 1966. While supporting this opera-
search and reconnaissance, and antishipping and bar- tion the squadron received small arms fire on more
rier patrols. On 15 March 1952, the squadron con- than half a dozen occasions.
ducted advanced base operations from Chinhae, South 1 Apr–Dec 1967: VP-42 relieved VP-17 at Sangley
Korea, returning to Iwakuni in early April. The Point, Philippines. One detachment of six aircraft was
squadron returned to its home port in June 1952. assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, South
11 May 1952: A squadron aircraft was attacked by Vietnam. On 30 May the remainder of the squadron
MiG-15s while on reconnaissance patrol over the transferred to Cam Ranh Bay Naval Air Facility in sup-
Yellow Sea near the Korean coast. The seaplane re- port of Market Time patrols. The squadron returned to
turned to base safely although it had been hit in the NAS North Island on 1 December 1967, having flown
wing by 20-mm canon fire. 590 combat missions without casualties.
Apr 1963: VP-42 received its first SP-2E Neptune, 14 Dec 1967: A VP-42 SP-2H disappeared enroute
replacing the last SP-5B Marlin seaplane by the end of from NAS Kodiak, Alaska, to NAS Whidbey Island,
August 1963. Wash. No trace of the aircraft was found until it was
1 Jun 1964: VP-42 deployed for the first time as a spotted near Sea Otter Glacier, Mt. Fairweather,
land-based Neptune squadron to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Alaska, in the fall of 1982. Remains of three crew
The deployment marked the squadron’s first return to a members were identified and returned for burial.
combat zone since the Korean conflict. During the de- 10 Mar 1968: The squadron conducted its final de-
ployment detachments were maintained at NS Sangley ployment to WestPac, with the majority of the
Point, Philippines, and Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, squadron based at NS Sangley Point, Philippines, and
South Vietnam. Upon its return to the U.S. on 17 a detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, RVN.
November, the squadron was based at NAS Whidbey 26 Sep 1969: VP-42 was disestablished at NAS
Island, Wash., its new official home port since 30 June. Whidbey Island, Wash.
Upon arrival of all personnel, transition training was
begun from the SP-2E to the SP-2H airframe.
Home Port Assignments
Nov 1964: VP-42 and VP-28 assisted in the training
of Japanese aircrews from the Japanese Maritime Self- Location Date of Assignment
Defense Force First Air Wing in the SP-2E Neptune. NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 7 Apr 1944
ASW training was conducted in the coastal waters ad- NAS Alameda, Calif. 18 Jul 1944
jacent to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 25 Aug 1944
1 Oct 1965–Apr 1966: VP-42 deployed to MCAS NAS San Diego, Calif./North
Iwakuni, Japan. Five months were spent participating Island* 1 Dec 1945
in Operation Market Time while based in Cam Ranh NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 30 Jun 1964
Bay, South Vietnam. VP-42 also provided support for
operation Double Eagle, amphibious landings con- *NAS San Diego was redesignated NAS North Island in 1955.

A squadron P5M being hoisted aboard Salisbury Sound (AV 13) in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, February 1955.
238 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

LT Ambrose J. Kinion (actg.) 7 Apr 1944 CDR Adolphus D. Whilden 31 Jan 1963
LCDR Ronald R. Jester 18 Apr 1944 CDR Thomas B. Longley 24 Jan 1964
LCDR Albert J. Holmes, Jr. 7 Jul 1945 CDR Arthur K. Bennett, Jr. 10 Nov 1964
LCDR James J. Munson 15 Nov 1946 CDR Austin V. Young 12 Feb 1965
CDR Dallas M. Laizure 30 Apr 1948 CDR Robert M. Thompson 7 Feb 1966
CDR Gordon F. Smale 18 Feb 1950 CDR Howard L. Beesley 28 Feb 1967
CDR Joseph L. Skinner 8 Jun 1951 CDR R. H. Eckert 1968
CDR John L. Gallahar 30 Jun 1952
CDR John C. Azab 15 Jan 1954
CDR Marion F. Barfield 22 Jul 1955 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Lawrence B. Caine, Jr. 23 Jul 1956
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Robert T. Tolleson 24 Jan 1958
CDR Benjamin R. Tate, Jr. 16 Dec 1958 PBM-3D Jul 1944
CDR Charles L. Lambing 29 Jan 1960 P5M Nov 1953
CDR Bernard W. Brender 27 Jan 1961 SP-2E Apr 1963
CDR Charles R. Linder 26 Jan 1962 SP-2H Nov 1964

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Aug 1944 1 Dec 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

10 Oct 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
30 Nov 1944 * FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
22 Jan 1945 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
Cumberland Sound (AV 17)
25 Jun 1945 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
Cumberland Sound (AV 17)
16 Aug 1945 * FAW-2 Chimu-Wan PBM-3D WestPac
Cumberland Sound (AV 17).
Norton Sound (AV 11)
23 Sep 1945 * FAW-17 Sasebo PBM-3D WestPac
Norton Sound (AV 11)
Pine Island (AV 12)
1 Dec 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac
20 Oct 1947† 3 Apr 1948 FAW-2 Okinawa PBM-3D WestPac
20 Oct 1947† 3 Apr 1948 FAW-1 Yokosuka PBM-3D WestPac
20 Oct 1947† 3 Apr 1948 FAW-1 Tsingtao PBM-3D WestPac
25 Jan 1949 13 Feb 1949 FAW-4 Kodiak PBM-3D NorPac
Suisun (AVP 53)
5 Jul 1949 8 Feb 1950 FAW-1 Tanapag PBM-3D WestPac
19 Jul 1950 10 Aug 1950 FAW-1 Iwakuni PBM-5 WestPac
11 Aug 1950 1 Sep 1950 FAW- 6 Yokosuka PBM-5 WestPac
1 Sep 1950 9 Apr 1951 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5 WestPac
22 Nov 1951 11 Jun 1952 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Jul 1953 Nov 1953 FAW-4 Kodiak PBM-5S2 NorPac
Oct 1954 Mar 1955 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M WestPac
May 1956 1956 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M WestPac
Nov 1957 Apr 1958 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M WestPac
May 1959 Oct 1959 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M WestPac
1 Jun 1964 17 Nov 1964 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2E WestPac
18 Sep 1964 19 Sep 1964 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2E WestPac
3 Sep 1964 18 Sep 1964 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2E WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 239

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

6 Oct 1964 24 Oct 1964 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. SP-2E WestPac

Oct 1964 Feb 1965 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2E WestPac
26 Sep 1965† 5 Apr 1966 FAW-6 Iwakuni SP-2H WestPac
8 Oct 1965† 13 Feb 1966 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
1 Apr 1967† 30 May 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac
2 Apr 1967† 1 Dec 1967 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-2H WestPac
1 Apr 1967† 30 Sep 1967 FAW-8 Tan Son Nhut SP-2H WestPac
10 Mar 1968† 3 Sep 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-2H WestPac
10 Mar 1968† 3 Sep 1968 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-2H WestPac
* The squadron was forward deployed, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted a split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 7 Apr 1944
FAW-8 12 Jul 1944 NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-2 27 Aug 1944 RVNGC 31 Mar 1967 30 Sep 1967
FAW-1 30 Nov 1944 38 Mar 1968 1 Sep 1968
FAW-18 4 May 1945
FAW-2 30 Jun 1945 VNSM(Det) 3 Oct 1965 31 Dec 1965
FAW-17 30 Sep 1945 NOSM 30 Sep 1945 30 Nov 1945
FAW-14 SA*/RB† 5 Dec 1945 9 Nov 1947 5 Apr 1948
* The remained part of FAW-14 but was assigned the tail code SA on 15 Jul 1949 15 Jan 1950
7 November 1946. KSM 11 Aug 1950 12 Apr 1951
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from SA to RB in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 7 Dec 1951 3 Jun 1952
1958 (1 July 1957).

A squadron P5M landing at Sangley Point, R.P., 1956, USN-676502.

240 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-43 tom of the globe was the name Philippines, the opera-
tional area of the squadron. Colors: ocean, blue;
Philippine Islands, green; China and Formosa, orange;
seaplane, black; wolf, brown with red trousers, tongue
Lineage and eyes.
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT Nickname: None on record.
(VP-28) on 1 July 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY Chronology of Significant Events
EIGHT (VPB-28) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY EIGHT (VP- 1 Jul 1944–Oct 1944: VP-28 was established at
28) on 25 June 1946. NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., under the operational control
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) of FAW-5. The squadron was allocated 51 officer and
THREE (VP-MS-3) on 15 November 1946. 166 enlisted billets, but was not brought up to a full
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY THREE (VP- manning level until the end of the month. The
43) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- squadron received the first of 15 PBM-3D Mariner sea-
signed the VP-43 designation. planes on 9 July. Within the week, all of the aircraft
Disestablished on 31 March 1949. were evacuated to Banana River, Fla., to avoid damage
from a large storm front entering the area. Training had
scarcely recommenced when it became necessary to
Squadron Insignia and Nickname evacuate half of the aircraft again on 1 August 1944
The only insignia on record for the squadron was due to a second hurricane. The seven aircraft returned
approved by CNO on 20 September 1946, shortly be- from NAS New York three days later, and the squadron
fore it was redesignated VP-MS-3. The central feature attempted to restart the disrupted training syllabus.
Ground school training was given to all hands, with
aircrews receiving antisubmarine warfare, torpedo,
mine laying and gunnery training. Accidents occurred,
but no fatalities. On 17 August 1944, one crew was
forced to ditch in rough open seas, damaging the air-
craft beyond economical repair. A hurricane disrupted
the training schedule again on 19 October 1944, but
did not prevent the squadron from meeting its 29
October 1944 deadline for completion of training.
30 Oct–7 Nov 1944: The first flight of five aircraft
departed NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., via Eagle Pass,
Texas, for NAS San Diego, Calif. Two other flights fol-
lowed at one-day intervals with all aircraft arriving
safely at San Diego by 7 November 1944. Preparation
for the transpac to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, commenced
immediately.
15 Nov–3 Dec 1944: Three officers and 105 en-
listed personnel of the ground support staff departed
NAS San Diego, Calif., by ship for Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii. On 18 November, the first section of three air-
craft departed San Diego for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Two 700-mile daytime patrols were begun on 25
The squadron’s only insignia. November, in conjunction with full-time combat train-
ing. The last aircraft arrived on 3 December, and the
squadron became under the operational control of
of the design was the PBM Mariner seaplane. A wolf FAW-2.
cartoon character holding a spyglass to its eye sat 12 Dec 1944: VPB-28 experienced its first fatalities
astride the cockpit. The outline of the aircraft was su- when one of the aircraft on patrol went down in
perimposed on a globe with the Philippine Island heavy seas. The remaining squadron aircraft searched
group shown in relief beneath the bow of the sea- for the missing seaplane for six days, not knowing that
plane, the coastline of China to starboard, and the is- SS Cape Lopez had picked up three survivors on 16
land of Formosa beneath the starboard wingtip float. December.
At the top of the globe was the designation of the 31 Dec 1944: Tragedy struck again when a second
squadron at that time, Patrol Squadron-28. At the bot- patrol aircraft crashed at sea with the loss of all hands.
 CHAPTER 3 241

20 Jan 1945: The squadron received its orders to moved to berthing ashore at NAB Sangley Point,
report to FAW-17 at Leyte, Philippines, then on to Philippines. The squadron remained split into two de-
Lingayen Gulf, where it would be based aboard tachments, with the Jinamoc detachment remaining in
Tangier (AV 8). The last VPB-28 aircraft arrived on 31 place at the seaplane base.
January 1945, with night barrier patrols commencing 22 Sep 1945: The detachment at NAB Sangley
immediately. Point, Philippines, joined the detachment at Jinamoc
8 Feb–13 Mar 1945: VPB-28 was relocated to Half Seaplane Base, placing the operational control of
Moon (AVP 26) and began flying day patrols from VPB-28 under FAW-10. The squadron remained at the
Mindoro toward Indochina (Vietnam) and Hainan. Jinamoc Seaplane Base and by June 1946 experi-
Much shifting of crews from one tender to another enced a 90 percent turnover as crews rotated back to
took place during this period. On 13 February, the the U.S.
squadron moved back aboard Tangier (AV 8); on 27 1 Apr 1948: VP-43 deployed to Japan for duty with
February 1945, it was relocated to Barataria (AVP 33); the occupation forces, returning to Jinamoc on 7
on 1 March 1945, four crews were put aboard Orca October 1948.
(AVP 49); and on 13 March 1945, the entire squadron 31 Mar 1949: VP-43 was disestablished.
moved back to Tangier.
27 Jun 1945: VPB-28 was split into two detach-
Home Port Assignments
ments, with one remaining at Lingayen Gulf aboard
Barataria (AVP 33) consisting of six planes and eight Location Date of Assignment
crews, and the other at the Jinamoc Seaplane Base, NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 1 Jul 1944
Jinamoc Island, San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 3 Dec 1944
Philippines. The Jinamoc detachment, with five aircraft NAB Jinamoc, Philippines 27 Jun 1945
and nine crews, began flying two antisubmarine pa-
trols daily east of Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.
1 Jul 1945: The squadron had three additional air- Commanding Officers
craft assigned to Manila, based at NAB Sangley Point,
Date Assumed Command
Philippines. One crew was assigned to ferry aircraft
between Saipan and Manus. LCDR John L. Elwell 1 Jul 1944
4 Jul 1945: The Lingayen detachment arrived at LCDR W. A. Clark 26 Sep 1945
Manila to relieve six aircraft from VPB-25 of antisub- LCDR J. M. West 1946
marine patrol responsibilities. VPB-28 moved aboard CDR G. E. Chalmers 8 Oct 1947
the tender San Carlos (AVP 51) until Barataria (AVP CDR Walter G. Winslow Nov 1948
33) could arrive from Lingayen Gulf. The latter duly
arrived at Manila Bay on 3 August, and the squadron Aircraft Assignment
switched berthing to that vessel.
28 Aug 1945: In a move greeted with relief by all Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
hands, the Manila detachment of the squadron was PBM-3D Jul 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

3 Dec 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D EastPac

20 Jan 1945 * FAW-17 Lingayen Gulf PBM-3D SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
Half Moon (AVP 26)
Barataria (AVP 33)
Orca (AVP 49)
27 Jun 1945 * FAW-17 Jinamoc PBM-3D SoPac
27 Jun 1945 * FAW-17 Lingayen PBM-3D SoPac
Barataria (AVP 33)
4 Jul 1945 * FAW-17 Manila PBM-3D SoPac
San Carlos (AVP 51)
Barataria (AVP 33)
22 Sep 1945 † FAW-10 Jinamoc PBM-3D SoPac
242 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Apr 1948 7 Oct 1948 FAW-2 Japan PBM-3D WestPac

7 Oct 1948 † FAW-10 Jinamoc PBM-3D SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† Forward deployed at Jinamoc, Philippines.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Jul 1944 NUC 1 Mar 1945 23 Apr 1945
FAW-2 3 Dec 1944 NOSM 1 Apr 1948 7 Oct 1948
FAW-17 20 Jan 1945
FAW-10 LA* 22 Sep 1945
FAW-2 LA/BC† 1 Apr 1948
FAW-14 BC 7 Oct 1948
* The squadron remained part of FAW-10 but was assigned the tail
code of LA on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from LA to BC on 4 August

1948.
 CHAPTER 3 243

Third VP-44 tip of feather and ribbon on pigtail, red; headband,

white with red and blue outlines.
Nickname: none on record.

Lineage
Chronology of Significant Events
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED
FOUR (VP-204) on 15 October 1942. 15 Oct 1942: VP-204 was established at NAS
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- Norfolk, Va., as a seaplane squadron flying the Martin
DRED FOUR (VPB-204) on 1 October 1944. PBM-3C Mariner. During the squadron’s training pe-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED riod at Norfolk it came under the operational control
FOUR (VP-204) on 15 May 1946. of PatWing-5.
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) 27 Dec 1942: The squadron was relocated to San
FOUR (VP-MS-4) on 15 November 1946. Juan, P.R., for further training under the operational
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP- control of FAW-11, Caribbean Sea Frontier. Upon
44) on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as-
completion of the training syllabus in March, the
signed the VP-44 designation.
squadron conducted operations from San Juan and
Disestablished on 20 January 1950.
Trinidad, flying antisubmarine patrols and convoy es-
cort patrols. Advance base detachments were main-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname tained during various times at Antigua; Coco Solo, C.Z.;
The only insignia approved for the squadron was Essequibo, British Guiana; Cayenne, French Guiana;
authorized by CNO on 21 October 1943. The central Paramaribo, Surinam; and Guantanamo, Cuba. Tender
figure of the design was an Indian, chosen by the support for most of the operations was provided by
squadron to represent the ability to stalk and kill his Pelican (AVP 6).
28 Mar–7 Aug 1943: VP-204 aircraft attacked
German U-boats on eight separate occasions. During
three of the attacks, intense AA fire from the sub-
marines damaged the attacking aircraft. One subma-
rine was sunk on 7 August 1943 after a running gun
battle in the Caribbean southeast of Curacao, position
12-38N 64-15W. Lieutenant (jg) John M. Erskine, pilot
of a squadron PBM-3S Mariner, attacked U-615 on the
surface on 6 August, causing moderate damage. The
squadron conducted a hold-down of the submarine
over night. On the morning of 7 August, Lieutenant
Anthony R. Matuski spotted the U-boat when it sur-
faced and made an attack run. His aircraft was dam-
aged by return fire and crashed, losing all hands.
Lieutenant Lewis D. Crockett, flying a squadron air-
The squadron’s only insignia. craft, located the U-boat and conducted a bomb run
that further damaged the vessel, but resulted in severe
damage to his aircraft from AA fire. He remained on
prey. The Indian in the design was peering over cu- the scene until Lieutenant Holmes, pilot of a PV-1
mulus clouds used for cover while searching for the Ventura from VB-130 arrived . The two aircraft con-
enemy; the dark blue background was symbolic of the ducted a coordinated bombing and strafing attack.
night, when most squadron operations were con- However, the final blow to U-615 was administered by
ducted; the lantern in the Indian’s right hand repre- Lieutenant (jg) John W. Dresbach, in a VP-204 Mariner,
sented the flares used to illuminate targets; in the when he arrived on the scene and made a bombing
Indian’s left hand was the squadron’s primary weapon,
and strafing attack on the U-boat. This attack resulted
the depth bomb used against submarines. On the
in mortal wounds to Dresbach, but was the final blow
Indian’s headband was the Morse code representation
of V for victory. Colors: background, royal blue; for the submarine. A U.S. Navy destroyer from
Indian outline and features, black; face highlights, yel- Trinidad reached the area the next morning and res-
low and brown; eyes, white; lantern, brown rim with cued Kapitänleutnant Ralph Kapitzky and 45 of the U-
yellow light; candle, gray brown; base of bomb, red; boat’s crew of 49.
244 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

5 Jun 1944: After numerous submarine contacts of tenders in different parts of the Caribbean. Routine op-
mid-1943, few enemy U-boats were spotted in the erations was the by-word during this period in the
Caribbean by the squadron. The last attack on an squadron’s history.
enemy submarine was conducted at night on 5 June 1–20 Jan 1950: VP-44 moved to NAS Norfolk, Va.,
1944 off the coast of Puerto Rico using the wing- to prepare for disestablishment. On 20 January 1950,
mounted searchlight. A damaged claim was submitted VP-44 was disestablished.
by the crew, but postwar examination of records indi-
cate that the U-boat returned safely to port. Home Port Assignments
27 Nov 1944: The squadron was relocated to NAS
Key West, Fla., with a detachment maintained at Royal Location Date of Assignment
Island, Bahamas, supported by Christiania (YAG 32). NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Oct 1942
During this period VPB-204 came under the opera- NS San Juan, P.R. 27 Dec 1942
tional control of FAW-12, Gulf Sea Frontier. Duties con- NAS Key West, Fla. 27 Nov 1944
sisted of convoy coverage and antisubmarine patrols. NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 24 May 1945
3 Mar 1945: Seven officers and 23 enlisted person- NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jan 1950
nel were detached for training in PBM-5 aircraft at
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. These aircraft were flown Commanding Officers
back in April to Key West to replace the older PBM-3S
aircraft that the squadron had been flying. Date Assumed Command
24 May 1945: VPB-204 was transferred to NAS LCDR Warren G. Corliss 15 Oct 1942
Coco Solo, C.Z., under FAW-3, Commander Pacific Sea LCDR William M. McCormick 6 Jun 1943
Frontier. The squadron became fully operational in LCDR Edward M. Morgan 8 Oct 1943
early June, receiving several new PBM-5E aircraft to LCDR Wilbur Y. Morton 16 Jun 1944
LCDR J. P. Seifert 2 Feb 1946
supplement its complement. Duties consisted primarily
CDR L. T. McQuiston 12 Jul 1947
of scouting patrols off Central America.
CDR A. M. Ellingson 8 Jul 1949
4 Jul 1945: NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., was officially des- CDR C. J. Dobson 2 Aug 1949
ignated the new home port for the squadron. As the CDR A. M. Ellingson 17 Oct 1949
war wound down over the ensuing months, long-
range patrols gave way to an increasing number of
Aircraft Assignment
passenger and cargo transport runs across the
Caribbean. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
1946–1949: The squadron maintained search and PBM-3C Oct 1942
rescue detachments during various period at NAS PBM-3S Oct 1944
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and with various seaplane PBM-5E Mar 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

27 Dec 1942 27 Nov 1944 FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3C Carib

Pelican (AVP 6)
27 Nov 1944 23 May 1945 FAW-12 Bahamas PBM-3S Carib
Christiana (YAG 32)
24 May 1945 1 Jan 1950 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBM-5E Carib

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-5/FAW-5* 15 Oct 1942 Wings, Atlantic Fleet CC 5 Jan 1950
FAW-11 27 Dec 1942
* Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5
FAW-12 27 Nov 1944 (FAW-5) on 1 November 1942.
FAW-3 CC † 24 May 1945 † The squadron remained part of FAW-3, but was assigned the tail

Commander Fleet Air code CC on 7 November 1946.

 CHAPTER 3 245

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

None on record. A PBM in flight, circa 1942-1943, 80-G-K-13408.
246 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Fourth VP-44 clouds above a broken submarine, trident poised for a

strike. In a further, somewhat incongruous effort to es-
tablish identity, Neptune holds a dice cup in his left
hand spilling out two dice with the fours on each one
Lineage representing the squadron number. A large scroll at
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP- the bottom of the design contained the squadron’s
44) on 29 January 1951, the fourth squadron to be as- designation Patrol Squadron Forty Four. Original col-
signed the VP-44 designation. ors of the insignia are unknown.
Disestablished on 28 June 1991. Around the same time the second design was de-
veloped in 1961, the squadron became interested in a
nickname, and even went so far as to propose finding
Squadron Insignia and Nickname a suitable mascot to go with the name. The pelicans
The squadron’s first insignia was submitted to CNO seemed a natural,
for review in August 1952, and was approved on 24 but consultation
with the Curator
of Birds, New
York Zoological
Society, ruled out
the feasibility of
maintaining a
live bird mascot.
The marlin design was Instead, the
the squadron’s first
insignia. squadron person-
nel came up with
a new design
that incorporated
the nickname of
the squadron, an
The third insignia used a cartoon pelican
design.
ungainly pelican
caricature wear-
ing goggles and helmet, with a fused bomb held in its
September. The design incorporated the Marlin fish to right appendage as viewed through the cross-hairs of
represent the new P5M-1 with which the squadron a periscope. This insignia was approved by CNO on
was equipped. The Marlin was poised holding bombs 11 April 1963. Colors: design outline, red; back-
in both fins above the conning tower of a partially ground, white; waves, blue-green; cross-hairs, black;
submerged submarine. The gold background repre- pelican, brown with red helmet and red goggles;
sented daylight, with silver stars to represent the night, bomb, black; squadron designation letters, black on
establishing the image of an around-the-clock white background.
squadron. The silver dashes emanating from the eyes By 1984, the squadron decided that the cartoonish
of the Marlin represented the electronics equipment appearance of the VP-44 insignia was no longer in
employed by the squadron in ASW operations. Colors: keeping with the state of modern Naval Aviation and a
outline of design and back of Marlin, deep blue; back-
ground, gold; stars and belly of Marlin, silver; subma-
rine, black; waves,
green and blue; mark-
ings on bombs and
eye of Marlin, red. The squadron’s fourth
The second VP-44 insignia was a more
formal design using
insignia was submitted the pelican.
to CNO in June 1961
and received approval
on 25 July. The design
featured King Neptune,
representing the
squadron’s Lockheed
The squadron’s second insignia used
P2V-2 Neptune aircraft,
King Neptune in its design. emerging from the
 CHAPTER 3 247

new, updated design was selected. The pelican motif 15 Jul–Sep 1954: VP-44 deployed to Pembroke
was retained with a more realistic appearing bird Dock, Wales, for 15 days of operations supported by
grasping a submarine in its beak. This design was ap- Currituck (AV 7). The squadron departed Britain for
proved by CNO on 20 November 1984. Colors: design the Mediterranean Sea in early August. After visiting
outline, black; background, deep blue; pelican, gold; numerous ports in the Mediterranean the squadron re-
pelican beak, orange with red mouth; submarine, gray; turned to NAS Norfolk, Va., on 6 September 1954. This
letters Golden Pelicans, and PATRON 44, black on deployment marked the first occasion that the P5M
gold background. Marlin had been flown “across the pond” to Europe.
In 1988, the squadron members elected to return to Jan–Jun 1955: VP-44 received the first of its new T-
the previous pelican design with a rather unique twist. tail P5M-2 Marlins, so named due to the placement of
In addition to restoring the original design of the bird the horizontal stabilizer at the top of the vertical
zooming in on the submarine as seen through the tailplane instead of the base as in earlier models. In
periscope, the visage of the former squadron com- addition to improved power and endurance, the new
manding officer was substituted for the pelican’s head. aircraft were supplied with magnetic anomaly detec-
The subject of the design was reputed to be a “color- tion (MAD) gear to round out the electronic capabili-
ful and salty old aviator” who was VP-44’s command- ties of the squadron. The squadron received its full
ing officer when the first P-3s were received in 1962. complement of aircraft by 1 June.
This insignia was approved by CNO 2 November Feb 1955: VP-44 conducted experiments in refuel-
1988. Colors were the same as the second design. The ing while underway from a submarine. The tests, in
insignia remained in service until the squadron’s dises- which a specially equipped P5M-1was towed by a mov-
tablishment in 1991. ing submarine tanker, were judged highly successful.
Nickname: Golden Pelicans, 1961–1991. Feb 1955: VP-44 made nationwide television news
aka: The Budmen, 1989–1991. when the media learned that the squadron had been
alerted to investigate a submarine contact off Nag’s
Head, N.C. The sighting stirred public fears generated
Chronology of Significant Events
by the developing Cold War. The 30-minute response
29 Jan 1951: VP-44 was established at Breezy from the squadron in getting airborne and its 24-hour
Point, NAS Norfolk, Va., as a seaplane squadron readiness made a positive impression on the public.
equipped with nine Martin PBM-5 Mariners, under the 7–11 May 1956: Four P5M Marlins from VP-44
operational control of FAW-5. Upon arrival, new air- formed a test detachment to operate in open sea using
crews were sent to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for a submarine as a floating base. The Marlins refueled
flight training on the Mariner airframe. from the tanker submarine Guavina (SS 362) off Dry
May–Aug 1951: VP-44 deployed to Bermuda to fly Tortugas Island, Key West, and Tampa, Fla. The exer-
patrol and convoy flights during Convex Two fleet ex- cise was designed to give seaplanes mobility in areas
ercises. When the exercises concluded in June, the where bases were not established, and to allow the
squadron proceeded to San Juan, P.R., where it re- squadron’s tender to stay submerged to avoid enemy
ceived tender support from Timbalier (AVP 54). A de- detection. Guavina carried aviation fuel in her stern
tachment of six aircraft was maintained at Argentia,
Newfoundland, through August 1951, when the
squadron returned to NAS Norfolk, Va.
Jan–Mar 1952: VP-44 deployed to Bermuda for ad-
vanced base operations. During the deployment
crews were sent to Baltimore, Md., for training on the
P5M-1 Marlin. In March, a detachment was sent to
Cuba for operations supported by Duxbury Bay (AVP
38). The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk, Va., in
March 1952.
23 Apr 1952: VP-44 received its first P5M-1 Marlin.
The squadron’s new 36-ton seaplane was the first in
service with a Navy patrol squadron. It had a better
turning circle, newer ASW and radar equipment, stur-
dier hull design, and more powerful engines than the
PBM series.
13 Jul 1953: The squadron experienced its first ca-
sualties when Crew 10 crashed at sea after developing
engine trouble. Seven out of the aircraft’s eleven
crewmembers were lost in the crash. A squadron P5M being lifted aboard a seaplane tender.
248 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3C in flight, note the cartoon pelican insignia on the tail.

tanks, berthed the aircrews on board, fed them, pro- 1 Apr–13 Aug 1962: VP-44 received a change of
vided logistical support, and carried a limited supply permanent duty station when it was designated the sec-
of spare parts and ordnance. ond Atlantic Fleet patrol squadron to receive the P3V-1
1 May 1959: Under the terms of the still existing (later redesignated the P-3A). The squadron moved
lend-lease agreement, the French Navy was leased a from NAS Norfolk, Va., to NAS Patuxent River, Md. VP-
full squadron of ten P5M Marlins. VP-44 was tasked 44 received the first new P3V aircraft on 13 August. The
with training the officers and enlisted personnel at squadron was declared operational in October.
NAS Norfolk, Va. Upon completion of their training, 20 Oct 1962: Defense Secretary Robert M.
the French Maritime Patrol Squadron flew to their McNamara called for a buildup of active duty and re-
home base at Dakar, West Africa. serve units in support of potential operations against
13 Feb 1960: Lieutenant R.W. Myers and crew were Cuba. He later stated that “what was important in con-
forced to make an emergency landing in the open sea nection with the Cuban crisis was patrol aircraft. We
360 miles out from San Juan, P.R., when the starboard had to locate and we didn’t know the location of
engine of the P5M-2 Marlin, LM-8, caught fire. The crew every Soviet ship moving toward the Western
extinguished the fire and Lieutenant Myers began taxiing Hemisphere. It was a tremendous operation. It re-
the aircraft toward the nearest land, Grand Turk Island, quired both Air Force aircraft and Navy aircraft to do
Bahamas, some 200 miles away. Abbot (DD 629) fol- it. We were short of each”. VP-44 achieved interna-
lowed the plane during the 23-hour taxi. At Grand Turk tional recognition of sorts when aircraft LM-4 was pho-
Island the tender Albemarle (AV 5) refueled the plane tographed flying close surveillance over the Russian
and then sailed with her as the plane taxied at 10 knots freighter Anasov during the return of Soviet missiles to
on its one good engine to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The the USSR. Anasov was the only Russian vessel refusing
seaplane taxied about 520 miles in two and one-half to uncover all of the missiles lashed to the deck. VP-44
days, setting a world record for open sea taxiing. aircraft verified that eight large oblong objects, which
Dec 1960: VP-44 began to transition from the P5M appeared to be missiles, were located on its deck and
Marlin seaplane to the P2V Neptune, a land-based air- the ship was allowed to proceed.
craft. Crews were given training at NAS Jacksonville, 27 May 1968: The Golden Pelicans were among the
Fla., with the squadron becoming P2V operational in patrol squadrons and other naval units called upon to
April 1961. assist in the search for the ill-fated Scorpion (SSN 589),
4 Oct 1961: VP-44 deployed to NAF Sigonella, last heard from on 21 May, 50 miles south of the
Sicily, where it participated in numerous fleet exer- Azores. The futile search was called off on 5 June.
cises in the Mediterranean Sea and Project Mercury in Scorpion was struck from the Navy list on 30 June
the Atlantic. 1968. In late October of that same year, Scorpion’s re-
 CHAPTER 3 249

mains were discovered in 10,000 feet of water 400 Lajes, Azores. The squadron’s success at ASW opera-
miles southwest of the Azores. No cause was ever de- tions for the period earned it a second Meritorious
termined for the sinking. Unit Citation.
10 Jul 1970: The Golden Pelicans received a 3 Sep 1980: VP-44 deployed to NAF Kadena,
change of permanent duty station relocating them Okinawa. The squadron operated throughout the
from NAS Patuxent River, Md., to NAS Brunswick, western Pacific and Indian oceans providing the first
Maine. The squadron then came under the operational Harpoon capable aircraft for battle group support.
control of FAW-3. Within a year FAW-3 at NAS 19 Jun–13 Jul 1985: VP-44 had begun the customary
Brunswick was disestablished and FAW-5 was moved predeployment stand down period to allow squadron
from NAS Norfolk, Va., to NAS Brunswick, comprised members time to spend with their families. The Soviets
of the patrol squadrons stationed at that location and chose this time to conduct a summer exercise in the
NAS Patuxent River, Md. western Atlantic, involving a dozen nuclear ballistic and
15 Jul 1970: With barely time to unpack, the guided missile submarines, the largest ASW exercise in
squadron was tasked with a split deployment to Rota, the Atlantic since the end of WWII. Navy patrol
Spain, with the remaining portion at NAS Brunswick squadrons on the East Coast went into round-the-clock
settling into its new home. During the deployment the operations. As the exercise gradually wound down, the
Pelicans were called upon to provide support to the Golden Pelicans returned to their roost to prepare for
fleet during the Jordanian crisis, resulting in the re- the coming deployment. On 13 July 1985, the squadron
mainder of the squadron being ordered to NS Rota to deployed to Rota, Spain, and Lajes, Azores, conducting
augment 6th Fleet forces. The squadron’s efforts tracking exercises with the fleet.
earned its first Meritorious Unit Citation. 10 Nov 1986: VP-44 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland,
24 Feb–May 1971: The Pelicans relieved VP-8 at relieving VP-8. The squadron’s new AN/APS 137
NAS Bermuda, B.W.I., with a detachment of four air- radar was used for the first time under operational
craft and four aircrews based at NS Roosevelt Roads, conditions.
P.R. On 22 April, VP-44 sent a detachment of three air- 28 Jun 1991: VP-44 was disestablished at NAS
craft and four aircrews to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Brunswick, Maine.
Cuba, to maintain 24-
hour surveillance on the
Haitian coast after the
death of President
Duvalier. On 29 April,
the detachment was re-
located to NS Roosevelt
Roads, P.R., and reduced
to night coverage only.
The detachment con-
cluded operations on 6
May and returned to
NAS Bermuda.
18 Apr–Jun 1972:
VP-44 conducted a split
deployment to NAS
Bermuda and NAF
Lajes, Azores, relieving
VP-45. Additional de-
tachments were tem-
porarily based as
needed at Soudha Bay,
Crete, for work with the
A squadron P-3C in flight, note the more formal pelican design insignia on the tail, circa 1984.
fleet in the Mediter-
ranean Sea. On 3 June,
aircraft BuNo 152182 from the Rota Detach-ment Home Port Assignments
crashed into the mountainous terrain near Jesbel
Location Date of Assignment
Musa, Morocco. All 14 crewmen were killed. No
cause for the crash could be determined. NAS Norfolk, Va. 29 Jan 1951
12 Nov 1974: VP-44 deployed to NAF Rota, Spain, NAS Patuxent River, Md. 1 Apr 1962
relieving VP-23. A detachment was maintained at NAS Brunswick, Maine 10 Jul 1970
250 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR F. H. Rand 29 Jan 1951 CDR John Siembieda 8 Aug 1975
CDR F. J. Grisko Feb 1952 CDR Floyd W. Carter, Jr. 13 Aug 1976
CDR R. K. Etnire Jun 1953 CDR Michael C. Roth 15 Jul 1977
CDR W. F. Laffey Jun 1954 CDR W. L. Vincent 12 Jul 1978
CDR M. J. Burns Jul 1955 CDR Donald W. Avery, Jr. 26 Jun 1979
CDR H. E. Sorenson Jul 1956 CDR Richard Goolsby 3 Jul 1980
CDR R. D. Macklin Aug 1956 CDR Benjamin F. Folsom, Jr. 10 Jul 1981
CDR M. E. Haller 26 Aug 1957 CDR R. T. Fuller Jul 1982
CDR C. Thompson 3 Jul 1958 CDR Van L. McCullough 29 Jul 1983
CDR L. W. Frawley 8 Jul 1959 CDR James L. Arnold 5 Oct 1984
CDR E. E. Wilson 1 Jun 1960 CDR Richard Corn III 4 Feb 1986
CDR R. L. Pierce 5 Jul 1961 CDR D. Scott Thompson 18 Feb 1987
CDR A. Serrell 6 Jul 1962 CDR Stanley J. Lichwalla 4 Mar 1988
CDR J. L. Ball 19 Jul 1963 CDR W. C. Spearman 5 May1989
CDR P. F. Hunter 24 Jun 1964 CDR Alan M. Harms Jun 1990
CDR Jack H. McDonald 1 Jul 1965
CDR Edward C. Waller III 29 Jun 1966
CDR R. D. Synder, Jr. 7 Apr 1967 Aircraft Assignment
CDR T. H. Warren, Jr. 12 Mar 1968
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR R. B. Olds 4 Apr 1969
CDR Thomas E. Curry 12 Mar 1970 PBM-5 Jan 1951
CDR Felix P. Gigliotti 21 Dec 1970 P5M-1 Apr 1952
CDR R. J. Smith 22 Oct 1971 P5M-2 Jan 1955
CDR J. R. Wyly, Jr. 27 Oct 1972 P2V-3 Dec 1960
CDR P. D. Smith 28 Sep 1973 P3V-1/P-3A Aug 1962
CDR William P. Culhane 20 Sep 1974 P-3C UII May 1978

A VP-44 P-3C(UII) preparing to

land at NAS Moffett Field in June
1982 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress
Collection via Michael Grove).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

May 1951 Jun 1951 FAW-5 Bermuda PBM-5 Lant

Jun 1951* Aug 1951 FAW-5 Argentia PBM-5 NorLant
Jun 1951* Aug 1951 FAW-5 San Juan PBM-5 Carib
Timbalier (AVP 54)
 CHAPTER 3 251

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jan 1952 Mar 1952 FAW-5 Bermuda PBM-5 Lant

Mar 1952 Mar 1952 FAW-5 Cuba PBM-5 Carib
Duxbury Bay (AVP 38)
15 Jul 1954 6 Sep 1954 FAW-5 Wales, G.B. P5M-1 NorLant
Currituck (AV 7)
16 Aug 1957 31 Aug 1957 FAW-5 San Juan P5M-1/2 Carib
8 Feb 1958 22 Feb 1958 FAW-5 San Juan P5M-1/2 Carib
27 Jan 1960 12 Feb 1960 FAW-5 San Juan P5M-2 Carib
Albemarle (AV 5)
4 Oct 1961 7 Mar 1962 FAW-5 Sigonella P2V-3 Med
Oct 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-5 Cuba P3V-1 Carib
30 Apr 1963 25 May 1964 FAW-5 Argentia P-3A NorLant
15 Jul 1967* 15 Sep 1967 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3A NorLant
15 Jul 1967* 15 Sep 1967 FAW-5 Rota P-3A Med
27 Aug 1968 28 Feb 1969 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3A NorLant
27 Oct 1969 28 Feb 1970 FAW-5 Sigonella P-3A Med
15 Jul 1970 26 Oct 1970 FAW-3 Rota P-3A Med
24 Feb 1971 25 Jun 1971 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant

A squadron P5M being placed on the deck of the seaplane tender Currituck (AV 7), December 1952, USN-476747.
252 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

18 Apr 1972* 9 Oct 1972 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant

18 Apr 1972* 9 Oct 1972 FAW-5 Azores P-3A Lant
6 Jun 1973 8 Nov 1973 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
12 Nov 1974* 21 Apr 1975 PatWing-5 Rota P-3A Med
12 Nov 1974* 21 Apr 1975 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3A Lant
13 Dec 1975* 12 May 1976 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
13 Dec 1975* 12 May 1976 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3A Lant
23 Mar 1977* 7 Sep 1977 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
23 Mar 1977* 7 Sep 1977 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3A Lant
Mar 1979 5 Sep 1979 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
3 Sep 1980 16 Feb 1981 PatWing-5 Kadena P-3C UII WestPac
5 Oct 1981* 23 Mar 1982 PatWing-5 Azores P-3C UII Lant
5 Oct 1981* 23 Mar 1982 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
2 Jan 1983* 7 Mar 1983 PatWing-1 Okinawa P-3C UII WestPac
2 Jan 1983* 12 Jun 1983 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3C UII Lant
13 Mar 1984 15 Aug 1984 PatWing-5 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
13 Jul 1985* 17 Jan 1986 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
13 Jul 1985* 17 Jan 1986 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
10 Nov 1986 6 May 1987 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
3 Jun 1988* 10 Dec 1988 PatWing-5 Rota P-3C UII Med
3 Jun 1988* 10 Dec 1988 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3C UII Lant
3 Nov 1989 May 1990 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII NorLant
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two sites during the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 CC/LM † 29 Jan 1951 MUC 9 Sep 1970 31 Oct 1970
FAW-3 LM 10 Jul 1970 9 Mar 1976 30 Apr 1976
13 Feb 1977 22 May 1977
FAW-5/PatWing-5‡ LM Jan 1971
16 Mar 1979 12 Apr 1979
† The squadron’ s tail code was changed from CC to LM in 1957. 15 Mar 1981 23 Mar 1982
The effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of
NEM 1 Oct 1978 30 Sep 1979
FY 1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-5 was redesignated Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) and COM- 1 Oct 1980 31 Dec 1981
PATWINGSLANT (a dual hatted command) on 1 July 1973. On 1 July SLOC 2 Jan 1983 14 Jun 1983
1974 Patrol Wing 5 was established as a separate command. JMUA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990

A squadron P-3C in
flight over New England
in the fall.
 CHAPTER 3 253

Third VP-45 gestive of the PBM-5

profile. Pelicans, like
the Mariner, were
known for distance
Lineage flying, accuracy in
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED spotting targets, and
FIVE (VP-205) on 1 November 1942. determined diving
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- ability. The binocu-
DRED FIVE (VPB-205) on 1 October 1944. lars around the bird’s
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED neck represented the
FIVE (VP-205) on 15 May 1946. search mission and the
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) periscope below,
FIVE (VP-MS-5) on 15 November 1946. The squadron’s second insignia used a the submarine tar-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE (VP-45) get. The bomb
on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- under each wing represented the position of the wing
signed the VP-45 designation. bomb bays of the PBM. Colors: pelican, gray with yel-
low beak; bombs, yellow; binoculars, black; ocean,
dark blue; sky, light blue with white clouds;
Squadron Insignia and Nickname periscope, gray with white stripe. This insignia has
The squadron’s first insignia was submitted to CNO been in use from 1949 to the present.
for approval in January 1944, and was approved on 1 Nickname: Pelicans, 1949–1963.
February. The central character of the design was a Red Darters, 1968–1980.
sea monster wrapping its coils around a helpless Pelicans, 1981–present.

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Nov 1942: VP-205 was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va., as a seaplane squadron flying the PBM-3
Mariner. During the first phase of training at Norfolk,
the squadron came under the operational control of
FAW-5.
26 Jan–Jun 1943: Upon completion of the first
phase of training, VP-205 was relocated to San Juan,
P.R., with tender support provided by Albemarle (AV
5). On 1 February 1943, the squadron came under the
operational control of FAW-11. Training in advanced
base operations continued along with regular opera-
tional patrol duties until June 1943. The squadron
complement of aircraft was brought up to 13.

The squadron’s World War II insignia.

German U-boat with its trident aimed at the conning

tower. The monster symbolized the tenacity with
which the squadron held its contacts and attacks
against the submarine. Colors: sea monster, yellow
body outlined in black; Nazi submarine, black with
white insignia; trident, black; horns, white; tongue,
red; eyes, white and black; teeth, white; claws, red.
The second insignia for VP-45 was submitted to
CNO for approval on 4 February 1949, but for some
undetermined reason was not approved until 1
December 1955. In the interim, however, the squadron
used the design with later CNO approval simply mak-
ing it official. The primary character of the design is a Squadron PBMs being serviced by the seaplane tender Timbalier
pelican, whose wing span in profile was highly sug- (AVP-54), 80-G-483683.
254 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

2–10 Jun 1943: VP-205 was relocated to Trinidad, nent transpac to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During this pe-
B.W.I. Duties consisted of antishipping and antisubma- riod the squadron came under the operational control
rine patrols. New PBM-3S aircraft with improved radar of FAW-8. The first elements of the squadron began
replaced the older PBM-3C versions. On 10 June 1943, their transpac to NAS Kaneohe on 21 December, with
one of the new VP-205 Mariners was lost at sea during all aircraft arriving safely two days later. Operational
a patrol, possibly due to enemy action. training began immediately after the crews had settled
3 Aug 1943: A Mariner piloted by Lieutenant (jg) C. into quarters. While at Kaneohe the squadron came
C. Cox attacked a U-boat located on the surface and under the operational control of FAW-2. From 23 to 30
was shot down during the bomb run with the loss of January 1945, the squadron made several ferry flights
all hands. Lieutenant Cox’s attack resulted in the sink- between Kaneohe and NAS Alameda.
ing of the submarine, later identified as U-572, 25 Mar 1945: VPB-205 relocated to the Marianas
Oberleutnant Heinz Kummentat commanding. operating under FAW-1. On 1 April 1945, the squadron
6 Aug 1943: A Mariner piloted by Lieutenant moved temporarily ashore at NAB Tanapag, Saipan.
Anthony Matuski attacked a U-boat on the surface and From this location the squadron flew antishipping pa-
was shot down with the loss of all hands. The heavily trols, occasional Dumbo missions and sector searches.
damaged submarine, U-615, was later dispatched by 18 May 1945: VPB-205 was placed under the oper-
other aircraft. ational control of FAW-18 (TU 94.1.2). The squadron
7 Jul 1944: VP-205 was relocated to NAS mission was changed from daytime to night antiship-
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Duties consisted of long ping patrols.
range antisubmarine patrols and convoy coverage. 25 Aug 1945: VPB-205 was relocated from Saipan
19 Sep 1944: VP-205 was relieved for return to NAS to Chimu Wan, Okinawa, under the operational con-
Norfolk, Va. Personnel were given rehabilitation leave trol of FAW-1. Tender support was provided by St.
upon arrival and the PBM-3S aircraft were turned in George (AV 16). Duties consisted of antishipping pa-
for replacement with the PBM-5 version. trols and long range searches.
17 Oct 1944: Squadron personnel began returning 23 Sep 1945: VPB-205 was relocated to Wakayama,
from leave and check out in the new PBM-5 aircraft Japan, to provide surveillance support during the mili-
began. Reforming of the squadron and its assets was tary disarmament of the home islands, and
completed by the end of the month, and VPB-205 re- courier/passenger services for the occupation forces.
ceived orders to relocate to NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., During this period the squadron came under the oper-
for training. ational control of FAW-17.
29 Nov 1944–30 Jan 1945: Upon completion of 21 Nov 1945: VPB-205 was relieved for return
training the squadron’s area of operation was changed to NAS Norfolk, Va., for a period of training and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The cross-country overhaul.
flights from Harvey Point to NAS San Diego, Calif., Apr 1946: VPB-205 was assigned a new homeport
and then on to NAS Alameda, Calif., commenced with at Bermuda.
all aircraft arriving safely by 1 December. Upon arrival, 1950: VP-45 received a permanent change of station
aircrews began preparing their aircraft for the immi- to NAS Norfolk, Va., to participate in experiments with

Squadron P5Ms in flight

over Coco Solo, Panama,
1956.
 CHAPTER 3 255

A squadron P-3C flying over a Soviet freighter.

specially modified PBM-5 aircraft to transport marine Jacksonville, Fla., under the operational control of
assault forces to the beach. FAW-11.
1 Sep 1956: VP-45 received a permanent change of 17 Nov 1964: A squadron P-3A, BuNo. 151362,
station from NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., to Bermuda. crashed in the Atlantic with the loss of all hands.
1961–1963: VP-45 participated in all of the Project 27 May 1968: The Red Darters were among the pa-
Mercury space shots as a member of the Bermuda trol squadrons and other naval units called upon to as-
Recovery Unit. sist in the search for the ill-fated Scorpion (SSN 589),
25 Jan–May 1963: VP-45 deployed to NAS last heard from on 21 May 1968, 50 miles south of the
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Cuban missile cri- Azores. The search proved futile, and the four VP-45
sis. The squadron was employed in shipping surveil- patrol aircraft were released for return to NAS
lance and ASW patrols, returning to NAS Bermuda in Jacksonville, Fla., on 5 June 1968. Scorpion was struck
February. The squadron deployed again to from the Navy list on 30 June 1968. In late October of
Guantanamo on 27 March, returning to NAS Bermuda that same year, the remains of Scorpion were discov-
in May. ered in 10,000 feet of water 400 miles southwest of the
1 Jul 1963: VP-45 conducted its last deployment as Azores. No cause was ever determined for the sinking.
a seaplane squadron at NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 14 Dec 1968–5 Feb 1969: VP-45 deployed to NS
During the two-month deployment the squadron con- Sangley Point, Philippines, with a detachment at U-
ducted numerous 12-hour search and rescue (SAR) Tapao, Thailand. The squadron’s primary mission was
missions for distressed or wrecked vessels in the coastal surveillance patrols in conjunction with
Caribbean. Operation Market Time. On 5 February 1969, the
Sep 1963: The Pelicans established detachments at squadron was called upon to assist in locating a cap-
NAS Patuxent River, Md., and NAS Jacksonville, Fla., to sized civilian vessel.
begin transition from the SP-5B Marlin to the 2 Jun 1969: Crew 20, returning from MCAS
Lockheed P-3A Orion. VP-45 was the last patrol Iwakuni, Japan, in P-3A, BuNo. 151363, attempted a
squadron in the Atlantic Fleet to use seaplanes, closing takeoff at NAS Adak, Alaska, to continue their return
out 53 years of continuous service by these remark- to NAS Jacksonville, Fla., from deployment. Apparent
able aircraft. engine failure caused the crew to abort the takeoff,
1 Jan 1964: Upon completion of transition training, but the aircraft lacked sufficient runway to stop. The
the squadron was given a new homeport at NAS PPC, Commander R. A. Mason, elected to take the air-
256 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

craft off the runway into the tundra, rather than going ing crisis in Lebanon. An alert aircraft armed with MK-
over the end of the runway into the rocks and water. 46 torpedoes and AGM-84 Harpoon missiles was kept
In doing so the landing gear collapsed and the star- on ready status to support the U.S. battle group off the
board wing parted company with the aircraft. All 15 coast of Beirut. For this support the squadron earned a
crewmembers exited the plane without injury shortly Navy Expeditionary Medal.
before it burst into flame. 2 Jul 1987: During the squadron’s deployment to
19 Oct 1970: VP-45 deployed to NAF Sigonella, NAS Sigonella, Sicily, its aircraft supported Sixth Fleet
Sicily. The squadron provided support for the Sixth operations near Libya, flying missions armed with
Fleet during the Jordanian crisis of 25 September 1970, AGM-84 Harpoon missiles.
when Palestinian commandos attempted to overthrow Mar–Dec 1988: The first of VP-45’s P-3C MOD
the government in Amman. The squadron received a (modification) aircraft returned from a refit to the P-3C
Meritorious Unit Citation for it activities during this UIII configuration. The remaining squadron aircraft
period. completed retrofitting by December 1988. VP-45 was
Apr–Oct 1972: VP-45 began transition to the P-3C the first East Coast squadron to be equipped with the
version of the Orion. The squadron was fully opera- update III retrofit version, deploying to Bermuda in
tional with the new aircraft by October 1972. February 1989.
12 Aug–22 Nov 1975: VP-45 deployed to NAF Nov 1989: VP-45 sent a detachment for the first
Sigonella, Sicily. On 22 November, the squadron pro- time to NAS Key West, Fla., in support of Joint Task
vided medical and logistical support following the col- Force 4’s drug interdiction program.
lision of Belknap (DLG 26) and John F. Kennedy (CVA 22 Jun 1990–10 Jan 1991: The Pelicans flew to
67). NAF Sigonella served as the initial medical evacu- their deployment site at NS Rota, Spain. During the de-
ation site. ployment the squadron was called upon to support
1980: Reduced manning levels resulted in the reas- Operation Sharp Edge, the evacuation of U.S. citizens
signment of personnel to meet the drop in the from Liberia during the period of civil unrest. In
squadron aircraft complement from 12 to 9 crews. August, VP-45 became part of the UN blockade of Iraq
May 1980: The temporary lifting of the ban on im- after its occupation of Kuwait (Operation Desert
migration from Cuba resulted in a tremendous influx Shield). All of the squadron’s commitments (ASW cov-
of refugees into the straits separating Cuba from the erage of the Mediterranean, Operation Sharp Edge and

A VP-45 P-3C at NAS Jacksonville

in January 1980 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection).

tip of Florida. VP-45 was tasked with monitoring the Operation Desert Storm) were met without injury or
flow of boats and their safe arrival at Florida while at- aircraft mishap during the entire deployment.
tempting to prevent the southward transit of additional Apr–Jun 1991: VP-45 provided a detachment in
vessels. support of Joint Task 4, based at NS Roosevelt Roads,
13 Apr–Aug 1983: The Pelicans deployed to NAF P.R. The detachment compiled a database on maritime
Sigonella, Sicily, relieving VP-49. Prior to deployment traffic that greatly enhanced the ability of the task
the squadron had completed an eight week force to track illegal narcotics operations in the
modification program making VP-45 combat ready to Caribbean.
employ the Harpoon ship-killer missile. The squadron 25 Feb–Sep 1992: The Pelicans deployed to NAS
spent much of August on standby during the escalat- Keflavik, Iceland, with detachments at various times to
 CHAPTER 3 257

ten different sites. As Russian submarine traffic in the Commanding Officers—Continued

North Atlantic drastically diminished with the collapse
of the Soviet Bloc, far fewer acoustic and photo intelli- Date Assumed Command
gence opportunities were available to the squadron. CDR H. M. Durham 3 Mar 1959
Numerous exercises with NATO allies helped take up CDR H. B. Palm 17 Mar 1960
the slack during the deployment. CDR A. S. Lee 20 Mar 1961
Sep 1993–Mar 1994: During the squadron’s de- CDR G. R. O’Bryan 30 Mar 1962
ployment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, Russian submarine CDR J. R. Chappell 25 Mar 1963
traffic continued to decrease, with far fewer captures CDR J. D. Collins 21 Dec 1963
than in previous years. CDR D. M. Hume 17 Dec 1964
11 Dec 1994–May 1995: VP-45 deployed to NS CDR J. H. Chapman 17 Dec 1965
Roosevelt Roads, P.R. The full-squadron deployment CDR J. W. Townes, Jr. 4 Nov 1966
supported Joint Task 4 in the interdiction of drug traf- CDR Harley D. Wilbur 8 Nov 1967
ficking in the Caribbean area. When the squadron re- CDR William H. Saunders III 2 Oct 1968
turned to NAS Jacksonville, Fla., in May 1995, it CDR R. A. Mason, Jr. 19 Aug 1969
marked its 25th consecutive year of Class A mishap- CDR S. J. McArdle, Jr. 25 Aug 1970
free flight operations. CDR Charles F. Cook 11 Jun 1971
CDR Paul E. Herring 16 Jun 1972
CDR Joseph M. Notargiacomo 1 Jun 1973
Home Port Assignments
CDR Patrick F. Ryan 3 Jun 1974
Location Date of Assignment CDR William T. Pendley 19 Jun 1975
CDR Steven F. Loftus 17 Jun 1976
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Nov 1942
CDR Charles J. McKinney, Jr. 30 Jun 1977
NS San Juan, P.R. 26 Jan 1943
CDR William J. Rodriguez Jun 1978
NAS Trinidad, B.W.I. 2 Jun 1943
CDR Robert F. Stephenson 28 Jun 1979
NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 7 Jul1944
CDR Lester W. Carl 27 Jun 1980
NAS Norfolk, Va. 19 Sep 1944
CDR David C. Bennett 25 Jun 1981
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 17 Oct 1944
CDR Richard H. Phelan 2 Jul 1982
NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Dec 1944
CDR Joseph F. Phelan 7 Jul 1983
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 23 Dec 1944
CDR Stoney L. Stoutamire 31 Aug 1984
NAS Norfolk, Va. 21 Nov 1945
CDR Thomas Lawler 10 Jan 1986
NAS Bermuda, B.W.I. Apr 1946
CDR R. L. Hume 23 Jan 1987
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1950
CDR Charles J. Dale 19 Feb 1988
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. Apr 1951
CDR William B. Evers 17 Apr 1989
NAS Bermuda, B.W.I. 1 Sep 1956
CDR James R. Cannon 27 Apr 1990
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 1 Jan 1964
CDR Allen A. Efraimson 26 Apr 1991
CDR Robert B. Brannon 17 Apr 1992
Commanding Officers CDR Robert W. Elliott Apr 1993
CDR Dennis W. Stevens 22 Apr 1994
Date Assumed Command CDR Brian J. Meyerriecks 7 Apr 1995
LCDR A. S. Hill 6 Nov 1942 CDR Kenneth W. Deutsch 12 Apr 1996
LCDR M. C. McGrath 24 May 1943 CDR Jerry L. Hyde, Jr. 28 Mar 1997
LCDR R. S. Null 1 Oct 1943 CDR Gregory A. Miller 27 Mar 1998
LCDR G. B. Cattermole 23 Apr 1944
LCDR H. E. Hanset 9 Oct 1944
LCDR N. K. Brady 17 Nov 1945 Aircraft Assignment
CDR W. L. Brantley 15 Feb 1947 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR W. M. Arnold 10 Jun 1948
PBM-3C Nov 1942
CDR O. O. Dean 25 Jun 1948 PBM-3S Jun 1943
CDR T. G. White, Jr. 9 Dec 1949 PBM-5 Sep 1944
CDR W. W. Bemis 5 Sep 1951 P5M-1 Apr 1954
CDR T. R. Perry 30 Sep 1952 P5M-2 Dec 1956
CDR W. T. Luce Jan 1954 SP-5B Dec 1962
CDR W. J. Denholm Jan 1955 P-3A Sep 1963
CDR E. W. Pollard Mar 1956 P-3C Oct 1972
CDR H. E. Sorenson Apr 1957 P-3C UIII Mar 1988
CDR S. A. Thomas 5 Apr 1958 P-3C UIIIR 1993
258 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P5M-2 in flight, May 1962, USN-1060670.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

26 Jan 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3C Carib

Albemarle (AV 5)
2 Jun 1943 * FAW-11 Trinidad PBM-3S Carib
7 Jul 1944 19 Sep 1944 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBM-5 Carib
21 Dec 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-5 WestPac
25 Mar 1945 * FAW-1/18 Tanapag PBM-5 SoPac
25 Aug 1945 * FAW-1 Chimu Wan PBM-5 SoPac
St. George (AV 16)
23 Sep 1945 21 Nov 1945 FAW-17 Wakayama PBM-5 WestPac
5 Sep 1953 16 Sep 1953 FAW-3 Galapagos PBM-5 SoLant
25 Jan 1963 21 Feb 1963 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-5B Carib
27 Mar 1963 26 May 1963 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-5B Carib
1 Jul 1963 30 Aug 1963 FAW-11 Guantanamo SP-5B Carib
May 1964 1 Feb 1965 FAW-11 Argentia P-3A NorLant
17 Jul 1965 15 Jan 1966 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
13 Jul 1966 13 Jan 1967 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
28 Jun 1967 15 Dec 1967 FAW-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
16 Dec 1968† 1 Jun 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
16 Dec 1968† 30 May 1969 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
18 Apr 1968 28 May 1969 FAW-8 Cam Ranh B. P-3A WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 259

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Nov 1969 17 Jul 1970 FAW-11 Rota P-3A Med

19 Oct 1970 27 Feb 1971 FAW-11 Sigonella P-3A Med
Dec 1971† 20 Apr 1972 FAW-11 Rota P-3A Med
Dec 1971† 20 Apr 1972 FAW-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
Dec 1972 21 Jan 1973 FAW-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
26 Jan 1973 28 Nov 1973 FAW-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
11 Jul 1974 12 Dec 1974 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
12 Aug 1975 14 Jan 1976 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
26 Dec 1976 25 May 1977 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
Feb 1978 Jul 1978 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
8 May 1979 24 Oct 1979 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
1 Oct 1980† 14 Dec 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
1 Oct 1980† 15 Mar 1981 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
10 Dec 1981 26 May 1982 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
13 Apr 1983 2 Oct 1983 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Sep 1984† 10 Feb 1985 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C Med
Sep 1984† 10 Feb 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
8 Feb 1986 9 Aug 1986 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
2 Jul 1987 10 Jan 1988 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
10 Feb 1989 Aug 1989 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UIII Lant
Nov 1989 23 Mar 1990 PatWing-11 Key West P-3C UIII Carib
22 Jun 1990 10 Jan 1991 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIII Med
Apr 1991 Jun 1991 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIII Carib
25 Feb 1992 10 Sep 1992 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIII NorLant
24 Sep 1993 Mar 1994 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
11 Dec 1994 Jul 1995 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIIIR Carib
Jun 1996 Sep 1996 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
Aug 1997 Feb 1998 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UIIIR Med
* Continued forward deployment in the combat zone, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Nov 1942 MUC 9 Sep 1970 31 Oct 1970
FAW-11 1 Feb 1943 1 Oct 1982 1 Oct 1983
FAW-5 19 Sep 1944
10 Feb 1989 10 Aug 1989
FAW-8 1 Dec 1944
FAW-2 23 Dec 1944 NOSM 5 Oct 1945 21 Nov 1945
FAW-1 25 Mar 1945 RVNGC 1 Jan 1969 30 Apr 1969
FAW-18 18 May 1945 NEM 1 Jan 1984 31 Dec 1984
FAW-1 25 Aug 1945 HSM 3 May 1980 4 May 1980
FAW-17 23 Sep 1945
FAW-5 EE* Nov 1945 SLOC 12 Sep 1984 12 Feb 1985
FAW-11 EE/LN† Apr 1951 JMUA 1 May 1991 21 Jun 1991
FAW-5 LN 1958 AFEM 5 Aug 1990 21 Feb 1991
FAW-11/PatWing-11‡ LN 1 Jan 1964 (Sel Crews) 15 Oct 1980 31 Dec 1980
* The squadron remained assigned to FAW-5, but was assigned the 20 May 1983
tail code EE on 7 November 1946.
† The squadron’s tail code was changed from EE to LN in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
‡ FAW-11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) on 30 June

1973.
260 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3C flying over a nuclear missile submarine.

 CHAPTER 3 261

VP-46 lished in 1942 used the insignia for nearly two years
while stationed at NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. An undated
copy of the same insignia was submitted to CNO
when VP-32 was redesignated VPB-32 in 1944. Colors
Lineage were changed slightly as follows: field, blue-gray;
Established as Patrol Squadron FIVE-S (VP-5S) on 1 inner circle, royal blue; outer circle, red; continents,
July 1931. royal blue; and wings, gold outlined in black.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIVE-F (VP-5F) on 1 The second insignia for the squadron was selected
April 1933. after VP-32 was redesignated VP-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) on 1 MS-6 in 1946. The circular
October 1937. insignia enclosed the
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY-THREE (VP- numeral six with a
33) on 1 July 1939. superimposed life
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY-TWO (VP- ring crossed with
32) on 1 October 1941. Navy wings, a
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron THIRTY- bomb and a
TWO (VPB-32) on 1 October 1944. telescope. In-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY-TWO (VP- side the top
32) on 15 May 1946. portion of the
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) insignia was the
SIX (VP-MS-6) on 15 November 1946. squadron designa-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY-SIX (VP-46) tion Medium Sea-
on 1 September 1948. plane Squadron. Colors:
numeral six, red; The squadron’s second insignia incor-
wings, gold; bomb porated its designation in the design.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname and telescope, black;
Although the official BuAer approval of the first life ring, white; background, blue; borders, black; let-
squadron insignia for VP-5S is undated, it is probable ters, red.
that the design came into being shortly after the estab- Correspondence in the squadron’s insignia records
lishment of the squadron in September 1931. The de- regarding its third insignia were vague but it appears a
sign had a silhouette of new insignia was ap-
the Western Hemisphere proved circa 1952.
with a pair of Naval This insignia was a
Aviator wings superim- griffin crushing a sub-
posed, the figures were marine. Colors were:
spaced to be symmetri- light blue back-
cally contained in a com- ground outlined in
pass rose. Colors: geo- black; clouds and
graphical areas, dark tops of waves white;
blue; wings, conventional submarine black; the
gold; compass rose, red griffin had a white
with blue inner ring and The squadron’s third insignia used a neck and head, yel-
The squadron’s first insignia. black line outer circle. Griffin in its design. low beak, red eye
The insignia was fre- and tongue, and a
quently referred to as brownish gold body and wings with black markings.
Wings Over Panama, in The fourth insignia was submitted to CNO for ap-
deference to the proval on 30 November 1955 and approved on 27
squadron’s home base in
the Canal Zone during
the first period of its exis-
tence. There was no
mention of a change in The armored fist and trident became
insignia when the the squadron’s fourth insignia.
squadron was redesig-
nated VP-33 in 1939, al-
A modification to the first insignia
though it is known that showing the squadron’s VP-32
the second VP-33 estab- designation.
262 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

January 1956. The insignia was circular, with a banner 22 Apr 1933: VP-5F was reassigned to its old home
Patrol Squadron Forty-Six across the bottom of the de- base at NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., with VP-2F.
sign. Inside the circle was an armored fist holding a May 1933: VP-5F flew from Coco Solo to Norfolk,
trident. Colors: field, blue; fist, gray; trident, red; back- Va., then on to Philadelphia, Pa., where the squadron’s
ground of banner, gold; letters of banner, black; out- PM-2 aircraft were turned in. New P3Y-1 seaplanes
line of design, red. were received at Norfolk and were prepared for the
A fifth insignia evolved out of the armored fist of return trip to Coco Solo. In June the second division
the third insignia during the 1970’s, and was approved of six squadron aircraft returned to Coco Solo with
several stops in Florida and Jamaica.
7 Sep 1933: The squadron’s first division made the
first nonstop flight from NAS Hampton Roads, Va., to
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., in six new P2Y-1 seaplanes
under the command of Lieutenant Commander
Herman E. Halland. The squadron flew a distance of
2,059 miles in 25 hours and 19 minutes, establishing
the longest nonstop seaplane formation flight to date,
surpassing the previous record by 169 miles. Upon ar-
rival, the six new aircraft were turned in to VP-10F in
exchange for six slightly older P2Ys.
21 Apr 1934: VP-5F, 2F, 3F (NAS Coco Solo) and
VPs 7F and 9F (NAS San Diego) participated in Fleet
Problem XV in support of fleet operations off Cuba,
Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
1 Jan 1935: VPs 5F and 3F participated in exercises
in the Caribbean to test seaplane operations in the
open ocean from tenders Wright (AV 1), Lapwing (AM
1), Teal (AM 23) and Gannet (AM 41).
Aug 1935: VPs 5F and 2F participated in advanced
base operations in Trujillo Bay, Honduras, tended by
Lapwing (AM 1) and Teal (AM 23).
The fifth insignia used a plumed helmet in its design. Jan 1936: VP-5F conducted advanced base opera-
tions at Santelmo Bay, Perlas Islands, tended by Teal
(AM 23).
by CNO on 12 December 1988. A plumed helmet with 23 Feb 1937: VP-5F participated in extended flight
visor was adopted by the squadron and the nickname operations in the Caribbean with VP-2F, based at
Grey Knights came into vogue. Colors: field, blue; hel- Guantanamo, Cuba; Mayaguez and San Juan, R.P.; St.
met gray with black outline; plume, red; banner back- Thomas, Culebra; and Balhia Honda, Colombia.
ground, red; banner letters, black; outline of design, 1 Oct 1937: VP-5F was redesignated VP-5 when
yellow. Navy patrol squadrons were reorganized under the
Nickname: Grey Knights, 1970–present. command of Patrol Wings. VPs 5, 2 and 3 came under
Patrol Wing-3, Coco Solo, C.Z.
14 May–14 Sep 1938: VP-5 departed Coco Solo for
Chronology of Significant Events NAS Norfolk, where the squadron turned in their P2Y-
1 Jul 1931: VP-5S was established at NAS Coco
Solo, C.Z., while on exercises at Guantanamo, Cuba,
coming under Commander Air, Scouting Force with
sister squadrons VPs 3S, 8S and 10S. Upon completion
of Fleet Problem No. XII, newly designated VP-5S re-
turned to its home base at NAS Coco Solo.
1 Feb 1932: VP-5S and VP-2S were transferred for
patrol duties to NAS San Diego, Calif.
Mar 1932: VP-5S flew to San Francisco, Calif., to
take part in Fleet Problem XIII, based on Wright (AV
1). They returned to San Francisco for Fleet Problem
XIV in February 1933.
1 Apr 1933: VP-5S was redesignated VP-5F, under A squadron P2Y-2, August 1935, 80-G-4762 (Courtesy William L.
the organizational command of Base Force. Swisher Collection).
 CHAPTER 3 263

2 seaplanes. On 18 May the squadron arrived at NAS routine patrols for the Army off the coasts of the Canal
San Diego, Calif., to receive replacement PBY-3 Zone, supported by Sandpiper (AVP 9), Matagorda
Catalina aircraft and transition training in the new sea- (AVP 22), Osmond Ingram (AVD 2), Goldsborough
planes. By August nearly all of the crews with the new (AVD 5) and Clemson (AVP 17). On 8 December 1941,
aircraft had experienced problems with high noise after the attack on Pearl Harbor, six aircraft and crews
levels in the PBY-3 while on patrols. The sources of from VP-52 reinforced the squadron. The Army and
the problems were found to be the lack of interior in- Navy combined commands after this date, with the
sulation in the aircraft and higher propeller tip speed. Army assuming command of the Panama Sea Frontier,
Subsequent production incorporated insulation and and VP-32 becoming the long-range reconnaissance
dressed down propeller tips that greatly reduced the arm of the Sixth Bomber Command. VP-32 operated
noise problem. The squadron returned to NAS Coco under the operational control of the Army until 30
Solo on 14 September 1938 April 1942.
11 Feb 1939: PatWing-3 squadrons, including VPs 15 Dec 1941: The squadron established advance
2, 3 and 5, participated in Fleet Problem No. XX as bases at Almirante, Panama; Grand Cayman Island,
part of the Black Force during exercises in the Fonsec, Honduras; Castilla, Honduras; and Portland
Caribbean. VP-5 operated in the Semana area off Bight, Jamaica.
Cuba, supported by Langley (AV 3). The exercises 3 Jan 1942: VP-32 was supplemented by six more
again pointed out the vulnerability of the patrol air- aircraft and crews from VP-81.
craft in the face of determined antiaircraft fire from de-
23 Jun 1942: Lieutenant (jg) May and crew attacked
fending vessels, and the vulnerability of the patrol
a German U-boat and were credited with probable
bases ashore to naval or air attack.
14 Apr 1939: VPs 5, 2 and 3 mapped 1,076 damage. Although the primary tasking had shifted on
miles of Central American coastline from Nicaragua 1 May 1942 to ASW and convoy patrol, few submarine
to the Colombian border. This task was carried out sightings were made during this period by the
despite weather conditions unfavorable for aerial squadron.
photography. 12 Jul 1942: Lieutenant (jg) Pinholster and crew at-
11 Sep 1939: VP-33 was assigned to Neutrality tacked a German U-boat in the Caribbean and were
Patrol duties in the Caribbean operating out of credited with probable damage.
Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba. Presi-dent
Roosevelt declared
the neutrality of
the United States
and directed the
Navy to begin a
Neutrality Patrol in
the Atlantic after
the German inva-
sion of Poland on
3 September 1939.
It extended from
the high latitudes
of the North
Atlantic to the
northeast coast of
South America, to
300 miles out from the coastline. A squadron PBY-3 in flight, note the “wings over Panama” insignia
31 Jan 1940: VP-33’s Neutrality Patrol duties were on the nose.
directed at covering convoys between the Canal Zone
and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
1 Jul 1940: The squadron had seven aircraft operat- 25 Jul 1942: Lieutenant (jg) Skelly and crew spotted
ing out of NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., and three out of San a suspicious vessel off the coast of Honduras and
Juan, R.P. On 1 July 1940, the squadron received or- forced it to heave to by firing shots across its bow.
ders to fly all of the squadron aircraft to NAS Skelly landed his PBY, deployed a rubber raft and
Jacksonville, Fla., to be turned in for newer model boarded the vessel. A quick search revealed that the
PBY-3 aircraft. vessel was supplying German U-boats with supplies
1–8 Dec 1941: By this date, VP-32 was conducting and torpedoes hidden in a false bottom. The vessel,
264 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Racer, was taken into port and the crew of Axis sym- 1 Oct 1943: The squadron began transition training
pathizers taken into custody. on the PBM-3S with improved radar.
3 Aug 1942: VP-32 deployed to Salinas, Ecuador, 1 Apr 1944: VP-32 was transferred from NAS Coco
operating under the Sixth Bomber Command, USAAF. Solo, C.Z., to NAS Guantanamo, Cuba.
19 Aug 1942: VP-32 deployed to Guantanamo Bay, 7 Jul–1 Aug 1944: VP-32 was transferred from
Cuba, and was placed under Commander Caribbean Guantanamo, Cuba, to NAS Norfolk, Va., under FAW-9.
Sea Frontier, operating under C.C.S.F. operations Order Upon arrival crews were given stateside leave for 30
#1-42. days, and all squadron aircraft were overhauled.
1 Oct 1942: VP-32 was placed under PatWing-11 for Operations recommenced on 1 August 1944.
administrative purposes. Primary duties consisted of 3 Dec 1944: A detachment of eight crews and four
convoy patrols and ASW. aircraft were dispatched to NAS Quonset Point, R.I.,
1 Dec 1942: VP-32 received five new PBM-3Cs. for emergency patrol operations. During this period
Crews began transition training at NAS Coco Solo, the detachment was given training in the use of air-
C.Z., from the PBY-3 to the PBM aircraft. Crews from craft searchlights.
the detachment at San Juan, R.P., were rotated in for 1 Jan–Feb 1945: The squadron received new PBM-
the transition training. The squadron continued to op- 5 seaplanes to replaced the old PBM-3Ss. Conversion
erate PBY-3s alongside the newer PBM. training was carried out through February 1945; upon
1 Apr 1943: VP-32 was reassigned along with the completion searchlights were installed in all aircraft.
rest of the FAW-3 to FAW-11. By this date, complete 11 Apr 1945: VPB-32 was transferred to NAS
transition to the PBM aircraft had been completed. Alameda, Calif., departing Norfolk on 11 April, arriving
15 Jul 1943: Squadron aircraft conducted an attack on 16 April. The squadron was detailed to provide se-
on U-159, Oberleutnant Heinz Beckmann command- curity for San Francisco Bay during an international
ing, in the Caribbean at 15-58N, 73-44W. The claim conference held in San Francisco to form the United
was judged probable sinking, which postwar examina- Nations.
tion of German records confirmed. 30 Jun 1945: The squadron was reassigned to
26 Jul 1943: German U-boat U-759, Kapitänleutnant NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., for duty with FAW-5.
Rudolf Friedrich commanding, was attacked at 18-06N, 12 Sep 1945: The squadron was ordered to the
75-00W, and judged probably sunk, which postwar ex- west coast for reassignment to a new home port. On
amination of German records confirmed. 12 September VPB-32 departed NAS Alameda, Calif.,
28 Jul 1943: German U-boat U-359, Oberleutnant aboard Bogue (CVE 9) en route to its new home port
Heinz Förster commanding, was claimed sunk (proba- at Saipan, Marianas Islands. Upon arrival, the
ble) at 15-57N, 68-30W by the San Juan, P.R., detach- squadron began semi-weekly mail and passenger
ment of VP-32. Postwar examination of German flights to Truk. Detachments were deployed as needed
records confirmed the sinking. at Kwajalein; Truk; Eniwetok; Yokosuka, Japan;
Tsingtao, China; Okinawa; Hong Kong; and Sangley
Point, Philippine Islands.
1 Feb 1948: A six-plane detachment from VP-MS-6
operated at Eniwetok under Joint Task Force 7 in
Operation Sandstone during nuclear weapons testing.
26 Mar 1949: VP-46 relieved VP-41 on station in
the China and Japan areas, establishing three-plane
detachments at Tsingtao and Yokosuka. Operational
control was under FAW-1 at Agana, Guam.
1 Jul 1949: VP-46 was transferred to a new home
port at NAS San Diego, Calif., arriving and reporting
for duty under FAW-14 on 23 July 1949.
13 Nov 1949: VP-46 deployed to Magdalena Bay,
Calif., with VP-47 for combined ASW competitive
and advanced base operations, tended by Pine Island
(AV 12).
15 Jun–Dec 1950: VP-46 was the first seaplane
squadron to be deployed for combat aerial patrols off
the China Coast and the Formosa Straits during the
Korean War. The squadron began flying combat oper-
ations from the Pescadores based onboard Suisun
The crew of a squadron PBM-3 with the squadron aircraft in the
background, January 1943, 80-G-33501 (Courtesy of Captain Jerry (AVP 53) on 31 July 1950. On 1 December 1950, VP-46
Mason, USN). was redeployed to NS Sangley Point, R.P., to conduct
 CHAPTER 3 265

24-hour reconnaissance of China coastal waters from 26 May 1968: The first contingent of VP-46 aircraft
south of Swatow north to the Saddle Islands. A patrol arrived at NAS Adak, Alaska, for a six-month deploy-
detachment was supported during the deployment at ment, relieving VP-9. Duties consisted of tracking nu-
Buckner Bay, Okinawa, and a courier detachment at merous Soviet submarine and surface vessels. On 6
NS Sangley Point, R.P. During the tour the squadron July, the crew of a squadron aircraft on a routine flight
completed 3,583 hours of flying. reported sighting a reentry vehicle descending. It was
26 Sep 1951: The squadron departed for WestPac later confirmed as a Soviet missile test in the
onboard Floyds Bay (AVP 40) and Gardiners Bay (AVP Kamchatka target range.
39). VP-46 operated from Iwakuni, Japan, under FAW- 1 Oct 1969: VP-46 deployed to WestPac at NS
6, as part of the Search and Patrol Group of TG 96.2, Sangley Point, R.P., with a detachment at NAF Cam
conducting ASW, over-water search and reconnais- Ranh Bay, South Vietnam.
sance, and rescue missions. During this period VP-46 1 Feb 1972: VP-46 began its final deployment to
operated a detachment from an advanced base at the Vietnamese theatre of operations, based at MCAS
Chinhae, Korea, tended by Suisun (AVP 53). Iwakuni, Japan, with a detachment at NAS Cubi
1 Mar 1953: The squadron deployed for its third Point, R.P.
tour in the Korean combat zone, based at NAF 4 Jan 1977: First VP-46 crews began the transition
Iwakuni, Japan, aboard Kenneth Whiting (AV 14). to the new P-3C Update I aircraft.
Patrols were flown over the Formosa Straits and east- Mar 1980: VP-46 deployed to Keflavik, Iceland, a
ern Korean coastal waters until the cessation of hostili- rarity for a Pacific Fleet patrol squadron, coming under
ties in July 1953. the operational control of Commander Second Fleet.
During the deployment the squadron participated in
numerous NATO exercises in addition to normal
duties involving tracking Russian submarines.
27 Jul 1983: VP-46 deployed to NAF Diego Garcia
as the first full patrol squadron deployment to the
Indian Ocean. During the deployment the squadron
participated in numerous exercises with NATO and
SEATO allies in the Gulf of Aden, South Pacific and
Sea of Japan.
Feb–Mar 1986: Squadron P-3C UI aircraft received
the Block Modification II Retrofit from Lockheed
Corporation’s field team at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. It
incorporated the latest in avionics and weapons sys-
tems, including a turret-mounted infrared detection de-
vice which dropped out of the nose to identify targets
by day or night. The addition of the AGM-84A
A squadron PM-2 in flight, 80-G-4327 (Courtesy William L. Swisher Harpoon missile capability was intended specifically
Collection). for the elimination Soviet surveillance trawlers.
1 Jan 1991: A four-crew/three-aircraft detachment
Sep 1953: VP-46 turned in its PBM-5, PBM-5S and was deployed to NAS Cubi Point, R.P., elements of
PBM-5S2 aircraft for new P5M-1 Marlin seaplanes. which were deployed to Al Masirah, Oman, in support
31 Jan–Aug 1961: VP-46 received its first P2V of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Neptune, completing the transition on 24 August 1961. 14 Nov 1993: VP-46 was transferred from NAS
6 Jan 1964: VP-46 became the first Pacific Fleet pa- Moffett Field, Calif., to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.,
trol squadron to transition into the new P-3A Orion. due to the scheduled closure of the former facility.
1 J u n 1 9 6 5 : VP-46 deployed to NAF Naha,
Okinawa, with a detachment of six aircraft at Home Port Assignments
Sangley Point, R.P., relieving VP-9. The squadron
was under the operational control of CTG 72.2 and Location Date of Assignment
the administrative control of FAWs 8 and 10. The de- NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 1 Jul 1931
tachment aircraft participated around the clock in NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Feb 1932
Vietnamese coastal surveillance as a part of Market NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 22 Apr 1933
Time operations. NAS Guantanamo, Cuba 1 Apr 1944
19 Dec 1966: The squadron trained at the Pacific NAS Norfolk, Va. 7 Jul 1944
Missile Range, Point Mugu, Calif., in the use of the NAS Alameda, Calif. 11 Apr 1945
Bullpup air-to-surface missile weapons system. NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 30 Jun 1945
266 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAB Saipan, Mariannas 12 Sep 1945 CDR Dana C. Overman, Jr. 8 Jun 1964
NAS San Diego, Calif.* 1 Jul 1949 CDR Charles D. Bolan 21 Jul 1965
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Jan 1964 CDR Allen H. Balch 15 Jun 1966
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 14 Nov 1993 CDR Carl C. Hilscher 10 Jun 1967
CDR James Mullin 21 Jun 1968
* NAS San Diego was redesignated NAS North Island in 1955. CDR William D. Cloughley 13 May 1969
CDR Robert E. Howey 7 Mar 1970
CDR Raymond M. Burris 4 Jan 1971
CDR Peter B. Wyckoff 10 Dec 1971
CDR D. A. Cox Jan 1973
CDR L. A. Halye Dec 1973
CDR Terrence W. Halm 18 Dec 1974
CDR Jesse J. Hernandez Nov 1975
CDR Henry D. Svoboda 17 Dec 1976
CDR William E. Frederick 1 Dec 1977
CDR J. A. McElmurry 15 Dec 1978
CDR M. J. Knosky 14 Dec 1979
CDR L. D. Milioti 19 Dec 1980
CDR P. D. Reiniger 17 Dec 1981
CDR Dennis L. Solomon 10 Dec 1982
A VP-46 P-3C(U) at NAS Moffett Field in July 1979 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection).
CDR A. Christopher Konczey 29 Feb 1984
CDR William D. Woodfill 27 Jun 1985
CDR Philip F. Swain 26 Sep 1986
Commanding Officers CDR W. B. Zell, Jr. 8 Jul 1987
CDR William E. Kayer 21 Jul 1988
Date Assumed Command CDR J. Dana Richardson 29 Jun 1989
LCDR H. E. Halland 1 Sep 1931 CDR A. L.Vernon Ingram 27 Jun 1990
LT J. L. Kane (acting) 2 Jun 1934 CDR Derek F. Offer 20 Jun 1991
LCDR G. E. Short 30 Jun 1934 CDR Ottavio A. Falzetta Jun 1992
LT D. F. Smith Jun 1936 CDR Keith J. Denman 18 Jun 1993
LCDR W. K. Berner May 1937 CDR George D. Davis 16 Jun 1994
LCDR H. B. Miller 14 Mar 1939 CDR Harry B. Harris 29 Jun 1995
LCDR Charles E. Bond 1 Jun 1940 CDR Brian C. Prindle 15 May 1996
LCDR Bertram D. Quinn 7 Jul 1940 CDR Tommy D. Klepper 25 Apr 1997
LCDR B. C. McCaffree 20 Dec 1941
LCDR Joseph C. Toth 12 Sep 1942 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR Frank K. Upham 4 Jan 1943
LCDR Jack C. Whistler 4 Sep 1943 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR L. A. Pew Jul 1945 PM-2 Jul 1931
LCDR R. D. Gruber Nov 1946 P2Y-1 Jun 1933
CDR E. Sternlieb Dec 1947 P2Y-2 1936
LCDR R. L. Mastin Dec 1948 PBY-3 1938
LCDR M. F. Weisner May 1950 PBY-5 Jan 1942
CDR R. L. Donley Mar 1951 PBM-3C Dec 1942
CDR R. S. Dail May 1952 PBM-5E Jan 1945
CDR W. J. Leary Jun 1953 PBM-5S2 Jul 1951
CDR B. G. Swonetz Jun 1954 P5M-1 Sep 1953
CDR H. P. Lyon Jun 1956 P2V-5F Jan 1961
CDR R. J. Beaudine Jun 1957 P2V-7/SP2H Nov 1961
CDR Frank A. Meyer Jul 1958 P-3A Jan 1963
CDR C. A. Merryman, Jr. 23 Jul 1959 P-3B Aug 1966
CDR N. N. Langford 3 Jul 1960 P-3C UI Jan 1977
CDR G. A. Kunberger 14 Jul 1961 P-3C UII Feb 1986
CDR K. L. Bass 8 Jun 1962 P-3C UIII Mar 1990
CDR Tom E. Sulick 8 Jun 1963 P-3C UIIIR 1993
 CHAPTER 3 267

A squadron P5M launching missiles (HVAR, 5 inch High Velocity Aircraft Rockets).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

21 Apr 1934 1934 BasFor Cuba/Haiti P2Y-1 Carib

1 Jan 1935 1935 BasFor Wright (AV 1) P2Y-1 Carib
Lapwing (AM 1)
Teal (AM 23)
Gannet (AM 41)
Aug 1935 1935 BasFor Trujillo Bay P2Y-1 Carib
Lapwing (AM 1)
Teal (AM 23)
Jan 1936 1936 BasFor Santelmo Bay P2Y-2 Carib
Lapwing (AM 1)
Teal (AM 23)
23 Feb 1937 1937 BasFor Guantanamo P2Y-2 Carib
11 Feb 1939 1939 PatWing-3 Semana PBY-3 Carib
Langley (AV 3)
14 Apr 1939 1939 PatWing-3 Nicaragua PBY-3 Carib
11 Sep 1939 15 Dec 1939 PatWing-3 Guantanamo PBY-3 Carib
31 Jan 1940 * PatWing-3 Guantanamo PBY-3 Carib
29 Jun 1940 * PatWing-3 Guantanamo PBY-3 Carib
1 Dec 1941 30 Apr 1942 USAAF Panama PBY-3/5 Carib
Sandpiper (AVP 9)
Matagorda (AVP 22)
Osmond Ingram (AVD 2)
Goldsborough (AVD 5)
Clemson (AVP 17)
15 Dec 1941 * FAW-3 Multi-sites PBY-5/PBM Carib
3 Aug 1942 19 Aug 1942 USAAF Salinas PBY-5/PBM Carib
Aug 1942 Mar 1943 FAW-3 Multi-sites PBY-5/PBM Carib
1 Apr 1943 7 Jul 1944 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBM-3C Carib
1 Feb 1948 1948 JTF 7.0 Eniwetok PBM-5E SoPac
26 Mar 1949 1949 FAW-1 Tsingtao PBM-5E SoPac
26 Mar 1949 1 Jul 1949 FAW-1 Yokosuka PBM-5E WestPac
15 Jun 1950† 6 Mar 1951 FAW-1 Pescadores PBM-5S2 WestPac
268 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Suisun (AVP 53)

Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
1 Dec 1950† 6 Feb 1951 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. PBM-5S2 WestPac
25 Sep 1951 2 Apr 1952 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Floyds Bay (AVP 40)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Suisun (AVP 53)
1 Mar 1953 27 Jul 1953 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
May 1954 Jun 1954 FAW-2 Pearl Harbor P5M-1 WestPac
Jul 1954 Nov 1954 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M-1 WestPac
Aug 1955 Aug 1955 FAW-2 Pearl Harbor P5M-1 WestPac
Sep 1955 Feb 1956 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M-1 WestPac
Mar 1957 Jun 1957 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M-1 WestPac
1 Aug 1958 30 Jan 1959 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. P5M-1 WestPac
25 Sep 1961 11 Nov 1961 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. P2V-5F WestPac
7 Apr 1964 29 Oct 1964 FAW-4 Adak P-3A NorPac
7 Jun 1965 8 Jan 1966 FAW-1/8 Naha/Sangley P-3A WestPac
14 Jan 1967† 30 Jun 1967 FAW-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
5 Feb 1967† 18 Feb 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
18 Feb 1967† 30 Jun 1967 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
28 May 1968 30 Nov 1968 FAW-4 Adak P-3B NorPac
1 Oct 1969† 31 Mar 1970 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
2 Oct 1969† 31 Mar 1970 FAW-8 Cam Ranh B. P-3B WestPac
1 Dec 1970 1 Jun 1971 FAW-4 Adak P-3B NorPac
30 Jan 1972† 12 Aug 1972 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
23 Feb 1972† 1 Apr 1972 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 Jan 1974† 4 Feb 1974 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
1 Jan 1974† 4 Feb 1974 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3B BIOT
10 Feb 1975 9 Aug 1975 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3B WestPac
28 May 1976 10 Dec 1976 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B WestPac
10 Nov 1977 10 May 1978 PatWingPac Adak P-3C UI NorPac
10 Jan 1979 10 Jul 1979 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
Mar 1980 1 Oct 1980 PatWingPac‡ Keflavik P-3C UI NorLant
6 Apr 1981 10 Aug 1981 PatWing-2 Adak P-3C UI NorPac
28 Jan 1982 10 Aug 1982 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
27 Jul 1983 28 Dec 1983 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
10 Dec 1984† 15 Jun 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
10 Dec 1984† 10 Jun 1985 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UI NorPac
25 Jun 1986 10 Jan 1987 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
16 Jan 1988† 15 Jul 1988 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UI IO
16 Jan 1988† 15 Jul 1988 PatWing-1 Dhahran P-3C UI Gulf
16 Jan 1988† 15 Jul 1988 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UI WestPac
1 Aug 1989 10 Feb 1990 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UI WestPac
1 Jan 1991† 1 Jul 1991 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3C UIII WestPac
1 Jan 1991† 10 Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIII Gulf
1 Nov 1991† May 1992 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
1 Nov 1991† May 1992 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIII Gulf
1 Nov 1991† May 1992 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
 CHAPTER 3 269

A squadron P2V-5F at NAS North Island, August 1961

(Courtesy William L. Swisher Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 May 1993† 15 Nov 1993 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac

15 May 1993† 15 Nov 1993 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIIIR WestPac
May 1995 Nov 1995 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIIIR IO
Nov 1996† May 1997 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIIIR WestPac
Nov 1996† May 1997 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIIIR WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Caribbean, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.
‡ The squadron may have come under the operational command of the local theater commander.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Commander Air, * Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11
Scouting Force 1 Jul 1931 (FAW-11) on 1 November 1942.
Base Force 1 Apr 1933 † The squadron came under the administrative control of PatWing-11

PatWing-3 1 Oct 1937 on 1 October 1942 but remained under PatWing-3’s operational con-
trol. On 1 April 1943 operational control was also transferred to
U.S. Army Panama FAW-11 (formerly PatWing-11).
Defense Sector 7 Dec 1941 ‡ The squadron remained part of FAW-18, but was assigned the tail

FAW-3, Commander code WA on 7 November 1946.

§ The squadron’s tail code was changed from WA to BD on 4 August
Panama Sea Frontier 1 May 1942 1948.
FAW-3, Commander ** The squadron’s tail code was changed from BD to RC in 1957. The

Caribbean Sea Frontier 19 Aug 1942 effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
PatWing-11/FAW-11* 1 Oct 1942†
FAW-9 7 Jul 1944
FAW-9, Commander Unit Awards Received
Eastern Sea Frontier 25 Aug 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Commander Western
Sea Frontier 20 Apr 1945 NUC 01 Jul 1943 31 Jul 1943
FAW-5 30 Jun 1945 01 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-18 WA‡ 12 Sep 1945 17 Jan 1991 07 Feb 1991
FAW-1 WA/BD§ 1947 MUC 01 Jun 1971 20 Jul 1971
FAW-14 BD 23 Jul 1949 (Element) 22 Apr 1975 07 May 1975
FAW-10 BD/RC** 1 Jan 1964 12 May 1975 16 May 1975
ComPatWingsPac RC 30 Jun 1973 RVNGC 08 Mar 1965 01 Sep 1965
PatWing-10 RC 1 Jun 1981 01 Sep 1969 31 Mar 1970
270 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Unit Awards Received—Continued Unit Awards Received—Continued

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
NOSM 25 Jul 1950 06 Feb 1951 NAVE 01 Jul 1980 31 Dec 1981
KSM 27 Jun 1950 24 Jul 1950 HSM (Element) 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975
01 Oct 1951 05 Apr 1952 SASM 26 Jan 1991 10 Mar 1991
AFEM 15 Jan 1967 30 Jun 1967 SLOC 14 Mar 1980 29 Sep 1980
(Element) 29 Apr 1975 30 Apr 1975 JMUA 15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990

A squadron P-3C in flight, circa 1984.

 CHAPTER 3 271

VP-47 the head of an eagle

superimposed over a
fouled anchor. The
eagle was selected
Lineage because of its reputa-
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY SEVEN tion as a resourceful
(VP-27) on 1 June 1944. and aggressive air-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY borne hunter and
SEVEN (VPB-27) on 1 October 1944. killer, and thus sym-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SEVEN (VP- bolized VP-47’s role
27) on 15 May 1946. in antisubmarine war-
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) fare. The eagle was
SEVEN (VP-MS-7) on 15 November 1946. The squadron’s second insignia was known to hunt alone,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY SEVEN (VP- a more formal design using the head further symbolizing
47) on 1 September 1948. the squadron’s status
at that time as the only SP-5B seaplane squadron in
the Pacific Northwest. Colors: eagle, white with yellow
Squadron Insignia and Nickname eyes and beak; shield, blue and red, trimmed in white;
The first insignia for the squadron was approved by anchor, gold; background, blue; squadron logo in
CNO on 8 October 1948, a month after it had been re- scroll at bottom, blue background with gold letters.
designated from VP-MS-7 to VP-47. The central figure Nicknames: Blue Whales, 1963–1968.
of the design was a Disney character named Eega- Golden Swordsmen, 1968–present.
Beeva. Its use in the insignia was cleared by the Walt
Disney Corporation through an agreement that ex-
Chronology of Significant Events
1 Jun 1944: VP-27 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Va., under the operational control of FAW-5. A few
The squadron’s first
insignia was a car- days later squadron personnel were relocated to NAAS
toon design. Harvey Point, N.C., for training as a seaplane squadron
flying the PBM-3D Mariner.
4–22 Aug 1944: VP-27 was relocated to NAS Key
West, Fla., and subsequently, to NAAS Boca Chica,
Fla., for training in ASW techniques, which was com-
pleted on 22 August. The squadron returned to NAAS
Harvey Point, N.C., for crew leave, and preparation for
the cross-country flight to NAS Alameda, Calif.
28 Sep–1 Oct 1944: The squadron departed for
NAS Alameda, Calif., in detachments of three aircraft.
Upon arrival on 1 October, the squadron aircrews
were tasked with ferrying aircraft for FAW-8 from NAS
Alameda, Calif., to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
tended exclusive rights and license to the U.S. govern- 25 Nov 1944: VPB-27 was relieved of duties with
ment for its reproduction. In the insignia, Eega-Beeva FAW-8 and boarded Attu (CVE 102) for transportation
was astride a large bomb with a machine gun looking to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving on 9 December
through a telescope at the image of a submarine. It 1944. Upon arrival the squadron came under the oper-
was felt that the combative gnome was a suitable rep- ational control of FAW-2. Duties at Kaneohe consisted
resentation of the squadron’s primary mission, antisub- of training and ferrying aircraft to forward areas.
marine warfare. Colors: gnome, orange; bomb, brown 10–18 Feb 1945: The squadron received orders to
with red nose and yellow propeller; skirt, yellow; tele- move forward to NAB Tanapag Harbor, Saipan. New
scope and machine gun, black; sky blue with white PBM-5 aircraft were delivered shortly before the
clouds; water, blue-green; island, brown. The design squadron deployed. Operations commenced at
was used briefly and fell out of favor sometime before Saipan on 18 February 1945, under the operational
September 1953, when the squadron’s commanding control of FAW-1, with the squadron flying antiship-
officer requested another design from CNO. No further ping patrol (ASP), convoy cover, and air-sea rescue
action appears to have been taken until the mid-1960s. missions. Tender support during this period was pro-
The second squadron insignia was approved by vided by Onslow (AVP 48), Yakutat (AVP 32) and
CNO on 5 March 1964. The insignia centerpiece was Shelikof (AVP 52).
272 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Maintenance work being performed on the engine of a PBM at Tanapag, Saipan, April 1945, 80-G-K-15974.

23 Mar–Aug 1945: VPB-27 relocated to Kerama 30 Jan–Apr 1950: VP-47 deployed to Saipan, with a
Rhetto, Ryukus, to begin ASP operations in support of detachment at Yokosuka, Japan, and Sangley Point,
the assault on Okinawa. Operations from this location Philippines, coming under the operational control of
were extremely difficult due to large swells. Every FAW-1. The squadron participated in ASW exercises
takeoff was hazardous, as the long 14-hour night with British naval forces in March. Other ASW exer-
flights required extra fuel and bomb loads, making the cises were conducted in Japanese waters off Sasebo in
takeoff weight of the aircraft well above the recom- conjunction with VP-28 during April.
mended maximums. This campaign was completed 27 Jun 1950–Jan 1951: President Harry S. Truman
successfully in June, with patrols shifted to the China ordered U.S. military forces to support South Korea in
coast through the end of August. their defense against the North Korean invasion. Half
7 Aug 1945: Two squadron aircraft piloted by of the squadron was still enroute to the continental
Lieutenants (jg) O. L. Edwards and B. A. Gallagher United States returning from deployment. The detach-
were lost due to enemy action while attacking ship- ments were held up at Pearl Harbor; Guam; Sangley
ping at night in the waters off Formosa. All of the 24 Point, Philippines; and Yokosuka, Japan. All of the air-
aircrew were listed as killed in action. craft available were rerouted to Yokosuka to begin op-
15 Aug 1945: The squadron received orders to erations in the forward combat areas in Korea. By 7
stand down from combat operations, bringing the July, the squadron’s detachments had rejoined and
fighting phase of the war to an end. During the last were relocated to Iwakuni, Japan. Advance bases were
months of the operation, the squadron lost eight air- set up for temporary operations at Inchon and
craft: two shot down on a night mission, one shot Chinhae, Korea. The squadron began combat patrols
down by a friendly night fighter, one from battle dam- of Tsushima Strait, mine reconnaissance around
age, one from detonation of bombs accidentally jetti- Inchon and Wonsan, ASP over the Sasebo to Pusan
soned, one from an emergency landing, and two dam- shipping lanes, and general utility services by 31 July
aged on reefs beyond economical repair. 1950. VP-47 was relieved on 1 January 1951 for return
16 Sep 1945–Mar 1946: The squadron relocated to to the U.S., with the last aircraft arriving at NAS San
Sasebo Harbor, Kyushu, Japan. Duties consisted of Diego, Calif., on 31 January 1951, almost twelve
courier and mail missions throughout the extent of the months to the day since it departed on what was an-
occupied Japanese islands. ticipated as a six month deployment. Shortly after the
Mar 1946: VPB-27 returned to NAS Kaneohe, squadron’s return, it was assigned a new home base at
Hawaii, under the operational control of FAW-2. NAS Alameda, Calif.
2 Mar 1949: VP-47 was reassigned to a new home 20 Apr 1951: The primary mission for VP-47 was
port at NAS San Diego, Calif. The move was com- changed from ASW to aerial mining.
pleted on 26 March. The squadron came under the 1 Aug 1951: VP-47 began its second tour in the
operational control of FAW-14. Korean combat zone, based in the Pescadores Islands
 CHAPTER 3 273

A squadron P5M being refueled from a tender.

17 Aug 1964: VP-47 deployed to WestPac, based at

A moored squadron PBM with Curtiss (AV 4) in the back ground, NS Sangley Point, Philippines, participating in war-
Iwakuni, Japan, 1950 (Courtesy Captain Al Raithel, Jr., USN (Ret.). time patrols off the coasts of Vietnam. It was the first
complete patrol squadron to deploy to war-torn
Vietnam subsequent to the 2 August 1964 Tonkin Gulf
aboard the Pine Island (AVP 12). Detachments were incident. The detachment, based off the coast of
maintained at NS Sangley Point, Philippines, and Vietnam, was provided tender service by Salisbury
Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Japan. Sound (AV 13).
22 Nov 1952: The squadron began its third tour in 1 Mar 1965: VP-47 was relocated to a new home
the Korean combat zone, based at NAF Iwakuni, base at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. Effective on the
Japan, aboard Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) and Gardiners change of home port, the squadron commenced tran-
Bay (AVP 39). Patrols covered the Yellow Sea and the sition to the Lockheed P-3A Orion, converting from a
Sea of Japan. A detachment was maintained at seaplane squadron to a landplane patrol squadron.
Fukuoka, Japan, aboard Corson (AVP 37). 4 Jan 1966: The squadron deployed to NAF Naha,
8 Oct 1954–Apr 1955: VP-47 received its first P5M- Okinawa, with occasional detachments at NS Sangley
2 Martin Marlin as replacement for the PBM Martin Point, Philippines.
Mariner series seaplanes flown since 1944. VP-47 was 1 Jul 1967: VP-47 became the first P-3B patrol
the first fleet activity to receive the new model. squadron equipped with the Bullpup missile to deploy
Transition to the new aircraft was completed by April to WestPac. During the deployment the squadron op-
1955, when the last PBM was turned over to the FAS- erated from NAF Naha, Okinawa, with a detachment
RON at NAS Alameda, Calif. at RTNAF U-Tapao, Thailand, flying many hours in
Jun 1955: VP-47 deployed for a tour with its new Market Time and Yankee Station patrol missions.
T-tail P5M-2 Marlin seaplanes to Ford Island, Hawaii, 25 Oct 1968: VP-47 deployed to NS Sangley Point,
and then on to WestPac. After one month of training, Philippines, with a detachment at Cam Ranh Bay,
the squadron deployed to NAS Iwakuni, Japan, for five Vietnam. The squadron participated in Market Time
months of duty. During advanced base operations the and Yankee Station patrols in support of the 7th Fleet.
squadron was supported by Orca (AVP 49). 11 Jan 1970: VP-47 departed on a six month de-
Aug 1956: VP-47 conducted a deployment to ployment to WestPac, based at NAF Naha, Okinawa,
WestPac, based at Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron came with a detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, South
under the operational control of FAW-6 during this de- Vietnam, and RTNAF U-Tapao, Thailand. During the
ployment. By this date, the squadron aircraft were tour the squadron participated in Market Time patrols
equipped with the tail-mounted magnetic anomaly de- off the coast of Vietnam, earning a Meritorious Unit
tection (MAD) gear. Commendation for action against enemy resupply ac-
31 Oct 1959: VP-47 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, tivities in the South China Sea. After returning to NAS
Japan. Mine drop experiments were conducted during Moffett Field, Calif., in July 1970, the squadron began
the deployment in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, under the transition from the P-3B to the P-3C Orion. VP-47 was
direction of CTF-72. the first operational Pacific Fleet squadron to be
Aug 1960: VP-47 was relocated to a new home equipped with the P-3C.
base at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. The reason for the 1 Jun 1971: VP-47 became the first P-3C equipped
move was excessive and uncontrollable driftwood and patrol squadron to deploy to Adak, Alaska. The
debris that continually cluttered the NAS Alameda, squadron received a second Meritorious Unit
Calif., seadrome. Commendation for its activities in support of the
274 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Cannikan Nuclear Testing Project on Amchitka in early Spring 1993: With the closure of NAS Moffett Field,
November. Calif., VP-47 was relocated to NAS Barbers Point,
12 Apr 1973: VP-47 lost a P-3C, BuNo. 157332, RD- Hawaii.
05, and five personnel in a midair collision with NASA 6 Nov 1994: The Swordsmen conducted another
Convair 990 on approach to NAS Moffett Field, Calif. multi-site deployment, with detachments located at
Only one of the Navy crewmen survived the crash. All different times at Diego Garcia, I.O.; Jeddah, Saudi
11 civilians aboard the NASA aircraft were killed. Arabia; Masirah, Oman; and Kadena, Okinawa.
Oct 1986: The Swordsmen received their first P-3C 25 Mar 1995: Aircrew 9 in P-3C, BuNo. 158217,
UIII aircraft. Three crew elements were given transi- from the squadron’s Oman detachment was perform-
tion training by VP-31 at NAS Moffett Field, Calif., ing an ASW mission with Constellation (CV 64) battle
through spring of 1987, when the last P-3C MOD air- group, 200 miles east of Oman and was in the process
craft was replaced. of returning to base at Masirah when engine problems
10 Aug 1987: VP-47 deployed to NAF Misawa, occurred. The PPC, Lieutenant Jeff Harrison, experi-
Japan, with a detachment at Kadena Air Base, enced the worst engine failure ever to occur in the en-
Okinawa. The squadron maintained a continuous tire P-3C series of aircraft. The number four propeller
surveillance of Soviet surface and submarine activity, sheared from the turbine shaft, struck the fuselage and
including a suspected Iranian arms carrier located in severed 35 of 44 engine and flight control cables,
the Yellow Sea. causing a shutdown of all four engines. Harrison man-
4–17 Oct 1989: The Moffett Field detachment of the aged to make a textbook water landing without power
squadron played host to the Soviet Minister of and with no casualties to the crew, earning him the
Defense, General Dmitriy T. Yasov, and other Soviet Distinguished Flying Cross for his coolness under the
dignitaries, providing them a tour of the squadron air- unusual emergency conditions.
craft and support facilities. Two weeks later, on 17
October, a major earthquake rocked the San Francisco
Home Port Assignments
area. Squadron aircraft that were airborne at that time
could not land until the runways were inspected. Location Date of Assignment
Feb 1991: Although not called upon to deploy to NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jun 1944
the Arabian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, VP- NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 3 Jun 1944
47 did loan several of its aircraft to VP-48 for use in NAS Alameda, Calif. 28 Sep 1944
that theater. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 9 Dec 1944
Apr–Jun 1991: A detachment of aircraft deployed Sasebo, Japan 16 Sep 1945
to Panama to assist in the DoD Drug Interdiction pro- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Mar 1946
gram. VP-47 detected 562 surface contacts and inter- NAS San Diego, Calif. 2 Mar 1949
cepted two air contacts during the deployment. NAS Alameda, Calif. Feb 1951
15 May 1993: VP-47 conducted a multi-site deploy- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Aug 1960
ment with detachments located at different intervals at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Mar 1965
NAS Adak, Alaska; NAF Misawa, Japan; Pohang Air NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii Jun 1993
Base, Korea; Diego Garcia, I.O.; and Al Fujaiah, U.A.E.

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

LCDR E. N. Chase II 3 Jun 1944
CDR James F. Vorhies Nov 1945
LCDR W. H. Genest Jun 1946
LCDR Warren Weeks 19 May 1947
CDR Beecher Snipes 1 Jul 1948
CDR J. H. Arnold 11 Jun 1949
CDR W. T. Hardaker 31 Jan 1951
LCDR H. E. Thayer 28 Mar 1952
CDR Edgar F. Hazleton Oct 1953
CDR John W. Lawyer, Jr. Oct 1954
CDR Lloyd E. Sloan Apr 1956
CDR Jewell S. Fahlgren 20 May 1957
CDR J. D. Hazard 14 Nov 1958
A VP-47 P-3C at NAS Moffett Field in January 1980. Note the old LTA CDR H. Gorman 15 Oct 1959
hangar in the background. (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection). CDR J. S. Musial 14 Oct 1960
 CHAPTER 3 275

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR J. F. Dow 16 Oct 1961 CDR Christopher S. Larsen 8 Sep 1987
CDR J. H. Hensen 22 Oct 1962 CDR Martin R. Hill 26 Aug 1988
CDR T. E. Smithey 9 Oct 1963 CDR Frederick S. Gay 6 Sep 1989
CDR Leroy V. Altz, Jr. 6 Oct 1964 CDR William E. Munsee 31 Aug 1990
CDR A. L. Jansen 1965 CDR Robert R. Schutzenhofer 12 Sep 1991
CDR J. R. Pickens 1966 CDR Richard S. Hammond 11 Sep 1992
CDR D. B. Quigley 5 Aug 1967 CDR Robert J. Connelly 3 Sep 1993
CDR C. M. Lentz 19 Jul 1968 CDR Walter M. Skinner 3 Sep 1994
CDR A. L. Raithel, Jr. Jun 1969
CDR Steven L. Briganti 3 Aug 1995
CDR J. G. Gahafer 5 Jun 1970
CDR Arthur J. Johnson 25 Jul 1996
CDR R. D. Munson 30 Apr 1971
CDR Michael D. Morgan 18 Jun 1997
CDR Daniel J. Wolkensdorfer 28 Apr 1972
CDR R. W. Featherston 26 Apr 1973 CDR James C. Grunewald 17 Jun 1998
CDR John M. Lorusso 19 Apr 1974
CDR Peter T. Smith 29 Apr 1975 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Dennis T. Graff 28 Apr 1976
CDR Gary A. Wells 5 Apr 1977 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Daniel J. Denike, Jr. 28 Apr 1978 PBM-3D Jun 1944
CDR Robert L. Testwuide, Jr. 16 Mar 1979 PBM-5 Jan 1945
CDR Daniel T. Twomey 30 Apr 1980 P5M-2 Oct 1954
CDR Dennis A. Pignotti 15 Apr 1981 SP-5B Dec 1962
CDR Bruce W. Barker 16 Apr 1982 P-3A Mar 1965
CDR Stanley M. Brown III 5 Apr 1983 P-3B 1967
CDR Stephen T. Quigley, Jr. 12 Jul 1984 P-3C Oct 1970
CDR Karl O. Krumbholz 12 Sep 1985 P-3C UII 1985
CDR Fredrick A. Cast 8 Sep 1986 P-3C UIII Oct 1986

A squadron P5M on a launching ramp.

276 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Dec 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D EastPac

10 Feb 1945 * FAW-2/1 Tanapag PBM-5 SoPac
Onslow (AVP 48)
Yakutat (AVP 32)
Shelikof (AVP 52)
23 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Ryukus PBM-5 SoPac
16 Sep 1945 Mar 1946 FAW-17 Sasebo PBM-5 WestPac
1 Jul 1949 20 Jul 1949 FAW-14 Adak PBM-5 NorPac
Pine Island (AV 12)
Suisan (AVP 53)
13 Nov 1949 20 Nov 1949 FAW-14 Magdelena PBM-5 Pac
Bay
Pine Island (AV 12)
30 Jan 1950 23 Jun 1950 FAW-1 Saipan PBM-5 WestPac
7 Jul 1950† 1 Jan 1951 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5 WestPac
7 Jul 1950† 1 Jan 1951 FAW-1 Chinhae PBM-5 WestPac
7 Jul 1950† 1 Jan 1951 FAW-1 Inchon PBM-5 WestPac
26 Jul 1951† 4 Mar 1952 FAW-1 Pescadores PBM-5 WestPac
Pine Island (AVP 12)
26 Jul 1951† 4 Mar 1952 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. PBM-5 WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
26 Jul 1951† 4 Mar 1952 FAW-1 Buckner Bay PBM-5 WestPac

A squadron PBM being hoisted aboard a seaplane tender.

 CHAPTER 3 277

A squadron PBM being placed on the deck of a seaplane tender.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)

Corson (AVP 37).
22 Nov 1952† 1 Jun 1953 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5 WestPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
22 Nov 1952† 31 May 1953 FAW-6 Fukuoka PBM-5 WestPac
Corson (AVP 37)
Jun 1955 Jan 1956 FAW-6 Iwakuni and P5M-2 WestPac
Ford Island
Orca (AVP 49)
Aug 1956 10 May 1957 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-2 WestPac
6 May 1958 2 Nov 1958 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-2 WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
31 Oct 1959 26 May 1960 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-2 WestPac
27 May 1962 30 Sep 1962 FAW-4 Kodiak SP-5B NorPac
Currituck (AV 7)
17 Aug 1964 28 Feb 1965 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
10 Jan 1966 30 Jun 1966 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac
1 Jul 1967† 4 Jan 1968 FAW-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
1 Jul 1967† 4 Jan 1968 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
1 Nov 1968† 31 Mar 1969 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 Nov 1968† 31 Mar 1969 FAW-8 Cam Rahn P-3B WestPac
16 Jan 1970† 13 Jul 1970 FAW-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
278 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

16 Jan 1970† 8 May 1970 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac

9 May 1970† 13 Jul 1970 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
1 Jun 1971 15 Dec 1971 FAW-4 Adak P-3C NorPac
4 Jan 1973† 5 Jul 1973 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
4 Jan 1973† 5 Jul 1973 PatWing-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
16 Jul 1974† 28 Jan 1975 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
16 Jul 1974† 28 Jan 1975 PatWing-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
10 Feb 1976 10 Aug 1976 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
Aug 1977 10 Jan 1978 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Dec 1978 1 Jun 1979 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
Dec 1979 10 May 1980 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
1 Jan 1981 1 Jun 1981 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Jun 1982 10 Dec 1982 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
22 Apr 1983 10 Aug 1983 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
1 Aug 1984 11 Feb 1985 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
30 Dec 1985 10 Jul 1986 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UII IO
10 Aug 1987 10 Feb 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
10 Aug 1987 10 Feb 1988 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
7 Jan 1989 15 Jul 1989 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
6 Jun 1990 10 Dec 1990 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIII NorPac
Apr 1991 Jun 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3C UIII Carib
4 Jan 1992 15 Jun 1992 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
15 May 1993 15 Nov 1993 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIII NorLant
6 Nov 1994 May 1995 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
May 1996 Nov 1996 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
Nov 1997† Jun 1998 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
Nov 1997† Jun 1998 PatWing-1 Bahrain P-3C UIII Gulf
Nov 1997† Jun 1998 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIII Gulf

* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

A squadron P-3C at NAS Moffett Field.

 CHAPTER 3 279

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

FAW-5 1 Jun 1944 NUC 1 Jan 1967 18 Mar 1967

FAW-8 1 Oct 1944 19 Mar 1967 10 Apr 1967
2 Apr 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-2 9 Dec 1944
MUC 1 Jun 1971 15 Dec 1971
FAW-1 10 Feb 1945
2 Jul 1981 4 Aug 1981
FAW-17 16 Sep 1945 5 Sep 1981 22 Sep 1981
FAW-2 BA* Mar 1946 RVNGC 21 Nov 1968 31 Mar 1969
FAW-14 BA Mar 1949 1 Jan 1970 31 Mar 1970
COMFAIRALAMEDA BA/RD† Jun 1953 1 May 1970 31 Jul 1970
FAW-4 RD Aug 1960 (Det) 20 Apr 1970 15 Jul 1970
FAW-10 RD 1 Mar 1965 NEM 1 Jul 1974 1 Apr 1976
FAW-8 RD Late 1965 (Det) 8 Dec 1978 6 Jun 1979
FAW-10 RD Jun 1972 (Det) 10 Jan 1981 10 Jun 1981
COMPATWINGSPAC RD 30 Jun 1973 NOSM 26 Jul 1951 5 Mar 1952
PatWing-10 RD 1 Jun 1981 KOSM 27 Jun 1950 28 Dec 1950
5 Dec 1952 4 Jun 1953
* The squadron remained part of FAW-2, but was assigned the tail AFEM 1 Jul 1967 30 Dec 1967
code BA on 7 November 1946. 15 Jan 1971 15 Jul 1971
† The squadron’s tail code was changed form BA to RD in 1957. The

effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY (Det) 1 Jan 1971 15 Jul 1971
1958 (1 July 1957). JMUA 25 Apr 1991 3 Jun 1991

A squadron P5M being placed in position

for hoisting aboard the tender.

A squadron P5M being hoisted aboard a seaplane tender.

280 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

First VP-48 Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The original VP-48 insignia was approved by CNO
on 14 March 1949, only months prior to the
squadron’s disestablishment. It would, however, be
Lineage
resurrected when Navy Reserve Squadron VP-731 was
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED redesignated VP-48 in 1953. The members of the first
EIGHT (VP-208) on 15 December 1942. VP-48 designed a circular insignia with an Amazon
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- holding a shield overhead riding the back of a dragon.
DRED EIGHT (VPB-208) on 1 October1944. In the dragon’s claws are a depth bomb and a cluster
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED of lightning bolts. The obvious symbolism was the an-
EIGHT (VP-208) on 15 May 1946. tishipping and ASW mission of the squadron repre-
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane) sented by the bomb, the PBM’s long-range surveil-
EIGHT (VP-MS-8) on 15 November 1946. lance by the radio wave lightning bolts, and the ability
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY EIGHT (VP- to strike from above as represented by the dragon’s
48) on 1 September 1948. wings. Since female personnel were not present until
Disestablished on 31 December 1949. the establishment of the second VP-48, it can safely be
assumed that inclusion of the
Amazon was purely gratuitous.
Colors: dragon, red, blue and
green; wings, red-orange, red,
blue and green; bomb, gray;
bolts of lightning, yellow; fe-
male warrior, deep yellow with
blond hair; shield, yellow,
white and red; armor, white.
Nickname: None on record.

Chronology of Significant
Events
15 Dec 1942: VP-208 was es-
tablished at NAS Norfolk, Va.,
as a seaplane squadron flying
the PBM-3C Mariner. During
this period the squadron came
under the operational control
of FAW-5. Due to the holidays,
squadron personnel did not
begin the training syllabus until
4 January 1943. On the 17th the
first aircraft were received and
flight familiarization training
commenced.
1 Feb–10 Mar 1943: VP-208
was relocated to NAS Corpus
Christi, Texas, for shake-down
training, remaining under the
operational control of FAW-5.
Training was concluded on 10
March 1943.
12 Mar 1943: VP-208 re-
ported aboard at NAS Key
West, Fla., for training under
the operational control of FAW-
12. The squadron was assigned
new PBM-3S aircraft with im-
The squadron’s only insignia. proved radar.
 CHAPTER 3 281

15 Apr 1943: The squadron commenced its first op- Hamlin (AV 15) for transport to Kerama Rhetto Island,
erational patrols from an advanced base at Pelican Nansei Shoto. The Okinawa campaign had begun on
Harbor, British West Indies, supported by the tender 18 March, and Kerama Rhetto was occupied on 25 to
Christiana (YAG 32). 26 March. The first VPB-208 Mariner landed offshore
15 Nov 1943: VP-208 relocated to Grand Cayman, on 31 March. The tender-based patrol squadrons con-
B.W.I., remaining there until 1 May 1944. ducted long-range antishipping searches over the East
8 May–30 Jul 1944: VP-208 relocated to another China Sea to protect assault forces from enemy surface
advanced base at Royal Island, B.W.I., supported by force interference, flew antisubmarine patrols in the
Christiana (YAG 32). The squadron remained at this combat area, and provided air-sea rescue services for
location until the end of July, when the squadron was carrier operations through the end of the campaign on
transferred to NAS Norfolk, Va., on 30 July 1944. 21 June 1945.
Aug 1944: Following the relocation to NAS Norfolk, 14 Jul 1945: VPB-208 departed Kerama Rhetto for
Va., the squadron was given home leave. VP-208 Chimu Wan, Okinawa, supported by the Hamlin (AV
refitted at NAS Norfolk, Va., and received new aircraft, 15). The last wartime operational flight was made from
the PBM-5 Mariner on 22 August. Training on the new this location on 11 August 1945. On the 15th the air-
airframe continued at Norfolk through the first week crews boarded Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) and Corson
of September. (AVP 37) en route to its next duty station, Tokyo Bay,
7 Sep 1944: VP-208 relocated to NAAS Harvey Japan.
Point, N.C., for further operational and predeployment 31 Aug 1945: VPB-208 took off from Chimu Wan,
training which continued until the end of October. Okinawa, and flew north to Tokyo Bay to participate
4–15 Nov 1944: The squadron was deemed ready in duties with the U.S. occupation forces in Japan.
for deployment and began the transcontinental flight 31 Dec 1949: VP-48 was disestablished.
from NAAS Harvey Point to NAS Alameda, Calif.,
where it came briefly under the operational control of
Home Port Assignments
FAW-8. The flight crews and ground staff took two
weeks to thoroughly overhaul the aircraft for the Location Date of Assignment
pending transpac to Kaneohe, Hawaii. NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Dec 1942
30 Nov 1944: The aircrews departed NAS Alameda NAS Corpus Christi, Texas 1 Feb 1943
for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, in three aircraft elements. NAS Key West, Fla. 12 Mar 1943
The ground support staff, equipment and supplies for NAS Norfolk, Va. 30 Jul 1944
the squadron proceeded aboard Attu (CVE 102). All NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 7 Sep 1944
personnel were aboard NAS Kaneohe by 8 December, NAS Alameda, Calif. Nov 1944
coming under the operational control of FAW-2. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Dec 1944
Training in ASW and aerial gunnery commenced im- Toyko Bay, Yokosuka Naval
mediately. Crews received practical experience con- Base, Japan Aug 1945
ducting operational patrols off the Hawaiian Islands. NAS Norfolk, Va. 3 Jan 1946
8 Feb 1945: VPB-208 reported to FAW-1 at Saipan. NAS Jacksonville, Fla. May 1946
Duties at this location consisted of antishipping patrols NAS Trinidad, B.W.I. Sep 1946
and reconnaissance.
25 Feb 1945: The squadron relocated to the waters
Commanding Officers
off Ulithi, reporting with 13 serviceable aircraft. Tender
support was provided by Castle Rock (AVP 35), Casco Date Assumed Command
(AVP 12), and Suisun (AVP 53). LCDR D. C. Goodman 15 Dec 1942
16 Mar 1945: A relatively rare bombing mission LCDR Anton J. Sintic, Jr. 19 Nov 1943
was scheduled for the squadron when it was selected LCDR William T. Sutherland 4 Nov 1945
to bomb the Japanese airfield on Yap Island. The CDR Robert D. Cox, Jr. Feb 1947
chance of any encounter with enemy aircraft was al- CDR William S. Guest 20 Mar 1948
most nonexistent, as by this time in the war virtually CDR Alto B. Clark 29 Jun 1949
all Japanese air assets had been eliminated in that the-
ater of operations. Ground fire from these isolated out-
posts, however, was often exceptionally heavy and ac- Aircraft Assignment
curate, bringing down many unwary U.S. aircraft Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
before the conclusion of hostilities.
PBM-3C Dec 1942
20 Mar–21 Jun 1945: Twenty-one officers and 67
PBM-3S Mar 1943
enlisted personnel departed for Guam to board
PBM-5 Aug 1944
282 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Apr 1943 * FAW-12 Pelican Harb. PBM-3S Carib

Christiana (YAG 32)
15 Nov 1943 * FAW-12 Gr. Cayman PBM-3S Carib
8 May 1944 30 Jul 1944 FAW-12 Royal Isl. PBM-3S Carib
Christiana (YAG 32)
8 Dec 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-5 EastPac
8 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Saipan PBM-5 SoPac
25 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-5 SoPac
Castle Rock (AVP 35)
Casco (AVP 12
Suisun (AVP 53)
31 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Kerama Rh. PBM-5 SoPac
14 Jul 1945 * FAW-1 Chimu Wan PBM-5 WestPac
Hamlin (AV 15)
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Corson (AVP 37)
31 Aug 1945 Dec 1945 FAW-17 Tokyo PBM-5 WestPac
Sep 1946 Dec 1949 FAW-11 Trinidad PBM-5 Carib
* Continued combat deployments, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-5 15 Dec 1942 FAW-11 MB * 27 Sep 1946
FAW-12 12 Mar 1943 * The squadron remained part of FAW-11, but was assigned the tail
FAW-5 30 Jul 1944 code MB on 7 November 1946.
FAW-8 4 Nov 1944
FAW-2 8 Dec 1944
FAW-1 8 Feb 1945 Unit Awards Received
FAW-17 Sep 1945
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 Dec 1945
FAW-5 3 Jan 1946 NOSM 2 Sep 1945 16 Dec 1945

A squadron PBM being secured for refueling from a tender, January 1948.
 CHAPTER 3 283

Second VP-48 ing officer requested that the insignia of the former VP-
48, disestablished in 1949, be authorized for use by the
current squadron. Assuming that CNO’s previous ap-
proval of the first VP-48 insignia on 14 March 1949 was
Lineage still valid, the squadron put the design into use. It con-
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron NINE HUN- sisted of a circular insignia with an Amazon riding the
DRED FIVE (VP-905) in May 1946. back of a dragon, holding a shield overhead. In the
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) dragon’s claws were a depth bomb and a cluster of
FIFTY ONE (VP-HL-51) on 15 November 1946. lightning bolts. The obvious symbolism was the anti-
Redesignated Reserve Patrol Squadron SEVEN HUN- shipping and ASW mission of the squadron repre-
DRED THIRTY ONE (VP-731) in February 1950. sented by the bomb, the long-range surveillance of the
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY EIGHT (VP- PBM by the radio wave lightning bolts, and the ability
48) on 4 February 1953. to strike from above as represented by the dragon’s
Disestablished on 23 May 1991. wings. Colors: dragon, red, blue and green; wings, red-
orange, red, blue and green; bomb, gray; bolts of light-
ning, yellow; female warrior, deep yellow with blond
Squadron Insignia and Nickname hair; shield, yellow, white and red; armor, white.
The first insignia for the squadron was submitted to On 7 May 1953 CNO indicated the Amazon was no
CNO for approval shortly after its establishment in longer appropriate and that a design proposed by the
1946. CNO did not U.S. Army Heraldic Branch should be substituted in-
approve the design stead. The squadron, which had been using the earlier
until 11 December VP-48 insignia, continued to do so while it submitted a
1950. The central counter proposal to the design from the Army. This
figure of the design
was an owl, a wise
creature of the night,
carrying a bomb in its
claws while observ-
ing the wave tops
below. A set of head-
phones covered the
owl’s ears as it lis-
tened intently to
transmissions reveal-
The squadron used an owl in the de- ing the enemy’s pres-
sign of its first insignia. ence. Colors: cloud,
white; shield border,
red; background, medium blue; waves, dark blue;
bomb, blue with red stripes; owl, black legs and wing
tips; tail and neck, red-brown; owl’s body and feet,
yellow; radio waves, red.
When the squadron was augmented into the regular
Navy and redesignated VP-48 in 1953, the command-

The third squadron insignia used the pelican in its design.

proposal was approved by CNO on 26 September

1956. The new design featured a pelican grasping an
enemy submarine in its beak with a beam of light
streaming from the upper starboard quadrant to the
The squadron’s second
design used an Amazon
lower port quadrant. The pelican, with its similarity to
riding the back of a the gull wings of the PBM Mariner seaplane, was used
dragon. in this design to emphasize the ASW role of the
284 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

squadron. The beam of light streaming down alluded aircraft was detached to Hong Kong to provide courier
to the searchlights carried by the early ASW aircraft to service between Hong Kong and the R.P.
spot the submarines on the surface at night. Colors: 29 May 1952: VP-731 began its second WestPac de-
pelican, brown and white; beak, yellow with red in- ployment based at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, supported
side; light beam, yellow; background, dark blue; sub- by Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) and Gardiners Bay (AVP
marine, black and white; design border, white. This 39). The squadron began combat operations over the
design remained in use until the squadron was dises- Korean coastline on 1 June 1952. During the deploy-
tablished in 1991. ment the squadron alternated between Korea and the
Nicknames: Boomerangers, 1975–1980. Formosa patrol area.
Boomers, 1981–1991. 31 Jul 1952: A PBM-5S2 Mariner flown by
Lieutenant E. E. Bartlett, Jr., was attacked by two
Chinese MiG-15 fighters while on a reconnaissance
Chronology of Significant Events
patrol over the Yellow Sea off the west coast of
May 1946: VP-905 was established at NAS Grosse Korea. Two crewmen were killed in the attack, tail
Ile, Mich., with an official active duty home port at gunner Aviation Machinist Mate H. G. Goodroad and
NAS San Diego, Calif. The squadron came under the Airman Claude Playforth. Two other crewmen were
operational control of FAW-14 and administrative con- seriously wounded. Lieutenant Bartlett was able to es-
trol of the Naval Air Reserve Training Command cape the MiGs and land his heavily damaged Mariner
(NARTC). The squadron was one of 21 reserve at Paengnyong-do, South Korea. Temporary repairs
squadrons established after the war to accommodate were made, enabling him to return to base at
the large number of aircrews recently released from Iwakuni, Japan.
active duty and utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft Jul 1953: VP-48 began its third WestPac deployment
in the inventory. The squadron flew the PBY-5A to Korea just as the hostilities ceased on 27 July 1953.
Catalina seaplane and the PV-2 Harpoon. The squadron was based at NAF Iwakuni, supported
15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig- by Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) and Gardiners Bay (AVP
nated. Regular Navy squadron designations began 39). During a patrol on 30 July the port engine of a
with 1 and reserve patrol squadron designations began squadron PBM-5S2 caught fire causing the plane to
with 5. VP-905 was redesignated VP-ML-55. The ML crash. Only five of the 15 personnel on board survived
for reserve patrol squadrons included twin-engine and were picked up by a Coast Guard PBM.
medium amphibian seaplanes, as well as twin-engine Jun 1954: VP-48 transitioned from the PBM-5S2
land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol squadron Mariner to the Martin P5M-1 Marlin seaplane.
ML designations were for twin-engine medium land- 3 May 1956: Two VP-48 Marlins en route from NAS
based bombers only. Amphibian medium seaplanes North Island to NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, ditched due
like the PBY-5A were in the AM category. to low fuel state. One aircraft was taken under tow by
Feb 1950: VP-ML-55 was redesignated VP-731 dur- a USCG vessel. The carrier Wasp (CV 18) stood by
ing the reorganization of Naval Aviation reserve units
in 1949, but did not take effect until February 1950.
During this period the number of Naval Aviation
Reserve squadrons was reduced from the 1949 total of
24 to 9. By this date the squadron had transitioned to
the PBM-5 Mariner.
29 Sep 1950: VP-731 was called to active duty as a
result of North Korean forces invading the Republic of
Korea on 25 June 1950. The squadron reported for
duty to Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet at
NAS San Diego, Calif. At the start of hostilities Navy
patrol forces on active duty numbered just 20
squadrons and it quickly became apparent that this
rather meager figure was inadequate to meet the in-
creased demands. By the end of 1950 seven reserve
patrol squadrons were called to active duty to aug-
ment the regular Navy patrol squadrons.
7 Feb 1951: VP-731 deployed to Buckner Bay,
Okinawa, supported by Suisun (AVP 53). A detachment
was maintained at NS Sangley Point, R.P., supported by
Salisbury Sound (AV 13). Both sections conducted pa-
trols over the Formosa Straits and China coast. A single A squadron P5M being placed in position for hoisting aboard.
 CHAPTER 3 285

A squadron P5M being hoisted aboard a seaplane tender.

until the tender Pine Island (AV 12) arrived to retrieve squadron was supported by Currituck (AV 7). The six
the second aircraft. aircraft that had been operated by the VP-48 detach-
22 Oct 1957: VP-48 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, ment were transferred to VP-50 upon the conclusion
Japan. While transiting via Hawaii, two aircraft were of the deployment.
detached by Commander Fleet Air Hawaii for evalua- 15 Nov 1966–Apr 1967: VP-48 transitioned to the
tion of an experimental seaplane fueling buoy. The P-3A Orion and a permanent change of station to NAS
two aircraft rejoined the squadron at Iwakuni on 2 Moffett Field, Calif. Effective 15 February 1967, VP-48
November 1957. was administratively assigned to FAW-10 vice FAW-14.
19 Mar–Sep 1964: The squadron made its first de- The squadron received its first P-3A on 23 January
ployment in over four years to WestPac, relieving VP- 1967. The final detachment of squadron personnel was
40 at NS Sangley Point, R.P. In the last month of the transferred from NAS North Island in April 1967.
deployment, on 2 August 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin 24 Jul 1967–31 Jan 1968: VP-48 deployed to MCAS
Incident brought VP-48 into the South China Sea to Iwakuni, Japan, relieving VP-4. A two-aircraft detach-
support fleet operations. During these operations the ment conducted operations from Guam and Midway
squadron accumulated over 1,500 hours on patrol. islands. Additional detachments were maintained at NS
1 Oct 1965–Sep 1966: VP-48 deployed a six-aircraft Sangley Point, R.P., in support of Vietnam combat mis-
detachment to NS Sangley Point, R.P., rotating one re- sions. On 16 January 1968, a P-3A, BuNo. 152144, was
lief crew and associated ground personnel to the de- lost and the entire crew killed in an accident. On 23
tachment on a monthly basis. During the deployment January 1968, the squadron commenced 24-hour ASW
the detachment conducted surveillance patrols over protection for Enterprise (CVAN 65) Task Force in the
the South China Sea and Operation Market Time pa- Sea of Japan. The task force had been brought into the
trols over coastal Vietnam. While conducting these pa- area as a result of the Pueblo Incident. Pueblo (AGER
trols the squadron was provided tender support at 2) was an intelligence monitoring ship that was seized
Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, by Pine Island (AV by the North Koreans in international waters. The
12), and after February 1966, Salisbury Sound (AV 13). squadron returned to NAS Moffett Field in February
When operating from Buckner Bay, Okinawa, the 1968 and began transitioning to the P-3B Orion.
286 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Dec 1968: VP-48 deployed to NS Adak, Alaska. 15 Jun 1990: The Boomers deployed a three-air-
The squadron earned a Meritorious Unit Citation for its craft and four-aircrew detachment to Kadena Air Base,
performance in tracking Soviet naval units during the Okinawa. In Aug 1990, the detachment was relocated
deployment. to NAS Cubi Point, R.P., in support of Operation
1 Apr 1970: VP-48 deployed to NS Sangley Point, Desert Storm.
R.P., with a detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, 23 May 1991: VP-48 was disestablished at NAS
Vietnam. The detachment was responsible for detect- Moffett Field, Calif.
ing eight enemy trawlers attempting to ship arms and
munitions to the Viet Cong. VP-48’s performance dur-
Home Port Assignments
ing the deployment earned it a Meritorious Unit
Commendation. Location Date of Assignment
1 May 1971: VP-48 deployed to NS Sangley Point, NAS Grosse Ile, Mich. May 1946
R.P., with a three-aircraft/four-crew detachment at the NAS San Diego/NAS North Island, Calif.* 29 Sep 1950
Royal Thai Navy Base, U-Tapao, Thailand. On 25 May, NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 15 Feb 1967
upon the closure of NS Sangley Point, the squadron
relocated to NAS Cubi Point, R.P. * NAS San Diego was redesignated NAS North Island in 1955.
23 Jun–Dec 1972: VP-48 began a three-way split de-
ployment with one detachment of three aircraft/four
Commanding Officers
crews at NS Adak, Alaska; a second detachment of three
aircraft/four crews at NAS Agana, Guam; and the re- Date Assumed Command
maining three aircraft/ four crews at NAS Moffett Field, Unknown 1946–1949
Calif. The Agana detachment had an interesting one- LCDR H. S. Wilson 1950
week assignment in December tracking Russian missile LCDR W. T. O’Dowd, Jr. 1951
instrumentation ships and watching two Soviet missiles CDR F. G. Vessell 1953
impact in the Soviet Missile Range landing zone. CDR J. C. Young 1954
10 Jul 1978: VP-48 deployed to NAF Misawa, CDR J. F. Davis 1955
Japan. Shortly after arrival at Misawa, the squadron CDR Robert C. Payne 1956
was forced to fly away in the face of Typhoon Virginia CDR Harry A. Haszard 20 May 1958
to Cubi Point, R.P. CDR K. M. E. Miller 10 Jun 1959
10 Nov 1979: VP-48 deployed to NAF Kadena, CDR A. D. Ronimus 30 Jun 1960
Japan, with a detachment at Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T. CDR Rae P. Madson 30 Jun 1961
During the deployment the squadron played an im- CDR Warren E. Zaiser 6 Jul 1962
portant role in locating Vietnamese refugee boats for CDR K. E. Bailey 10 Jun 1963
rescue units. The Diego Garcia detachment was on
constant standby during the Iranian Crisis resulting
from the overthrow of the Shah of Iran on 4
November 1979. A VP-48 P-3C preparing to land in February 1983. (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection via Cdr R. S. Paroof).
2 Dec 1985–May 1986:
VP-48 deployed to NAS
Adak, Alaska. On 7 May a
major earthquake (7.7
Richter scale) struck while
several squadron aircraft
were airborne. The squad-
ron executive officer com-
municated with the aircraft
using a handheld transceiver
until communications could
be restored and the runways
certified safe for landing.
Jul 1986: The squadron’s
P-3C baseline Orions began
block modification to the P-
3C MOD version with new
inertial navigation systems,
secure HF radios and
Harpoon missile capability.
 CHAPTER 3 287

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR C. J. McGrath 1964 CDR D. L. Speed 15 Oct 1984
CDR William M. Shaver 7 Apr 1965 CDR Gregory A. Bushnell 8 Nov 1985
CDR Clarence O. Robins 26 Apr 1966 CDR Charles P. Isele 1986
CDR Donald J. Childers 25 Apr 1967 CDR Robert M. Lunning 2 Oct 1987
CDR Paul J. Tetreault 22 Mar 1968 CDR Richard Fleming, Jr. 30 Sep 1988
CDR Eugene G. Anderson 30 Apr 1969 CDR R. H. Fisher 17 Jul 1989
CDR David B. Pitts 23 Apr 1970 CDR Chalker W. Brown III 25 May 1990
CDR George S. Phillips 8 Apr 1971
CDR Myles E. Fladager 15 Apr 1972
Aircraft Assignment
CDR Daniel T. O’Donnell 1973
CDR Thadeus W. Mills 1974 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Michael A Pearce 25 Mar 1975 PBY-5A/PV-2 May 1946
CDR John G. Burton 30 Apr 1976 PBM-5S2 1950
CDR John W. Ciboci 22 Apr 1977 P5M-1 Jun 1954
CDR William T. Boyd III 21 Apr 1978 SP-5B 1960
CDR Duval S. Woodford 9 Mar 1979 P-3A Jan 1967
CDR Edward J. Crowley 25 Apr 1980
P-3B Feb 1968
CDR L. J. LeDoux 10 Aug 1981
P-3C Nov 1971
CDR R. S. Parodi 1982
P-3C MOD Jul 1986
CDR J. S. Falls 8 Jul 1983
P-3C UIII Jan 1990

A squadron P5M being prepared for hoisting aboard a tender.

288 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

7 Feb 1951 13 Aug 1951 FAW-1 Buckner Bay PBM-5S2 WestPac

Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
Suisun (AVP 53)
29 May 1952 8 Dec 1952 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
18 Jun 1953 1 Jul 1953 FAW-2 Pearl Harbor PBM-5S2 EastPac
Jul 1953 Dec 1953 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
19 Jan 1955 8 Aug 1955 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-1 WestPac
4 May 1956 13 Nov 1956 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-1 WestPac
22 Oct 1957 14 May 1958 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-1 WestPac
5 May 1959 15 Nov 1959 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-1 WestPac
18 Jan 1964 29 Jan 1964 FAW-14 Galapagos SP-5B SoLant
Pine Island (AV 12)
19 Mar 1964 28 Sep 1964 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
1 Oct 1965* 27 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
1 Oct 1965* 27 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-5B WestPac
Pine Island (AV 12)
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
1 Oct 1965* 27 Sep 1966 FAW-8 Buckner Bay SP-5B WestPac
Currituck (AV 7)

A squadron P5M just before touch down.

 CHAPTER 3 289

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

24 Jul 1967* 31 Jan 1968 FAW-6 Iwakuni P-3A WestPac

28 Dec 1967* 8 Jan 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
24 Jul 1967* 8 Jan 1968 FAW-8 Guam P-3A WestPac
24 Jul 1967* 8 Jan 1968 FAW-2 Midway P-3A WestPac
28 Dec 1967* 8 Jan 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
1 Dec 1968 1 Jun 1969 FAW-10 Adak P-3B NorPac
1 Apr 1970* 1 Oct 1970 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 Apr 1970* 1 Oct 1970 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac
1 May 1971* 25 May 1971 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
1 May 1971* 30 Sep 1971 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3B WestPac
25 May 1971* 1 Nov 1971 FAW-8 Cubi Pt. P-3B WestPac
23 Jun 1972* Dec 1972 FAW-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
23 Jun 1972* Dec 1972 PatWing-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
31 Jul 1975 9 Feb 1976 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Feb 1977 10 Nov 1977 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
10 Jul 1978 10 Jan 1979 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Nov 1979 15 Mar 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
10 Feb 1981 9 Aug 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
Apr 1982 Aug 1982 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
28 Jan 1983 11 Aug 1983 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
28 May 1984 11 Dec 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
2 Dec 1985 Jun 1986 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
4 May 1987 4 Nov 1987 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3C MOD WestPac
4 Dec 1988 7 Jun 1989 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C MOD NorPac
15 Jun 1990 Aug 1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
Aug 1990 14 Jan 1991 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3C UIII WestPac
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Squadron P-3s at NAS Agana, Guam.

290 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 May 1946 MUC 1 Dec 1968 31 May 1969
FAW-14 SF† Sep 1950 1 Apr 1970 1 Oct 1970
FAW-10 SF 15 Feb 1967 KSM 29 May 1952 7 Dec 1952
ComPatWingsPac SF 30 Jun 1973 26 Jul 1953 1 Mar 1954
PatWing-10 SF 1 Jun 1981 RVNGC 1 Apr 1970 30 Sep 1970
†
1 Nov 1970 21 Nov 1970
The squadron’s tail code SF was assigned when it was called to ac-
tive duty on 29 September 1950 for the Korean War. VP-48 was the NEM 1 Jul 1977 31 Dec 1978
only squadron to keep the same tail code in 1957 when all the other AFEM 31 Jul 1967 31 Jan 1968
patrol squadron tail codes were changed. SLOC 27 Oct 1990 24 Nov 1990

A squadron P-3C taxing after landing, circa 1984.

 CHAPTER 3 291

VP-49

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETEEN (VP-19)
on 1 February 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETEEN
(VPB-19) on 1 October 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron NINETEEN (VP-19)
on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Seaplane)
NINE (VP-MS-9) on 15 November 1946.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY NINE (VP-49)
on 1 September 1948.
Disestablished 1 March 1994.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s first design was submitted to CNO
for approval in July of 1944. The design depicted an The squadron’s second insignia was a modification of its first design.
anatomically correct nude mermaid with arms raised
overhead holding a bomb poised for delivery below.
CNO did not approve this design stating “ . . . it is not designation VP-MS-9 was removed, and a sinking sub-
in keeping with the dignity of the service.” The CNO marine was placed in the background. Background
letter further suggested “ . . . that such themes other colors were sky blue with dark a blue ocean. The sec-
than those having as a central character ducks, cats, ond insignia was approved by CNO on 22 June 1951.
dogs, eagles and rabbits be used.” The third insignia of the squadron was the version
The next squadron design was submitted to CNO for that remained in use until its disestablishment in 1994.
approval by VP-MS-9 in 1947. It featured a shield en- It was a heraldic device designed to represent both
compassing an Orca the squadron’s mission and its area of operation. The
killer whale rising from clouds and blue background represented the sky that
the surface of the sea as- the P-3 Orions traveled en route to and from their op-
sisted by two JATO bot- erational area at sea.
tles attached to a belt The sun and the stars
amidships. The whale in on the dark blue quad-
the design was similar to
rants of the shield rep-
the shape of the PBM-
resented the night and
3D Mariner flown by the
day capabilities of the
squadron during World
squadron’s aircraft and
War II and through the
personnel. The upper
Korean War. The JATOs
were frequently used on right quadrant of the
the Mariner seaplanes to shield portrayed, from
assist them in attaining a top to bottom, the ASW
The whale with the squadron des- shorter takeoff. The pri- capabilities (trident) and
ignation was the first officially
mary role of the the water which hid its
approved insignia used by the The squadron’s third insignia used
squadron after WWII adversary, the subma- a shield with various images to
squadron.
was antisubmarine war- rine itself. The lower represent its operations.
fare. This design was approved by CNO on 15 January left quadrant stood for
1947. Colors: outline of shield, black; background, sky the electronic detection capabilities of the P-3 (orbit-
blue; body of whale, dark blue with white ventral sur- ing electrons) and the high speed with which the P-3
face; spout of whale, white; mouth, red with white could transit to its operational area (lightning bolt). A
teeth; eye, black; JATO units and belt, red; flames, red scroll above the shield contained the motto “No
and white; squadron designation letters, black. Sanctuary in the Deep.” The squadron designation
The first insignia had gone out of use after VP-MS-9 was contained in a second scroll at the bottom of the
was redesignated VP-49 in late 1948 and the design design. This device was approved by CNO in August
was modified accordingly in 1951. The whale was 1962.
placed in a circle instead of a shield, the squadron Nickname: Woodpeckers, 1973–1994.
292 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Chronology of Significant Events Jul 1951: The squadron was transferred to a new
1 Feb 1944: VP-19 was established at NAS Alameda, home base at NAS Bermuda under operational control
Calif., as a seaplane squadron flying the PBM-3D of FAW-5. Intra-service training missions were con-
Mariner. Personnel were given ground and operational ducted in cooperation with the USAF squadrons sta-
patrol training through July under the operational con- tioned at Bermuda.
trol of FAW-8. 1955: VP-49 provided support for the evaluation tri-
10 Jul 1944: The squadron began its transpac to als of the first nuclear submarine Nautilus (SSN 571).
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, from NAS Alameda, Calif. The Jul–Sep 1957: VP-49 participated in evaluations
last aircraft arrived on 18 July 1944. While at Kaneohe using an LSD-type tender to support the operation the
the squadron came under the operational control of squadron’s P5M aircraft.
FAW-2. Operational training in the use of JATO com- Oct 1962: VP-49 participated in the quarantine of
menced immediately after the squadron was settled Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The squadron
into its new quarters. joined several other regular and reserve patrol
2–23 Nov 1944: VPB-19 flew to Parry Island, squadrons in surveillance flights over the approaches
Eniwetok, based onboard the tender St. George (AV to Cuba during the period of quarantine from 15
16). On 23 November 1944, the squadron moved October to 26 November 1962.
ashore at Parry Island. Activities consisted of daily sec- Jun 1963: A deployment to Cuba marked the last
tor searches, hunter-killer patrols, air-sea rescue and time the squadron operated as a seaplane squadron.
reconnaissance flights over Wake and Ponape islands. From June to August 1963 the squadron turned in its
The squadron came under the operational control of SP-5B Marlin seaplanes in preparation for transition to
Commander Shore-Based Air Force, Marshalls-Gilberts a landplane squadron.
Area. Aug 1963–Feb 1964: The squadron was transferred
12 Feb 1945: VPB-19 was transferred to Iwo Jima to NAS Patuxent River, Md. On 1 September 1963, NAS
via Saipan, with tender support provided by Hamlin Patuxent River officially became the new home base
(AV 15). Missions were flown to within 100 miles of for VP-49. However, the main body of the squadron
the Japanese mainland. remained at NAS Bermuda and only a detachment was
6–17 Mar 1945: VPB-19 was transferred back to
Parry Island, Eniwetok, based ashore with a detach-
ments aboard various tenders. The squadron returned
to combat operations consisting of sector searches,
hunter-killer patrols and Dumbo missions in the vicin-
ity of Ponape and Wake Islands.
May 1945: Squadron planes were equipped with
expendable radio sonobuoys and the crews were
trained in their use.

A squadron P5M in flight.

maintained at NAS Patuxent River. The squadron de-

tachment began transitioning from the SP-5B Marlin
seaplane to the Lockheed P-3A Orion. The main body
of the squadron moved to NAS Patuxent River in
February 1964.
1964: VP-49 joined VPs 8 and 44 in alternating con-
voy coverage from the East Coast of the U.S. to the
coast of Spain in Operation Steel Pike I. It marked the
first time that land-based escorts provided complete
ASW coverage for a convoy transiting the Atlantic.
A squadron PBM takes off from Naval Station Bermuda, March 15–22 Jul 1966: A detachment of VP-49 aircraft de-
1951, 80-G-428477. ployed to Kindley AFB, Bermuda, to provide air sup-
 CHAPTER 3 293

port for the Project Gemini GTA-10 mission. On 21 27 Jul 1976: VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik,
July a helicopter from Guadalcanal (LPH 7) recovered Iceland, earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation for
astronauts John W. Young and Michael Collins after ASW surveillance operations against Soviet units in
their landing in the Atlantic 460 miles east of Cape October.
Kennedy, Fla., ending a mission that totaled over 70 2 Nov 1982: VP-49 deployed to NAS Sigonella,
hours in space. Sicily, under the operational command of CTF 67.
6–15 Sep 1966: Aircraft from VP-49 deployed to Detachments were sent during the deployment to
Kindley AFB, Bermuda, to provide air support for the Souda Bay, Crete, and Rota, Spain. While on this de-
Project Gemini GTA-11 mission on 12 September. On ployment, the squadron earned the Navy
15 September a helicopter from Guam (LHA 9) recov- Expeditionary Medal for missions off the coast of
ered Gemini 11 astronauts Charles Conrad and Lebanon during the Beirut crisis.
Richard Gordon at sea 700 miles off Cape Kennedy, Jul 1985: VP-49 deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily.
Fla., after a three-day mission in space. The detach- During the deployment, the squadron participated in
ment operated under the operational control of Task the interception of the Achille Laur o hijackers.
Force 140 (Manned Space Flight Recovery Force, Palestinian terrorists had hijacked the Italian liner and
Atlantic). murdered an American passenger of Jewish descent
27 May 1968: VP-49 began a split deployment with before putting into a neutral port. After negotiating for
half of the squadron based at NS Sangley Point, R.P., a passenger jet to take them to Syria, the terrorists
and the other half at the Royal Thai Naval Air Base at were caught in the air by carrier aircraft supported by
U-Tapao, Thailand. The Philippine detachment was at the airborne radar of the VP-49 Orions. The terrorists
Sangley Point when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake were escorted to a landing in Sicily where they were
struck the area. Personnel of the squadron volunteered subsequently arrested.
hundreds of hours in support of the international relief Jul–Oct 1986: The squadron traveled to South
efforts. The U-Tapao detachment flew missions for the America to participate in Unitas XXVIII and Swampfox
Seventh Fleet in Market Time surveillance operations 86 exercises, operating with the navies and air forces
in Vietnamese waters. of Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.
17 Jul 1970: VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik, 1 Feb 1990: VP-49 deployed to NAS Bermuda, with
Iceland, taking the P-3C on its first deployment. This a detachment assigned to NAS Roosevelt Roads, P.R.
model of the Orion featured the latest ASW warfare The detachment in the Caribbean participated in
equipment including the AN/ASQ-114 computer sys- Department of Defense surveillance missions with the
tem for navigation and sensor functions, the first of its U.S. Coast Guard to curtail drug running. The
kind in a maritime patrol aircraft. The P-3C had an “Woodpecker Vice” crews made five successful inter-
AN/AQA-7 acoustic processing system with DIFAR, cepts totaling over $20 million in hashish and cocaine,
quadruple the number of directional sonobuoys, and a one intercept alone included over $12 million in drugs
high capacity computer with related displays. aboard. The latter was the largest seizure to date. Both
1 Jul 1971: VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik, detachments deployed to Keflavik in late April 1990.
Iceland, for a five-month tour. The squadron earned a 1 May 1990: VP-49 deployed to NAS Keflavik,
Navy Unit Commendation for operations in the North Iceland, marking the first time a P-3C squadron
Atlantic during 14 to 25 September 1971.
1 Oct 1972: The squadron deployed to
Keflavik, Iceland. In March, two aircraft
were detached to the Royal
Netherlands Naval Air Station at
Valkenburg, Katwijk, Netherlands,
to provide Dutch aircrews a
firsthand look at the ASW ca-
pabilities of the Orion aircraft.
8 Mar 1975: The squadron
deployed to NAS Sigonella,
Sicily, earning a Meritorious
Unit Commendation during op-
erations in the Mediterranean.
11–30 Jan 1976: VP-49 deployed
a detachment to Ascension Island.
Surveillance flights over high-interest Soviet
units off the west coast of Africa earned the squadron A VP-49 P-3C at NAS Jacksonville in October 1982
a Meritorious Unit Commendation. (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via Mr. Archer).
294 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

equipped with the Update III package had conducted 1 Mar 1994: VP-49 was disestablished at NAS
operations against the Soviet Red Banner Northern Jacksonville, Fla., after concluding more than 32 years
fleet. The aircraft had an entirely new underwater and 214,000 hours of accident-free flying, a record in
acoustic monitoring system, doubling the number of the patrol aviation community.
sonobuoys that could be monitored concurrently
over earlier marks. IBM signal processors provided a Home Port Assignments
four-fold gain in isolating sounds of submerged tar-
gets from ocean background noise. Improvements in Location Date of Assignment
avionics, computers (AN/AYA-8) and cooling systems NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Feb 1944
were added, along with a retractable forward-looking NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 10 Jul 1944
infrared turret under the chin of the aircraft and
NAAF Eniwetok* 2 Nov 1944
Harpoon air-to-surface missile capability.
NAS Alameda, Calif. Jan-Feb 1946
10 Mar 1993: VP-49 deployed to Keflavik under
CTG 84.1. Duties included ASW NATO operations, NAS Norfolk, Va. 9 Apr 1946
joint training with the John F. Kennedy (CV 67) battle NAS Pensacola, Fla. 1 Jun 1949
group, navigation training to the North Pole, and ice NAS Norfolk, Va. 25 Aug 1949
reconnaissance missions to Thule, Greenland. With the NAS Bermuda 5 Jul 1951
end of the Cold War, the squadron conducted historic NAS Patuxent River, Md. 1 Sep 1963†
visits to Poland and the former Soviet Republics of NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 31 Jan 1972
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
* The squadron was moved to Iwo Jima during February to March
25 Sep 1993: Upon return from Iceland, the 1945 and then returned to NAAF Eniwetok.
squadron immediately commenced Haitian Assistance † The squadron’s home port was officially changed on 1 September
Group Operations. These patrol flights flown by the 1963 to NAS Patuxent River. However, only a squadron detachment
was maintained at NAS Patuxent River between September 1963 to
squadron were part of the efforts at enforcing the United January 1964. The main body of the squadron stayed at NAS Bermuda
Nation’s blockade against the Haitian military coup. and did not move to NAS Patuxent River until February 1964.

A squadron P-3A in flight.

A squadron P-3C
flies over a Soviet
helicopter carrier,
December 1977.
 CHAPTER 3 295

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

LT W. B. Brinkmann (actg.) 1 Feb 1944 CDR Victor S. Gulliver 14 Dec 1973
LCDR J. A. Masterson 9 Feb 1944 CDR Gerald W. McDonald 9 Dec 1974
LCDR J. M. Richards 11 Aug 1945 CDR Craig S. Campbell 22 Aug 1975
LCDR L. E. DeCamp 21 Nov 1945 CDR William C. Bloh 16 Jul
1976
LCDR O. P. Johnstone 29 Jul 1946 CDR Robert M. Howard 22 Jul
1977
LCDR W. R. Dunne 16 Jun 1947 CDR Bryon E. Tobin Jul
1978
CDR R. Y. McElroy 11 Jun 1948 CDR Joseph C. Payne 16 Jul
1979
CDR James B. Wallace Jun 1949 CDR Michael A. Nash 11 Jun1980
CDR Ellis J. Fisher Oct 1950 CDR Jon S. Coleman Jul
1981
CDR James P. Lynch Jul 1952 CDR James L. Minderlein 25 Jun1982
CDR Edward A. Taber, Jr. Sep 1953 CDR James A. Dvorak 1 Jul
1983
CDR John M. Arbuckle Aug 1954 CDR Michael D. Glerum 19 Oct 1984
CDR William H. Sours Sep 1955 CDR Larry D. Newsome 21 Feb 1986
CDR John S. Reef Jan 1957 CDR Larry L. Sakre 27 Mar 1987
CDR Elmer D. Anderson 1 Mar 1958 CDR Michael A. Trudell 25 Mar 1988
CDR H. J. Woodward 3 Mar 1959 CDR Charles R. Sipe, Jr. 17 Mar 1989
CDR Robert P. Coonan 1990
CDR T. R. McClellan 9 Mar 1960
CDR Edward Waller 1991
CDR P. E. Hill 30 Mar 1961
CDR James Droddy 1992
CDR Howard C. Hansen Nov 1961
CDR Mark Anthony 26 Mar 1993
CDR Robert E. Gayle, Jr. Nov 1962
CDR K. Carter 31 Mar 1964
CDR R. D. Campbell 28 Jan 1965 Aircraft Assignment
CDR James A. McCaig 17 Jan 1966 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR R. T. Lemon 28 Feb 1967
PBM-3D Feb 1944
CDR R. S. Zeisel 22 Jan 1968 P5M-1 Dec 1952
CDR R. E. Blandine 20 Jan 1969 P5M-2 Jun 1960
CDR Robert Wisdom 24 Nov 1969 SP-5B Dec 1962
CDR Eugene A. Tansey 10 Dec 1970 P-3A Aug 1963
CDR Robert A. Hall 17 Dec 1971 P-3C Sep 1969
CDR Jerry Funderbark 15 Dec 1972 P-3C UIIIR 1989

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Jul 1944 15 May 1946 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D EastPac

2 Nov 1944 Feb 1945 * Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
St. George (AV 16)
Feb 1945 Mar 1945 FAW-1 Iwo Jima PBM-3D WestPac
Hamlin (AV 15)
Mar 1945 Jan 1946 * Eniwetok PBM-3D WestPac
Corson (AVP 37)
Norton Sound (AV 11)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Oct 1962‡ Nov 1962 FAW-5 Guantanamo SP-5B Carib
Jun 1963‡ Aug 1963 FAW-5 Guantanamo SP-5B Carib
31 May 1965 Aug 1965 FAW-5 Argentia P-3A NorLant
14 Jan 1966 3 Jun 1966 FAW-10 Adak P-3A NorPac
13 Jan 1967† 28 Jun 1967 FAW-5 Argentia P-3A NorLant
13 Jan 1967† 28 Jun 1967 FAW-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
1 Jun 1968† 16 Dec 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
15 Jun 1968† 14 Dec 1968 FAW-8 U-Tapao P-3A WestPac
17 Jul 1970 6 Nov 1970 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
296 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron aircraft at Keflavik, Iceland, 1971.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jul 1971 1 Dec 1971 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant

1 Oct 1972 Mar 1973 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
Jan 1974 Jul 1974 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
8 Mar 1975 12 Aug 1975 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
11 Jan 1976 30 Jan 1976 PatWing-11 Ascension Is. P-3C SoLant
27 Jul 1976 29 Dec 1976 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
14 Sep 1977 19 Feb 1978 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Jan 1978 1 Jun 1978 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Feb 1979 28 Jun 1979 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
May 1980 Oct 1980 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
7 Jul 1981 17 Dec 1981 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
2 Nov 1982 21 Apr 1983 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Apr 1984† Sep 1984 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C Med
Apr 1984† Sep 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
Jul 1985 31 Dec 1985 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Jul 1986 Oct 1986 PatWing-11 Multi-site P-3C SoLant
Feb 1987 Aug 1987 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
10 Jul 1988 10 Jan 1989 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
1 Feb 1990† Apr 1990 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UIIIR Lant
1 Feb 1990† Apr 1990 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIIIR Carib
1 May 1990 Aug 1990 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
1 Jul 1991 Jan 1992 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIIIR Med
10 Mar 1993 24 Sep 1993 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
* The squadron came under the operational control of Commander Shore-Based Air Force, Marshalls-Gilberts Area. However, it continued to be
listed under FAW-2, most likely as part of their administrative control.
† The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.
‡ The main body of the squadron did not deploy, only detachments were on these deployments.
 CHAPTER 3 297

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 1 Feb 1944 NUC 14 Sep 1970 25 Sep 1970
FAW-2 10 Jul 1944 8 Feb 1979 27 Jun 1979
* 2 Nov 1944 15 May 1980 15 Oct 1980
FAW-1 Feb 1945 14 Jun 1985 30 Nov 1985
* Mar 1945 MUC 1 Jun 1975 16 Jul 1975
FAW-5 EA†/LP‡ 4 Mar 1946 10 Oct 1976 20 Oct 1976
FAW-11/ PatWing-11§ LP 31 Jan 1972 Jul 1985 Jan 1986
* The squadron came under the operational control of Commander
18 Mar 1987 8 May 1987
Shore-Based Air Force, Marshalls-Gilberts Area. However, it contin- 1 Feb 1990 31 Mar 1991
ued to be listed under FAW-2, most likely as part of their administra- 10 Jul 1991 1 Dec 1991
tive control. (Det) 11 Jan 1976 30 Jan 1976
† The squadron remained a part of FAW-5, but was assigned the tail

code EA on 7 November 1946. RVNGC 21 Nov 1968 31 Dec 1968

‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from EA to LP in 1957. The NEM 1 Jan 1985 31 Dec 1985
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 1 Jan 1990 31 Dec 1990
1958 (1 July 1957).
§ FAW-11 was redesignated PatWing-11 on 30 June 1973. (Sel. Crews) 3 Nov 1982 20 Apr 1983
AFEM (Sel. Crews) 11 Apr 1984 31 Jul 1984
JMUA 1 Oct 1982 20 Sep 1985
15 Aug 1990 12 Oct 1990
4 Dec 1991 10 Jan 1992

A squadron P-3C in flight.

A close up of the tail of a squadron P-3 showing the LP tail code and
the design used on the squadron aircraft. Note, this design is differ-
ent from the approved squadron insignia design.
298 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-50 the operational control of FAW-14 and administrative

control of the Naval Air Reserve Training Command
(NARTC). The squadron was one of 21 naval reserve
squadrons established after the war to accommodate
Lineage the large number of aircrews recently released from
Established as Patrol Squadron NINE HUNDRED active duty and utilize the enormous stocks of aircraft
SEVENTEEN (VP-917) on 18 July 1946. in the inventory. The squadron flew the PBY-5A/6A
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Catalina seaplane and the PV-2 Harpoon landplane.
SIXTY SEVEN (VP-ML-67) on 15 November 1946. 15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHT HUNDRED nated. Regular Navy patrol squadron designations
NINETY TWO (VP-892) in February 1950. began with 1 and reserve patrol squadrons began with
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY (VP-50) on 4 5 or higher. VP-917 was redesignated VP-ML-67. The
February 1953. ML for reserve squadrons included twin-engine
Disestablished on 30 June 1992. medium amphibious seaplanes, as well as twin-engine
land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol squadron
ML designations were for twin-engine medium land-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname based bombers only. The amphibious medium sea-
In 1952, VP-892 requested assistance from CNO in planes like the PBY-5A were in the AM category.
creating a squadron insignia. CNO referred the matter Feb 1950: VP-ML-67 was redesignated VP-892 dur-
ing the reorganization of Naval Aviation Reserve units
in 1949, but the change did not take effect until
February 1950. During this period the number of
Naval Aviation reserve squadrons was reduced from
the 1949 total of 24 to 9. By this date the squadron
had transitioned to the PBM-5 Mariner.
20 Jul 1950: VP-892 was called to active duty as a
result of North Korean forces invading the Republic of
Korea on 25 June 1950. The squadron reported for
duty to Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet at
NAS San Diego, Calif. At the start of hostilities the
Navy patrol forces on active duty numbered just 20
squadrons, and it quickly became apparent that this
meager figure was inadequate to meet the increased
demands. By the end of 1950 seven reserve patrol
squadrons were called to active duty to augment the
active duty Navy patrol squadrons. The squadron re-
ported aboard NAS San Diego on 4 August 1950 for
training under FAW-14.
23 Nov 1950: VP-892 began its first deployment at
Iwakuni, Japan, reporting to Commander Fleet Air
The squadron’s one and only insignia. Japan and FAW-6 on 13 December 1950. During the
deployment the squadron was involved in ASW, re-
to the Heraldic Branch of the Army Quartermaster connaissance and weather information flights in the
General, which prepared a design acceptable to both Sea of Japan and along the coasts of China and North
the squadron and the office of CNO. This design was Korea. The squadron’s first mission was flown on 18
approved by CNO on 10 February 1953. It was a circu- December 1950, making it the first flown by any re-
lar design with a winged dragon in the center, poised serve squadron in the Korean Conflict.
over a surfaced submarine with its claws outstretched. Aug 1951: VP-892 returned to NAS San Diego, Calif.,
Colors: background of disk, white; dragon, blue with to begin transitioning to the PBM-5S/S2 seaplane. The
red barbed tongue, horn, claws and tail; submarine, squadron became operational in January 1952.
black; sea, blue; border of insignia, red. 12 Feb–1 Mar 1952: VP-892 deployed to NS
Nickname: Blue Dragons, 1953–1992. Sangley Point, R.P., for duties under FAW-1. On 1
March 1952, the squadron began its second tour of op-
erations in the Korean combat zone conducting patrols
Chronology of Significant Events over the China coast and China Sea.
18 Jul 1946: VP-917 was established at NAS Sand 1 May–27 Jul 1953: VP-50 deployed to NS Sangley
Point, near Seattle, Wash. The squadron came under Point, R.P., with patrol duties covering the South China
 CHAPTER 3 299

31 Aug 1954: VP-50 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni,

Japan. The aircraft designated by the squadron as
“Seven Madness” was forced down with a burning
port engine while returning from a routine patrol in
the Yellow Sea. It was ditched safely and the crew was
rescued. However, the seaplane sank while under tow.
1 Jun 1956: VP-50 became the last active duty Navy
patrol squadron to replace its PBM Mariners with the
new Martin P5M-2 Marlin seaplane. Upon completion
of the transition, the squadron’s permanent home port
was changed from NAS North Island, Calif., to NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash.
1 Apr 1960: VP-50 was given a new home port at
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, under the operational and ad-
ministrative control of FAW-6.
A squadron PBM in flight, note the insignia just below the cockpit. 1 Oct 1961: VPs 50, 4, 28 and 40 were assigned to
Task Force 72, U.S. Taiwan Patrol Force, keeping
Sea. On 1 June 1953, a detachment began operations watch over international waters bordering communist
at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, flying patrols in the combat territory from Siberia to North Vietnam. This action
zone over the Korean coastline, Yellow Sea and Sea of was in response and result of the renewed tension
Japan. On 30 June 1953, a squadron Mariner sank near over the divided city of Berlin. Units of the Naval Air
Iwakuni while taxiing to test engines. No one was in- Reserve, including five patrol and 13 carrier antisub-
jured or lost, and boats from Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) marine squadrons were called to active duty.
rescued the crew from the water. The tender later 30 Jun–6 Aug 1964: VP-50 received a permanent
made several unsuccessful attempts to raise the change of station relocating its home port from MCAS
sunken aircraft. On 17 July Deliverer (ARS 23) de- Iwakuni, Japan, to NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif.
stroyed the sunken PBM with underwater demolition The squadron was the last of five overseas patrol
charges to eliminate any danger to vessels navigating squadrons to return to home ports in the continental
in the area. The detachment rejoined the squadron at U.S. Other unit moves included: VP-40, from NS
NS Sangley Point on 27 July 1953. Sangley Point, R.P., to NAS North Island, Calif.; VP-4,

A squadron P5M being hoisted aboard Pine Island (AV 12).

300 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

from Naha, Okinawa to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii; 17 Apr 1980: A squadron P-3C, BuNo. 158213, SG-
VP-45 from Bermuda to NAS Jacksonville, Fla.; and 03, after dropping six paratroopers as part of a
VP-49 from Bermuda to NAS Patuxent River, Md. The Samoan Flag Day celebration, crashed on the island.
squadron’s 12 SP-5B Marlins were turned over to the Six crewmen were killed in the mishap.
Bureau of Weapons for storage at Iwakuni. Upon ar- 10 Dec 1983: VP-50 deployed to NAF Misawa,
rival at NAS North Island, VP-50 accepted 12 similar Japan, with a detachment at NAS Adak, Alaska, reliev-
aircraft from VP-47, becoming fully operational on 6 ing VP-40. During the deployment the squadron con-
August 1964. ducted numerous peacetime aerial reconnaissance
26 Aug 1965: The Blue Dragons deployed to NS program flights monitoring the transit of Soviet military
Sangley Point, R.P., with a detachment at Buckner Bay, vessels.
Okinawa, and Cam Ranh Bay, RVN. Tender support at 1986: VP-50 upgraded its P-3C baseline with the
Buckner Bay was provided by Salisbury Sound (AV P-3C MOD avionics package, including new acous-
13), and at Cam Ranh Bay by Pine Island (AV 12). The tic processors, long-range navigation gear, secure
squadron flew 162 Market Time missions and its air- communications enhancements and Harpoon mis-
craft were hit by ground fire on 10 occasions. sile capability.
23 Aug 1966: VP-50 deployed to NS Sangley Point, 3 Jan 1987: VP-50 deployed to NAF Kadena,
R.P., with FAW-10. During the deployment a detachment Okinawa, with a detachment at Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.
operated out of Cam Ranh Bay, RVN, supported by the On 10 January the Kadena detachment repositioned to
tender Currituck (AV 7). On 6 January 1967, aircraft SG- Diego Garcia where operations were focused on the
13, while on a training flight, crashed in the South gulf, North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
China Sea 20 miles west of Corregidor killing all 10 men Detachments were established at intervals at Masirah,
aboard. Cause of the accident could not be determined. Oman.
22 Jun 1987: The squadron’s first P-3C MOD air-
craft was accepted for P-3C Update III retrofit pro-
gram. The aircraft had an entirely new underwater
acoustic monitoring system, doubling the number of
sonobuoys that could be monitored concurrently over
earlier systems. IBM signal processors provided a four-
fold gain in isolating sounds of submerged targets
from ocean background noise. Improvements in
avionics, computers (AN/AYA-8) and cooling systems
were added, along with a retractable forward-looking

A squadron P5M being brought aboard Salisbury Sound (AV 13).

1 Jul 1967: VP-50’s home port was changed from

NAS North Island, Calif., to NAS Moffett Field, Calif.
And the squadron began the transition from the P5M-2
Marlin seaplane to the P-3A Orion landplane.
1 May 1968: VP-50 deployed to NS Sangley Point,
R.P., with a detachment at NAF Cam Ranh Bay, RVN.
The squadron was the first P-3 Orion unit to operate
from the Cam Ranh Bay facility and earned a
Meritorious Unit Commendation for the performance
of its duties during this period.
11 Jun–Aug 1979: The Dragons deployed to NAF
Kadena, Okinawa, relieving VP-47. During August, nu-
merous missions were flown in support of the
Vietnamese refugees, locating distressed vessels and
directing rescue ships to them. A squadron P-3A in flight, 1967.
 CHAPTER 3 301

infrared turret under the chin and Harpoon air-to-sur- overthrow the government of President Corazon
face missile capability. The squadron became fully op- Aquino. VP-50 flew battle group support missions to
erational with the new updates during its first ready cut off the potential supply lines for the rebels.
alert on 1 March 1988. 21 Mar 1991: Two VP-50 Orions, P-3C, BuNos.
6 Feb 1988: The squadron’s record of 49,000 158930 and 159325, had a midair collision off the
mishap-free flying hours was broken when an aircraft southern coast of California, killing all 27 aircrew-
was damaged during a touch-and-go landing in an men aboard. The cause for the mishap could not be
area where the runway was under construction. The determined.
pilot was able to make a wheels-up landing with three 30 Jun 1992: VP-50 was disestablished at NAS
engines at nearby Cecil Field with no injury to any of Moffett Field, Calif.
the five crew aboard.
15 May 1988: H. Lawrence Garrett III was sworn in
Home Port Assignments
as the 68th Secretary of the Navy. Secretary Garrett had
served as a Naval Flight Officer with VP-50 in Location Date of Assignment
Vietnam. NAS Sand Point, Wash. 18 Jul 1946
4 Aug 1988: The Blue Dragons deployed to NAF NAS San Diego/North Island, Calif.* 4 Aug 1950
Misawa, Japan. During the deployment the squadron was NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Jun 1956
able to conduct several Pony Express operations (missile MCAS Iwakuni, Japan 1 Apr 1960
shot surveillance) on the Peoples Republic of China. NAS North Island, Calif. 30 Jun 1964
1 Nov 1989: VP-50 deployed to NAS Cubi Point, NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Jul 1967
R.P., with a detachment at NAF Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.
In December 1989 Philippine insurgents attempted to * NAS San Diego was redesignated NAS North Island in 1955.

A VP-50 P-3C preparing to land at

NAS Moffett Field in April 1981
(Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collec-
tion via Michael Grove).

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR H. T. Byler 18 Jul1946 CDR O. B. Gray 10 Mar 1961
LCDR Edward R. Swanson 9 Sep 1948 CDR William H. Locklin 22 Jun 1962
CDR W. H. Chester 20 Sep 1951 CDR H. W. Smith 4 Jun 1963
LCDR N. D. McClure 26 Sep 1952 CDR W. A. Van Train 22 Jun 1964
CDR D. C. Davis 1954 CDR H. B. Lansden 22 Jun 1965
CDR Constantine J. Economou 1955 CDR Harlan Purdy 21 Jun 1966
CDR W. D. Harrington 1956 CDR Owen A. Kidd 29 May 1967
CDR Andrew H. Cowart 15 Nov 1957 CDR Carl O. Hausler 29 Jun 1968
CDR Robert J. Ney Jun 1959 CDR Charles K. Anderle 16 Jun 1969
CDR F. G. Koenig, Jr. 4 Jun 1960 CDR C. O. Prindle 3 Apr 1970
302 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR Jerry L. Mitchell 18 May 1971 CDR E. F. Carter 3 Nov 1989
CDR H. S. Van Dusen 1 Jul 1972 CDR John Mauthe 2 Nov 1990
CDR William R. Hodge 15 Jun 1973 CDR Fredrick B. Horne 25 Oct 1991
CDR Francis H. Stoodley 21 Jun 1974
CDR Donald U. Calvin 20 Jun 1975
Aircraft Assignment
CDR George T. Lloyd 18 Jun 1976
CDR Gary C. Ledbetter 10 Jun 1977 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Robert J. Arnold 9 Jun 1978 PBY-5A/6A Jul 1946
CDR John H. Grotenhuis 17 May 1979 PV-2 Jul 1946
CDR Jerry F. Huss 4 Jun 1980 PBM-5 1949
CDR Robert L. Bushong 19 May 1981 PBM-5S/S2 Aug 1951
CDR Quentin S. Masters 21 May 1982 P5M-2 Jun 1956
CDR Albert J. Begbie 27 May 1983 SP-5B Dec 1962
CDR Donald A. Giles 10 Aug 1984 P-3A Jul 1967
CDR Denis F. Beaugureau 8 Nov 1985 P-3B 1970
CDR Gregory M. Zorbach 10 Nov 1986 P-3C 1971
CDR Daniel R. Veldstra 20 Nov 1987
P-3C MOD 1986
CDR J. E. Boyington, Jr. 6 Oct 1988
P-3C UIIIR Jun 1987

A couple of squadron PBMs in flight, April 1956.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

23 Nov 1950 9 Jun 1951 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5 WestPac

Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Curtiss (AV 4)
Suisun (AVP 53)
12 Feb 1952 18 Sep 1952 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. PBM-5S/S2 WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
1 May 1953 1 Sep 1953 FAW-1 Sangley Pt. PBM-5S/S2 WestPac
1 Jun 1953† 27 Jul 1953 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S2 WestPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
 CHAPTER 3 303

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)

Floyds Bay (AVP 40)
31 Aug 1954 Jan 1955 FAW-6 Iwakuni PBM-5S/S2 WestPac
Jul 1957 4 Nov 1957 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-2 WestPac
1 Nov 1958 Apr 1959 FAW-6 Iwakuni P5M-2 WestPac
26 Aug 1965* 14 Mar 1966 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
26 Aug 1965* 14 Mar 1966 FAW-1 Buckner Bay SP-5B WestPac
Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
26 Aug 1965* 14 Mar 1966 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-5B WestPac
Pine Island (AV 12)
23 Aug 1966* 6 Feb 1967 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. SP-5B WestPac
23 Aug 1966* 6 Feb 1967 FAW-8 Cam Ranh SP-5B WestPac
Currituck (AV 7)
1 May 1968* 2 Nov 1968 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3A WestPac
1 May 1968* 2 Nov 1968 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3A WestPac
15 Jul 1969* 15 Jan 1970 FAW-1 Naha P-3B WestPac
15 Jul 1969* 15 Jan 1970 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac
29 Sep 1970* 31 Mar 1971 FAW-8 Sangley Pt. P-3B WestPac
29 Sep 1970* 31 Mar 1971 FAW-8 Cam Ranh P-3B WestPac
8 Sep 1971 31 Dec 1971 FAW-10 Adak P-3C NorPac

A squadron PBM being launched at Iwakuni, Japan. Oriskany (CVA 34) is in the background, NH-94618.
304 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jan 1972* 30 Jun 1972 FAW-10 Adak P-3C NorPac

1 Jan 1972* 30 Jun 1972 FAW-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
1 Jul 1973* 31 Dec 1973 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
1 Jul 1973* 31 Dec 1973 PatWing-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
24 Jan 1975* 10 Aug 1975 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
24 Jan 1975* 10 Aug 1975 PatWing-1 Agana P-3C WestPac
10 Aug 1976 11 Feb 1977 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
26 Jan 1978 11 Jul 1978 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
11 Jun 1979 11 Nov 1979 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C WestPac
10 Jul 1980 10 Nov 1980 PatWingPac Adak P-3C NorPac
10 Jun 1981 10 Dec 1981 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Oct 1982 10 Feb 1983 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
10 Dec 1983* 10 Jun 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C WestPac
10 Dec 1983* 10 Jun 1984 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac
10 Jul 1985 10 Jan 1986 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C IO
3 Jan 1987 10 Jul 1987 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C MOD IO
4 Aug 1988 7 Feb 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
1 Nov 1989* 10 May 1990 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3C UIII WestPac
1 Nov 1989* 10 May 1990 PatWing-1 Diego Garcia P-3C UIII IO
4 Aug 1991 10 Jan 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIII NorPac
* The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.
† A detachment deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and then returned to the squadron during its WestPac deployment to NS Sangley Point, R.P.

A squadron P-3C at Adak, Alaska, with Mount Moffett in the background.

 CHAPTER 3 305

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 SE† 18 Jul 1946 MUC 16 Nov 1970 22 Nov 1970
COMFAIRALAMEDA SE 1951
10 Oct 1982 28 Oct 1982
FAW-14 SE 1952
FAW-1 SE late 1952 8 Dec 1982 17 Dec 1982
FAW-14 SE mid 1953 1 Mar 1988 1 Mar 1989
COMFAIRALAMEDA SE late 1953 NUC 1 Jan 1967 31 Mar 1968
FAW-4 SE/SG‡ late 1956 KSM 23 Nov 1950 9 Jun 1951
FAW-6 SG 1 Apr 1960
FAW-14 SG 30 Jun 1964 1 May 1953 1 Sep 1953
FAW-10 SG 1 Jul 1967 RVNGC 15 Sep 1966 20 Sep 1966
COMPATWINGSPAC SG 30 Jun 1973 1 Oct 1969 31 Jan 1970
PatWing-10 SG 1 Jun 1981 1 Sep 1970 21 Nov 1970
† The squadron was assigned the tail code SE after it was called to NEM (Sel. Crews) 10 Jun 1981 20 Jul 1981
active duty in July 1950.
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from SE to SG in 1957. The AFEM (Sel. Crews) 23 May 1972 28 Jun 1972
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY HSM (Guam Det) 2 Apr 1975 21 May 1975
1958 (1 July 1957).

A squadron P-3C flying over Mount Fuji, Japan, January 1977.

306 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Third VP-51 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Apr 1948: VPW-1 was established at NAS
Quonset Point, R.I., as an Air Early Warning squadron
Lineage flying the PB-1 Flying Fortress. Some of the personnel
identified for assignment to VPW-1 had been ordered
Established as Air Early Warning Squadron ONE
to VX-4 for training on the PB-1W aircraft prior to their
(VPW-1) on 1 April 1948.
unit being established as a separate squadron. Another
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY ONE (VP-51)
on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- group of personnel for VPW-1 was located at
signed the VP-51 designation. Kwajalein Atoll participating in Operation Sandstone
Disestablished on 1 February 1950. when the squadron was established on 1 April. This
detachment consisted of 17 officers and 29 enlisted
personnel. The detachment’s mission during this oper-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname ation was to patrol a designated danger area during
On 9 September 1949, the commanding officer of hours of darkness to ensure no unauthorized craft en-
VP-51 responded to a CNO request of 10 May 1949 tered the atomic experimental test area.
that the squadron submit a design for an insignia. The 1 Apr 1948: Immediately following the squadron’s
establishment at NAS Quonset Point it was assigned a
new home port at NAAS Ream Field, Imperial Beach,
Calif.
2–3 Apr 1948: The squadron received its first four
PB-1Ws on 2 April. These aircraft had been B-17G’s,
held by the U.S. Army Air Force in reserve storage,
and released to the Navy for modification by the
NAMU Johnsville, Pa. The APS-20 search radar was in-
stalled, with a distinctive large fairing projecting from
the chin of the aircraft for the scanning unit. The
bomb bays were sealed since no weapons were car-
ried and extra fuel tanks were installed to increase
range. On 3 April the squadron began the move to its
new home port at NAAS Ream Field.
Apr–May 1948: The squadron participated in vari-
ous fleet radar relay and search and rescue exercises.
29 May 1948: The squadron’s Kwajalein
Detachment return to NAAS Ream Field.
7 Jul 1948: VPW-1 was relocated to NAAS Miramar,
north of San Diego, Calif.
July 1948: The squadron established a detachment
at NAS Agana, Guam. The detachment operated under
the control of FAW-1. The primary mission of the de-
The squadron’s cartoon insignia. tachment was typhoon reconnaissance.
1 Sep 1948: The squadron was redesignated VP-51.
VP-51 was the first operational land-based AEW
squadron. The primary mission of the squadron was
submission was the motif of an early bird catching a
worm, alluding to a snorkeling submarine. The bird, ASW but it was also responsible for developing, im-
snatching the worm from the depths of the ocean, proving and evaluating all aspects relating to the oper-
stands astride the North American continent, with the ational use of AEW.
sun peeping up over the rim of the globe. In the bird’s May 1949: VP-51 received the PB4Y-2 Privateer to
hands are clutched two signal flags attached to light- replace the PB-1W aircraft being taken out of service.
ning bolts. Colors: bird, brown with coral stomach; Jul–Aug 1949: The squadron participated in AEW
bird feet, yellow; cap, red with number 51 on front; intercept exercises in July and August and ASW
flags, one yellow with blue cross, second flag red with hunter/killer exercises in August.
yellow stripes; earth, blue and brown; sun, orange; 1 Feb 1950: VP-51 was disestablished at NAAS
worm, pale green; background, pale blue and white. Miramar, Calif. Personnel from the disestablished
Nickname: None on record. squadron were used to form a detachment of VX-4.
 CHAPTER 3 307

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 1 Apr 1948 CDR F. P. Anderson (actg.) 29 Jun 1949
NAS Ream Field, Calif. 3 Apr 1948 CDR Harold W. McDonald 16 Dec 1949
NAAS Miramar, Calif. 1 Aug 1948
Aircraft Assignment
Commanding Officers
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Date Assumed Command PB-1W 2 Apr 1948
CDR Harold W. McDonald 1 Apr 1948 PB4Y-2 Jun 1949

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Apr 1948* May 1948 CTG 7.3 Kwajalein PB-1W WestPac

Jul 1948* Dec 1948 FAW-1 Agana PB-1W WestPac
* Deployments are for squadron detachments, not the full squadron.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIR Quonset* EW 1 Apr 1948 None on record.
FAW-14 EW 1 Apr 1948
* The squadron was established at NAS Quonset Point under

Commander Fleet Air Quonset and, on the same day, reassigned to

FAW-14 on the West Coast.

A PB-1W in flight. This aircraft was assigned to VX-4 and was used to train VPW-1 personnel.
308 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-56 tions; letters on top and bottom of design, black on

white background.
Nickname: Dragons, 1952–1991.

Lineage
Chronology of Significant Events
Established as Patrol Squadron NINE HUNDRED
(VP-900) on 1 July 1946. 1 Jul 1946: VP-900 was established at NAS
Redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) Anacostia, D.C. It came under the operational control
SEVENTY ONE (VP-ML-71) on 15 November 1946. of FAW-5 and administrative control of the Naval Air
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIX HUNDRED SIXTY Reserve Training Command. The squadron was one of
ONE (VP-661) in February 1950. 21 naval reserve squadrons established after the war to
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY SIX (VP-56) on accommodate the large number of aircrews recently
4 February 1953, the second patrol squadron to be as- released from active duty and utilize the enormous
signed the VP-56 designation. stocks of aircraft on the inventory. The squadron flew
Disestablished on 28 June 1991. the PBY-5A/6A Catalina seaplane and the PV-2
Harpoon landplane.
15 Nov 1946: All patrol squadrons were redesig-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname nated. Regular Navy squadron designations began
The squadron’s first insignia was developed and with 1 and reserve patrol squadron designations began
submitted to CNO during its existence as VP-661 in with 5. VP-900 was redesignated VP-ML-71. The ML
1952. CNO approved the de- for reserve patrol squadrons included twin-engine
sign on 15 March 1952. medium amphibian seaplanes, as well as twin-engine
The central figure of land-based bombers. Regular Navy patrol squadron
the design was a ML designations were for twin-engine medium land-
fierce winged based bombers only. The amphibian medium sea-
dragon, breathing planes like the PBY-5A were in the AM category.
fire and smoke Feb 1950: VP-ML-71 was redesignated VP-661 dur-
above the up-thrust ing the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve units in
bow of a sinking 1949, but the redesignation did not take effect until
submarine. Colors: February 1950. During this period the number of
background, white; Naval Aviation reserve squadrons was reduced from
dragon, blue with yel- the 1949 total of 24 to 9.
low belly, red eyes 15 Sep 1950: VP-661 was called to active duty as a
The squadron’s first dragon insignia. and mouth; sea, result of North Korean forces invading the Republic of
light green; border,
red. The squadron retained this design after its redes-
ignation to VP-56.
The second insignia of VP-56 was a modernized
rendition of the first design. It was submitted to
CNO and approved on 23 October 1968. The
winged dragon, still
the central feature,
breathed fire against
a circular back-
ground of red, white
and blue. A scroll at
the top displayed
the designation PA-
TRON 56. The scroll
at the bottom con-
tained the nickname
Dragons. Colors:
dragon, black body,
white belly, red
flames; background,
The squadron’s second insignia had
divided into red,
a more stylized dragon design. white and blue sec- Squadron P5Ms in flight.
 CHAPTER 3 309

South Korea on 25 June 1950. The squadron reported 1 Oct–Nov 1962: VP-56 deployed a detachment of
for duty to Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet five aircraft to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On 22
at NAS Norfolk, Va. At the start of hostilities Navy pa- October 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced
trol forces on active duty numbered just 20 squadrons, the imposition of quarantine on Cuba after photo-
and it quickly became apparent that this meager figure graphic intelligence analysis had ascertained the pres-
was inadequate to meet the increased demands. By ence of numerous medium-and long-range interconti-
the end of 1950 seven reserve patrol squadrons were nental missile sites. On 24 October 1962, the squadron
called to active duty to augment the regular Navy pa- moved the rest of its aircraft to Cuba. The Dragons
trol squadrons. After reporting for duty at NAS and 14 other patrol squadrons played a key role in the
Norfolk, Va., the squadron was sent to NAS Corpus surveillance of Soviet bloc vessels approaching Cuba,
Christi, Tex., for six weeks of transitional training in and later the verification count of missiles being re-
the PBM-5 and PBM-5S2 Mariner seaplane. moved. The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk in late
May 1953: The first of the squadron’s new P5M-1 November 1962, after earning a letter of commenda-
Marlin seaplanes began to arrive as replacements for tion for their efforts.
the aging PBM Mariners. Pilots and ground crew per- 15 May 1966: The Dragons deployed to NAF
sonnel were sent to the Glenn L. Martin P5M school in Sigonella, Sicily, relieving VP-23. Detachments oper-
Baltimore, Md., for training in operation and mainte- ated at various times from RHAF Souda Bay, Crete;
nance of the new aircraft. Capodichine, Italy; Athens, Greece; Tripoli, Libya; and
Feb 1958: The Dragons came to the assistance of Izmir, Turkey. While at Crete, the squadron was sup-
sister squadron VP-45 when one of its aircraft became ported by Tallahatchie County (AVB 2).
frozen in the ice at NAS Norfolk. A group of volun- 27 May–5 Jun 1968: The Dragons were among the
teers from VP-56 found and old WWII amphibious patrol squadrons and other naval units called upon to
tractor and made their way to the aircraft over the ice. assist in the search for the ill-fated Scorpion (SSN 589),
They were able to chop the aircraft out of the ice and last heard from on 21 May 1968 50 miles south of the
tow it to the beach. Azores. The search proved futile, and the four VP-56
25 Jan–Jun 1961: VP-56 received its first Lockheed patrol aircraft were released for return to NAS Norfolk
P2V-7 Neptune and began transitioning from the on 5 June 1968. Scorpion was struck from the Navy list
Marlin seaplane. Transition training was completed by on 30 June 1968. In late October 1968 the remains of
8 June 1961. Scorpion were discovered in 10,000 feet of water 400

Squadron P2Vs
in formation.
310 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

miles SW of the Azores. No cause was ever deter- 1 Jan 1986: VP-56 deployed to NAF Sigonella,
mined for the sinking. Sicily. The squadron established a record for the num-
7 Jun 1968: VP-56 received a permanent change of ber of hours spent on ship-to-aircraft tactical comput-
station from NAS Norfolk, Va., to NAS Patuxent River, erized communications, called data link, while track-
Md. Upon arrival, the Dragons began preparing for ing Soviet submarines in the Mediterranean.
transition from the SP-2H Neptune to the P-3B Orion. 24 Mar–15 Apr 1986: The squadron provided a de-
8 Aug 1968: VP-56 received its first P-3B Orion. tachment for support of the task force involved in op-
Eight P-3Bs would be received by the end of the tran- erations against Libya. Operation Freedom of
sition, replacing 12 SP-2H Neptunes. Navigation in the Gulf of Sidra was conducted in sup-
Sep 1969: VP-56 received its first P-3C Orion and port of American carrier aircraft operating in interna-
completed the transition training in October 1969. The tional waters. In retaliation for missiles fired at U.S.
Dragons were the first fleet patrol squadron to receive Navy aircraft, strikes were conducted by the battle
the P-3C. The baseline model incorporated the group against Libyan missile sites at Surt and three
AN/ASQ-114 computer system for navigation and sen- Libyan missile boats. On 14 to 15 April 1986, strikes
sor functions, the first of its kind in a maritime patrol were conducted against Benghazi and Tripoli by Coral
aircraft. It had an AN/AQA-7 Jezebel acoustic process- Sea (CV 43) and America (CV 66) battle group aircraft
ing system and quadruple the number of directional and USAF F-111s staging out of bases in England.
sonobuoys, with a high capacity computer and related 7 Aug–Oct 1987: The Dragons deployed to NAS
displays. Bermuda and received a Meritorious Unit
Feb 1970: The squadron’s first P-3C baseline Orion Commendation in connection with Hurricane Emily
was retrofitted with DIFAR gear. and the recovery efforts in its aftermath during the pe-
1 Nov 1970: VP-56 conducted its first deployment riod 25 September to 23 October 1987.
to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, as a P-3C squadron. The 21 Jul 1989: The Dragons completed 25 years and
squadron was subsequently awarded a Navy Unit 170,253 hours of mishap-free flying.
Commendation for its activities in surveillance of the 28 Jun 1991: VP-56 was disestablished at NAS
Soviet submarine fleet during November and Jacksonville, Fla., with over 26 years and 178,000
December 1970. hours of accident-free flying.
1 Dec 1971–Feb 1972: The Dragons deployed to
NAS Keflavik, Iceland. On 25 February 1972, a dis-
Home Port Assignments
abled H-class Soviet submarine was located on the
surface. Squadron aircraft flew around-the-clock Location Date of Assignment
surveillance for five days until other Soviet ships could NAS Anacostia, Md. 1 Jul 1946
enter the area to assist the vessel. NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Sep 1950
6 May–Jul 1974: VP-56 deployed to NAF Sigonella, NAS Patuxent River, Md. 7 Jun 1968
Sicily. On 22 July, the American ambassador requested NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Jul 1971
the assistance of the Sixth Fleet in evacuating
American citizens from Cyprus due to the outbreak of
hostilities between Turkish and Greek factions. VP-56 Commanding Officers
flew 68 sorties in support of Forrestal (CVA 59) while
Date Assumed Command
it covered the evacuation carried out by the Marines.
Apr 1983: The squadron’s P-3C baseline aircraft LCDR W. Sheehan 1 Jul 1946
were retrofitted with the AQA-7V Acoustic DIFAR Unknown 1947–1950
System. LCDR Thomas G. Monahan, Jr. Sep 1950

A VP-56 P-3C at NAS Moffett Field in

November 1975 (Courtesy Rick R.
Bur gr ess Collection via Michael
Grove).
 CHAPTER 3 311

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR Henry G. McDonough Apr 1952 CDR N. W. Ray Jan 1980
CDR Charles L. Bardwell Sep 1953 CDR C. R. Cramer Feb 1981
CDR Elmer T. Stonecipher Jul 1954 CDR Kenneth G. Johnson Jan 1982
CDR Donald G. Miller Oct 1955 CDR Michael J. Caruso Apr 1983
CDR Douglas M. Birdsall Jan 1957 CDR Donald L. Riffle Jul 1984
CDR J. A. Jones 4 Mar 1958 CDR H. Michael Wilson Oct 1985
CDR B. S. Larkins 1 Jun 1959 CDR Robert G. Simpson 3 Oct 1986
CDR J. A. Montgomery 15 Jun 1960 CDR James E. Dolle 14 Oct 1987
CDR R. L. Morris 3 Jul 1961
CDR Stewart R. Barnett III 28 Oct 1988
CDR D. W. Herlong 7 Jun 1962
CDR C. Max Lindner III 6 Oct 1989
CDR G. G. Berkstresser 8 Jul 1963
CDR Rush E. Baker III 12 Oct 1990
CDR L. E. Mathwick 11 Apr 1964
CDR J. Miller 5 Jan 1965
CDR Gerald F. Thummel 8 Dec 1965 Aircraft Assignment
CDR J. M. Brozena 8 Dec 1966
CDR Ralph J. Touch 28 Dec 1967 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR John J. McIntyre 12 Dec 1968 PBY-5A/6A May 1946
CDR Melvin Meltzer 15 Dec 1969 PV-2 May 1946
CDR Steven E. Kish 15 Dec 1970 PBM-5/5S2 Sep 1950
CDR H. P. Fillingane 23 Nov 1971 P5M-1 May 1953
CDR James B. Kramer 12 Dec 1972 P5M-2 1955
CDR Charles S. Cornett, Jr. 15 Jan 1974 P2V-7 Jan 1961
CDR William H. Compton 12 Dec 1974 SP-2H Dec 1962
CDR James E. McNulla III 10 Dec 1975 P-3B Jun 1968
CDR Roger F. Donodeo 13 Dec 1976 P-3C Sep 1969
CDR Robert C. Leslie 1 Dec 1977 P-3C (MOD) 1986
CDR D. G. Oakes 21 Nov 1978 P-3C UIIIR Jul 1989

A squadron P5M just after launching from the boat ramp.

312 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Aug 1956 Nov 1956 FAW-5 Currituck P5M-2 Med

(AV 7) and
LST-32
1 Jul 1959 1959 FAW-5 Halifax P5M-2 NorLant
Albemarle (AV 5)
11 Apr 1962* 11 Sep 1962 FAW-5 Rota P2V-7 Med
11 Apr 1962* 11 Sep 1962 FAW-5 Keflavik P2V-7 NorLant
11 Apr 1962* 11 Sep 1962 FAW-5 Rota P2V-7 Med
1 Oct 1962 Nov 1962 FAW-11 Guantanamo P2V-7 Carib
15 May 1966 13 Nov 1966 FAW-5 Sigonella SP-2H Med
Tallahatchie County (AVB 2)
27 Jun 1967 17 Dec 1967 FAW-5 Rota SP-2H Med
1 Nov 1970 5 Mar 1971 FAW-5 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
1 Dec 1971 5 May 1972 FAW-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant

A squadron SP-2H in flight, 1964.

 CHAPTER 3 313

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Mar 1973* Aug 1973 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant

15 Mar 1973* Aug 1973 PatWing-11 Souda Bay P-3C Med
6 May 1974 24 Sep 1974 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
25 Sep 1975 27 Feb 1976 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
6 Nov 1976 15 Apr 1977 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
4 Apr 1978 20 Sep 1978 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
25 Jun 1979 4 Dec 1979 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
1980 1980 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
1981 1981 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
Feb 1982 Aug 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C Lant
30 May 1983* 9 Nov 1983 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C Med
30 May 1983* 9 Nov 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3C Lant
Aug 1984 17 Jan 1985 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C NorLant
1 Jan 1986 11 Jul 1986 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C Med
7 Aug 1987 23 Oct 1987 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C MOD Lant
1 Jan 1989 28 Jun 1989 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C MOD Med
2 Aug 1990 8 Feb 1991 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIIIR NorLant
* The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 EH / LQ † ‡ 1 Jul 1946 NUC 4 Nov 1970 15 Nov 1970
FAW-11/PatWing-11§ LQ 1 Jul 1971 23 Mar 1986 31 Mar 1986
MUC 11 Feb 1982 11 Aug 1982
† The squadron was assigned the tail code EH when it was called to 25 Sep 1987 23 Oct 1987
active duty in September 1950. HSM 2 May 1980
‡ The squadron’s tail code was changed from EH to LQ in 1957. The
19 May 1980 31 May 1980
effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY
1958 (1 July 1957).
AFEM (Sel Crews) 6 Jun 1983
§ FAW-11 was redesignated Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) on 30 June NEM (Sel Crews) 20 Jan 1986
1973. 27 Jun 1986

A squadron P-3C, 1977.

314 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-60 central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve. VP-

60 was established at NAS Glenview, Ill., under
Commander Reserve Patrol Wings, Atlantic. It was
formed by combining personnel from VPs 70V1, 70V2,
Lineage 70V3 and 49V4, at NAS Glenview and NAS Twin
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY (VP-60) on 1 Cities, Minn. The squadron conducted flying opera-
November 1970. tions with nine SP-2H Neptunes.
Disestablished on 1 September 1994. 1 Jul 1975: Administrative control for VP-60 was
transferred from Commander Reserve Patrol Wings,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Atlantic to Commander Reserve Patrol Wings, Pacific.
Jun–Nov 1980: The Cobras transitioned from the P-
The insignia chosen by VP-60 was approved by
CNO on 28 December 1971. The device featured a 3A airframe to the P-3B. The B-model Orions came
with more powerful engines and improved avionics.
Transition training was completed in November.
27 Mar 1981: VP-60 deployed to NAF Kadena,
Okinawa, with detachments at NAS Whidbey Island,
Wash., and NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Crews operat-
ing with the two detachments completed basic and ad-
vanced antisubmarine warfare qualification flights in
the weapons systems trainer. The unit at Kadena pro-
vided the only available on-the-spot sea-air rescue
support in April when one of the Navy’s SSBNs col-
lided with a Japanese freighter that resulted in the
sinking of the freighter.
Mar 1983: The first of the squadron’s 10 P-3B
Orions was sent to the Naval Air Rework Facility
(NARF) at NAS Alameda, Calif., for retrofit to the P-3B
Tactical Navigational Modification (TAC/NAV MOD).
1993: In its last year of operational flying, VP-60
provided support to UNITAS XXXIV/93, a series of
ASW exercises conducted with naval units in Uruguay.
17Aug 1993: VP-60 was selected to conduct a live
over-the-horizon HARM (high-speed antiradiation mis-
The squadron’s cobra insignia. sile) and Harpoon launch at NAS Point Mugu, Calif.
The exercise was unique in that the crew launched
their Harpoon using coordinated satellite targeting
large Cobra coiled around a submarine, symbolizing data delivered straight to the cockpit instead of the air-
the squadron’s primary mission of antisubmarine war- craft’s onboard radar data.
fare. Colors: snake, blue green body, yellow belly, red 1 Sep 1994: VP-60 was disestablished at NAS
tongue and eyes; water, green; submarine, black; Glenview, Ill.
scroll at bottom had PATRON 60 lettering in blue on a
white scroll background.
Nicknames: Cobras, 1970–1994 (aka, Snake Home Port Assignments
Snappers, 1974).
Location Date of Assignment
NAS Glenview, Ill. 1 Nov 1970
Chronology of Significant Events
1 Nov 1970: VP-60 was one of 12 VP and three VR Commanding Officers
squadrons established in 1970 as a continuation of a
program initiated in July 1968 to give Naval Air Date Assumed Command
Reserve squadrons an improved combat readiness. CDR Robert A. Galbraith 1 Nov 1970
The concept, known as the 12/2/1 had 12 VP CDR George L. Young, Jr. 30 Jun 1971
squadrons under two commands, Commander Fleet CDR Alfred M. Fenstad 6 Jan 1973
Air Reserve Wings Atlantic and Commander Fleet Air CDR Richard C. Riebe 4 Jan 1975
Reserve Wings Pacific, both under the control of one CDR Stephen G. Snipes 17 Jul 1976
 CHAPTER 3 315

A squadron P-3B in flight.

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR Howard C. Lysne 29 Jul 1978 CDR Jerome D. Kulenkamp 1992
CAPT Gary L. Engel 12 Jul 1980 CDR Brian P. Burghgrave 1993
CDR John J. Mumaw 16 Jan 1982
CDR Richard D. Nilson 6 Aug 1983 Aircraft Assignment
CDR Michael Mazurczak II 3 Mar 1985 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR John I. Hallquist 21 Sep 1986 SP-2H 1 Nov 1970
CDR James B. Johnson 19 Mar 1988 P-3A 1975
CDR James C. Schultz 9 Sep 1989 P-3B Jun 1980
CDR James L. Cook 1990 P-3B MOD Mar 1983

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Mar 1976 Apr 1976 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac

10 Mar 1977 10 Apr 1977 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
7 Apr 1979 6 May 1979 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3A Lant
3 Apr 1980 4 May 1980 PatWing-5 Lajes P-3A Lant
27 Mar 1981 Apr 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
7 Mar 1982 4 Apr 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B WestPac
3 Mar 1983 3 Apr 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B WestPac
316 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jun 1984 Jul 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac

Mar 1985 Apr 1985 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3B WestPac
Jun 1986 Jul 1986 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
Mar 1987 Apr 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
Mar 1988 Apr 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
Feb 1989 Mar 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
1993 1993 PatWing-10 Uruguay P-3B SoLant

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMRESPATWINGLANT LS 1 Nov 1970 NEM 1 Oct 1976 30 Sep 1978
COMRESPATWINGPAC LS 1 Jul 1975

A VP-60 P-3A at NAS Glenview in Feb-

ruary 1980 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress
Collection).
 CHAPTER 3 317

Third VP-61 28 Feb 1945: VD-5 deployed a forward echelon of

five aircraft and crews to Guinan Field, Samar.
1–11 Mar 1945: VD-5 continued to fly photo mis-
sions from Guam over Okinawa, Marcus, Chichi Jima,
Lineage Haha Jima and Yap.
Established as Photographic Squadron FIVE (VD-5) 11 Mar–1 May 1945: The forward echelon at
on 1 June 1944. Samar was relocated to Clark Field, Luzon,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) ONE Philippines. The detachment at that time came under
(VPP-1) on 15 November 1946. the operational control of FAW-17. By April 1945, VD-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTY ONE (VP-61) 5 was operating with the headquarters portion of the
on 1 September 1948, the third patrol squadron to be squadron at Agana, Guam; a forward detachment at
assigned the VP-61 designation. Clark Field, Philippines; and two small detachments at
Disestablished on 17 January 1950. Ulithi and Pelelieu. The squadron was providing pho-
tographic reconnaissance over Okinawa, Marcus,
Chichi Jima, Haha Jima, Yap and Palau islands. VD-5’s
Squadron Insignia and Nickname complement of aircraft was expanded on 20 April
None on record. 1945 to include eight Grumman F6F-5P Hellcats. On 1
May 1945, all of the VD-5 elements rejoined the
squadron at Agana, Guam.
Chronology of Significant Events
13 May 1945: VD-5 received orders to prepare for
1 Jun–18 Sep 1944: VD-5 was established at NAS return to the U.S. Photographic personnel were trans-
San Diego, Calif., under the operational control of ferred to Interpretation Squadron 2 (InterpRon-2) and
FAW-14. The unit was established as a photographic all maintenance personnel were transferred to Photo
squadron flying the PB4Y-1P Liberator and F6F-5P Group 2. This group departed the combat zone in
Hellcat. Squadron personnel were assembled at NAAS early June onboard SS Poelau Laut and SS Winfield S.
Camp Kearney, Calif., on 3 June 1944 for training on Stratton.
the two aircraft types. On 15 June training on the F6F 26 May 1945: The squadron departed the combat
was deleted from the syllabus. Training was com- zone in two elements of four and three aircraft. The
pleted on 18 September 1944, and the squadron began last element arrived at NAS Kaneohe on 30 May, and
preparations for a transpac to Hawaii. Ground person- all squadron aircraft were turned over to FAW-2
nel departed for Hawaii aboard Ticonderoga (CV 14) HEDRON.
on 18 September. 2–18 Jun 1945: VD-5 departed Pearl Harbor aboard
25 Sep 1944: VD-5 aircraft departed NAS San Kalinin Bay (CVE 68), arriving at San Diego, Calif., on
Diego, Calif., for NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, with the 8 June. Personnel were given orders and home leave.
last aircraft arriving on 28 June. The next day the The ground staff of VD-5 arrived from Guam on 18
squadron officially reported for duty to FAW-2. VD-5 June 1945. Personnel were given orders and home
conducted training for combat operations through leave.
mid-November 1944. 20 Jul 1945: VD-5 was reformed at NAAS Camp
15–21 Nov 1944: VD-5 began its transit to NAB Kearney, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-
Agana, Guam, with the last aircraft arriving on 20 14. The squadron was scheduled to become opera-
November. Once onboard, the squadron came under tional for a second combat zone deployment in
the operational control of FAW-1, Photo Group 2. The October 1945, but the cessation of hostilities in
squadron’s first mission on 21 November was a series September changed those plans.
of photographic coverage flights over Chichi Jima and Oct 1945–Nov 1946: The squadron was based at
Haha Jima. various Japanese airfields while deployed to Japan to
1 Dec 1944: The squadron’s ground support staff ar- conduct aerial surveys of the Japanese home islands
rived at Guam. Throughout the remainder of the month for CNO and the Navy Hydrographic Office.
the squadron participated in photographic reconnais- 15 Nov 1946: Shortly after returning from Japan to
sance missions over the Bonin Islands, and in operations NAAS Miramar (formerly NAAS Camp Kearney), Calif.,
Sledgehammer, Rockcrusher I and II over Iwo Jima. VD-5 was redesignated VPP-1. Its mission was long-
1–31 Jan 1945: VD-5 continued photoreconnais- range photographic reconnaissance utilizing six PB4Y-
sance over the Bonins, with two missions each over 1P Liberator and four SNB-2P aircraft.
Truk, Puluwat and Woleai. Jun 1947–Sep 1947: The squadron deployed a de-
1–27 Feb 1945: VD-5 continued flying missions tachment to conduct an aerial survey of Kodiak Island,
over Iwo Jima and Truk. At this time the squadron ac- Alaska. The detachment surveyed Kodiak from 20,000
quired a Douglas SBD-3P Dauntless to assist in the feet by flying 35 flight lines paralleling each other on a
missions. north-south axis.
318 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Oct–Dec 1947: The squadron conducted aerial sur- Miramar, Calif. All of its assets and personnel, and
veys of Trinity and Tonto National Forests. those of VP-62, were incorporated into Composite
Apr–Sep 1948: The squadron deployed to Alaska Squadron 61 (VC-61). For almost one year, VC-61 was
to conduct an aerial survey of the Naval Petroleum the only long-range photographic squadron left in the
Reserves in northern Alaska. During this deployment Navy.
the squadron also surveyed the Tongass National
Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Jun 1944
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 3 Jun 1944
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii Jun 1944
NAAS Camp Kearney/
NAAS Miramar, Calif.* 20 Jul 1945†
* NAAS Camp Kearney was redesignated MCAS Miramar on 1 May
1946 and then NAAS Miramar on 30 June 1947.
† Squadron personnel departed Hawaii in early June 1945 and ar-
rived stateside in June. All personnel were given home leave and
the squadron’s home port was assigned as NAAS Camp Kearney on
20 July 1945, the date they became to reform following home leave.

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

LCDR L. R. Gehlbach (actg.) 1 Jun 1944
Squadron photographers piece together mosaics of the Alaskan aerial
CDR A. D. Fraser 19 Jun 1944
photo coverage conducted by the squadron, 1949. LT Charles M. Witt (actg.) 26 May 1945
LCDR Robrt W. L. Ross 13 Aug 1945
Forest, St. Matthew Island and St. Lawrence Islands in LCDR Arnold E. Allemand, Jr. 10 Sep 1945
the Bering Sea and an area in the vicinity of Fairbanks LCDR W. E. Hardy 15 Nov 1946
and the Richardson Highway. During this deployment LCDR C. A. Van Dusan 20 Jun 1947
the squadron exposed 800 rolls of aerial film each 200 CDR W. H. Davison 10 Dec 1948
feet long, for a total of 350,000 aerial photographs.
May–Sep 1949: The squadron deployed to Alaska Aircraft Assignment
to continue its aerial survey of the Naval Petroleum
Reserves as well as additional aerial surveys in other Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
areas of Alaska. During this deployment the squadron PB4Y-1P Jun 1944
processed almost 400,000 aerial photographs for dis- SBD-3P Feb 1945
semination to various federal mapping agencies. F6F-5P Apr 1945
17 Jan 1950: VP-61 was disestablished at NAAS SNB-2P Nov 1946

A squadron PB4Y-1P in flight

over Alaska, 1950.
 CHAPTER 3 319

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Nov 1944 8 Jun 1945 FAW-1 Agana PB4Y-1P/ SoPac

F6F-5P
28 Feb 1945 † FAW-1 Samar PB4Y-1P SoPac
11 Mar 1945 † FAW-17 Luzon PB4Y-1P SoPac
F6F-5P
Oct 1945 Nov 1946 FAW-1 Japan‡ PB4Y-1P WestPac
SNB-2P
Jun 1947§ Sep 1947 ** Kodiak PB4Y-1P NorPac
SNB-2P
Apr 1948 Sep 1948 ** Alaska PB4Y-1P NorPac
SNB-2P
May 1949 Sep 1949 ** Alaska PB4Y-1P NorPac
SNB-2P
† While the squadron was operating from Agana, Guam, it also deployed combat detachments in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
‡ The squadron was based at various Japanese airfields while deployed to Japan to conduct aerial surveys of the Japanese home islands for CNO
and the Navy Hydrographic Office.
§ The entire squadron did not deployment to Kodiak, only a detachment.
** While deployed to Alaska the squadron came under the operational control of Commander Alaskan Sea Frontier.

Squadron PB4Y-1s at Marks Air Force Base, Nome, Alaska, September 1949. Note the tail structure and wing tips are a different color than the rest
of the aircraft. They were painted orange to help locate the aircraft if it crashed in snow.
320 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 1 Jun 1944 FAW-14 SD* 15 Nov 1946
FAW-2 29 Sep 1944 *The squadron remained part of FAW-14 but was assigned the tail
FAW-1 21 Nov 1944 code SD on 7 November 1946.
FAW-2 30 May 1945
Commander Fleet Unit Awards Received
Air West Coast 8 Jun 1945
FAW-14 Jun 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 Oct 1945 NUC 20 Nov 1944 26 May 1945

PB4Y-1Ps in formation near Mount McKinley, Alaska, 1947, NH–95584–KN.

 CHAPTER 3 321

First VP-62 Nov 1942: VP-62 was relieved and returned to NAS
Seattle, Wash., for overhaul of the squadron aircraft
and crew leave. During this period the squadron came
under the operational control of FAW-6. The squadron
Lineage
departed Seattle in mid-December for NAS Adak,
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) Alaska.
on 1 May 1942. Dec 1942: VP-62 reported aboard at NAS Adak,
Disestablished on 1 July 1943.
coming under the operational control of FAW-4. The
squadron deployed a detachment to Amchitka and
Squadron Insignia and Nickname conducted offensive patrols along the Aleutians.
None on record. Jun 1943: VP-62 was relieved for return to NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash. Upon arrival, squadron person-
nel were given orders and home leave.
Chronology of Significant Events
1 Jul 1943: VP-62 was disestablished at NAS
1 May 1942: VP-62 was established at NAS Whidbey Island.
Alameda, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-
14, as a seaplane squadron flying the Consolidated
PBY-5A Catalina. Training continued at Alameda Home Port Assignments
through early July 1942.
Location Date of Assignment
19–26 Jul 1942: VP-62 departed NAS Alameda for
NAS Kodiak, Alaska. After reporting for duty to FAW-4, NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 May 1942
the squadron was ordered to Cold Bay, Alaska, where NAS Seattle, Wash. Nov 1942
the squadron became operational on 26 July 1942. NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Jun 1943
5 Sep 1942: VP-62 was relocated to Dutch Harbor
with a detachment at Umnak, Alaska. At Dutch Harbor Commanding Officers
the squadron relieved VP-41 and joined the 12 PBYs
of VP-42 in conducting sector searches and antiship- Date Assumed Command
ping patrols. The Japanese navy had occupied Attu LCDR Francis R. Jones 1 May 1942
and Kiska on 7 June 1942, putting Dutch Harbor right
on the firing line. Most of the squadron aircraft were
equipped with the often unreliable ASV Mark II radar. Aircraft Assignment
Due to the presence of enemy fighter aircraft, patrols
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
had to be flown with takeoffs just before sunset and
relying on radar for contacts. PBY-5A May 1942

A PBY-5A in flight, circa May 1942.

322 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

19 Jul 1942 5 Sep 1942 FAW-4 Cold Bay PBY-5A NorPac

5 Sep 1942 Nov 1942 FAW-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5A NorPac
5 Sep 1942* Nov 1942 FAW-4 Umnak PBY-5A NorPac
Dec 1942 Jun 1942 FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac
Dec 1942† Jun 1942 FAW-4 Amchitka PBY-5A NorPac
* The squadron maintained a detachment at UmNak, Alaska during their deployment to Dutch Harbor.
† The squadron maintained a detachment at Amchitka, Alaska during their deployment to Adak.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 May 1942 None on record.
FAW-4 19 Jul 1942
FAW-6 Nov 1942
FAW-4 Dec 1942
FAW-6 Jun 1943
 CHAPTER 3 323

Third VP-62 operational control of Commander Patrol Wings,

Atlantic Fleet. The squadron had already been in oper-
ation as a unit since 30 July 1941 flying a PBY-5
Catalina and SBD-3 Dauntless. The unit’s mission prior
Lineage to May 1942 was involved in completing an aerial sur-
Established as Fleet Air Photographic Squadron, vey in the Bahamas, Trinidad and Guantanamo Bay,
Atlantic Fleet (FltAirPhotoRonLant), on 3 May 1942. Cuba. After its official establishment the squadron con-
Redesignated Fleet Air Photographic Squadron TWO tinued the survey of Great Exhuma and Hog Island in
(FAPS-2) on 11 October 1942. the Bahamas group.
Redesignated Photographic Squadron TWO (VD-2) 1 Mar 1943: FAP-2 was redesignated VD-2. Until 13
on 1 March 1943. May 1943, the squadron remained under Commander
Redesignated Patrol Squadron (Photographic) TWO PatWingsLant. Subsequently, with the reorganization
(VPP-2) on 15 November 1946. of Patrol Wings in 1943, the squadron came under the
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) operational control of FAW-5.
on 1 September 1948, the third squadron to be as- 16 Aug–16 Sep 1943: A detachment of VD-2 de-
signed the VP-62 designation. ployed to the Canadian Arctic to conduct mapping
Disestablished on 30 January 1950. and aerial surveys. Three squadron aircrews of six offi-
cer pilots and 16 enlisted personnel were assigned to
conduct photographic mapping of Frobisher Bay,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Koksoak River and Ungava Bay. Aircraft used in the
The only insignia on file for this squadron dates task were a PBY-5A Catalina, PV-1 Ventura and a SNB-
from the period in which it was designated VPP-2 in 1 Model 18 Kansan variant. The detachment returned
1946. Although no letter from CNO is on file, it is be- to NAS Norfolk on 16 September 1943.
lieved to be the officially approved insignia for the
squadron for that period. A globe was enclosed in a
circular design superimposed over a fouled anchor,
with two box cameras port and starboard of the globe.
Above the globe was a single eye representing the pri-
mary mission of the squadron, reconnaissance, with
the cameras as the recording media. The squadron
designation VPP-2 was located at the bottom of the

A PBY in flight.

The squadron’s
only insignia on 17 Sep 1943: In a tragic accident, depth bombs
record. being handled in Hangar V-30 by another squadron
exploded, killing nine enlisted members of VD-2 and
destroying half of the squadron’s aircraft. The remain-
design. Colors: background, reddish brown; eye, white ing aircraft were later moved to Hangar LP-2 for re-
with brown iris and black pupil; water, blue; land, pairs. In the interim, squadron personnel were as-
black; cameras, black; lettering, white. signed to NAS Photographic Laboratory, Norfolk, Va.,
Nicknames: None on record. until VD-2 could again become operational.
1 Jan 1944: VD-2 conducted a split deployment,
with one detachment mapping Haiti and the
Chronology of Significant Events Dominican Republic, and the second detachment
3 May 1942: FltAirPhotoRonLant was established at mapping Colombia and Venezuela. The squadron re-
NAS Norfolk, Va., as a separate command under the turned to NAS Norfolk at the end of April 1944.
324 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Mar 1944: A special Aerial Mapping Unit detach- 1 Sep 1948: VPP-2 was redesignated VP-62, but its
ment of six officers, six radiomen and eight photogra- primary mission continued to be photographic recon-
phers was transferred to Commander Fleet Air Wings, naissance and aerial mapping. The squadron comple-
West Coast. ment of aircraft remained stable at approximately six
30 Apr 1944: A second detachment was formed operational aircraft on hand, usually five PB4Y-1P
from the ranks of VD-2 to staff a new Photographic Liberators and one SNB-3P Kansan.
Reconnaissance Training School at NAF New 30 Jan 1950: VP-62 was disestablished.
Cumberland, Pa. The school would train fleet officer
and enlisted personnel in aerial survey and photo-
Home Port Assignments
graphic mapping techniques. The detachment remained
at NAF New Cumberland through September 1945. Location Date of Assignment
12 May–31 Jul 1944: The remaining detachment of
NAS Norfolk, Va. 3 May 1942
the squadron deployed once again to the North Atlantic
to conduct aerial surveys of southern Greenland, NAS Atlantic City, N.J. Jun 1946
Frobisher Bay and Ungava Bay, Canada. The detach- NAS Patuxent River, Md. Jun 1948
ment returned to NAS Norfolk on 31 July 1944.
14 Nov–29 Dec 1944: VD-2 conducted a resurvey of Commanding Officers
selected areas of the north coast of Venezuela, the east
and west coasts of British Honduras, Guatemala, El Date Assumed Command
Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The LCDR John H. McElroy 3 May 1942
squadron returned to NAS Norfolk on 29 December 1944. CDR Lloyd W. Parrish 27 Sep 1943
18 Jan–Jul 1945: VD-2 returned to Central America LCDR Peter J. Hughes 30 Mar 1945
to conduct aerial surveys of the east and west coasts
CDR Murlin W. Alley 17 Jan 1946
of Mexico. The squadron returned to NAS Norfolk in
LCDR Gordon K. Ebbe 17 Jan 1947
mid-July 1945.
Jun 1946: VD-2 was relocated from NAS Norfolk, CDR E. L. Kiem Sep 1948
Va., to NAS Atlantic City, N.J. A few months earlier, the CDR C. D. Simonsen 7 Sep 1949
squadron had received seven PB4Y-1 Liberators to
supplement the two SNB-1 Kansans and three SNJ-5 Aircraft Assignment
Texans in its normal operating complement.
Sep 1946: With postwar reductions in effect, the Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
squadron was reduced to a complement of eight air- PBY-5 Jul 1941
craft: six PB4Y-1P Liberators and two SNB-1 Kansans. SBD-3 Sep 1941
15 Nov 1946: VD-2 was redesignated VPP-2. The J2F-5 May 1942
squadron remained at NAS Atlantic City, N.J., with an
PBY-5A Sep 1943
operating complement of seven PB4Y-1P aircraft. The
PV-1 Sep 1943
squadron’s location, mission and composition re-
mained relatively unchanged through May 1948. SNB-1 Sep 1943
Jun 1948: VPP-2 was given a permanent change of JRB-1 Jan 1946
station to NAS Patuxent River, Md. The authorized SNJ-5 Jan 1946
complement of aircraft remained at six PB4Y-1P PB4Y-1 Mar 1946
Liberators, but the on-hand aircraft had dropped to PB4Y-1P Sep 1946
only three PB4Y-1Ps and 1 SNB-3P Navigator. SNB-3P Jun 1948

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

3 May 1942 May 1942 PatWingLant Bahamas J2F-5/SBD-3 Carib

16 Aug 1943* 16 Sep 1943 FAW-5 Canada PBY/PV/SNB NorLant
1 Jan 1944† Apr 1944 FAW-5 Colombia PV-1 SoLant
1 Jan 1944† Apr 1944 FAW-5 Haiti PV-1 SoLant
12 May 1944* 31 Jul 1944 FAW-5 Canada PV-1 NorLant
14 Nov 1944 29 Dec 1944 FAW-5 Multi-site PV-1 SoLant/Carib
18 Jan 1945 Jul 1945 FAW-5 Mexico PV-1 Carib
30 Nov 1946* 20 Apr 1947 FAW-5 Central and PB4Y-1 SoLant/Carib
South America
 CHAPTER 3 325

A PV in flight.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

29 Aug 1947* 24 Oct 1947 FAW-5 Labrador PB4Y-1 NorLant

10 Dec 1947* 24 Mar 1948 FAW-5 Central and PB4Y-1 SoLant/Carib
South America
14 May 1948* 15 Sep 1948 FAW-5 Newfoundland PB4Y-1 NorLant
1 Jun 1948* 28 Sep 1948 FAW-5 Labrador PB4Y-1 NorLant
29 Sep 1948* 13 Mar 1949 FAW-5 Central and PB4Y-1 SoLant/Carib
South America
16 May 1949* 15 Sep 1949 FAW-5 Newfoundland PB4Y-1 NorLant
18 Oct 1949* Jan 1950 FAW-5 Dhahran PB4Y-1 Persian Gulf
* The squadron only deployed a detachment for this aerial survey.
† The squadron conducted a split deployment, operating detachments from different sites.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWingLant 3 May 1942 None on record.
FAW-5 EF* 13 May 1943
*The squadron remained part of FAW-5, but was assigned the tail
code EF on 7 November 1946.
326 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Fourth VP-62 Commander Reserve Patrol Wings, Atlantic, with a de-

tachment at NAS Atlanta, Ga. VP-62 was established
from the personnel and assets of VPs 67F1 and 7F2 as
a result of a major reorganization of the Naval Air
Lineage Reserve that took place in 1970. The 12 reserve
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY TWO (VP-62) squadrons formed were structured along the lines of
on 1 November 1970, the fourth squadron to be as- regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical organiza-
signed the VP-62 designation. tion and manning levels. The concept, known as the
12/2/1 had 12 VP squadrons under two commands,
Commander Fleet Air Wings Atlantic and Commander
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Fleet Air Wings Pacific, both under the control of one
The squadron’s only authorized insignia was ap- central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
proved by CNO on 3 August 1971. In the circular de- 1 Jul–26 Sep 1971: VP-62 received its first
sign an armored fist was shown crushing an enemy Lockheed P-3A Orion, completing transition training
on 26 September.
1 Apr 1972: The Atlanta Detachment merged with
the squadron at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., combining as-
sets and personnel.
Nov 1972: The squadron began receiving its first P-
3A DIFAR-equipped aircraft as replacements for the
older P-3A airframes. Transition was completed in late
1973.
Jul–Sep 1975: For the first time, the mini-det con-
cept was employed in squadron deployments. Rather
than sending the entire squadron for one two-week
period, small detachments of two and three aircraft
were sent to NAF Lajes, Azores, extending over a pe-
riod of several weeks.
Jul 1976: VP-62 deployed to NAS Bermuda. Reserve
crews obtained experience in provision of ASW cover-
age in the Atlantic theater of operation. For the first
time, two reserve crews were selected to drop MK-46
torpedoes with practice warheads. Both crews scored
direct hits on the target.
The squadron’s only insignia. 1977–1978: Mini-dets deployed over a 24-month
period to participate in Colombian Counter Insurgency
exercises, a NATO exercise in the Azores, torpedo ex-
submarine. The fist was that of the god Orion from ercises in Puerto Rico, and Mediterranean exercises
Greek mythology, which typified the type of aircraft based at Rota, Spain.
flown by the squadron. In the foreground overlaid Feb 1978: A VP-62 P-3A flown by a Squadron
upon the fist and submarine are the letters LT, the Augmentation Unit flight crew made a wheels-up land-
squadron’s tail code. At the bottom of the insignia has ing at the Jacksonville International Airport. The resul-
the squadron’s designation PATRON 62 in black letters tant accident damaged the aircraft beyond economical
inside a white scroll. Colors: background, blue; tail repair, but the flight crew escaped without injuries.
code letters, orange; fist, yellow; arm, white; subma- Spring 1978: Numerous mini-dets were deployed
rine, black. during the spring, with VP-62 members serving shoul-
Nicknames: Broad Arrows, 1976–present. This nick- der to shoulder with their counterparts in the fleet op-
name was derived from an unofficial design of a erating from Lajes, Azores, and Bermuda in tracking
broad arrow depicted on the tail of the squadron air- Soviet nuclear submarines.
craft since 1976. The design depicts the arrowhead of May–Dec 1979: VP-62 received its first P-3B re-
an English longbow arrow, representing quality and placement for the P-3A DIFAR aircraft. Transition was
precision. completed by December.
19 May 1980: VP-62 was called upon to provide
support during the Cuban refugee resettlement opera-
Chronology of Significant Events
tion. Crews flying out of NAS Key West, Fla., spotted
1 Nov 1970: VP-62 was established at NAS refugees on the open ocean and directed their rescue
Jacksonville, Fla., under the operational control of by Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
 CHAPTER 3 327

14 Jun 1988: VP-62 fired its first AGM-84 Harpoon

missile during a live-fire fleet exercise. The missile was
the first ever fired by a reserve aircrew from the P-3C
UIII aircraft. It scored a direct hit sinking the target, a
former Army Corps of Engineers barge.
15–30 Jul 1989: VP-62 became the first reserve
squadron to deploy for active duty training to Rota,
Spain, with the P-3C UIII aircraft.
May 1993: VP-62 became the first Navy patrol
squadron to have a female assigned as a member of a
combat aircrew. Lieutenant Commander Kay Hire was
selected for duty as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO), serv-
ing aboard a P-3C UIII as navigator/communicator.

Home Port Assignments

A VP-62 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in April 1978 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection). Location Date of Assignment
NAS Jacksonville, Fla. 1 Nov 1970
Aug 1981: VP-62 deployed to NAS Bermuda. During
the two-week period of squadron operations, a record
Commanding Officers
of four hurricanes in a row hit Bermuda. Nonetheless,
the squadron participated in exercises Ocean Safari Date Assumed Command
and Ocean Venture with no mission aborts.
CDR Donald Smith 1 Nov 1970
Nov 1982: VP-62 deployed for annual active duty
CDR Kenneth E. Myatt May 1972
training to NAS Bermuda, with periodic detachments
at NAS Keflavik, Iceland; NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R.; CDR J. E. Durr May 1974
and NAF Lajes, Azores. During the deployment, it be- CDR C. E. Combs 30 Oct 1976
came the first reserve squadron to participate in drug CDR John T. Tate 15 Apr 1978
interdiction flights in the Caribbean. CDR Samuel B. Butler 15 Dec 1979
Fall 1983: The squadron’s P-3B aircraft underwent CDR Brian A. Young Dec 1981
refit to the TAC/NAV MOD updated airframe. The CDR Joe H. Weatherman 30 Jul 1983
IRDS/HACLS modifications added infrared detection. CDR Robert J. Williams 8 Dec 1984
The completion of these modifications gave squadron CDR Ellis Brigman 7 Jun 1986
aircraft a Harpoon launch capability. The last aircraft CDR Douglas R. Birr 5 Dec 1987
modification was completed on 31 March 1985. CDR John H. Birge 18 Mar 1989
1 Apr 1987: VP-62 aircrews commenced transition
CDR John B. Miner 15 Sep 1990
training to the P-3C Update III aircraft with training
CDR Jan S. Milligan 21 Mar 1992
being done by the fleet replacement squadrons, VPs
30 and 31. First delivery of the new aircraft occurred CDR Barry A. LaVigne 16 Jul 1993
in November 1987. The aircraft had an entirely new CDR George F. Poelker 1994
underwater acoustic monitoring system, doubling the
number of sonobuoys that could be monitored con- Aircraft Assignment
currently over earlier marks. Improvements in avion-
ics, computers (AN/AYA-8) and cooling systems were Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
added, along with a retractable forward-looking in- SP-2H Nov 1970
frared turret under the chin and Harpoon air-to-surface P-3A Jul 1971
missile capability. VP-62 completed transition to the P- P-3A DIFAR Nov 1972
3C UIII on 31 March 1989, marking the first time in re- P-3B May 1979
serve patrol history that a reserve squadron received P-3B TACNAVMOD Nov 1983
the latest state-of-the-art aircraft. P-3C UIII Nov 1987

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Sep 1972 Sep 1972 PatWing-11 Azores P-3A Lant

4 Aug 1973 2 Sep 1973 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
328 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jul 1974 Jul 1974 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med

Jul 1975 Sep 1975 PatWing-11 Azores P-3A DIFAR Lant
Jul 1976 Jul 1976 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
1977 1977 PatWing-11 San Juan P-3A DIFAR Carib
Apr 1978* Jun 1978 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
Apr 1978* Jun 1978 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
Aug 1978* Aug 1978 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
Aug 1978* Aug 1978 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
28 Jul 1979 26 Aug 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
19 May 1980 27 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Key West P-3B Carib
Aug 1980 Aug 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B Lant
Aug 1981 Aug 1981 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B Lant
Nov 1982 Nov 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B Lant
May 1983 May 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B Lant
12 Dec 1984 24 Dec 1984 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3B Carib
13 Jul 1985 13 Aug 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
12 Jul 1986 12 Aug 1986 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
1 Sep 1987 Sep 1987 PatWing-11 Portugal P-3C UIII Med
Jul 1989 Jul 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIII Med
14 Jul 1990 12 Aug 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIII Med
1991 1991 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3 C UIII Lant
8 Aug 1992 22 Sep 1992 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3C UIII Lant
25 Feb 1993 3 Apr 1993 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIII Med
28 Jun 1993 24 Jul 1993 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3C UIII NorLant
24 Jul 1993 22 Aug 1993 PatWing-11 Rota P-3C UIII Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

ComResPatWingsLant LT 1 Nov 1970

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

NAVE 1 Jul 1974 30 Sep 1976
1 Jan 1983 31 Dec 1983
HSM 18 May 1980 27 Jun 1980
SLOC 2 Apr 1987 30 Apr 1990

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail showing the tail code

LT and insignia design used for the aircraft.
 CHAPTER 3 329

VP-64 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Nov 1970: VP-64 was established as a reserve pa-
trol squadron at NAS Willow Grove, Pa., under the op-
erational control of Reserve Patrol Wings, Atlantic. VP-
Lineage
64 was established from previously existing reserve
Established as Reserve Patrol Squadron SIXTY FOUR VPs—66W1-W3, 21W4, 26W5 and 23W6—as a result
(VP-64) on 1 November 1970. of a major reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve that
took place in 1970. The 12 reserve squadrons formed
were structured along the lines of regular Navy
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
squadrons with nearly identical organization and man-
The first squadron insignia was approved by CNO ning levels. The concept, known as the 12/2/1 had 12
on 8 September 1971. The central feature of the design VP squadrons under two commands, Commander
was the condor Fleet Air Reserve Wings Atlantic and Commander Fleet
(Gymnogyps cali- Air Reserve Wings Pacific, both under the control of
fornianus), a large, one central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
far-ranging bird of VP-64 was initially equipped with 12 SP-2H aircraft, 60
prey with keen officers and 323 enlisted personnel.
eyesight. The con- Jun 1973–Jun 1974: The squadron’s first Lockheed
P-3A DIFAR Orion arrived. Transition training for air-
dor in the design
crews was completed in June 1974.
was depicted ris-
7 Feb 1977: VP-64 participated in ASW operations
ing from the sea
with CTG 84.3 in the Mediterranean for a period of
with a submarine three days. The squadron’s performance during this
clutched in it claws. period so impressed the task group commander that
Colors: condor body, he nominated the Condors for a Meritorious Unit
brown; eye, red; Citation, awarded 1 December 1977.
The squadron’s first insignia. neck brown with Oct 1982–Oct 1983: Crew transition training to the
white ruff; back- P-3A TAC/NAV MOD airframe was begun and com-
ground, blue; clouds, white; sea, dark blue; subma- pleted in October 1983. The TAC/NAV MOD version
rine, dark brown; border, red; scroll, yellow; squadron replaced the ASN-42 navigation and tactical display
designation in scroll, red. systems with the LTN-72 inertial and Omega naviga-
The second squadron insignia was approved by CNO tion systems and digital computer.
on 14 June 1976, and retained the Jan 1987: Perimeter security at NAS Willow Grove
was breached by a peace activist group. Several mem-
condor theme but in a
bers of the group were able to damage one of the
much modified form.
squadron’s aircraft before base security was able to
The new design pre- respond.
sented only the head 1990: The Condors traded in their 10 P-3A Orions
of the condor with for eight P-3B TAC/NAV MOD aircraft. The
one raised claw. IRDS/HACLS modifications added infrared detection.
Super-imposed The completion of these modifications gave squadron
over the condor is aircraft a Harpoon launch capability. The AGM-84A
the squad-ron desig- Harpoon missile capability was originally intended
nation VP-64. Across specifically for the elimination of Soviet surveillance
the top of the circular trawlers in the event of war.
design is The ASW Apr–May 1993: The Condors deployed to Nimes,
Sunday Punch, and France, in support of joint French-American ASW exer-
The squadron’s second insignia was a cises. A detachment was maintained at RNAS Souda
modification of the first condor design. across the bottom
Bay, Crete. Several crews were put on alert status at
Patrol Squadron 64.
NAF Sigonella, Sicily, during the period of heightened
Colors: condor head, white, with orange beak, red wat- tensions in the former Yugoslavian Republic in sup-
tle, black eyes and white ruff; VP-64, black letters with port of UN sanctions.
white outline; condor claw, orange with white nails; Jan–Mar 1994: VP-64 deployed several detach-
background, black; lettering surrounding design, or- ments to NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., in support of oper-
ange against black background. ation Support Democracy. The detachments assisted in
Nicknames: Condors, 1981–present. supporting UN sanctions against Haiti.
330 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Apr 1994: VP-64 began the transition from the P-3B During this period the Condors assisted in the tracking
to the P-3C UII. It incorporated the latest in avionics and seizure of narcotics shipments estimated at a
and weapons systems, including a turret-mounted in- street value of $2.5 billion.
frared detection device to drop out of the nose to
identify targets day or night.
Home Port Assignments
Jul –Sep 1995: VP-64 deployed several detachments
to NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., in support of DoD Location Date of Assignment
counter-narcotics patrols in the Caribbean theater.
NAS Willow Grove, Pa. 1 Nov 1970

A squadron P-3A in flight.

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR J. W. Danaher 1 Nov 1970 CDR Gerald E. Wilkinson 1991
CDR E. C. Neuman 13 Nov 1971 CDR Paul E. Heinmuller 1992
CDR John A. Mitchell 12 Jan 1974 CDR Robert S. Sherlock 1993
CDR Gran F. Fuller 13 Jul 1975 CDR G. Donald Steel Oct 1994
CDR Peter E. Oechslin 22 Jan 1977 CDR Robert C. Brown 1995
CDR William H. Stauffer 22 Jul 1978
CDR Kenneth R. Wall 8 Dec 1979 Aircraft Assignment
CDR J. J. Gareffa Sep 1981
CDR Louis J. Dilullo 25 Sep 1982 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR James T. Cress 24 Mar 1984 SP-2H Nov 1970
CDR Stephen T. Keith Sep 1985 P-3A DIFAR Jun 1973
CDR Kenneth P. Barausky Sep 1986 P-3A TAC/NAV MOD Jun 1982
CDR Kenneth J. McNamara Mar 1988 P-3B TAC/NAV MOD 1990
CDR John J. Cahill Sep 1989 P-3C UII Apr 1994
 CHAPTER 3 331

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 May 1971 16 May 1971 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med

16 Jun 1974 29 Jun 1974 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
17 May 1975 15 Jun 1975 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
15 Aug 1976 15 Sep 1976 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
18 Jun 1977 15 Jul 1977 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
26 Aug 1978 23 Sep 1978 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
2 Jun 1979 28 Jun 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
2 May 1980* 6 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
2 May 1980* 6 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
2 May 1980* 6 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 San Juan P-3A DIFAR Carib
2 May 1980* 6 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Panama P-3A DIFAR Carib
1 Aug 1981* 29 Aug 1981 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
1 Aug 1981* 29 Aug 1981 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A DIFAR Lant
10 Apr 82 7 May 1982 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
1983 1983 PatWing-11 Portugal P-3A MOD Lant
1984 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
1985 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
1986 1986 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
May 1987 Jun 1987 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
Jun 1988 Jul 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
Feb 1989 Mar 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
Mar 1990 Mar 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
Apr 1991 May 1991 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
Apr 1993 May 1993 PatWing-11 France P-3B MOD Lant
Jan 1994 Mar 1994 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3B MOD Carib
Jul 1995 Sep 1995 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3C UIII Carib
* The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
ComResPatWingLant LU 1 Nov 1970 MUC 7 Feb 1977 10 Feb 1977
1978

A VP-64 P-3A at NAS Glenview in

October 1977 (Courtesy Rick R.
Bur gr ess Collection via John
Eckberg).
332 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-65 of Fleet Air Reserve Wing, Pacific. The squadron’s first

assigned aircraft was the SP-2H Neptune.
18–30 May 1971: VP-65 participated in Operation
Condeca Aguila II with Guatemala to evaluate the joint
Lineage forces’ ability to detect, identify and thwart seaborne
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY FIVE (VP-65) aggressor efforts.
on 16 November 1970. 1–13 Jun 1972: VP-65 and VP-67 participated in ex-
ercises Halcon Vista VII and Condeca Aguila III with
the Nicaraguan military forces.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
The squadron’s first insignia was approved by CNO
on 18 August 1971. The central character of the design
was a faceless winged man (Neptune) poised with a
trident over a surfaced submarine. The significance of
design is readily apparent, as VP-65 was a reserve pa-
trol squadron flying the Lockheed Neptune with a pri-
mary duty of ASW. Colors: black and white.

A squadron SP-2H landing at Point Mugu, January 1971.

21 Jul–5 Aug 1973: VP-65 deployed to NAS Barbers

Point, Hawaii, for mining and ASW exercises.
The squadron’s first insignia. The squadron’s second insignia.
Oct 1974: The squadron’s last SP-2H was officially
transferred to the Naval Aviation Museum at
A second design was submitted by the squadron in Pensacola, Fla.
1980 and approved by CNO on 12 January 1981. The Jan 1975: The Tridents received the P-3A Orion as
winged man in the design now had a face and was a replacement for the aging Neptune.
still astride the surfaced submarine, but was now Aug 1975: VP-65 deployed a detachment to NAS
fiercely jabbing the hapless victim with his trident. Agana, Guam, while operational training in the P-3 air-
Colors: background and sea, blue; winged man, white frame continued for the remaining aircrews at NAS
with black outlines. Point Mugu, Calif.
Nicknames: Tridents, 1971–present. Jun 1978: The Tridents deployed to NAS Agana,
Guam, with detachments conducting maritime air pa-
trol flights from NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, and
Chronology of Significant Events Kadena AFB, Okinawa. One of the Cubi detachment
16 Nov 1970: VP-65 was established at NAS Los aircraft, flown by PPC Lieutenant Commander F.
Alamitos, Calif., as a result of a major reorganization of Kluessendorf, experienced an engine failure during
the Naval Air Reserve that took place in 1970. The 12 the takeoff roll on rotation. The propeller autofeather
Reserve squadrons formed were structured along the feature of the Orion aircraft prevented any instability
lines of regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical during the takeoff, allowing the crew to safely return
organization and manning levels. The reorganization to Cubi for an uneventful landing.
concept was known as 12/2/1. There were 12 VP 1980: VP-65 deployed for its active duty training to
squadrons under two commands, Commander Fleet NAS Agana, Guam and the Philippines, with detach-
Air Reserve Wings Atlantic and Commander Fleet Air ments at Okinawa and Singapore searching for
Reserve Wings Pacific, under the control of one cen- Vietnamese refugees.
tral authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve. VP-65 25 Jun–29 Jul 1982: The Tridents deployed to NAS
was formed from the personnel and assets of seven Cubi Point, Philippines, with operations conducted
smaller units already in existence at NAS Los Alamitos: from Singapore, Okinawa, Guam and Thailand.
VP-65L1-L3, VP-22L7, VP-19L4, VP-6L5, and VP-40L6. It 14 May–Jun 1984: VP-65 deployed to NAF Misawa,
came under the operational and administrative control Japan. The squadron aircrews received real-world
 CHAPTER 3 333

training flying missions covering Soviet Bloc sub- cation System (IACS), improved MAD, standardized
marines transiting the WestPac theater of operations. wing pylons and improved wing fuel tank venting.
31 May–30 Jun 1985: The Tridents deployed to Throughout the remainder of the year, detachments
Misawa, Japan. Upon return from deployment the from VP-65 deployed to NAF Kadena, Japan; NAS
squadron began the ground training necessary for the North Island, Calif.; and NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, as
transition from the P-3A to the P-3B TAC/NAV/MOD part of the increased integration of reserves into active
airframe. The IRDS/HACLS modifications added in- duty Navy operations and exercises under CTF-72.
frared detection and Harpoon launch capability to the 1995: VP-65 detachments deployed at various times
aircraft. throughout the year to NAS North Island, Calif.; NAF
Nov 1986: VP-65 received a letter of commenda- Misawa, Japan; Biggs Army Airfield, El Paso, Tex.; NAF
tion from the Secretary of the Navy for the squadron’s Kadena, Okinawa; Utapao, Thailand; and NS
role in Operation Close, a coordinated operation with Roosevelt Roads, P.R.
the Coast Guard in support of their drug interdiction
efforts.
Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Los Alamitos, Calif. 16 Nov 1970
NAS Point Mugu, Calif. 6 Jan 1971

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

CAPT T. A. Trotter 16 Nov 1970
CAPT G. C. Sayer 20 May 1972
CAPT S. J. Gudmunds 16 Jun 1973
CAPT A. S. Frohlich 12 Jan 1975
CAPT R. P. Burroughs 27 Jun 1976
CDR Thomas W. Rhodes 18 Jun 1978
CDR H. A. Gulledge 2 Dec 1979
A squadron P-3A in flight, August 1980. CDR Norman J. Haussmann 27 Sep 1981
CDR Glenn S. Lowes 30 Apr 1983
CDR David L. Hargis 22 Sep 1984
Jul–Aug 1989: VP-65 conducted active duty training CDR Stephen P. Hawes 7 Sep 1985
at NAF Misawa, Japan. The Tridents participated with
CDR Jeffrey R. Pier 7 Mar 1987
fleet squadrons VPs 19 and 46 in support of TF 72.
CDR Gregory W. Brose 24 Sep 1988
Out of 1,015 hours flown during the deployment, over
CDR Harry Rector III 24 Mar 1990
52 hours were flown while in direct contact with
CDR Paul F. Blunt 1992
Soviet Bloc submarines.
Jun 1991: VP-65 deployed to NAF Kadena, CDR Michael Filkins 23 Jan 1993
Okinawa. Upon return from deployment the squadron CDR James J. Lind 8 Jan 1994
began the transition from the P-3B MOD airframe to CDR Richard D. Hayes III 20 May 1995
the P-3C Orion. The baseline P-3C incorporated the
AN/ASQ-114 computer system for navigation and sen-
sor functions, the first of its kind in a maritime patrol
aircraft. It had an AN/AQA-7 Jezebel acoustic process-
ing system with DIFAR and quadruple the number of
directional sonobuoys, with a high capacity computer
and related displays. Completion of transition training
was accomplished by June 1993.
13–27 Aug 1993: Two VP-65 aircrews deployed
to NAS Adak, Alaska, the last operational detach-
ment to fly from the air station before it went into
caretaker status.
Jan 1994: The Tridents began transition to the P-3C
UII.5 Orion airframe. Update II.5 had improved elec- A VP-65 P-3A at NAF Washington in April 1982 (Courtesy Rick R.
tronics systems, new Integrated Acoustic Communi- Burgress Collection).
334 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Aircraft Assignment Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
SP-2H Nov 1970
P-3A Jan 1975 P-3C May 1991
P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Dec 1985 P-3C UII.5 Jan 1994

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

18 May 1971 30 May 1971 FAIRWPac Guatemala SP-2H Carib

1 Jun 1972 13 Jun 1972 FAIRWPac Nicaragua SP-2H Carib
24 Aug 1972 24 Sep 1972 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med
21 Jul 1973 5 Aug 1973 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. SP-2H WestPac
Aug 1975 Aug 1975 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
1976 1976 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
1977 1977 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
Jun 1978 Jun 1978 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
1979 1979 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
1980 1980 PatWing-1 Guam P-3A WestPac
20 Jul 1981 15 Aug 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
25 Jun 1982 29 Jul 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
20 Jun 1983 24 Jul 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
14 May 1984 Jun 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A WestPac
31 May 1985 30 Jun 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A WestPac
18 Jul 1986 17 Aug 1986 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
25 Jun 1987 25 Jul 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
14 Jul 1988 13 Aug 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Jul 1989 Aug 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
27 Apr 1990 27 May1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
Jun 1991 Jun 1991 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
13 Aug 1993 27 Aug 1993 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C NorPac

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

COMFAIRRESWINGPAC PG 16 Nov 1970

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

SLOC 2 Nov 1985 21 Dec 1985
1 Oct 1988 31 Dec 1990

A close up of a P-3 tail show-

ing the tail code PG and the
squadron’s first insignia.
 CHAPTER 3 335

VP-66 striped globe surmounted by a halo of seven stars.

The significance of the dice remained the same,
while the globe represented the squadron’s global
mission scope, with the seven stars representing the
Lineage seven seas of the world. Colors: gold border and let-
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY SIX (VP-66) tering; black background; blue and red stripes on
on 1 November 1970. globe; globe, white; stars, silver; and dice, white
with black dots.
The third squadron insignia was officially approved
Squadron Insignia and Nickname by CNO on 31 December
The first insignia used by VP-66 was approved by 1984. The familiar dice
CNO on 6 May 1971. The squadron designation was were gone, replaced by a
liberty bell surrounded by
13 stars representing the
13 colonies, or coinciden-
tally, the 13 Reserve pa-
trol squadrons established
after the 1970 reorganiza-
tion (VP-93 came into
The squadron’s first
insignia. being as the thirteenth
The third insignia design reflected Reserve squadron in
the squadron’s location close to
Philadelphia and the Liberty 1976). Colors: liberty bell,
Bell. red; background, white;
stars, blue.
Nicknames: Flying Sixes, 1971–1974.
Dicemen, 1975–1980.
Liberty Bells, 1981–present.

Chronology of Significant Events

cleverly signified by a pair of winged dice, sixes up- 1 Nov 1970: VP-66 was established at NAS Willow
permost, hovering over a whale-like silhouette repre- Grove, Pa., as a naval reserve patrol squadron flying
senting a submarine in the sea below, hence, the first the Lockheed SP-2H Neptune. The squadron was
nickname, the Flying Sixes. Colors: sun and squadron formed from VP-62R1-R3, VP-18R4, VP-44R5 and VP-
designation letters, red; wings of dice, yellow; dice, 16R6 after the closure of the facility at NARTC New
white with black dots; sea, blue; whale, black; sky, York, N.Y. The new squadron came under the opera-
tinted light blue. tional and administrative control of Commander, Naval
A second insignia was approved by CNO on 25 Air Reserve Forces, Atlantic and Commander, Fleet Air
February 1974. This design retained the two dice, Reserve Wings, Atlantic. VP-66 was established as a re-
but presented an entirely new background with a sult of a major reorganization of Naval Air Reserve that
took place in 1970. Twelve reserve squadrons were
formed and structured along the lines of regular Navy
squadrons with nearly identical organization and man-
ning levels. The reorganization concept was known as
12/2/1. The 12 VP squadrons were under two com-
mands, COMFAIRESWINGLANT and COM-
The squadron’s
FAIRESWINGPAC, and they were under the control of
second insignia one central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
was a modifica- Jan 1971: VP-66 split into two sections, port and
tion of its first
design.
starboard, to facilitate crew training and aircraft main-
tenance with drills twice a month.
Jan–May 1978: A new facility, Hangar 175, was
completed at NAS Willow Grove, Pa., for VP-66. The
squadron completed final movement into the new
hangar with official acceptance ceremonies on 21 May
1978.
Jun 1980: VP-66 was called upon to provide sup-
336 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

port to the fleet during the Cuban Refugee Flotilla op- 1994: VP-66 deployed to NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R.,
erations. Personnel deployed in the operation were to provide support of UN forces during the embargo
given the Humanitarian Service Medal. of Haiti.
23 Jan–22 Feb 1982: VP-66 conducted its annual
active duty training at NAS Bermuda. Upon return, the
Home Port Assignments
squadron began transition to the P-3A TAC/NAV MOD
airframe. The TAC/NAV MOD version in 1975 replaced Location Date of Assignment
the ASN-42 inertial navigation system and tactical dis- NAS Willow Grove, Pa. 1 Nov 1970
play systems with an LTN-72 inertial and Omega navi-
gation system and digital computer. The IRDS/HACLS
modifications added infrared detection and Harpoon
launch capability to the aircraft.
May 1983: VP-66 received a Navy Meritorious Unit
Commendation for its performance in tracking Soviet
submarines during the 1982 active duty training at NAS
Bermuda.
1–30 Mar 1984: VP-66 became the first reserve P-
3A TAC/NAV MOD squadron to deploy in the Atlantic,
operating from NAF Lajes, Azores, with detachments at
NAS Bermuda and NAS Keflavik, Iceland.
9–17 Nov 1985: A detachment from VP-66 partici-
pated in Operation Hat Trick II, operating out of NS
Roosevelt Roads, P.R. It was a coordinated operation
with the Coast Guard in the war against illegal drug
traffic, involving general area surveillance and location
of suspect vessels. A squadron P-3A at NAS Willow Grove.
Feb–Mar 1987: VP-66 deployed to NS Rota, Spain,
the first Reserve squadron to deploy to this site in over
Commanding Officers
six years. Detachments were maintained during the ac-
tive duty training at NAF Sigonella, Sicily, and NAF Date Assumed Command
Lajes, Azores.
CDR John L. Semcken 1 Nov 1970
20 Apr 1990: VP-66 began transition from the P-3A
CDR Richard J. Levendoski Dec 1971
TAC/NAV MOD airframe to the P-3B TAC/NAV MOD.
CDR Richard D. Winters Jan 1974
The P-3B had more powerful engines and improved
CDR John R. Mulligan 19 Jul 1975
avionics.
CDR Alan M. Kyle 29 Jan 1977
20 Feb–6 Apr 1991: VP-66 deployed to NAS
CDR Robert T. Wenzler 16 Sep 1978
Bermuda, with remote site operations conducted at
CDR Walter S. Coleman 29 Mar 1980
Goose Bay, Newfoundland, and Thule, Greenland,
CDR Joseph R. Avella 7 Nov 1981
as part of Operation Icex-92. One highly unusual as-
CDR Larry R. English 21 May 1983
pect of the deployment was the coordinated rescue
CDR Jon E. Forbes 16 Jun 1984
effort of a French seaman by a VP-66 aircrew and
CDR Walter W. Dukiet, Jr. 7 Dec 1985
the crew of a Commonwealth of Independent States
CDR James K. Brengle 13 Jun 1987
Kilo-class submarine. The French sailboat Vibel had
CDR William S. O’Brien 10 Dec 1988
an injured crewman aboard. The VP-66 aircraft
CDR Thomas L. Jones 18 Aug 1990
guided the former Soviet vessel to the French sail-
CDR Claude E. Timmerman Aug 1991
boat where medical treatment was given to the
CDR James J. Wadkins 9 Jan 1993
injured crewman.
1993: With the disestablishment of VAQ-33, VP-66
inherited two EP-3J aircraft, a formidable electronic Aircraft Assignment
warfare platform. The addition of these aircraft to
the squadron resulted in a concomitant increase in Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
manning levels to support the new mission being SP-2H Nov
1970
acquired. P-3A Mar
1973
1993: VP-66 deployed to NS Rota, Spain, with a de- P-3A TAC/NAV MOD Mar
1982
tachment at NAF Sigonella, Sicily. The Sigonella de- P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Apr
1990
tachment was heavily involved in support of the UN EP-3J 1993
peacekeeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. P-3C 31 May 1994
 CHAPTER 3 337

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 May 1971 15 Jun 1971 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med

1974 1974 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
31 May 1975 15 Jun 1975 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
11 Sep 1976 24 Oct 1976 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
16 Jul 1977 15 Aug 1977 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
1 Jul 1978 30 Jul 1978 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
9 Feb 1980 9 Mar 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
Jun 1980 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Cuba P-3A Carib
23 Jan 1982 22 Feb 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
1 Mar 1984 30 Mar 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
Apr 1985 May 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
Jun 1987 Jul 1987 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A MOD Lant
May 1988 Jun 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
Mar 1989 Apr 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
27 Jan 1990 25 Feb 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A MOD Med
20 Feb 1991 6 Apr 1991 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
1992 1992 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
1993 1993 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
1994 1994 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3B MOD Carib

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESWINGLANT LV 1 Nov 1970 MUC 11 Mar 1981 10 Feb 1982
HSM Jun 1980
(Sel. crews) 1 Nov 1985 28 Feb 1986

A VP-66 P-3A at NAS North Island in

January 1979 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
338 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-67 rine through its midsection. Below the design was the
squadron’s designation. The squadron nickname and
insignia was inspired by a pair of these magnificent
birds that lived in a park just west of NAS Memphis,
Lineage Tenn. They were the supreme predators of the forest
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY SEVEN (VP- and VP-67 assumed a similar role in antisubmarine
67) on 1 November 1970. warfare on the high seas. Colors: border, yellow-or-
Disestablished on 30 September 1994. ange; background, light blue; hawk, brown and white
feathers; lightning bolt, yellow-orange; submarine,
black; sea, blue.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Nickname: Golden Hawks, 1971–1994 (also unoffi-
The squadron’s first and only insignia was approved cially called the Thunder Chickens).
by CNO on 15 October 1971. The design featured a
hawk descending on a surfaced submarine. A light-
Chronology of Significant Events
ning bolt held in the hawk’s claws speared the subma-
1 Nov 1970: VP-67 was established at NAS
Memphis, Tenn., as a land-based patrol squadron
flying the SP-2H Neptune. The squadron was formed
in 1970 from the assets of VP-17M1, VP-60M2, and VP-
68M3, which had been based at NAS Olathe, Kans.,
and NAS Memphis, Tenn. The new squadron came
under the operational and administrative control of the
Commander, Naval Air Reserve Forces, Pacific and
Commander, Fleet Air Reserve Wings, Pacific. VP-66
was established as a result of a major reorganization of
Naval Air Reserves that took place in 1970. Under the
Reserve Force Squadron concept 12 land-based Naval
Reserve patrol squadrons were formed and structured
along the lines of regular Navy squadrons with nearly
identical organization and manning levels. The reorga-
nization plan was known as the 12/2/1 concept. There
were 12 VP squadrons assigned to two major com-
mands, COMFAIRESWINGLANT and COM-
FAIRESWINGPAC. These two major commands came
under the control of one central authority,
Commander Naval Air Reserve.
Jul 1974: The Golden Hawks deployed to Naval Air
The squadron’s one and only insignia. Reserve Unit (NARU) Point Mugu, Calif., for two

A squadron SP-2H in flight

 CHAPTER 3 339

weeks of intensive ground and air training in SP-2H 1992: VP-67 conducted split deployments during
operation and maintenance. 1992, with a three crew detachment to NAS Adak,
1976: Active duty training was performed by the Alaska, 26 February to 26 March; a two crew detach-
squadron at NARU Memphis, Tenn., with detachments ment to Goose Bay, Canada, 13 to 21 August; and a
at NAS Bermuda and NAS Key West, Fla. three crew detachment to NAS Adak, Alaska, 24 April
Jul 1977: The squadron’s faithful SP-2H aircraft to 26 May. Despite the difficulties in conducting de-
were turned in for new P-3A Orion replacements. ployments at such a variety of sites, the squadron
While transition training on the P-3A was taking place, never missed a sortie due to maintenance or bad
VP-67 was tasked with providing transition training to weather.
Argentine navy pilots whose squadrons were receiving 30 Sep 1994: VP-67 was disestablished at NAS
the SP-2H. Transition training for all of the squadron’s Memphis, Tenn.
aircrews was completed by July 1979.
16 Jul–15 Aug 1979: Upon completion of transition
Home Port Assignments
to the P-3A, VP-67 deployed for its ADT to NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash.; NAS Moffett Field, Calif.; and Location Date of Assignment
NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. NAS Memphis, Tenn. 1 Nov 1970

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

CDR D. J. Shumate 1 Nov 1970
CDR John W. Anthuis, Jr. 20 May 1972
CDR Stanford L. Brown 17 Nov 1973
CDR Jerry F. Healy, Jr. 17 May 1975
CDR Carter H. Scales 1977
CDR Robert E. Blair Apr 1979
CDR Robert H. Tietz Aug 1980
CDR Myron G. Hamm 1 Aug 1981
CDR D. F. John 12 Feb 1983
CDR Douglas A. Siebert 1984
CDR James E. Turner 15 Mar 1986
A VP-67 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in April 1979 (Courtesy Rick R.
CDR E. M. Crayon 14 Mar 1987
Burgress Collection). CDR Herbert W. Foote 17 Sep 1988
CDR David L. Caswell 3 Mar 1990
CDR Earl A. Perry 21 Sep 1991
May 1980: The Golden Hawks deployed for the
CDR Richard W. Munsell 19 Sep 1992
first time in the P-3A Orion to Kadena AFB, Okinawa.
CDR S. J. Kuhar 18 Sep 1993
Numerous ASW exercises were conducted in conjunc-
tion with elements of the 7th Fleet, regular Navy patrol
squadrons, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Aircraft Assignment
Force. On 15 May 1980, the squadron completed
25,000 accident-free flight hours. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
22 Jan 1990: The squadron’s official complement of SP-2H Nov 1970
aircraft was changed from nine P-3B MOD aircraft to P-3A Jul 1977
eight aircraft. P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Mar 1985

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jul 1971 Jul 1971 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med

Jun 1972 Jun 1972 PatWing-11 San Salavador SP-2H Carib
Aug 1972 Aug 1972 PatWing-11 Rota SP-2H Med
1973 1973 PatWing-2 Barbers Point SP-2H WestPac
Jul 1975 Jul 1975 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. SP-2H Carib
May 1980 May 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
16 Jun 1981 19 Jul 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
340 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 May 1982 27 Jun 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3A WestPac

27 May 1983 26 Jun 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3A WestPac
12 Jun 1984 15 Jul 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A WestPac
28 Jun 1985 28 Jul 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
23 Jul 1986 23 Aug 1986 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
12 Jun 1987 28 Jun 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
20 May 1988 20 Jun 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
17 Apr 1989 21 May 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
30 Mar 1990 29 Apr 1990 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B WestPac
7 Feb 1991 20 Feb 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3B Carib
1 Jun 1991 30 Jun 1991 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B WestPac
9 Aug 1991 25 Aug 1991 PatWing-10 Panama P-3B Carib
26 Feb 1992* 26 Mar 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B NorPac
24 Apr 1992* 26 May 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3B NorPac
13 Aug 1992* 21 Aug 1992 PatWing-10 Goose Bay P-3B NorPac
10 Apr 1993 12 May 1993 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B WestPac
* These deployment dates are only for squadron detachments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESWINGPAC PL 1 Nov 1970 HSM (Crew 6) 31 May 1983

A close up of the tail of a squadron aircraft showing the tail code PL A close up of the tail of a squadron aircraft showing the full design of
and the outline of a hawk. the squadron insignia.
 CHAPTER 3 341

VP-68 squadrons with nearly identical organization and man-

ning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had 12 VP squadrons
under two commands, COMFAIRESWINGLANT and
COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These two commands came
Lineage under the control of one central authority,
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY EIGHT (VP- Commander Naval Air Reserve. The new squadron
68) on 1 November 1970. was comprised of elements of pre-existing reserve
Disestablished on 16 January 1997. squadrons, VP-68A1 and VP-68A2 based at NAS
Anacostia, D.C.
1971: VP-68 became the first East Coast reserve
Squadron Insignia and Nickname squadron to transition from the SP-2H to the P-3A
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on 8 Lockheed Orion.
November 1972. The central theme of the design was Jul–Aug 1973: The Blackhawks were deployed to
NS Rota, Spain. VP-68 became the first P-3A reserve
squadron to operate in the Mediterranean, the Bay of
Cadiz and the Straits of Gibraltar.
Jul–Aug 1975: VP-68 was the first reserve squadron
to perform mini-det annual active duty for training
while deployed to NAF Lajes, Azores. The squadron’s
aircrews were assigned under the operational control
of fleet commanders and were tasked with operational
readiness standards equal to that of the fleet.
3 May 1980: The Blackhawks were tasked with
forming a detachment to assist in the search and patrol
operations in the waters between Florida and Cuba
during the Cuban Refugee Crisis. Saipan (LHA 2), sev-
eral other Navy ships and all available patrol
squadrons provided humanitarian search and rescue
support operations for the vast sealift of Cuban
refugees heading for the U.S. through the Florida
Straits. Navy ships had been diverted from the annual
combined training exercise Solid Shield to undertake
the mission. VP-68 detachment’s operations were con-
cluded on 17 May 1980, resulting in the award of the
Humanitarian Service Medal to the unit.
The squadron’s only insignia.
Aug 1983: VP-68 became the first Reserve patrol
squadron to drop a live armed MK-46 torpedo.
a heraldic collection of helmet, lightning bolt, sword, Aug 1984: The Blackhawks received their first P-3B
and four-pointed star. In the background of the design TAC/NAV MOD aircraft and began transition training
was the silhouette of a hawk. Colors: background, on the new aircraft. The TAC/NAV MOD had more
white; hawk, black; helmet, orange and red; sword, powerful engines and improved avionics. The
red; star, orange; lightning, orange. IRDS/HACLS modifications in 1982 added infrared de-
Nicknames: Blackhawks, 1972 –1997. tection and Harpoon launch capability to the aircraft.
This modernization of aircraft was in line with the
Navy policy of keeping the Reserve Force opera-
Chronology of Significant Events tionally compatible with their active duty counterparts.
1 Nov 1970: VP-68 was established at NAS Patuxent 1 Apr 1985: VP-68 was relocated from NAS
River, Md., as a Naval Air Reserve land-based patrol Patuxent River, Md., to NAF Washington, located at
squadron flying the SP-2H Neptune. The new Andrews AFB, Md. The squadron was moved to make
squadron came under the operational and administra- room at NAS Patuxent River for the JVX/V-22 Osprey
tive control of Commander, Naval Air Reserve Forces, tilt-rotor V/STOL program. During the relocation, the
Atlantic and Commander, Fleet Air Reserve Wings, squadron continued the transition from the P-3A to the
Atlantic. VP-68 was established as a result of a major P-3B TAC/NAV MOD airframe, completing the task in
reorganization of Naval Air Reserves that took place in November 1985.
mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force Squadron concept Apr 1991: VP-68 received its first P-3C Update I for
12 land-based naval reserve patrol squadrons were transition training, with the last of the squadron’s eight
formed and structured along the lines of regular Navy aircraft being received in November 1991. Transition
342 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

training was completed in December 1992. The P-3C Home Port Assignments—Continued
UI had a seven-fold increase in computer memory, an
Omega navigation system, improved DIFAR and addi- Location Date of Assignment
tional tactical display sensor stations. NAF Washington,
Jun 1992: A five-crew detachment deployed for a Andrews AFB, Md. 1 Apr 1985
two-week ADT while the remainder of the squadron
completed P-3C UI transition training at NAF
Commanding Officers
Washington.
Mar–Apr 1993: A four-crew detachment deployed Date Assumed Command
to NS Rota, Spain, and NAS Sigonella, Sicily, to partici- CDR Donald Knuth 1 Nov 1970
pate in Operation Maritime Guard. Crews five, two CDR John L. Murdoch 8 Jul 1972
and ten followed this detachment at one-week inter- CDR Walter E. Barbee 2 Feb 1974
vals. Operation Maritime Guard was conducted in sup- CDR R. S. Fitzgerald 9 Aug 1975
port of UN resolutions directed at the former states of CDR C. R. Paty 12 Feb 1977
Yugoslavia. CDR James W. Hartley 29 Jul 1978
15 May 1994: The squadron became the first in the CDR Richard A. Perkins 26 Jan 1980
reserve patrol aviation community to reach the CDR Richard N. Harris 25 Jul 1981
100,000 mishap-free flight hour mark. CDR William T. Gaffney 19 Dec 1982
Oct 1994: VP-68 received its first P-3C UII.5 aircraft CDR James E. Batwinis 23 Jun 1984
and began transition training while the remaining CDR G. B. Gray 22 Jun 1985
seven assigned P-3C UI aircraft were being replaced. CDR Bradford A. Kirley 13 Dec 1986
The P-3C UII.5 had improved electronics systems, new CDR Gregory W. Hinchliffe 18 Jun 1988
Integrated Acoustic Communication System, improved CDR Daniel I. Puzon Mar 1990
MAD, standardized wing pylons and improved wing CDR John R. Walker Mar 1991
fuel tank venting. CDR A. Ray Miller, Jr. Jun 1992
Apr–May 1995: The Blackhawks deployed to NAS CDR Earle B. Fisher, Jr. 5 Dec 1993
Sigonella, Sicily, in support of UN Operation Sharp CDR Robert A. Sinibaldi, Jr. 25 Feb 1995
Guard sanctions against the former Yugoslav re- CDR Jeffrey A. Lemmons 24 Feb 1996
publics. During the eight-week period the squadron
flew 670 hours, including 46 armed missions.
Aircraft Assignment
16 Jan 1997: The squadron was disestablished at
NAF Washington, Md. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
SP-2H Nov 1970
Home Port Assignments P-3A 1971
P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Aug 1984
Location Date of Assignment P-3C UI Apr 1991
NAS Patuxent River, Md. 1 Nov 1970 P-3C UII.5 Oct 1994

A squadron P-3A in flight.

 CHAPTER 3 343

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Aug 1972 Sep 1972 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant

Jul 1973 Aug 1973 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
Jul 1975 Aug 1975 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
23 Oct 1976 5 Dec 1976 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
10 Sep 1977 25 Sep 1977 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
Jul 1979 Jul 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
7 Mar 1980 6 Apr 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
3 May 1980 17 May 1980 PatWing-11 Guantanamo P-3A Carib
Jul 1981 Jul 1981 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
Jul 1982* Aug 1982 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
Jul 1982* Aug 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Feb 1983* Mar 1983 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Feb 1983* Mar 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
Feb 1983* Mar 1983 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3A Med
Apr 1984 May 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
Feb 1986 Feb 1986 PatWing-11 Keflavik P-3B MOD NorLant
Mar 1986 Mar 1986 PatWing-2 Barbers Point P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1986 May 1986 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3B MOD Carib
Aug 1986 Aug 1986 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
Jan 1987 Feb 1987 PatWing-2 Barbers Point P-3B MOD WestPac
Apr 1987 May 1987 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
May 1987 May 1987 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rds. P-3B MOD Carib
Aug 1987 Aug 1987 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
20 Feb 1988 20 Mar 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
4 Mar 1989 3 Apr 1989 PatWing-2 Barbers Point P-3B MOD WestPac
17 May 1990 17 Jun 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
Mar 1993 Apr 1993 PatWing-11 Rota/Sigonella P-3B MOD Med
Apr 1995 May 1995 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3 UII.5 Med
* The squadron conducted split deployment to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESWINGLANT LW 1 Nov 1970 NEM 1 Oct 1981 31 Dec 1981
(Sel Crews) 1 Nov 1985 28 Feb 1986
1 Jan 1988 31 Dec 1988
1 Jan 1990 31 Dec 1990
A squadron P-3A in flight, circa 1984.
344 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-69 tion Orion. The slipstream of the aircraft extends into

the water area of the lower segment of the circle. This
signifies the hunter aspect of the squadron mission as
depicted by the submarine silhouette in black. Colors:
Lineage night side, dark blue; day side, light blue; aircraft, slip-
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY NINE (VP-69) stream and stars, white; constellation Orion stars,
on 1 November 1970. white; submarine, black;
Nicknames: Totems, 1984–present.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
Chronology of Significant Events
The squadron’s current insignia was approved by
CNO on 8 July 1971. The complex, but rather original 1 Nov 1970: VP-69 was established at NAS Whidbey
design is comprised of a circle divided into two Island, Wash., as a Naval Air Reserve land-based patrol
curved halves like the Asian Yin and Yang. One side is squadron flying 12 Lockheed SP-2H Neptune aircraft.
light blue, and the The new squadron came under the operational and
other dark blue, pro- administrative control of Commander, Naval Air
viding a stylistic rep- Reserve Forces, Pacific, and Commander, Fleet Air
resentation of the nu- Reserve Wings, Pacific. VP-69 was established as a re-
merals 69. On the sult of a major reorganization of Naval Air Reserve that
dark night side, stars took place in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force
form the constellation Squadron concept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol
of Orion, the hunter,
squadrons were formed and structured along the lines
representing both the
of regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical orga-
squadron’s mission
nization and manning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had
and the name of its
12 VP squadrons under two commands, COM-
aircraft. Orion is also
the name of the air- FAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These
The squadron’s Yin and Yang insignia. craft assigned to the two commands came under the control of one central
squadron. The day authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve. Personnel
side of the circle contains a silhouette of an aircraft and equipment from the disestablished VP-60T1 at
being led by three stars located above the constella- NAS Whidbey Island were utilized to form VP-69.

A squadron SP-2H at NAS Whidbey Island.

 CHAPTER 3 345

2–31 Oct 1971: The squadron’s scheduled deploy- ties during a routine training flight. Three crew mem-
ment to NS Rota, Spain, was canceled at the last mo- bers were injured and the aircraft was damaged be-
ment due to runway repairs at NS Rota. VP-69 de- yond repair.
ployed instead in two sections to NAS South May 1981: VP-69 deployed a five aircraft detach-
Weymouth, Mass. ment to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, relieving VP-90. Many
Jul 1972: VP-68 deployed to NAS Barbers Point, of the squadron’s 111 sorties conducted during the de-
Hawaii, for its annual ADT. Crews were divided into ployment involved searches for Vietnamese refugees
two sections, flying the squadron’s eight operational in the South China Sea.
aircraft 16 days each. Training was conducted on 4 Jan–23 Feb 1986: The squadron provided cover-
flights to Midway Island, and in maintaining position age for seven weeks of ADT operating out of Howard
fixes on the Soviet trawler fleet. AFB, Panama, while conducting 33 drug interdiction
14 Jul 1973: VP-69 dedicated its new $3 million flights resulting in 304 contacts.
hangar at NAS Whidbey Island. Jan 1987: VP-69 completed the P-3A TAC/NAV
8 Nov 1975: The squadron’s first P-3A Orion was MOD transition process two months ahead of sched-
received as the replacement aircraft for the SP-2H ule. The TAC/NAV MOD version replaced the inertial
Neptune. Both of the squadron’s wings devoted their navigation and tactical display systems with low-fre-
two-week ADT periods in November to ground train- quency navigation system and digital computer. The
ing related to the P-3 transition. IRDS/HACLS modifications added infrared detection
14 Aug–12 Sep 1976: Annual ADT was conducted and Harpoon launch capability to the aircraft.
at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Both consecutive two- Jan 1990: VP-69 received its first P-3B aircraft. The P-
week periods were devoted to transition training on 3B had more powerful engines and improved avionics.
Oct 1990: The squad-
ron’s last P-3A aircraft
(BuNo. 152152) was flown
to the Naval Aviation
Museum at Pensacola, Fla.
Oct 1992: The squad-
ron received its first P-3C
UI aircraft. It had a seven-
fold increase in computer
memory, an Omega
world-wide navigation sys-
tem, increased sound pro-
cessing sensitivity, im-
proved magnetic tape
transport, improved DIFAR
and additional tactical dis-
play sensor stations. The
month of December 1992
A VP-69 P-3A at NAS Barbers Point in June 1977 (Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via John Ekberg). was spent by all hands in
training related to the
the new P-3A aircraft then being flown by the transition to the new airframes. Transition was com-
squadron. During this period, Commander James P. pleted in May 1994.
McElhenny Jr., reported for duty with the squadron as
its executive officer. This marked the first time in the
Home Port Assignments
reserve patrol community that a TAR officer had been
assigned to a command billet in a Reserve squadron. Location Date of Assignment
8 Jun–8 Jul 1978: VP-69 deployed for its annual
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Nov 1970
ADT to NAS Agana, Guam. This deployment marked a
change in CNO policy, involving reserve patrol
squadrons directly in operational assignments rather Commanding Officers
than nonoperational training exercises. The squadron
operated as a functional entity of Patrol Wing-1 Det Date Assumed Command
Agana during the entire deployment under the new CDR Wendell P. Hurlbut III 1 Nov 1970
“one-Navy” policy. CDR Glenn R. Wiggins 13 May 1972
Jan 1981: A squadron aircraft (BuNo. 152161) made CDR Raymond L. Chalker 10 Nov 1973
a crash landing at NAS Whidbey Island without casual- CDR Alfred G. Wykoff 18 May 1975
346 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR James P. McElhenny 14 May 1977 CDR Rodney A. Harris 21 Jan 1995
CDR H. D. Evans 3 Jun 1979 CDR Michael McGee 29 Jun 1996
CDR Patrick M. Schnauffer 17 Nov 1979
CDR Gerard R. Welter Apr 1981
Aircraft Assignment
CDR Brian M. McGuiness 6 Nov 1982
CDR Michael F. Montgomery Jun 1984 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Paul R. Kuntz Dec 1985
SP-2H Nov 1970
CDR C. E. Howerter Jun 1986
P-3A DIFAR Nov 1975
CDR R. A. Lundstrom Jun 1987
CDR Robert O. Passmore 2 Dec 1989 P-3A TAC/NAV MOD May 1986
CDR Max B. Norgart 22 Jun 1991 P-3B TA/CNAV MOD Jan 1990
CDR Kenneth E. Thompson 6 Jun 1992 P-3C UI Oct 1992
CDR Carlton D. Parker 25 Sep 1993 P-3C UIII Jan 1995

A squadron P-3A in flight, circa 1984.

 CHAPTER 3 347

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jul 1972 Aug 1972 PatWing-2 Barbers Point SP-2H WestPac

9 Sep 1973 23 Sep 1973 PatWing-2 Barbers Point SP-2H WestPac
14 Aug 1976 12 Sep 1976 PatWing-2 Barbers Point P-3A DIFAR WestPac
Jul 1977 Aug 1977 PatWing-2 Barbers Point P-3A DIFAR WestPac
8 Jun 1978 8 Jul 1978 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A DIFAR WestPac
9 May 1979 10 Jun 1979 PatWingPac Adak P-3A DIFAR NorPac
Apr 1980 May 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A DIFAR WestPac
May 1981 Jun 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A DIFAR WestPac
May 1982 Jun 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3A DIFAR WestPac
May 1983 Jun 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Point P-3A DIFAR WestPac
May 1984 Jun 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A DIFAR WestPac
4 May 1985 31 May 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A DIFAR WestPac
4 Jan 1986 23 Feb 1986 PatWing-10 Panama P-3A DIFAR Carib
Jul 1987 Aug 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A MOD WestPac
Jul 1988 Aug 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A MOD WestPac
Jul 1989 Aug 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3A MOD WestPac
May 1990 Jun 1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
Jun 1991 Jul 1991 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESWINGSPAC PJ 1 Nov 1970 NEM 1 Jan 1991 31 Dec 1991

A close up of the tail of a squadron aircraft showing

the tail code PJ and its insignia design relating to its
nickname Totems.
348 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-90 of the insignia read THE LIONS in black letters, while

a second scroll at the bottom read PATRON 90. The
design received CNO approval on 2 May 1985.
The last insignia of VP-90 was a return to the earlier,
Lineage more stylized head of a lion. The squadron felt that
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY (VP-90) on “the ferocious lion’s
1 November 1970. head displays strength,
Disestablished on 30 September 1994. aggressiveness, pride,
and in general, a ‘King
of the Jungle’ mystique.”
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Colors: mane of lion,
VP-90 utilized four different insignia during its rela- dark brown; face of
tively short existence. The first, approved by CNO on lion, reddish brown
28 December 1971, fea- with white muzzle;
tured an illustration of a mouth, red with white
large blackbird overlaid teeth; eyes, white with
on a globe showing The squadron’s last insignia. black pupils; back-
North and South ground, light tan; scroll
America. Colors: bird, on top of design, light reddish brown, with black let-
black with yellow feet ters; scroll at bottom of design, light reddish brown,
and beak; oceans, light with black letters PATRON 90.
blue; and continents, Nicknames: The Lions, 1974–1994.
white. A scroll at the
bottom of the insignia
Chronology of Significant Events
was light blue with
The squadron’s first insignia.
black letters PATROL 1 Nov 1970: VP-90 was established at NAS
SQUADRON 90. Glenview, Ill., as a Naval Air Reserve land-based patrol
With the squadron’s second design came its nick- squadron flying 12 Lockheed SP-2H Neptunes. The
name, the Lions. The insignia was inspired by the new squadron came under the operational and admin-
“kingly demeanor and istrative control of Commander, Naval Air Reserve
dynamic tenacity for Forces, Atlantic, and Commander, Fleet Air Reserve
which the squadron was Wings, Atlantic. VP-90 was established as a result of a
justly recognized.” The major reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve that
stylized rendering of the took place in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force
head of a lion is shown Squadron concept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol
in black outline, with a squadrons were formed and structured along the lines
gold background. A of regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical orga-
scroll at the bottom of nization and manning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had
the insignia was colored 12 VP squadrons under two commands, COM-
gold with black letters FAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These
PATRON 90. This design two commands came under the control of one central
The squadron’s second insignia.
was approved by CNO authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
on 22 April 1974.
The squadron’s third insignia was in use less than
six years. It was a more complex design featuring a
rampant lion stabbing a
trident into the broken
hull of a submarine.
Color: sky, light blue
with white cloud; light-
ning from cloud, yellow;
sea, dark blue; subma-
rine, black with white
hole in bow; breaking
wave, white; lion,
brown; trident, gold. A A VP-90 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in June 1978 (Courtesy Rick R.
The squadron’s third insignia. brown scroll at the top Burgress Collection).
 CHAPTER 3 349

1 Jul 1975: VP-90 was transferred from the adminis- Commanding Officers—Continued
trative and operational control of Commander Reserve
Patrol Wing Atlantic to Commander Reserve Patrol Date Assumed Command
Wing Pacific, based at NAS Moffett Field, Calif. CDR Jerry D. Lambden 5 Jan 1975
May 1981: While on a WestPac ADT deployment, CDR Douglas L. Orme 19 Jun 1976
VP-90 participated in the successful rescue of 55 CDR Kenneth T. Hall, Jr. 10 Jun 1978
Vietnamese refugees in the South China Sea. Crews in- CDR Stanley R. Huff 8 Dec 1979
volved received the Humanitarian Service Medal from CDR Jay E. Langland 5 Dec 1981
the Secretary of the Navy for this service. CDR Carl R. Karlsson 11 Jun 1983
30 Sep 1994: VP-90 was disestablished at NAS CDR Dennis J. Faulds 23 Jun 1984
Glenview, Ill. CDR J. P. Kelly, Jr. 14 Dec 1985
CDR Mark T. Gilsdorf 13 Jun 1987
CDR Louis F. Rabe 3 Dec 1988
Home Port Assignments CDR Sam H. Kupresin 3 Jun 1990
CDR Roy A. Wiegand 7 Dec 1991
Location Date of Assignment CDR George M. Black 12 Dec 1992
NAS Glenview, Ill. 1 Nov 1970 CDR Donald P. Hamblen 19 Mar 1994

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

CDR T. C. Mason 1 Nov 1970 SP-2H Nov 1970
CDR Robert W. Bohn 1971 P-3A Mar 1974
CDR James R. Evans 10 Dec 1972 P-3B MOD Jul 1984

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

3 Jun 1972 1 Jul 1972 PatWing-11 Rota SP-2H Med

May 1975 Jun 1975 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
Apr 1976 May 1976 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
8 Jan 1977 6 Feb 1977 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
14 Jan 1978 9 Feb 1978 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
10 Mar 1979 8 Apr 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
17 Mar 1980 13 Apr 1980 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
28 Feb 1981 28 Mar 1981 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt P-3A WestPac
26 Apr 1981 23 May 1981 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3A WestPac
30 Jan 1982* 14 Feb 1982 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
30 Jan 1982* 14 Feb 1982 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
4 Apr 1983 1 May 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3A WestPac
7 Feb 1984 11 Mar 1984 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
6 Apr 1985 5 May 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
27 Jun 1986 26 Jul 1986 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
6 Feb 1987 8 Mar 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
26 Feb 1988 25 Mar 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Mar 1989 Apr 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Feb 1990 Mar 1990 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
Mar 1991 Mar 1991 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
Mar 1992 Mar 1992 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
5 Apr 1993 8 May 1993 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3B MOD WestPac
* The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.
350 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESPAT- NAVE 1 Jan 1989 31 Dec 1989
WINGLANT LX 1 Nov 1970 HSM (Sel. crews) May 1981
COMFAIRRESPAT-
WINGPAC LX 1 Jul 1975

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail showing the second insignia design.

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail showing the third insignia design.

A close up of a squadron P-3 tail showing

the fourth and last insignia design.
 CHAPTER 3 351

Second VP-91 blue background; PATRON 91 lettering, light blue on

dark blue background.
The third insignia of VP-91 was a reversion to the
symbolism of the first VP-91, a Black Cat squadron in
Lineage WWII. This design was approved by CNO on 7
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY ONE (VP- October 1991. The black cat
91) on 1 November 1970. The second squadron to be of the circular insignia was
assigned the VP-91 designation. prepared to pounce on a
Deactivated 31 March 1999 periscope protruding from
the sea. In the background
was a stylistic v-shaped dart
Squadron Insignia and Nickname and distant shoreline. The
The first insignia used by VP-91 was approved by Black Cat represented the
CNO on 13 October 1972. A patriotic theme was se- original call sign of the first
lected, with the Liberty Bell VP-91; the periscope repre-
as the central feature in a sented the primary mission
circular design similar to a of antisubmarine warfare;
The third insignia reference
sight radius. The Liberty a design from the history of the red, white and blue dart
Bell symbolized the his- the first VP-91 during World represented the colors of the
toric role that the citizen- War II and used the Black
Cat theme.
national ensign; and the
sailor has played in the de- shoreline, or land, repre-
fense of America since the sented the point of departure of P-3 aircraft. In a scroll
Revolutionary War. The across the top of the design was the logo BLACK
squadron motto “Strength CATS, and across the bottom the squadron designation
in Reserve” was located in PATRON NINE ONE. Colors: background, white; cat,
a scroll across the top of black; eyes, yellow with black pupils; mouth, red with
The squadron’s first insignia
the design; PATROL white fangs; claws, white; dart, red, white and blue;
used the Liberty Bell as the SQUADRON 91 across the land, brown; sea, white and blue; periscope, gray; let-
theme. bottom. Colors: back- ters, black on white background.
ground, dark blue; target Nicknames: Pink Panthers, 1970–1984.
sight rings, light blue; Liberty Bell, yellow with brown Stingers, 1984–1991.
stock; outlines, yellow; letters, white on dark blue. Black Cats, 1991–1999.
The squadron’s second insignia was approved by
CNO on 1 November 1984. VP-91 decided to change
Chronology of Significant Events
the design to be more in keeping with the new gener-
ation of aircraft being 1 Nov 1970: VP-91 was established at NAS Moffett
used by the Navy patrol Field, Calif., and was the first Naval Air Reserve land-
squadrons. In the case based patrol squadron on the West Coast to fly the P-
of VP-91, the aircraft 3A Orion aircraft. The new squadron came under the
was the P-3B TAC/NAV operational and administrative control of Commander
MOD, or Super Bee air- Naval Air Reserve Force and Commander Fleet Air
craft. From this the Reserve Wings, Pacific. VP-91 was established as a re-
squadron also derived a sult of a major reorganization of Naval Air Reserve that
new nickname, the took place in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force
Stingers. The P-3 aircraft Squadron concept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol
in the design had a squadrons were formed and structured along the lines
stinger. Nine stars on of regular Navy squadrons with nearly identical orga-
the left border and one nization and manning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had
The second insignia adopted the star on the right border 12 VP squadrons under two commands, COM-
theme of a super bee in reference signified the squadron’s FAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These
to the P-3B Super Bee aircraft it two commands came under the control of one central
was flying.
designation, VP-91. The
nickname STINGERS authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve. VP-91 had
was located in a scroll across the top of the design, its origins in an earlier unit located at NAS Moffett
with the designation PATRON 91 in a scroll at the bot- Field, called NARTU Alameda Detachment Alpha. Det
tom. Colors: background, dark blue; borders, gold; Alpha was established on 1 March 1967 to provide for
stars and cloud, white; aircraft, white and blue; stinger, the transition of selected air reserve P-2 units into the
red, white and blue; STINGERS lettering, red on dark first reserve P-3 units.
352 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

ued to operate from the base, now known as Moffett

Federal Airfield, Calif.
31 Mar 1999: The squadron was deactivated at
Moffett Federal Airfield.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 1 Nov 1970
Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif. 1 Jul 1994

Commanding Officers

A VP-91 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in March 1976 (Courtesy Rick R. Date Assumed Command
Burgress Collection via Michael Grove).
CDR Robert J. Husmann 1 Nov 1970
CDR Keith A. Wilkinson 6 Nov 1971
CDR H. A. Bowles, Jr. 9 Jun1973
Jun–Jul 1980: VP-91 participated in the location of CDR L. W. Clark 1 Jul
1974
Vietnamese refugees during the unit’s annual active CDR Daniel R. Pellegrino 14 Jun 1975
duty while on deployment at NAS Agana, Guam. CDR John H. Mascali 4 Apr1976
Squadron crews located five refugee vessels resulting CDR Jerry Lambden 19 Jun 1976
in the saving of 250 lives. The five crews participating CDR John H. Mascali 7 Jan1978
in the rescue were awarded the Humanitarian Service CDR Samual E. McWilliams 21 Jul1979
Medal. By this date, over 2,500 refugees had been res- CDR Ronald K. Meeker 21 Feb 1981
cued in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand CDR J. P. McMahon 22 Feb 1982
through efforts by all elements of the Navy. CDR Dan W. Baldwin, Jr. 24 Sep 1983
Feb 1991: One crew and aircraft was deployed to CDR J. P. Schear 23 Mar 1985
participate in Operation Desert Storm. The crew was CDR G. Thomas Spink, Jr. 7 Sep1986
CDR Michael A Goss 12 Mar 1988
credited with assisting in the destruction of two Iraqi
CDR D. J. Bellows 21 Jan1990
naval vessels during combat in the Gulf. This event
CDR R. M. Epperson 19 Jan1991
marked the only participation by a Navy reserve patrol
CDR Mark E. Denari 25 Jul1992
squadron in direct combat with the Iraqi navy during CDR Charles L. Rader 12 Feb 1994
the Gulf War. CDR Jeffrey S. Brittle 1995
1 Jul 1994: NAS Moffett Field was disestablished CDR Andrew J. Cuca 13 Apr 1996
after 62 years of service as a naval air station and CDR Steven M. Sharkey 16 Aug 1997
Army Air Corps field. The base continued to serve the
National Aeronautical and Space Administration, the
Naval Air Reserve, and the California Air National Aircraft Assignment
Guard but was no longer under the Navy’s operational Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
or administrative control. The active duty P-3 P-3A Nov 1970
squadrons were relocated to NAS Barbers Point, P-3B MOD 1978
Hawaii, and NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. VP-91 contin- P-3C UIII Feb 1990

A squadron P-3B flying near

the Golden Gate Bridge, circa
1984.
 CHAPTER 3 353

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jun 1971 Jun 1971 FAW-1 Naha P-3A WestPac

Jul 1972 Aug 1972 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
Jul 1973 Jul 1973 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3A WestPac
24 Aug 1974 22 Sep 1974 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A Med
1975 1975 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
Jul 1977 Jul 1977 PatWing-1 Agana P-3A WestPac
Jun 1979 Jul 1979 PatWingPac Adak P-3B MOD NorPac
Jun 1980 Jul 1980 PatWing-1 Agana P-3B MOD WestPac
Jul 1982 Aug 1982 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
Jul 1983 Aug 1983 PatWing-1 Cubi Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
Jul 1984 Aug 1984 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Jul 1985 Aug 1985 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1986 May 1986 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1987 June 1987 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Apr 1988 May 1988 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
May 1989 Jun 1989 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3B MOD WestPac
Feb 1991* Aug 1991 PatWing-1 Misawa P-3C UIII WestPac
9 Feb 1991* 23 Feb 1991 PatWing-1 Al Masirah P-3C UIII Gulf
Apr 1992 Jun 1992 PatWing-10 Adak P-3C UIII NorPac
May 1993 Jun 1993 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
May 1994 May 1994 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
Oct 1994* Oct 1994 PatWing-1 Iwakuni P-3C UIII WestPac
Oct 1994* Nov 1994 PatWing-10 Ecuador P-3C UIII SoLant
Apr 1996 Apr 1996 PatWing-1 Kadena P-3C UIII WestPac
* The squadron conducted a split deployment to two sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESWINGPAC PM 1 Nov 1970 NUC 17 Jan 1991 7 Feb 1991
MUC 16 Apr 1986 10 Jul 1986
NEM 1 Jan 1984 31 Dec 1984
HSM (Sel crews) July 1980
SASM 9 Feb 1991 23 Feb 1991
A squadron P-3C flies over San Francisco, circa 1991.
354 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-92 The second insignia of VP-92 was approved by

CNO on 9 July 1979. Inside a circular design was the
outline of the famous Minuteman, shown with flint-
lock musket at the ready. The Minutemen were the
Lineage first volunteers, whose legacy is carried on by the pre-
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY TWO (VP- sent reserve organization. Behind the outline of the
92) on 1 November 1970. The second squadron to be Minuteman was a red, white and blue banner in which
assigned the VP-92 designation. white symbolized performance of duty, red the blood
shed in the past, and blue the dedication of the first
volunteers. The squadron’s motto, “Ever Vigilant,” was
Squadron Insignia and Nickname depicted in a banner across the top of the design,
The squadron’s first insignia was approved by CNO while the squadron designation Patron 92 was located
on 12 February 1971. It depicted a guillotine with across the bottom.
blade poised over the periscope of an unsuspecting Nicknames: Minutemen, 1979–present.
submarine. The cross
supports of the guillo-
Chronology of Significant Events
tine were planted firmly
in the North American 1 Nov 1970: VP-92 was established at NAS South
and European conti- Weymouth, Mass., as a naval air reserve land-based
nents, indicative of the patrol squadron flying 12 Lockheed SP-2H Neptunes.
scope of the squadron’s The new squadron came under the operational and
operations. The squad- administrative control of Commander Naval Air
ron designation was Reserve Force and Commander Fleet Air Reserve
shown in a scroll at the Wings, Atlantic. VP-92 was established as a result of a
bottom of the insignia. major reorganization of Naval Air Reserve that took
Colors: background, or- place in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force Squadron
ange; wooden frame of concept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol squadrons
The squadron’s first insignia. guillotine, light brown; were formed and structured along the lines of regular
guillotine blade, white; Navy squadrons with nearly identical organization and
rope attached to blade, light yellow; periscope, black; manning levels. The 12/2/1 concept had 12 VP
continents, dark brown; ocean, blue; squadron desig- squadrons under two commands, COM-
nation, orange letters on white background. FAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC. These
two commands came under the control of one central
authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
Oct 1973: One VP-92 aircraft was called upon to
transport priority parts for A-4 aircraft to the Israeli Air
Force. On 8 October 1973, the Arab Coalition states
had attacked the borders of Israel in what came to be
known as the Yom Kippur War. Task Forces 60.1, 60.2,
61 and 62 were placed on full alert for possible evacu-

The squadron’s second insignia. A squadron SP-2H in flight.

 CHAPTER 3 355

ation contingencies in the Middle East. On 19 October Commanding Officers

1973, 50 A-4 aircraft were flown from the U.S. to Israel
to replace heavy losses from ground-to-air missiles. Date Assumed Command
26 Jan–24 Feb 1991: VP-92 became the first reserve
CDR R. Geoffrey Neville 1 Nov 1970
patrol squadron to assume all operational commit-
CDR Dexter C. Morrison 20 May 1972
ments at NAS Bermuda rather than just an augment
squadron. The change in responsibilities came about CDR James R. Boling 3 Nov 1973
as a direct result of the reduced Soviet presence in the CDR Norman R. Zanin 7 Nov 1975
North Atlantic, and the reassignment of active duty as- CDR Rodney D. Neibauer 30 Jun 1977
sets to more critical areas. Seven reserve patrol CDR John A. Wills, Jr. 13 Jan 1979
squadrons trained throughout the year at the naval air CDR William D. Dobbs 7 Jun 1980
station. The squadrons assumed full control from the CDR Horst Kleinbauer 21 Nov 1981
regular Navy patrol squadrons, including all aspects of
CDR Thomas A. Trautwein Apr 1983
supply, maintenance, routine patrol responsibilities
and ready alert standby. CDR Kenneth C. Belisle 1985
17 Jul–29 Aug 1993: VP-92 provided four aircrews CDR Peter E. Blessing 19 Apr 1986
and a maintenance detachment in support of Adriatic CDR Eric L. Lekberg 24 Oct 1987
Sea embargo flights for operation Maritime Guard CDR Morris W. Badoud 20 Aug 1988
against the former Republic of Yugoslavia. These were CDR Howard C. Rottler 24 Feb 1990
armed flights carrying Rockeye, Harpoon and the first CDR Allen R. Hansen 17 Aug 1991
highly successful deployment of the Remote Imaging
CDR Riley J. Gladden 20 Feb 1993
Transmission System. The missions were flown in sup-
CDR James A. Cunningham 1994
port of UN operations to enforce the cease-fire between
warring factions of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia, and to CDR Sean P. O’Neil 1995
prevent outside factions from providing resupply by sea. CDR John P. Coffey 19 Oct 1996
8 Jun 1996: VP-92 relocated with more than 1,000
Naval Reservists from NAS South Weymouth, Mass., to
NAS Brunswick, Maine. The relocation was the result of Aircraft Assignment
the disestablishment of the NAS South Weymouth facility.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
SP-2H Nov 1970
Home Port Assignments
P-3A DIFAR Apr 1975
Location Date of Assignment P-3B TAC/NAV MOD 1984
NAS South Weymouth, Mass. 1 Nov 1970 P-3C UII Jul 1991
NAS Brunswick, Maine 8 Jun 1996 P-3C UII.5 1996

A VP-92 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field

in March 1976 (Courtesy Rick R.
Burgress Collection via Michael
Grove).
356 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1971 1971 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med.

13 Mar 1976 9 Apr 1976 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
16 Apr 1977 15 May 1977 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3A Lant
6 May 1978 4 Jun 1978 PatWing-11 Rota P-3A DIFAR Med
22 Sep 1979 21 Oct 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
27 Jun 1980 28 Jul 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant/Med
2 Jun 1982 4 Jul 1982 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant/Med
28 Apr 1983 28 May 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A DIFAR Lant
1984 1984 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
15 Jun 1985 14 Jul 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
17 May 1986 15 Jun 1986 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
2 May 1987 31 May 1987 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
9 Jul 1988 7 Aug 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
20 May 1989 17 Jun 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
21 Apr 1990 20 May 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
25 Jan 1991 24 Feb 1991 PatWing-5 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
17 Jul 1993 20 Aug 1993 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1994 1994 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1994 1994 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rd. P-3C UII Med
1995 1995 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1995 1995 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rd. P-3C UII Med
1996 1996 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rd. P-3C UII Med
1996 1996 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII Med
1997 1997 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3C UII Med
1997 1997 PatWing-5 Keflavik P-3C UII Med

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESPAT- MUC 13 Feb 1977 22 May 1977
WINGLANT LY 1 Nov 1970

A squadron P-3B, circa 1984.

 CHAPTER 3 357

Second VP-93 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Jul 1976: VP-93 was the last reserve patrol
squadron to be formed as part of the reorganization of
Lineage the Naval Air Reserve during the 1970s. The
squadron’s home port was NAF Detroit, Mich., and it
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY THREE (VP-
93) on 1 July 1976. The second squadron to be as- came under the operational and administrative control
signed the VP-93 designation. of Commander Reserve Patrol Wings, Atlantic. VP-93
Disestablished on 30 September 1994. began its career flying the Orion P-3A aircraft. The
Executioners quickly devised a motto to go with their
new nickname, “Paratus Persequi—Ready to Execute.”
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
8 Aug 1979: The National Oceanographic and
The squadron’s only insignia since its establishment Atmospheric Administration requested the assistance
was approved by CNO on 28 September 1976. The cir- of the Navy in monitoring the environmental effects of
cular design features a medieval executioner rising
the Bay Campeche oil spill that devastated the western
from the ocean depths with raised ax prepared to de-
Gulf Coast. The mammoth oil spill was the result of a
liver a death-blow to a surfaced submarine. The sym-
bolism of the hooded headsman was in keeping with blowout on an off-shore oil well rig in early August
1979. VP-93 was tasked with flights along the path of
the spill, monitoring its track and collecting a photo-
graphic record of the disaster. During the assignment
the squadron was based for two weeks at NAS Corpus
Christi, Texas. Several active duty Navy patrol
squadrons and augment reserve squadrons partici-
pated in this mission through 31 October 1979.
Jan–Oct 1993: VP-93 deployed to NAS Sigonella,
Sicily, and NAS Rota, Spain, in support of Adriatic Sea
embargo flights for Operation Maritime Guard against
the former Republic of Yugoslavia. These were armed
flights carrying Harpoon antiship missiles. The mis-
sions were flown in support of UN operations to en-
force the cease-fire between warring factions of
Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia, and to prevent outside fac-
tions from providing resupply by sea. The squadron
also supplied single aircrews and aircraft over the pe-
riod of May and June 1993 for Operation Sharp Guard.
Three aircrews returned to NAS Sigonella again in
The squadron’s only insignia.
October for continued Sharp Guard support. This de-
tachment was hastily repositioned within 24 hours to
NAS Key West, Fla., to provide support for operations
the covert character of patrol ASW aviation. The ax
Support Democracy and Able Mariner, the UN sanc-
symbolized the swift, lethal blow dealt to enemy sub-
marines. The red all-seeing eyes were symbolic of the tioned embargo of Haiti.
electronic search capabilities of the squadron. The ex- 14–24 Mar 1994: VP-93 flew the Navy’s last opera-
ecutioner’s belt was symbolic of Orion’s Belt, a refer- tional mission of the P-3B and ended its own flight
ence to the squadron’s P-3 Orion aircraft. The split operations on 24 March 1994 after flying over 40,000
background represented the night and day character mishap-free hours.
of the missions assigned. Colors: executioner’s cape, 17 Sep 1994: VP-93 disestablishment ceremonies
black with red lining; eyes, red; gloves, black; execu- were held at NAF Detroit, Mich., with an official dises-
tioner’s tunic, dark blue; ax, white with black handle; tablishment of 30 September.
belt, dark blue with white stars; night sky, purple with
white stars; day-lit ocean, light blue; submarine, black
with red spilling from broken hull; border of insignia, Home Port Assignments
red; scroll at bottom of insignia, dark blue with white
Location Date of Assignment
letters PATRON 93.
Nickname: Executioners, 1976–1994. NAF Detroit, Mich. 1 Jul 1976
358 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron P-3A in flight.

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

CDR E. J. Furdak 1 Jul
1976 CDR Stephen D. Ihrig 3 Feb 1990
CDR Richard B. Duxbury 8 Apr1978 CDR James B. Harshfield 1991
CDR Rodney A. Carlone Nov 1992
CDR G. H. Mollencop 15 Sep1979
CDR Chris J. Cluster 12 Feb 1993
CDR Robert Bender 19 Jul
1980
CDR James T. Hendricks 26 Jul
1981
CDR R. W. Davis 1983 Aircraft Assignment
CDR George M. Fusko 1984 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Paul J. Wilhelm 22 Mar 1986 P-3A Jul 1976
CDR Howard Rundell, Jr. 12 Sep 1988 P-3B 1981
CDR Patrick B. Peterson 1 Apr 1989 P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Jan 1986

A VP-93 P-3A taking off, August 1981

(Courtesy Rick R. Burgress Collection via
Barry Roop).
 CHAPTER 3 359

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

29 Apr 1978 28 May 1978 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant

5 May 1979 3 Jun 1979 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
31 May 1980 29 Jun 1980 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
7 Mar 1981 5 Apr 1981 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A/B Lant
8 May 1982 6 Jun 1982 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B Lant
14 Jan 1983 12 Feb 1983 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B Lant
30 Mar 1984 Apr 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B Lant
23 Mar 1985 Apr 1985 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B Lant
27 Jun 1987 26 Jul 1987 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
16 Apr 1988 15 May 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
16 Jun 1989 17 Jul 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
21 Mar 1990 22 Apr 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
23 Feb 1991 24 Mar 1991 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
Apr 1992 May 1992 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
Jan 1993 Jan 1993 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3B MOD Med
May 1993 Jun 1993 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3B MOD Med
Oct 1993 Oct 1993 PatWing-11 Sigonella P-3B MOD Med

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESPAT- None on record.
WINGLANT LH 1 Jul 1976

A squadron P-3B in flight, note the insignia on the tail, circa 1984.
360 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Second VP-94

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY FOUR (VP-
94) on 1 November 1970. The second squadron to be
assigned the VP-94 designation.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on
24 June 1971. The central figure in the circular design

Squadron SP-2Hs at NAS New Orleans, circa April 1974.

combined in November 1970 to form VP-94. The new

squadron came under the operational and administra-
tive control of the Commander, Naval Air Reserve
Force. VP-94 was established as a result of a major re-
organization of the Naval Air Reserve that took place
in mid-1970. Under the Reserve Force Squadron con-
cept 12 land-based naval reserve patrol squadrons
were formed and structured along the lines of regular
Navy squadrons with nearly identical organization and
manning levels. Under the 12/2/1 concept there were
12 VP squadrons divided between two commands,
COMFAIRESWINGLANT and COMFAIRESWINGPAC.
These two commands came under the control of one
central authority, Commander Naval Air Reserve.
19 Mar 1989: In March 1989, the Department of
Defense organized Operation Hat Trick III, an exercise
employing the efforts of several reserve patrol
squadrons, staging out of Naval Station Roosevelt
Roads, Puerto Rico. This operation, the largest drug in-
The squadron’s insignia. terdiction operation using reserve forces to date, re-
sulted in the capture of a record number of narcotics
was a crawfish, with an outline of the state of carrying vessels and aircraft. After the success of this
Louisiana in the background. The crawfish, shown operation, Atlantic reserve patrol squadrons routinely
glowering at a submarine grasped in its left claw, was devoted a portion of their two week ACDUTRA time
deemed significant since it was indigenous to the each year on drug interdiction patrols with the Coast
south Louisiana area in which the squadron was Guard based out of NS Roosevelt Roads and NAS Key
based. Colors: crawfish, orange; submarine, black; out- West, Fla. Reserve and active duty Navy patrol
line of Louisiana, gold; background, dark blue; ocean, squadrons had previously assisted the U.S. Coast
light blue; border, gold; scroll at bottom, gold with or- Guard in drug interdiction flights in the Caribbean
ange lettering. area since 1985.
Nicknames: Crawfishers, 1971–present. 2 Jan 1993: VP-94 was assigned to CTF 67.1 at NAS
Sigonella, Sicily, and CTF 67.2 at NAS Rota, Spain, in
support of Adriatic Sea embargo flights for Operation
Chronology of Significant Events
Maritime Guard against the former Republic of
1 Nov 1970: VP-94 was established at NAS Belle Yugoslavia. These were armed flights carrying
Chase, New Orleans, La., as a Naval Air Reserve land- Harpoon antiship missiles. The missions were flown in
based patrol squadron flying 12 Lockheed SP-2H support of UN operations to enforce the cease-fire be-
Neptunes. VP-94 was formed from VP-821 and VP-822, tween warring factions of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia
both established in 1965. These squadrons were redes- and to prevent outside factions from providing re-sup-
ignated VP-61X1 and VP-45X2 in May 1968, and were ply by sea.
 CHAPTER 3 361

Jun–Jul 1993: The squadron supplied detachments Home Port Assignments

for operation Sharp Guard in support of UN opera-
Location Date of Assignment
tions. This concept of separate detachment deploy-
ments, rather than entire unit deployments, became NAS New Orleans, La. 1 Nov 1970
known as flexible detachment operations, or Det Ops.
This form of deployment provided the maximum Commanding Officers
amount of interoperability between USN and USNR
Date Assumed Command
forward deployed forces, while supporting real opera-
tions and not just training flights for the Reserves. CDR Gordon E. Dugal, Jr. 1 Nov 1970
Reserve Det Ops also served as a much-needed sup- CDR William J. White 5 May 1972
CDR L. H. Harwell 30 Mar 1973
plement to the active-duty patrol squadrons in an era
CDR R. N. Lyall Jul 1974
of post-Cold War cutbacks.
CDR M.R. Marler 10 Jul 1976
Oct 1993: A Det Ops deployment was conducted to CDR John J. Langan Jan 1978
NS Roosevelt Roads, P.R., to provide support for oper- CDR G. B. Dresser Jun 1979
ations Support Democracy and Able Mariner, the UN CDR F. J. Marlow Jan 1981
sanctioned embargo of Haiti. CDR H. E. Hermann Aug 1982
CDR W. D. Ewing 6 Aug 1983
CDR Joseph W. Harris 2 Feb 1985
CDR Casey W. Coane 1 Feb 1986
CDR John N. H. Costas 8 Aug 1987
CDR Daniel S. Mastagni 11 Mar 1989
CDR Howard C. Norton 21 Oct 1990
CDR Ronald P. Cosgrove 20 Oct 1991
CDR D. Michael Rouen 27 Feb 1993
CDR Thomas H. Hutchinson 16 Jul 1994
CDR Mark A. Johnson 21 Oct 1995

Aircraft Assignment

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

SP-2H Nov 1970
P-3A Oct 1976
A VP-94 P-3A at NAS Moffett Field in February 1981 (Courtesy Rick P-3B TAC/NAV MOD Sep 1984
R. Burgress Collection via Michael Grove). P-3C UII.5 Sep 1994

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations
21 Aug 1971 19 Sep 1971 FAW-11 Rota SP-2H Med
1 Jul 1972 30 Jul 1972 PatWing-11 Rota SP-2H Med
25 Jul 1978 Aug 1978 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3A Lant
24 Jun 1983 25 Jul 1983 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
21 Apr 1984 6 Jun 1984 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3A Lant
1 Jun 1985 28 Jun 1985 PatWing-2 Barbers Pt. P-3B MOD WestPac
22 Mar 1986 20 Apr 1986 PatWing-11 Lajes P-3B MOD Lant
7 Mar 1987 5 Apr 1987 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
19 Mar 1988 17 Apr 1988 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
25 Jan 1989 26 Feb 1989 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
19 Mar 1989 4 Apr 1989 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rd. P-3B MOD Carib
16 Jun 1990 15 Jul 1990 PatWing-11 Rota P-3B MOD Med
15 Jun 1991 14 Jul 1991 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
27 Jun 1992 9 Aug 1992 PatWing-11 Bermuda P-3B MOD Lant
2 Jan 1993 6 Feb 1993 PatWing-11 Rota/Sigon. P-3B MOD Med
19 Jun 1993 17 Jul 1993 PatWing-11 Rota/Sigon. P-3B MOD Med
Oct 1993 Oct 1993 PatWing-11 Roosevelt Rd. P-3B MOD Carib
28 Nov 1995 7 Dec 1995 PatWing-11 Key West P-3C UII.5 Carib
362 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
COMFAIRRESPAT- MUC 10 Jan 1986 19 Jan 1986
WINGLANT LZ 1 Nov 1970

A squadron P-3B in flight, circa 1984.

 CHAPTER 3 363

First VP-102 tive purposes. Formation of the squadron proceeded

slowly, with official establishment ceremonies being
held on 15 December 1937. The squadron did not re-
ceive its first aircraft until 15 January 1938, when 15
Lineage Consolidated P2Y-3 seaplanes were transferred from
Established as Patrol Squadron EIGHTEEN (VP-18) VP-4. One, possibly two, PBY-1 aircraft were also part
on 1 September 1937. of the squadron complement for conversion training
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTEEN (VP-13) when more of the Catalinas became available.
on 1 July 1939. Although located at NAS Seattle during its formation,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SIX (VP-26) VP-18 came under the operational control of Patrol
on 11 December 1939. Wing-2, located in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED 25 Mar 1938: Aircraft of Patrol Wing 2 participated
TWO (VP-102) on 16 December 1940. in Fleet Exercise XIX (Phase V) as part of Red Force
Disestablished on 18 April 1942. operating against Blue Force. VP-18 flew in from NAS
Seattle with its P2Y-3 aircraft to participate in the prob-
lem. This exercise illustrated the extreme vulnerability
Squadron Insignia and Nickname of slow patrol aircraft to modern AA protective
Sometime after its relocation from San Diego, Calif., screens, with the majority of the participating aircraft
to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1939 the squadron selected judged shot down by Blue Force. One aircraft of VP-
18 ditched during the exercises with none of the crew
recovered. Upon completion of the fleet exercises the
squadron returned to Seattle.
15 Sep 1938: VP-18 was transferred from NAS
Seattle, Wash., to NAS San Diego, Calif., still under the
operational control of Patrol Wing 2.
4 Nov 1938: The squadron’s aging P2Y-3 seaplanes
and PBY-1 aircraft were turned in for 12 replacement
PBY-4 seaplanes fresh from the factory. During this
period the squadron was also assigned an O3U-3
Corsair for utility purposes.
5 Sep 1939: VP-13 flew a transpac from San Diego,
Calif., to NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, it new permanent
home base. At that time, the squadron operated with a
complement of 14 PBY-4 aircraft.
9 Apr 1940: The squadrons of Patrol Wing 2 partici-
pated in Fleet Exercise XXI with the Army’s 72nd
Bombardment Squadron and 4th Reconnaissance
Squadron in the defense of the Hawaiian Islands
against attack by the opposing forces. Deficiencies in
coordination between Army and Navy squadrons were
The squadron’s insignia.
noted, particularly in the area of communications.
16 Dec 1940: VP-26 was redesignated VP-102 and
relocated from its home base at Pearl Harbor to
an insignia in keeping with their new home base and Cavite, Philippines. The relocation placed the
assigned mission. VP-26 selected an insignia called squadron under the operational control of Patrol Wing
Wings over the Pacific, with a PBY central in a trian- 10, Asiatic Fleet.
gular-shaped design, blazing sun at the peak of the tri- 8 Dec 1941: VP-101 and VP-102 of Patrol Wing 10
angle and a segment of the globe at the bottom. were dispersed to the southern Philippines upon
Colors: sky and PBY shadow, blue; sun and right side notification that hostilities had commenced. They were
of globe, yellow; PBY and rays from sun, white; left accompanied by tenders Childs (AVD 1), William B.
side of globe shadow, gray. Preston (AVD 7), Heron (AVP 2) and Langley (AV 3).
Nickname: None on record. 14–23 Dec 1941: Seven VP-102 aircraft were de-
stroyed at Olongapo seadrome, Philippines, during a
surprise attack. The remaining aircraft joined the two
Chronology of Significant Events
surviving VP-101 aircraft at Cavite, Philippines, in a
1 Sep 1937–Jan 1938: VP-18 was established at move to Balikpapan, Borneo, arriving on 18
NAS Seattle, Wash., by CNO and BuAer for administra- December 1941. Combat attrition reduced the numbers
364 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A P2Y-3 in flight.

of available Patrol Wing 10 aircraft, requiring the Mar–7 Apr 1942: The last three surviving Catalinas
merger of VP-101 assets into VP-102 at Ambon on 23 of Patrol Wing 10 were flown to Perth, Australia. Sixty
December 1941. percent of the wing personnel were either dead or
26 Dec 1941: The six remaining aircraft of Patrol captives of the Japanese. On 7 April 1942, the Patrol
Wing 10 carried out an attack on a Japanese surface for- Wing was reinforced by VP-21 from Pearl Harbor.
mation near Jolo, Philippines. Two aircraft returned to 18 Apr 1942: VP-102 was disestablished at Perth,
Ambon Island, N.E.I., after the action. Some of the sur-
Australia.
vivors from three of the aircraft shot down during the at-
tack were later able to rejoin the squadron in Australia.
14 Feb 1942: The remnants of Patrol Wing-10, a Home Port Assignments
total of four PBYs out of the original 45 aircraft, as-
sembled at the port of Darwin, Australia, after fighting Location Date of Assignment

rear-guard actions from Ende, Flores Island, and NAS Seattle, Wash. 1 Sep 1937
Kupang, Timor Island. On this date an attack by NAS San Diego, Calif. 15 Sep 1938
Japanese fighters on the port destroyed one more NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 5 Sep 1939
PBY-4 in the harbor. NS Cavite, Philippines 16 Dec 1940

A squadron PBY-4 in flight, note the squadron

insignia on the nose of the aircraft, 1939.
 CHAPTER 3 365

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

LT F. C. Sutton 15 Dec 1937 P2Y-3 Jan 1938
LCDR Stuart H. Ingersoll 9 Aug 1938 PBY-1 Jan 1938
LCDR Albert N. Perkins 2 Jul 1940 PBY-4 Nov 1938
LCDR Edgar T. Neale 8 Nov 1941 O3U-3 Nov 1938

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Mar 1938 May 1938 PatWing-2 Hawaii P2Y-3 WestPac

8 Dec 1941 * PatWing-10 Luzon PBY-4 SoPac
Childs (AVD 1)
William B. Preston (AVD 7)
Heron (AVP 2)
Langley (AV 3)
18 Dec 1941 * PatWing-10 Balikpapan PBY-4 SoPac
23 Dec 1941 * PatWing-10 Ambon PBY-4 SoPac
14 Feb 1942 * PatWing-10 Darwin PBY-4 SoPac
Mar 1942 18 Apr 1942 PatWing-10 Perth PBY-4 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-2 1 Sep 1937 PUC 8 Dec 1941 3 Mar 1942
PatWing-10 16 Dec 1940

A squadron PBY-4 in flight, 1939.

366 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-106 for transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The last aircraft

arrived on the 20th, when the squadron officially came
under the operational control of FAW-2.
Sep–9 Oct 1943: Combat training and routine oper-
Lineage ations continued through the end of September, when
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED a detachment of six aircraft and nine crews was sent
SIX (VB-106) on 1 June 1943. to Midway Island under TU 14.8.3, CTF 14. Strikes
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- were conducted against Wake Island during this pe-
DRED SIX (VPB-106) on 1 October 1944. riod. From 3 to 9 October 1943, the primary mission of
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX the detachment was switched to long-range search
(VP-106) on 15 May 1946. and reconnaissance patrols.
Disestablished on 5 October 1946. 7–22 Oct 1943: Eleven aircraft and crews were de-
ployed to Canton Island. During this period the
squadron flew two sorties as escort for VD-3 on pho-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname tographic and bombing runs against Makin Island
The squadron’s only insignia was approved by CNO (12–13 October) and Funafuti (18–19 October). Under
on 3 November 1944. A large wolf with its tongue the initial acceptance program, Liberators received for
Navy patrol squadron use had been the early Army
versions (B-24D) without a powered nose turret.
Reports from the combat zone had shown that

The Wolverators was the squadron’s only insignia.

hanging out, riding a 500-pound bomb was central in

the circular design. Above the wolf was the squadron
nickname in capital letters, WOLVERATORS. Colors:
field, white; lettering, black; wolf, dark brown; eyeball, A squadron PB4Y-1 at an air field in the south western Pacific, circa
white with black pupil; teeth, white; tongue, pale 1943, NH-75359.
brown; claws, white; bomb, battleship gray with black
markings; circle, black; speed marks, black.
Nicknames: Wolverators, 1944–1946. Liberator squadrons with 30-caliber nose guns were
sustaining very high casualty rates. PB4Y-1 Liberators
destined for Navy use did not get the refit with the
Chronology of Significant Events
ERCO 250SH-1 powered turrets with twin 50-caliber
1 Jun 1943: VB-106 was established at NAAS Camp gun mounts until after May 1943. VB-106 had its 15 as-
Kearney, Calif., under the operational control of FAW- signed aircraft modified at the factory starting in June
14, as a heavy bombing squadron (landplane) flying 1943, and highly endorsed it, suggesting in a letter to
the PB4Y-1 Liberator. The squadron conducted train- CNO that it be installed in all Navy Liberators. On 18
ing at Camp Kearney through mid-August. October 1943, the squadron suffered its first opera-
11 Aug 1943: The first of the squadron’s 15 as- tional loss when one of its aircraft crashed at sea 400
signed aircraft departed NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., miles SW of Canton Island with the loss of all hands.
 CHAPTER 3 367

28 Oct 1943–5 Feb 1944: The squadron detach- forced to execute a wheels-up landing due to gear
ments were reunited at Kaneohe for deployment to failure. The remaining highlight of this period was the
Carney Field, Guadalcanal. Upon arrival on 2 first ditching of a PB4Y-2 Privateer on 24 October
November 1943, the squadron came under the opera- 1944, in the Gulf of Baja, in Mexican waters. The air-
tional control of FAW-1. The squadron flew 11 sorties craft ran out of fuel during a long-range training mis-
on special night-snooper flights, and bombed enemy sion in bad weather. All crew members, including the
installations at Kapingamarangi Atoll on 8, 17, 25, and squadron canine mascot, exited the aircraft safely and
27 November 1943. On 5 February 1944, VB-106 was were picked up by fishermen after four days at sea,
transferred to Munda Field, New Georgia. thus becoming official members of the Dunkers and
1 Nov 1943–24 Mar 1944: Lieutenant Douglas C. Sea Squatters Club. As a result of the crash, improve-
Davis was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions ments in aircraft exits by the manufacturer,
against the Japanese during the period November 1943 Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation, saved many
to March 1944. On 13 November 1943, in cooperation lives in subsequent ditchings. Training was completed
with another pilot from his squadron, he successfully by mid-November and on 23 November an advance
destroyed five seaplanes and bombed and strafed the echelon departed by ship for Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
docks and supply areas at Kapigamarangi Island. He Poor weather delayed the squadron transpac until 5
attacked and destroyed an enemy seaplane in aerial December 1944. The last squadron aircraft arrived at
combat on 3 January 1944 while within sight of enemy NAS Kaneohe on 21 December.
fighter strips at Kavieng, New Ireland. On 7 February 14–19 Dec 1944: Despite the delay in arrival of all
1944 he led his crew in a single plane attack against the squadron’s aircraft, combat training was begun
the strong enemy base at Satawan Island which was immediately with the crews at hand. On 19 December
over 800 miles from his home base of operations. He 1944, Lieutenant (jg) B. H. Knust, in a PB4Y-1 training
successfully destroyed a large fuel dump, an AA gun aircraft, made a forced landing at sea when both star-
crew and inflicted other serious damage to the base. board engines caught fire. Eight crew members in the
25 Mar–1 Jun 1944: VB-106 was transferred to forward section survived, but six enlisted personnel in
Nadzab, New Guinea, under the operational control of the aft section went down with the aircraft.
FAW-17. On 12 April 1944, the squadron was trans- Feb–Mar 1945: On 10 February the squadron
ferred again to Momote Field, Los Negros, remaining began deployment to NAB Tinian, coming under the
there until 1 June 1944, when it was sent to Wakde operational control of FAW-1. Upon arrival, the
Island. Six aircraft were lost to accidents without casu- squadron found it was sharing the airfield with the
alties during this period, with one aircraft lost to 21st USAAF Bomber Command. USAAF headquarters
enemy action off Biak Island on 1 May 1944. In this requested that three VPB-106 officers accompany a B-
action a VB-106 Liberator piloted by Lieutenant Allen 29 flight of three aircraft within radar range of Tokyo
L. Seaman made repeated attacks on shipping in the preparatory to the attack by TF 58 on the Tokyo area.
harbor in the face of strong AA fire. Lieutenant The three naval officers served as naval observers for
Seaman was severely wounded by the ground fire and recognition and communication in the event of
the aircraft badly damaged. He was able to crash-land enemy contact. No enemy was encountered. Long-
the aircraft, enabling several crewmen to escape while range reconnaissance patrols for VPB-106 commenced
losing his own life. Lieutenant Seaman was posthu- on the 16th. Photographic missions were flown over
mously awarded the Navy Cross for his gallant actions. Truk Island on 20 February. The squadron’s first ac-
For his actions during operations conducted from 1 tion against the enemy during this deployment oc-
November 1943 through 24 March 1944, Lieutenant curred on 26 February, when it encountered enemy
Seaman was later posthumously awarded a gold star picket boats at the extreme end of a patrol leg near
in lieu of a second Navy Cross. the Borodino Islands. A similar encounter on 9
1 Jun 1944: VB-106 received orders to return to March near the Japanese mainland off Honshu re-
NAS San Diego, Calif., for home leave and reforming sulted in the loss of Lieutenant (jg) E. W. Ashley
in July. The squadron combat record listed 16 enemy and his crew. In March 1945 the squadron began
aircraft shot down and 43 ships sunk at the conclusion using the newly acquired airfield at Iwo Jima for
of the tour. staging of long-range flights toward Japan. Snipers
14 Jul 1944: VB-106 personnel were reformed at at Iwo Jima damaged two squadron aircraft during
NAS San Diego, then moved to NAAS Camp Kearney this period, wounding an officer onboard one air-
for ground and flight training on 17 July. Training was craft during a landing. Attacks against enemy picket
begun with one PB4Y-1 Liberator and one SNB-1 boats in conjunction with the rocket-equipped PV-1
Kansan, followed later by the new PB4Y-2 Privateers Venturas of VPB-151 sank or damaged several of
as they became available. The Kansan was written off the vessels. During these actions the squadron had
the inventory on 27 July when the commanding offi- eight VPB-106 Privateers damaged and one lost
cer, Lieutenant Commander W. S. Sampson, was with all hands.
368 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

8 Apr 1945: A detachment of six to eight aircraft Mindoro. Missions were conducted along the Malay
was maintained at Iwo Jima for sector coverage ex- coast and in the vicinity of Singapore, but enemy ship-
tending from the southernmost Japanese home islands ping remained sparse. On 30 July, Lieutenant J. W.
to the northern Bonins. Although frequent attacks Swiencicki and crew number 7 were reported missing
against Japanese shipping continued, enemy air activ- during a patrol beyond the southern tip of Indochina.
ity was notable only by its absence. Japanese aircraft An unexplained increase in enemy air activity in that
were spotted on only two occasions, with both fleeing area occurred during this period, which may have re-
into cloud cover upon spotting a Privateer. sulted in the loss of the bomber.
3 May–14 Jun 1945: VPB-106 was transferred to 10–11 Aug 1945: The last combat patrol was flown
Palawan, commencing operations on the 6th. Attacks on 10 August 1945. On the 11th the squadron was or-
against surface shipping continued, with considerably dered to fly nonoffensive patrols in light of the
increased air activity on the part of the enemy. On 1 Japanese offer to accept the surrender terms. During
June 1945, Lieutenant Commander H. F. Mears and this period crews began rotational relief back to the
crew were shot down over Singapore by enemy U.S.
fighters. Mears was leading a two-plane section to ob- 5 Oct 1946: After the war VP-106 remained operat-
tain vitally important reconnaissance photos of the ing in the Pacific under FAW-10 until it was officially
shipping in Singapore Harbor. For his sacrifice disestablished on this date.
Lieutenant Commander Mears was posthumously
awarded the Navy Cross. On 14 June 1943, Lieutenant
Home Port Assignments
Commander G. C. Goodloe, squadron executive offi-
cer, and crew received damage during an attack on Location Date of Assignment
shipping in the vicinity of the Gulf of Siam. Goodloe NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 1 Jun 1943
attempted to reach Rangoon with one engine out, but NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 11 Aug 1943
was later reported missing in action. NAS San Diego, Calif. Jun 1944
6–30 Jul 1945: Heavy rains and repair work on the NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 17 Jul 1944
runway at Palawan resulted in detachments from both NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 Dec 1944
VPB-106 and VPB-111 (PB4Y-1s) being assigned to Samar 1945

A squadron PB4Y-1 on patrol in the south western Pacific, circa 1943, NH-75354.
 CHAPTER 3 369

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR John T. Hayward 1 Jun 1943
CDR W. S. Sampson 15 Jul 1944 PB4Y-1 Jun 1943
LCDR H. W. Hickman 24 Jul 1945 SNB-1 Jul 1943
LCDR R. J. Teich 1945 PB4Y-2 Aug 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Aug 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 WestPac

31 Sep 1943 * FAW-2 Midway PB4Y-1 WestPac
7 Oct 1943 * FAW-2 Canton PB4Y-1 WestPac
2 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PB4Y-1 SoPac
25 Mar 1944 * FAW-17 Nadzab PB4Y-1 SoPac
12 Apr 1944 * FAW-17 Momote PB4Y-1 SoPac
1 Jun 1944 10 Jun 1944 FAW-17 Wakde PB4Y-1 SoPac
10 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
8 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Iwo Jima PB4Y-2 WestPac
3 May 1945 Sep 1945 FAW-17 Palawan PB4Y-2 SoPac

* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 1 Jun 1943 FAW-10 3 May 1945
FAW-2 11 Aug 1943
FAW-1 2 Nov 1943
FAW-17 25 Mar 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-14 Jun 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 5 Dec 1944
FAW-1 10 Feb 1945 None on record.

A formation of squadron aircraft on

patrol in the Pacific, circa 1943.
370 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-123 squadron, now designated VPB-140, returned to NAS

Alameda for ground training. Upon its arrival on 20
November 1944, the squadron was redesignated VPB-
123.
Lineage 18 Dec 1944: VPB-123 was transferred to NAAS
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Crows Landing, Calif., for additional operational flight
FORTY (VP-140) on 21 April 1943. training. The next day the squadron received its first
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- PB4Y-2 Privateers.
DRED FORTY (VPB-140) on 1 October 1944. 6 Feb–Apr 1945: While the squadron was prepar-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- ing for its transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, CNO di-
DRED TWENTY THREE (VPB-123) on 20 November rected on 6 February that VPB squadrons 109, 123 and
1944. 124 of FAW-2 be equipped to employ the SWOD Mark
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED 9 (Bat) guided missile in combat. Final preparations
TWENTY THREE (VP-123) on 15 May 1946. for transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii began at the end
Disestablished on 1 October 1946. of February. On 17 March 1945, one ground officer
and 65 enlisted personnel departed NAS Alameda,
Calif., on board Altamaha (CVE 18) for Kaneohe.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Twelve crews and aircraft departed NAAF Crows
None on Record. Landing, Calif., arriving at Kaneohe on 20 March 1945.
Upon its arrival the squadron began training in use of
the new weapon. With the addition of this gear, one
Chronology of Significant Events
officer and 21 enlisted personnel were added to the
21 Apr 1943: VB-140 was established at NAS squadron to maintain the equipment. The Bat guided
Alameda, Calif., as a bombing squadron flying the PV- missile was in essence a bomb with wings and control
1 Ventura aircraft. During training at Alameda the surfaces launched toward a target by a mother ship.
squadron came under the operational control of FAW- The Germans had successfully employed similar ord-
8. Ground and flight training continued through mid- nance in the Mediterranean with great effect. It offered
June 1943, when orders were received to begin prepa- the advantage of being a standoff weapon that al-
rations for the transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. lowed the bomber crew to remain out of effective AA
25 Jun 1943: VB-140 arrived at NAS Kaneohe, com- range of a surface target while launching the winged
ing under the operational control of FAW-2. Advanced bomb at the vessel. The Bat could guide itself to its
combat training was undertaken along with opera- target by means of pulsed microwave radiation emit-
tional patrols in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands. ted by the missile’s built-in radar system. It could see
25 Aug 1943–29 Feb 1944: The squadron com- the echoes from its target under any condition of visi-
pleted its advanced training syllabus and began transit bility. The weapon presented such a small cross-sec-
to Espiritu Santo, coming under the operational con- tion that it was nearly impossible for AA fire to destroy
trol of FAW-1. Almost immediately after its last aircraft it before impact. Unfortunately, the Bat suffered from
had arrived at NOB Espiritu Santo, VB-140 was reas- teething problems relating to the high humidity of the
signed to the Solomons, based in two detachments at tropics and the bugs characteristic of electronic de-
NAB Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, and Munda, vices of that period. Training in deployment of the Bat
Solomons. During the Rabaul and Bougainville cam- and advanced combat continued at NAS Kaneohe
paigns, the squadron came under the operational con- through the end of April 1945.
trol of Strike Command, Commander Air Solomons. 6 Apr 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Terence P. Cassidy and
The detachment at Munda rejoined the squadron at his crew were ferrying a PB4Y-1 from California to
Henderson Field on 29 February 1944. Kaneohe when all four engines cut out during the ap-
8 Apr 1944: VB-140 was relieved for return to NAS proach to the field and the aircraft crashed in the
Alameda, Calif. Upon arrival the squadron was given ocean. Two crewmen were killed in the crash, but the
home leave. remaining personnel safely exited the aircraft before it
22 May–20 Nov 1944: VB-140 was reformed at NAS sank and were picked up by rescue vessels.
Alameda, Calif. Although the squadron had been 22–31 May 1945: The squadron deployed to the
scheduled to receive the new PV-2 Harpoon, backlogs Marianas, arriving at NAB Tinian on 25 May 1945,
in production resulted in a change of assignment to coming briefly under the operational control of FAW-
the more readily available PB4Y-1 Liberator. As a re- 18. By 31 May 1945, the squadron had arrived at
sult of this last minute change, the squadron was USAAF Yontan Field, Okinawa, under the operational
transferred to NAS Hutchinson, Kans., on 18 October control of FAW-1. The squadron relieved the previous
1944, for conversion training in the PB4Y-1. This train- Bat-equipped squadron, VPB-109. This move placed
ing was completed in mid-November, and the the Bat-equipped aircraft within closer range of large
 CHAPTER 3 371

ship targets near the Japanese home islands. Barbers Point, Hawaii. The lack of maintenance facili-
Antishipping patrols were commenced off Korea, ties for the PB4Y-2 type of aircraft led to the reassign-
Tsushima Island, Getto Retto, Kyushu, Honshu and ment of eight pilots to a photographic training course
China. Nearly all combat patrols commenced immedi- and conversion to the F6F-2P Hellcat. The remainder
ately prior to daybreak, in two aircraft sections. of the squadron formed its own maintenance group
Conditions at Yontan were extremely primitive. Tents and received training from a CASU-2 detachment tem-
were utilized for berthing and administrative spaces porarily assigned to the squadron.
until mid-July, when Quonset huts became available for 24 Jan–5 Feb 1946: One VPB-123 crew was de-
office use. Electrical power, rations and water were in tached for photographic missions over the Bikini area,
short supply. Conditions did not improve until crews which was to be used at a later date in the nuclear
began rotation to Tinian for rest and relaxation. weapons testing program.
Returning crews brought back additional tents, food 19 Feb–15 May 1946: VPB-123 was given the tem-
and recreational materials to ease the tedium at Yontan. porary duty of ferrying aircraft from NAS Kaneohe to
10–15 Aug 1945: The squadron’s last combat mis- the West Coast.
sion took place off the east coast of Korea. On 15 1 Oct 1946: VP-123 was disestablished at NAS
August 1945, all combat operations ceased. During a Barbers Point, Hawaii.
comparatively short tour of combat action, the
squadron flew 230 combat missions sinking 67 enemy
Home Port Assignments
ships. There were no positive results from the deploy-
ment of the Bat with VPB-123. By the time the Location Date of Assignment
squadron arrived, few suitable targets for the missile NAS Alameda, Calif. 21 Apr 1943
were left. The pilots had minimal enthusiasm for the NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 25 Jun 1943
missile and preferred established bombing techniques NAS Alameda, Calif. Apr 1944
to the new and relatively untried device. Many Bats NAS Hutchinson, Kans. 18 Oct 1944
were jettisoned by their crews without a target in NAS Alameda, Calif. 20 Nov 1944
sight. NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 18 Dec 1944
25 Aug–Sep 1945: VPB-123 was transferred from NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 20 Mar 1945
USAAF Yontan Field to NAB Agana, Guam, coming NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 19 Nov 1945
under the operational control of FAW-18. The space at
Yontan was needed by the USAAF in preparation for
its occupation of Japan. The squadron remained at Commanding Officers
Agana until 6 September 1945, when it was relocated
Date Assumed Command
briefly back to Yontan Field, Okinawa, as a part of the
Okinawa Landplane Search Unit. LCDR Vernon Williams 20 Apr 1943
10 Sep–Oct 1945: VPB-123 was relocated to NAB LCDR Samuel G. Schilling 20 Nov 1944
Yonabaru, Okinawa, to provide security patrols and ty- LCDR Sherman H. Stearns 6 Sep 1945
phoon tracking for the fleet. On 9 October 1945, a ty- LCDR John W. Roberts Mar 1946
phoon struck Okinawa, damaging the squadron’s
buildings and tents, but with no damage to any of its Aircraft Assignment
aircraft. By the end of October, demobilization had re-
duced the squadron manpower to almost one third of Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
its assigned strength. PV-1 Apr 1943
19 Nov 1945: The squadron was relieved by VPB- PB4Y-1 Oct 1944
128 for assignment to its new home port at NAS PB4Y-2 Dec 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 Aug 1943 29 Feb 1944 FAW-1 Munda PV-1 SoPac

28 Aug 1943 8 Apr 1944 FAW-1 Guadalcanal PV-1 SoPac
31 May 1945 * FAW-1 Yontan PB4Y-2 WestPac
25 Aug 1945 * FAW-18 Agana PB4Y-2 SoPac
10 Sep 1945 19 Feb 1946 FAW-1 Yonabaru PB4Y-2 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
372 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-8 21 Apr 1943 FAW-1 6 Sep 1945
FAW-2 25 Jun 1943 FAW-2 19 Nov 1945
FAW-1 25 Aug 1943
FAW-8 Apr 1944
FAW-2 20 Mar 1945 Unit Awards Received
FAW-18 25 May 1945
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 31 May 1945
FAW-18 25 Aug 1945 None on record.
 CHAPTER 3 373

VP-131 engine PV-1 Ventura. Most of the pilots were from

PBY Catalina and OS2U Kingfisher inshore patrol
squadrons and were unfamiliar with the Ventura.
During the training phase at Deland, the squadron
Lineage came under the operational control of FAW-12. The
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED primary mission and training for the squadron was
THIRTY ONE (VB-131) on 8 March 1943. ASW.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- 31 May 1943: The squadron was transferred to
DRED THIRTY ONE (VPB-131) on 1 October 1944. NAAF Boca Chica, Fla., for intensive ASW training in
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED preparation for operational deployment, even though
THIRTY ONE (VP-131) on 15 May 1946. it had still received only four of its aircraft out of an
Disestablished on 11 June 1946. assigned complement of 12.
21 Jun 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Arthur A. Steinmetz
and crew were reported overdue from a routine
Squadron Insignia and Nickname bombing practice hop west of Key West. Subsequent
The squadron’s only insignia was approved by CNO searches over a three-day period found no trace of
on 3 August 1944. The design, created by the Disney crew or aircraft. Approximately one year later the
wreckage of the aircraft was found in shallow water
ten miles off Boca Chica Key, Fla. All hands were pre-
sumed lost.
28 Jun 1943: VB-131 was transferred to NAS
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the operational control
of FAW-11. Two days later a detachment of aircraft
was sent to San Juan, P.R., for a two-week period. The
same detachment was sent on 12 July to Camaguey,
Cuba, remaining until 4 September. With a primary
mission of ASW, the squadron aircraft carried full wing
and cabin tanks, full drop tanks and six 325-pound
depth charges. During the entire deployment only one
submarine was sighted, which submerged quickly be-
fore coming into effective attack range.
10 Jul 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Jack O. Lund and crew
reported an engine failure during a routine patrol
south of Guantanamo. When no further contact was
made, search aircraft and a blimp were dispatched.
The blimp found an oil slick and aircraft wreckage in
the vicinity of Navassa Island. No survivors were
sighted.
10 Sep 1943: VB-131 detached from NAS
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to NS San Juan, P.R., for three
weeks of ASW training using radar for night opera-
tions. Upon completion of training on 1 October, the
squadron flew to Zandery Field, Dutch Guiana, for
ASW and convoy patrol duty. The field was shared
The squadron’s Disney designed insignia. with an Army detachment flying B-25s armed with 75-
mm cannon in the nose. Since these aircraft had no
studios, featured a winged armored gauntlet sus- radar, they flew only in daylight. The VPB-131 crews
pended above the waves. Colors: field, indigo; water, took the night shift. On 21 October, a detachment of
green; gauntlet, apricot; left wing, apricot with ocher three aircraft was sent to Atkinson Field, British
quills; right wing, olive drab. The squadron used the Guiana, for temporary duty. The detachment did not
same insignia after its redesignation to VP-131 in 1946. return to the squadron at Zandery Field until 8 March
Nicknames: None on record. 1944.
23 Oct 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Byron C. Kern and
crew experienced instrument failure during a night
Chronology of Significant Events mission and flew into the sea. One crewman was lost
8 Mar 1943: VB-131 was established at Deland, when the aircraft sank, but the rest were able to get
Fla., as a medium bombing squadron flying the twin into a life raft and were rescued the next day.
374 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

9 Nov 1943: Lieutenant John W. Powers returned Bombardment Group’s B-24 Liberators when attacked
from investigating a possible submarine contact at by ten enemy fighters. Lieutenant Ellingboe’s Ventura
night to find Atkinson Field closed with rain and fog. was hit and crashed in flames into the sea.
Lacking sufficient fuel to proceed to another airstrip, Nov–Dec 1944: In mid-November VPB-43, a water-
Powers ditched the aircraft in a river near Paramaribo. based PBY squadron, was transferred from Attu and
While waiting in the water for eventual rescue, the replaced by VPB-131 and 136, both flying land-based
crew watched horrified as one of the search planes aircraft. During a patrol in late November one of the
flown by Lieutenant (jg) Robert G. Winthers crashed VPB-131 aircraft spotted what appeared to be a
practically on top of the site where they had just weather balloon. Upon reporting the sighting to base,
ditched their own aircraft. Winthers and his crew of the pilot was ordered to destroy the balloon. When
five were killed in the crash. Lieutenant Powers and fired upon, the device detonated with an enormous
his crew were rescued the following day. explosion. It was the first contact with the new
5 Jan 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Byron C. Kern and his Japanese balloon-bomb released at high altitude
crew of five crashed on takeoff, resulting in the loss of where the prevailing wind would carry them across
all hands. the Pacific to Alaska, Canada and the United States.
17 Feb 1944: Lieutenant Malcolm E. Nafe was mak- The intention was to create fires in the heavily
ing a test hop in an aircraft that had been experienc- wooded areas of the northwest, disrupting the local
ing maintenance difficulties. On board as crew were economies and spreading fear from these random
maintenance personnel from the HEDRON along for weapons of terror. In reality, very few of the bizzare
the test flight. The pilot radioed that he had a fire, weapons ever reached their intended targets and the
then the aircraft went out of control and crashed into majority either went down at sea or were shot down
the jungle near the base with a loss of all hands. before reaching Canada or the U.S.
11 Mar 1944: VB-131 returned to NAS Norfolk, Va., 5 Jan 1945: VPB-131 ceased combat operation
under the operational control of FAW-5. After home briefly when the remainder of the squadron aircraft
leave, the squadron departed NAS Norfolk on 28 were fitted with rocket hard points and the pilots were
March for NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., arriving on 6 given a period of training on rocket firing techniques
April 1944. by six of the squadron pilots who had received the
14 Apr–Jun 1944: The squadron commenced train- training at Pasco, Wash. The western tip of Agattu
ing at NAS Whidbey Island under the operational con- Island, Aleutians chain, was used as a firing range for
trol of FAW-6. Equipment on the aircraft was upgraded the new HVAR rockets. These rockets carried a five-
to include new radar, new navigational gear and im- inch high explosive head on a 3.25-inch rocket motor,
proved radios. New weapons were also installed at with instantaneous nose fuses and .02 second delay
this time, including a chin gun package consisting of base fuses. One fact was noted by the squadron: it
three guns, increasing the PV’s forward firing 50-cal- had been recommended that the rockets be fired from
iber guns from two to five. Six of the aircraft were also 1,000 yards distance, but in practise the cold weather
fitted with rocket launchers. Training concentrated on lessened the effective range. Best results were ob-
radar bombing through overcast, masthead bombing tained by aiming done almost entirely by tracer fire
and section tactics. The first phase of training was from the bow guns.
completed on 1 May 1944, and all hands were given 24 Jan 1945: The squadron conducted its first
30 days rehabilitation leave. The training syllabus was rocket attacks against enemy positions at Kokutan
resumed on 4 June. Zaki, Shimushu, Kuriles. Further attacks were con-
8 Oct 1944: VPB-131 departed NAS Whidbey Island ducted against military targets and fisheries at Kurabu
for NAS Attu, Alaska, under the operational control of Zaki, Paramushiro; Kokutan Zaki and Minami Zaki,
FAW-4, as the relief squadron for VPB-135. The Shimushi; Masugawa, Paramushiro; Hayake Gawa,
squadron arrived at Attu on the 17th and began anti- Paramushiro; and Torishima Retto, Paramushiro,
shipping searches, fighter decoy and task force cover- through the end March 1945. From April through July,
age throughout the Kuriles. These missions were con- the combat activity decreased and missions were as-
tinued through the end of December, with most of the signed that usually involved only daily searches from
attacks being made using only the five bow guns. Attu for enemy presence.
Despite the emphasis in training on masthead bomb- 20 Feb 1945: Lieutenant Powers received damage
ing attacks, none of the squadron aircraft ever carried to his port engine from debris thrown up by his own
a bomb. rockets after an attack on Minami Zaki, Shimushu. He
4 Nov 1944: Lieutenant Robert A. Ellingboe and five was unable to land at the Russian airfield at
crewmen were reported missing in action during a Petropavlosk, which was closed due to weather, and
daylight attack on Toroshimo Retto, the squadron’s instead headed for Cape Lopatka. The crew bailed out
first combat mission. Eight VPB-131 Venturas were over the Russian installation there and all hands were
serving as fighter escort for the Army 28 th recovered without injury. The crew was transported
 CHAPTER 3 375

across Siberia by train and truck, and eventually re- 26 Apr 1946: VP-131 was reduced to token opera-
turned to the United States via Europe. tional status, all personnel were transferred and all
7 Apr 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Patton and his entire records were turned over to the HEDRON.
crew were killed when their aircraft crashed into 11 Jun 1946: VP-131 was disestablished at NAS
Casco Cove. He had been attempting to make a land- Whidbey Island, Wash.
ing against wind gusts of up to 60 knots (the infamous
Aleutian Willi-Waw) when his Ventura stalled while
Home Port Assignments
making a 180-degree turn on his approach leg to the
airstrip. Location Date of Assignment
2 Aug 1945: VPB-131 departed Attu after being re- NAS Deland, Fla. 8 Mar 1943
lieved by VPB-120, arriving at Whidbey Island, Wash., NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 31 May 1943
on 6 August 1945, the day the first atom bomb was re- NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 28 Jun 1943
leased over Hiroshima. Personnel were given home NS San Juan, P.R. 10 Sep 1943
leave for two weeks before reforming the squadron. Zandery Field, Dutch Guiana Oct 1943
18 Sep 1945: VPB-131 was reformed at NAS NAS Norfolk, Va. 11 Mar 1944
Whidbey Island, Wash., with 12 new PV-2 Harpoon NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 6 Apr 1944
aircraft. Flight operations were begun on 16 October
with an entirely new complement of personnel and
equipment. Most of the flight crews came intact Commanding Officers
from VPB-199, requiring little training time.
Date Assumed Command
Personnel assigned to the squadron included those
who had extended or were regular Navy, and those LCDR John A. Gamon 8 Mar 1943
who were expected to remain with the squadron. As LT Bradford G. Swonetz 8 Apr 1944
a result, VPB-131 was not affected by the general LCDR Rolland L. Hastreiter 22 May 1944
demobilization. LCDR Edward A. Rodgers 18 Sep 1945
1–30 Dec 1945: FAW-6 was disestablished and the
commands under it were absorbed by FAW-4, includ- Aircraft Assignment
ing VPB-131. On the 20th, the squadron’s complement
of aircraft was reduced to nine PV-2 Venturas, with no Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
spares. On December 30, eight PV-2s were ferried PV-1 Mar 1943
from NAS Whidbey Island to Edenton, N.C. PV-2 Sep 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 Jun 1943 * FAW-11 Guantanamo PV-1 Carib

30 Jun 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib
1 Oct 1943 11 Mar 1944 FAW-11 D. Guiana PV-1 Carib
21 Oct 1943† 8 Mar 1943 FAW-11 B. Guiana PV-1 Carib
8 Oct 1944 6 Aug 1945 FAW-4 Attu PV-1 NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Caribbean, moving from base to base.
† Only a squadron detachment deployed to British Guiana. The main squadron remained based at Dutch Guiana.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-12 8 Mar 1943 FAW-4 1 Dec 1945
FAW-11 28 Jun 1943
FAW-5 11 Mar 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-6 6 Apr 1944
FAW-4 8 Oct 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 6 Aug 1945 None on record.
376 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A row of squadron PVs on the line at NAS Whidbey Island.

 CHAPTER 3 377

VP-133 coming under the operational control of FAW-11. On

the 29th, a detachment of three aircraft was sent to
Curacao under Commander All Forces, Aruba-Curacao
to conduct convoy coverage in cooperation with the
Lineage Army. On 1 August, this detachment was increased to
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED six aircraft.
THIRTY THREE (VB-133) on 22 March 1943. 24 Jul 1943: Lieutenant R. B. Johnson investigated a
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- submarine sighting made by a Pan American Airways
DRED THIRTY THREE (VPB-133) on 1 October 1944. aircraft. He successfully located the U-boat on the sur-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED face and made a bombing run. In the excitement
THIRTY THREE (VP-133) on 15 May 1946. Johnson neglected to open the bomb bay doors, forc-
Disestablished on 17 June 1946. ing him to make a second pass on the now submerg-
ing U-boat. His salvo of six depth bombs straddled the
sub. He was credited with a probable, but postwar
Squadron Insignia and Nickname records indicate no losses by the German navy at that
The highly detailed insignia on file for the squadron location on that date.
in the official records lacks any correspondence indi- 1 Oct 1943: The squadron was ordered to join the
cating the date of approval by CNO. The copy of the detachment at NAF Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I., com-
insignia on file, however, does ing under CAFAC operational control. On 15
bear the BuAer stamps November, a detachment of three aircraft was sent to
indicating its official NAAF Atkinson Field, Essequibo, British Guiana.
usage. The design 28 Oct 1943: A series of 42 engine failures during
featured an eagle the deployment to date caused the commanding offi-
with wings out- cer to order all aircraft grounded until the HEDRON
spread at the could remedy the problems associated with the fre-
top of a shield. quent failures. The Ventura was a new aircraft to the
A 500-pound HEDRON at that time and was still experiencing many
bomb to port teething problems during operations. The ignition sys-
and a depth tems proved to be the culprit, and repairs were made
charge to star- that put the squadron back into action by 1
board flanked November.
the shield. Fourteen 8 Nov 1943: Lieutenant Commander William C.
stars were located Murphy, the squadron commanding officer, spotted a
at the top of U-boat on the surface near San Juan, P.R. During his
The squadron’s insignia. the shield, and depth charge attack the submarine remained surfaced
in the space and put up a barrage of intense AA fire. Murphy’s air-
below was an island surrounded by water, with an in- craft received four 20-mm hits that damaged his port
coming rocket headed directly toward it. The bombs engine. He was able to fly 90 miles back to base with-
and rockets typified the ordnance utilized by the out further incident. German records did not indicate
squadron during its existence while flying the PV-1 any damage to the submarine as a result of the attack.
Ventura, while the island was representative of the en- 15 Nov 1943: The squadron was relocated to NAAF
vironment in which the squadron operated in the Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, with a detachment of three
South Pacific. Colors unknown, no color design on aircraft remaining at Atkinson Field. On 15 December,
record. the detachment rejoined the squadron at Trinidad, and
Nicknames: None on record. a six-aircraft detachment was sent to Curacao.
1 Feb 1944: The Curacao detachment rejoined the
squadron at Trinidad and the entire squadron began a
Chronology of Significant Events
period of intensive training in low level bombing and
22 Mar–29 Jun 1943: VB-133 was established at strafing.
Deland, Fla., as a medium bombing squadron flying 16 Apr 1944: VB-133 was relieved for return to
the twin engine PV-1 Ventura. During the period of NAS Norfolk, Va. Upon arrival, all hands were given
initial ground training the squadron came under the rehabilitation leave.
operational control of FAW-12. On 29 June the 4 May 1944: VB-133 was reformed at NAS Alameda,
squadron completed training at Deland and relocated Calif., under the operational control of FAW-8. Two
to Boca Chica, Fla., for shakedown training in ASW. days later, the squadron was relocated to NAF Crows
19 Jul 1943: VB-133 was transferred to NS San Landing, Calif., for intensive ground and flight training.
Juan, P.R., for duty as convoy escort and ASW patrols, The aircraft complement of the squadron was in-
378 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

creased from 12 to 15 at that time. The training con- the only casualty in the incident, aside from the
cluded on 15 June 1944 and the squadron was sent pilot of the Mustang who was burned to death in
back to NAS Alameda to prepare for its deployment to the aircraft.
the South Pacific. 30 Apr 1945: A four aircraft strike was made
27 Jun 1944: VB-133 departed San Francisco, Calif., against Truk island and a seven aircraft raid was made
aboard Independence (CVL 22), arriving at Pearl against Woleai.
Harbor, Hawaii, on 4 July 1944. The squadron aircraft 8–30 May 1945: Ten of the squadron aircraft were
and personnel were quickly unloaded and flown the sent to Iwo Jima for search and patrol operations, re-
next day to NAS Kaneohe, coming under the opera- connaissance missions and strikes against enemy ship-
tional control of FAW-2. An intensive period of opera- ping. On 27 May, Lieutenant Paul Schenk flew a patrol
tional and combat training was conducted through the to Shionomisaki, a heavily defended region along the
end of August with emphasis on glide bombing, coast of Japan. He and his crew failed to return and
rocket firing and antisubmarine warfare. were presumed lost. On the same day, Lieutenant (jg)
14 Jul–5 Aug 1944: VB-133 sent a three-aircraft de- Phillips, while on patrol along the coast of Japan,
tachment to Johnston Island for search and reconnais- called to report the loss of an engine. He indicated no
sance patrols. other difficulties and proceeded homeward toward
4 Sep 1944–Feb 1945: VB-133 was transferred to Iwo Jima. His last voice contact was from a position
NAB Roi, Marshall Islands, to relieve VB-144. Long- approximately 300 miles from Iwo. He and crew were
range search sectors were carried out over the north- also listed as missing. A third crew on patrol on the
ern approaches to the island. On 25 October, the 27th, piloted by Lieutenant Commander Coley, was
squadron participated in combat missions against more fortunate. After sustaining severe damage during
enemy positions on Wake Island. Through the end of an attack on a Japanese vessel, Coley was forced to
February 1945, the squadron conducted raids against ditch the aircraft near a lifeguard submarine about 300
Wake, Nauru and other neutralized Japanese-held is- miles northeast of Iwo Jima. The crew was picked up
land bases. Daily reconnaissance flights and searches without injury and returned to duty five days later. A
were made over the Kusaie island group. few days later, Lieutenant Wooten and his crew were
5 Mar 1945: VPB-133 was transferred to NAB able to duplicate Lieutenant Commander Coley’s feat,
Tinian to relieve VPB-150, coming under the opera- by ditching near Cummings (DD 44) only 30 miles
tional control of FAW-1. The squadron flew 400-mile from Iwo Jima.
sector searches to the west and southwest of Tinian 3–15 Jun 1945: All squadron aircraft returned to
and conducted frequent reconnaissance flights to Tinian from duty at Iwo Jima. Through mid-July rou-
Woleai, Puluwat and Lamotrek islands in the Caroline tine white cap patrols were conducted, with occa-
island group. sional strikes against Alet, Puluwat, Woleai and
23 Mar 1945: A detachment of six aircraft was sent Lamotrek islands in the Carolines. On the 15th, a de-
to Iwo Jima to spearhead attacks against Japanese tachment of four crews and three aircraft was sent to
picket boats guarding the approaches to the home is- Peleliu to fly routine day patrols and night ASW pa-
lands. The heavily armed picket boats served as trols. Also at that time the squadron received a Piper
Japan’s early warning system to give the Japanese air NE-1 Grasshopper for mail runs and general utility
defense command notice of incoming raids by B-29 work around the islands.
aircraft. Lieutenant (jg) Wilson was the first squadron 10 Aug 1945: With the stand down notice of the
pilot to tangle with these vessels, sinking one and pending Japanese surrender, flight activity diminished.
damaging another. Both he and his co-pilot, Ensign With the signing of the surrender in September, all pa-
McCarthy, were so badly wounded by AA fire in the trols were discontinued. The commanding officer of
attack that the plane captain, AMM1c Henry M. the squadron, Lieutenant Commander Flannery, and
Sandler, had to take over the controls and fly the dam- his crew flew to NAB Yontan, Okinawa, to pick up a
aged Ventura back to Iwo Jima. The first detachment Ventura fitted out with powerful loud speakers. This
was relieved on the 27th by a second detachment, then aircraft was flown by the squadron on frequent hops
returned again on the 31st. during the next few months over Japanese held is-
31 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Commander Elwyn L. lands accompanied by Japanese language officers,
Christman, the squadron commanding officer, was spreading the word that the war had ended and direct-
killed in an accident at Iwo Jima. An Army P-51 ing enemy troops to come in and surrender. This air-
Mustang landing on the strip at Iwo Jima lost con- craft was affectionately dubbed Blabbermouth by the
trol, veering into the edge of number two landing squadron.
strip. Christman was standing with a group of the May 1946: The squadron completed its six months
squadron officers as the Mustang approached. The of operations with FAW-1 at Yonabaru, Okinawa and
group sought cover behind a truck, but the Mustang returned to NAS San Diego, Calif., to prepare for for-
struck and overturned the vehicle. Christman was mal disestablishment on 17 June 1946.
 CHAPTER 3 379

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR William C. Murphy 22 Mar 1943
NAS Deland, Fla. 22 Mar 1943 LCDR Robertson C. Dailey 12 Apr 1944
NAAS Boca Chica, Fla. 29 Jun 1943 LCDR Garth D. Gilmore 19 May 1944
LCDR Elwyn L. Christman 9 Jun 1944
NS San Juan, P.R. 19 Jul 1943
LCDR M. W. Flannery 22 Apr 1945
NAF Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I. 1 Oct 1943 LCDR L. F. Petters late 1945
NAAF Edinburg Field, Trinidad, B.W.I. 15 Nov 1943 LCDR Carl D. Bauer 1946
NAS Norfolk, Va. Apr 1944
NAS Alameda, Calif. 4 May 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 Jul 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Yonabaru, Okinawa late 1945 PV-1 Mar 1943
NAS San Diego, Calif. May 1946 PV-2 1946

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

19 Jul 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib

29 Jul 1943 * CAFAC Curacao PV-1 Carib
15 Nov 1943 16 Apr 1944 FAW-11 Trinidad PV-1 Carib
4 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 EastPac
14 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Johnson Isl. PV-1 EastPac
4 Sep 1944 * FAW-2 Roi PV-1 SoPac
5 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PV-1 SoPac
23 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Iwo Jima PV-1 WestPac
3 Jun 1945 * FAW-18 Tinian PV-1 SoPac
late 1945 May 1946 FAW-1 Yonabaru PV-1/2 WestPac
* Continued forward deployments in the combat zone, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-12 22 Mar 1943
FAW-11 19 Jul 1943 FAW-18 4 May 1945
CAFAC 1 Oct 1943 FAW-1 Nov 1945
FAW-11 15 Nov 1943 FAW-14 May 1946
FAW-5 Apr 1944
FAW-8 4 May 1944
FAW-2 5 Jul 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 4 Sep 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 late Sep 1944
FAW-1 5 Mar 1945 None on record.
380 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-142 conducting strikes against Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll,

Marshalls islands. By the 31st, the squadron was attack-
ing enemy positions throughout the Marshalls in sup-
port of the occupation of Majuro and Eniwetok atolls.
Lineage Bombing and night missions against the runways and
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED installations on the island of Wotje continued through
FORTY TWO (VB-142) on 1 June 1943. the end of March 1944. Hunting during this period
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- was particulary good, since the Japanese high com-
DRED FORTY TWO (VPB-142) on 1 October 1944. mand was still using scarce cargo vessels to reinforce
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED their beleagered garrisons before the threatened inva-
FORTY TWO (VP-142) on 15 May 1946. sions began. Squadron aircraft attacked eleven enemy
Disestablished on 14 June 1946. vessels, sending five to the bottom and crippling sev-
eral others. In over 300 bombing missions there was
only one casualty. On 20 January, Lieutenant (jg)
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Milton C. Villa and his crew were shot down during a
None on record. bombing attack on the Japanese seaplane base at
Jaluit.
1 Apr 1944: A detachment was sent to the recently
Chronology of Significant Events
captured Majuro island. Night attacks against enemy
1 Jun 1943: VB-142 was established at NAS airfields on Taroa Island were conducted from this
Whidbey Island, Wash., as a medium bomber base for a period of two weeks.
squadron flying the twin engine PV-1 Ventura. During 3 May 1944: Word was received that the enemy
the training period the squadron came under the oper- was planning a series of attacks from airfields located
ational control of FAW-6. on Nauru Island. All 15 of the squadron’s aircraft were
7–19 Aug 1943: VB-142 departed NAS Whidbey utilized in a predawn strike against the island from the
Island for NAS Alameda, Calif., where the squadron Tarawa home base. The airfield and other installations
prepared its aircraft and equipment for shipment to were heavily damaged and all squadron aircraft re-
NAS Kaneohe. On 10 August, the squadron loaded its turned safely.
equipment, aircraft and personnel aboard Prince 1–15 Jun 1944: The squadron flew nonstop mis-
William (CVE 31). The squadron arrived at Pearl sions in support of the early phases of the Marianas
Harbor on the 16th and proceeded to unload and as- operations.
semble the aircraft for the short hop to NAS Kaneohe, 14–15 Jul 1944: The squadron conducted raids
arriving there on 18 and 19 August 1943. from Tarawa on enemy bases in the Marshalls group
28 Aug–11 Dec 1943: After a brief period of com- and on Nauru Island. During these raids the squadron
bat oriented training at NAS Kaneohe, the squadron encountered for the first time searchlights coupled
sent a detachment of six aircraft to Midway Island for with enemy AA defenses. Despite this new turn of
experience in combat patrols and searches 500 miles events, no squadron aircraft were lost during any of
to the west and southwest in the direction of enemy- the raids. On the 15th, the squadron was relieved by
held Wake Island. A second detachment of four air- VB-150 for return to Kaneohe.
craft and six crews was sent to Johnston Island to 25–31 Jul 1944: VB-142 departed aboard Windham
maintain patrols. Upon return of the detachments to Bay (CVE 92) for its return to San Diego, Calif., arriv-
Kaneohe on 11 November, the squadron readied its ing on 31 July. Upon arrival all hands were given re-
aircraft for its deployment to the combat zone further habilitation leave and orders for reassignments to
south. On 11 December, shortly before departure to other squadrons.
the South Pacific, the squadron suffered its first casu- 5 Sep 1944–Jan 1945: VB-142 was reformed at NAS
alty during a training mission, when one of the planes Moffett Field, Calif., coming under the operational
crashed during a practice strafing run, killing all hands control of FAW-8. Most of the ground crew and flight
on board. crew personnel were assigned to NAS Alameda, Calif.,
19 Dec 1943–Mar 1944: VB-142 departed NAS to facilitate training. The squadron was assigned the
Kaneohe for Hawkins Field, Tarawa Atoll (designated upgraded version of the Ventura, the PV-2 Harpoon,
NAB/MCAS Betio on 1 April 1944). The atoll itself had but none were on hand for training. On 23 October,
only been wrested from the Japanese one month be- the squadron personnel relocated to NAS Moffett Field
fore and the SeaBees had not had time to do more to continue flight training on PV-1 Venturas. The first
than improve the existing runway. Ten tents were the PV-2 Harpoons began arriving in mid-January 1945.
only shelters available. Japanese bombers from the 18 Feb–1Mar 1945: VPB-142 boarded Intrepid (CV
Marshalls carried out nightly nuisance air raids. The 11) for transportation to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving
squadron began combat operations on 20 January, on 24 February. The squadron became operational at
 CHAPTER 3 381

NAS Kaneohe on 1 March, and commenced combat of the Japanese garrison indicate his willingness to
training and operational patrols in Hawaiian waters. surrender. The approved signal was spotted on the
Retrofits on the landing gear and gas tanks of the runway at Truk the next day in the center of South
Harpoons delayed training somewhat. The new APA- Maen airstrip.
16 radar bombsight was also installed on squadron air- 21 Sep 1945: VPB-142 was relieved for return to
craft during this period, greatly improving the the U.S. via Eniwetok, Majuro, Johnson Island and
Harpoon’s hitting ability in both day and night attacks. Kaneohe. The squadron embarked Petrof Bay (CVE
27 Mar–20 Apr 1945: Six of the squadron aircraft 80) on 5 October 1945 arriving at San Francisco, Calif.,
were flown to Midway for experience in operational on 10 October. Squadron personnel were given dis-
combat patrols. On 2 April, the squadron had its first charges or changes of duty upon arrival.
casualty of this combat tour when Lieutenant (jg) Allen Jan–Jun 1946: The squadron was transferred to the
W. Keagle struck the cable of a towed target sleeve, East Coast and reformed at NAS Edenton, N.C. Due to
causing the aircraft to spin into the ocean. The entire demobilization the squadron never reached full opera-
crew was lost in the crash. tional status and was officially disestablished at NAS
28 May–Jun 1945: Combat and operational training Atlantic City, N.J., on 14 June 1946.
continued at Kaneohe until orders were received on
the 28 th for deployment to the combat zone. The
Home Port Assignments
squadron began its movement south on the 31st in
three-aircraft elements to Tinian, becoming operational Location Date of Assignment
in early June. VPB-142 came under the operational NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Jun 1943
control of FAW-18 at this time. The squadron was re- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 18 Aug 1943
stricted to patrolling and short-range reconnaissance NAS San Diego, Calif. 31 Jul 1944
flights during this period due to reports of faulty wing NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 5 Sep 1944
structures in the Harpoons. Facilities at Tinian were a NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Mar 1945
considerable improvement over Tarawa, but the bore- NAS Alameda, Calif. 10 Oct 1945
dom of routine and uninteresting terrain soon affected NAS Edenton, N.C. 2 Jan 1946
all hands. NAS Atlantic City, N.J. 24 May 1946
27 Jun 1945: Lieutenant (jg) R. C. Janes and crew
made an attack on a surfaced submarine that appeared
to be carrying Kaiten miniture submersibles on its Commanding Officers
deck. The submarine was straddled by the depth
Date Assumed Command
charges and following the attack the crew observed
two Kaitens, oil and other debris on the surface. Post LCDR Clayton L. Miller 1 Jun 1943
war examination of Japanese records indicate that the LCDR John H. Guthrie 5 Sep 1944
submarine was I-165, Lieutenant Yasushi Ono com- LT(JG) Walter T. Palmer (actg.) 2 Jan 1946
manding, which had departed the Inland Sea of Japan LCDR Robert M. Strieter (actg.) 25 Jan 1946
for a Kaiten attack on U.S. warships east of the CDR John J. Worner 8 Feb 1946
Marianas. I-165 was sunk by VPB-142 480 miles east LCDR Robert M. Strieter 27 May 1946
of Saipan.
15–26 Aug 1945: The last combat patrol was flown Aircraft Assignment
over Truk. After landing, the crews learned that the
Japanese had accepted the surrender terms. Armed pa- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
trols continued until 26 August. On that date, leaflets PV-1 Jun 1943
were dropped on Truk requesting that the commander PV-2 Jan 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Aug 1943 28 Aug 1943 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac

28 Aug 1943 11 Nov 1943 FAW-2 Midway PV-1 WestPac
19 Dec 1944 * FAW-2 Tarawa PV-1 SoPac
1 Apr 1944 * FAW-2 Majuro PV-1 SoPac
15 Jul 1944 31 Jul 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac
18 Feb 1945 31 May 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-2 WestPac
27 Mar 1945† 20 Apr 1945 FAW-2 Midway PV-2 WestPac
382 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

31 May 1945 21 Sep 1945 FAW-18 Tinian PV-2 SoPac

* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† A squadron detachment of six aircraft.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-6 1 Jun 1943 FAW-8 10 Oct 1945
FAW-2 16 Aug 1943 FAW-5 2 Jan 1946
FAW-14 25 Jul 1944
FAW-8 5 Sep 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 24 Feb 1945
FAW-18 31 May 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 Sep 1945 None on record.
 CHAPTER 3 383

VP-148 squadron flying the PV-1 Ventura. During its entire

training phase, the squadron remained under the op-
erational control of FAW-8. After forming, the
squadron was relocated to a training facility at NAAS
Lineage Vernalis, Calif., where squadron personnel received
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED ground training. On 3 October, the first Venturas ar-
FORTY EIGHT (VB-148) on 16 August 1943. rived for the flight training phase of the syllabus.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Upon completion of the flight training phase, the
DRED FORTY EIGHT (VPB-148) on 1 October 1944. squadron’s aircraft were flown to the Naval Ordnance
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED Testing Station at Inyokern, Calif., where rocket
FORTY EIGHT (VP-148) on 15 May 1946. launcher rails were installed. Training in use of the air-
Disestablished on 15 June 1946. to-ground missiles ran from 31 December 1943 to 16
January 1944. On completion of the rocket attack
training, the squadron returned to NAAS Vernalis to
Squadron Insignia and Nickname begin preparations for transportation to Hawaii.
The insignia submitted by the squadron in 1943 for 3–12 Feb 1944: VB-148 loaded its equipment, air-
CNO approval depicted a picture of a rabbit with a craft and personnel aboard Nehenta Bay (CVE 74) for
transport to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The squadron ar-
rived on 10 February and quickly unloaded and re-
assembled the aircraft for the short hop to NAS
Kaneohe. Training under the operational control of
FAW-2 began on 12 February.
20 Mar 1944: VB-148 departed Kaneohe in three
aircraft elements for Renard Field, Russell Islands, to
relieve VB-140.
3 Apr–May 1944: The squadron was sent to
Munda, New Georgia, to provide fighter cover for C-
47s carrying paratroops going into New Guinea. From
this date until relieved, the squadron came under the
operational control of FAW-1. On 14 April, the
squadron suffered its first casualty of the tour when
Lieutenant William T. Henderson was shot down while
overflying the Kahili Airdrome at Bougainville.
Henderson ditched the aircraft four miles east of
Ballale Island and three of the crew of five were res-
cued by a Dumbo. The second squadron loss came on
3 May 1944, when Lieutenant William E. Davis and
crew were declared missing in action after failing to
return from a strike on Bougainville. The squadron re-
The squadron’s insignia. mained at Munda until 20 May, when orders were re-
ceived to relocate to Emirau. Twice daily long-range
bomb tied to its back. CNO disapproved this design, search and patrol missions to the western Carolines
stating “as several other naval aviation activities dis- were coordinated with a destroyer squadron and CVE
play insignia with rabbits as their motifs, it is believed to pinpoint enemy dispositions and to conduct joint
that the design having a goat as its central character attacks against shipping. Two squadron aircraft were
would be more appropriate.” VB-143 promptly com- credited with downing two enemy twin engine
plied and the new insignia design featured a goat with bombers while on patrol.
a bomb tied to its back. CNO approved the design on 26 Jul 1944: One of the squadron aircraft spotted a
27 November 1943. Colors: field, lemon yellow; goat, convoy of Japanese vessels while on patrol southwest
pearl gray; bomb, black with white highlights; rope, of Truk. A six-plane strike was organized and subse-
light brown. quent attacks on the convoy resulted in the sinking of
Nicknames: None on record. four ships totalling 2,200 tons, and the downing of
two enemy escort fighters without any losses to the
squadron.
Chronology of Significant Events
22 Oct–15 Dec 1944: VPB-148 was relieved at
16 Aug 1943–16 Jan 1944: VB-148 was established Emirau by a Royal New Zealand Air Force squadron
at NAS Alameda, Calif., as a medium bombing for return to Kaneohe, arriving there on 31 October.
384 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron personnel were put aboard Chenango (CVE 15 Jun 1946: VPB-148 was disestablished at NAS
28) on 22 November, for return to the West Coast. Kaneohe, Hawaii.
After arriving at NAS Alameda, Calif., on 15 December,
all hands were reclassified and given home leave.
Home Port Assignments
10 Jan–Apr 1945: VPB-148 was reformed at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational control Location Date of Assignment
of FAW-6. Training in the PV-1 Ventura was com-
NAS Alameda, Calif. 16 Aug 1943
menced on glide bombing, navigation, and advanced
NAAS Vernalis, Calif. Sep 1943
instrument flying. The syllabus was completed at the
end of April 1945 and the squadron was relocated to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 12 Feb 1944
NAS Moffett Field, Calif., to await transportation to NAS Alameda, Calif. 15 Dec 1944
Pearl Harbor. NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 10 Jan 1945
30 May–16 Aug 1945: Personnel were loaded NAS Moffett Field, Calif. Apr 1945
aboard Copahee (CVE 12) for transportation to Pearl NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 Jun 1945
Harbor, Hawaii. After arrival on 5 June, the squadron
was assigned 15 PV-2 Harpoons at NAS Kaneohe,
Commanding Officers
coming under the operational control of FAW-2. A de-
tachment of six aircraft was formed immediately and Date Assumed Command
sent to Midway Island. A second detachment of three
LCDR W. R. Stevens 16 Aug 1943
aircraft was flown to Johnston Island. Both detach-
LCDR Lloyd F. Jakeman 25 Aug 1943
ments engaged in ASW patrols and long range
LCDR A. B. Dusenbury 24 Jan 1945
searches in the vicinity of the islands. At NAS
Kaneohe, the remainder of the squadron began the LCDR H. F. Stanford 1946
combat training syllabus. The detachments returned
on 16 August 1945 to NAS Kaneohe to complete their Aircraft Assignment
portion of the combat training.
Sep 1945: With the cessation of hostilities the Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
squadron was left with little to do other than routine PV-1 Oct 1943
patrols in the vicinity of the Hawaiian islands. PV-2 Jun 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac

3 Apr 1944 * FAW-1 Munda PV-1 SoPac
20 May 1944 22 Oct 1944 FAW-1 Emirau PV-1 SoPac
5 Jun 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-2 WestPac
7 Jun 1945† 16 Aug 1945 FAW-2 Midway PV-2 WestPac
7 Jun 1945† 16 Aug 1945 FAW-2 Johnston Isl. PV-2 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split detachment deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-8 16 Aug 1943 FAW-2 5 Jun 1945
FAW-2 10 Feb 1944
FAW-1 3 Apr 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 31 Oct 1944
FAW-8 15 Dec 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 10 Jan 1945 None on record.
 CHAPTER 3 385

VP-152 duty. The squadron came under the operational con-

trol of FAW-8 at that time. The squadron’s aircraft were
flown to Livermore, Calif., for installation of long-
range fuel tanks at the factory. During this interval,
Lineage
squadron personnel were sent to the Navigation Radar
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Lab at Alameda, Calif. In early December, the second
FIFTY TWO (VB-152) on 1 April 1944. division of the squadron returned from Philadelphia,
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
Pa., with the remainder of the aircraft.
DRED FIFTY TWO (VPB-152) on 1 October 1944.
1–25 Jan 1945: The squadron was split into three
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
FIFTY TWO (VP-152) on 15 May 1946. divisions: two at Arcata, Calif., and the third at Moffett
Disestablished on 14 June 1946. Field, Calif. All three divisions underwent rocket train-
ing through the 25th.
26 Jan–16 Feb 1945: The three divisions of the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
squadron rejoined the headquarters staff at NAS
None on record. Alameda, Calif., where preparations were undertaken
for the squadron’s overseas deployment. On 10
Chronology of Significant Events February, the squadron departed aboard Sangamon
(CVE 26), arriving at Pearl Harbor on the 16th.
1 Apr 1944: VB-152 was established at NAS
17 Feb–30 Mar 1945: VPB-152 was transported to
Clinton, Okla., as a medium bombing squadron flying
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, where the squadron’s aircraft
the PV-1 Ventura. Unlike other PV-1 squadrons, VB-
had drop tanks installed. FAW-2 assumed operational
152 was organized as a special squadron under the
control over the squadron at this time. On 24 February,
operational control of the Training Task Force to carry
a detachment of six aircraft and seven crews was sent
a target seeking glider bomb known as Pelican. The
to Midway Island to relieve VPB-149 on patrol duty.
device was equipped with beam-rider radar homing
The remainder of the squadron at Kaneohe began the
equipment developed by the Bureau of Ordnance
standard precombat ground and flight training syllabus.
Special Design Section in April 1942. Production of
On 30 March, the Midway detachment returned to
the missile was begun at Charleston, S.C., in
Kaneohe and rejoined the squadron in training.
September 1943. The missile was initially developed
24 Apr–Jul 1945: VPB-152 was deployed to Peleliu
to be used against submarines and was designed
Island, Palau island group, to relieve VPB-102. The
around the casing of the standard 525-pound depth
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-
charge. The disadvantage of the missile was that it
18 at this time. Routine antishipping searches and pa-
could not be used against defended targets because
the signal was lost beyond 800 yards. In order for the trols were conducted through 12 July. On that date,
missile to locate its target the mother ship had to con- the squadron was assigned the mission of special
tinue on a straight course while painting the target weather flights and rescue missions, assisted by three
with its radar beams. aircraft from VPB-133.
29 Apr 1944: The squadron was split into three di- 2 Aug 1945: While on routine patrol Lieutenant (jg)
visions for the purpose of operational training. Each William C. Gwinn spotted a large oil slick with 30 sur-
was sent in turn to Houna, La., for training as Pelican vivors in the water. Further examination of the area re-
carriers. vealed another group of 150 survivors. An immediate
22 July–Oct 1944: After a number of test drops call for assistance was made, with Dumbos and Bassett
showing only limited success, the project was can- (APD 73) soon en route to rescue the survivors. It was
celed in late July 1944. VB-152 transferred its specially discovered that these were the remainder of the crew
modified Venturas to VB-153. Throughout the months of Indianapolis (CA 35), sunk by I-58 while outbound
of August and September, the squadron received stan- from Tinian. The ship had gone down without a signal
dard training in preparation for normal combat de- on 30 July, with the majority of the ship’s company
ployment. During the month of October the squadron subsequently dying of exposure and shark attacks.
was given instrument flying training. During this pe- The searches continued until 8 August, when rescue
riod the squadron ferried new PV-1 aircraft from operations were secured.
Philadelphia, Pa., to Clinton. 26 Nov 1945: VPB-152 was transferred to Kobler
23 Nov–Dec 1944: The first division of VPB-152 Field, Saipan. In December, the squadron assumed the
flew to NAS Alameda, Calif., to prepare for overseas responsibility for the Saipan to Marcus Island freight,
386 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

mail, and passenger run with two planes making a Commanding Officers
round trip each Tuesday and Friday.
Date Assumed Command
14 Jun 1946: VP-152 was disestablished at NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii. LCDR George C. Atteberry 1944
LCDR Frank D. Heyer 15 Nov 1945
Home Port Assignments
Aircraft Assignment
Location Date of Assignment
NAS Clinton, Okla. 1 Apr 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Alameda, Calif. 23 Nov 1944 PV-1 (Mod) Apr 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 17 Feb 1945 PV-1 Oct 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Feb 1945 24 Feb 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac

24 Feb 1945 30 Mar 1945 FAW-2 Midway PV-1 WestPac
24 Apr 1945 * FAW-18 Peleliu PV-1 SoPac
26 Nov 1945 * FAW-18 Saipan PV-1 SoPac
Jan 1946 14 Jun 1946 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Training Task Force 1 Apr 1944 None on record.
FAW-8 23 Nov 1944
FAW-2 17 Feb 1945
FAW-18 24 Apr 1945
FAW-2 Jan 1946
 CHAPTER 3 387

VP-153 erational training was begun in early April for all

hands. On 20 April, a detachment of six aircraft and
eight crews was sent to Midway to fly routine search
sectors.
Lineage 6 May 1945: The squadron grounded all its aircraft
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED due to a report that certain problems with wing spars
FIFTY THREE (VB-153) on 15 April 1944. in the PV-2 had caused crashes. The squadron and
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- HEDRON maintenance personnel carefully checked
DRED FIFTY THREE (VPB-153) on 1 October 1944. out all of the aircraft before flights continued.
6 Jun–12 Jul 1945: VPB-153 received orders to pro-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED
ceed for duty at Agana, Guam, coming under the op-
FIFTY THREE (VP-153) on 15 May 1946.
erational control of FAW-18. The squadron became op-
Disestablished on 14 June 1946.
erational at that site on 15 June and commenced flying
routine patrols on the 20th. Each five-sector patrol was
Squadron Insignia and Nickname flown daily over a distance of 500 miles. Searches at
this stage of the war were largely negative. On 12 July,
None on record.
the squadron flew air cover for the crippled SS
Boudinot.
Chronology of Significant Events Oct 1945: VPB-153 was relieved for return to the
15 Apr 1944: VB-153 was established at NAS West Coast.
Clinton, Okla., as a medium bombing squadron flying 20 Nov 1945: VPB-153 was reformed at NAS
the PV-1 Ventura. Unlike other PV-1 squadrons, VB- Edenton, N.C., with nine PV-2 Harpoon aircraft under
153 was organized as a special squadron under the the operational control of FAW-5.
operational control of Training Task Force to carry a 6 Feb–20 Mar 1946: The home port for VPB-153
target seeking glider bomb known as Pelican. The de- was officially changed from NAS Moffet Field, Calif., to
vice was equipped with beam-rider radar homing NAS Edenton, N.C. On 20 March 1946, word was re-
equipment developed by the Bureau of Ordnance ceived that the squadron was to be disestablished. The
Special Design Section in April 1942. Production of the nine aircraft complement was transferred to the
missile was begun at Charleston, S.C., in September HEDRON, with two aircraft transferred in from the
1943. The missile was initially developed to be used Headquarters Detachment of FAW-5 until the disestab-
against submarines and was designed around the cas- lishment of the squadron.
ing of the standard 525-pound depth charge. The dis- 14 Jun 1946: VPB-153 was disestablished at NAS
advantage of the missile was that it could not be used Edenton, N.C.
against defended targets because the signal was lost
beyond 800 yards. In order for the missile to locate its Home Port Assignments
target the mother ship had to continue on a straight
course while painting the target with its radar beams. Location Date of Assignment
22 Sep 1944: After a number of unsuccessful test NAS Clinton, Okla. 15 Apr 1944
drops, the Pelican program was put on hold and VB- NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 4 Nov 1944
153 reverted to the normal PV-1 training syllabus. It NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 24 Mar 1945
had been determined that the PV-1 medium bomber NAS Moffett Field, Calif. Oct 1945
lacked sufficient range for carrying the device and as- NAS Edenton, N.C. 6 Feb 1946
sociated gear.
4 Nov 1944–Mar 1945: VPB-153 was transferred to
Commanding Officers
its new home port at NAS Moffett Field, Calif., under
the operational control of FAW-8. The squadron’s spe- Date Assumed Command
cially modified PV-1 Venturas were left behind with
LCDR Elliott M. West 15 Apr 1944
the HEDRON, since the modifications for the Pelican
LCDR Harold S. Nelson 20 Nov 1945
had reduced the range significantly from the standard CDR C. A. Melvin 12 Mar 1946
PV-1. The squadron continued its operational training LCDR Harold S. Nelson 9 Apr 1946
in preparation for its upcoming transfer overseas.
Rocket training was undertaken at NAAS Arcata, Calif.,
and NAF Fallon, Nevada. On 28 February 1945, the Aircraft Assignment
squadron transitioned to the new PV-2 Harpoon.
Shakedown was completed by the end of March. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
24 Mar–Apr 1945: VPB-153 was transported by PV-1 (Mod) Apr 1944
ship to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and NAS Kaneohe, PV-1 Nov 1944
under the operational control of FAW-2. Advanced op- PV-2 Feb 1945
388 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

24 Mar 1945 20 Apr 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-2 WestPac

20 Apr 1945* 6 Jun 1945 FAW-2 Midway PV-2 WestPac
6 Jun 1945 Oct 1945 FAW-18 Agana PV-2 SoPac
* This deployment was only for a squadron detachment. The main body of the squadron remained at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

Training Task Force 15 Apr 1944 FAW-5 20 Nov 1945

FAW-8 4 Nov 1944
Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 24 Mar 1945
FAW-18 6 Jun 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 Oct 1945 None on record.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 389

CHAPTER 4

Patrol Bombing Squadron

(VPB) Histories

VPB-1 carrying a bomb in its trunk. The VP-1 squadron that

eventually became VPB-29 kept the original elephant
insignia throughout its existence until disestablished in
1945. VPB-1 was actually the fourth squadron to start
Lineage its existence as a VP-1. Although it apparently used
Established as Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) on 15 the elephant insignia and claimed it as its own, it was
April 1943. never officially sanctioned by CNO.
Redesignated as Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE
(VPB-1) on 1 October 1944. Chronology of Significant Events
Disestablished 6 March 1945.
15 April 1943: VP-1 was established at NAS San
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname as a large seaplane squadron flying the four-engine
Some confusion existed over the proprietorship of PB2Y-3 Coronado. Air crews and ground support staff
the VP-1 squadron insignia, an elephant on a cloud were assembled and familiarization training in the

A PB2Y being prepared for beaching.

389
390 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PB2Y-3 seaplanes commenced. Twelve aircraft were Mar 1944: One by one, the four PBY-5 Catalinas
assigned to the squadron out of a contract in which were turned over to the HEDRON as replacement
254 were built for the Navy. The squadron was PB2Y-3 aircraft arrived from San Diego.
formed to be an antisubmarine patrol squadron, pro- 1 Jun 1944: A three-aircraft detachment was sent to
viding convoy coverage in the southwestern the Galapagos Islands, working in conjunction with
Caribbean, and utility assignments by FAW-3. VP-15. Sections of squadron aircraft began flying the
10 Oct 1943: VP-1 was transferred to NAS Coco north-south track to the Galapagos, then the east-west
Solo, Canal Zone, under the operational control of track to Corinto, returning to Coco Solo the next day.
FAW-3. Convoy coverage and ASW patrols com- 17 Jul 1944: Lieutenant W. D. Cauthan crashed on
menced immediately. The area patrolled out of landing after patrol at Galapagos. Two pilots and three
Coco Solo extended roughly north as far as Jamaica, crew members were killed in the accident.
and from the east coast of Nicaragua to 77 degrees 15 Oct 1944: Three PB2Y-3 aircraft were turned over
west longitude. Many utility flights were scheduled to VPB-1 by VPB-15, which was to be disestablished.
from Miami to Coco Solo, carrying up to 50 passen- 20 Oct 1944: VPB-1 was relocated from NAS Coco
gers each way. Early ASA radar equipment proved Solo, C.Z., to NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island,
unsatisfactory for night patrols and was soon re- Ecuador. The squadron flew six patrol tracks daily.
placed by improved ASC radar. The electric pro- 19 Feb 1945: The squadron returned to NAS Coco
peller controls caused many problems during the Solo in early February and was relieved by VPB-209.
early days of the deployment, resulting in the loss Officers and enlisted personnel of the VPB-1 were de-
of one aircraft. Modifications to the controls elimi- tached and returned to NAS San Diego, Calif., ferrying
nated the defect. Tropical modifications to the air- their aircraft from Coco Solo to San Diego via Key
craft while at Coco Solo included removal of all in- West, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Tex. Two aircraft were
terior heating units, de-icing equipment, armor lost out of 11 in the flight at Corpus Christi, Tex., due
plating and engine superchargers. to high winds and rough water while moored after
17 Oct 1943: A Coronado—flown by Lieutenant A. landing. There were no injuries in the accidents.
G. Overton, two other officers and an enlisted crew of 6 Mar 1945: VPB-1 disestablished at NAS San
eight—was making a ferry flight from San Diego to Diego, Calif.
Coco Solo, when high winds and rough seas forced it
to land at Puerto Castilla, Honduras. The storm, reach-
Home Port Assignments
ing hurricane proportions, tore the aircraft loose from
its moorings. The crew struggled to taxi into the wind Location Date of Assignment
until rescued, but on the night of the 18th the starboard NAS San Diego, Calif. 15 Apr 1943
float was carried away and the aircraft capsized. Only NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 10 Oct 1943
two enlisted crewmen managed to exit the aircraft and NAAF Galapagos, Ecuador 20 Oct 1944
inflate a life raft before the plane went down with the NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 3 Feb 1945
rest of the crew. AMM2c Bockus and ARM2c Smith NAS San Diego, Calif. 19 Feb 1945
drifted with the storm for four days. Nine days after
the aircraft sank the survivors washed ashore at
Buffalo Point, Great Swan Island, near a naval radio Commanding Officers
beacon station. They were rescued and given medical
Commanding Officers Date Assumed Command
attention by the station personnel.
6 Jan 1944: Three Coronados and one Catalina LCDR Lyle L. Koepke 15 Apr 1943
were formed into a detachment and flown to NAAF LCDR R. J. Pflum 25 Jan 1944
Salinas, Ecuador. The detachment flew east-west pa- LCDR A. W. Reece 16 Jun 1944
trols for the interception and identification of mer-
chant shipping. On the 14th, a single PBY-5 was sent Aircraft Assignment
to NAAF Corinto, Nicaragua, to fly the north-south
patrol to the Galapagos with VP-206. These detach- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
ments were relieved on 14 February for return to PB2Y-3 Apr 1943
NAS Coco Solo.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return PatWing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Oct 1943 5 Jan 1944 FAW-3 Coco Solo PB2Y-3 Carib

6 Jan 1944 14 Feb 1944 FAW-3 Salinas PB2Y-3 EastPac
 CHAPTER 4 391

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return PatWing Operations Aircraft Operations

14 Jan 1944 3 Mar 1944 FAW-3 Corinto PB2Y-3 EastPac

1 Jun 1944 19 Feb 1945 FAW-3 Galapagos PB2Y-3 EastPac

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date None on record.

FAW-14 15 Apr 1943
FAW-3 10 Oct 1943
FAW-14 19 Feb 1945
392 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-4 running patrols from NAB Ebeye and NAB Eniwetok,

Marshall Islands. On 14 February, an aircraft piloted
by Lieutenant Cannon hit a submerged coral head at
Ebeye and quickly sank in shallow water. No casual-
Lineage ties were incurred in this accident. The detachment
Established as Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED completed this assignment in approximately six
TWO (VP-102) on 1 March 1943. weeks.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FOUR 14 Apr 1944: With the increase in squadron mis-
(VPB-4) on 1 October 1944. sions and dispersed nature of assignments, the need
Disestablished on 1 November 1945. for additional crews soon became apparent. In April
six more crews were assigned to VP-102, bringing the
total up to 24.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 21 Jun 1944: A detachment was deployed to NAB
There is no record on file of any insignia used by Kwajalein Atoll. The NAB Ebeye detachment contin-
VPB-4. ued, and the six new crews remained at NAS Kaneohe
for additional combat training.
4 Jul 1944: The NAB Kwajalein detachment was re-
Chronology of Significant Events
deployed to Eniwetok, and was joined by the NAB
1 Mar 1943: VP-102 was established at NAS San Ebeye detachment, bringing the squadron together
Diego, Calif., as a patrol squadron flying the PB2Y-3 again. On 21 August 1944, the crews took turns con-
Coronado seaplane. Squadron training was continued ducting nuisance bombing attacks on Japanese posi-
at San Diego through October 1943, when prepara- tions on the island of Ponape. The squadron con-
tions were begun for the transpac to NAS Kaneohe, ducted 21 of these missions by the end of August.
Hawaii. 30 Aug 1944: The entire squadron was transferred
8 Nov 1943: The squadron officially came under to Saipan in the Marianas Islands chain, with tender
the operational control of FAW-2, NAS Kaneohe, and support provided by Kenneth Whiting (AV 14), under
the combat training syllabus was begun for all hands the operational control of FAW-1. The squadron re-
in preparation for the squadron’s first combat tour. mained on the tender until 16 November, when all
27 Jan 1944: A detachment of six aircraft was sent personnel were moved ashore. Duties during this pe-
to Midway Island to augment VP-13. On 30 January riod consisted of routine patrols, test flights and spe-
1944, the detachment participated in its first combat cial flights conveying passengers, mail and equipment
mission against Japanese positions at Wake Island. The between forward areas and the rear echelon. After ap-
purpose of the long range bombing attacks was to proximately four months at this location the squadron
neutralize the threat it posed to forces then engaged in was given orders for its return to NAS San Diego,
the occupation of the Marshall Islands. Five of these Calif., departing on the first homeward leg of the jour-
2,400-mile round trip missions were completed be- ney on 1 December 1944.
tween 30 January and 9 February. 9 Dec 1944–Nov 1945: The last VPB-4 aircraft ar-
3 Feb 1944: A second detachment of six aircraft rived at NAS San Diego, coming under the operational
was formed and deployed from Kaneohe to the control of FAW-14. Postdeployment leave was given to
Marshall Islands ferrying freight, mail, passengers, and all hands through the end of the month. In January
1945, the squadron began to reform with new person-
nel and equipment, the PB2Y-5/5H. During this period
a new mission was assigned, that of training replace-
ment crews in the operation of the PB2Y-5/5H and 3R
aircraft. Transpacs were conducted in May to July 1945
to bring replacement crews and aircraft to NAS
Kaneohe for deployment in WestPac. With the conclu-
sion of hostilities in September 1945, the wholesale
disestablishment of squadrons began. VPB-4 was dis-
established at NAS San Diego on 1 November 1945.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Mar 1943
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 8 Nov 1943
A squadron PB2Y at Midway Island, January 1944. NAS San Diego, Calif. 9 Dec 1944
 CHAPTER 4 393

A squadron PB2Y on the launching ramp, Midway Island, January 1944. PB2Ys being prepared for beaching, Midway Island, January 1944.

A PB2Y at anchor, Midway Island, January 1944. A PB2Y being hauled in for beaching, Midway Island, January 1944.

A PB2Y being prepared for beaching, Midway Island, January 1944. A PB2Y after beaching, Midway Island, January 1944.
394 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

LCDR Bowen F. McLeod 1 Mar 1943
LCDR Frederick L. Crutis 29 Sep 1943 PB2Y-3 Mar 1943
LCDR Thomas Robinson 22 Nov 1944 PB2Y-5/5H Jan 1945
LCDR Frank L. DeLorenzo Sep 1945 PB2Y-3R Jun 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

8 Nov 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB2Y-3 WestPac

27 Jan 1943 * FAW-2 Midway PB2Y-3 WestPac
3 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Ebeye/Eni. PB2Y-3 SoPac
21 Jun 1944 * FAW-2 Kwajalein PB2Y-3 SoPac
4 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PB2Y-3 SoPac
30 Aug 1944 9 Dec 1944 FAW-1 Saipan PB2Y-3 SoPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV-14)
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 Mar 1943 None on record.
FAW-2 8 Nov 1943
FAW-1 30 Aug 1944
FAW-14 9 Dec 1944

PB2Ys in formation, July 1945.

 CHAPTER 4 395

VPB-6 (CG) Chronology of Significant Events

5 Oct 1943: VP-6 (CG) was established as a Coast
Guard squadron under Navy operational control at
Lineage NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, relieving VB-126.
Squadron personnel had actually been arriving since
Established as Patrol Squadron SIX (CG) (VP-6 23 July 1943, by NATS. Upon arrival they commenced
(CG)) on 5 October 1943.
training and indoctrination in cold weather operations.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SIX (CG)
The squadron’s home port was Narsarssuak, Green-
(VPB-6 (CG))on 1 October 1944.
Transferred to Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard on 10
July 1945.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

There is no official letter of approval from CNO on
file for the squadron’s only known insignia, but it is

Squadron PBY-5A at Greenland.

land, code name Bluie West-One (BW-1). Upon estab-

lishment it came under the operational control of CTF-
24, and administrative control of FAW-9. Personnel
matters continued to be handled by Coast Guard
Headquarters. The squadron flew the PBY-5A Catalina,
with ten aircraft (one designated as a spare), 22 offi-
cers and 145 enlisted, including eight enlisted pilots.
Operational flights began on 13 October 1943, after
the first three PBY-5A Catalinas arrived at Narsarssuak.
The squadron’s insignia. Two of the squadron’s nine operational aircraft were
detached to NAS Argentia. These aircraft and crews
were rotated frequently to allow maintenance and re-
believed that the insignia was an authorized design. It pair work to be done on the other seven. At
was first in use when the squadron was designated Narsarssuak all the squadron’s aircraft sat outside and
VP-6, and it is not known if that design was carried all maintenance, refuelling and arming took place in
over or modified when the VP-6 was redesignated the open regardless of weather conditions because it
VPB-6 in October 1944. The insignia featured a star- was found that moving aircraft from warm hangars to
tled-looking cat, a creature favored among the Catalina the cold outside resulted in condensation and subse-
squadrons, sitting on top of a depth charge coated in quent freezing in fuel pumps, controls and instru-
ice. Above it head was the familiar lightening bolt, sig- ments. Herman Nelson F-1 portable heaters were
nifying radar. The creature is superimposed on a large needed to warm the engines and the aircraft interiors
number 6, with VP to port, and CG to starboard. before starting. Crews were relieved every 12 months,
Colors: Cat, white with black outlines; depth charge, with relief crews staggered every four months. The
silver; number 6, VP and CG, red; background, green. U.S. Army provided aerology support and daily
Nickname: BoBo’s Flying Circus, 1944–1945. weather briefings.
396 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

May 1944: By early 1944 the field at BW-1 was be- and air support to vessels conducting operations against
coming crowded with aircraft making emergency land- the Germans in waters off northeastern Greenland.
ings while enroute to Europe. The squadron comple- 1–30 Nov 1944: The detachment at Argentia was in-
ment of aircraft was also increased at this time, from creased to three aircraft. Two more aircraft were sent
10 PBY-5A Catalinas to 12. This did not add to the to work with the RAF Coastal Command at Reykjavik.
overcrowding at the field, as most of the squadron’s Dec 1944: Six aircraft remained at NAF Narsarssuak,
aircraft were dispersed to remote bases. with the other four at NAS Argentia, until April 1945.
Jul–Sep 1944: A detachment of two aircraft was The squadron then increased the Argentia detachment
sent to the Canadian Arctic to furnish ASW, air cover, by one aircraft.
reconnaissance and search and rescue for vessels en- 8 May 1945: With the cessation of hostilities in
tering the Hudson Bay. Patrols covered northern Europe and resulting surrender of all Axis submarines,
Labrador, Baffin Island and Cumberland Island. No the mission of the squadron was changed to ice pa-
Navy or Coast Guard ground support was available to trols and air-sea rescue.
these crews, despite the frequent bad weather opera- Aug 1945: New radar, LORAN, IFF, VHF and flux-
tions flown by the detachment. Existing Army ad- gate compasses were installed in the squadron aircraft
vanced facilities were utilized when available. The at NAS Argentia. The AN/APX-3 radar gear was
Catalina aircraft had no interior heaters, nor did the needed for operations in low visibility weather. The
crews have heated flying suits. Several crews came LORAN AN/APV-4 was an accurate navigational aid
down with frostbite during operations. that allowed crews to get a fix on their location rela-
Jul–Aug 1944: A detachment of two aircraft was sent tive to the beacons. The IFF model AN/APX-2 was
to RAFB Reykjavik, Iceland, operating in conjunction used for air-sea rescue operations and the VHF was
with the RAF Coastal Command, to provide coverage the newest improvement in radio line-of-sight trans-

A squadron PBY-5A tied down in the snow, note the depth bombs on the wing (Courtesy Jess Barrow Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 397

A squadron PBY-5A at Greenland, NH-95428-KN.

A squadron PBY-5A being refueled for a patrol (Courtesy Jess Barrow Collection).
398 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

mission. The fluxgate compasses reduced the 10 Jul 1945: VPB-6 was transferred back to the con-
influence of the magnetic anomlies encountered in re- trol of Commander, U. S. Coast Guard.
gions of the far North.
June 1945: The VPB-6 (CG) complement of aircraft
was reduced from nine to six, with one spare. This Home Port Assignments
came at a very bad time, as the surrender of Germany
Location Date of Assignment
meant the return of thousands of aircraft back to the U. S.,
with many getting lost, and others landing on the ice. NAF Narsarssuak, Greenland 5 Oct 1943

A squadron PBY-5A on patrol (Courtesy Jess Barrow Collection).

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

CDR Donald B. MacDiarmid 5 Oct 1943 PBY-5A Oct 1943
CDR W. I. Swanston 15 May 1944
CDR L. H. Seeger 30 May 1945
A plane crewman mans one of the
waist .50 caliber guns in a squad-
ron PBY-5A, NH-95429-KN.
 CHAPTER 4 399

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

13 Oct 1943 10 Jul 1945 FAW-9 Narsarssuak PBY-5A NorLant

13 Oct 1943 10 Jul 1945 FAW-9 Argentia PBY-5A NorLant
Jul 1944 Aug 1944 FAW-9 Reykjavik PBY-5A NorLant

The runway at Greenland being cleared of snow, 1944.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-9 5 Oct 1943 None on record.

A squadron PBY-5A on patrol (Courtesy Jess Barrow Collection).

400 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-11

Lineage
Established as Torpedo & Bombing Squadron NINE-
TEEN-D14 (VT-19D14) on 7 February 1924.
Redesignated Torpedo & Bombing Squadron SIX-
D14 (VT-6D14) on 1 July 1927.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIX-B (VP-6B) on 1
April 1931.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIX-F (VP-6F) on 17
July 1933.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIX (VP-6) on 1
October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VP-
23) on 1 July 1939. A squadron DT-2 in flight, circa 1924.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ELEVEN (VP-11) on 1
August 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ELEVEN under way. The landings, made under varying lighting
(VPB-11) on 1 October 1944. and weather conditions, were part of a program to de-
Disestablished on 20 June 1945. termine the feasibility of night landings on an aircraft
carrier as a military operation.
9 Apr 1927: VT-19 was redesignated VT-6D14 dur-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
ing the reorganization of squadrons by BuAer in 1927.
VP-6F was the originator of the squadron’s first in- The D14 represented the 14th Naval District, Pearl
signia in 1933. Although official approval of the design Harbor.
was never requested of 1 Jul 1927: The squadron’s DT-2 type aircraft were
BuAer, defacto recogni- declared obsolete. SC-2 aircraft replaced the
tion of the new in- squadron’s DT-2 aircraft.
signia appeared 21 Jan 1931: VT-6D14 was redesignated VP-6B,
when it was repro- converting from torpedo bomber squadron to patrol
duced in the 20 squadron under Fleet Aviation, Base Force,
October 1933 issue Commander Minecraft, Battle Force. Although officially
of the Bureau of a patrol squadron, the 12 aircraft assigned were T3M-2
Aeronautics News- torpedo bombers. Pelican (AVP 6) and Avocet (AVP 4)
letter. The design were assigned to provide tender support.
selected was the
Pegasus, a winged
horse from Greek
mythology. To the
Pegasus, from Greek mythology, was used Greeks, Pegasus
for the squadron’s insignia.
represented the
strength embodied in the warhorse combined with the
advantage of aerial agility. Colors: white horse with
shaded gold wings, on blue field inside red circular
border. The same insignia continued in use by the
squadron through all its numerous redesignations.
Nickname: None known.

Chronology of Significant Events

7 Feb 1924: VT-19 was established as a torpedo
squadron based at NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, flying 13 DT-2 aircraft.
25 Apr 1925: Several of the squadron’s pilots made
the first successful night landings on an aircraft carrier A formation of squadron T4M-1s in flight, circa 1931.
 CHAPTER 4 401

Squadron PD-1s on the line at Pearl Harbor during President Roosevelt’s visit, 27 February 1934, note the Pegasus insignia on the bow of the first aircraft.

17 July 1933: VP-6B was redesignated VP-6F, numerous instances of aircraft being forced down by
reflecting the change in organization at Pearl Harbor mechanical difficulties and sinking (no casualties). The
to Commander Aircraft, Base Force, Fleet Air Base. tenders supporting the fleet were found to be so slow
The squadron had transitioned to the T4M-1 and the that they had to be sent ahead of the main body so as
T2D-1, both with twin floats. not to delay the exercises.
1933: VP-6F transitioned from floatplanes to sea- 1937: VP-6F transitioned to the PBY-1 Catalina sea-
planes, operating from FAB Pearl Harbor with six PM- plane, giving the squadron for the first time an aircraft
1 and six PD-1 seaplanes. that was both reliable and with long enough range to
22 Apr 1935: VP-6F, along with VPs 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 adequately support the fleet from either tenders or ad-
and 10, participated in Fleet Problem XVI off Midway vanced bases. The Catalina was already obsolete by
Island. The intent of the exercise was to give elements the start of WWII, but was used by the navies of sev-
of the fleet an opportunity to become familiar with eral nations throughout the war in large numbers in a
Midway and adjacent waters while practicing landing wide variety of roles ranging from ASW to air and sea
operations. Both the Army and Coast Guard took part rescue work.
in the problem. The exercises were marred by a series 1 Oct 1937: VP-6F was reorganized under
of crashes, two from VP-6F resulting in 12 deaths, and Commander, Patrol Wing TWO, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

A squadron PBY-1, circa 1938.

402 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Jul 1939: VP-6F was redesignated VP-23, under ings at Guadalcanal and other fleet operations in the
Patrol Wing TWO, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The squadron South Pacific.
continued to fly the older PBY-1 seaplanes, and had 13 Jul 1942: A three-plane detachment was sent to
been assigned to Childs (AVP 15) for tender support. Noumea.
9 Apr 1940: PatWing TWO aircraft of VPs 21, 22, 17 Jul 1942: One aircraft was dispatched to
23, 24, 25 and 26 participated in Fleet Problem XXI Auckland, returning on 19 July.
with the Army 72nd Bombardment Squadron and the 26 Jul 1942: A three-plane detachment was sent to
Army 4th Reconnaissance Squadron. The combined Tongatabu, with two aircraft returning to Suva on 28
squadrons defended the Hawaiian Islands against a July.
carrier attack. The exercise revealed glaring deficien- 1 Aug 1942: The Noumea detachment was in-
cies in the coordination between the air arms in de- creased by three aircraft. Tender support was provided
fense of the islands. by Curtiss (AV 4). The next day the detachment was
1 Jul 1941: VP-23 was redesignated VP-11, still further supplemented by two aircraft from VP-14.
flying the PBY-1 and at that time operating from NAS 4 Aug 1942: VP-11 headquarters was shifted from
Kaneohe, Hawaii. During this period the squadron Suva to Saweni Beach with six aircraft, the remainder
began search and reconnaissance in the central Pacific still based at Noumea. The headquarters group was
from Kaneohe and tender-supported locations near provided tender support by McFarland (AVD 14).
Johnston Island. 11 Aug 1942: The Noumea detachment was rede-
3 Oct 1941: Aircrews of VP-11 undertook a ferry ployed with Curtiss (AV 4) to Espiritu Santo, New
flight from Kaneohe, Hawaii, to NAS San Diego, Hebrides.
Calif.; NAS Jacksonville, Fla.; and NAS Corpus 7 Sep 1942: VP-11 claimed one submarine kill but a
Christi, Tex., returning on 22 October 1941 with new postwar review of Japanese records indicates no loss
PBY-5 aircraft. of a Japanese submarine on that date and location.
7 Dec 1941: During the attack on Pearl Harbor the 29 Oct 1942: Lieutenant F. Joe Hill and his crew
majority of the squadron’s aircraft at NAS Kaneohe spoted a surface submarine about three miles off his
were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. One wit- starboard beam. The submarine crash-dived and was
ness to the carnage, an Army P-40 pilot, Lieutenant below the surface when Hill dropped his two
George S. Welch, 46th Pursuit Group, Wheeler Field, 650pound depth charges. A large quantity of oil ap-
stated that the Japanese dive bombers were stacked peared and remained on the surface the following
up over the airfields in a “ . . . regular traffic pattern day. Postwar records indicate the submarine sunk by
around the field. They never got more than 100 to 200 Lieutenant Hill was I-172, Lieutenant Commander
feet high . . . they flew around with their pattern to Takeshi Ota commanding. I-172 was lost with all 91
the right. When they returned, they used the same for- hands aboard, including Rear Admiral Yoshisuke
mation and signals that we do—shallow left run, wig- Okamoto, Commander of the 12th Squadron of the
gling the wings. They would come back into forma- Kure Submarine Flotilla.
tion, peel off and come down again. There was no 5 Nov 1942: VP-11 claimed a third submarine sunk
resistance . . . so that they had a perfect pattern, and but a postwar review of Japanese records indicates no
could pick out individual ships that they could see loss of a Japanese submarine on that date and location.
weren’t on fire and shoot at them with both their 7.7s 1 Feb 1943: VP-11 was withdrawn from combat and
and 30-mm cannon.” returned to NAS San Diego, Calif., for refit and home
1 Apr 1942: Losses were replaced in April with new leave.
PBY-5 seaplanes from the U.S., equipped with ASE 20 Apr 1943: The reforming of the squadron was
radar for spotting ships on the ocean surface. Sector completed on this date. Aircrews flew the transpac to
searches around Oahu were begun as soon as crews Kaneohe on 21 April, while the remainder of ground
could be checked out on the new equipment. personnel and assets departed on transports. Upon ar-
30 Apr 1942: A two-aircraft detachment was sent to rival all hands undertook intensive combat preparation
Johnston Island for sector searches. Two new crews while simultaneously conducting patrols over the
relieved the detachment each week. On 29 May the ocean in the Hawaiian area.
detachment size was increased to six aircraft. 22 May 1943: Combat training was completed at
20 May 1942: A three-plane detachment was sent Kaneohe. VP-11 aircrews departed for Perth, Australia,
to Barking Sands, Kauai. On 22 May the detachment followed later by ground crew and squadron assets in
was increased by three aircraft. transports. Upon arrival in Perth on 8 June aircrews
1 Jul 1942: VP-11 deployed to Suva, Fiji Islands. commenced combat search and reconnaissance patrols
Over the next several months the squadron would be in the southwest Pacific under the operational control
moved from Suva to Noumea, New Caledonia, of FAW-10.
Tongatabu and Espiritu Santo to conduct search and 9 Sep 1943: VP-11 departed for Brisbane, and then
reconnaissance missions in connection with the land- to New Guinea and Palm Island. The squadron came
 CHAPTER 4 403

Japanese installations on Garove Island were con-

ducted over several nights. On 9 October, Half Moon
(AVP 26) relieved San Pablo.
16 Nov 1943: Lieutenant Jack D. Cruze and his
crew were exceptionally busy during the period 1 to 9
November. They attacked Japanese facilities in the
Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Sea under severe
weather conditions and strafed enemy merchant ves-
sels, barges, shore installations and wharves. On the
night of 16 November they located the biggest target
yet, a Japanese task force. Despite the heavy concen-
tration of fire from the escorts, Cruze made a low-level
bombing attack that destroyed a large transport in the
task force. For his courage under fire and aggressive
pursuit of the enemy during this period, Lieutenant
Cruze was awarded the Navy Cross.
19 Nov 1943: VP-11, relieved at Jenkins Bay by VP-
52, reported to Port Moresby to relieve VP-101. On 23
A squadron PBY-5 beached on the Sepik River, New Guinea, January
1943 (Courtesy Richard C. Knott Collection via Frank W. Morris). November Black Cat operations were commenced in
conjunction with daytime attacks by the 5th
Bombardment Group, 5th USAAF.
under the operational control of FAW-17 and relieved
30 Dec 1943: VP-11 transferred to Palm Island,
VP-101. Black Cat (PVY’s painted black) nighttime op-
Australia, and was taken off combat operations.
erations commenced in the areas around New Guinea,
Routine administrative and passenger flights were con-
New Ireland, and the Bismarck Sea.
ducted daily to Port Moresby, Samari and Brisbane.
1 Oct–19 Nov 1943: VP-11 was based aboard San
10 Feb 1944: The squadron returned to Perth to
Pablo (AVP 30) in Jenkins Bay. Night searches for sur-
conduct convoy patrols in Australian waters under the
face ships were conducted, and bombing attacks on
operational control of FAW-10.
19 Jul 1944: VP-11 returned to New Guinea and
Schouten Islands for Black Cat night combat opera-
tions under the operational control of FAW-17. A
three-aircraft detachment was sent to Woendi Lagoon,
Biak.
23 Aug 1944: VP-11 continued to conduct Black Cat
operations after its transfer to Middleburg Island.
18 Sep 1944: The squadron continued Black Cat
operations while based on Schouten Island and
Morotai until 21 September when daytime operations
were then started. Daytime operations consisted of an-
tisubmarine patrols and air-sea rescue missions in the
South Pacific.
1 Oct 1944: VP-11 was redesignated VPB-11. On 6
October the squadron was stationed at Morotai with ten-
der support provided by San Pablo (AVP 30). Air-sea res-
cue and routine ASW patrols were conducted daily. On
12 October half of the squadron was quartered aboard
Orca (AVP 49) to provide more room for the crews.
14 Nov 1944: The squadron was relocated to
Woendi with 15 aircraft. On 5 December VPB-11 was
moved to Morotai, then back to Woendi on the 11th
for boarding on Pocomoke (AV 9) and transportation
back to the U.S.
19 Dec 1944: VPB-11 was officially withdrawn from
combat and 15 aircraft and crews departed Woendi for
return to NAS San Diego, Calif.
20 Jun 1945: VPB-11 was disestablished at NAS San
A squadron PBY-5 on the Sepik River being loaded by natives. Diego, Calif.
404 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 7 Feb 1924 Unknown 1929–1930
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1940 LT William Sinton 1931
NAS San Diego, Calif. Feb 1943 LTJG Richard M. Oliver (actg) 1932
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Apr 1943 LT James R. Tague Mar 1932
NAS San Diego, Calif. Dec 1944 LCDR Rossmore D. Lyon 1933
LCDR William M. McDade Sep 1935
LCDR Robert F. Hickey 8 Jul 1937
Commanding Officers LCDR George Van Deurs 5 Jul 1939
LCDR Leon W. Johnson 22 Jul 1941
Date Assumed Command
LCDR Francis R. Jones 11 Dec 1941
LT E. C. Peterson 29 May 1924 LT W. P. Schroeder (actg) Apr 1942
Unknown 1925–1926 LCDR Clayton C. Marcy 4 May 1942
LT C. D. Glover, Jr. 1 Jul 1927 LCDR C. M. Campbell 16 Mar 1943
LT W. D. Johnson, Jr. 9 Jun 1928 LCDR Thomas S. White 24 May 1944

A T2D-1, circa 1932.

Aircraft Assignment

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

DT-2 Feb 1924
SC-1/2 Jul1927
T3M-2 Jun 1929
T4M-1 Sep 1931
T2D-1 Jan 1932
PM-1 1933
PD-1 1933
PBY-1 1937
PBY-5 Nov 1941

A squadron SC-2 in flight, circa 1927.

 CHAPTER 4 405

A T3M-2 in flight, circa 1929.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jul 1942 * FAW-17 Fiji Islands PBY-5 SoPac

McFarland (AVD 14)
13 Jul 1942 * FAW-17 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac
Curtiss (AV 4)

A squadron PBY-5 on the Sepik

River, New Guinea, 1943.
406 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Aug 1942 1 Feb 1943 FAW-17 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac

Curtiss (AV 4)
22 May 1943 19 Dec 1943 FAW-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac
9 Sep 1943 * FAW-10 Palm Island PBY-5 SoPac
San Pablo (AVP 30)
Half Moon (AVP 26)
19 Nov 1943 * FAW-10 Port Moresby PBY-5 SoPac
30 Dec 1943 * FAW-10 Palm Island PBY-5 SoPac
10 Feb 1944 * FAW-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac
19 Jul 1944 * FAW-10 New Guinea PBY-5 SoPac
19 Jul 1944 * FAW-10 Woendi PBY-5 SoPac
23 Aug 1944 * FAW-10 Middlebg. Isl. PBY-5 SoPac
18 Sep 1944 * FAW-10 Morotai PBY-5 SoPac
San Pablo (AVP 30)
Orca (AVP 49)
14 Nov 1944 11 Dec 1944 FAW-10 Woendi PBY-5 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Two squadron PBY-1s in flight, note the Battle E on the bow of the lead aircraft (Courtesy John M. Elliott Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 407

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Scouting Force 7 Feb 1924 FAW-17 19 Jul 1944
Minecraft, Battle Force 21 Jan 1931 FAW-14 19 Dec 1944
PatWing-1 1 Oct 1937
FAW-14 1 Apr 1943
FAW-2 30 Apr 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 30 May 1943
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-17 11 Sep 1943
FAW-10 16 Feb 1944 PUC 15 Sep 1943 1 Feb 1944

A squadron PM-1 with the Battle E on the bow.

408 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-13 featured in the National Geographic Magazine Insignia

and Decorations of the U.S. Armed Forces, Revised
Edition, December 1, 1944.
Nickname: None on record.
Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron THIRTEEN (VP-13) Chronology of Significant Events
on 1 July 1940.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron THIRTEEN 1 Jul 1940: VP-13 was formed from a cadre of per-
(VPB-13) on 1 October 1944. sonnel and equipment taken from VP-14 at NAS San
Disestablished on 1 December 1945. Diego, Calif., coming under the operational control of
PatWing-1. The squadron had been formed as a de-

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The request for approval of the insignia for VP-13
was submitted to BuAer on 13 September 1940, shortly
after the squadron’s establishment. The design fea-
tured a resplendent Neptune standing on the backs of

A squadron PB2Y-2 in flight, November 1940.

tachment of VP-14 in March 1940 when training in the

new XPB2Y-1 Coronado was begun at San Diego. The
four-engine, heavy seaplane had been designed to
bomb, protect itself with its own heavy armament,
land on water, rescue downed flyers, conduct long-
range patrols, and carry heavy freight and passengers.
After its establishment the squadron had a comple-
ment of four PB2Y-1 aircraft to train crews and iron
out the wrinkles from the factory as the newer PB2Y-2
models were coming off the production lines.
Jan 1941: The squadron commanding officer,
The squadron’s only insignia.
Lieutenant Commander S. B. Cooke, was killed in an
air accident while flying as a passenger in a military
four galloping wild horses, left hand upraised holding transport aircraft.
bolts of lightning. The four horses were symbolic of Aug 1941: Tests in aerial refueling were conducted
the four-engine PB2Y-2 Coronado airplanes flown by to see if the range of the Coronados could be ex-
the squadron at its establishment. Neptune driving the tended. Although tests were positive, the fuel transfer
horses embodied the global oceans and was even sug- procedure was judged too complicated and time con-
gestive of the squadron’s ambition to rule the waves. suming to be of operational value.
The bolts of lightning indicated striking power. Colors: 7 Dec 1941: The squadron went to wartime footing.
circumference of design, red band; background, sky Over the next few days the three PB2Y-2 aircraft as-
blue; clouds behind Neptune, gray and white; signed to the squadron were fully equipped with ma-
Neptune, cream color body, green kilt with red bor- chine guns, ammunition, bomb racks and bombs.
der, brown beard, gold crown; lightning in hand of 10 Dec 1941: War preparation activities were inter-
Neptune, yellow; horses, white with red flared nostrils. rupted when two of the squadron aircraft flew
The design was approved on 27 September 1940 and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and his party to
 CHAPTER 4 409

Hawaii. Unfortunately, at this stage of the war the air- Johnston, Midway, Canton, Palmyra and Samoa.
craft were not equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks, Special passenger flights covered the entire South
and the aircraft Knox boarded developed leaks after Pacific.
its tanks were fully loaded. He was eventually deliv- 1 Mar 1943: The squadron was split into two de-
ered to Pearl Harbor, but only after many flight cancel- tachments, one with six aircraft remaining at NAS
lations and delays. That incident gave the PB2Y a bad Kaneohe, the other with six aircraft at Johnston Island
reputation in Washington that it would never com- along with VP-15 supported by tenders. One third of
pletely overcome. the squadron personnel were detached to form the
24 Dec 1941: VP-13 dispatched a Coronado to Pearl cadre for a new squadron, VP-15. This left VP-13 with
Harbor carrying Admiral E. J. King and Admiral only six patrol plane commanders, which was further
Chester W. Nimitz, followed the next day by a reduced at the end of the month when Lieutenant (jg)
Coronado bearing Rear Admiral McCain and Vice O’Donnell and his crew were killed during a Dumbo
Admiral Halsey. Upon arrival, both aircraft were at- mission from Johnston Island while attempting to lo-
tached to PatWing-2, as the Flag Detachment of VP-13, cate a missing aircraft.
based at NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. Duties as- 19 Nov–6 Dec 1943: A detachment of four aircraft
signed were generally those of long, 14 to 15 hour pa- was sent to Funafuti, Ellice Islands, primarily to serve
trols, broken by occasional trips to Australia and areas as evacuation aircraft for the wounded in the forth-
of the South Pacific needing quick deliveries of sup- coming invasion of the Gilbert Islands. Only one evac-
plies or important personnel. The runs to Sydney be- uation flight was made, as the aircraft were quickly
came so frequent that a maintenance unit was set up put into service transporting tactical commanders and
at the Quantas Empire Airways seadrome on Rose vital equipment to Tarawa, Makin and Apamama. No
Bay. By June 1942, four PB2Y Coronados were in con- advanced base facilities were available at these sites,
stant service flying 12 round trips a month from and the crews serviced their own aircraft.
Kaneohe Bay to Rose Bay, over 4,000 miles one way. 1 Dec 1943: The few PB2Y-1 and 2 aircraft still
1 Apr 1942: The San Diego-based portion of VP-13 operated by the squadron were flown to San Diego
was assigned to transition training for new aircrews and replaced with new PB2Y-3 aircraft fresh from the
destined for other squadrons, using the PB2Y-2, PBY- factory.
5A and XPBM-1 aircraft. During this period the San 6 Dec 1943: Two of the VP-13 aircraft sent to
Diego detachment continued to provide shuttle service Funafuti returned to NAS Kaneohe. One other re-
between Pearl Harbor and San Diego for high priority turned on 20 December 1943.
cargo and VIPs. 25 Jan 1944: A detachment of four of the
Jun 1942: VP-13 received the first PB2Y-3 for test- squadron’s PB2Y-3s were converted to transport-am-
ing and operations. All of the new aircraft were bulance aircraft (PB2Y-3H) and sent to Tarawa. In the
equipped with pilot armor and self-sealing fuel tanks. following months, the detachment made numerous
The earlier PB2Y-2 models had been retrofitted three trips to Majuro, Apamama, Kwajalein and Eniwetok
months earlier. evacuating wounded, carrying mail and transporting
20 Sep 1942: The San Diego-based detachment sent passengers.
one PB2Y-3 on a trip to Miami, Fla., returning by way 30 Jan–9 Feb 1944: Based at Midway Island, VP-13
of the Caribbean and several South American coun- carried out four historic heavy bombing raids on Wake
tries. It returned to San Diego on 13 Oct 1942. Island, first ever conducted by a formation of heavy
Nov 1942: The Flag Detachment at Kaneohe Bay seaplanes over a long distance. The neutralization of
returned to NAS San Diego, Calif., having been re- the airfields on Wake was considered so important
lieved by squadron VR-2 of the Navy Air Transport that the commander of FAW-2, Rear Admiral John D.
Service (NATS). Price, accompanied the bombers on two of the raids.
27 Dec 1942: Lieutenant W. O. Carlson and his Six crews and aircraft from VP-102 were included in
crew were killed during a practice landing at the missions. Previous raids on Wake had resulted in
Salton Sea near San Diego. No cause for the crash high casualties due to poor navigation and breaking of
was determined. radio silence which had alerted the Japanese defend-
8 Jan 1943: VP-13 made the transpac from San ers. VPs 13 and 102 made four raids over 2,100 miles
Diego to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, with 12 PB2Y-3 air- each way, dropping 60 tons of bombs in 50 sorties
craft, 36 pilots and 264 enlisted personnel. On 20 without a single casualty to personnel or aircraft.
January, the squadron became operational at NAS 26 Jan–7 Mar 1944: A detachment of four aircraft
Kaneohe under the operational control of FAW-2. It was sent to Tarawa, with tender services provided by
was assigned the primary duties of anti-task force and Curtis (AV 4). The mission of the detachment was to
antisubmarine patrol. Three daily 700-mile patrols evacuate casualties and carry mail, cargo and person-
were flown with an average duration of 12 hours. nel between the various Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
Numerous special cargo flights were flown to One round-trip flight was made each day, carrying ap-
410 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PB2Y at Midway Island, January 1944.

proximately 13,000 pounds. More could have been tion of any contact was reported for investigation by
carried, but rough water and lack of beaching facilities surface units. On 1 April, the squadron was split in
reduced the operational capacity of the Coronados on half with six aircraft being sent to Ebeye Island, where
these trips. By March, the construction of airstrips on PATSU 2-6 was located. On 22 June, the squadron was
land in the occupied areas allowed the NATS R4D air- relieved by VP-102 for return to Kaneohe. During this
craft to assume the services provided by VP-13. deployment VP-13 shot down no less than five
17–18 Apr 1944: VP-13 conducted five mine-laying Japanese Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers with their
sorties (Mark 10/Mod.6 mines) from Eniwetok in the large, unwieldy seaplanes, as follows: 7 Mar—
waters surrounding the island of Truk. It was found Lieutenant Roger A. Wolf, at position 10-02N 159-20, at
that the external wing mounts for the mines so af- 0415 Greenwich civil time (GCT); 13 Mar—Lieutenant
fected the handling and airspeed of the Coronados (jg) Robert D. Cullinane, at position 11-30N 154-25, at
that they could scarcely attain an air speed of 116 0319 GCT; 12 May—Lieutenant John P. Wheatley, at
knots. position 13-03N 154-37, at 0112 GCT; 18 May—
11–22 May 1944: The Ebeye detachment conducted Lieutenant (jg) Robert E. Peach, at position 13-45N
11 nights of nuisance bombing on the island of Wotje, 155-25, at 0215 GCT; and 10 Jun—Lieutenant John P.
200 miles from Ebeye. Three aircraft flew in four-hour Wheatley, his second in one month, at position 16-42N
relays each night to the island, dropping one 500- 156-30, at 0225 GCT.
pound bomb every half-hour. Poor visibility resulted 14 Jul 1944: The last VP-13 Coronado touched
in 40 percent of the drops being made with radar, and down in San Diego Bay, Calif. All personnel were
approximately 80 percent of the bombs landed in the granted 30 days of home leave, with 60 percent of the
general target areas. squadron receiving orders to report back to VPB-13
26 Feb–22 Jun 1944: VP-13 was ordered to the for the reforming of the squadron.
Marshall Islands to assume antishipping and ASW re- 15 Aug 1944: VP-13 reformed at NAS San Diego,
sponsibilities over the fleet. The first stop for the Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. By 16
squadron was at Kwajalein, followed by Eniwetok two September, the first of the new Coronados, the PB2Y-
days later. Here VP-13 began conducting two 600 to 5, began arriving. The new models sported improved
900 mile patrols each day, the longest search sectors radar (AN-APS-2), total fuel cell protection, reinforced
ever flown by a PB2Y-3 to date. Chincoteague (AVP hull surfaces, and improved cockpit instrumentation.
24) provided tender services. No enemy convoys were In a departure from earlier squadron practice, each
spotted, but several submarines were seen while on crew was assigned its own aircraft and held responsi-
patrol. Since this area was then a sanctuary for friendly ble for its proper shakedown prior to the coming
submarines, no attacks were delivered, but the posi- transpac back to the combat zone.
 CHAPTER 4 411

17 Oct 1944: Lieutenant Cullinane and his entire shared a kill while on patrol, shooting down an Aichi
crew perished in a crash on one of the Coronado E13A, Navy Type O Reconnaissance Seaplane (Jake) at
Islands. position 32-35N 126-00, at 1350 local time.
19 Nov 1944: VPB-13 departed San Diego for 2 Jun 1945: Lieutenant George Head was returning
Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marshall Islands, arriving on from patrol when a call for rescue of a downed pilot
20 November. The squadron came under the opera- was received. Lieutenant Head damaged his aircraft on
tional control of FAW-1. Patrols were begun within a landing and the crew was forced to join the downed
few days of arrival, and by 13 December, three daily fighter pilot in the water. A PBM was able to land and
patrols with 500-mile search sectors toward Japan and pick up both the fighter pilot and Head’s crew, taking
one nightly patrol were being flown by the squadron off with JATO assistance. The favor was returned the
guarding convoys and shipping. Although enemy air next day when a VPB-13 crew spotted a downed PBM
attacks on Saipan were frequent, most were concen- crew and steered a nearby submarine to their rescue.
trated on the Army Air Force side where the B-29s 19 Jul 1945: VPB-13 evacuated the Kerama Rhetto
were located. Almost all patrols during this period area in the face of an approaching typhoon, returning
were long, tiresome and fruitless. to Tanapag Harbor, Saipan. The squadron returned to
2 Feb–30 Mar 1945: VPB-13 was ordered to Ulithi the Ryukus on the 21st.
Atoll to provide coverage for the invasion of Iwo Jima, 14 Jul 1945: VPB-13 relocated from Kerama Rhetto
and upon arrival began operations based off tenders to Kimmu Bay, Okinawa. Tender support was pro-
Casco (AVP 12) and Shelikof (AVP 52). By 5 February, vided by Kenneth Whiting (AV 14), Hamlin (AV 15),
the squadron began flying 800-mile patrols between Gardeners Bay (AVP 39), Mackinac (AVP 13) and
Ulithi and the Philippines. On the 24 th the entire Suisun (AVP 53).
squadron moved aboard Kenneth Whiting (AV 14). On 1 Sep 1945: VPB-13 moved to NAB Chimu Wan,
30 March, a barge broke loose during a storm and de- Okinawa. It remained there as crews were received
stroyed one of the squadron aircraft; the next day, a and old ones were relieved for return to the States
second aircraft was lost when it broke in half while at- through the 19th, when orders were received for move-
tempting a take off in rough seas. There were no casu- ment to Sasebo, Japan. Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) de-
alties in either accident. parted for Sasebo, and the aircrews berthed aboard
7 Apr 1945: The squadron flew all of its aircraft to Pine Island (AV 12) until their departure for the new
Saipan for reconditioning. On 26 April, VPB-13 departed
base on the 22nd. Upon arrival at Sasebo, the squadron
Saipan for Kerama Rhetto, Ryukus Islands. Upon arrival,
began flying patrols over the Sea of Japan and com-
tender support was provided by Kenneth Whiting (AV
menced courier flights between Okinawa and Tokyo.
14). The next day, a kamikaze attempted to ram
28 Sep 1945: VPB-13 flew to NS Sangley Point,
Whiting, but missed and hit Pinkney (APH 2) moored
Philippines. On 15 October, courier flights were begun
nearby. On 30 April another kamikaze struck St. George
between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
(AV 16), causing several casualties but only minor dam-
30 Nov 1945: VPB-13 was relieved at Hong Kong
age. All hands spent a considerable amount of time at
General Quarters throughout May, manning the turrets for return to NAS San Diego, Calif., where the last air-
of the aircraft in the mooring area. From Kerama Rhetto, craft arrived on the 17th. The squadron turned in its
the squadron conducted patrols and strikes along the aircraft to FAW-14 and was disestablished on 21
coast of China to the southeast coasts of the Japanese December 1945.
main islands. Two aircraft were shot down and one ship
sunk on these patrols. One PB2Y-5 made a forced land-
ing after suffering damage from AA fire during a strafing
attack. The entire crew was rescued.
9 May 1945: Lieutenant P. R. Harris and his crew
were returning from a patrol and arrived in the middle
of an air raid. After 14 hours in the air the Coronado’s
fuel state was critical. Lieutenant Harris attempted an
open sea night landing ten miles south of Kerama
Rhetto. At 0300 the Coronado crashed, killing the pilot
and seven other crewmembers. Three crewmen sur-
vived with injuries.
10 May 1945: Lieutenant William L. Kitchen and
Lieutenant (jg) John A. Hoppe and their crews shared
a kill when they surprised a Kawasaki H6K, Navy
Type 97 Flying-Boat (Mavis) at position 32-38N 128-50,
at 1345 hours local time.
24 May 1945: Lieutenant Donald C. Frentz and
Lieutenant Herschel M. Cummins, Jr. and their crews An overhead shot of a squadron PB2Y-2 in flight (Courtesy John M.
Elliott Collection).
412 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Jul 1940 LCDR Tom F. Connolly Mar 1943
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii (Det) 24 Dec 1941 LCDR J. A. Ferguson 30 Sep 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 8 Jan 1943 CDR James R. Jadrnicek 6 Sep 1945
NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1944
NOB Saipan 19 Nov 1944
Aircraft Assignment
NAS San Diego, Calif. Dec 1945
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Commanding Officers XPB2Y-1 Mar 1940
PB2Y-1 Jul 1940
Date Assumed Command PB2Y-2 Apr 1942
LCDR S. B. Cooke 1 Jul 1940 PB2Y-3 Jun 1942
LCDR C. W. Oexle Jan 1941 PB2Y-3H Jan 1944
LCDR William M. Nation Aug 1941 PB2Y-5 Sep 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Feb 1942 Nov 1942 FAW-2 Ford Island PB2Y-2 WestPac

8 Jan 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB2Y-3 WestPac
19 Nov 1943 * FAW-2 Funafuti PB2Y-3 SoPac
25 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Tarawa PB2Y-3 SoPac
26 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Tarawa PB2Y-3 SoPac
Curtis (AV 4)
30 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Midway PB2Y-3 WestPac
26 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PB2Y-3 SoPac
Chincoteague (AVP 24)

A squadron PB2Y at Midway Island, January 1944.

 CHAPTER 4 413

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Apr 1944 * FAW-2 Ebeye PB2Y-3 SoPac

17 Apr 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PB2Y-3 SoPac
22 Jun 1944 14 Jul 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB2Y-3 WestPac
20 Nov 1944 * FAW-1 Saipan PB2Y-3 SoPac
2 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Ulithi PB2Y-5 SoPac
Casco (AVP 12)
Shelikof (AVP 52)
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
7 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Saipan PB2Y-5 SoPac
26 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Kerama R. PB2Y-5 SoPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
14 Jul 1945 * FAW-1 Kimmu Bay PB2Y-5 SoPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Hamlin (AV 15)
Gardeners Bay (AVP 39)
Mackinac (AVP 13)
Suisun (AVP 53)
1 Sep 1945 * FAW-1 Chimu Wan PB2Y-5 SoPac
19 Sep 1945 * FAW-1 Sasebo PB2Y-5 SoPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
28 Sep 1945 30 Nov 1945 FAW-1 Sangley Point PB2Y-5 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-1 1 Jul 1940 None on record.
PatWing-14/FAW-14* 15 Oct 1942
FAW-2 8 Jan 1943
FAW-14 14 Jul 1944
FAW-1 19 Nov 1944
FAW-14 30 Nov 1945
*Patrol Wing 14 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 14 on 1 November
1942.

A squadron
PB2Y-2 in
flight.
414 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-15 control of FAW-5. Principal duties were to provide

ASW, patrol searches and convoy coverage along the
eastern seaboard. On 1 August 1943, administrative
control shifted from FAW-5 to FAW-9.
Lineage 21 Apr 1944: VP-15 was transferred to NAS Coco
Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTEEN (VP-15) on Solo, C.Z., under the operational control of FAW-3.
15 March 1943. One detachment was deployed to Corinto, Ecuador,
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTEEN and a second to the Galapagos Islands.
(VPB-15) on 1 October 1944. 15 Oct 1944: VP-15 was transferred NAS San Diego,
Disestablished on 23 November 1945. Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. The
squadron was reformed, training for all hands com-
menced, and refitting of all equipment was begun in
Squadron Insignia and Nickname preparation for transfer to the South Pacific.
1 Dec 1944: The squadron’s well-worn PB2Y-3 air-
The design submitted to BuAer by VPB-15 in 1944
craft were replaced with 15 new PB2Y-5s fresh from
featured a silhouette of the PB2Y-5 Coronado, the
the factory.
2 Mar 1945: VPB-15 began the transpac to NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii. All 15 aircraft arrived safely. After a
brief period for settling in, the squadron began a pe-
riod of intense training in preparation for combat.
12 Apr 1945: The squadron departed Kaneohe for
Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, arriving on 15 April, where it
commenced daily patrols and antishipping patrols im-
mediately upon arrival. During this period the squadron
came under the operational control of FAW-1.
4 May 1945: The Search and Reconnaissance
Command was established at NAB Saipan under the
operational control of FAW-18. VPB-15 was brought
into this command shortly thereafter.
16 May 1945: A detachment of three aircraft was
sent to Kerama Rhetto. The remainder of the squadron
at Saipan continued long-range patrols, and on 1 July
1945, extended them to Marcus Island. By the end of
September 1945 the squadron was based ashore at
NAB Saipan, awaiting orders to stand down.
23 Nov 1945: VPB-15 was disestablished at Saipan.

Home Port Assignments

The squadron’s insignia.
Location Date of Assignment
NAS San Diego, Calif. 15 Mar 1943
squadron’s assigned aircraft. It is superimposed on a NAS Bermuda 15 May 1943
circular globe map in the lower left (Pacific) portion, NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 21 Apr 1944
with a compass rose in the upper right (Atlantic) por- NAS San Diego, Calif. 15 Oct 1944
tion. Marked on the continents were the locations
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 2 Mar 1945
where the squadron had been deployed during its
brief existence as VP-15: Bermuda; Quonset Point, NAB Saipan 12 Apr 1945
R.I.; Coco Solo, C.Z.; Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; and
San Diego, Calif. Colors: field, pale blue; plane, in- Commanding Officers
digo; star, indigo; continents and islands, yellow; let-
ters and outlines, black. Date Assumed Command
LCDR Samuel M. Pickering 15 Mar 1943
LCDR Ward T. Shields 21 Aug 1943
Chronology of Significant Events
LCDR R. K. Henderson 26 Nov 1944
15 Mar 1943: VP-15 was established at NAS San
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14.
The squadron was equipped with the PB2Y-3 Aircraft Assignment
Coronado four-engine heavy seaplane.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
15 May 1943: Upon completion of the squadron
shakedown of personnel and equipment, VP-15 was PB2Y-3 Mar 1943
transferred to NAS Bermuda under the operational PB2Y-5 Dec 1944
 CHAPTER 4 415

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 May 1943 21 Apr 1944 FAW-5/9 Bermuda PB2Y-3 Lant

21 Apr 1944 15 Oct 1944 FAW-3 Coco Solo PB2Y-3 Carib
21 Apr 1944* 15 Oct 1944 FAW-3 Corinto PB2Y-3 Pac
21 Apr 1944* 15 Oct 1944 FAW-3 Galapagos PB2Y-3 Pac
2 Mar 1945 12 Apr 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB2Y-5 WestPac
12 Apr 1945 23 Nov 1945 FAW-1/18 Saipan PB2Y-5 SoPac
16 May 1945 23 Nov 1945 FAW-18 Kerama R. PB2Y-5 SoPac
* The deployment dates are for squadron detachments.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 15 Mar 1943 FAW-18 4 May 1945
FAW-5 15 May 1943
FAW-9 1 Aug 1943
FAW-3 21 Apr 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-14 15 Oct 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 2 Mar 1945
FAW-1 12 Apr 1945 None on record.

A PB2Y in flight.
416 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-16 June 1944, the squadron was conducting searches and

patrols during the Marianas Campaign. Tender support
at Eniwetok was provided by Pocomoke (AV 9).
17 Jun 1944: When word of the approach of the
Lineage Japanese fleet reached Admiral R. A. Spruance, com-
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (VP-16) on mander of the forces engaged in the capture of
20 December 1943. Saipan, he called for patrol aircraft from the Marshalls
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTEEN to assist other forces in guarding against a surprise at-
(VPB-16) on 1 October 1944. tack. Five PBMs of VP-16 arrived off Saipan on 17
Disestablished on 30 June 1945. June 1944 and based aboard Ballard (AVD 10), which
was operating in the open sea within range of enemy
guns ashore. One of the aircraft became inoperative,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname reducing the number available for patrol to four.
The insignia chosen by VPB-16 focused on the ele- These aircraft conducted a search to the west, and at
ment of luck or good fortune in the mission of the pa- 0115 on 19 June one of them located the enemy force
trol squadron. Its de- of about 40 ships 470 miles west of Guam. Unable to
sign featured two contact the base because of radio problems, the pilot
dice—one showing was forced to fly back to deliver the message. The in-
six, the other a one— formation did not reach Admiral Spruance until seven
superimposed over a hours after the contact. Because the exact location of
lightning bolt on a cir- the enemy was not known, he launched the aircraft of
cular background. The Task Force 58 late, but just in time to catch the enemy
lightning bolt could aircraft as they approached. The resulting battle be-
typify either the strike came known as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot,” and was
from above or the the opening day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
electronic nature of 19 and 22 Jun 1944: Casualties from friendly fire oc-
squadron communica- curred on two occasions. On the 19th one crewman was
tions. If the latter, the killed after a squadron PBM returning from patrol was
The squadron’s only insignia. squadron’s luck al- fired on by F6F Hellcats. On the 22nd, Lieutenant Harry
most deserted it in its R. Flachsbarth and his crew were shot down at night by
most important time of need (see the chronology entry a destroyer of TG 58. There were no survivors.
for 17 June 1944). Colors: background, black; die, 1 Aug 1944: The remaining squadron aircraft ar-
white with black dots; lightning, yellow. rived at NAB Saipan. At that time, VP-16 was the only
night flying PBM squadron in the Pacific. Pocomoke
(AV 9) became overcrowded, and the overflow crews
Chronology of Significant Events
moved aboard Onslow (AVP 48). The squadron flew
3 Jan 1944: VP-16 was established at NAS Norfolk, 249 missions during the remainder of the Saipan cam-
Va., under operational control of FAW-5, as a seaplane paign. It was relieved on 19 August 1944 by VP-18.
patrol squadron flying the twin-engine PBM-3D 21 Aug 1944: VP-16 had been operating from sev-
Mariner. eral remote bases with tender support for two months.
12 Mar 1944: After a brief period of shakedown It regrouped at Ebeye Island for maintenance and re-
training, the squadron was relocated to NAS Key West, pair before further deployment. The squadron was
Fla., for further training in ASW. On 6 April 1944, or- transferred to FAW-1 for operations in the western
ders were received to transfer the squadron assets and Caroline Islands.
personnel to NAS Alameda, Calif., for deployment to 17 Sep 1944: VP-16 was transferred to Kossol
the South Pacific. Passage, Palau, with tender support by Pocomoke (AV
11 Apr 1944: VP-16 began the transpac from NAS 9). During this period the squadron conducted night
Alameda, Calif., to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. By 8 May operations and Dumbo work during the Palau
1944, the squadron was ready for continuation of Campaign.
combat training, commencing with patrols and ASW 28 Sep 1944: Lieutenant Daniel U. Thomas crashed
training in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands under at sea while on night patrol. One crewman survived
the operational command of FAW-2. Lieutenant W. R. and was rescued the next day.
Briggs and his crew ditched enroute and spent 44 1 Oct 1944: VP-16 was redesignated VPB-16. The
hours in life rafts before being rescued without squadron continued to conduct antishipping patrols at
injuries. night and Dumbo missions in the area around the
7 Jun 1944: VP-16 departed for Eniwetok, having Palau island group through the middle of November
been operational at the beginning of the month. By 17 1944. On the night of 1–2 October 1944, a squadron
 CHAPTER 4 417

PBM-3D flown by Lieutenant Floyd H. Wardlow, Jr., 30 Jun 1945: VPB-16 was disestablished at NAS
dropped a Mark 24 mine on a suspected submarine tar- Alameda, Calif..
get 50 miles northwest of Palau. No further sonobuoy
contact was obtained after the attack and Lieutenant
Home Port Assignments
Wardlow and crew returned to their patrol sector. The
next day a hunter-killer group located a badly damaged Location Date of Assignment
submarine 12 miles from Lieutenant Wardlow’s attack, NAS Norfolk, Va. 3 Jan 1944
indicating that his efforts were successful in at least NAS Key West, Fla. 12 Mar 1944
damaging the enemy. Samuel B. Miles (DE 183) sank NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 11 Apr 1944
the submarine, later identified by postwar records as I- NAS Alameda, Calif. 9 Dec 1944
177. Commanding officer of I-177 was Lieutenant
Commander Masaki Watanabe and there were 101 men
aboard when she was sunk. Also aboard the submarine Commanding Officers
when she was sunk was the commanding officer of
Date Assumed Command
Submarine Division 34, Captain Kanji Matsumura.
23 Nov 1944: VPB-16 was relieved at Kossol LCDR W. J. Scarpino 20 Dec 1943
Passage for return to NAS Kaneohe and the continen-
tal United States. After a brief period of maintenance Aircraft Assignment
and refit, the squadron commenced the transpac back
to NAS Alameda on 9 December, with the last Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
squadron aircraft arriving on 13 December 1944. PBM-3D Mar 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Apr 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

7 Jun 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
1 Aug 1944 * FAW-2 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
Onslow (AVP 48)
17 Sep 1944 23 Nov 1944 FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Air Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 3 Jan 1944 None on record.
FAW-14 6 Apr 1944
FAW-2 11 Apr 1944
FAW-1 21 Aug 1944
FAW-14 9 Dec 1944
418 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-17 missions, mail delivery and air cargo missions to

Palau were assigned by Commander, Patrol
Squadrons, FAW-1.
5 Oct 1944: VPB-17 was reassigned temporarily to
Lineage the tender Curtiss (AV 4) in preparation for relocation
Established as Patrol Squadron SEVENTEEN (VP-17) to Ulithi. Six squadron aircraft departed for Ulithi on 9
on 3 January 1944. October 1944, operating temporarily from the small
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SEVEN- seaplane tender Onslow (AVP 48) until Hamlin ar-
TEEN (VPB-17) on 1 October 1944. rived on 13 October 1944. The remaining six aircraft
Disestablished on 30 January 1946. of the squadron arrived on the same date.
Antishipping patrols in the vicinity of Ulithi were
commenced immediately.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 24 Dec 1944: VPB-17 was relocated from Ulithi
None on record. back to Tanapag Harbor, Saipan. Essential mainte-
nance and crew rest was provided in preparation for
further deployment.
Chronology of Significant Events
21 Jan 1945: VPB-17 was enroute to Kossol
3 Jan 1944: VP-17 was established at NAS Norfolk, Passage, Palau Islands. On arrival, the squadron was
Va., as a large seaplane squadron flying 12 PBM-3D provided support by seaplane tender Kenneth Whiting
Mariners under the operational control of FAW-5. The (AV 14). Sector searches and antishipping patrols were
squadron was relocated on 11 January 1944 to commenced upon arrival.
Harvey Point, N.C., for flight training. Fitting out and 5 Feb 1945: VPB-17 was again relocated to Ulithi,
shakedown of squadron personnel and equipment and based temporarily aboard the tender Chandeleur
continued through 31 March 1944. (AV 10).
31 Mar 1944: VP-17 was temporarily relocated to 12 Feb 1945: A detachment of VPB-17 was de-
NAS Key West, Fla., for continuation of flight training ployed further south aboard the tender Orca (AVP 49),
with emphasis on ASW. The squadron returned to NAS operating out of San Pedro Bay, Philippines, under the
Harvey Point on 7 April 1944. operational control of FAW-17. A second detachment
12 Apr 1944: An advance party of 2 officers and 45 was deployed to Lingayen Gulf, berthed temporarily
enlisted personnel proceeded to NAS Alameda, Calif., aboard the tender Currituck (AV 7). The remainder of
by train to prepare for the scheduled arrival of the re- the squadron arrived at San Pedro Bay on 20 February
mainder of the squadron. The remainder of the and the crews were relocated to San Pablo (AVP 30).
squadron personnel and equipment arrived with the 9 Mar 1945: VPB-17 was relocated to Jinamoc
squadron aircraft on 15 May 1944. Preparations for the Island, Philippines, and rejoined by the detachment
transpac to Hawaii were commenced. previously operating from Lingayen Gulf. The sea-
18 May 1944: VP-17 began departing NAS Alameda plane base at Jinamoc Island was completed on 31
for NAS Kaneohe on schedule with all aircraft arriving March 1945, providing berthing and repair facilities
by 31 May. No problems were encountered enroute. ashore for the squadron.
While at Kaneohe the squadron operated under the 11 Mar 1945: A detachment of eight aircraft was
operational control of FAW-2. deployed to Puerto Princessa, Palawan Islands. Tender
1 Jun 1944: After the squadron had settled into its support upon arrival was provided by Pocomoke (AV
new temporary quarters, it was quickly brought up to 9). The detachment remained until 22 April 1945,
operational status and patrols in the vicinity of the when it was deployed again to Lingayen Gulf, with
Hawaiian Islands were commenced. Additional ASW tender support provided by Tangier (AV 8). The de-
training was begun on 1 July 1944, continuing until tachment of four aircraft remaining at Jinamoc rejoined
the squadron was deployed to the South Pacific. the squadron at Lingayen Gulf on 27 April 1945.
3 Sep 1944: VP-17 deployed a detachment of five 7 Jun 1945: VPB-17 deployed a detachment to Tawi
aircraft to NAB Ebye, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, join- Tawi, Sulu, Philippines. This group was joined by
ing VP-21 and sharing quarters aboard the tender three additional aircraft on 14 June.
Casco (AVP 12). The detachment came under the op- 15 Jun 1945: The rest of VPB-17 remained in
erational control of FAW-1. Lingayen Gulf at Port Sual, Philippines, still aboard
11 Sep 1944: A detachment of three aircraft was Tangier (AV 8). Night searches and attack patrols
deployed to Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, with tender were conducted from this location against enemy po-
support provided by Hamlin (AV 15). The remainder sitions and ships until 30 June, when the remainder of
of the squadron from NAS Kaneohe joined this de- the squadron rejoined the detachment at Lingayen.
tachment on 17 September 1944, bringing the detach- The reunited squadron was relocated aboard
ment total to seven aircraft. Sector searches, Dumbo Currituck (AV 7).
 CHAPTER 4 419

2 Jul 1945: Eleven squadron aircraft were deployed Home Port Assignments
back to Tawi Tawi, aboard Pocomoke (AV 9). Patrols
were conducted over Balikpapan, Borneo, and Location Date of Assignment
Morotai. NAS Norfolk, Va. 3 Jun 1944
14 Sep 1945: VPB-17 was relocated to Jinsen, NAS Harvey Point, N.C. 11 Jan 1944
Korea, operating from the tender Currituck (AV 7). NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 18 May 1944
While at this location the squadron operated with the
NAS San Diego, Calif. Jan 1946
7th Fleet for duty with the Allied occupation of Korea
and the China coast. On the 19th, part of the squadron
was ordered to move to Lungwha Airdrome on the Commanding Officers
Whangpo River, where it was joined by the remainder
of the squadron after Currituck arrived on 24 Date Assumed Command
September 1945. LCDR Kenneth A. Kuehner 3 Jan 1944
29 Sep 1945: VPB-17 was deployed to Taku. LCDR Leeds D. Cutter 21 Jun 1945
Currituck (AV 7) and the squadron staff departed, leav-
ing half the squadron at Shanghai and the other half
based temporarily aboard Barataria (AVP 33). The Aircraft Assignment
squadron was reunited at the end of the month at Taku.
30 Jan 1946: VPB-17 was disestablished at NAS San Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Diego, Calif. PBM-3D Jan 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

18 May 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

3 Sep 1944 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
Casco (AVP 12)
11 Sep 1944 * FAW-1 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Hamlin (AV 15)
9 Oct 1944 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
Onslow (AVP 48)
Hamlin (AV 15)
24 Dec 1944 * FAW-1 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
21 Jan 1945 * FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
5 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
12 Feb 1945 * ComAir7thFlt San Pedro PBM-3D SoPac
Orca (AVP 49)
San Pablo (AVP 30)
12 Feb 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Lingayen PBM-3D SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
11 Mar 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Puerto Prin. PBM-3D SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
22 Apr 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Lingayen PBM-3D SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
7 Jun 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Tawi Tawi PBM-3D SoPac
30 Jun 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Lingayen PBM-3D SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
2 Jul 1945 14 Sep 1945 ComAir7thFlt Tawi Tawi PBM-3D SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
14 Sep 1945 29 Sep 1945 ComAir7thFlt Jinsen PBM-3D SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
29 Sep 1945 Jan 1946 ComAir7thFlt Taku PBM-3D SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
420 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 3 Jan 1944 None on record.
FAW-2 18 May 1944
FAW-1 11 Sep 1944
ComAir7thFlt 12 Feb 1945
FAW-14 30 Jan 1946
 CHAPTER 4 421

VPB-18 the squadron during its brief existence. Colors: field,

drab yellow, pearl gray outline; waves, dark blue; tur-
tle shell, gray; wings, gray; turtle head, olive green;
eyes, white; bomb-bay doors, white; machine gun,
Lineage black; bombs, black.
Established as Patrol Squadron EIGHTEEN (VP-18)
on 15 January 1944. Chronology of Significant Events
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron EIGHTEEN
(VPB-18) on 1 October 1944. 15 Jan–Apr 1944: VP-18 was established at NAS
Disestablished on 23 November 1945. Norfolk, Va., as a medium (twin engine) seaplane
squadron flying the PBM-3D Mariner. The squadron
came under the operational control of FAW-5. The
Squadron Insignia and Nickname squadron was originally scheduled to go to NAAB
The insignia for VPB-18 was approved by CNO on Harvey Point, N.C., for training, but those facilities
10 September 1945, only six weeks before the were overcrowed. On 1 February, VP-18 was relocated
squadron was disestablished. The central figure of the to NAS Charleston, S.C., for shakedown flight training
design was a flying turtle with open bomb doors in in the Mariner. On 9 April, the squadron was relocated
the belly, with two bombs emerging. In the tail was a once again, this time to NAS Key West, Fla., for train-
50-caliber machine gun, and on the turtle’s head there ing in ASW techniques.
was a headphone set. The symbolism of the design 12 May 1944: With the completion of the syllabus
was not explained in the request for approval, but it at NAS Key West, the squadron received orders to pro-
can be surmised that the shape of the turtle was anal- ceed to NAS Alameda, Calif., under FAW-8, to prepare
ogous to the boxy shape of the PBM Mariner flown by for the transpac to Hawaii. To prepare for the cross-

The squadron’s cartoon insignia.

422 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

country flight, the aircraft were stripped of all arma- Two crews would be relieved each month by new
ment, armor plate and other unnecessary gear. These crews from the States. Ground crews were not in-
items were packed for transhipment to NAS Kaneohe, cluded in the rotations, and most wound up serving
Hawaii. The squadron aircraft flew in groups of three through the end of the war without being relieved.
to Eagle Lake, near Fort Worth, Texas, then on to 30 Nov 1944: Following the arrival of the tender St.
Alameda. VP-18 was ready to begin the long trans- George (AV 16), VPB-18 moved aboard and experi-
Pacific flight on 30 May 1944, with the last aircraft ar- enced a distinct improvement in living quality for all
riving safely at NAS Kaneohe by 6 June 1944. hands. Maintenance was taken over by the PATSU unit
7 Jun 1944: VP-18 came under the operational con- aboard.
trol of FAW-2 while at NAS Kaneohe. Training for com- 13 Dec 1944–4 Feb 1945: VPB-18 was relieved of
bat patrols continued through 13 July 1944, when duty at Saipan by VPB-13. On 19 December 1944, the
preparations were made to begin island hopping to squadron relocated to Kossol Passage to relieve VPB-
the South Pacific. The armor plate, machine guns and 21 in the conducting of searches and antishipping pa-
other gear needed for operations in the combat zone trols under the operational control of FAW-1. The
that had been removed at Charleston were reinstalled. squadron was provided tender support by Chandeleur
15 Jul–Sep 1944: VP-18 departed Kaneohe for (AV 10) and Casco (AVP 12) and on 24 December the
Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, arriving on 17 July. Several squadron moved back aboard St. George (AV 16).
high-altitude-bombing missions were run against VPB-18 continued routine 600-mile searches northwest
Wotje, and the remainder of the time was spent on of Kossol Passage through 4 February 1945, when or-
mail runs and Dumbo missions. On 1 August orders ders were received to relocate once again.
were received to proceed to Saipan. The squadron 5 Feb 1945: VPB-18 relocated to Ulithi, with St.
was based afloat in Tanapag Harbor, with two detach- Geor ge (AV 16) following. Routine patrols and
ments aboard Yakutat (AVP 32) and Shelikof (AVP 52) searches were conducted at this location until the end
under the operational control of FAW-18. On 9 of February, when orders were again received to relo-
September 1944, the detachment aboard Yakutat relo- cate the squadron.
cated to Coos Bay (AVP 25). The squadron’s experi- 1 Mar 1945: VPB-18 relocated back to Saipan, with
ence indicated that these Humboldt-class tenders were St. George following. Routine patrols and training
too small to support modern seaplane squadron oper- flights were conducted through the end of March
ations, with inadequate berthing, lack of spare parts under the operational control of FAW-18.
and poor maintenance facilities. Both day and night 28 Mar 1945: VPB-18 and the faithful St. George
patrols were conducted in the vicinity of Saipan to (AV 16) were relocated to the island of Kerama Retto,
provide antisubmarine screening in addition to mail southeast of Naha, Okinawa. From this location, day
hops between Saipan and Ulithi, hunter-killer standby and night antishipping search patrols were conducted
and Dumbo standby. north along Nansei Shoto to Kyushu under the opera-
23 Sep 1944: VP-18 flew all of its aircraft back to tional control of FAW-1. On 1 April 1945, a detachment
Ebeye for engine changes that the small PATSU unit at of two aircraft was sent to NAB Tanapag Harbor,
Saipan was unable to handle. The squadron returned
Saipan, returning on the 30th.
to Saipan in October, and assumed the duties of trans-
6 Apr 1945: Two VPB-18 crews downed enemy
ferring mail and passengers between Saipan, Ulithi
fighters during the same patrol. Lieutenant Jorden B.
and Kossol Passage. Maintenance during this period
Collins claimed a Nakajima B5N, Navy Type 97 Carrier
proved troublesome. There were continual problems
Attack Bomber (Kate) over the East China Sea south of
with the Wright Cyclone R-2600-22 engines due to lim-
Kyushu. One hour later, Lieutenant Gerald Hooker
ited maintenance facilities. When aircraft were dam-
and his crew spotted an Aichi D3A, Navy Type 99
aged on reefs, salvage resources were inadequate in
recovering aircraft, resulting in unnecessary losses. Carrier Bomber (Val) over the East China Sea northeast
The situation improved when CASU-48 became the of the Ryukyu Islands and shot it down.
squadron’s maintenance organization in mid-October. 16 Apr 1945: Two more VPB-18 crews scored on
1 Nov 1944: The patrol emphasis was shifted to the same day, with Lieutenant Jorden B. Collins and
daytime, with three 600-mile sectors, and one night Lieutenant Paul D. Fitzgerald sharing credit for a Aichi
antishipping patrol. On 9 November 1944, the E13A, Navy Type O Reconnaissance Seaplane (Jake)
squadron moved aboard the newly completed NAB shot down over the Korean Strait.
Tanapag, Saipan. 4 May 1945: Lieutenant Paul D. Fitzgerald and his
20 Nov 1944: Two aircraft and two aircrews de- crew claimed a Nakajima Ki-27, Army Type 97 Fighter
parted for NAS Kaneohe as part of the new crew rota- (Nate) while on patrol over the East China Sea east of
tion plan. The squadron had originally been scheduled Naha, Okinawa. Lieutenant (jg) John D. Martin and his
for relief in January 1945, but the war in Europe had crew shot down a Kate in the same general area just
forced the Navy to reconsider its squadron allocations. eight minutes later.
 CHAPTER 4 423

6 May 1945: A kamikaze struck the crane on the installed the week before was removed a few weeks
seaplane deck of St. George while at anchor in Kerama later when it became apparent that it would no longer
Retto. The engine of the aircraft penetrated below be needed with the hostilities unexpectedly coming to
decks into the VPB-18 area stateroom of Lieutenant an end.
Jorden Collins, killing him instantly and injuring his 24 Aug 1945: VPB-18 was relieved of patrol respon-
roommate, Lieutenant Peter Prudden. sibilities to commence shuttle service for mail, passen-
15 May 1945: Three squadron aircraft, piloted by gers and supplies to Tokyo. The aircraft were stripped
Lieutenant Marvin E. Hart, Lieutenant (jg) Irving E. of armor, guns and bomb racks in preparation for the
Marr and Lieutenant Dixon, were attacked by several first of 51 roundtrip flights to Japan that began on 1
Japanese N1K Georges from the 343rd Ku over the September 1945 and continued through 3 October
Tsushima Straits at 1145 hours (local time). In the en- 1945.
suing combat Hart’s crew accounted for three N1K 24 Oct 1945: The squadron was transferred to
Georges. Marr’s crew also claimed one N1K George. Tinian for one week of crew rest.
Having lost an engine during one of the attacks, Marr 3 Nov 1945: VPB-18 flew to Okinawa to begin
headed back toward base. The remaining enemy weather flight service until orders were received to
fighters concentrated their fire on Lieutenant Marr’s stand down for return to the States. Detachment or-
crippled aircraft. In the crash that followed all of the ders were received on 14 November 1945, for return
crew were killed. Hart was forced to ditch later on, to NAS San Diego, Calif., via Kaneohe.
but all except three of the crew were subsequently 11 Dec 1945: VPB-18 was disestablished at
rescued. Coronado Heights, NAS San Diego, Calif.
28 May 1945: Lieutenant John T. Moore and his
crew claimed a Nate fighter when attacked by enemy
Home Port Assignments
fighters while on patrol over the East China Sea north
of the Ryukus. Location Date of Assignment
28 Jun 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Podlogar and four of NAS Norfolk Va.. 15 Jan 1944
his crew were killed when their aircraft lost an en- NAS Charleston, S.C. 1 Feb 1944
gine during a night patrol. The aircraft impacted the NAS Key West, Fla. 9 Apr 1944
water before single engine procedures could be put NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 7 Jun 1944
into effect. NAS San Diego, Calif. Nov 1945
12 Jul 1945: VPB-18 was withdrawn to NAB
Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, for ten days of crew rest and
aircraft maintenance. During its operational tour at Commanding Officers
Kerama Retto, the squadron had shot down 10 enemy
Date Assumed Command
aircraft (confirmed by postwar examination of enemy
records), and had sunk 44 ships during 422 combat LCDR Charles M. Brower 15 Jan 1944
missions. Six aircraft had been lost during this period, LCDR R. R. Boetcher 9 Apr 1945
three from combat and three from accidents. Daily
surveillance patrols were conducted on reduced Aircraft Assignment
tempo under operational control of FAW-18. On 17–19
August 1945, training was conducted on use of the Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
sonobuoy with Gar (SS 206). Equipment that had been PBM-3D 1 Feb 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

6 Jun 1944 Nov 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

17 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Kwajalein PBM-3D SoPac
2 Aug 1944 * FAW-18 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Yakutat (AVP 32)
Shelikof (AVP 52)
Coos Bay (AVP 25)
23 Sep 1944 * FAW-2 Kwajalein PBM-3D SoPac
Oct 1944 * FAW-18 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Yakutat (AVP 32)
Coos Bay (AVP 25)
424 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

30 Nov 1944 * FAW-18 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac

St. George (AV 16)
19 Dec 1944 * FAW-1 Kossol Pass. PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
Casco (AVP 12)
St. George (AV 16)
5 Feb 1945 * FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
St. George (AV 16)
1 Mar 1945 * FAW-18 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
St. George (AV 16)
28 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Kerama Rhetto PBM-3D SoPac
St. George (AV 16)
12 Jul 1945 * FAW-18 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
3 Nov 1945 14 Nov 1945 FAW-1 Okinawa PBM-3D SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-5 15 Jan 1944 FAW-18 12 Jul 1945
FAW-8 12 May 1944 FAW-14 14 Nov 1945
FAW-2 7 Jun 1944
FAW-18 2 Aug 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 13 Dec 1944
FAW-18 1 Mar 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 28 Mar 1945 NUC 1 Apr 1945 31 Jul 1945

A PBM-5 refuels in Tanapag Harbor,

Saipan, May 1945, 80–G–K–15890.
 CHAPTER 4 425

VPB-20 Chronology of Significant Events

15 Feb–Jul 1944: VP-20 was established at NAS
Alameda, Calif. The aircrews began ground and flight
training on the PBM-3D Mariner seaplane. While at
Lineage
Alameda, the squadron came under the operational
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY (VP-20) on control of FAW-8. Training continued through 19 July
15 February 1944. 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY 19 Jul 1944: The squadron concluded operations at
(VPB-20) on 1 October 1944. NAS Alameda in preparations for its transpac to NAS
Disestablished on 4 February 1946. Kaneohe, Hawaii. On the 26th, 10 officers and 96 en-
listed personnel departed San Diego for Kaneohe as
Squadron Insignia and Nickname part of the advance party. The aircrews began flying
the transpac on 10 August, with the last aircraft arriv-
The only insignia for the squadron was first submit- ing on 29 August 1944.
ted by VP-20 in July of 1944. By the time CNO ap- 31 Aug 1944: The majority of the squadron began
proved the design the squadron had been redesig- advanced training in preparation for combat at
Kaneohe under the operational control of FAW-2.
Three crews had been unable to complete the
transpac and remained at Alameda. They did not re-
join the squadron until mid-September.
15–28 Oct 1944: VPB-20 was ordered to proceed to
the seaplane base at Los Negros, Manus, Admiralty
Islands, in groups of three aircraft. The first group ar-
rived at Manus on 24 October 1944, coming under the
operational control of FAW-10. As each group of air-
craft arrived, they were painted flat black in prepara-
tion for night operations. A detachment of two aircraft
was sent on the 28th to Mios Woendi Island, followed
on the 29th by a detachment of two aircraft to
Morotai. The latter group of aircraft was provided ten-
der support by Tangier (AV 8). Nine aircraft remained
at Manus, relieving VPB-29. Operations during this pe-
riod were carried out in the vicinity of the Mindanao
Sea, Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea, Makassar Straits, and along
the borders of islands in those waters.
14 Nov 1944: During night operations, squadron
aircraft attacked and claimed damage to a Shokaku-
class carrier in Philippine waters. Unfortunately, by
this date both Shokaku and Zuikaku, the only mem-
bers of that carrier class, had already been sunk in the
Battle of the Philippine Sea (19 June 1944) and Battle
The squadron’s cartoon insignia.
of Leyte Gulf (25 October 1944), respectively. The
only carrier surviving of a class similar to Shokaku was
Junyo, of the Hiyo class. It was in the vicinity at that
nated VPB-20. The insignia portrays a flying turtle with time of the action and at the close of the war it was
spinner and hourglass in a circular design. The turtle located in the yards at Sasebo with aircraft bomb dam-
represented the large, slow and ungainly patrol plane age. She was scrapped after the war.
of the period; the hourglass, the passing of long, te- 21–26 Nov 1944: The squadron, except for the
diously alert patrol hours; and the insignificant spin- Morotai detachment, was ordered to report to Leyte
ner, the lack of power for such a large airframe. for further assignment. The first three crews to arrive
Colors: border of insignia, leaf green; background, were assigned night search missions out of Leyte.
light yellow; clouds, white with blue outline; hour While in this area, the squadron was berthed aboard
glass, blue sand with white glass; turtle head, grass Currituck (AV 7). On the 25th, the Morotai detachment
green with darker beak; eyeball, yellow; turtle shell, was relieved by VPB-71 and rejoined the squadron at
grass green; legs, grass green; whorl of tail, yellow. Leyte. A routine of three daily daytime searches was
Nickname: none on record. begun on the 26th.
426 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

27 Nov 1944: A submarine was spotted on radar by apparently none of the Kaiten midget submarines
Lieutenant (jg) John B. Muoio and his crew in Ormoc were launched before VPB-20’s attack.
Bay. Lieutenant (jg) Muoio had been providing air 2 Feb 1945: At Leyte, six crews were berthed
coverage for DESDIV 43 engaged in bombardment of aboard San Carlos (AVP 51). The remaining 12 crews
enemy positions at Ormoc Bay. The sighting was re- flew to NAB Woendi for an aircraft exchange for the
ported to the destroyer flotilla commander and they new PBM-5 seaplane.
quickly located it and sank it with gunfire. Postwar ex- 8 Feb 1945: The six crews at Leyte were relocated
amination of records indicate only one submarine to the captured Japanese seaplane base at Jinamoc,
sunk in that vicinity on that date, Yu-2, a Japanese where they conducted antishipping patrols in the
Army submarine. The sinking of the submarine was South China Sea and off the Indochina coastline.
accomplished by Waller (DD 446), Pringle (DD 477), 26 Feb 1945: VPB-20 was relieved at Jinamoc by
Saufley (DD 465) and Renshaw (DD 499). The com- VPB-25. VPB-20 flew to Mangarin Bay, Mindoro, to re-
manding officer of Yu-2 was First Lieutenant Seikichi lieve VPB-28. Tender support was provided by
Ueki. Besides the crew of the submarine there was an Tangier (AV 8). The squadron conducted daytime
Army detachment of 15 men aboard when she was searches over the South China Sea.
sunk. Only 15 men from the crew and detachment 7 Mar 1945: VPB-20 relocated to Sangley Point,
survived the sinking. Manila Bay, with tender support provided by
1–27 Dec 1944: During the Mindoro Invasion land- Currituck (AV 7). Daytime antishipping searches were
ings, the squadron provided coverage for convoys and conducted over the South China Sea.
night combat patrols in the face of intense opposition. 11–29 Mar 1945: Four squadron aircraft were sent
On 26–27 December a five-plane attack was made on to join VPB-17 at Puerta Princessa, Palawan Islands,
a Japanese task force that was bombarding the beach aboard Pocomoke (AV 9). These crews participated in
head in Mangarin Bay, Mindoro. Two aircraft were a formation attack on a Japanese convoy 60 miles
shot down, but both crews were rescued. Lieutenant south of Hainan Island on the 29th, in which one air-
Warren M. Cox was hit by intense AA fire and ditched craft was shot down with the loss of all hands.
in the bay. Lieutenant James V. Fallon’s Mariner was 1 May 1945: The Sangley Point aircraft of VPB-20
riddled by fire from a Japanese destroyer and ditched joined the detachment on Pocomoke (AV 9) when it
a half mile away from the scene of the battle. Fallon moved to Tawi Tawi, Sulu Archipelago. The squadron
and his crew reached Canipo Island two days later provided convoy coverage and reconnaissance flights in
where they were aided by guerrillas and returned to support of the invasion of Borneo. During the month nu-
the squadron three weeks later. merous enemy small craft were sunk. During the month
4–31 Jan 1945: VPB-20 departed Leyte Gulf for of June squadron activities were concentrated on mine
Lingayen Gulf in company with TG 73.1. Through the spotting for convoys and task groups involved in opera-
end of the month the squadron provided support for tions around Borneo at Brunei Bay and Balikpapan.
convoys and invasion groups Marinduque, Lingayen, 4 Jun 1945: Lieutenant Deland J. Croze attacked
San Antonio and Nausbu with night patrols and search two transports and an escort vessel in the Makassar
and attack missions. Straits, sinking the two transports but receiving dam-
19 Jan 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Wesley O. Glaze at- age from the AA fire of the escort. Croze made a
tacked a 24-ship Japanese task force, damaging a forced landing off the beach of Lingian Island near the
Hayataka (alternative classification Hiyo) class carrier, northwestern tip of Celebes. One crewman died
most likely the much-abused Junyo that was damaged shortly after, six were captured by the Japanese, and
by VPB-20 on 14 November 1944. Glaze approached three who avoided capture were later rescued. Fates
the carrier at an altitude of 50-feet, barely clearing the of the captured crewmen, including Lieutenant Croze,
flight deck, and dropped his three bombs in train (two are still unknown.
250 and one 500-pound GP), scoring two direct hits. 3 Jul 1945: A seven-aircraft detachment was sent to
21 Jan 1945: A squadron PBM Mariner flown by Lingayen Gulf, operating off Barataria (AVP 33). This
Lieutenant Frank A. Yourek and crew sighted a sub- group was primarily assigned to air-sea rescue opera-
marine west of Ulithi and attacked it with 2 depth tions. On the 9th, San Pablo (AVP 30) relieved
charges and a Mark 24 mine. The submarine escaped Barataria.
but was apparently damaged by the attack. Three de- 9–25 Jul 1945: Four aircraft were detached from the
stroyers, Conklin (DE 439), Corbesier (DE 438) and squadron at Tawi Tawi and sent to Sangley Point,
Raby (DE 698), observed the aircraft attack and the Philippines, for duty as transport and utility aircraft.
next day they resumed the attack which resulted in On the 12th, the remainder of the Tawi Tawi detach-
the sinking of the submarine. Postwar records indicate ment boarded Half Moon (AVP 26) for transportation
the Japanese submarine lost was I-48 with a crew of to Sangley Point. After arrival on the 25th, they joined
122. Commander Toyama and his crew had been on a the Sangley detachment in conducting sector patrols in
Kaiten mission against shipping in Ulithi lagoon, but the western approaches to the Philippines.
 CHAPTER 4 427

1 Aug 1945: The Lingayen Gulf detachment of 4 Feb 1946: VPB-20 was disestablished at NAS
seven aircraft was assigned the role of air-sea res- Kaneohe, Hawaii.
cue in support of the 15th and 13th Army Air Force
missions. Home Port Assignments
5 Aug 1945: The Sangley detachment assigned five
Location Date of Assignment
of its crews to ferrying aircraft from Sangley Point to
NAS Alameda, Calif. 15 Feb 1944
the Los Negros repair facility for overhauls. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 31 Aug 1944
29 Aug 1945: A four crew detachment from Sangley
Point boarded Currituck (AV 7) for transportation to Commanding Officers
Okinawa. Upon arrival, the detachment conducted
mail and utility flights in support of Seventh Fleet Date Assumed Command
operations. LCDR Robert M. Harper 16 Feb 1944
21 Sep 1945: The Currituck detachment arrived at LCDR J. M. Brandt 25 Jun 1945
Shanghai. Primary duties consisted of mail flights be-
tween Okinawa; Jinsen, Korea; and Shanghai, China. Aircraft Assignment
On the 29th, the detachment moved to Taku, China,
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
aboard Barataria (AVP 33), providing the same assis-
PBM-3D Feb 1944
tance in mail delivery and urgent delivery of parts. PBM-5 Feb 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Aug 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

15 Oct 1944 * ComAir7thFlt Manus Island PBM-3D SoPac
21 Nov 1944 * ComAir7thFlt Leyte PBM-3D/5 SoPac
San Carlos (AVP 51)
8 Feb 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Jinamoc PBM-5 SoPac
26 Feb 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Mindoro PBM-5 SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
7 Mar 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Sangley Pt. PBM-5 SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
11 Mar 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Palawan PBM-5 SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
1 May 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Tawi Tawi PBM-5 SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
3 Jul 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Lingayen PBM-5 SoPac
Barataria (AVP 33)
San Pablo (AVP 30)
25 Jul 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Sangley Pt. PBM-5 SoPac
Half Moon (AVP 26)
29 Aug 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Okinawa PBM-5 SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
21 Sep 1945 * ComAir7thFlt Shanghai PBM-5 SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
29 Sep 1945 Jan 1946 ComAir7thFlt Taku PBM-5 SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 15 Feb 1944 NUC 1 Nov 1944 1 Jun 1945
FAW-2 31 Aug 1944
ComAir7thFlt 15 Oct 1944
428 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-23

Lineage
Established Patrol Squadron TEN-S (VP-10S) on 1
July 1930.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TEN-F (VP-10F) on 17
July 1933.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TEN (VP-10) on 1
October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FIVE (VP-
25) on 1 July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY THREE (VP-
23) on 1 August 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY
THREE (VPB-23) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 25 January 1946. A squadron T4M-1 with its wings folded.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The date on which the official insignia of the
squadron was accepted by BuAer is unknown. It
would appear that the same design
was used after each redes-
ignation of the
squadron without al-
teration, from VP-
10S to VP-23.
There is no evi-
dence that VPB-
23 utilized this
insignia. The cir-
cular design was
a compass rose
with the Big Dipper
and Polaris Constella- A squadron PM-1, note the Battle E and insignia on the bow, circa
1931.
tions imposed on
A squadron’s insignia became a well-known it, with a bomb
design. 1 Sep 1930: The squadron’s twin-float Martin T4M
in the center of
the design and torpedo bombers were turned in for Martin PM-1
two pairs of lightning-like radio waves on each side at flying boats. Tender support for the squadron’s six
the top. Radio waves were an essential element of PM-1 aircraft was provided by Wright (AV 1).
long-range patrols, as were the navigational aids of 8 Feb 1931: VP-10S participated in Fleet Problem
star sightings. The bomb indicated the secondary role XXII with VP-8, VP-3 and VP-5 in the Caribbean.
of the squadron in antishipping and ASW. Colors of Squadrons were based ashore at Guantanamo, Cuba,
the design: blue field with white stars and radio waves and provided with tender support from Wright (AV 1),
and bomb, yellow, with tip of bomb red. Swan (AM 34) and Whitney (AD 4) while at sea. The
Nickname: None on record. patrol squadrons were involved in exercises testing
concepts of strategic scouting in both the attack on
and protection of the Panama Canal. The greater range
Chronology of Significant Events of the PM-1 led the planners to call for patrol sectors
1 Jul 1930: Torpedo Squadron NINE-S (VT-9S) was that were too ambitious, resulting in many units of the
redesignated at NAS Hampton Roads, Va., and the as- opposition forces passing unseen through the pa-
sets of the squadron were utilized to form Patrol trolled areas.
Squadron 10S under the operational control of 1 Jan 1932: VP-10S once again participated in fleet
Scouting Fleet. exercises in the Caribbean, but on a smaller scale. On
 CHAPTER 4 429

Squadron P2Ys at FAB Pearl Harbor after their non-stop flight from San Francisco, January 1934.

this occasion VP-8S was the only other squadron tak- from Pearl Harbor participated in the Hawaiian
ing part in the training. Exercises, supported by tender Wright (AV 1).
1 Feb 1932: VP-10S was reassigned a new perma- 22 Apr 1935: VPs 7F, 9F, 1F, 4F, 6F, 8F and 10F par-
nent home base at FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. Tender sup- ticipated in Fleet Exercise XVI near Midway Island.
port continued to be supplied by Wright (AV 1). 1 Oct 1937: VP-10F was redesignated VP-10 when
1 Apr 1933: VP-10S and the other squadrons at the patrol squadrons came under the operational con-
NAS Coco Solo (VP-2S, VP-3S and VP-5S) were reorga- trol of PatWing 2.
nized from Scouting Fleet to Base Force. VP-10S was 18 Jan 1938: VPs 10 and 9 conducted a historic
redesignated VP-10F with six P2Y-1 aircraft, supported ferry flight with 18 PBY-2 aircraft from NAS San Diego
by Swan (AM 34) and Lapwing (AM 1). to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, without mishap. The crews of
10 Jan 1934: Six P2Y-1 aircraft of VP-10F, VP-9 returned to San Diego aboard SS Matsonia. The
Lieutenant Commander Knefler McGinnis command- flight and the route later became the standard for the
ing, made a historic nonstop formation flight from San transpac made by all squadrons enroute to the South
Francisco, Calif., to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 24 hours Pacific from the United States.
35 minutes. The flight bettered the best previous time 25 Mar 1938: Aircraft of VPs 1, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 18
for the crossing; exceeded the best distance of previ- participated in Fleet Exercise XIX (Phase V) as part of
ous mass flights; and broke a nine-day-old world Red Force operating against Blue Force. The exer-
record for distance in a straight line for Class C sea- cises demonstrated that slow patrol aircraft were ex-
planes with a new mark of 2,399 miles. tremely vulnerable to antiaircraft fire from ships
13 Jan 1934: Effective this date, VP-10F was perma- being attacked. During the exercise, the majority of
nently reassigned to NAS Pearl Harbor, exchanging air- aircraft participating were judged to have been shot
craft with VP-5F at San Diego before reporting there. down by the AA screen before reaching their in-
VPs 10F and 8F from Coco Solo and VPs 1F, 4F and 6F tended targets.
430 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Jul 1939: VP-10, flying 12 PBY-2s, was redesig- 6 Aug 1942: Lieutenant Maurice “Snuffy” Smith and
nated VP-25, still home based at Pearl Harbor under his crew of seven were reported missing after a patrol
PatWing 2. flown out of Espiritu Santo. On 14 January 1994, a
9 Apr 1940: Aircraft of VPs 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 team of loggers discovered the remains of the aircraft,
participated in Fleet Exercise XXI with the Army 72nd BuNo. 2389, and its crew where they had crashed on
Bombardment Squadron and the 4th Reconnaissance a ridge of a hill on the island of Espiritu Santo.
Squadron. The purpose of the exercise was to test the 7 Aug 1942: A nine-plane detachment of VP-23 was
ability of aircraft to defend the Hawaiian Islands deployed to Malaita Island to support operations at
against an enemy carrier attack. The results of the fleet Guadalcanal, with tender support provided by
problem indicated that there were significant deficien- Mackinac (AVP 13). Severe losses by the Allies at the
cies in the coordination between the air arms of the Battle of Savo Straits forced the return of the detach-
two services in defense of the islands. Unfortunately, ment to Espiritu Santo on 9 August 1942.
these deficiencies were not corrected in time to either 10 Aug 1942: A six-plane detachment was sent to
prevent the coming attack on Pearl Harbor, or orga- Ndeni, Santa Cruz Islands.
nize any defense during the attack. 1 Oct 1942: VP-23 and its detachments were re-
8 Nov 1941: VP-23 flew its older model PBY-2 air- called to Espiritu Santo for return to Kaneohe for rest
craft to San Diego, Calif., where new PBY-5 aircraft and refit.
were picked up at the factory. Two weeks of familiar- 1 Nov 1942: Two detachments of squadron aircraft
ization training was given to the aircrews before re- were sent to Canton and Midway islands for search
turning to Hawaii. patrol rotations.
23 Nov 1941: Upon return to Ford Island, Oahu, 30 May 1943: Twelve new PBY aircraft arrived
the crews of VP-23 began two weeks of intensive bat- from San Diego as replacements, and six of the air-
tle maneuvers to thoroughly familiarize them with the crews ferrying the aircraft remained with the squadron
capabilities of the new PBY-5 aircraft. as replacements. Training of the new crews was begun
7 Dec 1941: Two detachments of aircraft had been in conjunction with operational patrols in Hawaiian
sent to Johnston Island and Palmyra Island the day be- waters.
fore, and on the 7th began to practice circular patrol 24 Jun 1943: VP-23 again deployed to the South
pattern searches. On that same morning, Japanese car- Pacific, returning to its former base of operations at
rier forces attacked Pearl Harbor, destroying eight of Espiritu Santo. A detachment was deployed to the is-
the squadron’s aircraft in their hangars on Ford Island. land of Funafuti.
25 Dec 1941: The two detachments of squadron 20 Aug 1943: The squadron base of operations was
aircraft remained at Johnston Island conducting search relocated to NAB Halavo Island, Florida Islands. From
sweeps in the event of the return of the Japanese fleet. this location the squadron conducted special searches,
Back at Oahu, Ensign Brady and his crew claimed one convoy coverage, antishipping patrols, Dumbo mis-
Japanese submarine. Postwar records, however, do not sions and aerial resupply missions.
indicate any enemy submarine losses on that date. 15 Sep 1943: A squadron PBY-5 Catalina piloted by
16 Jan 1942: Six aircraft of VP-23 temporarily based Lieutenant W. J. Geritz spotted a submarine southeast
at Canton Island began daily searches of the waters be- of San Cristobal. The destroyer Saufley (DD 465) as-
tween Canton Island and the Fijis to protect the ad- sisted in the sinking of the submarine. Postwar records
vance of Task Force 8 as it prepared for its strike indicate the submarine sunk was RO-101 and the en-
against the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. These were the tire crew of 50 was lost.
first combat patrols by U.S. aircraft in the South Pacific. 18 Sep 1943: VP-23 conducted a bombing attack on
26 May 1942: A detachment of squadron aircraft at Japanese positions at Nauru Island.
Midway participated in the patrols searching for the 10 Dec 1943: VP-23 was relieved at NAB Halavo by
Japanese invasion force expected from intercepted VP-14. The squadron transferred to Espiritu Santo
radio traffic. The first sightings occurred on 6 June Island on 13 December 1943, in preparation for the re-
1942 and led to the famous carrier battles at Midway. turn flight to Kaneohe.
All of the squadron aircraft returned safely to Ford 15 Feb 1944: The squadron personnel of VP-23
Island, Oahu, on 30 June 1942. boarded Kasaan Bay (CVE 69) for return to the conti-
8 Jul 1942: VP-23 was deployed to Noumea, New nental United States. The squadron arrived at NAS San
Caledonia, to support the invasion of Guadalcanal, re- Diego, Calif., on 23 February 1943. Reassignments of
lieving VP-71. Tender support was provided by Curtiss personnel, home leaves, and other administrative de-
(AV 4). On 15 July 1942, the squadron was moved for- tails were taken care of upon arrival.
ward to the island of Espiritu Santo. 1 Mar 1944: VP-23 was reformed with new person-
25 Jul 1942: VP-23 combed Tulagi Island, the first nel and new equipment at NAS San Diego, Calif.
target in the bombing campaign conducted by the Training commenced immediately and continued
squadron against Japanese-held positions. through mid-June 1944.
 CHAPTER 4 431

20 Jun 1944: The squadron flew the transpac from 27 Dec 1944: A fourth detachment of two aircraft re-
San Diego to Kaneohe, Hawaii, in the new amphibi- lieved the VPB-54 detachment at Peleliu. The primary
ous version of the Catalina, the PBY-5A. All aircraft ar- mission was provision of air-sea rescue support for ele-
rived safely and the squadron began operations on 30 ments of TU 94.4.2.
June, sending a six-aircraft detachment to Midway for 1 Feb 1945: On this date, detachments of VPB-23
training in ASW. were maintained at Agana, Guam; Isley Field #2, Saipan;
29 Jul 1944: The Kaneohe detachment of six air- Falalop Island, Ulithi; and Peleliu Island, Palau Islands.
craft relieved the Midway detachment. This group re- Operational control was under TU 94.4.2 with a primary
turned to Kaneohe on 16 August 1944. mission of air-sea rescue, Dumbo and ferry flights.
20 Aug 1944: VP-23 was deployed to the island of 14 Feb 1945: On this date, detachments of VPB-23
Eniwetok. From this naval air base searches were con- were maintained at Agana, Guam; Kobler Field, Saipan;
ducted to the northern and western approaches of the Falalop Island, Ulithi; Peleliu Island, Palau Islands; Iwo
island. Periodic reconnaissance flights were conducted Jima, Nanpo Shoto. Operational control was under TU
to Ponape and Wake islands. 94.11.2, with the primary missions being Dumbo
10 Sep 1944: Group 1, FAW-2 was relieved by FAW- flights, press flights and antishipping patrols.
1 while VP-23 was based on NAB Eniwetok. 1 Mar 1945: Three crews of VPB-23 were detached
Operational control of the squadron was undertaken from the Saipan detachment for return to the continen-
by TU 96.1.7. tal U.S. via Kaneohe, Hawaii.
30 Nov 1944: VPB-23 conducted a bombing attack 21 Mar 1945: The VPB-23 detachment at Peleliu
on Japanese positions on Wake Island. was relieved by a detachment from VPB-108.
4 Dec 1944: Twelve squadron aircraft were trans- 30 Mar 1945: Daily ferry and resupply flights be-
ferred to the island of Saipan; three aircraft remained tween Guam and Kerama Rhetto were begun by the
at Eniwetok to provide search patrol support to FAW- Guam detachment.
1. Upon arrival at Saipan on 5 December, a detach- 9 Apr 1945: The Eniwetok detachment of three air-
ment of three aircraft was sent to Orote Field, Guam, craft returned to VPB-23 at Saipan.
for air-sea rescue work, and another detachment of 20 Jun 1945: The detachment at Falalop Island,
two aircraft was assigned to the Army Air Corps for Ulithi, was augmented by three more aircraft. Nightly
air-sea rescue work. The remaining squadron aircraft antishipping patrols and Dumbo missions were con-
conducted flight operations from Tanapag Harbor, ducted in support of TU 94.11.2 operations.
Saipan, with headquarters ashore under the opera- 9 Jul 1945: The base of operations for VPB-23 on
tional command of TU 94.4.2. Saipan was transferred to the USMC air base on Peleliu
7 Dec 1944: A third detachment of two aircraft was Island, Palau, to provide air-sea rescue in support of
sent to Falalop Island, Ulithi, for air-sea rescue missions. Army Air Corps B-29 strikes on the Japanese home is-

A squadron PBY-5A.
432 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

lands. Air-sea rescue missions were also provided in Saipan to return to San Diego, Calif., via Kaneohe,
support of USMC air strikes on Japanese positions of Hawaii.
bypassed islands. 25 Jan 1946: VPB-23 was disestablished at NAS San
1 Sep 1945: On this date detachments were Diego, Calif.
maintained at Peleliu Island, Palau; Falalop Island,
Ulithi; and Agana Field, Guam. Primary missions
Home Port Assignments
conducted consisted of air-sea rescue work, an-
timine sweeps and leaflet drops on bypassed Location Date of Assignment
Japanese held islands. NAS Hampton Roads, Va. 1 Jul 1930
11 Dec 1945: The detachment at Orote was trans- FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. 1 Feb 1932
ferred to Agana Field, Guam. NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 13 Jan 1934
13 Dec 1945: Squadron operations were ended and NAS San Diego, Calif. 23 Feb 1944
all detachments were returned to Tanapag Harbor, NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 20 Jun 1944
Saipan. Shortly thereafter, the squadron departed NAS San Diego, Calif. Dec 1945

A squadron P2Y with a two star admiral’s flag on the bow.

 CHAPTER 4 433

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command
Date Assumed Command
LCDR Elmer W. Tod 1 Jul 1930 LCDR M. V. Ricketts 6 Jul 1945
LCDR J. F. Maloney 30 Dec 1930
LCDR K. McGinnis 3 Apr 1931 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR H. M. Martin Apr 1934 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR H. T. Stanley 1936 T4M Jul 1930
LCDR S. H. Warner 1938 PM-1 Sep 1930
LCDR A. R. Brady 1940 P2Y-1 Apr 1933
LCDR F. M. Hughes Sep 1941 P2Y-2 1936
LCDR J. R. Ogden Jan 1942 P2Y-3 1937
LCDR F. A. Bradley 11 Dec 1942 PBY-2 Jan 1938
LCDR G. E. Garcia 25 Aug 1943 PBY-5 Nov 1941
LCDR W. M. Stevens 1 Mar 1944 PBY-5A Jun 1944

A squadron P2Y in flight.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

8 Feb 31 25 Mar 31 ScoFlt Guantanamo PM-1 Carib

Wright (AV 1)
Swan (AM 34)
Whitney (AD 4)
1 Jan 1932 Feb 1932 ScoFlt Guantanamo PM-1 Carib
22 Apr 1935 Mar 1935 BasFor Midway P2Y-1 WestPac
1 Feb 1942 1 Oct 1942 FAW-2 Marshalls PBY-5 SoPac
26 May 1942 30 Jun 1942 FAW-2 Midway PBY-5 WestPac
8 Jul 1942 * FAW-2 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac
Curtis (AV 4)
15 Jul 1942 * FAW-2 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
434 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

7 Aug 1942 * FAW-2 Malaita Island PBY-5 SoPac

Mackinac (AVP 13)
9 Aug 1942 1 Oct 1942 FAW-2 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
1 Nov 1942 * FAW-2 Canton PBY-5 WestPac
1 Nov 1942 * FAW-2 Midway PBY-5 WestPac
24 Jun 1943 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
20 Aug 1943 10 Dec 1943 FAW-1 Halavo Island PBY-5 SoPac
20 Aug 1944 * FAW-2/1 Eniwetok PBY-5A SoPac
4 Dec 1944 * FAW-1 Saipan PBY-5A SoPac
9 Jul 1945 13 Dec 1945 FAW-18 Peleliu PBY-5A SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Scouting Fleet 27 Aug 1927 FAW-14 13 Dec 1945
Base Force 1 Apr 1933 † Patrol Wing 2 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2) on 1
PatWing-2/FAW-2† 1 Oct 1937 November 1942.
FAW-1 24 Jun 1943
FAW-2 Jan 1944
FAW-14 23 Feb 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 20 Jun 1944
FAW-1 10 Sep 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-18 May 1945 None on record.

A formation of squadron P2Ys.

 CHAPTER 4 435

VPB-24 Letters and numbers identifying the squadron changed

each time the squadron designation changed, from
VP-9F through VPB-24. Although no official letter of
approval by CNO exists in the records, BuAer had sent
Lineage the insignia to National Geographic to be included in
Established as Patrol Squadron NINE-S (VP-9S) on 7 the Insignia and Decorations of the U.S. Armed Forces,
January 1930. Revised Edition, December 1, 1944.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron NINE-B (VP-9B) on 1 Nickname: none on record.
October 1930.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron NINE-F (VP-9F) on 26 Chronology of Significant Events
October 1931.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron NINE (VP-9) on 1 7 Jan 1930: VP-9S was established at NAS Hampton
October 1937. Roads, Va., as a command under Scouting Fleet.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWELVE (VP-12) on 1 1 Oct 1930: VP-9S was redesignated VP-9B during
July 1939. the reorganization from Scouting Fleet to Battle Force.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY FOUR (VP- 26 Oct 1931: VP-9B was redesignated VP-9F during
24) on 1 August 1941. another reorganization, this time as an element under
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY Base Force.
FOUR (VPB-24) on 1 October 1944. 22 Apr 1935: The squadron participated in exer-
Disestablished at NAS San Diego on 20 June 1945. cises in Alaska flying from Humboldt Bay and Sitka.
Gannet (AM 41) and Wright (AV 1) provided tender

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

Patrol Squadron 9 adopted an insignia in keeping
with the nature of its work, a wild goose flying in a
sunlit sky. The goose was symbolic of the migratory
nature of the species, flying from the arctic reaches to
the temperate zones each year. It travels with unerring
judgement to its destination, displaying great en-
durance and speed. It typifies the navigation necessary
in patrol duties and is noted for flying in “V” forma-
tions like those flown by squadrons of patrol planes.
Colors: light blue sky; goose, black and white;
squadron letters superimposed on a yellow sun.
A formation of squadron PMs flying over a glacier in Alaska, 1935.

support during the cold weather operations. The

crews found it extremely difficult to start engines and
moor aircraft in the cold, rough seas.
1 Oct 1937: VP-9F was redesignated VP-9 as a re-
sult of the reorganization of patrol squadrons under
Patrol Wings. VP-9 came under the operational control
of PatWing-1, based at San Diego, Calif.
18 Jan 1938: VPs 9 and 10 conducted a record-
breaking flight with 18 PBY-1 aircraft, flying from San
Diego, Calif., to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Upon delivery
of the aircraft, the crews returned to San Diego aboard
SS Matsonia.
17 Mar 1938: The combined squadrons of PatWing-
1 (VPs 7, 9, 11 and 12) and PatWing-4 (VPs 16, 17, 19)
participated in Fleet Exercise XIX (Phase II), as a part
of White Force. The squadrons conducted patrol
sweeps at distances of 600 miles from Black Force,
successfully attacking and damaging major elements of
the enemy forces. The exercises marked the Navy’s
first use of long-distance radio bearings as an aid to
The squadron’s well known insignia. aerial navigation.
436 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

25 Jun 1938: VP-9 and the other squadrons of 7 Dec 1943: VP-24 was given home leave while ad-
PatWing-1 departed San Diego for Kodiak, Alaska, on ministrative details covering reforming of the squadron
a three-month deployment. and reassignment of personnel were undertaken.
13 Aug 1938: VP-9 hosted Hollywood photogra- Training of new personnel and reforming of the
phers during the filming of a movie about the Navy. squadron began at NAS San Diego, Calif., on 1 January
Part of the action being filmed was the squadron’s par- 1944. In mid-March all of the squadron aircraft were
ticipation in Fleet Exercise XIX. given coats of flat black paint, droppable wing tanks
11 Jan 1939: The squadron flew with the rest of were attached, and improvements in radar and flight
PatWing-1 to NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., for training exer- instruments were made.
cises in the Caribbean area. PatWing-1 returned to San 27 Mar 1944: VP-24 made its second transpac to
Diego from the deployment on 10 May 1939. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon arrival combat patrols
1 Aug 1941: VP-12 was redesignated VP-24 and re- and training missions were conducted concurrently.
located to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, under PatWing-2. 9 May 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Wade Hampton was
1 Oct 1941: VP-24 transferred from NAS Kaneohe to lost with his entire crew while on patrol. His last re-
NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. ported message gave a position 150 miles from
7 Dec 1941: The squadron’s six aircraft were among Midway.
the few spared during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Its 11 Jun 1944: The squadron arrived at the island of
planes were conducting joint submarine exercises off Majuro in the Marshalls chain. Typical Black Cat night
the coast of Hawaii when the attack came; the crews bombing missions were conducted, along with more
were subsequently given sectors by radio to conduct mundane Dumbo and patrol missions.
searches for the attacking Japanese forces. Having 27 Jun 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Mancini attempted to
made no enemy contact, the squadron returned to land in rough seas to rescue a downed fighter pilot
NAS Ford Island to begin the cleanup and restoration one mile from a Japanese-held island. Both engines
of its devastated facilities. broke off on impact and the hull of the aircraft split in
31 May 1942: VP-24 was directed to send one PBY- two. The entire crew managed to get into life rafts,
5A and three crews in a detachment to Midway Island. and joined the fighter pilot in awaiting rescue.
The detachment was involved in the Battle of Midway, Fortunately, a destroyer had overheard the message
the next day. The group remained on Midway until 17 from the aircraft and rushed to the scene in time to
July 1942, when it returned to NAS Pearl Harbor. rescue the aircrews before they washed ashore on the
21 Sep 1942: A three-plane detachment was sent to island.
Espiritu Santo, with tender support by Curtiss (AV 4). 1 Oct 1944: VP-24 was redesignated VPB-24 while
1 Oct 1942: VP-24 transferred it assets and person- based at Majuro. Duties remained essentially the same
nel back to NAS Kaneohe. Five PBY-5A aircraft were during this period.
traded to VP-23 for nonamphibian PBY-5s before the 10 Oct 1944: A detachment of three aircraft and
move, since the amphibian version would not be crews was formed and sent to Eniwetok to provide
needed in the South Pacific, where VP-24 was soon to Dumbo coverage for air operations in the area. On 19
be sent. Most of the squadron’s coming operations October the squadron was broken down into smaller
would be based afloat, serviced by seaplane tenders. one-and two-aircraft detachments that were sent to
Many of the flight crews actually preferred the older Apamama, Makin, Tarawa, Roi, Saipan and Guam.
PBY-5, as they felt that the retractable gear of the Through 1 December 1944, the squadron rescued 25
newer PBY-5A added to the weight of the aircraft, re- aircrew without surface assistance.
ducing power and range. 28 Oct 1944: Ensign Troy C. Beavers received a call
1 Nov 1942: Two additional aircraft were sent to to medevac a crew member of a ship (an LCI) who
Espiritu Santo to supplement the original detachment, had a suspected case of acute appendicitis. Beavers
bringing it up to six operational planes. landed near the ship and loaded the patient aboard.
1 Feb 1943: The remainder of VP-24 began to trans- During the liftoff a rogue wave struck the starboard
fer by detachments to Espiritu Santo. The transfers float, ripping off the wing. The crew and patient ex-
were completed by April. ited the aircraft before it sank and were picked up by
30 Mar 1943: VP-24 conducted Dumbo missions for the LCI. The patient turned out to only have constipa-
the forces taking part in the New Georgia campaign, tion and it is believed that the crash cured him!
concluding on 29 September 1943. This was the first 23 Jan 1945: The VPB-24 detachments were re-
time that an entire squadron had assumed Dumbo formed with two aircraft at Eniwetok, four at
work as its primary duty. The squadron rescued or Kwajalein, one at Tarawa and one at Roi.
evacuated 466 men during the campaign. 1 Feb 1945: The various detachments of the
29 Sep 1943: Preparations were made to depart the squadron reformed on Majuro to conduct missions in
island of Espiritu Santo for return to NAS Kaneohe and support of the psychological warfare campaign against
eventual return to the United States. defending Japanese forces on the island of Wotje.
 CHAPTER 4 437

Additional duties included continuing Dumbo and air- Home Port Assignments
sea rescue missions.
25 Apr 1945: VPB-24 was relieved at Majuro Atoll Location Date of Assignment
by VH-5. Elements of the squadron proceeded to NAS Hampton Roads, Va. 7 Jan 1930
Kaneohe, Hawaii, for transport back to the United NAS San Diego, Calif. 1930
States. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Aug 1941
1 May 1945: The personnel of the squadron loaded NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1 Oct 1941
aboard Hollandia (CVE 97) for transport to NAS North NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Oct 1942
Island, San Diego, Calif. NAS San Diego, Calif Dec 1943
20 Jun 1945: VPB-24 was disestablished at NAS NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Mar 1944
North Island, San Diego, Calif. NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 May 1945

A for mation of
squadron PBY-1s
flying over the
Golden Gate Bridge,
May 1937, 80-G-
418203.

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

LCDR V. H. Ragsdale 1930 LCDR W. L. Richards Sep 1942
LCDR H. C. Frazer 1932 LCDR R. F. Wadsworth 7 Dec 1943
LCDR A. D. Bernhard 1932 LCDR J. E. Tebbetts Mar 1945
LCDR B. J. Connell 1933
CDR H. R. Bogusch 1933 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR B. J. Connell 1934
LCDR H. T. Standley 1935 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR J. B. Sykes 1936 PD-1 1931
LCDR W. G. Tomlinson 1937 PM-1 1931
LCDR B. L. Braun 1938 PBY-1 Aug 1937
LCDR A. C. Olney, Jr. 1939 PBY-2 Jan 1938
LCDR C. W. Oexle 1940 PBY-3 Jun 1938
LCDR A. E. Buckley 1941 PBY-4 Oct 1939
LCDR J. P. Fitzsimmons 1942 PBY-5 1940
LCDR E. Tatom Aug 1942 PBY-5A Apr 1942
438 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PM-1 in flight. (Courtesy John M. Elliott Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

22 Apr 1935 Jul 1935 PatWing-1 Sitka PD-1 NorPac

18 Jan 1938 Mar 1938 PatWing-1 Pearl Harbor PBY-1 WestPac
25 Jun 1938 Aug 1938 PatWing-1 Kodiak PBY-2 NorPac

A squadron PM in flight over Resurrection Bay, Alaska, May 1935.

 CHAPTER 4 439

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Jan 1939 10 May 1939 PatWing-1 Panama PBY-3 Carib

31 May 1942 17 Jul 1942 FAW-2 Midway PBY-5A WestPac
1 Feb 1943 29 Sep 1943 FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A SoPac
11 Jun 1944 * FAW-1 Majuro PBY-5A SoPac
10 Oct 1944 * FAW-2 Marshalls PBY-5A SoPac
1 Feb 1945 25 Apr 1945 FAW-1 Majuro PBY-5A SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

A squadron PM in flight over Resurrection Bay, Alaska, May 1935, note the squadron insignia on the fuselage.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Scouting Fleet 7 Jan 1930 FAW-14 1 May 1945
Battle Force 1 Oct 1930
Base Force 26 Oct 1931 † Patrol Wing 2 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 (FAW-2) on 1

PatWing-1 1 Oct 1937 November 1942.

PatWing-2/FAW-2† 1 Aug 1941
FAW-1 Mar 1943
FAW-14 7 Dec 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 27 Mar 1944
FAW-1 Sep 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 10 Oct 1944 None on record.

A squadron PBY-1
in flight, circa 1937
(Courtesy John M.
Elliott Collection).
440 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-29 Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY-

NINE (VPB-29) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 20 June 1945.

Lineage
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
Established as Pacific Air Detachment on 17 January
1923. The squadron insignia was officially approved by
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOURTEEN (VP-14) CNO on 18 September 1934. Patrol Squadron One
on 29 May 1924. adopted the elephant for its representative since
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE-Naval District 14 that animal had always been noted for its endurance
(VP-1D14) on 21 September 1927. and patience. The elephant of VP-1 stood on a
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE-B (VP-1B) on 1 cloud with one eye cocked downward at a target, a
July 1931. bomb securely held by his trunk, waiting for the
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE-F (VP-1F) on 15 proper time to make an unerring drop. The ele-
April 1933. phant was used because it occupies the same rela-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) on 1 tive position in the animal kingdom as the patrol
October 1937. seaplane did in regard to other naval aircraft, e.g.,
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY-ONE (VP- heavy duty. The bomb was the primary armament
21) on 1 July 1939. of seaplanes of that period. The cloud denoted high
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) on 30 altitude. Colors: elephant, gray with black outline
July 1940. and markings; eye and tusks, white; bomb, black
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE with white markings; cloud, white outlined in black;
(VP-101) on 3 December 1940. background, royal blue; and circle, red. The same
insignia was used throughout successive changes in
squadron designation until the disestablishment of
VPB-29 in 1945.
Nickname: None on record.

Chronology of Significant Events

17 Jan 1923: Pacific Air
Detachment, Navy Yard Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, was formed with
a hodgepodge of aircraft types.
Aircraft assigned to the new
unit consisted of F-5L, H-16
and DT models. The unit
came under the operational
control of Aircraft
Squadrons, Battle Fleet,
based on the reorganization
of the fleet on 17 June
1922. By the end of 1923
the detachment was flying
six F-5Ls.
29 May 1924: Pacific Air
Detachment was assigned the
Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14)
designation by Chief of Naval
Operations. The new designation
placed it under the Naval Coast
Defense Forces, Hawaii Region
1 May 1925: VP-14 participated in
exercises against the fleet at Oahu.
15 Jul 1927: The squadron flew two F-5Ls
The squadron’s elephant on to Molokai to assist in the salvage of the airplane
a cloud insignia became a
well-known design. City of Oakland. Two civilian pilots, Smith and Bronte,
 CHAPTER 4 441

DT-2s moored, NH-90103.

James D. Dole to sponsor his

Pineapple Derby race in
August of 1927. Dole, Boston-
born head of the Hawaiian
Pineapple Company, had of-
fered a prize of $25,000 to the
first flyer in the race to cross
the Pacific and reach
Honolulu, Hawaii, from the
continental U.S. The prize for
second place in the race was
$10,000. The Pineapple Derby
attracted eight entries, but
An H-16 in flight, circa 1924.
only four aircraft actually left
for Hawaii. A Lockheed Vega
named Golden Eagle, spon-
flew this aircraft from the West Coast depending on sored by John Randolph Hearst, Jr., and a Buhl bi-
radio direction bearings for locating Hawaii. Their re- plane named Miss Doran never arrived and were pre-
ceiver broke down forcing them to use dead reckon- sumed lost at sea. Art Goebel’s Woolaroc Travel Air
ing. The pair flew on, eventually locating Molokai monoplane was the winner of the race. Goebel arrived
Island where they made a forced landing in the tree- overdue at Wheeler Field on the 17th, followed a few
tops. Both Smith and Emory were unhurt. Their suc- hours later by the only other plane to complete the
cessful attempt at crossing the Pacific had already race, Aloha, a Breese monoplane piloted by Martin
been beaten on 28–29 June 1927 by two Army avia- Jensen and Paul Schluter. The state of technology at
tors, Lester Maitland and Albert Heggenberger, who that time proved unequal to the challenge. The total
flew from Oakland, Calif., to Hawaii in an Army number killed in pre-race crashes, losses en route to
Fokker C-2 monoplane named Bird of Paradise. Hawaii and deaths in the fruitless search for missing
17 Aug 1927: VP-14 provided three F-5Ls for seven- planes amounted to nine men and one woman.
to-eight hour patrols over the Pineapple Derby flight 21 Sep 1927: VP-14 was redesignated VP-1D14, the
route which also had destroyers located along the D14 representing the 14th Naval District, Pearl
route at 15- minute intervals. The early pioneer suc- Harbor. The squadron was stationed at NAS Ford
cesses of the teams Maitland and Heggenberger and Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, supported by the tender
Smith and Bronte in crossing the Pacific inspired Pelican (AM 27).
442 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron F-5L in
flight, circa 1924.

A squadron T2D-1 in flight.

7 Mar 1928: VP-1D14 participated in Fleet Problem Kingsford-Smith, departed Oakland, California, in a
VIII with Submarine Division Nine in preparation for Fokker trimotor attempting to fly from California to
battle practice. Flights included radio compass cali- Australia. VP-1D14 provided air patrols in the event
bration hops and flights in cooperation with Army that Southern Cross went down at sea. The aircraft,
aircraft. however, made a successful crossing and landed safely
31 May 1928: Two Australians, Flight Lieutenant on 9 June at Brisbane after a flight of 83 hours and 15
Charles T. P. Ulm and Squadron Leader Charles minutes.
 CHAPTER 4 443

15 Aug 1928: VP-1D14 participated in the Captain treme vulnerability of slow flying patrol bombers
Cook sesquicentennial celebration exercises with the mounting attacks in the face of strong antiaircraft fire.
Army, in honor of Cook’s discovery of the Hawaiian The majority of aircraft making runs were judged shot
Islands. Squadron aircraft operated for the first time down.
from advanced bases at Nawiliwili, Kauai and Waimea, 17 Oct 1938: VP-1 pilots took delivery of PBY-4s at
Kauai. Operations were successful, but many prob- NAS San Diego, Calif., with additional aircraft being
lems occurred with the Liberty engines in the H-16s. through 18 January 1939.
These aircraft were scheduled for replacement by the
new T2D.
15 Nov 1928: VP-1D14 tested the first T2D aircraft,
a replacement for the Navy’s aging H-16s. Trials were
conducted on air maneuverability, speed, and quick
takeoff, rough water and high-altitude capabilities.
20 Feb 1929: VP-1D14 conducted the first aerial
surveys for charts of the Hawaiian islands, basing de-
tachments at outlying islands to secure the necessary
photographs. The survey was completed a month
later.
14 Sep 1930: VP-1D14, VP-4D14, and VJ-6D14 de-
parted Pearl Harbor for Hilo in company with Pelican
(AM 27) for tests of advanced base operations and ex- A squadron PBY-4 in flight, circa 1939 (Courtesy John M. Elliott
tended operations from a patrol airplane tender, in- Collection).
cluding servicing of the new T2D and PD-1 aircraft
while afloat. 1 Jul 1939: VP-1 was redesignated Patrol Squadron
1 Jul 1931: Under a reorganization of the fleet, VP- 21 and assigned to the Asiatic Fleet, becoming the nu-
1D14 was transferred from a Naval Air Station cleus for the newly formed Patrol Wing 10 at Cavite
squadron to assignment under Commander Minecraft, Naval Base, Luzon, Philippines.
Battle Force, Fleet Air Base Pearl Harbor. 7 Dec 1941: VP-101 was placed on war alert upon
15 Apr 1933: FAB Pearl Harbor was reorganized receiving news of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,
from Minecraft, Battle Force and placed under Base and war patrols commenced.
Force, along with the associated squadrons assigned to 14 Dec 1941: PatWing-10 was relocated from the
the base, including VP-1. devastated Cavite Naval Base at Luzon, to Balikpapan
22 Apr 1933: VP-1F departed Pearl Harbor with in an attempt to keep ahead of the advancing
VPs 4F and 6F for an extended training flight to Japanese forces.
French Frigate Shoals. This flight with a group of pa- 23 Dec 1941: VP-102 was merged with VP-101 to
trol squadrons was one of the longest conducted to combine the squadrons’ dwindling assets in aircraft,
date. crews and material. On the 25th VP-101 was relocated
13 Jan 1934: The year 1934 marked the beginning to Ambon, N.E.I.
of the annual patrol squadron exercises in the 27 Dec 1941: Six of the squadron’s PBY-4 Catalinas,
Hawaiian and Midway Island sectors. Approximately led by Lieutenant Burden R. Hastings, conducted an
half of the ten patrol squadrons participated each early morning attack against Jolo, in the central
year with their full complement of aircraft and sup- Philippines. Enemy aircraft and AA fire broke up the
port vessels. formation before a bombing run could be made.
22 Apr 1935: VP-1F participated in Fleet Problem Ensign Elwin L. Christman and his crew followed
XVI at Midway Island, with VPs 4F, 6F, 7F, 8F, 9F, 10F through alone and made a drop on an enemy vessel at
and several support vessels. 1,000 feet. The Catalina, heavily damaged by AA fire,
28 May 1935: CNO established administrative orga- caught fire. Three crewmen bailed out, but the others
nizations designated Patrol Wings (PatWing) to each of remained with the aircraft until Christman made a con-
the three Base Force Fleet Air Bases. FAB San Diego, trolled water landing near shore. Three crewmen died;
Calif., supported PatWing-1; FAB Coco Solo, C.Z., sup- the others were eventually rescued. Aviation Machinist
ported PatWing-3; and FAB Pearl Harbor supported Mate’s First Class Andrew K. Waterman was the plane
PatWing-2, the home base of VP-1F. Patrol squadrons captain and waist gunner on the aircraft. He shot
at this time were frequently referred to as Patrons, an down one enemy aircraft while defending the Catalina
abbreviation that is still in used today. during the attack on shipping in the harbor, but in
25 Mar 1938: Aircraft of VPs 1F, 4F, 6F, 8F, 10F and doing so received mortal wounds. For his courageous
18F participated in Fleet Exercise XIX (Phase V) as actions under fire Waterman was posthumously
part of Red Force. This exercise demonstrated the ex- awarded the Navy Cross. Radioman First Class Robert
444 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

L. Pettit also stuck by his post even after the aircraft, 30 nurses were flown out that night under cover of
flooded with aviation gas from perforated tanks, darkness.
caught fire. For his devotion to duty Pettit was posthu- 1 May 1942: The reformed VP-101 recommenced
mously awarded the Navy Cross. Ensign Christman led combat patrols off the coast of Australia, operating
the surviving members of his crew to safety on the from bases at Exmouth Gulf, Pelican Point, Geraldton
shore of Jolo Island. Lieutenant Jack B. Dawley and and Albany. Tender support was provided by Childs
the surviving members of his crew, who had also been (AVD 15), Heron (AVP 2) and Preston (DD 379).
shot down immediately after dropping their bombs, 9 Nov 1942–29 Jun 1943: Upon return to Perth,
joined Christman’s group on Jolo Island. The two offi- Australia, VP-101 was split into three units—HEDRON,
cers led their crews inland away from the Japanese, SCORON and VP-101. Combat patrols were continued
eventually reaching U.S. Naval Headquarters at from Perth until VP-101 was relocated to Brisbane,
Surabaya, Java, N.E.I. Aircraft Chief Machinist’s Mate Australia, on 29 June 1943, under operational control
Donald D. Lurvey was awarded the Navy Cross for as- of FAW-17.
sisting Ensign Cough, the second pilot of Dawley’s air- 1 July 1943: The first element of VP-101 flew into
craft, into a life vest and guiding him to shore. Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea. Its aircraft were
Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class Joseph Bangust in poor mechanical shape and the decision was made
received the Navy Cross posthumously for his action to use them to supply guerrilla fighters in the vicinity
as waist gunner in Dawley’s aircraft, shooting down of Wewak. Landings were made on the Sepik River
one enemy aircraft before being mortally wounded by leading into Lake Yibiri. The flights continued
incoming fire. Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class through October 1943, but were discontinued due to
Evren C. McLawhorn, the plane captain, took over the increased Japanese opposition. The guerrilla fighters
waist gun position after Bangust was mortally were rescued in December 1945 by aircraft from VP-
wounded. He received seven wounds during the fight, 11. The second element of VP-101 was moved to the
but survived and received the Navy Cross for his hero- eastern end of New Guinea to begin Black Cat opera-
ism. For their courage under fire and leadership in tions from the seaplane tender San Pablo (AVP 30),
guiding their crews through enemy-occupied territory anchored in Namoia Bay. The squadron’s Catalinas
to safety, Ensign Christman and Lieutenant Dawley were fitted with ASV radar sets that allowed them to
were awarded the Navy Cross. Lieutenant Hastings, as find targets on the darkest of nights. The highly
leader of the gallant but unsuccessful strike, was later touted Norden bombsights proved worthless, being
awarded the Navy Cross for guiding the force into the unable to hit fast moving, dodging Japanese ships
target area in the face of overwhelming odds. from any height. Instead, a low-level bombing tactic
Lieutenant Hastings’ award was made posthumously, was worked out using one foot of altitude for each
as he and his men were the only aircrew captured by pound of bomb weight. Thus, a 500-pound bomb
the Japanese. They were interrogated by their captors was released from a 500-foot altitude leading into a
and beheaded on the parade ground of the Jolo garri- target, resulting in only a gentle updraft from the
son. The fourth Catalina shot down during the strike bomb blast. This technique was necessary due to the
was manned by Lieutenant Hazelton and his crew. lack of a four-to-five second delay on the bomb
Hazelton made a sea landing and the entire crew fuses.
safely escaped the sinking aircraft into life rafts and 1–28 Dec 1943: VP-101 squadron headquarters
were picked up two days later by a squadron aircraft. were established at Palm Island, Australia, with ad-
16 Jan 1942: VP-101 was ordered to evacuate vance bases at Samarai and Port Moresby, New
Ambon due to the presence of an approaching Guinea. Combat patrols and crew training were con-
Japanese naval task force. Assets and personnel were ducted concurrently through the 28th, when the
moved to Surabaya. squadron returned to Perth, Australia. Upon return,
1 Mar 1942: VP-22’s assets were merged with VP- the squadron again came under the operational con-
101, which was then ordered to evacuate Surabaya trol of FAW-10.
and withdraw to Perth, Australia, to reform and refit 1 May 1944: VP-101 was relocated to Samarai, New
the devastated squadron. Guinea. Dumbo missions were conducted in the area
7 Mar 1942: VPs 102, 21 and 22 were officially dis- of the Green, Treasury and Manus islands, and Emirau,
established, with the remaining personnel and aircraft coming under the operational control of FAW-17.
assets being combined to bring up to full strength the 1–16 Jul 1944: Five squadron aircraft were based at
remaining squadron, VP-101. Manus, five at Green Island, two at Emirau, and one at
26 Apr 1942: A desperate attempt was made to res- Treasury Island. On the 16th, the detachments were
cue personnel otherwise doomed to capture on the relocated to the Admiralty Islands and later the
besieged island of Corregidor. Two Catalinas, formerly Solomon Islands chain. Operations consisted primarily
assigned to VP-102, flew a circuitous route back to the of Dumbo rescue missions to recover downed Army
Philippines, arriving around midnight of the 29th. Over and Navy airmen.
 CHAPTER 4 445

19 Sep 1944: VP-101 was relieved by VP-52 in the Commanding Officers

Solomons and relocated to Morotai, north of New
Guinea, aboard Half Moon (AVP 26). After settling in Date Assumed Command
at Morotai, the squadron commenced combat opera-
Unknown 1923–1927
tions as a Black Cat squadron on 21 September.
1 Oct 1944: VP-101 was redesignated VPB-29. The LT A. R. Buehler Jul 1927
squadron continued to conduct Black Cat missions, LT W. S. Cunningham 2 Jul 1928
antisubmarine patrols and night patrols around the LT G. H. Hasselman Jul 1929
area of Mindanao and Tawi Tawi. LT Earl R. DeLong 1931
10 Nov 1944: The squadron was relieved by VPB-20 LT George A. Ott 1933
for return to the continental U.S., arriving at NAS LCDR F. L. Baker 1935
Alameda, Calif., on 30 November. The squadron com- LCDR S. L. LaHache 1937
menced reforming and training following the return of
LCDR J. E. Dyer Late 1939
personnel from leave and the arrival of new assignments.
20 Jun 1945: VP-101 was disestablished at NAS San LCDR J. V. Peterson 1941
Diego, Calif. Unknown 1942–1943
LCDR Lauren E. Johnson Nov 1943
Home Port Assignments Unknown Dec 1944–Jan 1945

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii * 17 Jan 1923 Aircraft Assignment
NB Cavite, Luzon, Philippines 1 Jul 1939
Perth, Australia 1 Mar 1942 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Brisbane, Australia 29 Jun 1943
F-5L Jan 1923
Palm Island, Australia 1 Dec 1943
DT Jan 1923
Perth, Australia 28 Dec 1943
Samarai, New Guinea 1 May 1944 H-16 Jan 1923
Morotai 19 Sep 1944 T2D-1 Oct 1928
NAS Alameda, Calif. 30 Nov 1944 PK-1 Nov 1931
NAS San Diego, Calif. 12 Dec 1944 P2Y-3 Sep 1938
*
PBY-4 Oct 1938
NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor was later redesignated Fleet Air
Base Pearl Harbor. PBY-5 May 1942

A squadron T2D-1 at Pearl Harbor, circa 1927.

446 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 May 1925 Jun 1925 BatFlt Oahu H-16 WestPac

13 Jan 1934 Feb 1934 BasFor Midway PK-1 WestPac
22 Apr 1935 May 1935 BasFor Midway PK-1 WestPac

Squadron PK-1s lined up at Pearl Harbor, 1932.

A squadron PK-1 at Pearl Harbor, 1932.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

14 Dec 1941 * PatWing-10 Balikpapan PBY-4 SoPac

25 Dec 1941 * PatWing-10 Ambon PBY-4 SoPac
 CHAPTER 4 447

A squadron PK-1 in the water at Pearl Harbor, 1932.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

16 Jan 1942 * PatWing-10 Surabaya PBY-4 SoPac

1 Mar 1942 * PatWing-10 Perth PBY-4 SoPac
Childs (AVD 15)
Heron (AVP 2)
Preston (DD 379)
29 Jun 1943 * FAW-17 Brisbane PBY-5 SoPac
Jul 1943 * FAW-17 New Guinea PBY-5 SoPac
San Pablo (AVP 30)
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-17 Palm Island PBY-5 SoPac
28 Dec 1943 * FAW-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac
1 May 1944 * FAW-17 Samarai PBY-5 SoPac
1 Jul 1944 * FAW-17 Manus PBY-5 SoPac
19 Sep 1944 10 Nov 44 FAW-17 Morotai PBY-5 SoPac
Half Moon (AVP 26)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
448 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Aircraft Squadrons, FAW-17 29 Jun 1943
Battle Fleet 17 Jan 1923 FAW-10 28 Dec 1943
Naval Coast Defense FAW-17 1 May 1944
Forces, Hawaii Region 29 May 1924 FAW-8 30 Nov 1944
Aircraft Squadrons, FAW-14 12 Dec 1944
Convoy & Patrol 29 May 1925
*PatWing-10 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing-10 (FAW-10) on 1
14th Naval District 21 Sep 1927
November 1942.
Minecraft, Battle Force,
FAB Pearl Harbor 1 Jul 1931
Base Force, Fleet Air Unit Awards Received
Base Pearl Harbor 15 Apr 1933
Base Force, PatWing-2 28 May 1935 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Base Force, PUC 8 Dec 1941 3 Mar 1942
PatWing-10/FAW-10* 1 Jul 1939 NUC 2 Jun 1944 31 Dec 1944

Squadron PBY-4s, circa 1940.

 CHAPTER 4 449

VPB-33 submitted a new design to CNO. This insignia was ap-

proved on 17 April 1944. The black cat, the central
character of the design, was shown armed with a tele-
scope and depth charge and superimposed on an en-
Lineage larged cat’s eye. Colors: background, black; eye, or-
Established as Patrol Squadron THIRTY THREE (VP- ange and lemon yellow; cat, black with yellow
33) on 1 April 1942. outlines; eyeball, yellow; pupil, green; telescope, blue
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron THIRTY and white; depth charge, light blue with black mark-
THREE (VPB-33) on 1 October 1944. ings. This insignia was used by the squadron until its
Disestablished on 7 April 1945. disestablishment in 1945.
Nickname: Black Cats, 1943–1945.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
Chronology of Significant Events
The first squadron insignia was a design originally
approved for use by VP-5S. It consisted of a conven- 1 Apr–Jul 1942: VP-33 was established at NAS
tional pair of Naval Aviation wings superimposed on a Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5,
silhouette of the Western Hemisphere and symmetri- as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A Catalina.
cally contained in a compass rose. Colors: geographi- Squadron training was conducted at NAS Quonset
cal areas, dark blue; wings, conventional gold; com- Point, R.I., until mid-July.
pass rose, red with blue inner ring and black line 9 Jul 1942: Patrol Squadron 52 was withdrawn from
outer circle. The insignia was frequently referred to as NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., and replaced by VP-33. During
“Wings Over Panama,” in deference to the squadron’s this period the squadron came under the operational
home base in the Panama Canal Zone during the first control of FAW-3 and was assigned duties of patrolling
period of its existence. This design was not officially convoy routes, ASW patrols and ferrying supplies to
approved for VP-33 because it was still in use by the advanced bases in the Caribbean.
former VP-5S that had gone through numerous redes- 10 Jul 1943: VP-33 was relieved at NAS Coco Solo
ignations since 1931 and was known as VP-32 and for return to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and 15 days
VPB-32 during World War II. It is one of the few in- home leave with orders to report to NAS San Diego,
stances known where the same design was in use by Calif.
two active squadrons at the same time. 15 Aug 1943: After a brief two-week period of refit
with new aircraft and equipment, the squadron de-
parted NAS San Diego, Calif., for transpac to NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon arrival the squadron came
under the operational control of FAW-2 and quickly
deployed to Canton Island. VP-33 conducted day
searches toward the Gilberts covering the occupation
of Baker Island.
26 Sep 1943: VP-33 was relocated to Funafuti, con-
ducting day searches toward Tarawa.
26 Oct 1943: VP-33 moved to Perth, Australia,
under the operational control of FAW-10. The
squadron conducted day searches and night bombing
missions to Koepang and Amboina, officially becom-
ing a member of the Black Cat club.
15 Feb 1944: VP-33 was relocated to Samarai, New
Guinea, under the operational control of FAW-17. The
squadron was assigned night search patrols and attack
missions against enemy shipping in the Bismarck Sea.
25 Mar 1944: VP-33 was relocated to Manus, in the
Admiralty Island chain. There it conducted daylight
searches toward Turk and Woleai; bombing missions
The squadron’s Black Cat insignia. against Woleai and Wakde; air-sea rescue missions
around Truk, Woleai and Yap; and coverage for the in-
VP-33 was destined to become one of ten well- vasion of Hollandia.
known Black Cat squadrons operating in the South 19 May 1944: After the occupation of Hollandia,
Pacific during WWII. After reaching the combat zone the squadron moved aboard Her on (AVP 2) in
and being assigned its unique mission, the squadron Humboldt Bay. With VP-52, the squadron conducted
450 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A PBY takes off from its base at Samarai Island, New Guinea, 80-G-K-1361.

air-sea rescue for Army strikes on Wewak, Wakde, the squadron relocated to Los Negros under FAW-17.
Biak, Noemfoor, Manokwari, Babo, Jefman and Sagan. This group with seven aircraft operated from Emirau
17 Jul 1944: VP-33 was relocated to Manus to con- and the Green and Treasury islands to conduct ASW
duct daylight searches and air-sea rescue missions for patrols and air-sea rescue missions.
downed aircrews. 20 Dec 1944: The Woendi detachment returned to
1 Sep 1944: VP-33 moved to Middleburg Island to Leyte aboard the tender San Carlos (AVP 51). There
conduct night search and attack missions against they were reunited with the rest of the squadron on
enemy shipping in the Netherlands East Indies and 10 January 1945, with additional support from Tangier
southern Philippine islands area. (AV 8). Antishipping patrols and Dumbo missions
19 Sep 1944: The squadron was relocated to were the order of the day.
Morotai with no change in its assigned missions. 4 Feb–Mar 1945: VPB-33 was relieved for return to
26 Sep 1944: Lieutenant James F. Merritt, Jr., led his the U.S. The squadron flew to Los Negros Island and
Catalina in an attack against two enemy transports and boarded HMS Tracker on 27 February for return to San
their five armed escorts. The attack was conducted off Diego, Calif. Upon arrival on 19 March the squadron
the southwest coast of Mindanao, Philippines, in haz- was assigned temporary quarters and given leave on
ardous night conditions of bright moonlight and heavy the 24th.
concentrations of antiaircraft fire from the armed es- 10 Apr 1945: VPB-33 was disestablished.
cort ships. During his mast head bombing attack his
bombs failed to release. He returned, despite the
Home Port Assignments
heavy AA fire, and made a successful attack resulting
in probable damage to one large transport and the de- Location Date of Assignment
struction of the other transport. For his actions he was
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 1 Apr 1942
awarded the Navy Cross.
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 9 Jul 1942
3 Oct 1944: While patrolling the Toli Toli Bay,
NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1943
Northern Celebes, on a Black Cat mission the night of
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Aug 1943
3 October, Lieutenant (jg) William B. Sumpter led his
NAS San Diego, Calif. 19 Mar 1945
PBY Catalina in an attack against a 6,000-ton Katori-
class light cruiser. His attack was made during the haz-
ardous conditions of bright moonlight and against Commanding Officers
constant and intense antiaircraft fire from the cruiser.
Date Assumed Command
He scored eight bomb hits resulting in explosions and
the burning of the cruiser and its sinking. For his ac- LCDR H. D. Hale 1 Apr 1942
tions he was awarded the Navy Cross. LCDR R. C. Bengston 22 Dec 1942
23 Oct 1944: VPB-33 was relocated to Leyte to con- LCDR F. P. Anderson 15 Aug 1943
duct daylight searches for the enemy in the Philippine
Sea. The squadron at this time came under the opera- Aircraft Assignment
tional control of FAW-10.
1 Dec 1944: A detachment of four aircraft remained Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
under FAW-10 at Woendi Lagoon. The remainder of PBY-5A 1 Apr 1942
 CHAPTER 4 451

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Jul 1942 10 Jul 1943 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBY-5A Carib

15 Aug 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5A WestPac
26 Sep 1943 * FAW-2 Funafuti PBY-5A SoPac
26 Oct 1943 * FAW-10 Perth PBY-5A SoPac
15 Feb 1944 * FAW-17 Samarai PBY-5A SoPac
25 Mar 1944 * FAW-17 Manus PBY-5A SoPac
19 May 1944 * FAW-17 Humboldt Bay PBY-5A SoPac
Heron (AVP 2)

A PBY-5 in flight off the.coast of New Guinea.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

17 Jul 1944 * FAW-17 Manus PBY-5A SoPac

1 Sep 1944 * FAW-17 Middleburg Is. PBY-5A SoPac
19 Sep 1944 * FAW-17 Morotai PBY-5A SoPac
23 Oct 1944 * FAW-10 Leyte PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1944 * FAW-10 Woendi PBY-5A SoPac
1 Dec 1944 * FAW-17 Los Negros PBY-5A SoPac
20 Dec 1944 19 Mar 1945 FAW-10 Leyte PBY-5A SoPac
San Carlos (AVP 51)
Tangier (AV 8)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
452 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-5 1 Apr 1942 * PatWing-3 was redesignated Fleet Air Wing-3 (FAW-3) on 1

PatWing-3/FAW-3* 9 Jul 1942 November 1942.

† A squadron detachment remained under FAW-10s operational con-
FAW-14 Jul 1943 trol while the remainder of the squadron was assigned to FAW-17 on
FAW-2 15 Aug 1943 1 December 1944. The detachment returned to the main squadron
in late December 1944 and then came under FAW-17’s control.
FAW-10 26 Oct 1943
FAW-17 15 Feb 1944
Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 23 Oct 1944
FAW-17/10† 1 Dec 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 27 Feb 1945 PUC 1 Sep 1944 4 Oct 1944

A squadr on PBY
being hoisted aboard
a tender (Courtesy
Richard C. Knott
Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 453

VPB-34 10 Oct 1942: The squadron was transferred to NAS

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the operational control
of FAW-11. Detachments were maintained at Great
Exhuma Island, San Juan, Antigua, Trinidad, and
Lineage Essequibo. Coverage for convoys and ASW patrols in
Established as Patrol Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VP- the Caribbean were provided around the clock.
34) on 16 April 1942. 7 Jun 1943: VP-34 was relieved of duties in the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron THIRTY- Caribbean and relocated to NAS San Diego, Calif.,
FOUR (VPB-34) on 1 October 1944. under the operational control of FAW-14. Personnel
Disestablished on 7 April 1945. were given home leave prior to the pending departure
to the South Pacific. Upon return from leave, all hands
began preparation for the transpac to NAS Kaneohe,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Hawaii.
The squadron’s only insignia came into being dur- 8–10 Jul 1943: VP-34 arrived at NAS Kaneohe,
ing its first tour of duty in the South Pacific in early Hawaii, and came under the operational control of
1944. VP-34 was one of ten Navy patrol squadrons to FAW-2. Squadron personnel were given a brief period
be designated Black Cats during the war. The nick- of combat training in the vicinity of the Hawaiian
name came from the flat black paint applied to the Islands.
Catalinas and the nighttime 24 Jul 1943: The squadron was split into detach-
strike missions assigned ments with six aircraft at Midway Island, five at Canton
to these squadrons. Island, and one at Johnston Island. Search patrols in
The VP-34 squadron the vicinity of the islands were conducted during the
insignia featured a daylight hours. The squadron detachments returned to
cat’s face with its Kaneohe on 11 August 1943.
jaws champing 18 Aug 1943: A detachment of six aircraft was sent
down on an to Funafuti Island.
enemy cargo ves- 23 Aug 1943: A detachment of three aircraft re-
sel. On top of the turned to Johnston Island, remaining until 12
cat’s head was a set September 1943, when they returned to NAS Kaneohe.
of radio headphones Two days later this same detachment was sent to
and a ball cap. Across Canton Island to conduct daytime long range searches
the top of the in- for enemy vessels.
The squadron’s Black Cat insignia.
signia was the leg- 21 Sep 1943: The Canton and Funafuti detachments
end Black Cats, were relocated to Perth, Australia, arriving on 29
and at the bottom VPB-34, and Southwest Pacific. September 1943. Training and long-range search pa-
Colors: unknown, but believed to be in black and trols were conducted by the squadron through mid-
white. December under the operational control of FAW-10.
Nickname: Black Cats, 1944–1945. 18 Dec 1943: VP-34 was relocated to Palm Island,
Queensland, Australia, under the operational control
of FAW-17. By 26 December 1943, the squadron was
Chronology of Significant Events
located at Samarai, Papua New Guinea, where it
16 Apr 1942: VP-34 was established at NAS began its first offensive combat operations against the
Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5, enemy as a Black Cat squadron.
as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5 Catalina. A 31 Dec 1943–22 Jan 1944: Lieutenant Commander
shortage of aircraft prevented the squadron from re- Thomas A. Christopher, the squadron commanding of-
ceiving its full complement of Catalinas until early ficer, set the pace for VP-34 operations in the
June 1942. In the interim VP-81 loaned the squadron Bismarck Sea area of operations. On 31 December
one PBY-5 with which to practice. Several aircrews 1944 he attacked and damaged one enemy vessel dur-
were sent to Banana River, Fla., and Key West, Fla., for ing a night patrol. On 22 January 1944 he again at-
flight instruction with other squadrons. tacked and damaged an enemy vessel at night, receiv-
25 Jul 1942: VP-34 was by this time fully equipped ing damage from heavy AA fire resulting in injury to
and manned. Orders were received for duty at NAS one crewmember. For his leadership in seeking out
Coco Solo, C.Z., with detachments at Kingston, the enemy and pressing home the attack under heavy
Jamaica, and Trujillo, Honduras. During this period the fire Lieutenant Commander Christopher was awarded
squadron conducted ASW training, and provided con- the Navy Cross. On 15 January 1944 Christopher led a
voy coverage patrols under the operational control of five-aircraft attack on a strongly escorted enemy con-
FAW-3. voy attempting to cross the straits. He made a mast-
454 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron personnel,
Lt. E. J. Fisher, Ens.
J. M. Habilas, Ens.
L. D. Herman and Ens.
J. D. Moore, standing
on a squadron PBY,
March 1944, 80-G-
240048.

head attack at extremely close range and personally against a large merchant vessel in a strongly defended
accounted for one 6,800-ton merchantman, while the convoy. Receiving heavy and constant enemy fire, he
remainder of the flight destroyed two more. For this caused heavy damage to the merchant vessel. In an-
action Lieutenant Commander Christopher was other action he forced an enemy tanker to run
awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross. aground. For his actions in these engagements he was
31 Dec 1943–15 Feb 1944: Lieutenant Ellis J. Fisher awarded the Navy Cross.
led his PBY-5 Catalina in numerous attacks on 12 Feb 1944: Several VP-34 crews were relocated to
Japanese shipping in the Bismarck Sea. On the nights Port Moresby, with the remaining crews and ground
of 31 December 1943, 4 and 15 January 1944, and 15 personnel remaining at Samarai, Papua New Guinea,
February 1944 he participated in attacks on heavily es- to conduct maintenance, overhauls and a brief period
corted enemy convoys, sinking a large merchant ship, of relief from combat operations. The detachment sent
heavily damaging another and aiding in the destruc- to Moresby boarded Half Moon (AVP 26) and San
tion of a large tanker. On 18 January and 2 February Pablo (AVP 30) for passage to Langemak Bay. On 19
1944 he damaged a large merchant vessel and sank a February 1943, air-sea rescue and evacuation missions
medium sized tanker. On 13 February 1944 he suc- were conducted in support of TG 73.1.
cessfully strafed and destroyed an armed enemy ves- 15 Feb 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Nathan G. Gordon and
sel, sank five motor launches and probably damaged a his crew of the Samarai detachment were assigned to
midget submarine. For his actions between 31 provide air-sea rescue support to the Army for an air
December 1943 and 15 February 1944 he was awarded attack on the enemy-held Kavieng Harbor, New
the Navy Cross. Ireland. Lieutenant (jg) Gordon made four full stall
Jan–Feb 1944: During the nights of 16 and 22 landings in the rough waters of the harbor to collect
January and 15 February, Lieutenant Harold L. survivors, coming under intense enemy fire. He and
Dennison led his PBY Catalina against enemy ships in his crew located and picked up 15 Army fliers shot
the Bismarck Sea and within the vicinity of strong down during the attack. After rescuing the last man,
enemy bases. He bombed an enemy destroyer under Lieutenant (jg) Gordon was running out of fuel and
intense antiaircraft fire which caused severe damage to was forced to land at Wewak, New Guinea. There he
his aircraft. However, with his damaged aircraft, he re- unloaded the Army fliers on the recently arrived ten-
turned to make repeated strafing attacks. Under haz- der San Pablo (AVP 30) before refueling and returning
ardous weather conditions he carried out an attack to Samarai. Lieutenant (jg) Gordon was later awarded
 CHAPTER 4 455

the Medal of Honor for his conduct, and each member craft and barges in the waters of Ormoc Bay, Leyte,
of his crew received the Silver Star. Philippines. The ship broke in two and sank in less
17 Feb 1944: Lieutenant Orazio Simonelli was than a minute, resulting in the loss of 191 crew mem-
awarded the Navy Cross for his action in rescuing five bers and 168 survivors left struggling in the water. At
airmen who had been forced down by enemy gunfire 1400 Lieutenant Frederick J. Ball and his crew were re-
on 15 February during the air attack against Kavieng turning from a long-range reconnaissance mission and
Harbor, New Ireland. Although his PBY Catalina lost spotted the survivors floating in the bay. Ball landed
its fighter escort before reaching the downed airmen, his Catalina in the bay and proceeded over the next
Lieutenant Simonelli continued on to his object and hour to pick up survivors within range of enemy shore
the successful rescue, which included several severely fire. He rescued 56 sailors from the bay, and when the
injured men. aircraft could hold no more Lieutenant Ball began a
17 May 1944: The Langemak Bay detachment was takeoff run that took three miles before liftoff could be
relocated to Hollandia aboard Half Moon (AVP 26), achieved. He safely returned to his base with his pas-
where it continued air-sea rescue and evacuation mis- sengers, many of them wounded. The remaining 112
sions through mid-July. survivors were collected by another VPB-34 Catalina
18 May 1944: The Samarai detachment was relo- which taxied to safety outside the bay where they
cated to Manus Island supported by the tender Tangier were offloaded onto another ship. For his bravery
(AV 8). Daytime scouting missions and long range under fire Lieutenant Ball received the Navy Cross.
scouting patrols were conducted through mid-July. 23 Dec 1944–16 Jan 1945: VPB-34 was relieved of
16 Jul 1944: VP-34 was relocated to Mios Woendi combat operations and relocated to Manus Island in
and Middleburg islands for a continuation of Black Cat preparation for return to the U.S. Squadron personnel
operations. boarded Hollandia (CVE 97) at Kaneohe, Hawaii, on
31 Jul 1944: On the night of 31 July 1944 10 January 1945, arriving at San Diego, Calif., on the
Lieutenant Norman L. Paxton led his PBY-5 Catalina in 16th. Upon arrival all hands were given home leave
an attack against a large enemy freighter-transport pro- and the squadron was reduced to caretaker status.
tected by two escorts at anchor in a small harbor. He 7 Apr 1945: VPB-34 was disestablished.
attacked in bright moonlight and against an intense
barrage of antiaircraft fire. His low altitude attack suc-
Home Port Assignments
ceeded in destroying the freighter-transport. He safely
brought his plane and crew back to their home base Location Date of Assignment
despite the AA damage it had sustained during the at- NAS Norfolk, Va. 16 Apr 1942
tack. For his actions Lieutenant Paxton was awarded NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 25 Jul 1942
the Navy Cross. NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 10 Oct 1942
1 Sep 1944: Operational control of the squadron NAS San Diego, Calif. 7 Jun 1943
was shifted from FAW-17 to FAW-10. A detachment NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 8 Jul 1943
was returned to Manus Island, leaving five aircraft at NAS San Diego, Calif. 16 Jan 1945
Mios Woendi to conduct day and night antishipping
patrols. Commanding Officers
7 Oct 1944: Five additional crews flew to supple-
ment the detachment at Mios Woendi for patrol duties. Date Assumed Command
23 Oct 1944: VPB-34 was relocated to San Pedro LCDR Renwick S. Calderhead 16 Apr 1942
Bay, Leyte Gulf, with tender support provided by San LCDR James G. Craig, Jr. 21 Aug 1942
Carlos (AVP 51), San Pablo (AVP 30), Orca (AVP 49) LCDR Thomas A. Christopher 2 Nov 1943
and Currituck (AV 7). By 6 November 1944, the LCDR Vadym V. Utgoff 12 May 1944
squadron once again commenced its hallmark Black
Cat operations, alternating with daytime air-sea rescue Aircraft Assignment
and evacuation missions.
3 Dec 1944: At 0013 hours, Cooper (DD 695) was Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
struck by a torpedo while engaging Japanese surface PBY-5 Jun 1942

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

25 Jul 1942 10 Oct 1942 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBY-5 Carib

10 Oct 1942 7 Jun 1943 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBY-5 Carib
8 Jul 1943 10 Jan 1945 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 WestPac
456 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

24 Jul 1943† * FAW-2 Midway PBY-5 WestPac

24 Jul 1943† * FAW-2 Canton PBY-5 WestPac
24 Jul 1943† * FAW-2 Johnston Is. PBY-5 WestPac
18 Aug 1943† * FAW-2 Funafuti PBY-5 SoPac
21 Sep 1943 * FAW-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac
18 Dec 1943 * FAW-17 Palm Island PBY-5 SoPac
26 Dec 1943 * FAW-17 Samarai PBY-5 SoPac
12 Feb 1943 * FAW-10 Port Moresby PBY-5 SoPac
Half Moon (AVP 26)
San Pablo (AVP 30)
17 May 1944 * FAW-17 Langemak PBY-5 SoPac
Half Moon (AVP 26)
18 May 1944 * FAW-17 Manus Isl. PBY-5 SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
16 Jul 1944 * FAW-17 Mios Woendi PBY-5 SoPac
1 Sep 1944 * FAW-10 Manus Isl. PBY-5 SoPac
23 Oct 1944 23 Dec 1944 FAW-10 San Pedro Bay PBY-5 SoPac
San Carlos (AVP 51)
San Pablo (AVP 30)
Orca (AVP 49)
Currituck (AV 7)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
† This deployment only involved a squadron detachment. The main body of the squadron remained at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Black Cat PBYs on a

landing strip in the South
Pacific.
 CHAPTER 4 457

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-5 16 Apr 1942 FAW-2 23 Dec 1944
FAW-3 25 Jul 1942 FAW-14 16 Jan 1945
FAW-11 10 Oct 1942
FAW-14 7 Jun 1943
FAW-2 10 Jul 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 21 Sep 1943
FAW-17 18 Dec 1943 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-10 1 Sep 1944 PUC 15 Sep 1943 1 Feb 1944

Black Cat PBY in flight, (Courtesy Richard C. Knott Collection).

458 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-43 accurate count of vessels in both harbors. On 11 June

1942, Commander Patrol Wing 4 received a message
from Commander in Chief Pacific which said, “bomb
the enemy out of Kiska.” Following unsuccessful mis-
Lineage sions by USAAF B24s and B-17s, aircraft available from
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY-THREE (VP- VPs 41, 42, 43 and 51 commenced continuous bomb-
43) on 21 July 1941. ing missions against targets in Kiska harbor from 11 to
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY- 13 June. These missions became known as the “Kiska
THREE (VPB-43) on 1 October 1944. Blitz.” During these bombing strikes the aircraft were
Disestablished on 15 September 1945. serviced by Gillis (AVD 12) at Nazan Bay, Atka Island.
Efforts to use the PBYs as horizontal bombers drop-
ping their bombs from above the clouds proved futile.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Pilots began attacking singly, approaching from a di-
None on record. rection that provided the best cloud cover. When they
were over the harbor the Catalinas were put into a
dive and bombs released at the appropriate time. The
Chronology of Significant Events
flak was intense. A pullout was initiated at between
21 Jul 1941: VP-43 was established at NAS San 500 and 1,500 feet, and the plane immediately again
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of sought cover in the clouds. Two VP-43 aircraft were
PatWing-1, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5 badly damaged during the raids and several crewmen
Catalina. The squadron spent the next several months killed. All of the crews were frustrated by the lack of
awaiting the delivery of new aircraft and training adequate forward firepower (one 30-caliber machine
crews in the waters off southern California. gun) available for strafing. Lieutenant Commander
1 Apr 1942: A detachment of six aircraft departed Carroll B. Jones, commanding officer of VP-43, led his
San Diego, Calif., for duty with PatWing-4 and the 4th squadron on all the bombing and strafing attacks on
Bomber Command of the 4th Air Force at Kodiak, shipping in Kiska Harbor. His aircraft was one of those
Alaska. VP-43 joined VP-41, on duty in the area since damaged by the heavy AA fire during the attacks. For
the outbreak of hostilities, and VP-42, which had ar- his courageous leadership and coolness under fire
rived in February 1942. This detachment returned to Lieutenant Commander Jones was subsequently
San Diego in late May 1942. awarded the Navy Cross. Ensign William T. Sorensen
3 Jun 1942: Admiral Kakuta led an Imperial was also awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in the
Japanese Navy strike force with carriers Ryujo and Kiska Harbor campaign. He flew his plane in repeated
Junyo toward Dutch Harbor, decimating the defenses attacks on enemy ships in the harbor under extremely
with repeated air attacks as a prelude to landings on hazardous weather conditions and in the face of heavy
Kiska and Attu on 7 June 1942. VP-41 was the only antiaircraft fire from enemy ships and shore installa-
patrol squadron at NAF Dutch Harbor, having arrived tions. On one of his dive bombing attacks he strafed
there on 27 May 1942 (VP-42 had been sent to NAAF enemy four-engine patrol planes on the water, de-
Cold Bay at the same time). To avoid the destruction stroying three of them. His aircraft returned from this
of aircraft ashore, as had happened at Pearl Harbor, attack riddled with over 100 bullet holes.
the squadrons dispersed to fjords where tenders pro- 11 Jun 1942: Machinist Leland L. Davis, an enlisted
vided the necessary servicing of aircraft. VP-41 lost pilot of a VP-43 Catalina, had made repeated bombing
two of its aircraft in combat while tracking the enemy attacks on enemy ships in Kiska Harbor in the face of
fleet, with the crews captured and surviving the war in heavy antiaircraft fire from ships and shore batteries
POW camps. prior to 11 June. On 11 June, prior to his planned at-
6 Jun 1942: Urgent requests for assistance led tack on Kiska Harbor, he spotted and reported sinking
Admiral Nimitz to order VP-43 and a detachment of a Japanese submarine caught on the surface. Postwar
VP-51 to proceed to the Aleutian Islands immediately. examination of enemy records did not indicate any
By 4 June four Catalinas had been shot down and six submarine losses on this date. However, for all his ac-
were unserviceable, leaving 14 available. Departing in tions in the campaign against Kiska Harbor he was
groups of three aircraft each, all 18 aircraft arrived posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Naval Aviation
safely on 10 June 1942 at Chernofsky Harbor, a small Pilot Davis and his crew failed to return from their
port on the northern side of Unalaska, coming under final attack against Kiska Harbor on 14 June.
the operational control of PatWing-4. 14 Jun 1942: Machinist Davis, while conducting a
10–14 Jun 1942: Lieutenant (jg) Milton Dahl of VP- raid on Kiska, was shot down with the loss of all
43 was selected to conduct the first reconnaissance of hands. During attacks on enemy ships in Kiska
the Japanese forces occupying Kiska and Attu. He Harbor, Japanese reconnaissance aircraft spotted the
verified the presence of the enemy and obtained an tenders at Nazan Bay. Since both Casco and Gillis had
 CHAPTER 4 459

largely expended their stocks of ammunition, bombs forcing it to beach to avoid sinking. Lieutenant S.
and aviation fuel, the decision was made to withdraw Coleman of VP-42 spotted RO-61 through the fog in
them. VP-41 and 42 were flown to Dutch Harbor and the lee of Atka volcano. He attacked with machine
Cold Harbor, respectively, to prepare for return to the guns and two depth charges, heavily damaging the
U.S. VP-43 flew to Kodiak for refit in preparation for submarine. Lieutenant Carl Amme of the VP-43 detach-
further operations. ment next spotted the submarine and made a depth
Jul 1942: VP-43 returned to Nazan Bay, Atka Island, bomb attack. RO-61 was further damaged by the at-
and continued bombing missions against Kiska and tack, but managed to submerge leaving a large oil
Attu whenever weather permitted. Gillis (AVD 12) and slick. Lieutenant Amme directed Reid to the site and
Hulbert (AVP 19) provided tender support. marked the slick with smoke floats. Reid then dropped
20 Jul 1942: Lieutenant Green crashed into the side a pattern of depth charges that brought the submarine
of a mountain on Atka Island with the loss of all to the surface where it was sunk by gunfire. Five en-
hands. listed Japanese survivors were captured by Reid.
23 Aug 1942: Lieutenant Raithel and crew were Lieutenant Amme later found that RO-61 had put one
missing and presumed lost on a flight from Cold Bay. of its torpedoes directly through the space where his
30 Aug 1942: A task force commanded by Rear bunk was located aboard Casco.
Admiral Robert A. Theobald occupied Adak Island. 4 Oct–12 Nov 1943: VP-43 departed the warmth of
Tender Casco (AVP 12) was struck by a torpedo and NAS Tongue Point, Oregon, for the frigid climes of
beached at Nazan Bay. She was refloated and back in Alaska. The weather during the flight north was so terri-
service on 12 September 1942. ble that two of the squadron’s new PBY-5As crashed en
20 Sep 1942: VP-43 was relieved for return to the route. One was damaged during an attempted takeoff
U.S., arriving at NAS Alameda, Calif., on the 22nd, after a water landing with no injuries to personnel. The
with all hands given home leave. The squadron re- second aircraft struck a mountain near Pysht, Wash.,
turned to Dutch Harbor on 17 October 1942. leaving only two survivors. The remaining aircraft arrived
Jan 1943: VP-43 was relocated to Adak, Alaska, to safely at Kodiak, Alaska, coming under the operational
provide reconnaissance on Japanese forces at Kiska control of FAW-4. By 11 October 1943, the squadron had
and Attu during the landings on Amchitka. On 12 arrived for duty at Attu, which had been occupied by
January 1943, a task force led by Rear Admiral Thomas U.S. forces on 11 May 1943. Upon arrival, VP-43 relieved
C. Kinkaid occupied Amchitka Island. VPs 45 and 61. Only two days after arrival, the squadron
1 Feb 1943: On 1 February the squadron returned was forced to move due to air attacks by Japanese air-
to Dutch Harbor. craft. Shemya Island (occupied on 30 May 1943) re-
1 Jun 1943: VP-43 was relieved for return to NAS mained the temporary base for VP-43 until 12 November
Seattle, Wash., leaving a two aircraft detachment at 1943, when it was judged safe to return to Attu.
NAF Dutch Harbor, based aboard Casco (AVP 12). 20 Dec 1943: VP-43 remained based at Attu. On
Personnel were given home leave and orders for re- this date night bombing and reconnaissance missions
forming at NAS Tongue Point, Oregon. were extended to the Northern Kuriles, the northern-
1 Jul 1943: VP-43 was reformed with many new most islands of the Japanese homelands. These were
personnel and factory-fresh equipment at NAS Tongue the first Navy photo reconnaissance and bombing mis-
Point, Oregon, under the operational control of FAW-6. sions over the Kuriles. On 5 February 1944, VB-139
The squadron’s PBY-5 aircraft had been replaced by took over these duties, as they were equipped with
Land Cats, the amphibious PBY-5A. Training of per- the faster PV-1 Ventura bomber.
sonnel continued at Tongue Point and Whidbey 23 Apr 1944: VP-43 was relieved by VP-61 for re-
Island, Wash., through the end of September. turn to NAS Seattle, Wash. All hands were given home
15–16 Aug 1943: Kiska was occupied without op- leave and orders for new squadrons on 18 May 1944.
position by U.S. forces. The Japanese had already 6 Jun 1944: VP-43 was reformed at NAS Whidbey
abandoned the island a few days previously, taking Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6.
advantage of bad weather to withdraw their troops Training of personnel and refit with new equipment
without being observed by reconnaissance aircraft of and aircraft continued through the end of September.
VP-41, VP-42 or the two VP-43 detachment Catalinas. 6 Oct 1944: VPB-43 departed NAS Whidbey
31 Aug 1943: RO-61, Lieutenant Commander Island,Wash., for NAS Attu, Alaska, under the opera-
Toshisada Tokutomi commanding, entered the waters tional control of FAW-4, relieving VPB-61. The
of Dutch Harbor on 30 August intent on sinking Casco squadron was split into several detachments with the
(AVP 12), anchored in the bay guarded by Reid (DD headquarters staff at Adak; Detachment 2, Amchitka;
369). At mid-day on 31 August Reid was detached to Detachment 3, Dutch Harbor; and Detachment 6,
transport a group of engineers to Adak Island leaving Kodiak. Routine duties involved escorting shipping in
Casco unprotected. Lieutenant Commander Tokutomi the North Pacific and convoy coverage in the Alaskan
made his attack on Casco, damaging the tender and Sea Frontier.
460 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A PBY coming in for a landing in the Aleutians, March 1944.

A PBY coming in for a landing in the Aleutians, March 1944.

 CHAPTER 4 461

21 Jul 1945: VPB-43 was relieved by VPB-62, re- Commanding Officers

turning to NAS Seattle, Wash. The last aircraft had ar-
rived by 18 August 1945, and orders were received to Date Assumed Command
disestablish the squadron. LCDR Carroll B. Jones 1 Jul 1941
15 Sep 1945: VPB-43 was disestablished at NAS LCDR H. L. Ray Apr 1942
Seattle, Wash. LCDR Gerald E. Pierson May 1943
LCDR John A. Horton 29 Aug 1943
LCDR Marshall C. Freerks 20 Feb 1944
Home Port Assignments
LCDR Shelby O. Cole 6 Jun 1944
Location Date of Assignment LCDR Robert E. Huddleston Aug 1945
NAS San Diego, Calif. 21 Jul 1941
NAS Alameda, Calif. 22 Sep 1942 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Tongue Point, Ore. 1 Jul 1943
NAS Seattle, Wash. 23 Apr 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 6 Jun 1944 PBY-5 Jul 1941
NAS Seattle, Wash. 18 Jul 1945 PBY-5A Jul 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Apr 1942 May 1942 PatWing-4 Kodiak PBY-5 NorPac

6 Jun 1942 20 Sep 1942 PatWing-4 Nazan Bay PBY-5 NorPac
Gillis (AVD 12)
Casco (AVP 12)
Hulbert (AVP 19)
17 Oct 1942 1 Feb 1943 PatWing-4 Adak PBY-5 NorPac
1 Feb 1943 1 Jun 1943 FAW-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5 NorPac
4 Oct 1943 12 Nov 1943 FAW-4 Shemya Isl. PBY-5A NorPac
12 Nov 1943 23 Apr 1943 FAW-4 Attu PBY-5 NorPac
6 Oct 1944 21 Jul 1945 FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-1 21 Jul 1941 FAW-6 21 Jul 1945
PatWing-4 6 Jun 1942 * Patrol Wing 4 (PatWing-4) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4
FAW-14 20 Sep 1942 (FAW-4) on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-4/FAW-4* 17 Oct 1942
FAW-6 1 Jul 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-4 11 Oct 1943
FAW-6 23 Apr 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 6 Oct 1944 NUC 8 Jun 1942 1 Aug 1942
462 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-44 December 1941 until the squadron began preparations

for transpac to Hawaii at the end of March 1942. While
at Alameda, the squadron came under the operational
control of PatWing-6.
Lineage 26 Mar 1942: VP-44 flew its transpac to NAS Pearl
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP- Harbor, Hawaii, coming under the operational control
44) on 3 June 1941. of PatWing-2. Operational and combat training was
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY conducted in conjunction with patrols over the waters
FOUR (VPB-44) on 1 October 1944. off Oahu.
Disestablished on 20 June 1945. 22 May–Jun 1942: VP-44 transferred to Midway
Island to provide combat patrols, joining Catalinas
from VPs 14, 23, 24, 51, 72, 91 and 44. There were 32
Squadron Insignia and Nickname PBY-5 and 5A aircraft at Midway awaiting the arrival
VP-44 was one of the later Black Cat squadrons in of the Japanese due to decoded intercepts detailing
WWII. The nickname came from the black paint their plans to attack Midway Island. The aircraft were
scheme applied to the Catalinas for night operations. split into two groups—one operating with 22 aircraft
from Sand Island, the other with 10 aircraft operating
from Eastern Island. Sector searches were flown out to
700 miles from Midway commencing at 0415 each
morning. The squadrons were handicapped at this
stage of the war by the lack of radar on the aircraft.
All sightings had to be done by the “Mark I eyeball.”
On 3 June, Ensign Jewell H. Reid and his crew were
the first to spot the Japanese task force approaching
Midway. On the night of 3–4 June, four squadron air-
craft conducted an attack with obsolete Mark XIII tor-
pedoes on a portion of the Japanese task force, caus-
ing damage to the Japanese tanker Akebono Maru. On
6 June, Lieutenant (jg) R. S. Whitman and his crew
were attacked by three Japanese floatplanes and
forced down. Whitman and ACRM C. Adams were
killed in the attack. The aircraft was successfully
ditched by the copilot, Ensign L. H. Camp, who then
died of his wounds. AMM1c Virgil R. Marsh remained
in the burning Catalina while his crew exited the sink-
ing aircraft, holding off the attacking Japanese aircraft.
The survivors were picked up later that day. The
squadron returned to Pearl Harbor on 9 June. The
The squadron’s Black Cat insignia. other squadrons remained at Midway through the 25th
conducting SAR missions for dive-bomber aircrews
The Black Cat in the squadron’s insignia depicted its shot down during the Battle for Midway.
stealth in the dark as well as surprise and viciousness 9 Jun–Sep 1942: VP-44 continued its patrols from
in its attack. The outline of the yellow moon empha- NAS Pearl Harbor over the waters of Oahu, with a de-
sized the night operations, suggesting that cats operate tachment at Johnston Island. On 26 September, the
best when the moon is full. Colors: moon, yellow; cat, Pearl Harbor section of the squadron, including the
black and white; background, black. headquarters staff, relocated to the recently completed
Nickname: Black Cats, 1942–1945. NAS Kaneohe Bay facility. Two VP-44 aircraft were
transferred to other squadrons reducing the comple-
ment to 10 aircraft.
Chronology of Significant Events 21 Dec 1942: VP-44 turned in its 10 PBY-5A aircraft
3 Jun 1941: VP-44 was established at NAS San in return for 12 PBY-5 Catalinas. These aircraft were
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of then equipped with twin 30-caliber guns and Mark IX
PatWing-1, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A gunsights.
Catalina. Ground and flight training was conducted at 22 Dec 1942–May 1943: The squadron received or-
San Diego. ders to deploy to the combat zone at Espiritu Santo
Dec 1941–Mar 1942: VP-44 received advanced op- Island, New Hebrides, under the operational control of
erational training at NAS Alameda, Calif., from 14 FAW-1. A detachment of two aircraft was sent to
 CHAPTER 4 463

Halavo Beach, Florida Islands, for Dumbo searches was the normal practice. Training was completed in
only. Many of the missions flown from Halavo went January 1944 and the squadron conducted its transpac
deep into enemy territory. For those flights fighter es- to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. It was discovered that the
corts often accompanied the Catalinas. While based at new amphibious PBY-5A with wheels did not have the
Espiritu Santo during the months of February and range of its predecessor the PBY-5, and could not fly
March 1943 the squadron carried numerous Dumbo all the way to Hawaii with its wheels attached. The
missions and transported equipment and personnel squadron found some PV-1 drop tanks at San Diego
during the Solomons campaign. In May 1943, the that they were able to fit to the wings of the Catalinas
squadron received two aircraft from VP-72, increasing that gave them the range needed to make it to Hawaii.
the complement of Catalinas to 14 PBY-5s. Attacks on This then became standard procedure for the
the Catalinas during this period were frequent. No less squadrons that followed. From 18 January to 13
than 12 attacks by Mavis flying boats and Nell February, the squadron departed NAS San Diego in
bombers were recorded on squadron aircraft, but with pairs bound for Kaneohe.
no losses. 1 Feb 1944: The squadron remained at Kaneohe,
26 Jun 1943: VP-44 was relieved for return to NAS under the operational control of FAW-2, for five weeks
Kaneohe, Hawaii, and then on to the U.S. By 20 July of intensive training with emphasis on ASW tech-
1943 VP-44 had arrived at NAS San Diego, Calif., com- niques.
ing under the operational control of FAW-14. All hands 11 Mar 1944: VP-44 was deployed to Luganville
were given orders and home leave. Airfield on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, under the
29 Sep 1943–Feb 1944: VP-44 was reformed at operational control of FAW-1. A detachment of aircraft
NAS San Diego, Calif., and conducted training in was maintained for convoy coverage at Nausori. ASW
preparation for its second tour in the combat zone. It training resumed at Luganville Airfield, with the addi-
is interesting to note that, unlike the other Black Cat tion of two new technical aids: the sonobuoy and a
squadrons in the South Pacific, VP-44 was designated searchlight with 80 million candlepower. Antishipping
as such from the start. Its aircraft came from the fac- searches, ASW patrols and rescue missions were the
tory with a flat-black finish instead of Navy blue, as primary missions at both locations.

Personnel checking a PBY-5A before it leaves the airstrip on Majuro Island, March 1944.
464 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Jun 1944: VP-44 moved to Green Island, Banzai attack by the last remaining Japanese troops on
halfway between Bougainville and Rabaul, only 150 Bougainville in December 1944.
miles from the enemy stronghold. A PATSU was avail- 1 Dec 1944: VPB-44 operational control was shifted
able for maintenance of squadron aircraft and the from FAW-2 to Commander Air Seventh Fleet
berthing and feeding of unit personnel. Patrol missions (ComAir7thFlt). Six squadron aircraft were utilized for
involved flying daily search sectors extending in a passenger and mail runs between Hollandia, New
northerly direction to within 200 miles of Truk. ASW Guinea and Leyte, Philippines. The squadron also con-
operations were discontinued. Patrol missions ceased ducted resupply for the Australian coastwatchers,
after 18 August when the primary mission of the flying to such remote islands as Pinipel, Feni, Nuguria,
squadron was changed to keeping 17 nearby enemy Lehir and Ontong Java.
airfields neutralized and to prevent shipping at night Jan–Feb 1945: The squadron remained based pri-
from getting to the bypassed Japanese garrisons. marily on Green Island, with one aircraft at Hollandia
Nightly Black Cat raids were conducted and the and two at the Seaplane Base Repair Base #1 on
squadron maintained standby aircraft for ASW and Manus Island. Black Cat missions were officially termi-
Dumbo missions during the day. Nightly hunts were nated on 10 February with the complete neutralization
usually coordinated with one of the PT boat of Rabaul and the primary mission of the squadron
squadrons stationed on Green Island. The Cats would shifted to Dumbo work.
spot the target at night with their radar, then illuminate Mar 1945: A three-aircraft detachment was located
the scene for the PT boats. Both would then join in on at Manus and a two-aircraft detachment at Emirau
the kill. Attacks were usually made with 4 500-pound Island for Dumbo work. The squadron at Green Island
ANM-64 bombs and 40 20-pound fragmentation was primarily assigned air freight, ASW standby and
bombs. On one nighttime mission over Rabaul, an Dumbo missions.
enemy floatplane fighter attacked Lieutenant Lloyd 11 Apr 1945: VPB-44 was relieved by VPB-53 for
Garrison and his crew. In the ensuing combat they return to the United States. The squadron arrived at
managed to shoot down the fighter. Upon return, the NAS Kaneohe on 21 April and boarded Cape
jubilant crew was informed that confirmation was Esperance (CVE 88) for return to San Diego, Calif.
needed before credit could be authorized. Undaunted, Upon arrival on 1 May, the squadron was given orders
the crew returned early the next morning and took reassigning all personnel.
pictures in broad daylight of the smoking wreckage 20 Jun 1945: VPB-44 was disestablished at NAS San
still floating in the bay at Rabaul. They were duly Diego, Calif.
given credit for the deed.
4 Sep–Dec 1944: VP-44 operational control was
Home Port Assignments
changed from FAW-1 to FAW-2. By this stage of the
war, Japanese resistance had been broken and Rabaul Location Date of Assignment
neutralized. It was the squadron’s job to see that 17 NAS San Diego, Calif. 3 Jun 1941
enemy airfields were regularly bombed to prevent NAS Alameda, Calif. 14 Dec 1941
their use and to intercept resupply ships and barges NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 26 Mar 1942
attempting to reinforce Japanese troops on NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 26 Sep 1942
Bougainville and New Ireland. A detachment of three NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1943
aircraft was maintained for a few months at Torokina NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 18 Jan 1944
airstrip on Bougainville for Dumbo work with Marine NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 May 1945
air units. This group was nearly overrun during a

Squadron PBY-5A
Black Cats on Fiji
Islands (Courtesy
Richard C. Knott
Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 465

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

LCDR W. C. Holt 3 Jun 1941
PBY-5A Jun 1941
LCDR R. C. Brixner Oct 1941
LCDR R. A. Rosasco Dec 1942 PBY-5 Dec 1942
LCDR G. S. Bogart 29 Sep 1943 PBY-5A Sep 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

26 Mar 1942 22 May 1942 PatWing-2 Pearl Harbor PBY-5A WestPac

22 May 1942 22 Dec 1942 PatWing-2 Midway PBY-5A WestPac
22 Dec 1942 20 Jul 1943 FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
18 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5A WestPac
11 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A SoPac
15 Jun 1944 1 May 1945 FAW-1/2 Green Island PBY-5A SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

A squadron PBY delivering supplies to a coast watcher on Lihir Island (Courtesy Richard C. Knott Collection).
466 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-1 3 Jun 1941 FAW-14 1 May 1945
PatWing-6 14 Dec 1941
† Patrol Wing 2 (PatWing-2) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2
PatWing-2/FAW-2† 26 Mar 1942 (FAW-2) on 1 November 1942.
FAW-1 22 Dec 1942
FAW-14 Jul 1943
FAW-2 18 Jan 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 11 Mar 1944
FAW-2 4 Sep 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
ComAir7thFlt 1 Dec 1944 None on record.

Squadron personnel
at a morning muster
(Courtesy Richard C.
Knott Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 467

VPB-45 been largely eliminated. Casco Cove at Attu was too

small to provide adequate protection for the entire
squadron and facilities for use of beaching gear for the
nonamphibious PBY-5s was nonexistent. On 9
Lineage October 1943, the squadron was relieved by VP-43 for
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY FIVE (VP-45) return to Seattle, where the squadron could be refitted
on 10 March 1943. with new PBY-5A amphibious aircraft.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY 14 Jan 1944: VP-45 was reformed at Seattle, Wash.,
FIVE (VPB-45) on 1 October 1944. with amphibious PBY-5A aircraft and new personnel.
Disestablished on 5 June 1945. Operational control was exercised by FAW-6. Training
took place at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., but instead
Squadron Insignia and Nickname of returning north upon completion of refitting and
training, the squadron received orders in early March
None on record.
to proceed southeast to Norfolk, Va.
15 Mar 1944: VP-45 departed NAS Whidbey Island
Chronology of Significant Events for NAS Norfolk, where it came under the opera-
10 Mar–Apr 1943: VP-45 was established at NAS tional control of FAW-5. Shortly after arrival the
Seattle, Wash., as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY- squadron was relocated to Boca Chica, Fla., where it
5 Catalina. The actual training of the squadron took was given training, as well as conducting operational
place at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., through mid- ASW patrols.
April 1943. During this period VP-45 came under the 29 Apr 1944: VP-45 deployed to NAF Belem, Brazil,
operational control of FAW-6. with detachments maintained at NAF Amapa and NAF
22 Apr–Jun 1943: With training completed, six of Sao Luiz, Brazil. Duties consisted of sweeps and anti-
the squadron’s aircraft were relocated to Alaska, arriv- submarine patrols. Operational control over the
ing at Kodiak on 27 April and Adak on 1 May 1943. squadron was exercised by FAW-16.
The squadron officially deployed to Kodiak, Alaska, in 7 Jun 1944: A detachment was sent to NAF
May and came under the operational control of FAW-4. Fernando de Neronha Island to conduct daily sector
The squadron arrived just in time for the occupation sweeps and antisubmarine patrols. Facilities at this tiny
of Attu, in the Aleutian chain. Japanese forces had oc- base located 210 miles off the eastern coast of Brazil
cupied this small island on 7 June 1942. On 28 May were cramped and primitive. VP-45 shared the base
1943, General Yamaziki of the Imperial Japanese Army with PV-1 Ventura landplane detachments from VBs
received a surrender invitation via air drop by a VP-43 125, 134 and 145 based out of NAF Pici Field,
Catalina. He refused and the U.S. Army took Attu on Forteleza, Brazil.
29 June. While the campaign for Attu was going on, 1 Oct 1944: VP-45 was redesignated VPB-45.
tender Casco (AVP 12) provided support for VP-45 op- During this period the squadron conducted routine
erations which consisted of antishipping strikes in the patrols and was additionally tasked with training
vicinity of Attu, Amchitka and Kiska. Brazilian aircrews at NAF Galeao Field, Rio de Janeiro.
4 May 1943: The first regular patrols by VP-45 Jan 1945: One aircraft was reported overdue from a
began from NAF Amchitka and beyond Attu towards patrol and presumed lost. Although weather may have
the Kuriles. been a factor, enemy action was more probable as
30 Jun 1943: With the capture of Attu, larger facili- German U-boats were increasingly heavily armed. In
ties for coping with the requirements of a seaplane the previous year several Navy patrol aircraft had been
squadron became available. The remaining six aircraft shot down or damaged while attempting to complete
of the squadron, which had been waiting impatiently a bombing run on surfaced submarines.
at Seattle, deployed to augment the Casco group. Until Feb 1945: Six of the squadron’s aircraft were de-
shore facilities were built, the squadron continued tached to Ascension Island for antisubmarine patrols
open sea operations from the tender Casco (AVP 12) at and convoy coverage.
Attu. 15 Mar–22 May 1945: VP-45 was relocated to NAF
10–19 Jul 1943: VP-45 made its first bombing run Ipitanga, Bahia, Brazil. Routine patrols were resumed
on Paramushiro, Kurile Islands. The bombs were re- until orders were received on 22 May 1945 for return
leased by radar at night in overcast with unknown re- to the continental United States.
sults. This performance was repeated on 19 July 1943. 27 May 1945: VP-45 reported aboard NAS Norfolk,
10 Aug–9 Oct 1943: VP-45 personnel were able to Va., under the operational control of FAW-5.
move ashore at Attu. Duties consisted primarily of sec- 5 Jun 1945: VP-45 was disestablished at NAS
tor searches for enemy activity, which by this time had Norfolk.
468 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Seattle, Wash. 10 Mar 1943 LCDR C. Atkinson 14 Jan 1944

NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Mar 1944 LCDR H. B. Scott 8 Jun 1944
LCDR L. E. Binion 7 May 1945

Commanding Officers
Aircraft Assignment
Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LT Guy Howard (actg) 10 Mar 1943 PBY-5 Mar 1943
LT Carl H. Amme 1 May 1943 PBY-5A Jan 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

22 Apr 1943 * FAW-4 Kodiak PBY-5 NorPac

Casco (AVP 12)
30 Jun 1943 9 Oct 1943 FAW-4 Attu PBY-5 NorPac
Casco (AVP 12)
29 Apr 1944 † FAW-16 Belem PBY-5A SoLant
15 Mar 1945 27 May 1945 FAW-16 Ipitanga PBY-5A SoLant
* Continued combat deployment in the Aleutians, moving from base to base.
† Continued combat deployment in South America, moving from base to base.

Air Wing Assignments Air Wing Assignments—Continued

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

FAW-6 10 Mar 1943 FAW-5 27 May 1945

FAW-4 22 Apr 1943
FAW-6 Oct 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-5 15 Mar 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-16 29 Apr 1944 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 469

VPB-52

Lineage
Established as Torpedo Squadron THREE D FIF-
TEEN (VT-3D15) on 12 July 1928.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THREE-S (VP-3S) on
21 January 1931.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THREE Base Force
(VP-3F) on 17 July 1933.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THREE (VP-3) on 1
October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY TWO (VP-
32) on 1 July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY TWO (VP-52)
on 1 July 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTY TWO
(VPB-52) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 7 April 1945.

Squadron Insignia The squadron’s insignia approved by the Bureau of Aeronautics.

The squadron’s first insignia was created by VT-
3D15 and approved by the Chief of the Bureau of
Aeronautics on 11 July 1929. The somewhat amateur- highlighted in yellow. Size of the insignia on the
ish appearance of the original design showed a gray squadron aircraft was 21 inches overall. The
elephant holding a black bomb behind his back, with significance of the design is unknown.
a telescope held to his eye by his trunk. A set of With the redesignation of VT-3D15 to VP-3S on 21
wings adorned the back. Wings and telescope were January 1931, the same insignia continued in use. On
1 April 1937, the squadron submitted a modified de-
sign for bureau approval. The appearance of the ele-
phant was somewhat less cartoonish, and the entire
design was centered on a red background. All other
colors remained the same. BuAer approved the
modified design on 20 April 1937, which continued in
use through numerous redesignations from 1937 until
the squadron’s disestablishment in 1945.
Nickname: No nickname is on record for the
squadron, although it has been suggested that the orig-
inal design in 1929 contained a pink elephant that was
soon changed to official Navy gray, lest a nickname be
attached that would not reflect favorably on the Navy!

Chronology of Significant Events

12 Jul 1928: VT-3D15 established at NAS Coco
Solo, C.Z., as a torpedo bomber squadron flying the
T3M-2 twin floatplane. The squadron’s primary mis-
sion was observation and protection of Coco Solo
zone against hostile forces.
21 Jan 1931: VT-3D15 was redesignated Patrol
Squadron 3 (VP-3S), Scouting Force, at NAS Coco
Solo, C.Z., with 18 PM-1 aircraft. Training and patrol
operations were the order of the day.
1 Jul 1931: NAS Coco Solo, home port for the
The squadron’s first insignia as displayed on the tail of its aircraft. squadron, was redesignated Fleet Air Base (FAB) Coco
470 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Solo. The redesignation of both the squadron and its 12 PM-1s supported by Swan (AM 34) and Lapwing
home port indicated a change in mission from coastal (AM 1).
defense to fleet aircraft. VP-3S participated in opera- 21 Apr 1934: VP-3F conducted massed flights in
tions with the fleet in concert with VP-8S, off the coast exercises with VPs 2F, 3F, 5F, 7F and 9F during Fleet
of Cuba, in a portion of Fleet Problem XII. Wright (AV Problem XV held off the coast of Panama. The
1) provided tender support. VP-3S returned to FAB squadron’s participation in the problem lasted through
Coco Solo on 30 July 1931. 28 May 1934.
17 Jul 1933: The squadron came under the control 1 Jan 1935: VPs 3F and 5F conducted exercises
of the fleet Base Force Command and was redesig- with tenders Wright (AV 1), Lapwing (AM 1), Teal
nated Patrol Squadron Three Base Force (VP-3F) with (AM 23) and Gannet (AM 41) to test the ability of sur-

A squadron P2D-1 in flight.

face vessels to support flying boat operations at re- 14 Apr 1939: Aircraft of VPs 3, 2 and 5 mapped
mote locations. 1,076 miles of South American coastline from
21–22 Jun 1937: Twelve PBY-1 Catalinas of VP-3F Nicaragua to the Colombian border. The achievement
under the command of Lieutenant Robert W. Morse was significant given the prevailing state of the
flew nonstop from NAS San Diego, Calif., to FAB Coco weather during this period and the poor conditions for
Solo, C.Z., completing the 3,292-mile flight in 27 hours aerial photography.
and 58 minutes. Feb 1940: VP-32 relieved VP-33 of Neutrality Patrol
1 Oct 1937: The squadron was redesignated Patrol duty, flying out of Guantanamo, Cuba. The Neutrality
Squadron Three (VP-3) and became part of the new Patrol was created in response to the German invasion
patrol wing organization under PatWing-3. of Poland in August 1939. This invasion set the stage for
20 Feb 1939: VPs 3, 5 and 2 participated in Fleet global conflict with the potential for Axis surface mer-
Problem XX conducted in the Caribbean and coastal wa- chant raiders and submarines to prey on British vessels
ters of South America. PatWing-3 aircraft were part of in U.S. territorial waters. President Roosevelt issued his
Black Force, taking part in bombing attacks against White first proclamation of neutrality on 5 September 1939,
Force vessels. The exercises clearly demonstrated the ex- declaring waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the
treme vulnerability of the slow-moving patrol flying boats U.S. off-limits to military operations of belligerent pow-
against organized antiaircraft fire of support vessels. An ers. The Neutrality Patrol would extend east of Boston
attack on a flying boat base also demonstrated the vulner- and south of Trinidad in the Caribbean. VPs 51, 52, 53,
ability of the aircraft when on the ground or in the water, 54 and 33 were the first squadrons to be assigned to the
as compared to dispersion with tenders at remote sites. Neutrality Patrol, supported by four tenders.
 CHAPTER 4 471

A formation of squadron PBYs.

29 Jun 1940: VP-32 was relieved by VP-33 on May 1943: VP-52 turned over six crews and six PBY-
Neutrality Patrol duty. 5 aircraft to VP-31, NAS Pensacola, Fla., and the remain-
1 Jun 1941: After VP-32 was relocated to its home ing members of the squadron were sent to NAS San
port at NAS Norfolk, Va., the squadron turned in its Diego, Calif. Upon arrival, the crews and support per-
well-used PBY-2 and PBY-3 aircraft, obtaining six new sonnel upon arrival at San Diego began preparations
PBY-5s at NAS San Diego, Calif. Six more aircraft were for a transpac, while the crews with VP-31 at Pensacola
flown to NAS Norfolk on 7 July 1941. participated in ASW duties in Caribbean waters.
17 Jul 1941: VP-52 personnel and material were
loaded aboard Curtiss (AV 4) for transport to
Guantanamo, Cuba, to relieve VP-81. Using
Guantanamo as a base of operations, the squadron
conducted an aerial survey of Bermuda, Cuba and
Great Exuma Island. During these operations tender
support was provided by Albemarle (AV 5) and George
E. Badger (AVP 16). VP-52 returned to NAS Norfolk in
August 1941 to prepare the squadron for redeploy-
ment to South America.
23 Aug 1941: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to
San Juan, P.R., for Neutrality Patrol duties.
5 Nov 1941-–Mar 1942: All of VP-52’s well-worn
PBY-5s were turned over to VP-51 in exchange for its
new PBY-5 patrol planes. Commencing immediately
after the exchange, the squadron deployed to Natal,
Brazil. After five months of operations from Natal, VP-
83 relieved VP-52 of patrol duties at Natal and re-
turned to NAS Norfolk, Va. in March 1942.
23 Apr 1942: The VP-52 administrative staff re-
mained at NAS Norfolk, while the aircrews and sup-
port staff deployed to Bermuda. Once on station, the
squadron conducted convoy protection and ASW pa-
trols in the central Atlantic. A squadron PBY undergoing a wash down.
472 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

31 May 1943: With the squadron reunited, the sup- from 25 November to 23 December 1943 he success-
port staff, ground crews and material departed aboard fully carried out a low-altitude attack on a large mer-
Long Island (CVE 1) for NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. chant vessel. He experienced heavy antiaircraft fire
Two days later the aircrews began the transpac from from enemy combatants but was able to drop his
San Diego to Pearl Harbor. thousand pound bomb on the merchant ship, leaving
9 Jun 1943: Five aircraft and six crews were de- it in flames and still burning three hours after the at-
ployed to Canton Island for training and patrol duty, tack. For his actions during the attacks between 25
with a three-aircraft detachment sent to Johnston Island. November and 23 December 1943 he was awarded
2 Jul 1943: Seven aircraft and seven crews were de- the Navy Cross.
ployed to Midway for training and patrol duty. 26 Nov 1943: Lieutenant William J. Lahodney and
30 Jul 1943: The squadron was reunited at NAS his crew conducted a night attack on an enemy task
Kaneohe, Hawaii, to prepare for deployment to Perth, force consisting of a cruiser and three destroyers in
Australia. the waters off Rabaul. Lahodney’s bombs heavily dam-
7 Aug 1943: VP-52 arrived at Perth, Australia, and aged the enemy cruiser, but his own aircraft sustained
commenced reconnaissance patrols and operations severe damage with over 100 holes in the wings and
from advanced bases in the southwest Pacific. fuselage from the intense AA fire. Lahodney managed
Detachments were located at Exmouth Gulf, Geraldton to fly the perforated Catalina over mountainous terrain
and Perth. and stormy seas for four hours to arrive safely at his
16 Oct 1943: VP-52 commenced Black Cat opera- home base. For his heroic actions and skillful flying he
tions from Palm Island and New Guinea. was awarded the Navy Cross.
22 Nov 1943: The squadron was transferred to 10 Dec 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Rudolph Lloyd and his
Namoai Bay, New Guinea, where it conducted Black crew made an attack at night on a large enemy
Cat night antishipping patrols at masthead levels. freighter in the Bismarck Archipelago under extremely
25 Nov–23 Dec 1943: Lieutenant Alex N. McInnis, adverse weather conditions. After dropping their
Jr., led his PBY Catalina on night missions against bomb on the target, Lieutenant Lloyd returned and
enemy combatants and convoys in the Bismarck made strafing attacks on the ship until it sank.
Archipelago during extremely adverse and hazardous 14 Dec 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Lloyd and his crew
weather conditions. During this period of operation conducted a night attack on ships in Kavieng

Squadron personnel on one of its PBY-5s nicknamed Pugnacious Puss, October 1943.
 CHAPTER 4 473

Harbor during adverse weather conditions. A 15 Jul 1944: The squadron was transferred to Woendi
bombing run was made on what appeared to be a Lagoon where it conducted antisubmarine patrols and
small enemy cruiser or large destroyer and two hits Dumbo air-sea rescue missions for downed flyers in sup-
were observed. Lloyd returned to make a strafing port of the bombing of Woleai, Truk and Yap islands.
pass, but was forced to retreat by intense AA fire 18 Sep 1944: VP-52 operated from NAF Manus
and the arrival of enemy fighter aircraft. For his Island, with rotation of detachments to Treasury,
courageous actions on the nights of 10 and 14 Green and Emirau islands.
December, Lieutenant Lloyd was awarded the Navy 9 Dec 1944: VPB-52 was reunited for transfer to the
Cross. United States via NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving at
13 May 1944: VP-52 conducted missions from NAS San Diego, Calif., aboard the Breton (CVE 23) on
Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, in the area of New Guinea, 31 December.
New Britain and in the Bismarck Sea. 7 Apr 1945: VPB-52 was disestablished.

A squadron Black Cat in flight,

February 1944.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 12 Jul 1928
FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. 1 Jul 1931
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 30 Sep 1939
San Juan, P.R. 27 Mar 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jun 1941
NAS San Diego, Calif. 11 Feb 1943
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 2 Jun 1943
NAS San Diego, Calif. 9 Dec 1944

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

Unknown 1928–1932
LCDR George L. Compo 14 Apr 1933
LCDR Fred C. Dickey 26 Jun 1935
LT Rorbert W. Morse 29 Mar 1937 A squadron PBY-5A taxiing, February 1944.
474 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers—Continued Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

LCDR William H. Hamilton 2 May 1939 PM-1 Jul 1928
LCDR Thomas A. Turner, Jr. May 1940 P2D-1 1933
CDR F. M. Hammit May 1942
CDR Frank M. Nichols Apr 1943 PBY-1 Aug 1937
CDR Harold A. Sommer Sep 1943 PBY-2 Feb 1940
CDR Rennix N. Isner, Jr. Aug 1944 PBY-5 Jun 1941

A squadron P2D-1 on the launching ramp.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Feb 1940 29 Jun 1940 PatWing-5 Guantanamo PBY-2 Carib

17 Jul 1941 18 Aug 1941 PatWing-5 Guantanamo PBY-5 Carib
Albemarle (AV 5)
George E. Badger (AVP 16)
23 Aug 1941 Nov 1941 PatWing-5 San Juan PBY-5 Carib
5 Nov 1941 27 Mar 1942 FAW-3 Natal PBY-5 SoLant
23 Apr 1942 11 Feb 1943 FAW-5 Bermuda PBY-5 Lant
2 Jun 1943 9 Jun 1943 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 WestPac
9 Jun 1943 30 Jul 1943 FAW-2 Canton & PBY-5 SoPac
Johnson Is.
2 Jul 1943 30 Jul 1943 FAW-2 Midway Is. PBY-5 WestPac
7 Aug 1943 * FAW-10 Perth PBY-5 SoPac
22 Nov 1943 * FAW-17 Namoai Bay PBY-5 SoPac
23 Dec 1943 * FAW-17 Port Moresby PBY-5 SoPac
12 Feb 1944 * FAW-17 Palm Is. PBY-5 SoPac
26 Mar 1944 * FAW-17 Tangier (AV 8) PBY-5 SoPac
San Pablo (AVP 30)
13 May 1944 * FAW-17 Humboldt Bay PBY-5 SoPac
15 Jul 1944 * FAW-17 Woendi PBY-5 SoPac
 CHAPTER 4 475

A formation of squadron PBY-5As, December 1943.

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

18 Sep 1944 * FAW-17 Manus PBY-5 SoPac

9 Oct 1944 9 Dec 1944 FAW-17 Hollandia PBY-5 SoPac
Woendi
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

Naval District 15 12 Jul 1928
Scouting Force 21 Jan 1931
Base Force 17 Jul 1933
PatWing-3 1 Oct 1933
PatWing-5 Feb 1940
FAW-3 5 Nov 1941
FAW-5 Mar 1942
FAW-2 2 Jun 1943
FAW-10 31 Jul 1943
FAW-17 16 Oct 1943
FAW-14 31 Dec 1944

Unit Awards

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

Squadron personnel on one of its PBY-5s nicknamed Alley Cat, October
PUC 15 Sep 1943 1 Feb 1944 1943, 80-G-223051.
476 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A formation of squadron Black Cats, December 1943.

 CHAPTER 4 477

VPB-54 crews. The initial landings on Guadalcanal had been

made on 7 August 1942, encountering strong Japanese
resistance. The island was not declared secure until 9
February 1943. Patrol tracks included Russell Island,
Lineage the southwest coast of Santa Isobel and the northern
Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTY FOUR (VP-54) tip of Malaita and Savo Island.
on 15 November 1942. 5 Aug 1943: During the Rendova and Munda Island
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTY campaigns in the Solomons, the Japanese attempted to
FOUR (VPB-54) on 1 October 1944. remove as many of their ground forces as possible
Disestablished on 7 April 1945. from isolated garrisons. VP-54 conducted numerous
antishipping attacks on transports during this period.
7 Sep 1943: VP-54 was based at NAB Henderson
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Field, Guadalcanal, with seven aircraft, NOB Espiritu
Although there is no record of any official insignia Santo with one aircraft and Noumea with three
on file, a February 1943 photograph of the squadron aircraft.
commanding officer standing next to a VP-54 Catalina 7 Oct 1943: VP-54 provided support for the forces
shows an insignia of a snarling black cat crouched on attacking Vella Lavella, Solomons.
top of a bomb. Members of the squadron state that a 1 Nov 1943: VP-54 was tasked with providing anti-
full moon served as a background for the design. submarine coverage, search missions and air cover-
Colors: moon background, orange; cat and bomb, age at the beginning of the Bougainville campaign.
black with white outlining; cat’s tongue, red; teeth and By the end of the campaign the squadron’s tour of
whiskers, white. duty drew to a close. Since arriving in the combat
Nickname: Black Cats, 1942–1945. theater the squadron had recovered 52 personnel
from the water, including downed pilots and sur-
vivors of ship sinkings.
Chronology of Significant Events
20 Nov 1943: VP-54 was relieved and flew its air-
15 Nov 1942–12 Feb 1943: VP-54 was established craft to Sidney, Australia. The aircraft remained at
at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, as a seaplane squadron Sidney while the squadron personnel were returned to
flying the PBY-5A Catalina under the operational con- the U.S. aboard ship. After a period of home leave, a
trol of FAW-2. Formation and training of the squadron cadre of personnel were given orders to report to NAS
continued through 11 San Diego, Calif., for reforming the squadron.
February 1943. Although 6 Feb 1944: VP-54 was reformed at NAS San Diego,
12 aircraft was the nor- Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14, with
mal complement for a new PBY-5A aircraft to replace the ones left in
squadron, 18 aircraft Australia. By May the squadron had fully integrated its
were on board by the new personnel and equipment and was ready for re-
end of the year. On 12 deployment.
February 1943, VP-54 20 May 1944: VP-54 departed NAS San Diego in el-
was ordered to convert ements of three aircraft, with the last arriving at NAS
to a night flying unit Kaneohe, Hawaii, on 21 May 1944. The remainder of
with two weeks training the squadron and its assets were sent to Hawaii
time prior to transfer to aboard Breton (CVE 10). Upon arrival at NAS Kaneohe
the combat zone. the squadron came under the operational control of
The squadron’s Black Cat insignia.
1 Mar 1943: The first FAW-2.
element of aircraft de- 28 May 1944: A detachment of six aircraft and nine
parted NAS Kaneohe for NOB Espiritu Santo, with the crews was deployed to Midway Island until 2 July
last aircraft arriving in early April. During this period 1944, conducting routine operational patrols. The re-
of operations the squadron came under the opera- maining squadron assets at NAS Kaneohe continued to
tional control of FAW-1. While en route, four aircraft perform routine patrols in Hawaiian waters.
were caught at NAF Canton Island in a surprise night 8 Jul 1944: VP-54 deployed to Guadalcanal in
raid by Japanese Mitsubishi G4M1 Navy Type 1 (Betty) three-plane sections, leaving NAS Kaneohe every other
attack bombers. All four Catalinas were destroyed. day. The first section arrived at Espiritu Santo on 12
11 Mar 1943: VP-54 began sending its aircraft to July, continuing on to Carney Field, Guadalcanal, to
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, relieving VP-12. Its du- relieve VP-81. During this period the squadron came
ties were to conduct antishipping patrols in the under the operational control of FAW-1.
Solomons area in support of the forces occupying the 31 Jul 1944: VP-54 was relocated to Luganville
island and Dumbo missions in support of downed air- Airfield, Espiritu Santo, relieving VP-12. A detachment
478 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

uation work. Tender support at Leyte Gulf was pro-

vided by Orca (AVP 49) under the operational control
of FAW-10.
27 Dec 1944–10 Jan 1945: VPB-23 relieved the
squadron’s Peleliu detachment, but its aircraft were
too worn out to be able to rejoin the squadron at
Leyte Gulf. The six aircraft were first flown to Woendi
for overhaul on 1 January 1945. The work was com-
pleted a week later and the detachment flew into
Leyte on 10 January 1945. Upon arrival the detach-
ment was put aboard Tangier (AV 8), while the re-
maining five aircraft and eight crews of the former
Leyte detachment departed aboard Orca (AVP 49) for
duty in Lingayen Gulf.
22 Jan 1945: The six aircraft and crews aboard
A formation of Black Cats, 80-G-301450. Tangier (AV 8) were relocated to San Carlos (AVP 51)
and continued operations in the Leyte Gulf.
14 Feb 1945: The Lingayen Gulf detachment was
relieved by VPB-17 and then returned to Leyte Gulf to
of four PBY-5As was maintained at Henderson Field, rejoin the rest of the squadron. Currituck (AV 7) pro-
Guadalcanal, for duty with the 2nd Marine Air Wing vided this group tender support.
through 10 September 1944. The squadron aircraft at 17 Feb 1945: VPB-54’s tour of duty formally con-
Luganville conducted routine ASW patrols and Dumbo cluded with its relief at Leyte Gulf by VPB-17. Three of
searches. the squadron aircraft were flown to Manus Island for
13 Sep 1944: VP-54 deployed 13 aircraft and 15 transportation to the U.S. The remaining crews de-
crews to Emirau. Two aircraft were sent to Funafuti. parted from Samar Island via NATS, returning to the
Both detachments returned to Espiritu Santo on 21 continental U.S. The support staff and ground crews
September 1944. boarded Wharton (AP 7) for return to the States.
22 Sep 1944: Long-range navigation over large 24 Feb–13 Mar 1945: The commanding officer and
areas of the ocean was difficult for large aircraft with a aircrew personnel reported to COMFAIRALAMEDA
full time navigator and extremely difficult for single- and FAW-8 at NAS Alameda, Calif.. On 13 March 1945,
seat fighters. The Navy was frequently called upon by prior to the arrival of the ground crews and support
the Army Air Forces to provide seaplane escorts for staff, all personnel were given reassignment orders
fighter groups making long transits between island sending them to other squadrons.
bases. The presence of amphibious Navy aircraft also 7 Apr 1945: VPB-54 was disestablished at NAS
ensured a quick rescue in the event of ditching. VP-54 Alameda, Calif.
conducted such a mission on 22 September, escorting
the Western Caroline Air Force from Emirau to Peleliu
Home Port Assignments
Island, staging through Hollandia and Owi.
24 Sep 1944: A three-aircraft element was sent on a Location Date of Assignment
night search for enemy shipping in the passage north NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Nov 1942
of Peleliu. NAS San Diego, Calif. Dec 1943
1 Oct 1944: VP-54 was redesignated VPB-54. On NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 21 May 1944
this date, the squadron provided an escort for Marine NAS Alameda, Calif. 24 Feb 1945
squadrons being transferred from Emirau to Palau.
4 Nov 1944: A detachment of six aircraft and crews
remained at Peleliu Island, Palau, for Dumbo missions. Commanding Officers
The other seven squadron aircraft remained at Espiritu
Date Assumed Command
Santo.
10 Nov 1944: VPB-54 was relieved by RNZAF LT Carl W. Schoenweiss 15 Nov 1942
Squadron No. 5, but lacking further orders remained at LCDR Kenneth J. Sanger 6 Feb 1944
Espiritu Santo until mid-December.
12–23 Dec 1944: The seven aircraft of the Espiritu Aircraft Assignment
Santo detachment of VPB-54 were relocated to the is-
land of Los Negros. On 23 December 1944, the de- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
tachment relieved VPB-34 for air-sea rescue and evac- PBY-5A 15 Nov 1942
 CHAPTER 4 479

The squadron’s commanding officer, Lcdr.

Schoenweiss (right) gets a briefing from
one of his pilots, note the squadron in-
signia in the backgr ound (Courtesy
Richard C. Knott Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Mar 1943 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A SoPac

11 Mar 1943 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PBY-5A SoPac
20 Nov 1943 Dec 1943 FAW-1 Sidney PBY-5A SoPac
20 May 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5A SoPac
28 May 1944 * FAW-2 Midway PBY-5A SoPac
12 Jul 1944 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PBY-5A SoPac
31 Jul 1944 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A SoPac
13 Sep 1944 * FAW-2 Emirau PBY-5A SoPac
4 Nov 1944 * FAW-2 Peleliu PBY-5A SoPac
12 Dec 1944 * FAW-10 Los Negros PBY-5A SoPac
Orca (AVP 49)
10 Jan 1945 * FAW-10 Leyte PBY-5A SoPac
Tangier (AV 8)
San Carlos (AVP 51)
10 Jan 1945 * FAW-10 Lingayen PBY-5A SoPac
Orca (AVP 49)
14 Feb 1945 17 Feb 1945 FAW-10 Leyte PBY-5A SoPac
Currituck (AV 7)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-2 15 Nov 1942 FAW-8 24 Feb 1945
FAW-1 1 Mar 1943
FAW-14 Dec 1943
FAW-2 20 May 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 8 Jul 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 4 Sep 1944
FAW-10 12 Dec 1944 None on record.
480 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PBY-5A being prepared for beaching (Courtesy Fred C. Dickey, Jr., Collection).

A squadron PBY-5A coming up

the launching ramp (Courtesy
Fred C. Dickey, Jr. Collection).
 CHAPTER 4 481

VPB-61 with lime green pupil; tongue, dull red; mouth, black;
binoculars, black with yellow highlights; cap on cat,
bright blue and yellow striped.
Nickname: None on record.
Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY ONE (VP-61) Chronology of Significant Events
on 1 May 1942.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY ONE 1 May 1942: VP-61 was established at NAS
(VPB-61) on 1 October 1944. Alameda, Calif., as a seaplane squadron flying both
Disestablished on 15 September 1945. the PBY-5 Catalina and the amphibious PBY-5A ver-
sion. During this period the squadron came under the
operational control of PatWing-8. Training of squadron
Squadron Insignia and Nickname personnel continued through the end of July.
The only official insignia used by VPB-61 was sub- 10 Jun 1942: Four of the squadron aircraft were
mitted for approval on 28 June 1945, and was ap- ferried to Cold Bay, Alaska, for temporary duty.
proved by CNO on 6 July 1945. The insignia was com- 15 Aug 1942: VP-61 departed NAS Alameda bound
prised of a cat, representing the PBY-5A Land Cats, for Sitka, Alaska. Bad weather encountered en route
rolling a lucky seven with a pair of dice. The cat was kept the squadron grounded at NAS Seattle until 18
August. A break in the overcast allowed the squadron
to make a quick dash to Sitka, then on the next day to
NAS Kodiak, PatWing-4 headquarters where VP-61 re-
ported for duty. The squadron was assigned duty at
Section Base Sand Point, Popof Island. From this loca-
tion three five-hour patrols were flown over search
sectors each day.
23 Aug 1942: Four squadron aircraft were detached
for duty at NAS Kodiak. All four returned to Sand
Point, Popof Island, on 26 August 1942.
27–29 Aug 1942: Two aircraft were detached for
operations from Nazan Bay, Atka Island, with tender
support provided by Casco (AVP 12).
30 Aug 1942: Adak was occupied by Army forces
and an advanced seaplane base was established there
by the tender Teal (AVP 5), which put North Pacific
forces within 250 miles of occupied Kiska and in a po-
sition to maintain a close watch over enemy shipping
lanes to that island and to Attu. The tender Casco (AVP
12) was damaged by a torpedo from the Japanese sub-
marine RO-61, Lieutenant Commander Toshisada
Tokutomi commanding, and was beached while re-
pairs were completed.
2 Sep 1942: The squadron headquarters was relo-
cated to NAF Dutch Harbor. Two aircraft were sent to
operate with tender Casco (AVP 12) at Nazan Bay,
Atka Island; and three aircraft to operate with tender
Teal (AVP 5) at Kuluk Bay, Adak Island. From these
The squadron’s cartoon cat insignia. sites the squadron conducted routine sector patrols
and attacks on Japanese shipping.
30 Nov 1942: In preparation for relief and return to
standing on a bomb with a pair of binoculars around the States, all of the squadron aircraft flew back to
its neck, signifying the squadron’s primary function as Dutch Harbor. Weather conditions were so bad at that
a patrol bombing squadron. There were two color base that none of the aircraft could be flown, even
themes for the cat. When northern based, the though they were kept on alert status through mid-
squadron painted the cat white on a black bomb; if December.
southern based, it became black on a gray bomb. 12 Dec 1942: A temporary break in the weather al-
Colors: field, aquamarine; dice, white and gray with lowed the squadron to depart NAF Dutch Harbor, but
black dots; bomb, black (or gray) with yellow high- it only got as far as Sitka, Alaska, when storms kept
lights; cat, white (or black); cat jowls, gray; eyes, white VP-61 grounded until 22 December 1942.
482 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

22 Dec 1942: VP-61 departed NAS Sitka for NAS ture from the Japanese brought FAW-4 bases to the tip
Seattle, Wash. Upon arrival, crews were given home of the Aleutian chain, nearly 1,000 miles from the
leave through 6 January 1943. Alaskan mainland and 750 miles from Japanese terri-
15 Jan 1943: After a week spent at NAS Seattle set- tory in the Kuriles.
tling squadron affairs and administrative matters, the 7–16 Oct 1943: VP-61 was relieved by VB-61. Only
squadron again departed for the north, returning to half of the squadron was able to depart on the 8th
NAS Sitka, Alaska, then on to Kodiak on 18 January when the weather shut down operations. The rest of
1943. After reporting to FAW-4 headquarters, the the aircraft left the next day and rejoined the
squadron was assigned to NAF Otter Point, Umnak squadron at Kodiak. By 16 October 1943, all of the
Island. squadron aircraft arrived safely at NAS Seattle, com-
19 Jan 1943: VP-61 relieved VP-42 at NAF Otter pleting the second tour of duty in the Aleutian Island
Point. After getting settled, detachments of aircraft chain. All hands were given 30 days home leave and
were sent to NAF Dutch Harbor, Aleutians.
told to report on expiration of leave to NAS Whidbey
4 May 1943: Squadron headquarters were reestab-
Island, Wash.
lished at NAF Adak, Alaska, with a detachment at
5 Jan 1944: VP-61 was reformed at NAS Whidbey
Amchitka Island.
10 May–7 Jun 1943: Squadron headquarters were Island under the operational control of FAW-6, spend-
shifted to Amchitka Island in preparation for the inva- ing the next three months training new crews and re-
sion of Attu Island on 11 May. On 7 June 1943, the es- furbishing equipment.
tablishment of NAF Attu within one week of its cap- 8 Apr 1944: The squadron departed NAS Whidbey
Island for its third Aleutian tour, proceeding to
Yakutat, Alaska, then on to
NAS Kodiak on 12 April. After
reporting to FAW-4 headquar-
ters, the squadron was given
orders to report to Adak
Island to attend the LORAN
School and the Ordnance re-
fresher course. LORAN, which
stood for long-range aid to
navigation, equipment had
been tested for the first time
at NAS Lakehurst, N.J., on 13
June 1942. Operators could
home in on beacons during
IFR flying conditions and find
their home bases safely. In
the inclement weather of the
far northwest, this equipment
proved to be a lifesaver.
22 Apr 1944: VP-61 de-
parted Adak for NAS Attu,
commencing daily patrols the
next day. The patrol areas
were divided into six pie-
shaped segments extending
350 miles out to sea.
15 Sep 1944: VP-61 began
flying inshore patrols along
the shipping lanes, which ex-
tended the complete length of
the Aleutian chain. To facili-
tate the coverage over these
vast distances, the squadron
A PBY taxiing past two PT boats in the Aleutians, September 1943. was divided into detach-
 CHAPTER 4 483

ments: Headquarters moved to NS Adak, Detachment Home Port Assignments

1 went to NAF Amchitka, Detachment 2 to NAS
Kodiak, and Detachment 3 went to NAF Dutch Location Date of Assignment

Harbor. NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 May 1942

10 Dec 1944: VPB-61 was relieved from inshore pa- NAS Seattle, Wash. 22 Dec 1942
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 5 Jan 1944
trols by VPB-43. The various detachments rejoined the
headquarters staff at NAS Kodiak.
11–28 Dec 1944: VPB-61 departed Kodiak en route Commanding Officers
to NAS Seattle, Wash. The last aircraft arrived on 28
Date Assumed Command
December 1944, and all hands were given home leave.
LCDR Frank Bruner 1 May 1942
1 Feb 1945: VPB-61 began reforming at NAS
LCDR Charles J. Eastman 5 Jan 1944
Whidbey Island with new personnel and equipment. LCDR W. J. Camp, Jr. 18 Feb 1945
With the end of the war imminent, deployment plans
were delayed until the end of August, when the deci-
Aircraft Assignment
sion was made to disestablish the squadron.
15 Sep 1945: VPB-61 was disestablished at NAS Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Whidbey Island, Wash. PBY-5/5A May 1942

A PBY on patrol in the Aleutians area, March 1943, 80-G-K-8145.

484 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Jun 1942 * PatWing-4 Cold Bay PBY-5/5A NorPac

15 Aug 1942 * PatWing-4 Sitka PBY-5/5A NorPac
30 Aug 1942 * PatWing-4 Adak PBY-5/5A NorPac
Teal (AVP 5)
2 Sep 1942 22 Dec 1942 PatWing-4 Dutch Harbor PBY-5/5A NorPac
Casco (AVP 12)
Teal (AVP 5)
15 Jan 1943 * FAW-4 Umnak Is. PBY-5A NorPac
4 May 1943 * FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac
11 May 1943 7 Oct 1943 FAW-4 Amchitka PBY-5A NorPac
12 Apr 1944 * FAW-4 Kodiak/Adak PBY-5A NorPac
22 Apr 1944 11 Dec 1944 FAW-4 Attu PBY-5A NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the North Pacific, moving from base to base.

Air Wing Assignments Air Wing Assignments

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-8 1 May 1942 † Patrol Wing 4 (PatWing-4) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4
PatWing-4/FAW-4† 15 Aug 1942 (FAW-4) on 1 November 1942.
FAW-6 22 Dec 1942
FAW-4 15 Jan 1943
Unit Awards Received
FAW-6 16 Oct 1943
FAW-4 12 Apr 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 28 Dec 1944 None on record.

A PBY being serv-

iced at an Aleutians
airfield, July 1943,
80-G-K-8155.
 CHAPTER 4 485

VPB-63 Catalina. The squadron was originally intended to be

used in the South Pacific as a Black Cat squadron operat-
ing out of Guadalcanal, but shortly after its establishment
a decision was made to use it as a test bed for two new
Lineage technological innovations—Magnetic Anomoly Detection
Established as Patrol Squadron SIXTY THREE (VP- (MAD) equipment and retro-firing rockets. The MAD
63) on 19 September 1942. gear was designed to detect the presence of a submarine
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron SIXTY underwater, while the 12 (later 15) retro-firing rockets
THREE (VPB-63) on 1 October 1944. overcame the tendency of air-dropped depth charges to
Disestablished on 2 July 1945. overshoot the target by canceling out the bomb’s forward
trajectory as soon as it was dropped. A third device was
soon added to the squadron’s arsenal, the passive-listen-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname ing sonobuoy. This equipment was dropped over the
The squadron’s only known insignia was approved suspected location of a submarine and allowed the air-
by CNO on 3 November 1944, after it had been redes- craft PPC to determine with a high degree of accuracy
ignated VPB-63. The design was inspired by the the target’s depth and position.
squadron’s MAD gear. It featured the face of a “mad” 2 Nov 1942: VP-63 ferried nine PBY-5As to NAS
cat wearing a sailor Kaneohe, Hawaii. The flight provided valuable experi-
hat, holding a broken ence for the squadron’s upcoming transpac.
submarine in its paws. 5–7 Dec 1942: A full squadron alert took all avail-
Colors: field, yellow; able aircraft into the Pacific on long-range search pa-
border, dark blue; trols for Japanese carriers believed to be coming in
paws, jowls and hat, under cover a weather front to make a sneak raid on
white; cat face blue; the California coast. No enemy vessels were sighted,
eyeball, yellow and but the patrols gave the squadron valuable experience
green; pupil, dark in rough weather operations.
blue with white iris; 31 Dec 1942: A VP-63 Catalina piloted by
submarine, black; let- Lieutenant James E. Breeding made a night crash land-
tering, green with dark ing at sea five miles off the coast of Oregon. Although
blue shadows. all eight of the crew were able to board life rafts be-
The squadron’s insignia.
Nickname: The Mad fore the plane sank, all but one drowned in the surf
Cats, 1943–1945. while coming ashore.
1 Jan 1943: The squadron’s success in tactical exer-
cises resulted in an increase in the complement from
Chronology of Significant Events 12 to 18 aircraft and crews.
19 Sep 1942: VP-63 was established at NAS 14 Feb 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Henry Kovacs made a
Alameda, Calif., under the operational control of crash landing in San Francisco Bay. Three crewmen
PatWing-8, as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A were killed, including Lieutenant (jg) Kovacs.

A squadron PBY-5A, circa 1942.

486 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Mar 1943: VP-63 departed NAS Alameda for San erations with the RAF 19 Group Coastal Command and
Diego, Calif. On the 16th, the squadron was officially assignment to the operational control of FAW-7. On 23
detached from FAW-8 and assigned to FAW-5. On the July 1943, VP-63 became the first U.S. patrol squadron
17th the squadron departed San Diego for NAS to operate from the United Kingdom in the campaign
Elizabeth City, N.C., via Salton Sea, Calif.; Corpus against U-boats.
Christi, Tex.; and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Fla. 28 Jul 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Samuel R. Parker
Upon arrival, the aircrews were given a brief course caught two U-boats on the surface while on patrol.
on use of searchlights in ASW operations. Both remained on the surface putting up a fierce
30 Mar 1943: Lieutenant Frederick A. Brown and concentration of AA fire that prevented Lieutenant
his entire crew were lost in a crash off Albemarle (jg) Parker from attacking. Two RAF flying boats
Sound, N.C., while on a searchlight training flight. soon arrived on the scene, forcing the U-boats to
4–18 Apr 1943: A six-aircraft detachment was sent dive. Subsequent attacks by the combined aircraft
to NAS Key West for duty under the operational con- were unsuccessful.
trol of FAW-12. Two days later the rest of the squadron 1 Aug 1943: On one of the squadron’s patrols in
was transferred to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., for opera- the Bay of Biscay, a VP-63 aircraft piloted by
tions under FAW-9. The detachment rejoined the Lieutenant William P. Tanner, was attacked by eight
squadron there on 18 April 1943. enemy Ju-88 fighter-bombers. In the ensuing combat,
24 Apr 1943: A four-aircraft detachment was sent to two of the enemy aircraft were claimed shot down
NAS Jacksonville, Fla., returning to NAS Quonset Point and a one damaged. Lieutenant Tanner was also shot
on 6 June 1943. down, but survived with two members of his crew.
2 May 1943: A two-aircraft detachment was sent to This encounter marked the first aerial combat between
Bermuda for ASW operations, returning to NAS U.S. Naval Aviation and the Luftwaffe. The Ju-88 en-
Quonset Point on 24 May 1943. counters were not accidental; the aircraft were a spe-
May 1943: In two separate incidents, squadron air- cial squadron of attack interceptors tasked with
craft made emergency landings at sea with only minor finding and shooting down Allied ASW aircraft search-
injuries to personnel. ing for German U-boats. Postwar examination of
22–23 Jun 1943: VP-63 departed NAS Quonset German records indicate that only one enemy fighter
Point for RAFB Pembroke Dock, South Wales, for op- was actually shot down, a Ju-88C-6 Werk No. 360118

A squadron PBY at Pembroke Dock, South Wales, England, with a British Sunderland in the foreground, 1943, 80-G-53246 (Courtesy Captain
Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 487

from 13/KG40. The German crew was rescued later by ing of U-761, Oberleutnant Horst Geider commanding.
one of their seaplanes. The U-boat was attacked by a British Catalina of RAF
16–26 Dec 1943: U-boat hunting in the Bay of Squadron 202 and a PV-1 Ventura of VB-127.
Biscay was no longer productive and was a waste of Lieutenant P. L. Holmes, pilot of the VB-127 Ventura,
the squadron’s MAD resources. VP-63 departed RAFB assisted in the kill by dropping depth charges on U-
Pembroke Dock en route to NAF Port Lyautey, French 761 when it surfaced. It was the first sinking of a sub-
Morocco, for better hunting grounds in the marine aided by MAD equipment. Following the at-
Mediterranean. Two aircraft remained at Pembroke tack by VB-127, the U-boat was scuttled near Tangier,
Dock to continue operations with the RAF in experi- in view of approaching British destroyers. The crew of
mental countermeasures being developed for use 51 was picked up by HMS Anthony and Wishart.
against the V-1 flying bomb. While en route to Port 16 Mar 1944: Squadron aircraft piloted by
Lyuatey on 25 December 1943, squadron commanding Lieutenant (jg) M. J. Vopatek, Lieutenant R. C. Spears,
officer Lieutenant Commander Curtis Hutchings came and Lieutenant (jg) V. A.T. Lingle detected U-392,
under fire from a group of six enemy destroyers that Oberstleutenant Henning Schümann commanding,
had put to sea under cover of the bad weather. After during an attempted passage of the Straits of Gibraltar.
Lieutenant Commander Hutchings relayed the position Lieutenant (jg) Vopatek guided HMS Affleck into posi-
of the enemy vessels, the Royal Navy arrived and sank tion with his MAD gear. Affleck fired a pattern of
three of the destroyers. The remainder of the depth charges that sent the U-boat to the bottom.
squadron arrived without incident at Port Lyautey on 15 Apr 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Vopatek and Lieutenant
26 December 1943, coming under the operational con- H. L. Worrell repeated the performance of 16 March,
trol of FAW-15. Squadron operations consisted almost when they detected U-731, Oberstleutenant Alexander
solely of antisubmarine warfare patrols in the Straits of Graf von Keller commanding, attempting to cross the
Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. straits. Subsequent attacks by the aircraft did not sink
9 Jan 1944: Lieutenant Woodrow E. Sholes crashed the U-boat but both aircraft continued to track the sub-
during takeoff from the Oued Sebou River at Port marine, guiding HMS Kilmarnock into position for a
Lyautey. Two crewmen survived the accident. successful Hedgehog attack that sent the submarine to
20 Jan 1944: The two aircraft remaining at RAFB the bottom. This sinking was to be the last in the
Pembroke Dock rejoined the squadron at NAF Port Mediterranean theater, as the squadron had, in the
Lyautey. words of British Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham
8 Feb 1944: A two-aircraft barrier patrol was estab- “ . . . turned the Mediterranean into an Allied lake.”
lished between the southern tip of Spain and the tip of 6 Dec 1944: The Mad Cats were reduced to 12 air-
Spanish Morocco. The aircraft flew at an altitude of craft with three spares. The resulting surplus person-
only 55 feet from dawn to dusk, in all sorts of weather. nel were returned to the U.S. for reassignment to other
Spanish antiaircraft batteries in Spanish Morocco fre- patrol squadrons.
quently shot at the patrolling aircraft whenever they 10 Jan 1945: A detachment of aircraft was sent to
flew close to the three-mile limit. RNAS Dunkeswell, Devon, England, for operations
24 Feb 1944: U-761 was detected by PBY-5 with RAF Coastal Command, under the operational
Catalinas of VP-63 during an attempt to pass through control of FAW-7.
the Straits of Gibraltar. The two VP-63 PBYs, piloted 30 Apr 1945: Lieutenant F. G. Lake, from the
by Lieutenants Howard Baker and T. R. Woolley, used Dunkeswell Detachment, sighted U-1107 while sub-
their MAD gear to detect, track and assist in the sink- merged with only its snorkle visible. The U-boat, com-
manded by Oberstleutenant Fritiz Parduhn, was
quickly sunk by a spread of 30 retro contact bombs
fired by the MAD signature, rather than visual sighting.
11 May 1945: U-541, Kapitänleutnant Kurt Petersen
commanding, surrendered to PPC Lieutenant W. D. Ray.
The U-boat was fully surfaced and raised the black flag
in accordance with surrender instructions. Lieutenant
Ray circled the U-boat for two hours until surface units
arrived on the scene. A guard crew was then put
aboard and the submarine was escorted to Gibraltar.
4 Jun 1945: Orders were received to stand down
for return to NAS Norfolk, Va., and disestablishment.
The squadron departed Port Lyautey and Dunkeswell,
with all personnel arriving at Norfolk by 21 June 1945.
On 24 February 1944 U-761 was detected by squadron PBYs which
tracked and assisted in the sinking of the submarine. This photo 2 Jul 1945: VPB-63 was disestablished at NAS
shows the crew of U-761 abandoning the submarine. Norfolk, Va..
488 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

On 11 May 1945 U-541 surrendered to a squadron PBY. This photo shows the U-541 surfaced with a British destroyer on the far left, 80-G-319661
(Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

A close up of U-541 surrendering, 80-G-319659 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

 CHAPTER 4 489

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR Edward O. Wagner 19 Sep 1942
NAS Alameda, Calif. 19 Sep 1942 LCDR Curtis H. Hutchings 23 Sep 1943
NAS Elizabeth City, N. C. 23 Mar 1943 LCDR Carl W. Brown 25 Jul 1944
NAS Quonset Point, R. I. 6 Apr 1943
RAFB Pembroke Dock, Aircraft Assignment
South Wales, England 22 Jun 1943 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Port Lyautey, F.M. 16 Dec 1943 PBY-5A Sep 1942
NAS Norfolk, Va. 21 Jun 1945 PBY-5A MAD Oct 1942

A close up showing the MAD gear on a

squadron PBY.

A close up of a squadron PBY-5A showing the rails on the wing for retrorockets, 80-G-53255 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
490 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

22 Jun 1943 25 Dec 1943 FAW-7 Pembroke PBY-5A NorLant

26 Dec 1943 9 Jan 1945 FAW-15 Port Lyautey PBY-5A Med
10 Jan 1945 21 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Dunkeswell PBY-5A NorLant

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-8/FAW-8* 19 Sep 1942 None on record.
FAW-5 16 Mar 1943
FAW-9 6 Apr 1943
FAW-7 22 Jun 1943
FAW-15 26 Dec 1943
FAW-5 21 Jun 1945
* Patrol Wing 8 (PatWing-8) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing (FAW-

8) on 1 November 1942.

A squadron PBY flies above a Navy

blimp, 1945, 80-G-48763 (Courtesy
Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

A squadron PBY-5A, 80-G-53247 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

 CHAPTER 4 491

VPB-84

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron EIGHTY FOUR (VP-
84) on 1 October 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron EIGHTY
FOUR (VPB-84) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 28 June 1945.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

None on record.

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Oct 1941–15 Apr 1942: VP-84 was established at
NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of
PatWing-8. The squadron remained without aircraft A squadron depth bomb explodes to port as U-467 turns hard right.
during training. In December the squadron was trans- U-467 was sunk by a squadron aircraft on 25 May 1943 (Courtesy
ferred to NAS San Diego, Calif., for a month of ground Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
and flight training. On 1 February 1942, it was trans-
ferred to NAS Alameda, Calif., for advanced flight
training in the PBY-5A Catalina. The squadron then re- Lieutenant R. C. Millard and crew off Iceland using
turned to NAS Norfolk in two detachments, departing bombs.
the West Coast on 12 and 15 April 1942. Two aircraft 11 Jun 1943: Lieutenant Douglas S. Vieira and crew
of the first section of aircraft, led by the squadron attempted a water landing to rescue the crew of a
commanding officer, crashed into a mountain top ditched RAF B-17 Flying Fortress. During the landing,
while flying in heavy fog near Livermore, Calif. Only the aircraft hit a large wave and sank, leaving the crew
one enlisted crew member survived. to join the RAF survivors floating in life rafts. Five days
1 Jun 1942: Nine VP-84 aircraft departed NAS later one survivor was rescued; the others had died of
Norfolk, Va., for NAS Argentia, Newfoundland, with a exposure to the cold.
three-aircraft detachment remaining at Charleston, S.C. 20 Jun 1943: U-388, commanded by
The detachment rejoined the squadron at the end of Oberstleutenant Peter Sues, was sunk by Lieutenant E.
June. W. Wood and crew.
25 Sep 1942: VP-84 departed NAS Argentia for FAB 24 Jun 1943: U-194, commanded by
Reykjavik, Iceland, relieving VP-73 of convoy cover- Kapitänleutenant Heerman Hesse, was sunk by
age, ASW patrols and special patrols in cooperation Lieutenant J. W. Beach and crew.
with RAF Coastal Command. Flying was generally con- 7 Sep 1943: The squadron returned to the continen-
ducted under 600-foot ceilings, with two-mile visibility tal U.S., arriving at NAS Beaufort, S.C., on 25
at a maximum. Days were short during the winter September. During its one-year deployment, the
months with only four hours of dim daylight available. squadron had experimented with several types of ar-
5 Nov 1942: U-408, commanded by Kapitänleutnant mament against the German U-boats. Twin fixed 50-
Reinhard von Hymmen, was sunk by Lieutenant R. C. caliber machine guns were found too difficult to oper-
Millard and his crew. The submarine, caught on the ate. A fixed 20-mm cannon obtained from a P-38
surface, was struck by four depth bombs aft of the squadron worked well, but the best results were ob-
conning tower while submerging. tained from a fixed 50-caliber gun with twin 30-caliber
27 Dec 1942: Lieutenant H. H. Luce and his crew guns in the forward turret. These weapons were used
were killed during extreme turbulence in a squall, with varying degrees of success in 31 attacks. The
crashing on the Keflavik Peninsula. primitive ASV Mark II radar sets were less than useless
14 May 1943: U-640, commanded by on patrols, as German U-boats could detect the signals
Oberleutenant Karl-Heinz Nagel, was sunk by of the units and submerge before the aircraft could
Lieutenant P. A. Bodinet and crew off Iceland using a spot the targets. Upon return to NAS Beaufort, VP-84
Fido homing torpedo. came under the operational control of FAW-9.
25 May 1943: U-467, commanded by 28 Nov 1943: Lieutenant J. W. Beach and five mem-
Kapitänleutnant Heinz Kummer, was sunk by bers of his crew were killed in a crash two miles north
492 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

of NAS Beaufort. Four other members survived the submarine sweeps along the Eastern Sea Frontier. At
crash. No cause for the accident was ever determined. this time there was considerable concern over the abil-
18 Dec 1943: The squadron proceeded on to NAS ity of the Germans to launch submarine-borne V-1 buzz
Quonset Point, R.I., where it commenced convoy pa- bombs in attacks on major coastal cities.
trols and coverage of sea lanes off the eastern 7 Apr 1945: VP-84 received orders to proceed to
seaboard out to the 500-mile mark. During this period NAS Alameda, Calif. All aircraft and crews, including
new ASV Mark III radar and airborne LORAN gear those of the Coco Solo detachment, arrived safely by
were installed, greatly reducing the hazards of naviga- 18 April 1945. The squadron came under the opera-
tion in foul weather conditions. tional control of FAW-8 on 20 April, providing support
11 May 1944: VP-84 was transferred to NAS Coco for the United Nations Conference for International
Solo, C.Z., under the operational control of FAW-3. A Organization being held in the San Francisco area.
detachment was sent to Barranquilla, Colombia, to Patrols were conducted in cooperation with VPB-32.
conduct ASW sweeps of the tanker lanes. The detach- Each squadron flew four eight-hour ASW patrols in the
ment rejoined the squadron at NAS Coco Solo on 4 Bay area each day.
November 1944. Since the Navy had no field for land- 4 May 1945: PPC Lieutenant (jg) Robert Moment,
based aircraft, the squadron used the Army’s New the squadron executive officer Lieutenant Commander
France Field next to the naval air station. A one-mile Norman W. White and most of the crew of a squadron
long taxi strip connected the two air bases. PBY-5A were killed in a crash shortly after takeoff.
11 Nov 1944–12 Jan 1945: VP-84 received orders to The aircraft encountered fog two miles north of the
return to NAS Quonset Point, R.I. The squadron re- Golden Gate Bridge and crashed into a hilltop while
turned in two sections of three aircraft each, one arriv- attempting to get beneath the overcast. Two enlisted
ing on 4 December 1944, the other arriving on 12 crewmen survived the crash.
January 1945. A third four-aircraft detachment remained 28 Jun 1945: VPB-84 was disestablished at NAS
at NAS Coco Solo to continue convoy patrols. Five of Alameda, Calif. A large portion of the squadron pilots
the squadron aircraft of the NAS Quonset Point group and crews were used for ferry duty on a temporary
received the L8C searchlight installation to assist in anti- basis after disestablishment of the squadron.

Squadron personnel with a squadron PBY-5A in the background, 7 November 1944.

 CHAPTER 4 493

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR Loren A. Morris 1 Oct 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Oct 1941 LCDR Jesse J. Underhill 12 Apr 1942
NAS Argentia, Newfoundland 1 Jun 1942 LT Brendan J. Moynahan 26 Feb 1943
FAB Reykjavik, Iceland 25 Sep 1942 LCDR Poyntell C. Staley, Jr. 18 Mar 1943
NAS Beauford, S.C. 7 Sep 1943 LCDR Douglas G. Parker 12 Dec 1943
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 18 Dec 1943
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 11 May 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 11 Nov 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Alameda, Calif. 7 Apr 1945 PBY-5A Dec 1941

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jun 1942 24 Sep 1942 FAW-7 Argentia PBY-5A NorLant

25 Sep 1942 18 Dec 1943 FAW-7 Reykjavik PBY-5A NorLant
11 May 1944 11 Nov 1944 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBY-5A Carib

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
† Patrol Wing 7 (PatWing-7) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing (FAW-
PatWing-8 1 Oct 1941 7) on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-7/FAW-7† 1 Jun 1942
FAW-9 7 Sep 1943
Unit Awards Received
FAW-3 11 May 1944
FAW-9 11 Nov 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 20 Apr 1945 None on record.
494 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-91 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Dec 1941: VP-91 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Va., under the operational control of PatWing-8, as a
seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5 Catalina. On 15
Lineage
December 1941, the squadron was relocated to
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY ONE (VP- Alameda, Calif. Upon arrival preparations were made
91) on 1 December 1941. for the transpac to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where VP-91
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY would be located to reinforce the patrol squadrons de-
ONE (VPB-91) on 1 October 1944. pleted by the Japanese attack.
Disestablished on 2 April 1946. 28 Feb 1942: VP-91 departed San Francisco, Calif.,
for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving
Squadron Insignia and Nickname safely by 2 March 1942. Upon arrival the squadron
came under the operational control of PatWing-1. VP-
A photograph on file for VP-91 in the Aviation 91 remained in the Hawaii area through early
History Branch squadron insignia archives showed September flying local patrols under COMNAVAIR-
what appeared to be a Disney-like Dumbo elephant, BASEDEFENSE.
with outstretched ears, astride two bombs. The figure 4 Sep 1942: VP-91 began relocating south into the
active war zone, arriving at Espiritu Santo, New
Hebrides Islands, on 13 September 1942. Operations
from this area were conducted while based aboard
Mackinac (AVP 13) in the Segond Channel, under the
operational control of FAW-1. On 2 November 1942,
with the departure of Mackinac, the officers of the
squadron were berthed aboard Curtiss (AV 4), while the
enlisted personnel were berthed aboard Tangier (AV 8).
27 Oct 1942: Lieutenant Melvin K. Atwell and crew
were flying a night reconnaissance mission in the
vicinity of the Solomon Islands when they spotted a
large vessel 30 miles away. They determined that the
dark outline of a large ship was moving in an easterly
direction at high speed. Flying closer to investigate,
the ship was seen to enter a low overcast and stop.
Two passes at low altitude failed to identify the ship.
Atwell climbed back to 1,500 feet and when two miles
from the ship was bracketed by two bursts of AA fire.
He immediately put the aircraft into a dive, releasing
his four 500-pound bombs over the ship at 650 to 600
feet. Two bombs were seen to explode aft of the for-
ward smokestack of the ship, which appeared to be
an Aoba class heavy cruiser. The concussion of the ex-
plosions damaged the aircraft, which barely pulled out
The squadron’s insignia. of the dive at 20 feet above the surface of the sea.
Atwell chose not to linger in the vicinity of the war-
ship, as he had developed several fuel leaks. As they
was in a circular patch with the squadron designation headed for home base a large orange flash was seen
VP below the right ear, and 91 above it. Above and in the distance in the vicinity of the target, followed by
outside the design was the logo UP-FLOATS. Colors: a larger explosion 10 minutes later. For his courageous
background, dark blue; outlines and letters, gold. The single-handed attack on the enemy warship Lieutenant
reputed insignia tied in with one of the squadron’s pri- Atwell was awarded the Navy Cross.
mary missions in WWII, that of Dumbo missions to re- 13 Nov 1942: Five of the squadron aircraft were
trieve downed airmen. The squadron achieved a flown to Vanikoro, supported by tender Mackinac
record on this score, retrieving 80 airmen from the (AVP 13) in Peon Bay. On 2 December 1942,
water during two tours in the South Pacific. Mackinac was relieved by Ballard (AVD 10), and re-
Unfortunately, no documentation survives to verify the turned to Espiritu Santo. The detachment of five air-
authenticy of the insignia or its approval by CNO. craft and six crews remained with Ballard, flying sec-
Nickname: None on record. tor searches from Vanikoro, while the seven aircraft
 CHAPTER 4 495

remaining at Espiritu Santo aboard Mackinac flew sec- 10 Sep 1944: VP-91 was reformed at NAS San
tors from that location. Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14.
Mar 1943: VP-91 was relieved for return to the con- While training of new personnel was underway, the
tinental U.S. The squadron was reformed at NAS San squadron was redesignated VPB-91.
Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14. 15 Oct 1944: VPB-91 was relocated to NAS Corpus
9 Aug 1943: VP-91 conducted its transpac to Christi, Tex., to learn how to process Naval Aviators
Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving safely at NAS and combat air crews through an advanced training
Kaneohe on 18 August 1943. Here the squadron re- course for combat replacement crews flying the PBM
mained until 1 October 1943, when a detachment of Mariner. On completion of the course on 13 December
six aircraft was sent to Johnson Island for antishipping 1944, the squadron was transferred to NAS Whidbey
patrols in support of the Task Force 14 raid on Wake Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6.
Island from 5 to 6 October. Here the squadron remained until the end of the war,
29 Oct 1943: VP-91 began the deployment from training replacement crews.
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, in three-aircraft elements to 2 Apr 1946: VP-91 was disestablished at NAS
Espiritu Santo. Upon arrival on 10 November 1943, the Whidbey Island, Wash.
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-
1, supported by tenders Wright (AV 1) and
Home Port Assignments
Chandeleur (AV 10). Three days later, a detachment of
six aircraft was sent to Suva, Fiji. A second detachment Location Date of Assignment
of three aircraft was sent to Halavo Bay, leaving three
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Dec 1941
aircraft and six crews to conduct sector patrols from
NAS Alameda 15 Dec 1941
Espiritu Santo. Crews and aircraft were rotated fre-
NAS Ford Island, Hawaii 2 Mar 1942
quently between all three sites.
NAS San Diego, Calif. Mar 1943
1 Jan 1944: The Halavo Bay detachment was re-
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 18 Aug 1943
lieved, and the aircraft and crews redistributed with
NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1944
six PBYs at Suva, aboard Mackinac (AVP 13), and
seven PBYs at Espiritu Santo, aboard Chandeleur (AV NAS Corpus Christi, Tex. 15 Oct 1944
10). Duties consisted primarily of convoy escort and NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 13 Dec 1944
aircraft maintenance.
26 Mar 1944: VP-91 was relieved by VP-54, and dis- Commanding Officers
patched to Tulagi Island, Halavo Bay Seaplane Base.
Shortly after arrival, five aircraft were detached to Date Assumed Command
Treasury Island, three aircraft were sent to Green
LCDR T. U. Sisson 1 Dec 1941
Island, and two were sent to Emirau Island. Duties of
LCDR Joe B. Paschal Jan 1942
the squadron at this time consisted primarily of air-sea
rescue missions and miscellaneous utility work for LCDR James O. Cobb Nov 1942
Commander Air Northern Solomons. On 27 May 1944, LCDR E. L. Farrington 18 Apr 1943
the Treasury Island detachment of five aircraft was sent LT Edwin M. Grant 14 Sep 1944
to Green Island to augment the three aircraft present, LT E. B. Thompson 13 Dec 1944
reverting to search sector and antishipping patrols. The LCDR V. V. Utgoff 21 Mar 1945
augmented detachment was supported by tenders Coos LCDR Harold P. Gerdon 28 Jun 1945
Bay (AVP 25) and Chincoteague (AVP 24).
15 Jun 1944: VP-91 was relieved at Green Island by
VP-44. The eight aircraft of the detachment were Aircraft Assignment
flown to Halavo Bay Seaplane Base, where the
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
squadron was reunited to prepare for transfer back to
the continental U.S. VP-91 departed the combat zone PBY-5 Dec 1942
on 21 July 1944 in elements of three aircraft, bound PBY-5A Dec 1944
for NAS San Diego, Calif., via NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. PBM-3S Oct 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

28 Feb 1942 * FAW-2 Ford Island PBY-5 EastPac

4 Sep 1942 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
Mackinac (AVP 13)
496 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Curtiss (AV 4)
Tangier (AV 8)
2 Dec 1942 Mar 1943 FAW-1 Vanikoro PBY-5 SoPac
Mackinac (AVP 13)
Ballard (AVD 10)
9 Aug 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
1 Oct 1943 * FAW-2 Johnson Isl. PBY-5 EastPac
10 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5 SoPac
Wright (AV 1)
Chandeleur (AV 10)
Mackinac (AVP 13)
Coos Bay (AVP 25)
Chincoteague (AVP 24)
26 Mar 1944 21 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Tulagi PBY-5 SoPac
27 Mar 1944† 27 May 1944 FAW-1 Treasury Isl. PBY-5 SoPac
27 Mar 1944† 15 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Emirau PBY-5 SoPac
27 Mar 1944† 15 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Green Island PBY-5 SoPac
Coos Bay (AVP 25)
Chincoteague (AVP 24)
15 Jun 1944 21 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Halavo Bay PBY-5 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
† The squadron conducted split deployments to two or more sites on the same dates.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-8 1 Dec 1941 ‡ Patrol Wings (PatWings) were redesignated Fleet Air Wings (FAWs)
PatWing-1/ FAW-1‡ 2 Mar 1942 on 1 November 1942.
FAW-14 Mar 1943
FAW-2 9 Aug 1943
FAW-1 29 Oct 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-14 21 Jul 1944
Naval Air Training Command 15 Oct 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 13 Dec 1944 NUC 15 Sep 1942 1 Mar 1943

A squadron PBY-5 refueling from a

tender, October 1942 (Courtesy
Richard C. Knott Collection via Dave
Walkinshaw).
 CHAPTER 4 497

VPB-92 24 Jun–5 Jul 1942: A detachment of three aircraft

was sent to Camaguay, Cuba. On 5 July, the entire
squadron left San Juan for NAS Guantanamo Bay. Once
arrived and operational, the primary mission assigned
Lineage was air-sea rescue work and occasional ASW patrols.
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY TWO (VP- 15–27 Aug 1942: Operational control of the
92) on 26 December 1941. squadron was shifted from PatWing-3 to PatWing-11
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY on 15 August. On 27 August a squadron PBY-5A
TWO (VPB-92) on 1 October 1944. Catalina piloted by Lieutenant G. R. Fiss dropped
Disestablished on 28 May 1945. depth charges on a U-boat. The Catalina’s attack was
followed-up by the Canadian corvette HMCS Oakville
which rammed U-94. U-94, commanded by
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Oberstleutenant Otto Ites (Knights Cross), sank with a
None on record. loss of 19 and 26 survivors.
19 Sep 1942: A two-aircraft detachment was sent to
Great Exuma to patrol that area and the Bahamas.
Chronology of Significant Events
Two days later, another two-aircraft detachment was
26 Dec 1941–15 Jan 1942: VP-92 was established sent to Trinidad to conduct ASW and antishipping pa-
at NAS Alameda, Calif., as a seaplane squadron flying trols. On 24 September one of the Exuma detachment
the PBY-5A Catalina under the operational control of aircraft crashed while attempting to land in the un-
PatWing-8. The squadron personnel began ground lighted harbor at night. The aircraft was a total loss
training at NAS Alameda, with flights commencing and several of the crew injured.
after the arrival of the first Catalinas from the factory 7–10 Oct 1942: All detachments rejoined the
on 15 January 1942. squadron at NAS Guantanamo, Cuba. VP-92 was then
5–15 Mar 1942: VP-92 began a transcontinental divided into two sections. The first division departed
flight from NAS Alameda, Calif., to NS San Juan, P.R. on 22 October for French Morocco under the opera-
The unassigned flight crews and ground support staff tional control of FAW-15 (scheduled for establishment
departed for Florida by train. On 15 March, these per- on 1 December 1942), followed by the second division
sonnel boarded Pastores (AF 16) for transportation to on 25 October. Spare crews and ground support per-
San Juan. Upon arrival the squadron came under the sonnel departed Guantanamo aboard Biscayne (AVP
operational control of PatWing-3. When the first air- 11) on 23 October.
craft of VP-92 landed at San Juan, the beaching party 13 Nov 1942: Two squadron aircraft caught a sub-
had never seen an amphibious Catalina. The aircraft marine on the surface 700 miles off Casablanca that re-
landed in the bay and proceeded at taxi speed for the fused to answer recognition signals. Lieutenant H. S.
beaching apron while lowering their wheels into the Blake made a run on the submarine and blew off the
water. The beaching crews panicked, thinking that the conning tower, sinking the sub immediately with no
crews were going to run the aircraft into the concrete. survivors sighted. Postwar records indicate that the
They were amazed when the aircraft emerged from submarine in question was the 1,570-ton Vichy French
the water on dry land with wheels already attached. submarine Le Conquerant.
12 Mar–May 1942: A detachment of five aircraft 14 Nov 1942: VP-92 began operational flying from
were assigned to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On 13 Cazes Field, Casablanca, F.M.
March three of these aircraft were sent to Antigua. This 31 Dec 1942: The squadron received its first
detachment was increased to five aircraft on 25 March. German bombing raid. No damage to aircraft or per-
The Guantanamo detachment mission was to protect sonnel resulted from the raid as there had been ad-
convoy shipping throughout the Caribbean. The vance intelligence on the possibility of a raid. All air-
Antigua detachment was to prevent the Vichy French craft had been dispersed to reduce damage. Patrols
surface vessels from supplying German and French and convoy coverage flown from Cazes Field ex-
submarines operating in the Caribbean area. To further tended from the Mediterranean to the Azores and
meet this goal, the Antigua detachment was moved on Canary Islands.
5 May to St. Lucia, which put it closer to Martinique. 6 Apr–23 Jun 1943: VP-92 was relocated to Port
Two attacks on U-boats were made during the month Lyautey, F.M. Patrols of the Mediterranean, photo-
of May, but postwar examination of German records graphic missions and ferry trips to Gibraltar comprised
indicates no damage to any units during that time. most of the squadron’s missions during this period.
19 Jun 1942: The St. Lucia detachment was recalled On 11 April, one aircraft crashed on takeoff, killing the
to San Juan to rejoin the squadron. The Vichy French pilot and three crew members. On 23 June, a four-air-
at Martinque capitulated on 14 May, releasing squadron craft detachment was sent to Agadir, F.M., to guard
assets previously engaged in monitoring that threat. against German blockade-runners.
498 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

6 Jul 1943: Lieutenant (jg) G. R. Morris and crew at- had 12 aircraft at Curacao and three at San Juan for
tacked a surfaced U-boat five miles from a convoy long-range patrol work and ASW standby.
they were covering. Accurate AA fire from the U-boat 29 Nov 1944: VPB-92 transferred to NAS Quonset
killed radioman ARM3c E. J. Gibson and wounded Point, R.I., under FAW-9, with a detachment of two air-
several others of the crew, including Morris himself. craft remaining at Curacao for long-range patrol work.
Depth charges and strafing from the Catalina appar- The Quonset Point portion of the squadron was as-
ently damaged the U-boat sufficiently to prevent its at- signed convoy patrol coverage missions and ASW
tacking the convoy. Despite their injuries, the aircrew sweeps protecting the approaches to New York har-
remained on station for another two hours until re- bor. Weather was again a problem for operations, only
lieved, protecting the convoy from further attack. For this time it was snow and ice that held the squadron
his valiant efforts in protecting the convoy Lieutenant on the deck.
(jg) Morris was awarded the Navy Cross. 18–28 May 1945: VPB-92 received orders to dises-
15 Jul 1943: Lieutenant R. J. Finnie assisted in the tablish. On 24 May all the squadron aircraft were
sinking of U-135, Oberstleutenant Otto Luther com- flown to NAS Norfolk, Va., where the aircraft were
manding, off the coast of Morocco near the port of turned over to HEDRON-5. The squadron was for-
Agadir. Finnie’s depth bombs damaged the submarine, mally disestablished on 28 May 1945.
allowing British destroyers HMS Rochester, Mignonette
and Balsam to finish it off. Five of the crew perished;
41 survived and were picked up by the destroyers. Home Port Assignments
23 Nov 1943: A squadron aircraft crashed on the
Location Date of Assignment
breakwater at Port Lyautey, F.M., during a practice
depth charge run. The starboard wing tip touched the NAS Alameda, Calif. 26 Dec 1941
water in a steep turn, tearing off the wing. All hands NS San Juan, P.R. 5 Mar 1942
were lost. NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 5 July 1942
5 Dec 1943: The entire squadron was transferred to NAAF Cazes Field, Casablanca, F.M. 14 Nov 1942
NAAF Agadir, F.M., to relieve VP-73. The base was still Port Lyautey, F.M. 6 Apr 1943
under construction and had few amenities. NAAF Agadir, F.M. 5 Dec 1943
29 February 1944: VPB-92 was transferred to the British West Indies 29 Feb 1944
British West Indies under the control of FAW-11. One NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 29 Nov 1944
detachment of six aircraft was sent to Hato Field,
Curacao, and another to Zandrey Field, Surinam. The
Commanding Officers
detachments conducted daily sweeps and patrols of
the convoy routes in the Caribbean. Heavy, torrential Date Assumed Command
tropical rains frequently kept the detachment at LCDR Charles Heberton 26 Dec 1941
Zandrey Field grounded for days at a time during this
LCDR J. A. Moreno 18 Aug 1942
period, bringing criticism from FAW-11. The squadron
LCDR J. F. Parker 13 Sep 1943
had its revenge, however, when the commander of
LCDR H. S. Blake 22 Feb 1944
FAW-11 was grounded for two days due to weather
during a visit to the squadron. The Curacao detach- LCDR R. A. Proctor 25 Sep 1944
ment had no problems with the weather and patrols
were conducted on schedule. Aircraft Assignment
14 May–Jul 1944: The squadron moved to NAS San
Juan, P.R., for training, while one four-aircraft detach- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
ment remained at Curacao. On 9 July the squadron PBY-5A 26 Dec 1941

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

5 Mar 1942 4 Jul 1942 PatWing-3 San Juan PBY-5A Carib

5 Jul 1942 21 Oct 1942 PatWing-3 Guantanamo PBY-5A Carib
22 Oct 1942 5 Apr 1943 FAW-15 Casablanca PBY-5A Med
6 Apr 1943 4 Dec 1943 FAW-15 Port Lyautey PBY-5A Med
5 Dec 1943 28 Feb 1944 FAW-15 Agadir PBY-5A Med
29 Feb 1944 13 May 1944 FAW-11 Curacao PBY-5A SoLant
 CHAPTER 4 499

Major Overseas Deployments—Continued

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

29 Feb 1944 13 May 1944 FAW-11 Surinam PBY-5A SoLant

14 May 1944 8 Jul 1944 FAW-11 San Juan PBY-5A Carib
9 Jul 1944 29 Nov 1944 FAW-11 Curacao PBY-5A SoLant

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-8 26 Dec 41
* PatWing-11 was redesignated FAW-11 on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-3 15 Mar 42
PatWing-11/FAW-11* 15 Aug 42
FAW-15 1 Dec 42 Unit Awards Received
FAW-11 29 Feb 1944
FAW-9 29 Nov 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 24 May 1945 None on record.

A squadron PBY-5A on patrol in the Caribbean, May 1942, 80-G-13377 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
500 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-94 three-aircraft sections, one remaining at Jacksonville

and the other deployed to Charleston, S.C. on 10 June
1942. A third detachment of two aircraft was formed
and deployed to MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., on 1
Lineage September 1942. The squadron shifted aircraft and
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY FOUR (VP- crews between the various detachment sites until 14
94) on 3 March 1942. January 1943, when all of the personnel and aircraft
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY were reunited at NAS Jacksonville in preparation for
FOUR (VPB-94) on 1 October 1944. deployment to Brazil.
Disestablished on 22 December 1944. 16 Jan 1943: VP-94 deployed to NAF Natal, Brazil.
Administrative headquarters were established at that
site on 20 January 1943, placing the squadron under
Squadron Insignia and Nickname the operational control of FAW-11. Convoy patrols and
None on record. ASW searches were conducted along the coastal con-
voy routes.
18–24 Jun 1943: The squadron’s reach was ex-
Chronology of Significant Events
tended when a detachment of six aircraft was formed
3 Mar 1942: VP-94 was established at NAS Norfolk, and deployed to NAF Belem, Brazil. A second detach-
Va., as a seaplane squadron flying the PBY-5A Catalina ment of three aircraft was sent to Rio de Janeiro,
under the operational control of Eastern Sea Frontier, Brazil, on 24 June.
PatWing-9. The squadron conducted routine training 9 Jul 1943: Lieutenant S. Auslander, from the Belem
while stationed at Norfolk. detachment, attacked and sank U-590, commanded by
18 May 1942–14 Jan 1943: The squadron remained Oberstleutenant Werner Krüer, in the Atlantic off
at NAS Norfolk under training until 18 May when or- Trinidad. On the same day, Lieutenant Frank Hare
ders were received to transfer to NAS Quonset Point, made an attack on another submarine caught on the
R.I., for patrol duties and coastal convoy protection. surface. The U-boat immediately opened fire with its
Within two weeks the operational demands of the quad-mount AA guns, killing Lieutenant Hare and
Eastern Sea Frontier resulted in the formation of a six- forcing the aircraft to break off the attack.
aircraft detachment being deployed to NAS 21 Jul 1943: Lieutenant R. H. Rowland from the
Jacksonville, Fla. This detachment was split into two Belem detachment attacked and sank U-662, com-

U-662 under attack by a squadron aircraft. The U-boat was sunk by the squadron on 21 July 1943, 80-G-85240 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 501

manded by Oberstleutenant Heinz-Eberhard Müller, in effective. On 31 July 1943, one of the trainee pilots,
the Atlantic off Dutch Guiana. Lieutenant Rowland’s Cadet A. Torres, sank U-199. The U-boat, commanded
crew dropped life rafts for the survivors from the at- by Kapitänleutnant Hans-Werner Kraus (Knights
tack. The German submariners were later picked up Cross), went down in the Atlantic off Cape Frio, Brazil,
by PC 494 from Task Force 2. with a loss of 49 crewmen and 11 survivors.
Jul 1943: The decision was made to relocate the 12 Dec 1944: The squadron’s entire complement of
headquarters of the squadron to Belem, where the ma- aircraft and supplies was formally presented to the
jority of the squadron was now located. The move Forca Aerea Brazileira at Galeao, Rio de Janeiro,
was made on 13 July 1943, leaving a five-aircraft de- Brazil. Squadron personnel received orders for their
tachment at NAF Natal and seven aircraft at NAF return to NAS Norfolk on 15 December, and VPB-94
Belem. Over the next eight months, detachments were was officially disestablished on 22 December 1944.
deployed at various times to Recife, Fernando de
Noronha, Sao Luiz and Fortaleza, Brazil; Trinidad,
Home Port Assignments
B.W.I.; and Zandery Field, Dutch Guiana.
19 Jul 1943: A Brazilian PBY-5A Catalina flown by Location Date of Assignment
a trainee pilot, Cadet A. Tories, assigned to VP-94, NAS Norfolk, Va. 3 Mar 1942
sunk U-199 in the Atlantic off Cape Frio, Brazil. Out of NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 18 May 1942
the crew of 60 there were only 11 survivors. The sur- NAF Natal, Brazil 20 Jan 1943
vivors initially were under Brazilian captivity but were NAF Belem, Brazil Jul 1943
later transferred to the U.S. NAF Maceio, Brazil 29 Apr 1944
29 April 1944: The headquarters for the squadron Ipitanga, Brazil 15 May 1944
was moved for the third time to Maceio, Brazil, then NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Dec 1944
on to Ipitanga, Brazil, on 15 May 1944, placing it
under the operational control of FAW-16. Detachments
operated from Maceio, Fernando de Noronha, Commanding Officers
Ipitanga, Caravellas and Santa Cruz until August 1944.
10 Aug 1944: A detachment of five aircraft was Date Assumed Command

formed and transferred to Santa Cruz, Brazil, to initiate LCDR David W. Shafer 3 Mar 1942
the US/Brazilian Aviation Training Unit. VP-94 had LCDR Joseph B. Tibbets 26 Nov 1042
previously assisted in the training of Brazilian pilots LCDR H. R. Swenson 12 Nov 1943
while at Belem in April 1944. Part of a Brazilian
squadron of PBY-5s was located at Belem at the time. Aircraft Assignment
VP-94 began a program of training, consisting of prac-
tical classes for radiomen and antisubmarine bombing Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
practice for pilots. The training was apparently quite PBY-5A Mar 1942

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

16 Jan 1943 12 Jul 1943 FAW-11 Natal PBY-5A SoLant

13 Jul 1943 14 May 1944 FAW-11 Belem PBY-5A SoLant
15 May 1944 9 Aug 1944 FAW-16 Ipitanga PBY-5A SoLant
10 Aug 1944 15 Dec 1944 FAW-16 Santa Cruz PBY-5A SoLant

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-9/FAW-9 * 3 Mar 1942 None on record.
FAW-11 20 Jan 1943
FAW-16 10 Apr 1944
FAW-5 Dec 1944
* Patrol Wing 9 (PatWing-9) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 9

(FAW-9) on 1 November 1942.

502 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PBY at Natal, Brazil, 1942, 80-G-10663 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 503

VPB-98 crews was greatly diminished. Accordingly, personnel

were rapidly demobilized from the squadron and op-
erations significantly slowed down.
1 Apr 1946: VPB-98 was disestablished at NAS San
Lineage Diego, Calif.
Established as Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY
EIGHT (VPB-98) on 1 October 1944.
Home Port Assignments
Disestablished on 1 April 1946.
Location Date of Assignment
Squadron Insignia and Nickname NAS Corpus Christi, Texas 1 Oct 1944
None on record. NAS San Diego, Calif. 8 Nov 1944

Chronology of Significant Events Commanding Officers

1 Oct 1944: VPB-98 was established at NAS Corpus
Christi, Texas, as a medium seaplane squadron flying Date Assumed Command
the PBM Mariner. During this period the squadron came LCDR David J. Perry 1 Oct 1944
under the operational control of Fleet Air Detachment, LCDR William O. Powell 8 Nov 1944
West Coast. The primary mission of the squadron was LCDR Robert W. Leeman 24 Dec 1944
to serve as a training unit for PBM replacement crews. CDR E. F. Jacobs 11 Jul 1945
8 Nov 1944: VPB-98 was transferred to NAS San LCDR Robert M. Harper 14 Aug 1945
Diego, Calif., coming under the operational control of
FAW-14. The squadron was fully operational and
began training the first replacement crews by 8 Aircraft Assignment
December 1944. During its brief existence the
squadron averaged 400 flights per month, training an Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
average of 35 crews per month. PBM-3D Nov 1944
Sep 1945: With the cessation of hostilities in the PBM-5 JATO Jan 1945
Pacific on 10 August the need for more replacement PBM-5D May 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

No overseas deployments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Fleet Air Detachment, None on record.
West Coast 1 Oct 1944
FAW-14 8 Nov 1944
504 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-99 the end of combat patrols after 10 August and the

Japanese surrender.
Sep 1945: Personnel were reorganized in the
squadron to permit rapid demobilization of those who
Lineage could be spared.
Established as Patrol Bombing Squadron NINETY 15 Jan 1946: VPB-99 was disestablished at NAS
NINE (VPB-99) on 5 January 1945. Alameda, Calif.
Disestablished on 15 January 1946.
Home Port Assignments
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
Location Date of Assignment
None on record.
NAS Alameda, Calif. 5 Jan 1945

Chronology of Significant Events

Commanding Officers
5 Jan 1945: VPB-99 was established at NAS
Alameda, Calif., as a PBM training squadron under the Date Assumed Command
operational control of FAW-8. The mission of the LCDR James R. Jadrnicek 5 Jan 1945
squadron was to complete the training of PBM re- LCDR William J. Scarpino 30 Jan 1945
placement crews that had finished the basic course at
NAAS Banana River, Fla., or NAAS Corpus Christi, Tex.
The sister squadron to this unit was VPB-98 at NAS Aircraft Assignment
San Diego, Calif.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
1 May–31 Jul 1945: Between 19 and 30 crews per
month were ferried to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, upon PBM-3D Jan 1945
completion of the course syllabus. This ceased with PBM-5 Jan 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

No overseas deployments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 5 Jan 1945 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 505

VPB-100 placement pools in the forward areas for reassign-

ment to squadrons as needed. As a result of these
added responsibilities, the squadron’s complement of
personnel was doubled.
Lineage
1 Feb 1945: Lieutenant Robert Erickson and his
Established as Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED crew of 10 were killed in a crash at sea in a PBY-5A
(VP-100) on 1 April 1944. due to unknown causes during a night navigation
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- training flight.
DRED (VPB-100) on 1 October 1944. 22 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Walter L. Hanson and his
Disestablished on 15 December 1945. crew of 10 were killed in a crash at sea in a PBM-5.
The aircraft was observed flying with one engine
Squadron Insignia and Nickname feathered immediately prior to the crash.
None on record. 10 May 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Roland M. Cocker
ditched at sea in a PBM-5 at night after a fire began in-
side the wing between the engine and fuselage. Nine
Chronology of Significant Events crew members were killed in the crash. Three sur-
1 Apr 1944: VP-100 was established at NAS vivors were rescued the next day by the squadron
Kaneohe, Hawaii, as a seaplane squadron flying the commanding officer, Lieutenant Ewing E. Albertson.
PBY-5 and PBY-5A Catalina. Personnel (seven offi- 24 Oct 1945: Personnel and assets of VPB-200 were
cers and 15 enlisted) and equipment were drawn consolidated with VPB-100. With this merger, the
from the HEDRON Replacement Unit, FAW-2. The squadron was capable of training replacement crews
mission of the squadron was to train replacement in the PB4Y-1 Liberator, PB4Y-2 Privateer, PV-1
crews, ferry aircraft to advance bases, and maintain Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon. It also streamlined the ro-
two aircraft and one crew for around-the-clock tation program and eliminated the personnel problem
standby and rescue work at NAS Kaneohe. in the squadron created by demobilization.
Detachments of two crews and two aircraft each 15 Dec 1945: VPB-100 was disestablished at NAS
were also maintained at Johnston Island and Canton Kaneohe, Hawaii.
for rescue and ASW patrol duties.
15 Jul 1944: Lieutenant Cecil A. Roark and his PBY Home Port Assignments
crew landed in heavy seas to rescue two survivors of
an SB2C crash. The PBY was damaged on landing Location Date of Assignment

and sank after six hours but the crew was able to res- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Apr 1944
cue survivors of the SB2C with their life rafts. All
awaited rescue by Crouter (DE 11), which arrived a Commanding Officers
short time later.
Jul–Sep 1944: Training and operational flights Date Assumed Command
were conducted for 17 PBY crews and four PBM LT Ewing E. Albertson 1 Apr 1944
crews during this period. Personnel undergoing train- CDR J. E. Dougherty 17 Jul 1945
ing were replacement and rotational crews fresh from LCDR Jack R. Egan 7 Nov 1945
the States going into the combat zone with squadrons CDR C. L. Tetley 21 Nov 1945
in the middle of their tours. Through the end of the
war, the squadron continued this training function, as
well as transporting the crews to their new squadrons Aircraft Assignment
and ferrying aircraft to squadrons in need of replace-
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
ments due to combat losses, accidents, or overdue
PBY-5/5A Apr 1944
for maintenance. PBY Catalina, PBM Mariner and
PBM-3D Jul 1944
PB2Y Coronado seaplanes were assigned the
PB2Y-2/3 Jul 1944
squadron for training purposes. In August 1944,
PB2B-2 Jan 1945
Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet advised that the
PBM-5 Jan 1945
rotation of squadrons in the forward area would be
PB4Y-1 Oct 1945
discontinued in the near future and that only the per-
PB4Y-2 Oct 1945
sonnel in the squadrons would be rotated. Crews PV-1 Oct 1945
being trained at NAS Kaneohe would be sent to re- PV-2 Oct 1945
506 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

No overseas deployments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 1 Apr 1944 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 507

VPB-103 signia does not portray the mission of the squadron as

effectively as possible.” Colors: field, tan; circle, white;
rabbit, gray; helmet, dark brown; eyes, white with
black pupils; teeth, white; tongue and nose, pink;
Lineage gloves, yellow; carrot, orange with green top; bomb,
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED brown with black eyebrow, eye and nose; bomb’s
THREE (VB-103) on 15 March 1943. tongue, red; and bomb’s teeth, orange and yellow.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Nicknames: None on record.
DRED THREE (VPB-103) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 31 August 1945. Chronology of Significant Events
15 Mar–24 Apr 1943: VB-103 was established at
Squadron Insignia and Nickname NAAS Camp Kearney (later NAS Miramar), Calif.,
The squadron’s only official insignia was produced under the operational control of FAW-14. The
by a commercial artist, Leon Schlessenger, who re- squadron was designated as a heavy bombing
leased the copyright to the Navy. The design was ap- squadron flying the PB4Y-1 Liberator. Most of the
proved by CNO on 3 February 1945. It featured the squadron’s officers and enlisted personnel had been
well-known cartoon character Bugs Bunny, reclining drawn from VP-23, a PBY-5A Catalina patrol squadron
which had recently returned from the South Pacific.
The squadron’s ground school and basic flight train-
ing was conducted at NAAS Camp Kearney through
the end of April and was rushed due to the critical
nature of the submarine threat in the North Atlantic.
On 24 April, three officers and 126 ground support
personnel departed San Diego, Calif., by train for
Norfolk, Va. The flight crews departed NAAS Camp
Kearney on 29 April.
29 Apr–14 May 1943: Upon arrival at Norfolk, the
squadron was told that a change had been made. The
two weeks of ASW training planned there had been
cancelled and VB-103 was to proceed to NAS Quonset
Point, R.I. The ground staff boarded another train for
New Jersey. Upon arrival of the first element on 30
April, the squadron was placed under the operational
control of FAW-9. The last of the squadron’s personnel
did not arrive at NAS Quonset Point until 14 May 1943.
Installation of secret new ASW gear began with the ar-
rival of the first aircraft on 30 April. VB-103 was the
first Navy patrol squadron to be equipped with APS-15
radar, LORAN, sonobuoys and provisions to carry the
Mark 24 Homing Torpedo (nicknamed Fido and
Zombie).
15 May 1943: When the last stragglers arrived at
NAS Quonset Point, R.I., orders were received to pro-
The squadron’s only insignia.
ceed to NAF Argentia, Newfoundland. Ground staff
boarded the tender Barnegat (AVP 10) and flight
crews flew directly to Newfoundland. After only a day
on a large bomb while eating a carrot. The bomb sym- of orientation at NAF Argentia, flight crews were put
bolized the heavy bombardment designation of the on patrols over the North Atlantic convoy routes,
squadron, and the rabbit the speed of the planes. The under the operational control of FAW-7. By the time
rabbit’s large tummy represented the bomb load ca- the squadron came into full operation, the U-boats
pacity and the open eyes and confident grin showed had pulled out of the area.
alertness and confidence of success. The carrot sym- 24 Jun 1943: Lieutenant Reese and crew disap-
bolized the sharp eyesight of the crews, especially peared while on convoy patrol 700 miles northeast of
under night conditions. While approving the design, Argentia. Reese had reported a radar blip and came
CNO was unamused by the strained symbolism, and through a very heavy overcast to investigate. No fur-
stated that “the lazy attitude of the rabbit in the in- ther messages were received. On the next day in clear
508 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

weather, three huge icebergs were seen in the area. to specially equipped Ju-88 aircraft. The German long-
The squadron learned from this incident that when in- range fighter-bombers were assigned to a special
vestigating an isolated radar blip in bad weather, al- German squadron looking for Allied patrol aircraft that
ways allow a five-degree offset on the radar scope had been hunting down the U-boats with such great
until a visual contact is obtained. success.
7 Aug 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Henry and crew 4–18 Sep 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Alexander and crew
crashed into the sea from unknown causes while on a were conducting an antisubmarine patrol over the
training mission with a Canadian submarine in Bay of Biscay when they were forced to ditch their
Placentia Bay. All hands perished. flaming PB4Y-1 after an attack by six Ju-88 intercep-
12–15 Aug 1943: Squadron aircraft conducted an tors. One enemy aircraft was shot down during the
attack on a submarine on this date with negative re- combat and another damaged. Alexander and his
sults. This was the only attack on a submarine con- crew safely exited the sinking bomber and reached
ducted by the squadron on the western periphery of the English shore in a life raft 36 hours later.
the Atlantic. It was presumed the CVEs that were es- Lieutenant (jg) Alexander was later awarded the Navy
corting convoys were having so much success against Cross for his action. The enemy fighter shot down by
the U-boats that it may have caused them to change Alexander’s crew was a Ju-88C-6 Werk No. 360382
their hunting grounds. ASW searches and convoy pa- from 13/KG40 flown by Leutnant G. Blankenberg.
trols remained the primary missions until 15 August Leutnant Blankenberg and his two crewmen were
when the squadron received orders to proceed to St. subsequently listed as missing by the Luftwaffe. Two
Eval, England. other Allied aircraft, RAF bombers out of Dunkeswell,
17 Aug 1943: VB-103 became operational at NAF were also shot down that same day. Another VB-103
St. Eval, England. Special training was given in ASW crew was attacked on 16 September without casual-
techniques for patrols over the Bay of Biscay. Upon ties, and a fourth on 18 September, also without any
completion of training at the end of the month the damage or loss of personnel.
squadron was moved to RAFB Dunkeswell in 24 Sep–6 Nov 1943: The 19th USAAF squadron de-
Devonshire, England. parted Dunkeswell to join the 8th Air Force, followed
2 Sep 1943: Lieutenant Wickstrom and crew failed by the 22nd USAAF on 28 September. Three Navy pa-
to return to base. It was believed the aircraft fell victim trol squadrons (VBs 103, 110 and 105) took over the

A PB4Y-1 flies over

the English coun-
tryside en route to
a patr ol mission
over the Bay of
Biscay, circa sum-
mer 1943, 80-G-K-
13688.
 CHAPTER 4 509

ASW role previously assumed by the Army in England.

The USAAF squadrons were phased out and their
equipment, similar to that on the VB-103 aircraft, was
turned over to the Navy. The USAAF flew its last ASW
mission from Dunkeswell on 31 October 1943, and the
4th USAAF squadron departed on 6 November.
10 Nov 1943: VB-103 was a participant in one of the
longest surface battles of aircraft against a U-boat in
WWII. At 0800, a VB-105 aircraft piloted by Lieutenant
L. E. Harmon, was alerted by an RAF aircraft of a radar
contact near the coast of Spain. Harmon located the
surfaced U-966, Oberstleutenant Eckehard Wolf com-
manding, and made two strafing attacks. Heavy AA fire
damaged his aircraft and forced him to break off the
attack. An RAF fighter then dove to attack the subma-
rine. Harmon made a third strafing attack but had to
break off afterwards due to a fuel shortage. Lieutenant
K. L. Wright, of VB-103, located U-966 near Ferrol at
1040, and delivered a strafing and depth charge attack.
Intense AA fire drove him off and he too had to depart
the target for lack of fuel. Lieutenant W. W. Parish and
A squadron attack on U-271 resulted in its sinking on 28 January
crew then arrived on the scene. A depth charge attack 1944, 80-G-222832A (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
was conducted in cooperation with a rocket-firing RAF
Liberator at 1230. The submarine was abandoned by its
crew after running aground at Oritiguiera, Spain. The and slid beneath the surface. Postwar examination
German crewmen were quickly picked up by nearby of records indicate that the submarine was U-271,
Spanish fishing vessels. Kapitänleutnant Curt Barleben commanding.
12 Nov 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Brownell made a 14 Feb 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Wright and crew were
night attack on a submarine. His aircraft was appar- attacked while on patrol over the Bay of Biscay by two
ently heavily damaged by the U-boat’s AA fire and Ju-88 fighter-bombers. During the attack Wright’s crew
crashed into the sea with the loss of all hands. The managed to shoot down one of their attackers, a Ju-88C-
next day two oil slicks were spotted about five miles 6 Werk No. 750967, flown by Oberleutnant K. Necesany
apart. Postwar examination of German records indi- of Stab 1/ZG1. Oberleutnant Necesany and his two
cate that he sank U-508, Kapitänleutnant Georg Staats crewmen were subsequently listed as missing by the
(Knights Cross) commanding. Luftwaffe. Wright managed to escape into the cloud
3 Dec 1943: Worsening weather conditions made cover with one engine out. During the attempt to return
flying and patrol activities very dangerous. On this to base another engine cut out and the crew was forced
date, Lieutenant Lucas and his crew were killed when to ditch the aircraft. Only one crew member failed to
their aircraft crashed into a high ridge while flying on exit the plane before it sank. One other crewman died
instruments on a training flight. in the life raft from internal injuries before the remaining
24 Dec 1943: A flotilla of German destroyers at- eight crew members were picked up the next day.
tempted to provide cover for a blockade runner, 20 Mar 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Kessel and crew
Alstereufer. Several missions were run against the crashed at sea from unknown causes while returning
enemy ships over a period of five days. The blockade from an operational mission. All hands were lost.
runner was sunk on 27 December by a Czech 23 Mar 1944: RAF Dunkeswell came under Navy
squadron, leaving the destroyers fleeing for port. The control. The facilities under the RAF had been ex-
enemy lost three destroyers to British surface units, tremely spartan. With the change of Dunkeswell to a
but in the action shot up several squadron aircraft. Naval Air Facility, conditions improved dramatically. A
Ensign Anderson and his crew were hit on a strafing PATSU took over maintenance for the squadron.
run and had to bail out over Spain where they were 6 Jun 1944: During the Normandy invasion the
interned for several months before returning to squadron provided patrols over the southern entrance
England. to the English Channel to prevent U-boats from ap-
1 Jan 1944: VB-103 came under the operational proaching the invasion fleet. Aircraft patrolled the area
control of 19 Group Coastal Command of the RAF. at 30-minute intervals. VB-103 conducted seven sorties
28 Jan 1944: Lieutenant Enloe and crew caught a day during the operation. There were no encounters
a U-boat on the sur face, dropping six depth with enemy fighters but on 8 June Lieutenant
charges. The submarine quickly settled by the stern Anderson exchanged gunfire with an FW-200 Condor.
510 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A PB4Y-1 en route to a mission over the Bay of Biscay, circa summer 1943, 80-G-K-14055.

Jul–Dec 1944: The capture of French ports used for hands were given rehabilitation leave upon arrival at
submarine bases greatly curtailed the activities of the Norfolk. Operational control over the squadron during
German U-boat fleet. The use of the schnorkel by the this period was exercised by FAW-5.
German U-boats made intercepts more dependent on 24 Jun 1945: After return from leave the squadron
the use of radar. Although 16 sonobuoys were was transferred to NAS Alameda, Calif. VPB-103 was
dropped on radar contacts in the months of October operational at NAS Alameda by 30 September, coming
to December 1944, the results were negative. under the operational control of FAW-8. Training was
11 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Field and his crew caught begun at both NAS Alameda and NAAS Crows
U-681, Oberstleutenant Werner Gebauer commanding, Landing, Calif., but was discontinued with the cessa-
on the surface southwest of the Scilly Isles and strad- tion of hostilities in the Pacific on 10 August and the
dled the vessel with a perfect salvo of depth charges. subsequent surrender of Japan.
Forty survivors exited the U-boat before it sank. The 31 Aug 1945: VPB-103 was disestablished at NAS
survivors were picked up by British naval units. Alameda, Calif.
25 Apr 1945: Lieutenant Nott and crew spotted a
schnorkel on the surface southwest of the Brest peninsula Home Port Assignments
and dropped a salvo of depth charges directly on top of
the unsuspecting submarine. The schnorkel was blown Location Date of Assignment
into the air, a large oil slick appeared, and the body of NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 15 Mar 1943
one of the German submariners surfaced. Postwar exami- NAS Norfolk, Va. 29 Apr 1943
nation of records indicate that the submarine was U-326, NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 30 Apr 1943
Kapitänleutnant Peter Matthes commanding. NAF Argentia, Newfoundland May 1943
28 May 1945: Operations were ceased on orders NAF St. Eval, England Aug 1943
from 19 Group Coastal Command. A detachment of RAFB/NAF Dunkeswell, England* Sep 1943
two aircraft was sent to the Azores for duty. NAS Norfolk, Va. 4 Jun 1945
4–14 Jun 1945: VPB-103 departed England for NAS Alameda, Calif. 24 Jun 1945
Norfolk, Va. Ground staff proceeded by sea aboard the * RAFB Dunkeswell came under U.S. Navy control and was redesig-
tender Unimak (AVP 31), arriving on 14 June 1944. All nated NAF Dunkeswell on 23 March 1944.
 CHAPTER 4 511

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command
LCDR William T. Easton 15 Mar 1943 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR William G. von Bracht 20 Aug 1943
PB4Y-1 Mar 1943
CDR Warren J. Bettens 8 Jul 1944
LCDR Lucius L. Reid 4 Aug 1945 PB4Y-2 Jun 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 May 1943 15 Aug 1943 FAW-7 Argentia PB4Y-1 NorLant

15 Aug 1943 28 May 1945 FAW-7 St. Eval PB4Y-1 NorLant
28 May 1945 4 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Azores PB4Y-1 NorLant

A PB4Y-1 over water near the English coast, circa July-August 1943, 80-G-K-14059.
512 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 15 Mar 1943 FAW-8 24 Jun 1945
FAW-5 29 Apr 1943
FAW-9 30 Apr 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-7 15 May 1943
19 Group Coastal Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
Command, RAF 1 Jan 1944 NUC Nov 1943 Jan 1944
FAW-5 4 Jun 1945 Mar 1945 Apr 1945

A PB4Y refueling in England prior to a Bay of Biscay patrol, November 1943, 80-G-407690 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 513

VPB-105 outlined in black with a black pupil; hair, black; lips,

red; hands, pink outlined in black; uniform, black with
yellow stripes on sleeves, pants and buttons; white
belt with yellow buckle; sleeves and pants outlined in
Lineage white. The same insignia was used in successive
Established as Patrol Squadron TEN (VP-10) on 29 changes of designation until the disestablishment of
May 1924. VPB-105 in 1945.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO D-15 (VP-2D15) Nickname: Patrolmen, circa 1931–1945.
on 21 September 1927.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO-S (VP-2S) on 1 Chronology of Significant Events
July 1931.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO-F (VP-2F) on 17 29 May 1924: Station aircraft supporting the Naval
July 1933. Base at Coco Solo, Panama, C.Z., were designated by
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWO (VP-2) on 1 CNO as VP-10. The squadron consisted of six flying
October 1937. boats (F-5Ls and H-16s). The new designation placed
Redesignated Patrol Squadron THIRTY ONE (VP-31) the squadron under the Naval Coast Defense Forces,
on 1 July 1939. Panama Canal Zone Region.
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED 20 May 1925: VP-10 received new HS-2L flying
FIVE (VB-105) on 15 May 1943. boats to replace the WWI vintage F-5L and H-16
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED FIVE (VPB-105) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 27 June 1945.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The first squadron insignia appeared after its redes-
ignation from VP-2D15 to a patrol squadron of the
Scouting Fleet in 1931. It is possible the squadron may
have used the insignia prior to 1931 and maybe even
as far back as 1924. VP-2, in line with its function in
the fleet, adopted the insignia of a patrolman chasing
an unseen wrongdoer. Colors: hat, black with yellow
badge and white band; face, shaded pink; eye, white

An F-5L in flight.

The squadron’s well-known insignia. An HS-2 in flight.

514 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

squadron aircraft. The new equipment was tested in

formation bombing on targets off the entrance to
Colon, Panama, achieving “excellent patterns.”
29 Sep 1925: VP-10 tested new radio equipment in
areas of the Gulf of San Blas area considered transmis-
sion dead spots.
1 Feb 1926: Two aircraft from VP-10 participated
with Army aircraft in the Joint Army/Navy Problem
No. I.
21 Sep 1927: VP-10 was redesignated VP-2D15, the
D15 represented the 15th Naval District, Panama Canal
Zone.
8 Jan 1928: Two T3M-2s and one SC-2 of VP-2D15
were converted to land gear-capable aircraft to pro-
vide an escort for Colonel Lindberg from Chiriqui,
A squadron PM-2 in flight, note the policeman insignia on the bow.
Panama, to the Canal Zone during his visit to the area.
13 May 1928: Two new Corsair O2U-1 seaplanes
arrived aboard SS Cristobal and were assembled on
station. The aircraft were used to make several flights 1 Jul 1931: VP-2D15 was redesignated VP-2S, with
to Haiti to transport vaccine and medical supplies for the S representing the Scouting Fleet.
the Public Health Service in connection with an out- 13 Sep 1931: VP-2S completed transition to new
break of meningitis. PM-2s after receiving a consignment of 20 aircraft from
3 Jan 1931: VP-2D15 received the first PM-1. Night NAS Hampton Roads. The new seaplanes were flown
flight training was conducted with the plane and to Coco Solo, C.Z., by squadron personnel, rather than
squadron crew members praised the handling and shipping them and reassembling on station, saving the
ease of night landings in the new aircraft. government approximately $250,000.
3 Apr 1931: Elements of VP-2D15 completed partic- 1 Feb 1932: VPs 2S and 5S were transferred tem-
ipation in Fleet Problem XII with Carrier Division One, porarily from the Panama Canal Zone Region to Base
while VP-8S and VP-10S held off the coast of Force command, with headquarters at NAS San Diego,
Guantanamo, Cuba. VP-2D15 aircraft operated from Calif.
the naval base, while VP-8S was supported by Wright 1 Apr 1933: VP-2S was redesignated VP-2F, with
(AV 1) and VP-10S had support from Swann (AM 34) the F representing the Base Force. A detachment of
and Whitney (AD 4). The squadron’s 700-mile return nine aircraft operated with Wright (AV 1), with remain-
flight to Coco Solo, C.Z., took 8 hours and 5 minutes. der of squadron based at NAS San Diego.

A for mation of
squadron PD-1s in
flight, circa 1930.
 CHAPTER 4 515

7 Apr 1933: VPs 2F and 5F returned to the Panama coastline from Nicaragua to the Colombian border.
Canal Zone Region and its former base at FAB Coco The aerial photography was greatly impeded by bad
Solo, C.Z. weather conditions.
21 Apr–28 May 1934: VPs 2F, 3F, 5F, 7F and 9F as- 9 Mar–1 Apr 1940: VP-31 was assigned to
sembled at FAB Coco Solo, C.Z., to conduct a test Neutrality Patrols, operating in conjunction with VP-53
flight of massed squadrons in support of fleet move- out of NAS Key West, Fla. After the invasion of Poland
ments. Exercises extended through 28 May 1934, ter- on 3 September 1939, President Roosevelt declared the
minating at NAS San Diego. neutrality of the United States and directed the Navy to
1 Jan–16 Feb 1935: VP-2F conducted exercises begin a Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic. It extended
with VPs 3F and 5F in the Caribbean to evaluate sup-
port provided by tenders Wright ( AV 1), Lapwing (AM
1), Teal (AM 23) and Gannet (AM 41). Upon comple-
tion of the exercises on 16 February 1935 the
squadron had covered approximately 4,000 miles and
crossed the Caribbean for the third time in one year.
1 Oct 1937: VP-2F was redesignated VP-2 when the
fleet structure was reorganized and Patrol Wings were
established. VPs 2, 3 and 5 at FAB Coco Solo, C.Z.,
came under the cognizance of PatWing-3.
20 Feb 1939: VPs 2, 3 and 5 participated in Fleet
Problem XX, with PatWing-3 aircraft serving under
Black Force. Exercises against ships and aircraft of
White Force in the Caribbean pointed out the extreme
vulnerability of patrol aircraft to attack while at land
bases, as compared to relative safety in dispersion
using tender support. Results also indicated unaccept-
able loss rates of the slow-moving patrol aircraft in op-
erations against antiaircraft fire from ships.
14 Apr 1939: VPs 2, 3 and 5 conducted photo-
graphic mapping of 1,076 miles of South American A squadron PBY-2 in flight.

A squadron PM-2 being refueled at Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, 1937.

516 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

from the high latitudes of the North Atlantic to the depth charges on it in two diving attacks. The sub-
northeast coast of South America to 300 miles out marine appeared to settle slowly in the water in a
from the coastline. VP-31 returned to PatWing-3 opera- sinking condition. Tarbell (DD 142) was called to
tional control on 1 April 1940. the scene and was also of the opinion that the sub-
1 May 1940: A three-plane detachment from VP-31 marine had been sunk. This attack deserved special
was sent to Key West, Fla.; three aircraft were sent to notice because it was the first night attack carried
San Juan, P.R.; and a four-plane detachment remained out successfully in that area. Lieutenant Binning was
at Coco Solo, C.Z. subsequently awarded the Navy Cross for this ac-
8 Jul 1941: VP-31 pilots flew all of the squadron tion. Postwar examination of German Navy records,
aircraft to NAS San Diego, Calif., for refitting with the however, did not record any loss of a U-boat on
newer PBY-5. that date.
1 Dec 1941: Detachments of aircraft were main- 15 Aug 1942: VP-31 operated out of NAS San Juan,
tained at Guantanamo, Antigua, Grand Exuma, St. P.R., and changed administrative control from
Lucia, British Guiana and Trinidad. PatWing-3, Panama Canal Zone, to PatWing-11.
26 May 1942: Lieutenant Edward G. Binning, oper- 1 Oct 1942: A VP-31 detachment was sent to NAS
ating from NAS St. Lucia, B.W.I., located a subma- Quonset Point, R.I., to serve with the Narraganset Air
rine on the surface at 2357 hours and dropped three Patrol off the northeastern United States. The remain-

Squadron aviation machinist’s mates work on the starboard engine of their PBY-5A, circa 1942, 80-G-K-15310.
 CHAPTER 4 517

Crew members in front of their PB4Y-1, Quonset Point, 17 June 1943, 80-G-383758 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

der of the squadron arrived at NAS Elizabeth City, at NAS Norfolk, Va., for refitting and familiarization
N.C., for training in operation of the new PBY-5A. training on the new Liberator PB4Y-1 land-based long-
1 Jan 1943: A VP-31 detachment was sent to range bombers.
Argentia, Newfoundland, serving under FAW-7’s opera- 15 May 1943: VP-31 was redesignated VB-105 in
tional control. preparation for its transition from patrol flying boats
1 Feb 1943: VP-31 detachments were maintained at (VP) to land-based bombers (VB). Fifty percent of the
Argentia, Newfoundland, on ASW patrols; MCAS squadron’s assets, flight crews and ground support
Cherry Point, N.C.; and NAS Jacksonville, Fla. staff were supplemented by VP-52. During the four
1 Apr 1943: VP-31 detachments rejoin the squadron months of training detachments were sent to Kindley
518 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

over the ASW role previously assigned to the Army in

England. The USAAF ASW squadrons were phased out
and their equipment, similar to that on VB-105 aircraft,
was turned over to the Navy. The USAAF flew its last
ASW mission from Dunkeswell on 31 October 1943
and the 4th USAAF squadron departed on 6 November.
12 Oct 1943: VB-105 relocated to RAFB
Dunkeswell, UK. Within a few months of the
squadron’s arrival, control of a portion of the airbase
was turned over to the Navy and designated NAF
Dunkeswell. Principal duties of the squadron were
convoy escort and ASW patrols.
10 Nov 1943: VB-105 was a participant in one of
the longest surface battles of aircraft against a U-boat
in WWII. At 0800, a VB-105 aircraft piloted by
Lieutenant L. E. Harmon, was alerted by an RAF air-
craft of a radar contact near the coast of Spain.
Harmon located the surfaced U-966, Oberleutenant
Eckehard Wolf commanding and made two strafing
attacks. Heavy AA fire damaged his aircraft and
forced him to break off the attack. An RAF fighter
A squadron attack against a U-boat on 3 July 1943. The attack did
not result in the sinking of the submarine, 80-G-451454a (Courtesy
then dove to attack the submarine. Harmon made a
Captain Jerry Mason, USN). third strafing attack but had to break off afterwards
due to a fuel shortage. Lieutenant K. L. Wright, of
VB-103, located U-966 near Ferrol at 1040 and deliv-
Field, Bermuda, for operational long-range training ered a strafing and depth charge attack. Intense AA
flights. fire drove him off and he had to depart the target
1 Aug 1943: VB-105 aircraft were ferried by due to lack of fuel. Lieutenant W. W. Parish and crew
squadron aircrews to RAF St. Eval, Cornwall, England. then arrived on the scene. A depth charge attack was
The squadron, while nominally under the control of conducted in cooperation with a rocket-firing RAF
FAW-7, came under the operational control of 19 Liberator at 1230. The submarine was abandoned by
Group, RAF Coastal Command. its crew after running aground at Oritiguiera, Spain,
24 Sep 1943: The 19th USAAF squadron departed with eight of its crew of 49 killed in action. The
Dunkeswell, England, to join the 8th Air Force, fol- German crewmen were quickly picked up by nearby
lowed by the 22nd USAAF on 28 September. Three Spanish fishing vessels and interned by the Spanish
Navy patrol squadrons (VBs 103, 110 and 105) took government.

A PB4Y-1 flying over the

English countryside en
route to a mission over
the Bay of Biscay, circa
1943, 80-G-K-14056.
 CHAPTER 4 519

26 Feb 1944: One of the squadron aircraft was at- Commanding Officers—Continued
tacked by German Ju-88s and shot down, with the loss
of all hands. A Ju-88C-6 Werk No. 750941 from 3/ZG1 Date Assumed Command
piloted by Lieutenant H. Baldeweg was also shot LCDR F. E. Nuessle 1 Nov 1942
down, with the loss of its crew. CDR D. Gay, Jr. Nov 1943
1 Jun 1944: VB-105 participated in operations in CDR J. K. Sloatman, Jr. (actg.) Sep 1944
support of the landings in France, maintaining 15 air- CDR L. E. Harmon 18 Oct 1944
craft in an operational status for the duration of the CDR J. K. Sloatman, Jr. May 1945
landings.
10 Aug 1944: A squadron aircraft encountered a
heavily armed twin-engine German DO-217. In the en-
suing combat, the German aircraft was heavily dam-
aged and turned for home.
30 Aug 1944: A squadron aircraft attacked a
German U-boat in coastal waters off Brest. Sufficient
evidence of the submarine’s destruction was present to
justify a claim of sunk by the squadron. Postwar
German records indicate no U-boat losses on this date.
17 May 1945: Operational missions were reduced
and sight-seeing tours for VIPs were conducted over
the captured territories ranging from Normandy to
Holland.
4 Jun 1945: VPB-105 was en route from
England to continental United States to prepare for its
disestablishment.
27 Jun 1945: VPB-105 was disestablished at NAS A squadron PBY being serviced by a tender.
Norfolk, Va.

Aircraft Assignment
Home Port Assignments
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Location Date of Assignment
F-5L May 1924
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 29 May 1924
H-16 May 1924
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Feb 1932
HS-2L May 1925
FAB Coco Solo, C.Z. 7 Apr 1933
T3M-2 1927
NAS San Juan, P.R. 15 Aug 1941
SC-2 1927
NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 1 Oct 1942
O2U-1 May 1928
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Apr 1943
PD-1 1930
RAFB St. Eval, England 1 Aug 1943
RAFB/NAF Dunkeswell, England* 12 Oct 1943
NAS Norfolk, Va. Jun 1945
* RAFB Dunkeswell came under U.S. Navy control and was redesig-

nated NAF Dunkeswell on 23 March 1944.

Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command

Unknown 1924–1931
LT Harry F. Carlson 1 July 1931
LT Dolph C. Allen 1931
LCDR Ricco Botta 1932
LCDR D. P. Johnson 1935
LCDR B. E. Grow 1937
LCDR J. B. Dunn 1939
LCDR C. A. Bond 1940 A squadron PD-1 in flight with a formation of fighter aircraft in the
LCDR A. Smith Apr 1942 upper part of the photo.
520 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Aircraft Assignment—Continued Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
PM-1 July 1931 PBY-5 July 1941
PM-1/PM-2 Sep 1931 PBY-5A Sep 1942
PBY-2 1939 PB4Y-1 Apr 1943

A squadron PBY-2 with the policeman insignia on the bow (Courtesy John M. Elliott Collection).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jan 1935 16 Feb 1935 ScoFor Key West PM-2 Carib

9 Mar 1940 1 Apr 1940 PatWing-5 Key West PBY-2 Carib
1 May 1940 8 Jul 1940 PatWing-5 Key West PBY-2 Carib
1 May 1940 8 Jul 1940 PatWing-5 San Juan PBY-2 Carib
1 Dec 1941 15 Aug 1941 PatWing-5 Multi. Islands PBY-5 Carib
15 Aug 1942 1 Oct 1942 PatWing-11 San Juan PBY-5 Carib
1 Jan 1943 1 Apr 1943 FAW-7 Argentia PBY-5 NorLant
1 Aug 1943 12 Oct 1943 FAW-7 St. Eval PB4Y-1 NorLant
12 Oct 1943 6 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Dunkeswell PB4Y-1 NorLant
 CHAPTER 4 521

A squadr on PM-2
being r efueled at
Saint Thomas, Virgin
Islands, March 1937,
note the policeman
insignia on the bow.

Air Wing Assignments Air Wing Assignments—Continued

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
Naval Coast Defense Forces, PatWing-5/FAW-5† 30 Sep 1942
Panama Canal Zone Region 29 May 1924 Group 19, RAF Coastal
Naval District, Panama Canal Zone 21 Sep 1927 Command/FAW-7 1 Aug 1943
Scouting Force, U.S. Fleet Air FAW-5 Jun 1945
Base, Coco Solo 1 Jul 1931
Aircraft Squadrons, Base Force, † Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5
U.S. Fleet 1 Apr 1933 (FAW-5) on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-3 1 Oct 1937
Neutrality Patrol 9 Mar 1940
Unit Awards Received
PatWing-3 1 Apr 1940
PatWing-11 15 Aug 1941 None on record.

A PB4Y-1 heads out over the Bay of Biscay

on an antisubmarine mission, circa 1943,
80-G-K-13687.
522 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-109 and Pakin. Numerous successful masthead attacks

were conducted on shipping throughout the patrol
area.
5–29 Apr 1944: VB-109 was moved from Kwajalein
Lineage to Eniwetok. From this location the squadron con-
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED ducted several mining missions in the Truk Atoll.
NINE (VB-109) on 2 August 1943. Attacks were conducted on enemy installations at
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Oroluk, Ponape and Puluwat.
DRED NINE (VPB-109) on 1 October 1944. 1–16 May 1944: Attacks against surface shipping
Disestablished on 12 October 1945. continued with good results, but after the middle of
the month enemy shipping was no longer to be
found. The emphasis was shifted to attacks on ground
Squadron Insignia and Nickname installations at Wake Island, Truk and Puluwat.
None on record. 16 May 1944: On this date, Commander Norman M.
Miller, the squadron’s commanding officer and his
crew took part in what must rank as one of the most
Chronology of Significant Events
successful and certainly most destructive single-plane
2 Aug–30 Oct 1943: VB-109 was established at NAS raids in the squadron’s history. During a long-range re-
San Diego, Calif., as a heavy bombing squadron flying connaissance flight to Truk, Commander Miller spotted
the PB4Y-1 Liberator and under the operational con- a 5,000-ton freighter anchored in the lagoon. He made
trol of FAW-14. Fifteen aircraft were assigned to the a beam attack, releasing three bombs at masthead
squadron with 18 flight crews. During this training pe- height, heavily damaging the vessel. Miller then spot-
riod emphasis was upon familiarization with the ted a 10,000-ton ship that immediately exploded after
Liberator, instruments, navigation and night flying, his bomb run, destroying a large portion of the vessel.
with some gunnery and bombing. Training was com- He then proceeded on to Puluwat, arriving over the
pleted on 30 October and preparations were begun Japanese airfield at minimum altitude, surprised and
for the transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. strafed a formation of 30 enemy soldiers. In this attack
4 Nov 1943: VB-109 completed the transpac to NAS he destroyed one truck, an aircraft revetment and
Kaneohe, coming under the operational control of dropped two bombs on a radio station. In his last
FAW-2. The advanced combat phase of training was bomb run on the radio station the Liberator was hit
begun in conjunction with operational patrols over the four times by AA fire, one exploding directly above
approaches to the Hawaiian Islands. the cockpit, wounding both Miller and his second
28 Dec 1943–13 Jan 1944: The squadron was pilot. Despite his wounds and damage to the aircraft,
transferred to Apamama, Gilbert Islands and con- Commander Miller flew the Liberator 800 miles back
ducted its first combat patrol on 31 December 1943. to base for a safe landing. For his cool courage and
On 1 January 1944, Lieutenant John F. Bundy made flying skill, Commander Miller was awarded the Navy
the squadron’s first kill, sinking a 2,000-ton cargo ves- Cross.
sel near Mille. The squadron’s arrival was greeted the Jun 1944: Most of the squadron’s activities in June
next evening by an enemy air raid that destroyed one were spent flying patrols covering the task force mov-
aircraft, damaged two others and wounded three per- ing to attack Saipan. Daily reconnaissance patrols
sonnel. Throughout the month of January the were flown over Wake Island to ensure no enemy at-
squadron continued attacks on enemy shipping with tacks would endanger the task force from that quarter.
good results; dropped mines at Maloelap Atoll, Wotje Low level photographic runs were made over Saipan
and Kwajalein; and served as fighter escort for photo- and Tinian during the landings. Occasional bombing
graphic planes from VD-3 on low-level missions. On and strafing runs on Saipan were made in conjunction
13 January 1944, Lieutenant Samuel E. Coleman and with naval vessels offshore.
his crew failed to return from a patrol. 17 Jun 1944: Lieutenant Bridgeman and crew sank
3–28 Feb 1944: Numerous photographic missions the Japanese submarine RO-117, Lieutenant Comman-
were flown over the islands of Eniwetok and Wotje, der Yasua Enomoto commanding, which had left Truk
some in conjunction with VD-3. Bombing missions on 5 June bound for a position off Saipan. The sink-
were conducted over Wotje, Kusaie and Wake Island. ing, originally claimed by the squadron as possible
On 13 February 1944, Lieutenant (jg) John H. Herron damaged, was confirmed as sunk by Japanese records
and his crew failed to return from patrol. after the war.
7 Mar 1944: VB-109 was relocated to a newly es- 12 Jul–10 Aug 1944: An advanced echelon detach-
tablished base on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. ment was sent to operate from Isley Field, Saipan. A
From this location the squadron made attacks and second detachment arrived on 29 July, remaining until
photographic sorties on enemy installations at Ponape 10 August.
 CHAPTER 4 523

14 Jul 1944: VB-109 made the first shore-based air- were begun for the transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
craft attack on Iwo Jima, damaging ships, airfields and The ground echelon departed on 30 January for Pearl
parked aircraft. On 16 July the squadron’s command- Harbor aboard Fanshaw Bay (CVE 70). Aircrews
ing officer flew Marine battalion commanders and in- began their departures in elements of three on 11
telligence officers over the proposed landing areas at February 1945, with the last aircraft arriving at
Tinian, giving them an on-site view of the approaches Kaneohe on 20 February.
and obstacles they would soon face on the ground. 11 Feb–18 Mar 1945: As crews continued to arrive,
19 Jul 1944: The squadron made the first land- the squadron was put into the training syllabus for
based aircraft attacks on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, combat patrols, bombing, gunnery and ground school.
destroying several ships, aircraft and damaging numer- On 18 March, an RY-2 (the cargo version of the PB4Y-
ous shore installations. 1) was assigned to the squadron’s complement by
5 Aug 1944: Lieutenant Elmer H. Kasperon and his HEDRON, FAW-2.
crew failed to return from a night bombing mission 1 Apr 1945: VPB-109 was selected to employ the
over Chichi Jima. SWOD Mark 9 (Bat) guided bomb. The Bat guided
14 Aug–12 Sep 1944: VB-109 departed Eniwetok missile was in essence a bomb with wings and control
and returned to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. On 23 August surfaces guided to its target by a mother ship. The
the squadron began the return to NAS San Diego, Calif., Germans had successfully employed similar ordnance
with the last crew arriving on 12 September 1944. All in the Mediterranean with great effect. The Bat offered
squadron aircraft were turned over to the HEDRON, the advantage of being a standoff weapon that al-
FAW-14 and all personnel were given home leave. lowed the bomber crew to remain out of effective AA
5 Oct 1944–Feb 1945: VPB-109 was reformed at range of a surface target while launching the winged
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., with 15 PB4Y-2 Privateer bomb at the vessel. The Bat could guide itself to its
bombers and 18 crews. Training on the new aircraft target by means of target echoes of pulsed microwave
was completed on 30 January 1945 and preparations radiation emitted by the missile’s built-in radar system.

A PB4Y-2 at NAAS Camp Kerney, December 1944, 80-G-K-2678.

524 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

It could see its target under any condition of visibility. took place on 13 May with negative results. Attacks on
The weapon presented such a small cross-section that shipping on the 15th and 16th with three Bats was
it was nearly impossible for AA fire to destroy it before also unsuccessful. The sensitive equipment in the de-
impact. Unfortunately, the Bat suffered from problems vices was too prone to corrosion and warping in the
relating to the high humidity of the tropics and the tropical environment. No test equipment for the Bats
poor characteristics of electronic devices of that pe- had been sent forward with the squadron to permit di-
riod. Three squadrons were equipped to handle the agnostics before they were used in combat.
new weapon. Testing and training on its use contin- 17 May 1945: In a demonstration of the Privateer’s
ued through the end of the month. survivability and heavy fire-power, Lieutenant
10–23 Apr 1945: VPB-109 deployed to Puerto Fairbanks and Lieutenant Warren’s aircraft were at-
Princessa, Palawan, coming under the operational con- tacked on patrol by 12 enemy interceptors. Two of the
trol of FAW-10. On 23 April 1945, Lieutenant Japanese fighters were shot down with only minor
Commander Hicks and Lieutenant Kennedy dropped damage to Lieutenant Fairbank’s aircraft and two
the first Bat weapons employed on a combat mission wounded crewmen.
against shipping in Balikpapan harbor. Both devices 24 May 1945: The Japanese considered the activi-
were defective and did not strike any targets. ties of the squadrons based at Yontan Field to be im-
Conventional bombing missions by the rest of the portant enough to merit the expenditure of a special-
squadron were carried out with great success against ized suicide attack force. The commandos were flown
targets on Soebi-Ketjil, Tambelan, South Natoena, in under cover of darkness aboard three Ki-21 Sally
Djemadja, Mukah, Pandanseri Refinery and Cape Bila medium bombers. Two were shot down in flames,
harbor. along with five of their fighter escorts. The remaining
28 Apr 1945: Two of the Bat-equipped Privateers Sally landed wheels up on the airstrip. The attackers
flown by Lieutenant Commander Hicks and Lieutenant quickly dispersed throughout the area, throwing
Chay again attacked shipping in Balikpapan harbor. satchel charges and grenades into parked aircraft and
Three Bats were released in an attempt to sink a large engaging the Marine perimeter defense forces in
transport. Two of the Bats went to either side of the firefights. One VPB-109 aircraft was destroyed and an-
vessel, sinking two smaller freighters, while the third other damaged beyond repair before the commandos
executed a sharp right turn to strike a large oil storage were eliminated. Three squadron enlisted personnel
tank a quarter of a mile away in the Pandanseri were wounded in the crossfire or by shrapnel from
Refinery. the explosions.
30 Apr 1945: Enemy aircraft attacked Westbrooke 27 May 1945: Lieutenant Leo E. Kennedy and his
Field AAFB, Puerto Princessa, at night damaging three crew obtained honors for the squadron with the sink-
squadron aircraft and injuring one enlisted crewman. ing of a Japanese destroyer in the first successful Bat
1–6 May 1945: Attacks against enemy targets in the attack on the open sea, blowing the entire bow off the
area of Borneo and Celebes continued unabated with vessel. In the same attack, using conventional bombs,
great success, sinking 45 vessels of all types and de- Kennedy sank a 2,000-ton freighter and four small
stroying numerous ground installations in one week. freighters and damaged two smaller vessels. For this
7–16 May 1945: It soon became obvious that large record-setting action Lieutenant Kennedy was awarded
ship targets justifying the expenditure of Bats were no the Navy Cross. Three days later Kennedy was killed
longer available in the operational area of the by AA fire during a conventional bombing attack on
squadron outside of Singapore, which was too far for shipping off the mouth of the Yangtze River.
the Bat-equipped bombers to fly and return. A base 29 May 1945: Lieutenants Turner and Warren re-
closer to the Japanese homeland was required, so ceived reports of large shipping near Shanghai. They
VPB-109 was relocated to West Field, Tinian, under dropped two defective Bats with no results on a 6,000-
the operational control of FAW-1. Three days later, on ton and a 4,000-ton freighter located at the mouth of
10 May, the squadron moved to Yontan Field, the Yangtze River.
Okinawa Shima. Four days later, VPB-109 found out 31 May 1945: VPB-109 was relocated to West Field,
how close they were to the enemy homeland when Tinian, with a detachment remaining at Yontan Field,
they were greeted by the Japanese with a night bomb- Okinawa. In early July all of the squadron’s SWOD
ing attack that damaged one squadron aircraft. A simi- personnel were transferred to CASU-7, Yontan Field,
lar attack on 18 May destroyed one aircraft and dam- Okinawa. The new unit combined the SWOD func-
aged two others. The frequent enemy night forays tions previously performed by VPBs 109, 123 and 124.
precluded night patrols by the squadron, as the 1–27 Jul 1945: The squadron established a three-
bombers could not be serviced or landed during aircraft detachment at Central Field, Iwo Jima, joined
alerts. It was also too dangerous to fly at night, be- by the entire squadron on 8 July. Primary missions as-
cause the fleet shot at anything with wings. The first signed during this period involved barrier patrols be-
Bat attack by the squadron while based at Okinawa tween the U.S. Third Fleet and the Japanese home is-
 CHAPTER 4 525

lands and air-sea rescue missions for USAAF B-29 Home Port Assignments
crews returning from bombing missions over Japan.
28 Jul 1945: VPB-109 returned to Yontan Field, Location Date of Assignment
Okinawa. Missions were assigned to conduct barrier NAS San Diego, Calif. 2 Aug 1943
patrols off the Shantung Peninsula and air-sea rescue NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 4 Nov 1943
patrols for downed aircrews. NAS San Diego, Calif. Sep 1944
5 Aug 1945: Lieutenant Keeling and crew were shot NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 5 Oct 1944
down with the loss of all hands during a strafing at- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 11 Feb 1945
tack on a tanker while on patrol east of Korea. NAS San Diego, Calif. Sep 1945
8 Aug 1945: Lieutenants Vadnais and Challis made
negative Bat attacks on a large enemy tanker. This was
probably the last such attack using this weapon in Commanding Officers
WWII. The last combat mission by the squadron oc-
Date Assumed Command
curred two days later when Lieutenant Chay and
Lieutenant (jg) Moyer sank five small freighters with CDR Norman M. Miller 2 Aug 1943
conventional weapons in the Tsushima Straits. LT(jg) Leland P. Russell 16 Sep 1944
15–24 Aug 1945: Orders were received to cease at- LCDR George L. Hicks 6 Dec 1944
tacks on the enemy. Armament was carried for defen-
sive purposes only. On 24 August all patrol activity Aircraft Assignment
ceased, and the primary mission assigned to the
squadron was that of weather reconnaissance for vari- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
ous elements of the fleet. PB4Y-1 Aug 1943
Sep 1945: VPB-109 returned to NAS San Diego, PB4Y-2 Dec 1944
Calif., and was disestablished on 12 October 1945. RY-2 Mar 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

4 Nov 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 EastPac

28 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Apamama PB4Y-1 SoPac
7 Mar 1944 * FAW-1 Kwajalein PB4Y-1 SoPac
5 Apr 1944 * FAW-1 Eniwetok PB4Y-1 SoPac
12 Jul 1944 * FAW-1 Saipan PB4Y-1 SoPac
10 Aug 1944 14 Aug 1944 FAW-1 Eniwetok PB4Y-1 SoPac
11 Feb 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 EastPac
10 Apr 1945 * FAW-10 Palawan PB4Y-2 SoPac
10 May 1945 * FAW-1 Okinawa PB4Y-2 WestPac
31 May 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
1 Jul 1945 * FAW-1 Iwo Jima PB4Y-2 WestPac
28 May 1945 Sep 1945 FAW-1 Okinawa PB4Y-2 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 2 Aug 1943 FAW-1 10 May 1945
FAW-2 4 Nov 1943 FAW-14 Sep 1945
FAW-1 28 Dec 1943
FAW-2 14 Aug 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-14 12 Sep 1944
FAW-2 11 Feb 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-10 10 Apr 1945 PUC 31 Dec 1943 14 Aug 1944
526 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

The squadron used Bat missiles in the Pacific during the latter part of the war. This photo shows a Bat missile being placed in position on a PB4Y.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 527

VPB-110 iber Browning machine gun. In the background was a

winged V enclosed within a circle. The significance of
the design was not stated in the records but since
VPB-110 was a PB4Y-1 Liberator squadron stationed in
Lineage England, it may be assumed that the V stood for
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Churchill’s famous “V for Victory.” The bomb and ma-
TEN (VB-110) on 18 July 1943. chine gun were the principal weapons of the PB4Y-1,
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- while the binoculars were the primary device for spot-
DRED TEN (VPB-110) on 1 October 1944. ting its prey, German U-boats. Colors: field, blue; cir-
Disestablished on 1 September 1945. cle, white; fox, rust with white ears and tail markings;
wings, white; fox tongue, red; machine gun, black
outlined in gray and white; bomb, green with yellow
Squadron Insignia and Nickname shading; binoculars, black with white lens.
The insignia for VPB-110 was approved by CNO on Nicknames: None on record.
3 February 1945. A fox holding a pair of binoculars in
his left paw and a bomb in his right straddled a 50-cal-
Chronology of Significant Events
18 Jul–9 Sep 1943: VB-110 was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va., as a heavy bombing squadron flying the
PB4Y-1 Liberator under the operational control of
FAW-5. Most of the flight crews came from VP-203 and
other PBM squadrons and required a thorough check-
out in the Liberator aircraft. These check flights were
completed at NAS Norfolk by 27 July. VB-110 moved
from NAS Norfolk to NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C., on 1
August for its shakedown phase of training. On 4
August, the training was briefly interrupted while the
squadron’s aircraft were flown to NAS San Diego to
have the new Erco nose turrets installed. At the end of
the month, these aircraft were turned over to VB-105,
because they were scheduled to depart for England on
1 September. VB-110’s replacement aircraft were six
Army B-24s with no radar or Erco nose turrets. Three
of the modified PB4Y-1 aircraft were received on 9
September, equipped with APS-15 radar, LORAN,
sonobouys and provisions to carry the Mark 24 hom-
ing torpedo (nicknamed Fido and Zombie).

The squadron’s cartoon design insignia. A PB4Y-1 en route to a mission over the Bay of Biscay, circa 1943,
80-G-K-14057.
528 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Sep–20 Oct 1943: VB-110 departed for RAF St. Group and finally to Patrol Air Group One. Each
Eval, Cornwall, England, becoming operational with squadron had the luxury of being assigned its own
12 aircraft aboard on 15 October 1943. Ground per- PATSU.
sonnel and support staff departed aboard the tender 8 Nov 1943: Lieutenant W. E. Grumbles and crew
Albemarle (AV 5). The squadron joined VB-103 and failed to return from a mission over the Bay of Biscay.
105 at this station, under the joint operational control A message intercepted by another aircraft indicated
of FAW-7 and 19 Group, RAF Coastal Command. The that the crew was under attack, followed a while later
squadron flew its first mission in the Bay of Biscay on by an SOS. Nothing further was ever learned about
20 October 1943. VB-110 was one of 20 squadrons, this crew and they were listed as missing in action.
American and British, operating under the 19 Group, The next day, Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy and his
Coastal Command. Flights over the Bay of Biscay were crew were attacked by a pair of Me-210 aircraft but es-
called Barrier Patrols, running from Fastnet Rock in caped into the clouds. The Germans were aware of
southern Ireland to Cape Finisterre, Spain, and back to the three Navy bombing squadrons and the threat they
Brest and Lands End. German FW-190 fighters from posed to the U-boats. When submarines were going
Brest or Bordeaux and Ju-88 interceptors from various out, special Me-210 and Ju-88 interceptor squadrons
French bases posed the greatest danger to the based in France would scour the skies ahead search-
squadrons. These German aircraft were specifically as- ing for the Navy patrol bombers.
signed the mission of hunting for the Allied ASW air- 10 Nov 1943: VB-110 was a participant in one of
craft that endangered the German U-boats. the longest surface battles of aircraft against a U-boat
30 Oct 1943: The 19th USAAF squadron departed in WWII. At 0800, a VB-105 aircraft piloted by
Dunkeswell to join the 8th Air Force, followed by the Lieutenant L. E. Harmon was alerted by an RAF aircraft
22 nd USAAF on 28 September. Three Navy patrol of a radar contact near the coast of Spain. Harmon lo-
squadrons (VBs 103, 110 and 105) were assigned the cated the surfaced U-966, Oberleutenant Eckehard
ASW role previously flown by the Army Air Force in Wolf commanding, and made two strafing attacks.
England. The USAAF squadrons were phased out and Heavy AA fire damaged his aircraft and forced him to
their equipment, similar to that on the VB-110 aircraft, break off the attack. An RAF fighter then dove to at-
was turned over to the Navy. The USAAF flew its last tack the submarine. Harmon made a third strafing at-
ASW mission from Dunkeswell on 31 October 1943 tack but had to break off afterwards due to a fuel
and the 4th USAAF squadron departed on 6 November. shortage. Lieutenant K. L. Wright, of VB-103, located
VB-110 moved aboard RAF Dunkeswell, Devon, U-966 near Ferrol at 1040 and delivered a strafing and
England, on 30 October 1943. The three squadrons at depth charge attack. Intense AA fire drove him off and
Dunkeswell came to be known by several names over he had to depart the target due to low fuel. Lieutenant
the next year: Dunkeswell Air Group, Land Plane Air W. W. Parish and crew from VB-110 then arrived on

A PB4Y-1 flying over England

en route to a patrol over the
Bay of Biscay, November
1943, 80-G-407694 (Courtesy
Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 529

the scene. A depth charge attack was conducted in co- 6 Jun 1944: During the Normandy invasions the
operation with a rocket-firing RAF Liberator at 1230. squadron provided patrols over the southern entrance
The submarine was abandoned by its crew after run- to the channel to prevent U-boats from approaching
ning aground at Oritiguiera, Spain. The German crew- the invasion fleet. Aircraft patrolled the area at 30-
men were quickly picked up by nearby Spanish minute intervals. The squadron flew 420 operational
fishing vessels. sorties during the months of June through August
24–28 Dec 1943: A flotilla of 12 German destroyers 1944. During patrols several small surface vessels were
attempted to provide cover for a blockade runner, sunk, with only minimal damage from return gunfire.
Alstereufer. Several missions were run against the Eight attacks were made on suspected submarine tar-
enemy ships over a period of five days. The blockade gets with negative results, including one of which a
runner was sunk on 27 December by a Czech very clear picture was taken of a schnorkel and
squadron, leaving the destroyers fleeing for port. The periscope. The effectiveness of Allied air cover during
enemy lost three destroyers to British surface units but the invasion was worthy of note. It was anticipated
in the action shot up several squadron aircraft. While that the three Navy patrol squadrons might have sev-
returning to base on 28 December after looking for eral losses from enemy fighter interceptors during the
targets, Lieutenant Commander Reedy encountered Normandy coverage, but in fact very few enemy air-
four He-177 aircraft. In the resultant melee, Reedy’s craft were sighted during the three-month period.
crew managed to damage one of the enemy, sending 12 Aug 1944: Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy volun-
it back towards France trailing smoke from a fire in its teered to serve as pilot aboard a worn-out PB4Y-1
starboard engine. Postwar examination of German loaded with explosives and equipped with terminal
records indicated that He-177A3 Werk No. 5557 from radio control systems. The concept was that the pilot
11/KG40, flown by Hauptman B. Eidhoff, was unable and copilot would take off in the aircraft and place it
to return to base and crashed into the sea. Eidhoff and on the correct heading toward the target. Once locked
his crew of 5 were subsequently reported missing by under positive radio control by an accompanying
the Luftwaffe. On the same mission, Lieutenant Parrish mothership, the pilot and copilot would bail out of the
and his crew were killed when their aircraft crashed aircraft. The explosive-laden bomber would then be
into high ground near Okehampton, Devon. guided into its target by the accompanying plane. The
26 Feb 1944: Lieutenant J. L. Williams crashed into target for this mission was one of the V-1 missile
Great Skellig Rock off the coast of Ireland and the air- launching sites on the mainland. Halfway to the target
craft fell into the sea. All hands were lost. the aircraft exploded, killing both Kennedy and his
12 Mar 1944: Lieutenant (jg) W. H. Ryan and crew copilot. For his bravery in volunteering for such a dan-
became lost during foul weather conditions and failed gerous mission, Lieutenant Kennedy was posthu-
to establish a fix from the H/F and D/F stations. mously awarded the Navy Cross.
Subsequent searches found nothing and the crew was 24 Aug 1944: Lieutenant (jg) J. G. Byrnes and crew
listed as missing in the line of duty. were killed while on a routine night familiarization
23 Mar 1944: RAF Dunkeswell came under Navy training flight after crashing into high ground near
control. The facilities under the RAF had been ex- Breckon, South Wales.
tremely spartan but with the change of Dunkeswell to
a Naval Air Facility, conditions improved dramatically.
27 Mar 1944: In one of the squadron’s all-time
close calls, Lieutenant (jg) R. B. Meihaus was prepar-
ing to land in very poor visibility and with only three
engines after completing a mission near the Spanish
coast. He hit telephone wires and a house on his ap-
proach, knocking out two more engines. He contin-
ued his landing approach for another two and a half
miles on one engine, making a successful crash land-
ing on the field with no injuries to any of his crew.
31 Mar 1944: Two squadron aircraft were attacked
by German fighter interceptors within 30 minutes of
each other in the same position in the Bay of Biscay.
Lieutenant H. Barton and crew and Lieutenant (jg) O.
R. Moore and crew were all listed as missing in action.
Within the first six months of their arrival in England,
VB-110 had lost one-third of its flight crews and one-
half of its aircraft complement to a combination of A PB4Y-1 being refueled for a mission, September 1944, 80-G-282241
enemy action and weather. (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
530 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

24 Dec 1944: Submarine activity since the invasion second U-boat surrendered on 13 May. Both sub-
of Normandy and capture of the submarine pens at marines were escorted to the nearest port in the
Brest had decreased significantly. It was extremely frus- United Kingdom.
trating for Lieutenant F. M. Nunnally and his crew when 1 Jun 1945: VPB-110 received orders to report to
they obtained a positive sonobouy contact near the har- NAS Norfolk, Va. Squadron aircraft were turned over
bor of Alderney Island and were driven off by the har- to HEDRON-7 at NAF Dunkeswell as the squadron de-
bor AA defenses before being able to make an attack! parted for the U.S. aboard the tender Albemarle (AV 5)
10 Jan 1945: VPB-110 initiated its first searchlight on 4 June and arrived at Norfolk on 14 June 1945.
patrols. The searchlights, or Leigh lights, named after 25 Jun 1945: VPB-110 was detached from NAS
their British inventor, had been used with some suc- Norfolk and FAW-5 and ordered to report to NAS
cess by the RAF. By March, one patrol with a search- Seattle, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6,
light-equipped aircraft was being made each night. with a 30-day delay in reporting.
Only six of the crews had received training with this 1 Sep 1945: The squadron had been scheduled for
equipment. reforming at NAS Seattle, Wash., as a PB4Y-2 Privateer
14 Jan 1945: Lieutenant Ralph D. Spalding, Jr., and squadron on 15 September. The cessation of hostilities
crew were killed in a crash near Igoudar while en and subsequent surrender of Japan ended the neces-
route to Dakar for detached duty. sity for the continued existence of large numbers of
9 May 1945: With the surrender of Germany the U- Navy patrol squadrons. VPB-110 personnel were given
boats at sea also began to surrender. Lieutenant F. L. new orders for either demobilization or extension of
Schaum and crew sighted and accepted the surrender duty, and on 1 September 1945 the squadron was dis-
of the first enemy U-boat to give up to the Allies. A established at NAS Seattle, Wash.

A squadron PB4Y-1 on patrol, September 1944, 80-G-282243 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 531

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. 18 Jul 1943 LCDR J. R. Reedy 18 Jul 1943
NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 1 Aug 1943 CDR Page Knight 28 Apr 1944
RAFB St. Eval, England 15 Sep 1943 LCDR Duncan A. Campbell 12 Jan 1945
RAFB/NAF Dunkeswell, England* 30 Oct 1943
NAS Norfolk, Va. 14 Jun 1945
Aircraft Assignment
NAS Seattle, Wash. 25 Jun 1945
* Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
RAFB Dunkeswell came under the control of the U.S. Navy and
was designated an NAF on 23 March 1944. PB4Y-1 18 Jul 1943

An overhead view of NAF Dunkeswell, England, showing the hangars and several PB4Y-1s, June 1944, NH-96258.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

15 Sep 1943 30 Oct 1943 FAW-7 St. Eval PB4Y-1 NorLant

30 Oct 1943 1 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Dunkeswell PB4Y-1 NorLant
532 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

On 29 January 1944 Lt. N. H. Rudd and his PB4Y-1 crew attacked a U-boat in the Bay of Biscay. The attack was not successful, 80-G-286G
(Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

FAW-5 18 Jul 1943 None on record.

FAW-7/19 Group,
RAF Coastal Command 15 Sep 1943
FAW-5 14 Jun 1945
FAW-6 25 Jun 1945

A PB4Y-1 on patrol, 80-G-K-5175.

 CHAPTER 4 533

VPB-112 September. The squadron’s first PB4Y-1 arrived on 2

October, with nine more arriving by 7 October. On 10
October flight crews were sent to NAS Quonset Point,
R.I., for advanced ASW training. The crews returned to
Lineage NAS Norfolk on 2 November.
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED 5 Nov 1943: Orders were received to proceed to
TWELVE (VB-112) on 8 August 1943. NAF Port Lyautey, F.M., via Morrison Field, Fla.;
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Borinque, P.R.; Waller Field, Trinidad; Belem and
DRED TWELVE (VPB-112) on 1 October 1944. Natal, Brazil; and Dakar. The squadron departed
Disestablished on 1 September 1945. Norfolk and arrived by elements at Port Lyautey on 25
November, coming under the operational control of
FAW-15. The squadron was based at the former French
Squadron Insignia and Nickname airfield, Craw Field, with VPB-111, which had arrived
None on record. two weeks earlier. The two squadrons were replacing
an Army unit, the 472nd Bombardment Group. Patrols
commenced immediately. Armor was stripped from
Chronology of Significant Events
the aircraft since the threat from enemy aircraft in the
8 Aug–2 Nov 1943: VB-112 was established at NAS assigned patrol zones was judged minimal. The lessen-
Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5, ing of weight also made full-combat load takeoffs less
as a heavy bombing squadron flying the PB4Y-1 dangerous in the dry, thin air of the desert. The pri-
Liberator. Personnel were given ground and flight mary mission of the squadron was safeguarding the
training at NAAS Oceana, Va., through the end of supply routes for the invasion forces going into Italy.

Crew members from VB-112 beside their PB4Y at Quonset Point, 20 October 1943, 80-G-383783 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
534 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

To do this effectively, the antisubmarine screen had to 27 Feb 1945: Lieutenant O. B. Denison and crew
be established out beyond the Straits of Gibraltar and spotted an oil slick and directed destroyer escorts to
approximately 700 miles west of Port Lyautey. the location. Subsequent attacks by the combined
Unfortunately, neither squadron at Port Lyautey was force resulted in a claim for a confirmed kill. Postwar
equipped for operations at night with the Leigh examination of German records does not indicate any
searchlight. U-boat captains during this phase of com- U-boat losses at that locale or date.
bat made few daylight runs, doing most of their travel 9–11 May 1945: With the surrender of Germany the
at night. U-boats still at sea began to surrender to the Allies. On
30 Nov 1944: The squadron had its first operational 9 May U-249, Kapitänleutnant Uwe Kock command-
losses when Lieutenant R. L. Trum crashed after be- ing, surrendered to Lieutenant D. P. Housh and crew.
coming lost off Faro, Portugal, during an antisubma- On 10 May U-825, Oberleutenant Gerhard Stoelker
rine patrol. Five crew members were killed. The sur- commanding, surrendered to Lieutenant J. A. Murch
vivors returned to base on 10 December. A second and crew. On 11 May U-516, Oberleutenant Friedrich
Petran commanding, surrendered to Lieutenant S. T.
aircraft, piloted by Lieutenant (jg) John M. Hill,
Gillmor and crew.
crashed on the same day five miles northwest of Port
1 Jun 1945: VPB-112 received orders to depart
Lyautey after running out of fuel while trying to land
England and return to the United States. Squadron as-
in heavy fog. Six crew members, including the pilot,
sets and aircraft were turned over to HEDRON-7. On 5
were killed in the crash. June all personnel boarded the tender Albemarle (AV
2 Mar 1944: Three crews and one aircraft were de- 5), arriving at Norfolk, Va., on 14 June. All personnel
tached and sent to FAW-7 in England, reducing the were given orders to report to NAS Seattle, Wash., to
squadron complement to 10 aircraft and 15 flight reform the squadron after 30 days of leave.
crews. 27 Jul 1945: Squadron personnel arrived at NAS
29 Apr 1944: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to Ault Field, Whidbey Island, Wash., and VPB-112 began
RAF Gibraltar. From this location aircraft only had to reforming in August. Conversion training to the PB4Y-
patrol a zone approximately 100 miles in circumfer- 2 Privateer was conducted for all hands. On 13
ence to cover the area used by German U-boats at- August, Lieutenant R. H. Barden and one other officer,
tempting a surface transit of the straits. Two aircraft a flight surgeon, were killed while he was attempting
were constantly on station and in communication with to land his crippled aircraft. Fourteen other crew
surface units below. This effectively “put the cork in members had bailed out and one of those was killed
the bottle” and kept all U-boats out of the when his chute failed to open. With the cessation of
Mediterranean. The following months resulted in little hostilities in the Pacific in August and the subsequent
or no activity for the squadron since the U-boat threat surrender of Japan, there was no longer a need for the
had been contained. squadron. Formal disestablishment of the squadron
1 May 1944: Four more crews were detached to took place at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., on 1
FAW-7 in England. September 1945.
Oct 1944: For the first time in months, German U-
boat activity in the Mediterranean began to pick up. Home Port Assignments
Very few sightings were made because a new device
was being employed by U-boats, the schnorkel. This Location Date of Assignment
invention allowed U-boats to run submerged using NAS Norfolk, Va. 8 Aug 1943
their air-breathing diesel engines. Tests with the NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. Nov 1943
squadron’s radar against a “tame” British submarine NAF Upottery, England Jan 1945
fitted with a dummy schnorkel showed that it pre- NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Jun 1945
sented an almost invisible radar target. The schnorkel
threat was seen as a greater problem for the ASW ef-
forts in the waters around Britain. Vast quantities of Commanding Officers
shipping were arriving daily in preparation for the
Date Assumed Command
coming invasion set for June.
9 Jan 1945: VPB-112 received orders to cease oper- LCDR Josef M. Gardiner 8 Aug 1943
ations and prepare to transfer from Port Lyautey to LCDR A. Y. Parunak 17 Feb 1944
Upottery, Devon, England. Operations began from this LCDR J. B. Wayne 4 Apr 1945
base on 15 February. Upottery was a satellite field of
NAF Dunkeswell, where VBs 103, 105 and 110 were Aircraft Assignment
based. VPB-107 later joined VPB-112 at Upottery after
being transferred from Natal, Brazil. The airfield had Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
been unoccupied since June 1944, and a detachment PB4Y-1 Oct 1942
of SeaBees quickly made it habitable. PB4Y-2 Jul 1945
 CHAPTER 4 535

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

5 Nov 1943 29 Apr 1944 FAW-15 Port Lyautey PB4Y-1 Med

29 Apr 1944 9 Jan 1945 FAW-15 Gibraltar PB4Y-1 Med
9 Jan 1945 1 Jun 1945 FAW-7 Devon PB4Y-1 Lant

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 8 Aug 1943 None on record.
FAW-15 5 Nov 1943
FAW-7 9 Jan 1945
FAW-6 14 Jun 1945
536 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-113 frowning “flat hat” octopus with a depth charge under

each tentacle. The depth charges represented the
squadron’s ASW role, while the numerous tentacles
typified its long reach. Colors: tentacles, blue with
Lineage white and black highlights; hat and face, white;
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED bombs, black; neckerchief, black.
THIRTEEN (VB-113) on 18 August 1943. Nickname: None on record.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED THIRTEEN (VPB-113) on 1 October 1944.
Chronology of Significant Events
Disestablished on 28 May 1945.
18 Aug–Dec 1943: VB-113 was established at NAAS
Oceana, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname as a heavy bombing squadron flying the PB4Y-1
The insignia for the squadron was approved by Liberator. During the squadron’s first few months of
CNO on 28 February 1944. The design featured a existence its personnel received ground training using

The squad-
r on’s octo-
pus insignia
design.
 CHAPTER 4 537

the Link trainer, gunnery instruction and radio ba- fleet operations to training and maintenance. From this
sics. Flight training commenced on 5 November with time until its disestablishment, VB-113 trained 145 re-
the arrival of the squadron’s first PB4Y-1. After placement crews in antisubmarine warfare using air-
shakedown, 12 aircraft were ferried to FAW-7, craft assigned to the squadron.
Dunkeswell, England. On 28 December one of the 28 May 1945: VPB-113 transferred its aircraft to
ferry crews of 12 personnel aboard were killed in a HEDRON-5 and was disestablished at NAAS Boca
crash at St. Mawgan, England. The war-weary Chica, Fla.
Liberator that crashed was being brought back to the
U.S. for disposal.
Home Port Assignments
18 Jan 1944: VB-113 was relocated from NAAS
Oceana, Va., to NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C., and a Location Date of Assignment
detachment was sent to NAAS Boca Chica, Fla., for NAAS Oceana, Va. 18 Aug 1943
advanced ASW training. NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 18 Jan 1944
18 Mar 1944: The squadron crews ferrying aircraft NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Apr 1944
to England rejoined the squadron at NAAS Elizabeth NAAS Boca Chica, Fla. 8 May 1944
City, N.C., after an absence of four months. They had
not been aboard long when orders came to relocate to
NAS Norfolk. VB-113 pulled up stakes once more and Commanding Officers
returned to Virginia, arriving on 1 April 1944.
Date Assumed Command
11 Apr 1944: The squadron was ordered to transfer
14 more replacement crews to FAW-7. On 18 April one LCDR Louis W. Mang 18 Aug 1943
of the crews crashed at Waller Field, Trinidad, with the LCDR William R. Bailey 6 Jun 1944
loss of all hands.
8 May 1944: VB-113 was relocated to NAAS Boca Aircraft Assignment
Chica, Fla. After 30 May most squadron personnel had
been sent as replacement crews to other squadrons. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
The squadron’s primary mission was changed from PB4Y-1 Nov 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

No overseas deployments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 18 Aug 1943 None on record.
FAW-12 8 May 1944
538 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-117 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Feb–Jul 1944: VB-117 was established at NAAS
Camp Kearney, Calif., under the operational control of
Lineage FAW-14, as a heavy bombing squadron flying the
PB4Y-1 Liberator. These aircraft were equipped with
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED the latest AN/APQ-5 low-altitude radar bombing gear.
SEVENTEEN (VB-117) on 1 February 1944. Ground school and flight training continued through
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- the end of July 1944. In August the squadron began
DRED SEVENTEEN (VPB-117) on 1 October 1944. preparations for its transpac to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Disestablished on 15 November 1945. The training period was marred by the crash of
Lieutenant (jg) Golden and crew at NAAS Camp
Kearney. The aircraft crashed into the supply hut of
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
VB-102, resulting in the death of nine VB-117 person-
The squadron utilized one of the Walt Disney de- nel and nine VB-102 personnel and injuries to 11 oth-
signs for its insignia. After obtaining the copyright re- ers. The destruction of VB-102’s supplies set back the
squadron’s planned transpac by one month.
11 Aug 1944: VB-117 flew the transpac to NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii, with the last aircraft arriving on 13
August. Upon arrival the squadron came under the op-
erational control of FAW-2. After a period of six weeks
training in ASW techniques and operational searches,
the squadron received orders for deployment to the
combat zone in the South Pacific.
Sep 1944: VB-117 transferred to North Field, Tinian,
coming under the operational control of FAW-1. The
squadron conducted operations from Tinian along
with VBs 102, 116, 150 and 151. Operational patrol
searches were flown southwest toward the
Philippines, west toward the Nansei Shoto Islands and
north along the Nanpo Shoto Islands, ranging out to
1,000 miles. Use of the night bombing low-altitude
radar was discontinued due to the presence of friendly
submarines in all search areas. Patrolling in the vicinity
of Iwo Jima was done in two aircraft elements.
12 Nov 1944: The aircraft flown by Lieutenant
Herbert G. Box and crew was severely damaged by
AA fire from Muko Jima Retto. Lieutenant Box’s crip-
pled aircraft made it to within 30 miles of Tinian be-
fore being forced to ditch. Seven survivors were res-
cued the next morning.
1 Dec 1944: VPB-117 was transferred to Tacloban
Air Strip, Leyte, Philippines, coming under the opera-
The squadron’s Disney designed insignia.
tional control of FAW-10. Unfortunately, most of the
squadron’s gear and personal effects were lost or dam-
lease, the squadron forwarded the insignia to CNO, aged in the transfer from Tinian to Leyte. Search mis-
sions were conducted over Cebu, Negros Islands,
who approved the design on 14 August 1944. The in-
French Indochina and Chinese ports. Considerable
signia contained a caricature of a horse diving onto a
success was obtained during this one month. Claims
ship. A silhouette of a tropical island appeared to the were submitted for 22 enemy aircraft shot down and
left of the horse and a huge bomb was in the back- 14,750 tons of shipping sunk.
ground, in the shape of a triangle with rounded cor- 10 Dec 1944: Lieutenant Bradford M. Brooks and
ners. Colors: background, light blue; bomb, yellow; crew were attacked by four A6M Zeke fighters off
horse and ship, black with white outlines; island, Negros Island. During the ensuing engagement they
light green. shot down two Zekes but lost three of their engines
Nickname: Blue Raiders, 1943–1944. and Brooks was forced to ditch. Although badly
Exterminators, 1945. wounded, Brooks landed without flaps or right rudder
 CHAPTER 4 539

control. Seven of the crew of 12 were able to exit the tions, such as railroads, oil storage tanks, trains, vehi-
aircraft and were later returned by guerilla forces op- cles and river shipping, were given special attention.
erating in the area. For his courage under fire and su- Lieutenant Arthur J. Elder returned from one of these
perb skill in landing his badly damaged aircraft, missions with his aircraft riddled, one crewman dead
Lieutenant Brooks was awarded the Navy Cross. and five others injured. They had conducted an attack
31 Dec 1944: Lieutenant Harold Stang ran out of on shipping in Saigon Harbor, French Indochina, and
gas while on his final approach to the runway. The sank three large merchant vessels. Two escort vessels
aircraft crashed into the bay 300 yards from the strip and 20 small merchant vessels were also heavily
and sank immediately. All of the crew except the copi- strafed by intense AA fire thrown up by the escort ves-
lot managed to exit the aircraft before it sank. sels. Although Elder’s aircraft was badly hit and several
1–28 Jan 1945: During January search missions crewmen wounded, he managed to return to base,
were deemed so crucial to fleet intelligence gathering shooting down one enemy fighter on the way home.
that the squadron was not permitted to carry bombs in It was the third time this crew had returned with in-
case any of its aircraft were lost in attacks on shipping juries, and it was decided to evacuate them back to
or ground targets. On 28 January Lieutenant (jg) the States. Lieutenant Elder was awarded the Navy
Robert E. White, Jr., and crew were shot down while Cross for his courage in pressing home the attack in
on a patrol to Formosa and the China Coast. The copi- the face of heavy enemy fire.
lot and five crew members survived the crash and re- Jun 1945: Credible targets in the squadron’s search
mained prisoners-of-war until after V-J Day. sectors had dwindled to nothing. The squadron re-
29 Jan 1945: Lieutenant Commander Harold M. ceived its first PB4Y-2 Privateer during this period and
McGaughey, squadron executive officer, conducted a gladly exchanged the beat-up PB4Y-1 Liberators for
successful raid along the coast of the Japanese main- the more heavily armed bomber.
land sinking five merchant ships and damaging five 14 Jun 1945: Lieutenant (jg) J. P. Dougan and his
others. McGaughey and his crew were not content crew of 11 failed to return from a mission. All 11 men
with only naval targets on their scorecard and pro- were listed as missing in action.
ceeded inland to strafe and destroy numerous shore 22 Jun 1945: Lieutenant (jg) S. W. Sayre crashed
installations and supply dumps in the face of intense into the sea shortly after takeoff for a patrol. All 12
AA fire. For his courage under fire and aggressive pur- crew members perished.
suit of the enemy, Lieutenant Commander McGaughey 1 Jul 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Robert E. Hepting and
was awarded the Navy Cross. crew were shot down while on a patrol. Three mem-
Feb 1945: The squadron was moved to McGuire bers of the crew survived the crash and remained pris-
Field, Mindoro, Philippines, under the operational oners of war until V-J Day.
control of FAW-17. From this location searches were 30 Jul 1945: Aircraft Machinist’s Mate Second Class
conducted over the northwest coast of Borneo, the (AMM2C) Frederick F. Thomas became the squadron’s
coastline of Indochina and the waters in between. last combat casualty when he was killed by AA fire
The squadron was responsible for tracking enemy during a mission over French Indochina.
ships and task forces attempting to enter the search 11 Aug 1945: VPB-117 aircraft flew their last com-
sectors. Close cooperation was maintained with the bat mission of the war. Operations were suspended at
submarine forces during this period. Frequently, at- McGuire Field, Mindoro, Philippines. Preparations
tacks by squadron aircraft would force enemy de- were begun to ferry the squadron aircraft and person-
stroyers to break off depth charge attacks against U.S. nel back to Tinian.
submarines, permitting them to get on with their 16 Aug 1945: VPB-117 was transferred to Tinian to
deadly work. On one occasion, an enemy battle provide weather flights for the fleet under the opera-
group formed around the battleships Ise and Hyugu tional control of FAW-18. On 19 September a detach-
was tracked below the tip of Indochina and kept ment of five crews and four aircraft was sent to
under surveillance both day and night until it reached Pelelieu, Palau Islands, for special weather flights.
a point north of Formosa. The enemy battle group During its combat tour from September 1944 to August
had used a heavy weather front to cover its move- 1945 the squadron was credited with completing 1,617
ments; however, this did not prevent the squadron combat missions, 58 enemy aircraft claimed (55
from tracking the force using radar and the skill of its verified by postwar review of enemy records), 236
aircrews. enemy ships of all sizes claimed sunk or damaged,
17 Feb 1945: Lieutenant Commander Harold W. and destruction of innumerable ground targets. VPB-
McGaughey and crew were shot down over Puerto 117 had five of the eight U.S. Navy multiengine
Princessa, Palawan Island, with the loss of all hands. bomber crews that shot down five or more enemy air-
25 Mar 1945: Patrol restrictions the squadron had craft from in the air: the crews for Lieutenant
operated under were completely lifted during March Commander Harold W. McGaughey, five; Lieutenant
and all patrols went forth fully armed. Shore installa- Dan Moore, five; Lieutenant Tom Hyland, six;
540 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Lieutenant (jg) Jan Carter, six; and Lieutenant (jg) Commanding Officers
Sheldon Sutton, seven.
Sep 1945: VPB-117 was relieved at Tinian and re- Date Assumed Command
turned to the United States. CDR Everett O. Rigsbee, Jr. 1 Feb 1944
Oct–Nov 1945: Squadron personnel were given or- CDR Harold W. McDonald 25 Dec 1944
ders for demobilization or extension of duty with LCDR Thomas P. Mulvihill 25 Jan 1945
other squadrons. On 15 November 1945 VPB-117 was LCDR Roger J. Crowley, Jr. 8 Apr 1945
officially disestablished. CDR Cole L. Windham 6 Sep 1945

Home Port Assignments

Aircraft Assignment
Location Date of Assignment
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 1 Feb 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 11 Aug 1944 PB4Y-1 Mar 1944
NAS San Diego, Calif. Sep 1945 PB4Y-2 Jun 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Aug 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 WestPac

Sep 1944 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-1 SoPac
1 Dec 1944 * FAW-10 Tacloban PB4Y-1 SoPac
Feb 1945 * FAW-17 Mindoro PB4Y-1/2 SoPac
16 Aug 1945 Sep 1945 FAW-18 Tinian PB4Y-1/2 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-14 1 Feb 1944 FAW-14 Sep 1945
FAW-2 11 Aug 1944
FAW-1 Sep 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 1 Dec 1944
FAW-17 Feb 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-18 16 Aug 1945 PUC 4 Oct 1944 11 Aug 1945
 CHAPTER 4 541

VPB-118 Okinawa. The six remaining Privateers of VPB-118

were the only aircraft available on short notice. The
strike caught the enemy totally by surprise. The dam-
age inflicted on the airfield and assembled aircraft pre-
Lineage vented the enemy’s intended operation from being
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED carried out.
EIGHTEEN (VB-118) on 1 July 1944. 6 May 1945: Lieutenants Montgomery and J. A.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Lasater were patrolling an area off the southern coast
DRED EIGHTEEN (VPB-118) on 1 October 1944. of Korea when they encountered a number of enemy
Disestablished on 11 December 1945. destroyers and a small tanker. In the attack, the tanker
exploded just as Montgomery’s Privateer was entering
its bomb run. Twenty feet of the ship’s hawser and the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname king post strap were imbedded in the starboard wing.
None on record. Montgomery managed to return to Okinawa on three
engines but Lasater elected to continue the patrol
alone. He and his crew never returned and were listed
Chronology of Significant Events
as missing in action.
1 Jul–15 Nov 1944: VB-118 was established at 7 May 1945: Five aircraft were sent on a patrol off
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., as a heavy bombing the coast of Korea. After shooting down one Japanese
squadron flying the PB4Y-1 Liberator under the opera- observation plane, Lieutenant Farwell and his crew at-
tional control of FAW-14. After completing a four-week tacked a 2,000-ton tanker. While completing a bomb
ground school and limited flight training on three run that finally sank the ship, Farwell’s Privateer was
weary PB4Y-1 Liberators, the squadron was relocated struck repeatedly by heavy AA fire. He ditched the air-
to NAAS Crows Landing, Calif., for advanced flight craft with no casualties. As their squadron mates flew
training. On 20 August, VB-118 began receiving its first air cover above, a PBM landed within 30 minutes and
PB4Y-2 Privateers. The squadron stood down from the retrieved the crew. One of the other Privateers flown
training syllabus in mid-November to prepare for the by Lieutenant Norman M. Keiser sank a 4,000-ton
upcoming transpac to Hawaii. On 15 November the freighter despite fire from its two destroyer escorts. In
ground support personnel boarded SS General Howze the same action Keiser and his crew strafed a second
for transportation to Hawaii. vessel, forcing it to beach ashore. Later on the same
20 Nov–Dec 1944: VPB-118’s aircraft departed patrol, Keiser and his crew strafed and set on fire a
California for NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving by 21 third vessel. For his courage under fire and determina-
November. During the next month the squadron came tion at pressing home the attack, Lieutenant Keiser
under FAW-2 while undergoing further training in was awarded the Navy Cross.
preparation for combat. On 10 December a detach- 11 May 1945: The pace of combat left the squadron
ment of aircraft was sent to Midway Island to conduct with only three serviceable aircraft which were in
operational patrols, returning on 22 December. need of major repairs. It became necessary for the
6 Jan–Apr 1945: VPB-118 departed NAS Kaneohe squadron to return to Tinian for refit and maintenance
for the combat zone, arriving at Tinian, Marianas of the aircraft and crew rest. The squadron remained
Islands, on 10 January. Operational control of the at Yontan Airfield until mid-May when it was relieved
squadron passed to FAW-1. Routine operational patrols by VPB-109. Prior to the squadron’s departure it pro-
continued from Tinian through mid-April. Squadron vided support to VPB-109 to familiarize them with
targets attacked included Truk, Iwo Jima, Yawata mission requirements. In the first two days of VPB-
Shima and Okinawa. 109’s stay on Okinawa, a VPB-118 Privateer accompa-
22 Apr 1945: VPB-118 was transferred to Yontan nied them on patrol to familiarize them with the terri-
Airfield, Okinawa Shima. Administrative headquarters tory. On one of these missions, Lieutenant Lloyd’s
staff of the squadron remained on Tinian. Patrols and aircraft had an engine shot out and was pocked with
antishipping sweeps commenced upon the squadron’s 180 bullet holes.
arrival. Positioning the squadron on Okinawa had be- 2 Jun 1945: The squadron was ready to return to
come necessary due to the lack of sufficient targets in Okinawa from Tinian when disaster struck. One air-
the patrol sectors around Tinian. craft caught fire while undergoing last-minute mainte-
2 May 1945: The squadron was taken off patrols to nance, and one more was destroyed and two others
conduct a special attack on the airfield at Kanoya, in damaged when a crippled B-29 crashed into the park-
southern Japan. Third Fleet intelligence had indica- ing area. All the squadron welfare and recreation gear
tions that a large attack force of G4M-1 Betty bombers plus most of the personal baggage was lost. The air-
was being formed to transport Baka bombs in an at- craft were quickly replaced and after only a few days’
tempt to wipe out U.S. combat vessels located off delay, VPB-118 was back on Okinawa by 7 June 1945
542 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

continuing its antishipping patrols, conducting strikes November from Yonabaru bound for NAS Kaneohe.
on land targets and dropping mines in harbors On 27 November the squadron boarded Prince
throughout the Korean coastline and Kamine Shima. William (AVG 19) en route to NAS San Diego, Calif.,
8 Aug 1945: Lieutenant (jg) J. R. Park and crew arriving on 3 December.
were killed during an attack on an enemy freighter in 11 Dec 1945: VPB-118 was disestablished at NAS
the Tsushima Straits. The vessel had been set on fire San Diego, Calif.
by strafing, and when Park made his final bombing
pass the ship’s cargo detonated when the aircraft was
Home Port Assignments
directly above it. The ship apparently was carrying
munitions and nothing remained of the ship or aircraft Location Date of Assignment
after the explosion. NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 1 Jul 1944
10 Aug 1945: Offensive patrols ceased. Regular pa- NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. Aug 1944
trols continued but the aircraft still carried defensive ar- NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 20 Nov 1944
mament and instructions “not to attack, unless attacked.” NAS San Diego, Calif. 3 Dec 1945
1 Sep–Nov 1945: VPB-118 was relocated to
Yonabaru, Okinawa. Several aircrews were sent to
Tinian for R&R. The airfields at Yonabaru were in such Commanding Officers
bad shape that the squadron was not able to resume
patrols until 24 September. A sudden typhoon on 9 Date Assumed Command
October compounded the miserable conditions. It was CDR C. K. Harper 14 Jul 1944
with great relief that VPB-118 received orders to report LCDR Arthur F. Farwell, Jr. 11 May 1945
to Tinian on 24 October for aircraft overhaul and LCDR Carl W. Rinehart 25 Jul 1945
maintenance. The work at Tinian was completed on 3
November, and the squadron returned to Yonabaru. Aircraft Assignment
14 Nov–3 Dec 1945: The squadron received orders
to begin packing for the return to the States. VPB-118 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
began its journey homeward with departure on 18 PB4Y-2 Aug 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

20 Nov 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 WestPac

6 Jan 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
22 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Yontan PB4Y-2 SoPac
11 May 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
7 Jun 1945 * FAW-1 Yontan PB4Y-2 SoPac
1 Sep 1945 14 Nov 1945 FAW-1 Yonabaru PB4Y-2 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 Jul 1944 PUC 26 Apr 1945 8 Aug 1945
FAW-2 20 Nov 1944
FAW-1 6 Jan 1945
FAW-14 3 Dec 1945
 CHAPTER 4 543

VPB-121

Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETEEN (VP-19)
on 1 October 1937.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY THREE (VP-
43) on 1 July 1939.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHTY ONE (VP-81)
on 1 July 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
DRED TWENTY ONE (VPB-121) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 1 June 1946.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

A P2Y taxiing.
The CNO-approved insignia for VP-81 was the Polar
Bear, often known as the patrolman of the north. It is
indigenous to the northern regions and was symbolic 17 Mar 1938: PatWing-4 squadrons VPs 16, 17 and
19 participated in Fleet Exercise XIX as part of White
Force. The combined squadrons provided patrol sector
searches out to 600 miles. Attacks against the Black
Force were judged to have inflicted major damage to
elements of the enemy fleet. The exercise featured the
first operational use by the Navy of long-range radio
bearings for aeronautical navigation.
1 Jun 1938: VP-19, refitted with six new P2Y-3s, de-
ployed to FAB Japonski Island, a recently completed
seaplane base in Alaskan waters. Detachments were
rotated to Sitka, Alaska, during the eight-week tour of
duty. The squadron returned to FAB Seattle on 1
August.
20 Mar 1941: VP-43 was directed to fly its aging
P2Y-3s to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for PBY Catalina re-
placements. The replacements, however, were in San
Diego, Calif., requiring the squadron to travel there by
train to pick up the new aircraft, arriving on 3 May
1941. There was a delay in accepting the aircraft while
the Consolidated Aircraft Company installed self-seal-
ing fuel cells, armor and upgraded waist gun stations.
The squadron flew the new Catalinas back to NAS
The squadron’s polar bear insignia. Pensacola when the work was completed.
13 Jun 1941: VP-43 was relocated from NAS
of the offensive power of a patrol squadron. In the de- Pensacola to NAS Norfolk, Va. On 13 June the
sign, the bear stood on a pinnacle that represented Mt. squadron turned over its new PBY-5s to VP-52 which
Edgecombe, the volcanic cone just outside Sitka had just arrived at NAS Norfolk from Argentia,
Harbor. Above the bear was the constellation of Ursa Newfoundland. In the aircraft exchange the squadron
Major pointing to an accentuated Polaris. The received VP-52’s well-used PBY-5s.
squadron retained the insignia after its redesignation 8 Jul 1941: The squadron, which had been de-
from VP-81 to VPB-121. pleted by transfers to other squadrons, was brought
Nickname: None on record. up to full strength. A flight training and ground school
training syllabus on the PBY-5 aircraft was begun for
new squadron personnel at NAS Norfolk, Va.
Chronology of Significant Events 22 Oct 1941: VP-81 was assigned the additional
1 Oct 1937: VP-19 was established at FAB Seattle, mission of an Operational Training Unit (OTU) for pa-
Wash., and assigned six P2Y-3 flying boats. trol squadrons attached to the Atlantic Fleet. The
544 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

squadron was relocated from NAS Norfolk, Va., to NAS ASW patrols, returning to NAS Kaneohe on 1 February
Key West, Fla. Operational patrols were conducted in 1945.
conjunction with training flights off the East Coast. 1 Mar–1 Apr 1945: VPB-121 was transferred to
21 Dec 1941: The squadron claimed a U-boat sunk Eniwetok. On 7 March 1945, the squadron conducted
off the coast of Key West, Fla. Postwar examination of its first strikes on land installations at Wake Island. The
enemy records does not indicate any losses in that lo- missions continued through 1 April, when Ponape was
cality on that date. added to the target list.
1 Sep 1942: VP-81 was transferred to NAS San Juan, 3 Jul 1945: VPB-121 was transferred to the island
P.R., under the operational control of PatWing-12. The of Tinian. On 8 July a detachment was assigned to
squadron conducted ASW searches in the Caribbean area. Iwo Jima.
1 Jun 1943: The squadron was relocated to NAS 3 Aug 1945: Two Privateers from the Iwo Jima de-
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the operational control tachment spotted a downed P-51 pilot floating near
of FAW-11. ASW patrols, night antishipping patrols and the enemy-occupied island of Sagami Nada. While di-
convoy coverage were the primary duties of VP-81. recting an American submarine to the location, the
1 Aug 1943: VP-81 was transferred to NAS San two aircraft sank one enemy ship that tried to inter-
Diego, Calif., in preparation for the transpac to the fere, and downed three Japanese fighters. Lieutenant
South Pacific. New amphibious models of the Catalina, Ralph D. Ettinger and his crew accounted for two of
PBY-5As, were assigned as replacement aircraft while the eight fighters that attacked the Privateers. For his
the squadron underwent additional training for its up- bravery in leading the defense against superior enemy
coming combat assignment. forces for over 40 minutes of constant action, Ettinger
1 Nov 1943: The squadron flew its transpac to NAS was awarded the Navy Cross. Lieutenant Commander
Kaneohe, Hawaii, where additional training was given Raymond J. Pflum, commanding officer of VPB-121,
before further reassignment to the combat zone. was the pilot of the second aircraft. His crew shot
25 Nov 1943: VP-81 was transferred to Henderson down one of the enemy fighters and was responsible
Field, Guadalcanal. The squadron relieved VP-54. Its
for sinking the Japanese cargo vessel. He was also
duties consisted of search missions of the Saint George
awarded the Navy Cross.
Channel, providing convoy coverage and nighttime
7 Aug 1945: Two of the squadron’s Privateers were
Black Cat operations. The squadron came under the
caught by five enemy fighters in the area of Sagami
operational control of FAW-1.
Wan. One enemy aircraft was shot down and one of
3 Feb 1944: VP-81 was transferred to Munda, New
the squadron PB4Y-2 bombers was shot down in
Georgia Islands. Black Cat operations were conducted
flames, with no survivors.
in conjunction with nearby PT-boat squadrons.
1 Sep 1945: VPB-121 was assigned weather flights
Bombing strikes against land-based installations were
out of Iwo Jima until the end of September when the
carried out in the Choiseul Bay area.
squadron was relieved for return to NAS San Diego,
7 May 1944: VP-81 was relocated to Piva Yoke,
Bougainville, where Black Cat nighttime operations Calif..
were conducted against enemy shipping. 1 Jun 1946: VPB-121 was disestablished at NAS San
1 Jul 1944: The squadron returned to NAS San Diego, Calif.
Diego, Calif.
8 Sep 1944: Upon return from leave, squadron air- Home Port Assignments
crews were reassigned PB4Y-1 Liberators in place of
Catalinas. Ground school and flight training took place Location Date of Assignment
at NAAF Camp Kearney, Calif. The squadron came NAS Seattle, Wash. 1 Oct 1937
under the operational control of FAW-14. Training had NAS Pensacola, Fla. 20 Mar 1941
progressed to the advanced syllabus at NAS Brown NAS Norfolk, Va. 13 Jun 1941
Field, Calif., in preparation for the upcoming second NAS Key West, Fla. 22 Oct 1941
combat tour in the Pacific. While in training, the NAS San Juan, P.R. 1 Sep 1942
squadron was assigned the PB4Y-2 Privateer in place
NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 1 Jun 1943
of the older Liberator aircraft.
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Aug 1943
6 Jan 1945: VPB-121 flew its transpac to NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii, where the squadron began intensive NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Nov 1943
training in radar navigation. Operational search patrols NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Jul 1944
in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands were also as- NAAF Camp Kearney, Calif. 8 Sep 1944
signed as part of the training. NAS Brown Field, Calif. Nov 1944
26 Jan–1 Feb 1945: The squadron was relocated to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 6 Jan 1945
Midway Island and put on barrier patrols and daytime NAS San Diego, Calif. Sep 1945
 CHAPTER 4 545

Commanding Officers Commanding Officers—Continued

Date Assumed Command Date Assumed Command

LCDR Dolph C. Allen 1 Oct 1937 CDR Harold R. Swenson 19 Sep 1945
LCDR Harry F. Carlson Jun 1939
LCDR Walter C. Holt Jul 1940 Aircraft Assignment
LCDR Frank B. Schaede 2 Jun 1941 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
CDR Benjamin E. Moore, Jr. 20 Jan 1942
P2Y-3 Oct 1937
CDR Thomas B. Haley 30 Jun 1942 PBY-5 May 1941
CDR James R. Compton Jan 1943 PBY-5A Aug 1943
CDR Eugene P. Rankin Sep 1943 PB4Y-1 Sep 1944
CDR Raymond J. Pflum 8 Sep 1944 PB4Y-2 Oct 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jun 1938 1 Aug 1938 PatWing-4 Japonski Is. P2Y-3 NorPac

1 Sep 1942 1 Jun 1943 FAW-12 San Juan PBY-5 Carib
1 Jun 1943 1 Aug 1943 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBY-5 Carib
1 Nov 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
25 Nov 1943 * FAW-1 Guadalcanal PBY-5A SoPac
3 Feb 1944 * FAW-1 Munda PBY-5A SoPac
7 May 1944 1 Jul 1944 FAW-1 Bougainville PBY-5A SoPac
6 Jan 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 EastPac
1 Mar 1945 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PB4Y-2 SoPac
3 Jul 1945 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
1 Sep 1945 30 Sep 1945 FAW-1 Iwo Jima PB4Y-2 WestPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-4 1 Oct 1937 FAW-1 3 Jul 1945
PatWing-5 20 Mar 1941 FAW-14 19 Sep 1945
PatWing-8 Jul 1941
PatWing-5 Dec 1941 † Patrol Wing 12 (PatWing-12) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 12
PatWing-12/FAW-12† 1 Sep 1942 (FAW-12) on 1 November 1942.
FAW-11 1 Jun 1943
FAW-14 1 Aug 1943
FAW-2 1 Nov 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 25 Nov 1943
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 Jul 1944
FAW-2 6 Jan 1945 None on record.
546 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-125 by CNO on 20 January 1944, was a caricature of a

goose walking on the clouds holding two bombs in it
left arm and one in the right wing/hand. The goose
was dressed in a jacket with high collar and bow tie,
Lineage wearing a small hat on its head. Colors: background,
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY (VP-20) on light blue; tie and button, orange; hat, beak and feet,
1 September 1938. yellow; coat, green. The insignia was displayed on
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP- VPB-125 aircraft until its disestablishment.
44) on 1 July 1940. Nickname: None on record.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron SIXTY ONE (VP-61)
on 6 January 1941. Chronology of Significant Events
Redesignated Patrol Squadron EIGHTY TWO (VP-
82) on 1 July 1941. 1 Sep 1938: VP-20 was established at NAF Seattle,
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Wash., flying the Consolidated P2Y-3 seaplane, under
TWENTY FIVE (VB-125) on 1 March 1943. operational control of PatWing-4.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Jan 1940: The squadron deployed a detachment to
DRED TWENTY FIVE (VPB-125) on 1 October 1944. Sitka, Alaska, to test new wing deicers. During the
Disestablished on 8 June 1945. testing, tender support was provided by Teal (AVP 5).
6 Jan 1941: The squadron was redesignated VP-61
and transferred to NAS Alameda, Calif., under opera-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname tional control of PatWing-6.
The first insignia for the squadron was submitted by 1 Jun 1941: The squadron was transferred to NAS
VP-44 and approved by CNO on 20 April 1940. The Norfolk, Va. The last plane arrived there on 11 June
design was in the form 1941.
of a horseshoe with a 15 Aug 1941: VP-82 was transferred to NAS Floyd
buoy in the background. Bennett Field, N.Y., under the operational control of
The squadron wished to PatWing-8. The squadron began a period of antisub-
use this insignia because marine and search tactics training. Crews were alter-
the horseshoe, a typical nated for four days of indoctrination training aboard
good luck piece, had tender Pocomoke (AV 9) at Gardner, Long Island.
not been adopted by 15 Oct–Nov 1941: On 15 October the squadron
any other Navy or was transferred to NAS Norfolk, Va., under PatWing-5.
Marine Corps squadron. By 28 October 1941, the squadron had received its full
The buoy in the design allotment of 15 aircraft and was relocated again, this
was identified with sea- time to NAS Quonset Point, R.I. This squadron proba-
plane operations of the bly set a record for patrol squadrons during the war in
The squadron’s first insignia. period. Commander the greatest number of aircraft exchanges in a six-
Patrol Wing 4, while for- month period. An article in the squadron newsletter
warding the request, stated that “while the desire of dated 2 August 1941 read, “It is believed that this
the squadron to adopt a good luck sign is appreci-
ated . . . the Wing Com-
mander feels that the
success of Patrol Squad-
ron FORTY-FOUR has
been due less to good
luck than to good judg-
ment and good pilot-
ing.” Colors: horseshoe,
rust red; water, blue;
buoy, yellow.
The Walt Disney stu-
dios designed the sec-
ond squadron insignia, a
practice followed by
many Navy and Army
The squadron’s second insignia
squadrons during WWII.
was a Disney design. The design, approved A squadron PBY in flight, circa 1940.
 CHAPTER 4 547

squadron has the distinction of completing the greatest ders, including Geor ge E. Badger (AVD 3) and
number of reassignments of aircraft in the shortest Barnegat (AVP 10). The berthing situation stabilized
time. From the period 29 March to 26 July (less than on 22 May 1942, when the crews were berthed ashore
four months) four complete new assignments of air- at the air station barracks.
planes, including spare parts, have been accom- 28 Jan 1942: The squadron claimed a U-boat sunk
plished. The models assigned included P2Y-3, PBY-3, off Cape Race. Postwar examination of enemy records
PBY-4 and PBY-5. Up to date, no repeat on any one do not indicate any losses during that period.
plane has resulted. It is felt that this record should 1 Mar 1942: A second U-boat was claimed sunk by
stand for some time but any squadron desiring to be- Ensign Tepuni flying a PBO-1 Hudson, also near Cape
come a competitor for the honor should do so with Race. German Navy records indicate that this was U-
circumspect.” Three months after the article was pub- 656, Kapitanleutnant Ernst Kroning commanding, with
lished the squadron transitioned to a fifth model, the a crew of 45. U-656 was the first German submarine
PBO-1! From October through 11 November 1941, the sinking attributed to U.S. forces in WWII.
squadron’s 40 pilots accompanied Army crews in 15 Mar 1942: VP-82 claimed a heavy damage as-
Lockheed Hudson bombers flying from the factory at sessment on a German submarine in the rich hunting
Burbank, Calif., to Norfolk, Va. This training was for grounds off Cape Race. Postwar examination of
transition from the Navy’s PBY Catalina flying boats to German records indicate that U-503, Kapitanleutnant
the Hudson bomber, designated by the Navy as PBO- Otto Gericke commanding, was actually sunk by the
1s. Assignment of these aircraft, originally destined for squadron.
the British and painted with British markings, was the 28 May 1942: A three-aircraft detachment returned
beginning of what became an extensive use of land- to NAS Quonset Point. On 30 May a second three-air-
planes by patrol squadrons during the war and, al- craft detachment from Argentia was sent to NAS
though it was not yet apparent, was the first move to- Norfolk, Va. A few PBY-5A Catalinas were added to
ward the eventual elimination of the flying boat from the squadron’s complement at NAS Quonset Point for
patrol aviation. patrol duties.
1 Jan–May 1942: Twelve aircraft of VP-82 were 8 Jun 1942: Three aircraft departed NAS Quonset
transferred to Argentia, Newfoundland, to provide Point for NAS Jacksonville, Fla..
convoy coverage, harbor patrol and antisubmarine 9 Jun 1942: VP-82 was transferred from the opera-
sweeps. The squadron came under the operational tional control of PatWing-7 to PatWing-9. On the same
control of PatWing-7 while at Argentia and NAS day, the remaining aircraft at NAS Quonset Point were
Quonset Point, R.I. The crews were berthed during flown to NAS Jacksonville, Fla. Upon arrival on 11
this period aboard Pocomoke (AV 9). From January June, the detachment began convoy coverage patrols
through May, the crews began shifting to other ten- with VP-94.

A squadron PBO-1 at Argentia, Newfoundland, early 1942, 80-G-14911 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
548 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

10 Jun 1942: The Argentia detachment of six PBOs craft of Squadron 53 deployed to Argentia. ASW pa-
rejoined the squadron headquarters at NAS Quonset trols and convoy coverage began on 17 November.
Point, R.I. 27 Apr 1943: A squadron aircraft attacked U-174,
16 Jun 1942: The six-aircraft detachment at Oberleutenant Wolfgang Grandefeld commanding,
Jacksonville, Fla., completed its operations with VP-94. on the surface near Cape Race. The U-boat heavily
Three aircraft returned to NAS Norfolk for patrol du- damaged the Ventura with its 20-mm AA guns before
ties, the other three returned to NAS Quonset Point. sinking.
23 Jul 1942: RAF Squadron 53 joined the Quonset 17 Jun 1943: VB-125 returned to NAS Quonset
Air Detachment. The British patrol squadron assisted Point, R.I., from its deployment to Argentia,
VP-82 in convoy patrol, ASW sweeps and photo Newfoundland. It is believed the Trinidad detachment
flights. rejoined the parent organization during this period
11 Aug 1942: A detachment of one officer and 76 and was included in the reforming and retraining tak-
enlisted personnel departed NAS Norfolk aboard SS ing place.
Mermah for an advanced base at Trinidad. Five aircraft 4 Jul 1943: VB-125 transferred to NAS Boca Chica,
of RAF Squadron 53 departed from MCAS Cherry Fla. The squadron provided ASW coverage and con-
Point, N.C., to join the detachment at Trinidad, fol- voy patrols from Tampa, Banana River and Miami,
lowed by nine VP-82 aircraft from NAS Norfolk on 13 Fla.; Camaguey and Nassau.
and 15 August. At Trinidad, the detachment came 1 Oct 1943: A three-aircraft detachment was sent to
under the operational control of PatWing-11. NAF San Julian, Cuba, for ASW patrols.
29 Sep 1942: The NAS Quonset Point squadron 1 May 1944: VB-125 transferred from Boca Chica,
headquarters detachment began to transition from the Fla., to NAF San Julian, Cuba, joining the detachment
PBO to the PV-1 Ventura twin-engine medium sent there previously. The squadron continued under
bomber, an improved successor to the PBO Hudson, the operational control of FAW-12.
with upgraded avionics and more powerful engines. 11 Feb–Mar 1945: The squadron was relieved by
15 Nov 1942: The NAS Quonset Point headquarters VPB-145 and received orders to deploy to Natal,
detachment of VP-82, 12 aircraft, and a few RAF air- Brazil, under the operational control of FAW-16. The

Squadron PV-1s at NAS Argentia, December 1942, 80-G-37868 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

The squadron PV-1, number 125-B-6, that sank U-174 on 27 April 1943, 80-G-71986 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 549

Crew members with their PV-1 that sank U-174, 80-G-71987 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

squadron arrived at Natal on the 18th, and began bar-

rier sweeps on the 28th. During March, the squadron
maintained detachments at Forteleza, Fernando de
Noronha and Ascension Island. The detachments re-
joined the squadron at Natal at the end of March.
27 Apr–May 1945: VPB-125 began its relocation to
Elizabeth City, N.C., arriving on 30 April. The
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-
9. During the month of May the squadron maintained
a six-aircraft detachment at NAS Brunswick, Maine.
1 Jun 1945: The Brunswick detachment rejoined
the squadron at NAS Elizabeth City in preparation for
disestablishment.
8 Jun 1945: VPB-125 was disestablished.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

NAF Seattle, Wash. 1 Sep 1938
NAS Alameda, Calif. 6 Jan 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jun 1941
NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 15 Aug 1941
NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Oct 1941
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 28 Oct 1941
Lt(jg) Thomas Kinaszczuk, pilot of the PV-1 that sank U-174, 80-G- NAS Boca Chica, Fla. 4 Jul 1943
71985 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN). NAF San Julian, Cuba 1 May 1944
550 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A squadron PBO-1 at Argentia, Newfoundland, 80-G-14910 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Home Port Assignments—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAF Natal, Brazil 11 Feb 1945 LCDR Robert J. Slagle 26 Aug 1944
NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 30 Apr 1945 LCDR Julius E. Gibbs 6 Feb 1945

Aircraft Assignment
Commanding Officers
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Date Assumed Command P2Y-3 Sep 1938
LCDR William D. Johnson, Jr. 1 Sep 1938 PBY-3 Mar 1941
LCDR William L. Erdmann 3 Jan 1940 PBY-4 Apr 1941
LCDR J. D. Greer 19 Jun 1942 PBY-5 May 1941
LCDR W. W. Hollister 26 Oct 1942 PBO-1 Nov 1941
LCDR F. M. Slater 23 Mar 1943 PBY-5A May 1942
LCDR W. A. Smyth 31 Aug 1943 PV-1 Sep 1942

Squadron PBO-1s in flight, 80-G-14912 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

 CHAPTER 4 551

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

Jan 1940 Feb 1940 PatWing-4 Sitka P2Y-3 NorPac

Teal (AVP 5)
1 Jan 1942 10 Jun 1942 PatWing-7 Argentia PBO-1 NorLant
Pocomoke (AV 9)
George E. Badger
(AVD 3)
Barnegat (AVP 10)
11 Aug 1942* 17 Jun 1943 PatWing-11 Trinidad PBO-1 Carib
15 Nov 1942 17 Jun 1943 PatWing-7 Argentia PV-1 NorLant
1 Oct 1943 11 Feb 1945 FAW-12 San Julian PV-1 Carib
11 Feb 1945 27 Apr 1945 FAW-16 Natal PV-1 SoLant
* This deployment only involved a squadron detachment.

A squadron PV-1 at NAS Argentia, December 1942, 80-G-37867 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Air Wing Assignments Air Wing Assignments—Continued

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-4 1 Sep 1938 FAW-7 Nov 1942
PatWing-6 6 Jan 1941 FAW-9 Jun 1943
PatWing-5 Jun 1941 FAW-12 Jul 1943
PatWing-8 15 Aug 1941
FAW-16 11 Feb 1945
PatWing-5 15 Oct 1941
FAW-9 27 Apr 1945
PatWing-9 28 Oct 1941
PatWing-7 1 Jan 1942 * Patrol Wing 9 (PatWing-9) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 9

PatWing-9/FAW-9* 9 Jun 1942 (FAW-9) on 1 November 1942.

552 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Unit Awards Received Unit Awards Received—Continued

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
NUC 15 Jan 1942 10 Jun 1942 1 Apr 1943 30 Apr 1943

A squadron PV-1 takes off from Natal, Brazil, 25 April 1945, 80-G-49001 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 553

VPB-126 an improved version of the PBO, when sufficient num-

bers of the former became available. By the comple-
tion of training enough aircraft had been received to
outfit the squadron. These were ferried back to NAF
Lineage Argentia on 2 December 1942. Three of the PBY-5As
Established as Patrol Squadron NINETY THREE (VP- were retained for utility work and the rest of the
93) on 5 January 1942. Catalinas were flown back to the U.S. With the conver-
Redesignated Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED sion of the squadron from seaplanes to landplanes, the
TWENTY SIX (VB-126) on 1 March 1943. designation of the squadron was changed to VB-126.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- 17 Jun 1943: VB-126 returned to NAS Quonset
DRED TWENTY SIX (VPB-126) on 1 October 1944. Point, R.I., after a 13-month deployment at NAF
Disestablished on 27 June 1945. Argentia, Newfoundland, coming under the opera-
tional control of FAW-9. By this date, the battle for the
North Atlantic with the German wolf packs had been
Squadron Insignia and Nickname won and no replacement squadrons were sent to
None on record. Argentia. The squadron spent the next year and a half
divided into detachments at NAS Quonset Point, NAS
New York and MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.
Chronology of Significant Events 10 Jan–Jun 1945: VPB-126 departed NAS New
5 Jan 1942: On this date, the squadron was estab- York, N.Y., for deployment to NF Natal, Brazil. Soon
lished at NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational con- after arrival, the squadron split into detachments with
trol of Patrol Wing 9. The men and material assigned to sections at various times at Fortaleza, Brazil, and
the squadron had been sent to NAS Banana River, Fla., Ascension Island. The routine of daily patrols was bro-
for flight training in the PBM Mariner seaplane and ken on 3 May 1945 by a two-week period of training
would not have been present for any ceremony, even for eight pilots in the use of wing-mounted HVAR rock-
had one been planned. However, due to the shortage ets at Maceio, Brazil. The lack of enemy activity and
in Mariner aircraft, the squadron personnel were trans- the general winding down of the war effort resulted in
ferred to NAS Norfolk where most of the first month of the return of the squadron to the U.S. on 21 May 1945.
training was conducted in PBY-5A Catalinas. Cross- Upon arrival at NAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York,
country flying and navigation skills were improved N.Y., the squadron began preparations for disestablish-
when the squadron was assigned the mission to ferry ment. The formal disestablishment took place at NAS
PBY aircraft from the West Coast back east. Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y., on 27 June 1945.
5 April 1942: The squadron received orders to
transfer to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., in preparation for Home Port Assignments
overseas deployment.
12 May 1942: VP-93 deployed to NAF Argentia, Location Date of Assignment
Newfoundland. The squadron was ready for combat NAS Norfolk, Va. 5 Jan 1942
operations on 20 May, under the tactical control of NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 5 Apr 1942
Patrol Wing 7 and administrative control of Patrol NAS New York, N.Y. Dec 1943
Wing 9. The squadron split into two detachments, NAF Natal, Brazil Jan 1945
with one remaining at Argentia and the other in NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 21 May 1945
Greenland. Pocomoke (AV-9), anchored in Placentia
Harbor, Argentia, Newfoundland, provided the supply
and maintenance facilities critical to the squadron’s Commanding Officers
upkeep in the frigid conditions of the North Atlantic.
Date Assumed Command
Convoy coverage was extremely difficult due to con-
stant heavy fog and frequent failures of the primitive LCDR Claude W. Haman 5 Jan 1942
radar sets in use by the squadron at the time. Weather LCDR William B. Short 22 Oct 1942
was the direct cause of death for Lieutenant (jg) LCDR Bernard W. Dunlop 18 Sep 1943
Wilson B. Rippey and his crew, who were forced to LCDR William H. Munson 7 Aug 1944
set down on the surface after losing their bearings.
Rescue aircraft could not locate Rippey and his crew Aircraft Assignment
before heavy seas sank their aircraft.
1 Sep–Dec 1942: A detachment of squadron air- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
crews was sent to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., for check- PBY-5A 5 Jan 1942
out in the PBO aircraft. The decision had been made PBO 1 Sep 1942
to replace the squadron’s PBY-5A aircraft with the PV-1, PV-1 1 Mar 1943
554 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron personnel with their PV-1 in the background at NAS Quonset Point, September 1943, 80-G-383780 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 May 1942 17 Jun 1943 PatWing-7/9* Argentia PBY-5A NorLant

PBO/PV-1
10 Jan 1945 21 May 1945 FAW-17 Natal PV-1 SoLant
* Tactical control was maintained by PatWing-7 and administrative control by PatWing-9.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
PatWing-9 5 Jan 1942 None on record.
PatWing-7/9/FAW-7/9* 12 May 1942
FAW-9 17 Jun 1943
FAW-16 10 Jan 1945
FAW-9 21 May 1945
* Tactical control was maintained by PatWing-7 and administrative

control by PatWing-9. Patrol Wings (PatWings) were redesignated

Fleet Air Wings (FAW) on 1 November 1942.
 CHAPTER 4 555

VPB-127 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Feb–19 Apr 1943: VB-127 was established on 1
February at NAS Deland, Fla., under the operational
Lineage control of FAW-12, as a medium bombing squadron
flying the PV-1 Ventura. The squadron remained at
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Deland for ground school and flight training in SNB-1
TWENTY SEVEN (VB-127) on 1 February 1943. twin Beechcraft until the arrival of the squadron’s
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN-
Venturas on 19 March. Training continued at Deland
DRED TWENTY SEVEN (VPB-127) on 1 October 1944.
until mid-April. On 19 April, the squadron was relo-
Disestablished on 10 July 1945.
cated to NAAF Boca Chica, Fla., for operational train-
ing. Although the squadron was not the first landplane
Squadron Insignia and Nickname patrol squadron in the Navy, it had the distinction of
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on 2 being the first to have the new VB designation that of-
April 1943. The central character of the design was ficially replaced the former VP prefix for all land-
known as Pee-Wee One. This cartoonish figure was based patrol squadrons after 1 March 1943.
riding a bomb downwards, holding binoculars to his 10 May 1943: The squadron began its flight south
eyes. His head was strangely shaped and somewhat to Panamarin Field, NAF Natal, Brazil, coming under
the operational control of FAW-16 after its arrival on 14
May. Repair and maintenance facilities were inade-
quate, forcing the squadron to cannibalize one of its
own aircraft shortly after arrival to have a supply of
parts for the others. The primary missions assigned
were antishipping patrols, ASW coverage and convoy
protection on an average of two or three times each
week. Patrols usually lasted six and a half hours, the
maximum endurance of the Ventura with a margin for
safe return to base. Patrols were run in cooperation
with VBs 129 and 107, also based at NAF Natal.
21 Jun 1943: An eight-aircraft detachment was sent
to NAF Fortaleza, Brazil. This split arrangement re-
mained in effect during the entire deployment. The
same repair and maintenance problems existed as at
Natal. One perfectly good aircraft was grounded and
designated as spare parts.
30 Jul 1943: Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Young and crew
attacked and sank U-591, Oberleutnant Raimar
Ziesmer commanding, off Recife, Brazil. Twenty-eight
survivors out of a crew of 49, including the command-
ing officer, were picked up by Saucy (PG 65).
1 Aug 1943: Lieutenant J. R. Marr lost power in his
starboard engine on takeoff from NAF Natal and
crashed into the water. The accident killed five per-
sonnel and injured five others, most of whom had
been aboard as passengers en route to Natal on ad-
ministrative matters.
The squadron’s cartoon insignia. 2 Sep 1943: VB-127 was withdrawn from NAF Natal
and assigned duty in the Mediterranean. On 6
resembled the PV-1 Ventura that the squadron flew. September, the squadron reported to FAW-15 after ar-
Pee-Wee was the “symbol of the spirit that was built riving at NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. The mission at this lo-
into the squadron airplanes, and his primary function cation remained much the same as at Natal, antiship-
was to guard and protect the aircraft and those who ping and ASW patrols over the convoy lanes. On 30
fly them.” Colors: field, gray; bomb, blue with gray November, a detachment was sent to Agadir, F.M., for
markings; figure, blue with black outlines; face and ASW sweeps in the vicinity of the Canary Islands. The
hands, pink; binoculars, black; shoes, reddish brown. sweeps covered the principal islands of the group at a
Nickname: None on record. distance of six miles off shore.
556 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

29 Sep 1943: Lieutenant (jg) T. W. DuBose crashed 4 Apr 1944: Lieutenant (jg) D. L. Schlater and crew
into the top of a hill 15 miles northeast of Ben Ahmed, were killed in a crash during a test hop eight miles from
F.M. Cause of the accident was unknown and all Port Lyuatey. Cause of the crash was never determined.
hands were lost. 24 Jun–27 Sep 1944: A four-aircraft detachment
28 Oct 1943: Lieutenant A. C. Berg and Lieutenant was sent to Algiers, Algeria, for temporary duty with
(jg) W. C. Young were on ASW patrol in two squadron the Commander, Eighth Fleet. On 28 June two more
Venturas in the vicinity of the Canary Islands when at- aircraft joined the detachment. Principal duties in-
tacked by two Spanish CR-42 fighters from Gando volved transportation of personnel, cargo and mail
Field. The attackers were repulsed with no injuries to from Algiers to Naples, Italy, prior to the invasion of
personnel or damage to either VB-127 aircraft. One of southern France. The detachment rejoined the
the CR-42s was hit and made a forced landing on the squadron at NAF Port Lyautey on 27 September.
beach near Gando Field. 8 May 1945: Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) was
24 Feb 1944: U-761 was detected by PBY-5 proclaimed with the sounding of all the station air-raid
sirens. Celebrations lasted through 9 May. Operational
Catalinas of VP-63 during an attempt to pass through
flights officially ended on 16 June.
the Straits of Gibraltar. The two VP-63 PBYs, piloted
21 Jun–10 Jul 1945: VPB-127 was relieved for re-
by Lieutenants Howard Baker and T. R. Woolley, used
turn to the United States, arriving at NAS Quonset
their MAD gear to detect, track and assist in the sink-
Point, R.I., on 23 June 1945. After issuing orders for
ing of U-761, Oberleutnant Horst Geider commanding. demobilization or extension of duty to the personnel
The U-boat was attacked by a British Catalina of RAF remaining, VPB-127 was formally disestablished at
Squadron 202 and a PV-1 Ventura of VB-127. NAS Quonset Point, R.I., on 10 July 1945.
Lieutenant P. L. Holmes, pilot of the VB-127 Ventura,
assisted in the kill by dropping depth charges on U-
761 when it surfaced. It was the first sinking of a sub- Home Port Assignments
marine aided by MAD equipment. Following the at- Location Date of Assignment
tack by VB-127, the U-boat was scuttled near Tangier, NAS Deland, Fla. 1 Feb 1943
in view of approaching British destroyers. The crew of NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 19 Apr 1943
51 was picked up by HMS Anthony and Wishart. NAF Natal, Brazil 14 May 1943

A PV-1 receiving a wash down at NAS Port Lyautey following a routine mission, May 1945, 80-G-K-5245.
 CHAPTER 4 557

Home Port Assignments—Continued Commanding Officers—Continued

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. 6 Sep 1943 LCDR Alvin C. Berg 8 Sep 1944
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 23 Jun 1945 LCDR Gordon L. Taylor 15 Apr 1945

Commanding Officers
Aircraft Assignment
Date Assumed Command
LCDR William E. Gentner, Jr. 1 Feb 1943 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR Richard L. Friede 7 Jul 1943 PV-1 Mar 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 May 1943 * FAW-16 Natal PV-1 SoLant

21 Jun 1943† * FAW-16 Fortaleza PV-1 SoLant
2 Sep 1943 * FAW-15 Port Lyautey PV-1 Med
30 Nov 1943† * FAW-15 Agadir PV-1 Med
24 Jun 1944† 21 Jun 1945 FAW-15 Algiers PV-1 Med
* Continued combat deployments in South America and North Africa, moving from base to base.
† Deployment dates are only for squadron detachments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 1 Feb 1943 None on record.
FAW-16 14 May 1943
FAW-15 2 Sep 1943
FAW-5 21 Jun 1945
A PV-1 taxiing at NAS Port Lyautey, May 1945, 80-G-K-5246.
558 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-129 as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1

Ventura. The squadron started out with the handi-
cap of having only one pilot who had qualified pre-
viously as a patrol plane commander. After complet-
Lineage ing the customary ground school training, the flight
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED crews were introduced to twin-engine operation in
TWENTY NINE (VB-129) on 22 February 1943. the SNB-1 Kansan, before getting orientation to the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- more powerful Ventura. The squadron was relocated
DRED TWENTY NINE (VPB-129) on 1 October 1944. on 10 May to NAAF Boca Chica, Fla., for shakedown
Disestablished on 4 June 1945. and advanced flight training. Maintenance problems
were gradually worked out after the newly estab-
lished HEDRON system was in place and functional.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Shakedown training was cut short by operational
The insignia for VPB-129 was approved by CNO on demands.
30 June 1944. Centered in the design was the caveman 30 May 1943: VB-129 was transferred to NAF Natal,
cartoon character Alley Oop, poised to throw a large Brazil, under the operational control of FAW-16. The
squadron hastily departed NAAF Boca Chica in ele-
ments of three aircraft, the last arriving at Natal on 5
June. Conditions at NAF Natal were at that time very
primitive. There was no Navy establishment and the
small Army Post Exchange was the only place where
basic amenities could be obtained. ASW patrols, con-
voy escort and barrier sweeps commenced upon ar-
rival. The squadron’s first operational casualty oc-
curred when one of its aircrews failed to return from a
routine familiarization flight. Extensive searches of the
sector gave no clue to the crew’s fate until a section of
wingtip washed up on the beach days later.
15 Jun 1943: The squadron was relocated to NAF
Recife, Brazil, to continue the ASW patrols, convoy es-
cort and barrier sweeps as before. The base at Recife
was still in the process of being set up. The HEDRON
was not yet functional and had no shops or adequate
berthing facilities. The nearby town of Pernambuco
had more to offer on liberty than Natal, and a strong
British presence made American visitors feel welcome.
24 Jul 1943: VB-129 was transferred to NAF
Ipitanga, Bahia, Brazil. VPB-129 was the first Navy
squadron to use the facility, which had been previ-
ously shared by the Army and Pan American Airways.
The squadron shared the field with a Brazilian Air
Force squadron flying Hudsons (three crews and three
The squadron’s cartoon insignia.
aircraft). This squadron and VP-74, a PBM squadron
located at NAF Aratu, near the town of Bahia, came
bomb on an unseen enemy below. The white star on under the command of VB-129’s skipper, who was the
a blue circle used to identify U.S. military aircraft was senior naval officer present. Sweeps were coordinated
a backdrop for Alley Oop. The use of the large bomb between the three squadrons. The field had only one
was symbolic of the squadron’s role as a medium airstrip bordered by high sand hills. The city of Bahia
bombing squadron flying the PV-1 Ventura. Colors: was located 30 miles away, but did have a naval pres-
field, royal blue; star, white; bomb, egg yolk yellow; ence in the form of a Navy base. Buildings that existed
Alley Oop, white skin wearing black trunks. at Ipitanga Field were quickly converted to barracks,
Nickname: None on record. chow hall and recreational facilities. R&R was spent by
squadron personnel on five-day leave periods to Rio
de Janeiro, the Brazilian capital. It was on one of these
Chronology of Significant Events
trips that the squadron incurred its second major loss
22 Feb–May 1943: VB-129 was established at NAS when the NATS transport aircraft crashed, killing three
Deland, Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12, squadron officers and three enlisted personnel. The
 CHAPTER 4 559

squadron maintenance program at Ipitanga Field was for HVAR rocket projectile training. Each student was
hampered by the inadequacies of the understaffed and required to fire at least 56 rockets before being
poorly equipped HEDRON. It was always necessary to qualified. During this interval, eight of the squadron
lend HEDRON enlisted personnel to accomplish the aircraft were refitted with rocket rails.
maintenance required while at this field. During oper- 27 Mar 1944: VB-129 was put back on operational
ations from Ipitanga the elimination of drop tanks and patrols from NAS Quonset Point, R.I., under the opera-
two depth bombs improved the safety record of the tional control of FAW-9 and the Eastern Sea Frontier.
squadron and eased the load on the aircraft. Missions consisted of ASW sweeps, convoy coverage
30 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Commander Thomas D. and sweeps of convoy tracks.
Davies and crew sighted a fully surfaced submarine 4 May 1944: The squadron was transferred to NAS
during a coastal barrier sweep northeast of Bahia. The Elizabeth City, N.C., with the same mission assignment
U-boat crew attempted to fight it out with their 20-mm as at Quonset Point.
AA fire, but the bow guns of the Ventura quickly 4–11 Nov 1944: VPB-129 was temporarily detached
cleared the decks of the submarine, allowing Davies to for a week to conduct ASW sweeps and convoy pa-
make a perfect drop with four Mark 47 depth charges trols from NAS New York, N.Y.
athwart the still surfaced U-boat. The submarine U- 3 Dec 1944–Mar 1945: A three-aircraft detachment
604, Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring commanding, was sent to NAS Brunswick, Maine, for ASW duty. The
submerged after the attack then surfaced again at a 60- detachment was rotated among all the squadron air-
degree angle with the screws out of the water. The U- crews through 13 March 1945 when the detachment
boat again submerged. Later, German prisoners of war rejoined the squadron at NAS Elizabeth City, N.C.
indicated that damage to the U-boat was so severe that 21 May 1945: Orders were received for disestab-
it had to be scuttled on 11 August. lishment of the squadron. Aircraft were ferried to NAS
7 Feb 1944: VB-129 was relieved for return to NAS Clinton, Okla., and personnel were given their orders
Quonset Point, R.I., under the operational control of for demobilization or extension of duty.
FAW-9. All hands were given 15 days home leave with 4 Jun 1945: VPB-129 was formally disestablished at
orders to return on 24 February for AsDevLant school NAS Quonset Point, R.I.

The squadron’s attack on U-604 on 30 July 1943 resulted in so much damage to the submarine that the crew was forced to scuttle it on 11 August 1943.
560 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Deland, Fla. 22 Feb 1943 LCDR Jamie E. Jones 22 Feb 1943
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 10 May 1943 LCDR Lester E. Geer 27 May 1944
NAF Natal, Brazil 30 May 1943
NAF Recife, Brazil 15 Jun 1943
NAF Ipitanga, Brazil 24 Jul 1943 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 7 Feb 1944
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 4 May 1944
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. May 1945 PV-1 Apr 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

30 May 1943 * FAW-16 Natal PV-1 SoLant

15 Jun 1943 * FAW-16 Recife PV-1 SoLant
21 Jul 1943 7 Feb 1944 FAW-16 Bahia PV-1 SoLant
* Continued combat deployments in South America, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 22 Feb 1943 None on record.
FAW-16 30 May 1943
FAW-9 7 Feb 1944
FAW-5 4 May 1944
FAW-9 21 May 1945
 CHAPTER 4 561

VPB-132 Algeria; and Marrakech, F.M. Primary duties assigned

were ASW patrols in cooperation with elements of the
8th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
10 Jan 1944: Lieutenant Edward P. Wood and his
Lineage crew of five were killed in a crash at sea during an
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED ASW patrol 30 miles west of Craw Field, Port
THIRTY TWO (VB-132) on 15 March 1943. Lyautey, F.M.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- 7 Feb 1944: VB-132 was relocated to Advance Base
DRED THIRTY TWO (VPB-132) on 1 October 1944. Unit Number One, NAF Agadir, F.M., becoming opera-
Disestablished on 30 May 1945. tional on 14 February. A six-aircraft detachment was
returned to NAF Port Lyautey on the 14th to conduct
Squadron Insignia and Nickname ASW patrols in the waters around Gibraltar. The pri-
mary mission of the squadron at this location was to
VB-132 had submitted a proposed insignia to BuAer provide ASW coverage for the Canary Islands.
on 2 June 1943, but BuAer replied, “The insigne for- 1 Jul 1944: Ensign Louie H. Hatchett and four of his
warded … is returned herewith, not approved, since crew were killed in a crash during a gunnery training
the design submitted encroaches on the insigne of
flight 20 miles northwest of NAS Port Lyautey, F.M. On
Bombing Squadron 103. . . . ” Apparently, the squadron
this date the squadron began receiving pilots and
did not submit another design due to the press of op-
crews of Free French Patrol Squadron 1 (VFP-1) for
erational commitments.
training. The orientation course on the PV-1 Ventura
Nickname: None on record.
was completed on 16 November 1944. When all
squadron aircraft, supplies and equipment were
Chronology of Significant Events turned over to VFP-1.
15 Mar 1943: VB-132 was established at NAAS 16 Oct 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Thomas J. Galvin and
Deland, Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12, his crew of four were killed in a crash near Naples,
as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1 Italy, while on temporary duty with the HEDRON,
Ventura. Ground school and orientation to the Ventura FAW-15.
was completed on 14 June when the squadron was re- 19 Nov 1944: VPB-132 was relieved for return to the
located to NAAS Boca Chica, Fla., for shakedown and U.S., arriving at NAS Norfolk, Va., on 24 November. All
advanced ASW training. On 5 July the squadron com- hands were given home leave. The squadron was re-
pleted this phase of training and remained at Boca formed at NAS Norfolk on 28 December 1944, under
Chica for operational ASW patrols under Commander the operational control of FAW-5.
Gulf Sea Frontier. 1 Feb 1945: VPB-132 was transferred to NAS New
14 May 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Robert L.Wist and York, N.Y., with the Fleet Air Detachment under oper-
three of his crew were killed in a crash during a night ational control of FAW-9 and CTG 02.7,
training flight. ComEastSeaFron. The squadron conducted ASW
22 Jun 1943: Lieutenant Lawrence J. Carl and his sweeps and patrols over the convoy lanes leading into
crew of four were killed in a crash during a search New York Harbor.
mission. 14 Mar 1945: Naval Aviation Mobile Training Unit
4 Aug 1943: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to #103 arrived at NAS New York to train VPB-132 per-
NAF San Julian, Cuba, for ASW sweeps of convoy sonnel in the operation of PB4Y-2s. No Privateer air-
routes in the Caribbean. The detachment rejoined the
craft were assigned to the squadron at this time.
squadron at Boca Chica on 13 October 1943.
Training proceeded with the three aircraft that MTU-
18 Oct 1943: VB-132 was transferred to NAS
103 brought with them.
Quonset Point, R.I., for training under AsDevLant in
21–30 May 1945: VPB-132 received orders to dis-
HVAR rocket-projectile training.
establish. All aircraft were flown to NAS Clinton,
10 Dec 1943: VB-132 was deployed to Craw Field,
NAF Port Lyautey, F.M., under the operational control Okla., on 23 May. All personnel were transferred to
of FAW-15, arriving for duty on 24 December 1943. NAS Quonset Point, R.I. on 25 May. On 30 May 1945,
Because there was not enough room on the aircraft for VPB-132 was officially disestablished at NAS Quonset
everyone in the squadron, 15 enlisted personnel trav- Point, R.I.
elled aboard the tender Albemarle (AV 5) to Port
Lyautey, having left for that purpose on 19 November. Home Port Assignments
The squadron flew a circuitous route through Florida;
Puerto Rico; Belem, Brazil; Natal, Brazil; Ascension Location Date of Assignment
Island; Liberia, Africa; Mauritania, W. Africa; Tindouf, NAS Deland, Fla. 15 Mar 1943
562 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments—Continued Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR Thomas H. Moorer 15 Mar 1943
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 14 Jun 1943 LCDR Carl R. Doerflinger 1 Jan 1944
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 18 Oct 1943 LCDR Peter Shumway 13 Sep 1944
NAF Port Lyautey, F.M. 10 Dec 1943 LCDR Carl D. Bauer 1 Mar 1945
NAAF Agadir, F.M. 7 Feb 1944
NAS Norfolk, Va. 19 Nov 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS New York, N.Y. 1 Feb 1945 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 25 May 1945 PV-1 15 Mar 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

4 Aug 1943 13 Oct 1943 FAW-12 San Julian PV-1 Carib

10 Dec 1943 7 Feb 1944 FAW-15 Port Lyautey PV-1 Med
7 Feb 1944 19 Nov 1944 FAW-15 Agadir PV-1 Med

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 15 Mar 1943 None on record.
FAW-9 18 Oct 1943
FAW-15 10 Dec 1943
FAW-5 19 Nov 1944
FAW-9 1 Feb 1945
A squadron PV-1 in flight, circa 1943.
 CHAPTER 4 563

VPB-134 Brazil, to relieve VB-143. VB-134 departed NAS

Quonset Point on 24 January 1944, with the last
Ventura arriving at Recife on 8 February. Upon arrival
the squadron came under the operational control of
Lineage FAW-16. From this base the squadron conducted
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED dawn-to-dusk coverage of convoys between Rio de
THIRTY FOUR (VB-134) on 29 March 1943. Janeiro, Brazil, and Trinidad.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- 16 Feb 1944: A three-aircraft detachment was sent
DRED THIRTY FOUR (VPB-134) on 1 October 1944. to NAF Maceio, Brazil, 90 miles south of Recife.
Disestablished on 25 April 1945. 5 Apr 1944: The entire squadron joined its detach-
ment at Maceio. A three aircraft detachment was left at
NAF Recife, to assist in training the First Brazilian Air
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Group, also stationed at Ibura Field, Recife. Two
None on record. squadron members were among those who flew to
NAS Quonset Point, R.I., to pick up new PV-1
Venturas for delivery to the Brazilian Air Group. This
Chronology of Significant Events
detachment remained at NAF Recife until 26 October
29 Mar 1943: VB-134 was established at NAS 1944 when it rejoined the squadron at NAF Fortaleza.
Deland, Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12, 28 Apr 1944: VB-134 was relocated to NAF Pici
as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1 Field, Fortaleza, Brazil. A three-aircraft detachment
Ventura. After a period of ground training and intro- was sent to NAF Tirirical Field, Sao Luiz, Brazil. The
duction to the PV-1 Ventura, the squadron was relo- detachment remained at Sao Luiz until 6 February
cated to NAAF Boca Chica, Fla., for shakedown and 1945, when it rejoined the squadron at Fortaleza. Pici
advanced ASW training, which was completed by the Field was adequate for general purposes, maintenance
end of July. was the only major shortcoming. The HEDRON as-
5 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Richard R. Barnes and his signed there could conduct routine 30 to 60 hour en-
eight crew members were killed on takeoff from NAS gine checks, but the more extensive 240 hour checks,
Deland on the day the squadron began its transfer to engine changes and major repairs had to be done at
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. The Army had only recently Ibura Field, NAF Recife.
turned over the Boca Chica facility to the Navy. Most 27 Nov 1944: Ensign Charles M. Rockwell struck
members of the squadron wished they had kept it, as the surface while conducting rocket-firing training at
the basic amenities of life were absent or totally sub- sea approximately 15 miles from NAF Maceio. All
standard and the clouds of mosquitoes at night were hands except one were able to exit the aircraft with-
unbearable. The sand fleas took over in the daytime. out serious injury before it sank. The cause of the ac-
25 Jul–1 Sep 1943: VB-134 was transferred to cident was diving at too low an altitude while firing,
MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., under the operational con- and running into the water spray from the rockets,
trol of FAW-5, relieving VB-126. The squadron was as- ripping off the port engine and starboard propeller.
signed patrol sectors, providing four dawn-to-dusk es- Rockwell was able to recover with the remaining mo-
cort cover patrols for convoys along that portion of mentum bringing the damaged aircraft back to 200
the eastern seaboard. The PBM squadrons at NAS feet, then ditching it in a controlled crash. A Coast
Norfolk, Va., VPs 201 and 203, conducted the daytime Guard cutter standing by picked up the men within
patrols over the same sectors. On 1 September admin- six minutes of ditching.
istrative and operational control over the squadron 18 Dec 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Wolfe and his crew,
was transferred to FAW-9. and four passengers were killed on takeoff from Pici
21 Nov 1943: VB-134 was sent to the AsDevLant Field, Fortaleza, when his port engine exploded and
training course for rocket projectiles at NAS Quonset the aircraft spun into the ground inverted. The crash
Point, R.I., returning back under the operational con- resulted in a general squadron standdown while all of
trol of FAW-5. the aircraft were inspected. Several were found to
5 Dec 1943: Lieutenant Walter Craig was caught by have major deficiencies requiring several months to
a gust of wind on landing and rolled inverted over the make them airworthy.
flight line. He applied full power to attempt to pull 11 Feb 1945: A detachment was sent to NAF
out, but struck the corner of a hangar before he could Fernando de Noronha, returning to NAF Fortaleza on
recover. The entire aircrew of four, plus five enlisted 21 February to rejoin the squadron in time to prepare
personnel working in the hangar, were killed in the for the return to NAS Norfolk, Va.
crash and fire. 1 Mar–25 Apr 1945: VPB-134 was transferred to
24 Jan 1944: The squadron received orders on 27 NAS Norfolk, Va., arriving 7 March 1945. Upon arrival
December 1943 to proceed to Ibura Field, NAF Recife, the squadron came under the operational control of
564 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

FAW-5. All squadron aircraft were turned over to the Home Port Assignments—Continued
HEDRON and its personnel given demobilization or
Location Date of Assignment
extension orders. VPB-134 was disestablished at NAS
Norfolk, Va., on 25 April 1945. NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Mar 1945

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR Frederic N. Howe 29 Mar 1943
NAS Deland, Fla. 29 Mar 1943
LCDR John G. Waldmann 28 Oct 1943
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 5 Jul 1943
LCDR Walter G. Barnes, Jr. 2 Feb 1945
MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. 25 Jul 1943
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 21 Nov 1943
NAF Recife, Brazil 24 Jan 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAF Maceio, Brazil 5 Apr 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAF Fortaleza, Brazil 28 Apr 1944 PV-1 Apr 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

24 Jan 1944 * FAW-16 Recife PV-1 SoLant

16 Feb 1944 * FAW-16 Maceio PV-1 SoLant
28 Apr 1944 1 Mar 1945 FAW-16 Fortaleza PV-1 SoLant
11 Feb 1945† 1 Mar 1945 FAW-16 Fernando PV-1 SoLant
* Continued combat deployments in South America, moving from base to base.
† Deployment dates are only for a squadron detachment.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-12 29 Mar 1943 FAW-5 1 Mar 1945
FAW-5 25 Jul 1943
FAW-9 1 Sep 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-5 21 Nov 1943 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-16 24 Jan 1944 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 565

VPB-137 2 Mar 1944: VB-137 reformed at NAS Alameda,

Calif., under the operational control of FAW-8. On 24
March, the squadron was moved to NAAS Crow’s
Landing, Calif., for advanced flight training, returning
Lineage to Alameda on 1 August 1944.
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED 9 Aug 1944: VB-137 aircraft, equipment and per-
THIRTY SEVEN (VB-137) on 17 February 1943. sonnel were loaded aboard Nassau (CVE 16) for trans-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- portation to Hawaii, arriving at Ford Island on 15
DRED THIRTY SEVEN (VPB-137) on 1 October 1944. August. After unloading, all personnel, aircraft and
Disestablished on 20 July 1945. equipment was delivered to NAS Kaneohe under the
operational control of FAW-2.
22 Aug 1944: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Midway Island to conduct daily patrols. Three more
None on record. aircraft augmented this detachment three days later.
All nine aircraft returned to NAS Kaneohe on 4
September.
Chronology of Significant Events
3 Sep 1944: A three-aircraft/four-crew detachment
17 Feb 1943: VB-137 was established at NAS was sent to Johnston Island to conduct daily patrols. A
Alameda, Calif., under the operational control of FAW- second detachment of three-aircraft replaced the first
8, as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1 detachment on 19 September.
Ventura. Squadron personnel underwent intensive 15 Oct 1944: VPB-137 deployed south to Mokerang
ground and flight training through early May when Field, Los Negros, Admiralty Island, under the opera-
orders were received for the transpac to Hawaii. tional control of FAW-17. The squadron arrived on 26
9 May–30 Jun 1943: The squadron aircraft and per- October and became operational on the 31st.
sonnel were loaded aboard ship for transport to NAS 29 Nov 1944: VPB-137 moved by sections to
Kaneohe, Hawaii, arriving on 16 May 1943. Upon ar- Morotai, N.E.I., coming under the operational control
rival, the squadron came under the operational control of FAW-10. The squadron conducted daily patrols with
of FAW-2. On 18 May a detachment of six-aircraft was occasional strikes on Japanese installations on Tobi
sent to Midway Island for operational patrols and ad- Island.
1 Jan 1945: VPB-137 moved to Tacloban Field,
vanced training. A second detachment of three-aircraft
Leyte, Philippines. On 3 January, a surprise air raid de-
was sent to Wallis Island, NAAF Funafuti, in the Ellice
stroyed nine squadron aircraft and damaged two.
Island group, on 30 June, making VPB-137 the first Missions during this period included daily searches,
Ventura-equipped squadron to operate in the South with occasional taxi hops to Samar, Mindoro,
Pacific. Lingayen, Clark Field, Morotai and Owi.
2 Jul–Nov 1943: VB-137 was transferred to Wallis, 17 Feb 1945: The squadron mounted a four-aircraft
joining the detachment already there. Through the strike on Surigao Town, Luzon, Philippines.
middle of November, the squadron patrolled the areas 11 Mar–May 1945: A detachment of six-airplanes
around Wallis and Funafuti Islands. During the inva- was sent to Clark Field, Luzon, with another detach-
sion of the Gilberts and Marshalls, the squadron pro- ment of eight aircraft remaining at Tacloban. On 15
vided low-altitude reconnaissance for the task force April, the Tacloban detachment relocated to Samar. On
commanders. In mid-November the squadron was 27 May the Clark Field detachment joined the Samar
flown to a back area in western Samoa for two weeks detachment.
of overhaul and change of aircraft engines. 10–31 May 1945: VPB-137 aircraft attacked the bu-
Dec 1943: VB-137 was relocated to Betio, 710 miles tanol refineries at Mato and Shoka, Formosa; Japanese
infantry units in upper Cagayan Valley, Luzon; and
from Funafuti, only a week after Tarawa fell. Living
railroad facilities at Shoka, Shinei, Taito and other lo-
conditions were very primitive, with the crews sleep-
cations on Formosa.
ing on the ground the first three nights until tents 8 Jun 1945: VPB-137 was relieved for return to the
could be erected. Sniper activity continued for weeks U.S., arriving at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, on 9 June. The
after the squadron arrived. squadron remained at Kaneohe until arrangements
15 Jan 1944: VB-137 was relieved for return to NAS could be made to transport them back to the States.
Kaneohe, Hawaii, and then on to the U.S. for home On 2 July the squadron boarded a ship bound for San
leave and reforming. During combat operations from Diego, Calif. Upon arrival on 9 July, all hands were
18 May 1943 to 13 January 1944, the squadron lost given leave.
eight aircraft and three crews in combat and two 20 Jul 1945: VPB-137 was disestablished at NAS
others in accidents. San Diego, Calif.
566 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR Edward R. Sanders 16 Feb 1943
NAS Alameda, Calif. 17 Feb 1943 LCDR J. A. Porter 2 Mar 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 16 May 1943
NAS Alameda, Calif. Jan 1944
NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. 24 Mar 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Aug 1944
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Aug 1944
NAS San Diego, Calif. 9 Jul 1945 PV-1 Mar 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 May 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 EastPac

30 Jun 1943 * FAW-1 Funafuti PV-1 SoPac
Dec 1943 15 Jan 1944 FAW-1 Betio PV-1 SoPac
15 Aug 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 SoPac
15 Oct 1944 * FAW-17 Los Negros PV-1 SoPac
29 Nov 1944 * FAW-10 Morotai PV-1 SoPac
1 Jan 1945 * FAW-10 Leyte PV-1 SoPac
15 Apr 1945 8 Jun 1945 FAW-10 Samar PV-1 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-8 17 Feb 1943 FAW-2 8 Jun 1945
FAW-2 16 May 1943 FAW-14 9 Jul 1945
FAW-1 30 Jun 1943
FAW-2 15 Jan 1944
FAW-8 2 Mar 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 15 Aug 1944
FAW-17 15 Oct 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-10 29 Nov 1944 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 567

VPB-139 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Apr 1943: VB-139 was established at NAS Ault
Field, Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational
Lineage control of FAW-6, as a medium bombing squadron
flying the PV-1 Ventura. Ground school and familiar-
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED ization flights in the Ventura continued at Whidbey
THIRTY NINE (VB-139) on 1 April 1943. Island until the end of July. During this period, com-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- manding officer, Lieutenant Commander G. H. Hughes
DRED THIRTY NINE (VPB-139) on 1 October 1944. became ill and was relieved of command. On 22 July,
Disestablished on 13 September 1945. the squadron was relocated to NAS Alameda, Calif.,
where new instrument panels were installed in all of
Squadron Insignia and Nickname the aircraft. Upon returning to Whidbey Island, the
squadron flight crews began training with a new in-
The insignia submitted by VB-139 was accepted by
strument flying syllabus.
CNO on 16 May 1944, with the reservation that “the
1 Oct 1943: VB-139 departed NAS Whidbey Island
color red is not used in the insignia, and the numeral
for its first combat tour in three five-plane sections,
designation is removed.” The squadron’s submission
arriving at NAF Amchitka, Aleutians, between 7 and
10 October. The squadron then came under the oper-
ational control of FAW-4 and was assigned routine
search sectors. Missions were generally uneventful but
weather always posed a serious hazard. Yet despite
the poor weather conditions, the ground crews al-
ways managed to have the Venturas ready for the
next mission.
1 Nov 1943: A three-aircraft detachment was sent to
NAS Adak, Alaska, for patrol duties and special train-
ing. On 8 December, three other squadron aircraft re-
lieved this detachment. The first detachment continued
on to a new assignment at NAS Attu, Aleutians.
10 Dec 1943: The entire squadron relocated to
Casco Field, NAS Attu, relieving VP-136. Routine
searches out to 350–550 miles were conducted until 19
January 1944, when the squadron undertook several
photographic reconnaissance and bombing missions
over the northern Kurile Islands. Occasionally, attacks
were made on picket boats as well. On one such at-
tack an aircraft was badly shot up, and the copilot,
Lieutenant (jg) Clifford Thambs, was killed. Planned
shipping attacks generally never came about due to
The squadron’s VeeBee insignia. the vagaries of the weather. Icing was always a prob-
lem and crews never knew after returning from a mis-
sion whether the home field would be socked in with
made a clever play on its designation as a V BEE, with heavy fog. On one mission during this period,
the V standing for victory, and the BEE as the per- Lieutenant W. S. Whitman and his crew of five never
sonification of the bombing squadron flying missions returned and were listed as missing in action.
over the entire face of the globe. The BEE in the de- 19 Jan–Apr 1944: Lieutenant Mantius of VB-136
sign holds a bomb in each foreleg and sports a cigar had earlier demonstrated that the PV-1 could fly oper-
in his mouth. The BEE was superimposed over the let- ationally as far as the Kuriles. On 19 May, Lieutenants
ters VB and is looking downward on a hemisphere R. A. MacGregor, D. M. Birdsall and T. H. McKelvey
showing the Aleutians and northern Japan. Colors: made the first night flights over the same area in VB-
field, deep purplish-blue; bee’s body, striped rust and 139 Venturas. Until this flight, it had been assumed
purplish-blue; face, rust; eyeballs, purplish-blue with that only the B-24 and PBY aircraft had the range to
white pinpoints; upper arm, rust; lower arm, purplish- make strikes on the Kuriles. For the next four months
blue; bombs and cigar, tan; mouth, white; continents, the squadron became a part of Empire Express mis-
white with purplish-blue water. sions over the Kuriles, making photographic runs and
Nickname: V-BEES, 1944–1945. bombing through the clouds.
568 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

30 Jun 1944: VB-139 was relieved for return to NAS action. In June, the squadron made several strikes
Whidbey Island, Wash. Upon arrival, personnel were on Shimushu and numerous ships in the harbors.
given home leave. Although fighter opposition was often present, few
1 Aug 1944–Feb 1945: VB-139 reformed at NAS attacks were ever pressed home.
Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational control 24 Jul 1945: A detachment of six VPB-139 aircraft
of FAW-6. The squadron received all new equipment was relocated to NAF Amchitka, Aleutians, with the
and aircraft, the PV-2 Harpoon. During January, the rest remaining at NAS Attu. Duties consisted of routine
crews spent a great deal of time in rocket-projectile patrols, searches and mail runs between the island
firing. Much emphasis was placed on mastering the outposts.
new GCA equipment. NAS Attu had recently installed 20 Aug–13 Sep 1945: VPB-139 was relieved by
this new form of landing control, and it greatly re- VPB-135 for return to NAS Seattle, Wash., arriving on
duced the risks faced by the squadron when returning 23 August less one aircraft with a breakdown at NAS
from long missions and had the field covered by fog. Kodiak. All aircraft were turned over to HEDRON-6,
Training and flight familiarization was completed by and all personnel were given extension or demobiliza-
the end of February 1945. tion orders on 31 August. Squadron files arrived from
26 Feb 1945: VPB-139 deployed to Casco Field, NAS Attu on 11 September, and the squadron was dis-
NAS Attu, arriving on 16 March. It relieved VPB-136. established on 13 September 1945.
Upon arrival the squadron came under the operational
control of FAW-4 and was assigned routine searches
and patrols in conjunction with VPB-131. Home Port Assignments
27 Mar 1945: One of the squadron aircraft crashed
Location Date of Assignment
on Shemya and burned, but the crew was able to exit
safely and without injury. NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Apr 1943
6 Apr–Jun 1945: Four VPB-139 Harpoons at- NAF Amchitka, Aleutians 7 Oct 1943
tacked Kokutan Zaki, Kuriles, with rockets and ma- NAS Attu, Aleutians 10 Dec 1943
chine guns. On 6 May, attacks against ground targets NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 30 Jun 1944
were stopped on the order of BuAer. Problems with NAS Attu, Aleutians 26 Feb 1945
the strength of the wings and stabilizers on high-G NAS Seattle, Wash. 23 Aug 1945
pullouts over the targets confined Harpoon
squadrons thereafter to patrols and occasional at-
Commanding Officers
tacks on surface vessels until the HEDRONs and
PATSUs made repairs. Throughout the month of May Date Assumed Command
searches and photographic runs were made over
LCDR George H. Hughes 1 Apr 1943
Minami Zaki and the Okhotsk areas in the Kuriles.
LCDR W. R. Stevens 8 Jul 1943
Little enemy fighter opposition was ever encoun-
LCDR Glenn A. David 4 Aug 1944
tered on these missions. AA fire, however, was al-
ways present. On 10 May, a group of eight aircraft
attacked radar installations at Minami Zaki, Aircraft Assignment
Shimushu, and five of the eight were hit by AA fire.
All returned to base with no casualties. On 22 April Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Lieutenant William D. See and his crew of five failed PV-1 May 1943
to return from a patrol and were listed as missing in PV-2 Aug 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Oct 1943 * FAW-4 Amchitka PV-1 NorPac

1 Nov 1943 * FAW-4 Adak PV-1 NorPac
10 Dec 1943 30 Jun 1944 FAW-4 Attu PV-1 NorPac
26 Feb 1945 * FAW-4 Attu PV-1 NorPac
24 Jul 1945 20 Aug 1945 FAW-4 Amchitka PV-1 NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Aleutians, moving from base to base.
 CHAPTER 4 569

Squadron PV-2s returning to Attu after a strike on the Kuriles in 1945.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 1 Apr 1943 None on record.
FAW-4 1 Oct 1943
FAW-6 30 Jun 1944
FAW-4 26 Feb 1945
FAW-6 20 Aug 1945

Ordnance crew loads rockets on a squad-

ron PV-2 at Attu.
570 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-141 Jan 1944: Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier

called off the continuous convoy coverage patrols for
Ventura squadrons. Instead, daily patrols of one to five
missions per day were substituted, except when a pos-
Lineage itive U-boat sighting was made.
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED 19 Mar 1944: A six-aircraft detachment was sent to
FORTY ONE (VB-141) on 1 June 1943. NAS Coco Solo, Panama, C.Z.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- 7 Apr 1944: The nine aircraft remaining at Curacao
DRED FORTY ONE (VPB-141) on 1 October 1944. returned to NAS San Juan, P.R. Over the next several
Disestablished on 16 June 1945. months, a four-aircraft detachment rotated between
Curacao and San Juan. Rocket launching rails were
added to the aircraft at this time and 31 pilots were
Squadron Insignia and Nickname sent back to NAAS Boca Chica, Fla., for rocket-projec-
None on record. tile firing training.
7–8 Jul 1944: All of the squadron aircraft returned
to NAS Beaufort, S.C., under the operational control of
Chronology of Significant Events
FAW-9. Convoy coverage patrols and training were the
1 Jun 1943: VB-141 was established at NAS Deland, primary activities of the squadron through February
Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12, as a 1945. During its deployments the squadron experi-
medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1 Ventura. enced severe maintenance problems with the Ventura
Ground training and introduction to the flying charac- aircraft. When stationed in the Caribbean, one of the
teristics of the Ventura continued through 19 July, squadron aircraft was designated to be a parts plane,
when the squadron was sent to NAAF Boca Chica, so that the others could be kept in the air. Upon re-
Fla., for advanced ASW training and shakedown. turn to the States, with a ready supply of parts at
9 Aug 1943: VB-141 was deployed to NAS hand, maintenance problems seemed to get worse
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the operational control rather than better.
of FAW-11. Assignments consisted of convoy coverage 5 Oct 1944: Lieutenant Dean H. Ringgenberg and
over the Caribbean routes and occasional ASW two of his crew were killed in a midair collision with
sweeps. another aircraft over Beaufort, S.C.
1 Oct 1943: The squadron was relocated to NAS Feb 1945: A detachment was sent to NAS
San Jaun, P.R. Assignments continued as before until Brunswick, Maine, to protect the northern convoy
10 October when a detachment of six aircraft was sent routes.
to Atkinson Field, British Guiana. On the next day, a Apr 1945: A detachment of five crews was sent to
second detachment of six aircraft was sent to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., to pick up five new PV-2
Edinburgh Field, Trinidad. Convoy coverage and ASW Harpoons. Training was well underway and most of
sweeps were continued from both locations. Most of the pilots were qualified on the new aircraft when a
the squadron patrols covered the inshore areas, while dispatch was received from BuAer grounding all PV-2
PBM and PBY squadrons assigned to those bases took aircraft until modifications could be made to wings
the patrol sectors further out. and tail structures. The aircraft were repaired by the
18 Oct 1943: Both VB-141 detachments were as- HEDRON at NAS Quonset Point, R.I., and flown to the
signed to Trinidad, until 29 October when one of the squadron at NAS Beaufort.
detachments was sent to Curacao, N.W.I. 24 Apr–Jun 1945: A three-aircraft detachment was
13 Nov 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Leck M. Evans and his sent to MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., returning to NAS
crew of four failed to return from a patrol mission and Beaufort, S.C., on 7 May. At that time, all ASW mis-
were listed as missing. sions were secured and primary tasking involved pro-
15 Nov 1943: The Trinidad detachment joined the viding assistance to the new Air Sea Rescue units
detachment at NAF Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I. along the Atlantic coast. By the end of the month de-
19 Dec 1943: The squadron’s only sighting of a U- mobilization planning was underway, with many per-
boat was made on this date, a few days after a U.S. sonnel being detached prior to disestablishment of the
tanker, SS McDowell, had been sunk. VB-141 con- squadron. VPB-141 was officially disestablished at NAS
ducted continuous sweeps in the area until the U-boat Beaufort, S.C., on 16 June 1945.
surfaced at 1630 on 19 December. One attack was de-
livered with negative results before the U-boat sub-
merged and made good its escape. Home Port Assignments
22 Dec 1943: Lieutenant (jg) William W. Lomas and
Location Date of Assignment
his crew of five were killed in a crash while taking off
on a routine night convoy coverage mission. NAS Deland, Fla. 1 Jun 1943
 CHAPTER 4 571

Home Port Assignments—Continued Commanding Officers

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 19 Jul 1943 LCDR Paul C. Griggs 1 Jun 1943
NAS Guantanamo, Cuba 9 Aug 1943 LCDR Thomas W. Hillis 26 Sep 1944
NAS San Juan, P.R. 1 Oct 1943
NAAF Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, B.W.I.* 18 Oct 1943
Aircraft Assignment
NAF Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I.* 15 Nov 1943
NAS Beaufort, S.C. 7 Jul 1944 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
* Squadron detachments were based at these sites during its PV-1 Jul 1943
Caribbean deployment. PV-2 Apr 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

9 Aug 1943 * FAW-11 Guantanamo PV-1 Carib

1 Oct 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib
10 Oct 1943† * FAW-11 Br. Guiana PV-1 Carib
11 Oct 1943† * FAW-11 Trinidad PV-1 Carib
15 Nov 1943† * FAW-11 Curacao PV-1 Carib
19 Mar 1944† * FAW-3 Panama PV-1 Carib
7 Apr 1944 7 Jul 1944 FAW-11 San Juan PV-1 Carib
* Continued combat deployment in the Caribbean, moving from base to base.
† These deployment dates are only for squadron detachments.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 1 Jun 1943 None on record.
FAW-11 9 Aug 1943
FAW-9 7 Jul 1944
572 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-145 main on the island throughout the deployment, only

when intelligence indicated that a submarine might be
making a transit homeward.
13 Nov 1943: Lieutenant E. M. Jones and his crew
Lineage were forced to ditch at sea after their radio compass
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED failed. Jones had taken the wrong bearing until too
FORTY FIVE (VB-145) on 15 July 1943. much fuel had been consumed to make landfall. After
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- the squadron searched the area for six days, hope was
DRED FORTY FIVE (VPB-145) on 1 October 1944. given up of finding the crew. Finally, on the seventh
Disestablished on 18 June 1945. day, the crew drifted ashore and was saved.
21 Jun 1944: VB-145 aircraft were sent to NAF
Squadron Insignia and Nickname Recife for retrofitting with rocket launching rails.
Rocket training was then undertaken by all flight
None on record. crews at NAF Maceio, Brazil, firing live projectiles at
offshore targets.
Chronology of Significant Events 27 Aug 1944: Lieutenant (jg) C. W. Bleicher and his
15 Jul–14 Aug 1943: VB-145 was established at crew were returning from a patrol and lost their bear-
NAS Deland, Fla., under the operational control of ings while en route to base due to radio compass fail-
FAW-12, as a medium bombing squadron flying the ure. With only a few minutes of fuel left, the pilot set
PV-1 Ventura. The majority of pilots assigned had the Ventura down in shallow water off the beach ap-
never flown a twin-engine aircraft. Fortunately, nearly proximately 70 miles south of Fortaleza, Brazil. Only
all of the enlisted personnel came from HEDRON-12 one crew member was injured in the crash and all ex-
and were familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the ited the aircraft safely. An Army B-25 spotted the
Ventura airframe. On 29 July, Lieutenant (jg) J. L. wreckage 10 minutes later and the crew was eventu-
Broady crashed on the runway at Deland during a ally rescued.
training flight, killing himself, his copilot and one pas- 5–14 Sep 1944: A four-aircraft detachment was sent
senger. The crash served to emphasize the importance to Ascension Island. The Venturas had been specially
of wearing full flight clothing despite the heat. The equipped with bomb bay tanks to extend their range
pilot and passenger had been able to exit the burning on patrols.
aircraft, but had earlier stripped to the waist due to the 5 Dec 1944: A three-aircraft detachment was sent to
heat in the cockpit. Both died from severe burns 12 NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil. It returned to NAF Natal on
hours after the crash. General ground training and fa- 23 January 1945.
miliarization flight training in the Venturas continued 1 Feb 1945: VPB-145 was relieved at NAF Natal by
through 14 August when the squadron was sent to VPB-126 and sent to NAF San Julian, Cuba. The
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla., for advanced ASW training squadron remained in Cuba through 28 February, con-
and shakedown. ducting channel patrols and convoy coverage.
16 Sep 1943: VB-145 deployed to NAF Natal, Brazil, 2 Mar 1945: VPB-145 was relieved and returned to
under the operational control of FAW-16. Routine pa- NAS New York, N.Y., arriving there on 9 March 1945.
trols, convoy coverage and ASW missions were as- The squadron had no sooner arrived than orders were
signed to the squadron over the offshore waters of the received to proceed to NAS Brunswick, Maine, under
Caribbean convoy lanes. Patrols were coordinated the operational control of FAW-9. There the squadron
with VB-107, a Liberator squadron assigned to Natal. was assigned patrols over the northern convoy lanes.
Shortly after arrival, the squadron sent its aircraft, two 24 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Jack R. Kreigh and his
or three at a time, to Ibura Field, NAF Recife, Brazil, crew made a crash landing at the end of the runway
where the fleet air wing had its principal maintenance at NAS Brunswick, after completely running out of
facilities. The aircraft were stripped of all unnecessary fuel after getting lost on their first operational pa-
gear; armor plate was repositioned from the back to trol. The aircraft was demolished after hitting sev-
the bottom of the aircraft to protect against U-boat AA eral tree stumps, but the crew survived with only
fire; bomb bays were equipped to carry six 350-pound minor injuries.
bombs and dorsal turrets were locked in the forward- 1–18 Jun 1945: All squadron operations were sus-
firing position to supplement the nose guns when at- pended upon receiving word that VPB-145 was to be
tacking surfaced submarines. disestablished. From 9 to 14 June, squadron aircrews
1 Nov 1943: A detachment of aircraft was sent to ferried the squadron’s aircraft to NAS Clinton, Okla.,
NAF Fernando de Noronha Island, 209 miles northeast for storage. On 18 June, VPB-145 was disestablished at
of Natal, Brazil, for barrier sweeps. Aircraft did not re- NAS Quonset Point, R.I.
 CHAPTER 4 573

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Date Assumed Command
Location Date of Assignment
LCDR James E. Owers 15 Jul 1943
NAS Deland, Fla. 15 Jul 1943 LT Donald E. Smith 11 Apr 1944
NAAF Boca Chica, Fla. 14 Aug 1943 LCDR Philip V. Aaronson 1 Mar 1945
NAF Natal, Brazil 16 Sep 1943
NAF San Julian, Cuba 1 Feb 1945 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Brunswick, Maine 9 Mar 1945 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 1 Jun 1945 PV-1 Aug 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

16 Sep 1943 1 Feb 1945 FAW-16 Natal PV-1 SoLant

1 Feb 1945 2 Mar 1945 FAW-12 San Julian PV-1 Carib

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-12 15 Jul 1943 None on record.
FAW-16 16 Sep 1943
FAW-11 1 Feb 1945
FAW-9 2 Mar 1945
574 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-147 picked up shortly after reaching the ground but the

pilot wandered about in the jungle for seven days be-
fore being rescued.
3–13 Jun 1944: An eight-aircraft detachment was
Lineage sent to NAS San Juan, P.R. The move was greeted with
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED great cheer by all hands since none of the squadron
FORTY SEVEN (VB-147) on 14 August 1943. assignments prior to that time had equaled San Juan in
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- terms of habitability.
DRED FORTY SEVEN (VPB-147) on 1 October 1944. 1 Dec 1944: VPB-147 was transferred to NAF Hato
Disestablished on 2 July 1945. Field, Curacao, N.W.I.
Apr 1945: The squadron received its first PV-2
Harpoon aircraft. All of the squadron pilots were
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
checked out in the aircraft before bring in PV-2s from
None on record. the States to replace the worn-out Venturas. The old
PV-1s were self-destructing as time went on. In May,
Chronology of Significant Events one Ventura was written off when its landing gear col-
lapsed on landing. A second Ventura lost power on
14 Aug 1943: VB-147 was established at NAS
takeoff, settling back onto the runway with its gear up.
Beaufort, S.C., under the operational control of FAW-5,
15 May–Jun 1945: All operational flights ceased.
as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1
On 22 May, orders were received to return to the U.S.
Ventura. The squadron continued ground training and
The squadron departed on 1 June for NAS Quonset
familiarization flights in the Ventura until 27
Point, R.I. Over the next month, squadron equipment
September, when it moved to NAS Quonset Point, R.I.,
was turned in to the HEDRON and personnel received
for advanced ASW training.
orders for demobilization or transfer. Four squadron
23 Oct 1943: VB-147 was transferred to NAS New
aircraft remained with HEDRON 9-1 and the squadron
York, N.Y., under the operational control of FAW-9.
pilots flew remaining aircraft to NAS Clinton, Okla., for
The squadron remained at this location for three disposal.
months flying operational patrols over the convoy ap- 2 Jul 1945: VPB-147 was disestablished at NAS
proaches to New York Harbor. During this period, two Quonset Point, R.I.
entire combat crews were lost in accidents over the
water near the field.
25 Jan 1944: The squadron returned to NAS Home Port Assignments
Quonset Point, R.I., for training at the AsDevLant
Location Date of Assignment
school for antisubmarine warfare. The squadron’s PV-1
aircraft were fitted with rocket launcher rails and the NAS Beaufort, S.C. 14 Aug 1943
crews flew 290 hours in firing trials with the new NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 27 Sep 1943
retrorockets. NAS New York, N.Y. 23 Oct 1943
24 Feb 1944: VB-147 finished its course in ASW NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 25 Jan 1944
and relocated to NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. From this lo- NAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 24 Feb 1944
cation, the squadron continued its ASW patrols, search NAAF Carlsen Field, Trinidad, B.W.I. 4 May 1944
sweeps and convoy protection off the central portion NAF Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I. 1 Dec 1944
of the East Coast. NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 1 Jun 1945
4 May 1944: VB-147 departed the U.S. for NAAF
Carlsen Field, Trinidad, arriving on 8 May, coming Commanding Officers
under the operational control of FAW-11. From 13 to
25 May and 1 to 30 June, a detachment of six aircraft Date Assumed Command
was sent to NAAF Zandery Field, Surinam. LCDR Henry C. Delong 14 Aug 1943
15 May 1944: One of the aircraft in the Zandery LCDR Theodore H. Davis 17 Feb 1944
Field detachment became disoriented in a severe elec- LCDR Paul B. Ellis 6 Jun 1944
trical storm at night. After fuel was exhausted the pilot LCDR Leo B. Riester 2 Dec 1944
had the crew parachute into the jungle below. The
pilot followed after pointing the aircraft seaward and Aircraft Assignment
setting the autopilot. All landed safely, except for one
member of the crew who had a broken rib. Ironically, Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
the first aid kit caused the injury, when the crewman PV-1 Sep 1943
fell on it upon impact the ground. The crew was PV-2 Apr 1945
 CHAPTER 4 575

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

4 May 1944 1 Dec 1944 FAW-11 Trinidad PV-1 Carib

1 Dec 1944 1 Jun 1945 FAW-11 Curacao PV-1/2 Carib

PV-1 Venturas at a Caribbean air station, circa 1944-1945, 80-G-K-143308.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 14 Aug 1943 None on record.
FAW-9 23 Oct 1943
FAW-5 24 Feb 1944
FAW-11 4 May 1944
FAW-9 1 Jun 1945
576 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-149 Chronology of Significant Events

16 Sep–Dec 1943: VB-149 was established at NAS
Beaufort, S.C., under the operational control of FAW-5,
as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-1
Lineage
Ventura. Twelve aircraft were assigned as the
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED squadron complement with three spares. The
FORTY NINE (VB-149) on 16 September 1943. squadron remained at NAS Beaufort through the end
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron Squadron of September getting organized and collecting sup-
ONE HUNDRED FORTY NINE (VPB-149) on 1 plies, equipment, personnel and aircraft. On 6
October 1944. October, the flight crews flew to NAAS Boca Chica,
Disestablished on 6 September 1945. Fla., for advanced ASW and shakedown training. The
squadron was relocated to MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.,
Squadron Insignia and Nickname on 21 November, for operations with the Eastern Sea
Frontier in antisubmarine warfare. Concurrent with
The squadron’s only insignia was approved by CNO this reassignment was the transfer of administrative
on 13 June 1945. It was one of many designed by the control over the squadron from FAW-5 to FAW-9. On
Disney studio for Navy patrol squadrons during WWII. 17 December 1943, the squadron returned to NAS
Beaufort, having logged over 2,800 hours of flight time
without having sighted an enemy submarine.
4 Aug 1944: VB-149 received orders transferring its
operations to NAAF Otis Field, Mass., for training in
ground school, rocket, fighter affiliation flights, forma-
tion flying, torpedo runs, bombing, strafing and use of
LORAN and radar gear.
1 Oct 1944: VPB-149 was transferred to NAS Quonset
Point, R.I., where the aircraft underwent necessary over-
haul and all hands were given 10 days leave prior to as-
signment in the South Pacific theater of operations.
1 Nov–5 Dec 1944: The squadron departed NAS
Quonset Point for NAS Alameda, Calif., with the last
aircraft arriving on the 8th. The crews and ground staff
began packing for the trip to NAS Kaneohe. On 29
November the entire squadron with its aircraft
boarded Wake Island (CVE 65) bound for Hawaii.
Upon arrival on 5 December the squadron came under
the operational control of FAW-2 and commenced
combat training at NAS Kaneohe.
14–31 Dec 1944: Six aircraft and nine crews were
detached for duty and training at Midway. While the
detachment was away, the remainder of the squadron
continued its advanced training in all aspects of bomb-
ing, gunnery, jungle survival and navigation.
28 Feb 1945: VPB-149 was transferred to the island
The squadron’s Disney designed insignia.
of Manus for duty with the Seventh Fleet.
1–27 Mar 1945: VPB-149 was relocated to
Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines, as relief for VPB-137.
The insignia featuring a “goose caricatured with a Upon arrival on 10 March the squadron was placed
bomb as the body, wearing a battle cap, stepping under the operational control of FAW-10. Combat pa-
jauntily from one cloud to another. Duffle bag contain- trols extended to North Borneo, Palawan and eastern
ing varied bombs was thrown over his left shoulder.” Luzon. From 20 to 27 March the squadron conducted
Colors: cap, deep blue with yellow visor; wings, light daily strikes with 100-pound bombs, rockets and
ocher; beak and feet, deep orange; eyebrows and strafing against Japanese troop concentrations in the
pupils, black; eyeballs and collar, white; tie, yellow; Negros area.
bombs, black with yellow fuses; sack, dark tan; 12 Mar 1945: Lieutenant E. A. Brigham and his
clouds, white with blue outlines. crew became lost on patrol and ditched at sea off the
Nickname: None on record. west coast of Cebu. They were rescued by Philippine
 CHAPTER 4 577

guerrillas and returned to base two days later by a Home Port Assignments
Dumbo PBY-5A. A second PV-1 flown by Lieutenant J.
J. Boyd, lost in the same bad weather, went down at Location Date of Assignment
sea and all hands were lost. NAS Beaufort, S.C. 16 Sep 1943
22 Mar 1945: Lieutenant Commander Charles M. NAAS Boca Chica, Fla. 6 Oct 1943
Wood, Jr., and crew failed to return after an attack on MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. 21 Nov 1943
Pontevedra Village, Negros, Philippines. NAS Beaufort, S.C. 17 Dec 1943
29 Mar 1945: The squadron was transferred to NAB NAAF Otis Field, Mass. 3 Aug 1944
Samar, Philippines. Daily dawn-to-dusk antishipping NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 1 Oct 1944
patrols were conducted in the southern Visayan NAS Alameda, Calif. 1 Nov 1944
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 5 Dec 1944
Islands area through mid-August. Aircraft maintenance
NAS Alameda, Calif. 27 Aug 1945
and availability was a problem during this period be-
cause the CASU had little experience with PV-1
Venturas. The squadron’s own ground staff and air- Commanding Officers
crew personnel did most of the work.
Date Assumed Command
14 Aug 1945: VPB-149 was relieved for return to
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Upon arrival, squadron person- LCDR Milton W. Swan 21 Sep 1943
nel began preparations to depart for the U.S. aboard
Nassau (CVE 16). The ship departed on 21 August and Aircraft Assignment
arrived on the 27th.
6 Sep 1945: VPB-149 was disestablished at NAS Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Alameda, Calif. PV-1 Sep 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

29 Nov 44 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac

28 Feb 45 * FAW-1 Manus PV-1 SoPac
1 Mar 45 * FAW-10 Leyte PV-1 SoPac
29 Mar 45 14 Aug 45 FAW-10 Samar PV-1 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

FAW-5 16 Sep 1943
FAW-9 21 Nov 1943
FAW-5 14 Jul 1944
FAW-8 Nov 1944
FAW-2 5 Dec 1944
FAW-10 10 Mar 1945
FAW-2 14 Aug 1945
FAW-14 27 Aug 1945

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

None on record.

Lt. D. H. Frissel receiving a citation from the squadron’s command-

ing officer at NAS Beaufort, S.C., 19 July 1944, a squadron PV-1 in
the background.
578 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-150 FAW-8, as a medium bombing squadron flying the PV-

1 Ventura. On 1 December 1943, the squadron was re-
located to NAAS Vernalis, Calif., where further training
was conducted through 6 March 1944. On that date,
Lineage the squadron was transferred back to Alameda to pre-
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED pare for transport to Pearl Harbor.
FIFTY (VB-150) on 15 September 1943. 18 Mar 1944: Squadron personnel, equipment, sup-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- plies and aircraft were loaded aboard Nehenta Bay
DRED FIFTY (VPB-150) on 1 October 1944. (ACV 74) for transport to Hawaii. After arrival at NAS
Disestablished on 20 July 1945. Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 23 March the
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-
2. By the 25th, the squadron and all of its assets had
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
been relocated to NAS Kaneohe and combat training
VB-150 submitted its request for an insignia twice commenced. During this period squadron aircraft were
before convincing CNO that it was truly appropriate. fitted with rocket launching rails and chin packs con-
The design was finally approved by CNO on 21 taining 50-caliber machine guns.
August 1944. The squadron chose the devilfish (octo- 10 Jul–Aug 1944: VB-150 was transferred to NAB
Betio, Hawkins Field, Tarawa Atoll, under the opera-
tional control of FAW-1. On the 25 th the squadron
made its first operational attacks on radar and AA in-
stallations on the island of Nauru. Further strikes were
made on Jaluit and Mille atolls through the end of
August, with only one aircrew casualty and no aircraft
losses.
28 Aug–Nov 1944: VB-150 was relocated to NAS
North Field, Tinian. Operations continued from this
site until 18 November when the squadron was moved
to nearby West Field, Tinian, to make room for the
growing numbers of Army B-29 Super Fortresses en-
gaged in the bombing campaign against the Japanese
home islands. Duties at Tinian consisted primarily of
reconnaissance flights to Woleai Island, antisubmarine
patrols and radar survey flights. On occasion, one air-
craft would be detached for duty under Commander
Air Defense Command at Kagman Field, Saipan.
Attacks were frequently made on enemy bases on
Pagan Island to prevent enemy attacks on the B-29
The squadron’s cartoon insignia. Superfortress bases on Saipan and Tinian.
26 Dec 1944: A solitary Japanese bomber dropped
pus) as symbolizing the varied missions of which the bombs at night on the CASU maintenance area on
PV-1 aircraft was capable. The devilfish was shown in Tinian. The resulting explosions and fires destroyed a
a circular insignia riding a saddle on a rocket, carrying PB4Y-1 of another squadron, one of squadron’s
in its arms a camera, binoculars, bomb, machine gun Venturas and damaged two other aircraft. This was the
and torpedo. Colors: background, light blue-gray; cir- first operational loss experienced by the squadron.
cle, white and orange; octopus, light green with white 5 Mar 1945: VPB-150 was detached for return to
eyes and blue pupils; legs, green with yellow suckers; NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, and the continental U.S. The
bomb, camera, binoculars, torpedo and machine gun, squadron flew to Kaneohe, arriving on 10 March, and
blue with white highlights; rocket, brownish orange turned over its aircraft to the HEDRON. On the 16th
with yellow, orange and brown exhaust; saddle, squadron personnel boarded Nassau (CVE 16) for de-
brown. parture to San Francisco, Calif.
Nickname: Devilfish P-Viators, 1943–1945. 5 May 1945: The squadron began reforming at NAS
Moffett Field, Calif., under the operational control of
FAW-8, and familiarization training on the new PV-2
Chronology of Significant Events
Harpoon was begun. Although 12 Harpoons had been
15 Sep 1943–Mar 1944: VB-150 was established at assigned, maintenance problems resulted in no more
NAS Alameda, Calif., under the operational control of than two aircraft available for training.
 CHAPTER 4 579

Jul 1945: On 19 July orders were received for a Home Port Assignments—Continued
standdown and disestablishment. The squadron was
formally disestablished at NAS Moffett Field on 20 July Location Date of Assignment
1945. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 25 Mar 1944
NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 5 May 1945
Home Port Assignments
Commanding Officers
Location Date of Assignment
NAS Alameda, Calif. 15 Sep 1943 Date Assumed Command
NAAS Vernalis, Calif. 1 Dec 1943 CDR Robert S. Riddell 15 Sep 1943
NAS Alameda, Calif. 6 Mar 1944 LCDR James W. Lenney 5 May 1945

Squadron personnel in front of their PV.

A close up of crew members in front of a PV.

Aircraft Assignment Aircraft Assignment—Continued

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
PV-1 Nov 1943 PV-2 Jul 1945
580 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

23 Mar 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 EastPac

10 Jul 1944 * FAW-1 Betio PV-1 SoPac
28 Aug 1944 5 Mar 1945 FAW-1 Tinian PV-1 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 15 Sep 1943 None on record.
FAW-2 23 Mar 1944
FAW-1 10 Jul 1944
FAW-2 5 Mar 1945
FAW-8 16 Mar 1945

Squadron personnel in front of their PV.

 CHAPTER 4 581

VPB-151 portation to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The squadron de-

parted from San Francisco, Calif., aboard Sitkoh Bay
(CVE 86) on 30 April, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 6
May. The equipment and aircraft were unloaded and
Lineage flown to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, on the 7th. Training at
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Kaneohe continued through the end of July.
FIFTY ONE (VB-151) on 3 January 1944. 5 Aug 1944: VB-151 was transferred to NAB
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Hawkins Field, Tarawa. Bombing missions were con-
DRED FIFTY ONE (VPB-151) on 1 October 1944. ducted against the Nauru and Jaluit islands.
Disestablished on 30 June 1945. 29 Aug–18 Nov 1944: VB-151 was relocated to
NAB North Field, Tinian, Marianas Islands. Daily
Squadron Insignia and Nickname search sectors of 400, 500 and 600 miles were flown.
Frequent attacks were conducted against the Yap,
There was no official correspondence in squadron
Woleai, Rota and Pagan islands. One flight crew was
insignia records regarding an approval date for their
shot down over Woleai by AA fire; all hands were lost.
insignia. However, squadron history records identify
On 18 November, the squadron was relocated to more
civilized conditions at West Field, Tinian.
1 Jan–18 Feb 1945: The squadron was engaged in
air cover for Cruiser Division 5 en route to attack Iwo
Jima. From 13 to 18 February 1945, VPB-151 engaged
in advance air screen tasking against enemy ships,
submarines and aircraft for the Fifth Fleet, prepara-
tory to the attack on the Japanese home islands and
Iwo Jima.
13–19 Mar 1945: Six squadron aircraft were sent to
Iwo Jima to provide antipicket boat sweeps in ad-
vance of TF 58.
4–30 Jun 1945: VPB-151 was relieved by VPB-142
for return to NAS Kaneohe and the continental U.S.
After arrival at Kaneohe, the squadron turned over its
aircraft to the HEDRON and boarded Breton (CVE 23)
bound for NAS San Diego, Calif. Upon arrival on the
21st, all hands were ordered to prepare for disestab-
lishment. On 30 June 1945 VPB-151 was disestablished
at NAS San Diego, Calif.

The squadron’s bat insignia. Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

its insignia as a black bat armed with a large yellow
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 3 Jan 1944
bomb carried in his feet and two smaller bombs slung
NAS Alameda, Calif. 15 Apr 1944
on each wing. He is ferociously firing the fixed for-
ward guns across a great crimson “setting sun” of NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 7 May 1944
Japan. NAS San Diego, Calif. 21 Jun 1945
Nickname: None on record.
Commanding Officers
Chronology of Significant Events
Date Assumed Command
3 Jan 1944: VB-151 was established at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational control CDR Paul Masterton 3 Jan 1944
of FAW-6, as a medium bombing squadron flying the
PV-1 Ventura. Training and shakedown was conducted Aircraft Assignment
at Whidbey Island through mid-April 1944.
15 Apr–Jul 1944: The squadron flew to NAS Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Alameda, Calif., to begin preparations for its trans- PV-1 Jan 1944
582 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

6 May 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 WestPac

5 Aug 1944 * FAW-1 Tarawa PV-1 SoPac
29 Aug 1944 4 Jun 1945 FAW-1 Tinian PV-1 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 3 Jan 1944 None on record.
FAW-2 6 May 1944
FAW-1 10 Sep 1944
FAW-2 4 Jun 1945
FAW-14 21 Jun 1945
 CHAPTER 4 583

VPB-197 black; background, white; tree, green. The insignia

was used by the squadron until its disestablishment in
1946.
Nickname: None on record.
Lineage
Established as Patrol Squadron TWENTY ONE (VP- Chronology of Significant Events
21) on 1 September 1938.
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FORTY FIVE (VP-45) 1 Sep 1938: VP-21 was established at FAB Pearl
on 1 July 1939. Harbor, Hawaii, under the operational control of
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOURTEEN (VP-14) PatWing-2.
on 1 December 1939. 27 Jun 1939: VP-21 had been detailed in May 1939
Redesignated Patrol Squadron TWENTY SIX (VP-26) to NAS San Diego, Calif., to pick up 15 new PBY-4s
on 15 April 1941. from the factory. The transpac back to Pearl Harbor
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FOURTEEN (VP-14) was completed on this date without mishap.
on 1 July 1941. 1 Jul 1939: Due to the reorganization of patrol
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FOURTEEN squadrons, VP-21 was redesignated VP-45 and as-
(VPB-14) on 1 October 1944. signed to PatWing-4 shortly after its return from the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- States with new aircraft.
DRED NINETY SEVEN (VPB-197) on 2 December 1 Mar 1940: The expansion of patrol squadrons due
1944. to the threat of war resulted in the splitting of several
Disestablished on 1 April 1946. existing squadrons to create the core of new squadrons.
VP-14 was split to help form a new patrol squadron,
VP-13, also stationed at Pearl Harbor. Both squadrons
Squadron Insignia and Nickname were then quickly brought up to full strength with the
The only insignia on record for this squadron was addition of new aircraft and personnel.
submitted for approval to BuAer shortly after its redes- 1 Dec 1940: VP-14 was transferred to NAS San
ignation from VP-14 to VPB-14 in 1944. It consists of a Diego, Calif., under PatWing-1 operational control.
Upon arrival a period of intense training was com-
menced, bringing all new aircrews in the squadron up
to full readiness. The training continued through 1
March 1941 when the squadron was officially reas-
signed to NAS Kanoehe, Hawaii and PatWing-2’s oper-
ational control.
14 Apr 1941: The squadron returned to Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, with new PBY-5s and combat-ready
aircrews. Upon arrival, the squadron briefly shared fa-
cilities with VP-20. The recent expansion of patrol avi-
ation assets had created the need for matching expan-
sion of ground facilities at Pearl Harbor.
15 Apr–1 Jul 1941: VP-14 was redesignated VP-26
and relocated to the recently completed facilities at
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The squadron maintained the
VP-26 designation for only a few months and on 1
July 1941 it was redesignated VP-14 again.
23 Nov 1941: VP-14 had flown to NAS San Diego,
Calif., earlier in the month for replacement of its older
aircraft. New PBY-5s were picked up at the factory for
the transpac back to Hawaii. The squadron returned to
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, on this date.
The squadron’s pine tree insignia. 7 Dec 1941: Prior to the onset of the attack on
Pearl Harbor the squadron had launched three aircraft
for routine patrol. Squadron aircraft 14-P-1, flown by
picture of a Sitka spruce tree enclosed within a circu- Ensign William P. Tanner, spotted a Japanese midget
lar border. The squadron’s home port was Seattle, submarine at the entrance to the harbor and assisted
Wash., and its usual range of operations suggested an Ward (DD 139) in sinking the intruder. The Japanese
indigenous tree as an emblem. The Sitka was chosen plan had been to drop off the midget submarines 5 to
as most typical of that region. Colors: circular border, 10 miles from Pearl Harbor, passing through the en-
584 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

trance to the harbor 20 minutes before sunrise. They an attack of eight enemy Zero fighters. By superb
were to surface when the air attack began, shoot both handing of his aircraft he was able to maneuver his
torpedoes and then depart the harbor. Lieutenant plane in a position which enabled his waist gunners to
Naoji Iwasa, whose midget submarine had been re- shoot down two of the enemy planes and drive off the
leased by I-22, was sunk by Ward and Ensign Tanner. others. Despite serious damage to his plane and casu-
Iwasa had tried to follow the tug Antares through the alties among his crew, he made a difficult crash land-
harbor entrance while Antares had a barge in tow. ing at Ontong, Java. He managed the meager re-
During the attack on Pearl Harbor seven of the sources available on the island and after seven days
squadron’s aircraft were destroyed on the ground and he and his crew were rescued.
three were badly damaged. While surprised by the au- 15 Sep 1942: By this date VP-14 had 11 aircraft
dacious attack, ground crews strove to save their air- total, all at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. The squadron com-
craft, pulling them from burning hangars. Despite his pleted its refitting by 1 October 1942, replacing worn-
wounds, Aviation Ordnance Chief John W. Finn was out aircraft with new stateside replacements and com-
credited with shooting down an attacking Japanese pleting overhauls on remaining equipment. The new
aircraft, one of the three shot down at NAS Kaneohe squadron aircraft were the amphibious version of the
that day. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor Catalina, the PBY-5A.
for his bravery under fire and for leading the efforts to 30 Nov 1942: After completion of the shakedown
save the remaining squadron aircraft. period for the new aircraft, VP-14 sent a detachment
17 Dec 1941: By this date the squadron was again of six aircraft to various advance bases around the
operational with replacement aircraft flown in from Hawaiian islands, keeping the remainder at NAS
the States. Kaneohe. The detachments returned to NAS Kaneohe
7 Jan 1942: One aircraft was sent on detachment on 1 January 1943.
to Palmyra Island and a second was sent to Johnston 15 Feb 1943: Some of VP-14’s personnel were reas-
Island to conduct sector searches of the approaches signed to form the nucleus for a new land-bomber
to the Hawaiian islands. On 12 January a third air- squadron. The remainder of VP-14 personnel reformed
craft was detached to Hilo. At this point there was at NAS Kaneohe with new crews to replace those lost
great concern that the Japanese would attempt to fol- in the reassignment and establishment of a new
low up on their successful attack with an invasion of squadron.
the islands. 14 Jun 1943: After the new crews had been trained
7 Feb 1942: As the Japanese continued their victori- the squadron was brought up to operational status
ous advance to the South Pacific, the Allies consoli- once more and detachments were deployed to ad-
dated as many assets as possible to meet the threat. vance bases on Midway. Those remaining at NAS
VP-14 sent a detachment of six aircraft to bases at Kaneohe participated in daily patrols and operational
Suva and Noumea, while the remainder of the training. The detachments returned to Kaneohe on 3
squadron continued sector searches from NAS July 1943.
Kaneohe, Hawaii. On 4 March 1942, two additional 9 Aug 1943: A detachment of five aircraft and six
aircraft were sent to assist the detachment at Noumea. crews deployed to NAF Canton Island. The detach-
19 Mar–1 Apr 1942: Two of the aircraft detached ment returned to NAS Kaneohe at the end of the
to Noumea returned to NAS Kaneohe for refit, fol- month.
lowed on the 25th by four more. The squadron con- 1 Sep 1943: VP-14 deployed as a squadron to NOB
centrated on maintenance and crew training during Espiritu Santo, departing in increments of three air-
this period. On 1 April 1942, the 11 war-weary aircraft craft. By 24 September 1943, nine aircraft had arrived
in the squadron’s inventory were transferred to other on the island, coming under the operational control of
squadrons, leaving the squadron with only two opera- FAW-1.
tional aircraft at NAS Kaneohe. 1 Oct–Dec 1943: The nine VP-14 aircraft and crews
18 Apr 1942: The last two squadron aircraft from were detached to operate with the tender Wright (AV 1)
the Noumea detachment returned to NAS Kaneohe. in Segond Channel until the remainder of the
10 May 1942: A squadron detachment of six aircraft squadron arrived. The last aircraft landed at Espiritu
was sent to Noumea with one remaining at NAS Santo on 8 October 1943 and the squadron then
Kaneohe. By 1 July 1942, the inventory of squadron began daily searches, antishipping patrols and Dumbo
aircraft had increased to 10, with 7 at Kaneohe and 3 missions in the vicinity of Espiritu Santo. These mis-
at Noumea. sions were continued through 9 December 1943.
26 Aug 1942: Lieutenant Robert B. Clark was 10 Dec 1943: VP-14 relieved VP-23 aboard
awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on 26 August Chandeleur (AV 10) at Halavo Bay, Florida Islands.
1942. While flying a patrol mission Lieutenant Clark 28 Dec 1943: A detachment of four aircraft and five
reported the position of an enemy task force north of crews deployed to Coos Bay, Treasury Islands, as an
the Solomon Islands while his aircraft was engaging advance echelon.
 CHAPTER 4 585

1 Jan 1944: The remainder of the squadron moved 2 Dec 1944: VPB-14 was redesignated VPB-197 and
to the tender Wright (AV 1) at Rendova, Treasury the squadron was transferred to NAAS Camp Kearney,
Islands. Both squadron and detachment aircraft partici- Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14, for
pated in Dumbo missions and snooper patrols in the completion of training on the PB4Y-1 and a new mis-
area surrounding the Treasury Islands. sion assignment. The new mission was to train re-
17 Jan 1944: Squadron personnel aboard Wright placement crews on the PB4Y-1 Liberator before their
(AV 1) were relocated to Hawthorn Sound, New assignment overseas. A collateral duty included regu-
Georgia. Their mission, and that of the detachment at lar flights to Oahu, Hawaii, for the transportation of
Coos Bay, continued to consist of Dumbo missions high-priority cargo and VIPs.
and patrol searches. 1 Apr 1946: VPB-197 was disestablished at NAAS
1 Feb–Mar 1944: The Coos Bay detachment re- Camp Kearney, Calif..
joined the squadron at Hawthorn Sound, and the
squadron provided support to surface forces during
Home Port Assignments
the landing on Green and Emirau islands, which con-
tinued through 31 March 1944. Location Date of Assignment
18 Apr 1944: Wright (AV 1), which had served as FAB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1 Sep 1938
home for the squadron since January, was replaced by
NAS San Diego, Calif. 1 Dec 1940
Pocomoke (AV 9). The shortage of accommodations re-
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 15 Apr 1941
sulted in three aircraft and four crews being detached
NAS San Diego, Calif. Oct 1944
to Chincoteague (AVP 24) at the Treasury Islands, with
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 2 Dec 1944
the balance of the squadron temporarily based ashore
at Halavo Bay.
25 May 1944: The Treasury Island detachment re- Commanding Officers
joined the squadron at Hawthorn Bay. The entire
Date Assumed Command
squadron began aircraft overhaul and refits that lasted
through 31 May 1944. LCDR Frederick M. Trapnell 1 Sep 1938
1 Jun 1944: Six aircraft and six crews were de- LCDR William T. Rassieur 25 May 1940
tached to Green Island for patrol duty in conjunction LCDR Thurston B. Clark 25 Nov 1941
with VP-91, based aboard Chincoteague (AVP 24) and LCDR Bruce A. VanVoorhis Dec 1942
Coos Bay (AVP 25). On 5 June 1944, the detachment LCDR Earnest L. Simpson, Jr. 12 May 1943
was enlarged with the addition of three more aircraft. LCDR James D. Wright 15 Aug 1944
All detachment aircraft returned to Halavo Bay to re- LCDR Joseph L. Hall 2 Dec 1944
join the rest of the squadron on 8 June 1944. CDR Carl H. Amme, Jr. 5 Mar 1945
12 Jun 1944: VP-14 was relieved by VP-44 at LCDR Whitney Wright 23 Aug 1945
Hawthorn Sound, New Georgia. The squadron began the
long journey of island-hopping back to NAS Kaneohe. Aircraft Assignment
15 Aug 1944: After shore leave, the squadron was
reformed at NAS Kaneohe for training in preparation Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
for another combat tour. P2Y-3 Sep 1938
1 Oct 1944: VP-14 was redesignated VPB-14 and PBY-4 Jun 1939
within a short period of time all personnel were PBY-5 Apr 1941
shipped back to the continental U.S. for conversion PBY-5A Oct 1942
training from seaplanes to landplanes. PB4Y-1 Oct 1944

A squadron PBY-5 taxiing near Noumea,

New Caledonia, circa early 1942.
586 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

7 Feb 1942 18 Apr 1942 FAW-2 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac

10 May 1942 15 Sep 1942 FAW-2 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac
9 Aug 1943 30 Aug 1943 FAW-2 Canton PBY-5A SoPac
1 Sep 1943 12 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Espiritu Santo PBY-5A SoPac
Wright (AV 1)
10 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Halavo Bay PBY-5A SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
28 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Coos Bay PBY-5A SoPac
1 Jan 1944 * FAW-1 Rendova PBY-5A SoPac
Wright (AV 1)
17 Jan 1944 * FAW-1 Hawthorn Sd. PBY-5A SoPac
Wright (AV 1)
Pocomoke (AV 9)
Chincoteague (AVP 24)
1 Jun 1944 * FAW-1 Green Island PBY-5A SoPac
Chincoteague (AVP 24)
Coos Bay (AVP 25)
8 Jun 1944 12 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Halavo Bay PBY-5A SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from tender to tender.

Air Wing Assignments Air Wing Assignments—Continued

Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Air Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-2 1 Sep 1938
† Patrol Wings (PatWing) were redesignated Fleet Air Wings (FAW)
PatWing-4 1 Jul 1939 on 1 November 1942.
PatWing-1 1 Dec 1940
PatWing-2/FAW-2† 14 Apr 1941
Unit Awards Received
FAW-1 1 Sep 1943
FAW-2 Jun 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 Oct 1944 None on record.

A squadron PBY-5 with the pine tree insignia on the fuselage just forward of the blister.
 CHAPTER 4 587

VPB-198 and aircraft only. The first four crews to complete the
training program departed on 20 November to relieve
combat zone personnel who had completed their
tours. On the average, 26 flight crews were undergoing
Lineage training in different phases of the syllabus.
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Apr 1945: The original 20 war-weary PV-1 Venturas
NINETY-EIGHT (VB-198) on 12 September 1944. used by the squadron for training were replaced by
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- new PV-2 Harpoons.
DRED NINETY-EIGHT (VPB-198) on 1 October 1944. 1 Apr 1946: VPB-198 was disestablished at NAS
Disestablished on 1 April 1946. Moffett Field, Calif.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname Home Port Assignments

None found, but squadron records refer to a design Location Date of Assignment
showing “a wise old buzzard cracking the whip over NAS Moffett Field, Calif. 12 Sep 1944
its progeny and in unprintable language ordering them
to fly.”
Commanding Officers
Nickname: None on record.
Date Assumed Command
Chronology of Significant Events LT Marion D. Trewhitt 12 Sep 1944
12 Sep 1944: VB-198 was established at NAS Moffett LCDR Alexander B. Dusenberry 5 Jan 1945
Field, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-8, as LCDR Lloyd F. Jakeman 12 Jan 1945
an Operational Training Unit flying the PV-1 Ventura.
The mission of the squadron was to train and supply Aircraft Assignment
pilots and crews for all operational squadrons in the
Pacific. Formerly, entire squadrons had been rotated Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
back to the U.S. upon relief, but the new Integrated PV-1 Sep 1944
Aeronautics Program called for rotation of personnel PV-2 Apr 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-8 12 Sep 1944 None on record.
588 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-199 Port Angeles, Wash. Although no cause could be de-

termined for the accident, it was noted that all of the
squadron crews were at that time in the process of
transitioning from the older PV-1 Ventura to the more
Lineage powerful PV-2 Harpoon. Lack of familiarity with the
Designated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- newer aircraft could have contributed to the crash, or
DRED NINETY-NINE (VPB-199) on 1 October 1944. wing spar problems found in the early PV-2 models
Disestablished on 2 November 1945. could have been responsible.
2 Nov 1945: VPB-199 was disestablished at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash. During its one year of exis-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
tence the squadron trained 204 combat aircrews.
None on record.

Home Port Assignments

Chronology of Significant Events
1 Oct 1944: VPB-199 was established at NAS Location Date of Assignment
Whidbey Island, Wash., under the operational control NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 1 Oct 1944
of FAW-6, as an Operational Training Unit flying the
PV-1 Ventura. The mission of the squadron was to
train and supply pilots and crews for all operational Commanding Officers
squadrons in the Pacific. Formerly, entire squadrons
Date Assumed Command
had been rotated back to the U.S. upon relief; but the
new Integrated Aeronautics Program called for rotation LT L. S. Billmeyer, Jr. 1 Oct 1944
of personnel and aircraft only. LCDR C. L. Tetley 14 Nov 1944
Aug 1945: PV-2 Harpoons were received as re-
placements for war-weary PV-1 Venturas. Aircraft Assignment
2 Aug 1945: At 2330 hours, while engaged in a
scheduled night flight, Lieutenant Jay R. Ellenberger Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
and his crew of four were killed when their PV-2 PV-1 Oct 1944
Harpoon crashed and burned about 11 miles south of PV-2 Aug 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-6 1 Oct 1944 None on record.

Squadron personnel at an awards ceremony with

their PVs in the background.
 CHAPTER 4 589

VPB-200 viding instruction on multiengine patrol aircraft. The

personnel and equipment for the new squadron
were drawn from the HEDRON Multiengine
Replacement Unit, FAW-2. The squadron’s primary
Lineage
duties included training replacement crews, ferrying
Established as Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED aircraft and stand-by offshore patrol for ASW and
(VB-200) on 1 April 1944. rescue work. Sections of the squadron operated on
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN-
Johnston and Midway islands for rescue duties.
DRED (VPB-200) on 1 October 1944.
Training squadrons like VB-200 (later VPB-200) and
Disestablished on 24 October 1945.
VP-200 (later VPB-100) trained fresh crews arriving
from the U.S. in their final phases of combat training
Squadron Insignia and Nickname before being sent into the combat zone. VB-200
The insignia in the squadron history file has no trained crews in land-based aircraft such as the
record of formal CNO approval and appears to date PB4Y-1 Liberator, PB4Y-2 Privateer and PV-1
Ventura.
Oct 1944: The training squadrons at NAS Kaneohe,
Hawaii, initially worked with intact squadrons des-
tined for combat deployments. In October 1944 the
policy was changed to keep squadrons in the opera-
tional areas while sending in new crews to replace
combat losses and crews due for rotation based on
time-in-theater points.
May 1945: VPB-200 conducted experiments for
BuAer in picking up mail with hooks from surface
vessels towing kites and balloons. Several successful
trials were conducted but the method did not be-
come a standard operating procedure throughout the
fleet.
24 Oct 1945: VPB-200 was disestablished at NAS
Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Home Port Assignments

Location Date of Assignment

The squadron’s cartoon insignia.

NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Apr 1944

Commanding Officers
from around the time the squadron was redesignated
VPB-200 in October 1944. The circular design featured Date Assumed Command
a head-on view of a generic cartoon patrol landplane LT Paul C. Lovelace 1 Apr 1944
with the cockpit as eyes, the nose turret as nostrils and LT Clifton E. Jackson Jul 1944
wings as arms carrying a telescope and large bomb. A LCDR Paul C. Lovelace 15 Jan 1945
sailor’s white hat was perched on top of the face and LCDR Frank M. Hertel 5 Aug 1945
a set of earphones adorning the grimacing features.
Lightning bolts emanated from the radome. Colors:
unknown. Aircraft Assignment
Nickname: None on record.
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received

PV-1 Apr 1944

Chronology of Significant Events
PB4Y-1 Apr 1944
1 Apr 1944: VB-200 was established at NAS PB4Y-2 Aug 1944
Kaneohe, Hawaii, as a combat replacement unit pro- PV-2 Jan 1945
590 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

None.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 1 Apr 1944 None on record.

Squadron personnel at quarters at NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

 CHAPTER 4 591

VPB-202 first ever made against the Japanese installations on

Ponape.
6 Feb 1944: The squadron was sent to Kwajalein,
still under combat by opposing American and
Lineage Japanese ground forces. One aircraft crashed during
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED an attempted night landing, killing five of the crew.
TWO (VP-202) on 15 September 1942. 24 Feb–Jun 1944: VP-202 relocated to Eniwetok on
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- the heels of the invasion forces. The condition of the
DRED TWO (VPB-202) on 1 October 1944. squadron’s aircraft by this date was so poor that it was
Disestablished on 20 June 1945. forced to return to Hawaii for much needed repairs.
The squadron was relieved on 1 March for return to
NAS Kaneohe, with the last aircraft arriving on 15
Squadron Insignia and Nickname March. Through mid-June VP-202 remained at
No insignia on record. Kaneohe with a detachment of three aircraft at
Nickname: Leeman’s Demons, February Kwajalein. The squadron underwent maintenance and
1943–October 1944. overhaul, with two 700-mile sector searches assigned
daily from NAS Kaneohe.
15 Jun 1944: VP-202 deployed to NAB Ebeye,
Chronology of Significant Events
Kwajalein Atoll, with the last aircraft arriving on 25
15 Sep 1942–Jan 1943: VP-202 was established at June. The squadron remained under the operational
NAS Norfolk, Va., as a medium seaplane squadron control of FAW-2, CTG 49.3. Primary duties of the
flying the PBM-3 Mariner under the operational con- squadron were daily mail flights from Kwajalein to
trol of PatWing-5. The squadron remained at Norfolk Saipan and Eniwetok. The Japanese shore batteries on
in training and in November began receiving the Saipan at this time were still active. The squadron pi-
newer PBM-3C with radar. Familiarization training, lots would land 3,000 yards from shore and watch the
radar bombing, gunnery and navigation training con- splashes of shells as the enemy gunners opened fire
tinued through the end of January 1943. on them.
8 Feb–Nov 1943: VP-202 relocated to NAS Key 17 Jul–Sep 1944: The squadron relocated from
West, Fla., under the operational control of FAW-12. Kwajalein to Saipan, with tender support provided by
The aircraft were modified at this time to the “S” or Chandeleur (AV 10) and Mackinac (AVP 13). A de-
“stripped” configuration. Armor plate, gun turrets and tachment of three crews and aircraft operated off
all excess gear was removed to lighten the aircraft and Pocomoke (AV 9) with VP-16. This detachment was
make room for more fuel storage to enable the aircraft moved to Shelikof (AVP 52) on 19 August to operate
to patrol further in the ASW role. A three-aircraft de- with VP-18. Constant patrols were flown over the is-
tachment was maintained at Grand Cayman, B.W.I., lands of Guam, Rota, Pagan and the Bonin Islands,
from 28 February through 18 November 1943. The within 700 miles of Tokyo. The wear and tear on the
squadron’s principal duties were patrol and convoy aircraft and particularly the engines began to show.
coverage. The entire squadron stood down on 1 through 11
1–28 Dec 1943: VP-202 transferred to NAS Norfolk, September for maintenance and overhaul.
Va., under FAW-5, for refitting with new PBM-3Ds. The 12–19 Sep 1944: Squadron tenders Chandeleur (AV
shakedown and familiarization training continued 10) and Pocomoke (AV 9) departed Saipan for Kossel
through the 27th. On 28 December the squadron began Passage, Palau. The squadron followed and arrived on
ferrying its new aircraft to NAS San Diego, Calif., as a the 17th, coming under the operational control of FAW-
stopover en route to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. 1. VP-202 was back in operation by the 19th, flying
7–22 Jan 1944: VP-202 deployed in elements of daylight patrols.
three aircraft to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii. On 15 January 27 Sep 1944: VP-202 relocated to Ulithi, with tender
the squadron began departing in elements to Tarawa, services provided by Onslow (AVP 48). Duties at this
under the operational control of FAW-2. The squadron location consisted of antishipping patrols and daylight
was the first combat squadron of Mariner seaplanes to searches.
operate in the Pacific theater. While on Tarawa the 18 Oct 1944: VPB-202 was relieved at Ulithi for re-
squadron patrolled the Japanese-held Marshall and turn to Hawaii. Upon arrival on 30 October, squadron
Caroline islands. On 31 January Japanese airfields in personnel enjoyed the rest facilities at the Royal
the Taroa Island group were bombed and strafed in a Hawaiian Hotel while awaiting transportation back to
night raid. the U.S. A CVE was loaded with squadron personnel
1 Feb 1944: VP-202 relocated to Majuro, in the and arrived at San Diego, Calif., on 21 November
Gilbert-Ellice Island area. From this base the squadron 1944. All personnel were given orders to new
flew missions against Ponape. These raids were the squadrons and home leave.
592 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1 Jan–Jun 1945: VPB-202 reformed at NAS San Commanding Officers

Diego, Calif., under the operational control of FAW-14.
It remained at San Diego in training until disestab- Date Assumed Command
lished on 20 June 1945. LCDR C. C. McCauley 16 Nov 1942
LCDR Robert W. Leeman 18 Jul 1943
Home Port Assignments
Aircraft Assignment
Location Date of Assignment
NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Sep 1942 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Key West, Fla. 8 Feb 1943 PBM-3 Sep 1942
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Dec 1943 PBM-3C Nov 1942
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Jan 1944 PBM-3S Feb 1943
NAS San Diego, Calif. 21 Nov 1944 PBM-3D Dec 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

23 Feb 1943† 18 Nov 1943 FAW-12 G. Cayman PBM-3S Carib

7 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac
15 Jan 1944 * FAW-2 Tarawa PBM-3D SoPac
1 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Majuro PBM-3D SoPac
6 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Kwajalein PBM-3D SoPac
24 Feb 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PBM-3D SoPac
1 Mar 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D SoPac
15 Jun 1944 * FAW-2 Kwajalein PBM-3D SoPac
17 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
Mackinac (AVP 13)
Pocomoke (AV 9)
Shelikof (AVP 52)
12 Sep 1944 * FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
Pocomoke (AV 9)
Chandeleur (AV 10)
27 Sep 1944 18 Oct 44 FAW-1 Ulithi PBM-3D SoPac
Onslow (AVP 48)
* Continued combat deployment in the Pacific, moving from base to base.
† This deployment was only for a detachment of the squadron.

Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

PatWing-5/FAW-5† 15 Sep 1942
FAW-12 8 Feb 1943
FAW-5 1 Dec 1943
FAW-2 7 Jan 1944
FAW-1 12 Sep 1944
FAW-2 18 Oct 1944
FAW-14 21 Nov 1944
† Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5
(FAW-5) on 1 November 1942.

Unit Awards Received

Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

None on record. A squadron PBM.
 CHAPTER 4 593

VPB-203 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Oct 1942: VP-203 was established at NAS Norfolk,
Va., as a medium seaplane patrol squadron flying the
PBM-3C Mariner. While in training the squadron came
Lineage
under the operational control of PatWing-5. The
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED squadron complement was 15 aircraft, three of which
THREE (VP-203) on 1 October 1942. were spares.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- 10 Dec 1942–Feb 1943: A six-aircraft detachment of
DRED THREE (VPB-203) on 1 October 1944. the squadron flew to NS San Juan, P.R., for a period of
Disestablished on 30 June 1945. shakedown and ASW training, coming under the oper-
ational control of FAW-11. The remainder of the
Squadron Insignia and Nickname squadron joined the detachment at intervals over the
next two weeks. The squadron’s first operational loss
Although a design had been submitted by VP-203 in occurred on 31 December 1942 when Lieutenant (jg) E.
1943 featuring the Disney character Pluto, it was never M. Vogel crashed on takeoff in San Juan Bay, killing
three of the crew. When aviation gasoline supplies ran
short at San Juan, six aircraft were sent to Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba, for training on 31 January 1943. In February
the squadron was transferred back to NAS Norfolk, Va.
All of the aircraft arrived at Norfolk by 1 March, ready
for return to operational status.
1 Mar–Jun 1943: VP-203 commenced regular oper-
ational duties under the operational control of FAW-5,
escorting convoys and conducting ASW patrols. The
first attack on a U-boat took place on 10 June 1943,
but with negative results due to a defective bomb-re-
lease mechanism.
17 Jun 1943: The squadron’s PBM-3Cs underwent
conversion to the “S” or “stripped” model. Turrets,
armor plate and other extraneous gear were removed
to make room for extra fuel and to lighten the aircraft
The squadron’s Disney insignia that was not approved for use. to enable a greater range on patrols.
18 Jul 1943: Lieutenant Commander Morris D.
approved by CNO. The squadron had failed to enclose a Burns relieved Lieutenant Commander James R. Reedy
copyright waiver from Disney Studios and the squadron as the squadron’s commanding officer. Commander
designation had not been removed from the drawing. Reedy and approximately half of the squadron pilots
The practice of using Disney-designed cartoon characters and plane crews detached to form a new PB4Y
was quite common throughout the fleet, but the Navy Liberator squadron, VB-110. Four crews from VP-209
was strict on adherence to the copyright provisions. and five from VP-211 were transferred to VP-203 to
Nickname: Midnite Mariners, 1944–1945. bring it back up to full manning.

Squadron personnel with their PBM-3 in the background, 80-G-37118 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
594 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron PBM-3Cs at NAS San Juan, 12 March 1943, 80-G-28394 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

1–25 Sep 1943: Attacks were made on U-boats on 1 4 Apr 1944: A U-boat was spotted on the surface at
and 4 September. Both obtained negative results. On night using the wing-mounted Leigh searchlight. The
25 September, the squadron moved to a new home aircraft made a strafing run, forcing the submarine to
port at NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y., placing the crash dive, but with negative results.
squadron under the operational control of FAW-9. Its 21 Apr 1944: Lieutenant (jg) W. N. Britton and his
principal duties remained the same as before, ASW crew spotted 20 British sailors adrift in a small life raft,
and convoy escort. survivors of a torpedoed merchantman. Ironically,
4 Oct 1943: VP-203 received orders to deploy to none of the 20 sailors in the raft had been harmed
NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil, to relieve VP-74. The during their ordeal until Britton’s crew dropped sup-
squadron was then placed under the operational con- plies of food and water directly on the raft, knocking
trol of FAW-16. The squadron’s aircraft continued to one man unconscious. The victims were safely picked
arrive at Aratu through 23 November, a detachment of up a short time later.
five aircraft was formed and sent to NAF Natal, Brazil, 16 May 1944: The Natal detachment relocated to
for advanced base operations. This group conducted Aratu, then on to Florianoplis, Brazil, for advanced
sweeps out to 600 miles from shore. base operations. Tender support was provided by
5 Jan 1944: While on patrol Lieutenant S. V. Brown Matagorda (AVP 22). These operations were discontin-
sighted a suspicious-looking merchant vessel. ued on 30 July, and they rejoined the Aratu detach-
Subsequent investigation proved that the ship was ac- ment. On 14 August the remainder of the squadron,
tually the German blockade runner Burgenland. including the headquarters group, joined the detach-
Omaha (CL 4) and Jouett (DD 396) were dispatched to ment at Aratu. One detachment remained at Galeao
the scene and sank the ship after a running gun battle. until 5 November.
16 Jan 1944: VP-203 relocated its administrative 20 Jul 1944: The squadron’s second operational
headquarters to NAF Galeao, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, loss occurred when Lieutenant Livio DeBonis and his
with one detachment. One squadron detachment re- crew failed to return from a routine patrol. A mer-
mained at NAF Natal and another at NAF Aratu, Brazil. chant ship later confirmed that an aircraft crashed,
The Aratu detachment rejoined the squadron at with no survivors, at coordinates matching DeBonis’
Galeao on 23 January. patrol sector.
 CHAPTER 4 595

4 Oct 1944: Four VPB-203 crews were detached Home Port Assignments—Continued
from the squadron and ordered to duty at NAS Corpus
Christi, Texas. The losses were not filled, decreasing the Location Date of Assignment
squadron aircraft complement from 15 to a total of 9. NS San Juan, P.R. Dec 1942
21 Nov 1944: One of the squadron aircraft was lost NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Mar 1943
en route from Natal to Aratu during an intense tropical NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. 25 Sep 1943
thunderstorm. Aircraft wreckage, an oil slick and NAF Aratu, Brazil 4 Oct 1943
empty life rafts were found at sea, but no survivors. NAF Galeo, Brazil 16 Jan 1944
5 Jan 1945: A detachment of aircraft was sent to NAF Aratu, Brazil 14 Aug 1944
NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil, with tender services pro- NS San Juan, P.R. 29 May 1945
vided by Rehoboth (AVP 50) and later Matagorda (AVP NAS Norfolk, Va. Jun 1945
22). A second detachment was formed on the 21st at
Bahia based on Rockaway (AVP 29) and a third de-
Commanding Officers
tachment was sent to Natal, Brazil.
29 May 1945: VPB-203 was relieved for return to Date Assumed Command
San Juan, P.R., where all of the squadron aircraft were LCDR John W. Gannon 1 Oct 1942
turned over to HEDRON-11. Squadron personnel were LCDR James R. Reedy 1 Apr 1943
transported aboard U. S. Grant (AP 29) to New LCDR M. D. Burns 18 Jul 1943
Orleans, La., then by train to NAS Norfolk, Va., where LCDR Robert W. Robbins 15 Dec 1944
the squadron was disestablished on 30 June 1945.

Aircraft Assignment
Home Port Assignments
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Location Date of Assignment
PBM-3C Oct 1942
NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Oct 1942 PBM-3S Jun 1943

A PBM at a Brazilian air station, circa 1945, 80-G-K-5330.

596 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

10 Dec 1942 1 Mar 1942 FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3C Carib

4 Oct 1943 * FAW-16 Aratu PBM-3S SoLant
16 Jan 1944 * FAW-16 Galeao PBM-3S SoLant
16 Jan 1944 * FAW-16 Natal PBM-3S SoLant
16 May 1944 * FAW-16 Florianopolis PBM-3S SoLant
Matagorda (AVP 22)
14 Aug 1944 * FAW-16 Aratu PBM-3S SoLant
5 Jan 1945 * FAW-16 Bahia PBM-3S SoLant
Rehoboth (AVP 50)
Matagorda (AVP 22)
5 Jan 1945 * FAW-16 Bahia PBM-3S SoLant
Rockaway (AVP 29)
5 Jan 1945 29 May 1945 FAW-16 Natal PBM-3S SoLant
29 May 1945 Jun 1945 FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3S Carib
* Continued combat deployment in South America, moving from base to base.

Humboldt (AVP 21) tending a PBM at Bahia, Brazil, April 1945, NH-78793.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
PatWing-5/FAW-5 † 1 Oct 1942 † Patrol Wing 5 (PatWing-5) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5
FAW-11 Dec 1942 (FAW-5) on 1 November 1942.
FAW-5 1 Mar 1943
FAW-9 25 Sep 1943 Unit Awards Received
FAW-16 4 Oct 1943
FAW-11 29 May 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award

FAW-5 15 Jun 1945 None on record.

 CHAPTER 4 597

A squadron PBM-3C in flight, 28 May 1943, 80-G-66473 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
598 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-206 7 May 1944: The squadron received orders to trans-

fer to Quonset Point, R.I., under the operational con-
trol of FAW-9. VP-206 commenced convoy coverage
and patrol sweeps over the Atlantic convoy ap-
Lineage proaches to the northeastern U.S. Five PBY-5 Catalinas
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIX were added to the squadron’s complement of aircraft
(VP-206) on 15 November 1942. during its stay at Quonset Point.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- 15 Jan 1945: VPB-206 was transferred to NAAS
DRED SIX (VPB-206) on 1 October 1944. Elizabeth City, N.C., under the operational control of
Disestablished on 4 June 1945. FAW-5. The Catalina aircraft were turned in before the
transfer went into effect.
22 May 1945: After 30 months of operation without
Squadron Insignia and Nickname the loss of single aircraft, fate caught up with VPB-206.
None on record. A severe hurricane struck North Carolina before any of
the squadron aircraft could be flown out. Every one of
the 12 aircraft at NAAS Elizabeth City were damaged,
Chronology of Significant Events
all but one severely, putting the squadron temporarily
15 Nov 1942: VP-206 was established at NAS out of commission.
Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of FAW-5 4 Jun 1945: VPB-206 was disestablished at NAAS
as a medium seaplane squadron flying the PBM-3C Elizabeth City, N.C.
Mariner. On 21 January 1943 the squadron was trans-
ferred to NAS Charleston, S.C., for advanced training
in bombing, gunnery, navigation and ASW. The Home Port Assignments
squadron then operated with its full complement of
PBM-3C aircraft equipped with the ASV Mark II radar. Location Date of Assignment
1 Apr 1943: VP-206 was transferred to NAS Coco NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Nov 1942
Solo, C.Z., under the operational control of FAW-3. NAS Charleston, S.C. 21 Jan 1943
The squadron aircraft were loaded with as much of NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 1 Apr 1943
the squadron gear and personnel as possible. The re- NAS Key West, Fla. 24 Apr 1944
mainder of the equipment, supplies and personnel
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 7 May 1944
were shipped aboard Rockaway (AVP 29), arriving on
8 April. Duties consisted of antishipping patrols, con- NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 15 Jan 1945
voy coverage sweeps and shipping barrier patrols. On
1 June detachments were established at Salinas, Commanding Officers
Ecuador and Seymour Islands, Galapagos.
Jul–Aug 1943: The Galapagos detachment was re- Date Assumed Command
lieved, and a detachment was sent to NAF Portland LCDR Patrick Henry 15 Nov 1942
Bight, Jamaica, B.W.I. LT Harry E. Cook, Jr. 23 Jun 1943
7 Sep 1943: A detachment was sent to Corinto,
LCDR Elwood N. Chase II 28 Oct 1943
Nicaragua. The rest of the squadron joined the detach-
ment at Corinto on 5 February 1944. LCDR William G. Logan, Jr. 31 May 1944
24 Apr 1944: VP-206 was relieved at Corinto,
Nicaragua, for return to Key West, Fla., coming under Aircraft Assignment
the operational control of FAW-5. Upon arrival, the
squadron began an intensive ASW refresher course. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
The squadron’s PBM-3C aircraft were retrofitted to the PBM-3 Nov 1942
S or stripped, designation—removing armor plate, gun PBM-3C Jan 1943
turrets and all extraneous gear to lighten the Mariners PBY-5 Jul 1943 (temporary)
and increase range and speed. PBM-3S Apr 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Apr 1943 5 Feb 1944 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBM-3C Carib

Rockaway (AVP 29)
5 Feb 1944 24 Apr 1944 FAW-3 Corinto PBM-3C Carib
 CHAPTER 4 599

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 15 Nov 1942 None on record.
FAW-3 1 Apr 1943
FAW-5 24 Apr 1944
FAW-9 7 May 1944
FAW-5 15 Jan 1945 A beaching crew prepared to haul a PBM-3S out
of the water, circa 1944-1945, 80-G-K-14892.
600 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-207 16 Apr 1944: Lieutenant Wilson Van Alst, Jr., and

crew made a forced night landing at sea after losing
the port engine while on convoy escort duty. The
aircraft was safely ditched 200 miles northeast of
Lineage
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. The Mariner quickly sank, but
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED all of the crew exited the aircraft without injury,
SEVEN (VP-207) on 1 December 1942. spending 18 hours in life rafts before rescue the
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN-
next day.
DRED SEVEN (VPB-207) on 1 October 1944.
17 May 1944: VP-207 was relieved for return to
Disestablished on 26 June 1945.
NAS Key West, Fla. The squadron engaged in ASW
training through 6 June 1944.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 6 Jun 1944: Upon completion of the advanced ASW
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on training syllabus, the squadron was transferred to NAS
16 December 1943, while it was still designated VP- Bermuda, operating under the operational control of
207. The design featured an alligator holding a flaming FAW-9, Bermuda Air Group. Duties consisted of train-
bomb. No examples of the design exist in the records. ing flights and convoy patrols.
Colors are unknown. 20 Aug 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Stanley C. Smith and
Nickname: None on record.
seven crewmen were killed in a crash approximately
25 miles north of Bermuda while on an ASW practice
Chronology of Significant Events bombing hop. Cause of the crash was unknown.
1 Dec 1942: VP-207 was established at NAS 16–26 Jun 1945: VPB-207 received orders to
Norfolk, Va., as a medium seaplane squadron flying disestablish. The squadron assets were turned over
the PBM-3C Mariner under the operational control of to HEDRON-9 at NAS Bermuda, and the personnel
FAW-5. Training and aircraft familiarization was con- boarded Matagorda (AVP 22) for return to NAS
ducted through mid-January 1943. Norfolk, Va. On 26 June 1945 the squadron was
22 Jan–Feb 1943: VP-207 was transferred to NS disestablished.
San Juan, P.R., under the operational control of
FAW-11. After three weeks the squadron was trans-
ferred to NAAF Salinas, Ecuador. A detachment was Home Port Assignments
sent to NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island, Eucador,
Location Date of Assignment
arriving on 11 February 1943. The squadron flew
patrol between Salinas, the Galapagos Islands and NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Dec 1942
Corinto, Nicaragua. During the first month at NS San Juan, P.R. 22 Jan 1943
Salinas, three crews and aircraft were on detached NAAF Salinas, Ecuador 14 Feb 1943
duty to NAS Jamaica, B.W.I., to assist in ASW “hot NAS Key West, Fla. 17 May 1944
spot” searches.
NAS Bermuda, B.W.I. 6 Jun 1944
13 May 1943: Lieutenant (jg) William Beyer and
crew made a forced landing at sea two miles from NAS Norfolk, Va. 16 Jun 1945
San Juan, P.R. The aircraft sank, but no crewmen
were injured. Commanding Officers
15 Mar 1944: Crew P-42 with PPC Lieutenant
Richard Boehme spotted a U-boat on the surface at Date Assumed Command
2319 hours and began circling for a favorable position
preparatory to a bombing run. AA fire from the sub- LCDR F. G. Raysbrook 1 Dec 1942
marine damaged the aircraft before an attack could be LCDR Charles M. Brower 2 Aug 1943
made and wounded Ensign Douglas K. Kelsey. The LCDR R. G. Touart 6 Aug 1943
aircraft returned safely to base. On 17 March what was LCDR E. H. Seiler, Jr. 28 July 1944
suspected to be the same submarine was attacked at LCDR Kenneth E. Wright 13 Jan 1945
0227 hours by crew P-50, flown by Lieutenant (jg)
Bowen S. Larkins, with negative results. A third crew,
P-44, spotted the same submarine on the same night at Aircraft Assignment
0347 hours, but made no bombing run or exchange of
gunfire. The pilot was later admonished by Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Commander Panama Sea Frontier for failure to engage PBM-3C Jan 1943
the enemy. PBM-3S Aug 1943
 CHAPTER 4 601

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

22 Jan 1943 11 Feb 1943 FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3C Carib

11 Feb 1943 17 May 1944 FAW-11 Salinas PBM-3C/3S Pac
6 Jun 1944 16 Jun 1945 FAW-9 Bermuda PBM-3S Lant

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-5 1 Dec 1942 FAW-5 Jun 1945
FAW-11 28 Jan 1943
FAW-3 & 6th U.S. Unit Awards Received
Army Bomber Command 20 Jun 1943
FAW-5 17 May 1944 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-9 6 Jun 1944 None on record.
602 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-209 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Jan–Aug 1943: VP-209 was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va., as a medium seaplane squadron flying
Lineage the PBM-3C Mariner under the operational control of
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED FAW-5. Training and aircraft familiarization continued
NINE (VP-209) on 1 January 1943. through mid-July 1943, when the squadron was relo-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- cated to NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., for shakedown
DRED NINE (VPB-209) on 1 October 1944. training under Transitional Training Squadron Atlantic.
Disestablished on 20 June 1945. On 9 August the squadron was transferred to NAS
Quonset Point, R.I., training in advanced antisubma-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname rine warfare tactics by Air Antisubmarine Development
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on Detachment Atlantic.
17 December 1943, while still designated VP-209. The 23 Aug 1943: VP-209 was returned to Breezy Point,
central figure in the design was the comic character NAS Norfolk, Va., for commencement of convoy cov-
erage patrols off the East Coast of the U.S. There were
no enemy contacts during this period.
30 Dec 1943: The squadron complement of aircraft
was increased from 12 to 15 PBM-3S aircraft.
2 Feb 1944: VP-209 was transferred to NAAF
Salinas, Ecuador, where security patrols were flown
in the Pacific sector of the Panama Sea Frontier.
Three daily patrols were flown between Salinas,
and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Corinto,
Nicaragua.
14 Jul 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Robert C. Carlson and
his crew made a forced landing at sea during a night
mission due to fuel system failure. The aircraft was a
total loss, but no serious injuries to the crew resulted
from the ditching.
16 Jul 1944: Lieutenant Robert D. Spannuth and his
crew crashed at sea during a night mission while in-
vestigating a possible surface target with their search-
light. The aircraft and crew were lost.
The squadron’s cartoon insignia. Oct 1944: VPB-209 was reduced from 12 to 9 air-
craft, with three crews and aircraft being transferred to
VPB-99.
Bugs Bunny. The men of the squadron had chosen
28 Feb 1945: The squadron administrative head-
this cartoon personality because they felt his philoso-
quarters were transferred from NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., to
phy “ . . . suited the philosophy of the squadron. That
is to say, they are a happy-go-lucky, carefree bunch the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, with tender support
of fun-loving young fliers who can become serious, provided by Albemarle (AV 5). During the deployment
businesslike implements of war to bring swift, accu- the squadron anchored in Tagus Cove, Isabella Island,
rate death from the sky when the occasion arrives Galapagos Islands. The headquarters remained at this
. . . [the] rabbit flying down on a swift eagle releasing site until 30 May 1945. There were no enemy contacts
his depth charges portrays both sides of the character during this period.
of the pilots of this squadron.” Colors: bottom of cir-
31 May 1945: Orders were received to turn all of
cle, blue; eagle, blue with darker blue outlines; eagle
head and wing tips, white; beak and claws, yellow; the squadron’s aircraft to HEDRON-3 at NAS Coco
top of circle, red; rabbit, gray; rabbit hat, white; Solo, C.Z., and proceed aboard Sangamon (CVE 26) to
bombs, gray; star on eagle’s head, white with blue NAS Norfolk, Va., for disestablishment.
outline. 20 Jun 1945: VPB-209 was disestablished at NAS
Nickname: none on record. Norfolk, Va.
 CHAPTER 4 603

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Jan 1943 LCDR William E. Shafer 1 Jan 1943
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 15 Jul 1943 CDR Raymond S. Thompson, Jr. 5 Apr 1944
NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 9 Aug 1943 LCDR Harold P. Gerdon 9 Oct 1944
NAS Norfolk, Va. 23 Aug 1943
NAAF Salinas, Ecuador 2 Feb 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. Oct 1944
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 28 Feb 1945 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 31 May 1945 PBM-3C Feb 1943
NAS Norfolk, Va. Jun 1945 PBM-3S Sep 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

2 Feb 1944 28 Feb 1945 FAW-3 Salinas PBM-3S Pac

28 Feb 1945 30 May 1945 FAW-3 Galapagos PBM-3S Pac
Albemarle (AV 5)

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Jan 1943 None on record.
FAW-9 1 Sep 1943
FAW-3 22 Jan 1944
FAW-5 Jun 1945
604 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VPB-210 Chronology of Significant Events

15 Jan 1943: VP-210 was established at NAS
Norfolk, Va., as a medium seaplane squadron flying
the PBM-3C Mariner under the operational control of
Lineage
FAW-5. Ground training for the squadron continued
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED through April, with aircraft familiarization training
TEN (VP-210) on 15 January 1943. given with crews alternating at Banana River, Fla.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- Ground and flight training was completed in August,
DRED TEN (VPB-210) on 1 October 1944. and the squadron was transferred to NAS Quonset
Disestablished on 10 July 1945. Point, R.I., on 9 August for advanced antisubmarine
training. Training was completed with shakedown at
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., from 25 August through 10
Squadron Insignia and Nickname September 1943.
The insignia for VP/VPB-210 was approved by CNO 11 Aug 1943: The first section of six VP-210 aircraft
on 18 August 1944. The design was drawn up after the was transferred to NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Duties
squadron had been in service for a year with 17 of its consisted of convoy coverage, antisubmarine sweeps
members killed in action. The symbolism was and rescue missions. The squadron’s first casualties oc-
“ . . . wings of the naval aviators to provide a dignified curred on the 18 th, when Lieutenant (jg) Joseph P.

The squadron’s insignia.

symbolic background. . . . Crossed behind the wings Willetts and his crew crashed while training with a
is the dreaded flatnose bomb, with which the anti- friendly submarine 12 miles south of Montauk Point,
submarine patrols deliver their deadly blows. The Long Island. All hands were lost.
two cards, in addition to representing the squadron 12 Oct 1943: Lieutenant (jg) Daniel T. Felix, Jr., and
numbers, are the best possible hand that can be held the crew of P-9 made a radar contact at night with a
playing Casino. The black of the deuce of spades surface target during coverage of the Guantanamo-
represents the night, in which most of our squadron Trinidad convoy. The U-boat submerged after flares
operations have been carried out, and the red of the were dropped, but reappeared a second time.
ten of diamonds represent the blood of our Lieutenant Felix and his crew were opposed by in-
squadron members who have died for their country.” tense AA fire from the submarine, which submerged
Colors: bomb, gray with black outlines; wings, gold; again before a bombing attack could be made.
two of spades, black and white; ten of diamonds, Oct–Dec 1943: A three-aircraft detachment of
red and white. USAAF 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) was at-
Nickname: None on record. tached to VP-210 for ASW operations in the Caribbean.
 CHAPTER 4 605

This detachment flew the B-25 Mitchell medium were begun for disestablishment of the squadron.
bomber equipped with 75-mm cannon. The PBM air- Aircraft were flown to NAS San Juan, P.R., and turned
craft of VP-210 were to locate the U-boats and illumi- over to HEDRON-11. On 2 July 1945, the entire
nate them with flares for the B-25s. Unfortunately, no squadron boarded Rehoboth (AVP 50) for transporta-
enemy contacts developed to test the effectiveness of tion to NAS Norfolk, Va. On 10 July 1945, the
this unique tactic. squadron was disestablished.
1 Nov 1943: A five-aircraft detachment was based at
Great Exuma, B.W.I., remaining until relieved by VP-
Home Port Assignments
32 in December. The detachment relieved VP-32 again
from 30 June through 23 August 1944. Location Date of Assignment
26 May 1944: Lieutenant J. F. Slavic and his crew
NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Jan 1943
made a forced landing during patrol due to a loose
NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 11 Aug 1943
engine cowling. After landing safely and securing the
cowl, the aircraft lost one engine during the takeoff. In NAS Norfolk, Va. 2 Jul 1945
the subsequent crash, the crew safely exited the sink-
ing aircraft. All hands were rescued after 11 hours. Commanding Officers
1 Jul 1944: Lieutenant Francis Gerli collided with
the crash boat during takeoff at Great Exuma, B.W.I., Date Assumed Command
resulting in an explosion which destroyed the boat LT William J. Scarpino 15 Jan 1943
and the aircraft. Six personnel in the aircraft were LCDR F. W. Sheppard 18 Jan 1943
killed in the accident, with five more seriously injured. LCDR Harry L. Harty, Jr. 1 Apr 1944
4 Oct 1944: The squadron was reduced from 12 air- LCDR V. G. Holzapfel 25 Feb 1945
craft to 9 aircraft, with 14 combat aircrews. Personnel
LCDR John S. Reef 10 Jun 1945
and aircraft detached from the squadron were sent to
VPB-99.
Nov 1944: Two VPB-210 Mariners were fitted with Aircraft Assignment
two L8 searchlights apiece. Four of the squadron’s
crews were given training in use of the lights. Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
17 Jun–10 Jul 1945: Operations were discontinued PBM-3C Feb 1943
at NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and preparations PBM-3S Aug 1943

Squadron PBM-3s in formation off the coast of

Cuba.

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

11 Aug 43 17 Jun 45 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBM-3S Carib

1 Nov 43 23 Aug 44 FAW-11 Great Exuma PBM-3S Carib
606 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 15 Jan 1943 None on record.
FAW-11 11 Aug 1943
FAW-5 2 Jul 1945

A squadron PBM-3 being pre-

par ed for hoisting aboard
Albemarle (AV 5) at Guantanamo
Bay, 5 January 1945, 80-G-
304427 (Courtesy Captain Jerry
Mason, USN).

A squadron PBM-3 being hoisted

aboard Albemarle (AV 5) at
Guantanamo Bay, 5 January
1945, 80-G-304428 (Courtesy
Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
 CHAPTER 4 607

VPB-211 The manual release was used and the U-boat was
blown back to the surface. Lieutenant (jg) Scully made
several strafing passes on the damaged submarine, but
one after another of his aircraft’s machine guns froze
Lineage up until only the tail gun, firing single shots, remained.
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED By this time the heavy AA fire from the U-boat had
ELEVEN (VP-211) on 15 February 1943. severely damaged the hull of the Mariner. Scully was
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- forced to leave the area before leaking fuel tanks
DRED ELEVEN (VP-211) on 1 October 1944. forced him down. He managed to land safely and
Disestablished on 14 June 1945. beach the aircraft on a spit of sand before it sank.
25 Aug 1943: A detachment of eight crews was sent
to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., for advanced ASW warfare
Squadron Insignia and Nickname training at AsDevLant, returning on 25 September.
None on record. 27 Sep 1943: VP-211 received orders to deploy to
NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil. The squadron’s last section
of four aircraft arrived at Aratu on 16 October and re-
Chronology of Significant Events
lieved VP-74, coming under the operational control of
15 Feb 1943: VP-211 was established at NAS FAW-16. VP-211 became a part of Task Force 44, an
Norfolk, Va., as a medium seaplane squadron flying integral part of the Fourth Fleet. A detachment of six
the PBM-3C Mariner under the operational control of aircraft was maintained at Governor’s Island, NAF
FAW-5. Training continued at Norfolk through May. Galeao, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, due to the distance of
Shakedown training was conducted at NAAS Elizabeth Aratu from the “slot” where U-boat hunting was so
City, N.C., commencing on 21 May 1943. abundant. The slot was the area where the U-boats
7 Aug 1943: Lieutenant (jg) E. C. Scully and crew at- traversed the Atlantic from north to south via a regular
tacked and damaged a surfaced U-boat off the coast route. On 12 November the squadron shifted its head-
near Elizabeth City, N.C. On the first and second bomb quarters to Galeao for a three-month period, leaving a
run, the bomb release malfunctioned. By the third three-aircraft detachment at Aratu. NAF Galeao, while
bombing run the submarine was below the surface. nearer to the hunting area, had primitive living condi-

A squadron PBM-3 being beached at Galeao, Brazil, 17 December 1943, 80-G-56943 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).
608 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

tions and frequently was shrouded in early morning 1–31 Mar 1945: The squadron was temporarily
fog. The squadron’s first searchlight mission was con- based aboard Rockaway (AVP 29) for advanced base
ducted in February, and from that time on, nearly all training.
of the squadron’s patrols were conducted at night. Apr 1945: VPB-211 was based aboard Humboldt
Jan 1944: The squadron’s 14 to 16 hour patrols (AVP 21) at Bahia Bay to assist in the training of the
began to take their toll on the aircraft. Maintenance fa- ship’s crew in handling seaplanes at advanced bases.
cilities in the area were very basic, so engine changes The squadron personnel speculated that all this train-
were made at sea off Florianapolis, Brazil. Engine ing might be in preparation for the imminent transfer
changes were made in four sections of three aircraft of VPB-211 to the Pacific theater of operations.
each, with one Mariner undergoing the change, while 16 May 1945: Convoy patrols were discontin-
the second stood by to assist in the maintenance, with ued. On 24 May orders were received to turn over
the third hauling supplies, gasoline, personnel and the squadron’s aircraft to HEDRON-11 at NAS
food. San Juan, P.R., and proceed to NAS Norfolk, Va., for
12 Jan 1944: The squadron suffered its first opera- disestablishment.
tional loss during a training exercise when Ensign 14 Jun 1945: VPB-211 was disestablished at NAS
Thomas E. Donahue and crew P-8 dropped a depth Norfolk, Va.
charge from too low an altitude. The munitions ex-
ploded near the tail, causing the plane to crash and
Home Port Assignments
burn. Crew P-4 landed immediately and rescued five
critically injured survivors from the water. Location Date of Assignment
10 Jun 1944: VP-211 was relocated to NAF Natal, NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Feb 1943
Brazil, the equal of Galeao in terms of primitive living NAAS Elizabeth City, N.C. 21 May 1943
conditions. In addition, the operating area of the sea- NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil 27 Sep 1943
plane base at NAF Parnamirim Field was located on NAF Galeao, Brazil 12 Nov 1943
the Potengy River 18 miles down river from the crews’ NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil Jan 1944
quarters. The primary duties while at this location con- NAF Natal, Brazil 10 Jun 1944
sisted of barrier sweeps, which were plots predicated Bahia Bay, Brazil 1 Jan 1945
on the relative movement of German submarines con- NAS Norfolk, Va. 24 May 1945
ducted at distances approximately 800 miles from
base.
28 Sep 1944: Crew P-4 located a surfaced U-boat
by radar and was driven off by the heavy AA fire be-
fore an attack could be made. An accurate fix on the
location of the submarine was made, and on 29
September two VB-107 aircraft flown by Lieutenants E.
A. Krug and J. T. Burton made a coordinated attack on
U-863, Kapitänleutnant Dietrich von der Esch com-
manding. The U-boat was found in the same vicinity
as the sighting made by VP-211 on the previous day.
The sinking was confirmed by postwar review of
enemy records.
29 Sep 1944: VP-211 was reduced in size from 12
aircraft to 9; these aircraft and personnel were sent to
join VPB-98 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.
21 Nov 1944: The squadron’s second operational
loss occurred when Lieutenant Robert H. Lind and
crew P-2, while on patrol between Natal and Aratu,
encountered a violent thunderstorm and crashed into
the sea, losing all hands.
Jan 1945: VPB-211 was temporarily based aboard
Squadron PMB-3s in formation flight in Brazil, December 1943.
Matagorda (AVP 22) at Bahia Bay to assist in the train-
ing of the ship’s crew in handling seaplanes at ad-
vanced bases. Commanding Officers
Feb 1945: VPB-211 was temporarily based aboard
Rehoboth (AVP 50) at Bahia Bay to assist in the train- Date Assumed Command
ing of the ship’s crew in handling seaplanes at ad- LCDR L. W. Mang 19 Feb 1943
vanced bases. LCDR C. Fink Fischer 18 Aug 1943
 CHAPTER 4 609

Commanding Officers—Continued Aircraft Assignment

Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Date Assumed Command PBM-3C May 1943
LCDR D. C. Rumsey II 28 Aug 1944 PBM-3S Jun 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

27 Sep 1943 * FAW-16 Aratu PBM-3S SoLant

16 Oct 1943 * FAW-16 Galeao PBM-3S SoLant
10 Jun 1944 * FAW-16 Natal PBM-3S SoLant
Jan 1945 Apr 1945 FAW-16 Bahia Bay PBM-3S SoLant
Matagorda (AVP 22)
Rehoboth (AVP 50)
Rockaway (AVP 29)
Humboldt (AVP 21)
* Continued combat deployment in South Atlantic, moving from base to base.

Squadron PBM-3s in formation over the Brazilian naval dockyard at Rio de Janeiro, December 1943, NH-94610.
610 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 15 Feb 1943 None on record.
FAW-16 27 Sep 1943
FAW-5 16 May 1945

A squadron PBM-3 in flight in Brazil.

 CHAPTER 4 611

VPB-212 FAW-5. Ground school and flight training continued at

Norfolk through September. Since 90 percent of the
flight crews had no flying experience in the PBM air-
craft, most of the officers in the unit were sent to NAS
Lineage Banana River, Fla., for the three-month course, while
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED 10 percent took the shorter three-week course. On 11
TWELVE (VP-212) on 15 March 1943. August the squadron was relocated to NAAS Harvey
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- Point, N.C., for shakedown. On 25 August the
DRED TWELVE (VPB-212) on 1 October 1944. squadron was sent to the AsDevLant at NAS Quonset
Disestablished on 15 May 1946. Point, R.I., for advanced training in ASW and use of
radar. The squadron returned to Harvey Point on 10
September for completion of flight training.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 24 Sep 1943: The squadron suffered its first opera-
The squadron’s only official insignia was approved tional losses when Lieutenant William J. Walker, the
by CNO on 25 February 1946, while it was designated squadron executive officer, and five members of his
VPB-212. The original submission, forwarded to BuAer crew were killed in a crash while attempting a night
landing at NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., in stormy weather.
30 Sep 1943: VP-212 was transferred to NAS San
Juan, P.R., under the operational control of FAW-11.
Duties at this location consisted of convoy coverage
and ASW sweeps. A detachment was maintained at
NAF Antigua, B.W.I. The primary function of the
squadron was to block the entrances to the Caribbean
used by the convoys and their predators, the U-boats.
Sweeps were flown north and south of Mona Passage,
and north and south of Anegada Passage.
17 Dec 1943: Lieutenant H. M. Whaling and crew
were providing night convoy coverage for transports
en route to Curacao, N.W.I., when they approached
what they believed to be one of the escort vessels. As
it turned out, they had approached a surfaced U-boat
and were driven off by intense AA fire before an at-
tack run could be made. Although not successful in
sinking the submarine, the aircraft did interrupt the
firing plot the U-boat commander was preparing to
execute on the Spanish tanker Campestra.
1 Apr 1944: Lieutenant (jg) G. R. Gregory and crew
attacked a surfaced U-boat northeast of Puerto Rico in
The squadron’s cartoon insignia. broad daylight. Although a perfect straddle of depth
charges was made, damage was assessed as minimal.
in 1944, was disapproved by CNO as being too car- The sonobuoys dropped on the second run had failed
toonish and not in keeping with the dignity of the to work due to dead batteries, a recurrent problem in
Navy. The later, almost identical design featured a fox the tropics.
in boots, standing on a cloud while holding a spy- 27 May 1944: The squadron was relocated to NAF
glass in one paw and a depth charge in the other. Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I., with a detachment
Colors: background, yellow; fox, reddish brown with maintained at NAF Esquibo, British Guyana. In August,
white jowls and chest; nose, black; eyes, white with continuous coverage of convoy traffic was discontin-
black pupils; tongue, red; mouth, black; boots, black; ued. One unusual duty assigned the squadron during
bomb, marine green; spy glass, marine green with this period was searching for U.S. Navy mines that had
blue green lens. broken loose from their moorings and drifted into the
Nickname: None on record. shipping lanes. Pelican (AVP 6) served as the ad-
vanced base at NAF Paramaribo and NAF Esquibo,
British Guyana, until relieved by Thrush (AVP 3) in
Chronology of Significant Events November 1944.
15 Mar–Sep 1943: VP-212, a medium seaplane 12 Jan 1945: VPB-212 was relocated back to NAS
squadron flying the PBM-3S Mariner, was established San Juan, P.R., with a detachment maintained at NAS
at NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
612 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

4 Apr 1945: VPB-212 was transferred to NAS 15 May 1946: VPB-212 was disestablished at NAS
Quonset Point, R.I., under the operational control of Whidbey Island, Wash.
FAW-9, relieving VPB-84. Duties at this location con-
sisted of convoy coverage and ASW sweeps. These ac-
Home Port Assignments
tivities were discontinued with the receipt of a dispatch
on 21 May and training flights only were scheduled. Location Date of Assignment
30 May–Jun 1945: VPB-212 began transferring its
NAS Norfolk, Va. 15 Mar 1943
aircraft in sections of four to Harvey Point, N.C., com-
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 11 Aug 1943
ing under the operational control of FAW-5. Upon ar-
NAS San Juan, P.R. 30 Sep 1943
rival of the last crew on 4 June the entire squadron
NAF Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I. 27 May 1944
was given home leave through the 15th. Upon return,
NAS San Juan, P.R. 12 Jan 1945
the squadron was issued new PBM-5E aircraft. A pe-
riod of reforming and retraining in navigation, com- NAS Quonset Point, R.I. 4 Apr 1945
munications and recognition began. Day and night fa- NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 30 May 1945
miliarization hops were flown, and target practice on NAS Norfolk, Va. 19 Jul 1945
gunnery sleeves was conducted. NAS Alameda, Calif. 25 Aug 1945
19 Jul–13 Aug 1945: VPB-212 was transferred to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 27 Aug 1945
NAS Norfolk, Va. When the last of the squadron’s
three sections arrived on 24 July, all of the squadron Commanding Officers
personnel were granted leave through 13 August.
25 Aug 1945–Mar 1946: VPB-212 was transferred Date Assumed Command
to NAS Alameda, Calif., under the operational control LCDR C. E. Robertson 15 Mar 1943
of FAW-8. On 27 August the squadron was sent to NAS LCDR J. M. Kipp 17 Sep 1943
Whidbey Island, Wash., on temporary duty. The LCDR N. R. Lincoln 5 Mar 1945
squadron had barely begun training when the war
ended and orders were received to begin demobilizing
officers immediately, leaving inexperienced personnel Aircraft Assignment
to carry on. New replacement crews were often demo-
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
bilized before they reached operational capability. The
situation did not improve until March 1946, when 10 PBM-3S Mar 1943
crews were certified as ready for operations. PBM-5E May 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

30 Sep 1943 * FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3S Carib

27 May 1944 * FAW-11 Trinidad PBM-3S Carib
27 May 1944 * FAW-11 Esquibo PBM-3S Carib
Pelican (AVP 6)
Thrush (AVP 3)
12 Jan 1945 4 Apr 1945 FAW-11 San Juan PBM-3S Carib
* Continued combat deployments in the Caribbean, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 15 Mar 1943 None on record.
FAW-11 30 Sep 1943
FAW-9 4 Apr 1945
FAW-5 30 May 1945
FAW-8 25 Aug 1945
FAW-6 27 Aug 1945
 CHAPTER 4 613

VPB-213 West, Fla., in daylight. An Army antiaircraft battery was

practicing with live ammunition at nearby Fort Taylor.
One 37-mm shell penetrated aircraft P-11, flown by
Ensign J. B. Clausen, removing the foot of AOM3c
Lineage Morris. The Army officer in charge was subsequently
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED tried by general court martial.
THIRTEEN (VP-213) on 1 October 1943. 1 May 1944: VP-213 departed Nassau, Bahamas, for
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- NAF Grand Cayman Island, B.W.I. A detachment was
DRED THIRTEEN (VPB-213) on 1 October 1944. maintained at Royal Island, B.W.I., aboard Christiana
Disestablished on 10 July 1945. (YAG 32).
13 Sep 1944: A VPB-213 aircraft was sent out to lo-
cate Warrington (DD 383) as a hurricane moved to-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname wards the Bahaman Islands. The destroyer was spot-
None on record. ted on radar but could not be reached due to the
intensity of the storm. Water had entered her vents
during the night causing power loss and electrical fail-
Chronology of Significant Events
ure. The crew abandoned ship at 1250 after fruitless
1 Oct–Nov 1943: VP-213, a medium seaplane attempts to save her and she went down almost imme-
squadron flying the PBM-3S Mariner, was established diately. Surface craft in the area were able to rescue
at NAS Norfolk, Va., under the operational control of only five officers and 68 enlisted personnel out of a
FAW-5. Training for squadron personnel commenced complement of 321.
on 2 October 1944 at NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., and 5 Oct 1944: The squadron complement of aircraft
continued through the end of November. Twenty-eight was reduced from 12 to 9. The extra aircraft and flight
of the assigned pilots were PBM qualified when re- crews were transferred to VPB-99 at NAS Corpus
porting aboard. These officers assisted in training the Christi, Tex.
remaining 15 new pilots by distributing them among 1–11 Nov 1944: The squadron was returned to NAS
the more experienced crews. Key West, Fla., with eight aircraft and one on detached
12 Dec 1943: The squadron’s first operational loss duty to Eleuthra Island, B.W.I. On 4 November, six air-
occurred during a night training flight with a crew of craft were detached to NAS Quonset Point, R.I., for
12 enlisted and four officers aboard. The aircraft, pi- temporary duty with Naval Air Task Unit, Quonset, re-
loted by Lieutenant (jg) Lincoln G. Nordby, vanished turning on the 11th.
without a trace, despite the efforts of 21 aircraft 20 Nov 1944: VPB-213 was deployed to NAS
searching the sector over a two-day period. All hands Trinidad, B.W.I., coming under the operational control
were presumed lost. of FAW-11. The squadron provided convoy coverage
18 Dec 1943: VPB-213 was transferred to NAS from Trinidad to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a detach-
Key West, Fla., under the operational control of ment of aircraft at NAF Paramaribo, Dutch Guyana.
FAW-12 and brought to operational status with ASW The detachment was provided tender support by
patrols and coverage of the convoy lanes off the East Thrush (AVP 3), based on the Surinam River.
Coast. 27 Jan–7 Feb 1945: Detachments of five aircraft
1 Jan 1944: The squadron was transferred to each participated in advanced base training with ten-
Nassau, Bahamas, for advanced base operations with der Albemarle (AV 5).
tender support provided by Christiana (YAG 32). On 2 Apr–Jun 1945: A three-aircraft, four-crew detach-
12 February a detachment was sent to NAAS Great ment was sent to NAS San Juan, P.R., to relieve VPB-
Exuma, B.W.I., for night patrols due to inadequate 212. After completing the deployment to San Juan, two
lighting facilities at Nassau. of the aircraft returned to Trinidad, B.W.I., to rejoin
26 Jan 1944: The squadron suffered another night the squadron and the other plane was turned over to
operational loss when aircraft P-3, flown by Lieutenant HEDRON-11 at NAS San Juan. With the cessation of
(jg) B. C. Herod, landed in an ammunition dump on hostilities in Europe on 8 May, the duties of the
Fleming Key, NAS Key West. The flight crew was squadron were reduced to training and ferrying of
using a flashlight to illuminate the instrument panel supplies and personnel between Trinidad and San
after the panel lights failed. The resulting glare blinded Juan. On 27 June orders were received to turn in all
the pilots, who mistook the perimeter lights of the am- aircraft to HEDRON-11 at NAS San Juan. This was ac-
munition dump for the landing lights of the bay. Two complished and all squadron personnel were loaded
officers and nine enlisted personnel were killed in the aboard Matagorda (AVP 22) for transportation to NAS
resulting explosion. Norfolk, Va.
13 Mar 1944: The squadron came close to losing 10 July 1945: VPB-213 was disestablished at NAS
another aircraft while making an approach to NAS Key Norfolk, Va.
614 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Home Port Assignments Commanding Officers

Location Date of Assignment Date Assumed Command

NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 Oct 1944 LCDR William A. Sullivan 1 Oct 1943
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 2 Oct 1944 LCDR F. M. Beck 10 Jun 1944
NAS Key West, Fla. 18 Dec 1943
Nassau, Bahamas 1 Jan 1944
NAF Grand Cay Island, B.W.I. 1 May 1944 Aircraft Assignment
NAS Key West, Fla. 1 Nov 1944
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
NAS Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I. 20 Nov 1944
NAS Norfolk, Va. Jun 1944 PBM-3S Oct 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1 Jan 1944 1 May 1944 FAW-12 Gr. Exuma PBM-3S Carib

Christiana (YAG 32)
1 May 1944 1 Nov 1944 FAW-12 Gr. Cayman PBM-3S Carib
Christiana (YAG 32)
20 Nov 1944 27 Jun 1944 FAW-11 Trinidad PBM-3S Carib
20 Nov 1944 27 Jan 1944* FAW-11 Paramaribo PBM-3S Carib
Thrush (AVP 3)
* Deployment dates are only for a squadron detachment, the main squadron remained at NAS Trinidad.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Oct 1943 None on record.
FAW-12 18 Dec 1943
FAW-11 20 Nov 1944
FAW-5 27 Jun 1945
 CHAPTER 4 615

VPB-214 15 Jan–Apr 1945: VPB-214 was transferred to NAS

Coco Solo, C.Z., under the operational control of
FAW-3. On 18 February the squadron was based
aboard the tender Albemarle (AV 5) at Almirante Bay,
Lineage
Panama, for advanced base operations. The squadron
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED returned to NAS Coco Solo on 1 March. On 1 April
FOURTEEN (VP-214) on 18 October 1943. the squadron began flying a series of ASW sectors on
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- the Pacific side of the canal from Coco Solo to the
DRED FOURTEEN (VPB-214) on 1 October 1944. Galapagos Islands to Corinto, Nicaragua and back to
Disestablished on 21 June 1945. Coco Solo.
31 May 1945: Orders were received to turn in all of
Squadron Insignia and Nickname the squadron’s aircraft and assets to HEDRON-3 at
NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., and proceed to NAS Norfolk,
None on record. Va., for disestablishment. The squadron personnel
were put aboard Sangamon (CVE 26) for return to
Chronology of Significant Events Norfolk. The squadron’s aircraft were later towed out
to sea and used as strafing targets by the Army Air
18 Oct 1943–8 Jan 1944: VP-214, a medium sea-
Force fighters.
plane squadron flying the PBM-3S Mariner, was es- 18 Jun 1945: VPB-214 was disestablished at NAS
tablished at NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., under the op- Norfolk, Va.
erational control of FAW-5. Training was conducted
at Harvey Point through December 1943. On 8
January 1944, the squadron was transferred to NAS Home Port Assignments
Key West, Fla., for shakedown and advanced training
Location Date of Assignment
in ASW.
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 18 Oct 1943
22 Jan 1944: The squadron’s first loss in training
occurred when Lieutenant Francis Mitchell and his NAS Key West, Fla. 8 Jan 1944
crew crashed during a practice drop of live ordnance. NAS Norfolk, Va. 23 Jan 1944
The cluster of depth charges exploded upon impact NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 12 Sep 1944
with the water, removing the tail of the aircraft. Four NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. 15 Jan 1945
crewmembers were killed. NAS Norfolk, Va. 31 May 1945
23 Jan 1944: VP-214 became operational at NAS
Norfolk, Va., while based ashore at Breezy Point. Commanding Officers
Duties included convoy escort and ASW sweeps of the
offshore approaches. Date Assumed Command
12 Sep 1944: VP-214 was deployed to NAS LCDR Malcolm C. McGrath 18 Oct 1943
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the operational control LCDR Leslie A. Pew 15 Aug 1944
of FAW-11. Duties consisted of convoy escort and ASW
sweeps of the approaches to the Caribbean basin.
Aircraft Assignment
1 Oct 1944: The squadron complement of aircraft
was reduced from 12 to 9, with a corresponding re- Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
duction in personnel. PBM-3S Nov 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 Sep 1944 15 Jan 1945 FAW-11 Guantanamo PBM-3S Carib

15 Jan 1945 18 Feb 1945 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBM-3S Carib/Pac
18 Feb 1945 1 Mar 1945 FAW-3 Almirante Bay PBM-3S Carib/Pac
1 Mar 1945 31 May 1945 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBM-3S Carib/Pac
Albemarle (AV 5)
616 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 18 Oct 1943 None on record.
FAW-9 23 Jan 1944
FAW-11 12 Sep 1944
FAW-3 15 Jan 1945
FAW-5 31 May 1945
A PBM-3S on the apron at NAS Norfolk, 80-G-K-2909.
 CHAPTER 4 617

VPB-215 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Nov 1943–Jan 1944: VP-215, a medium seaplane
squadron flying the PBM-3S Mariner, was established
at NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., under the operational
Lineage
control of FAW-5. Training at Harvey Point continued
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED through January 1944, when the squadron was trans-
FIFTEEN (VP-215) on 1 November 1943. ferred to NAS Key West, Fla., for shakedown and ad-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN- vanced ASW training.
DRED FIFTEEN (VPB-215) on 1 October 1944. 26 Feb–Mar 1944: VP-215 achieved operational sta-
Disestablished on 28 May 1945. tus and was transferred to NAS Port of Spain, Trinidad,
B.W.I., for convoy coverage and ASW sweeps of the
Caribbean basin under the operational control of FAW-
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
11. On 8 March, a six-aircraft detachment was sent to
The VP-215 insignia was approved by CNO on 15 NAS Coco Solo, C.Z., for ASW sweeps under the oper-
July 1944. The design consisted of a pair of Navy ational control of FAW-3.
16 Apr 1944: VP-215
was transferred to NAS
Bermuda, B.W.I., for
daytime convoy cover-
age and ASW sweeps
under the operational
control of FAW-9.
4 Oct 1944: VPB-215
was reduced in person-
nel by 25 percent, with
three aircraft being
transferred permanently
to NAS Corpus Christi,
Texas.
17 Apr–May 1945:
VPB-215 was trans-
ferred to NAS Norfolk,
Va. Wartime operations
of convoy patrols and
ASW sweeps ceased on
18 May 1945. Orders
were received to de-
liver all squadron air-
craft to HEDRON 5-2 at
NAAS Harvey Point,
N.C., in preparation for
The squadron’s insignia. disestablishment of the
squadron.
binoculars fitted with gull wings superimposed on a 28 May 1945: VPB-215 was disestablished at NAS
background of ocean and sky. A depth charge was Norfolk, Va.
shown between the lenses. The gull wings and rub-
ber eyepieces resembled the PBM aircraft, with the
Home Port Assignments
binoculars representing the mission of patrol and the
depth bomb the mission of antisubmarine warfare. Location Date of Assignment
Colors: background, indigo; binoculars, ocher yel-
NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 1 Nov 1943
low; wings, ocher yellow; lenses, yellow with and
black outlines; depth charge, ocher yellow with NAS Key West, Fla. Jan 1944
white and black outlines; sky, white; cloud, white NAS Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I. 26 Feb 1944
with black outline. NAS Bermuda, B.W.I. 16 Apr 1944
Nickname: None on record. NAS Norfolk, Va. 17 Apr 1945
618 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Commanding Officers Aircraft Assignment

Date Assumed Command
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
LCDR William M. McCormick 1 Nov 1943
LCDR Charles L. Lambing 24 Jun 1944 PBM-3S Nov 1943

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

26 Feb 1944 16 Apr 1944 FAW-9 Trinidad PBM-3S Carib

8 Mar 1944* 16 Apr 1944 FAW-3 Coco Solo PBM-3S Carib
16 Apr 1944 17 Apr 1945 FAW-9 Bermuda PBM-3S Lant
* Deployment dates are only for a squadron detachment, the main squadron remained at NAS Trinidad.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-5 1 Nov 1943 None on record.
FAW-11 26 Feb 1944
FAW-9 16 Apr 1944
 CHAPTER 4 619

VPB-216 1 Apr–23 Jun 1944: The next three months were

spent at NAS Kaneohe undergoing intensive combat
training and repairs to the erratic engines. During this
period the squadron conducted 700-mile sector pa-
Lineage
trols, made final equipment check runs and conducted
Established as Patrol Squadron TWO HUNDRED bomb-dropping and gunnery exercises on a daily
SIXTEEN (VP-216) on 15 November 1943. basis. Deficiencies in crew member training were elim-
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron TWO HUN-
inated by proficiency checks and refresher courses.
DRED SIXTEEN (VPB-216) on 1 October 1944.
28 May 1944: 12 officers and 42 men departed
Disestablished on 7 April 1945.
aboard Chandeleur (AV 10) for Saipan, Marianas
Island Group.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname 23 Jun 1944: VP-216 deployed to Saipan, anchoring
None on record. in Tanapag Harbor, under the operational control of
FAW-2. Chandeleur (AV 10) provided berthing and
Chronology of Significant Events maintenance support for the squadron during this pe-
riod. Primary duties involved day and night reconnais-
15 Nov 1943–26 Feb 1944: VP-216 was estab-
sance patrols for Fifth Fleet operations. During the pe-
lished at NAAS Harvey Point, N.C., as medium sea-
riod through 10 August the squadron attacked and
plane squadron flying the PBM-3S Mariner, under the
damaged three Japanese cargo vessels. Although nu-
operational control of FAW-5. From 5 December
merous enemy aircraft were spotted, none could be
1943 to 24 January 1944 intensive ground and flight
attacked successfully due to the slower speed of the
training was conducted. Upon completion of the syl-
Mariner.
labus, the squadron was equipped with new PBM-
31 Jul 1944: A VP-216 Mariner flown by Lieutenant
3D Mariner aircraft. Almost immediately, problems
Richard P. Gavin developed engine problems and
began to appear with the valve inserts in the Wright
landed at sea, damaging a wingtip float in the process.
R2600-22 engines of the Mariners, resulting in
No injuries to the crew were incurred and 24 hours
grounding of all squadron aircraft through 26
later ships of TF 51 rescued the crew. The aircraft,
February 1944. These problems were not completely
resolved until late May.
2–23 Mar 1944: Twelve squadron aircraft were
transferred to NAS Key West, Fla., for intensive shake-
down training in ASW, glide bombing and use of radar
in bombing.
24 Mar 1944: VP-216 transferred aircraft and per-
sonnel in three-aircraft elements to NAS Alameda,
Calif., via MCAS Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, and NAS
San Diego, Calif. “How goes it” curves were devel-
oped on each aircraft, enabling the crew to determine
each individual aircraft’s capabilities for the forthcom-
ing transpac to Hawaii. The curve was a plot of speed,
distance, engine settings, remaining fuel, etc., that as-
sisted the crew in assessing the crucial “point of no re-
turn” for the over-water transit to NAS Kaneohe,
Hawaii.
29 Mar–1 Apr 1944: Ten of the squadron’s 15 air-
craft were able to complete the 2,200-mile transpac
A squadron PBM-3D beached on Saipan, 10 July 1944.
from NAS Alameda, Calif., to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii,
coming under the operational control of FAW-2. Three
required engine replacements at the MCAS Eagle which could not be salvaged or towed due to the dam-
Mountain Lake, Texas, refueling point and two needed age, provided useful target practice to the destroyers
major repairs upon arrival at NAS Alameda. These on the scene.
five aircraft rejoined the squadron at NAS Kaneohe 10 Jul–10 Sep 1944: By this date, enemy snipers
on 30 April. and scavengers had been largely eliminated ashore on
620 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Saipan. VP-216 began using the Japanese-constructed process a wing was torn off and 9 crewmembers es-
seaplane ramp at Tanapag Harbor to permit on-shore caped the wreckage. One officer and two enlisted
maintenance and crew rest on dry land. Armed guards men were lost in the accident.
were posted and assisted in the capture or killing of 18 Nov 1944: The first three-aircraft element of
over 20 Japanese soldiers in their perimeter. VPB-216 left Kossol Passage, Palau Islands, for return
Throughout August the tempo of operations decreased to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, en route to NAS San Diego,
and the squadron was put on standby for redeploy- Calif.
ment to the Palau Island group. 7 Apr 1945: VPB-216 was disestablished.
10 Sep 1944: The first three-aircraft element of VP-
216 was transferred to Kossol Passage, Palau Island
Home Port Assignments
group, under the operational command of FAW-1. At
0400 hours the next day, the squadron received a Location Date of Assignment
sharp lesson on watch tending when a group of NAAS Harvey Point, N.C. 15 Nov 1943
Japanese boarded an adjacent PB2Y-3 Coronado in NAS Key West, Fla. 2 Mar 1944
the anchorage, blowing up the aircraft and killing NAS Alameda, Calif. 25 Mar 1944
themselves in the process. The remainder of the NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 1 Apr 1944
squadron arrived at Kossol Passage by 17 September. NAS San Diego, Calif. 21 Nov 1944
Chandeleur (AV 10) and Pocomoke (AV 9) provided
seaplane tender services at Kossol Passage.
Operations at Kossol Passage were the same as at Commanding Officers
Saipan, providing coverage for the Third Fleet under
Date Assumed Command
Admiral Halsey.
CDR Harry E. Cook, Jr. 15 Nov 1943
6 Oct 1944: Lieutenant Arthur W. Doherty encoun-
CDR R. D. Cox, Jr. Dec 1944
tered typhoon weather while returning from a night
patrol. With his radio direction-finder gear and radar
inoperative, Lieutenant Doherty managed to establish Aircraft Assignment
his position and began a correct heading towards
base. On the morning of 7 October, approximately 80 Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
miles from base, the Mariner ran out of gas, forcing PBM-3S Nov 1943
Lieutenant Doherty to attempt a stall landing. In the PBM-3D Jan 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of

Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

29 Mar 1944 18 Nov 1944 FAW-2 Kaneohe PBM-3D WestPac

23 Jun 1944 * FAW-2 Saipan PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
10 Sep 1944 18 Nov 1944 FAW-1 Palau PBM-3D SoPac
Chandeleur (AV 10)
Pocomoke (AV 9)
* The squadron was forward deployed, moving from base to base in the Pacific.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

FAW-5 15 Nov 1943 FAW-14 21 Nov 1944

FAW-8 24 Mar 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-2 29 Mar 1944
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 10 Sep 1944
FAW-2 18 Nov 1944 None on record.
 CHAPTER 4 621

A squadron PBM-3D being hoisted aboard Chandeleur

(AV 10) for repairs, 24 June 1944.

A squadron PBM-3D aboard Chandeleur (AV 10) for

repairs, 24 June 1944.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 623

CHAPTER 5

Heavy Patrol Squadrons (Landplane)

(VP-HL) Histories
VP-HL-1 to VP-HL-5

VP-HL-1 Chronology of Significant Events

1 Dec 1943–May 1944: VB-116 was established at
NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., under the operational
control of FAW-14. No aircraft were assigned to the
Lineage
squadron until March 1944, when the first PB4Y-1
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Liberator was received. Training consisted of ground
SIXTEEN (VB-116) on 1 December 1943. school and flight training at Camp Kearney and
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- advanced base operations training at Holtville, Calif.
DRED SIXTEEN (VPB-116) on 1 October 1944. All training was completed by mid-May and prepara-
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX- tions were begun for the transpac from NAS San
TEEN (VP-116) on 15 May 1946. Diego, Calif., to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 24 May–Jun 1944: The squadron’s advance echelon
ONE (VP-HL-1) on 15 November 1946. departed aboard Breton Woods (CVE 23) for Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. The squadron aircrews departed in
Disestablished on 22 May 1947.
three-aircraft elements beginning on 2 June 1944.
Upon arrival at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, the squadron
Squadron Insignia and Nickname began the combat training syllabus for crews destined
The insignia for this squadron was one of many for the South Pacific combat zone. Training consisted
designed for the Navy by Walt Disney studios. It was of navigation, gunnery, bombing and aircraft recogni-
approved by CNO tion. Operational patrols of the approaches to Hawaii
were conducted during the training phase.
on 4 March 1944. It
7 Jul–24 Aug 1944: VB-116 was deployed to
was a caricature of
Eniwetok, commencing operational patrols and sector
Zeus leaning over a
searches by the 12th. Truk and Ponape were the fre-
cloud holding a
quent targets of the squadron’s missions. Occasional
bomb in his upraised
escorts were provided for VD-4 during low level pho-
right hand, with a tographic reconnaissance flights over Truk. During the
trident in his left first two weeks of August, VB-116 flew several mis-
hand. The design sions with VB-109 against enemy positions on Truk,
was enclosed in a Wake Island and Ponape. From 17–24 August 1944,
square frame. The the squadron flew special search patrols with VB-102
analogy is straight- operating from Isley and East Fields, Saipan.
forward, with a nau- 27 Aug 1944: VB-116 was relocated to North Field,
tical Zeus, king of Tinian, coming under the operational control of FAW-
The squadron’s insignia. the gods, wielding 1. The squadron conducted long-range sector searches
Father Neptune’s and made frequent attacks on enemy shipping. During
traditional weapon, the trident, against the foe. The pri- the Palau landings the squadron provided coverage for
mary allusion to the squadron’s mission was the the task force.
upraised bomb in Zeus’ right hand. Colors: Zeus, tan 12 Oct 1944: Lieutenant William M. Miller and his
body; hair and beard, yellow; trident, brown handle crew, in company with another VPB-116 aircraft flown
with yellow fork; bomb, steel gray and black; back- by Lieutenant William B. Oliver, searched the waters
ground, blue; cloud, light blue. off Iwo Jima for survivors of a squadron plane
Nicknames: Blue Raiders, 1943–1946. believed lost in that area. When enemy fighters rose to

623
624 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

intercept the pair they continued their sweep and Atsugi in his PB4Y-2 Privateer on Monday, 27 August
withdrew in company together. In the ensuing air-to- 1945. It was recorded in the war diary of the squadron
air combat the two bombers downed six of the eight that Michaels was experiencing “mechanical difficul-
attacking fighters. Miller and Oliver were subsequently ties” which were repaired, and he returned to Iwo
awarded the Navy Cross for their actions. Jima completed the same day.
4 Mar 1945: VPB-116 began staging missions 22 May 1947: VP-HL-1 was disestablished at NAS
through Iwo Jima on its patrols. The outbound patrol San Diego, Calif.
leg consisted of 1,200 miles via Iwo Jima and the leg
of the patrol to Tinian was 1,000 miles. On 1 April a
Home Port Assignments
detachment of three aircraft was deployed to the for-
ward base at Iwo Jima. Location Date of Assignment
5 Apr 1945: VPB-116 was relocated to Peleliu to fly
NAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 1 Dec 1943
three daytime search sectors and one night ASW
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 2 Jun 1944
patrol. The squadron returned to its previous sites at
NAS San Diego, Calif. Oct 1945
Tinian and Iwo Jima on 30 April. The Iwo Jima
detachment was enlarged when the tempo of opera-
tions and available targets shifted closer to the Commanding Officers
Japanese home islands. On 1 May 1945, operational
control of the squadron was shifted to FAW-18. Date Assumed Command
Missions from May to the end of the war entailed sec- LCDR Donald G. Gumz 1 Dec 1943
tor searches, ASW patrols and weather flights for the LCDR Allen R. Waggoner 3 Feb 1945
fleet. The squadron ceased combat operations in LCDR Walter C. Michaels 11 Jul 1945
September and assumed the primary mission of LCDR Daniels 1945
weather flights until rotated back to the U.S. in CDR L. W. Mather Dec 1945
October 1945. LCDR B. F. Jones Apr 1946
27 Aug 1945: In a little-known twist of history, LCDR J. W. Newhall Feb 1947
VPB-116 stole the limelight from General Douglas
McArthur and his staff. It has been widely recorded in
the history books that Colonel Charles Tench, a mem- Aircraft Assignment
ber of MacArthur’s staff, was the first American to set
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
foot on Japanese soil at the Atsugi naval air base on
28 August. In fact, Lieutenant Commander Walter C. PB4Y-1 Mar 1943
Michaels, commanding officer of VPB-116, landed at PB4Y-2 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

2 Jun 1944 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-1 EastPac

7 Jul 1944 * FAW-2 Eniwetok PB4Y-1 SoPac
27 Aug 1944 * FAW-1 Tinian PB4Y-1 SoPac
1 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Iwo Jima PB4Y-1 WestPac
5 Apr 1945 * FAW-1 Peleliu PB4Y-1/2 SoPac
30 Apr 1945 Oct 1945 FAW-1 Tinian/Iwo PB4Y-1/2 SoPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-14 1 Dec 1943 None on record.
FAW-2 2 Jun 1944
FAW-1 27 Aug 1944
FAW-18 1 May 1945
FAW-14 WC† Oct 1945
† The squadron remained a part of FAW-14, but was assigned the tail

code WC on 12 December 1946.

 CHAPTER 5 625

VP-HL-3 5 Jul–27 Sep 1943: VPB-138 departed with all of its

equipment from NAS Alameda aboard Pybus (ACV 34)
bound for NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving on 12
July. After unloading, the aircraft were flown to NAS
Lineage Kaneohe, Hawaii. Combat and operational training
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED was begun immediately. On 27 July the squadron was
THIRTY EIGHT (VB-138) on 15 March 1943. divided into two echelons. A nine-aircraft detachment
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- was sent to Canton Island to serve as air cover for a
DRED THIRTY EIGHT (VPB-138) on 1 October 1944. photographic squadron that was charting enemy-held
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- Baker Island. The remaining six aircraft stayed at NAS
DRED TWENTY FOUR (VPB-124) on 15 December Kaneohe to continue training. On 6 August 1943,
1944. Lieutenant Robert E. Slater and crew were killed in an
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED accident during a torpedo run off Oahu. The five flight
TWENTY FOUR (VP-124) on 15 May 1946. crews remaining at Kaneohe joined the rest of the
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) squadron at Canton on 10 August 1943. VB-138
THREE (VP-HL-3) on 15 November 1946. returned to NAS Kaneohe on 27 September 1943 and
Disestablished on 22 May 1947. all aircraft were checked and given maintenance prior
to deployment into the combat zone in the South
Pacific.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
15 October 1943: VB-138 was deployed to the
The only known insignia for this squadron was sub- Russell Islands under the operational control of FAW-1.
mitted for approval after it had been designated VPB- For a three-month period the squadron conducted
124. CNO approved bombing missions and harassment raids on Japanese
the design on 26 targets located on New Ireland and New Britain.
March 1945. The 1 Feb 1944: VB-138 was transferred to the Sterling
outline of a sailing Islands. Bombing and harassment strikes were con-
vessel described as ducted as before, with several strikes on Rabaul.
a “Privateer on the Antishipping sweeps and Dumbo missions were con-
prow l . . . with great ducted as mission requirements allowed.
thunderheads in the 22 Feb 1944: Lieutenant (jg) Anthony J. Ditter and
background” was one enlisted crewman were killed when their aircraft
enclosed within a was shot down by enemy AA fire over Cape St.
circular background. George, New Ireland, while on a bombing mission.
The winged pirate The remaining four crewmen were rescued at sea by a
The squadron’s insignia. vessel in the insignia destroyer.
alluded to the type 14–19 May 1944: The squadron was relieved at
of aircraft flown by the squadron, the PB4Y-2 Privateer. Sterling and flew back to NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, for
Colors: circumference of design, yellow; background, transportation back to the West Coast aboard Atamaha
black; cloud, white; ship, black; wings, yellow. (CVE 18). After arrival at NAS Alameda, Calif., on 19
Nicknames: None on record. May 1944, squadron personnel were given home
leave.
Chronology of Significant Events 25 Jun–Nov 1944: VB-138 reformed at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash., flying the PV-1 Ventura as on
15 Mar 1943: VB-138 was established at NAS
the previous tour, but with transition to the newer
Whidbey Island, Wash., as a land-based bombing
squadron flying the PV-1 Ventura twin-engine medi- model PV-2 Harpoon in the syllabus. During the train-
um bomber. During training the squadron came ing period the squadron came under the operational
under the operational control of FAW-6. Training con- control of FAW-6. On 1 November 1944, the training
tinued through the end of June when the squadron syllabus on the PV-2 Harpoon was terminated due to
received orders on the 28 th to proceed to NAS production difficulties with the aircraft. All hands
Alameda, Calif., to await transportation to Pearl were transferred to NAS Hutchinson, Kans., for con-
Harbor, Hawaii. version training to the PB4Y-1 Liberator. Ground per-
14 May 1943: Lieutenant (jg) B. L. Lough and his sonnel were separated from the squadron at
crew were killed during a training flight when their Hutchinson on 17 November 1944 and flown to NAAS
Ventura crashed into Mount Washington during zero Brown Field, Calif., where they established the
visibility conditions. squadron headquarters.
626 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

15 Dec 1944: Flight training was completed at man. The remaining ten crewmen were picked up by
Hutchinson by mid-December, and the squadron was the air-sea rescue unit based at Saipan.
redesignated VPB-124. The flight crews departed 16 Jun 1945: The squadron completed its duty
Hutchinson individually to report to NAAS Camp assignment with FAW-18 and detached for duty with
Kearney, Calif., where the squadron was reformed a FAW-1 at Yontan Field, Okinawa. Here the squadron
second time and rejoined by its ground staff. VPB-124 joined a second Bat-equipped squadron, VPB-123.
came under the operational control of FAW-14 during This location was much closer to the Japanese home
this period. Seven PB4Y-2 Privateers and two PB4Y-1 islands and presented a greater opportunity for strikes
Liberators were assigned to the squadron. Training against large ship targets using the Bat. Unfortunately,
over the next three months alternated between the a limited number of Bat missiles were available and
airfield at Camp Kearney and NAAS San Nicholas the word was going around to the effect that the Bat
Island off the coast of California. wasn’t living up to its advance billing. After getting
3 Jan 1945: Lieutenant (jg) Thomas F. Pierce and settled the squadron began flying antishipping strikes
his entire crew escaped serious injury after a forced and attacks against ground targets along the China
landing during a night takeoff. The aircraft was coast, the Tsushima Straits and coastal regions of
declared a total loss. Korea and Kyushu, Japan
6 Feb–May 1945: While the squadron was still 26 Jun 1945: Both aircraft of a two-plane element,
undergoing training back in the U.S., CNO directed each carrying a crew of 12, failed to return from a
that VPB squadrons 109, 123 and 124 be sent to FAW- long-range search mission along the China coast in the
2 and be equipped to employ the SWOD Mark 9 (Bat) vicinity of Shanghai. The lead aircraft was flown by
guided missile in combat. On 1 April the ground staff the commanding officer, Commander C. E. Houston,
of the squadron detached and departed aboard Bon the second by Lieutenant (jg) J. R. Crist. All 24 person-
Homme Richard (CV 31) for NAS Pearl Harbor, nel were listed as missing in action after negative
Hawaii. The flight crews departed NAAS Camp searches for survivors (8 of the 12 crew in Commander
Kearney, Calif., on 10 April for the transpac to NAS Houston’s aircraft survived the war as POWs, includ-
Kaneohe, Hawaii. Upon its arrival at NAS Kaneohe ing Houston).
the squadron began training in use of the new 27 Jun 1945: Lieutenant J. E. Vincent and his crew
weapon. The Bat guided missile was in essence a were shot down by enemy AA fire over the southern
bomb with wings and control surfaces launched coast of Korea with no survivors.
toward a target by a mother ship. Similar ordnance 7 Jul 1945: Lieutenant R. J. Brower and crew were
had been successfully employed by the Germans in lost to enemy AA fire during an attack on an enemy
the Mediterranean with great effect. It offered the sub chaser off the coast of Kyushu.
advantage of being a stand-off weapon that allowed 10 Jul 1945: Lieutenant G. E. Miller brought a badly
the bomber crew to remain out of effective AA range damaged PB4Y-2 in for a wheels up crash landing at
of a surface target while launching the winged bomb Yontan Field, Okinawa, after an attack on enemy
at the vessel. The Bat could guide itself to its target by ground installations. There were no injuries to the
means of target echoes of pulsed microwave radiation crew but the aircraft was surveyed.
emitted by the missile’s built-in radar system. It could 24 Jul 1945: Both aircraft of a two-plane element,
see its target under any condition of visibility. The piloted by Lieutenants J. E. Ramsey and G. E. Miller,
weapon presented such a small cross-section that it were lost during operations along the west coast of
was nearly impossible for AA fire to destroy it before Korea. Searches for survivors were unsuccessful.
impact. Unfortunately, the Bat suffered from problems 29 Jul 1945: The primitive living conditions at
relating to the high humidity of the tropics and bugs Yontan Field, Okinawa, and the high casualty rate
characteristic of electronic devices of that period. began to wear down the flight crews. Bat operations
Training in deployment of the Bat and advanced com- had ceased the month before because the squadron
bat training continued at NAS Kaneohe through the was reluctant to use the missile except under almost
end of May 1945. ideal conditions. However, two planes were loaded
30 May 1945: VPB-124 departed NAS Kaneohe for with a missile each day to stand by in preparation for
NAB Tinian, arriving on 2 June 1945, under the opera- a strike in case a suitable target was sighted. One air-
tional control of FAW-18. Long-range searches and craft did make two drops, one landing inside the
reconnaissance flights were begun immediately. On 6 turning circle of the target vessel. The second drop
June 1945, Lieutenant (jg) E. W. Osborn was forced to was obscured at the last minute by a cloud so that no
ditch his aircraft off the coast of Saipan after experi- hit could be claimed, even though smoke was seen
encing difficulty in transferring fuel from the bomb rising above the position of the target. Squadron flight
bay tanks. The crash resulted in the loss of one crew- personnel were ordered to Tinian for a period of rest
 CHAPTER 5 627

and rehabilitation, providing a break from combat week. Ferrying duties continued, with several new
operations. Privateers being flown to Okinawa in exchange for
10 Aug 1945: By 10 August 1945, the squadron was worn out aircraft. Several of the latter were subse-
ordered to vacate the Yontan Field facilities to make quently flown to the West Coast.
way for the increase in USAAF personnel and material 22 May 1947: VP-HL-3 was disestablished at NAS
inbound for the anticipated occupation of Japan. VPB- Barbers Point, Hawaii.
124 headquarters and ground crew were moved to
NAB Yonabaru, Okinawa, while the flight crews oper-
Home Port Assignments
ated from the facilities at Tinian. From this location
the squadron provided air cover for surrender of Truk Location Date of Assignment
and Marcus islands. With the cessation of hostilities NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 15 Mar 1943
on 15 August, the squadron began its demobilization NAS Alameda, Calif. 28 Jun 1943
with rotation of crews back to the West Coast. NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 12 Jul 1943
Remaining flight personnel engaged in routine patrols NAS Alameda, Calif. 19 May 1944
and weather flights in support of the fleet. On 8 NAS Whidbey, Wash. 25 Jun 1944
September 1945, the flight crews detached from NAS Hutchinson, Kans. 1 Nov 1944
Tinian and FAW-18 to rejoin the headquarters sta- NAAS Brown Field, Calif. 17 Nov 1944*
tioned at Yonabaru. In two months of combat the NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 15 Dec 1944
squadron had flown 124 combat missions, sinking 29 NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Apr 1945
enemy ships with the loss of 18 officers, 54 enlisted NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii 12 Dec 1945
personnel, and 9 aircraft. * Ground personnel and headquarters staff only.
12 Dec 1945: VPB-124 transferred from Yonabaru,
Okinawa, to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. When the
movement was completed on 18 December, the Commanding Officers
squadron came under the operational control of FAW-
Date Assumed Command
2. By the end of the month the squadron was reduced
from its complement of 12 aircraft to 9, and from 18 to LCDR Murray Hanson 15 Mar 1943
11 crews. Over the next several months the squadron LCDR Charles E. Houston 26 Jun 1944
was employed in ferrying overage Privateers from NAS LCDR John M. Miller 26 Jun 1945
Kaneohe, Hawaii, to the West Coast of the U.S. Several LCDR Delbert M. Minner 2 Nov 1945
of the flight crews were demobilized when they fer- LCDR John W. Roberts 21 Oct 1946
ried aircraft back to the States. LCDR R. J. Sutherlin 21 Mar 1947
2 Jul 1946: The air-sea rescue activity in the
Hawaiian area was disestablished in July and the res- Aircraft Assignment
cue function was assumed by the operational patrol
squadrons assigned to FAW-2. VPB-124 was assigned Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
the Johnston Island station as its responsibility. One PV-1 Mar 1943
aircraft and crew were maintained on the island at all PB4Y-1 Nov 1944
times, with duty being rotated among the crews each PB4Y-2 Dec 1944

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

12 Jul 1943 † FAW-2 Kaneohe PV-1 EastPac

27 Jul 1943 † FAW-2 Canton PV-1 EastPac
15 Oct 1943 † FAW-1 Russell Is. PV-1 SoPac
1 Feb 1944 14 May 1944 FAW-1 Sterling Is. PV-1 SoPac
10 Apr 1945 † FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 EastPac
2 Jun 1945 † FAW-18 Tinian PB4Y-2 SoPac
16 Jun 1945 † FAW-1 Yontan PB4Y-2 WestPac
10 Aug 1945 † FAW-1 Yonabaru PB4Y-2 WestPac
12 Dec 1945 22 May 1947 FAW-2 Barbers Pt. PB4Y-2 EastPac
2 Jul 1945 22 May 1947 FAW-2 Johnston Is. PB4Y-2 EastPac
† Continued combat deployments in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.
628 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-6 15 Mar 1943 FAW-1 8 Sep 1945
FAW-2 12 Jul 1943 FAW-2 BC§ 12 Dec 1945
FAW-1 15 Oct 1943
§The squadron remained a part of FAW-2, but was assigned the tail
FAW-14 19 May 1944 code BC on 7 November 1946.
FAW-6 25 Jun 1944
FAW-14 15 Dec 1944
FAW-2 10 Apr 1945 Unit Awards Received
FAW-18 2 Jun 1945
Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-1 16 Jun 1945
FAW-18 10 Aug 1945 None on record.

A squadron PB4Y-2 in flight.

 CHAPTER 5 629

VP-HL-5 twin engine PV-1 Ventura. While at Deland, the squadron

came under the operational control of FAW-12. On 26
July, the squadron was relocated to NAAS Boca Chica,
Fla., for operational, shakedown and ASW training.
Lineage 16 Aug 1943: VB-143 was given orders to depart
Established as Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED Boca Chica for duty at NAF Recife, Brazil, under the
FORTY THREE (VB-143) on 15 June 1943. operational control of FAW-16. The squadron was fully
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron ONE HUN- operational within a month and was able to claim that
DRED FORTY THREE (VPB-143) on 1 October 1944. throughout the duration of its stay at Recife no ships
Redesignated Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED were sunk in any of the convoys protected by the
FORTY THREE (VP-143) on 15 May 1946. squadron.
Redesignated Heavy Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 28 Jan 1944: The squadron was relocated from
FIVE (VP-HL-5) on 15 November 1946. Recife to Ipitanga Field, Brazil, located approximately
Disestablished on 27 May 1947. 30 miles from Bahia. At this station the squadron was
involved in cooperative efforts with ZP-42 (an LTA
squadron), VP-204 and VP-211 (both PBM-3S Mariner
Squadron Insignia and Nickname squadrons). VB-143 was given the dawn and dusk
The only known insignia for this squadron was sweeps, convoy coverage and any night missions that
approved by CNO on 12 April 1946, while it was still were required.
designated VPB-143. The insignia reflected the 10 May 1944: VB-142 was ordered to Hato Field,
squadron’s past Curacao, N.W.I., for work with VS-37 in patrolling the
history by depict- immediate area surrounding the islands. Operational
ing a cartoon of a control over the squadron was exercised by FAW-11.
gooney bird, a No contacts were made during this period, and no
symbol of the vessels or convoys were attacked.
squadron’s tour of 24 Jun–Oct 1944: The squadron was relieved for
duty on Midway return to NAAS Boca Chica, Fla., under the operational
Island. The gooney control of FAW-12. On 5 July 1944, the squadron was
detached from FAW-12 to become a squadron in train-
bird was well
ing under the operational control of FAW-5 at Boca
equipped, sporting
Chica. The squadron began an intensive course on
a pilot’s ball cap,
rocket firing and updated ASW techniques, expecting
binoculars around
orders to duty as a PV squadron. On 24 October 1944
its neck, carrying a
the squadron was informed that it was to become a
machine gun on
patrol bombing squadron flying the PB4Y-1 Liberator.
one wing and a
The squadron’s insignia. 5 Nov 1944–Mar 1945: The squadron commanding
500-pound bomb
officer, Lieutenant Commander Edmonds David and
on the other. The
six crews were flown to NAF Chincoteague, Va., for a
odd-looking bird had lightning-like flashes coming out conversion training course on the PB4Y-1. The
of its two tail feathers while it stood on top of a hemi- remainder of the squadron was required to maintain
sphere map. The machine gun and bomb were repre- 12 Ventura crews in readiness at NAAS Boca Chica,
sentative of the armament carried by the squadron’s Fla., until relieved by another squadron. The last
aircraft, the PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer. crews in training at NAF Chincoteague returned to
The electric impulses were representative of the radar Boca Chica in mid-March 1945, having completed the
used by the squadron to home in on its targets. The first part of their training in PB4Y-1 aircraft. They
globe was indicative of the long range of the squadron rejoined the squadron as it continued its training pro-
aircraft on patrols. Colors: background, bright yellow gram in the use of radar bombing equipment.
with green outline; gooney bird, dark gray body, 28 Apr 1945: The commanding officer and nine
orange beak, green cap, orange talons; bomb, gun crews with six aircraft departed NAAS Boca Chica,
and binoculars, black; lightning and binocular straps, Fla., for NAS New York, N.Y., leaving nine crews and
red; globe, blue oceans with green land masses; lati- six aircraft at Boca Chica still in radar bombing train-
tude/longitude lines, dark blue. ing. On 19 May, the Boca Chica section completed
Nicknames: None on record. training and reported for duty at NAS Quonset Point,
R.I. Both squadron sections came under the command
Chronology of Significant Events of FAW-9 during this tour of duty, completing 26 ASW
and convoy patrol missions through 22 May.
15 Jun–26 Jul 1943: VB-143 was established at NAS 13 Jun 1945: The squadron’s 12 PB4Y-1 Liberators
Deland, Fla., as a medium bombing squadron flying the were turned over to HEDRON-9.
630 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

20 Jun–Jul 1945: VPB-143 reported for duty under Home Port Assignments—Continued
training at NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif., under the
NAF Recife, Brazil 16 Aug 1943
operational control of FAW-14. Twelve new PB4Y-2
Ipitanaga Field, Brazil 28 Jan 1944
Privateer aircraft were assigned to the squadron.
Hato Field, Curacao, N.W.I. 10 May 1944
Training on bombing, radar attack, gunnery, fighter
affiliation and long-range search problems continued NAAS Boca Chica, Fla. 24 Jun 1944
through the end of July. NAS New York, N.Y. 28 Apr 1945
9 Aug 1945: The advance echelon of ground staff NAS Quonset Point, R.I.* 19 May 1945
and six spare crews departed by ship for NAS NAAS Camp Kearney, Calif. 20 Jun 1945
Kaneohe, Hawaii. The 12 remaining crews flew the NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii 21 Aug 1945
squadron’s 12 PB4Y-2 Privateers from Camp Kearney, *A squadron detachment was based at NAS Quonset Point while the
Calif., to NAS Kaneohe on 21 August, arriving on the main squadron was at NAS New York.
22nd. The combat training syllabus in gunnery, radar
bombing and search was begun immediately.
Sep 1945–May 1947: Although training continued Commanding Officers
through the end of September 1945, the end of hostili-
ties left the squadron with no further mission to per- Date Assumed Command
form. NAS Kaneohe became the squadron’s home port LCDR Charles D. Hoover 15 Jun 1943
and it remained there with a reduced aircraft comple- LCDR Edmonds David 4 Jun 1944
ment of 9 PB4Y-2 Privateers until its disestablishment LCDR J. W. Hough 1946
on 27 May 1947.
Aircraft Assignment
Home Port Assignments
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Location Date of Assignment
PV-1 Jun 1943
NAS Deland, Fla. 15 Jun 1943 PB4Y-1 Nov 1944
NAAS Boca Chica, Fla. 26 Jul 1943 PB4Y-2 Jun 1945

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

16 Aug 1943 * FAW-16 Recife PV-1 SoLant

28 Jan 1944 * FAW-16 Ipitanga PV-1 SoLant
10 May 1944 24 Jun 1944 FAW-11 Curacao PV-1 SoLant
22 Aug 1945 27 May 1947 FAW-2 Kaneohe PB4Y-2 EastPac
* Continued combat deployments in South America, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date
FAW-12 15 Jun 1943 §The squadron remained a part of FAW-2, but was assigned the tail
FAW-16 16 Aug 1943 code BD on 7 November 1946.
FAW-11 10 May 1944
FAW-12 24 Jun 1944
FAW-5 5 Jul 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-9 28 Apr 1945
FAW-14 20 Jun 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-2 BD § 22 Aug 1945 None on record.
CHAPTER 5 631
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 631

CHAPTER 6

Amphibian Patrol Squadrons

(VP-AM) Histories
VP-AM-1 to VP-AM-5

VP-AM-1 1 Oct 1942: NAS Trinidad was the base of opera-

tions for the squadron over the next seven months.
During this time VP-53 conducted routine antisubma-
rine searches and convoy protection patrols.
Lineage 8 Mar 1943: Lieutenant J. E. Dryden attacked and
Established as Patrol Squadron FIFTY THREE (VP- sank U-156 east of Barbados with the loss of the entire
53) on 1 May 1942. crew of 52 officers and enlisted ratings aboard. The
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTY submarine, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Werner
THREE (VPB-53) on 1 October 1944. Hartenstein, had been responsible for the sinking of
Redesignated Patrol Squadron FIFTY THREE (VP-53) the Allied liner Laconia west of Africa on 12
on 15 May 1946. September 1942, in what became known as the
Redesignated Amphibious Patrol Squadron ONE Laconia incident. After sinking the ship, Hartenstein
(VP-AM-1) on 15 November 1946. discovered that it had been transporting 1,800 Italian
Disestablished on 5 May 1948. prisoners of war and a large contingent of British mili-
tary personnel. He radioed for assistance, which soon
arrived on the scene in the form of U-506, U-507 and
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
the Italian submarine Cappellini. The four vessels
None on record. were able to take on board or under tow the majority
of the survivors. On 16 September 1942 a U.S. Army
Chronology of Significant Events B-24 operating from Ascension Island spotted the
assembly with Red Cross flags flying. The pilot
1 May 1942: VP-53 was established at NAS Norfolk,
requested instructions from base and was told to
Va., under the operational control of PatWing-5 and
attack. The submarines cut loose their tows and
assigned a complement of 12 PBY-5 Catalinas. The escaped without damage. The survivors on the surface
squadron commenced training and equipping over the were picked up a few hours later by neutral French
next two months, operating from a field at NAF warships from Dakar. As a result of that incident
Breezy Point, near Norfolk. Admiral Dönitz ordered his U-boat captains to take no
1–24 Jul 1942: VP-53 flew to NAS Banana River, part in future rescue operations.
Fla., to conduct night flight training and then to 13 Jul 1943: VP-53 was relieved from duty in the
Quonset Point, R.I., for torpedo training. Caribbean. Immediately after returning to NAS
25 Jul 1942: VP-53 returned to NAS Norfolk, Norfolk, Va., the squadron was given a brief period of
departing the next day for NAS Key West, Fla. The leave, then transferred to NAS San Diego, Calif., under
squadron conducted operational combat patrols from the operational control of FAW-14.
this site off the coast of Florida, providing coverage 30 Sep–Dec 1943: VP-53 began the transpac to NAS
for convoy routes. Kaneohe, Hawaii. The last aircraft arrived on 5
24 Sep 1942: VP-53 departed Key West for its new October and the squadron came under the operational
base of operations via NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, control of FAW-2. A six-week period of training fol-
and NAS San Juan, P.R. Upon arrival in Cuba the lowed, including operational patrols off the coasts of
squadron came under the operational control of the islands. By 1 December VP-53 was en route to
PatWing-11. The squadron left Guantanamo Bay the Funafuti.
next day for NAS San Juan, P.R., then on to NAS Jan–May 1944: During the squadron’s deployment
Trinidad, B.W.I., arriving on 1 October 1942. to Funafuti, Gilbert and Marshall islands it scheduled

631
632 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

a minimum of two patrols a day. Although these 15 May 1946: VPB-53 was redesignated VP-53, and
search patrols produced negative results they provid- remained under the operational control of FAW-18. At
ed the fleet with the knowledge that its flank and rear this time the squadron was maintaining detachments
sections were free of enemy forces. Besides the rou- at: Shanghai, Truk, Iwo Jima, Majuro (one aircraft
tine patrols the squadron also flew Dumbo missions. each); Yokosuka, Japan (three aircraft); and Saipan
While deployed the squadron maintained detach- (two aircraft).
ments at Noumea, Apanama, Tarawa, Majuro and 6 Sep 1946: VP-53 was relieved of its duties in the
Makin. Pacific and ordered to report to NAS Whidbey Island,
May–Jun 1944: The squadron operated a six-plane Wash. Upon arrival it came under the operational con-
detachment from Kwajalein and engaged in night har- trol of FAW-4 with an aircraft allowance of 9 PBY-6A
rassment bombing of Wotje, Mille, Maloelap and aircraft.
Jaluit. The bombing was designed to annoy the 15 Nov 1946: VP-53 was redesignated VP-AM-1.
Japanese garrisons and keep them from repairing the The squadron’s aircraft allowance was reduced to 7
airstrips. PBY-6A aircraft. The complement continued to be
Jun–Jul 1944: VP-53 was relieved and returned to reduced and by June 1947 there were only two PBY-
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, for a short rest period prior to 5As on hand.
embarking on aboard Barnes (CVE 20) on 2 July for Nov 1947–Apr 1948: VP-AM-1 relieved VP-AM-2 at
the trip back to the U.S. and a period of home leave. NS Adak, Alaska. The squadron conducted operations
15 Aug 1944: VP-53 was reformed at NAS Whidbey with only three aircraft on hand. VP-AM-1 returned to
Island, Wash., under the operational control of FAW-6. NAS Whidbey Island by 22 April 1948.
Training of new personnel and refitting with new 5 May 1948: VP-AM-1 was disestablished during the
equipment and aircraft continued through the end of postwar push by Congress to cut back on the military
the year. establishment.
27 Jan 1945: VPB-53 began preparations for the
transpac to NAS Kaneohe, arriving there and reporting
Home Port Assignments
to FAW-2 in early February. The squadron was given
the customary period of combat training through the
Location Date of Assignment
end of March.
31 Mar 1945: VPB-53 deployed in three-aircraft ele- NAS Norfolk, Va. 1 May 1942
NAS Key West, Fla. 26 Jul 1942
ments to Palmyra Island for duty with the 7th Fleet at
NAS Trinidad, B.W.I. 1 Oct 1942
Manus Island. The last element arrived on 14 April and
NAS San Diego, Calif. Jul 1943
the squadron was given orders to proceed to Green
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Oct 1943
Island.
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Aug 1944
Apr–Jun 1945: VPB-53 arrived at Green Island,
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii Feb 1945
coming under the operational control of FAW-10.
NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. Sep 1946
Squadron operations were primarily air-sea rescue
missions in connection with the daily strikes on
Bougainville and Rabaul, New Britain. The squadron Commanding Officers
also conducted some night harrassment attacks on
Rabaul, Buka and Bougainville. Date Assumed Command
15 Jun–Sep 1945: VPB-53 maintained a six-plane LCDR F. M. Nichols 1 May 1942
detachment at Samar for Dumbo missions and routine LCDR David Perry, Jr. Oct 1942
patrols. On 22 June the rest of the squadron joined the LCDR G. H. Duffy 15 Aug 1944
detachment at Samar, operating there through LCDR T. Shelly, Jr. Jun 1946
September 1945. On 1 August the squadron’s primary LCDR J. W. Henderson Mar 1947
mission became antisubmarine patrols both day and LCDR M. R. Clard 19 Jun 1947
night. LT Charles R. Hines 29 Feb 1948
Oct 1945: VPB-53 was relocated to Tinian under the
operational control of FAW-18 and received new PBY-
6A Catalinas. Aircraft Assignment
Feb 1946: VPB-53 maintained detachments at:
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
Guam, Marcus, Iwo Jima, Peleliu (one plane each);
Yokosuka, Japan (four planes); Saipan (two planes). PBY-5 May 1942
The squadron still operated under the control of PBY-6A Oct 1945
FAW-18. PBY-5A Jun 1947
 CHAPTER 6 633

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

24 Sep 1942 13 Jul 1943 PatWing-11/ Trinidad PBY-5 Carib

FAW-11
30 Sep 1943 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
1 Dec 1943 * FAW-1 Funafuti PBY-5 SoPac
29 Feb 1944 † FAW-1 Noumea PBY-5 SoPac
29 Feb 1944 † FAW-1 Tarawa PBY-5 SoPac
29 Feb 1944 † FAW-1 Apanama PBY-5 SoPac
30 Apr 1944 † FAW-1 Makin PBY-5 SoPac
30 Apr 1944† 30 Jun 1944 FAW-1 Majuro PBY-5 SoPac
Feb 1945 * FAW-2 Kaneohe PBY-5 EastPac
31 Mar 1945 * FAW-1 Palmyra Is. PBY-5 SoPac
14 Apr 1945 * FAW-10 Green Is. PBY-5 SoPac
15 Jun 1945 * FAW-10 Samar PBY-5 SoPac
Oct 1945 * FAW-18 Tinian PBY-6A SoPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Guam PBY-6A SoPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Marcus PBY-6A SoPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Iwo Jima PBY-6A WestPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Peleliu PBY-6A SoPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Yokosuka PBY-6A WestPac
Feb 1946 † FAW-18 Saipan PBY-6A SoPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Shanghai PBY-6A SoPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Truk PBY-6A SoPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Iwo Jima PBY-6A WestPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Majuro PBY-6A SoPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Yokosuka PBY-6A WestPac
15 May 1946† 6 Sep 1946 FAW-18 Saipan PBY-6A SoPac
Nov 1947 22 Apr 1948 FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A/6A NorPac
* Continued combat deployment in the South Pacific, moving from base to base.

Wing Assignments Wing Assignments—Continued

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Wing Tail Code Assignment Date

PatWing-5 1 May 1942 § Patrol Wing 11 (PatWing-11) was redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11

PatWing-11/FAW-11§ 24 Sep 1942 (FAW-11) on 1 November 1942.

* * The squadron remained a part of FAW-4, but was assigned the tail
FAW-14 Jul 1943
code DA on 7 November 1946.
FAW-2 5 Oct 1943
FAW-6 Aug 1944
FAW-2 Feb 1944 Unit Awards Received
FAW-10 14 Apr 1945
FAW-18 Oct 1945 Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 DA** Sep 1946 None on record.
634 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-AM-5 Chronology of Significant Events

21 Nov 1946: VP-AM-5 was established at NAS
Whidbey Island, Wash., as a medium amphibious sea-
Lineage plane squadron equipped with the PBY-5A Catalina.
During its brief existence, the squadron came under
Established as Amphibious Patrol Squadron FIVE
the operational control of FAW-4 with a mission of
(VP-AM-5) on 21 November 1946.
Disestablished on 31 December 1947. weather reconnaissance and surveillance.
31 Dec 1947: Due to the absence of any perceived
threat from the northern Pacific (the Cold War had
Squadron Insignia and Nickname not yet “heated up”) and congressional mandates to
The squadron’s insignia was approved by CNO on 2 reduce force levels, the squadron was soon placed
July 1947. The mission of the squadron was to observe on the list of those scheduled for disestablishment.
the weather and New, longer-range aircraft then coming into service,
islands in the such as the P2V Neptune, negated the need for slow-
Aleutian chain. The er, more vulnerable seaplanes. VP-AM-5 was dises-
design had a duck, tablished at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., on 31
wearing heavy winter December 1947.
clothing, flying in an
“iced-up” condition
over snow-covered Home Port Assignments
volcanic mountains.
Colors: sky, light Location Date of Assignment
The squadron’s cartoon insignia.
blue; water, green; NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. 21 Nov 1946
clouds, white; moun-
tains, black with
white icecaps; duck, Commanding Officers
white (iced); bill and
feet, orange; goggles, Date Assumed Command
black; cap, brown LCDR A. J. Rush 25 Nov 1946
with red top; ear LCDR R. U. Nolen 26 Sep 1947
muffs, red with black
headband; flight jack-
et, brown with tan Aircraft Assignment
A full version of the squadron’s
collar and cuffs; scarf,
Type of Aircraft Date Type First Received
red; lettering, black; and Navy wings, gold.
Nicknames: None on record. PBY-5A Nov 1946

Major Overseas Deployments

Date of Date of Base of Type of Area of
Departure Return Wing Operations Aircraft Operations

1947 1947 FAW-4 Adak PBY-5A NorPac

Wing Assignments Unit Awards Received

Wing Tail Code Assignment Date Unit Award Inclusive Date Covering Unit Award
FAW-4 DF 21 Nov 1946 None on record.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 635

APPENDIX 1

Aircraft Data—Technical Information

and Drawings
Compiled and written by

Mr. John M. Elliott

Retired Historian
Naval Aviation History Office

C OMPILING A LISTING SUCH AS THIS was a dif-

ficult task due to so many variables and unknowns in
second choice if U.S. Navy specifications were not
available. Lacking either of these, it was necessary in
researching aircraft technical data. Besides the loss of some cases to use recognized secondary sources, such
original records through house cleaning and mergers as the Aircraft Year Books.
of companies, the problem was compounded by the On 6 July 1962 the Department of Defense directed
fact that everyone does not record the data in the that all U.S. military aircraft be designated by a stan-
same format. Large variations can be found in such dard system. This required a complete change in naval
simple areas as aircraft dimensions. As an example, in aircraft designations. To help clarify the two different
some cases an aircraft was measured in the three-point aircraft designation systems the old Navy aircraft des-
position and the horizontal position to determine max- ignation system was used first followed by the DoD
imum height, thus creating two separate height mea- system in parentheses for those aircraft that were in
surements for the same plane. The two different service during the redesignation in 1962. Hence, the
means of measurement for this particular plane re- P2V-7 Neptune will be identified as P2V-7 (P-2H), first
sulted in a discrepancy of approximately six feet for a showing the old Navy designation and then followed
comparatively small prewar aircraft. Performance by the new DoD designation in parentheses. Of
figures for aircraft can be even more confusing. While course, those aircraft that entered service after July
the figures may have been exactly what the engineers 1962 are identified by the new DoD system only.
recorded, in many cases there are no notes that give Any discrepancies in these specifications are due to
the conditions under which these figures were de- my misinterpretation or incorrect interpretation as to
rived, such as: What was the loading of the aircraft, its what was originally intended. Corrections are grate-
altitude and speed when the technical specifications fully accepted so that the discrepancies will not be
were recorded? At what period in the life cycle of the continued in future publications.
aircraft were these specifications taken and what, if The aircraft data sections are done in alphanumeric
any, were the modifications to the original aircraft? order. Only the significant aircraft listed in the “Aircraft
These are important considerations when trying to de- Assignment” section of the squadron histories are in-
termine exactly what some of the older specifications cluded in this appendix. The list of aircraft types in the
really reveal about the plane. In compiling the follow- data section are as follows: DT, F-5L, H-12, H-16, HS,
ing specifications, U.S. Navy specification charts and NC-boats, P2D-1, P2V, P2Y, P-3, P3M-1/2, P4M-1, P5M,
records were utilized as the primary source. PB-1, PB2Y, PB4Y-1, PBM, PBO-1, PBY, PD-1, PH-1,
Manufacturer’s records, not press releases, were the PK-1, PM, PN-9, PN-12, PV-1 and PV-2.

635
636 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

DT ered. Horizontal tail surfaces were also tubular steel

with fabric covering. The vertical tail and wings were
The Navy experience in World War I indicated a re- wooden with fabric covering. The aircraft could be
quirement for an air-launched torpedo. In 1921, a con- used with either wheel undercarriage or twin floats.
tract with the Douglas Company led to Douglas’ first Crew 2
military aircraft. The company designed the DT-1 as a Range 258 miles
single-engine, twin float biplane torpedo bomber but Power Plant One 400 hp Liberty
delivered only one article under that designation. All Weight:
others were delivered as DT-2s. Douglas was not the Empty 4,452 lbs
only company to manufacture the DT-2, other manu- Gross 7,291 lbs
facturers included the LWF (Lowe, Willard and Fowler) Dimensions:
Company, Naval Aircraft Factory and the Dayton- Wing area 706.9 sq ft
Wright Company. All DT designated aircraft were pro- Wing span 50 ft (upper)
duced as both float planes and land planes. A total of 50 ft (lower)
78 DTs were accepted: 41 from Douglas, 6 from the Length 37 ft 8 in
Naval Aircraft Factory, 20 from LWF and 11 from Height 15 ft 1 in
Dayton Wright. The first aircraft was accepted in Armament: Maximum bomb capacity was one 1,835 lb
December 1922 and the DT-2s remained in inventory torpedo
until April 1928.

Modifications to Existing Airframes

Models Accepted from the Manufacturer
DT-4
DT-1 The DT-4 was a Naval Aircraft Factory modified
A prototype originally with one cockpit but DT-2 with a cone shaped engine cowling over a 650
modified to two at the Navy’s request. It was de- hp direct-drive Wright T-2 twelve-cylinder liquid-
signed with folding wings for shipboard storage. In
cooled engine. It was intended primarily as a bomber
the modified version the rear seat observer/gunner
rather than a torpedo dropper. External radiators were
manned a flexible 30-caliber machine gun. The first
mounted on the bracing struts between the lower
flight is estimated to have occurred in November
wings and the fuselage. Four examples, A6423,
1921.
A6424, A6427 and A6428, were built by the Naval
DT-2 Aircraft Factory. A6424 was flown by the Marine
The DT-2 was a single engine, torpedo bomber, two- Corps in the 1923 Merchants Exchange of St. Louis
place biplane (pilot and observer) with tubular steel Trophy Race and distinguished itself by making the
fuselage construction. The forward and center sections fastest lap in the load-carrying competition with a
were metal covered while the rear third was fabric cov- speed of 115 mph.

A DT-2.
 APPENDIX 1 637

DT-5 Bureau Numbers

These two aircraft, A6427 and A6428, were further
modifications of the DT-4 with a 650 hp geared Wright DT-1 A6031
T-2B engine. DT-2 A-6032–A6033.
DT-6 DT-2 A6085–A6095 (Dayton Wright)
This aircraft, A-6581, was modified to experiment DT-2 A6405–A6422, A6563–A6582 (Douglas)
with a 450 hp Wright P-1 air-cooled radial engine in DT-2 A6583–A6602 (LWF)
place of the 450 hp Liberty. DT-2 A6423–A6428 (Naval Aircraft Factory)
SDW-1 DT-4 A6424, A6427, A6428 (Naval Aircraft Factory)
The Dayton-Wright Co. modified three LWF built DT-5 A6427, A6428 (Naval Aircraft Factory)
DT-2s as long-range scout floatplanes. These aircraft DT-6 A6581
had a deeper center fuselage and engine cowling that
accommodated additional fuel tanks. SDW-1 A6594, A6596, A6597 (LWF)

Three view drawings for DT-2.

638 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

F-5L Felixstowe and the 5 was the model number, but the L
is a different matter. The U.S. Navy’s General Board
The F-5L was designed by the Curtiss Company meeting of 18 December 1919 records Captain N. E.
under a contract issued by the Navy in 1918. The air- Irwin explaining that the L indicated manufactured at
craft was actually a derivative of the earlier Curtiss H- League Island, the site of the Naval Aircraft Factory.
12 and H-16s that had been sold to England in Others claim the L stood for the Liberty engine that
1915–1916. This design was modified in England was placed in the American version of the aircraft.
using the wings and tail surfaces but with a new hull
design that could operate better in the rough North Models Accepted from the Manufacturer
Sea environment. These modified boats were called F-
2, -3 and -5, the designations identifying its origins as F-5L
the Royal Naval Air Station at Felixstowe. Although Crew 4
Curtiss was producing later versions of the H-16, Range 765 miles.
roughly equivalent to the F-3, the Navy decided to Power Plant Two 12 cylinder 330 hp Liberty
adapt the F-5 to American standards and use the new Weight:
Liberty engines. The F-5Ls were designed to meet a Empty 8,250 lbs
Navy requirement for a long-range antisubmarine Gross 13,256 lbs
plane that was heavily armed with machine guns and Dimensions:
bombs. A total of 227 F-5 aircraft were accepted by Wing area 1,397 sq. ft
the Navy: 60 from Curtiss, 30 from Canadian Wing span 103 ft 9 in (upper)
Aeroplanes and 137 from the Naval Aircraft Factory. 74 ft 4 in (lower)
The first F-5L was received from Canadian Length 49 ft 4 in
Aeroplanes, Ltd. on 30 July 1918. The F-5Ls remained Height 18 ft 9 in
in the inventory until January 1931. Armament: Six to eight flexible 30-caliber machine
The designation F-5L has long been a subject of spec- guns
ulation. There is general agreement that the F stood for Four 230 lb bombs under the lower wings

F-5Ls on the assembly line.

 APPENDIX 1 639

Bureau Numbers
F-5L A3333–A3382 Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd.
(A3363–A3382 canceled)
F-5L A3559–A4035 Naval Aircraft Factory (137
accepted, the following were canceled:
3616–3658, 3684–3782, 3801–3858, 3881,
3883–3935, 3941–4008 and 4014–4035)
F-5L A4281–A4340 Curtiss.
F-5L A4470–A4819 Curtiss (all canceled)
F-5L A5259–A5458 NAF (all canceled)
F-5L A6557–A6559 Built at NAS Hampton Roads
from spares
F-5L A6697 Built at NAS San Diego from spares
An F-5L under construction. F-6L A4036–A4037 Naval Aircraft Factory

Modifications to Existing Airframes

F-6L
The last two F-5Ls built by the NAF were an im-
proved version and designated F-6L. After the war the
vertical tail surfaces were redesigned and all F-5Ls
that were in service were retrofitted with this new
style tail.
PN-5, PN-6 and PN-7
With the adoption of the new aircraft designation
system in 1922, the F-5L was assigned the designation
PN-5 (P for patrol, N for Navy, regardless of the actual
manufacturer), while the F-6L became PN-6. In actual
practice the new designations were not used for de-
signs in production before adoption of the new system
and they continued to be known as F-5Ls until retired
by the Navy. However, an improved version using new
wings and engines did use the new designation of
PN-7.
An F-5L.

Three view drawings for F-5L.

640 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

H-12 Crew 4
Power Plant Two 200 hp Curtiss V-2-3
In 1916, the Navy ordered an improved version of Weight
the “America” which was built by Curtiss for Mr. Empty 6,500 lbs
Rodman Wanamaker’s attempt to fly the Atlantic. The Gross 9,400 lbs
H-12 was ordered from the Curtiss Company and was Dimensions:
developed as a big biplane flying boat to meet Navy Wing area 1,164 sq ft
requirements for an antisubmarine and training air- Wing span 96 ft
craft. A total of 20 aircraft were accepted beginning in Length 46 ft 5.5 in
January 1917. They remained in inventory until July Height 16 ft 9 in
1920. Armament: Four flexible 30-caliber machine guns
Four 100 lb or two 230 lb bombs under the
lower wing
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer
H-12 Modification to Existing Airframes
The H-12 retained the laminated wood veneer hull
similar to the “America” but had longer wings and two H-12L
200 hp Curtiss V-X-X engines. It had a crew of four in Liberty engines of 330 hp in place of the original
open cockpits. A number of the H-12s were sent to Curtiss engines.
England for the RNAS. Dissatisfied with the under
powered Curtiss engines they substituted 275 hp Rolls- Bureau Numbers
Royce Eagle I engines.
H-12 A152, A765–A783

Three view drawings for H-12.

An H-12 at NAS Pensacola.

 APPENDIX 1 641

H-16 H-16L
Crew 4
The H-16 flying boat biplane was built by the Curtiss Range 452 miles
Company and was an improved version of the H-12. Power Plant Two 330 hp Liberty
The Navy contract for the H-16 was awarded in 1918 Weight:
with the primary mission being antisubmarine and pa- Empty 7,400 lbs
trol. Curtiss eventually produced 124 H-16s. Due to Gross 10,906 lbs
other wartime commitments, Curtiss could not meet the Dimensions:
full Navy requirement for H-16s, so the Navy undertook Wing area 1,164 sq ft
the manufacture of them at the Naval Aircraft Factory. Wing span 95 ft 1 in (upper)
The Naval Aircraft Factory produced another 150. H-16s, 67 ft (lower)
which were the first aircraft built at the Naval Aircraft Length 46 ft 2 in
Factory, were delivered to the Navy on 1 February 1918 Height 17 ft 9 in
and remained in the inventory until May 1930. Armament: Five or six flexible 30-caliber machine
guns
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Four 230 lb bombs
H-16
The H-16 was a patrol bomber flying boat with a Modification to Existing Airframes
crew of four and an enclosed pilot’s cockpit. Many of
these aircraft were sold to Britain and Commander H-16-1
Porte of the Royal Navy developed an improved hull The engines were turned around to make it a
design for the H-16. This British version was built at pusher. Unfortunately, it proved to be excessively tail
RNAS Felixstowe as F.2, F.3 and F.5. heavy and showed no advantage.

An H-16 under construction at Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation.

642 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

H-16-2 Bureau Numbers

A pusher type with slightly longer wings that were H-16 A784–A799; A818–A867; A1031–A1048;
swept back 5.5 degrees. The increased wing area re- A4039–A4078 (Curtiss)
quired additional rudder area in the form of two auxil- H-16 A1049–A1098; A3459–A3558 (Naval Aircraft
iary rudders mounted on the horizontal tail. Factor)
H-16-2 A839 (Curtiss)

Three view drawings for H-16.

An H-16 at Killingholm, England.

 APPENDIX 1 643

ever assigned to the HS-1 designation because the

HS design was changed soon after the HS-1 production
run began.
The HS series was designed by Curtiss to be an anti-
submarine warfare flying boat and was built by the HS-1L
designer and other companies. It was the first aircraft The production version of the HS-1, configured with
built for the Navy by both Lockheed and Boeing and a 375 hp Liberty engine. The engine was later up-
by far the largest production of any Navy aircraft up to graded to a 400 hp Liberty and it was the first aircraft
that time. A total of 1,095 were eventually delivered by to be flown with the new Liberty engine.
the following builders: Curtiss 678, LWF (Lowe,
HS-2L
Willard and Fowler) 250, Standard 80, Gallaudet 60,
Boeing 25, and Loughead 2. Curtiss initiated delivery During World War I it was discovered that two 180
of the aircraft under a 1918 order. The aircraft was lb depth bombs were inadequate against submarines.
built from an earlier prototype with the first delivery in In order for an HS to lift two 230 lb bombs in addition
February 1918. The HS remained in the inventory until to a crew of three, it was necessary to increase the lift
September 1928. of the wings. This was accomplished by adding a new
twelve-foot long upper wing center section and a six-
foot panel between the hull and each lower wing
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer outer panel.
HS-1 By assembling an accumulation of spare parts from
This design was derived from the unsuccessful H- various naval air stations after the war, 24 more HS-2Ls
14, but with a single pusher Curtiss V2 200 hp en- were added to the inventory.
gine. The crew of two sat side by side. There were Crew 2 or 3
no armament capabilities. The first aircraft was re- Range 517 miles
ceived on 4 February 1918. No bureau numbers were Power Plant One 330 hp Liberty

HS-1s under construction.

644 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Weight: Bureau Numbers

Empty 4,300 lbs
HS-1L A800–A815 (A815 cancelled), A1549–A1819
Gross 6,432 lbs
(Curtiss)
Dimensions:
Wing area 803 sq ft HS-2L A1820–A2207 (Curtiss)
Wing span 74 ft .5 in (upper) HS-1L A1099–A1222 (LWF)1
64 ft 2 in (lower) HS-2L A1223–A1398 (LWF)1
Length 39 ft HS-2L A1399–A1548 (Standard, A1478–A1548 can-
Height 14 ft 7.25 in celed)
Armament: One flexible 30-caliber Lewis machine gun HS-2L A2217–A2276 (Gallaudet)
Two 230 lb bombs under the wings HS-2L A4231–A4255 (Boeing)
HS-3 HS-2L A4228–A4229 (Loughead)
An aerodynamically improved model with revised HS-2L Assembled from spare parts A5564–A5569;
hull lines was under development at the end of the A5615–A5619 (A5619 canceled); A5787;
war. However, with the end of the war and the cancel- A5808; A6506–A6513; A6553–A6556.
lation of many HS-2L contracts, the new development 1 A total of 50 aircraft from the LWF contract were canceled.
design for the HS-3 was dropped.

Three view drawings for HS-1L.

An HS-1L.
 APPENDIX 1 645

NC Boats Dimensions:
Wing area 2,441 sq ft
During World War I the need for flying boats for an- Wing span 126 ft (upper)
tisubmarine warfare and long distance patrols led to 96 ft (lower)
the development of the NC series by Curtiss. Curtiss Length 68 ft 3 in
built four NC boats, the NC-1 through NC-4. Six NC Height 24 ft 5 in
boats, the NC-5 through NC-10, were built at the Naval Armament: 30-caliber machine guns in the bow cock-
Aircraft Factory to Curtiss specifications. The first Navy pit and the rear hull cockpits
order was in 1918; no NC was delivered prior to 1919,
too late to see war service. The NC-1, NC-3 and NC-4 Bureau Numbers
undertook the first transatlantic crossing in May 1919
NC-5 and NC-8 A5632–A5636
with only the NC-4 successfully completing the flight.
NC-9 and NC-10 A5885–A5886
The last NC boat was lost on 22 January 1921 and
stricken from the inventory in March 1921.

Models Accepted
NC-1 to NC-4
Long-range patrol flying boats built by Curtiss.
NC-5 and NC-6
Long-range patrol flying boats similar to the NC-1
through NC-4 of transatlantic fame, but in a trimotor
configuration. The center engine was reversed to be a
pusher. They were accepted by the Navy on 14 May
1920. The crew consisted of two pilots, a
navigator/nose gunner, radio operator and two flight
engineers.
NC-7 to NC-10
A four-engine configuration similar to original NC-1
to NC-4.
Crew 5
Range 1,470 miles
Power Plant Four 400 hp Liberty engines
Weight:
Empty 14,100 lbs
Gross 23,000 lbs An NC-8.

Three view draw-

ings for NC-8.
646 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

P2D-1 nearly reflect the mission as patrol, rather than any sort
of bombing operation from a shore-based installation.
The P2D-1 began as Bureau of Aeronautics’ design P2D-1
XTN-1. The Naval Aircraft Factory designed this twin- The crew of four was carried in separate cockpits
engine, duralumin and fabric, amphibian biplane to with a gunner in the bow cockpit and an
provide a platform that could launch torpedoes, a re- observer/gunner in the rear cockpit. Like the T2D-1,
quirement that had emerged during World War I but these aircraft could be configured with either a wheel
remained unmet by the mid-1920s. The Factory pro- under carriage or twin pontoons. The first aircraft was
duced a single experimental model and, in keeping received on 12 June 1930.
with Bureau policy to avoid large production runs, Crew 4
turned the plans over to the aircraft industry. In July Range 1,140 miles
1925, the Navy awarded a contract to the Douglas Power Plant Two 525 hp Wright Cyclone R-
Company to produce the XTN-1 under the designation 1820-64
T2D-1. The aircraft could be operated from both land Weight:
and water. However, to avoid a conflict with the Army Empty 7,486 lbs
regarding which service was to operate land-based Gross 13,052 lbs
tactical aircraft, the Navy confined this aircraft to the Dimensions:
float plane role and changed the designation to P2D-1 Wing area 909 sq ft
to stress its patrol, or sea focused, mission. The aircraft Wing span 57 ft (upper)
was in inventory from May 1927 to February 1937 and 57 ft (lower)
a total of 30 articles were accepted. Length 41 ft 11 in
TN-1 Height 17 ft 6 in
An experimental variant built by the Naval Aircraft Armament: A single flexible 30-caliber machine gun in
Factory. both the bow and rear cockpits
The maximum bomb/torpedo capacity was
one 1,680 lb torpedo
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer
T2D-1 Bureau Numbers
Original designation of production aircraft built by
Douglas. However, due to considerable conflict with TN-1 A7027
the Army when used as shore-based bombers it was T2D-1 A7051–A7053, A7587–A7595
politic to redesignate the T2D-1 as the P2D-1 to more P2D-1 A8644–A8661

A rear shot of a P2D-1

 APPENDIX 1 647

Three view drawings for P2D-1.

648 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

P2V (P-2) Neptune

The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the
P2V to Lockheed on 19 February 1943. Lockheed de-
livered 1,036 Neptunes to the U.S. Navy and another
193 to other organizations or countries. In March 1947
VP-ML-2 became the first squadron to receive the P2V
Neptune. The last Neptune, an SP-2H, reported in the
Navy’s inventory was in April 1982. The P2V designa- Side view drawing for P2V-2.
tion was changed to P-2 in 1962.

P2V-2N
Ski-equipped landing gear added for Arctic opera-
tions. All armament including dorsal turret were re-
moved and an early Magnetic Anomaly Detection
(MAD) probe was installed in the tail. The protective
tail skid was removed.
P2V-2S
Equipped with APS-20 search radar in a ventral in-
stallation.
P2V-3
Aircraft engines were upgraded with the installation
of 3,200 hp Wright Cyclone R-335-26Ws.
P2V-3C
Developed to provide a long-range patrol bomber
capable of carrying an atomic bomb that could be
launched from an aircraft carrier. The modifications in-
cluded installation of additional fuel tanks and the re-
An XP2V-1 being presented to the press, December 1945.
moval of the astrodome, under belly radome, nose ar-
mament, dorsal turret, wing rocket attachment points
and tail skid. The 20-mm tail turret was retained for
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer defense.
XP2V-1
P2V-3B
This aircraft was designed as a long-range land-
A modification of the P2V-3W equipped with the
based patrol bomber with greater range and load
ASB-1 Low Level Radar Bombing System.
carrying capabilities than was available in the World
War II designs. The final configuration provided a P2V-3W
fuselage optimized for operational efficiency, carry- Configured as an early warning aircraft with the ad-
ing a crew of seven, a wide range of electronic dition of the APS-20 search radar in a large belly
equipment and a weapons bay large enough for two mounted radome.
torpedoes or 12 depth charges. The first aircraft flew
P2V-3Z
on 17 May 1945.
A combat transport equipped with a special interior
P2V-1 and heavy armor for flying VIP personnel into combat
Powered by two 2,300 hp Wright R-3350-8A engines areas. The nose armament and dorsal turret were re-
with a crew of eight. Armed with six 50-caliber ma- moved and four-blade propellers replaced the normal
chine guns and a maximum bomb load of 8,000 lbs three-blade type.
with underwing provisions for two 11.75 inch Tiny
P2V-4 (P-3D)
Tim or sixteen 5.0 inch HVAR rockets.
Powered by two Wright R-3350-30W Turbo-
P2V-2 Compound engines with four blade propellers. The
The engines were upgraded to two 2,800 hp Wright range was extended with the installation of jettison-
R-3350-24Ws for takeoff with water-alcohol injection. able wing tip fuel tanks. The forward portion of the
The crew was reduced to seven. Provisions were starboard tank housed a powerful searchlight. The
made for the addition of four jet assisted take off APS-20 search radar used on the -3W was standard on
(JATO) bottles on each side of the fuselage. the -4.
 APPENDIX 1 649

P2V-5 smaller. Early versions had both nose and tail 20-mm
The nose armament was replaced with a power op- cannon turrets but these were replaced later with the
erated turret carrying two 20-mm cannon. These guns observers nose and MAD tail configuration.
were synchronized with the searchlight in the star- Crew 7-9
board wing tip fuel tank. The port tank housed a APS- Range 4,350 miles
8 search radar in the forward portion. The tanks were Power Plant Two 3,700 hp Wright Cyclone R-
enlarged with fins added and mounted to the outer 3350-32W and two 3,400 lbs static
edge of the wing tip rather than under as before. thrust Westinghouse J-34-WE-36
Other armament and weapons capabilities remained turbojets
the same. Weight:
P2V-5F (P-2E) Empty 49,548 lbs
Two Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbo jet engines of Gross 79,778 lbs
3,250 lbs thrust each were installed beneath the wings Dimensions:
on pylons just outboard of the engine nacelles. This Wing area 1,000 sq ft
deleted four rocket launchers, however the overall Wing span 101 ft 4 in
ordnance capability was increased up to 10,000 lbs. Length 91 ft 8 in
Height 29 ft 4 in
P2V-5FD (DP-2E) Armament: Two 20-mm cannon in the nose and tail
All armament including the dorsal turret, rocket turret.
launchers, much of the avionics, and the astrodome as Two 50-caliber machine guns in the dorsal
well as the wing tip tanks were deleted. Additional turret
electronic equipment was added for the control of tar- Ordnance load up to 10,000 lbs
get drones that were carried on pylons outboard of
the jet engines. P2V-7S (SP-2H)
Additional ASW/ECM equipment including
P2V-5FE (EP-2E) Julie/Jezebel.
This type had J-34 jet engines and increased elec-
tronic equipment. P2V-7L/7LP (LP-2J)
The APS-20 radar was removed. Retracting skis,
P2V-5FS (SP-2E) large tip tanks with APS-31 radar, an auxiliary power
This version had J-34 jet engines and expanded unit, integral nacelle heaters, provisions for 16 JATO
ASW capability with the addition of Julie/Jezebel sub- bottles, and other equipment for Antarctic research
marine detection system. and exploration were fitted in this version. Three of
P2V-6 (P-2F) the P2V-7L aircraft were converted to P2V-7LPs by the
The P2V-6 had a longer nose with the Emerson twin installation of tri-metrigon cameras.
20-mm cannon ball turrets. The aircraft had Wright
AP-2H
Cyclone R-3350-36W engines but no additional jet en-
The MAD boom was deleted and replaced by a twin
gines. A small radome on the forward belly housed
20-mm tail turret. The large APS-20 radome was re-
the APS-70 radar. Several hundred pounds of armor
placed with the smaller APQ-292. Chin mounted in-
were installed for protection during low level attacks.
frared sensors and low light level TV were installed,
P2V-6B/P2V-6M (MP-2F) while the dorsal turret was removed and faired over.
Capable of carrying and launching the Fairchild Other armament consisted of a 7.62-mm minigun pod
Petrel AUM-N-2 air-to-underwater missiles. Originally that was mounted at a 30 degree down angle and
designated P2V-6B, the designation was changed to fuselage mounted 40-mm grenade launchers.
P2V-6M to more correctly show its mission.
DP-2H
P2V-6F (P-2G) Modified for drone control work.
This aircraft type was retrofitted with the
EP-2H
Westinghouse J-34-WE jet engines on pylons outboard
Modified as an airborne relay platform for drone
of the engine nacelles.
telemetry.
P2V-6T (TP-2F)
OP-2E
All armament including the dorsal turret was re-
The large belly mounted APS-20 radar was replaced
moved for use in a trainer role. In most of the training
with a smaller radar unit installed on the chin turret.
aircraft the wing tip tanks were also removed.
The MAD housing was removed, giving the aircraft a
P2V-7 (P-2H) distinctive blunt tail. Much of the ASW equipment was
The APS-20 radome was mounted further forward removed, and provisions were made for window-
than on the -5. The wing tip fuel tanks were made mounted M60 7.62-mm machine guns. Additional gun
650 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

pods were added that could be mounted on the in- P2V-5 124865–124909; 127720–127782; 128327–128422;
board rocket launchers. A camera installation was pro- 131400–131543; 133640–133651; 134664–134676
vided in a bulge under the rear fuselage. These aircraft (134664-134670 canceled); 134718–134723
were used to drop movement sensors along the Ho P2V-6 126514–126573 (126548-126573 canceled);
Chi Minh Trail in Vietnam. 131544–131550; 134638–134663
P2V-6M 131551–131566
Bureau Numbers P2V-7 135544–135621; 140151–140160; 140430–140443;
140962–140986; 141231–141251; 142542–142545;
XP2V-1 48237–48238
143172–143183; 144262–144267 (all canceled);
P2V-1 89082–89085; 89087–89096
144675–144692; 144732–144734 (144733–144734
XP2V-2 89086
canceled); 145900–145923; 146431–146438;
P2V-2 39318–39468 (39369–39468 canceled);
147562–147571; 147946–147971; 148330–148336;
122438–122467
149070–149081; 149089 -149130
P2V-3 122923–122951; 122964–122987
P2V-3W 124268–124291; 124360-124361 (canceled) P2V-7S 148337–148362; 150279–150283
P2V-4 124211–124267 P-2H 153611–153616

Three view drawings for P2V-7/P-2H.

 APPENDIX 1 651

The P2V-1 Truculent Turtle set a long distance record flight in October 1946.

A P2V-7 assigned to VC-8.

One of the last P2V-

7s accepted by the
Navy.
652 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

P2Y XP2Y-2
In the last production P2Y-1, the engines were up-
graded to Wright Cyclone R-1820-88 and raised to the
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued its first con-
wing’s leading edge, thereby reducing drag.
tract for the P2Y to Consolidated Aircraft on 26
May 1931. Its first flight was on 26 March 1932 and P2Y-3
the first squadron to receive the P2Y was VP-10S The engines were mounted on the leading edge of
the wing and upgraded to Wright Cyclone R-1820-90s.
on 1 February 1933. The Navy accepted 47 arti-
Crew 5
cles, including XP2Y-l, P2Y-1s, XP2Y-2 and P2Y- Range 1,780 miles
3s. The last P2Y reported in squadron inventory Power Plant Two 700 hp Wright Cyclone R-
was on 31 March 1941 with VP-43, operating the 1820-90
P2Y-3. Weight:
Empty 11,829 lbs
Gross 20,545 lbs
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Dimensions:
XP2Y-1 Wing area 1,514 sq ft
Twin engine sesquiplane patrol flying boat with a Wing span 100 ft
crew of three in enclosed compartments. The two 575 Length 61 ft 9 in
Height 17 ft 3 in
hp Wright Cyclone R-1820E engines were mounted Armament: One flexible 30-caliber machine gun in the
close beneath the top wing. It was originally tested bow cockpit and two dorsal gun hatches
with a third engine strut mounted on the centerline behind the wings
above the wing which was removed after one month
of trials. The aircraft was first tested at NAS Anacostia Bureau Numbers
in April 1932. XP2Y-1 A8939
P2Y-1 A8986–A9007
P2Y-1 XP2Y-2 A9008
All production models had only two engines. P2Y-3 A9551–A9571, 9618–9619

Three view drawings for P2Y-2.

 APPENDIX 1 653

A P2Y-2.
654 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

P-3 Orion P-3B

The horsepower was increased with the introduc-
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the tion of Allison T56-A-14 turboprops of 4,910 ehp in
P3V (P-3) to the Lockheed Company on 2 February place of the original 4,500 shp T56-A-10Ws. Many of
1959. Lockheed delivered 610 aircraft to the U.S. Navy these aircraft were equipped to carry the Bullpup mis-
and an additional 36 for use by other organizations or sile and many were modified with the TAC/NAV MOD
countries. On 22 August 1962 VP-8 became the first package.
squadron to receive the P-3 Orion. The P-3 continues YP-3C
to be an active aircraft in the Navy inventory. A prototype from the P-3B production model later
modified to RP-3D, then NP-3D.
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer P-3C
YP3V-1 (YP-3A) This aircraft was equipped with a new integrated
The prototype P3V modified from an L188 Lockheed ASW and navigation avionics AN/ASQ-114 computer
Electra airliner. This aircraft was later redesignated NP-3A. system making it the world’s first ASW aircraft with a
centralized computer, and with the AN/AQA-7 acoustic
P3V-1 (P-3A)
processors and display system.
The aircraft was designed as an antisubmarine pa-
Crew 12
trol bomber with a crew of 10 including 5 in the tacti-
Range 3,420 miles
cal compartment. The aircraft’s first flight was on 30
Power Plant Four Allison T56-A-14 4365 eshp
March 1961. The designation P3V-1 was changed to P-
3A in 1962 with the introduction of the DoD system of Weight:
aircraft designations. Empty 66,900 lbs
Gross 135,000 lbs
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,300 sq ft
Wing span 99 ft 8 in
Length 116 ft 10 in
Height 33 ft 81⁄2 in
Armament: Internal stowage up to 7,225 lbs bombs,
mines, nuclear depth bombs torpedoes, etc
Ten underwing pylons for bombs, mines,
guided missiles, etc. up to 12,000 lbs
P-3C Update I
This update introduced a seven-fold increase in
computer memory; an Omega navigation system;
significant improvements in DIFAR; an additional tacti-
cal display at sensor stations 1 and 2; a new opera-
tional program providing computer aided acoustic
analysis; and ESM signal sorting and refinement of the
Omega navigation signals. Some were converted to P-
3C Update III configuration.
P-3C Update II
Major improvements in this update included the in-
stallation of an infrared detection system; provisions
for carrying and launching Harpoon antiship missiles;
incorporation of a 28-track acoustic tape recording
system; and the mounting of a sonobuoy reference
system for continuous monitoring of sonobuoy posi-
tions.
P-3C Update II.5
In this update selected systems were replaced by
more reliable and/or more easily maintained systems;
IACS was added to provide a communication link with
friendly submerged submarines; a MAD compensation
The P-3A and its armament, June 1964. group adapter was installed; wing pylons were stan-
 APPENDIX 1 655

A Lockheed P-3C in flight.

dardized; and improvements were made in fuel tank program, later designated P-7A The program was can-
venting. celed in 1990.
P-3C Update III P-3H
Included a completely new underwater monitoring A proposed Orion II alternative to the cancelled P-7A.
system (UYS-1 Proteus) that was twice as effective as
that in the Update II.5 aircraft.
Modifications to Existing Airframes
UP-3C
P-3A(CS)
Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) elec- This aircraft, modified for the U.S. Customs Service,
tronic systems test bed. was equipped with AN/APG-63 radar in the nose to
RP-3D improve its ability to intercept aircraft flying illegally
Modified for use by VXN-8 in collecting worldwide into the United States. It also included other electronic
magnetic data required for ASW and sundry scientific equipment to work with the U.S. Customs ground sta-
programs, later redesignated NP-3D. tions, Coast Guard vessels and civilian law enforce-
ment agencies.
UP-3D
JMSDF electronic threat simulation aggressor aircraft. P-3N
Two P-3Bs with most of the ASW equipment re-
WP-3D moved for use by the Norwegian Coast Guard.
Built for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), a civilian agency under the P-3P
U.S. Department of Commerce, to undertake atmo- Six P-3Bs modernized for service with the
spheric research and weather modification experi- Portuguese air force.
ments. CP-3A
P-3F A proposed cargo/passenger modification of the P-3A.
Built for the Imperial Iranian Air Force. These air- EP-3AP-3
craft had a P-3C airframe with a cabin layout that was As modified as electronic research platforms. Many
a hybrid of the P-3B and P-3C. were redesignated RP-3A, then NP-3D.
P-3G EP-3A(EATS)
A temporary designation for the LRAACA (Long- Further modified as Extended Area Tests System air-
Range, Air Antisubmarine Warfare-Capable-Aircraft) borne instrumentation stations for use by the Pacific
656 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Missile Test Center, NAS Point Mugu, Calif. Later redes- UP-3B
ignated RP-3A, then NP-3D. All ASW equipment was removed and the aircraft
was used as a utility transport. It has spartan person-
EP-3A(SMILS)
nel accommodations and extra cargo was carried in
The Sonoboy Missile Impact Locating System was
the weapons bay.
developed to provide support for tests of Navy subma-
rine-launched ballistic missiles by determining accu- P-3C Update IV
rately the impact point of strategic re-entry bodies and Advanced systems were installed to enable the P-3C
rating the accuracy of missiles and trajectories. Later Orion to detect quieter submarines. One P-3C Update
redesignated RP-3A, then NP-3D. II was modified as the Update IV prototype. The pro-
gram was cancelled.
NP-3A
The P3V-1 prototype was modified extensively for P-3 AEW & C
use as an equipment testbed for National Aeronautics P-3Bs modified for the U.S. Customs Service with E-
and Space Administration. 2C rotodomes and radar systems for drug interdiction
RP-3A missions.
Modified for Oceanographic Development Squadron P-3K
Eight (VXN-8) to study the acoustic and thermal char- Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3Bs with upgraded
acteristics of oceans and collect environmental and avionics.
polar ice data. Designation also later applied to some
EP-3A, EP-3A (EATS) and EP-3A (SMILS) aircraft. P-3N
Norwegian Coast Guard P-3Bs with upgraded
TP-3A
avionics.
P-3As equipped as cockpit crew trainers for P-3C
crews. All delicate ASW electronic equipment was re- P-3P
moved to eliminate damage to the equipment in the Portuguese Air Force P-3Bs with upgraded avionics.
course of repeated touch-and-go landings during train-
ing flights. P-3T
P-3A modified for use by the Royal Thai Navy.
UP-3A
All ASW equipment was removed and the aircraft P-3W
was used as a utility transport. It has spartan person- An unofficial designation used for some RAAF P-3Cs
nel accommodations and extra cargo was carried in with upgraded systems.
the weapons bay.
AP-3C
VP-3A Designation given to RAAF P-3Cs with upgraded
This version was modified as a flag officer/staff trans- systems.
port with airline-type seats and other VIP amenities.
EP-3C
WP-3A Two Japanese P-3Cs modified by Kawasaki as elec-
This aircraft had most of the ASW gear removed for tronic reconnaissance platforms for the JMSDF.
use in meteorological missions. The aircraft had
weather reconnaissance radar added in a ventral EP-3E (Aries I)
radome; a shorter tail boom due to the removal of the Former P-3As from which most ASW equipment was
MAD equipment; and the installation of meteorological removed and replaced with an assortment of elec-
systems. All were converted later to VP-3As or EP-3A. tronic monitoring equipment for direction finding,
radar signal analyzing, communication interception
EP-3B and recording, etc.
P-3B modified as an electronic flying laboratory for
the Naval Research Laboratory. EP-3E (Aries II)
Former P-3Cs from which most ASW equipment was
EP-3B (Batrack)
Most ASW equipment was removed and replaced removed and replaced with an assortment of elec-
with an assortment of electronic monitoring equip- tronic monitoring equipment for direction finding,
ment for direction finding, radar signal analysis, com- radar signal analysis, communications intercept and
munications intercept and recording, etc. recording, etc. These aircraft replaced the EP-3B
(Batrack) and EP-3E (Aries I) aircraft.
NP-3B
This aircraft was modified so extensively for use as EP-3J
a special testbed that it could not be brought back to P-3Bs modified as electronic threat-simulation ag-
operational standards. gressor aircraft.
 APPENDIX 1 657

NP-3C P-3A 152140–152187

This aircraft was modified so extensively for use as P-3B 152718–152765; 152886–152890;
an equipment testbed that it could not be brought 153414–153442; 153444–153458;
back to operational standards. 154574–154605; 155291–155300;
NP-3D 156599–156603.
A designation given to former RP-3A, EP-3B and RP- YP-3C/RP-3C 153443
3D aircraft used for a wide range of research and test P-3C 156507–156546 (156531–156546
missions, inlcuding oceanographic and magnetic sur- canceled); 157310–157341
vey. Some of these aircraft have been modified with (157333–157341 canceled); 157934
rotating radomes for AEW development. (canceled); 158204–158226;
158563–158574; 158912–158947
RP-3D (158936–158947 canceled);
YP-3C, RP-3A and EP-3B modified for use in collect- 159318–159329; 159503–159514;
ing worldwide environmental data required for ASW
159883–159894; 160283–1602941;
and sundry scientific programs. All ASW equipment
160610–160612; 160751–160770;
was replaced by specialized gear for oceanographic
160999–161014; 161121–161132;
research and magnetic surveying. RP-3Ds later redesig-
161267 -161269; 161329–161340;
nated NP-3D.
161368–161380; 161404–161415;
TAP-3 161585–161596; 161762–161773;
P-3Bs modified into RAAF cockpit crew trainers and 162314–162325 (162319–162325
logistics aircraft. canceled); 162656–162665;
UP-3E 162770–162781 (162779–162781
JMSDF P-3Cs modified for specialized reconnais- canceled); 162998–163009
sance. (163007–163009 canceled);
163289–163297 (163296–163297
UP-3T canceled); 163578–163590;
P-3A modified for utility missions for the Royal Thai 164467–164469; 165098–165105
Navy. RP-3D 158227
WP-3D 159773; 159875
Bureau Numbers P-3F 159342–159347
YP3V-1 (YP-3A) 148276 P-3H 153611–153616 (canceled)
P3V-1 148883–148889; 149667–149678; 1 Bureau number 160294 was originally assigned to the first RAAF

150494–150529; 150604–150609; airframe; the aircraft’s number was changed to 160751 in keeping
with the RAAF’s desire to have all of its P-3C aircraft carry sequential
151349–151396 numbers.

A Lockheed P-3C Update III in flight.

658 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for P-3.

 APPENDIX 1 659

P3M-1/2 P3M-2
The P3M-2 aircraft were equipped with larger engines.
The XPY-1, prototype for the P3M-1/2, was pro- These engines were also retrofitted to the P3M-1s.
duced by Consolidated. Martin won the contract to Crew 4–5
produce the P3M-1, the production version of the Range 1,570 miles
Power Plant Two 525 hp Pratt & Whitney
XPY-1. A total of 9 P3M-1/2 aircraft were delivered to
Hornet R-1690-32
the Navy by Martin. On 29 April 1931 VP-10S became
Weight:
the first squadron to receive the P3M-1. VP-15 was the
Empty 9,903 lbs
last squadron to report the P3M-2 in its inventory on
Gross 15,559 lbs
31 May 1938.
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,115 sq ft
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Wing span 100 ft
Length 49 ft 2 in
P3M-1 Height 16 ft 8 in
The P3M-1s were the first three aircraft produced by Armament: Two flexible 30-caliber machine guns in
Martin after they won the contract to produce the pro- both the bow and dorsal positions
duction version of Consolidated’s XPY-1. They were
twin-engine parasol wing monoplane flying boats of
metal and fabric covered metal construction with a Bureau Numbers
crew of 5. The first flight of a P3M-1 was believed to P3M-1 A8412–A8414
be in December 1928. P3M-2 A8415–A8420

Three view drawings for P3M-1.

660 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A P3M-1 at NAS Anacostia for testing, February 1931.

A P3M in flight.
 APPENDIX 1 661

P4M-1 Mercator Weight:

Empty 48,536 lbs
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Gross 82,500 lbs
P4M-1 to Martin Company on 6 July 1944. Martin de- Dimensions:
livered 21 aircraft to the U.S. Navy. On 28 June 1950 Wing area 1,311 sq ft
VP-21 became the first squadron to receive the P4M-1. Wing span 114 ft
VQ-1 was the last squadron to report the P4M-1 in its Length 85 ft 3 in
inventory on 31 May 1960. Height 26 ft 1 in
Armament: Four 20-mm cannon in nose and tail tur-
rets, two 50-caliber machine guns in dorsal
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer turret
XP4M-1 12,000 lbs of various bombs, mines or
A long range maritime patrol/reconnaissance land- torpedoes
based aircraft with a crew of 8. The aircraft’s first flight
was on 20 September 1946. Modification to Existing Airframes
P4M-1 P4M-1Q
Production versions of the aircraft had higher pow- All but two of the production P4M-1s were modified
ered engines and increased armament protection. for electronic reconnaissance missions. This version
Crew 9 had a crew of 14 including all the electronic surveil-
Range 2,840 miles lance equipment operators.
Power Plant Two 3,250 hp Pratt & Whitney R-
4360-20A and two Allison J33-A-23 Bureau Numbers
with 3,825 lbs of thrust, each XP4M-1 02789–02790
mounted in the same nacelle as the P4M-1 121451–121454
radial engines P4M-1Q 122207–122209; 124362–124373

Three view drawings for P4M-1.

662 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

The XP4M-1.

A P4M-1 in flight.
 APPENDIX 1 663

P5M (P-5) Marlin Length 94 ft 6 in

Height 38 ft 5 in
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Armament: Two 20-mm radar-directed cannons in the
P5M to the Martin Company on 26 June 1946. Martin tail turret
delivered 239 aircraft to the U.S. Navy and an addi- Bomb load of 8,000 lbs
tional 21 for use by other organizations or countries. P5M-2 (P-5B)
On 23 April 1952 VP-44 became the first squadron to A major redesign with a T-tail, improved crew ac-
receive the P5M Marlin. VP-40 was the last squadron commodations, lower bow chine line and 3,450 hp
to report the P5M (SP-5B) in its inventory on 31 Wright R-3350-32WA engines.
October 1967. The P5M designation was changed to P-
5 in 1962.
Modification to Existing Airframes
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer P5M-1S (SP-5A)
Fitted with AN/ASQ-8 magnetic anomaly detection
XP5M-1 equipment, Julie active echo-sounding, Jezebel passive
A twin-engine antisubmarine patrol bomber sonobuoy detection and other new equipment.
flying boat. It was originally powered by two 2,790 hp
Wright Cyclone R-3350-30 engines and equipped with P5M-1G (TP-5A)
radar operated nose and tail turrets as well as a power Transferred to the Coast Guard, but redesignated
operated dorsal turret. The first flight of this aircraft P5M-1T (TP-5A) when it was returned to the Navy.
was 30 May 1948.
P5M-2S (SP-5B)
P5M-1 Julie/Jezebel systems and other new equipment.
Modifications to the P5M-1 included replacing the
nose turret with a large radome for the APS-80 search P5M-2G (PSP-5B)
radar, removing the dorsal turret and raising the flight Transferred to the Coast Guard with the ASW equip-
deck for better visibility. Uprated engines, 3,250 hp ment removed and equipped for air-sea rescue.
Wright Cyclone R-3350-30WA, were mounted in
lengthened nacelles which incorporated weapons Bureau Numbers
bays.
Crew 7 XP5M-1 98616
Range 2,880 miles P5M-1 124910–124914; 126490–126511; 127696–
Power Plant Two Wright R-3350-26W 127719; 130265–130351; 135449–135476
Weight: (135449–135451 canceled)
Empty 39,075 lbs P5M-2 135477–135543; 137846–137848; 140140–
Gross 60,000 lbs 140150; 141252–141260 (141259–141260
Dimensions: canceled); 146440–146445; 147539–147542;
Wing area 1,407 sq ft 147926–147945 (147938–147945 canceled);
Wing span 118 ft 2 in 149825–149835

A P5M-2 taking off

on its maiden flight.
664 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for SP-5B (P5M-2).

A P5M-1 at NAS Patuxent River, February 1953.

 APPENDIX 1 665

PB-1 (B-17G) Flying Fortress Length 74 ft 4 in

Height 19 ft 1 in
The Navy acquired a small number of surplus B-17
bombers from the USAAF and on 31 July 1945 desig- Modification to Existing Airframes
nated the aircraft PB-1s.
PB-1W
Modifications included the removal of the armament
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer and installation of the General Electric AN/APS-20
PB-1 radar and its large bulbous radome under the old
The Boeing B-17Gs obtained by the Navy were des- bomb bay position, advanced IFF, relay-radar transmit-
ignated PB-1. These aircraft provided a long range, ter, and advanced radio equipment so the aircraft
fixed wing, land-based airplane which could be could communicate with both the shipborne CICs and
equipped with radar systems to operate an airborne other aircraft. This was the beginning of the Airborne
early warning system. Some were retained in their Warning and Command System (AWACS).
original configuration, minus most of the armament, PB-1G
for use as flight trainers to prepare the pilots expected Obtained by the Coast Guard for use in Air-Sea
to fly the aircraft assigned to operational squadrons. Rescue missions, these aircraft had all armament, in-
Crew 13 cluding power driven gun turrets, removed and ac-
Range 2,500 miles commodations made for the hanging of a Higgins A-1
Power Plant Four 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R- lifeboat under the bomb bay. Search radar was in-
1820-97 stalled in the position of the old chin gun turret.
Weight:
Empty 36,135 lbs
Gross 55,400 lbs Bureau Numbers
Dimensions: PB-1G 77245–77257; 82855–82857
Wing area 1,420 sq ft PB-1W 34106; 34114; 77137–77138; 77225–77244;
Wing span 103 ft 9 in 77258; 83992–84027 (83999–84027 canceled)

A PB-1W, May 1949.

666 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for PB-1W.

 APPENDIX 1 667

PB2Y Coronado Weight:

Empty 40,935 lbs
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Gross 68,000 lbs
PB2Y to the Consolidated Company on 23 July 1936. Dimensions:
Consolidated delivered 176 PB2Ys to the U.S. Navy Wing area 1,780 sq ft
and an additional 33 for use by other organizations or Wing span 115 ft
countries. Besides the production from Consolidated, Length 79 ft 3 in
Rohr also manufactured 41 PB2Ys. On 31 December Height 27 ft 6 in
1940 VP-13 became the first squadron to receive the Armament: Eight 50-caliber flexible machine guns
PB2Y Coronado. The last PB2Ys were reported in the Up to four 1,000 lb bombs external and
inventory on 30 November 1945. eight 1,000 lb bombs internal
PB2Y-3R
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer The turrets were removed and faired over and other
XPB2Y-1 modifications were made to convert the aircraft to a
A four engine flying boat patrol bomber with shoul- transport configuration.
der mounted wings carrying four 1,050 hp Pratt & PB2Y-5
Whitney Twin Wasp XR-1830-72 engines. It had re- Installed low-altitude R-1830 engines and increased
tractable wing tip floats and a single tail. The arma- fuel capacity.
ment consisted of two 50-caliber machine guns in the
nose and tail and two 30-caliber guns in the waist with PB2Y-5R
a third in the tunnel. The aircraft was first flown on 17 Converted to transport configuration.
December 1937. PB2Y-5H
PB2Y-2 The cabin was modified to accommodate 25 stretch-
A redesigned deeper hull using R-1830-78 engines ers for casualty evacuation.
with two-stage superchargers. The armament was in- XPB2Y-4
creased to two 50-caliber machine guns in the bow, A single example equipped with Wright Cyclone R-
tail and dorsal turrets. 2600 engines.
PB2Y-3
In response to reports from the war in Europe, the Bureau Numbers
armament and horsepower were increased and self-
sealing fuel tanks installed. XPB2Y-1 0453
Crew 9-10 PB2Y-2 1633–1635, 1637
Range 1,380 miles XPB2Y-3 1638
Power Plant Four 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R- PB2Y-3, -3R 7043–7242; 0273–02746
1830-88 XPB2Y-4 1636

A PB2Y taking off.

668 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for PB2Y.

A PB2Y-2 in flight.
 APPENDIX 1 669

PB4Y-1 (P4Y-1) Liberator/PB4Y-2

(P4Y-2) Privateer
The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) successful use of
Consolidated’s land-based B-24 Liberator on long-range
patrols against German submarines and surface vessels
induced the U.S. Navy to acquire a quantity of these air-
craft. The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for
the PB4Y-1, the U.S. Army Air Forces’ B-24D, to
Consolidated Aircraft Company on 7 July 1942. In
October 1942 VP-51 became the first squadron to re-
ceive the PB4Y-1 Liberator. The Navy accepted a total
of 977 PB4Y-1s for use as long-range patrol planes. This
number did not include the RY-1 and RY-2 versions ac-
cepted as transport aircraft. The PB4Y-1 was redesig-
nated P4Y-1 in 1951. VJ-62 was the last squadron to re-
port the PB4Y-1 in its inventory on 31 May 1956. A PB4Y-2 in flight.
The PB4Y-2 Privateer, redesignated P4Y-2 in 1951,
was a Navy modified version of the PB4Y-1. The Navy
accepted a total of 739 PB4Y-2s for use as long range Crew 9–10
patrol planes. This number did not include the RY-3 Range 2,800 miles
versions accepted as transport aircraft. In August 1944 Power Plant Four 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-
VB-200 became the first squadron to receive the 1830-43
PB4Y-2 Privateer. VW-3 was the last squadron to re- Weight:
port the P4Y-2 in its inventory on 30 June 1954. At the Empty 36,950 lbs
time of the redesignation in 1962, the only variant of Gross 60,000 lbs
the aircraft remaining in Navy use was the target Dimensions:
drone P4Y-2K, which was redesignated QP-4B. Wing area 1,048 sq ft
Wing span 110 ft
Length 74 ft 9 in
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Height 29 ft 2 in
PB4Y-1 Armament: Eight flexible 50-caliber machine guns in
The PB4Y-1 was the Navy version of the Army Air the nose, dorsal and tail turrets and waist
Forces B-24D bomber. It was a land-based long-range mounts
medium altitude patrol plane with a crew of nine or Bomb load: 4 bombs at 2,000 lbs each, 8
ten. Models were first received by the Navy in August bombs at 1,600 lbs each, 8 bombs 1,000
1942. lbs each, 12 bombs at 500 lbs each, 12

A PB4Y-1 in flight.
670 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

bombs at 250 lbs each or 40 bombs at 100 photoreconnaissance and mapping aircraft. The arma-
lbs each ment was the same as the PB4Y-1 but with the follow-
Depth Bombs: 8 depth bombs at 650 lbs ing cameras in place of the bomb load: four vertical K-
each, or 8 depth bombs at 325 lbs each 17 or F-56 or K-18, Trimetrogon K-17 and a Type A
Mines: 8 MK 13 mines radar recording camera.
PB4Y-2 PB4Y-1Z
The Navy version of the PB4Y-1 was modified to a The PB4Y-1 converted for administrative purposes.
single tail and used as a long-range medium altitude
patrol land-based plane. It was armed with twelve XPB4Y-2
flexible 50-caliber machine guns in turrets and waist The experimental version of the PB4Y-2.
mounts and carried a bomb load similar to the PB4Y- PB4Y-2B
1. The PB4Y-2 used a Mk 9 illuminated sight in the A PB4Y-2 modified to act as a parent aircraft for the
nose, tail and waist positions and the Mk 18 comput- guided missiles known as the Bat (ASM-N-2).
ing sight in the deck turrets.
Crew 11 PB4Y-2C
Combat Range 1,920 miles The PB4Y-2 with an Emerson turret in lieu of the
Power plant Four 1,350 hp Pratt & Whitney ERCO turret in the bow.
R-1830-94 PB4Y-2M
Weight: The demilitarized version of the PB4Y-2 used for
Maximum Takeoff 64,000 lbs weather reconnaissance.
Empty 37,464 lbs
Dimensions: PB4Y-2S
Wing Span 110 ft The PB4Y-2 modified for antisubmarine warfare.
Wing Area 1,048 sq ft
Length 74 ft 9 in Bureau Numbers
Height 29 ft 2 in
PB4Y-1 31936–32085; 32087–32094; 32097–32335;
Armament: Twelve 50-caliber guns: 2 in the nose tur-
46737; 63915–63991 (63960–63991 can-
ret, 2 in the tail turret, 4 in the waist, 2 in
the forward deck and 2 in the after deck celed); 65287–65396; 90132–90271; 90462–
Provisions for four 2,000 pound or eight 90483
1,000 pound or twelve 500 pound bombs; XPB4Y-2 32086; 32095–32096
or twelve 324 pound depth charges; or four PB4Y-2 59350–59924 (59554 canceled); 59926;
2,000 pound or eight 1,000 pound mines 59929–59937; 59939–59944;59946–59948;
59950–59954; 59970–60009; 66245–66394
(66325 –66394 canceled); 66795–67054 (all
Modification to Existing Airframes
canceled); 76839–77138 (all canceled)
PB4Y-1P PB4Y-2B 59925
The Navy photographic version was modified to PB4Y-2S 59927
serve as a long-range, high-altitude, day and night PB4Y-2M 59928; 59938; 59945; 59949; 59955–59969

Three view drawings for PB4Y-1.

Three view drawings for PB4Y-2.

 APPENDIX 1 671

PBM Mariner PBM-3C

This version had twin 50-caliber machine guns in
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the three power operated turrets, plus two more flexible
PBM to the Martin Company on 30 June 1937. Martin mounts in waist positions, an APS-15 radar in a dome
delivered 1,366 PBM aircraft to the U.S. Navy. On 1 behind the cockpit and two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-12
September 1940 VP-55 became the first squadron to engines.
receive the PBM Mariner. VP-50 was the last squadron PBM-3D
to report the PBM in its inventory on 31 July 1956. Changes included more powerful 1,900 hp Wright
R-2600-22 Cyclone engines, a Norden bombsight, and
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer additional armor and self-sealing fuel tanks for regular
patrol bomber missions.
XPBM-1
A flying boat gull-winged monoplane patrol bomber PBM-3R
with provisions for nose and dorsal turrets plus addi- The armament and armor were removed and the
tional gun positions at the waist and tail. The aircraft floors were strengthened for use as transports. The air-
was powered by two 1,600 hp Wright Cyclone R-2600- craft was powered by two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-12
6 engines and designed to carry 2,000 lbs of bombs or engines.
depth charges. It had retractable stabilizing floats PBM-3S
under the wings and, as first flown, the horizontal tail This variant eliminated armor and power turrets for
surfaces carried the vertical tails on each end. This a 25 percent greater range than the -3C version for use
was changed when dihedral was added that canted in the ASW mission and was powered by two 1,700
the fins inward forming one of the aircraft’s most rec- hp Wright R-2600-12 engines.
ognizable characteristics. The aircraft’s first flight was
on 18 February 1939 XPBM-5
A prototype with increased horsepower engines.
PBM-1
The production version of the XPBM-1. PBM-5
A twin engine high-wing monoplane flying boat pa-
trol bomber. Some were configured to mount up to
eleven jet assisted take off (JATO) bottles.
Crew 7-9
Range 2,420 nautical miles as a patrol
plane
Power Plant Two 2,100 hp Pratt & Whitney
Double Wasp R-2800-34
Weight:
Empty 32,840 lbs
Gross 46,500 lbs
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,408 sq ft
Wing span 118 ft
Length 79 ft 10 in
Height 24 ft 10 in (when on beaching
gear)
Armament: Two 50-caliber machine guns each in
nose, dorsal and tail turrets
A PBM in pre-World War II colors.
Single flexible 50-caliber machine gun at
waist positions
XPBM-2 The following bombs, or combination,
Added capabilities for this version included carrying could be carried in the bomb bay:
large bomb loads up to 4,000 miles, extra fuel tanks 8 bombs at 1,600 lbs each; 8 bombs at
and a strengthened hull for launching from a giant 1,000 lbs each; 12 bombs at 100 lbs
barge-mounted catapult. each; 8 bombs at 325 lbs each; 8 MK 26-
PBM-3 1 mines; 4 MK 13 or MK 13-5 mines
Fixed wing floats replaced folding wing floats, en- Under wing racks: 2 MK 13-3 torpedoes; 2
mines of 2,000 lbs; 2 mines of 1,600 lbs
gine nacelles were lengthened to increase bomb bay
capacity, and crew armor was added. The PBM-3 was PBM-5A
powered by two 1,700 hp Wright R-2600-12 engines. The amphibian version of the PBM-5.
672 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A PBM-5A, January 1949.

PBM-5E XPBM-2 1247

This design was for testing electronic equipment. PBM-3 6455; 6457–6458; 6471–6498
PBM-3C 6505–6655; 6656–6692; 6694–6754; 01650–
PBM-5G 01673
A designation assigned for the Coast Guard version. XPBM-3D 6656
PBM-5M PBM-3D 45205–45274; 45277–45404; 48124; 48164–
Designed for monitoring missile tests. 48223
XPBM-3E 6456
PBM-5N PBM-3R 6459–6470; 6499–6504
Designed for all-weather operations. XPBM-3S 6693
PBM-3S 01674–01728; 48125–48163
PBM-5S
XPBM-5 45275–45276
An antisubmarine version with a 50 million candle- PBM-5 45405–45444; 59000–59348; 84590–84789;
power searchlight. 85136–85160; 98617–99073 (all canceled)
PBM-5E 98602–98605; 98607–98615
Bureau Numbers PBM-5N 98606
XPBM-5A 59349
XPBM-1 0796 PBM-5A 122067–122086; 122468–122471; 122602–
PBM-1 1246; 1248–1266 122613

Three view drawings for PBM-3D.

 APPENDIX 1 673

PBO-1 Hudson Crew 5

Range 1,750 miles with 4 depth bombs
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Power Plant Two 1,000 hp Wright R-1820-40
PBO to Lockheed in September 1941. Lockheed deliv- Cyclone
ered 20 aircraft to the U.S. Navy. On 29 October 1941 Weight:
VP-82 became the first squadron to receive the PBO-1 Empty 12,680 lbs
Hudson. VP-82 was also the last squadron to report Gross 18,837 lbs
the PBO-1 in its inventory on 31 October 1942. Dimensions:
Wing area 556 sq ft
Wing span 65 ft 6 in
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Length 44 ft 4 in
PBO-1 Height 16 ft 10 in
Based on the Lockheed model 14 transport, the Armament: Two fixed and three flexible 30-caliber ma-
PBO-1 was originally developed for use by the British chine guns
Coastal Command. With the increased tension prior to Four 325 lb depth charges
WWII the Navy needed an aircraft to conduct patrol
missions over the North Atlantic. Since these aircraft Bureau Numbers
were already in production for the RAF, the Navy req-
uisitioned 20 for its own use. PBO-1 03842–03861

Three view drawings for PBO-1.

674 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PBY Catalina Wing span 104 ft

Length 65 ft 2 in
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Height 18 ft 6 in
prototype of the PBY, the XP3Y-1, to Consolidated on Armament: Two 30-caliber and two 50-caliber machine
28 October 1933. Consolidated produced 2,387 guns
Catalinas for the U.S. Navy and 636 for other organiza- Four 1,000 lb bombs
tions and countries. These versions included XP3Y-1, PBY-4
XPBY-5A, PBY-1, PBY-2, PBY-3, PBY-4, PBY-5, PBY- Generally similar to the PBY-3 but with 1,050 hp
5A, PBY-6A, and OA-10. Besides the production from Pratt & Whitney R-1830-72 engines. The propeller
Consolidated, three other companies produced the hubs were covered with spinners which was a feature
Catalina. Boeing produced 290 Catalinas for the Navy peculiar to the -4s only.
under the designation PB2B-1 or PB2B-2 and 270 for PBY-5
other organizations or countries. The Naval Aircraft A modified fin design with 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney
Factory produced 155 Catalinas for the Navy under the R-1830-92 engines. The blister fairings over the waist
designation PBN-1 and 137 for other organizations or gun positions could be opened for firing the guns.
countries. Vickers produced 230 Catalinas for the Navy
under the designation PBV-1A or OA-10B (for USAAF) XPBY-5A
and 230 for other organizations or countries. The PBY The last production PBY-4 was converted to the first
Catalina had the largest production run for any Navy Navy PBY amphibian by adding a retractable tricycle
patrol aircraft. landing gear. The nose wheel was fully retractable,
On 5 October 1936 VP-11F became the first while the main wheels retracted into recesses in the
squadron to receive the PBY Catalina. VP-32 was the side of the hull between the wing struts.
last squadron to report the PBY Catalina in its inven- PBY-5A
tory on 1 June 1949. The nose wheel was fully retractable, while the
main wheels retracted into recesses between the wing
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer struts.
XP3Y-1 (XPBY-1) PBN-1
A parasol mounted cantilever winged, twin-engine A Naval Aircraft Factory major redesign incorporat-
flying boat patrol plane. Stabilizing floats folded up- ing extensive hull, wing and tail changes to improve
ward to become the wing tips in flight. The aircraft performance and handling both on the water and in
was powered by two 825 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830- the air.
58 engines and accommodated a crew of seven to
nine. Prior to production it was determined that the PB2B-1
ability to carry a large bomb load moved it into the Built by the Boeing Canadian plant and similar to
patrol bomber category. The aircraft’s first flight was in PBY-5s.
March 1935. PB2B-2
Built by the Boeing Canadian plant, these aircraft in-
PBY-1 corporated the tall tail of the PBN into the PBY-5 and
Redesigned with a less angular fin and rudder and included most of the late production changes includ-
with more powerful Pratt and Whitney R-1830-64 en- ing the thermal wing, tail de-icing, eye ball bow turret
gines. and radome.
PBY-2 PBV-1A
Generally the same as the PBY-1 but with 900 hp R- Built by Canadian Vickers Ltd. and similar to the
1830-66 engines. PBY-5A.
PBY-3 PBY-6A
Generally the same as the PBY-1 but with 1,050 hp Numerous design improvements such as those
R-1830-72 engines. found in the PBN-1 were incorporated into the PBY-
Crew 5–8 6A, plus additional armor, armament and radar.
Range 2,289 miles
Power Plant Pratt & Whitney R-1830-66 900 hp
Weight: Bureau Numbers
Empty 14,509 lbs XP3Y-1 (PBY-1) 9459
Gross 22,123 lbs PBY-1 0102–0161
Dimensions: PBY-2 0454–0503
Wing area 1,400 sq ft PBY-3 0842–0907
 APPENDIX 1 675

PBY-4 1213–1244 46638; 48252–48451

PBY-5 2289–2455; 04425–04514; 08124– PBY-6A 46639–46698; 46724; 63993–64441
08549; 63992 (64100, 64108–64441 canceled)
XPBY-5A 1245 PBN-1 02791–02946
PBY-5A 2456–2488; 7243–7302; 02948–02977; PB2B-1 44188–44227; 72992–73116
04339–04420; 04972–05045; 08030– PB2B-2R 44228–44312 (44295-44312 canceled)
08123; 21232; 33960–34059; 46450– PBV-1A 67832–68061

Three view drawings for PBY-2

and PBY-5A.

An XPBY-5A in flight.
676 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PD-1 Armament: A single flexible 30-caliber machine gun in

the open bow cockpit and one at the open
The Bureau of Aeronautics’ first contract for the PD- midship position
1 was issued to the Douglas Company on 29 Up to 2,000 lbs of bombs or torpedoes on
December 1927. Douglas built 25 PD-1s and VP-7B re- external racks under the lower wing
ceived the first PD-1 on 10 July 1929. The aircraft was
of aluminum alloy construction with fabric covered Bureau Numbers
wings. It was last reported in squadron inventory on
PD-1 A7979–A8003
31 October 1936, assigned to VP-6F.

Models Accepted from the Manufacturer

PD-1
The PD-1 was a Douglas built version of the Naval
Aircraft Factory’s PN-12 design. The unique design of
the flattened engine nacelles at the rear for smooth air
flow was its primary recognition feature. The PD-1’s
first flight was in the spring of 1929.
Crew 4
Range 1,871 miles
Power Plant Two 525 hp Wright Cyclone R-
1820-64
Weight:
Empty 7,486 lbs
Gross 14,415 lbs
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,191 sq ft
Wing span 72 ft 10 in
Length 49 ft 2 in
Height 16 ft 8.5 in A head on view of a PD-1, January 1931.

Three view drawings for PN-12 (PD-1).

 APPENDIX 1 677

PH-1 Power Plant Two 575 hp Wright Cyclone R-

1820E
In December 1927, the Navy awarded a contract to
the Hall Aluminum Company to develop an amphibi- Weight:
ous biplane flying boat from the Naval Aircraft Empty 7,963 lbs
Gross 15,249 lbs
Factory’s PN-11 design. The PH-1 had a lightweight
Dimensions:
metal structure with fabric covered wings. The Navy
Wing area 1,171 sq ft
accepted ten of these articles and the aircraft re-
Wing span 72 ft 10 in (upper)
mained in squadron use from June 1932 until May
67 ft 1 in (lower)
1937.
Length 51 ft 11 in
Height 17 ft 6 in
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Armament: Four flexible 30-caliber machine guns
XPH-1
PH-2
This design was closely related to the PN-11 but
Built for the Coast Guard but with 750 hp Wright
with a large fin and rudder and two 537 hp Wright
Cyclone R-1820F-51 engines.
GT-1750 engines with closed cowling. The open
cockpit arrangement included two pilots side by PH-3
side, a bow gunner and another gunner behind the Ordered for the Coast Guard. It had a fully enclosed
wings. pilot cockpit and the same engines as the PH-2, but
with long-chord cowls like the XPH-1. Those still in
PH-1 service after Pearl Harbor were inducted for service
A rudimentary enclosure over the pilots and in- with the Navy.
creased horsepower with installation of two 620 hp
Wright R-1820-86 radials with short-chord cowlings. Its
first flight was in October 1931. Bureau Numbers
Crew 5 XPH-1 A8004
Range 16.2 hours at 70 mph (1,866 miles) PH-1 A8687–A8695

A PH-1, November 1931.

678 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for PH-1.

A PH-1 in flight.
 APPENDIX 1 679

PK-1 Wing span 72 ft (upper)

67 ft 2 in (lower)
The PK-1 is another production aircraft by a private Length 48 ft 11 in
manufacturer based on a Naval Aircraft Factory design. Height 16 ft 8.5 in
The Keystone Company produced 18 articles from the Armament: A single 30-caliber machine gun in the
Factory’s PN-12 design for a biplane, twin tail flying bow cockpit
boat for patrol. The PK-1 was in the Navy inventory Provisions for six bombs (553 lbs) under
from September 1931 to July 1938. the wings

Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Bureau Numbers

PK-1 PK-1 A8507–A8524
A contract was awarded to the Keystone Aircraft
Corporation to build a version of the Naval Aircraft
Factory PN-12. These aircraft were distinguished by
their twin rudders and fully cowled 575 hp Wright
Cyclone R-1820-64 engines mounted on struts between
the wings. Just prior to starting construction on the PK-
1, Keystone had merged with the Loening Aeronautical
Engineering Company to become Keystone-Loening.
The aircraft were always known as Keystone. The first
flight was estimated to be in early 1931.
Crew 5
Range 16.9 hours at 70 mph (1,309 miles)
Power Plant Two 575 hp Wright Cyclone R-
1820-64
Weight:
Empty 7,669 lbs
Gross 14,122 lbs
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,266 sq ft A PK-1 in flight.

Three view drawings for PK-1.

680 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PM Length 49 ft 2 in
Height 16 ft 4 in
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Armament: Single 30-caliber machine guns in the bow
PM-1 to the Martin Company on 31 May 1929. Martin and dorsal positions
delivered 55 aircraft (PM-1s and PM-2s) to the Navy. Four 230 lb bombs under the wings
On 21 August 1930 VP-8S was the first squadron to re- PM-2
ceive the PM-1. VP-16 was the last squadron to report It was an improved version with larger ring cowled
the PM-1 in its inventory on 30 April 1938. 575 hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-64 engines. The aircraft
was distinguished by twin vertical tail surfaces.

Models Accepted from the Manufacturer

Bureau Numbers
PM-1
The PM-1 was the production version of the Naval PM-1 A8289–A8313, A8477–A8481
Aircraft Factory PN-12 design. It was a twin engine bi- PM-2 A8662–A8686
plane flying boat of metal and fabric covered metal
construction with a crew of 5. Throughout the air-
craft’s service life it picked up minor modifications
such as ring cowlings and enclosed pilot’s cockpits.
The first PM-1 was received on 31 May 1929.
Crew 5
Range 865 miles
Power Plant Two 525 hp Wright Cyclone R-
1750D
Weight:
Empty 8,680 lbs
Gross 15,535 lbs
Dimensions:
Wing area 1,189 sq ft
Wing span 72 ft 10 in A PM-2 at NAS Anacostia.

Three view drawings for PM-2.

 APPENDIX 1 681

PN-9 Power Plant Two geared 475 hp Packard 1A-

2500
PN-9 Weight:
The last PN-8 was converted by the Naval Aircraft Empty 8,995 lbs
Factory to the PN-9, a one-of-a-kind aircraft. It had re- Gross 18,125 lbs
designed tail surfaces and revised engine nacelles with Dimensions:
large nose radiators. This aircraft set a world distance Wing area 1,217 sq ft
record for seaplanes in September 1925 when it flew Wing span 72 ft 10 in
from San Francisco to Hawaii under the command of Length 49 ft 2 in
Commander John Rogers. While it had to sail the last Height 16 ft 6 in
559 miles after running out of fuel, the 1,841 miles Armament: None was known to have been installed
covered by air was recognized as a new world sea-
plane distance record. Bureau Numbers
Crew 4
PN-9 A6878
Range 2,550 miles

Three view drawings for PN-9.

A PN-9 in flight.
682 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PN-12 Crew 5
Range 1,309 miles
Power Plant Two 525 hp Pratt & Whitney
Hornet R-1750
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Weight:
PN-12 Empty 7,669 lbs
A twin-engine flying boat with an all metal hull Gross 14,122 lbs
construction built by the Naval Aircraft Factory to re- Dimensions:
place the aging F-5Ls. The normal crew was 5, but a Wing area 1,166 sq ft
Wing span 72 ft 10 in
relief crew could be carried for long patrols. Lacking
Length 49 ft 2 in
the mass production capability, NAF contracted out
Height 16 ft 8.5 in
the design to several aircraft companies. Douglas
Armament: Single 30-caliber machine guns in the bow
Aircraft Company built the PN-12 aircraft as the PD-1;
and amidships
Glenn L. Martin Company built it as the PM-1 and PM- Four 230 lb bombs externally under the
2; and Keystone Aircraft Corporation built it as the lower wing
PK-1. Each company introduced small modifications
to the basic design. The first aircraft was received on
Bureau Numbers
30 August 1928.
PN-12 A7384

Three view drawings for PN-12 (modified into the PM-1, PM-2, PD-1, and PK-1).
 APPENDIX 1 683

PV-1/3 Ventura Gross 26,500 lbs

Dimensions:
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the Wing area 551 sq ft
PV to Lockheed on 7 July 1942. Lockheed delivered a Wing span 65 ft 6 in
total of 2,162 versions of the PV, including PV-1s, PV- Length 51 ft 9 in
2s, PV-2Cs, PV-2Ds and PV-3s. In October 1942 VP-82 Height 17 ft 10.5 in
became the first squadron to receive the PV-1 Ventura. Armament: Two 50-caliber machine guns in nose and
dorsal positions, one 30-caliber machine
gun in ventral position
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer Six 500 lb bombs or one torpedo internal,
PV-1 up to two 1,000 lb bombs under wings
A twin engine monoplane patrol aircraft derived from PV-3
Lockheed’s commercial Model 18 and built to British Twenty-seven Lockheed Model 37s were requisi-
specifications. The first Navy aircraft were acquired tioned by the Navy from a British lend-lease batch for
through an arrangement with the USAAF and desig- training and familiarization and were designated PV-3.
nated PV-1. The first flight was made on 31 July 1941.
Crew 4
Bureau Numbers
Range 1,660 miles
Power Plant Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-31 PV-1 29723–29922; 33067–33466; 34586–34997;
Weight: 48652–48939; 49360–49659
Empty 20,197 lbs PV-3 33925–33951

A PV-1.
684 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Three view drawings for PV-1.

 APPENDIX 1 685

PV-2 Harpoon Armament: Five fixed forward-firing 50-caliber ma-

chine guns in nose, two 50-caliber guns in
The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the the dorsal turret and two more in the tail
PV to Lockheed on 7 July 1942. Lockheed delivered a tunnel.
total of 2,162 versions of the PV, including PV-1s, PV- Up to four 1,000 lb bombs internal and
2s, PV-2Cs, PV-2Ds and PV-3s. VP-ML-3 was the last two 1,000 lb external.
squadron to report the PV-2 Harpoon in its inventory When they became available, 5.0 inch
on 1 August 1948. HVAR launchers were mounted under the
wings.
It was necessary to put a bulge in the
Models Accepted from the Manufacturer bomb bay doors to accommodate the in-
PV-2 creased payload.
The PV-1 Ventura was redesigned to provide addi- PV-2C
tional payload and range. A completely redesigned tail Due to problems in sealing the internal wing fuel
assembly gave marked improvement in both ground tanks, the first 30 Harpoons had the outboard fuel
handling and single-engine control. These aircraft tanks sealed off and were assigned to training
were designated Harpoon. squadrons.
Crew 4
Range 1,800 miles PV-2D
Power Plant Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-31 The armament was increased to eight 50-caliber ma-
Weight: chine guns in the nose.
Empty 21,370 lbs
Gross 30,700 lbs Bureau Numbers
Dimensions: PV-2 37065–37534
Wing area 685 sq ft PV-2C 37035–37064
Wing span 74 ft 11 in PV-2D 37535–37623 (37551–37623 canceled);
Length 52 ft 1.5 in 37624–37634; 84057–84589 (84065–84589
Height 18 ft 3 in canceled)

Three view drawings for PV-2

686 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

A PV-1 in flight.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 687

APPENDIX 2

A Summary of Patrol Aircraft

Ordnance Equipment

T HE AIRPLANE, THE SUBMARINE and the aircraft

carrier were new technologies developed primarily in
Naval Aviation’s first true test under fire came on 6
May 1914. Lieutenant (jg) Bellinger’s Curtiss AH-3 hy-
the first half of the twentieth century that changed the droaeroplane was hit by Mexican rifle fire while locat-
face of naval warfare. No change of similar major pro- ing artillery targets during the operations at Veracruz,
portions had been experienced since the middle of the Mexico, the first marks of combat on a Navy plane.
previous century, when steam, armor plate, breech- The AB-3 flying boat based on Mississippi (BB 23)
loading guns and torpedoes overturned the centuries- was also used by the Aviation detachment during
long dominance of wooden sailing ships. The develop- flight operations to spot mines around the fleet an-
ment of ordnance for aircraft was part of the process chorage in Veracruz harbor. Once a mine was located,
that lead ultimately to the demise of the armored ship escort vessels fired upon the large horned mines until
as the “Queen of Battle” and pitted patrol aviation they detonated.
against its principal adversary—the submarine. By 1916, improvements in the strength of airframes
This appendix was written to provide a brief and development of more powerful engines enabled
overview of patrol aircraft ordnance equipment. It is aircraft to finally hoist aloft a useful load. WWI at this
by no means a definitive work on patrol aircraft ord- point had been raging in Europe for nearly two years.
nance equipment. This subject would require volumes By then, the Allied powers and Germany had both
to adequately chronicle the entire history and develop- conducted bombing and strafing missions. On 28 July
ment of patrol aircraft ordnance equipment. 1916, Lieutenant (jg) Victor D. Hersbster conducted
the first Navy bombing tests at Indian Head Proving
Grounds, Stumpneck, Md. This was the first time that
Pre-World War I bombs had been carried aboard U.S. Navy aircraft. In
these early experiments, small bombs were carried in
T HE FIRST AIRCRAFT PURCHASED by the Navy racks in the rear observer’s cockpit. Each was released
separately by hand over the side of the aircraft.
from Glenn Curtiss and the Wright Brothers were far
too frail to do much more than get airborne with one Needless to say, it was an extremely hazardous way of
or two people aboard. Nonetheless, the first intrepid unloading live bombs. So dangerous in fact, that on 8
Navy pilots were determined to find useful tasks for November 1916, Lieutenants Clarence K. Bronson and
the fledging Naval Aviation. On 26 October 1912, Luther Welsh, were killed at Indian Head by the pre-
Lieutenant John H. Towers began tests over mature explosion of a bomb in their plane. This acci-
Chesapeake Bay to determine the ability to spot sub- dent served to accelerate the development of bomb
marines from the air. He concluded that they could be racks placed under the wings.
seen best from 800 feet only when the submarines The art of artillery spotting was further refined from
were running a few feet below the surface. The waters previous tests with the fleet at Guantanamo Bay,
of the bay were too muddy for a fair trial of the idea. A Cuba, when, on 5 August 1916, Lieutenant Patrick N.
few months later, in January 1913 the test was repeated L. Bellinger spotted mortar fire for Army shore batter-
when the aviation section was on exercises with the ies at Fort Monroe, Va. Bellinger, flying the AH-10, sig-
fleet at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lieutenant (jg) Patrick naled his spots with Very pistol flares.
N.L. Bellinger reported that submarines could be seen
clearly beneath the surface. The tests were largely ig-
nored at that time, however, some of the senior officers World War I
admitted the value of aircraft as airborne observation
posts when the pilots were able to help the battleships
spot the fall of shot during gunnery exercises.
B OTH SIDES IN THE EUROPEAN conflict had used
fixed and movable machine guns since the middle of

687
688 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1915. However, there were no lightweight machine tion needed to gear up for the conflict. War was de-
guns in the inventory of the U.S. Navy that could be clared on 6 April, but it wasn’t until a month later on 5
carried by existing aircraft. This was particularly ironic May 1917, that a test was conducted with a Berthier
since the Germans were using a machine gun in- machine gun synchronized to fire through the pro-
vented by an American, Hiram Maxim, and the British peller of an aircraft. This test was conducted with a
were using a machine gun developed by another Curtiss R-3 while it was sitting on the beach and tax-
American, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac N. Lewis, U.S. ing on the bay. At the start of U.S. involvement in
Army Coast Artillery. Captain Charles DeForest WWI there were no standard machine guns in use by
Chandler, USA, commanding officer of the flying field the U.S. Navy. An Aviation Ordnance Section was es-
at College Park, Md., fired a Lewis gun from a Wright tablished in the Bureau of Ordnance as part of the
Model B at an altitude of 250 feet on 7 June 1912. But Gun Mount Section. This section became a fully au-
it was not until 8 January 1917, that a French de- tonomous organization by March 1918.
signed Benet-Mercie machine gun was fired from a The British Lewis machine gun manufactured by
Navy aircraft, the AH-10, while flying 200 feet over Savage Arms, was the first to be selected as an air-
Pensacola, Fla. craft gun. The first deliveries of the new weapons
As the inevitability of U.S. entry into the war be- began to arrive in January 1918. They were a light-
came more apparent, the Navy received the authoriza- weight air-cooled machine gun having a 97-round
pan magazine. During the same pe-
riod, several other weapons were or-
dered for operational trials. One
thousand Marlin aircraft guns were
purchased but not delivered until
July 1918. Upon receipt they were
quickly put into service.
One of the oddest weapons or-
dered and actually used in operation
by Navy patrol aircraft during the war
was the Davis non-recoil gun. This
strange looking tube-like weapon was
open at both ends with the projectile
recoil balanced by a rearward dis-
charge of birdshot and vaseline. The
weapon, an early version of the re-
coilless rifle, mounted a Lewis ma-
chine gun on top for aid in sighting.
The device was designed specifically
as an antisubmarine weapon with
enough punch to penetrate the pres-
sure hull of German U-boats. This
weapon was designed for mounting
in the bow of the flying boats. With
all the struts and wires between the
wings, the gunner, however, had to
be very careful where the rear of the
device was pointed before pulling the
trigger.
Depth bombs were another antisub-
marine weapon under development at
the start of WWI. Effective antiship-
ping demolition bombs were also
under development. Three sizes be-
came standard in the U.S. Navy: a
163-pound light case bomb, a 230 and
a 270-pound bomb. The most com-
mon ordnance load for large patrol
flying boats was two 230-pound
The Lewis gun on a patrol boat. bombs, one under each wing. U.S.
 APPENDIX 2 689

The Lewis gun on a patrol boat.

bombs were used by coastal patrol aircraft based in the The U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance began experi-
continental United States, while units assigned abroad ments with torpedoes in 1914. While not a new
used English, French and Italian ordnance. Units as- weapon to the world’s navies (it had been invented by
signed to British bases used 100, 230 and 520-pound Whitehead in 1880), it had not been carried aloft by
bombs and units assigned to French bases used 52, 75 aircraft. The first drop from an airplane took place on
and 150-kilogram bombs. In March 1918 the Northern 14 August 1917, by Lieutenant Edward O. McDonnell
Bombing Group planned to use U.S. at Huntington Bay, Long Island, N.Y. The ex-
Army bombs, but the bomb cases periment almost ended McDonnell’s
proved too light for antiship- flying career when the torpedo
ping and British ord- struck the water and rico-
nance was used in- cheted, nearly striking the
stead. To be plane. After this shaky
effective, a bomb start, additional tests
needed to be big were conducted by
enough to rup- lowering the torpe-
ture the hull of does by cable. After
a vessel with a trying both meth-
near miss. ods, it was decided
Smaller bombs that dropping in
could be used free flight still gave
to penetrate the the best results.
armored decks There were still other
but they had to problems to be over-
have a thick enough come. None of the air-
case to not shatter on craft available to the Navy
impact and to penetrate were capable of delivering a
into the bowels of the ship be- A close up of a Lewis gun. torpedo with an explosive charge
fore exploding. large enough to damage a modern ar-
690 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

mored warship. This fact retarded development of the per second. A heavier machine gun, the 50-caliber M2
aerial torpedo carrier until after WWI when more air-cooled Browning had been developed for aircraft
powerful engines and larger aircraft became available use. This weapon had a cyclical rate of 750 to 850
to make this form of attack feasible. rounds per minute, and a muzzle velocity of 2,865 to
3,100 feet per second. The XPBM-1 Mariner seaplane
in 1937 was the first Navy aircraft to mount single 50-
Period Between the Wars, caliber guns in turrets.
1918–1941 Depth bombs for antisubmarine operations were
needed because ordinary bombs had little value for
T ORPEDOES FINALLY CAME INTO their own during such operations since submarines could usually sub-
merge in time to avoid being hit on the surface. The
this period and were deemed by many the best anti-
shipping weapon then available. One common refrain tactics required bombs with a high percentage of filler
often heard during fleet exercises was “if you want to and hydrostatic fuzes that could be set to detonate the
fill ’em with air, bomb ’em; if you want to fill ’em with charge far enough below the surface to destroy a sub-
water, torpedo ’em.” On 27 September 1922, 18 PT air- merged submarine. The need for depth bombs was
craft using Mark VII, Model 1 “A” torpedoes, with recognized by the Bureau of Ordnance, and designs
dummy warheads, attacked the target Arkansas (BB were drawn up during the 1930s, but production of
33). Analysis of the exercise emphasized the artificial this new design weapon was not initiated. No such
nature of the exercise and prevented the practice from bombs existed when the United States first joined the
demonstrating the combat capability of either the sur- war against the Axis. It was not until after the U.S. en-
face or air units. However, the outstanding fact tered World War II that depth bombs were fully devel-
demonstrated was that torpedoes could be success- oped and produced.
fully launched from aircraft and be made to run Signaling and illumination devices had also been
straight. improved. Pilots no longer used the small Very pistol
There were a variety of torpedo types in stock by of WWI to signal. A larger pyrotechnic pistol with a
1937 and all were used in the first two years of WWII. much larger charge and multiple balls of various col-
Some were designed for use by submarines, while ors that provided a greater assortment of signals was
others were for use by surface vessels and still other used by pilots. Parachute flares, which could be
models were for aircraft use. The training constraints launched by hand or dropped from bomb racks, pro-
during the depression prevented the use of live war- duced 300,000 candle power that burned for approxi-
heads and the correction of any defects. One of the mately 3 minutes. As aircraft speeds increased, newer
greatest shortcomings of American naval ordnance aircraft were equipped with flare chutes that were car-
during the first year of WWII was the unreliability of ried within the fuselage of the aircraft.
the torpedo. Confidence in this key weapon was lost
when torpedoes fired against enemy ships either failed
to explode or ran amok when released. World War II
Effective armor-piercing (AP) bombs were not de-
veloped by the U.S. Navy between the wars because T HE ULTIMATE ANTISUBMARINE weapon used by
near misses did not produce pressure-wave damage to Navy patrol aircraft in WWII was undoubtedly the
surface ships equal to similar weight light-case bombs. depth bomb. Aircraft-type depth bombs had not been
The Navy and Army bombing tests in July 1921 had manufactured at the start of the Neutrality Patrol in
established that no matter how well the warship was 1940. The first types to become available were based
compartmentalized, aircraft armed with 1,000 to 2,000- on a 1930 design, the Mark 17, weighing 325 pounds,
pound general purpose bombs could sink it with a filled with TNT and having a hydrostatic fuse that
near miss, a fact that Brigadier General Billy Mitchell could be set for different depth. The weapon was in-
delighted in pointing out to the public and Congress tended for low-release, and was not ready in quantity
over the next decade. What he failed to point out, and until the early spring of 1942. A second design, the
the Navy failed to emphasize, was that the tests were Mark 29, became available in the summer of 1942,
conducted on stationary ships with no personnel on weighing 650 pounds. It also was a low-release
board to render any defense or damage control. weapon. Many patrol plane crews were justifiably cau-
Machine guns had been significantly improved in tious with this bomb, as it reached depth quickly
both size and weight since the end of WWI. Most for- when the fuse was set for a shallow depth and ex-
ward firing guns were now mounted within the for- ploded, sending powerful shock waves over the de-
ward fuselage to improve streamlining. The 30-caliber parting aircraft. Bomb “skip” was another problem en-
M2 air-cooled Browning was the standard weapon for countered with the early round-nose models. If the
Navy aircraft, with a cyclical rate of 1,100 rounds per bomb was released to low it would strike the water
minute, and a muzzle velocity of 2,600 to 2,740 feet and rebound into the air, often striking the aircraft.
 APPENDIX 2 691

Aircraft depth bombs receive a fresh coat of paint from aviation ordnancemen, 80-G-K-15110.

This problem was lessened in later designs by produc- VPB-103 and VPB-110 were equipped with the Mark
ing bombs with a flat nose. The power of the weapon 24 torpedo (FIDO) in April and July of 1943. On 25
was improved in 1942, when stable TNT was replaced April 1945, VPB-110 sank the U-1107 in the Bay of
by more powerful, but more sensitive TORPEX. This Biscay using the new weapon.
in turn was replaced by the less sensitive HBX making Mines dropped by patrol aircraft were another effec-
the weapon safer to handle. tive weapon developed during WWII. Three types of
Retrorockets were first successfully test fired on 3 mines were dropped from Navy patrol aircraft during
July 1942. The retrorocket was fired backward from a the war. The magnetic influence mine, Mark 12 Mod 1,
speeding airplane to counter its forward speed. The was detonated by the magnetic properties of a passing
rockets proved particularly effective when used with vessel’s metal hull. It was a copy of a German device
Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) gear, which de- washed up on a beach in England and was quickly re-
tected the submarine when directly above. VP-63 re- produced and put into production in 1940. The dip-
ceived the first service installation of this weapon in needle type, Mark 10 Mod 6, was a derivative of the
February 1943. On 24 April 1944, the squadron scored magnetic mine, but with greater reliability. The sub-
its first kill with retrorockets and MAD gear, sinking sonic acoustic mine (Mark 25 and 26), was activated
the U-761 in the approaches to the Straits of Gibraltar. by underwater low frequency sound waves, and was
Patrol aircraft used parachute stabilized acoustic generally considered unsweepable. The pressure mine
homing torpedoes for the first time in the war when (Mark 25 and 26 variant), activated by changes in
692 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

water pressure caused by a passing ship, was also Machine guns used during WWII were basically the
considered unsweepable. All mines were equipped same models developed between the wars, with minor
with a stepper switch which determined how many improvements in performance. The smaller 30-caliber
ships could pass before the mine would detonate. guns were being replaced in the second year of war by
Navy patrol aircraft carried the smaller Mark 10 and the M2 50-caliber model. Stellite barrel linings reduced
12 mines on wing mounts. The larger Mark 25 (2,000 wear and improved the service life of these weapons.
pound) and Mark 26 (1000 pound) mines were carried The design was upgraded to 1,200 rounds per minute
in internal bomb bays. During WWII U.S. Navy patrol by 1943 and redesignated M3. The PB4Y-2 Privateer
aircraft in the Pacific dropped 3 percent of all the mines patrol bomber used the new M3 guns exclusively,
used against the Japanese. The USAAF dropped the re- making it the most defensively armed and armored air-
maining 97 percent. The following are statistics of the craft in the world at that time. Experiments were begun
mining campaign: over 2,000,000 tons of shipping sunk to find replacements for the 50-caliber M2 early in the
or damaged (25 percent of the pre-war Japanese mer- war. The 60-caliber machine gun was one of the de-
chant marine); a total of 21,389 aircraft mines laid dur- signs considered to replace the 50-caliber M2. Design
ing 4,700 aerial mining sorties; only 65 aircraft lost due work was based on the German Mauser 20-mm ma-
to operational causes; key enemy bases were aban- chine gun Model 151 of 1939 but development was not
doned due to mining at Palau and Penang; and ports completed before the end of the war. However, a 20-
closed include Shanghai, Hong Kong, Takao, Bangkok, mm design based on the Type 404 Hispano-Suiza was
Singapore, Balikpapan, Surawaya, Kure, Sasebo and developed and installed in combat aircraft before the
Hiroshima. end of the war.
Rockets used by the U.S. Navy during the war The U.S. did not design new armor piercing bombs
were developed from the British 3.5 inch rocket in until after the start of the war. The weapons capable
late 1942, with a 20-pound solid head and a 3.5 inch of being carried by a new generation of aircraft in-
motor. These rockets weighed 55 pounds and were cluded 1,000-pound and 1,600-pound bombs capable
propelled by a powerful
motor that traveled at
1,175 feet per second.
They were effective to 60
feet underwater. This type
of ordnance proved par-
ticularly effective in pierc-
ing the tough pressure
hull of enemy submarines
that conventional 50-caliber
projectiles could not al-
ways penetrate. An im-
proved rocket carried a 5
inch high-explosive head.
By early December 1943,
the first Mark 4 rocket
launchers were being
fitted to Navy PV-1
Ventura aircraft for use on
ASW patrols. The new
rockets saw their first
combat use by Marine
squadron VMTB-134 flying
TBFs from Green Island
against the Japanese at
Rabaul on 15 February
1944. The effective range
and penetration of this
weapon was further im-
proved in the 5-inch
HVAR (High Velocity
Aircraft Rocket, or “Holy
Moses”) series. A close up of the port waist twin .50 caliber machine gun on a PB4Y, 80-G-K-14546.
 APPENDIX 2 693

of penetrating 8 inches of armor. High altitude at- Problems with guidance systems early in the war
tacks, for which AP bombs were designed, were sel- led to the development of a hybrid drone bomb in
dom undertaken by Navy aircrews since practical ex- 1944 designed specifically to destroy U-boat pens
perience with the much-touted Norden bombsight and V-1 sites in France. On 3 September 1944,
had shown that high altitude drops against moving Lieutenant Ralph Spalding, USN, of the Special Air
surface targets resulted in few hits. Most Navy AP Unit, FAW-7, flew a TORPEX-laden PB4Y-1 Liberator
bomb drops were by dive bombing aircraft that were from an airfield at Feresfield, England, set the radio
able to provide the velocity necessary to penetrate control and parachuted to the ground. Ensign James
armor. Demolition and semi-armor piercing (SAP) M. Simpson, controlling the drone’s flight from a
bombs were favored by patrol bomber crews due to PV-1 Ventura, sought to hit submarine pens on
the better blast effect at masthead heights. These Helgoland Island. Unfortunately, he lost view of the
bombs were literally skipped into the side of the ship plane in a rain shower during the final alignment,
from extremely low altitude. The down side to this hitting a barracks and industrial area on Dune
tactic was estimating correct altitude to compensate Island instead. A second attempt to use this
for the shock wave from the blast effect. This was manned/radio-controlled weapon resulted in the
made somewhat safer by 1944 when fuses developed death of Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., USN,
for these tactics became available. when the explosives aboard detonated prematurely.
Some of the more interesting pieces of ordnance
used in the war were the glide bombs. The Navy
began its first project with a device called the Pelican, Post World War II to 1950
tested by VPs 152 and 153 using the PV-1 Ventura
twin-engine patrol bomber. The Pelican used a stan-
dard 500-pound bomb casing for the body and had a
D ESPITE NEW DEVELOPMENTS during WWII, the
principal machine gun serving as the standard arma-
10-foot wing span. It depended on radar painting by ment for all patrol aircraft at the end of the war was
the mother aircraft to guide it to the target. On 12 still the reliable, time-tested Browning 50-caliber. New
October 1943, the Bureau of Ordnance established a weapons still under test during the war began to be is-
production program for 3,000 Pelican guided missiles sued for operational use in late 1945. The 20-mm gun
at a delivery rate of 300 a month. Unfortunately, tests developed from the Hispano-Suiza Model 404 in late
in mid-1944 were failures resulting in cancellation of 1941, designated AN-M2, had a cyclical rate of 750
the project on 18 September 1944. A second glide rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of 2,800 feet
bomb, called the Bat, used a 1,000-pound bomb case per second, providing much greater striking energy
for its body and was similar in size and appearance to than the 50-caliber guns. All but the first few P2V-2
the Pelican, but had its own internal radar to paint the Neptunes in 1947 housed six of these guns in the nose
target. Being considerably larger than the earlier with two more in the tail turret.
Pelican, the Bat required the services of the four-en- Navy progress in guided missiles benefited greatly
gine PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bomber as a mother ship. from analysis of German projects at the end of the
On 6 February 1945, CNO directed VPB squadrons war. On 12 March 1946, CNO directed the continuance
109, 123 and 124, of Fleet Air Wing 2, be equipped to of Bat, Gorgon II-A and III-A testing programs begun
employ the SWOD (Special Weapons Ordnance in the final years of WWII. In May, VPs 104 and 115
Device) Mark 9 (Bat) glide bomb in combat. By the were designated as the lead squadrons for the opera-
time the squadrons arrived in the South Pacific it was tional introduction of the Bat (SWOD 9). On 14
too late in the war to find large ship targets. August 1946, CNO directed that the terminology
Nonetheless, the weapon proved somewhat effective SWOD and Pilotless Aircraft (P/A) be dropped in favor
and sank a destroyer escort, several transports and of the standardized term guided missiles. The first
damaged land targets. The Bat missile was the first Naval Air Missile Test Center was established at Point
fully automatic target-seeking missile used by any of Mugu, Calif., to conduct tests and evaluation of guided
the combatants during the war. missiles and components. The proliferation of missile
In tests conducted off Cape May, N.J., on 8 March types under development by the services prompted
1945, another innovative device, a rocket powered the Army and Navy to adopt a standard system of des-
Gorgon air-to-air missile was launched from a PBY-5A. ignating guided missiles on 30 April 1947. The desig-
Tests of the weapon proved somewhat inconclusive, nations A (Air), S (Surface) and U (Underwater) were
but improvements on the missile continued after the combined to indicate their function. Thus, a surface-
war as developments in electronics refined the accu- to-air missile was designated SAM. Names assigned to
racy of the homing system. The Germans faced the the designations were as follows: ASMs would be
same problems with their surface-to-air and air-to-air named for birds of prey, AAMs for other winged crea-
missile programs and fortunately were not able to tures, SAMs for mythological terms and SSMs for astro-
solve the problem before the end of the war. nomical terms or bodies.
694 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

On 8 May 1948, the Michelson Laboratory of the Post Korean Period, 1954–1959
Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, Calif., was
established. The former testing facility became a re-
search and development center for rocketry and
T HE POST KOREAN WAR period can justifiably be
called the real beginning of the guided missile age. As
guided missiles. A similar facility for rocketry was con- mentioned previously, the trend with patrol aircraft
structed on the East Coast with the establishment of was to reduce or entirely eliminate the onboard de-
the U.S. Naval Aeronautical Rocket Laboratory, Lake fensive ordnance in exchange for offensive bomb or
Denmark, N.J. rocket payloads. On 3 April 1956, the Petrel, an air-to-
Development of conventional gravity bombs lan- surface guided missile designed for use against sur-
guished during the new atomic age. In September face shipping, was put into its first operational use
1948, 12 P2V-3C Neptunes had most of their armament with on P2V-6Ms assigned to VP-24. On 22 November
removed to enable the aircraft to carry a 9,700-pound 1957, VP-834 from NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y.,
14-kiloton, Mark 1 atomic bomb. Some of these air- fired the Petrel, becoming the first reserve patrol
craft retained their tail turret. This model was designed squadron to fire guided missiles as part of its regular
for interim use onboard the Navy’s Midway-class carri- training.
ers. Subsequent models of the Neptune patrol aircraft, During the latter part of WWII operational use was
the primary patrol bomber in the Navy, lacked any de- made of acoustic torpedoes dropped from patrol air-
fensive armament, retaining only the bomb bays and craft in the war against the U-boats. The Korean War
external wing mounts for offensive conventional arma- presented no enemy vessels against which to test the
ments (GP bombs, rockets, etc.). Following the intro- Mark 34 acoustic torpedo, since the primary antago-
duction of the early P2V-5s, the glazed nose fairing nists, China and North Korea, were land powers with
and MAD gear tail housing replaced the nose and tail no significant naval forces. Development of torpedoes
gun positions on these aircraft. continued and in 1956 the Mark 44 Mod 1 torpedo
was introduced for use by patrol aircraft. This
lightweight, air-launched antisubmarine torpedo con-
Korea, 1951–1953 tinued in service through the 1970s. Its range ex-
tended to 18,000 feet, with a depth limit of 985 feet.
A T THE BEGINNING OF THE Korean War the U.S.
entered combat with the weapons used at the end of
On 1 December 1959 an era ended when the
Bureau of Naval Weapons replaced the Bureau of
WWII. New developments were slow to enter opera- Ordnance and Bureau of Aeronautics. The Bureau of
tional use for patrol aviation. Patrol squadrons di- Ordnance and Bureau of Aeronautics had been re-
rectly involved in the conflict flew the same PBM and sponsible for the development of aviation ordnance
PB4Y-2 aircraft that had entered service in 1944. for almost four decades.
Radar had improved, but the ordnance was essen-
tially the same. One improved device used to great
effect by patrol squadrons was pyrotechnical (flare) Vietnam Conflict, 1959–1973
equipment. The date 12 June 1951 marked the first
use of flares by patrol squadrons for night operations
since WWII. Two P4Y-2s (PB4Y-2) of VP-772 were
U NLIKE THE PREVIOUS CONFLICT in Korea, the
Vietnam confrontation offered numerous opportunities
transferred from NAS Atsugi, Japan, to Pusan K-1, for the testing of a new generation of airborne
South Korea, to fly flare-dropping missions for weaponry over an extended period of time. In July
Marine Corps night attack aircraft. In October 1951 1962, the first P-3A Orion became operational with
patrol squadron VP-871 flew similar missions over VP-8 at NAS Patuxent River, Md. This land-based pa-
Korea, earning the squadron its nickname, “Big Red,” trol aircraft was to become the principal airborne ASW
for the red night illumination flares they dropped for platform of the Navy through the end of the twentieth
allied air and ground units. These night missions by century. VP-50 was the first to deploy with a full com-
patrol squadrons prevented the North Koreans and plement of Orions to NAF Cam Ranh Bay, RVN, on 1
Chinese from overrunning Marine Corps positions May 1968. The offensive load of the aircraft consisted
during the war. of mines (Mark 52 and 36), conventional or nuclear
One important development in ordnance during depth bombs and rockets or torpedoes that were car-
this period was the acoustic torpedo. Although not ried in the forward fuselage bay and on wing racks.
used during the Korean Conflict, the Mark 34 Sonobuoys and markers were carried in the aft fuse-
parachute stabilized acoustic torpedo came into the lage. The Mark 46 Mod 1 air-launched torpedo began
patrol community inventory in 1951 after it was first to enter service in 1966 as a replacement for the ear-
tested by VP-57. It was a design developed from the lier Mark 44 Mod 1. The newer Mark 46 had a range
original mark 24 (FIDO) first brought into service in of 36,000 feet, to a depth of 1,500 feet. New mines
1943. were also deployed. The Mark 52 weighed 2,000-
 APPENDIX 2 695

pounds, and the Mark 36 weighed in at 500-pounds. in October 1988. This weapon has a range of 45,000
On 11 April 1972, the first Harpoon antiship missile feet to a depth of 1,970 feet.
was launched from 20,000 feet by a P-3A Orion as- During the decade of the 1970s and 1980s the
signed to the Point Mugu Missile Test Center. The Rockeye cluster bombs and Zuni 5-inch rockets were
AGM-84 Harpoon was designed to be launched from added to the P-3’s armament.
aircraft or ships at a standoff range against enemy ship
targets. Delivery to fleet units began in 1977. The in-
troduction of the new P-3B Orion in 1965 included a The Last Decade of the Twentieth
provision for the Bullpup ASM-N-7 (B), air-to-surface Century
missiles with a liquid fuel propellant, first tested by
VP-6 on deployment in August 1967. VP-1 fired the
last Bullpup missile in July 1978, the same month that
T HE GULF WAR AND THE NEW AGE of littoral war-
fare defined the last decade of the twentieth century.
it was removed from the inventory.
The fate of Navy patrol aviation came into question on
17 April 1990 when Lockheed formally delivered the
last P-3 Orion to the U.S. Navy in a ceremony at
Post Vietnam, 1974–1990 Palmdale, Calif. The P-3 was scheduled to be replaced

T HE POST VIETNAM PERIOD extending to the end

by the P-7A, LRAACA (Long-Range Air Antisubmarine
Warfare Capable Aircraft), under a contract awarded
of the Cold War saw continued development of the by the Navy to Lockheed on 14 October 1988. On 20
basic Orion airframe in use by all the Navy’s patrol July 1990, the Navy terminated the P-7A maritime pa-
squadrons. In August 1977, the P-3C Update II was de- trol aircraft program with Lockheed for default. No re-
livered to the Navy with the necessary control system placement aircraft is planned for the foreseeable fu-
for Harpoon missiles. On 7 June 1982, the Block 1B ture. While electronic warfare updates have continued
Harpoon missile with an improved radar-guidance sys- apace with the currently existing airframes still in ser-
tem was delivered to the Navy. The Harpoon was pro- vice, only the Mark 50 Barracuda air-launched tor-
grammed to be the Navy’s basic antiship missile for pedo, which entered U.S. Service in 1990, has been
the rest of the century. On 14 June 1988, VP-62 be- added to the maritime patrol inventory. The Maverick
came the first reserve patrol squadron to fire the missile was tested by VP-11 in 1993 as a replacement
AGHM-84 Harpoon missile. The missile was launched or potential alternative for the Harpoon at the end of
from one of the squadron’s new P-3C UIII Orion air- the decade.
craft. Mine warfare was upgraded in the Orion with In 1998, the AGM-84E SLAM (Standoff land-attack
the introduction of the new Mark 53 mine, capable of missile) capability was installed in the AIP
operation from greater depths with more sensitivity. (Antisurface Improvement Program) version of the P-
VP-4 was tasked with the operational testing of the 3C Update III and gave patrol crews a substantial lit-
new Mark 50 parachute stabilized acoustical torpedo toral strike capability.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 697

APPENDIX 3

Submarines Sunk by Patrol

Squadrons During World War II

I N MANY RESPECTS THE BATTLE AGAINST Axis

submarines proved to be one of the most pivotal
posts located in Allied controlled waters unreachable
by surface vessels. Some, like I-400, were designed to
conflicts of WWII. The U.S. Navy was largely unpre- carry up to three aircraft and could range as far as
pared for the Axis submarine threat, despite partici- 37,000 miles cruising on the surface at 14 knots.
pating in the Neutrality Patrols from September 1939 The following section lists the details regarding sub-
to December 1941. The ferocity of the conflict can be marines sunk by patrol squadron aircraft. The
judged by large number of Allied merchant vessels squadron designations are shown as they were at the
that were sunk with the loss of a large number of time of the attack and the designation in parentheses
personnel. is the squadron’s final designation. Headings for the
Against such a threat, U.S. and Allied merchantmen listing are as follows: the squadron designation, fol-
required protection over the lifelines to England, the lowed by a listing of the submarines it sunk. The list-
Mediterranean and the South Pacific. The use of long- ing of submarines sunk includes the number and the
range Navy patrol aircraft flying cover over the con- date it was sunk, as well as data on the submarine
voys in late 1942, the addition in 1943 of sufficient that includes type, date laid down, date commis-
Allied long-range patrol aircraft to cover the mid- sioned, commanding officers, career, successes
ocean air gap and escort carriers accompanying the and its final fate. The squadron listing is in alphanu-
convoys over their entire routes in 1943 turned the meric order beginning with VBs, VPs and finally VPBs.
tide against the Axis powers, ending the Battle for the
Atlantic in May 1943. In the Pacific, the combination of
long-range, land-based patrol bombers; carrier battle VB-103 (VPB-103)
air groups; the mining campaign; and the U.S. subma-
rine forces virtually swept the seas of Japanese vessels
by the end of the war.
The risks in combat with the Axis submarine forces U-966, 10 November 1943 (shared)
were not totally in favor of the Allies. As the war pro- Type: VIIC Laid Down: 1 May 1942, Blohm &
gressed, German submarines in particular became Voss, Hamburg
more heavily armed with antiaircraft defenses. At least Commissioned: 4 March 1943, Oblt. Eckehard Wolf
57 U.S. aircraft were shot down by U-boats compared Commander: Oblt. Eckehard Wolf
to only 12 U-boats lost in these attacks. The RAF Career: Assigned: March 1943–July 1943, 5th
Coastal Command alone lost 700 aircraft that were Flotilla (Kiel) training; August 1943 –
badly damaged, shot down or written off after en- November 1943 9th Flotilla (Brest)
counters with U-boats. Successes: None
Technology used by both sides in the conflict im- Fate: Sunk 10 November 1943 in the Bay Biscay
proved dramatically as the war progressed. On the near Cape Ortegal, Spain, by American and
Allied side the advantages of ASDIC, aircraft-borne Czech aircraft bombs in one of the longest
radar, MAD gear, rockets and homing torpedoes tem- surface battles of aircraft against a U-boat in
porarily offset wolfpack tactics and improved AA WWII. At 0800, a VB-105 PB4Y-1 Liberator pi-
weapons. New German developments such as the loted by Lieutenant L. E. Harmon was alerted
schnorkel and the fast Type XXI, XXIII and Walter by an RAF aircraft of a radar contact near the
Electric Boats were introduced to late in the war to coast of Spain. Harmon located the surfaced
have any impact. The Japanese navy built some of the U-boat and made two strafing attacks. Heavy
largest submarines in WWII, which were used for AA fire damaged his aircraft and forced him to
transporting vital supplies and reinforcements to out- break off the attack. An RAF fighter then dove

697
698 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

to attack the submarine. Harmon made a third were intended as aircraft traps by luring Allied
strafing attack, but had to break off afterwards aircraft to attack these heavily armed U-boats.
due to a fuel shortage. Lieutenant K. L. Wright The converted boats proved effective for little
of VB-103 located U-966 near Ferrol at 1040 more than two months before the Allies devel-
and delivered a strafing and depth charge at- oped countermeasures. U-271 operated briefly
tack. Intense AA fire drove him off and he, as a U-flak during October 1943, providing AA
too, had to depart the target for lack of fuel. cover in the refueling area north of the
Lieutenant W. W. Parish and crew then arrived Azores. All U-flaks were converted back to at-
on the scene. A depth charge attack was con- tack boat configuration in November 1943. It
ducted in cooperation with a rocket-firing RAF should be noted that by late 1943 the U-flaks
Liberator at 1230. The submarine was aban- had become redundant due to improvements
doned by its crew after running aground at in the standard AA armament for U-boats.
Oritiguiera, Spain. The German crewmen Successes: None
were quickly picked up by nearby Spanish Fate: Sunk 28 January 1944, west of Limerick, in
fishing vessels and interned in Spain. position 53°15'N, 15°52'W, by a PB4Y-1
Liberator of VB-103. 51 dead (entire crew
lost). Lieutenant George C. Enloe and crew
U-508, 12 November 1943 caught the U-boat on the surface and dropped
six depth charges. The submarine quickly set-
Type: IXC Laid Down: 24 September 1940, tled by the stern and slid beneath the surface.
Deutsche Werft, Hamburg
Commissioned: 20 October 1941, Oblt. Georg
Staats
Commander: October 1941–November 1943,
VB-107 (2nd VP-27)
Kptlt. Georg Staats (Knights Cross)
U-598, 23 July 1943
Career: Six Patrols; assigned: October 1941–June
1942, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); July 1942–November Type: VIIC Laid Down 11 January 1941, Blohm &
1943 10th Flotilla (Lorient) Voss, Hamburg
Successes: 14 ships sunk for a total of 74,087 tons Commissioned: 27 November 1941, Oblt.
Fate: Sunk 12 November 1943, north of Cape Gottfried Holtorf
Ortegal, Spain, in position 46°00'N, 07°30'W, Commander: November 1941–July 1943, Kptlt.
by U.S. bombs (VB-103). 57 dead (entire crew Gottfried Holtorf
lost). Lieutenant (jg) Brownell made a night Career: Assigned: November 1941–July 1942, 8th
attack on a submarine. His PB4Y-1 Liberator Flotilla (Danzig); July 1942–July 1943, 6th
was apparently heavily damaged by the U- Flotilla (St. Nazaire)
boat’s AA fire and crashed into the sea with Successes: Two ships sunk for a total of 9,295
no survivors. The next day, two oil slicks tons; one ship of 6,197 tons damaged
were spotted, about five miles apart. Postwar Fate: Sunk 23 July 1943, in the South Atlantic near
examination of German records indicates that Natal, in position 04°05'S, 33°23'W, by U.S.
he sank U-508. bombs (VB-107). 44 dead, one survivor.
Lieutenant (jg) Waugh, flying PB4Y-1 Liberator
aircraft 107-B-6, attacked the surfaced U-boat
U-271, 28 January 1944 in conjunction with a second squadron aircraft
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 21 October 1941, flown by Lieutenant William R. Ford, sinking
Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack the submarine. Waugh’s aircraft apparently
Commissioned: 23 September 1942, Kptlt. Curt sustained damage during the attack, plunging
Barleben into the sea after his bombing pass with the
Commander: September 1942–January 1944, loss of all hands. The submarine’s identity was
Kptlt. Curt Barleben confirmed by the sole survivor as U-598.
Career: Assigned: September 1942–May 1943, 8th
Flotilla (Danzig) training; June 1943–January U-848, 5 November 1943
1944, 1st Flotilla (Brest) front. U-271 was one
Type: IX D2 Laid Down: 6 January 1942, AG
of seven U-boats converted into “U-flak” boats
Weser, Bremen
to serve as surface escorts for the
Commissioned: 20 February 1943, Korvkpt.
incoming/outgoing attack U-boats operating
Wilhelm Rollmann (Knights Cross)
from the French Atlantic bases. They had
Commander: February 1943–November 1943,
greatly increased antiaircraft firepower and
Korvkpt. Wilhelm Rollmann
 APPENDIX 3 699

Career: One patrol; assigned: February 1943–July two successful bomb runs on U-177, strad-
1943, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); August dling the submarine.
1943–November 1943, 12th Flotilla (Bordeaux)
Successes: One ship of 4,573 tons sunk
U-863, 29 September 1944
Fate: Sunk 5 November 1943, southwest of
Ascension Island, in approximate position Type: IX D2 Laid Down: 15 September 1942, AG
10°09'S, 18°00'W, by U.S. bombs (VB-107). 63 Weser, Bremen
dead (entire crew lost). A VB-107 PB4Y-1 Commissioned: 3 November 1943, Kptlt. Dietrich
Liberator aircraft from the Ascension Island von der Esch
detachment, piloted by Lieutenant Baldwin, Commander: November 1943–September 1944,
attacked U-848 in conjunction with two other Kptlt. Dietrich von der Esch
squadron aircraft. Lieutenant Baldwin dam- Career: Assigned: November 1943–June 1944, 4th
aged the submarine sufficiently to prevent it Flotilla (Stettin); July 1944–September 1944
from submerging. Lieutenant S. K. Taylor’s air- 12th Flotilla (Bordeaux)
craft administered the coup de grace, hitting Successes: None
the target on two bomb runs, causing it to Fate: Sunk 29 September 1944, east-southeast of
blow up and sink within five minutes. Recife, in position 10°45'S, 25°30'W, by U.S.
bombs from two PB4Y-1 Liberators (VB-107)
flown by Lieutenants E. A. Krug and J. T.
U-849, 25 November 1943 Burton. 69 dead (entire crew lost).
Type: IX D2 Laid Down: 20 January 1942, AG
Weser, Bremen
Commissioned: 11 March 1943, Kptlt. Heinz-Otto VB-108 (2nd VP-28)
Schultze (Knights Cross)
Commander: March 1943–November 1943, Kptlt. I-174, 12 April 1944
Heinz-Otto Schultze
Type: 1st Class Fleet Submarine, Improved Kaidai
Career: One patrol; assigned: March
Type 6B Laid Down: 1934
1943–September 1943, 4th Flotilla (Stettin);
Commissioned: 28 March 1937, Sasebo.
October 1943–November 1943, 12th Flotilla
Commander: 19401942, LCDR Toshi Kusaka;
(Bordeaux)
1942–1944, LCDR Nobukiyo Nambu; 1944,
Successes: None.
LCDR Katsuto Suzuki
Fate: Sunk 25 November 1943, in the South
Career: Originally designated I-74, redesignated I-
Atlantic west of the Congo estuary, in position
174 20 May 1942. Assigned: SubRon3, Kure
06°30'S, 05°40'W, by U.S. bombs from a PB4Y-
Naval Base. Modified to transport configura-
1 Liberator aircraft (VB-107). 63 dead (entire
tion in early 1943 to accommodate 46-foot
crew lost).
Daihatsu landing craft or other equipment.
Successes: Served as refueling vessel for first
U-177, 6 February 1944 Operation K mission (overflight of Oahu by
Type: IXD Laid Down: 25 November 1940, AG Emily long-range seaplanes), sank one 7,000
Weser, Bremen ton merchantman in April 1942. Later in the
Commissioned: 14 March 1942, Kptlt. Wilhelm war I-174 sank three merchant ships of 11,568
Schulze tons and damaged an LST and two other mer-
Commander: March 1942, Kptlt. Wilhelm chant ships 7,713 tons. On 24 November 1943,
Schulze; October 1943, Korvkpt. Robert Gysae I-174 sank the American escort carrier Liscome
(Oak Leaves); October 1943–February 1944, Bay (CVE 56).
Korvkpt. Heinz Buchholz Fate: Departed Kure, Inland Sea of Japan, on 3
Career: Three patrols; assigned: March April 1944 for Marshall Islands. Failed to an-
1942–September 1942, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); swer when called on 11 April, listed by the
October 1942–November 1942, 10th Flotilla Japanese navy as lost with all hands (crew of
(Lorient); December 1942–February 1944, 12th 107). VB-108 had just been relocated to
Flotilla (Bordeaux) Eniwetok on 11 April 1944. In the early morn-
Successes: 14 ships sunk for a total of 87,388 tons ing on the next day a squadron PB4Y-1
Fate: Sunk 6 February 1944, west of Ascension Liberator flown by Lieutenant J. E. Muldrow
Island, in position 10°35'S, 23°15'W, by U.S. attacked an enemy submarine while on patrol,
bombs (VB-107). 50 dead. A PB4Y-1 Liberator claiming a sinking at 10°45'N, 152°29'E.
piloted by Lieutenant (jg) C. I. Purnell made MacDonough (DD 351) and Stephen Potter
700 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

(DD 538) were credited with sinking this sub- Commissioned: 9 October 1941, Oblt. Hans-
marine on 29 April 1944, but postwar exami- Jürgen Zetsche
nation of records indicated that the submarine Commander: October 1941–September 1942,
sunk on 29 April by the two destroyers was Kptlt. Hans-Jürgen Zetsche; September
actually RO-45 and VB-108 is credited with 1942–November 1942, Oblt. Peter Schrewe;
sinking I-174 on 12 April 1944. November 1942–May 1943, Kptlt. Hans-Jürgen
Zetsche; June 1943–July 1943, Oblt. Raimar
Ziesmer
VB-109 (VPB-109) Career: Assigned: October 1941–January 1942, 6th
Flotilla (Danzig); January 1942–June 1942, 6th
RO-117, 17 June 1944 Flotilla (St. Nazaire); July 1942–May 1943, 11th
Type: Small, short-range, Class B Submarine, Type Flotilla (Bergen); June 1943–July 1943, 9th
KS Laid Down: 1941, Kawasaki, Kobe Flotilla (Brest)
Commissioned: 1943 Successes: Five ships sunk for a total of 23,960
Commander: LCDR Yasuo Enomoto tons; one ship of 5,701 tons damaged
Career: Assigned: SubRon 7 Fate: Sunk 30 July 1943, in position 08°36'S,
Successes: None 34°34'W, by bombs from a VB-127 PV-1
Fate: Sunk by a VB-109 PB4Y-1 Liberator at 0338, Ventura. Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Young and crew
between Guam and Truk, position 11°05'N, attacked and sank U-591 off Recife, Brazil.
150°31'E. Lost with all hands. Lieutenant Twenty-eight survivors out of a crew of 49, in-
William B. Bridgeman and crew sank RO-117, cluding the commanding officer, were picked
which had left Truk on 5 June bound for a up by Saucy (PG 65).
position off Saipan. Originally claimed by the
squadron as possible damaged, the submarine
U-761, 24 February 1944 (shared)
was confirmed as sunk by Japanese records
after the war. (entire crew of 55 were lost). Type: VIIC Laid Down: 16 December 1940,
Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven
Commissioned: 3 December 1942, Oblt. Horst
VB-125 (VPB-125) Geider
Commander: December 1942–February 1944,
U-174, 27 April 1943 Oblt. Horst Geider
Type: IXC Laid Down: 2 January 1941, AG Weser, Career: Assigned: December 1942–July 1943, 8th
Bremen Flotilla (Danzig); August 1943–February 1944,
Commissioned: 26 November 1941, Fregkpt. 9th Flotilla (Brest)
Ulrich Thilo Successes: None
Commander: November 1941–March 1943, Fate: U-761 was detected by PBY-5 Catalinas from
Fregkpt. Ulrich Thilo; March 1943–April 1943, VP-63 during an attempt to pass through the
Oblt. Wolfgang Grandefeld Straits of Gibraltar. The two VP-63 aircraft, pi-
Career: Assigned: November 1941–July 1942, 4th loted by Lieutenants Howard Baker and T. R.
Flotilla (Stettin); July 1942–April 1943, 10th Woolley, used their MAD gear to detect, track,
Flotilla (Lorient) and assist in the sinking of U-761, the first
Successes: Five ships sunk for a total of 30,813 sinking of a submarine aided by MAD equip-
tons ment. The U-boat was attacked by a British
Fate: Sunk 27 April 1943, south of Newfoundland, Catalina of RAF Squadron 202 and a PV-1
in position 43°35'N, 56°18'W, by U.S. bombs. Ventura of VB-127. Lieutenant P. L. Holmes,
53 dead (entire crew lost). A VP-125 aircraft at- pilot of the VB-127 Ventura, assisted in the kill
tacked U-174 on the surface near Cape Race. by dropping depth charges on U-761 when it
The U-boat heavily damaged the PV-1 Ventura surfaced. Following the attack by VB-127, the
with its 20-mm AA guns before sinking. U-boat was scuttled 24 February 1944 in the
mid-Atlantic near Tangier, in position 35°55'N,
05°45'W, in view of approaching British de-
VB-127 (VPB-127) stroyers. Nine dead. The 51 members of the
crew of the U-boat and its commanding offi-
U-591, 30 July 1943 cer were picked up by HMS Anthony and
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 30 October 1940, Blohm Wishart after scuttling their badly damaged
& Voss, Hamburg submarine.
 APPENDIX 3 701

VB-128 (5th VP-1) VB-130 (2nd VP-2)

U-279, 4 October 1943 U-615, 6 August 1943 (shared, see VP-204)
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 31 March 1942, Bremen-
Vegesack
Commissioned: 3 February 1943, Oblt. Otto VP-11 (VPB-11)
Finke
Commander: February 1943–October 1943, Kptlt. I-172, 29 October 1942
Otto Finke Type: 1st Class, Class A Fleet Submarine, Kaidai
Career: Assigned: February 1943–July 1943, 8th Type 6A Laid Down: 1931, Mitsubishi, Kobe
Flotilla (Danzig); August 1943–October 1943, Commissioned: 6 April 1935
9th Flotilla (Brest) Commander: 1942, LCDR Takeshi Ota
Successes: None Career: Assign: SubRon 3, originally designated I-
Fate: Sunk 4 October 1943, southwest of Iceland, 72, redesignated I-172 on 20 May 1942.
in position 60°40'N, 26°30'W, by U.S. bombs Modified as a transport in early 1942, accom-
from a PV-1 Ventura of VB-128 flown by modating a 46-foot Daihatsu landing craft, am-
Lieutenant Charles L. Westhofen. Although the phibious tank, or other external equipment.
crew abandoned the sinking submarine and Successes: None
floated four or five life rafts, none were ever Fate: I-172 was listed as missing by the Japanese
located. 48 dead (entire crew lost). navy after 28 October 1942, in the vicinity of
the Solomons, the operational area of VP-11’s
PBY-5 Catalinas at the time of the claimed
sinking. Official credit for I-172 was given by
VB-129 (VPB-129) the U.S. Navy to Southard (DMS 10), for a
sinking on 10 November 1942, at the south
U-604, 30 July 1943
end of Indispensable Strait, position 10°13'S,
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 27 February 1941, Blohm 161°09'E. Japanese records indicate that the
& Voss, Hamburg submarine claimed by Southard was actually
Commissioned: 8 January 1942, Kptlt. Horst I-15. On 29 October 1942, Lieutenant F. Joe
Höltring Hill sighted a submarine while on search at
Commander: January 1942–August 1943, Kptlt. 13°15'S, 162°45'E about three miles on the
Horst Höltring starboard beam. The sub crash-dived and was
Career: Six patrols; assigned: January 1942–July below the surface when Hill dropped his two
1942, 5th Flotilla (Kiel); August 1942–August 650-lb depth charges. A large quantity of oil
1943, 9th Flotilla (Brest) appeared and remained on the surface during
Successes: 6 ships sunk for a total of 39,891 tons the next day. The submarine was lost with all
91 hands aboard, including Rear Admiral
Fate: Lieutenant Commander Thomas D. Davies
Yoshisuke Okamoto, Commander of the 12th
and crew spotted a fully surfaced submarine
Squadron of the Kure Submarine Flotilla. I-
during a coastal barrier sweep northeast of
172 was the fourteenth Japanese submarine
Bahia. The U-boat crew attempted to fight it lost during the war.
out with 20-mm AA fire, but the bow guns of
the Ventura quickly cleared the decks of the
submarine, allowing Davies to make a perfect VP-14 (VPB-197)
drop with four Mark 47 depth charges athwart
the still surfaced U-boat. The submarine, U- Midget, 7 December 1941 (shared)
601, submerged after the attack then surfaced
Type: Type A (Midget) Koryu
again at a 60-degree angle with the screws out
Laid Down: 1940, Ourazaki, Kure
of the water. The U-boat then submerged
Commissioned: 1941
again. Later, German prisoners of war indi-
Commander: Lieutenant Naoji Iwasa
cated that the damage to the U-boat was so Career: Assigned to tender Chiyoda, at Base P on
severe that it had to be scuttled on 11 August the island of Ourazaki, spring 1941; SubRon 1,
1943. The U-604 crew was taken aboard U- Kure Naval Arsenal, late summer 1941; I-22,
185 and U-172 (during the sinking of U-185 21 October 1941.
14 men from U-604 died). Successes: None
702 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Fate: Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor VP-14 had Career: Five patrols, assigned: October 1941–April
launched three PBY-5 Catalinas for routine pa- 1942, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); April 1942–July
trol. Aircraft 14-P-1, flown by Ensign William P. 1943, 10th Flotilla (Lorient)
Tanner, spotted a Japanese midget submarine Successes: 22 ships sunk for a total of 119,533
at the entrance to the harbor and assisted Ward tons; one ship of 265 tons damaged
(DD 139) in sinking the intruder. Lieutenant Fate: Sunk 15 July 1943 south of Haiti, in position
Naoji Iwasa and Petty Officer Naoharu Sasaki 15°58'N, 73°44'W, by bombs from a PBM-3C
had been launched from I-22 half an hour be- Mariner from VP-32. 53 dead (entire crew
fore sunrise 5–10 miles from the entrance to lost). The claim was judged probable sunk by
the harbor as part of a contingent of five FAW-11’s intelligence officer, and was not
midget subs launched from fleet submarines. confirmed until examination of German navy
Iwasa’s orders were to enter the harbor and records after the war.
rise to the surface to attack once the air attack
had begun, then circle Ford Island, exit the
U-759, 26 July 1943
harbor and proceed to the rendezvous with I-
22. Iwasa was attempting to follow the tug Type: VIIC Laid Down: 15 November 1940,
Antares through the harbor entrance while Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven
Antares had a barge in tow. Ensign Tanner saw Commissioned: 15 August 1942, Oblt. Rudolf
the wake of the periscope and alerted Ward, Friedrich
which dropped one depth charge. Commander: August 1942–July 1943, Kptlt.
Rudolf Friedrich
Career: Assigned: August 1942–January 1943, 5th
VP-23 (VPB-23) Flotilla (Kiel); February 1943–July 1943, 9th
Flotilla (Brest)
RO-101, 15 September 1943 (shared) Successes: Two ships sunk for a total of 12,764
Type: Small, short-range submarine, Class B, RO- tons
100 series, Type KS Fate: Sunk 26 July 1943, east of Jamaica, in ap-
Laid Down: 1941, Kawasaki, Kobe proximate position 18°06'N, 75°00'W, by
Commissioned: December 1942, LCDR Zenji bombs from a U.S. Mariner PBM-3C of VP-32.
Orita 47 dead (entire crew lost). The claim was
Commander: December 1942–August 1943, LCDR judged probable sunk by FAW-11’s intelli-
Zenji Orita; August 1943, LCDR Masataka gence officer, and was not confirmed until ex-
Fujisawa amination of German Navy records after the
Career: Assign: SubRon 7, carried supplies for war.
garrisons
Successes: None
Fate: RO-101 departed Rabaul for a patrol area U-359, 28 July 1943
south of San Cristobal. It was spotted by a Type: VIIC Laid Down: 9 June 1941,
PBY-5 Catalina of VP-23 piloted by Lieutenant Flensburger Schiffsbau, Flensburg
W. J. Geritz. Saufley (DD 465) assisted in the Commissioned: 5 October 1942, Ltnt. Heinz
kill southeast of San Cristobal, at position Förster
10°57'S, 163°56'E. The submarine was listed Commander: October 1942–July 1943, Oblt.
by the Japanese as lost with all hands (crew Heinz Förster
of 50). Career: Assigned: October 1942–February 1943,
8th Flotilla (Danzig); March 1943–July 1943,
7th Flotilla (St. Nazaire)
VP-32 (VP-46) Successes: None
Fate: Sunk 28 July 1943 in the Caribbean south of
U-159, 15 July 1943 Santo Domingo, in position 15°57'N, 68°30'W,
Type: IXC Laid Down: 11 November 1940, AG by U.S. bombs from a PBM-3C Mariner. 47
Weser, Bremen dead (entire crew lost). U-359 was sunk by
Commissioned: 4 October 1941, Kptlt. Helmut the San Juan Detachment of VP-32. The claim
Witte (Knights Cross) was judged probable sunk by FAW-11’s intelli-
Commander: October 1941–June 1943, Kptlt. gence officer, and was not confirmed until ex-
Helmut Witte; June 1943–July 1943, Oblt. amination of German Navy records after the
Heinz Beckmann war.
 APPENDIX 3 703

VP-42 (2nd VP-5) Commissioned: 29 May 1943, Oblt. Henning

Schümann
RO-61, 31 August 1942 (shared) Commander: May 1943–March 1944, Oblt.
Henning Schümann
Type: Small, short-range submarine, Class B, Type
Career: Assigned: May 1943–November 1943, 5th
L4 Laid Down: 1922, Mitsubishi, Kobe
Flotilla (Kiel); November 1943–March 1944, 1st
Commissioned: 1923
Flotilla (Brest)
Commander: LCDR Toshisada Tokutomi
Career: Originally designated No. 72, redesig- Successes: None
nated RO-61 on 20 May 1942. Assigned: Fate: Sunk 16 March 1944 in the Straits of
SubRon 7 Gibraltar in position 35°55'N, 05°41'W, by
Successes: Sank U.S. seaplane tender Casco (AVP depth charges from British frigate HMS
12) on 31 August 1942 (which was beached Affleck, the destroyer HMS Vanoc and bombs
and later repaired). from three U.S. PBY-5A Catalinas. 52 dead
Fate: Sunk in joint effort on 31 August 1942 by (entire crew lost). Three VP-63 aircraft pi-
PBY-5A Catalinas from VP-42 and VP-43 and loted by Lieutenant (jg) M. J. Vopatek,
Reid (DD 369) off Atka, Aleutian Islands, posi- Lieutenant R. C. Spears and Lieutenant (jg) V.
tion 52°36'N, 173°57'W. RO-61 was caught on A.T. Lingle detected U-392 during its at-
the surface five miles north of Cape Shaw, tempted passage of the Gibraltar Straits.
Atka Island. Lieutenant S. Coleman of VP-42 Lieutenant (jg) Vopatek guided HMS Affleck
heavily damaged the submarine in a bombing into position with his MAD gear. Affleck fired
attack. RO-61 was located later on the same a pattern of depth charges that sent the U-
day at 1915 hours by Reid (DD 369) and sunk boat to the bottom.
with the loss of 59 crewmen, including the
commanding officer. Several survivors were
rescued from the frigid waters. U-731, 15 April 1944 (shared)
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 1 October 1941, Schichau,
Danzig
VP-53 (VP-AM-1) Commissioned: 3 October 1942, Oblt. Werner
Techand
U-156, 8 March 1943
Commander: October 1942–November 1943,
Type: IXC Laid Down: 11 Oct 1940, AG Weser, Oblt. Werner Techand; December 1943–May
Bremen 1944, Oblt. Alexander Graf von Keller
Commissioned: 4 September 1941, Kptlt. Werner Career: Assigned: October 1942–April 1943, 8th
Hartenstein (Knights Cross) Flotilla (Danzig); May 1943–May 1944, 1st
Commander: September 1941–March 1943, Flotilla (Brest)
Korvkpt. Werner Hartenstein Successes: None
Career: Five patrols, assigned: September Fate: Sunk 15 May 1944 near Gibraltar, in posi-
1941–December 1941, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); tion 35°54'N, 05°45'W, by depth charges from
January 1942–March 1943, 2nd Flotilla the British patrol vessel HMS Kilmarnock and
(Lorient)
the antisubmarine trawler HMS Blackfly and
Successes: 18 ships sunk for a total of 92,889
bombs from VP-63 PBY-5A Catalinas. 54
tons; 4 ships damaged for a total of 20,001
dead (entire crew lost). Lieutenant (jg)
tons
Vopatek and Lieutenant H. L. Worrell de-
Fate: Sunk at 1315 on 8 March 1943, east of
tected U-731 with their MAD gear while it
Barbados, in position 12°38'N, 54°39'W, by
U.S. bombs (Catalina from VP-53). 52 dead was attempting to cross the Straits of
(entire crew lost). Gibraltar. Subsequent attacks by the aircraft
did not sink the U-boat, but both continued
to track the submarine, guiding HMS
VP-63 (VPB-63) Kilmarnock into position for a successful
Hedgehog attack that sent the submarine to
U-761, 24 February 1944 (shared, see entry for VB- the bottom. This sinking was to be the last in
127, U-761) the Mediterranean theater, since the
U-392, 16 March 1944 (shared) squadron had, in the words of British
Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham “turned the
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 10 January 1942,
Howaldtswerke, Kiel Mediterranean into an Allied lake.”
704 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-73 (2nd VP-34) Career: Two patrols, assigned: September

1941–February 1942, 4th Flotilla (Stettin);
U-464, 20 August 1942 February 1942–June 1942, 10th Flotilla
(Lorient)
Type: XIV Laid Down: 18 March 1941, Successes: 16 ships sunk for a total of 91,770
DeutscheWerke AG, Kiel tons; two ships damaged for a total of 15,264
Commissioned: 30 April 1942, Kptlt. Otto Harms tons
Commander: April 1942–August 1942, Kptlt. Otto Fate: Sunk 30 June 1942, west of the Bermudas, in
Harms position 32°50'N, 67°28'W, by U.S. bombs
Career: One patrol, assigned: 10th Flotilla from a PBM-3C Mariner from VP-74. 54 dead
(Lorient). U-464 was a Milkcow support ves- (entire crew lost). Aircraft 74-P-1, flown by
sel. The role of the ten type XIV boats was to Lieutenant Richard E. Schreder, was credited
support the operating type VII and IX attack with the sinking of U-158. The submarine was
boats by delivering their supplies and ammu- spotted by the crew during a routine ferry
nition. flight.
Successes: None, sunk on first deployment
Fate: Set out on first patrol 4 August 1942. Sunk U-128, 17 May 1943 (shared)
on 20 August 1942, southeast of Iceland at
61°25'N, 14°40'W by a VP-73 PBY-5 Catalina. Type: IXC Laid Down: 10 July 1940, AG Weser,
Lieutenant (jg) Robert B. Hopgood and crew Bremen
attacked and sank U-464 while on convoy es- Commissioned: 12 May 1941, Kptlt. Ullrich
Heyse (Knights Cross)
cort in Skerja Fjord, near Reykjavik, Iceland.
Commander: May 1941–February 1943, Kptlt.
HMS Castleton rescued 53 survivors (2 dead).
Ullrich Heyse; March 1943–May 1943, Kptlt.
While en route back to base Hopgood sent
Hermann Steinert
the following message: “Sank Sub Open
Career: Assigned: May 1941–November 1941, 2nd
Club.” Flotilla (Wilhelmshaven) training; December
1941–May 1943, 2nd Flotilla (Lorient)
U-582, 5 October 1942 Successes: 12 ships sunk for a total of 83,639
tons; one ship of 5,687 tons damaged
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 25 September 1940,
Fate: Sunk 17 May 1943, south of Pernambuco, in
Blohm & Voss, Hamburg approximate position 10°00'N, 35°35'W, by
Commissioned: 7 August 1941, Kptlt. Werner gunfire from destroyers Moffett (DD 362) and
Schulte Jouett (DD 396), and by bombs from two VP-
Commander: August 1941–October 1942, 74 PBM-3C Mariners flown by Lieutenant
Kptlt. Werner Schulte Howland Davis and Lieutenant Carey. Seven
Career: Assigned: August 1941–December 1941, dead.
5th Flotilla (Kiel); December 1941–October
1942. 1st Flotilla (Brest)
Successes: Six ships sunk for a total of 38,826 U-513, 19 July 1943
tons Type: IXC Laid Down: 26 April 1941, Deutsche
Fate: Sunk 5 October 1942, southwest of Iceland, Werft, Hamburg
in position 58°41'N, 22°58'W, by a VP-73 PBY- Commissioned: 10 January 1942, Korvkpt. Rolf
5 Catalina. 46 dead (entire crew lost). Aircraft Rüggeberg
73-P-12 of VP-73 attacked and sank U-582 Commander: January 1942–May 1943, Korvkpt.
while on convoy escort near Reykjavik, Rolf Rüggeberg; May 1943–July 1943, Kptlt.
Iceland. Friedrich Guggenberger
Career: Assigned: January 1943–August 1942, 4th
Flotilla (Stettin); September 1942–July 1943,
10th Flotilla (Lorient)
VP-74 (1st VP-40) Successes: Six ships sunk for a total of 29,940
tons; two ships damaged for a total of 13,177
U-158, 30 June 1942
tons
Type: IXC Laid Down: 1 November 1940, AG Fate: Sunk 19 July 1943, southeast of Sao
Weser, Bremen Francisco do Sol, in position 27°17'S, 47°32'W,
Commissioned: 25 September 1941, Kptlt. Erwin by U.S. PBM-3S Mariner patrol bomber of VP-
Rostin (Knights Cross) 74. 46 dead, seven survivors. Aircraft 74-P-5,
Commander: September 1941–June 1942, piloted by Lieutenant (jg) Roy S. Whitcomb
Kptlt. Erwin Rostin was credited with sinking U-513. The U-boat
 APPENDIX 3 705

had elected to remain on the surface and fight Commissioned: 17 September 1941, Kptlt. Ernst
it out with its AA batteries. Six depth bombs Kröning
settled the issue quickly. Kapitanleutnant
Guggenberger, commanding officer of U-513, Commander: September 1941–March 1942, Kptlt.
had previously been credited with sinking the Ernst Kröning
British aircraft carrier Ark Royal while com- Career: Assigned: September 1941–December
manding officer of U-81. 1941, 5th Flotilla (Kiel); January 1942–March
1942, 1st Flotilla (Brest)
U-199, 31 July 1943 (shared) Successes: None
Fate: Sunk 1 March 1942, south of Cape Race, in
Type: IXD Laid Down: 10 October 1941, AG position 46°15'N, 53°15'W, by a PBO-1
Weser, Bremen Hudson assigned to VP-82 flown by Ensign
Commissioned: 28 November 1942, Kptlt. Hans- Tepuni. 45 dead (entire crew lost). U-656 was
Werner Kraus (Knights Cross) the first German submarine sinking attributed
Commander: November 1942–July 1943, Kptlt. to United States forces in WWII.
Hans-Werner Kraus
Career: One patrol, assigned: November
1942–May 1943, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); May U-503, 15 March 1942
1943–July 1943, 12th Flotilla (Bordeaux) Type: IXC Laid Down: 29 April 1940, Deutsche
Successes: One ship sunk for a total of 4,161 tons Werft, Hamburg
Fate: Sunk 31 July 1943, east of Rio de Janeiro, in Commissioned: 10 July 1941, Kptlt. Otto Gericke
position 23°45'S, 42°54'W, by bombs from one Commander: July 1941–March 1942, Kptlt. Otto
U.S. PBM-3S Mariner of VP-74, piloted by Gericke
Lieutenant W. F. Smith, and two Brazilian air- Career: Assigned: July 1941–February 1942, 2nd
craft. 49 dead, 11 survivors. The survivors Flotilla (Wilhelmshaven); February 1942–
ended up in Brazil and then in U.S. captivity. March 1942, 2nd Flotilla (Lorient)
Successes: None
U-161, 27 September 1943 Fate: Sunk 15 March 1942, in the North Atlantic
southeast of Newfoundland, in position
Type: IXC Laid Down: 23 March 1940, Seebeck, 45°50'N, 48°50'W, by a PBY-5 Catalina as-
Bremen signed to VP-82. 51 dead (entire crew lost).
Commissioned: 8 July 1941, Kptlt. Hans-Ludwig VP-82 claimed a “heavy damage” assessment
Witt (Knights Cross) on a German submarine off Cape Race. It was
Commander: July 1941–December 1941, Kptlt. not until after the war that examination of
Hans-Ludwig Witt (in deputize); January German records indicated that U-503 was ac-
1942–September 1943, Kptlt. Albrecht Achilles tually sunk.
(Knights Cross).
Career: Six patrols, assigned: July 1941–December
1941, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); December
1941–September 1943, 2nd Flotilla (Lorient)
VP-83 (2nd VP-27)
Successes: 19 ships sunk for a total of 100,054
U-164, 6 January 1943
tons, three ships damaged for a total of 13,916
tons Type: IXC Laid Down: 20 June 1940, Seebeck,
Fate: Sunk 27 September 1943, near Bahia, in po- Bremen
sition 12°30'S, 35°35'W, by PBM-3S Mariner Commissioned: 28 November 1941, Korvkpt.
from VP-74. 53 dead (entire crew lost). Plane Otto Fechner
#74-P-2, piloted by Lieutenant (jg) Harry B. Commander: November 1941–January 1943,
Patterson, was credited with sinking U-161. Korvkpt. Otto Fechner
Two crew members were wounded in the at- Career: Assigned: November 1941–July 1942, 4th
tack by return fire from the U-boat. Flotilla (Stettin); July 1942–January 1943, 10th
Flotilla (Lorient)
Successes: Three ships sunk for a total of 8,133
VP-82 (VPB-125) tons
Fate: Sunk 6 January 1943, northwest of
U-656, 1 March 1942 Pernambuco, in position 01°58'S, 39°22'W, by
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 4 September 1940, U.S. bombs from a PBY-5A Catalina of VP-83.
Howaldtswerke, Hamburg 54 dead (entire crew lost). Lieutenant W. Ford
706 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

attacked the surfaced U-boat 80 miles north- VP-84 (VPB-84)

east of Fortaleza, Brazil. The submarine’s
identity was confirmed by rescued survivors U-408, 5 November 1942
as U-164.
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 30 September 1940,
Danziger Werft, Danzig
Commissioned: 19 November 1941, Kptlt.
U-507, 13 January 1943
Reinhard von Hymmen
Type: IXC Laid Down: 11 September 1940, Commander: November 1941–November 1942,
Deutsche Werft, Hamburg Kptlt. Reinhard von Hymmen
Commissioned: 8 October 1941, Korvkpt. Harro Career: Assigned: November 1941–April 1942, 5th
Schacht (Knights Cross) Flotilla (Kiel) training; May 1942–June 1942,
Commander: October 1941–January 1943, 9th Flotilla (Brest) front boat; July
Korvkpt. Harro Schacht 1942–November 1942, 11th Flotilla (Bergen)
Career: Assigned: October 1941–February 1942, Successes: One ship with 5,464 tons sunk, shared
4th Flotilla (Stettin); March 1942–January 1943, with U-589
2nd Flotilla (Lorient) Fate: Sunk 5 November 1942, north of Iceland, in
Successes: 19 ships sunk for a total of 77,144 position 67°40'N, 18°32'W. 45 dead (entire
crew lost). U-408 was sunk by a VP-84 PBY-
tons.
5A piloted by Lieutenant R. C. Millard. The
Fate: Sunk 13 January 1943, northwest of Natal,
submarine, caught on the surface, was struck
in position 01°38'S, 39°52'W, by a PBY-5A
by four depth bombs aft of the conning tower
Catalina of VP-83. 54 dead (entire crew lost). while submerging.
Lieutenant L. Ludwig attacked the surfaced U-
boat off the coast of Brazil. This submarine’s
large number of sinkings in 1942 was respon- U-640, 14 May 1943
sible for Brazil entering the war on the side Type: VIIC Laid Down: 30 October 1941, Blohm
of the Allies. & Voss, Hamburg
Commissioned: 17 September 1942, Oblt. Karl-
Heinz Nagel
Archimede (Italy), 15 April 1943 Commander: September 1942–May 1943, Oblt.
Karl-Heinz Nagel
Type: Archimede Class Laid Down: Cant. Nav. F.
Career: Assigned: September 1942–April 1943, 5th
Tosi, Taranto, December 1937
Flotilla (Keil); May 1943, 6th Flotilla (St.
Commissioned: 18 April 1939
Nazaire)
Commander: February 1943–April 1943, Successes: None
Tenente di Vascello Guido Saccardo Fate: Sunk 14 May 1943, off Iceland in position
Career: Assigned: April 1939–April 1943, La 60°10'N, 31°05'W, by a Fido homing torpedo
Verdun Flotilla from a VP-84 PBY-5A Catalina flown by
Successes: 3 Allied vessels sunk, tonnage not Lieutenant P. A. Bodinet. 49 dead (entire crew
listed lost). This is believed to be the first sinking by
Fate: Ensign T. E. Robertson and Lieutenant G. the new weapon against a U-boat.
Bradford, Jr., flying VP-83 PBY-5A Catalinas,
attacked a surfaced submarine off the coast of
U-467, 25 May 1943
Brazil, position 03°23'S, 30°28'W. Ensign
Robertson made the first bomb run, dropping Type: VIIC Laid Down: 22 June
four depth charges that damaged the boat. 1941, Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel
Lieutenant Bradford attacked minutes later, Commissioned: 15 July 1942, Oblt. Heinz
Kummer
dropping four more depth charges from an al-
Commander: July 1942–May 1943, Kptlt. Heinz
titude of 50 feet. The submarine sank six min-
Kummer
utes later. Thirty survivors exited the boat and
Career: Assigned: July 1942–March 1943, 5th
boarded three rafts. One raft was found 27
Flotilla (Kiel); April 1943–May 1943, 11th
days later by Brazilian fishermen. It contained Flotilla (Bergen).
two bodies and one survivor who later Successes: None
confirmed the sinking of Archimede, a 913-ton Fate: Sunk 25 May 1943, southeast of Iceland, in
Italian submarine. position 62°25'N, 14°52'W, by bombs from a
 APPENDIX 3 707

PBY-5A Catalina of VP 84 piloted by Successes: 26 ships sunk for a total of 138,467 tons;
Lieutenant R. C. Millard. 46 dead (entire crew two ships damaged for a total of 12,480 tons
lost). Fate: Sunk on 27 August 1942, in Caribbean wa-
ters, in position 17°40'N, 74°30'W by depth
charges from a VP-92 PBY-5A Catalina piloted
U-388, 20 June 1943
by Lieutenant G. R. Fiss, and ramming by
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 12 September 1941, the Canadian corvette HMCS Oakville. 19
Howaldtswerke, Kiel dead, 26 survivors.
Commissioned: 31 December 1942, Ltnt. Peter
Sues
Commander: December 1942–June 1943, Oblt. Le Conquerant, 13 November 1942
Peter Sues Type: 1st class, Redoubtable series Laid Down: 16
Career: One patrol; assigned: December August 1930, A. C. Loire
1942–June 1943, 5th Flotilla (Kiel); June 1943, Commissioned: 7 September 1935
9th Flotilla (Brest) Commander: CDR Delort-Laval, 4 Aug 1941–22
Successes: None Sep 1942; LCDR Lefevre, 22 Sep–13 Nov 1942.
Fate: Left Kiel on 8 June 1943. Sunk 20 June 1943, Career: Re-activated April 1941. Patrols in
in the North Atlantic southeast of Cape Tropical Atlantic from Dakar, returning to
Farewell, Greenland, in position 57°36'N, Casablanca in 1942.
31°20'W, by bombs from a PBY-5A Catalina of Successes: None
VP 84 piloted by Lieutenant E. W. Wood. 47 Fate: Sunk on 13 November 1942, approximately
dead (entire crew lost). 700 miles southwest of Casablanca, F. M., by a
VP-92 PBY-5A Catalina flown by Lieutenant H.
S. Blake. The submarine was spotted on the sur-
U-194, 24 June 1943
face by two squadron aircraft, 92-P-5 and 92-P-4.
Type: IXC/40 Laid Down: 7 January 1942, AG Both aircraft circled the submarine and attempts
Weser, Bremen were made to establish the identity of the vessel.
Commissioned: 8 January 1943, Kptlt. Herman No personnel were on deck and there was no
Hess response to signals from the aircraft. Lieutenant
Commander: January 1943–June 1943, Kptlt. Blake, flying 92-P-4, made a bombing run and
Herman Hess dropped his depth charges perfectly straddling
Career: One patrol, assigned: January 1943–May the submarine. His attack was followed by the
1943, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); May 1943–June second squadron plane, 92-P-5. Crewmen on
1943, 10th Flotilla (Lorient). both aircraft reported the conning tower was
Successes: None blown off and the submarine sank immediately.
Fate: Sunk 24 June 1943, southwest of Iceland, in No survivors were sighted.
position 59°00'N, 26°18'W, by a PBY-5A
Catalina of VP-84. 54 dead (entire crew lost).
U-194 was sunk by Lieutenant J. W. Beach U-135, 15 July 1943 (shared)
and crew. Type: VIIC Laid Down: 16 September 1940,
Vegesacker-Werft, Vegesack-Bremen
Commissioned: 16 August 1941, Oblt. Friedrich-
VP-92 (VPB-92) Hermann Praetorius
Commander: August 1941–November 1942, Kptlt.
U-94, 27 August 1942 (shared) Friedrich-Hermann Praetorius; November
1942–June 1943, Oblt. Heinz Schütt; June
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 9 September 1939,
1943–July 1943, Oblt. Otto Luther
Germaniawerft, Kiel Career: Assigned: August 1941–December 1941,
Commissioned: 10 August 1940, Kptlt. Herbert 5th Flotilla (Kiel); December 1941–July 1943,
Kuppisch (Knights Cross) 7th Flotilla (St. Nazaire)
Commander: August 1940–August 1941, Kptlt. Successes: Three ships sunk for a total of 21,302
Herbert Kuppisch; August 1941–August 1942, tons, 1 ship of 4,762 tons damaged
Oblt. Otto Ites (Knights Cross) Fate: Sunk 15 July 1943, in the Atlantic, in posi-
Career: 10 patrols, assigned: August tion 28°20'N, 13°17'W by a VP-92 PBY-5A
1940–October 1940, 7th Flotilla (Kiel) training; Catalina piloted by Lieutenant R. J. Finnie, and
November 1940–August 1942, 7th Flotilla (St. British destroyers HMS Rochester, Mignonette
Nazaire) and Balsam. 5 dead, 41 survivors.
708 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-94 (VPB-94) Successes: One ship sunk for a total of 4,161 tons
Fate: Sunk 31 July 1943, east of Rio de Janeiro, in
U-590, 9 July 1943 position 23°45'S, 42°54'W, by a Brazilian PBY-
5A Catalina flown by a trainee pilot, Cadet A.
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 31 October 1940, Blohm
Torres, assigned to VP-94. The U-boat went
& Voss, Hamburg
Commissioned: 2 October 1941, Kptlt. Heinrich down in the Atlantic off Cape Frio, Brazil. 49
Müller-Edzards dead, 11 survivors. The survivors ended up in
Commander: October 1941–June 1943, Kptlt. Brazilian and then U.S. captivity.
Heinrich Müller-Edzards; June 1943–July 1943,
Oblt. Werner Krüer
Career: Assigned: October 1941–April 1942, 6th VP-204 (3rd VP-44)
Flotilla (Danzig); April 1942–July 1943, 6th
Flotilla (St. Nazaire) U-615, 7 August 1943 (shared with VB-130)
Successes: One ship of 5,228 tons sunk Type: VIIC Laid Down: 20 May 1941, Blohm &
Fate: Sunk on 9 July 1943, in the mid-Atlantic near Voss, Hamburg
the Amazon estuary, in position 03°22'N,
Commissioned: 26 March 1942, Oblt. Ralph
48°38'W, by bombs from a PBY-5A Catalina of
Kapitzky
VP-94. 45 dead (entire crew lost). Lieutenant
Commander: March 1942–August 1943, Kptlt.
S. Auslander, from the Belem detachment of
Ralph Kapitzky
VP-94, attacked and sank U-590.
Career: Assigned: March 1942–August 1942, 8th
Flotilla (Danzig); September 1942–August
U-662, 21 July 1943 1943, 3rd Flotilla (La Pallice)
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 7 May 1941, Successes: Four ships sunk for a total of 27,231
Howaldtswerke, Hamburg tons
Commissioned: 9 April 1942, Kptlt. Wolfgang Fate: Sunk 7 August 1943, in the Caribbean south-
Hermann east of Curacao, in position 12°38'N, 64°15'W.
Commander: April 1942–February 1943, Lieutenant (jg) John M. Erskine, pilot of a
Korvkpt. Wolfgang Hermann; March 1943–July
PBM-3S Mariner of VP-204, attacked the sur-
1943, Oblt. Heinz-Eberhard Müller
Career: Assigned: April 1942–September 1942, 5th faced U-615 on 6 August, causing moderate
Flotilla (Kiel); October 1942, 7th Flotilla (St. damage. The squadron aircraft maintained
Nazaire) contact with the submerged submarine and
Successes: Three ships sunk for a total of 18,094 kept it down over night. On the morning of
tons; one ship of 7,174 tons damaged the 7th, Lieutenant Anthony R. Matuski spotted
Fate: Sunk 21 July 1943, in the Atlantic off Dutch the U-boat when it surfaced and made an at-
Guiana, in position 03°56'N, 48°46'W, by tack run. His aircraft was damaged by return
bombs from a VP-94 PBY-5A Catalina. 44 fire and crashed with the loss of all hands.
dead. Lieutenant R. H. Rowland, from the Lieutenant Lewis D. Crockett, flying a VP-204
Belem detachment of VP-94, attacked and
Mariner, located the U-boat and conducted a
sank U-662. Lieutenant Rowland’s crew
dropped life rafts for the survivors. The U-boat bomb run that further damaged the vessel, but
captain, Oblt. Heinz-Eberhard Müller, and resulted in severe damage to his aircraft from
three other crewmembers were fished out of AA fire. He remained on the scene until
the sea after 17 days by PC 494, Task Force 2. Lieutenant Holmes, pilot of a PV-1 Ventura of
VB-130, arrived to assist him. The two aircraft
conducted a coordinated bombing and
U-199, 31 July 1943
strafing attack. Lieutenant (jg) John W.
Type: IXD Laid Down: 10 October 1941, AG Dresbach, in a VP-204 Mariner, arrived and
Weser, Bremen
made a bombing and strafing attack on the U-
Commissioned: 28 November 1942, Kptlt. Hans-
boat. This attack resulted in mortal wounds to
Werner Kraus (Knights Cross)
the pilot, Lieutenant Dresbach, and the final
Commander: November 1942–July 1943, Kptlt.
Hans-Werner Kraus blow for the submarine. A U.S. Navy destroyer
Career: One patrol; assigned: November from Trinidad reached the area the next morn-
1942–May 1943, 4th Flotilla (Stettin); May ing and rescued forty-five of the U-boat’s crew
1943–July 1943, 12th Flotilla (Bordeaux) of 49.
 APPENDIX 3 709

VP-205 (3rd VP-45) VPB-20

U-572, 3 August 1943 Yu-2, 27 November 1944 (shared)
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 15 June 1940, Blohm & Type: Yu-1 Class Laid Down: July 1943, Kasado
Voss, Hamburg Iron Works, Kudamatsu
Commissioned: 29 May 1941, Kptlt. Heinz Commissioned: 1943
Hirsacker Commander: Unknown
Commander: May 1941–December 1942, Kptlt. Career: The Yu-1 class submarines were built by
Heinz Hirsacker; December 1942–August the Army without any assistance from Naval
1943, Oblt. Heinz Kummentat constructors. They were an attempt to build
Career: Assigned: May 1941–August 1941, 3rd inexpensive, quickly manufactured, short-
Flotilla (Kiel); August 1941–August 1943, 3rd range (1,500 miles) transport submarines that
Flotilla (La Pallice) could be used to resupply beleaguered
Successes: Six ships sunk for a total of 19,323 Imperial Japanese Army garrisons cut off by
tons, one ship of 6,207 tons damaged rapidly advancing U.S. forces.
Fate: Sunk 3 August 1943, northeast of Trinidad, Fate: A PBM-3D Mariner from VPB-20 flown by
in position 11°35'N, 54°05'W, by bombs from Lieutenant (jg) John B. Muoio was providing
a PBM-3S Mariner of VP-205. 47 dead (entire air coverage for Destroyer Division 43 while it
crew lost). Lieutenant (jg) C. C. Cox attacked was engaged in bombarding positions at
U-572 on the surface and was shot down dur- Ormoc Bay. Lieutenant (jg) Muoio and his
ing the bomb run with the loss of all hands. crew made radar contact on a surface target,
and when checking it out, spotted a subma-
rine moving into Ormoc Bay. The sighting
VPB-16 was reported to the destroyer flotilla and it
was quickly sunk by gunfire from Waller (DD
I-177, 2 October 1944 (shared) 446), Pringle (DD 477), Saufley (DD 465) and
Type: I-176 Class (Type KD7) Laid Down: 1940, Renshaw (DD 499).
Kure Naval Yard
Commissioned: 1942
I-48, 21 January 1945 (shared)
Commander: LCDR Masaki Watanabe
Career: Designed as a short-range cruising sub- Type: I-46 class (Type C2) Laid Down: 1944,
marine with a radius of action of 8,000 miles, Sasebo Naval Yard
modified after 1942 to act as a transport sub- Commissioned: 1944
marine. I-176, I-177 and I-181 had their 4.7- Commander: 1944–January 1945, CDR Zenshin
inch deck guns and spare torpedoes removed Toyama
to make room for a 46-foot Daihatsu landing Career: At the end of 1944, I-48 was modified by
craft and other equipment to be used in sup- the removal of the 5.5-inch gun to enable it to
plying cut off island garrisons. carry 4 Kaiten midget submarines. In March
Successes: None 1945 it underwent a further refit to enable it to
Fate: On the evening of 1 October 1944 a VPB-16 carry 6 Kaiten s. Boats of this class were
PBM-3D Mariner flown by Lieutenant Floyd H. found to be too large and vulnerable to detec-
Wardlow, Jr., made radar contact on a subma- tion by radar and sonar, resulting in cancella-
rine near Palau Island. When approached the tion of further construction of the series.
submarine crash-dived, but not before a posi- Successes: None
tive identification was made as an enemy sub- Fate: On the night of 21 January 1945, a VPB-20
marine. A Mark 24 mine was dropped, PBM Mariner flown by Lieutenant Frank A.
severely damaging I-177. Location of the tar- Yourek and crew sighted submarine I-48 west
get was relayed to a nearby hunter-killer of Ulithi and attacked it with 2 depth charges
group which destroyed the submarine the and a Mark 24 mine. I-48 escaped with heavy
next day at 07°48'N, 133°28'E, approximately damage. Destroyers Conklin (DE 439),
12 miles from the first attack. Samuel B. Miles Corbesier (DE 438) and Raby (DE 698) ob-
(DE 183) received credit for the kill. There served the attack and sank the submarine the
were 101 men aboard when the submarine next day at 09°45'N, 138°20'E. I-48’s entire
was sunk, including the commanding officer crew of 122 were lost. Commander Toyama
of Submarine Division 34, Captain Kanji and his crew had been on a Kaiten mission
Matsumura. against shipping in Ulithi lagoon, but appar-
710 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

ently none of the Kaiten midget submarines Commander: February 1944–August 1944,
were launched before the VPB-20 attack. Oblt. Helmut Bach; August 1944–March 1945,
Oblt. Werner Gebauer
Career: Assigned: February 1944–October 1944,
VPB-21 (2nd VP-41) 31st Flotilla (Hamburg); October 1944–March
1945, 11th Flotilla (Bergen)
Midget, 21 January 1945 Successes: None
Type: Kaiten Laid Down: Unknown Fate: Sunk at 0930 hours on 10 March 1945, posi-
Commissioned: Unknown tion 49°53'N, 06°31'W, by bombs from a
Commander: Unknown PB4Y-1 Liberator of VPB-103. Lieutenant Field
Career: Unknown and his crew caught U-681 on the surface
Successes: None southwest of the Scilly Isles and straddled the
Fate: Sunk 21 January 1945, in Ulithi lagoon by a vessel with a perfect salvo of depth charges.
VPB-21 PBM Mariner flown by Lieutenant (jg) Forty survivors exited the U-boat before it
Richard L. Simms. The Kaiten was released sank and were picked up by British naval
earlier by the mothership, I-36, for an attack units. 11 dead.
on shipping in Ulithi lagoon. Simms and his
crew spotted the midget submarine in the la-
U-326, 25 April 1945
goon and dropped 4 depth charges on it. Four
midgets had been launched, but only one Type: VIIC/41 Laid Down: 26 April 1943, Flender-
scored a hit on ammunition ship Mazama (AE Werke, Lubeck
9). None of the Kaitens returned to I-36 after Commissioned: 6 June 1944, Oblt. Peter Matthes
the attack. Commander: June 1944–April 1945, Kptlt.
Peter Matthes
Career: Assigned: June 1944– February 1945, 4th
Flotilla (Stettin); March 1945–April 1945, 11th
VPB-63 Flotilla (Bergen)
Successes: None
U-1107, 30 April 1945
Fate: Sunk 25 April 1945, in the Bay of Biscay
Type: VIIC/41 Laid Down: 20 August 1943, west of Brest, in position 48°12'N, 05°42'W, by
Nordseewerke, Emden a PB4Y-1 Liberator of VPB-103 equipped with
Commissioned: 8 August 1944, Oblt.Fritz air-dropped acoustic homing torpedoes
Parduhn (Fido). Lieutenant Nott and crew spotted a
Commander: August 1944–April 1945, Oblt. snorkel on the surface southwest of the Brest
Fritz Parduhn peninsula and dropped a salvo of torpedoes
Career: Assigned: August 1944–February 1945, 8th directly on top of the unsuspecting submarine.
Flotilla (Danzig); February 1945–April 1945, The snorkel was blown into the air, a large oil
11th Flotilla (Bergen) slick appeared, and the body of one of the
Successes: Two ships sunk for a total of 15,209 German submariner surfaced. 43 dead (entire
tons crew lost).
Fate: Sunk on 25 April 1945, in the Bay of Biscay
west of Brest, France in position 48°00'N,
06°30'W, by retro bombs from a MAD- VPB-111 (5th VP-21)
equipped PBY-5A Catalina of VPB-63 flown Midget, 5 January 1945
by Lieutenant Frederick G. Lake. At least 37
Type: Unknown Laid Down: Unknown
dead, now known survivors.
Commissioned: Unknown
Commander: Unknown
Career: Unknown
VPB-103 Successes: Unknown
Fate: Two PB4Y-1 aircraft flown by Lieutenant
U-681, 11 March 1945 Howard E. Sires and Lieutenant Franklin B.
Type: VIIC Laid Down: 21 October 1942, Emerson spotted and attacked a midget sub-
Howaldtswerke, Hamburg marine two miles southwest of Chichi Jima. It
Commissioned: 3 February 1944, Oblt. Helmut was sunk using three 250-lb G.P. bombs and
Bach strafed with 700 rounds from 50-cal guns.
 APPENDIX 3 711

VPB-128 (5th VP-1) Commissioned: 2 June 1931

Commander: April 1944–June 1945, LT Yasushi
Midget, 18 March 1945 Ono
Career: Originally designated I-65, redesignated I-
Type: Unknown Laid Down: Unknown
165 on 20 May 1942. Assigned: SubRon 8
Commissioned: Unknown
Commander: Unknown Indian Ocean, SubDiv 30, 1 March 1943–31
Career: Unknown August 1944. I-165 was removed from active
Successes: Unknown service and assigned as a training ship to the
Fate: Two PV-1 Venturas flown by Lieutenants Kure Naval District on 15 December 1944. The
Dorrington and Snyder sank one midget and submarine was converted to a Kaiten (suicide
claimed a probable in Davao Gulf, torpedo) carrier on 1 April 1945 and reinstated
Philippines. into active service with the Combined Fleet.
The captain and crew assigned to I-165 dur-
ing her service with SubRon 8 in 1943 to 1944
Midget, 22 March 1945
were accused of atrocities after the war, for
Type: Unknown Laid Down: Unknown machine-gunning survivors of sinkings in the
Commissioned: Unknown Indian Ocean.
Commander: Unknown Successes: Numerous small cargo vessels, Indian
Career: Unknown
Ocean
Successes: Unknown
Fate: I-165 departed the Inland Sea of Japan on
Fate: Two PV-1 Venturas flown by Lieutenants
15 June 1945, for a Kaiten attack on the U.S.
George Hall and Tepuni attacked a midget
submarine at Cebu, Phillippines. The subma- fleet east of the Marianas Islands. A VPB-142
rine was sunk, but Lieutenant Tepuni and his PV-1 Ventura spotted the submarine at 0232
crew were killed when their aircraft crashed hours, 480 miles east of Saipan, position
immediately following the attack. 15°28'N, 153°39'E. Lieutenant (jg) R. C. Janes
and crew made an attack on the surfaced sub-
marine, which appeared to be carrying the
VPB-142 (VP-142) Kaiten miniature submersibles on its deck. I-
165 was straddled by the depth charges.
I-165, 27 June 1945 Debris, two of the Kaitens and oil were seen
on the surface after the attack. 95 crewmen
Type: 1st Class Fleet Class Submarine, Kaidai Type
5, Class A Laid Down: 1929 were lost, including the commanding officer.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 713

APPENDIX 4

Air-to-Air Claims and Credits for

Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type
Aircraft During World War II
Complied and written by

Mr. James C. Sawruk

Naval Aviation Researcher

T HIS APPENDIX PRESENTS information on air-to-

air combat between enemy aircraft and, the often
the availability of more information and a better
means of processing the data.
overlooked, patrol planes utilized by the Navy and Data in Table 1 is arranged by date of action; time
Marine Corps. Included are shootdowns accumulated of action (if known); squadron; Patrol Plane
by the Marines using PV-1 Venturas as night-fighters. Commander (PPC) rank, first name, middle initial and
The listing does not include the downing of a friendly last name; enemy aircraft type claimed as shot down;
Australian Beaufort by a PB4Y which mistook it as a and location of the action. In the enemy aircraft type
Japanese Betty. The main sources for this data were column, an aircraft listed in parenthesis is the type
the WWII Aircraft Combat Action (ACA) reports, avia- originally reported, while the follow-on type is the
tion unit histories and war diaries. Other sources used actual type shot down based on photographs or as-
to identify obscure encounters included personal and sessments done later. While the list is fairly extensive,
foreign records, particularly those from the Japanese it is not 100 percent complete. Missing information
Maritime Self-Defense Force archives. related to VB-101 has not been located. The VPB-18
As has been the case in past historical documenta- squadron history files claim 12 air-to-air victories, but
tion, unit records improved over time as squadron ad- does not identify them. The record for VB-106 was
ministrative staffs increased in size. Combat actions clarified with information provided by Vice Admiral
through 1943 are not as well documented as those for John T. Hayward, USN (Ret.), who was the wartime
1944 and 1945. However, some documentation prob- commanding officer of the squadron. VB-106 records
lems arise even in the later periods. It is worth noting covering their forward deployment are limited, but
that the Naval Aviation Combat Statistics—World War Admiral Hayward kept a personal diary that he tried
II study done in 1946 by Office of Naval Intelligence to update every few days. The diary identified most
(ONI), and published in 1947 but never distributed, of the dates when air-to-air engagements and claims
was collated using an early IBM punch card computer. were made, although sometimes the dates are shifted
It was a powerful tool for its day, but it was also easy by a day as a result of the international date line.
to introduce keypunch and end-of-program summa- This information, combined with the few remaining
tion errors during the input process. There is no doubt official documents available, helps establish the local
statistical discrepancies were introduced in this man- dates of the actions.
ner. Claims from this study regarding “probables,” Table 2 is a compilation of the air-to-air victories by
“damaged” and/or “smoking” actions are not included the specific types of aircraft and the squadrons flying
in this listing, with the exception of the Rufe claims these aircraft when they were credited with the shoot-
covering August 1942 which are accepted by the 1946 down. Hence, the list for the PBY Catalina identifies
statistical study as “definites” and German aircraft the squadron designation and the number of shoot-
claims that were verified as lost by Luftwaffe records. downs they are credited while flying the PBY. The air-
The data compiled in Tables 1, 2 and 3 is more com- craft types included in this list are the PBY, PV, PBM,
prehensive and will differ from the ONI study due to PB4Y and PB2Y.

713
714 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Table 3 lists the PB4Y crews that qualified as aces Canadian crew members. The first U.S. Navy air-to-air
(five or more aerial victories). This list identifies the victory scored by one individual was credited to
squadron and PPC of the aircraft during the action. It Lieutenant (jg) David S. Ingalls on 20 September 1918,
also lists the date of the action, time of action, enemy while flying with No. 213 RAF Squadron. He downed
aircraft types and location of the action. Amplifying in- a Fokker while flying a Sopwith Camel. Under the
formation regarding specific crews is also included. World War I system, he also became the first Navy ace
As a historical note, the very first air-to-air claims with a score of six.
made by the U.S. Navy were from patrol aircraft crews The compiler accepts full responsibility for any mis-
during World War I. Ensigns Stephen Potter and takes or errors of fact or misinterpretations that may
Nugent Fallon received 1⁄4 credit each for downing have occurred during preparation of the air-to-air
German seaplanes while flying F. 2A flying boats with shootdowns and its related tables and welcomes any
the British from RNAS Felixstowe, England. The re- corrections or additions so that discrepancies will not
maining credits apparently went to the British and be continued in future publications.

Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, looks at a gun blister on a PBY-5A Catalina, January 1943, 80-G-34614.
 Table 1

Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II
Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

41/12/10 1255LCT VP101 LT Harmon T. Utter Zero Cavite, Philippines

41/12/27 0700LCT VP101 ENS Elwyn L. Christman Zero Jolo, Sulu
41/12/27 0700LCT VP101 ENS Elwyn L. Christman Zero Jolo, Sulu
42/01/11 VP101 ENS Jack L. Grayson Pete Near Kema, Celebes
42/01/17 VP22 ENS Jack F. Davis Zero 00-15S 124-00E
42/02/03 1145LCT VP101 LTJG Leroy C. Deede Babs Ruyter, Soerabaja
42/02/24 0716LCT VP101 LTJG John M. Robertson Zero Makassar Harbor
42/06/04 1745LCT VP-42 ENS Albert E. Mitchell Zero East of Unalga Island, Alaska
42/08/08 1115(+10) VP43 LCDR Carrol B. Jones Rufe 51-51N 177-38E
42/08/08 1115(+10) VP43 LTJG Emil B. Hanson Rufe 51-51N 177-38E
42/08/26 2245GCT VP14 LTJG Robert B. Clark Zero 03-00S 158-00E
42/08/26 2245GCT VP14 LTJG Robert B. Clark Zero 03-00S 158-00E
42/09/05 1215LCT VP23 LTJG Francis C. Riley Mavis 05-31S 163-10E
42/10/25 0912LCT VP24 LTJG Warren ‘B’ Matthew Pete 09-00S 164-20E
42/10/26 1100LCT VP24 LTJG Norman S. Haber Zero 07-20S 166-50E
42/11/12 1024LCT VP24 LTJG David Silver Jake 04-00S 165-10E
42/12/29 1130LCT VMD154 2nd LT Gordon E. Gray Zero Over New Georgia
42/12/29 1130LCT VMD154 2nd LT Gordon E. Gray Zero Over New Georgia
43/02/06 1030LWT VB101 ENS Leonard H. Wagoner Nell North end of Choiseul Island
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Rufe BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Rufe BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/02/14 1148LCT VB101 Entire Flight of 9 PB4Ys Zeke BuinShortlands Area
43/07/06 0940(L) VB102 LT Howard A. Nopper Zeke 07-35S 156-40E

APPENDIX 4
43/07/06 0940(L) VB102 LT Howard A. Nopper Zeke 07-35S 156-40E
43/07/06 VB102 LCDR Bruce A. Van Voorhis Pete Kapingamarangi Atoll
43/07/24 2245(11) VD1 LCDR Howell J. Dyson Zeke 08-08S 152-12E
43/07/26 1750(L) VB102 LTJG Robert E. Nadeau Zeke 05-10S 154-45E

715
43/07/26 1750(L) VB102 LTJG Robert E. Nadeau Zeke 05-10S 154-45E
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

716
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

43/08/01 1600GCT VP63 LT William P. Tanner, Jr. Ju 88C6 48-10N 120-0W

43/08/28 1235(L) VB104 LT Charles J. Alley Mavis 00-20N 152-15E
43/09/04 1703GCT VB103 LTJG James H. Alexander, Jr. Ju 88C6 Bay of Biscay
43/09/09 1120(L) VB104 CDR Harry E. Sears Nell 00-45N 153-08E
43/09/27 1110(L) VB102 LCDR Gordon Fowler Zeke 00-30S 167-05E
43/09/28 1305(L) VB-102 LTJG Burton F. J. Albrecht Hap 04-00S 154-30E
43/09/28 1305(L) VB-102 LTJG Burton F. J. Albrecht Hap 04-00S 154-30E
43/09/28 1305(L) VB-102 LTJG Burton F. J. Albrecht Zeke 04-00S 154-30E
43/09/29 0849(L) VB-104 LT John F. Humphrey Betty 06-30S 156-55E
43/09/30 1130(L) VB-104 LT Page B. Clagett Zeke 15 mi ENE of Nauru Island
43/10/04 2130(11) VD-1 LCDR Jack A. Eady Zeke 07-00S 156-45E
43/10/05 1336(L) VB-102 LCDR Gordon Fowler Betty 05-15S 162-20E
43/10/06 1455(L) VB-102 LTJG Burton F. J. Albrecht Betty 05-40S 158-00E
43/10/07 0840(L) VB-104 LTJG Anton E. Anderson Betty 06-00S 158-40E
43/10/08 1355(L) VB-104 LT Herbert L. Donald Jr. Betty 05-10S 160-20E
43/11/04 VB-102 LT Herbert S. Thompson Rufe 01-40N 154-30E
43/11/09 1121(L) VB-104 LTJG Wayman D. Searls Pete Solomons
43/11/13 0420LCT VMF(N)531 CAPT Duane R Jenkins Betty 50 mi SW of Torokina Point
43/11/20 0615GCT VB-108 LT John H. Stickell Betty 05-00N 171-53E
43/12/01 0355GCT VB-108 LT John H. Stickell Zeke 06-00N 173-00E
43/12/01 0355GCT VB-108 LT John H. Stickell Zeke 06-00N 173-00E
43/12/02 0308GCT VB-108 LT William J. Graham Emily 02-05N 168-53E
43/12/03 1043GCT VB-108 LT Frank W. Ackermann Zeke Mille Atoll
43/12/03 1043GCT VB-108 LT Frank W. Ackermann Zeke Mille Atoll
43/12/03 2211LCT VMF(N)531 CAPT Duane R. Jenkins U/I aircraft 06-58S 154-13E
43/12/04 0400GCT VB-108 LT Robert B. Martin Zeke 10 mi W of NW Mille Atoll
43/12/04 0400GCT VB-108 LT Robert B. Martin Zeke 10 mi W of NW Mille Atoll
43/12/06 0400LCT VMF(N)531 MAJ John D. Harshberger Jake 5 mi W of Mutupina Point
43/12/12 VB-104 LT Robert S. Van Benschoten Zeke Solomons
43/12/28 1725GCT VB-110 LCDR James R. Reedy He 177 A3 46-43N 1150W
43/12/29 0040GCT VB-108 LT Vernon E. H. Niebruegge Zeke Kwajalein Atoll
43/12/29 0040GCT VB-108 LT Vernon E. H. Niebruegge Zeke Kwajalein Atoll
43/12/29 0100GCT VD-3 LCDR Neil C. Porter Zeke Kwajalien Atoll
44/01/03 VB-106 LT Douglas C. Davis Jake Near Kavieng, New Ireland
44/01/11 1305(L) VB-104 LTJG Anton E. Anderson Betty Over Mussau Island
44/01/12 2205LCT VMF(N)531 COL Frank H. Schwable Kate 35 mi brg 225 from Torokina Point
44/01/17 0021GCT VB-108 LT Harvey N. Hop Zeke 08-50N 167-55E
44/01/25 0358GCT VB-108 LT Irwin T. Wengierski Zeke 07-19N 168-30E
44/01/25 0358GCT VB-108 LT Irwin T. Wengierski Zeke 07-19N 168-30E
44/01/25 0358GCT VB-108 LT Irwin T. Wengierski Zeke 07-19N 168-30E
44/01/29 0230GCT VD-3 LCDR Neil C. Porter 1/2 Hamp Maloelap Atoll
44/01/29 0230GCT VD-3 LTJG Henry L. Hetherwick 1/2 Hamp Maloelap Atoll
44/01/29 0230GCT VD-3 LCDR Neil C. Porter 1/2 Zeke Maloelap Atoll
44/01/29 0230GCT VD-3 LTJG Henry L. Hetherwick 1/2 Zeke Maloelap Atoll
44/02/05 2108LCT VMF(N)531 COL Frank H. Schwable Betty 64 mi brg 180 from Torokina Point
44/02/09 1250(L) VB104 LT Robert S. Van Benschoten Betty 00-25N 160-40E
44/02/10 0354LCT VMF(N)531 LTCOL John D. Harshberger Betty 45 mi brg 180 from Torokina Point
44/02/10 1046LCT VB138 LTJG Gilbert E. Miller Hamp 10 mi brg 200 from Cape St.
George
44/02/14 0930(L) VB104 LT John F. Humphrey Betty 00-42S 156-40E
44/02/14 1634GCT VB103 LTJG Kenneth L. Wright Ju 88C-6 4800N 093-6W
44/02/15 0505LCT VMF(N)531 COL Frank H. Schwable Jake 10 mi W of Green Islands
44/02/17 0210LCT VMF(N)531 COL Frank H. Schwable Jake Off tip of Pinapel Island
44/02/17 0330LCT VMF(N)531 1st LT Jack M. Plunkett Jake 10 mi W of Nissan Island
44/02/17 1448(L) VB104 LTJG Wayman D. Searls Betty 01-43S 15516E
44/02/19 2145LCT VMF(N)531 LTCOL John D. Harshberger Jake 25 mi SW of Nissan Island
44/02/26 1053GCT VB105 LT Raymond L. North Ju 88C6 49-48N 103-4W
44/03/07 0415GCT VP13 LT Roger A. Wolf Betty 10-02N 159-20E
44/03/13 0319GCT VP13 LTJG Robert D. Cullinane Betty 11-30N 154-25E
44/03/14 0214LCT VMF(N)531 LTCOL John D. Harshberger No.14 5 mi. S of Torokina
TWIN F/P
44/03/22 1120(L) VB104 LT Herbert L. Donald, Jr. Betty 03-50N 157-00E
44/03/23 1140(L) VB104 LT Frederic L. Feind, Jr. Betty 01-30N 153-40E
44/04/04 VB106 LT Henry E. Surface Dinah During patrol from Nadzab
44/04/13 VB106 LT Frederick J. Tuck Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/04/17 VB106 LT Everett B. Mitchell Mavis During patrol from Los Negros
44/04/18 0055GCT VD3 LT Loys M. Satterfield Zeke 25-100 mi. E of Tinian
44/04/20 VB106 LT Edward T. Morrison Betty S of Woleai Atoll
44/04/21 VB106 LT Everett B. Mitchell Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/04/23 0244GCT VB115 LT Paul J. Bruneau Betty 04-45N 150-15E
44/04/24 VB106 LT Everett B. Mitchell Emily Between Palau and Hollandia
44/04/25 VB106 LT Thomas L. Birch Betty During patrol from Los Negros

APPENDIX 4
44/04/28 2210GCT VB108 LT Robert B. Martin Kate 08-52N 154-35E
44/05/01 VB106 LT Allan L. Seaman Tojo Off Biak Island
44/05/01 VB106 LT Allan L. Seaman Tojo Off Biak Island
44/05/07 0115GCT VD3 LCDR Neil C. Porter Zeke SE of Guam
44/05/07 0115GCT VD3 LCDR Neil C. Porter Zeke SE of Guam

717
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

718
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

44/05/07 0115GCT VD3 LCDR Neil C. Porter Zeke SE of Guam

44/05/07 0115GCT VD3 LT Henry L. Hetherwick Zeke SE of Guam
44/05/07 0115GCT VD3 LT Henry Blunt Zeke SE of Guam
44/05/07 0535GCT VB109 LT John D. Keeling Mavis 10-05N 149-40E
44/05/08 2228GCT VB108 LT Harvey N. Hop Betty 07-00N 153-00E
44/05/09 VB106 LT Lewis R. Hardy, Jr. Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/05/11 0437LCT VMF(N)531 1st LT Marvin E. Notestine Jake W side of Matupi Island
44/05/12 0112GCT VP13 LT John P. Wheatley Betty 13-03N 154-37E
44/05/15 VB106 LT John E. Porter, Jr. Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/05/18 0215GCT VP13 LTJG Robert E. Peach Betty 13-45N 155-25E
44/05/18 VB106 CDR John T. Hayward Jake Near Manokwari, New Guinea
44/05/19 0015GCT VB115 LT Paul J. Bruneau Zeke Satawan Island
44/05/20 VB106 CDR John T. Hayward Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/05/20 VB106 LTJG Walter G. Vogelsang Betty During patrol from Los Negros
44/05/28 2230GCT VB115 LT Monte Wenner Betty 00-40S 134-00E
44/05/30 2235GCT VB148 LT Harry D. Metke Betty 05-00N 152-00E
44/06/03 0255GCT VB108 LT Max A. Piper Irving 11-25N 155-15E
44/06/04 0312GCT VB115 LT Hamilton M. Dawes, Jr. Emily 06-20N 130-10E
44/06/05 0200GCT VB115 ENS John D. Gregory Tess 04-50N 130-50E
44/06/06 0405GCT VB109 LCDR William J Janeshak Kate 07-31N 151-12E
44/06/07 2240GCT VB148 LT Harry F. Stanford Betty 02-32N 151-25E
44/06/08 1404(K) VB115 LT Verne E. Geissinger Betty 01-58N 133-43E
44/06/09 1315(K) VB115 LT Paul J. Bruneau Tess 04-50N 130-28E
44/06/09 1315(K) VB115 LT Paul J. Bruneau Tess 04-50N 130-28E
44/06/10 0128GCT VB109 LT George A. Mellard Betty 14-00N 153-10E
44/06/10 0225GCT VP13 LT John P. Wheatley Betty 16-42N 156-30E
44/06/10 2214GCT VB108 LCDR John E. Muldrow Irving 14-20N 148-40E
44/06/11 0145GCT VB101 LT John O. Adams Betty 04-15N 133-50E
44/06/11 1415(K) VB115 LT Stoughton Atwood Tess 04-26N 130-42E
44/06/12 1145(K) VB115 LT Paul J. Bruneau Tess 03-08N 129-28E
44/06/13 0055GCT VB101 LT Albert Y. Bellsey Betty 08-13N 138-16E
44/06/13 1130(K) VB115 LT E. F. Kahle Jennings Betty 04-22N 130-04E
44/06/14 1102(K) VB115 LTJG Gerald N. Monroe Tess 04-52N 131-00E
44/06/17 1130(K) VB115 ENS Paul R. Barker Betty 02-00N 128-35E
44/06/19 0025GCT VB101 LTJG George Winter Emily 09-58N 136-38E
44/06/23 2133GCT VB108 LT Irwin T. Wengierski Kate 11-35N 1543-4E
44/06/26 0040GCT VD4 LT Harry E. Butterfield, Jr. Helen 10mi S of Hall Islands
44/07/02 VB115 LT Stoughton Atwood Emily SW of Palau
44/07/14 VB101 LT Albert R. Sieber Dinah Near the Palau Islands
44/07/18 2330(K) VB109 CDR Norman M. Miller Rufe Chichi Jima
44/07/21 VB115 LT Wiljo Lindgren Betty E shore of Philippines
44/07/27 VB148 LT George S. Von Weller Tony Satawan Lagoon
44/08/06 1300(L) VB116 LT Harry S. Graves Zeke Tuol Island
44/08/10 1835(B) VB105 LT John T. Hitchcock Do 217 4522N 0135W
44/08/20 1122(W) VB135 LTJG Alfred C. Mobus Oscar E of Asashigawa
44/08/28 1050GCT VP44 LTJG Lloyd W. Garrison Jake 04-50S 152-45E
44/09/05 0925(K) VB116 LT Howard T. Klovstad Tess 25-15N 141-12E
44/09/10 1101(W) VB135 LT William L. Sparks Kate Shimushu, Paramushiro
44/09/15 1330(I) VB116 LTJG Howard Mott Zeke 25-10N 140-25E
44/09/16 1210(I) VB116 LT Leonard D. Sullivan Betty 20-04N 129-10E
44/09/17 0926(W) VB136 LT Francis R. Littleton (Oscar) Tojo Asashigawa
44/09/19 VB101 LTJG Neal A. Tyler Kate 06-00N 122-20E
44/09/22 1045(I) VB116 LT Leonard D. Sullivan Frances 21-23N 129-55E
44/09/22 1310(I) VB102 LTJG Payton W. Gudka Betty 24-18N 141-08E
44/09/28 1215(I) VB116 LT Leonard D. Sullivan Betty 20-20N 130-05E
44/10/09 0935(I) VPB102 LTJG Philip W. Knights Betty 23-45N 137-30E
44/10/11 1120(I) VPB116 LT John A. Miller Betty 26-26N 138-21E
44/10/11 1159(I) VPB116 LT William R. Beckham Betty 100 mi NE Chichi Jima
44/10/11 VPB101 LT Fred H. Morris Pete Lalos, Celebes
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William B. Oliver 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William M. Miller 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William B. Oliver 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William M. Miller 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William B. Oliver 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William M. Miller 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William B. Oliver 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William M. Miller 1/2 Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William B. Oliver Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/12 0900(I) VPB116 LT William M. Miller Zeke S of Iwo Jima
44/10/13 1145(I) VPB102 LTJG Edmond N. Elliott Jake 28-20N 142-50E
44/10/14 1330(I) VPB117 LCDR Thomas P. Mulvihill (Kate) Jill 26-00N 141-40E
44/10/20 1100(I) VPB101 LT Albert Y. Bellsey Betty 13-36N 124-15E
44/10/20 1435(I) VPB115 LT Hamilton M. Dawes, Jr. Betty 10-00N 118-30E

APPENDIX 4
44/10/22 1300(I) VPB101 LTJG Kenneth H. Dunn Tess 30 mi W of Puerta Princessa
44/10/23 1430(I) VPB101 ENS John B. Copeland Betty 11-10N 114-50E
44/10/26 1130(I) VPB115 LT E. F. Kahle Jennings Jake 11-00N 128-00E
44/10/31 1345(I) VPB117 LT Herbert G. Box Emily 25-20N 135-30E

719
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

720
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

44/11/01 1130(I) VPB116 LT Guy M. Thompson, Jr. Emily 23-40N 136-35E

44/11/02 1110(I) VPB115 ENS Paul R. Barker Jake 08-00N 119-00E
44/11/07 1230GCT VD-4 LT Earl F. Wright, Jr. Oscar Near Iwo Jima
44/11/07 1230GCT VD4 LCDR Charles H. Clark Zeke Near Iwo Jima
44/11/07 1230GCT VD-4 LT Eugene P. O’Brien Zeke Near Iwo Jima
44/11/11 1120(I) VPB104 LT Maurice K. Hill 1/2 Tony 10-46N 124-20E
44/11/11 1120(I) VPB104 LTJG Gerald L. Didier 1/2 Tony 10-46N 124-20E
44/11/21 1100(I) VPB101 LT Thad ‘R’ Williams Oscar Puerta Princessa
44/11/22 1500(Z) VPB101 LT Albert Y. Bellsey Mavis Tolitoli, Celebes
44/11/24 1130(I) VPB104 LTJG Jeff D. Hemphill Pete 09-20N 118-00E
44/11/29 1545(I) VPB104 LT George Waldeck Tess 09-50N 121-00E
44/12/02 0930(I) VPB117 LT Daniel E. Moore Zeke 13-52N 120-05E
44/12/02 VPB101 LT Albert C. Lubberts Jack Balikpapan, Borneo
44/12/02 VPB101 LT Albert C. Lubberts Zeke Balikpapan, Borneo
44/12/02 VPB101 LT Albert C. Lubberts Zeke Balikpapan, Borneo
44/12/02 VPB101 LT Albert C. Lubberts Zeke Balikpapan, Borneo
44/12/03 1025(I) VPB117 LTJG Warner P. Rhodes Jake 13-25N 120-05E
44/12/04 0910(I) VPB101 LT Robert L. Hershberger Betty 06-35N 125-55E
44/12/06 0912(I) VPB117 LT Daniel E. Moore Jake 11-40N 123-40E
44/12/07 1215(I) VPB117 LCDR Harold M. McGaughey Jake 13-29N 120-07E
44/12/09 1245(I) VPB117 LT Robert G. Garlick Jake 11-20N 119-40E
44/12/10 1100(I) VPB117 LT Bradford M. Brooks Topsy 11-20N 115-40E
44/12/10 1230(I) VPB104 LT Henry S. Noon Zeke Balikpapan Harbor, Borneo
44/12/10 1515(I) VPB117 LT Bradford M. Brooks Dinah 1115N 12255E
44/12/10 1515(I) VPB117 LTJG Jan B. Carter Judy Over Capiz, Panay Island, P.l.
44/12/11 1213(K) VPB111 LCDR Sylvan R. Bland 1/2 Betty 27-10N 141-30E
44/12/11 1213(K) VPB111 LT William E. Bartlett 1/2 Betty 27-10N 141-30E
44/12/11 1415(I) VPB117 LTJG Homer B. Heard Topsy 14-00N 120-18E
44/12/12 1400(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton Tony 12-23N 120-59E
44/12/12 1755(I) VPB117 LCDR Harold M. McGaughey Tess 11-03N 124-20E
44/12/14 0700(I) VPB137 LT Irving A. Enevold Pete SW tip Tawi Tawi Island
44/12/15 1100(I) VPB104 LT John H. Burton Sally 09-20N 117-50E
44/12/17 1800(I) VPB117 LT Daniel E. Moore Tess 11-38N 123-25E
44/12/17 1800(I) VPB117 LT Daniel E. Moore Tess 11-38N 123-25E
44/12/22 1715(I) VPB104 LT Walter H. Heider Zeke 12-03N 123-40E
44/12/24 1200(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton Jake 21-30N 122-40E
44/12/24 1303(I) VPB104 LT William E. Goodman Jake 12-18N 109-18E
44/12/24 1355(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton Pete 21-30N 121-03E
44/12/25 1600(I) VPB104 LT John H. Burton Tabby 16-55N 118-54E
44/12/26 1800(I) VPB117 LT Ralph H. Castleton Betty 13-40N 119-50E
44/12/27 1200(I) VPB102 LT Francis O. Burton Betty Iwo Jima
44/12/28 1045(I) VPB117 LTJG Jan B. Carter Topsy 21-52N 120-12E
44/12/28 1145(I) VPB104 LTJG Edward M. Hagen Mavis 14-01N 112-02E
44/12/30 1040(I) VPB117 LT Graham B. Squires Emily 21-57N 118-50E
44/12/30 1050(I) VPB117 LTJG Jan B. Carter Jake 20-40N 121-47E
44/12/30 1116(I) VPB117 LTJG Jan B. Carter Val 20-47N 121-42E
44/12/31 1159(I) VPB117 LT William J. Quinn Biplane 20-45N 121-18E
44/12/31 1215(I) VPB117 LT William J. Quinn Jake 21-00N 121-05E
44/12/31 1245(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens (Val) Nate 24-30N 123-30E
44/12/31 1800(I) VPB117 LT Robert G. Garlick Tabby 15-20N 119-45E
45/01/03 1310(I) VPB117 LCDR Harold M. McGaughey Nell 10-48N 108-08E
45/01/04 VPB104 LTJG Edward M. Hagen Biplane W/W Philippine Islands
45/01/05 1850(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L Sutton Jake 15-55N 119-35E
45/01/05 1915(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton Jake 15-30N 119-35E
45/01/07 1235(I) VPB117 LT Daniel E. Moore Pete 22-20N 120-00E
45/01/08 1300(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton Jake 11-30N 109-15E
45/01/13 VPB101 LCDR Marvin T. Smith (Hamp) Jack Limbang, N. Borneo
45/01/21 0730(I) VPB117 LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton (Kate) Jill 26-55N 128-00E
45/01/23 1043(I) VPB117 ENS Harold A. Willyard Nell 25-29N 122-08E
45/01/24 0945(I) VPB116 LT Donald V. Kirchberg Zeke 20 mi SE of Iwo Jima
45/01/26 1157(I) VPB104 LT William E. Goodman Jake 22-22N 120-18E
45/01/28 1220(I) VPB111 LTJG Wilbur L. Paris Topsy 20-30N 115-30E
45/01/30 1200(I) VPB104 LTJG Gerald L. Didier Val 24-17N 123-40E
45/01/31 0922(I) VPB117 LT Robert E. Empey Zeke 04-23N 113-53E
45/02/01 1245(I) VPB104 LTJG Richard S. Jameson Jake 22-10N 114-20E
45/02/03 1023(I) VPB104 LT William E. Goodman Jake 23-27N 117-28E
45/02/05 1210(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens Val 03-11N 113-03E
45/02/06 1153(I) VPB104 LT William E. Goodman Betty 26-52N 128-38E
45/02/07 1400(I) VPB117 LCDR Harold M. McGaughey Paul 11-45N 109-15E
45/02/07 1408(I) VPB117 LT William J. Quinn Jake 12-02N 109-18E
45/02/07 1445(I) VPB117 LCDR Thomas P. Mulvihill Zeke 05-19N 115-15E
45/02/07 1445(I) VPB117 LCDR Thomas P. Mulvihill Zeke 05-19N 115-15E
45/02/10 1305(I) VPB111 LCDR Richard P. Field Tony 22-28N 119-55E

APPENDIX 4
45/02/10 1410(I) VPB117 LCDR Harold M. McGaughey Jake 12-45N 109-30E
45/02/11 1315(I) VPB117 LTJG Jan B. Carter Jake 11-30N 108-55E
45/02/12 1308(I) VPB111 LCDR Albert M. Ellingson Nell 13-50N 109-20E
45/02/13 0954(I) VPB104 LTJG Edward M. Hagen Nell 22-48N 119-02E

721
45/02/13 0954(I) VPB104 LTJG Edward M. Hagen Nell 22-48N 119-02E
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

722
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

45/02/15 0910(I) VPB117 ENS John R. Bourchier Kate 24-14N 118-25E

45/02/16 1205(I) VPB104 LCDR Whitney Wright Jake 28-27N 121-45E
45/02/18 1200(I) VPB104 LT Stanley A. Wood Topsy 26-30N 127-40E
45/02/20 1300(I) VPB104 LT Raymond L. Ettinger Kate Naha Harbor, Okinawa
45/02/20 1301(I) VPB104 LT Raymond L. Ettinger Zeke Naha Harbor, Okinawa
45/02/20 1303(I) VPB117 LT Thomas J. Hyland Jake 11-48N 109-15E
45/02/20 1315(I) VPB117 LT Thomas J. Hyland Jake 11-50N 109-10E
45/02/21 1340(I) VPB111 LCDR Albert M. Ellingson Jill 15-41N 108-36E
45/02/22 1146(I) VPB111 LT Harold H. Ashton Topsy 25-43N 124-10E
45/02/22 1231(I) VPB111 LTJG Francis W. Kieper Val 25-15N 121-40E
45/02/23 0945(I) VPB117 LCDR Thomas P. Mulvihill Jake 11-20N 109-10E
45/02/27 1010(I) VPB104 LTJG Earl Bittenbender Topsy 21-45N 113-00E
45/02/27 1010(I) VPB104 LTJG Earl Bittenbender Topsy 21-45N 113-00E
45/02/27 1020(I) VPB104 LTJG Earl Bittenbender Val 21-45N 113-00E
45/02/27 1845(I) VPB117 LT Thomas J. Hyland Jake 10-35N 107-40E
45/03/03 0730(I) VPB104 LT Stanley A. Wood (Jake) Kate 22-10N 120-30E
45/03/03 0915(I) VPB117 LT William J. Quinn (Rufe) Rex 12-40N 109-25E
45/03/04 1035(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens Paul 28-12N 129-30E
45/03/04 1130(I) VPB117 LT Thomas J. Hyland Nell 12-15N 109-13E
45/03/04 1130(I) VPB117 LT Thomas J. Hyland Nell 12-15N 109-13E
45/03/05 1000(I) VPB104 LT George Waldeck Topsy 27-05N 125-20E
45/03/05 1209(I) VPB104 LT George Waldeck Topsy 25-00N 122-45E
45/03/07 1510(I) VPB104 LTJG Richard S. Jameson Frank 23-35N 117-20E
45/03/10 1040(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens Val 20-30N 110-50E
45/03/10 1120(I) VPB119 LTJG Virgil J. Evans Oscar 22-10N 113-50E
45/03/10 1445(I) VPB111 LT Kenneth D. Johnson Betty 14-20N 110-52E
45/03/11 1123(K) VPB118 LT Norman M. Keiser Emily 28-36N 130-20E
45/03/12 1115(I) VPB119 LTJG Aubrey L. Althans Jill 28-22N 121-50E
45/03/13 1030(I) VPB119 LT Frank D. Murphy Oscar 23-50N 116-65E
45/03/15 0830(I) VPB104 LT Stanley A. Wood Jill 22-50N 120-12E
45/03/17 1342(I) VPB117 ENS John R. Bourchier Oscar Cape St. Jacques, Indochina
45/03/17 1614(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens Jake 29-20N 122-20E
45/03/17 1650(I) VPB104 LT Paul F. Stevens Emily 27-40N 121-00E
45/03/22 1155(I) VPB117 LT Arthur G. Elder (Kate) Ann 04-25N 114-00E
45/03/23 1155(I) VPB119 LT William Lyle Oscar 24-50N 120-50E
45/03/23 1155(I) VPB119 LT William Lyle Oscar 24-50N 120-50E
45/03/24 0955(I) VPB119 LTJG Aubrey L. Althans Jake 25-10N 121-20E
45/03/25 1500(I) VPB117 LT Arthur G. Elder Jake Saigon, Indochina
45/03/31 1330(I) VPB117 LTJG Edward O. Jensen Tabby Cape St. Jacques, Indochina
45/03/31 1330(I) VPB117 LTJG Edward O. Jensen Tabby Cape St. Jacques, Indochina
45/04/01 0946(I) VPB119 LTJG Walter G. Vogelsang Val 24-35N 120-42E
45/04/06 1225(I) VPB137 LTJG Joe B. Locker Oscar 10 mi SE of Amoy
45/04/06 1400(I) VPB18 LT Jorden B. Collins Kate 31-00N 130-00E
45/04/06 1505(I) VPB18 LT Gerald Hooker Val 29-00N 127-30E
45/04/08 1300(I) VPB117 LT Robert G. Garlick Sonia 04-40N 114-35E
45/04/16 1125(I) VPB18 LT Jorden B. Collins 1/2 Jake 33-38N 128-21E
45/04/16 1125(I) VPB18 LT Paul D. Fitzgerald 1/2 Jake 33-38N 128-21E
45/04/18 0805(I) VPB117 LT Robert E. Empey Topsy 10-28N 107-07E
45/04/22 0717(I) VPB104 LT George Waldeck Sally 26-30N 122-00E
45/04/26 1840(I) VPB104 LT Raymond L. Ettinger Topsy 26-12N 121-40E
45/04/27 1030(I) VPB118 LT Phillip E. Pettes 1/2 Val 34-05N 129-50E
45/04/27 1030(I) VPB118 LT Leland P. McCutcheon 1/2 Val 34-05N 129-50E
45/04/28 0740(I) VPB104 LT Vance W. Alder Betty 26-10N 121-20E
45/05/02 1350(I) VPB109 LTJG George Serbin Dinah 05-42N 102-58E
45/05/02 1350(I) VPB109 LTJG George Serbin Jake 05-42N 102-58E
45/05/03 1215(I) VPB111 LT Vincent P. McClintock Jake 08-35N 104-50E
45/05/04 0820(I) VPB208 LT William H. Dolley, Jr. Jill 27-53N 127-28E
45/05/04 0858(I) VPB18 LT Paul D. Fitzgerald Nate 28-50N 128-50E
45/05/04 0905(I) VPB18 LTJG John D. Martin Kate 28-40N 128-40E
45/05/05 1138(I) VPB118 LT August M. Lodato (Obs. Pl.) 33-50N 130-10E
Stella
45/05/05 1230(I) VPB118 LCDR Arthur F. Farwell, Jr. (Nick) Lorna Kunsan Fu Airfield, Korea
45/05/05 1250(I) VPB118 LCDR Arthur F. Farwell, Jr. 1/2 Tess Kunsan Fu Airfield, Korea
45/05/05 1250(I) VPB118 LT Norman M. Keiser 1/2 Tess Kunsan Fu Airfield, Korea
45/05/06 1339(K) VPB116 LTJG Frank R. Garland (U/I S/E) 34-14N 136-30E
K11W
45/05/07 1230(I) VPB118 LCDR Arthur F. Farwell Jr. Val 35-56N 126-30E
45/05/09 1000(I) VPB119 LT Frank F. Matthewson Val Near Swatow, China
45/05/09 1130(K) VPB116 LCDR Allen R. Waggoner Mavis 34-15N 138-48E
45/05/10 1345(I) VPB13 LT William L. Kitchen 1/2 Mavis 32-38N 128-50E
45/05/10 1345(I) VPB13 LTJG John A. Hoppe 1/2 Mavis 32-38N 128-50E
45/05/11 0840(I) VPB208 LT Quentin ‘F’ Baker Jill 26-55N 126-56E
45/05/11 1116(K) VPB116 LT ‘W’ ‘J’ Redwine Nell 33-50N 136-00E

APPENDIX 4
45/05/11 1420(I) VPB21 LT Richard L. Simms (Tojo) George 32-58N 129-15E
45/05/12 1325(I) VPB111 LCDR Albert M. Ellingson Topsy 04-11N 103-23E
45/05/13 0835(I) VPB111 LT William C. Bender 1/2 Sonia Near Pontianak, Borneo
45/05/13 0835(I) VPB111 LT Wilbur L. Paris 1/2 Sonia Near Pontianak, Borneo

723
45/05/13 1215(I) VPB111 LCDR Richard P. Field Pete 05-25S 119-25E
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

724
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

45/05/13 1830(I) VPB208 LT Gaylord B. Lyon Dave 26-00N 126-00E

45/05/13 1830(I) VPB208 LT Gaylord B. Lyon Dave 26-00N 126-00E
45/05/15 1145(I) VPB18 LT Marvin E. Hart (Tojo) George 34-00N 129-00E
45/05/15 1145(I) VPB18 LT Marvin E. Hart (Tony) 34-00N 129-00E
George
45/05/15 1145(I) VPB18 LT Marvin E. Hart (Zeke) 34-00N 126-00E
George
45/05/15 1145(I) VPB18 LTJG Irving E. Marr (Zeke) 34-00N 129-00E
George
45/05/16 0900(I) VPB118 LCDR Arthur F. Farwell, Jr. (Jack) George 33-50N 129-00E
45/05/16 0900(I) VPB118 LT Robert M. Finley (Jack) George 33-50N 129-00E
45/05/16 1445(I) VPB111 LT Frank M. Gibson Tabby 08-30N 105-00E
45/05/17 1530(I) VPB109 LT William A. Warren (Jack) George 32-31N 128-30E
45/05/17 1530(I) VPB109 LT William A. Warren 1/2 (Jack) 32-31N 128-30E
George
45/05/17 1530(I) VPB109 LT George D. Fairbanks 1/2 (Jack) 32-31N 128-30E
George
45/05/21 1245(K) VPB102 LT Otis G. Andrews Glider 34-50N 138-30E
45/05/23 1315(K) VPB102 LTJG Stanley Oset Nick 34-39N 137-40E
45/05/24 1205(I) VPB109 LT Donald S. Chay Rufe 34-40N 128-30E
45/05/24 1205(I) VPB109 LT Floyd Hewitt Tony 34-40N 128-30E
45/05/24 1230(K) VPB102 LTJG Allen C. Morgan Nick 35-10N 140-20E
45/05/24 1350(I) VPB13 LT Donald C. Frentz 1/2 Jake 32-35N 126-00E
45/05/24 1350(I) VPB13 LT Herschel M. Cummins, Jr. 1/2 Jake 32-35N 126-00E
45/05/28 0745(I) VPB18 LT John T. Moore Nate 28-20N 128-45E
45/05/30 1245(K) VPB102 LCDR Louis P. Pressler Tabby 33-31N 135-30E
45/05/30 1250(I) VPB106 LTJG Vernon J. Smith Jake 03-25N 103-30E
45/05/30 1300(I) VPB106 LTJG Vernon J. Smith Oscar 03-24N 103-34E
45/05/31 1230(K) VPB102 LTJG Allen C. Morgan Pete 36-05N 140-35E
45/05/31 1230(K) VPB102 LTJG Allen C. Morgan Pete 36-05N 140-35E
45/05/31 1310(I) VPB123 LT George W. McDonald 1/2 (Tojo) 34-10N 126-35E
Frank
45/05/31 1310(I) VPB123 LT Robert J. Monahan 1/2 (Tojo) 34-10N 126-35E
Frank
45/06/01 1030(I) VPB111 LTJG Romayn F. Heyler Oscar Singapore
45/06/03 1030(I) VPB123 LT George W. McDonald 1/2 Pete 34-10N 127-40E
45/06/03 1030(I) VPB123 LT Robert J. Monahan 1/2 Pete 34-10N 127-40E
45/06/03 1415(I) VH3 LT Edgar P. Palm Val 26-30N 128-05E
45/06/04 1530(K) VPB102 LT Elwood C. Mildahn 1/2 Jack 35-39N 140-41E
45/06/04 1530(K) VPB102 LTJG Jack L. Scott 1/2 Jack 35-39N 140-41E
45/06/06 1412(I) VPB123 LTJG Erwin L. Klein 1/2 Tony 30-32N 129-33E
45/06/06 1412(I) VPB123 LTJG Harold M. Sanderson 1/2 Tony 30-32N 129-33E
45/06/08 1025(I) VPB123 LCDR Samuel G. Shilling Rex 33-00N 129-20E
45/06/08 1055(I) VPB123 LT Alfred ‘G’ McCuaig Tojo 33-08N 129-20E
45/06/16 1314(K) VPB108 LT Charles T. Idle Zeke 35-26N 140-40E
45/06/16 1314(K) VPB108 LT Charles T. Idle Zeke 35-26N 140-40E
45/06/17 1023(K) VPB102 LT Thomas F. Copeland 1/2 Tojo 35-45N 140-57E
45/06/17 1023(K) VPB102 LT Robert M. Barnes 1/2 Tojo 35-45N 140-57E
45/06/17 1023(K) VPB102 LT Thomas F. Copeland Oscar 35-45N 140-57E
45/06/17 1023(K) VPB102 LT Robert M. Barnes Oscar 35-45N 140-57E
45/06/18 1205(I) VPB117 LT Robert E. Empey 1/3 Oscar Ha Tien, Indochina
45/06/18 1205(I) VPB117 LTJG Joseph W. Hellrung 1/3 Oscar Ha Tien, Indochina
45/06/18 1205(I) VPB117 LTJG William D. Crawford 1/3 Oscar Ha Tien, Indochina
45/06/18 1205(I) VPB117 LTJG Joseph W. Hellrung Oscar Ha Tien, Indochina
45/06/18 1205(I) VPB117 LTJG William D. Crawford Oscar Ha Tien, Indochina
45/06/19 1200(K) VPB102 LT Erwin R. Copeland Oscar 33-52N 135-08E
45/06/20 1200(K) VPB108 LT Charles R. Baumgartner 1/2 Oscar 34-35N 137-20E
45/06/20 1200(K) VPB108 LT William R. Hazlett 1/2 Oscar 34-35N 137-20E
45/06/25 1200(I) VPB26 LCDR Donald C. Coy Oscar 35-50N 126-41E
45/06/26 1330(I) VPB111 LT William C. Bender Tojo 03-48N 103-10E
45/07/03 1200(I) VPB123 LT Alfred ‘G’ McCuaig Tojo 32-40N 129-35E
45/07/06 1047(I) VPB124 LT John E. Ramsey Val 33-32N 126-25E
45/07/07 0810(I) VPB124 LTJG Everett W. Osborn, Jr. Rex 34-45N 129-00E
45/07/07 0810(I) VPB-124 LTJG Everett W. Osborn, Jr. (Rex, dam.) 34-45N 129-00E
Rex
45/07/19 1400(I) VPB111 LT Burges Smith Jake 09-41N 118-45E
45/07/22 1410(I) VPB111 LT Floyd L. Misner Dinah 5 mi N of Kota Baru, Malaya
45/07/23 0850(I) VPB118 LT Robert M. De Golia 1/2 Topsy 34-20N 129-50E
45/07/23 0850(I) VPB118 LT George H. Shortlidge 1/2 Topsy 34-20N 129-50E
45/07/23 0945(I) VPB123 LTJG Richard L. Treat Tojo 36-00N 126-10E
45/07/24 VPB-124 LT John E. Ramsey 1/2 Oscar 2 km north of Cheju Do
45/07/24 VPB-124 LT Gilbert E. Miller 1/2 Oscar 2 km north of Cheju Do
45/07/26 0945(I) VPB123 LTJG Terence P. Cassidy Tojo 34-20N 129-33E

APPENDIX 4
45/07/26 0945(I) VPB123 LTJG Terence P. Cassidy Tojo 34-20N 129-33E
45/07/31 1310(K) VPB121 LT Albert H. Magie, Jr. 1/2 Zeke 35-34N 140-38E
45/07/31 1310(K) VPB121 LT Richard V. Donahue 1/2 Zeke 35-34N 140-38E
45/08/03 1426(K) VPB121 LCDR Raymond J. Pflum 1/2 Pete Sagami Nada

725
45/08/03 1426(K) VPB121 LT Ralph E. Ettinger 1/2 Pete Sagami Nada
 Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps

726
Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II—continued

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of Time of Squadron Rank First M. Last Name of PPC Enemy Location of Action
Action Action Name I. Aircraft Type

45/08/03 1428(K) VPB121 LCDR Raymond D. Pflum 1/2 Pete Sagami Nada
45/08/03 1428(K) VPB121 LT Ralph E. Ettinger 1/2 Pete Sagami Nada
45/08/08 1445(I) VPB117 LT Raymond L. Klassy Nell Bein Hoa A/D, Saigon Area
45/08/11 1350(K) VPB121 LT Thomas G. Allen Zeke 3514N 13929E

Notes:

1. Japanese aircraft designations for Allied Code Names for Japanese aircraft:

Ann: Mitsubishi Ki-30, Army Type 97 Light Bomber

Babs: Mitsubishi C5M, Navy Type 98 Reconnaissance or Ki-15, Army Type 97
Betty: There were 4 Japanese designations for the Betty:
Mitsubishi G4M1/G4M3, Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber
Mitsubishi G6M1, Navy Type 1 Wingtip Convoy Fighter
Mitsubishi G6M1-K, Navy Type 1 Large Land Trainer
Mitsubishi G6M1-L2, Navy Type 1 Transport
Dave: Nakajima E8N, Navy Type 95 Reconnaissance Seaplane
Dinah: Mitsubishi Ki-46, Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane
Emily: Kawanishi H8K, Navy Type 2 Flying Boat
Frances: There were 3 Japanese designations for the Frances:
Yokosuka P1Y, Navy Bomber Ginga
Yokosuka P1Y1-S, Navy Night Fighter Byakko
Yokosuka P1Y2-S, Navy Night Fighter Kyokko
Frank: Mitsubishi TK-4, Army Type 0 Special Twin-engine Fighter or Nakajima Ki-84, Army Type 0 Special Twin-engine Fighter
George: Kawanishi N1K1-J/N1K5-J, Navy Interceptor Fighter Shiden and Shiden Kai
Hamp: Mitsubishi A6M3, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 32 *
Hap: Mitsubishi A6M3, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 32 *
Helen: Nakajima Ki-49, Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Donryu
Irving: Nakajima J1N1-C and R, Navy Type 2 Reconnaissance or J1N1-S, Navy Fighter Gekko
Jack: Mitsubishi J2M, Navy Interceptor Fighter Raiden
Jake: Aichi E13A, Navy Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane
Jill: Nakajima B6N, Navy Carrier Attack Bomber Tenzan
Judy: Yokosuka D4Y1-C/D4Y2-Ca, Navy Type 2 Carrier reconnaissance or D4Y, Navy Carrier Bomber Suisei
Kate: Nakajima B5N, Navy Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber
K11W: Kyushu K11W Shiragiku Single Engine Trainer
Lorna: Kyushu Q1W, Navy Patrol Plane Tokai
Mavis: Kawanishi H6K, Navy Type 97 Flying Boat
Nate: Nakajima Ki-27, Army Type 97 Fighter
Nell: Mitsubishi G3M, Navy Type 96 Attack Bomber or Yokosuka L3Y, Navy Type 96 Transport
Nick: Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI, Army Type 2 Two-seat Fighter Toryu
Oscar: Nakajima Ki-43, Army Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa†
Paul: Aichi E16A, Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane Zuiun
Pete: Mitsubishi F1M, Navy Type 0 Observation Seaplane
Rex: Kawanishi N1K, Navy Fighter Seaplane Kyofu
Rufe: Nakajima A6M2-N, Navy Type 2 Fighter Seaplane
Sally: Mitsubishi Ki-21, Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber ‡
Sonia: Mitsubishi Ki-51, Army Type 99 Assault Plane
Stella: Kokusai Ki-76, Army Type 3 Command Liaison Plane
Tabby: Douglas L2D, Navy Type 0 Transport
Tess: Douglas DC-2
Tojo: Nakajima Ki-44, Army Type 2 Single-seat Fighter Shoki
Tony: Kawasaki Ki-61, Army Type 3 Fighter Hien
Topsy: Mitsubishi Ki-57, Army Type 100 Transport or L4M, Navy Type 0 Transport
Val: Aichi D3A, Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber
Zeke: Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Reisen (Zero Fighter)
Zero: The Mitsubishi A6M was known as the Zero Fighter. However, Zero was not an Allied Code name, see Zeke.

* The Mitsubishi A6M3 was first identified with the Allied Code Hap. It was later changed to Hamp and finally coded Zeke 32.
† Also have been known as Jim in one theater of the war.
‡ Had been known as Jane before Sally.

2. German aircraft designations

Ju 88C-6
He 177 A3

3. The time zone symbols show the time zone being used by the reporting authority. In some cases, due to the International dateline, this can cause the action to be reported as a different day
when comparing Japanese records with American records.
Time zone designations:
LCT: Local Civil Time
GCT: Greenwich Civil Time
GMT: Greenwich Mean Time
The use of a letter, such as L, K, I, W, and Z, represents the number of hours offset from the Greenwich time reference and is indicative of how the time is recorded on the original report.

4. Miscellaneous acronyms:

mi: mile or miles

brg: bearing
PPC: Patrol Plane Commander

5. Squadron designations:

VP: patrol squadron

VPB: patrol bombing squadron
VD: photographic squadron
VMD: Marine Corps photographic squadron

APPENDIX 4
VB: bombing squadron
VMF(N): Marine Corps night fighter squadron
VH: rescue squadron

6. M. I. (Middle Initial) Column: In some cases the Middle Initial will be shown with quotation marks and without a period, such as “B”. This means the individual had only been given an initial for

727
their middle name and did not have an actual middle name.
728 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Table 2

Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Aircraft Type and Squadrons

PBY Catalinas PB4Y Liberator/Privateer

Squadron Number of Shoot Downs Squadron Number of Shoot Downs
VP-14 2 VMD-154 2
VP-22 1
VP-23 1 VP-51/VB-101/VPB-101* 27
VP-24 3 VB-102/VPB-102† 27
VP-42 1 VB-103 2
VP-43 2 VB-104/VPB-104† 52
VP-44 1
VP-63 1 VB-105 2
VP-101 6 VB-106/VBP-106† 17
VB-108/VPB-108† 22
VB-109/VPB-109† 10
PV Ventura/Harpoon VB-110 1
Squadron Number of Shoot Downs
VPB-11 17
VB-115/VPB-115† 18
VMF(N)-531 12 VB-116/VPB-116† 19
VB-135 2 VPB-117 58
VB-136 1 VPB-118 9
VPB-137 2 VPB-119 8
VB-138 1 VPB-121 4
VB-148 3
VPB-123 9
VPB-124 4
PBM Mariners VD-1 2
VD-3 9
Squadron Number of Shoot Downs VD-4 4
VPB-18 10
VPB-21 1 PB2Y Coronados
VPB-26 1 Squadron Number of Shoot Downs
VPB-208 4
VP-13/VPB-13‡ 7
VH-3 1

Notes:
* VP-51 was redesignated VB-101 on 1 March 1943. VB-101 was then redesignated VPB-101 on 1 October 1944.
† All Bombing Squadrons (VB designations with three digit numbers) were redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB) on 1 October 1944.
‡ VP-13 was redesignated VPB-13 on 1 October 1944.
 APPENDIX 4 729

Table 3

PB4Y Crews with Five or More Shoot Downs

Squadron: VD3 PPC: LCDR Neil C. Porter (1)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

43/12/29 0100GCT Zeke Kwajalein Atoll

44/01/29 0230GCT 1/2 Hamp Maloelap Atoll
44/01/29 0230GCT 1/2 Zeke Maloelap Atoll
44/05/07 0115GCT 3 Zeke SE of Guam

Squadron: VB-115 PPC: LT Paul J. Bruneau (2)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/04/23 0244GCT Betty 0445N 15015E

44/05/19 0015GCT Zeke Satawan Island
44/06/09 1315(K) Tess 0450N 13028E
44/06/09 1315(K) Tess 0450N 13028E
44/06/12 1145(K) Tess 0308N 12928E

Squadron: VPB-117 PPC: LTJG Sheldon L. Sutton (3)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/12/12 1400(I) Tony 1223N 12059E

44/12/24 1200(I) Jake 2130N 12240E
44/12/24 1355(I) Pete 2130N 12103E
45/01/05 1850(I) Jake 15SSN 11935E
45/01/05 1915(I) Jake 1530N 11935E
45/01/08 1300(I) Jake 1130N 10915E
45/01/21 0730(I) (Kate) Jill 2655N 12800E

Squadron: VPB-117 PPC: LT Daniel E. Moore (4)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/12/02 0930(I) Zeke 1352N 12005E

44/12/06 0912(l) Jake 1140N 12340E
44/12/17 1800(I) 2 Tess 1138N 12325E
45/01/07 1235(I) Pete 2220N 12000E

Squadron: VPB-117 PPC: LCDR Harold M. McGaughey (5)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/12/07 1215(I) Jake 1329N 12007E

44/12/12 1755(I) Tess 1103N 12420E
45/01/03 1310(I) Nell 1048N 10808E
45/02/07 1400(I) Paul 1145N 10915E
45/02/10 1410(I) Jake 1245N 10930E
730 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

PB4Y Crews with Five or More Shoot Downs—Continued

Squadron: VPB-117 PPC: LTJG Jan B. Carter (6)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/12/10 1515(I) Judy Over Capiz, Panay

Island, P.I.
44/12/28 1045(I) Topsy 2152N 12012E
44/12/30 1050(I) Jake 2040N 12147E
44/12/30 1116(I) Val 2047N 12142E
45/02/11 1315(I) Jake 1130N 10855E

Squadron: VPB-117 PPC: LT Thomas J. Hyland (7)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

45/02/20 1303(I) Jake 1148N 10915E

45/02/20 1315(I) Jake 1150N 10910E
45/02/27 1845(I) Jake 1035N 10740E
45/03/04 1130(I) 2 Nell 1215N 10913E

Squadron: VPB-104 PPC: LT Paul F. Stevens (8)

Date of Action Time of Action Enemy Aircraft Type Location of Action

44/12/31 1245(I) (Val) Nate 2430N 12330E

45/02/05 1210(I) Val 0311N 11303E
45/03/04 1035(I) Paul 2812N 12930E
45/03/10 1040(I) Val 2030N 11050E
45/03/17 1614(I) Jake 2920N 12220E
45/03/17 1650(I) Emily 2740N 12100E

Notes:

(1) It appears the top turret gunner in LCDR Porter’s crew, ARM2 Paul A. Ganshirt, was involved in all five shoot downs. The same aircraft
PB4Y-1, Bureau Number 32007, was flown during all the air-to-air engagements.
(2) The squadron’s commanding officer was aboard LT Bruneau’s aircraft during the crew’s first shoot down.
(3) The fourth claim for LTJG Sutton and his crew involved an aircraft that crashed due to being trapped against a mountain wall during the
encounter.
(4) The bow turret gunner in LT Moore’s crew, Seaman First Class Richard H. Thomas, was involved in all five shoot downs.
(5) LCDR McGaughey and his crew were shot down and killed on 17 February 1945 due to antiaircraft fire. LCDR McGaughey had different
crew members aboard the aircraft during the five separate air-to-air encounters. Five of the eight gunners with credits for those shoot
downs were lost on 17 February.
(6) LTJG Carter’s crew for the first shoot down was completely different from his crew during his follow-on engagements.
(7) All of LT Hyland’s shoot downs were supported by photographs. For the first two shoot downs he and his crew flew
PB4Y-1, Bureau Number 38963. On the third shoot down he flew PB4Y-1, Bureau Number 38757 and for the last two
shoot downs it was a PB4Y-1, Bureau Number 38861.
(8) For LT Stevens and his crew, the final shoot down was against an H8K (Emily) that was carrying Vice Admiral
Yamagata, IJN, and his staff. VADM Yamagata and most of his staff were lost in this shoot down.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 731

APPENDIX 5

Seaplane Tender Listings

Seaplane Tenders (AV)

Classes:
Five single ships AV 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8.
Curtiss Class 2 ships, AV 4 and 5.
Currituck Class 4 ships, AV 7, 11-13.
Pocomoke Class 2 ships, AV 9 and 10.
Kenneth Whiting Class 4 ships, AV 14 to 17.

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

1 Wright* 16 Dec 1921 AZ 1 17 Jul 1920 Stricken 1 Jul 1946.

San Clemente* 21 Jun 1946 AV 1 1 Nov 1923
AG 79 1 Oct 1944
AG 79 1 Feb 1945

2 Jason 23 Jun 1913 AC 12 Stricken 19 May 1936.

30 Jun 1932 AV 2 21 Jan 1930

3 Langley** 7 Apr 1913 AC 3 7 Apr 1913 Lost to enemy action 27 Feb 1942.
CV 1 20 Mar 1922
AV 3 21 Apr 1937

4 Curtiss 15 Nov 1940 Stricken 1 Jul 1963.

24 Sep 1957

5 Albemarle*** 20 Dec 1940 T-ARVH 1 11 Jan 1966 Stricken 31 Dec 1974.

21 Oct 1960

6 Patoka 13 Oct 1919 AO 9 13 Oct 1919 Stricken 31 Jul 1946.

1 Jul 1946 AV 6**** 11 Oct 1939
AO 9 19 Jun 1940
AG 125 15 Aug 1945

7 Currituck 26 Jun 1944 Stricken 1 Apr 1971.

31 Oct 1967

8 Tangier 8 Jul 1940 Decommissioned sometime be-

tween May 1946 and Jan 1947.
Stricken 1 Jun 1961.

9 Pocomoke 18 Jul 1941 Stricken 1 Jun 1961.

10 Jul 1946

10 Chandeleur 19 Nov 1942 Placed in reserve 12 Feb 1947.

Stricken 1 Apr 1971.

11 Norton Sound 8 Jan 1945 AVM 1 8 Aug 1951

11 Dec 1986

12 Pine Island 26 Apr 1945 Stricken 1 Feb 1971.

16 Jun 1967

731
732 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

13 Salisbury Sound 26 Nov 1945 Stricken 1 Feb 1971.

31 Mar 1967

14 Kenneth Whiting 8 May 1944 Stricken 1 Jul 1961.

30 Sep 1958

15 Hamlin 26 Jun 1944 Stricken 1 Jul 1963.

15 Jan 1947

16 St. George 24 Jul 1944 Stricken 1 Jul 1963.

1 Aug 1946

17 Cumberland Sound 21 Aug 1944 Stricken 1 Jul 1961.

27 May 1947

* Wright was renamed San Clemente on 1 Feb 1945 to permit the use of the name Wright for a carrier under construction.

** Jupiter was commissioned as a collier on 7 Apr 1913 and decommissioned on 24 Mar 1920 for conversion to an aircraft carrier. She was re-
named Langley on 21 Apr 1920 and recommissioned as Langley (CV 1) on 20 Mar 1922.

*** Albemarle was decommissioned on 21 Oct 1960 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 Sep 1962 and placed in the custody of the
Maritime Administration James River Fleet. However, she was transferred back to the Navy on 7 Aug 1964 for conversion to a floating aeronauti-
cal maintenance facility for helicopters. On 27 March 1965 Albemarle was renamed Corpus Christi Bay and redesignated T-ARVH 1. On 11 Jan
1966 she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command (MSC). She was eventually taken out of service by MSC and stricken.

**** Patoka was authorized for conversion to AV on 25 Feb 1924 and operated as such, but was not reclassified an AV until 11 Oct 1939.

NOTE ON DECOMMISSIONING DATES: There were a number of ships that were decommissioned and then recommissioned for further service.
Only the final decommissioning date is listed for these ships. Many ships were also placed out of commission during major rennovations or yard
periods. In some cases the records regarding decommissioning dates were not complete. Consequently, the decommissioning date was left
blank if it was unknown.

Small Seaplane Tenders (AVP)

Classes:
Lapwing Class Converted minesweepers assigned to aviation duty in the 1920s; first given aviation
designation
22 Jan 1936; 9 ships, AVP 1 to 9.
Barnegat Class 32 ships, AVP 10 to 13, 21-26, 28-41 and 48-55.
Childs Class 7 ships, AVP 14 to 20.

Hull numbers omitted may be accounted for as follows: 27, 56, and 57 were commissioned as AGPs; 42-47 and 58-
67 were cancelled.

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

1 Lapwing 12 Jun 1918 AM 1 Transferred to Maritime

Commission 19 Aug 1946.
29 Nov 1945 AVP 1 22 Jan 1936

2 Heron 30 Oct 1918 AM 10 Transferred to Force Logistics

Command 25 Jul 1947.
12 Feb 1946 AVP 2 22 Jan 1936

3 Thrush 25 Apr 1919 AM 18 17 Jul 1920 Stricken 8 Jan 1946

13 Dec 1945 AVP 3 22 Jan 1936 Transferred to Maritime
Commission 19 Aug 1946.
 APPENDIX 5 733

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

4 Avocet 17 Sep 1918 AM 19 Stricken 3 Jan 1946.

10 Dec 1945 AVP 4 22 Jan 1936

5 Teal 20 Aug 1918 AM 23 30 Apr 1931 Stricken 5 Dec 1945.

23 Nov 1945 AVP 5 22 Jan 1936 Transferred to Maritime
Commission 19 Jan 1948.

6 Pelican 10 Oct 1918 AM 27 Stricken 19 Dec 1945.

30 Nov 1945 AVP 6 22 Jan 1936 Transferred to Maritime
Commission 22 Nov 1946.

7 Swan 31 Jan 1919 AM 34 30 Apr 1931 Stricken 8 Jan 1946.

13 Dec 1945 AVP 7 22 Jan 1936 Transferred to Maritime
Commission 12 Oct 1946.

8 Gannet 10 Jul 1919 AM 41 Lost to enemy action 7 Jun 1942.

AVP 8 22 Jan 1936

9 Sandpiper 9 Oct 1919 AM 51 Jul 1920 Stricken 17 Apr 1946.

10 Dec 1945 AVP 9 22 Jan 1936 Transferred to Maritime
Commission 12 Oct 1946.

10 Barnegat 3 Jul 1941 Stricken 23 May 1958.

17 May 1946

11 Biscayne 3 Jul 1941 AGC 18 10 Oct 1944 Transferred to USCG 19 Jul 1946;
29 Jun 1946 returned to USN as target,
9 Jul 1968.

12 Casco 27 Dec 1941 Transferred to USCG 19 Apr 1949.

10 Apr 1947

13 Mackinac 24 Jan 1942 Transferred to USCG 19 Apr 1949;

Jan 1947 returned 15 Apr 1968, expended
as target.

14 Childs 22 Oct 1920 DD 241 Stricken 8 Jan 1946.

10 Dec 1945 AVP 14 1 Jul 1938
AVD 1 1 Oct 1940

15 Williamson 29 Oct 1920 DD 244 Stricken 19 Dec 1945.

8 Nov 1945 AVP 15 1 Jul 1938
AVD 2 2 Aug 1940
DD 244 1 Dec 1943

16 George E. Badger 28 Jul 1920 DD 196 Transferred to Treasury Dept. in

3 Oct 1945 AVP 16 1 Oct 1939 1930 and returned 1934.
AVD 3 2 Aug 1940 Stricken 25 Oct 1945.
APD 33 19 May 1944
DD 196 20 Jul 1945

17 Clemson 29 Dec 1919 DD 186 Stricken 24 Oct 1945.

12 Oct 1945 AVP 17 15 Nov 1939
AVD 4 6 Aug 1940
DD 186 1 Dec 1943
APD 31 7 Mar 1944
DD 186 17 Jul 1945

18 Goldsborough 26 Jan 1920 DD 188 Stricken 24 Oct 1945.

11 Oct 1945 AVP 18 15 Nov 1939
AVD 3 2 Aug 1940
DD 188 1 Dec 1943
APD 32 7 Mar 1944
DD 188 10 Jul 1945
734 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

19 Hulbert 27 Oct 1920 DD 342 Stricken 28 Nov 1945.

2 Nov 1945 AVP 6 2 Aug 1940
DD 342 1 Dec 1943

20 William B. Preston 23 Aug 1920 DD 344 Stricken 3 Jan 1946.

6 Dec 1945 AVP 20 18 Nov 1939
AVD 7 2 Aug 1940

21 Humboldt 7 Oct 1941 AG 121 30 Jul 1945 Transferred to USCG 24 Jan 1949.
19 Mar 1947 AVP 21 10 Sep 1945

22 Matagorda 16 Dec 1941 AG 122 30 Jul 1945 Transferred to USCG 7 Mar 1949;
20 Feb 1946 AVP 22 10 Sep 1945 returned to USN in 1968 used as
target in 1969.

23 Absecon 28 Jan 1943 Transferred to USCG 5 Jan 1949

19 Mar 1947 and then to South Vietnamese
Navy on 15 Jul 1972.

24 Chincoteague 12 Apr 1943 Transferred to USCG 7 Mar 1949.

12 Dec 1946

25 Coos Bay 15 May 1943 Transferred to USCG 5 Jan 1949;

30 Apr 1946 returned 16 Aug 1967 expended
as target.

26 Half Moon 15 Jun 1943 Transferred to USCG 14 Sep 1948.

4 Sep 1946

28 Oyster Bay 17 Nov 1943 AVP 28 The ship never operated as an

26 Mar 1946 AGP 6 1 May 1943 AVP for the U.S. Navy.
AVP 28 16 Mar 1949 Transferred to Italy 23 Oct 1957.

29 Rockaway 6 Jan 1943 AG 123 30 Jul 1945 Transferred to USCG 24 Dec 1948.
21 Mar 1946 AVP 29 26 Oct 1945 Stricken Sep 1966.

30 San Pablo 15 Mar 1943 AGS 30 25 Aug 1949 Decommissioned as AVP 30 on 13

Jan 1947.
29 May 1969 Stricken 1 Jun 1969.

31 Unimak 31 Dec 1943 Transferred to USCG 14 Sep 1948.

26 Jul 1946

32 Yakutat 31 Mar 1944 Transferred to USCG 31 Aug

29 Jul 1946 1948, returned to USN 1970.
Transferred to Navy of South
Vietnam on 10 Jan 1971 until its
` fall in 1975, then transferred to
Philippine government on
5 Apr 1976.

33 Barataria 13 Aug 1944 Transferred to USCG 17 Sep 1948.

24 Jul 1946

34 Bering Strait 19 Jul 1944 Transferred to USCG 14 Sep 1948.

21 Jun 1946

35 Castle Rock 8 Oct 1944 Transferred to USCG 16 Sep 1948.

6 Aug 1946

36 Cook Inlet 5 Nov 1944 Transferred to USCG 20 Sep 1948.

31 Mar 1946 Transferred to South Vietnam as
HQ-05, 21 Dec 1971.
 APPENDIX 5 735

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

37 Corson 3 Dec 1944 Stricken 1 Apr 1966.

9 Mar 1956

38 Duxbury Bay 31 Dec 1944 Stricken 1 May 1966.

29 Apr 1966

39 Gardiners Bay 11 Feb 1945 Transferred to Norway under

1 Feb 1958 Military Assistance Program.
Stricken 1 Jul 1966.
40 Floyds Bay 25 Mar 1945 Stricken 1 Mar 1960.
26 Feb 1960

41 Greenwich Bay 20 May 1945 Stricken 1 Jul 1966.

48 Onslow 22 Dec 1943 Stricken 1 Jun 1960.

22 Apr 1960

49 Orca 23 Jan 1944 Transferred to Ethiopia 31 Jan

Mar 1960 1962.

50 Rehoboth 23 Feb 1944 AGS 50 2 Sep 1948 Decommissioned as AVP 50 on 30

Jun 1947.
15 Apr 1970 Stricken 15 Apr 1970.

51 San Carlos 21 Mar 1944 AGOR 1 15 Dec 1958 Transferred to MSTS 11 Jul 1958,
30 Jun 1947 renamed Josiah Willard Gibbs
on 15 Dec 1958. Transferred to
Greece 15 Dec 1971.

52 Shelikof 17 Sep 1944 Stricken 1 May 1960.

30 Jun 1947

53 Suisun 13 Sep 1944 Stricken 1 Apr 1966.

5 Aug 1955

54 Timbalier 24 May 1946 Stricken 1 May 1960.

15 Nov 1954

55 Valcour 5 Jul 1946 AGF 1 15 Dec 1965 Stricken 15 Jan 1973.

15 Jan 1973

NOTE ON DECOMMISSIONING DATES: There were a number of ships that were decommissioned and then recommissioned for further service.
Only the final decommissioning date is listed for these ships. Many ships were also placed out of commission during major rennovations or yard
periods. In some cases the records regarding decommissioning dates were not complete. Consequently, the decommissioning date was left
blank if it was unknown.

Destroyer Seaplane Tenders (AVD)

Class: Clemson Class DD 14 ships, ex flush deck 1190 ton DDs converted for seaplane tending duties from
1938 to 1940.

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

1 Childs 22 Oct 1920 DD 241 Stricken 8 Jan 1946.

10 Dec 1945 AVP 14 1 Jul 1938
AVD 1 1 Oct 1940

2 Williamson 29 Oct 1920 DD 244 Stricken 19 Dec 1945.

8 Nov 1945 AVP 15 1 Jul 1938
AVD 2 2 Aug 1940
DD 244 1 Dec 1943
736 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Date of New
Commission Designation Date of
Hull and or Change of Designation
Number Name Decommission Designation Change Disposition & Status

3 George E. Badger 28 Jul 1920 DD 196 Transferred to Treasury Dept. in

1930 and returned 1934.
3 Oct 1945 AVP 16 1 Oct 1939 Stricken 25 Oct 1945.
AVD 3 2 Aug 1940
APD 33 19 May 1944
DD 196 20 Jul 1945

4 Clemson 29 Dec 1919 DD 186 Stricken 24 Oct 1945.

12 Oct 1945 AVP 17 15 Nov 1939
AVD 4 6 Aug 1940
DD 186 1 Dec 1943
APD 31 7 Mar 1944
DD 186 17 Jul 1945

5 Goldsborough 26 Jan 1920 DD 188 Stricken 24 Oct 1945.

11 Oct 1945 AVP 18 15 Nov 1939
AVD 3 2 Aug 1940
DD 188 1 Dec 1943
APD 32 7 Mar 1944
DD 188 10 Jul 1945

6 Hulbert 27 Oct 1920 DD 342 Stricken 28 Nov 1945.

2 Nov 1945 AVP 6 2 Aug 1940
DD 342 1 Dec 1943

7 William B. Preston 23 Aug 1920 DD 344 Stricken 3 Jan 1946.

6 Dec 1945 AVP 20 18 Nov 1939
AVD 7 2 Aug 1940

8 Belknap 28 Apr 1919 DD 251 Sold for scrap 30 Nov 1945.

4 Aug 1945 AVD 8 2 Aug 1940
DD 251 14 Nov 1943
APD 38 22 Jun 1944

9 Osmond Ingram 28 Jun 1919 DD 255 Stricken 21 Jan 1946.

8 Jan 1946 AVD 9 2 Aug 1940
DD 255 4 Nov 1943
APD 35 22 Jun 1944

10 Ballard 5 Jun 1919 DD 267 Stricken 3 Jan 1946.

5 Dec 1945 AVD 10 2 Aug 1940

11 Thornton 15 Jul 1919 DD 270 Stricken 13 Aug 1945.

2 May 1945 AVD 11 2 Aug 1940

12 Gillis 3 Sep 1919 DD 260 Stricken 1 Nov 1945.

15 Oct 1945 AVD 12 2 Aug 1940

13 Greene 9 May 1919 DD 266 Stricken 5 Dec 1945.

23 Nov 1945 AVD 13 6 Apr 1941
APD 36 1 Feb 1944

14 McFarland 30 Sep 1920 DD 237 Stricken 19 Dec 1945.

8 Nov 1945 AVD 14 2 Aug 1940
DD 237 1 Dec 1943

NOTE ON DECOMMISSIONING DATES: There were a number of ships that were decommissioned and then recommissioned for further service.
Only the final decommissioning date is listed for these ships. Many ships were also placed out of commission during major rennovations or yard
periods. In some cases the records regarding decommissioning dates were not complete. Consequently, the decommissioning date was left
blank if it was unknown.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 737

APPENDIX 6

Patrol Squadron Shore

Establishments

T HIS IS NOT AN INCLUSIVE LIST of all naval avia-

tion shore establishments. The list was compiled to
the base was made operational in December 1941 to
house personnel from NAS Moffett Field, which was
provide background information on shore establish- not put into operation until 16 April 1942. In the
ments used by patrol squadrons. Naval shore estab- spring of 1942 three auxiliary fields were built to sup-
lishments that are not normally used by patrol port NAS Alameda: NAAF Cotati, NAAF Concord and
squadrons are not included in this list. NAAF Hollister. Later, fields were built at Crows Land,
Santa Rosa, Vernalis and South San Francisco. VP-44
was the first patrol squadron to use NAS Alameda,
Shore Establishments in the coming aboard on 7 December 1941. PatWing-8 head-
quarters moved to Alameda that same month. The pri-
United States mary mission of the base during the war was mainte-
nance of fleet air units. The role of the base as a major
NAF/NAS/NS Adak, Alaska—NAF Adak was estab- repair facility was emphasized in 1967 when it became
lished on 21 November 1942 and redesignated NAS on one of six Naval Air Rework Facilities in the U.S. The
1 April 1943, with an auxiliary airfield on Kiska, airfield was named Nimitz Field on 26 January 1967, in
Aleutians, after the island had been retaken from the honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz,
Japanese on 11 September 1943. The airstrip was Commander-in-Chief, Pacific during WWII and later
named Mitchell Field on 2 February 1944 in honor of CNO. NAS Alameda was disestablished on 30
Ensign Albert E. Mitchell, who lost his life in the September 1997.
Aleutians earlier in the war. One of several islands in
the Aleutian chain that extends across the Bering Sea, NAF Amchitka, Alaska—The island of Amchitka
Adak’s suitable deep-water bay was the primary rea- was occupied by U.S. forces in January 1943. On 24
son for its development as a major base during WWII. February 1943 NAF Amchitka was established to sup-
An advance seaplane base was established there by port the requirements for one Navy patrol squadron at
the tender Teal (AVP 5), which put North Pacific forces the U.S. Army field on that site. Amchitka served as
within 250 miles of occupied Kiska and in a position the headquarters for FAW-4 and detachments of VP-61
to maintain a close watch over enemy shipping lanes during the invasion of Attu in May 1943. After the oc-
to that island and to Attu. The tender Casco (AVP 12) cupation of Attu, the role of Amchitka was down-
was damaged at Nazan Bay by a torpedo from RO-61 graded to that of aerology reporting. The facility was
and was beached while repairs were completed. The disestablished on 11 January 1946. During the 1960s,
air station was placed in inactive status on 15 February Amchitka was used as a testing site for nuclear de-
1947. NAS Adak was redesignated an NAF on 16 June vices. Several West Coast patrol squadrons participated
1948 and then redesignated an NS on 1 July 1950. NS in these tests, flying patrols over the testing area to
Adak was redesignated NAF on 1 July 1994 and finally monitor Soviet naval vessels and to gather airborne
disestablished on 18 February 1998. particulate samples after the detonations.
NAS Alameda, California—The Naval air station at NAS/NS Anacostia, District of Columbia—
Alameda was located on the east side of the San Anacostia was established as a naval air station on 18
Francisco Bay, south of Oakland. The site, already de- December 1918 on a portion of the Army field. It was
veloped as a Pan American and community airport, one of the air bases recommended under the Helms
was turned over to the Navy in 1938 for one dollar. Board plan to be used by naval aviation as an experi-
Although still unfinished, the station was established mental station. During the period between the wars
on 1 November 1940. Work on the airfield facilities NAS Anacostia served as home to the Navy Pigeon
was still not complete at the outbreak of WWII, but Training School, the first Aerology School for weather

737
738 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

forecasting and as a flight test and evaluation center. A NAAS/NAS Astoria, Oregon—Established on 15
naval reserve air base was established to coexist on December 1940 as NAAS Tongue Point, this facility
the site. On 26 September 1935, the Army turned over was capable of supporting up to 36 patrol seaplanes.
the entire establishment of the adjacent Bolling Field The auxiliary field at Clatsop County Airport supported
to the Navy, creating more runway space for land- Navy landplanes, including PV-1 Venturas. On 31 May
based naval aircraft. During WWII the Navy’s testing 1944, Tongue Point, Clatsop Airport and Moon Island
and evaluation center was moved from NAS Anacostia Airport were redesignated NAS Astoria. The facility
to NAS Patuxent River, Md. On 1 July 1946 a Naval Air was disestablished on 1 August 1946.
Reserve Training Unit was activated at Anacostia. VP-
900 was the first reserve patrol squadron (PV-2 NAF/NAAF Atka, Aleutians, Alaska—Atka is the
Harpoons and PBY-5A/6A Catalinas) to make largest of the Andreanof Islands and was established
Anacostia its home port. The reserve components on as a naval air facility in November 1942. It was redes-
the base were relocated to NAF Andrews, Md. NAS ignated a naval auxiliary air field in February 1943,
Anacostia was officially disestablished as an active air serving as a refueling site for patrol planes during the
station on 1 January 1962. NS Anacostia currently campaign in the Aleutians. The occupation of Kiska
serves as the home for a detachment from HMX-1 that soon made the base superfluous, and it was disestab-
provides helicopter transportation for the president. lished on 1 September 1945.

NAF Andrews, Andrews AFB, Maryland—(See NRAB/NAS Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia—

NAF Washington) Established as a Naval Reserve Air Base in March 1941,
on the site of an Army base (Camp Gordon) unused
NAF Annapolis, Maryland—Annapolis became the since WWI. The facility, located near Marietta, was re-
earliest site for Naval Aviation when Captain designated NAS on 1 January 1943. It became a reserve
Washington I. Chambers was detailed on 6 July 1911 naval air station in 1946, with nine reserve squadrons
to the Naval Academy for the purpose of establishing operating from there and two at satellite fields at
a flying camp. The site he chose was at Greenbury Birmingham, Ala., and Charleston, S.C. Reserve patrol
Point, across the Severn River from the Academy. squadron VP-901 with PBY-5A Catalinas, was estab-
Flying operations began in September and ended in lished at NAS Atlanta in May 1946. NAS Atlanta was re-
December with the onset of poor flying weather. The located to newly built facilities adjacent to Dobbins
pilots assigned to the U.S. Naval Aviation Camp at AFB, Marietta, Georgia, in April 1959.
Greenbury Point were then transferred to San Diego,
Calif., to establish another camp at the Glenn Curtiss NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey—The naval air sta-
facility on North Island. Flying operations resumed at tion at Atlantic City was established at the municipal
Greenbury Point in the spring of 1912. In the spring of airport in July 1942 and served as a patrol base for 24
1913, the facility had its first fatality when Ensign W. land planes protecting the convoy approaches to the
G. Billingsley was thrown from his aircraft, a B-2 East Coast. Several patrol squadrons rotated through
Wright hydroaeroplane. The accident led to the devel- this facility during the war. Construction of a perma-
opment of the seatbelt, which became mandatory for nent facility at nearby Egg Harbor was begun in
all naval aircraft. Operations ceased at Greenbury October 1942. The new facility was established on 24
Point on 4 January 1914 when all naval personnel April 1943, and the old municipal airport, now named
were relocated to NS Pensacola, Fla., to establish a Bader Field, was turned over to the Army Air Corps.
new flying school for the Navy. A naval air activity The principal wartime role of the air station was train-
was reestablished at Annapolis in 1926 as a seaplane ing fighter squadrons for the fleet. After the war activ-
base to provide aviation training to Naval Academy ity decreased only slightly. By 1950 the facility was
cadets. The activity was greatly expanded during designated an all-weather station. The first Navy Air
WWII and on 20 March 1950 was redesignated a naval Reserve squadrons reported aboard on 6 July 1950.
air facility. Seaplane training was then relocated to Over the next eight years, several reserve patrol
NAS Norfolk, Va. On 1 January 1962, the NAF was dis- squadrons flew to NAS Atlantic City to perform ACDU-
established and its assets were relocated to Andrews TRA training flights. The air station was disestablished
Air Force Base, Md., as part of NAF Andrews, which on 1 July 1958 due to increasing civilian air traffic and
had been officially established on 1 January 1962. suburban buildup around the base.

NAAF/NAF Annette Island, Aleutian Islands, NAF/NAS Attu, Alaska—Attu, the largest of the
Alaska—One of three auxiliary airfields supporting Near Islands chain in the Aleutians, was occupies by
NAS Sitka, Alaska, Annette Island was established on 1 the Japanese on 7 June 1942. On 28 May 1943,
March 1943 as an auxiliary airfield and redesignated General Yamaziki was invited to surrender via an air
NAF on 17 March 1943. NAF Annette Island was dises- drop from a VP-43 Catalina. He refused and the U.S.
tablished on 16 December 1944. Army recaptured Attu on the 29th. NAF Attu was es-
 APPENDIX 6 739

tablished on 8 June 1943 with an auxiliary airfield on in honor of Commander John Rodgers for his exploits
the island of Shemya. When Attu was taken back from in early Naval Aviation. NAS Barbers Point was dises-
the Japanese it provided better facilities for seaplane tablished on 1 July 1999.
operations. VP-45 was the first seaplane squadron to
receive support from NAF Attu via the service pro- NAAS Barin Field, Florida—One of six auxiliary air
vided offshore by the tender Casco (AVP 12). During stations serving NAS Pensacola, NAAS Barin Field was
WWII operations from Attu included night bombing established for intermediate training on 5 December
and reconnaissance missions to the northern Kuriles, 1942 and disestablished on 15 March 1947. The facility
the northernmost of the Japanese home islands. The was reestablished as NAAS Barin Field on 15 January
airfield was redesignated a naval air station on 17 1952 for basic and advanced training. It was placed in
September 1943. It was disestablished on 1 January an inactive status on 31 October 1958 and is currently
1949. used as an OLF for Whiting Field.

NAS Banana River, Florida—This facility was es- NAS/MCAAS/MCAS Beaufort, North Carolina—
tablished as a secondary seaplane base for NAS The last of 23 naval air stations begun during the
Jacksonville, Fla., on 1 October 1940. The base served naval construction program of 1942. Facilities included
as a PBM Mariner training and ASW patrol site during barracks for 2,800 men, four nose hangars, one full
WWII and was inactivated on 1 August 1947 and dis- hangar, storehouses and fuel storage for 350,000 gal-
established on 1 October 1947. On 1 July 1951, the lons of aviation gas, and four 6,000-foot asphalt run-
site was turned over to the U.S. Air Force for use as ways. Established as a NAS on 15 June 1943, redesig-
the USAF Eastern Space and Missile Center. nated MCAAS on 26 June 1956 and then redesignated
MCAS on 1 March 1960.
NAAF/NAAS Bar Harbor, Maine—(see NAS
Brunswick, Maine) This base was originally estab- NAS/NARF Birmingham, Alabama—(see NAS
lished on 1 September 1943 as an NAAF secondary Atlanta, Ga.) This airfield was built as an adjunct to
field to NAS Brunswick, Maine. It was redesignated an the civilian airport at Birmingham, Ala., and was estab-
NAAS on 22 August 1945 and was disestablished on 15 lished as a naval air station on 15 September 1948 and
November 1945. served as a secondary reserve training base for NAS
Atlanta. It was redesignated a naval air rework facility
NAS Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii—Barbers Point on 25 June 1956. The NARF was in turn disestablished
was first surveyed by the Navy in July 1940 and estab- on 1 October 1957 when the facilities were sold to a
lished as a naval air station on 15 April 1942. NAS civilian firm that continued running the air rework fa-
Barbers Point was utilized for advanced combat train- cility under government contract.
ing for fighter and bomber crews prior to assignment
to forward areas. The base was home to CASU-2, NAAF/NAAS/NAS Boca Chica, Florida—Boca
which overhauled engines and aircraft for the fleet. By Chica was established as an NAAF on 1 April 1943. It
the end of WWII the facility had grown to a force of was redesignated an NAAS on 23 October 1943 and
over 4,000 officers and men. Postwar budget cuts re- became an NAS on 8 February 1945. During the war
duced the on-board complement to 378 officers and the base was used by patrol squadrons for advanced
men, and the future of the base seemed uncertain. In training in ASW off the coast of Florida. With the end
1949 the naval air activities in Hawaii were consoli- of WWII, vast cutbacks in military spending ensued
dated at Barbers Point. The first half of 1950 saw the and many bases, including Boca Chica, were closed.
arrival of the first patrol squadron, VP-6, from NAS NAS Boca Chica was officially disestablished on 31
Whidbey Island, Wash. During the Korean conflict, March 1945.
NAS Barbers Point once again assumed a wartime role NAAS Bronson Field, Florida—One of six auxiliary
training aircrews for combat. It also served as a base air stations serving NAS Pensacola, Fla., NAAS
for supplying UN forces with cargo and replacement Bronson Field was established for training on 18
personnel. The post-Korean War period saw a contin- November 1942 and disestablished on 15 March 1947.
ued increase in the scope of activities and construction After disestablishment it became an OLF for NAS
of facilities at NAS Barbers Point. When Commander Pensacola.
Fleet Air Hawaii moved its headquarters to Barbers
Point in 1959, Fleet Air Wing 2 came aboard as well. NAAS Brown Field, Otay Mesa, California—
This provided the air station with a new role of sup- Brown Field was established as a naval auxiliary air
porting operational and training missions in the VP station on 17 March 1943 for NAS Camp Kearney (later
community. In June 1973, Commander Fleet Air renamed NAS Miramar). It was named in honor of
Hawaii was disestablished and the air station began Commander Melvin S. Brown, who was killed in a
reporting to Commander Naval Air Pacific. The airstrip plane crash in 1936. Commander Brown participated
was named John Rodgers Field on 10 September 1974, in the first trans-Atlantic flight of the NC flying boats in
740 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1919. During WWII the field was used to train air units NAS Miramar. On 14 June 1955, the airfield was
and patrol squadrons preparing for duty in the Pacific. named Mitscher Field in honor of Admiral Marc A.
On 1 June 1946 the field was put in a caretaker status. Mitscher, Naval Aviator No. 33, leader of fast carrier
With the increase in Naval Aviation activity brought task forces in WWII and Deputy CNO (Air). The air
about by the Korean War, Brown Field was restored to station reverted for a second time to Marine Corps
life once again as an ALF for NAS San Diego, Calif., on control and was redesignated MCAS Miramar on 1
1 November 1951. The ALF was redesignated NAAS October 1997.
Brown Field on 1 July 1954. On 2 November 1954, the
Convair XFY-1 Pogo made its first historic vertical NAS Cape May, New Jersey—This facility was one
takeoff and landing at NAAS Brown Field. During this of the air bases recommended under the Helms Board
period the field was home to one utility squadron, a plan to be used by Naval Aviation as a patrol air sta-
Regulus air missile detachment, two antisubmarine tion. It was established as an NAS on 6 October 1917,
squadrons and one fleet aircraft service squadron de- but not turned over to the Navy until 4 December
tachment. On 1 July 1961, the field reverted to an ALF, 1917. During WWI 12 seaplanes and 1 dirigible were
with minimal staff on board. On 1 September 1962 the assigned to the station. The Cape May station re-
field was disestablished and custody given to the City mained Navy property after the war until 1926 when
of San Diego. the seaplane hangar and several of the buildings were
transferred to the Coast Guard. On 16 September 1940
NAS Brunswick, Georgia—This base was one of the base was reestablished as a naval air station to
the sites recommended under the Helms Board plan to support two carrier squadrons. The old WWI dirigible
be used by Naval Aviation as a patrol air station. By 13 hangar was torn down and an eight-spoke airfield
November 1918 the construction was complete and with taxiways was built. On 1 May 1946 the airfield
personnel assigned, but with no assigned seaplanes. was reduced to caretaker status. The facility was dises-
By 20 May 1919 the base was listed as being in a non- tablished on 1 June 1946 and turned over for the sec-
operating status. It was officially disestablished 12 ond time to the Coast Guard, which has continued to
October 1920. (see NAS Glynco, Georgia for WWII pe- use it through the 1990s.
riod)
NAAF/NAAS Casco Bay, Maine—(see NAS
NAS/NAF Brunswick, Maine—This base was estab- Brunswick, Maine) This facility was established as an
lished as a naval air station on 15 April 1943 to train NAAF secondary seaplane base for NAS Brunswick on
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots and was disestab- 14 May 1943. It was designated an NAAS on 22 August
lished on 15 December 1946. Five auxiliary landing 1945, put in caretaker status on 15 May 1946, and offi-
fields in Maine had been attached to NAS Brunswick: cially disestablished on 15 December 1946.
Bar Harbor, Lewiston, Sanford, Rockland and Casco
Bay. Brunswick was reactivated as an NAF on 15 NAAS/NAS Cecil Field, Florida—(see NAS
March 1951 to serve as the home for Fleet Air Wing 3. Jacksonville, Fla.) Cecil Field was established as an
Records indicate it was scheduled for redesignation to NAAS for NAS Jacksonville on 20 February 1943. It
an NAS on 15 September 1951. Brunswick has re- was named for Commander Henry B. Cecil, Naval
mained an active naval air station since 1951. Aviator No. 42, lost in the crash of the dirigible Akron
(ZRS-4) on 4 April 1933. NAAS Cecil Field was dises-
NAAS Camp Kearny, California—During WWI the
tablished on 1 March 1948 and reactivated on 1
U.S. government purchased the Kearny Ranch located
November 1948. It was redesignated an NAS on 30
13 miles north of San Diego, Calif. The Army estab-
June 1952. Due to budget cutbacks and base closures,
lished Camp Kearny as a military training base for
NAS Cecil Field was closed in 1999.
lighter-than-air craft and also as an aircraft target
bombing range. With the outbreak of WWII, the NAS Charleston, South Carolina—(see NAS
southern portion of the base was given to the Navy Atlanta, Ga.) This was one of the air bases recom-
for use as an auxiliary airfield for NAS San Diego, mended under the Helms Board plan to be used by
Calif. Officially established as an NAAS on 20 February Naval Aviation as a kite balloon station. It was under
1943, this facility served as a major training and stag- construction during WWI but not completed before
ing area for patrol squadrons preparing for the the war came to an end. During WWII the base was
transpac to WestPac and the South Pacific combat established as an NAS secondary to NAS Atlanta, Ga.,
zone. The Army relinquished its control of the north- on 15 June 1942. It was disestablished on 1 August
ern portion of Camp Kearney, and both sections of the 1946.
base were consolidated on 1 May 1946 and redesig-
nated Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It reverted to NAS Chatham, Chatham Port, Massachusetts—
Navy control on 30 June 1947 and was redesignated This was one of the air bases recommend under the
NAAF. On 1 April 1952 the facility was redesignated Helm Board plan to be used by Naval Aviation as a
 APPENDIX 6 741

patrol station. The contract for construction of the primary training and disestablished on 20 March 1946.
base was let on 8 September 1917, but NAS Chatham The station was reestablished as an NAAS for basic
was not completed until late March 1918. Twelve sea- training on 11 August 1948 and disestablished on 30
planes and one dirigible conducted patrols over the June 1958.
sea lanes from this base. By 20 May 1919, the base
was listed as being in a nonoperational status. NAAS/NAAF Crows Landing, California—This site
was established on 25 May 1943 to serve as an auxil-
NRAB/NAS Chicago, Illinois—(see NAS Glenview, iary airfield for PB4Y-1 and 2 squadrons operating out
Ill.) of NAS Alameda, Calif. It was also used by bomber
crews as a glide bombing and air-to-ground gunnery
NAAS/NAS Chincoteague, Virginia—NAAS range. The station was inactivated on 1 July 1946, but
Chincoteague was established on 5 March 1942 at continued to serve as an auxiliary and emergency
Chincoteague Island, Va., to serve as an outlying field landing field for NAS Moffett Field, Calif., until closure
for the housing, maintenance and training of carrier of that facility in 1994.
fighter squadrons assigned to NAS Hampton Roads,
Va. By 1944 the facility was used to provide opera- NAS Deland, Florida—NAS Deland was established
tional training to PB4Y-2 Privateer crews. It was redes- as a primary training base on 17 November 1942. It
ignated an NAS on 1 January 1950 and used as a naval also served as an advanced training site for patrol
aviation ordnance test station. On 1 July 1951 the base bombers conducting operational ASW patrols off the
was redesignated an NAAS and on 1 January 1955 re- coast of Florida. The facility reverted to caretaker sta-
designated an NAS. VP-8 was based there from April tus on 15 April 1946 and was disestablished on 15
1958 until the station was closed in 1959. The facility June 1946.
was disestablished on 30 June 1959 and transferred to
NASA to supplement their operations at nearby NAF Detroit, Michigan—NAF Detroit was estab-
Wallops Island. lished on 8 November 1969 following the closure of
NAS Grosse Ile, Mich. The latter facility was too small
NAS Clinton, Oklahoma—This facility was estab- for the reserve’s transition to jet aircraft and larger pa-
lished under the Special Task Air Group training com- trol planes. The new base became a tenant command
mand as an NAS on 1 June 1943. The flat, open spaces at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mount Clemens,
surrounding the base made secrecy of special test pro- Mich. The relocation of reserve patrol squadrons to
jects easier to maintain. VBs 152 and 153 were estab- NAF Detroit, Selfridge Field, marked a return of naval
lished in August 1943 and April 1944, respectively, and reserve aviation, originally based there from 1927 to
located at NAS Clinton, to test the target seeking glide 1929. NAF Detroit became home to the VP-93
bomb known as Pelican. The Pelican was equipped Executioners on 1 July 1976. Facilities were shared
with a beam-rider radar homing device developed by with Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps
the Bureau of Ordnance Special Design Section in reserve units. Patrol squadron operations ceased at
April 1942. After a number of tests in early 1944, with NAF Detroit with the disestablishment of VP-93 on 30
only limited success, the project was cancelled in late September 1994.
July 1944. Numerous other special projects were also
NAS/NAF Dutch Harbor, Aleutians—Situated on
tested there during the war. With the end of hostilities
Unalaska, an island in the Aleutians purchased from
the base was placed in caretaker status by December
Russia in 1867, Dutch Harbor was the second location
1945 and formally disestablished on 1 June 1946. in the Aleutians the U.S. had once started to fortify.
NAAF Cold Bay, Alaska—(see NAS Kodiak, Alaska) The first fortifications began on Kiska in 1916 but was
This small facility, located on Shumagin Island, served abandoned shortly thereafter and never completed
as a refueling stop and temporary base for seaplanes due to the Washington Conference of 1921–1922, in
operating as detachments from Dutch Harbor. The bay which the U.S. agreed not to fortify the Aleutians.
on Shumagin Island had been in use by the Navy as Construction of air facilities at Dutch Harbor was com-
an anchorage since 1929. After the Japanese invaded menced in 1940, not as a bastion against Japanese ag-
the Aleutians in June 1942, the Cold Bay site was es- gression, but against potential Russian incursions. The
tablished as a naval section base in July 1942. It was base was established as an NAS on 24 June 1941. On 4
redesignated an NAAF on 5 September 1942, and was June 1942, the Japanese forces made their move on
the island chain, landing first on Kiska, 700 miles from
disestablished on 7 November 1944, after the with-
NAS Dutch Harbor. Attu, at the tail end of the Aleutian
drawal of Japanese forces from the Aleutians.
chain, was also occupied at that time. Dutch Harbor
NAAS Corry Field, Florida—One of six auxiliary air served briefly as FAW-4 headquarters from July to
stations serving NAS Pensacola, Fla., Corry Field was August 1942. On 1 July 1944, the air station was redes-
established as an NAAS on 15 January 1943 for use in ignated an NAF, and serviced nearly all of the patrol
742 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

squadrons operating in the theater until the conclusion unit on the East Coast with 55 aircraft available for
of WWII. The facility was officially disestablished on 1 duty in a special rescue squadron. The station re-
November 1947. turned to Coast Guard control on 15 March 1946 and
was officially disestablished as an NAS on 15 June
NAS/MCAS Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas—The 1946.
Marine Corps established an air station at Eagle
Mountain Lake on 13 July 1942 as a training facility NAAS/NAS Ellyson Field, Florida—Ellyson Field
for Marine Corps aviators. On 1 July 1943, the Navy was one of six auxiliary air stations serving NAS
redesignated the facility an NAS under the Training Pensacola, Fla. It was established on 1 October 1941
Task Force Command. The station was used as a as an ALF and operated as such until 20 January 1943
training facility and to provide support for seaplane when it was redesignated an NAAS and used for pri-
squadrons conducting transcontinental flights. mary training. The station went into caretaker status
Nearby NAAF Rhome Field, Rhome, Texas, served as on 15 January 1946 and was inactivated on 15 March
the auxiliary airfield for NAS Eagle Mountain Lake. 1947. It was reactivated as an ALF on 3 December
The bases supported one combat wing and station 1950 to serve as a helicopter training facility. ALF
personnel, totaling 141 officers, 1,003 enlisted per- Ellyson Field was redesignated an NAAS on 1
sonnel and 75 aircraft. The air station was a conve- November 1967 and then became an NAS on 31 July
nient halfway stopping point for Navy seaplanes, af- 1968. NAS Ellyson Field was disestablished on 31
fording refueling and maintenance facilities for December 1973.
transiting aircraft. On 31 March 1944, the station was
returned to the Marine Corps along with Rhome NAAF Fleming Field, Minnesota—(see NAS
Field, and redesignated an MCAS. The station sup- Minneapolis, Minn.) Fleming Field was established as
ported 54 fighter and dive bombing aircraft and an NAAF for NAS Minneapolis on 20 July 1943. The
Rhome Field supported an additional 18 aircraft. On NAAF was named in honor of Captain Richard E.
1 April 1946 MCAS Eagle Mountain Lake was re- Fleming, USMC, killed while leading an attack on an
duced to caretaker status and disestablished on 15 enemy cruiser in the Battle of Midway.
December 1946. Disestablishment date is uncertain, but it is believed to
be in the 1946 time frame.
NAS/MCAS/NAAS Edenton, North Carolina—
SecNav established NAS Edenton on 13 July 1942 as a NRAB Floyd Bennett Field, New York—
training facility under the Commandant, Naval Air When the decision was made in 1928 to develop a
Operational Training Command. It was transferred to municipal airport for New York City, Barren Island, lo-
the Marine Corps on 9 July 1943 and redesignated cated in Jamaica Bay on the southern tip of Brooklyn,
MCAS Edenton. The base served as a glider training was selected for the site. The new field was named for
center and later as a two-engine landplane training site its native son Warrant Officer Floyd Bennett, Medal of
with 36 PV-1 Venturas and 18 SNB-1 Kansans. On 1 Honor recipient and companion of Lieutenant
March 1945 the station was returned to the Navy and Commander Richard E. Byrd (later Admiral) during his
redesignated NAS Edenton. With the end of WWII and flight over the North Pole in 1926. The field was dedi-
subsequent base closures, the station was inactivated cated by the city on 23 May 1931, with facilities for
on 1 August 1946. It was reactivated as an ALF for both landplanes and seaplanes. From 1931 to 1941 the
MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., on 14 January 1952. On 2 field served as the takeoff point for many record-
August 1955 it returned to Navy control as an NAAS, breaking flight attempts, including flights by Wiley
remaining under the military command of MCAS Post, Howard Hughes, Amelia Earhart, Roscoe Turner,
Cherry Point. The facility was officially disestablished Laura Ingalls, Jimmy Doolittle, Jacqueline Cochran and
on 31 December 1958. On 9 January 1959, the field Douglas “Wrongway” Corrigan. A portion of the new
was redesignated an OLF for MCAS Cherry Point. facility was established as an NRAB on 11 June 1931.
On 23 April 1938 Floyd Bennett Field also became the
NAS Elizabeth City, North Carolina—Originally site of a Coast Guard air station. It was redesignated
constructed as a Coast Guard air station at a site se- NAS New York on 2 June 1941, retaining the original
lected in 1938 on the banks of Davis Bay off the name Floyd Bennett Field for the name of the
Pasquotank River, the station was taken over by the runway. (See NAS New York)
Navy and established as an NAS on 6 March 1943. The
north end of the station was enlarged by the addition NAS Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii—The Sixth
of over 100 buildings needed for crew training on the Aero Squadron, U.S. Army, became the first tenant of a
PV-1 Ventura, PBY Catalina, PBM Mariner and Free new airfield on a cane-covered island ten miles west
French SBD dive-bomber squadrons. The facility of Barbers Point, Hawaii, in late 1917. The Navy’s
served as the central base for the Eastern Sea Frontier Pacific Air Detachment, with its four seaplanes, did not
Command. It operated the largest search and rescue arrive at Pearl Harbor until early 1920 and moved to
 APPENDIX 6 743

Ford Island a year later. The Army continued to oc- years that followed, two reserve patrol squadrons, VP-
cupy the west end of the field, while the Navy uti- 60 and VP-90, flew from the field until their disestab-
lized and expanded the east side of the island. lishment in 1994. The facility was disestablished on 30
Commander John Rodgers, Naval Aviator No. 2, offi- September 1995.
cially established the new naval base as NAS Pearl
Harbor on 17 January 1923. In the years that fol- NAS Glynco, Georgia—The base, on the site of the
lowed, Ford Island played a significant role in civil former NAS Brunswick, was reopened and expanded
aviation as well as in naval aviation. On 20 March in January 1943 and renamed NAS Glynco. During
1936, Amelia Earhart Putnam crashed at NAS Pearl WWII it served as an NAS for the Navy’s lighter-than-
Harbor on the beginning of the second leg of her at- air patrol squadrons. NAS Glynco was disestablished
tempted around-the-world flight. Between 1936 and during the 1974 round of base closures. (See NAS
1940, the facility provided services for the Pan Brunswick, Ga., for the early history of the base.)
American Airways Clipper aircraft that were beginning Naval Aviation Camp Greenbury Point,
to pioneer a Pacific air route to Manila, Philippines, Maryland—(see NAF Annapolis, Md.)
and the Far East. On 26 September 1935, an agree-
ment was reached with the Army whereby the Navy NAAS Green Cove Springs, Florida—NAAS Green
took over Luke Field on Ford Island and the Army Cove Springs was established on 11 September 1940.
moved to Hickam Air Field five miles to the east. It was named NAAS Lee Field on 12 March 1941 in
When the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor took place honor of Ensign Benjamin Lee, who lost his life in a
on 7 December 1941, the aircraft based at Ford Island crash at Killingholme, England, during WWI. It served
were neatly lined up outside their hangars for an in- as an auxiliary air station for nearby NAS Jacksonville,
spection that had taken place the day before. All but Fla. Lee Field was renamed NAAS Green Cove Springs
two of the station’s aircraft, which were airborne at on 9 August 1943 and was disestablished on 15
the time, were disabled or destroyed in the attack. In December 1945.
the months that followed the base on the small island
expanded to its fullest capacity to accommodate the NAS Grosse Ile, Michigan—NRAB Detroit was es-
flood of personnel and aircraft arriving from the main- tablished in 1928 on Grosse Ile Island in the Detroit
land. With the conclusion of the war, operations on River. The facility, redesignated an NAS on 1 January
Ford Island declined. The inability of the base to han- 1943, was renamed NAS Grosse Ile in late 1943 or
dle large jet aircraft and the demise of Navy seaplane early 1944. The station served as a flight training cen-
squadrons spelled the end for the historic facility. On ter for American and British pilots into the early 1960s.
March 1962, NAS Ford Island was officially disestab- VP-905, established on 1 July 1946, was the first re-
lished after more than 40 years of service. serve patrol squadron assigned to the base. With the
advent of jet aircraft and the subsequent requirement
NRAB/NAS Glenview, Illinois—Originally estab- for longer runways and larger maintenance facilities,
lished as NRAB Chicago, Ill., on 28 August 1937, the NAS Grosse Ile’s small station was no longer suitable,
base was moved that same year to the Curtiss- and it was disestablished on 8 November 1969. The
Reynolds Airport at Glenview when it became appar- activities at Grosse Ile were relocated to NAF Detroit,
ent that the former facility was too small for the larger, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mount Clemens,
higher speed aircraft coming off the assembly lines. By Mich. (see NAF Detroit).
1942, wartime demands for training centers resulted in
the conversion of reserve bases to primary training NAS Hampton Roads, Virginia—(see NAS Nor-
folk, Va.)
commands. NRAB Chicago was accordingly estab-
lished as NAS Chicago on 1 January 1943. On 5 May NAAS Harvey Point, North Carolina—Harvey
1944, the station was renamed NAS Glenview. Carrier Point was established as an NAAS on 15 June 1943 and
qualification training was conducted from the station was capable of servicing up to 48 patrol aircraft (four
in coordination with two carriers operating on Lake squadrons) at a time. It was used during WWII primar-
Michigan. These two carriers, Wolverine (IX 64, former ily as a training base for establishing new seaplane
Seandbee) and Sable (IX 81, former Greater Buffalo), squadrons. During the period 7 October 1943 to late
were converted vessels that had once plied their trade 1945, NAAS Harvey Point also served as the headquar-
on the Great Lakes. In July 1946, NAS Glenview ters for FAW-5 and HEDRON 5-2. The NAAS portion of
ceased to function as a primary training command and the base was disestablished on 1 September 1945 and
became the home of the Naval Air Reserve Training the site served as a storage area for the Navy’s surplus
Command headquarters. VP-904 was the first reserve PBM Mariners. The base was reactivated in 1958 to
patrol squadron to fly from NAS Glenview after its es- support sea trials for the P6M Seamaster seaplanes. The
tablishment as the headquarters for the Naval Air demise of the Navy seaplane program resulted in the
Reserve Training Command on 1 July 1946. In the closure of the base once again in 1963.
744 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

NAS Hatboro, Pennsylvania—(see NAS Willow tion. NAS Key West was established on 17 December
Grove, Pa.) 1917 and was tasked with providing the fleet with oil
during WWI. Eighteen seaplanes assigned to the
NAS Jacksonville, Florida—The citizens of Duval Seventh Naval District were based at NAS Key West
County, Fla., took the unusual step in 1939 of purchas- and patrolled the sea lanes off the east coast of Florida
ing 3,260 acres of land near Mayport, Fla., and giving to protect cargo vessels from German submarines. The
clear deed and title to the Navy for its use as an air air base also served as a major training site for Naval
station and carrier base. NAS Jacksonville was estab- Aviators, with over 500 pilots completing the flight
lished on 15 October 1940, fourteen months before training syllabus at NAS Key West by the end of WWI.
U.S. entry in WWII. During the war years NAS The base was disestablished 15 June 1920 and was
Jacksonville served as one of the major naval air train- reestablished as a seaplane station on 15 December
ing centers, producing more than 11,000 pilots and 1940. NAS Key West served as one of the Neutrality
10,000 aircrewmen who had undergone primary and Patrol bases and had a squadron of destroyers and a
operational training at the air station. To support NAS PBY Catalina squadron assigned to the station. After
Jacksonville, auxiliary airfields were opened during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Seventh Naval District
the war at Cecil Field and Lee Field near Green Cove was based at NAS Key West. After WWII NAS Key
Springs, Fla. In 1945 the headquarters for FAW-11 was West was used for training and experimental purposes.
established at NAS Jacksonville. ComNavAirLant re- It was a major player in the Cuban Missile Crisis, sup-
placed this command on 1 July 1973, when fleet air porting several patrol squadrons which maintained
wings were redesignated patrol wings and NAS surveillance over the approaches to Cuba from 22
Jacksonville became headquarters for PatWing-11. In October through 20 November 1962. During the next
1946, VP-906 (later redesignated VP-741), a reserve pa- three decades NAS Key West provided valuable train-
trol squadron, began operations at NAS Jacksonville. ing for East Coast squadrons with its Tactical Aircrew
By 1949, two active duty patrol squadrons, VPs 3 and Combat Training System and real-world, computer
5 and two reserve patrol squadrons, VPs 861 and 741, controlled combat simulation training. NAS Key West
were home ported at NAS Jacksonville. On 14 October also serves as a base for air-sea rescue operations.
1960, the runway at NAS Jacksonville was named
Towers Field in honor of Admiral John H. Towers, NAS Kodiak, Alaska—The first base on Kodiak, lo-
Naval Aviator No. 3, a leader in Naval Aviation from cated on the southwest gulf of Alaska on the Shelikof
1911 to his retirement in 1947. NAS Jacksonville con- Strait, was a Navy radio station constructed in 1911.
tinues to have patrol squadrons based at the station. The site was further extended in 1939 to serve as a
naval section base. The naval air station was estab-
NAS/MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii— lished on 15 June 1941, with auxiliary airfields at Cold
Construction of Kaneohe as a seaplane base began in Bay, Shumagin Islands (1 August 1942) and Sand Point
1939 and the airfield for landbased aircraft was added Island, Alaska (April 1943). After the war, the base
in 1940. NAS Kaneohe Bay was formally established continued to serve as a weather reporting station and
on 15 February 1941 for use as a seaplane base for monitoring site for the approaches to the U.S. The
Navy patrol squadrons. The Kaneohe installation NAS portion of the base was disestablished on 1
served as an important staging point for carrier and October 1950, and the remaining facilities were turned
patrol squadrons deployed for combat in the Pacific. over to the Coast Guard in June 1972.
The base was inactivated on 30 June 1949 and redesig-
nated an MCAS on 15 January 1952. MCAS Kaneohe NAAS Lee Field, Florida—(see NAAS Green Cove
Bay is scheduled to be redesignated an NAS sometime Springs, Fla.)
in 1999 or 2000. NAAF/NAAS Lewiston, Maine—(see NAS Bruns-
NAS Key West, Florida—Key West is an island at wick, Maine) The air facility at Lewiston was estab-
lished as an NAAF in April 1943, to provide support
the end of a chain running from the southern tip of
for NAS Brunswick, Maine. It was redesignated an
Florida. In 1823 Commodore David Porter established
NAAS in August 1945 and disestablished on 1
a naval depot at Key West, which later became a
December 1945 during the first round of postwar base
major coaling station for the fleet. It played a major
closings.
role in the Civil War because it was the only southern
port in Union hands at the start of the war. The base NRAB/NAS Long Beach, Los Angeles,
lay dormant until the 1890s when Spanish activities in California—The City of Long Beach deeded the land
Cuba elevated its importance as a major forward area needed to establish an airfield to the Navy in 1928.
base. After the Spanish-American War, another period The facility was established as an NRAB on 10 May
of inactivity ensued until the U.S. entered WWI. 1928 and served in that capacity until the outbreak of
Favorable flying weather and a strategic location in the WWII. On 31 May 1942, NRAB Long Beach was redes-
Caribbean made this a prime location for an air sta- ignated an NAS. It was officially disestablished on 31
 APPENDIX 6 745

May 1942 and by 1 August 1942, all its assets were re- trol squadron to be home ported at NARTU Miami.
located to Los Alamitos, Calif. NARTU Miami was disestablished on 30 June 1959.
NRAB/NAS/NAAS Los Alamitos, California— NAS/NAF Midway Island—Midway Island, located
NRAB Los Alamitos was formally established on 31 3,200 miles due west of San Francisco, Calif., is part of
May 1942, after the relocation of assets from NAS Long the Hawaiian chain of islands. It came under U.S.
Beach. It was redesignated an NAS to provide support Navy Department administration on 20 January 1903
for carrier-based aviation in January 1943. The station but was not incorporated in either the Territory of
was redesignated an NAAS in December 1943 and re- Hawaii or the State of Hawaii. It was first utilized by
turned to its NAS designation in September 1945. It Naval Aviation when Pelican (AVP 6) anchored there
became the home port for Navy reserve squadron VP- and its two aircraft conducted flight operations around
908 on 1 July 1946. In 1946 the administration of re- the island in 1924. It became a site for commercial avi-
serve squadrons at NAF Litchfield Park, Ariz., came ation on 12 April 1935 when Pan American Airways’
under NAS Los Alamitos. VP-772 was called to active ship North Haven arrived at Midway to set up a sea-
duty from Los Alamitos in September 1950 to serve in plane base. Weekly Clipper seaplane service followed
the Korean War. The facility was disestablished in 1972 soon after, connecting the continental U.S. to Hawaii
and turned over to the California Air National Guard. and the Asian mainland. Construction on an airfield
began in March 1940 with the establishment of NAS
NRAB/NAS Memphis (Millington), Tennessee—
Midway on 1 August 1941. In addition to the runways
The history of NAS Memphis began in WWI when
for land-based aircraft, NAS Midway Island serviced
the Army Signal Corps leased the area near
patrol seaplanes needed for long-range surveillance
Millington, Tenn., for a flying school. The school, lo-
around the approaches to the island. It was from NAS
cated on a pasture called Park Field, taught students
Midway on 3 June 1942 that Lieutenant Howard P.
the basics of flying in the JN-4 Jenny biplane. After
Ady, Jr., executive officer of VP-23, spotted strike force
the Armistice, the War Department purchased the
vessels of the Japanese Fleet approaching the island
field, closing the deal on 23 March 1920. In 1923
for what would become the epochal Battle of Midway.
many of the WWI structures were torn down and the
On 19 August 1942 the land-based airstrip was named
site lay fallow, serving as a transient Army camp until
Henderson Field in honor of Major Loften R.
the outbreak of WWII, when the decision was made
to make the facility an airfield again. NRAB Memphis Henderson, USMC, lost in action during the Battle of
was established on 15 September 1942 to provide Midway (an airfield on Guadalcanal was also named
primary flight training for cadets. On 1 January 1943, in his honor). In the postwar years the Midway facili-
the base was redesignated an NAS. In the postwar ties continued to serve as a convenient halfway stop
period NAS Memphis serviced as a reserve air station. for Naval Aviation and NATS aircraft. During the Cold
VP-67 was established at NAS Memphis on 1 War period several AEW squadrons and patrol
November 1970. NAS Memphis was redesignated squadron detachments utilized the air station facilities.
Naval Support Activity Memphis on 30 September In October 1978 the naval air station was redesignated
1995, after 25 years of service in the reserve patrol NAF Midway Island. NAF Midway Island was disestab-
community. In addition to supporting the reserve lished on 30 September 1993.
community, NAS Memphis had been a host to a total NRAB/NAS Minneapolis, Minnesota—The Navy
of 24 other commands. began construction of a new naval reserve air station
NAS/NRAB/NARTU Miami, Florida—NAS Miami at Wold-Chamberlain Airport, Minneapolis, in 1928. It
began supporting a squadron of 12 seaplanes for was established as NRAB Minneapolis on 1 October
coastal ASW patrols even before the construction of 1928 and redesignated NAS Minneapolis on 1 January
the air station was completed. The CNO (Aviation) 1943. During WWII it served as a training facility for
Weekly Bulletin of 15 December 1917 references NAS aviation cadets. NAAF Fleming Field was established
Miami. However, the official establishment date is un- on 20 July 1943 to provide support for NAS
known. NAS Miami was disestablished on 20 May Minneapolis. After the war NAS Minneapolis was
1920. On 15 November 1932, NRAB Miami was estab- placed in a maintenance status from 1 October 1945
lished at Opa Locka airport, northwest of Miami. The through mid-1946. It was placed back in operational
facility was redesignated an NAS on 15 August 1940 status for the reserves on 19 June 1946 and became
and served as an intermediate flight training center for the home port for reserve patrol squadron VP-911 on
the dive bomber community. Crews from PB4Y-1 6 July 1946. On 1 July 1963, the name of the station
Liberators were trained at Master Field, purchased by was changed to NAS Twin Cities. In 1970, NAS Twin
the Navy in 1942 along with Miami Municipal Airfield. Cities was disestablished and redesignated Naval Air
In 1946 Master Field was designated an NARTU. VP- Reserve Detachment (Glenview). In 1979, the facility
910, flying PBY-5A Catalinas, was the first reserve pa- was redesignated again, as NARC Twin Cities.
746 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

NAS Miramar, California—(see NAAS Camp Naval Aviation as a patrol station. From 17 September
Kearney, Calif.) 1918, it served as a refueling station for aircraft flying
from NAS Hampton Roads, Va. A squadron of six air-
NAS Moffett Field, California—In 1930 the citi- craft was regularly maintained there during WWI. On
zens of Santa Clara County, in competition with other 1 February 1919, the station was officially detached
West Coast counties, raised sufficient funds to pur- from NAS Hampton Roads and began operations as an
chase 1,000 acres of land near Sunnyvale, Calif. The established NAS. By 20 May 1919 the base was listed
property was conveyed to the Navy for the sum of as being in a nonoperating status. On 24 March 1920
one dollar. Construction commenced immediately, and the base was put back into operation as a Coast Guard
on 12 April 1933 NAS Sunnyvale was established. The air station.
base was to become the new home for the dirigible
Macon (ZRS-5). Eight days before the establishment of NAF/NRAB/NAAS Mustin Field, Philadelphia,
NAS Sunnyvale, Macon’s sister ship Akron (ZRS-4) Pennsylvania—(See NAS Willow Grove, Pa.) Mustin
crashed with the loss of all hands, including the Chief Field was established at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in
of BuAer, Admiral William A. Moffett. On 17 May 1933, 1926, after the training school in Rockaway, New
the facility was renamed NAS Moffett Field in honor of York, was closed. It was established as NAF Mustin
the admiral. On 12 February 1935, one year, nine Field on 17 September 1926, in honor of Captain
months and 50 flights later, Macon shared Akron’s Henry C. Mustin, Naval Aviator No. 11. The station
fate, crashing in the waters off Point Sur, Calif. The consisted of 53 enlisted, 16 officers, four seaplanes
loss of the two airships ended the need for the new and seven landplanes. In 1939 the base was redesig-
base and its huge hangar. In 1935 the facility was nated NRAB Mustin Field and became a primary flight
turned over to the Army for use as a primary training training unit. Satellite fields were added in 1942 after
center. It remained under Army control until August the pace of instruction picked up. One such field,
1941. The Navy reestablished NAS Moffett Field on 16 Pitcairn Airfield, was to become the replacement for
April 1942. Although intended primarily as a lighter- NRAB Mustin on 1 January 1943, when it was redesig-
than-air training base, NAS Moffett Field provided nated NAS Hatboro, Pa. The NRAB was moved to the
training to transport and patrol squadrons prior to new air station at Hatboro, but was soon renamed
combat deployment in the Pacific. During the postwar again when its mailing address was moved to a new
years the base became a major NATS center. It sup- post office at Willow Grove, Pa. Mustin Field was re-
ported a variety of fighter and transport squadrons designated an NAAS for flight testing with the
until January 1963 when VP-31 arrived. VP-31 was a Philadelphia Naval Aircraft Factory on 20 July 1943
fleet readiness patrol squadron responsible for training and was formally disestablished on 7 October 1958.
crews transitioning to the P-3 Orion. VP-91, a reserve
squadron, was established at Moffett on 1 November NRAB/NAS New Orleans, Louisiana—The first
1970 and continued operations there after the Navy of- base at New Orleans was established on 16 July 1941,
ficially closed NAS Moffett Field on 1 July 1994. Active as a naval reserve air base, situated along the banks of
duty patrol squadrons were subsequently transferred Lake Pontchartrain on the northern edge of the city
to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, or NAS Whidbey Island, limits. With the outbreak of WWII, the base was
Wash. Moffett Field continued operations under the quickly enlarged and converted into a primary training
control of NASA. center for aviation cadets, one of 16 such sites
throughout the U.S. The facility was redesignated an
NAS Montauk, Long Island, New York—NAS NAS on 1 January 1943. In the postwar period NAS
Montauk was one of the air bases recommended New Orleans continued in the training role, this time
under the Helms Board plan to be used by Naval for Navy and Marine Corps air reservists. The introduc-
Aviation as a patrol station. The base was built on the tion of jet aircraft and the need for larger shops,
northeastern tip of Long Island on a 33-acre site. NAS hangar and administrative areas led to a search for a
Montauk was officially established in early August new base of operations. The site chosen was 15 miles
1917. Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher south of the city on marshy land. Construction began
was the first commanding officer. Twelve seaplanes in 1954 and the new NAS New Orleans was estab-
and two dirigibles conducted patrols from this base lished on 13 December 1957. The runway was named
during WWI. By 20 May 1919, the base was listed as Alvin Callender Field in honor of Captain Alvin A.
being in a nonoperating status and was officially dises- Callender, RFC, on 26 April 1958. Callender, a native
tablished on 4 August 1919. of New Orleans, was killed in aerial combat during
NAS/CGAS Moorehead City, Cape Lookout, WWI while flying with the Royal Flying Corps of
North Carolina—Construction of this patrol base was Canada (he was not a U.S. Naval Aviator). The new
begun in 1918. It was one of the air bases recom- base was large enough to accommodate Navy, Marine
mended under the Helms Board plan to be used by Corps, Air Force, Louisiana Air National Guard and
 APPENDIX 6 747

Coast Guard reserve units. VP-94, a reserve patrol NAS North Island, San Diego, California—San
squadron, was established at NAS New Orleans in Diego may be recognized as one of the birthplaces of
November 1970. Naval Aviation, the site where Lieutenant T. G. Ellyson
began his training to become Naval Aviator No. 1.
NAS New York, New York—NRAB Floyd During the winter of 1911 he underwent training with
Bennett Field was redesignated NAS New York on 2 Glenn Curtiss at his camp on North Island. By the time
June 1941 and was the home port for numerous America entered WWI, the Navy had recognized the
patrol squadrons. On 1 January 1946 the station was need for aviation bases to conduct training and anti-
placed in a reduced operational status. On 1July 1946, submarine patrols. San Diego, already a major naval
the base came under the Naval Air Reserve Training base, was selected as a site for a new air station on 27
Command and home port for reserve VP-913. July 1917 and Lieutenant E. Winfield Spencer was de-
The base was officially disestablished in 1971. tailed there to officially establish NAS San Diego as a
NAS Norfolk, Virginia—Although not one of the permanent air station on 8 November 1917. The loca-
sites originally selected by the Helms Board plan for tion chosen was on a sandy spit of land in the middle
Naval Aviation, the Hampton Roads, Va., facility had of the bay called North Island, where Ellyson and
been used by the Navy for seaplanes since 1915. It Curtiss had previously set up an aviation camp for in-
was formally included in the Navy Yard Development structing pilots. Construction of permanent buildings
Plan of 21 June 1916 and was used extensively for was begun in early 1918, and expansion of the facili-
both seaplane and balloon training until May 1918, ties continued even after the war since the base had
when all training ceased and combat ASW patrols become a major site for the repair and servicing of
commenced. The base was officially established as fleet seaplane squadrons. In late 1921 the Navy’s first
NAS Hampton Roads on 27 August 1918. Twenty-four officially designated patrol squadron, VP-1, was estab-
seaplanes conducted patrols from the station during lished at NAS San Diego with six aging WWI-vintage
WWI. With the conclusion of the war the facilities at F-5L seaplanes. In April 1926, the Secretary of the
Navy directed that flight schools be established at
Hampton Roads were used once again for training
Hampton Roads, Va., and San Diego, Calif. On 26
and experimentation work, as well as regular
September 1935, the Army began turning over
squadron operations. In August 1932 the air station
Rockwell Field on North Island to the Navy, a process
was redesignated NAS Norfolk. The naval air detach-
that extended into 1939. Throughout WWII NAS San
ment, with several seaplanes and landplanes, was re-
Diego fulfilled many roles: the jumping off point for
sponsible for training student officers and conducting
patrol squadrons starting their transpac for Hawaii and
operational patrol flights along the Atlantic seaboard.
then on to the combat zones in the Pacific; a major
During the 1930s NAS Norfolk functioned as a sup-
training center; and a servicing and repair center for
port unit for carrier aircraft and patrol planes as-
the carrier squadrons. In 1949 Commander Naval Air
signed to PatWing-5. The airstrip was named
Force, Pacific Fleet was headquartered at NAS San
Chambers Field on 27 April 1938, in honor of Captain
Diego. In early 1955 NAS San Diego was officially re-
Washington I. Chambers, first officer-in-charge of avi-
designated NAS North Island. The runway was named
ation and director of early efforts to find a place for
Admiral Halsey Field on 20 August 1961 in honor of
aviation in the fleet. Prior to 1941, several large car-
Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander Third
rier air groups and three to four patrol squadrons
Fleet during WWII.
were permanently or temporarily located at the air
station. The advent of WWII caused significant ex- NRAB/NAS/NAAS Oakland, California—Located at
pansion of the base facilities to include new runways the Oakland Municipal Airport on the east bank of San
for land-based aircraft and permanent hangars. One Francisco Bay, NARB Oakland was established 1
of the worst Navy noncombat disasters during WWII August 1928 to provide facilities for Naval Air Reserve
occurred in September 1943 when 24 depth charges training. Primary flight training moved to Livermore,
exploded while being transported at the air station. Calif., and NRAB Oakland became a NATS terminal. It
The explosion caused more than 400 injuries and 20 was redesignated NAS Oakland in January 1943 and
deaths, as well as the destruction of numerous build- then became NAAS Oakland in May 1943. In May 1945
ings. By mid-1944 NAS Norfolk was serving as the it was redesignated an NAS. After WWII it had reserve
home port for 36 Navy patrol aircraft (three squadrons assigned until they were transferred to NAS
squadrons) and two carrier air groups. After WWII Alameda. VP-907 (PV-2 Harpoons and PBY-5A
NAS Norfolk also became a naval reserve air station Catalinas) was established there on 1 July 1946. The
in July 1946 and also hosted reserve patrol Navy turned the land over to the city of Oakland to for
squadrons. NAS Norfolk was disestablished on 24 the expansion of the municipal airport and disestab-
November 1998. However, the runway is still used lished NAS Oakland on 30 June 1961. Navy activities at
and falls under Naval Station Norfolk. NAS Oakland were transferred to NAS Alameda, Calif.
748 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

NAAF/NAAS/NAS Oceana, Virginia—On 25 the station served as a waystation and refueling stop
November 1940, the Navy purchased 328.9 acres of for aircraft in transit between the combat zone to the
swampland in eastern Virginia and constructed a small south and the Hawaiian Islands. With the end of the
airfield with 32 officers and 172 enlisted assigned. The war and the improved range of aircraft the usefulness
new field served as an NAAF for NAS Norfolk, Va. In of the facility came to an end and it was disestablished
1943 the staff was expanded and the runways length- on 15 February 1947.
ened. On 17 August 1943, the facility was redesignated
NAAS Oceana, Va. The station continued to grow and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland—The development
was officially redesignated an NAS on 16 February of a naval air testing station at Patuxent River was the
1954, as an all-weather center for jet traffic in the outgrowth of a need to consolidate the testing of naval
Tidewater area of Virginia. On 4 June 1957, the run- aircraft being done in the 1930s at NAS Anacostia,
way was renamed Soucek Field in honor of Vice D.C.; NAS Philadelphia, Pa.; NAS Norfolk, Va.; and
Admiral Apollo Soucek, chief of BuAer from 1953 until NAF Dalhgren, Va., into one single location.
his death in 1955. In 1997 the base occupied 5,916 Construction was completed and the air station was
acres. officially established on 1 April 1943. The runway was
named Frederick M. Trapnell Field on 1 April 1976, in
NAS Olathe, Kansas—This facility was one of honor of Vice Admiral Frederick M. Trapnell. On 1
many air stations built during WWII as a primary train- April 1985, VP-68 was relocated from NAS Patuxent
ing site for aviation cadets. It was established as an River, Md., to NAF Washington, Andrews AFB, Md., to
NAS on 1 October 1942 and designated as a primary provide room for the V-22 Osprey test program.
training site on 9 August 1943. It went into reduced
operational status on 1 June 1946 and returned to full NAS Pensacola, Florida—The Pensacola site was
operations when redesignated a reserve training site selected as a naval aeronautic station and located on a
on 7 June 1948. VP-915 (PV-2 Harpoons and PBY-5A 1,434-acre plot of land that had been in use by the
Catalinas) was the first reserve patrol squadron estab- Navy as a navy yard since 1825. The navy yard was
lished at NAS Olathe on 1 July 1946. The facility was closed in 1911 as an economy move and then re-
disestablished on 28 May 1970. opened in January 1914, when Lieutenant John H.
Towers was given orders to develop the site for a
NAAF/NAAS Otis Field, Massachusetts—This naval aeronautic station. The new air base, officially
airfield was named in honor of WWI Naval Aviator established on 16 November 1914, was supported by
Lieutenant J. S. Otis. It was established on 10 May Mississippi (BB 23), which operated as station ship for
1944 as an NAAF and redesignated an NAAS on 22 the facility. Although originally intended primarily for
August 1945. The facility serviced up to 25 aircraft and aviation training, during WWI the base supported a
was a support station for NAS South Weymouth and patrol squadron of 12 seaplanes, conducting ASW pa-
NAS Squantum, Mass. It was disestablished on 15 trols off the coast of Florida. In 1922 the lighter-than-
December 1946. air base at Station Field (renamed Chevalier Field in
1936) was used to extend the existing runways for
NAF Otter Point, Umnak, Alaska—This seaplane land-based training aircraft. In 1935, the Naval Aviation
base was established on 22 October 1942 on Umnak Cadet program came into being, with the first class re-
Island, the third-largest island in the Aleutian chain. ceiving training at NAS Pensacola in August 1935.
The new naval air facility was located approximately Eventually six auxiliary airfields named after pioneer
50 miles west of Dutch Harbor. Chernofski Harbor, naval aviators were established: Corry, Saufley,
across from Umnak Pass on Unalaska Island, was used Ellyson, Bronson, Barin and Whiting. During the
as an auxiliary base for NAF Otter Point. Navy land- course of WWII over 21,000 cadets received training at
planes used the adjacent Army airfield at Fort Glenn. Pensacola, in addition to several thousand foreign
After the occupation of Attu and Kiska the need for flight trainees and enlisted pilots. After the war, the
these bases diminished and NAF Otter Point was dis- role of Pensacola as the preeminent training site for
established on 31 December 1944, followed by Navy aviators was consolidated with the Naval Air
Chernofski Harbor in May 1945. Training Command in 1948.
NAS Palmyra Island, Hawaii—Palmyra Island is an NAF/NAS/NAWC-WD Point Mugu, California—
atoll in the Hawaiian island group located approxi- NAF Point Mugu was established on 29 November
mately 960 miles south of Honolulu. In the mid-1930s 1945, 55 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Calif. It be-
the island came to the attention of the Navy as a po- came the focus of the Navy’s missile efforts during
tential advanced base site for tender-supported patrol WWII when the Pilotless Aircraft Unit at MCAS Mojave,
seaplane squadrons. Construction at the site began in Calif., was relocated in December 1945 to the newly
January 1940 and the facility was officially designated established NAF Point Mugu. The base was briefly dis-
a naval air station on 17 August 1941. During the war established on 1 October 1946 and then reestablished
 APPENDIX 6 749

as an NAS and Support Missile Test Center on 1 ignated an NAAS in July 1943, serving as a training
August 1949. The station became the home port of VP- field and mid-way stopping point for land-based air-
65 on 6 January 1971. In April 1974, the first launch of craft crossing the continent(seaplanes used NAS Eagle
the Navy’s Harpoon missile by a reserve patrol Mountain Lake). The facility reverted to an MCAAF in
squadron occurred at Point Mugu when a VP-65 P-3A March 1944 and was disestablished on 28 July 1945.
Orion fired the missile at a target on the sea test range.
The NAS became part of the Naval Air Warfare Center NAS/NRAB Rockaway, Rockaway Beach, New
Weapons Division on 21 January 1992. On 2 York—This base was one of the air bases recom-
December 1998 it revered back to an NAS. mended under the Helms Board plan to be used by
Naval Aviation as a patrol station. It was built on a 94-
NAAF Port Althorp, Aleutian Islands, Alaska— acre plot that provided the location necessary for cov-
One of three NAAFs serving NAS Sitka, Alaska. NAAF ering the main approaches to New York City.
Port Althorp was established on 17 March 1943 and Established as an NAS on 15 October 1917, it provided
disestablished on 1 June 1944. support for operational patrols and served as a kite
balloon training site. Twenty-four seaplanes and one
NAS/NARF Quonset Point, Rhode Island—In 1892
dirigible conducted patrols from the station during the
the state of Rhode Island purchased a parcel of land
war. The station was redesignated an NRAB in 1926
that it donated six years later to the federal govern-
and disestablished in May 1930.
ment at the start of the Spanish-American War. The
point of land was called Quonset, a shortened version NAAF/NAAS Rockland, Maine—(see NAS
of the Indian word Seconiqueonset. This parcel, desig- Brunswick, Maine) This facility was established as an
nated Camp Green, was jokingly referred to as the NAAF on 15 April 1943 and provided support to NAS
“Camp Ground.” It continued to be used through the Brunswick, Maine. It was redesignated an NAAS in
following decades for training the Rhode Island August 1945 and disestablished on 15 March 1946.
National Guard. One of its earliest introductions to avi-
ation came when Lindbergh landed there during a NRAB/NAS St. Louis, Missouri—The first aviation
barnstorming tour in 1927. In 1939 the Navy selected organization established at Saint Louis was formed by
the site for aviation operations in the northeastern U.S. a group of naval reserve officers intent on organizing
because it was relatively free of fog and had a deep an aviation unit. The unit was activated in 1925 and by
channel to the sea. The first patrol aircraft began oper- 1928 was redesignated the Naval Aviation Reserve
ations there on 17 December 1940, providing coverage Division. For the first three years of its existence, the
for the first Neutrality Patrol operations. The station unit rented its aircraft until a wealthy industrialist do-
was established as NAS Quonset Point on 1 July 1941 nated an airplane for the division’s use in late 1928. In
and construction was completed by October 1941. It 1930 the unit was redesignated an NRAB and trained
was here that the world-famous Quonset huts were with Navy aircraft, and two years later was given
designed and fabricated, with over 32,000 units being hangar space at nearby Lambert Field. The inception
shipped all over the world. During WWII the base of the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1935 brought
served as a training center for “90-day wonders” (offi- about expansion of the program and the facilities at
cer candidates put through an abbreviated 90-day Lambert Field. On 1 January 1943 the facility was re-
training course), such as Henry Fonda and Dana designated NAS St. Louis. Following the war a reserve
Andrews. ASW patrols were flown from Quonset Point air training program began at NAS St. Louis on 1
over the convoy lanes approaching the eastern U.S. December 1945, and reserve patrol squadron VP-918
coastline. The base also served as headquarters for (PV-2 Harpoons and PBY-5A/6A Catalinas) was estab-
Commander Fleet Air, whose territory extended from lished there in May 1946. Encroachment of suburbs
Argentia, Newfoundland, to Cape May, N.J. At one around the base in the late 1950s and the crash of a
time or another during its 33-year history, seven patrol Navy F3H Demon in a local neighborhood led to de-
squadrons called NAS Quonset Point home. After mands for removal of the base. NAS St. Louis was dis-
WWII, commands at the base were reorganized as established on 1 February 1958.
overhaul and repair departments. In 1967, Quonset
Point was designated a naval air rework facility, and in NAS San Diego, California—(see NAS North
June 1974, the base was officially deactivated and Island, Calif.)
placed in caretaker status.
NAAS San Nicolas Island, California—A small
MCAAF/MCAS/NAAS Rhome Field, Texas—(see airstrip on this barren site was established as NAAS
NAS Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas) Rhome Field was San Nicolas Island on 26 September 1944 for use by
established as an MCAAF for nearby MCAS Eagle patrol bombers operating out of NAS San Diego, NAAS
Mountain Lake on 1 December 1942. It was originally Camp Kearney and NAAS Crows Landing, Calif. San
intended for use as a glider training site. It was redes- Nicolas Island is one of the Channel Islands, located
750 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

approximately 75 statute miles from Los Angeles, Calif. FAB/NAS Sitka, Alaska—Officially established as
It was disestablished on 15 December 1946. an FAB on 1 June 1938. The small naval air base was
located on Japonski Island, a 200-acre piece of land
NAAF Sand Point Island, Alaska—(see NAS situated across the channel from the town of Sitka,
Kodiak, Alaska) NAAF Sand Point Island was estab- Alaska. The facility had begun life in 1902 as a Navy
lished in April 1943 to provide support for NAS coaling station. Oil soon supplanted coal and a new
Kodiak. It was disestablished on 6 November 1944 radio station was added to the assets on board, but as
after the withdrawal of the Japanese from the radio ranges increased the station fell into disuse. The
Aleutians. Bureau of Aeronautics took an interest in the facility in
the mid-1930s as a potential advanced base for sea-
NRAB Sand Point, Seattle, Washington—(see plane operations. It was subsequently reactivated as
NAS Seattle, Wash.) NAS Sitka in September 1938. The station was dises-
NAAF/NAAS Sanford, Maine—(see NAS tablished on 24 January 1941 and then reestablished in
Brunswick, Maine) This facility was established as an March 1943 to serve as a base of operations against
the incursions of the Japanese in the Aleutians. Three
NAAF on 15 April 1943 and provided support to NAS
auxiliary airfields were established in 1943 to support
Brunswick, Maine. It was redesignated an NAAS in
Sitka: Yakutat, Annette Island and Port Althorp. NAS
August 1945 and disestablished on 1 February 1946.
Sitka was disestablished for the last time on 15 August
NAAS/NAS Saufley Field, Florida—NAAS Saufley 1944, after the Japanese threat to the Aleutians had
Field was one of six auxiliary air stations established been countered.
to serve NAS Pensacola, Fla. It was established as an NRAB/NAS Squantum, Massachusetts—This his-
NAAS for primary training on 1 March 1943. On 31 toric air station was situated on a plateau named
July 1968 it was redesignated NAS Saufley Field, and “Squantum,” by Captain Myles Standish in 1621 after
was disestablished on 1 December 1976. his Indian guide. In 1910 the Harvard Aeronautical
Association first brought aviation to the site with a se-
NRAB/NAS Seattle, Washington—King County,
ries of international air meets. After WWI, interest in
Wash., deeded a plot of land on the shore of Lake aviation among veterans helped convince BuAer of
Washington to the U.S. government in October 1925. the need for a naval reserve air base at Squantum and
The land included the hillside and an adjoining on 13 August 1923 NRAB Squantum was officially es-
county-run airstrip that the Navy soon built into a tablished, making the base the birthplace of naval re-
naval reserve air base for seaplane training. The facil- serve aviation. In 1927, Lieutenant Noel Davis, com-
ity was officially established as NRAB Sand Point on 3 manding officer of NRAB Squantum, was killed while
November 1925. NRAB Sand Point was redesignated preparing for a New York to Paris flight. His memory
NAS Seattle on 22 November 1928 and was used by is perpetuated today by the Noel Davis Trophy pre-
active duty naval aviation forces. At its height during sented annually to Naval Air Reserve squadrons scor-
WWII, it housed more than 900 military personnel and ing the highest in their category. During WWII
1,300 civilian workers on 600 acres jutting into Lake Squantum served as a primary training site for aviation
Washington. In 1949 NAS Seattle became a base for cadets flying the N3N Yellow Perils. The base was offi-
primary reserve training, capable of handling only a cially redesignated a naval air station on 5 March 1941.
limited amount of aircraft traffic. In February 1954 After the war the base reverted to the training of re-
serves. VP-919 (PBY-5A) was the first reserve patrol
Commander Fleet Air Seattle was redesignated
squadron to be established at Squantum in May 1946.
Commander Fleet Air Whidbey, with a corresponding
As was the case with many of the early air stations,
transfer of the headquarters to NAS Whidbey Island.
the advent of jet propulsion spelled the doom of small
The Navy ceased air operations at NAS Seattle in 1970 field operations. NAS Squantum was disestablished on
and ceded several hundred acres to the city. The re- 1 January 1954 and all of its operations were relocated
maining 151-acre portion of the base was closed in to NAS South Weymouth, Mass.
1995.
NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts—NAS
NAAF Shemya, Alaska—Shemaya Island is part of South Weymouth was established on 5 March 1942 as
the Semichi group in the Aleutian chain. NAAF a lighter-than-air station. The runway was named Shea
Shemya was established on the island on 29 June 1943 Field on 15 March 1946, in honor of Lieutenant
to serve as a refueling base for Catalina patrol aircraft Commander John J. Shea, killed in action while serv-
of FAW-4. The airfield was occasionally used as a ing aboard Wasp (CV 7) in 1942. NAS South
stopover point for aircraft en route to Russia as part of Weymouth was disestablished on 30 June 1949 and
the Lend-Lease Agreement. The facility was officially reestablished as a reserve NAS on 4 December 1953
disestablished on 4 January 1946. when the naval reserve base at NAS Squantum, lo-
 APPENDIX 6 751

cated two miles away, was disestablished. VP-92, the Connecticut, Delaware and West Virginia. The air sta-
last reserve patrol squadron to operate from NAS tion was once Pitcairn Airfield, named after the devel-
South Weymouth, was relocated on 8 June 1996 to oper of the famed autogiro. The facility was originally
NAS Brunswick, Maine. NAS South Weymouth was of- based at NAS Mustin Field at the Philadelphia Navy
ficially disestablished on 30 September 1997. Yard but was relocated to Pitcairn Airfield on 1
January 1943 when the shortage of space at Mustin
NAAS Tongue Point, Oregon—(see NAAS/NAS Field became acute. The new air station was first es-
Astoria, Oregon) tablished as NAS Hatboro, Pa. The name was selected
NAS/NARC Twin Cities, Minnesota—(see NAS because it was the closest post office to the site. The
Minneapolis, Minn.) post office address was soon relocated to the Willow
Grove community and the base was subsequently re-
NAAS Vernalis, California—NAAS Vernalis was named NAS Willow Grove. In October 1943, the new
one of seven auxiliary air stations built to provide sup- base was assigned the task of modifying PV-1 Venturas
port for NAS Alameda, Calif. It was established on 8 with new radar equipment for patrol squadrons. NATS
June 1943 and disestablished on 15 May 1946. also used the new facilities through the end of 1946.
After the war NAS Willow Grove was redesignated a
NAF Washington, Andrews AFB, Maryland—NAF reserve training station on 1 December 1945. Reserve
Andrews, Andrews AFB, Md., was established on 1 squadrons from Willow Grove were called to active
January 1961 and replaced NAS Anacostia, D.C., which duty for the Korean War, the Berlin Blockade, Vietnam
was closed on the same day. NAF Andrews was estab- and the Persian Gulf. Today two reserve patrol
lished because NAS Anacostia was unable to handle squadrons call Willow Grove their home port, VP-64
the new advance jet aircraft and many of the reserve Condors (arrived 1 November 1970) and VP-66 Liberty
aviation units moved from NAS Anacostia to NAF Bells (arrived 1 November 1970). Today, the air station
Andrews. NAF Andrews was redesignated NAF is the reserve training center for the six-state area of
Washington sometime in 1965. Reserve patrol Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York,
squadrons from NAS Patuxent River eventually trans- Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
ferred to NAF Washington.
NAAF Yakutat, Alaska—NAAF Yakutat was one of
NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington— three NAAFs established to support NAS Sitka, Alaska.
NAS Whidbey Island was established on 21 September It was established as an NAAF on 21 December 1941
1942 as a torpedo-rearming and seaplane station on and disestablished on 31 May 1944.
the western coast of Whidbey Island. The seaplane
base was located at the edge of Oak Harbor, Wash.,
approximately five miles from the air station. The run-
way at the air station was named Ault Field and dedi- U.S. Naval Aviation Shore
cated on 25 February 1943, in honor of the late Establishments outside the
Commander William B. Ault, a squadron commander United States
who was killed in May 1942 during the Battle of Coral
Sea. During WWII the fitting of rocket launchers and NAAF Agadir, French Morocco—The airstrip at
rocket firing training became a specialty at NAS Agadir served as an auxiliary field for NAS Port
Whidbey Island. After the war the station was placed Lyautey, F.M. FAW-16 established NAAF Agadir in
in a caretaker status until December 1949 when opera- March 1943 to service detachments of patrol
tions were resumed as a multiaircraft, all-weather air squadrons assigned to Port Lyautey (PBY-5A and PV-1
station. NAS Whidbey is the largest naval aviation ac- aircraft). Both British and USAAF squadrons utilized
tivity in the northwest. the base during the war. The facility was disestab-
lished on 11 June 1945.
NAAS/NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida—NAAS
Whiting Field was established on 16 July 1943 as one NAB/NAS Agana, Guam—Acquired from Spain as
of six auxiliary air stations established to support NAS a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Guam
Pensacola, Fla. NAAS Whiting Field was redesignated was originally developed as a coaling station for the
an NAS on 31 December 1946 and back to an NAAS Asiatic Fleet. In January 1921, USMC Flight L was sent
on 11 August 1948. In the latter part of 1968 it was to Guam to establish an air facility, although no station
again redesignated NAS Whiting Field. had been authorized yet. By the time the Washington
Naval Treaty of 1922 was signed, all of the construc-
NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania—Located ap- tion on the facility had been completed except for the
proximately 20 miles north of Philadelphia, NAS dredging of the deep water channel. A token military
Willow Grove is the reserve training center for the six- force was maintained on the island until 31 December
state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, 1936, when efforts were made to renovate and extend
752 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

the existing facilities. Guam fell to the Japanese on 10

December 1941, and construction of new facilities
commenced immediately. The Japanese airfield on
Orote Peninsula was captured by U.S. Marines on 2
August 1944, with reconstruction work commencing
immediately. The first U.S. aircraft landed on the
newly rebuilt field on 29 August 1944. The facility was
established as an NAB on 21 October 1944. Having
survived Congressional base closures after WWII, NAB
Guam was redesignated NAS on 1 January 1947. FAW-
1 maintained its headquarters at Agana until it was re-
located to San Diego, Calif., in 1954. VP-HL-1 and VP-
HL-2 were the first patrol squadrons to be based there
in 1946. On 15 February 1973, the airstrip was named
Brewer Field in honor of Commander Charles Brewer,
Jr., commanding officer of VF-15 during WWII. NAS
Agana was disestablished on 31 March 1995. The seaplane base at NAS Aratu, Brazil, with PBMs on the ramp, 13
September 1943, 80-G-361038 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN)
NAF Amapa, Brazil—This base was established in
early 1943 by the U.S. Army and was the most north-
ern of the Brazilian airfields. NAF Amapa was estab-
lished at this site on 26 November 1943. It shared a VP-211 aircraft patrolling from this base provided
portion of the field with the USAAF and provided sup- part of the coverage needed by convoys proceeding
port for landplanes, generally the PB4Y-1 Liberator. along the Brazilian coastline. The facility was re-
VP-83 aircraft provided ASW coverage from this base turned to the Army on 30 June 1945 when the NAF
for convoy routes between Trinidad, B.W.I., and was disestablished.
Bahia, Brazil. NATS occasionally used the airfield as a
NAS Arcachon, France—This WWI base was com-
refueling stop. NAF Amapa was disestablished on 30
pleted barely in time to see actual service before the
June 1945 and returned to the Army.
Armistice on 11 November 1918. It was located on a
NAF/NAAF Antigua, British West Indies—(see sandy site on the eastern side of Cape Ferret in the
NAS San Juan, Puerto Rico) NAF Antigua was one of Bordeaux area. French labor strikes delayed the com-
two NAFs established to support NAS San Juan, P.R. It pletion of the base and American workers were
was established on 1 February 1942. NAF Antigua was brought in to finish the work. The station was estab-
redesignated an NAAF on 20 January 1944 and then lished on 8 June 1918, but the first patrols did not
redesignated an NAF on 1 July 1946. It was disestab- begin until 4 October due to a lack of aircraft. The sta-
lished on 15 July 1947. tion was disestablished by 7 January 1919.

NAB Apamma Atoll, Gilbert Islands—This small NAS/NAF/NS Argentia, Newfoundland—Argentia

island in the Gilberts chain was occupied by the is located in southeast Newfoundland on Placentia
Japanese in December 1941 and retaken by U.S. Bay. The naval air station was established there on 15
Forces on 19 November 1943. On 17 December 1943, July 1941 because Placentia Bay was the only harbor
the runway, which had been under construction by in Newfoundland free of ice year-around. The bay was
the Japanese, opened as O’Hare Field, named after an excellent landing area for seaplanes and the adja-
Lieutenant Edward H. O’Hare, a Navy ace who was cent village was connected to St. Johns by rail. The
awarded the Medal of Honor for his action in defense station was expanded and a runway for land-based
of carriers off Rabaul. The Seabees completed the con- aircraft, hangars, shops and barracks were also built.
struction and the facility was officially designated NAB Port facilities to support escort destroyers and patrol
Apamma on 15 April 1944. NAB Apamma remained on craft were developed and a British naval air station
active duty for only a short period due to the fast was also constructed. On 1 June 1943 the U.S. Navy
moving pace of the war and was disestablished on 16 portion of the airstrip was named Bristol Field for Rear
October 1944. Admiral Arthur L. Bristol, USN, who was largely re-
sponsible for the planning and construction of the fa-
NAF Aratu, Bahia, Brazil—The seaplane base at cility. Twenty-four patrol aircraft were operating from
Aratu, near Bahia, Brazil, was built by the Army in the Navy field at the height of its activity in mid-1944.
early 1943. The Navy established NAF Aratu there On 1 November 1944 it was redesignated NAF
on 26 November 1943 to service PBM Mariner and Argentia. In the postwar years the facility supported
later, PBY-5A Catalina patrol aircraft. VP-203 and SAR missions and ice patrols. On 27 February 1947 the
 APPENDIX 6 753

PBYs in Little Placentia Harbor, Argentia, Newfoundland, 1942, 80-G-7446 (Courtesy Captain Jerry Mason, USN).

facility was again redesignated a naval air station. In NAF/NAS Atsugi, Japan—In 1938 the Japanese
May 1949 the Coast Guard took over the responsibility Imperial Naval Air Force began construction of an
for SAR and ice patrols. NAS Argentia was subse- airfield at Atsugi, 25 miles southwest of Tokyo, for
quently disestablished on 1 July 1950 and the air sta- testing of large experimental aircraft. With the out-
tion assets became part of NS Argentia. The introduc- break of the war the facilities were expanded to in-
tion of AEW brought Naval Aviation back to Argentia clude an engineering and mechanics school. As the
in 1955, taking over part of the former McAndrew Air war progressed, many of the facilities were moved un-
Force Base. However, Argentia did not receive a new derground into a mammoth 12-mile complex that
aviation designation but continued to operate as a housed barracks, galleys and airplane hangars. On 30
naval station. Navy patrol squadrons operated out of August 1945, General Douglas MacArthur landed at
Argentia with decreasing frequency as the years went Atsugi air base en route to Tokyo to receive the sur-
by. In 1968 VPs 10 and 11 were the last squadrons de- render of Japanese forces. Until the outbreak of the
ploying to Argentia. Along with several other Navy Korean War, the base at Atsugi was abandoned and
commands, the P-3 patrol squadrons moved their op- used only as storage for equipment from nearby Camp
erations to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, during the mid- Zama, a U.S. Army base. U.S. Navy Seabees arrived at
1960s, severing their connection to NS Argentia. Atsugi in October 1950 and set about restoring the
NAAF Atkinson Field, Essequibo, British runways and above-ground hangar facilities. The base
Guiana—This Latin American base was established as was officially established as NAS Atsugi on 1
NAAF Atkinson Field on 1 February 1942. Located at December 1950. VP-6 was the first operating unit to be
Essequibo, its mission was to support operations in the based at NAS Atsugi in a rotational status in January
Caribbean for patrol aircraft, usually the shorter-range 1951. The first dependents arrived at Atsugi in
PV-1 Venturas. VBs 131 and 141 and VP-92 operated November 1951 along with the staffs for Commander
from the facility at various times. The naval facility was Fleet Air Japan and Commander Fleet Air Wing Six.
shared with the Army at Essequibo. Operations were Commander Fleet Air Western Pacific moved his head-
discontinued at the facility in late 1945. quarters to NAS Atsugi in 1954. During the Korean
754 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

War several Navy patrol squadrons operated from NAS NAS Bermuda were established on 1 July 1941 and for
Atsugi, including VPs 6, 772, 871 and 22 in 1951; VPs the duration of the conflict served as a base for de-
22 and 29 in 1952; and VP-57 in 1953. With the draw stroyers and seaplanes covering the convoy routes of
down of military forces at the end of the Vietnam the middle Atlantic. Patrol squadrons were withdrawn
conflict, operations at NAS Atsugi were reduced and from Bermuda after WWII and the air station was re-
several commands relocated. In July 1971 NAS Atsugi designated an NAF on 1 July 1945. The NAF was re-
was redesignated NAF Atsugi. With the change air op- designated an NAS again on 27 February 1947 and
erations control was turned over to the Japanese then disestablished on 1 July 1950. The air station as-
Maritime Self Defense Force. NAF Atsugi is the home sets were transferred to the control of NS Bermuda.
port for squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5. Patrol squadrons returned again when the Korean War
brought home the necessity of advanced ASW patrols
NAF Baranquilla, Colombia—In the spring of 1943 to counter the increasing Soviet submarine threat. VP-
the U.S. Navy established a refueling depot and air sta- 49, flying PBM Mariners, was the first to return and
tion at the Pan American airfield at Soledad Airport, make NS Bermuda its homeport, followed by VP-45 in
six miles south of the city of Baranquilla. A seaplane 1956. Both squadrons were withdrawn in August 1963
base, NAF Baranquilla, was established on 1 May 1943 when the era of the seaplane was coming to an end.
on the Magdalena River. The new NAF provided cov- The seaplane squadrons were replaced by land-based
erage of the shipping lanes out of the oil ports of patrol squadrons flying the new P-3 Orions operating
Colombia and the approaches to the Panama Canal. from Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. Thereafter,
On 11 May 1944, VP-84 (flying PBY-5A Catalinas) was East Coast patrol squadrons rotated to Bermuda every
transferred to NAS Coco Solo, C.Z. A detachment from six months. Kindley Field, the new home for the Navy
the squadron was sent to Barranquilla to conduct ASW patrol squadrons, had its start as Fort Bell. The facility
sweeps of the tanker lanes. This detachment was the was renamed Kindley Air Force Base after the U.S.
last to deploy there during the war because the Army Air Corps was redesignated the U.S. Air Force in
German submarine threat had been largely eliminated 1947. With the advent of the Cold War and the in-
by late 1944. The facility was disestablished on 15 creasing threat of Soviet ballistic missile submarines,
April 1946. the importance of the ASW role for the patrol
squadrons led to the transfer of the Air Force assets at
NAF Belem, Brazil—By the summer of 1942 the Bermuda to Navy control on 1 July 1970 and its estab-
U.S. Army was already hard at work converting the lishment as NAS Bermuda. The station was disestab-
existing Pam American and Brazilian airlines facilities lished during the FY 1995 round of base closures on 1
at Belem for military use. Belem is located on the September 1995.
south bank of the Rio de Para in the state of Para in
northeastern Brazil. Two existing 5,000 foot paved NAB/MCAB Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands—
runways at Val de Caens and a seaplane ramp in Betio, the principal island of the Tarawa Atoll, was
Belem harbor, as well as housing and fueling installa- taken from the Japanese after an amphibious assault
tions at both sites, provided a basis for a U.S. Navy de- on 20 November 1943. Hawkins Field was in opera-
velopment. Naval construction began on 22 September tion by 18 December 1943, with construction continu-
1942 and included a seaplane ramp, additional ing over the next several months on runway expan-
hangars and other support structures. NAF Belem was sion. NAB and MCAB Betio were established on 1
established on 26 November 1943 as a support facility April 1944 and served as the principal base for bomb-
aboard the existing U.S. Army field at Belem. The base ing and harassment raids on Japanese bases in the
was located on the south bank of the Amazon River. Marshall Islands and Nauru Island. The NAB and
The seaplane tender Humboldt (AVP 21), followed by MCAB portion of the airfield was disestablished on 9
Barnegat (AVP 10), provided support for VP-94 until December 1944, as the progress of the war moved the
shore-based facilities were completed. The facility later advanced bases further afield from Betio.
supported up to 24 patrol aircraft at a time, or two full NAF Biak Atoll, Schouten Islands, Dutch New
squadrons, when VP-45 arrived in May 1944. NAF Guinea—Naval Seaplane Base 2, located on Mios
Belem was disestablished on 15 June 1945 and the fa- Woendi a few miles south of Biak, was established as
cility was turned over to the U.S. Army. NAF Biak on 20 July 1944. It was established to serve
as a base for FAW-17 operations in the southwest
NAS/NAF/NS Bermuda—Patrol aviation history on
Pacific. Catalina squadrons VPs 11, 34 and 52 flew pa-
the island of Bermuda began with the declaration of
trols out of Woendi from July 1944 through May 1945.
neutrality by President Roosevelt in 1940. Three PBY
The facility was disestablished on 19 January 1946.
Catalinas of VP-53 arrived in November of that year to
extend the Neutrality Patrols further eastward from the NAF Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam—
Atlantic coast. Naval Operating Base Bermuda and Facilities at Cam Ranh Bay were first developed by the
 APPENDIX 6 755

Japanese during their occupation of French Indochina Hamlin (AV 15). They were followed by VPB-26
during WWII. The facilities were destroyed by Task (PBM-5 Mariners) on 15 July, VPB-22 (PBM-3D
Force 38 in 1944. The U.S. Navy returned to the area Mariners) on 16 August and VPB-205 (PBM-5
in 1964 when the decision was made to support the Mariners) 25 on August. St. George (AV 16) provided
beleaguered South Vietnamese government. The site additional tender support. The last wartime opera-
was developed as the headquarters for coastal inter- tional flights for these squadrons were made from this
diction of supplies for the Viet Cong, known as location by VPB-208 and VPB-16 on 11 August 1945.
Operation Market Time. The naval air facility was The base was disestablished after it was destroyed by
completed in April 1967, supporting detachments of typhoons in September and October 1945.
Neptune and Orion squadrons during their WestPac
deployments to Japan and the Philippines. The facility NAS/FAB Coco Solo, Panama, Canal Zone—Coco
was disestablished in April 1972 during the U.S. with- Solo, meaning “lone coconut” in Spanish, was estab-
drawal of forces and turnover of installations to the lished on the shore of Limon Bay, in close proximity
Vietnamese navy. to the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal on 6
May 1917. A submarine base had been established at
NAF Canton Island, Phoenix Group, Central Coco Solo several weeks earlier. Twelve seaplanes
Pacific—This small island was first developed by Pan were assigned for ASW patrols from the station. Later
American Airways for use by its fleet of aircraft flying several small Navy blimps and a Kite Balloon station
between Hawaii and the southwest Pacific. Canton were added to the base. The station remained active
Island came under the joint control of Britain and the after World War I and VP-10 was home ported there in
U.S. under the terms of a 1939 agreement. It was es- May 1924, flying six F-5L seaplanes. By July 1928 NAS
tablished as a naval air facility on 13 September 1943 Coco Solo was still growing with the addition of two
to service seaplane squadrons operating out of NAS more runways and permanent support facilities. In
Kaneohe, Hawaii. Operations from Canton during the 1930 two seaplane ramps were installed. The air sta-
war gave the crews combat experience before they tion was redesignated a FAB on 1 July 1931 and re-
were sent to the hot spots in the Pacific. It was dises- turned to its NAS designation on 30 September 1939.
tablished on 14 October 1946. The development plan for 1940 included expansion to
NAF Caravelas, Brazil—Construction of a base for serve seven seaplane patrol squadrons. During WWII
airships and aircraft was begun in October 1943 at NAS Coco Solo was home port for Fleet Air Wing 3
Caravelas, located in the state of Bahia in eastern and the station also hosted a major Assemble and
Brazil. The site was chosen because it provided good Repair Department. The Army’s France Field runway
access to an extensive ASW patrol zone in the South was located one-half mile from the air station and was
Atlantic. The existing Air France and Brazilian air force connected to NAS Coco Solo by a taxiway. Landplanes
facilities included turf runways and a corrugated metal based at Coco Solo used the France Field runway.
hangar. The naval LTA facilities were completed in five During World War II the air station served as a major
months and work on the aircraft base, designed for hub for antisubmarine air operations covering both the
operation of six patrol bombers, began in January Caribbean and Pacific approaches to the Panama
1944. NAF Caravellas was completed in 10 months and Canal, as well as naval forces deploying to the South
maintained an operational average of 6 patrol aircraft Pacific. In 1947 the naval operating base was formed
during the war. However, as the war progress the combining the naval air station, naval station, naval
need for ASW patrols moved elsewhere and NAF hospital and another base called Coco Solito. NAS
Caravelas was used primarily for emergency landings. Coco Solo was disestablished and placed in a partial
NATS aircraft landed at the facility on a daily basis for maintenance status on 1 July 1950. It was reactivated
topping off, as well as for cargo and passenger dis- on 15 February 1951 as a BuAer funded naval station
charge. NAF Caravelas was disestablished on 1 August and was home port for VP-45 and later VP-34. The last
1945 and returned to the custody of the Brazilian Air aircraft from VP-45 departed the naval station in
Force. September 1956 and it was again placed in a caretaker
status. In the fall of 1961 NS Coco Solo was officially
NAAF Carlsen Field, Trinidad, British West disestablished.
Indies—(see NAS Port of Spain, Trinidad)
NAAF Corinto, Nicaragua—During WWII, Corinto
NAB Chimu Wan, Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, was the northern terminus for patrol missions flown
Japan—The seaplane base at Chimu Wan was estab- by VPs 206 and 207 operating from the Galapagos
lished in July 1945 during the buildup of forces on Islands to safeguard the Pacific approaches to the
Okinawa for the invasion of the Japanese home is- Panama Canal. It was officially designated NAAF
lands. On 14 July 1945, VPB-208 (PBM-5 Mariners) de- Corinto on 20 January 1943. The base at Corinto was
parted Kerama Rhetto for Chimu Wan, supported by established on a strategic landlocked harbor formed
756 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

by the junction of six rivers and Carden Island, lying at material and ordnance to support the operations of
the entrance to the harbor on the east. NAAF Corinto, Naval Aviation units operating in Vietnam. FASU
adjacent to the town of Corinto, is approximately 65 DaNang was disestablished on 4 March 1973 and NSA
miles from Managua, the capital city. During the war DaNang was officially disestablished on 29 March
the facility supported 100 officers and 700 enlisted 1973.
personnel. It was disestablished on 6 June 1946.
NAF/NSA Diego Garcia Island, British Indian
NAS Cubi Point, Philippines—The development of Ocean Territories, Indian Ocean—The island of
an airfield at Cubi Point arose from the impossibility of Diego Garcia, situated in the middle of the Indian
expanding the existing limited facilities at NS Sangley Ocean, was acquired by the British in the early 19th
Point in 1949. Civilian contractors refused to submit century. A small British garrison remained there until
bids due to the difficulties involved in building such a the U.S. became involved in the Vietnam War. In early
facility out of a tropical jungle. Seabee Construction 1970 the British and American governments, in coop-
Unit Battalion 1 was assigned the task of constructing erative agreement, began to build up the island’s facili-
the new airfield in 1950. The base took five years to ties to create a large, modern naval base and ship re-
complete and NAS Cubi Point was officially estab- pair facility and an enlarged airfield, primarily as a
lished on 25 July 1956. By the mid-1960s, the involve- counter to a growing Soviet presence in the Indian
ment of the U.S. in the Vietnam conflict made Subic Ocean. NAF Diego Garcia was established on 26
Bay and Cubi Point a major hub in carrier and patrol February 1981. The use of the island as a military base
squadron operations. Patrols for operation Market and its strategic importance has aided naval operations
Time, the maritime interdiction effort to stop North during the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979, the Gulf
Vietnamese resupply in the coastal waters off Vietnam, Crisis of 1987, the Gulf War of 1991 and the buildup of
were run from Cubi. On 21 December 1972, the run- a Chinese naval presence in the 1990s. The loss of ex-
way was named Admiral A. W. Radford Field in honor tensive USAF and Navy facilities in the Philippines in
of Naval Aviator and former Chairman of the Joint 1992 further solidified the need for the facility as one
Chiefs of Staff Admiral Arthur W. Radford. The cessa- of the few remaining deployment sites under exclusive
tion of U.S. involvement in Vietnam in 1973 did not U.S. and British control, without concerns about host-
bring an end to patrol operations from Cubi Point. nation agreements. The naval air facility was disestab-
During the 1980s patrol squadrons were kept on the lished in the late 1980s and the base operations as
alert searching for Vietnamese boat people fleeing the naval support activity. It still remains a frequent de-
country in search of freedom. During this same pe- ployment site for detachments of Pacific Fleet patrol
riod, the increasing Soviet naval presence in the South squadrons and other aviation units.
China Sea required constant surveillance. The final
event for the station came on 12 June 1991 when NAF Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England—The U.S.
nearby Mount Pinatubo erupted, burying the area in Army Air Force had begun working with the RAF
up to ten inches of ash. At the time, the U.S. and Coastal Command at RAF Dunkeswell early in 1943,
Philippine governments were at loggerheads over re- conducting ASW sweeps over the English Channel and
newal of the base leasing agreements. The destruction the Bay of Biscay. On 24 September 1943, the 19th
of so much of the facility by the volcano was the final USAAF squadron departed Dunkeswell to join the 8th
act for the Americans and Cubi Point was officially dis- Air Force, followed by the 22nd USAAF on 28
established on 30 October 1992, followed by the re- September. Three Navy squadrons, VBs 103, 105 and
moval of the last American military personnel on 24 110, undertook the ASW role previously flown by the
November 1992. USAAF in England. The USAAF squadrons were
phased out and their equipment, similar to that on the
FASU/NSA DaNang, Republic of Vietnam— PB4Y-1 aircraft, was turned over to the Navy. The
During the Vietnam War the DaNang facility was one USAAF flew its last ASW mission from Dunkeswell on
of the largest Navy support bases in the country. 31 October 1943, and the 4th USAAF squadron de-
Marine Corps forces landed at DaNang in 1965 and parted on 6 November. VPB-105 moved aboard RAF
port facilities were rapidly developed thereafter. A U.S. Dunkeswell on 12 October 1943 and VB-110 on 30
Marine Corps facility and a U.S. Air Force facility were October 1943. VPB-103 had been based there since 30
constructed side by side. On 15 October 1965 Naval August 1943, sharing the field with the USAAF. FAW-7
Support Activity DaNang was officially established. established its headquarters there at roughly the same
VP-2 (SP-2H Neptunes) and VP-40 (SP-5B Marlins) time. The three squadrons at RAF Dunkeswell came to
were the first patrol squadrons deployed to DaNang, be known by several names over the next year:
arriving in mid-1965. Fleet Air Support Unit DaNang Dunkeswell Air Group, Land Plane Air Group, and
was officially activated on 1 April 1968 at NSA finally Patrol Air Group One. Each squadron had the
DaNang. The mission of FASU was to provide services, luxury of being assigned its own PATSU. On 4 January
 APPENDIX 6 757

1944 RAF Dunkeswell came under U.S. Navy control mission of servicing patrol seaplanes and tenders. It
and was redesignated an NAF. The facilities under the lies three miles north of Kwajalein Island. The
Royal Air Force had been extremely spartan. With the Japanese seaplane facilities escaped destruction during
change of Dunkeswell to an NAF conditions improved the invasion and once the base was secured from the
dramatically. On 9 January 1945, VPB-112 received or- Japanese, Seabees completed upgrading the facilities,
ders to cease operations and prepare for transfer from adding repair shops, barracks, a small clinic and stor-
NAF Port Lyautey, F.M., to Upottery, Devon, England. age buildings. The base was redesignated an NAF on
Operations began from this base on 15 February. 27 February 1947 and disestablished on 15 June 1947.
Upottery was a satellite field to NAF Dunkeswell,
where VBs 103, 105 and 110 were based. VPB-107 NAAF Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, British West
later joined VPB-112 at Upottery after being trans- Indies—(see NAAF Port of Spain)
ferred from Natal, Brazil. Both NAF Dunkeswell and NAF/MCAF Emirau, New Ireland, Bismarck
its satellite field at Upottery were returned to RAF con-
Archipelago—This small island in the St. Matthias
trol on 31 July 1945.
Islands group was established as a naval air facility
NAF Dunkirk-Calais, France—This base, head- and Marine Corps air facility on 28 February 1944.
quartered at Autingues, a few miles south of Ardres, Emirau was captured from the Japanese in early 1944
had the singular distinction of being home to the first and was used to counter Japanese air bases on the
squadron of land-based Navy aircraft. The Northern nearby island of Kavieng. Several patrol squadrons op-
Bombing Group, conceived by Lieutenant erated briefly from the two landing strips built on the
Commander Kenneth Whiting in 1917, was assigned island during the war. The facility was disestablished
the mission to bomb the German submarine pens in on 1 March 1945.
the Low Countries (Ostend, Zeebrugge and Bruges).
The plan called for the establishment of a base at NAB Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands—The is-
Dunkirk, with work beginning on 30 April 1917. An land of Eniwetok was occupied by the Japanese in
assembly and repair base to support the bombing November 1942. They were fully aware of the strategic
group was established at Eastleigh, England. The value of the island’s position in the Marshall chain.
Dunkirk base was established on 13 June 1917 and U.S. Marines captured the island on 23 February 1944
began limited operations in October 1917. However, after stiff enemy resistance. With the assistance of the
the lack of adequate aircraft kept the unit from be- Army engineers and Navy Seabees, the base was de-
coming fully operational. U.S. Navy pilots comprised veloped as a springboard for the occupation of the re-
the Night Wing, Northern Bombing Group and U.S. maining Marshall Islands. NAB Eniwetok was estab-
Marine Corps pilots the Day Wing, Northern Bombing lished on 10 May 1944 and the runway was named
Group. The 30 Italian Caproni bombers originally in- Stickell Field in honor of Lieutenant John H. Stickell,
tended for use by the Night Wing, Northern Bombing who died from wounds received in action during a
Group proved to be virtually unusable due to engine low-level attack on Jaluit. Parry Island, where the
problems, forcing the Americans to train on the few Japanese had already built a seaplane base, was fur-
Handley-Page bombers that the RAF could spare. The ther developed to support U.S. Navy patrol seaplane
USMC pilots of the Day Wing, Northern Bombing squadrons. Several squadrons staged through
Group were more fortunate in having the more reli- Eniwetok during the Marshall Islands campaign. The
able DH-4 aircraft. All of the bases associated with the naval air base was disestablished on 23 June 1947.
Northern Bombing Group were disestablished by 15
February 1919. NOB Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands—
Espiritu Santo is the largest of the New Hebrides
NAF Eastleigh, Southampton, England—This fa- Islands. Its importance during WWII lay in its strategic
cility was established in 1917 by Lieutenant position in relation to the Solomon Islands. The island
Commander Kenneth Whiting, Naval Aviator Number was occupied in June 1942 and construction of base
16, with the primary mission of providing support for facilities began immediately. An airfield for Army
the Northern Bombing Group at Dunkirk. It was offi- bombers was built at Turtle Bay to support the land-
cially established as an NAF on 20 July 1918. Eastleigh ings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi. The site served
served as an assembly center for aircraft received from throughout the war as a major rework and repair cen-
the U.S. and repaired other base aircraft with combat ter for aircraft squadrons. VP-44 was the first patrol
or operational damage. Eastleigh was formally dises- squadron to arrive at Espiritu Santo in December 1942.
tablished on 10 April 1919. The Naval Air Center Command, controlling eight
NAB/NAF Ebeye Island, Marshall Islands—(see Navy and Marine Corps fields on the island, became
NAB Kwajalein) This small air base in the Marshall fully operational on 1 July 1943. The base was offi-
Island group was established on 14 May 1944 with the cially disestablished on 12 June 1946.
758 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

NAF Esquibo, British Guiana—The naval air facil- detachment of U.S. Marines after it was discovered that
ity was developed to service seaplanes operating from the Japanese had used the island as a staging area for
the Esquibo River. It was established as an NAF on 8 a two-seaplane (Emily) raid on Pearl Harbor in March
July 1946 and disestablished on 1 April 1947. 1942. The decision to build an NAF to serve as a for-
ward outpost for Pearl Harbor was made after the
NAF Fernando de Noronha, Brazil—This facility, Battle of Midway. It was disestablished on 9 June
located on a small volcanic island 210 miles off the 1946.
eastern coast of Brazil, was established by the Army in
an agreement with the Brazilian government in early NAS Fromentine, France—This base was one of
1943. It was established as a naval air facility on 26 the few constructed in France during WWI solely with
November 1943. The U.S. Navy utilized the field to American labor and materials. It was located below
support patrol squadron detachments of up to six air- the Loire estuary on the southern end of the island of
craft, usually the shorter range PV-1 Ventura land- Noirmoutier. Construction began on 4 February 1918
planes of VPBs 125, 134 and 145, operating out of and NAF Fromentine became fully operational on 17
Fortaleza, Brazil. VPBs 45 and 94 also deployed de- August 1918. Over 200 patrols were conducted from
tachments to this facility. The NAF portion of the base this site before the Armistice. It was disestablished on
was disestablished on 30 June 1945. 28 January 1919.

NAF Fonseca, Nicaragua—At the onset of WWII, NAAF Funafuti Island—This small island base was
the vulnerability of the Panama Canal from the Pacific established as a naval air facility on 15 November 1943
Ocean approaches led to a search for suitable base to support seaplane squadrons in the Ellice Islands
sites on the Pacific side of the continent. The closest chain. It was closed on 1 March 1946 and officially
suitable base was found at Money Penny Anchorage at disestablished on 11 November 1947.
Fonseca Bay, Nicaragua, in the spring of 1942. It was
intended that Fonseca would be the northwestern NAF/NAAF Galapagos, Seymour Island,
apex of the air search triangle that guarded the west- Ecuador—The Galapagos Islands group are among
ern approaches to the canal. Unfortunately, the shal- the most desolate and barren places on earth. There
low depth of the bay made deliveries of supplies diffi- are ten principal islands and many smaller ones, all of
cult, necessitating the use of lighters. The seadrome volcanic origin. A detachment of VP-207, based at
approaches were unsheltered from foul weather blow- Salinas, Ecuador, was ordered to Seymour Island in
ing in from the west, making seaplane operations haz- June 1943 to provide support for the seaplane
ardous. Patrol squadrons were moved to Corinto, squadrons flying ASW patrols from that location. The
Nicaragua, in late 1943 and NAF Fonesca was disestab- site was officially designated NAF South Seymour
lished on 25 October 1943. Island on 1 August 1942. VP-206, based at Corinto,
Nicaragua, also flew patrol missions between that base
NAF Fortaleza, Brazil—The northern coast of and Galapagos. Seaplane operations were conducted
Brazil provided ideal locations for the development of from Aeolian Bay, on the northwestern side of
ASW facilities during WWII to cover the vital South Seymour Island. Eight to twelve aircraft could be
Atlantic shipping routes. Initial naval air patrols at the parked on the apron for maintenance or during rough
existing Army installations at Pici Field, Fortaleza, in weather. The island was shared with the USAAF,
the state of Ceara in northeastern Brazil, began in whose airfield was on the south side. The NAF was re-
March 1943. However, operational experience quickly designated NAAF Galapagos Island on 14 July 1944
indicated the need for additional expansion. and redesignated an NAF on 13 September 1945. NAF
Consequently, further work began on 14 April 1943 Galapagos was disestablished on 16 May 1946.
Pici Field. Both Army and Navy flight operations con-
tinued throughout the construction. VB-130 arrived at NAF Galeao, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—NAF Galeao
the facility in August 1943. NAF Fortaleza was officially was established on 2 December 1942 and shared a
established on 26 November 1943 operating in con- portion of the field with the Brazilian Army. It pro-
junction with seaplane patrols from Port of Spain, vided support for up to 12 PBY-5A Catalina patrol air-
Trinidad and ASW patrols from NAF Fortaleza to cover craft. The facility was a favorite of Navy patrol
the vital shipping routes off northern South America. squadrons due to its proximity to Rio de Janeiro. The
NAF Fortaleza was disestablished on 30 June 1945. NAF facilities were disestablished and turned over to
the Brazilian Army on 15 November 1944.
NAF French Frigate Shoals, Tern Island,
Hawaiian Islands—A small naval air facility was es- NAAF Goat Island, Jamaica—On 2 September
tablished on Tern Island on 17 March 1943 to provide 1940 the U.S. and Britain signed the “Destroyers for
support for various seaplane patrol squadrons operat- Bases” agreement which provided the U.S. with access
ing in the area. The island was occupied by a small to bases in Antigua, the Bahamas, Bermuda, British
 APPENDIX 6 759

Guinea, Jamaica, Newfoundland, St. Lucia and Bay when he established the Aviation Instruction
Trinidad in return for 50 American destroyers. In order Camp there during the annual fleet exercises of 1912.
to patrol the approaches to the Caribbean via the The floatplanes proved useful to the battleships by
Windward Passage the U.S. Navy established NAAF spotting their shell impacts in the target zones. They
Goat Island on 4 April 1941. It was located in Portland also found that submarines running at shallow depths
Bight, 30 miles southwest of Kingston. Construction of could easily be seen from above. During WWI a small
the facility was completed in the summer of 1942 and detachment of naval patrol aircraft was maintained
the facility became operational on 15 August 1942. and supported in the bay area by tenders Shawmut
NAAF Goat Island was reduced to caretaker status in (CM 4) and Sandpiper (AVP 9). By 1921 a permanent
September 1944 and inactivated on 25 November presence ashore was established at Hicacal Beach and
1946. It was disestablished on 1 December 1946. the bluffs of Leeward Point. The facilities built at the
site included a seaplane ramp, pier, shops and living
NAS/NAF/NAAF Great Exuma, Great Exuma quarters. From 1922 through 1934 the base was used
Island, Bahamas—This small station situated in the for training with the dirigibles Shenandoah (ZR-1),
lush tropical paradise of the Bahamas was established Macon (ZRS-5), Los Angeles (ZR-3) and Akron (ZRS-4).
as a naval air station on 5 January 1942. It served as a The runway was named McCalla Field in honor of
refueling base and forward area patrol site for detach- Captain Bowman H. McCalla, skipper of the armored
ments of up to six patrol aircraft at a time. It was re- cruiser Marblehead (C 11), who participated in the
designated an NAF on 13 May 1944 and then an NAAF capture of Guantanamo Bay and commanded a base
on 28 September 1944. On 1 July 1946 it was redesig- established there during the Spanish American War. In
nated an NAF and disestablished on 1 July 1947. 1939 the mooring masts and tracks for the dirigibles
NAAF Green Island—Green Island is an atoll in the were removed and replaced with a landing field large
Solomon Islands, situated between Buka and New enough for multiengine aircraft. From 1939 through
Ireland islands. On 15 February 1944 the island was 1941, expansion of the facilities continued, with NAS
occupied by troops of the Third New Zealand Guantanamo Bay officially established on 1 February
Division. The atoll was quickly developed into a base 1941. Construction on the air station was not complete
from which bombers could strike enemy positions on until after the U.S. entry in WWII and it was not until
New Britain, New Ireland, Rabaul, Kavieng and Truk. October 1942 that PBM Mariner seaplanes began run-
In less than 3 weeks after Green Island was occupied ning ASW patrol tracks between Banana River, Florida,
by Allied forces fighter aircraft were flying from the and Guantanamo. The base was at its wartime peak of
new runway. The seaplane ramp was completed on activity by the summer of 1943, with support provided
and the facility was designated an NAAF on 15 June by NAAF Little Goat Island, Jamaica. Activity declined
1944. VP-44 moved to Green Island on the day it was after the war but was revived with the beginning of
established as an NAF. It was the only patrol squadron the Korean conflict. In January 1953 the runway at
assigned to the island. Most of the aircraft on Green Leeward Point was expanded to accommodate jet air-
Island were nonpatrol types from Marine Corps craft. McCalla Field was relegated to handling pro-
squadrons. A PATSU was available for maintenance of peller aircraft and line maintenance. The importance
squadron aircraft and personnel. Patrol missions in- of the base was reemphasized in January 1961, when
volved flying daily search sectors extending in a President Eisenhower severed diplomatic relations
northerly direction to within 200 miles of Truk. VP-44’s with Cuba after Castro nationalized U.S. assets. In
patrol missions ended after 18 August and the primary October 1962, elements of the fleet and several of the
mission of the squadron was changed to neutralizing patrol squadrons stationed on the East Coast utilized
17 nearby enemy airfields. Night Black Cat raids were NAS Guantanamo as a forward support base while en-
flown to prevent shipping from resupplying the by- forcing the Cuban quarantine. NAS Guantanamo Bay
passed Japanese garrisons. Nightly hunts were usually was disestablished on 16 February 1993. However, the
coordinated with one of the PT boat squadrons sta- runways continue in operation and come under the
tioned on Green Island. The Cats would spot the tar- control of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
get in the dark with their radar and then illuminate the NAF Hato Field, Curacao, Netherlands West
scene for the PT boats. Both would then join in on the Indies—The island of Curacao, with an area of 173
kill. Black Cat missions were officially terminated on
square miles, lies 46 miles north of Venezuela. The naval
10 February 1945 due to the complete neutralization
air facility was completed by the Army in October 1943
of Rabaul and the primary mission of the squadron
and was established as NAF Hato Field in October 1943.
having shifted to Dumbo work. NAAF Green Island
Navy patrol bomber squadrons used the base throughout
was disestablished in March 1945.
the remainder of WWII as an advanced base for ASW pa-
NAS/NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba—Lieutenant John trols and convoy protection. NAF Hato Field and nearby
H. Towers first brought Naval Aviation to Guantanamo Camp Parera were disestablished in October 1945.
760 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

NAB Henderson/Carney Field, Guadalcanal—The ing patrol seaplane operations during the Korean War.
island of Guadalcanal was the centerpiece of the first The RAAF turned the base over to the USAF in April
U.S. counteroffensive of the war in the South Pacific. 1952. The Navy established NAF Iwakuni on a section
A Japanese construction battalion of 2,600 men and an of the station on 15 May 1952. The facility was greatly
Imperial Army detachment of 400 infantry began con- expanded and by 1 October 1954 the U.S. Air Force
struction on an airfield in June 1942. On 7 August turned it over to the Navy. The naval air facility was
1942, the First Marine Division occupied the site of the replaced by the establishment of NAS Iwakuni on 1
airfield on Lunga Point, pushing the Japanese defend- October 1954. On 1 January 1958 NAS Iwakuni was
ers back into the jungle. Seabees worked around the redesignated MCAF Iwakuni. Since 20 July 1962 it has
clock to get the airfield into shape, using abandoned operated as a Marine Corps air station.
Japanese construction equipment and materials. It be-
came operational on 20 August 1942 and was named NAB Jamaica, British West Indies—(see NAS
after Major Loften R. Henderson, USMC, who was lost Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
in action during the Battle of Midway (an airfield at NAS/NAF Johnston Island—This island facility was
Midway Island was also named Henderson Field). The established as a naval air station on 15 August 1941
Navy called its portion of the airstrip Carney Field in and used as a refueling station for seaplane patrol
honor of Captain James V. Carney, USN, killed early in squadrons operating out of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The
WWII. VP-12, a PBY-5A squadron, arrived there in base was located 720 miles northeast of Hawaii. The
December 1943 to conduct nighttime operations U.S. had originally claimed the site in 1936, and patrol
against Japanese shipping. Squadrons continued to op- aircraft first used it during Fleet Exercise XVIII in 1937.
erate from the strip until the end of the war and the With the outbreak of WWII, runways were constructed
airfield was disestablished on 12 June 1946. on the island to support land-based aircraft. As the
NAS Ile Tudy, France—This was one of the bases combat zone moved further south, the role of
obtained intact from the French during WWI, includ- Johnston Island was relegated a support base for NATS
ing the seaplanes and mechanics to go along with aircraft en route to the South Pacific. It was redesig-
them! The station, located to the south of Brest, was nated NAF Johnston Island in February 1947 and inac-
turned over to the U.S. Navy and was in full operation tivated on 13 June 1947 and then turned over to USAF
by 28 February 1918. It was officially established on 14 control on 1 July 1948.
March 1918. Aircraft from this base were credited with NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan—(see NAF Naha)
the sinking of a German U-boat in the Raz de Sien.
The base was disestablished by 25 January 1919. NAF/NS/NAS Keflavik, Iceland—Discovered by
Viking Leif Ericsson in the 10th century, this ice-bound
NAF Ipitanga, Brazil—This facility was established island in the far north remained under Norwegian and
by the U.S. Army in early 1943. The Navy established Dutch rule until WWII. Great Britain was the first na-
NAF Ipitanga on 26 November 1943 to provide sup- tion to send troops to Iceland to preempt occupation
port for up to six land-based aircraft. The NAF portion by the Germans. Iceland, proclaimed neutral, was
of the field was disestablished on 1 July 1945. forced to accept the British presence when a base was
NAS Isley Field, Saipan, Marianas Island— established in May 1940. U.S. Marines replaced the
Originally named Aslito Field by the Japanese until its British troops at the request of the Icelandic govern-
capture by U.S. forces on 18 June 1944, the Navy used ment on 7 July 1941, followed shortly thereafter by
this small airfield on Saipan as one of many refueling U.S. Army and Navy personnel. A naval station at
and repair sites for patrol squadrons in the Marianas Keflavik was soon established and quickly expanded
Islands. The airfield was named Isley Field on 30 June after U.S. entry in WWII. The original agreement be-
1944, for Commander Robert H. Isely, who lost his life tween Iceland, the U.S. and Great Britain required the
leading his squadron in an attack on Aslito Field while withdrawal of all military forces after the conclusion of
it was held by the Japanese. It was established as an the war in Europe. The military forces were withdrawn
NAS on 15 July 1947 and then disestablished on 15 in September 1946, only to return in 1949 when
October 1947. Iceland became a member of NATO. Further agree-
ments with the U.S. in 1951 obligated the U.S. to pro-
NAF/NAS/MCAF/MCAS Iwakuni, Japan—This base vide for the national defense of Iceland, with the U.S.
was formerly a Japanese naval air station established Navy handling maritime patrol. NAF Keflavik was es-
on 8 July 1940. Although home to 96 trainer aircraft tablished on 1 July 1960. In 1961, Commander Barrier
and 150 fighters, the air station managed to escape Force, Atlantic, moved its headquarters to Keflavik and
damage during the B-29 raids of 1945. The field came NAF Keflavik was redesignated Naval Station Keflavik
under Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) control in on 1 June 1961. Commander Barrier Force, Atlantic
March 1948 and became heavily engaged in support- was replaced in 1965 by Fleet Air, Keflavik. On 1
 APPENDIX 6 761

November 1985 NS Keflavik was redesignated NAS west of Portugal, were discovered by explorers led by
Keflavik. With the heightening of the Cold War, NAS Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator in 1427. After a
Keflavik soon became the “ASW Capital of the World.” long existence as a backwater of civilization, the
Since the end of WWII, the Navy has deployed patrol strategic importance of the islands in the protection of
squadrons to Keflavik for six-month deployments to convoys in the Atlantic was recognized at the start of
guard against the submarine threat in the North WWI. With America’s entry into the war the 1st Marine
Atlantic. Aeronautic Company was sent to the island of Sao
Miguel on 19 January 1918 to establish a base of oper-
NAF Kenitra—(see NAS Port Lyautey) ations for its 12 floatplanes near the town of Ponta
NAS Killinghome, Humber Estuary, England— Delgada. This base was disestablished on 1 September
Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Whiting took formal 1919. The British acquired Lajes Field, on the island of
command of this base from the British on 30 May Terceira, in a behind-the-scenes agreement with neu-
1918. American naval aviators flew British Short sea- tral Portugal in the early months of WWII. U.S. forces
planes from this base over the North Sea, protecting were not permitted to establish an independent base
convoys and preventing German sweepers from dis- but were allowed to operate under the control of the
turbing the Allied mine fields. At the height of the war, British on Terceira. On 6 January 1944, the U.S. Navy
46 seaplanes operated from Killinghome. It was offi- established its headquarters at a site then named
cially disestablished on 6 January 1919. Lagens Airfield. On 29 July 1944 the first aircraft of
VB-114 arrived to begin ASW operations in the
NAB Kwajalein, Marshall Islands—This large atoll Atlantic. Throughout the war, patrol squadrons oper-
situated in the middle of the Marshall Islands group was ated under the terms of the original British agreement
occupied by the Japanese prior to WWII. Three facilities with Portugal and all aircraft wore the dual insignia of
had been constructed on the islands: Ebeye, a seaplane British roundels and U.S. stars. NAF Lajes was estab-
base and repair facility (see Ebeye entry); Roi-Namur, lished on 18 January 1957 as a tenant command of the
an airbase; and Kwajalein, a major naval installation for U.S. Air Force 1605th Air Base Wing on Terceira. Lajes
servicing fleet surface units. After the successful U.S. in- subsequently served as a deployment site for Navy pa-
vasion and occupation of the islands, the Seabee units trol squadrons conducting split deployments. NAF
began the reconstruction of the aircraft landing fields at Lajes was disestablished on 30 September 1993.
Roi and Ebeye. The airstrip at Roi was named Dyess NAS Le Crossic, France—Le Crossic was one of the
Field on 16 April 1944, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel French bases turned over to the U.S. Navy, with its
Aquilla J. Dyess, USMCR, killed leading the assault on Tellier seaplanes, in June 1917, and was fully opera-
Roi-Namur. The first Army fighter strikes from Roi tional by 18 November 1917. It was established as a
against Maleolop took place on 13 February 1944. naval air station on 27 November 1918. It was located
Ebeye was a fully functional bomber and fighter base on two small islands 18 miles from St. Nazarine. The
for the Navy by December 1944, although patrol sea- base provided cover for convoys approaching the
plane squadrons were operating from the site much Loire River. NAS Le Crossic was disestablished on 28
earlier. The Army turned over control of Kwajalein to January 1919.
the Navy on 1 July 1945. The base continued its exis-
tence after the war, serving as a staging point for trans- NAS Lough Foyle, Ireland—The base at Lough
Pacific flights. Longer range aircraft negated the need Foyle was one of four built in Ireland to guard the en-
for the facility and it was deactivated in 1959. On 1 July trances to the Irish Sea. It was located 18 miles in from
1964, the Navy transferred all of its facilities on the sea on the northwest shore of the loch by that
Kwajalein to the Army. The U.S. Air Force maintains a name, nine miles from Londonderry. The station did
small portion of the facility for observation of missile not become operational until 7 June 1918 and was es-
launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. tablished on 1 July 1918. Poor weather conditions and
difficulties in supply caused problems, but regular pa-
NAS L’Aber Vrach, Brest, France—This air station trols were carried out from 3 September 1918 until the
was one of the few built by the Americans on French end of WWI. NAS Lough Foyle was disestablished on
soil and placed in operation before the end of WWI. It 22 February 1919, reverting to British control as an
was established on 4 June 1918. The first operations RNAS seaplane base.
commenced on 2 September 1918, with ten American-
made HS-1 flying boats providing convoy protection in NAF Maceio, Brazil—NAF Maceio was established
the waters off the Brest Peninsula. The air station was on 14 December 1943 on an air base constructed by
disestablished on 22 January 1919. the U.S. Army. Located approximately 200 miles south
of Recife, Brazil, it allowed the Navy to fill the patrol
NAF Lajes, Portugal—The Azores Islands group, gap between Recife and Bahia. The facility was capa-
consisting of nine volcanic islands located 800 miles ble of servicing a full squadron of land-based aircraft
762 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

and another of seaplanes. The seaplanes used Lagoa huts for the radio station and ships’ service. Frame
de Norte (North Lake) for takeoff and landings. The structures were eventually erected for other facilities,
NAF portion of the base was disestablished on 11 such as shops, sick bay and galleys. VPB-104 was the
October 1945. first patrol squadron to arrive on 3 November 1944.
During the first month after its arrival the squadron ex-
NAF Majuro, Marshall Islands—NAF Majuro was perienced 46 enemy air raids. The Navy portion of the
established on 4 May 1944 to support both seaplanes airfield was designated NAB Morotai on 20 November
and land-based aircraft operating in the Marshalls, 1944. The facility was disestablished on 21 January
Marianas and Caroline Island groups. It was reduced 1946 and turned over to the Royal Australian Navy.
to an inactive status on 1 January 1947 and disestab-
lished on 1 June 1947. NAF Naha, Okinawa—NAF Naha was established
on 1 October 1947, placed in inactive status on 30
NAF Manus, Admiralty Islands—Manus, the June 1949 and disestablished on 20 April 1950. The
largest of the Admiralty Islands, was established as a 162-acre base was reactivated as an NAF on 15
naval base, naval air transport center, and an NAF on February 1951. NAF Naha supported tender-based sea-
18 May 1944. Lombrum Point was the main seaplane plane operations and served as a center for NATS op-
repair base for the vicinity while the base at Pityilu erations throughout the Korean conflict. After the
serviced land-based aircraft. The facilities on the island Korean War NAF Naha continued operations as a facil-
were disestablished on 1 September 1947. ity for patrol squadrons. In 1960 the U.S. and Japanese
governments signed the Japan Facilities Adjustment
NAB Marcus Island—Marcus Island was still under
Program agreement that returned Okinawa to
Japanese control as late as November 1944. After its
Japanese administration effective 15 May 1972. Under
capture efforts were made to construct a minor air fa-
the agreement Japan funded the construction of facili-
cility as a refueling site and emergency landing strip. It
ties for the displaced command at Kadena Air Force
was designated an NAF on 1 November 1945. The fa-
Base, Okinawa, the largest base in the 5th Air Force,
cility was disestablished on 12 May 1946.
covering more than 5,700 acres of land. The relocation
NAF Misawa, Japan—Misawa, located 300 miles program was completed in two phases. In the first
north of Tokyo in northern Honshu, was not estab- phase, VP-17 became the last patrol squadron to de-
lished as a naval air facility until 1975. The site had ploy to NAF Naha on 10 December 1974. By 7 May
originally been an air base built by the Imperial Army 1975, the establishment date for NAF Kadena, all air-
in 1938. It was taken over by the Imperial Navy in craft facilities at NAF Naha and most tenant commands
1942 and used as a research and development center had relocated to NAF Kadena, Koza, Okinawa. The re-
for new fighter variants. Kamikaze special attack location to the new base took less than two weeks
forces took over the facility in 1944 through the end of without disruption to the operational missions. The
the war. Most of the base was destroyed by B-29 at- second phase, begun in May 1976, saw the relocation
tacks in 1945. The base was occupied by the U.S. of the last administrative support activity from Naha to
Army in September 1945 and greatly expanded by the Kadena, completed in September 1976, the effective
date NAF Naha was disestablished and returned to the
U.S. Air Force to support jet fighter squadrons during
Japanese government.
the Korean War. Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific
established its headquarters detachment there in 1970. NAF Naples, Italy—The port of Naples was taken
In 1975 the Fleet Air Western Pacific detachment was during the invasion of Italy on D-plus-22, 1 October
disestablished and NAF Misawa was established on 1 1943. With the creation of NATO the city became the
October 1975. Patrol squadrons and a detachment of headquarters of Allied Forces South in June 1951. The
Patrol Wing 1 were relocated to NAF Misawa on 30 facilities established at Naples by FASRON-77 served to
June 1976. support aviation in the U.S. Sixth Fleet and the
Mediterranean. It was redesignated an NAF on 27
NAB Morotai, Netherlands East Indies—Morotai
February 1956, serving as a site for patrol squadrons
is an island of the Molucca group situated between the deploying to the Mediterranean for operations with
western tip of Mindanao in the Philippines and the the Sixth Fleet. NAF Naples was disestablished in 1976
eastern tip of New Guinea. On 15 September 1944 and Naval Support Activity Naples took over the job of
Allied troops captured the island from its Japanese de- providing limited air support for naval aviation units.
fenders. The enemy airfields and port facilities were
greatly expanded by the Eighty-fourth Naval NAF Narsarssuak, Greenland—On 9 April 1941,
Construction Battalion to provide support for the inva- by agreement with the Danish government, the U.S.
sion of Luzon and Borneo in early 1945. The com- accepted the responsibility for the defense of
bined Army and Navy air facility utilized tents for liv- Greenland. Patrol squadron VP-6 (CG) was established
ing quarters for 1,800 officers and men and quonset as a Coast Guard squadron under Navy control at NAF
 APPENDIX 6 763

Argentia, Newfoundland, on 5 October 1943 and de- detachment of VP-83 began operations from the field.
parted immediately for its new home at Narsarssuak, The naval air facility was officially established on 25
Greenland. The squadron operated from a small field September 1943, utilizing a portion of the Army field
with the code name Bluie West-One (BW-1), under the to service patrol aircraft. The HEDRON for FAW-16
operational control of FAW-9. The 10 (later 12) PBY-5A was based at NAF Natal from April through July 1943.
Catalinas conducted SAR missions from the base, with The NAF portion of the field was disestablished on 24
two aircraft detachments frequently assigned to June 1945.
Reykjavik, Iceland, and Argentia, Newfoundland.
Operational conditions from the field were primitive, NAS Paimboeuf, France—Paimboeuf was another
with 4,000-foot mountains on either side of the run- of the French bases turned over to the U.S. Navy in
way and the Narasarssuak Fjord at the far end. Flying June 1917, including its operational aircraft. It was es-
conditions were frequently IFR, with the installation of tablished as a naval air station on 1 March 1918. It was
radar sets on the aircraft in 1943 a welcome addition. disestablished on 26 January 1919 and returned to
SAR operations continued from the field after the con- French navy control.
clusion of the war until August 1945 when VPB-6 (CG)
NAF Paramaribo, Surinam, Dutch Guiana—NAF
returned to NAF Argentia, Newfoundland, and re-
Paramaribo was established on 1 February 1942 to
verted back to Coast Guard control. The NAF was dis-
provide support for small detachments of patrol sea-
established on 5 February 1951.
planes operating away from their primary support
NAF Natal, Brazil—Pan American Airways had base. The base grew in February 1943 when the U.S.
begun development of this site in November 1940. Army constructed facilities for an LTA detachment and
The advent of WWII interrupted the use of the facili- a NATS center at the Army’s Zandery Field. VP-204,
ties for commercial purposes and by October 1941 a flying PBM-3C Mariners, was relocated to San Juan,

Presidents Roosevelt and Vargas and Admiral J. H. Ingram inspect NAS Natal, Brazil, 28 January 1943, 80-G-35144 (Courtesy Captain Jerry
Mason, USN)
764 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

P.R., on 27 December 1942 and was the first patrol the base was used to combat the U-boat threat off the
squadron to maintain a detachment at Paramaribo. coast of Brazil. ASW operations were conducted by
VPBs 212 and 213, both Mariner squadrons, provided Catalinas of VP-53 beginning in September 1943, in
detachments later in the war. Tender support for most cooperation with the landplane base at Pici Field,
of the detachment operations was provided by Pelican Fortaleza, Brazil, where Navy PV-1 Venturas and Army
(AVP 6) until relieved by Thrush (AVP 3) in November bombers operated. The Pici Field units generally pa-
1944. On 1 October 1943, VB-131, flying PV-1 trolled the close inshore waters off the coasts of Brazil,
Venturas, arrived at Zandery Field for ASW and con- due to their shorter range, while the seaplane
voy patrol duty. The field was shared with an Army squadrons from Port of Spain flew the longer-range
detachment flying B-25s armed with 75-mm cannon in patrol sectors in the mid-Atlantic. A squadron of PV-1
the nose. Since the B-25s did not have radar they flew Venturas from VB-130 relieved VP-53 in June 1943 and
only in daylight. The VPB-131 crews took the “night began operations from the U.S. Army’s Carlsen
shift.” The NAF portion of the base was disestablished Airfield. The Navy portion of Carlsen Airfield was es-
on 14 August 1944 and the remainder of the facility tablished as NAAF Edinburgh Field on 27 May 1943,
was disestablished on 22 October 1945. redesignated NAAF Carlsen Field on 6 March 1944. On
20 July 1944 the base was designated as a blimp base,
NAF Pici Field, Fortaleza, Brazil—The USAAF had NAF (LTA) Carlsen Field, then disestablished on 10
established an agreement with the Brazilian govern- January 1950. The naval operating base continued for
ment that allowed them access to Pici Field at some years after WWII, turning over control of the fa-
Fortaleza in early 1943. In August 1943 the U.S. Navy cilities to the newly formed independent nation of
ordered VB-130 (a landplane squadron flying the PV-1 Trinidad in 1967. The seadrome was last used by VP-
Ventura) to Pici Field where they shared the facilities 34 in June 1955.
with the Army. NAF Fortaleza was officially estab-
lished on 26 November 1943. It supported ASW pa- NAS Porto Corsini, Italy—Established as NAS Porto
trols in offshore waters in conjunction with the sea- Corsini on 25 July 1918, the facility was initiated the
plane squadrons based at nearby NAS Port-of-Spain, same night by a bombing raid from Austrian seaplanes
Trinidad. Several other squadrons were eventually ro- operating from Pola, 86 miles across the Adriatic.
tated through Pici Field before being assigned further Throughout WWI U.S. Naval Aviators assigned to this
south to NAF Recife, Brazil. The NAF portion of the fa- air station used Italian Macchi seaplanes in their com-
cility was disestablished on 30 June 1945. bat tours on the southern front. Although routine pa-
trols comprised the primary duties of the 21 aircraft
NAF/NAS Port Lyautey, French Morocco—The operating from this base, the bombing of the Austrian
naval air facility at Port Lyautey was established on 12 base at Pola was the chief enterprise. Porto Corsini
January 1944, only a short distance from the port. was one of the few Italian bases to be completed and
Craw Field, the original name of the airstrip, included manned by Americans before the Armistice and to see
two 6,000-foot runways in the valley of the Wadi actual combat. The air station was disestablished on 31
Sebou. The field had been occupied by the U.S. Army December 1918.
after the capitulation of the Vichy French. During the
course of the war, several PB4Y-1 and PBY-5 NAAF Puerto Castilla, Honduras—The facility was
squadrons were based at Port Lyautey to conduct ASW located on a man-made island on the leeside of Punta
operations against German and Italian submarines op- Cazinas, which partially enclosed the natural harbor of
erating in the Mediterranean. The Navy retained the Trujillo Bay. The site was leased to the U.S. without cost
facilities at Port Lyautey after the war because the site by the Honduran government with the proviso that con-
was strategically located as a focal point for incoming trol would revert to Honduras upon cessation of hostili-
air traffic from the U.S. The increasing responsibilities ties. The naval fuel depot Puerto Castilla was established
of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean meant a corre- on 10 November 1942 and redesignated NAAF Puerto
sponding increase in the need for aircraft, personnel Castilla on 16 May 1944. It was disestablished on 15 July
and major maintenance, all available through Port 1944 and turned over to Honduras in February 1946.
Lyautey. After a brief period of disestablishment from
1 January 1948, the NAF was reestablished on 1 July NAB Puerto Princessa, Palawan, Philippine
1950 and on 4 April 1956 was redesignated NAS Port Islands—Facilities for a major naval air base were es-
Lyautey. On 6 December 1963 the facility was redesig- tablished at Palawan on 5 May 1945. The base served
nated NAF Kenitra and on 16 December 1963 it was as an administrative center for FAW-17, three patrol
turned over to the Moroccan government. bomber squadrons and two patrol seaplane
squadrons. It remained in service until after the war
NAAF/NAF Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West when the Navy turned it over to the Army in
Indies—The seaplane base at Port of Spain was estab- December 1946. The base was formally disestablished
lished on 1 August 1941. After the U.S. entry in WWII on 8 February 1947.
 APPENDIX 6 765

NAF Recife, Brazil—The airfield at Recife was es- NAAF/NAF/NAS/NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto
tablished by the U.S. Army through agreements with Rico—NAAF Roosevelt Road was established on 1
the Brazilian government in 1943. The U.S. Navy es- August 1943 to provide support for NAS San Juan. It
tablished an NAF on the Army base on 1 October was redesignated an NAF on 15 February 1946 and an
1943. The NAF serviced land-based patrol planes, pri- NAS on 1 June 1947. The air station was placed in a
marily PV-1 Venturas from VBs 129, 134 and 143. NAF partial maintenance status from 30 April 1950 until 1
Recife was the home base for FAW-16’s HEDRON from July 1950 when it was officially disestablished. The
August 1943 through the end of the war. The NAF runway continued to remain in service and came
portion of the field was disestablished on 17 July 1945. under NS Roosevelt Roads and provides support to
various naval aviation units.
FAB/NOB/NAF Reykjavik, Iceland—Established as
FAB Reykjavik on 21 January 1942, this base sup- NAS/NS Rota, Spain—This base is located north of
ported one squadron of patrol seaplanes near the cap- the Bay of Cadiz, near the town of Jerez, approxi-
ital city of Iceland. It was expanded to a two-squadron mately 60 miles northwest of Gibraltar. NAS Rota had
operation and redesignated NOB Reykjavik on 7 July its origin in the 1953 agreements between Spain and
1942, then redesignated NAF Reykjavik on 6 August the U.S. establishing a joint Spanish-American base.
1942. On 20 December 1943 NAF Reykjavik was dises- The port and naval air station were part of the inte-
tablished and turned over to the British. On 1 grated base system in Spain that included three major
November 1945 the British returned the air facility, the Air Force fighter-bomber bases at Torrejon, Zaragoza
fuel depot and ammunition depot to the U.S. Navy. and Moron. NAS Rota was established 1 October 1957
NAF Reykjavik was disestablished on 21 January 1947. and the first patrol squadron, VP-5, arrived in
September 1958. On 8 May 1959 NAS Rota was redes-
NAB Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands, South ignated a naval station. The base, with its central loca-
Pacific—(See NAB Kwajalein) Established as an air tion to the Mediterranean, has served as a major de-
base on Kwajalein atoll on 15 May 1944, NAB Roi- ployment site for patrol squadrons since its activation.
Namur was disestablished on 1 July 1964 when the
Navy transferred all of its assets on Kwajalein to the NAF St. Eval, England—On 17 August 1943, VB-
U.S. Army. 103 became first operational squadron at NAF St. Eval,

The U.S. Navy turns over five PV-1s to the Brazilian Navy at Ibura Field, Recife, Brazil, 30 March 1944, 80-G-45325 (Courtesy Captain Jerry
Mason, USN).
766 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

England. Special training in ASW techniques was given Cavite for the China run. By the outbreak of WWII the
to Navy aircrews by the RAF at St. Eval for patrols base had become a major port facility for the U.S.
over the Bay of Biscay. Upon completion of training at Navy. Patrol Wing 10, with four tenders and patrol
the end of August, VB-103 moved to RAF Dunkeswell squadrons 101 and 102, were stationed at Cavite, but
in Devonshire, England. NAF St. Eval served as a train- withdrew on 14 December 1941 in the face of over-
ing site throughout WWII and at the end of the war it whelming Japanese attacks. Following the liberation of
became the aircraft storage site for FAW-7 squadrons the port in February 1945 the reconstruction of the site
departing the area for return to the U.S. The facility re- began. The base was officially designated NAB
verted to RAF control by the end of 1946. Sangley Point on 4 October 1945. On 27 February
1947 it was redesignated NAS Sangley Point. On 1
NAS St. Trojan, France—This base was built by June 1950 it was redesignated NS Sangley Point.
French labor under U.S. contract for the Navy during Generally, three patrol squadrons at a time operated
WWI. It was located on the Straits of La Maumusson to from NS Sangley Point from 1950 until its disestablish-
protect steamers entering the Gironde River. ment on 1 July 1971.
Operations began on 29 June 1918 with the arrival of
two French seaplanes equipped with new 280-hp NAS/NAF San Juan, Puerto Rico—Established on 1
Renault engines. The NAS was established on 14 July May 1940, NAS San Juan was capable of accommodat-
1918 and regular convoy patrols began five days later. ing up to 24 patrol aircraft. Auxiliary fields at NAAF
NAS St. Trojan was disestablished on 19 February Antigua, B.W.I., and NAAF Roosevelt Roads, P.R., were
1919. established on 1 February 1942 and 1 August 1943, re-
spectively. On 1 June 1947 the station was down-
NAAF Salinas, Ecuador—The seaplane base, lo- graded to an NAF. On 30 June 1950 it was placed in
cated at the edge of Santa Elena Bay two miles from an inactive status with a portion of the facility used by
the town of Salinas, was capable of supporting up to the Coast Guard.
12 aircraft. The airfield, situated near the town of
Salinas on the northwestern edge of Ecuador, two NAAS/NAF San Julian, Cuba—Recognizing the
miles south of the seaplane base, was capable of sup- need to augment antisubmarine patrols in the Yucatan
porting up to 24 patrol aircraft. It was established as Channel, NAAS San Julian was established on the
an NAAF on 1 August 1942. On 3 August 1942, VP-32, western tip of Cuba at Pan American’s Isabel Rubio
flying PBY-5 Catalinas, was the first patrol squadron to Airport on 26 June 1942. The area was considered ide-
deploy a detachment to Salinas. While based there the ally situated for further development and the Army
detachment operated under the Sixth Bomber began construction of an airfield on 1 November 1942.
Command, USAAF. The NAAF served as part of the pa- When construction was completed on 1 July 1943 the
trol triangle comprised of the Galapagos Islands; new facility was redesignated NAF San Julian.
Fonseca, Nicaragua (moved to Corinto in 1943) and Although the facility was under Army administration
Salinas. Patrol squadrons flew security patrols in the and operational control all air activities and operations
Pacific sector of the Panama Sea Frontier. Three daily were Navy. On 1 April 1944 the Army transferred con-
patrols were flown between Salinas, Ecuador; trol of NAF San Julian to the Navy. NAF San Julian was
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; and Corinto, Nicaragua. disestablished on 20 May 1946.
NAAF Salinas was disestablished on 1 February 1946
and the facility was returned to the government of NAF Santa Cruz, Brazil—Santa Cruz is located just
Ecuador. north of Vitoria, in the state of Espirito Santo in south-
eastern Brazil. NAF Santa Cruz was established on 15
NAB Samar, Philippines—This small air base was December 1943 and used extensively by NATS as well
established on 23 December 1944 to serve as a base as by various patrol squadrons. It was disestablished
for transients, supply depot and patrol base. The air on 3 September 1945 and transferred to the custody of
base was disestablished on 3 June 1947. the Brazilian air force.

NAB/NAS/NS Sangley Point, Philippines—Sangley NAF Sao Luiz, Brazil—The U.S. Army built this
Point is located eight miles west of Manila. The airfield in early 1943. Established on 3 December 1943,
Spanish first occupied the site in the 17th century, NAF Sao Luiz was one of the smaller bases used in the
founded along with the adjoining city of Cavite in ASW campaign against the German U-boats off the
1614. The Spanish navy built a shipyard at Sangley coast of Brazil. It shared a portion of the Army airfield
Point in 1884. After the Americans took possession of and provided ground support facilities for up to six
the Philippines in 1898 the facilities were greatly ex- landplanes and a detachment from a blimp squadron.
panded for use by the Asiatic Fleet. Aviation first came The NAF portion of the field was disestablished on 5
to the Philippines in civilian guise in the 1930s, when July 1945, and both the Army and Navy sections were
Pan American Airways built its seaplane station at returned to Brazilian control in late 1945.
 APPENDIX 6 767

NAF/NAS Sigonella, Catania, Sicily—Located on USAAF B-29 named Enola Gay departed the Army side
the plain to the south of Mount Etna, the air facility of the Tinian airfield to drop the first atomic bomb on
was one of several in the Mediterranean developed as Japan. The Navy disestablished the NAB side of the
part of the NATO compact. The air facility was begun base on 1 December 1946.
in 1957 and officially established as NAF Sigonella on
1 June 1959. NAF Sigonella was redesignated NAS NAS Treguier, France—This base was located on a
Sigonella on 1 July 1981 and is a tenant command, narrow river of the Breton shore 12 miles from the
sharing the facility with the Italian air force. East Coast English Channel. It was built and equipped by the
patrol squadrons have conducted deployments to the French, and turned over to the U.S. Navy on 15
site since its establishment. August 1918. NAS Treguier was established on 1
November 1918 and served as a base for patrols over
NAF South Seymour Island, Ecuador—(see the Channel. The base reverted to French navy control
NAF/NAAF Galapagos) on 19 January 1919.

NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas NAF Upottery, England—(see NAF Dunkeswell,
Islands—Saipan is the second largest island of the England)
Marianas group, situated north of Tinian and Guam.
The Marianas (not including Guam) were ceded to NAS Wexford, Ireland—This air station was built
Japan after WWI and were colonized. Guam was during WWI at a site formerly used by the RNAS to
taken by the Japanese in December 1941 and U.S. protect the southern entrance to the Irish Sea. It was
forces invaded the island in June 1944 and it was se- located at Ferrybank, on sheltered Wexford harbor. All
cured by 9 July. Tanapag Harbor had been developed the construction was done by American labor and
as a seaplane base for the long-range Japanese four- finished on 18 September 1918. Operations began in
engine Emily Kawanishi H8K, Navy Type 2 flying October 1918 and the station was closed on 15
boats. The base was reconditioned by Seabees and February 1919.
ready for use on 25 July 1944. It was designated NAS
NAS Whiddy Island, Ireland—Local contractors
Tanapag on 1 October 1944. Several of the VPB sea-
plane patrol squadrons were stationed at Tanapag dur- completed NAS Whiddy Island located two miles from
ing WWII. VPBs 13 and 15 flew PB2Y-5 Coronados the town of Bantry Bay. The base was also known as
from the harbor. After the war the decision was made Bantry Bay Station. The first U.S. naval personnel ar-
to concentrate all naval facilities at Guam. NAS rived on 12 March 1918 and flight operations began
Tanapag was disestablished on 15 March 1948. on 25 September 1918. The base operated only seven
weeks under wartime conditions and was closed on
NAB Tinian, Mariana Islands—The extensive 15 February 1919.
Japanese airstrips on Tinian were quickly put in order
after its occupation by U.S. forces in July 1944. On 20 NAAF Zandery Field, Surinam (Dutch Guiana)—
November 1944 the West Field facility was designated The airfield was built by the U.S. Army in 1943 for
an NAB and used by Navy PB4Y patrol squadrons emergency lighter-than-air craft landings. The Navy
flying long-range bombing strikes against Japanese side of the airstrip was expanded and designated
shipping. By December 1944 the first USAAF B-29 NAAF Zandery Field on 21 March 1944. Several
bombers were landing on the expanded runways of squadrons of Navy landplanes used the Army facilities
North Field, despite more than 20 air raids by the at Zandery Field during 1943 and 1944. The NAAF was
Japanese during that period. On 5 August 1945 a disestablished on 16 August 1944.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 769

APPENDIX 7

Lineage Listing for VP, VB, VPB,

VP(HL), VP(ML), VP(MS) and
VP(AM) Squadrons

Patrol Squadrons (VP) Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

(1st) VP-1 Established as Seaplane Patrol VP-ML-3 Redesignated VP-3 1 Sep 1948
Squadron 1 circa late 1921 VP-3 Disestablished 1 Nov 1955
Disestablished circa Jul 1922
VP-3F (see VPB-52)
(2nd) VP-1 Established as Patrol Squadron 1 29 May 1924
Disestablished 3 May 1926 VP-3S (see VPB-52)

(3rd) VP-1 (see VPB-29) (1st) VP-4 (see 1st VP-22)

(4th) VP-1 (see VPB-1) (2nd) VP-4 Established as VB-144 1 Jul 1943
VB-144 Redesignated VPB-144 1 Oct 1944
(5th) VP-1 Established as VB-128 15 Feb 1943 VPB-144 Redesignated VP-144 15 May 1946
VB-128 Redesignated VPB-128 1 Oct 1944 VP-144 Redesignated VP-ML-4 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-4 Redesignated VP-4 1 Sep 1948
VPB-128 Redesignated VP-128 15 May 1946
VP-128 Redesignated VP-ML-1 15 Nov 1946
VP-4B (see 1st VP-22)
VP-ML-1 Redesignated VP-1 1 Sep 1948
VP-4D14 (see 1st VP-22)
VP-1D14 (see VPB-29)
VP-4F (see 1st VP-22)
VP-1B (see VPB-29
(1st) VP-5 (see VP-46)
VP-1F (see VPB-29)
(2nd) VP-5 Established as VP-17F 2 Jan 1937
(1st) VP-2 (see VPB-105) VP-17F redesignated VP-17 1 Oct 1937
VP-17 redesignated VP-42 1 Jul 1939
(2nd) VP-2 Established as VB-130 1 Mar 1943 VP-42 redesignated VB-135 15 Feb 1943
VB-130 Redesignated VPB-130 1 Oct 1944 VB-135 redesignated VPB-135 1 Oct 1944
VPB-130 Redesignated VP-130 15 May 1946 VPB-135 redesignated VP-135 15 May 1946
VP-130 Redesignated VP-ML-2 15 Nov 1946 VP-135 redesignated VP-ML-5 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-2 Redesignated VP-2 1 Sep 1948 VP-ML-5 redesignated VP-5 1 Sep 1948
VP-2 Disestablished 30 Sep 1969
VP-5F (see VP-46)
VP-2D15 (see VPB-105)
VP-5S (see VP-46)
VP-2F (see VPB-105)
(1st) VP-6 Established as VP-6 at NAS
VP-2S (see VPB-105) Hampton Roads 29 May 1924
Disestablished 3 May 1926
(1st) VP-3 (see VPB-52)
(2nd) VP-6 (see VPB-11)
nd
(2 ) VP-3 Established as VP-16F 2 Jan 1937
VP-16F Redesignated VP-16 1 Oct 1937 (3rd) VP-6 Established as VB-146 15 Jul 1943
VP-16 Redesignated VP-41 1 Jul 1939 VB-146 Redesignated VPB-146 1 Oct 1944
VP-41 Redesignated VB-136 1 Mar 1943 VPB-146 Redesignated VP-146 15 May 1946
VB-136 Redesignated VPB-136 1 Oct 1944 VP-146 Redesignated VP-ML-6 15 Nov 1946
VPB-136 Redesignated VP-136 15 May 1946 VP-ML-6 Redesignated VP-6 1 Sep 1948
VP-6 Disestablished 31 May 1993
VP-136 Redesignated VP-ML-3 15 Nov 1946

769
770 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action SSquadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VP-6B (see VPB-11) (2nd) VP-12 (see VPB-24)

VP-6 (CG) (see VPB-6 (CG)) (3rd) VP-12 (see 3rd VP-20)

VP-6F (see VPB-11) (1st) VP-13 (see 1st VP-102)

(1st) VP-7 (see 3rd VP-21) (2nd) VP-13 (see VPB-13)

nd
(2 ) VP-7 Established as VB-119 15 Aug 1944 (1st) VP-14 (see VPB-29)
VB-119 Redesignated VPB-119 1 Oct 1944
VPB-119 Redesignated VP-119 15 May 1946 (2nd) VP-14 (see 1st VP-29)
VP-119 Redesignated VP-HL-9 15 Nov 1946
VP-HL-9 Redesignated VP-ML-7 25 Jun 1947 (3rd) VP-14 (see VPB-197)
VP-ML-7 Redesignated VP-7 1 Sep 1948
VP-7 Disestablished 8 Oct 1969 VP-14F (see 1st VP-29)

VP-7B (see 3rd VP-21) (1st) VP-15 (see 2nd VP-34)

VP-7F (see 3rd VP-21) (2nd) VP-15 (see VPB-15)

st
(1 ) VP-8 rd
(see 3 VP-20) VP-15F (see 2nd VP-34)

(2nd) VP-8 Established as VP-201 1 Sep 1942 (1st) VP-16 (see 2nd VP-3)
VP-201 Redesignated VPB-201 1 Oct 1944
VPB-201 Redesignated VP-201 15 May 1946 (2nd) VP-16 (see VPB-16)
VP-201 Redesignated VP-MS-1 15 Nov 1946
VP-MS-1 Redesignated VP-ML-8 5 Jun 1947 (3rd) VP-16 Established as VP-906 May 1946
VP-ML-8 Redesignated VP-8 1 Sep 1948 VP-906 Redesignated VP-ML-56 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-56 Redesignated VP-741 Feb 1950
VF-8F (see 3rd VP-20) VP-741 USNR squadron to ACDU 1 May 1951
VP-741 Redesignated VP-16 4 Feb 1953
VF-8S (see 3rd VP-20)
VP-16F (see 2nd VP-3)
(1st) VP-9 (see VPB-24)
(1st) VP-17 (see 2nd VP-5)
(2nd) VP-9 Established as VP-9 15 Mar 1951
(2nd) VP-17 (see VPB-17)
VP-9B (see VPB-24)
(3rd) VP-17 Established as VP-916 1 Jul 1946
VP-9F (see VPB-24) VP-916 Redesignated VP-ML-66 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-66 Redesignated VP-772 Feb 1950
VP-9S (see VPB-24) VP-772 USNR squadron to ACDU 1 Sep 1950
VP-772 Redesignated VP-17 4 Feb 1953
(1st) VP-10 (see VPB-105) VP-17 Redesignated VA(HM)-10 1 Jul 1956
VA(HM)-10 Redesignated VP-17 1 Jul 1959
(2nd) VP-10 (see VPB-23) Disestablished 31 Mar 1995

(3rd) VP-10 Established as VP-10 19 Mar 1951 VP-17F (see 2nd VP-5)

VP-10F (see VPB-23) (1st) VP-18 (see 1st VP-102)

VP-10S (see VPB-23) (2nd) VP-18 (see VPB-18)

(1st) VP-11 (see history files for VW-2 and lineage for VPB-101) (3rd) VP-18 Established as VP-914 May 1946
VP-914 Redesignated VP-ML-64 15 Nov 1946
(2nd) VP-11 (see 3rd VP-21) VP-ML-64 Redesignated VP-861 Feb 1950
VP-861 Redesignated VP-18 4 Feb 1953
(3rd) VP-11 (see VPB-11) VP-18 Disestablished 10 Oct 1968

(4th) VP-11 Established as VP-11 15 May 1952 (1st) VP-19 (see VPB-121)
Disestablished 15 Jan 1997
(2nd) VP-19 (see VP-49)
(1st) VP-12 (see 3rd VP-33)
 APPENDIX 7 771

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

(3rd) VP-19 Established as VP-907 4 Jul 1946 (2nd) VP-23 (see VPB-23)
VP-907 Redesignated VP-ML-57 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-57 Redesignated VP-871 Feb 1950 (3rd) VP-23 Established as VPW-3 17 May 1946
VP-871 USNR squadron to ACDU 17 Apr 1951 VPW-3 Redesignated VPM-3 15 Nov 1946
VP-871 Redesignated VP-19 4 Feb 1953 VPM-3 Redesignated VP-HL-3 8 Dec 1947
VP-19 Disestablished 31 Aug 1991 VP-HL-3 Redesignated VP-23 1 Sep 1948
Disestablished 28 Feb 1995
(1st) VP-20 (see VPB-125)
(1st) VP-24 (see 3rd VP-20)
nd
(2 ) VP-20 (see VPB-20)
(2nd) VP-24 (see 3rd VP-24))
rd
(3 ) VP-20 Established as VP-8S
(from elements of VT-9S) 1 Jul 1929 (3rd) VP-24 Established as VB-104
VP-8S Redesignated VP-8F 3 Apr 1933 from NAS Kaneohe assets 10 Apr 1943
VP-8F Redesignated VP-8 1 Oct 1937 VB-104 Redesignated VPB-104 1 Oct 1944
VP-8 Redesignated VP-24 1 Jul 1939 VPB-104 Redesignated VP-104 15 May 1946
VP-24 Redesignated VP-12 1 Aug 1941 VP-104 Redesignated VP-HL-4 15 Nov 1946
VP-12 Redesignated VPB-120 1 Oct 1944 VP-HL-4 Redesignated VP-24 1 Sep 1948
VPB-120 Redesignated VP-120 15 May 1946 VP-24 Redesignated VA(HM)-13 1 Jul 1956
VP-120 Redesignated VP-HL-10 15 Nov 1946 VA(HM)-13 Redesignated VP-24 1 Jul 1959
VP-HL-10 Redesignated VP-20 1 Sep 1948 Disestablished 30 Apr 1995
VP-20 Disestablished 31 Mar 1949
(1st) VP-25 (see VPB-23)
st
(1 ) VP-21 (see VPB-197)
(2nd) VP-25 Established as VP-25 20 Apr 1944
nd
(2 ) VP-21 (see VPB-29) VP-25 Redesignated VPB-25 1 Oct 1944
VPB-25 Redesignated VP-25 15 May 1946
(3rd) VP-21 Established as VP-7B at NAS San Diego 23 Jul 1929 VP-25 Disestablished 28 Jun 1946
VP-7B Redesignated VP-7F 1 Jul 1931
VP-7F Redesignated VP-7 1 Oct 1937 (3rd) VP-25 Established as VB-115 1 Oct 1943
VP-7 Redesignated VP-11 1 Jul 1939 VB-115 Redesignated VPB-115 1 Oct 1944
VP-11 Redesignated VP-21 1 Feb 1941 VPB-115 Redesignated VP-115 15 May 1946
VP-21 Disestablished, merged VP-115 Redesignated VP-HL-13 15 Nov 1946
with VP-101/VP-22 18 Apr 1942 VP-HL-13 Redesignated VP-25 1 Sep 1948
VP-25 Disestablished 1 Jan 1950
(4th) VP-21 (see 2nd VP-41)
(1st) VP-26 (see 1st VP-102)
th
(5 ) VP-21 Established as VB-111,
from VP-201 assets 30 Jul 1943 (2nd) VP-26 Established as VP-26 1 May 1944
VB-111 Redesignated VPB-111 1 Oct 1944 VP-26 Redesignated VPB-26 1 Oct 1944
VPB-111 Redesignated VP-111 15 May 1946 VPB-26 Redesignated VP-26 15 May 1946
VP-111 Redesignated VP-HL-11 15 Nov 1946 VP-26 Disestablished 14 Dec 1946
VP-HL-11 Redesignated VP-21 1 Sep 1948
VP-21 Disestablished 21 Nov 1969 (3rd) VP-26 Established as VB-114 26 Aug 1943
VB-114 Redesignated VPB-114 1 Oct 1944
(1st) VP-22 Established as VP-4D14 15 Sep 1928 VPB-114 Redesignated VP-114 15 May 1946
VP-4D14 Redesignated VP-4B 21 Jan 1931 VP-114 Redesignated VP-HL-6 15 Nov 1946
VP-4B Redesignated VP-4F 17 Jul 1933 VP-HL-6 Redesignated VP-26 1 Sep 1948
VP-4F Redesignated VP-4 1 Oct 1937
VP-4 Redesignated VP-22 1 Jul 1939 (1st) VP-27 (see VP-47)
VP-22 Disestablished, merged
with VP-101 18 Apr 1942 (2nd) VP-27 Established as VP-83 15 Sep 1941
VP-83 Redesignated VB-107 15 May 1943
(2nd) VP-22 (see 2nd VP-42) VB-107 Redesignated VPB-107 1 Oct 1944
VPB-107 Redesignated VP-107 15 May 1946
(3rd) VP-22 Established as VB-102 from VP-14 assets 15 Feb 1943 VP-107 Redesignated VP-HL-7 15 Nov 1946
VB-102 Redesignated VPB-102 1 Oct 1944 VP-HL-7 Redesignated VP-27 1 Sep 1948
VPB-102 Redesignated VP-102 15 May 1946 VP-27 Disestablished 11 Jan 1950
VP-102 Redesignated VP-HL-2 15 Nov 1946
VP-HL-2 Redesignated VP-22 1 Sep 1948 (1st) VP-28 (see 3rd VP-43)
Disestablished 31 Mar 1994
(2nd) VP-28 Established as VB-108 1 Jul 1943
(1st) VP-23 (see VPB-11) VB-108 Redesignated VPB-108 1 Oct 1944
772 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action SSquadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VPB-108 Redesignated VP-108 15 May 1946 VP-73 Redesignated VP-AM-4 15 Nov 1946
VP-108 Redesignated VP-HL-8 15 Nov 1946 VP-AM-4 Redesignated VP-34 1 Sep 1948
VP-HL-8 Redesignated VP-28 1 Sep 1948 VP-34 Disestablished 30 Jun 1956
VP-28 Disestablished 1 Oct 1969
(1st) VP-40 Established as VP-55 1 Aug 1940
(1st) VP-29 Established as VP-14F 1 Nov 1935 VP-55 Redesignated VP-74 1 Jul 1941
VP-14F Redesignated VP-14 4 Sep 1937 VP-74 Redesignated VPB-74 1 Oct 1944
VP-14 Redesignated VP-52 1 Jul 1939 VPB-74 Redesignated VP-74 15 May 1946
VP-52 Redesignated VP-72 1 Jul 1941 VP-74 Redesignated VP-MS-10 15 Nov 1946
VP-72 Redesignated VPB-122 1 Oct 1944 VP-MS-10 Redesignated VP-40 1 Sep 1948
VPB-122 Redesignated VP-122 15 May 1946 VP-40 Disestablished 25 Jan 1950
VP-122 Redesignated VP-HL-12 15 Nov 1946
VP-HL-12 Redesignated VP-29 1 Sep 1948 (2nd) VP-40 Established as VP-40 20 Jan 1951
VP-29 Disestablished 18 Jan 1950
(1st) VP-41 (see 2nd VP-3)
(2nd) VP-29 Established as VP-911 6 Jul 1946
VP-911 Redesignated VP-ML-61 15 Nov 1946 (2nd) VP-41 Established as VP-21 1 Mar 1944
VP-ML-61 Redesignated VP-812 Feb 1950 VP-21 Redesignated VPB-21 1 Oct 1944
VP-812 Redesignated VP-29 27 Aug 1952 VPB-21 Redesignated VP-21 15 May 1946
VP-29 Disestablished 1 Nov 1955 VP-21 Redesignated VP-MS-11 15 Nov 1946
(Nucleus of VP-29 used to form VAH-2) VP-MS-11 Redesignated VP-41 1 Sep 1948
VP-41 Disestablished 23 Apr 1949
VP-30 Established as VP-30 30 Jun 1960
(1st) VP-42 (see 2nd VP-5)
(1st) VP-31 (see VPB-105)
(2nd) VP-42 Established as VP-22 7 Apr 1944
(2nd) VP-31 Established as VP-31 30 Jun 1960 VP-22 Redesignated VPB-22 1 Oct 1944
VP-31 Disestablished 1 Nov 1993 VPB-22 Redesignated VP-22 15 May 1946
VP-22 Redesignated VP-MS-2 15 Nov 1946
(1st) VP-32 (see VPB-52) VP-MS-2 Redesignated VP-42 1 Sep 1948
VP-42 Disestablished 26 Sep 1969
(2nd) VP-32 (see VP-46)
(1st) VP-43 (see VPB-121)
(3rd) VP-32 Established as VP-62 6 Sep 1943
VP-62 Redesignated VPB-62 1 Oct 1944 (2nd) VP-43 (see VPB-43)
VPB-62 Redesignated VP-62 15 May 1946
VP-62 Redesignated VP-AM-2 15 Nov 1946 (3rd) VP-43 Established as VP-28 1 Jul 1944
VP-AM-2 Redesignated VP-32 1 Sep 1948 VP-28 Redesignated VPB-28 1 Oct 1944
VP-32 Disestablished 6 Jun 1949 VPB-28 Redesignated VP-28 25 Jun 1946
VP-28 Redesignated VP-MS-3 15 Nov 1946
(1st) VP-33 (see VP-46) VP-MS-3 Redesignated VP-43 1 Sep 1948
VP-43 Disestablished 31 Mar 1949
(2nd) VP-33 (see VPB-33)
(1st) VP-44 (see VPB-125)
(3rd) VP-33 Established as VP-12F 1 Nov 1935
VP-12F Redesignated VP-12 1 Oct 1937 (2nd) VP-44 (see VPB-44)
VP-12 Redesignated VP-51 1 Jul 1939
VP-51 Redesignated VP-71 1 Jul 1941 (3rd) VP-44 Established as VP-204 15 Oct 1942
VP-71 Redesignated VPB-71 1 Oct 1944 VP-204 Redesignated VPB-204 1 Oct 1944
VPB-71 Redesignated VP-71 15 May 1946 VPB-204 Redesignated VP-204 15 May 1946
VP-71 Redesignated VP-AM-3 15 Nov 1946 VP-204 Redesignated VP-MS-4 15 Nov 1946
VP-AM-3 Redesignated VP-33 1 Sep 1948 VP-MS-4 Redesignated VP-44 1 Sep 1948
VP-33 Disestablished 15 Dec 1949 VP-44 Disestablished 20 Jan 1950

(1st) VP-34 (see VPB-34) (4th) VP-44 Established as VP-44 29 Jan 1951
VP-44 Disestablished 28 Jun 1991

(2nd) VP-34 Established as VP-15F 1 Sep 1936 (1st) VP-45 (see VPB-197)
VP-15F Redesignated VP-15 1 Oct 1937
VP-15 Redesignated VP-53 1 Jul 1939 (2nd) VP-45 (see VPB-45)
VP-53 Redesignated VP-73 1 Jul 1941
VP-73 Redesignated VPB-73 1 Oct 1944 (3rd) VP-45 Established as VP-205 1 Nov 1942
VPB-73 Redesignated VP-73 15 May 1946 VP-205 Redesignated VPB-205 1 Oct 1944
 APPENDIX 7 773

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VPB-205 Redesignated VP-205 15 May 1946 (2nd) VP-54 (see VPB-54)

VP-205 Redesignated VP-MS-5 15 Nov 1946
VP-MS-5 Redesignated VP-45 1 Sep 1948 VP-55 (see 1st VP-40)

VP-46 Established as VP-5S at FAB Coco Solo 1 Jul 1931 (1st) VP-56 Established as VP-56 1 Oct 1940
VP-5S Redesignated VP-5F 1 Apr 1933 VP-56 Redesignated OTS 1 Jul 1941
VP-5F Redesignated VP-5 1 Oct 1937 OTS Redesignated TTSA 1 Aug 1941
VP-5 Redesignated VP-33 1 Jul 1939 TTSA Redesignated HEDRON-52 8 Nov 1943
VP-33 Redesignated VP-32 1 Jul 1941 HEDRON-52 Redesignated HEDRON-5 22 Jun 1945
VP-32 Redesignated VPB-32 1 Oct 1944 HEDRON-5 Redesignated FASRON-102 13 Aug 1945
VPB-32 Redesignated VP-32 15 May 1946 FASRON-102 Disestablished Jun 1960
VP-32 Redesignated VP-MS-6 15 Nov 1946 (see FASRON-102 history records)
VP-MS-6 Redesignated VP-46 1 Sep 1948
(2nd) VP-56 Established as VP-900 1 Jul 1946
VP-47 Established as VP-27 1 Jun 1944 VP-900 Redesignated VP-ML-71 15 Nov 1946
VP-27 Redesignated VPB-27 1 Oct 1944 VP-ML-71 Redesignated VP-661 Feb 1950
VPB-27 Redesignated VP-27 15 May 1946 VP-661 Redesignated VP-56 4 Feb 1953
VP-27 Redesignated VP-MS-7 15 Nov 1946 VP-56 Disestablished 28 Jun 1991
VP-MS-7 Redesignated VP-47 1 Sep 1948
VP-57 Established as VP-920 1 May 1946
(1st) VP-48 Established as VP-208 15 Dec 1942 VP-920 Redesignated VP-ML-70 15 Nov 1946
VP-208 Redesignated VPB-208 1 Oct 1944 VP-ML-70 Redesignated VP-931 Feb 1950
VPB-208 Redesignated VP-208 15 May 1946 VP-931 Redesignated VP-57 4 Feb 1953
VP-208 Redesignated VP-MS-8 15 Nov 1946 VP-57 Redesignated VAH-4 3 Jul 1956
VP-MS-8 Redesignated VP-48 1 Sep 1948 VAH-4 Redesignated VAQ-131 1 Nov 1968
VP-48 Disestablished 31 Dec 1949 (see VAQ-131 history records)

(2nd) VP-48 Established as VP-905 May 1946 VP-60 Established as VP-60 1 Nov 1970
VP-905 Redesignated VP-ML-55 15 Nov 1946 VP-60 Disestablished 1 Sep 1994
VP-ML-55 Redesignated VP-731 Feb 1950
VP-731 Redesignated VP-48 4 Feb 1953 (1st) VP-61 (see VPB-125)
VP-48 Disestablished 23 May 1991
(2nd) VP-61 (see VPB-61)
VP-49 Established as VP-19 1 Feb 1944
VP-19 Redesignated VPB-19 1 Oct 1944 (3rd) VP-61 Established as VD-5 1 Jun 1944
VPB-19 Redesignated VP-19 15 May 1946 VD-5 Redesignated VPP-1 15 Nov 1946
VP-19 Redesignated VP-MS-9 15 Nov 1946 VPP-1 Redesignated VP-61 1 Sep 1948
VP-MS-9 Redesignated VP-49 1 Sep 1948 VP-61 Disestablished 17 Jan 1950
VP-49 Disestablished 1 Mar 1994
(4th) VP-61 Established as VP-61 20 Jan 1951
VP-50 Established as VP-917 18 Jul 1946 VP-61 Redesignated VJ-61 5 Mar 1952
VP-917 Redesignated VP-ML-67 15 Nov 1946 VJ-61 Redesignated VAP-61 Apr 1956
VP-ML-67 Redesignated VP-892 Feb 1950 VAP-61 Redesignated VCP-61 1 Jul 1959
VP-892 Redesignated VP-50 4 Feb 1953 VCP-61 Redesignated VAP-61 1 Jul 1961
VP-50 Disestablished 30 Jun 1992 VAP-61 Disestablished 1 Jul 1971
(see history for VAP-61 in Volume 1)
(1st) VP-51 (see 3rd VP-33)
(1st) VP-62 Established as VP-62 1 May 1942
(2nd) VP-51 (see VPB-101) VP-62 Disestablished 1 Jul 1943

(3rd) VP-51 Established as VPW-1 1 Apr 1948 (2nd) VP-62 (see 3rd VP-32)
VPW-1 Redesignated VP-51 1 Sep 1948
VP-51 Disestablished 1 Feb 1950 (3rd) VP-62 Established as Fleet Air Photographic
Squadron LantFlt, Norfolk 3 May 1942
(1st) VP-52 (see 1st VP-29) Fleet Air Photographic Squadron, LantFlt
Redesignated Fleet Air
(2nd) VP-52 (see VPB-52) Photographic Squadron 2 11 Oct 1942
Fleet Air Squadron 2 Redesignated VD-2 1 Mar 1943
(1st) VP-53 (see 2nd VP-34) VD-2 Redesignated VPP-2 15 Nov 1946
VPP-2 Redesignated VP-62 1 Sep 1948
(2nd) VP-53 (see VP-AM-1) VP-62 Disestablished 30 Jan 1950

(1st) VP-54 (see history files for VW-2 nd lineage for VPB-101) (4th) VP-62 Established as VP-62 1 Nov 1970
774 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VP-63 (see VPB-63) (3rd) VP-102 (see 3rd VP-22)

VP-64 Established as VP-64 1 Nov 1970 VP-104 (see 3rd VP-24)

VP-65 Established as VP-65 16 Nov 1970 VP-106 Established as VB-106 1 Jun 1943
VB-106 Redesignated VPB-106 1 Oct 1944
VP-66 Established as VP-66 1 Nov 1970 VPB-106 Redesignated VP-106 15 May 1946
VP-106 Disestablished 5 Oct 1946
VP-67 Established as VP-67 1 Nov 1970
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 VP-107 (see 2nd VP-27)

VP-68 Established as VP-68 1 Nov 1970 VP-108 (see 2nd VP-28)

Disestablished 16 Jan 1997
VP-111 (see 5th VP-21)
VP-69 Established as VP-69 1 Nov 1970
VP-114 (see 3rd VP-26)
VP-71 (see 3rd VP-33)
VP-115 (see 3rd VP-25)
VP-72 (see 1st VP-29)
VP-116 (see VP-HL-1)
VP-73 (see 2nd VP-34)
VP-119 (see 2nd VP-7)
VP-74 (see 1st VP-40)
VP-120 (see 3rd VP-20)
VP-81 (see VPB-121)
VP-122 (see 1st VP-29)
VP-82 (see VPB-125)
VP-123 Established as VB-140 21 Apr 1943
VP-83 (see 2nd VP-27) VB-140 Redesignated VPB-140 1 Oct 1944
VPB-140 Redesignated VPB-123 20 Nov 1944
VP-84 (see VPB-84) VPB-123 Redesignated VP-123 15 May 1946
VP-123 Disestablished 1 Oct 1946
VP-90 Established as VP-90 1 Nov 1970
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 VP-124 (see 1st VP-HL-3)

(1st) VP-91 (see VPB-91) VP-128 (see 5th VP-1)

(2nd) VP-91 Established as VP-91 1 Nov 1970 VP-130 (see 2nd VP-2)
Deactivated 1 Apr 1999
VP-131 Established as VB-131 8 Mar 1943
(1st) VP-92 (see VPB-92) VB-131 Redesignated VPB-131 1 Oct 1944
VPB-131 Redesignated VP-131 15 May 1946
(2nd) VP-92 Established as VP-92 1 Nov 1970 VP-131 Disestablished 11 Jun 1946

(1st) VP-93 (see VPB-126) VP-133 Established as VB-133 22 Mar 1943

VB-133 Redesignated VPB-133 1 Oct 1944
(2nd) VP-93 Established as VP-93 1 Jul 1976 VPB-133 Redesignated VP-133 15 May 1946
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 VP-133 Disestablished 17 Jun 1946

(1st) VP-94 (see VPB-94) VP-135 (see 2nd VP-5)

(2nd) VP-94 Established as VP-94 1 Nov 1970 VP-136 (see 2nd VP-3)

VP-101 (see VPB-29) VP-142 Established as VB-142 1 Jun 1943

VB-142 Redesignated VPB-142 1 Oct 1944
(1st) VP-102 Established as VP-18 1 Sep 1937 VPB-142 Redesignated VP-142 15 May 1946
VP-18 Redesignated VP-13 1 Jul 1939 VP-142 Disestablished 14 Jun 1946
VP-13 Redesignated VP-26 11 Dec 1939
VP-26 Redesignated VP-102 16 Dec 1940 VP-143 (see VP-HL-5)
VP-102 Disestablished 18 Apr 1942
VP-144 (see 2nd VP-4)
nd
(2 ) VP-102 (see VPB-4)
VP-146 (see 3rd VP-6)
 APPENDIX 7 775

Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued Patrol Squadrons (VP)—continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VP-148 Established as VB-148 16 Aug 1943 VP-892 (see VP-50)

VB-148 Redesignated VPB-148 1 Oct 1944
VPB-148 Redesignated VP-148 15 May 1946 VP-900 (see 2nd VP-56)
VP-148 Disestablished 15 Jun 1946
VP-905 (see 2nd VP-48)
VP-152 Established as VB-152 1 Apr 1944
VB-152 Redesignated VPB-152 1 Oct 1944 VP-907 (see 3rd VP-19)
VPB-152 Redesignated VP-152 15 May 1946
VP-152 Disestablished 14 Jun 1946 VP-911 (see 2nd VP-29)

VP-153 Established as VB-153 15 Apr 1944 VP-914 (see 3rd VP-18)

VB-153 Redesignated VPB-153 1 Oct 1944
VPB-153 Redesignated VP-153 15 May 1946 VP-916 (see 3rd VP-17)
VP-153 Disestablished 14 Jun 1946
VP-917 (see VP-50)
VP-200 (see VPB-100)
VP-920 (see VAQ-131 history files and lineage for VP-57)
VP-201 (see 2nd VP-8)
VP-931 (see VAQ-131 history files and lineage for VP-57)
VP-202 (see VPB-202)

VP-203 (see VPB-203) Bombing Squadrons (VB)

VP-204 rd
(see 3 VP-44) Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date
VP-205 rd
(see 3 VP-45)
VB-101 (see VPB-101))
VP-206 (see VPB-206)
VB-102 (see 3rd VP-22)
VP-207 (see VPB-207)
VB-103 (see VPB-103)
VP-208 (see 1st VP-48)
VB-104 (see 3rd VP-24)
VP-209 (see VPB-209)
VB-105 (see VPB-105)
VP-210 (see VPB-210)
VB-106 (see VP-106)
VP-211 (see VPB-211)
VB-107 (see 2nd VP-27)
VP-212 (see VPB-212)
VB-108 (see 2nd VP-28)
VP-213 (see VPB-213)
VB-109 (see VPB-109)
VP-214 (see VPB-214)
VB-110 (see VPB-110)
VP-215 (see VPB-215)
VB-111 (see 5th VP-21)
VP-216 (see VPB-216)
VB-112 (see VPB-112)
VP-661 (see 2nd VP-56)
VB-113 (see VPB-113)
VP-731 (see 2nd VP-48)
VB-114 (see 3rd VP-26)
VP-741 rd
(see 3 VP-16)
VB-115 (see 3rd VP-25)
VP-772 rd
(see 3 VP-17)
VB-116 (see VP-HL-1)
VP-812 (see 2nd VP-29)
VB-117 (see VPB-117)
VP-861 (see 3rd VP-18)
VB-118 (see VPB-118)
VP-871 (see 3rd VP-19)
VB-119 (see 2nd VP-7)
776 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Bombing Squadrons (VB)—continued Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB)

Squadron Action Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VB-125 (see VPB-125) VPB-1 Established as VP-1 15 Apr 1943

VP-1 Redesignated VPB-1 1 Oct 1944
VB-126 (see VPB-126 VPB-1 Disestablished 6 Mar 1945

VB-127 (see VPB-127) VPB-4 Established as VP-102 1 Mar 1943

VP-102 Redesignated VPB-4 1 Oct 1944
VB-128 (see 5th VP-1) VPB-4 Disestablished 1 Nov 1945

VB-129 (see VPB-129) VPB-6 Established as VP-6 (CG) 5 Oct 1943

VP-6 (CG) Redesignated VPB-6 1 Oct 1944
VB-130 (see 2nd VP-2) VPB-6 Returned to Coast Guard 12 Jul 1945

VB-131 (see VP-131)

VPB-11 Established as VT-19D14 7 Feb 1924
VB-132 (see VPB-132) VT-19D14 Redesignated VT-6D14 1 Jul 1927
VT-6D14 Redesignated VP-6B 1 Apr 1931
VB-133 (see VP-133) VP-6B Redesignated VP-6F 17 Jul 1933
VP-6F Redesignated VP-6 1 Oct 1937
VB-134 (see VPB-134) VP-6 Redesignated VP-23 1 Jul 1939
VP-23 Redesignated VP-11 1 Aug 1941
VB-135 (see 2nd VP-5) VP-11 Redesignated VPB-11 1 Oct 1944
VPB-11 Disestablished 20 Jun 1945
VB-136 (see 2nd VP-3)
VPB-13 Established as VP-13 from VP-14 assets 1 Jul 1940
VB-137 (see VPB-137) VP-13 Redesignated VPB-13 1 Oct 1944
VPB-13 Disestablished 1 Dec 1945
VB-138 (see VP-HL-3)
VPB-14 (see VPB-197)
VB-139 (see VPB-139)
VPB-15 Established as VP-15 15 Mar 1943
VB-140 (see VP-123) VP-15 Redesignated VPB-15 1 Oct 1944
VPB-15 Disestablished 23 Nov 1945
VB-141 (see VPB-141)
VPB-16 Established as VP-16 20 Dec 1943
VB-142 (see VP-142) VP-16 Redesignated VPB-16 1 Oct 1944
VPB-16 Disestablished 30 Jun 1945
VB-143 (see VP-HL-5)
VPB-17 Established as VP-17 3 Jan 1944
VB-144 (see 2nd VP-4) VP-17 Redesignated VPB-17 1 Oct 1944
VPB-17 Disestablished 30 Jan 1946
VB-145 (see VPB-145)
VPB-18 Established as VP-18 15 Jan 1944
VB-146 (see 3rd VP-6) VP-18 Redesignated VPB-18 1 Oct 1944
VPB-18 Disestablished 23 Nov 1945
VB-147 (see VPB-147)
VPB-19 (see VP-49)
VB-148 (see VP-148)
VPB-20 Established as VP-20 15 Feb 1944
VB-149 (see VPB-149) VP-20 Redesignated VPB-20 1 Oct 1944
VPB-20 Disestablished 4 Feb 1946
VB-150 (see VPB-150)
VPB-21 (see 2nd VP-41)
VB-151 (see VPB-151)
VPB-22 (see 2nd VP-42)
VB-152 (see VP-152)
VPB-23 Established as VP-10S from VT-9S assets 1 Jul 1930
VB-153 (see VP-153) VP-10S Redesignated VP-10F 17 Jul 1933
VP-10F Redesignated VP-10 1 Oct 1937
VB-198 (see VPB-198) VP-10 Redesignated VP-25 1 Jul 1939
VP-25 Redesignated VP-23 1 Aug 1941
VB-200 (see VPB-200) VP-23 Redesignated VPB-23 1 Oct 1944
VPB-23 Disestablished 25 Jan 1946
 APPENDIX 7 777

Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB) Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB)

—continued —continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action

Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VPB-24 Established as VP-9S 7 Jan 1930 VPB-54 Established as VP-54 15 Nov 1942
VP-9S Redesignated VP-9B 1 Oct 1930 VP-54 Redesignated VPB-54 1 Oct 1944
VP-9B Redesignated VP-9F 26 Oct 1931 VPB-54 Disestablished 7 Apr 1945
VP-9F Redesignated VP-9 4 Sep 1937
VP-9 Redesignated VP-12 1 Jul 1939 VPB-61 Established VP-61 1 May 1942
VP-12 Redesignated VP-24 1 Aug 1941 VP-61 Redesignated VPB-61 1 Oct 1944
VP-24 Redesignated VPB-24 1 Oct 1944 VPB-61 Disestablished 15 Sep 1945
VPB-24 disestablished 30 Jun 1945
VPB-62 (see 3rd VP-32)
VPB-25 nd
(see 2 VP-25)
VPB-63 Established as VP-63 19 Sep 1942
VPB-26 (see 2nd VP-26) VP-63 Redesignated VPB-63 1 Oct 1944
VPB-63 Disestablished 2 Jul 1945
VPB-27 (see VP-47)
VPB-71 (see 3rd VP-33)
VPB-28 rd
(see 3 VP-43)
VPB-73 (see 2nd VP-34)
VPB-29 Established as Pacific Air Detachment 17 Jan 1923
Pacific Air Detachment VPB-74 (see 1st VP-40)
Redesignated VP-14 29 May 1924
VP-14 Redesignated VP-1D14 21 Sep 1927 VPB-84 Established as VP-84 1 Oct 1941
VP-1D14 Redesignated VP-1B 1 Jul 1931 VP-84 Redesignated VPB-84 1 Oct 1944
VP-1B Redesignated VP-1F 15 Apr 1933 VPB-84 Disestablished 28 Jun 1945
VP-1F Redesignated VP-1 1 Oct 1937
VP-1 Redesignated VP-21 1 Jul 1939 VPB-91 Established as VP-91 1 Dec 1941
VP-21 Redesignated VP-1 30 Jul 1940 VP-91 Redesignated VPB-91 1 Oct 1944
VP-1 Redesignated VP-101 3 Dec 1940 VPB-91 Disestablished 2 Apr 1946
VP-101 Redesignated VPB-29 1 Oct 1944
VPB-29 Disestablished 20 Jun 1945 VPB-92 Established as VP-92 26 Dec 1941
VP-92 Redesignated VPB-92 1 Oct 1944
VPB-32 (see VP-46) VPB-92 Disestablished 28 May 1945

VPB-33 Established as VP-33 1 Apr 1942 VPB-94 Established as VP-94 3 Mar 1942
VP-33 Redesignated VPB-33 1 Oct 1944 VP-94 Redesignated VPB-94 1 Oct 1944
VPB-33 Disestablished 7 Apr 1945 VPB-94 Disestablished 22 Dec 1944

VPB-34 Established as VP-34 16 Apr 1942 VPB-98 Established as VPB-98 1 Oct 1944
VP-34 Redesignated VPB-34 1 Oct 1944 VPB-98 Disestablished 1 Apr 1946
VPB-34 Disestablished 7 Apr 1945
VPB-99 Established as VPB-99 5 Jan 1945
VPB-43 Established as VP-43 21 Jul 1941 VPB-99 Disestablished 15 Jan 1946
VP-43 Redesignated VPB-43 1 Oct 1944
VPB-43 Disestablished 15 Sep 1945 VPB-100 Established as VP-200 1 Apr 1944
VP-200 Redesignated VPB-100 1 Oct 1944
VPB-44 Established as VP-44 3 Jun 1941 VPB-100 Disestablished 15 Dec 1945
VP-44 Redesignated VPB-44 1 Oct 1944
VPB-44 Disestablished 20 Jun 1945 VPB-101 Established as VP-11F 1 Jul 1936
VP-11F Redesignated VP-11 1 Oct 1937
VPB-45 Established as VP-45 10 Mar 1943 VP-11 Redesignated VP-54 1 Jul 1939
VP-45 Redesignated VPB-45 1 Oct 1944 VP-54 Redesignated VP-51 1 Jul 1941
VPB-45 Disestablished 5 Jun 1945 VP-51 Redesignated VB-101 1 Mar 1943
VB-101 Redesignated VPB-101 1 Oct 1944
VPB-52 Established as VT-3D15 12 Jul 1928 VPB-101 Redesignated VX-4 15 May 1946
VT-3D15 Redesignated VP-3S 21 Jan 1931 VX-4 Redesignated VW-2 18 Jun 1952
VP-3S Redesignated VP-3F 17 Jul 1933 VW-2 Disestablished 1 Jul 1961
VP-3F Redesignated VP-3 1 Oct 1937 (see history files for VW-2)
VP-3 Redesignated VP-32 1 Jul 1939
VP-32 Redesignated VP-52 1 Jul 1941 VPB-102 (see 3rd VP-22)
VP-52 Redesignated VPB-52 1 Oct 1944
VPB-52 Disestablished 7 Apr 1945 VPB-103 Established as VB-103 15 Mar 1943
VB-103 Redesignated VPB-103 1 Oct 1944
VPB-53 (see VP-AM-1) VPB-103 Disestablished 31 Aug 1945
778 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB) Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB)

—continued —continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action

Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VPB-104 (see 3rd VP-24) VPB-123 (see VP-123)

VPB-105 Established as VP-10 29 May 1924 VPB-124 (see VP-HL-3)

VP-10 Redesignated VP-2D15 21 Sep 1927
VP-2D15 Redesignated VP-2S 1 Jul 1931
VP-2S Redesignated VP-2F 17 Jul 1933 VPB-125 Established as VP-20 1 Sep 1938
VP-2F Redesignated VP-2 1 Oct 1937 VP-20 Redesignated VP-44 1 Jul 1940
VP-2 Redesignated VP-31 1 Jul 1939 VP-44 Redesignated VP-61 6 Jan 1941
VP-31 Redesignated VB-105 15 May 1943 VP-61 Redesignated VP-82 1 Jul 1941
VB-105 Redesignated VPB-105 1 Oct 1944 VP-82 Redesignated VB-125 1 Mar 1943
VPB-105 Disestablished 27 Jun 1945 VB-125 Redesignated VPB-125 1 Oct 1944
VPB-125 Disestablished 8 Jun 1945
VPB-106 (see VP-106)
VPB-126 Established as VP-93 5 Jan 1942
VPB-107 (see 2nd VP-27) VP-93 Redesignated VB-126 1 Mar 1943
VB-126 Redesignated VPB-126 1 Oct 1944
VPB-108 (see 2nd VP-28) VPB-126 Disestablished 27 Jun 1945

VPB-109 Established as VB-109 2 Aug 1943 VPB-127 Established as VB-127 1 Feb 1943
VB-109 Redesignated VPB-109 1 Oct 1944 VB-127 Redesignated VPB-127 1 Oct 1944
VP-109 Disestablished 12 Oct 1945 VPB-127 Disestablished 10 Jul 1945

VPB-110 Established as VB-110 18 Jul 1943 VPB-128 (see 5th VP-1)

VB-110 Redesignated VPB-110 1 Oct 1944
VPB-110 Disestablished 1 Sep 1945
VPB-129 Established as VB-129 22 Feb 1943
VPB-111 (see 5th VP-21) VB-129 Redesignated VPB-129 1 Oct 1944
VPB-129 Disestablished 4 Jun 1945
VPB-112 Established as VB-112 8 Aug 1943
VB-112 Redesignated VPB-112 1 Oct 1944 VPB-130 (see 2nd VP-2)
VPB-112 Disestablished 1 Sep 1945
VPB-131 (see VP-131)
VPB-113 Established as VB-113 18 Aug 1943
VB-113 Redesignated VPB-113 1 Oct 1944 VPB-132 Established as VB-132 15 Mar 1943
VPB-113 Disestablished 28 May 1945 VB-132 Redesignated VPB-132 1 Oct 1944
VPB-132 Disestablished 30 May 1945
VPB-114 (see 3rd VP-26)
VPB-133 (see VP-133)
VPB-115 (see 3rd VP-25)
VPB-134 Established as VB-134 29 Mar 1943
VPB-116 (see VP-HL-1) VB-134 Redesignated VPB-134 1 Oct 1944
VPB-134 Disestablished 25 Apr 1945

VPB-117 Established as VB-117 1 Feb 1944 VPB-135 (see 2nd VP-5)

VB-117 Redesignated VPB-117 1 Oct 1944
VPB-117 Disestablished 15 Nov 1945 VPB-136 (see 2nd VP-3)

VPB-118 Established as VB-118 1 Jul 1944 VPB-137 Established as VB-137 17 Feb 1943
VB-118 Redesignated VPB-118 1 Oct 1944 VB-137 Redesignated VPB-137 1 Oct 1944
VPB-118 Disestablished 11 Dec 1945 VPB-137 Disestablished 20 Jul 1945

VPB-119 (see 2nd VP-7) VPB-138 (see 1st VP-HL-3)

VPB-120 (see 3rd VP-20) VPB-139 Established as VB-139 1 Apr 1943

VB-139 Redesignated VPB-139 1 Oct 1944
VPB-121 Established as VP-19 1 Oct 1937 VPB-139 Disestablished 13 Sep 1945
VP-19 Redesignated VP-43 1 Jul 1939
VP-43 Redesignated VP-81 1 Jul 1941 VPB-140 (see VP-123)
VP-81 Redesignated VPB-121 1 Oct 1944
VPB-121 Disestablished 1 Jun 1946 VPB-141 Established as VB-141 1 Jun 1943
VB-141 Redesignated VPB-141 1 Oct 1944
VPB-122 (see 1st VP-29) VPB-141 Disestablished 16 Jun 1945
 APPENDIX 7 779

Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB) Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB)

—continued —continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action

Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VPB-142 (see VP-142) VPB-203 Established as VP-203 1 Oct 1942

VP-203 Redesignated VPB-203 1 Oct 1944
VPB-143 (see VP-HL-5) VPB-203 Disestablished 30 Jun 1945

VPB-144 (see 2nd VP-4) VPB-204 (see 3rd VP-44)

VPB-205 (see 3rd VP-45)

VPB-145 Established as VB-145 15 Jul 1943
VB-145 Redesignated VPB-145 1 Oct 1944 VPB-206 Established as VP-206 15 Nov 1942
VPB-145 Disestablished 18 Jun 1945 VP-206 Redesignated VPB-206 1 Oct 1944
VPB-206 disestablished 4 Jun 1945
VPB-146 (see 3rd VP-6)
VPB-207 Established as VP-207 1 Dec 1942
VPB-147 Established as VB-147 14 Aug 1943
VP-207 Redesignated VPB-207 1 Oct 1944
VB-147 Redesignated VPB-147 1 Oct 1944
VPB-207 Disestablished 26 Jun 1945
VPB-147 Disestablished 2 Jul 1945
VPB-208 (see 1st VP-48)
VPB-148 (see VP-148)
VPB-209 Established as VP-209 1 Jan 1943
VPB-149 Established as VB-149 16 Sep 1943
VB-149 Redesignated VPB-149 1 Oct 1944 VP-209 Redesignated VPB-209 1 Oct 1944
VPB-149 Disestablished 6 Sep 1945 VPB-209 Disestablished 20 Jun 1945

VPB-150 Established as VB-150 15 Sep 1943 VPB-210 Established as VP-210 15 Jan 1943
VB-150 Redesignated VPB-150 1 Oct 1944 VP-210 Redesignated VPB-210 1 Oct 1944
VPB-150 Disestablished 20 Jul 1945 VPB-210 Disestablished 10 Jul 1945

VPB-151 Established as VB-151 3 Jan 1944 VPB-211 Established as VP-211 15 Feb 1943
VB-151 Redesignated VPB-151 1 Oct 1944 VP-211 Redesignated VPB-211 1 Oct 1944
VPB-151 Disestablished 30 Jun 1945 VPB-211 Disestablished 14 Jun 1945

VPB-152 (see VP-152) VPB-212 Established as VP-212 15 Mar 1943

VP-212 Redesignated VPB-212 1 Oct 1944
VPB-153 (see VP-153) VPB-212 Disestablished 15 May 1946

VPB-197 Established as VP-21 1 Sep 1938 VPB-213 Established as VP-213 1 Oct 1943
VP-21 Redesignated VP-45 1 Jul 1939 VP-213 Redesignated VPB-213 1 Oct 1944
VP-45 Redesignated VP-14 1 Dec 1939 VPB-213 Disestablished 10 Jul 1945
VP-14 Split to form VP-13 1 Mar 1940
VP-14 Redesignated VP-26 15 Apr 1941 VPB-214 Established as VP-214 18 Oct 1943
VP-26 Redesignated VP-14 1 Jul 1941 VP-214 Redesignated VPB-214 1 Oct 1944
VP-14 Redesignated VPB-14 1 Oct 1944 VPB-214 Disestablished 21 Jun 1945
VPB-14 Redesignated VPB-197 2 Dec 1944
VPB-197 Disestablished 1 Apr 1946
VPB-215 Established as VP-215 1 Nov 1943
VP-215 Redesignated VPB-215 1 Oct 1944
VPB-198 VB-198 Established 12 Sep 1944
VPB-215 Disestablished 28 May 1945
VB-198 Redesignated VPB-198 1 Oct 1944
VPB-198 Disestablished 1 Apr 1946
VPB-216 Established as VP-216 15 Nov 1943
VP-216 Redesignated VPB-216 1 Oct 1944
VPB-216 Disestablished 7 Apr 1945
VPB-199 Established as VPB-199 1 Oct 1944
VPB-199 Disestablished 2 Nov 1945

VPB-200 Established as VB-200 1 Apr 1944

Patrol Heavy/Land Squadrons (VP-HL)
VB-200 Redesignated VPB-200 1 Oct 1944 Squadron Action
VPB-200 Disestablished 24 Oct 1945 Designation Lineage Date

VP-HL-1 Established as VB-116 1 Dec 1943

VPB-201 (see 2nd VP-8) VB-116 Redesignated VPB-116 1 Oct 1944
VPB-202 Established as VP-202 15 Sep 1942 VPB-116 Redesignated VP-116 15 May 1946
VP-202 Redesignated VPB-202 1 Oct 1944 VP-116 Redesignated VP-HL-1 15 Nov 1946
VPB-202 Disestablished 20 Jun 1945 VP-HL-1 Disestablished 22 May 1947
780 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Heavy/Land Squadrons (VP-HL) Patrol Medium/Land Squadrons (VP-ML)

—continued —continued

Squadron Action Squadron Action

Designation Lineage Date Designation Lineage Date

VP-HL-2 (see 3rd VP-22) VP-ML-7 (see 2nd VP-7)

(1st) VP-HL-3 Established as VB-138 15 Mar 1943 VP-ML-8 (see 2nd VP-8)
VB-138 Redesignated VPB-138 1 Oct 1944
VPB-138 Redesignated VPB-124 15 Dec 1944
VPB-124 Redesignated VP-124 15 May 1946
VP-124 Redesignated VP-HL-3 15 Nov 1946 Patrol Medium/Seaplane Squadrons
VP-HL-3 Disestablished 22 May 1947 (VP-MS)
(2nd) VP-HL-3 (see 3rd VP-23) Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date
VP-HL-4 (see 3rd VP-24) VP-MS-1 (see 2nd VP-8)

VP-HL-5 Established as VB-143 15 Jun 1943 VP-MS-2 (see 2nd VP-42)

VB-143 Redesignated VPB-143 1 Oct 1944
VPB-143 Redesignated VP-143 15 May 1946 VP-MS-3 (see 3rd VP-43)
VP-143 Redesignated VP-HL-5 15 Nov 1946
VP-HL-5 Disestablished 27 May 1947 VP-MS-4 (see 3rd VP-44)

VP-HL-6 (see 3rd VP-26) VP-MS-5 (see 3rd VP-45)

VP-HL-7 (see 2nd VP-27) VP-MS-6 (see VP-46)

VP-HL-8 (see 2nd VP-28) VP-MS-7 (see VP-47)

VP-HL-9 (see 2nd VP-7) VP-MS-8 (see 1st VP-48)

VP-HL-10 (see 3rd VP-20) VP-MS-9 (see VP-49)

VP-HL-11 (see 5th VP-21) VP-MS-10 (see 1st VP-40)

VP-HL-12 (see 1st VP-29) VP-MS-11 (see 2nd VP-41)

VP-HL-13 (see 3rd VP-25)

Patrol/Amphibious Squadrons (VP-AM)

Patrol Medium/Land Squadrons (VP-ML) Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date
Squadron Action
Designation Lineage Date VP-AM-1 Established as VP-53 1 May 1942
VP-53 Redesignated VPB-53 1 Oct 1944
VP-ML-1 (see 5th VP-1) VPB-53 Redesignated VP-53 15 May 1946
VP-53 Redesignated VP-AM-1 15 Nov 1946
VP-ML-2 (see 2nd VP-2) VP-AM-1 Disestablished 5 May 1948

VP-ML-3 (see 2nd VP-3) VP-AM-2 (see 3rd VP-32)

VP-ML-4 (see 2nd VP-4) VP-AM-3 (see 3rd VP-33)

VP-ML-5 (see 2nd VP-5) VP-AM-4 (see 2nd VP-34)

VP-ML-6 (see 3rd VP-6) VP-AM-5 Established as VP-AM-5 21 Nov 1946

VP-AM-5 Disestablished 31 Dec 1947
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 781

APPENDIX 8

Listing of Reserve VP Squadrons

February 1946 to January 1968*

Squadron Established Disestablished Home Port

VP-651 Oct 1952 Aug 1954 NAF Akron, Ohio

1st VP-661† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Norfolk, Va.
2nd VP-661 Nov 1956 Jan 1962 NAS Anacostia, D.C./NAF Andrews**
3rd VP-661 Jan 1964 Jan 1968 NAF Andrews/Washington, Md.**
1st VP-662 Oct 1952 Jan 1962 NAS Anacostia, D.C./NAF Andrews, Md.**
2nd VP-662 Jan 1964 Jan 1968 NAF Andrews/Washington, Md.**
1st VP-663 Oct 1958 Jan 1963 NAF Anacostia, D.C./NAF Andrews, Md.**
2nd VP-663 Jan 1967 Jan 1968 NAF Washington, Md.
VP-671 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Atlanta (Marietta), Ga.
VP-672 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Atlanta (Marietta), Ga.
VP-673 Oct 1958 Jan 1963 NAS Atlanta (Marietta), Ga.
VP-674 Jan 1960 Jan 1968 NAS Atlanta (Marietta), Ga.
VP-681 Oct 1952 Nov 1956 NARF Birmingham, Ala.
VP-691 Oct 1952 Dec 1957 NAS Columbus, Ohio
VP-692 Nov 1956 Dec 1957 NAS Columbus, Ohio
VP-693 Dec 1957 Unknown NAS Columbus, Ohio
VP-701 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Dallas, Tex.
VP-702 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Dallas, Tex.
VP-703 Oct 1958 Jan 1968 NAS Dallas, Tex.
VP-704 Jan 1961 Jan 1965 NAS Dallas, Tex.
VP-711 Oct 1952 Oct 1958 NAS Denver, Colo.
VP-712 Nov 1956 Oct 1958 NAS Denver, Colo.
VP-713 Nov 1956 Oct 1958 NAS Denver, Colo.
VP-721 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
VP-722 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
VP-723 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
VP-724 Oct 1958 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
1st VP-725 Oct 1958 Jan 1961 NAS Glenview, Ill.
2nd VP-725 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
VP-726 Jan 1960 Jan 1968 NAS Glenview, Ill.
VP-727 Jan 1960 Jan 1963 NAS Glenview, Ill.
1st VP-731† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS San Diego, Calif.
2nd VP-731 Nov 1956 Jan 1961 NAS North Island, Calif. ‡
VP-732 Oct 1952 Jan 1961 NAS Grosse Isle, Mich.
VP-733 Oct 1958 Jan 1961 NAS Grosse Isle, Mich.
VP-734 Jan 1960 Jan 1961 NAS Grosse Isle, Mich.
1st VP-741† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
2nd VP-741 Aug 1955 Jan 1968 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
1st VP-742 Oct 1952 Aug 1954 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
2nd VP-742 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
VP-743 Jan 1960 Jan 1963 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
VP-761 Nov 1956 Dec 1957 NAS Lincoln, Nebr.
VP-762 Nov 1956 Dec 1957 NAS Lincoln, Nebr.

781
782 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron Established Disestablished Home Port

VP-771 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.

1st VP-772† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
2nd VP-772 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
VP-773 Oct 1952 Jan 1965 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-774 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-775 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-776 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-777 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-778 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-779 Jan 1963 Jan 1965 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-781 Jan 1963 Unknown NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-782 Jan 1963 Unknown NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-791 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Memphis (Millington), Tenn.
VP-792 Nov 1956 Jan 1966 NAS Memphis (Millington), Tenn.
VP-793 Oct 1958 Jan 1968 NAS Memphis (Millington), Tenn.
VP-801 Oct 1952 Oct 1958 NAS Miami, Fla.
VP-802 Nov 1956 Oct 1958 NAS Miami, Fla.
1st VP-811 Oct 1952 Jan 1961 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-811 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
1st VP-812† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
2nd VP-812 Oct 1952 Jan 1961 NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
3rd VP-812 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
1st VP-813 Nov 1956 Jan 1961 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-813 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
1st VP-814 Nov 1956 Jan 1961 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-814 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
1st VP-815 Oct 1958 Jan 1961 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-815 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
1st VP-816 Oct 1958 Jan 1961 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-816 Jan 1963 Jun 1963 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
Jul 1963 Jan 1964 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.§
3rd VP-816 Jan 1966 Jan 1968 NAS Twin Cities, Minn.
VP-817 Jan 1960 Unknown NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
VP-818 Jan 1960 Unknown NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
VP-821 Jan 1966 Jan 1968 NAS New Orleans, La.
VP-822 Jan 1966 Jan 1968 NAS New Orleans, La.
VP-831 Oct 1952 Jan 1967 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-832 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-833 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-834 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
1st VP-835 Nov 1956 Jan 1962 NAS New York, N.Y.
2nd VP-835 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-836 Nov 1956 Jan 1965 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-837 Jan 1960 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-838 Jan 1963 Unknown NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-839 Jan 1963 Jan 1967 NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-851 Oct 1952 Oct 1958 NAS Niagara Falls, N.Y.
VP-852 Nov 1956 Oct 1958 NAS Niagara Falls, N.Y.
1st VP-861† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
2nd VP-861 Oct 1953 Aug 1955 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
 APPENDIX 8 783

Squadron Established Disestablished Home Port

VP-862 Oct 1952 Unknown NAS Norfolk, Va.

1st VP-871† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Oakland, Calif.
2nd VP-871 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-872 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-873 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-874 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-875 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-876 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-877 Jan 1963 Jan 1965 NAS Alameda, Calif.
1st VP-878 Jan 1963 Unknown NAS Alameda, Calif.
2nd VP-878 Jan 1965 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-879 Jan 1963 Jan 1964 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-881 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Olathe, Kans.
VP-882 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Olathe, Kans.
1st VP-883 Oct 1958 Jan 1963 NAS Olathe, Kans.
2nd VP-883 Jan 1966 Jan 1968 NAS Olathe, Kans.
VP-891 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Seattle, Wash.
1st VP-892† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS San Diego, Calif.
2nd VP-892 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Alameda, Calif.
VP-893 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS Seattle, Wash.
VP-894 Nov 1956 Jan 1960 NAS Seattle, Wash.
VP-900 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Anacostia, D.C.
VP-901 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NRAS Atlanta, Ga.
VP-902 May 1946 Nov 1946 NRAS Columbus, Ohio
VP-903 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NRAS Dallas, Tex.
VP-904 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Glenview, Calif.
VP-905 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Grosse Isle, Mich.
VP-906 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
VP-907 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Livermore, Calif.
VP-908 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Los Alamitos, Calif.
VP-909 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Memphis (Millington), Tenn.
VP-910 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Miami, Fla.
1st VP-911 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Minneapolis, Minn.
2nd VP-911 Oct 1952 Jan 1968 NAS South Weymouth
1st VP-912 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS New Orleans, La.
2nd VP-912 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS New Orleans, La.
1st VP-913 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS New York, N.Y.
2nd VP-913 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS New York, N.Y.
1st VP-914 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Norfolk, Va.
2nd VP-914 Oct 1958 Jan 1965 NAS Norfolk, Va.
1st VP-915 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Olathe, Kans.
2nd VP-915 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Olathe, Kans.
1st VP-916 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS San Diego, Calif.
2nd VP-916 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS North Island, Calif.‡
1st VP-917 May 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Seattle, Wash.
2nd VP-917 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Seattle, Wash.
VP-918 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS St. Louis, Mo.
VP-919 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Squantum, Mass.
VP-920 Jul 1946 Nov 1946 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
VP-921 Oct 1952 Dec 1957 NAS St. Louis, Mo.
VP-922 Nov 1956 Dec 1957 NAS St. Louis, Mo.
1st VP-931† Feb 1950 Feb 1953 NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
2nd VP-931 Nov 1956 Jan 1963 NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
3rd VP-931 Jan 1968 Unknown NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
VP-932 Oct 1952 Jan 1963 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
784 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron Established Disestablished Home Port

VP-933 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.

VP-934 Nov 1956 Jan 1968 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
VP-935 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
1st VP-936 Oct 1952 Aug 1955 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
2nd VP-936 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
VP-937 Jan 1963 Jan 1968 NAS Willow Grove, Pa.
VP-971 Jan 1963 Jan 1964 NAS Alameda, Calif.

* On 1 November 1970 the Navy’s Selected Air Reserve squadrons were redesignated fleet squadrons as part of the restructuring of the Naval Air
Reserve begun in 1968. Navy reserve squadrons were assigned designations in double-digit series like those of fleet squadrons (e.g., VP-62, VP-
63, etc.).
† Called up in 1950 for the Korean Conflict, augmented into regular Navy in 1953 (see unit histories for details and lineage).
§ NAS Minneapolis, Minn., was redesignated NAS Twin Cities on 1 July 1963.
‡ NAS San Diego, Calif., was redesignated NAS North Island, Calif., in early 1955.
** NAF Anacostia, D.C. was closed on 1 January 1961 and NAF Andrews, Andrews AFB, Md., was established on 1 January 1961 and replaced
NAF Anacostia. NAF Andrews was redesignated NAF Washington sometime in 1965.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 785

APPENDIX 9

Medal of Honor Recipients for

Patrol Aviation

Ensign Charles Hazeltine Hammann was and forced down. The M-5, flown by Ensign G. H.
Ludlow, landed on the water, but immediately came
awarded the Medal of Honor for his
under fire from the Austrian seaplanes. Ensign C. H.
action on 21 August 1918 Hammann observed Ludlow’s aircraft going down and
smoking heavily. He broke off combat with the enemy
Charles Hazeltine Hammann, Ensign, USNRF aircraft to land next to his friend’s sinking flying boat.
Highest rank: Lieutenant (jg), USN Somehow Hammann managed to bring Ludlow
Born: 16 March 1892, Baltimore, Md. aboard his tiny one-man aircraft and was able to take-
Died: 14 June 1919 off from very rough seas. After evading the pursuing
Buried: Oaklawn Cemetery, Baltimore, Md. Austrian aircraft, the two returned to Porto Corsini to
find they had already been listed as Killed in Action!
After the United States’ entry into WWI, the Navy es- For this heroic act, Ensign Hammann was awarded the
tablished air stations in Italy, France and England for Medal of Honor—the first Navy aviator to be so hon-
training and combat operations. NAS Porto Corsini, ored. Hammann was killed in a crash at Langley Field,
Italy was very active in conducting attacks against the Va, on 14 June 1919. A destroyer named in his honor,
Austrian naval base at Pola. In an action on 21 August Hammann (DD 412), was sunk by torpedoes while
1918, two Macchi M-8 flying boats were escorted by assisting a damaged Yorktown (CV 5) during the Battle
five Macchi M-5 single-place flying boats for an attack of Midway. A second Hammann (DE 131) was com-
on the Austrian naval base at Pola. In the ensuing missioned on 17 May 1943, and survived many cam-
combat over Pola, three Austrian aircraft were shot paigns in the Atlantic before going into the reserve
down, and one American M-5s was hit by enemy fire fleet in 1945.

Ensign Ludlow’s Macchi M-5 flying boat.

785
786 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Chief Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., was Chief John William Finn was awarded the
awarded the Medal of Honor for his Medal of Honor for his action on
action on 25 September 1918 7 December 1941

Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr., Aviation Chief Machinist’s John William Finn, Chief Petty Officer, USN
Mate, USN Highest rank: Lieutenant, USN
Highest rank: Chief Aviation Pilot, Permanent Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
Born: 30 April 1892, Providence, R.I.
Died: 24 October 1936, Ardmore, Okla. Chief Finn, attached to VP-14, was ashore at NAS
Buried: St. Francis Cemetery, Newport, R.I. Kaneohe, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked Pearl
Harbor on 7 December 1941. During the attack Finn
ACMM Ormsbee was stationed at NAS Pensacola, was able to set up a 50-caliber Browning machine gun
Fla., as an enlisted aircrewman. On 25 September in front of the squadron parking ramp, and amid sev-
1918, ACMM Ormsbee was flying with Ensign J. A. eral burning squadron Catalinas, he fired the machine
gun at strafing Japanese aircraft while in an exposed
Jova in a seaplane above the bay near the air station.
position. He was able to shoot down at least one of
Ormsbee and Jova saw another seaplane spinning
the attackers. Finn was struck repeatedly by shrapnel
out of control three-quarters of a mile away, crashing
from the exploding aircraft and bombs but remained
into the bay. Ensign Jova landed as close to the
at his post until ordered to go to the first aid station.
wreck as possible, and Ormsbee jumped into the
After his wounds were treated, he returned to the
water and swam to the partially submerged wreck.
squadron area and supervised the rearming of return-
He was able to partially extricate the gunner from the
ing aircraft.
aircraft and hold his head above water until the sta-
tion crash boat arrived on the scene. Although
Ormsbee was badly cut from pulling the gunner out
Lieutenant Commander Bruce A. Van
of the wreckage, he still persisted in diving to at-
tempt to retrieve the pilot. Unfortunately, the pilot
Voorhis was awarded the Medal of Honor
had already drowned before he could be removed for his action on 7 July 1943
from the aircraft.
Bruce Avery Van Voorhis, Lieutenant Commander, USN
(posthumous)
Highest rank: Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Carlton B. Hutchins was Born: 29 January 1908, Aberdeen, Wash.
awarded the Medal of Honor for his Died: 7 July 1943
action on 2 February 1938 Buried: Remains not recovered.

Carlton B. Hutchins, Lieutenant, USN (posthumous) Lieutenant Commander Van Voorhis was the com-
Highest rank: Lieutenant manding officer of VB-102, a patrol squadron that had
Born: 12 September 1904, Albany, N.Y. transitioned from PBY Catalinas to the PB4Y-1
Died: 2 February 1938 Liberator. On 22 April 1943, VB-102 received its first
Buried: Remains not recovered. combat assignment at NAB Carney Field, Guadalcanal,
under the operational control of FAW-1. On 7 July
Lieutenant Hutchins was a member of VP-11, 1943, Van Voorhis, and his entire crew were killed
PatWing-1, based at NAS San Diego, Calif. In February during a daytime attack on enemy positions on the is-
land of Kapingamarangi. Official accounts of the ac-
1938, PatWing-1 and PatWing-4, based at NAS Seattle,
tion describe it as a long-distance bombing mission
Wash., were participating in Fleet Exercise XIX, one
(700 miles) against enemy positions on the Japanese-
of the largest fleet exercises to date. Hutchins’ PBY-2
occupied Greenwich Islands chain. The mission was
was involved in a midair collision with another
in support of the Battle of the Solomon Islands that
squadron aircraft. He remained at the controls en-
had commenced the day before. Van Voorhis and his
deavoring to bring the damaged plane to a safe land-
crew made six low-level bombing runs against a radio
ing and to afford an opportunity for his crew to es-
station and several strafing runs against three sea-
cape by parachutes. Several of the crew did manage
planes and shipping in the lagoon. It was reported
to exit the aircraft, but Hutchins was killed in the that on his last run his aircraft was “to low and too
ensuing crash. slow” and was caught in its own bomb blast. A
 APPENDIX 9 787

Japanese account found after the war, however, stated the Army Air Force for an attack on the enemy-held
the bomber was shot down by 3 F1Ms (Petes) from 902nd Kavieng Harbor, New Ireland. On 15 February 1944,
Kokutai led by Warrant Officer Tokio Uchimura, IJN. Van he was alerted to a downed pilot off Vitu Island. Upon
Voorhis’ PB4Y-1 crashed in the lagoon with no survivors. arrival over Kavieng Harbor, the crew noted that the
He was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action and downed Army pilot was within range of Japanese
his copilot, Lieutenant (jg) Herschel A. Oehlert, Jr. re- small arms fire from shore. Gordon quickly landed
ceived the Navy Cross. All of the other crewmembers and taxied to the pilot. Almost immediately, his crew
were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. spotted several others nearby. He made two more
landings, under fire from the Japanese, retrieving nine
men, several of them injured. After taking off and set-
Lieutenant (jg) Nathan Green Gordon was ting course for home, he was informed of another
group in a rubber raft in the harbor. Once again, he
awarded the Medal of Honor for his returned and landed under heavy enemy fire, retriev-
action on 15 February 1944 ing six more survivors. Now overloaded with 15 res-
cued personnel, he managed to takeoff in heavy
Nathan Green Gordon, Lieutenant (jg), USN swells, his fourth takeoff of the day. After this rescue
Highest rank: Lieutenant Commander, USN he was running out of fuel and was forced to land at
Born: 4 September 1916, Morrilton, Arkansas Wewak, New Guinea. There he unloaded the Army
fliers on the tender San Pablo (AVP 30) before refuel-
Lieutenant (jg) Nathan G. Gordon and his crew ing and returning to Samarai. Lieutenant (jg) Gordon
were members of the Samarai Detachment of VP-34, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct and
and were assigned to provide air-sea rescue support to each member of his crew received the Silver Star.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 789

APPENDIX 10

Patrol Squadron Korean War

Deployments

1950 Deployments
VP-1 Detachment Location: Buckner Bay
Deployed to: Naha AFB Salisbury Sound (AV 13), 1 Nov
Date In: 19 Aug 1950 1950–6 Mar 1951
Detachment Date In:1 Nov 1950
Date Out: 13 Nov 1950
Detachment Date Out: 6 Feb 1951
Patrol Area: Formosa Straits
Detachment Location: Sangley Point
Aircraft: P2V-3/3W
Detachment Date In: 31 Jul 1950
Losses: None
Detachment Date Out: 6 Feb 1951
Detachment Location: None
Patrol Area: Courier flights to Okinawa

VP-22
VP-731
Deployed To: Naha AFB
Deployed To: Buckner Bay
Date In: 4 Nov 1950
Salisbury Sound (AV 13), 1 Nov 1950–6
Date Out: 1 May 1951 Mar 1951
Patrol Area: Chinese mainland; Formosa Suisun (AVP 53), 6 Mar 1951–13 Aug
Aircraft: P2V-4 1951
Losses: P2V, 21 Jan 1951 (non-combat) Date In: 7 Feb 1951
Detachment Location: None Date Out: 13 Aug 1951
Patrol Area: Formosa Straits; China coast
VP-28 Aircraft: PBM-5
Losses: None
Deployed To: Naha AFB Detachment Location: Sangley Point
Date In: 16 Jul 1950 Salisbury Sound (AV 13), 13 Mar
Date Out: 7 Aug 1950 1951–18 Oct 1951
Patrol Area: Foochow; Shanghai Detachment Date In: 7 Feb 1951
Aircraft: PB4Y-2S Detachment Date Out: 13 Aug 1951
Losses: None Patrol Area: Formosa coast; China coast
Detachment Location: NAF Agana Detachment Location: Hong Kong
Detachment Date In: Jan 1950 Detachment Date In: 7 Feb 1951
Detachment Date Out: 7 Aug 1950 Detachment Date Out: 13 Aug 1951
Patrol Area: Courier Flights
VP-46
Deployed To: Pescadores Islands VP-6
Suisun (AVP 53) 30 Jul 1950–6 Mar 1951 Deployed To: Johnson AFB
Date In: 31 Jul 1950 Date In: 7 Jul 1950
Date Out: 6 Feb 1951 Date Out: 6 Aug 1950
Patrol Area: Formosa Straits; China Patrol Area: Yellow Sea
Deployed To: Sangley Point Deployed To: Tachikawa AFB
Date In: 1 Dec 1950 Date In: 7 Aug 1950
Date Out: 6 Feb 1951 Date Out: 12 Feb 1951
Patrol Area: Night sector searches Patrol Area: Korean coastline; Sea of Japan
Aircraft: PBM-5 Aircraft: P2V-3/3W
Losses: None Losses: None

789
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Detachment Location: NAS Atsugi Detachment Date Out: 18 Oct 1950

Detachment In: 5 Jan 1951 Patrol Area: Korean waters; Yellow Sea
Detachment Out: 12 Feb 1951
Patrol Area: Yellow Sea; Korean coastline
VP-47
Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB
VP-42 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), Jul 1950–1 Oct
Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB 1950
Date In: 19 Jul 1950 Date In: 31 Jul 1950
Date Out: 10 Aug 1950 Date Out: 16 Oct 1950
Patrol Area: Korean coast Patrol Area: Chosin Straits
Deployed To: NAS Yokosuka Deployed To: Chinhae/Inchon
Date In: 11–31 Aug 1950 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 3–13 Oct 1950
Date Out: 1 Sep 1950 Patrol Area: Korean waters
Patrol Area: Tsushima Straits; Sea of Japan Date In: 16 Oct 1950
Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB Date Out: 15 Nov 1950
Pine Island (AV 13), Aug 1950–Dec 1950 Deployed To: NAF Yokosuka
Curtiss (AV 4), 1 Nov 1950–1 Dec 1950 Date In: 16 Nov 1950
Date Out: 1 Jan 1951
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 18 Oct 1950–27
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan; eastern Korean coast
Feb 1951
Aircraft: PBM-5
Suisun (AVP 53), 11 Apr 1951–15 Jul
Losses: None
1951
Detachment Location: None
Date In: 1 Sep 1950
Date Out: 9 Apr 1951
Patrol Area: Yellow Sea VP-892
Aircraft: PBM-5 Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB
Losses: PBM-5, 7 Jan 1951 (non-combat) Curtiss (AV 4) thru 30 Dec 1950
Detachment Location: Inchon Pine Island (AV 12), Dec 1950–mid-1951
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 3–13 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 18 Oct
Oct 1950 1950–13 Apr 1951
Detachment Date In: 3 Oct 1950 Suisun (AVP 53), 11 Apr 1951–Late 1951
Detachment Date Out: 17 Oct 1950 Date In: 13 Dec 1950
Patrol Area: Korean waters Date Out: 9 Jun 1951
Detachment Location: Chinhae Patrol Area: Yellow Sea, night patrols
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 13–18 Aircraft: PBM-5
Oct 1950 Losses: None
Detachment Date In: 14 Oct 1950 Detachment Location: None

1951 Deployments
VP-1 Losses: P2V-3 on 16 Aug 1951, crew rescued
Deployed To: Naha AFB P2V on 6 Nov 1951, 10 KIA (combat)
Date In: Apr 1951 Detachment Location: None
Date Out: 29 Aug 1951
Patrol Area: Korean coast VP-28
Aircraft: P2V-3
Deployed To: Tachikawa AFB
Losses: None
Detachment Location: None Date In: 1 Apr 1951
Date Out: 9 Oct 1951
Patrol Area: Yellow Sea; Tsushima Straits
VP-6 Aircraft: PB4Y-2S
Deployed To: NAS Atsugi Losses: None
Date In: 1 Aug 1951 Detachment Location: Itami AFB
Date Out: 14 Jan 1952 Detachment Date In: 24 Apr 1951
Patrol Area: Yellow Sea; Sea of Japan; Tsushima Straits Detachment Date Out: 30 Apr 1951
Aircraft: P2V-3/3W Patrol Area: Japanese coast, ASW ops.
 APPENDIX 10 791

Detachment Location: Kimpo AFB Patrol Area: Tsushima Straits; Sea of Japan
Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1951 Aircraft: P4Y-2S
Detachment Date Out: 13 Dec 1951 Losses: None
Patrol Area: Inland Korea Detachment Location: None

VP-40 VP-42
Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB
Suisun (AVP 53), 11 Apr 1951–late 1951 Date In: 7 Dec 1951
Date In: 9 Jun 1951 Date Out: 6 Jun 1952
Date Out: 13 Dec 1951 Patrol Area: Korean coast
Patrol Area: Yellow Sea; Tsushima Straits Aircraft: P4Y-2
Aircraft: PBM-5/5S Losses: None
Losses: PBM-5 on 15 Jun 1951, 13 killed, non-combat Detachment Location: Chinhae
Detachment Location: None Detachment Date In: 15 Mar 52
Detachment Date Out: Apr 1952
VP-772 Patrol Area: Inland Korea
Deployed To: NAS Atsugi
Date In: 31 Jan 51 VP-46
Date Out: 3 Aug 1951 Deployed To: Iwakuni AFB
Sea Patrol Area: Yellow; Tsushima Straits Floyds Bay (AVP 40), 26 Sep 1951–early
Aircraft: P4Y-2 1952
Losses: None Gardiners Bay (AVP 39), 26 Sep 1951–early
Detachment Location: K-1, Pusan
1952
Detachment Date In: 12 Jun 1951
Date In: 30 Sep 1951
Detachment Date Out: 3 Aug 1951
Date Out: 2 Apr 1952
Patrol Area: Inland Korea
Patrol Area: Korean coast
Aircraft: PBM-5S/5S2
VP-871 Losses: None
Deployed To: NAS Atsugi Detachment Location: Chinhae
Date In: 1 Dec 1951 Suisun (AVP 53)
Date Out: 7 Jul 1952 Detachment Date In: Sep 1951
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan Detachment Date Out: 2 Apr 1952
Aircraft: P4Y-2S Patrol Area: Korean coast
Losses: None
Detachment Location: Kimpo AFB VP-47
Detachment Date In: 12 Dec 1951
Detachment Date Out: 7 Jul 1952 Deployed To: Pescadores Island
Patrol Area: Inland Korea Pine Island (AVP 12)
Date In: 1 Aug 1951
Date Out: 4 Mar 1952
VP-2 Patrol Area: Yellow Sea
Deployed To: Detachment only Aircraft: PBM-5
Detachment Location: NAF Naha Losses: None
Detachment Date In: 1 Aug 1951 Detachment Location: Sangley Point
Detachment Date Out: 2 Dec 1951 Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
Patrol Area: East China Sea; Yellow Sea Detachment Date In: 26 Jul 1951
Aircraft: P2V-3W Detachment Date Out: 4 Mar 1952
Losses: None Patrol Area: China Sea
Detachment Location: Buckner Bay
VP-22 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Corson (AVP 37)
Deployed To: NAF Atsugi
Detachment In: 26 Jul 1951
Date In: 1 Dec 1951
Detachment Date Out: 4 Mar 1952
Date Out: 31 May 1952
Patrol Area: China Sea
792 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

1952 Deployments

VP-1 VP-40
Deployed To: Naha AFB Deployed To: NS Sangley Point
Date In: 29 Mar 1952 Date In: 2 Sep 1952
Date Out: 5 Oct 1952 Date Out: 28 Mar 1953
Patrol Area: Korean coast Patrol Area: South China Sea; Formosa Straits
Aircraft: P2V-3 Aircraft: PBM-5/5S
Losses: None Losses: None
Detachment Location: None Detachment Location: Pescadores
Detachment Date In: 2 Sep 1952
Detachment Date Out: 28 Mar 1953
VP-9 Patrol Area: South China Sea and East China Sea
Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni Detachment Location: NAF Naha
Date In: 27 Jun 1952 Detachment Date In: 2 Sep 1952
Date Out: 16 Nov 1952 Detachment Date Out: 28 Mar 1953
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan Patrol Area: East China Sea; Yellow Sea
Aircraft: P4Y-2S
Losses: None VP-47
Detachment Location: Pusan
Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni
Detachment Date In: Jul 1952
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Detachment Date Out: 3 Jan 1953
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Patrol Area: Inland Korea
Date In: 22 Nov 1952
Date Out: 31 May 1953
VP-22 Patrol Area: Yellow Sea; Sea of Japan
Aircraft: PBM-5
Deployed To: NAS Atsugi
Losses: None
Date In: 30 Nov 1952
Detachment Location: Fukuoka
Date Out: 31 May 1953
Corson (AVP 37)
Patrol Area: North and South China Sea
Detachment Date In: Dec 1952
Aircraft: P2V-5 Detachment Date Out: 31 May 1953
Losses: P2V-5, 18 Jan 1953 (combat), 7 rescued, 4 KIA Patrol Area: Sea of Japan
and 2 POW (combat related)
P2V-5, 31 Jan 1953 (non-combat)
Detachment Location: None VP-731
Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni
VP-28 Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Deployed To: NAF Itami Date In: 1 Jun 1952
Date In: 1 Jun 1952 Date Out: 8 Dec 1952
Date Out: 2 Dec 1952 Patrol Area: Korean coast; Formosa Straits
Patrol Area: North Korean coast; China coast Aircraft: PBM-5S2
Aircraft: P2V-3/P4Y-2/2S Losses: PBM damaged on 31 Jul 1952, 2 KIA and 2
Losses: None WIA (combat related)
Detachment Location: None Detachment Location: None

VP-29 VP-892
Deployed To: NAS Atsugi Deployed To: NS Sangley Point
Date In: 27 Sep 1952 Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
Date Out: 1 Apr 1953 Date In: 1 Mar 1952
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan; Korean coast Date Out: 12 Sep 1952
Aircraft: P2V-5/6 Patrol Area: China Sea
Losses: None Aircraft: PBM-5S/S2
Detachment Location: None Losses: None
Detachment Location: None
 APPENDIX 10 793

1953 Deployments

VP-1 VP-48
Deployed To: Naha AFB Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni
Date In: 27 May 1953 Kenneth Whiting (AV 14)
Date Out: 1 Dec 1953 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39)
Patrol Area: Korean coast Date In: Jul 1953
Aircraft: P2V-5 Date Out: Dec 1953
Losses: None Patrol Area: Yellow Sea
Detachment Location: None Aircraft: PBM-5S2
Losses: PBM-5 on 30 Jul 1953 (non-combat), 5 res-
VP-7 cued, 10 killed in the crash
Detachment Location: None
Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni
Date In: 28 Jun 1953
Date Out: 27 Jul 1953 VP-50
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan; Yellow Sea Deployed To: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: P2V-5 Date In: 1 May 1953
Losses: None Date Out: 1 Sep 1953
Detachment Location: None Patrol Area: South China Sea
Aircraft: PBM-5S2
VP-17 Losses: PBM-5 on 30 Jun 1953 (non-combat)
Detachment Location: NAF Iwakuni
Deployed To: NAF Iwakuni
Date In: 1 Feb 1953 Kenneth Whiting (AV-14)
Date Out: 30 Jun 1953 Gardiners Bay (AVP 39) thru
Patrol Area: Sea of Japan; Yellow Sea June 1953
Aircraft: P4Y-2/2s Floyds Bay (AVP 40)
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 1 Jun 1953
Detachment Location: None Detachment Date Out: 27 Jul 1953
Patrol Area: Korean coast

VP-46
VP-57
Deployed To: NS Sangley Point
Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) Deployed To: NAS Atsugi
Date In: 1 Mar 1953 Date In: 28 Mar 1953
Date Out: 27 Jul 1953 Date Out: Oct 1953
Patrol Area: Formosa Straits; east coast of Korea Patrol Area: Sea of Japan; Yellow Sea
Aircraft: PBM-5S2 Aircraft: P2V-5
Losses: None Losses: None
Detachment Location: None Detachment Location: None
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 795

APPENDIX 11

Patrol Squadron Vietnam

Deployments, (1964–1972)
See the Notes Section at the end of this listing for any clarification on the
entries and for the Tail Code List.

1964 Deployments
VP-48 Detachment Date In: Oct 1964
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Date Out: late Feb 1965
Aircraft: SP-5B
Losses: None VP-6
Date In: 19 Mar 1964
Date Out: 22 Sep 1964 Deployed to: NAF Naha and MCAS Iwakuni
Aircraft: SP-2E
Losses: None
VP17 Date In: 12 Aug 1964
Deployed to: NAF Naha Date Out: 25 Jan 1965
Aircraft: SP-2H Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 1 Sep 1964
Date In: 27 Apr 1964 Date Out: 28 Sep 1964
Date Out: 30 Sep 1964
Detachment Location: None VP-47
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
VP-28 Aircraft: SP-5B
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Losses: None
Aircraft: SP-2H Date In: 17 Aug 1964
Losses: None Date Out: 28 Feb 1965
Date In: 16 May 1964 Detachment Location: Salisbury Sound (AV 13)
Date Out: 18 Oct 1964 Detachment Date In: various
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point Date Out: various
Detachment Date In: 5 Aug 1964
Date Out: 30 Sep 1964
VP-1
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
VP-42 Aircraft: SP-2H
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Losses: None
Aircraft: SP-2E Date In: 7 Oct 1964
Losses: None Date Out: 1 Apr 1965
Date In: 1 Jun 1964 Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut, DaNang
Date Out: 16 Nov 1964 Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Date In: 3 Sep 1964
Date Out: 18 Sep 1964 VP-9
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut Deployed to: NAF Naha
Detachment Date In: 18 Sep 1964 Aircraft: P-3A
Date Out: 19 Sep 1964 Losses: P-3A lost on flare-dropping mission on 4 Dec
Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point 1964 (non-combat)
Detachment Date In: 6 Oct 1964 Date In: 12 Nov 1964
Date Out: 24 Oct 1964 Date Out: 8 Jul 1965
Special Det Deployment: NAF Tan Son Nhut Detachment Location: None

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1965 Deployments
VP-2 VP-46
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Deployed to: NAF Naha
Aircraft: SP-2H Aircraft: P-3A
Losses: None Losses: None
Date In: 24 Jan 1965 Date In: 7 Jun 1965
Date Out: 16 Jul 1965 Date Out: 8 Jan 1966
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Date In: 15 Mar 1965 Detachment Date In: 7 Jun 1965
Date Out: 1 May 1965 Date Out: 8 Jan 1966
Detachment Location: various places (Naha, Sangley
Point, Iwo Jima, Bangkok, Tainan, DaNang) VP-17
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
VP-40 Aircraft: SP-2H
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Losses: None
Aircraft: SP-5B Date In: 9 Jul 1965
Losses: None Date Out: 6 Feb 1966
Date In: 27 Feb 1965 Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Date Out: 3 Sep 1965 Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Detachment Location: Salisbury Sound (AV 13) at Ko
Sumai, Thailand VP-50
Detachment Date In: 14 May 1965
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 20 May 1965
Aircraft: SP-5B
Detachment Location: Currituck (AV 7) at DaNang,
Losses: None
South Vietnam
Date In: 26 Aug 1965
Detachment Date In: 29 May 1965
Date Out: 14 Mar 1966
Date Out: 3 Aug 1965
Detachment Location: Salisbury Sound (AV 13), Buckner
Bay, Okinawa
VP-4 Detachment Date In: 26 Aug 1966
Date Out: 14 Mar 1966
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Detachment Location: Pine Island (AV 12), NAF Camh
Aircraft: SP-2H
Ranh Bay
Losses: None
Detachment Date In: 26 Aug 1966
Date In: 26 Mar 1965
Date Out: 14 Mar 1966
Date Out: 28 Sep 1965
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Detachment Date In: 19 Apr 1965 VP-42
Date Out: 19 Apr 1965 Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point Aircraft: SP-2H
Detachment Date In: 26 Mar 1965 Losses: None
Date Out: 20 Apr 1965 Date In: 26 Sep 1965
Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point Date Out: 5 Apr 1966
Detachment Date In: 20 Apr 1965 Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Date Out: 26 Apr 1965 Detachment Date In: 8 Oct 1965
Date Out: 13 Feb 1966
VP-22
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point VP-48
Aircraft: P-3A Deployed to: (detachments only)
Losses: None Aircraft: SP-5B
Date In: 23 Apr 1965 Losses: None
Date Out: 13 Dec 1965 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Rahn Bay on Pine
Detachment Location: Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam Island (AV 12) thru 12 Feb 1966 and then Salisbury
Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally Sound (AV 13)
 APPENDIX 11 797

Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1965 VP-28

Date Out: 4 Sep 1966
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: P-3A
Detachment Date In: Aug 1965
Losses: None
Date Out: 4 Sep 1966
Date In: 2 Nov 1965
Detachment Location: Currituck (AV 7) at Buckner
Bay, Okinawa Date Out: 2 Jun 1966
Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1965 Detachment Location: NAF Agana, Guam
Date Out: 4 Sep 1966 Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally

1966 Deployments
VP-47 Losses: None
Deployed to: NAF Naha Date In: 1 Apr 1966
Aircraft: P-3B Date Out: 1 Oct 1966
Losses: None Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Date In: 4 Jan 1966 Detachment Date In: 25 May 1966
Date Out: 30 Jun 1966 Date Out: 30 Sep 1966
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
VP-8
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
VP-1 Aircraft: P-3A
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Losses: None
Aircraft: SP-2H Date In: 25 May 1966
Losses: Five SP-2Hs damaged on 13 Apr 1966 by Viet Date Out: 2 Dec 1966
Cong attack Detachment Location: None
Date In: 3 Feb 1966
Date Out: 1 Aug 1966
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut VP-9
Detachment Date In: 13 Feb 1966 Deployed to: NAF Naha
Date Out: 27 May 1966 Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None
VP-40 Date In: 25 Jul 1966
Date Out: 10 Jan 1967
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: SP-5B Detachment Location: NAF Sangley Point
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 25 Jun 1966
Date In: 15 Mar 1966 Date Out: 12 Dec 1966
Date Out: 3 Sep 1966 Detachment Location: Taiwan, Formosa
Detachment Location: Salisbury Sound (AV 13) Detachment Date In: 4 Dec 1966
Detachment Date In: 10 Mar 1966 Date Out: 11 Dec 1966
Date Out: 26 Mar 1966
Detachment Date In: 3 Apr 1966 VP-19
Date Out: 10 Apr 1966
Detachment Date In: 14 May 1966 Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Date Out: 3 Jun 1966 Aircraft: P-3A
Detachment Date In: 10 Jul 1966 Losses: None
Date Out: 9 Aug 1966 Date In: 1 Aug 1966
Detachment Date In: 15 Aug 1966 Date Out: 31 Jan 1967
Date Out: 21 Aug 1966 Detachment Location: Unknown

VP-2 VP-50
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: SP-2H Aircraft: SP-5B
798 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Losses: SP-5B on 23 Aug 1966 (non-combat), 10 dead Date In: 5 Dec 1966
Date In: 23 Aug 1966 Date Out: 30 Mar 1967
Date Out: 6 Feb 1967 Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Detachment Location: Cam Ranh Bay, Currituck (AV 7) Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1966
Detachment Date In: 23 Aug 1966 Date Out: 30 Mar 1967
Date Out: 6 Feb 1967
VP16
VP-17 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Aircraft: P-3A
Aircraft: SP-2H Losses: None
Date In: 2 Dec 1966
Losses: None
Date Out: 2 Jun 1967
Date In: 1 Oct 1966
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Date Out: 5 Dec 1966
Detachment Date In: 18 Jan 1967
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Date Out: 18 Feb 1967

1967 Deployments

VP-46 Detachment Date In: 1 Mar 1967

Deployed to: NAF Naha Date Out: 30 Apr 1967
Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None VP-42
Date In: 14 Jan 1967
Date Out: 30 Jun 1967 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point Aircraft: SP-2H
Detachment Date In: 5 Feb 1967 Losses: None
Date Out: 18 Feb 1967 Date In: 1 Apr 1967
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Date Out: 30 May 1967
Detachment Date In: 18 Feb 1967 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 30 Jun 1967 Detachment Date In: 2 Apr 1967
Date Out: 1 Dec 1967
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
VP-4
Detachment Date In: 31 Mar 1967
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Date Out: 30 Sep 1967
Aircraft: P-3A
Losses: P-3A lost off the cost of Tsushima Island on 28
Apr 1967 VP-1
Date In: 31 Jan 1967 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 31 Jul 1967 Aircraft: SP-2H
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point Losses: None
Detachment Date In: (see Note 3) Date In: 6 May 1967
Date Out: (see Note 3)
Date Out: 12 Nov 1967
Detachment Location: NAF Naha
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Detachment Date In: 15 Jul 1967
Detachment Date In: 15 May 1967
Date Out: 20 Jul 1967
Date Out: 12 Nov 1967

VP-40
VP-5
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: SP-5B Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Losses: None Aircraft: P-3A
Date In: 24 Feb 1967 Losses: None
Date Out: 10 May 1967 Date In: 1 Jun 1967
Detachment Location: Currituck (AV 7) at Cam Ranh Date Out: 3 Dec 1967
Bay Detachment Location: None
 APPENDIX 11 799

VP-47 Date Out: 1 Apr 1968

Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut
Aircraft: P-3B Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1967
Losses: None Date Out: unknown
Date In: 1 Jul 1967 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 4 Jan 1968 Detachment Date In: 1 Feb 1968
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Date Out: 30 Mar 1968
Detachment Date In: 1 Jul 1967
Date Out: 4 Jan 1968 VP-17
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: SP-2H
Losses: None
VP-48 Date In: 9 Nov 1967
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Date Out: 29 Apr 1968
Aircraft: P-3A Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Losses: (1) P-3A lost in Japan on 23 Jan 1967 (non- Detachment Date In: 9 Nov 1967
combat), 10 dead Date Out: 29 Apr 1968
Date In: 31 Jul 1967
Date Out: 31 Jan 1968 VP-26
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Date In: 28 Dec 1967 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 8 Jan 1968 Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: P-3B on 6 Feb 1969 (non-combat) 12 dead; P-
3B on 1 Apr 1969 (combat related), 12 KIA
VP-2 Date In: 27 Nov 1967
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Date Out: 7 Jun 1968
Aircraft: SP-2H Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 16 Dec 1967
Date In: 1 Oct 1967 Date Out: 2 Jun 1968

1968 Deployments

VP-6 Detachment Location: NAF Agana

Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1968
Deployed to: NAF Naha
Date Out: 14 Jun 1968
Aircraft: P-3A
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Losses: P-3A lost (non-combat) over the South China
Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1968
Sea on 5 Apr 1968.
Date Out: 14 Apr 1968
Date In: 1 Jan 1968 Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Date Out: 1 Jul 1968 Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1968
Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point Date Out: 14 Apr 1968
Detachment Date In: 21 Jan 1968 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 24 Jan 1968 Detachment Date In: 15 Jun 1968
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Date Out: 15 Jul 1968
Detachment Date In: 13 May 1968
Date Out: 7 Jun 1968
VP-42
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
VP-19
Aircraft: SP-2H
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3B Date In: 10 Mar 1968
Losses: None Date Out: 3 Sep 1968
Date In: 1 Feb 1968 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 31 Jul 1968 Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
800 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-50 Date Out: 29 Jan 1969

Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Aircraft: P-3A Detachment Date In: 15 Aug 1968
Date Out: 15 Sep 1968
Losses: None
Detachment Date In: 15 Oct 1968
Date In: 1 May 1968
Date Out: 10 Nov 1968
Date Out: 1 Nov 1968
Detachment Date In: 16 Dec 1968
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 10 Jan 1969
Detachment Date In: 1 May 1968
Date Out: 1 Nov 1968
VP-1
VP-49 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Aircraft: SP-2H
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3A
Date In: 15 Aug 1968
Losses: None
Date Out: 25 Feb 1969
Date In: 1 Jun 1968 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 16 Dec 1968 Detachment Date In: 15 Aug 1968
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Date Out: 25 Feb 1969
Detachment Date In: 14 Jun 1968
Date Out: 14 Dec 1968
VP-47

VP-22 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point

Aircraft: P-3B
Deployed to: NAF Naha Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3A Date In: 1 Nov 1968
Losses: None Date Out: 31 Mar 1969
Date In: 30 Jun 1968 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date Out: 11 Jan 1969 Detachment Date In: 1 Nov 1968
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Date Out: 31 Mar 1969
Detachment Date In: 16 Jul 1968
Date Out: 15 Aug 1968
Detachment Date In: 20 Sep 1968 VP-45
Date Out: 30 Sep 1968 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Date In: 1 Oct 1968 Aircraft: P-3A
Date Out: 15 Oct 1968 Losses: P-3A crashed (non-combat) in Adak, Alaska en
Detachment Date In: 15 Nov 1968 route home port from deployment. No fatalities.
Date Out: 10 Dec 1968 Date In: 16 Dec 1968
Date Out: 1 Jun 1969
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
VP-4 Detachment Date In: 16 Dec 1968
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Date Out: 30 May 1969
Aircraft: P-3A Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 18 Apr 1969
Date In: 1 Aug 1968 Date Out: 28 Apr 1969

1969 Deployments

VP-28 Date Out: 11 Feb 1969

Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Date In: 29 Apr 1969
Aircraft: P-3A Date Out: 15 May 1969
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 13 Jun 1969
Date In: 15 Jan 1969 Date Out: 18 Jul 1969
Date Out: 15 Jul 1969 Detachment Location: NAS Atsugi
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Detachment Date In: 17 Jan 1969
Detachment Date In: 17 Jan 1969 Date Out: 15 Jul 1969
 APPENDIX 11 801

VP-40 Losses: None

Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Date In: 15 Jul 1969
Aircraft: P-3B Date Out: 15 Jan 1970
Losses: None Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date In: 1 Feb 1969 Detachment Date In: 1 Aug 1969
Date Out: 1 Aug 1969 Date Out: 15 Jan 1970
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Detachment Date In: unknown VP-17
Detachment Date Out: unknown
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Aircraft: P-3A
VP-2 Losses: None
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Date In: 1 Aug 1969
Aircraft: SP-2H Date Out: 1 Feb 1970
Losses: None Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Date In: 17 Feb 1969 Detachment Date In: 9 Aug 1969
Date Out: 17 Aug 1969 Date Out: 11 Sep 1969
Detachment Date In: 3 Nov 1969
VP-9 Date Out: 15 Nov 1969
Detachment Date In: 15 Dec 1969
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Date Out: 22 Dec 1969
Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None
Date In: 1 Apr 1969 VP-46
Date Out: 1 Oct 1969 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Aircraft: P-3B
Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1969 Losses: None
Date Out: 1 Oct 1969 Date In: 1 Oct 1969
Date Out: 31 Mar 1970
VP-6 Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Detachment Date In: 2 Oct 1969
Aircraft: P-3A Date Out: 31 Mar 1970
Losses: None
Date In: 1 Jun 1969 VP-22
Date Out: 15 Nov 1969
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Detachment Date In: 27 May 1969 Aircraft: P-3A
Date Out: 15 Nov 1969 Losses: None
Date In: 15 Nov 1969
Date Out: 1 May 1970
VP-50 Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Date In: 30 Nov 1969
Aircraft: P-3A Date Out: 29 Apr 1970

1970 Deployments

VP-47 Date Out: 13 Jul 1970

Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Aircraft: P-3B Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Losses: None
Date In: 16 Jan 1970 VP-1
Date Out: 13 Jul 1970
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Detachment Date In: 9 May 1970 Aircraft: P-3B
802 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Losses: None Date In: 14 Jul 1970

Date In: 1 Feb 1970 Date Out: 15 Jan 1971
Date Out: 31 Jul 1970 Detachment Location: None
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 1 Feb 1970
VP-19
Date Out: 15 Apr 1970
Detachment Location: NAF Tan Son Nhut Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Detachment Date In: 1 May 1970 Aircraft: P-3B
Date Out: 27 Jul 1970 Losses: None
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Date In: 31 Jul 1970
Detachment Date In: unknown Date Out: 30 Jan 1971
Detachment Date Out: unknown Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Detachment Date In: 10 Oct 1970
Date Out: 24 Oct 1970
VP-48 Detachment Location: NS Sangley Point
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Aircraft: P-3B Detachment Location: RTNB U-Tapao
Losses: None Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Date In: 1 Apr 1970
Date Out: 30 Sep 1970
VP-50
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1970 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 30 Sep 1970 Aircraft: P-3A
Losses: None
Date In: 30 Sep 1970
VP-40 Date Out: 31 Mar 1971
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Aircraft: P-3B Detachment Date In: 30 Sep 1970
Losses: None Date Out: 31 Mar 1971
Date In: 1 May 1970
Date Out: 30 Oct 1970
VP-17
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 29 Apr 1970 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 30 Oct 1970 Aircraft: P-3A
Losses: None
Date In: 29 Oct 1970
VP-6 Date Out: 29 Apr 1971
Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Aircraft: P-3A Detachment Date In: 29 Oct 1970
Losses: None Date Out: 29 Apr 1971

1971 Deployments

VP-22 VP-4
Deployed to: NAF Naha Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Aircraft: P-3A Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None Losses: None
Date In: 14 Jan 1971 Date In: 1 Feb 1971
Date Out: 14 Jul 1971 Date Out: 31 Jul 1971
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Detachment Date In: 25 Jan 1971 Detachment Dates: augmented occasionally
Date Out: 2 Feb 1971
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao VP-1
Detachment Date In: 27 Mar 1971 Deployed to: NS Sangley Point
Date Out: 3 Apr 1971 Date In: 1 Apr 1971
 APPENDIX 11 803

Date Out: 25 May 1971 VP-9

Aircraft: P-3B
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3B
Squadron moved from NS Sangley Point to: NAS Cubi
Losses: None
Point
Date In: 29 Jul 1971
Date In: 25 May 1971
Date Out: 1 Oct 1971 Date Out: 11 Feb 1972
Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay Detachment Locations: RTNB U-Tapao
Detachment Date In: 1 Apr 1971 Detachment Date In: Dec 1971
Date Out: 1 Oct 1971 Date Out: 11 Feb 1972

VP-48 VP-6
Deployed to: NS Sangley Point Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point
Date In: 1 May 1971 Aircraft: P-3A
Date Out: 1 Jul 1971 Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3B Date In: 21 Sep 1971
Losses: None Date Out: 12 Jan 1972
Squadron moved from NS Sangley Point to: NAS Cubi Detachment Location: NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Point Detachment Date In: 21 Sep 1971
Date In: 1 Jul 1971 Date Out: 2 Dec 1971
Date Out: 1 Nov 1971 Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao Detachment Date In: 12 Jan 1972
Detachment Date In: 1 May 1971 Date Out: 10 May 1972
Date Out: 1 Nov 1971

VP-19
VP-40
Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point
Deployed to: NAF Naha
Aircraft: P-3B
Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None
Losses: None
Date In: 14 Jul 1971 Date In: 1 Nov 1971
Date Out: 13 Jan 1972 Date Out: 29 Apr 1972
Detachment Location: NAS Guam Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 14 Jul 1971 Detachment Date In: 1 Nov 1971
Date Out: 13 Jan 1972 Date Out: 29 Apr 1972

1972 Deployments

VP-17 Date Out: 14 Aug 1972

Deployed to: NAF Naha Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point
Detachment Date In: 23 Feb 1972
Aircraft: P-3A
Date Out: 1 Mar 1972
Losses: None
Detachment Date In: 16 Mar 1972
Date In: 13 Jan 1972
Date Out: 1 Apr 1972
Date Out: 1 Aug 1972
Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point
Detachment Date In: 9 Apr 1972 VP-4
Date Out: 23 Apr 1972 Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point
Aircraft: P-3A
VP-46 Losses: None
Date In: 26 Mar 1972
Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni Date Out: 1 Nov 1972
Aircraft: P-3B Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Losses: None Detachment Date In: 1 May 1972
Date In: 1 Feb 1972 Date Out: 1 Nov 1972
804 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VP-22 VP-40
Deployed to: NAF Naha Deployed to: MCAS Iwakuni
Aircraft: P-3A Aircraft: P-3B
Losses: None Losses: None
Date In: 21 Apr 1972 Date In: 1 Aug 1972
Date Out: 30 Nov 1972 Date Out: 14 Jan 1973
Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 29 Apr 1972 Detachment Date In: 16 Nov 1972
Date Out: 16 May 1972 Date Out: 20 Dec 1972

VP-9 VP-1

Deployed to: (Only a detachment deployed to NAS Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point
Cubi Point) Aircraft: P-3B
Aircraft: P-3B Losses: None
Date In: 1 Nov 1972
Losses: None
Date Out: 30 Apr 1973
Detachment Location: NAS Cubi Point
Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 5 May 1972
Detachment Date In: 1 Nov 1972
Date Out: 24 Jul 1972
Date Out: 30 Apr 1973

VP-11
VP-6
Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point Deployed to: NAF Naha
Aircraft: P-3B Aircraft: P-3A
Losses: None Losses: None
Date In: 23 Jul 1972 Date In: 30 Nov 1972
Date Out: 10 Nov 1972 Date Out: 28 May 1973
Detachment Location: RTNB U-Tapao Detachment Location: RTNB UTapao
Detachment Date In: 23 Jul 1972 Detachment Date In: 20 Dec 1972
Date Out: 10 Nov 1972 Date Out: 1 Feb 1973

Notes for VP Squadron Deployments to Vietnam VP-16 LF

VP-17 ZE
(1964–1972), Tail Codes and Place Name Listing: VP-19 PE
1. Date In and Date Out are normally the dates the squadron arrived VP-22 QA
and departed from the air station or base it operated from during VP-28 QC
its deployment. VP-40 QE
VP-42 RB
2. Squadron detachment numbers or letters are not listed. There VP-45 LN
were numerous changes and rotation of patrol squadron aircraft VP-46 RC
and crews from the squadron’s main base of operation during its VP-47 RD
deployment. A squadron detachment was usually identified by VP-48 SF
the name of the base the detachment was operating from. Some VP-49 LP
of the squadrons that deployed to Vietnam did not have or use VP-50 SG
detachments.
5. The following is a list of place names found in the deployment
3. In some cases specific dates for the squadron or its detachments list and the country it is located in:
were not known or could not be determined from official Agana, Guam
sources. Bangkok, Thailand
Buckner Bay, Okinawa
4. The following is a list of tail codes for VP squadrons deploying to Cam Rahn Bay, Republic South Vietnam
Vietnam: Cubi Point, Republic of Philippines
VP-1 YB DaNang, Republic of South Vietnam
VP-2 YC Iwakuni, Japan
VP-4 YD Ko Sumai, Thailand
VP-5 LA Naha, Okinawa
VP-6 PC Sangley Point, Republic of Philippines
VP-8 LC Tainan, Taiwan
VP-9 PD Tan Son Nhut, Republic of South Vietnam
VP-11 LE U-Tapao, Thailand
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 805

APPENDIX 12

Patrol Squadron Persian Gulf

Deployments (1990–1991)

1990 Deployments
VP-19 VP-4
Deployed to: NAF Misawa, Japan Deployed to: Diego Garcia, IO
Aircraft: P-3C UI Aircraft: P-3C UI
Date In: Aug 1990 Date In: 1 Nov 1990
Date Out: Mar 1991 Date Out: 1 May 1991
Losses: None Losses: None
Detachment Site: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Detachment Site: Al Masirah, Oman
Detachment Date In: 28 Aug 1990 Detachment Date In: 10 Nov 1990
Detachment Date Out: 2 Feb 1991 Detachment Date Out: 10 Mar 1991

VP-23 VP-8
Deployed to: NAS Bermuda Deployed to: NAS Sigonella, Sicily
Aircraft: P-3C UII Aircraft: P-3C UII.5
Date In: 10 May 1990 Date In: 2 Dec 1990
Date Out: Nov 1990 Date Out: 10 Jun 1991
Losses: None Losses: None
Detachment: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Detachment Site: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Detachment Date In: 2 Oct 1990 Detachment Date In: 5 Dec 1990
Detachment Date Out: 10 Nov 1990 Detachment Date Out: 10 Mar 1991

1991 Deployments

VP-46 Detachment Date In: 6 Feb 1991

Deployed to: NAS Cubi Point, Philippines Detachment Date Out: 10 Mar 1991
Aircraft: P-3C UIII
Date In: 1 Jan 1991 VP-91*
Date Out: 1 Jul 1991
Deployed To: NAF Misawa, Japan
Losses: None
Aircraft: P-3C UIII
Detachment Site: Al Masirah, Oman
Date In: Feb 1991
Detachment Date In: 26 Jan 1991
Date Out: Aug 1991
Detachment Date Out: 10 Mar 1991
Losses: None
Detachment Site: Al Masirah, Oman
VP-40 Detachment Date In: 9 Feb 1991
Deployed To: NAF Misawa, Japan Detachment Date Out: 23 Feb 1991
Aircraft: P-3C UIII * One VP-91 crew and aircraft was deployed to participate in
Date In: Feb 1991 Operation Desert Storm. The crew was credited with assisting in
Date Out: 3 Aug 1991 the destruction of two Iraqi naval vessels during combat in the
Persian Gulf. This event marked the only participation by a Navy
Losses: None patrol squadron in direct combat with the Iraqi Navy during the
Detachment Site: Diego Garcia, IO Gulf War.

805
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 807

APPENDIX 13

Organization and Development of

Patrol Wings (Fleet Air Wings)
1918–Present

D URING THE EARLY PERIOD of Naval Aviation

sea-based patrol aircraft—flying boats and float
1. Five patrol wings were established. Each was a
separate administrative command headed by a
planes—were the Navy’s primary mission aircraft and regularly assigned patrol wing commander.
were assigned to naval air stations. By the end of 2. Aircraft tenders were placed under the comman-
1919, all of the seaplane bases in the United Kingdom, der of the patrol wing.
France and Italy that had supported U.S. Naval 3. Fleet air bases became separate commands but
Aviation during WWI had been closed or returned to were administered by the respective patrol wing
the custody of the host nations. In the continental U.S. commander.
only a handful of the patrol bases established along The patrol wings were initially assigned to the Base
the East Coast survived the defense cutbacks. Patrol Force because of the prevailing concept that patrol
planes were to be used primarily for search and patrol
aircraft remaining in the inventory after WWI were as-
to detect the approach of hostile forces to land bases.
signed to NAS Coco Solo, Panama; NAS Norfolk, Va.;
However, this concept was short lived and in 1937 it
NAS San Diego, Calif.; and NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
was felt the real combat potential of the patrol planes
The aircraft and their crews became part of the Naval could be better utilized by transferring the patrol
District defense forces without any true antisubmarine wings from the Base Force to the Scouting Force
or patrol mission assigned. Most units were relegated under Commander Aircraft, Scouting Force.
to training pilots and aircrew. New aircraft were not In July 1939 a standard system of numbered patrol
being developed or purchased by the Navy due to the squadrons was adopted to reflect the intention to as-
huge quantities of surplus aircraft remaining in the sign a squadron permanently to its wing. The first
U.S. inventory which had not been utilized in the war digit of a patrol squadron designation number be-
effort. came the same as the wing to which it was attached
The Navy’s patrol squadron concept did not de- and the second digit indicated the number of the
velop until the post World War I period and the orga- squadron in the wing. Hence, the designation VP-23
nization of patrol squadrons into wings first appeared indicated it was the third squadron assigned to Patrol
in the Naval Aeronautical Organization for fiscal year Wing 2. This organizational structure remained in ef-
1935. Prior to that time squadrons operated under var- fect for only a short period of time. With the reorgani-
ious departments of the fleet. The term “patrol wings” zation of the fleet in 1940 the patrol wings were di-
first appeared in the 1921 Annual Report of the vided between the two oceans. This was the
Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet but was not used beginning of the independent development of patrol
thereafter until the entry in the fiscal year 1935 issue wings in each ocean (Atlantic and Pacific Fleet) ac-
of the Naval Aeronautical Organization. cording to its strategic requirements.
In the 1935 Naval Aeronautical Organization, the On 1 November 1942 patrol wings were redesig-
wings, which did not have number designations, were nated fleet air wings to permit patrol aviation to be
utilized within the task force principle, to include a va-
loosely arranged as little more than a group name for
riety of commands necessary to accomplish a particu-
two or more patrol squadrons operating in the same
lar objective or mission. Hence, the practice of assign-
geographical area. At this time the wings operated as
ing a standard number of squadrons to each wing was
part of the Base Force, U.S. Fleet under Commander changed to provide for the assignment of any and all
Aircraft, Base Force. types of aircraft required by the wing to perform its
On 4 September 1937, number designations were mission in a particular area. In 1973, all active fleet air
assigned to wings effective 1 October 1937. The fiscal wings had their designations changed back to patrol
year 1938 Naval Aeronautical Organization provided wings to reflect the organizational changes that were
the following guidelines for wings: taking place in the fleet.

807
808 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

The operational deployment of patrol squadrons to squadrons existed primarily on paper. Older air-
overseas bases is different than the deployment of craft left over from WW I (H-16 and F-5L sea-
squadrons assigned to a carrier air group/carrier air planes) were struck from the inventory without
wing. Squadrons assigned to a carrier air wing remain replacements. New patrol aircraft did not begin to
under the administrative and operational control of its reach the fleet in any significant numbers until
assigned air wing while based at its home port or dur- after January 1926. The only shore-based patrol
ing a deployment overseas aboard a carrier. When a organization to receive a full complement of new
patrol squadron deploys overseas it normally comes aircraft at this time was the Pacific Air
under the operational control of a different patrol Detachment, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard,
wing or another upper echelon command. The patrol Hawaii.
squadron’s assigned patrol wing does not deploy with
the squadron. This has been the normal operating pro- 27 May 1924: Four patrol squadrons were established
cedure for deploying patrol squadrons since the end on paper under the organization of Naval Coast
of World War II. Defense Forces, formerly Base Force. VP-1 was
A good source for an in-depth look at the evolution established at NAS San Diego, Calif., for the San
of early patrol wings and fleet air wings is the United Diego region; VP-6 was established at NAS
States Naval Administration in World War II series. Hampton Roads, Va., for the Chesapeake Bay re-
The specific section within this series dealing with the gion; VP-10 was established at NAS Coco Solo,
subject is the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air), Panama, for the Panama Canal Zone region; and
Part 44, The Development of Fleet Air Wings by A. G. VP-14 was established at NAS Pearl Harbor,
Van Wyen. Hawaii, for the Hawaii region. From 1924 through
The following is a brief chronology showing the 1926 a considerable degree of disorganization
evolution and development of patrol wings: prevailed over the assignment of pilots and air-
3 Feb 1919: Fleet aviation was organized into two ele- craft to the new patrol organizations.
ments, “Airboat Squadrons” and “Air Detachment
29 May 1925 Patrol squadrons came under Aircraft
Seaplanes.” The aircraft assigned to seaplane ten-
Squadrons, Convoy and Patrol. The regional
ders were usually identified by the vessel’s name,
groupings remained the same.
e.g. “Shawmut’s Seaplane Squadron.”
May 1926: The squadrons assigned to San Diego (VP-
8 May 1919: Seaplane Division One was established,
comprised of 3 NC-type flying boats. The division 1) and Hampton Roads (VP-6) were placed in an
aircraft were “commissioned” as naval vessels on inactive status until 1929. Between 1924 and 1926
that day prior to their takeoff on the first trans- these two squadrons had existed only on paper.
Atlantic flight from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to 1 Jul 1927: Fleet designations were added to patrol
Lisbon, Portugal. squadrons. The letter “B” indicated Battle Fleet,
12 Jul 1920: CNO established class letters for air- “S” for Scouting Fleet, “A” for Asiatic Fleet, “F” for
craft. Seaplanes were assigned the designation Fleet Base Force and “M” for USMC aircraft. Patrol
VS, with V for “heavier-than-air” and S for squadrons came under shore facilities and used a
“scouting.” Aircraft were included for the first “D” for the district number (i.e., VP-4D11).
time in the reorganization of naval forces afloat 7 Jan 1930: CNO redesignated the Battle Fleet and
into the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic fleets as “Air
Scouting Fleet to Battle Force and Scouting Force,
Forces.”
respectively. The naval districts were reorganized
17 Jun 1922: Fleet aviation commands were reorga- under the Base Force. In accordance with the
nized from Commander Air Force to Commander growth of carrier aviation in the fleet, all carrier
Aircraft Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet and Commander squadrons were transferred to Commander Air
Aircraft Squadrons, Pacific Fleet. Battle Force. Naval air stations were redesignated
fleet air bases (FAB). Squadrons at FAB San
1 Jan 1923: The Pacific and Atlantic fleets were Diego (VP-9B and VP-7B) came under Battle
merged to form the U.S. Fleet. The new organiza- Fleet. FAB Hampton Roads (VP-10S and VP-8S)
tion was comprised of Battle Force, Scouting came under Scouting Fleet. The squadrons at FAB
Force, Control Force and Base Force. Aircraft Pearl Harbor (VP-1D14 and VP-4D14) came
Squadrons Atlantic and Pacific fleets were redesig- under the 14th Naval District, Base Force. FAB
nated Aircraft Squadrons Scouting Force and Coco Solo had only one squadron (VP-2D15)
Aircraft Squadrons Battle Force. For a period of under the operational control of Naval District 15,
three years, 1923 to 1926, operational patrol Base Force.
 APPENDIX 13 809

1 Apr 1931: CNO removed seven of the patrol 10 Apr 1942: The Pacific patrol squadrons were for-
squadrons from the control of the Base Force, mally reorganized from Battle and Scouting
placing them back under fleet control. The Forces to Patrol Wings Pacific Fleet.
squadrons at NAS Coco Solo (VP-2S and VP-3S)
12 Jul 1942: Headquarters Squadrons (HEDRON) and
and Hampton Roads (VP-8S and VP-10S) now
Patrol Service Units (PATSU) were established
came under Commander Scouting Force, while under each patrol wing.
the squadrons at NAS Pearl Harbor (VP-1B, VP-4B
and VP-6B) came under Commander Mine Craft, 1 Jan 1943: Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, was established
Battle Force. Two squadrons assigned to NAS San replacing the former separate commands Fleet Air
Diego (VP-7B and VP-9B) remained under Base Wings, Atlantic and Carriers, Atlantic.
Force to provide training to air crews in support
1 Mar 1943: Patrol squadrons flying land-based air-
of the fleet squadrons.
craft were redesignated from VP to VB (Bombing
1 Apr 1933: Patrol squadrons of the Scouting Fleet Squadrons) and had a 3 digit number assigned to
and Battle Fleet were combined once again under differentiate them from carrier-based bombing
the command of the Base Force and Aircraft squadrons, also VB, but had 2 digit numbers as-
signed.
Scouting Force was disestablished. VP squadrons
5F, 7F and 9F were assigned to FAB San Diego; 1 Oct 1944: Patrol squadrons (VP) and multi-engine
VPs 2F, 3F, 8F and 10F were assigned to FAB bombing squadrons (those VB designated
Coco Solo; and VPs 1F, 4F and 6F were assigned squadrons with 3 digit numbers) were redesig-
to FAB Pearl Harbor. nated patrol bombing squadrons (VPB).

1935: Patrol squadrons operating together in the same 12 Aug 1946: Headquarters squadrons (HEDRONS)
geographical area were for the first time loosely were redesignated fleet aircraft service squadrons
designated patrol wings, but lacked any formal (FASRONS).
organization or headquarters staff.
15 May 1946: The designation of patrol squadrons re-
1 Jul 1937: The system of designating squadrons was verted to its prewar status with the change from
revised to provide for numbering each patrol VPB to VP.
squadron serially without regard to assignment 15 Nov 1946: Patrol squadrons were redesignated ac-
(e.g., VP-7F based at FAB San Diego was redesig- cording to type: VP-HL (Patrol, Heavy Landplane),
nated VP-7). VP-ML (Patrol, Medium Landplane), VP-MS
(Patrol, Medium Seaplane), VP-HM (Patrol, Heavy
1 Oct 1937: U.S. Navy patrol aviation was officially di-
Mining) and VP-AM (Patrol, Amphibious).
vided into five patrol wings (PatWings) with sepa-
rate administrative commands. The title Sep 1948: Commander Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic was
Commander Aircraft Scouting Force was revived. established at NAS Norfolk, Va.
7 May 1938: The Atlantic Squadron was created, in- 1 Sep 1948: Patrol squadrons were redesignated VP,
cluding within its organization the East Coast pa- without an identifying code to denote type of air-
trol squadrons of PatWing-5. craft or mission, hence, all VP-HL, VP-ML, VP-MS,
VP-HM and VP-AM squadrons became VP.
5 Sep 1940: The Atlantic Squadron was redesignated
the Neutrality Patrol when the president pro- 1 Jan 1964: Fleet Air Wings, Pacific was established.
claimed the neutrality of the United States in the
Jun–Jul 1973: Fleet air wings were redesignated
European war. patrol wings.
24 October 1940: CNO established Patrol Wings, 26 Mar 1999: Commander Patrol Wings Atlantic was
Atlantic Squadron as an administrative command redesignated Commander Patrol and Recon-nais-
for combined air and ship reconnaissance of the sance Force Atlantic and Atlantic Fleet Patrol
sea approaches to the U.S. and West Indies. Wings were redesignated Patrol and Reconnais-
sance Wings.
1 Nov 1940: The Neutrality Patrol squadrons of the
Scouting Force Atlantic Fleet were reassigned to 1 Jun 1999: Commander Patrol Wings Pacific was re-
the newly established Commander Patrol Force designated Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance
Atlantic. Patrol squadrons on the West Coast re- Force Pacific and Pacific Fleet Patrol Wings were
mained under Scouting Force Pacific Fleet. redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings.
810 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol Wing/Fleet Air Wing/Patrol and 3rd PatWing-10 Established as Patrol Wing 10 1 Jun 1981
Redesignated Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing Lineage Reconnaissance Wing 10 1 Jun 1999
PatWing-1 Established as Patrol Wing 1 1 Oct 1937
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 1 1 Nov 1942 PatWing-11 Established as Patrol Wing 11 15 Aug 1942
Redesignated Patrol Wing 1 30 Jun 1973 Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11 1 Nov 1942
Redesignated Patrol and Redesignated Patrol Wing 11 30 Jun 1973
Reconnaissance Wing 1 1 Jun 1999 Redesignated Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing 11 26 Mar 1999
PatWing-2 Established as Patrol Wing 2 1 Oct 1937
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 2 1 Nov 1942 PatWing-12 Established as Patrol Wing 12 16 Sep 1942
Redesignated Patrol Wing 2 30 Jun 1973 Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 11 1 Nov 1942
Disestablished 8 Jun 1993 FAW-11 disestablished 14 Jul 1945

PatWing-3 Established as Patrol Wing 3 1 Oct 1937 PatWing-14 Established as Patrol Wing 14 15 Oct 1942
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 3 1 Nov 1942 Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 14 1 Nov 1942
Fleet Air Wing 3 disestablished 30 Jun 1971 FAW-14 became a dual hatted
command and was known as
PatWing-4 Established as Patrol Wing 4 1 Oct 1937 COMFAIR San Diego/FAW-14 Jun 1963
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 4 1 Nov 1942 FAW-14 disestablished 1969
COMFAIR Seattle assigned additional
duty as FAW-4 (dual hatted) May 1949 FAW-15 Established as Fleet Air Wing 15 1 Dec 1942
COMFAIR Seattle redesignated FAW-15 disestablished 28 Jul 1945
COMFAIR Whidbey and FAW-4
(dual hatted) 15 Feb 1954 FAW-16 Established as Fleet Air Wing 16 16 Feb 1943
FAW-4 disestablished 15 Mar 1970/ FAW-16 disestablished 27 Jun 1945
30 Jun 1970 1
FAW-17 Established as Fleet Air Wing 17 15 Sep 1943
PatWing-5 Established as Patrol Wing 5 1 Oct 1937 FAW-17 disestablished 2 Jan 1946
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 5 1 Nov 1942
Redesignated COMPATWINGSLANT FAW-18 Established as Fleet Air Wing 18 5 May 1945
and Patrol Wing 5 (dual hatted) 1 Jul 1973 FAW-18 disestablished 30 Jun 1947
Patrol Wing 5 established as a
1 COMNAVAIRPAC’s command history report for 1970 gives two dates
separate command 1 Jul 1974
for the disestablishment of Fleet Air Wing 4.
Redesignated Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing 5 26 Mar 1999 2 The exact date for the establishment of the wing is not clear from
the records. It was originally planned for December 1941 but squad-
st
1 FAW-6 Established as Fleet Air Wing 6 2 Nov 1942 rons did not report until March or April 1942.
FAW-6 disestablished 1 Dec 1945

2nd FAW-6 Established as Fleet Air Wing 6 4 Aug 1950 Patrol Wing Home Ports, 1937–1942
FAW-6 disestablished 1 Jul 1972
PatWing-1: Established at FAB San Diego, Calif., 1
PatWing-7 Established as Patrol Wing, Support October 1937.
Force 1 Mar 1941 16 October 1941: Relocated from San Diego to
Redesignated PatWing-7 1 Jul 1941
NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii.
PatWing-7 redesignated Fleet
Air Wing 7 1 Nov 1942 19 September 1942: Relocated from Kaneohe to
FAW-7 disestablished 4 Aug 1945 Noumea.
(see FAW-1)
1st PatWing-8 Established as Patrol Wing 8 8 Jul 1941
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 8 1 Nov 1942 PatWing-2: Established at FAB Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 1
FAW-8 disestablished 3 Jul 1946
October 1937.
2nd Fleet Air 15 September 1942: Relocated to NAS Kaneohe
Wing 8 Established as Fleet Air Wing 8 1 Jul 1965 when PatWing-1 transferred to
FAW-8 disestablished 1 Aug 1972 Noumea in mid-September 1942.
(see FAW-2)
PatWing-9 Established as Patrol Wing 9 Apr 1942 2
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 9 1 Nov 1942
FAW-9 disestablished 19 Jul 1945 PatWing-3: Established at FAB Coco Solo, Panama, 1
October 1937.
1st PatWing-10 Established as Patrol Wing 10 Dec 1940 10 August 1942: PatWing headquarters shifted
Redesignated Fleet Air Wing 10 1 Nov 1942 from NAS Coco Solo to Albrook Field for closer
FAW-10 disestablished 7 Jun 1947 coordination with the Army Air Force com-
2nd FAW-10 Established as Fleet Air Wing 10 29 Jun 1963
mand.
FAW-10 disestablished 30 Jun 1973 (see FAW-3)
 APPENDIX 13 811

PatWing-4: Established at FAB Seattle, Wash., 1 Fleet Air Wing Home Ports, 1 November
October 1937. 1942–1973
27 May 1942: Relocated from NAS Sand Point,
Wash., to NAS Kodiak, Alaska. FAW-1: Redesignated at Noumea on 1 November 1942.
(see FAW-4) December 1942: Relocated to Espiritu Santo.
March 1943: Relocated to Guadalcanal.
PatWing-5: Established at FAB Norfolk, Va., 1 October February 1944: Relocated to Munda.
1937. July 1944: Relocated to Espiritu Santo.
(see FAW-5) 11 September 1944: Relocated to Schouten Islands
aboard Hamlin (AV 15).
PatWing-7: Established as Patrol Wing, Support Force on 15 October 1944: Relocated to Ulithi.
1 March 1941. 30 December 1944: Relocated to Saipan.
Redesignated Patrol Wing 7 at NAF Argentia, 19 February 1945: Relocated to Iwo Jima during
Newfoundland, 1 July 1941. invasion operations aboard Hamlin (AV 15).
15 December 1941: Relocated from NAF Argentia 10 March 1945: Relocated to NAF Agana, Guam.
to NAF Keflavik, Iceland. 26 March 1945: Relocated to Kerama Rhetto
20 February 1942: Relocated from NAF Keflavik to
aboard Hamlin.
NAS Quonset Point, R.I.
14 July 1945: Relocated to NAF Chimu Wan,
15 May 1942: Relocated from NAS Quonset Point
to NAF Argentia, Newfoundland. Okinawa.
(see FAW-7) 16 July 1950: Relocated to NAS Agana, Guam, to
NAF Naha, Okinawa.
1st PatWing-8: Established at NAF Breezy Point, 3rd Quarter 1952: Relocated to NAS San Diego,
Norfolk, Va., 8 July 1941. Calif.
15 December 1941: Relocated from NAS Norfolk 4th Quarter 1954: Relocated to NAF Naha,
to NAS Alameda, Calif. Okinawa.
(see FAW-8) Mid-1958: Relocated to Buckner Bay, Okinawa,
aboard assigned flagship.
PatWing-9: Established at NAS Norfolk, Va., 1 Decem- Mid-1965: Relocated to NAF Naha, Okinawa.
ber 1941 or April 1942, exact date unknown. 30 June 1973: Redesignated PatWing-1.
1 May 1942: Relocated from NAS Norfolk to NAS (see Patrol Wing Home Ports, July 1973–present)
Quonset Point, R.I.
(see FAW-9) FAW-2: Redesignated at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, on 1
November 1942.
1st PatWing-10: Established at NS Cavite, Philippines, 30 June 1949: Relocated to NAS Barbers Point,
December 1940. Hawaii.
28 December 1941: Relocated from Cavite to Ambon.
30 June 1973: Redesignated PatWing-2.
15 January 1942: Relocated from Ambon to
8 June 1993: Disestablished
Soerabaja.
7 March 1942: Relocated from Soerabaja to Perth,
FAW-3: Redesignated at NAS Coco Solo, Panama, on 1
Australia.
November 1942.
(see FAW-10)
1 July 1950: Relocated to NAS Quonset Point, R.I.
PatWing-11: Established at NAS Norfolk, Va., on 15 Mid-1957: Relocated to NAS Brunswick, Maine.
August 1942. Five days later the wing moved to NS 30 June 1971: Disestablished.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, for operations under the
Caribbean Sea Frontier. FAW-4: Redesignated at NAS Kodiak, Alaska, on 1
(see FAW-11) November 1942.
15 March 1943: Relocated from NAS Kodiak to
PatWing-12: Established at NAS Key West, Fla., on 16 NAS Adak, Alaska.
September 1942, for operations under the Gulf Sea 26 April 1944: Relocated from NAS Adak, Alaska,
Frontier. to NAF Attu, Aleutian Islands.
(see FAW-12) 17 April 1949: Relocated to NAS Whidbey Island,
Wash., COMFAIR Seattle became dual hatted
PatWing-14: Established at NAS San Diego, Calif., on with additional duty as FAW-4 in May 1949.
15 October 1942, for operations under the Western 15 February 1954: COMFAIR Seattle redesignated
Sea Frontier. COMFAIR Whidbey and FAW-4 (dual hatted).
(see FAW-14) 15 March 1970: Disestablished.
812 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

FAW-5: Redesignated at NAS Norfolk, Va., on 1 30 November 1944: Relocated from Leyte to
November 1942. Jinamoc Island, Philippines, based ashore.
30 June 1971: Relocated to NAS Brunswick, Maine. 15 December 1944: Relocated from Jinamoc to
1 July 1973: FAW-5 redesignated COM- Tacloban, Philippines.
PATWINGSLANT and Patrol Wing 5 (dual hat- 14 April 1945: Relocated from Tacloban to Puerto
ted). Princessa, Palawan.
1 July 1974: Patrol Wing 5 established as a sepa- 7 June 1947: Disestablished at NAB Sangley Point,
rate command. Philippines.
(see Patrol Wing Home Ports, July 1973–present)
2nd FAW-10: Established at NAS Moffett Field, Calif.,
1st FAW-6: Established at NAS Seattle, Wash., 2 on 29 June 1963. After 1966, alternated with FAW-8
November 1942. on WestPac deployments.
29 December 1942: Relocated from NAS Seattle, 30 June 1973: Disestablished.
Wash., to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.
1 December 1945: Disestablished at NAS Whidbey FAW-11: Redesignated at NS San Juan, P.R., on 1
Island. November 1942.
April 1950: Relocated to NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
2nd FAW-6: Established on 4 August 1950, at Tokyo, 30 June 1973: Redesignated PatWing-11.
Japan, then relocated to NAS Yokosuka, Japan. (see Patrol Wing Home Ports, July 1973–present)
1 December 1950: Relocated to NAS Atsugi, Japan.
3rd Quarter 1952: Relocated to NAS Alameda, FAW-12: Redesignated at NAS Key West, Fla., on 1
Calif. November 1942.
January 1955: Relocated to NAF Iwakuni, Japan. 15 September 1943: Relocated from NAS Key
1 July 1972: Disestablished. West, Fla., to NAS Miami, Fla.
1 June 1945: Relocated from NAS Miami, Fla., to
NAS Key West, Fla.
FAW-7: Established as Patrol Wing, Support Force on 1
14 July 1945: Disestablished at NAS Key West.
March 1941, at NAF Argentia, Newfoundland, then
redesignated PatWing-7 on 1 July 1941. PatWing-7
FAW-14: Redesignated at NAS San Diego, Calif., on 1
was redesignated FAW-7 on 1 November 1942.
November 1942.
21 August 1943: Relocated from NAF Argentia to
June 1963: FAW-14 became a dual hatted com-
Plymouth, England.
mand and was known as COMFAIR San
10 July 1945: Relocated from Plymouth, England
Diego/FAW-14.
to NAS Dunkeswell, England.
1969: Disestablished.
14 July 1945: Embarked on Albemarle (AV 5) for
return to Norfolk, Va. FAW-15: Established at NAS Norfolk, Va., on 1
4 August 1945: Disestablished at NAS Norfolk. December 1942, then relocated to NAF Port Lyautey,
French Morocco, on 10 January 1943, to direct pa-
1st FAW-8: Redesignated at NAS Alameda, Calif., on 1 trol plane operations in the Mediterranean and
November 1942. Gibraltar Strait area.
3 July 1946: Disestablished at NAS Alameda. 10 June 1945: Relocated from NAF Port Lyautey,
French Morocco, to NAS Norfolk, Va.
2nd FAW-8: Established at NAS Moffett Field, Calif., on 28 July 1945: Disestablished at NAS Norfolk.
1 July 1965, alternating with FAW-10 on WestPac de-
ployments. FAW-16: Established at NAS Norfolk, Va., on 16
1 August 1972: Disestablished. February 1943, then relocated to Natal, Brazil, on 14
April 1943.
FAW-9: Redesignated FAW-9 at NAS Quonset Point, 20 July 1943: Relocated from NAF Natal, Brazil, to
R.I., on 1 November 1942. NAF Recife, Brazil.
24 August 1943: Relocated from NAS Quonset 27 June 1945: Disestablished at NAF Recife.
Point to NAS New York.
19 July 1945: Disestablished at NAS New York. FAW-17: Established at Brisbane, Australia, on 15
September 1943.
1st FAW-10: Redesignated at Perth, Australia, on 1 31 December 1943: Relocated from Brisbane, Aus-
November 1942. tralia, to the island of Samari, Papua, New Guinea.
1 September 1944: Relocated from Perth to Los 27 July 1944: Relocated from Samari to Manus,
Negros, Admiralty Islands. Admiralty Islands.
17 October 1944: Relocated from Los Negros to 9 September 1944: Relocated from Manus Island to
Leyte, Philippines, aboard Currituck (AV 7). Woendi, Schouten Islands.
 APPENDIX 13 813

19 October 1944: Relocated from Woendi to Patrol Wing/Patrol and Reconnaissance

Morotai, N.E.I. Wing Home Ports, July 1973–present
30 December 1944: Relocated from Morotai to
Leyte Gulf, Philippines. PatReconWing-1: Kamiseya, Japan.
28 January 1944: Relocated from Leyte Gulf to
Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. Based aboard PatWing-2: NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. Disestablished
Tangier (AV 8) in San Pedro Bay. 8 June 1993.
26 February 1945: Relocated from Lingayen Gulf PatReconWing-5: NAS Brunswick, Maine.
to Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines.
2 January 1946: Disestablished in Japan. 3rd PatReconWing-10: NAS Moffett Field, Calif., estab-
lished on 1 June 1981.
FAW-18: Established at NS Agana, Guam, Marianas, on 1 July 1994: Relocated to NAS Whidbey Island,
5 May 1945. On 25 May 1945, the headquarters relo- Wash.
cated to NAF Tinian.
30 June 1947: Disestablished at NAS Agana, Guam. PatReconWing-11: NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 815

APPENDIX 14

Reserve Patrol Squadron Call-Ups

in the Post-WWII Period

Korean War: 1950–19511

T HE INVASION OF SOUTH KOREA by the Soviet- “advisors” presented a constant threat to the security of
the patrol squadrons. Between 11 May and 22
sponsored North Korean army on 25 June 1950 caught
U.S. forces by surprise. At that time, the U.S. Navy had November 1952, four attacks were made by MiGs on
only one cruiser, four destroyers and a few minesweep- U.S. Navy patrol aircraft, including one reserve patrol
ers on station in the Sea of Japan. As the war pro- squadron. Nine reserve patrol squadrons, six from the
gressed, control of the sea never became an issue. The West Coast (Pacific Fleet) and three from the East Coast
opposition, North Korea and communist China, were (Atlantic Fleet), were involuntarily recalled to active
primarily land powers with no significant naval forces. duty during the period 29 July 1950 to 1 March 1951.
Control of the air, while soon achieved by NATO forces, Their service during the conflict was exemplary, leading
was never absolute. Throughout the war, the efforts of to their permanent augmentation from the reserves to
North Korean pilots assisted by Russian and Chinese active duty before the hostilities concluded in July 1953.

Pacific Fleet 1953 Augmentation

Squadrons Home port Aircraft and Redesignation

VP-731 San Diego, Calif. PBM-5 VP-48 on 4 February 1953

VP-772 Whidbey Island, Wash. PB4Y-2 VP-17 on 4 February 1953
VP-812 Whidbey Island, Wash. P2V-2/3 VP-29 on 27 August 1952
VP-871 Oakland, Calif. P4Y-2 VP-19 on 4 February 1953
VP-892 San Diego, Calif. PBM-5 VP-50 on 4 February 1953
VP-931 Whidbey Island, Wash. P2V-2/3 VP-57 on 4 February 1953

Atlantic Fleet
Squadrons

VP-661 Norfolk, Va. PBM-5 VP-56 on 2 March 1953

VP-741 Jacksonville, Fla. P2V-2/3 VP-16 on 4 February 1953
VP-861 Jacksonville, Fla. P2V-2/3 VP-18 on 4 February 1953

Berlin Wall: 1 October 1961–30 June 1962

T HE ESCALATION OF INTERNATIONAL tensions brought an additional 213 officers and 1,744 en-
brought on by the erection of a wall separating East listed personnel from 13 other reserve patrol
Berlin from West Berlin resulted in the involuntary squadrons on board on 1 November 1961 to aug-
recall (Public Law 87-117) of several naval reserve ment the original five squadrons already on duty.
squadrons to meet the threat of further Russian ag- By May 1962 the danger had subsided without a
gression. Five of these squadrons were reserve pa- single shot being fired. Recalled patrol squadrons
trol squadrons, one from the West Coast and four engaged in a high tempo of training exercises and
from the East Coast. All of the squadrons were re- deployments to remote sites to maintain readiness
called on 13 September 1961 with a 1 October re- and morale while awaiting release from active duty.
porting date, for a period of duty not to exceed 12 On 1 August 1962 all personnel were returned to
months. A second recall was soon announced that civilian status.

815
816 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Pacific Fleet Squadrons Aircraft: P2V-5F

VP-872 CO: LCDR Harry M. Gindhart, Jr.
Homeport: NARTU Alameda, Calif. Deployments: 28 February–27 March 1962, NAS
Duty Station: NAS Alameda Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Aircraft: P2V-5F
CO: CDR Edward R. Roberts VP-741
Deployments: 14 March–15 July 1962, NAS Barbers
Point, Hawaii (Christmas Island Atomic testing task Homeport: NARTU Jacksonville, Fla.
force JTF 8.3) Duty Station: NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
Aircraft: P2V-5F
CO: CDR Richard L. Oreair
Atlantic Fleet Squadrons Deployments: 17 December 1961–24 January 1962
and 25 April–22 May 1962, NAS Guantanamo Bay,
VP-832 Cuba
Homeport: NAS New York, N.Y.
Duty Station: NAS New York, N.Y.
VP-661
Aircraft: P2V-5F
CO: CDR E. S. Swanson, Jr. Homeport: NARTU Anacostia, D.C. (NAF Andrews,
Deployments: 28 March–24 April 1962, NAS D.C. after 1 August 1962)
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Duty Station: NAS Patuxent River, Md.
Aircraft: P2V-5F
CO: CDR Ralph Kauffman
VP-933 Deployments: Nova Scotia; Panama; 24 January–28
Homeport: NAS Willow Grove, Pa. February 1962 and 23 May–25 June 1962, NAS
Duty Station: NAS Willow Grove, Pa. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Cuban Blockade: 27 October–18 December 1962

Ilation
N THE FALL OF 1962, ONLY MONTHS after the esca-
of tensions over the construction of the Berlin
VP-791
Homeport: NARTC Memphis, Tenn.
Wall, the Soviet Union began supplying the communist Duty Station: NAS Norfolk, Va.
government of Fidel Castro with military weapons of Aircraft: SP-2E
both tactical and strategic significance. Of particular
concern to President Kennedy and his advisors was the
construction of airfields for MiG-21 fighters and hard- VP-811
ened sites for medium and intermediate range ballistic Homeport: NARTC Minneapolis, Minn.
missiles at San Cristobal and other sites in Cuba. On 22 Duty Station: NAS Brunswick, Maine
October 1962 the president announced the U.S. Navy Aircraft: P-2D
quarantine force would halt ships heading for Cuba
with offensive weapons aboard. Although the President
had received from the Congress the authority for the VP-831
involuntary recall of reservists (Public Law 87-736), no Homeport: NARTC New York, N.Y.
recall was issued to the reserve patrol community. Duty Station: NAS Patuxent River, Md.
Instead, drilling personnel were allowed to volunteer Aircraft: P-2E/SP-2E
for duty effective 27 October 1962, to be utilized by
fleet commanders for priority projects. Six Atlantic Fleet
VP-883
reserve squadrons were selected, and over the course
of the next few months flew 82 sorties totaling 591 ac- Homeport: NARTC Olathe, Kans.
cident-free flight hours. All personnel were released Duty Station: NAS Jacksonville, Fla.
from active duty effective 18 December 1962. Aircraft: P-2F

VP-721 VP-911
Homeport: NARTC Glenview, Ill. Homeport: NARTC South Weymouth, Mass.
Duty Station: NAS Quonset Point, R.I. Duty Station: NAS South Weymouth, Mass.
Aircraft: P-2F Aircraft: P-2E/P-2F
 APPENDIX 14 817

Desert Storm: 1 January–30 March 1991

ON THE DAWN OF THE MORNING of 2 August 7 February 1991, a reserve crew flying a VP-46 ISAR
equipped P-3C UIII Orion located two Iraqi gunboats
1990, the United States was again caught by surprise and vectored an A-6 aircraft in to attack and sink the
when a hostile force occupied the territory of an ally vessels.
and trading partner. Iraqi battle groups had crossed
the borders of neighboring Kuwait and quickly cap-
tured the capital, Kuwait City. Within three days the VP-91
Independence battle group was in the Gulf of Oman Homeport: NAS Moffett Field, Calif.
to institute a blockade of Iraq. Additional battle groups Duty Station: NAS Moffett Field, Calif.
including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Aircraft: P-3C UIII
Saratoga were rerouted to the hotspot for support. CO: CDR D. J. Bellows (20 January 1990–18 January
VP-91 was tasked with providing crews for voluntary 1991); CDR R. M. Epperson (19 January 1991–25
recall to duty with COMPATWINGSPAC forces in the July 1992)
gulf as a part of operation Desert Storm, the air war Deployments: Gulf of Oman, Desert Shield/Desert
phase of operations that began on 17 January 1991. Storm
The crews augmented active duty patrol squadrons 4,
1 See squadron histories for details and lineage.
8, 19, 40 and 46 in patrolling the war zone waters. On
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 819

Glossary

AA Antiaircraft
AAF Army Air Forces
AAM Air-to-air missile
ABDA American/British/Dutch/Australian Command that fought the Japanese in
the South Pacific at the start of WWII.
Acoustic torpedo A surface-launched or air-dropped torpedo that homes in on the sound of
an underwater target.
Actg. Acting
ACDUTRA Active duty for training, also ADT
ACV Designation for escort carriers or auxiliary aircraft carrier
ADM Admiral
ADSM American Defense Service Medal
ADT Active duty for training, also ACDUTRA
AEC Atomic Energy Commission
A.E.F. American Expeditionary Force (WWI)
AEW Airborne early warning
AFB Air Force Base
AFEM Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Air-cooled The use of air-driven convection currents to cool an engine or machine
gun barrel.
Airframe A term referring to the basic framework of an aircraft on which engine,
ordnance and electronic upgrades are attached over the lifetime of the series.
ALF Auxiliary Landing Field
AMM3C Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class
Amphibron Amphibian squadron, in WWII the PBY-5A Catalinas
AMRAAM Advanced medium range air-to-air missile
ANTAC Air navigation and tactical air control
AOM All officers meeting
AOR Area of operations
a.p. or A.P. Armor piercing
AsDevLant Antisubmarine Development Detachment, Atlantic Fleet
ASDIC Allied Detection and Investigation Committee, British term for airborne sonar
ASM Air-to-surface missile, or Antarctica Service Medal
ASP Antishipping patrol
ASV Air-to-Surface Vessel, the designation for British designed ASW radar in
WWII. The ASV designation avoided confusion with the AI (airborne in
terception) designation for night fighters. The Mark II was detectable by
U-boats, but the Mark III operated in a range that was undetectable.
ASW Antisubmarine warfare
AV Designation for large seaplane tender
AVB Designation for advance aviation base ship
AVG Designation for escort carriers
AVP Designation for small seaplane tender, converted from minesweepers and
destroyers
AXAN Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician Airman

Baseline An early production run model of an aircraft, essentially unmodified or updated.

B.C. British Columbia

819
820 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Betty Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi G4M1/G4M3 Attack Bomber

BIOT British Indian Ocean Territory
Black Cat Black Cat operations of WWII were flown by U.S. Navy Catalina squadrons
against Japanese shipping and shore installations at night. Although origi
nally a tactic designed to afford some measure of protection for the highly
vulnerable, slow-moving seaplanes, Black Cat operations proved so suc
cessful that several squadrons were assigned the role. Flat-black painted
surfaces and the use of radar made the outdated aircraft into a formidable
weapon of the night.
BuAer Bureau of Aeronautics
BuNav Bureau of Navigation
BuNo Bureau number
BuPers Bureau of Personnel
BuWeps Bureau of Naval Weapons
B.W.I. British West Indies
CAFAC Commander All Forces, Aruba-Curacao (1943)
CAG Acronym used for the person who was the commander of a carrier air group
and/or carrier air wing

CAP Combat air patrol, or Civil Air Patrol

CAPT Captain
Carib Caribbean
CASU Carrier aircraft service unit
CDR Commander
CGAS Coast Guard Air Station
CINC Commander in chief
CINCLANTFLT Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
CINCPACFLT Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet
CNO Chief of Naval Operations
C.O. Commanding officer
COMAIRBATFOR Commander Airforces Battle Force (1930)
COMAIRLANT Commander, Air Atlantic
COMAIRONSLANTFLT Commander Aircraft Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet (1921)
COMAIRONSPACFLT Commander Aircraft Squadrons, Pacific Fleet (1921)
ComAirPac Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet
COMAIRSCOFOR Commander Airforces Scouting Force (1923 & 1937)
ComAirSols Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Solomons (1943)
COMBATFOR Commander Battle Force (1930)
COMEASTSEAFRON Commander Eastern Sea Frontier
COMFAIRHAWAII Commander Fleet Airforces, Hawaii (1950)
COMFAIRWING Commander Fleet Air Wing (1942)
COMNAVAIRLANT Commander Naval Air Forces, Atlantic
COMNAVAIRPAC Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific
ComNavEastLantMed Commander, Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean
COMPATWINGSLANT Commander Patrol Wings Atlantic (1973)
COMPATWINGSPAC Commander Patrol Wings Pacific (1973)
COMSCOFOR Commander Scouting Force (1930)
CONUS Continental United States
CNO Chief of Naval Operations
CTF Carrier task force
CTG Carrier task group
CV Designation for an aircraft carrier
CVA Designation for an attack aircraft carrier
CVAN Designation for an attack aircraft carrier, nuclear
CVE Designation for an escort aircraft carrier
 GLOSSARY 821

CVG Carrier air group

CVN Designation for an aircraft carrier, nuclear
Cyclical rate In machine guns, the number of rounds fired in one minute.

DCNO Deputy Chief of Naval Operations

DDT Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, a powerful insecticide effective upon contact.
DELTIC Delayed time compression, an ASW improvement to the Jezebel tracking systems.
Depth bomb Antisubmarine ordnance dropped from ships or aircraft, exploding at set
depths based on hydrostatic pressure.
DesDiv Destroyer Divisions
DesRon Destroyer Squadrons
Det Detachment
DEW Line Distant early warning
DIFAR Directional low frequency analysis and recording, used in ASW for passive
acoustic signal processing.
Disest. Disestablished
DMZ Demilitarized zone
DoD Department of Defense
Double Eagle Amphibious operations conducted near Quang Ngai City, South Vietnam,
from 28 January to 1 March 1966.
DUKW WWII amphibious truck
Dumbo From the Disney cartoon character, Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Air and
sea rescue missions mounted by seaplane patrol squadrons during WWII
in the South Pacific, frequently conducted in coordination with fast surface
warships or submarines posted along routes flown by aircraft returning
from strike missions. The aircraft located the downed aircrews then guided
the ship or submarine to them. If surface conditions permitted, the sea
planes would land and rescue the crews.

ECM Electronic Countermeasures

Emily Imperial Japanese Navy Kawanishi H8K, Type 2 Flying Boat.
ENS Ensign
eph Estimated horsepower
Equal Turning Point A point determined by the “how goes it curve” beyond which it would not
be possible for an aircraft to return to the point of origin.
ERCO Engineering and Research Company, the firm that built the model 250 SH-1
nose ball turret retrofitted on Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator bombers at
Litchfield Park, Ariz., during WWII. Tail turrets of the same design were
mounted as standard equipment on the PB2Y Coronado. Army versions of
the Liberator were equipped with the Emerson nose ball turret.
eshp Estimated shaft horsepower
ESM Electronic Support Measures
Est. Established
EW Electronic Warfare

FAA Federal Aviation Agency

FAB Fleet Air Base
Far East Orient (Japan)
FASRON Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron, a redesignation of PATSU on 12 August 1946.
FAW Fleet Air Wing, derived from the redesignation of Patrol Wings on 1
November 1942. Fleet Air Wings were stationary commands providing
operational and administrative support to the Patrol Squadrons. FAWs were
redesignated back to Patrol Wings on 30 June 1973.
Fps. Feet per second
822 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

FIDO A form of parachute stabilized acoustic homing torpedo developed during

WWII and used for the first time on 25 April 1945, by VPB-110 in the sinking
of U-1107 in the Bay of Biscay.
Flak From the German Flieger-Abwehr-Kanone, or antiaircraft gun.
FLIR Forward looking infrared radar
FRAMP Fleet replacement aviation maintenance program
Fregkpt. Frigate Kapitän (German)
Frequent Wind The evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam, 18-30 April 1975.
FY Fiscal year

GCA Ground controlled approach

GCT Greenwich civil time
Glomb Guided glider bomb
G.P. General purpose

HACOPS Haitian Assistance Group Operations (1993)

HALOS Harpoon air launch over-the-horizon targeting system
HARM High speed antiradiation missile
Hat Trick A coordinated operation of U.S. Navy patrol squadrons with the U.S. Coast
Guard in the war against illegal drug traffic in the Caribbean in the
1980s. The operation involved general area surveillance and location of
suspect vessels.
HBX A form of high explosive developed during WWII that replaced the more
shock-sensitive TORPEX used in depth bombs and torpedoes.
Hedgehog Developed during WWII, small rocket-propelled depth bombs fired from a
surface ship in volleys against a submarine target.
HEDRON Headquarters squadron, located under each Patrol Wing after 1942, which
pooled ground personnel and handled most of the administrative and
support tasks for the operating squadrons. Each HEDRON had detach
ments called PATSUs to support squadrons at outlying bases.
“How goes it” curve Statistical plots that were developed on an aircraft during shakedown that
enabled an aircrew to determine each individual aircraft’s capabilities for
long distance flying over water. The curve was a plot of speed, distance,
engine settings, remaining fuel, etc., that assisted the crews in determin
ing the crucial “point of no return.”
Hp Horsepower
HSM Humanitarian Service Medal
HVAR High velocity aircraft rocket.

IACS Integrated Acoustic Communication System, introduced in the P-3C Update

I line of aircraft in 1978.
ICBM Intercontinental ballistic missile
IFF Identification friend or foe
IFR Instrument flight rules
IJN Imperial Japanese Navy, 1920 – 1945
Interpron Photo interpretation squadron (WWII)
IO Indian Ocean
IR Infrared
IRBM Intermediate range ballistic missile
IRDS/HACLS A modification to the P-3B Orion that added infrared detection and
Harpoon missile launch capability to the aircraft.
Is. Island
 GLOSSARY 823

ISAR Inverse synthetic aperture radar

JATO Jet assisted takeoff

JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff
Jezebel Acoustic signal processors used to track submerged targets
JMSDF Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, 1948 – present
JMUA Joint Meritorious Unit Award
JULIE Electronic system for active detection and tracking of submarines by patrol
aircraft introduced in 1963, using sonobuoys and sound underwater signals.

Kaptlt. Kapitänleutnant, or Lieutenant Commander (German)

Kg Kilograms
KIA Killed in action
KIAS Knots indicated air speed
KLM Kuwait Liberation Medal
Kommandant Commander (German)
Korvkpt. Korvettenkapitän, or Captain (German)
KPUC Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Kriegsmarine The German Navy between 1935–1945
KSM Korean Service Medal

Lant Atlantic
LCDR Lieutenant Commander
LORAN Long-Range electronic Navigation, a system of electronic navigational fixed
beacons that constantly transmitted repetitive signals. An aircraft could
determine its relative position between two beacons based on the
strength and direction of the signals. Each beacon had an identifying
signal prefix that matched its location on a map.
LRAACA Long-range air antisubmarine warfare capable aircraft, intended to be the
next generation of ASW patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy in the twenty-
first century, also called the P-7A. The contract was cancelled in 1990
and no further development on the concept was pursued by the Navy.
LT Lieutenant
LTA Lighter-than-air
LT(jg) Lieutenant Junior Grade
Lt. z. S Leutnant zur See, or senior Lieutenant (German)
Luftwaffe German Air Force 1933–1945
LWF Lowe, Williard and Fowler Aircraft Company

MAD Magnetic anomaly detector

Magnetic influence A type of underwater mine developed by the Germans early in WWII and
copied by the Allies that detected the gauss effect produced by the
metal hull of a ship passing through the water.
Market Time Coastal patrol operations off the coast of South Vietnam, 1968-71.
MATS Military Air Transport Service
MCAF Marine Corps Air Facility
MCAS Marine Corps Air Station
MCOLF Marine Corps outlying field
Med Mediterranean
MEDIVAC Medical evacuation
MIA Missing in action
Middle East The area from Libya to Afghanistan, including Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Jordan,
Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
824 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

MiG Russian aircraft designed by Artem I. Mikoyan and Mikhail I. Gurevich.

Milchkuh A nickname for the German type XIV supply U-boat (Milk Cow) in WWII.
Mini-det A program for reserve patrol squadrons begun in 1975 where two or three
aircraft detachments would be sent to a detachment site over a period of
one or two months, rather than deploying the entire squadron at once.
MIZ Marginal Ice Zone
MUC Meritorious Unit Commendation
Muzzle velocity The speed at which a projectile leaves the muzzle of a weapon, generally
measured in feet per second.

NAAF Naval Auxiliary Air Facility

NAAS Naval Air Auxiliary Station
NAB Naval Air Base
NAC Naval aircrewman, or Naval Avionics Center
NAF Naval Air Facility
NAMU Naval Aircraft Modification Unit, Johnsville, Pa. (1948)
NAP Naval Aviation Pilot
NARC Naval Air Reserve Center
NARF Naval Air Rework Facility
NARTC Naval Air Reserve Training Command (1970)
NARTU Naval Air Reserve Training Unit
NARU Naval Air Reserve Unit
NAS Naval Air Station
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NATC Naval Air Test Center or Naval Air Training Command
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATOPS Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization
NATS Naval Air Transport Service
NAVAIRSYSCOM Naval Air Systems Command
NAVE Navy Battle E Ribbon
NAVRES/NR Naval Reserve
NDSM National Defense Service Medal
Near East The countries of southwest Asia, Egypt and the Balkans
N.E.I. Netherlands East Indies
NEM Navy Expeditionary Medal
NFO Naval Flight Officer
NOB Naval Operating Base
NORAD North American Air Defense Command
NorLant Northern Atlantic
NorPac Northern Pacific
NOSM Navy Occupation Service Medal
NRAB Naval Reserve Aviation Base
NRAS Naval Reserve Air Station (1946)
NRFC Naval Reserve Flying Corps
NS Naval Station
NUC Navy Unit Commendation
N.W.I. Netherlands West Indies

OAS Organization of American States

Oblt. Oberleutenant, or Lieutenant (German)
Oblt. z. S. Oberleutnant zur See, or junior Lieutenant (German)
OLF Outlying field
OPNAV Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Ops Operations
 GLOSSARY 825

ORE Operational readiness evaluation

ORI Operational readiness inspection
OSAP Ocean surveillance air patrol
Oscar Imperial Japanese Nakajima Ki-43, Army Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa.
OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense
OUT Operational Training Unit

P/A Pilotless aircraft

Pac Pacific
PATRON Patrol squadron
PARPRO Peacetime aerial reconnaissance program, Cold War monitoring of Soviet
military vessels in transit to patrol areas.
PATSU Patrol Aircraft Service Unit, after the 1942 Patrol Wings reorganization,
assigned to an airfield or seaplane tender to provide administrative
maintenance services to aircraft being supported (see also HEDRON).
Redesignated FASRON in 1946.
PATWING Patrol Wings were organized in 1935 under the fleet Scouting Force with
two to five patrol squadrons of flying boats. In the 1941 fleet reorganiza
tion, Patrol Wings became Patrol Wings, Atlantic Fleet (PatWingsLant),
and Patrol Wings, Pacific Fleet (PatWingsPac). In early 1942 Patrol
Wings became stationary commands assigned to a specific geographic
location. On 1 November 1942, Patrol Wings were redesignated Fleet Air
Wings (FAW). In June 1973, Fleet Air Wings were again redesignated
Patrol Wings.
Pdr. Pounder, a measure of projectile size based on weight rather than bore
diameter, used in early ordnance when most shot was round, rather than
long and pointed.
POW Prisoner of war
PPC Patrol plane commander, or first pilot
PP2C Patrol plane second commander, or copilot
P.R. Puerto Rico
Pressure wave Damage inflicted by ordnance dropped into the water next to a ship or
submarine. Transmission of explosive force is conducted through
hydraulic effect to crush the hull of the target.
Pt. Point
PT Boat U.S. Navy WWII Motor Torpedo Boat, 43-48 ton displacement, 4 torpedo
tubes, speed 40-45 knots, with a crew of 12 to 14.
PUC Presidential Unit Citation

RAAF Royal Australian Air Force

Radar Radio detection and ranging equipment
RADM Rear Admiral
RAF Royal Air Force (British)
RAFB Royal Air Force Base (British)
RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force
Recoilless Most rifled ordnance produces recoil upon discharge of the propellant
charge and the projectile from the barrel of a weapon and requires
heavy dampening buffers to absorb the energy. Recoilless weapons
discharge a projectile from one end and a mass (usually buckshot) of
equal weight from the other end to balance the recoil.
Redesig. Redesignated
Retrobomb Developed from the surface ship Hedgehog antisubmarine depth bomb for
use by aircraft. The retrobomb was fired backward from the aircraft as
the aircraft came directly over the target submarine, overcoming forward
inertia and dropping directly on the target.
826 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

RFC Royal Flying Corps (Canadian)

RHAF Royal Hellenic Air Force (Greece and Cyprus)
RIO Radar intercept officer
RITS Remote Imaging Transmission System
Ritterkreuz Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (German)
RN Royal Navy
RNAS Royal Naval Air Station, or Royal Naval Air Service (WWI only)
RNZAF Royal New Zealand Air Force
ROK Republic of Korea
RON Remain over night
Rpm. Revolutions per minute (engines), or rounds per minute (machine guns).
RPPUC Republic of Philippines Presidential Unit Citation
R&R Rest and recreation
RTNAF Royal Thai Naval Air Facility
RTNB Royal Thai Naval Base
RVAH Reconnaissance attack squadron
RVN Republic of (South)Vietnam
RVNGC Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation

SAM Surface to air missile

SAR Search and rescue
SASM Southwest Asia Service Medal (includes Desert Storm)
Schnorkel A breathing apparatus for submarines developed by the Dutch Navy in
1938 and taken into service for German U-boats in response to the
Allied use of radar after 1942. The schnorkel allowed the U-boat to
remain submerged while operating its diesel engines.
SCOFORPACFLT Scouting Force Pacific Fleet (1937)
SCORON Scouting Squadron
SEATO Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
SECDEF Secretary of Defense
SECNAV Secretary of the Navy
Sel Crews Select Crews
shp Shaft horsepower
SLBM Submarine launched ballistic missile
SLEP Service life extension program
SLOC Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
SoLant South Atlantic
Sonobuoy An underwater acoustical listening device dropped over a target by a
patrol aircraft that transmits target location data back to the aircraft.
SoPac South Pacific
SS Submarine, attack, diesel-electric
SSBN Submarine (ballistic missile), nuclear
SSM Surface-to-surface missile
SSN Submarine (attack), nuclear
Strafe Firing machine guns from aircraft at ground targets
Super Bee Nickname for the Orion P-3B TACNAVMOD
SWOD Special weapons ordnance device
Synchronized fire A method of firing through the propeller arc of an airplane that coupled
the machine gun sear mechanism with a cam on the engine crank shaft.
Shots were timed to miss the propeller blades.

TACAIR Tactical air

TACAN Tactical air navigation system
TACCO Tactical coordinator
 GLOSSARY 827

TAC/NAV MOD Tactical Navigation Modernization, which included a very low-frequency

navigation system and general purpose computer that enabled older
P-3A and P-3B model Orions to stabilize a sonobuoy pattern more
effectively.
TAD/TEMADD Temporary additional duty
TAR Training and administration of reserves
TDY/TEMDU Temporary duty
TF Task Force
TG Task Group
TNT Trinitrotoluene, a yellow, high-explosive unaffected by ordinary friction or
shock, used in explosive devices and ordnance early in WWII.
Torpedo A form of self-propelled ordnance used against shipping by either
submarines or aircraft. Invented by Whitehead in 1880.
TORPEX An explosive based on trinitrotoluene (TNT) that gave a greater blast than
TNT, but was more sensitive. It was replaced by HBX or HBX-1 later in
WWII.
Transpac Transpacific, the flight from the coast of California to Hawaii.
TU Task Unit
Turret On ships, a rotatable armored enclosure protecting heavy rifled ordnance.
In aircraft, the rotatable Plexiglas enclosure mounting one or more
defensive machine guns.

U-boat German submarine

UF Designation for former French submarines used by the German Navy (WWII).
UHF Ultra-high frequency
UIT Designation for former Italian submarines used by the German Navy (WWII).
U.K. United Kingdom
UN United Nations
UNITAS Annual exercises held with South American military forces.
UNSM United Nations Service Medal
U.S. United States
USA U.S. Army
USAF U.S. Air Force
USAAF U.S. Army Air Force
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
USMC U.S. Marine Corps
USN U.S. Navy
USNR U.S. Navy Reserve (WWII – present)
USNRF U.S. Navy Reserve Force (WWI and postwar years)
USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1917 – 1991)

VA Attack squadron
VADM Vice Admiral
VAH Heavy attack squadron
VA(HM) Attack mining squadron
VAQ Tactical electronic warfare squadron
VB Bombing squadron
VC Composite squadron
VCNO Vice Chief of Naval Operations
VCP Composite photographic reconnaissance squadron
VD Photographic squadron
VE Day Victory in Europe Day, 8 May 1945
Very The name of the inventor of an extensive production series of bright flares
for illumination at night, either dropped from the air or fired from a
hand-held pistol.
828 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

VF Fighting plane squadron or fighter squadron

VFR Visual flight rules
VHF Very high frequency
V-J Day Victory over Japan Day, 2 September 1945
VLAD Vertical line array DIFAR
VNSM Vietnam Service Medal
VOR Visual omni range
VP Patrol squadron
VP(AM) Amphibious patrol squadron (1946-48)
VP(HL) Heavy patrol squadron (1946-48)
VP(HS) Heavy seaplane squadron (1946-48)
VP(ML) Medium patrol squadron (1946-48)
VP(MS) Medium seaplane squadron (1946-48)
VPP Photographic squadron (1946-48)
VPU Patrol special projects squadron (1946-48), Patrol Squadron Special Projects
Unit (1982-98) and Special Projects Patrol Squadron (1998-present)
VQ Fleet air reconnaissance squadron
VR Aircraft logistics support squadron
VS Scouting squadron, or carrier antisubmarine squadron
V/STOL Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing
VT Torpedo squadron
VU Utility squadron
VW Airborne early warning squadron/weather reconnaissance squadron
VX Experimental development squadron/air development squadron/air test
and evaluation squadron

Water-cooled Water circulating within a jacket surrounding an engine cylinder or a

machine gun barrel that transfers heat away from the surface of the metal.
WestPac Western Pacific
Wintergarten Nickname for WWII German U-boat’s gun platform.
WWI World War One, the Great War of 1914 to 1918 (U.S. participation from
1917 to 1918)
WWII World War Two, 1939 to 1945 (U.S. participation 1941 to 1945)

XO Executive officer

Yankee Station The operational staging area at 16N-110E in the South China Sea off the
coast of Vietnam.
Yankee Team Joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy operations inaugurated on 21 May 1963,
that provided low-level aerial reconnaissance of suspected Communist
infiltration routes in eastern and southern Laos.

Zero Imperial Japanese Navy, Mitsubishi A5M/A6M Type O carrier fighter.

Zombie A codename for the Mark 24 homing torpedo (see also Fido).
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 829

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The History of Construction in Southeast Asia. Geographic Society). Washington, Vol. 83 No. 6,
GPO: Washington, DC, 1975. June 1943.
U.S. Navy Department. Bureau of Aeronautics. National Geographic Society. Insignia and Decorations
“Annual Report of the Chief of the Bureau of of the U.S. Armed Forces, by Gilbert Grosvenor
Aeronautics for the Fiscal Year 1922.” Washington, and others. Washington, Revised Edition, Decem-
GPO, 1922. ber 1, 1944.
U.S. Navy Department. Bureau of Yards and Docks. Naval Aviation News. (U.S. Office of Naval Operations)
“Building the Navy’s Bases in World War II: Washington, DC, December 1917–.
History of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the United States Naval Institute Proceedings. Annapolis,
Civil Engineer Corps 1940–1946.” Vol. 1–3, GPO: MD, Vol. 40, 1914–.
Washington, DC, 1947. Warship International, Vol. XXII, No. 1, 1985.
 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume I 831

Index of Squadron Histories and

Aircraft Data
Patrol Squadrons (VP)
Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

(1st) VP-1 15 (1st) VP-10 See VPB-105 513

(2nd) VP-1 16 (2nd) VP-10 See VPB-23 428
(3rd) VP-1 See VPB-29 440 (3rd) VP-10 81
(4th) VP-1 See VPB-1 389 VP-10F See VPB-23 428
(5th) VP-1 17 VP-10S See VPB-23 428
VP-1D14 See VPB-29 440 (1st) VP-11 See history files for VW-2
VP-1B See VPB-29 440 and lineage for VPB-101
VP-1F See VPB-29 440 (2nd) VP-11 See 3rd VP-21 118
(1st) VP-2 See VPB-105 513 (3rd) VP-11 See VPB-11 400
(2nd) VP-2 25 (4th) VP-11 86
VP-2D15 See VPB-105 513 (1st) VP-12 See 3rd VP-33 212
VP-2F See VPB-105 513 (2nd) VP-12 See VPB-24 435
VP-2S See VPB-105 513 (3rd) VP-12 See 3rd VP-20 113
(1st) VP-3 See VPB-52 469 (1st) VP-13 See 1st VP-102 363
(2nd) VP-3 29 (2nd) VP-13 See VPB-13 408
VP-3F See VPB-52 469 (1st) VP-14 See VPB-29 440
VP-3S See VPB-52 469 (2nd) VP-14 See 1st VP-29 192
(1st) VP-4 See 1st VP-22 129 (3rd) VP-14 See VPB-197 583
(2nd) VP-4 34 VP-14F See 1st VP-29 192
VP-4B See 1st VP-22 129 (1st) VP-15 See 2nd VP-34 218
VP-4D14 See 1st VP-22 129 (2nd) VP-15 See VPB-15 414
VP-4F See 1st VP-22 129 VP-15F See 2nd VP-34 218
(1st) VP-5 See VP-46 261 (1st) VP-16 See 2nd VP-3 29
(2nd) VP-5 42 (2nd) VP-16 See VPB-16 416
VP-5F See VP-46 261 (3rd) VP-16 91
VP-5S See VP-46 261 VP-16F See 2nd VP-3 29
(1st) VP-6 52 (1st) VP-17 See 2nd VP-5 42
(2nd) VP-6 See VPB-11 400 (2nd) VP-17 See VPB-17 418
(3rd) VP-6 53 (3rd) VP-17 97
VP-6B See VPB-11 400 VP-17F See 2nd VP-5 42
VP-6 (CG) See VPB-6 395 (1st) VP-18 See 1st VP-102 363
VP-6F See VPB-11 400 (2nd) VP-18 See VPB-18 421
(1st) VP-7 See 3rd VP-21 118 (3rd) VP-18 104
(2nd) VP-7 59 (1st) VP-19 See VPB-121 543
VP-7B See 3rd VP-21 118 (2nd) VP-19 See VP-49 291
VP-7F See 3rd VP-21 118 (3rd) VP-19 107
(1st) VP-8 See 3rd VP-20 113 (1st) VP-20 See VPB-125 546
(2nd) VP-8 64 (2nd) VP-20 See VPB-20 425
VF-8F See 3rd VP-20 113 (3rd) VP-20 113
VF-8S See 3rd VP-20 113 (1st) VP-21 See VPB-197 583
(1st) VP-9 See VPB-24 435 (2nd) VP-21 See VPB-29 440
(2nd) VP-9 74 (3rd) VP-21 118
VP-9B See VPB-24 435 (4th) VP-21 See 2nd VP-41 232
VP-9F See VPB-24 435 (5th) VP-21 123
VP-9S See VPB-24 435 (1st) VP-22 129

831
832 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

(2nd) VP-22 See 2nd VP-42 235 (3rd) VP-51 306

(3rd) VP-22 133 (1st) VP-52 See 1st VP-29 192
(1st) VP-23 See VPB-11 400 (2nd) VP-52 See VPB-52 469
(2nd) VP-23 See VPB-23 428 (1st) VP-53 See 2nd VP-34 218
(3rd) VP-23 142 (2nd) VP-53 See VP-AM-1 631
(1st) VP-24 See 3rd VP-20 113 (1st) VP-54 See history files for VW-2
(2nd) VP-24 See VPB-24 435 and lineage for VPB-101
(3rd) VP-24 152 (2nd) VP-54 See VPB-54 477
(1st) VP-25 See VPB-23 428 VP-55 See 1st VP-40 223
(2nd) VP-25 160 (1st) VP-56 See FASRON-102 history records
(3rd) VP-25 163 and lineage for 1st VP-56
(1st) VP-26 See 1st VP-102 363 (2nd) VP-56 308
(2nd) VP-26 166 VP-57 See VAQ-131 history records
(3rd) VP-26 169 and lineage for VP-57
(1st) VP-27 See VP-47 271 VP-60 314
(2nd) VP-27 177 (1st) VP-61 See VPB-125 546
(1st) VP-28 See 3rd VP-43 240 (2nd) VP-61 See VPB-61 481
(2nd) VP-28 184 (3rd) VP-61 317
(1st) VP-29 192 (4th) VP-61 See history for VAP-61 in Volume 1
(2nd) VP-29 198 (1st) VP-62 321
VP-30 200 (2nd) VP-62 See 3rd VP-32 209
(1st) VP-31 See VPB-105 513 (3rd) VP-62 323
(2nd) VP-31 204 (4th) VP-62 326
(1st) VP-32 See VPB-52 469 VP-63 See VPB-63 485
(2nd) VP-32 See VP-46 261 VP-64 329
(3rd) VP-32 209 VP-65 332
(1st) VP-33 See VP-46 261 VP-66 335
(2nd) VP-33 See VPB-33 449 VP-67 338
(3rd) VP-33 212 VP-68 341
(1st) VP-34 See VPB-34 453 VP-69 344
(2nd) VP-34 218 VP-71 See 3rd VP-33 212
(1st) VP-40 223 VP-72 See 1st VP-29 192
(2nd) VP-40 227 VP-73 See 2nd VP-34 218
(1st) VP-41 See 2nd VP-3 29 VP-74 See 1st VP-40 223
(2nd) VP-41 232 VP-81 See VPB-121 543
(1st) VP-42 See 2nd VP-5 42 VP-82 See VPB-125 546
(2nd) VP-42 235 VP-83 See 2nd VP-27 177
(1st) VP-43 See VPB-121 543 VP-84 See VPB-84 491
(2nd) VP-43 See VPB-43 458 VP-90 348
(3rd) VP-43 240 (1st) VP-91 See VPB-91 494
(1st) VP-44 See VPB-125 546 (2nd) VP-91 351
(2nd) VP-44 See VPB-44 462 (1st) VP-92 See VPB-92 497
(3rd) VP-44 243 (2nd) VP-92 354
(4th) VP-44 246 (1st) VP-93 See VPB-126 553
(1st) VP-45 See VPB-197 583 (2nd) VP-93 357
(2nd) VP-45 See VPB-45 467 (1st) VP-94 See VPB-94 500
(3rd) VP-45 253 (2nd) VP-94 360
VP-46 261 VP-101 See VPB-29 440
VP-47 271 (1st) VP-102 363
(1st) VP-48 280 (2nd) VP-102 See VPB-4 392
(2nd) VP-48 283 (3rd) VP-102 See 3rd VP-22 133
VP-49 291 VP-104 See 3rd VP-24 152
VP-50 298 VP-106 366
(1st) VP-51 See 3rd VP-33 212 VP-107 See 2nd VP-27 177
(2nd) VP-51 See history files for VW-2 VP-108 See 2nd VP-28 184
and lineage for VPB-101 VP-111 See 5th VP-21 123
 INDEX 833

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VP-114 See 3rd VP-26 169 VP-208 See 1st VP-48 280
VP-115 See 3rd VP-25 163 VP-209 See VPB-209 602
VP-116 See VP-HL-1 623 VP-210 See VPB-210 604
VP-119 See 2nd VP-7 59 VP-211 See VPB-211 607
VP-120 See 3rd VP-20 113 VP-212 See VPB-212 611
VP-122 See 1st VP-29 192 VP-213 See VPB-213 613
VP-123 370 VP-214 See VPB-214 615
VP-124 See 1st VP-HL-3 625 VP-215 See VPB-215 617
VP-128 See 5th VP-1 17 VP-216 See VPB-216 619
VP-130 See 2nd VP-2 25 VP-661 See 2nd VP-56 308
VP-131 373 VP-731 See 2nd VP-48 283
VP-133 377 VP-741 See 3rd VP-16 91
VP-135 See 2nd VP-5 42
VP-772 See 3rd VP-17 97
VP-136 See 2nd VP-3 29
VP-812 See 2nd VP-29 198
VP-142 380
VP-861 See 3rd VP-18 104
VP-143 See VP-HL-5 629
VP-871 See 3rd VP-19 107
VP-144 See 2nd VP-4 34
VP-892 See VP-50 298
VP-146 See 3rd VP-6 53
VP-148 383 VP-900 See 2nd VP-56 308
VP-152 385 VP-905 See 2nd VP-48 283
VP-153 387 VP-907 See 3rd VP-19 107
VP-200 See VPB-100 505 VP-911 See 2nd VP-29 198
VP-201 See 2nd VP-8 64 VP-914 See 3rd VP-18 104
VP-202 See VPB-202 591 VP-916 See 3rd VP-17 97
VP-203 See VPB-203 593 VP-917 See VP-50 298
VP-204 See 3rd VP-44 243 VP-920 See VAQ-131 history records
VP-205 See 3rd VP-45 253 and lineage for VP-57
VP-206 See VPB-206 598 VP-931 See VAQ-131 history records
VP-207 See VPB-207 600 and lineage for VP-57

Bombing Squadrons (VB)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VB-101 See history files for VW-2 VB-125 See VPB-125 546
and lineage for VPB-101 VB-126 See VPB-126 553
VB-102 See 3rd VP-22 133 VB-127 See VPB-127 555
VB-103 See VPB-103 507 VB-128 See 5th VP-1 17
VB-104 See 3rd VP-24 152 VB-129 See VPB-129 558
VB-105 See VPB-105 513 VB-130 See 2nd VP-2 25
VB-106 See VP-106 366 VB-131 See VP-131 373
VB-107 See 2nd VP-27 177 VB-132 See VPB-132 561
VB-108 See 2nd VP-28 184 VB-133 See VP-133 377
VB-109 See VPB-109 522 VB-134 See VPB-134 563
VB-110 See VPB-110 527 VB-135 See 2nd VP-5 42
VB-111 See 5th VP-21 123 VB-136 See 2nd VP-3 29
VB-112 See VPB-112 533 VB-137 See VPB-137 565
VB-113 See VPB-113 536 VB-138 See 1st VP-HL-3 625
VB-114 See 3rd VP-26 169 VB-139 See VPB-139 567
VB-115 See 3rd VP-25 163 VB-140 See VP-123 370
VB-116 See VP-HL-1 623 VB-141 See VPB-141 570
VB-117 See VPB-117 538 VB-142 See VP-142 380
VB-118 See VPB-118 541 VB-143 See VP-HL-5 629
VB-119 See 2nd VP-7 59 VB-144 See 2nd VP-4 34
834 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VB-145 See VPB-145 372 VB-151 See VPB-151 581

VB-146 See 3rd VP-6 53 VB-152 See VP-152 385
VB-147 See VPB-147 574
VB-148 See VP-148 383 VB-153 See VP-153 387
VB-149 See VPB-149 576 VB-198 See VPB-198 587
VB-150 See VPB-150 578 VB-200 See VPB-200 589

Patrol Bombing Squadrons (VPB)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VPB-1 389 VPB-100 505

VPB-4 392 VPB-101 See history files for VW-2
VPB-6 395 and lineage for VPB-101
VPB-11 400 VPB-102 See 3rd VP-22 133
VPB-13 408 VPB-103 507
VPB-14 See VPB-197 583 VPB-104 See 3rd VP-24 152
VPB-15 414 VPB-105 513
VPB-16 416 VPB-106 See VP-106 366
VPB-17 418 VPB-107 See 2nd VP-27 177
VPB-18 421 VPB-108 See 2nd VP-28 184
VPB-19 See VP-49 291 VPB-109 522
VPB-20 425 VPB-110 527
VPB-21 See 2nd VP-41 232 VPB-111 See 5th VP-21 123
VPB-22 See 2nd VP-42 235 VPB-112 533
VPB-23 428 VPB-113 536
VPB-24 435 VPB-114 See 3rd VP-26 169
VPB-25 See nd
2 VP-25 160 VPB-115 See 3rd VP-25 163
VPB-26 See 2nd VP-26 166 VPB-116 See VP-HL-1 623
VPB-27 See VP-47 271 VPB-117 538
VPB-28 See 3rd VP-43 240 VPB-118 541
VPB-29 440 VPB-119 See 2nd VP-7 59
VPB-32 See VP-46 261 VPB-120 See 3rd VP-20 113
VPB-33 449 VPB-121 543
VPB-34 453 VPB-122 See 1st VP-29 192
VPB-43 458 VPB-123 See VP-123 370
VPB-44 462 VPB-124 See 1st VP-HL-3 625
VPB-45 467 VPB-125 546
VPB-52 469 VPB-126 553
VPB-53 See VP-AM-1 631 VPB-127 555
VPB-54 477 VPB-128 See 5th VP-1 17
VPB-61 481 VPB-129 558
VPB-62 See 3rd VP-32 209 VPB-130 See 2nd VP-2 25
VPB-63 485 VPB-131 See VP-131 373
VPB-71 See 3rd VP-33 212 VPB-132 561
VPB-73 See 2nd VP-34 218 VPB-133 See VP-133 377
VPB-74 See 1st VP-40 223 VPB-134 563
VPB-84 491 VPB-135 See 2nd VP-5 42
VPB-91 494 VPB-136 See 2nd VP-3 29
VPB-92 497 VPB-137 565
VPB-94 500 VPB-138 See 1st VP-HL-3 625
VPB-98 503 VPB-139 567
VPB-99 504 VPB-140 See VP-123 370
 INDEX 835

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VPB-141 570 VPB-201 See 2nd VP-8 64

VPB-142 See VP-142 380 VPB-202 591
VPB-143 See VP-HL-5 629 VPB-203 593
VPB-144 See 2nd VP-4 34 VPB-204 See 3rd VP-44 243
VPB-145 572 VPB-205 See 3rd VP-45 253
VPB-146 See 3rd VP-6 53 VPB-206 598
VPB-147 574 VPB-207 600
VPB-148 See VP-148 383
VPB-208 See 1st VP-48 280
VPB-149 576
VPB-209 602
VPB-150 578
VPB-210 604
VPB-151 581
VPB-152 See VP-152 385 VPB-211 607
VPB-153 See VP-153 387 VPB-212 611
VPB-197 583 VPB-213 613
VPB-198 587 VPB-214 615
VPB-199 588 VPB-215 617
VPB-200 589 VPB-216 619

Patrol Heavy/Land Squadrons (VP-HL)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VP-HL-1 623 VP-HL-7 See 2nd VP-27 177

VP-HL-2 rd
See 3 VP-22 133 VP-HL-8 See 2nd VP-28 184
(1st) VP-HL-3 625 VP-HL-9 See 2nd VP-7 59
(2nd) VP-HL-3 See 3rd VP-23 142 VP-HL-10 See 3rd VP-20 113
VP-HL-4 See 3rd VP-24 152 VP-HL-11 See 5th VP-21 123
VP-HL-5 629 VP-HL-12 See 1st VP-29 192
VP-HL-6 See 3rd VP-26 169 VP-HL-13 See 3rd VP-25 163

Patrol Medium/Land Squadrons (VP-ML)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VP-ML-5 See nd
2 VP-5 42
VP-ML-1 See 5th VP-1 17
VP-ML-2 See 2nd VP-2 25 VP-ML-6 See 3rd VP-6 53
VP-ML-3 See 2nd VP-3 29 VP-ML-7 See 2nd VP-7 59
VP-ML-4 See 2nd VP-4 34 VP-ML-8 See 2nd VP-8 64

Patrol Medium/Seaplane Squadrons (VP-MS)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VP-MS-1 See 2nd VP-8 64 VP-MS-7 See VP-47 271

VP-MS-2 See 2nd VP-42 235 VP-MS-8 See 1st VP-48 280
VP-MS-3 See 3rd VP-43 240
VP-MS-9 See VP-49 291
VP-MS-4 See 3rd VP-44 243
VP-MS-5 See 3rd VP-45 253 VP-MS-10 See 1st VP-40 223
VP-MS-6 See VP-46 261 VP-MS-11 See 2nd VP-41 232
836 DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL AVIATION SQUADRONS—Volume 2

Patrol\Amphibious Squadrons (VP-AM)

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

VP-AM-1 631 VP-AM-4 See 2nd VP-34 218

VP-AM-2 rd
See 3 VP-32 209 VP-AM-5 634
VP-AM-3 See 3rd VP-33 212

Aircraft Data

Squadron Histories Page Squadron Histories Page

DT 636 PB2Y 667

F-5L 638 PB4Y 669
H-12 640 PBM 671
H-16 641 PBO-1 673
HS 643 PBY 674
NC-boats 645 PD-1 676
P2D-1 646
PH-1 677
P2V (P-2) 648
PK-1 679
P2Y 652
P-3 654 PM-1 680
P3M-1/2 659 PN-9 681
P4M-1 661 PN-12 682
P5M 663 PV-1 683
PB-1 665 PV-2 685
INDEX 837