|
|
VP-54 / VPB-54 War Diary
Part Six 
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
PATROL SQUADRON FIFTY-FOUR
1 AUGUST, 1944 ROSTER OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL 1 AUGUST, 1944 NAME SERVICE NO. RATE BRANCH OF SERV. ABBOTT, Faustin William Jr. 841 34 44 AMM3c,SV,Y6 USNR ALLEN, Lowell Bryce 865 59 18 AOM3c,SV,V6,(CA) USNR ALTIC, Joseph McColley 503 90 01 AMM3c,V6 USNR ALYEA, Paul Stuart 859 06 06 AOM3c,SV,V6,(CA) USNR ARMOUR, Donald James 856 74 85 ARM3c,SV,V6 USNR BAIRD, Dan Thomas 730 91 31 ARM3c,Y6 USNR BAKER, Jack Richard, Jr. 612 80 43 ARM3c,V6 USNR BAKER, Jacob (n) 372 36 27 AMM2c USN BALL, Seyburn Harrlson 576 15 46 AMM2c,V6 USNR BARNES, Duain Owen 368 51 11 ARM1c,(CA) USN BARNES, William James 285 09 70 ARM3c,V6 USNR BEGLEY, Richard Charles 725 88 01 AMM3c,V6 USNR BELL, John Franklin, Jr. 381 79 31 AOM3c,(CA) USN BENNETT, Wylie Wilson, Jr. 625 56 21 AMMP2c, V2 USNR BLACK, Leo Gordon 368 48 97 ACRM(AA) (CA) USN BLAIR, Robert Buell 300 36 96 ARMlc,(CA) USN BLANKENSHIP, Rudell Oland 630 56 60 ARM2c, V6 USNR BOWERS, Robert Eugene 620 70 77 ARM3c, V3 USNR BOYLE, Thomas Raymond, Jr. 851 23 22 ARM3c, SV,V6 USNR BRADLEY, Eugene Russell 660 03 10 AMM2c, V2 USNR BROWN, Gregory Robert 726 01 39 AOM3c,V6 USNR BROWN, James Herbert 382 54 14 ARM2c, (CA) USN BRUCE, Earl Maynard 393 53 90 AMMlc, (CA) USN BUSCH, Robert LeRoy 238 77 49 AMM3c USN CARR, Robert Joseph 710 18 22 AMM3c, V6 USNR CASTER, William Franklin 863 48 39 AOM3c,SV,Y6,(CA) USNR COMBS, Roswell Deo 865 58 86 AOM3c,SV,V6,(CA) USNR CSUTORAS, Alex Joseph, Jr. 377 72 37 ARM3c, V6 USNR DAVIS, Stokley William 357 17 71 AOMB2c, V6 USNR DAYTON, Wayne Tilman, Jr. 625 38 98 AOM3c, V6 USNR DECKER, Andrew Joseph, Jr. 201 93 84 AMlc,(AB), (CA) USN DINI, John Joseph 808 74 87 AOM3c, V6,SV USNR DOTY, Denvy Earl 329 24 40 ARM3c USN DOULL, Roy Douglass 223 63 27 ACMM(AA), (CA) USN DUNSON, Buster Cowen 356 93 14 ARM3c, V6 USNR DUSATKO, Westley Ned 564 79 95 ARM3c, V6 USNR ENSSLIN, Edward Arthur 634 20 85 Ylc, V6 USNR EWING, Chester Glen 618 23 71 AMMlc, V6 USNR FEDER, Charles Joseph 648 88 67 Y3c, V6 USNR FERGUSON, Dale Lloyd 627 22 99 AMM3c, V6 USNR FITCHPATRICK, Lyle Henry 611 66 41 AMM3c, V6 USNR FLOURNOY, Loys Martin 377 69 88 AMM3c, V6 USNR FORD, James Floyd 368 66 25 AMM2c USN FOX, Charles Everett, Jr. 633 40 87 AOM2c, V2 USNR FOX, Jack Calvin 633 40 88 AOM2c, V2 USNR FRASER, Thomas Allen 564 67 73 ARM3c, V6 USNR GLAUBIG, Gene Frederlck 868 31 00 AMM3c, V6, SV USNR
Page - 104
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET PATROL SQUADRON FIFTY-FOUR
1 AUGUST, 1944 ROSTER OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL 1 AUGUST, 1944
NAME SERVICE NO. RATE BRANCH OF SERV.
GONZALES, Leonard John 644 2 75 ARM3c, V6, (CA) USNR
GRAEF, Lyle Edward 305 92 46 AMM2c, V6 USNR
HALL, Robert Manuel 377 13 70 ARM3c, V6 USNR
HAWKINS, Elvis O. AOM3c USNR
HEALY, James Edward 710 20 39 AOM2c, (AB), V6 USNR
HEAVENER, Robert James 660 18 93 ARM2c, V3, (CA) USNR
HENRY, John Paul 882 85 56 AOM3c, SV, (CA) USN
HUMBARGER, Joseph Brice 360 46 85 ARM2c USN
JONES, James Henry 839 11 18 ARM3c USN-I
JONES, James Wells 605 51 39 ARM3c, V6 USNR
KEEN, George Edgar 376 23 04 AOM1c, (AD), (CA) USN
KEENE, Billy Ray 357 40 68 AMM3c, SV, V6 USNR
KENDALL, Ernest Loton 600 08 54 AMM1c, V3, (CA) USNR
KIMMELL, Theodore 299 95 71 ACMM(AA), (CA) USN
Ellesworth
KNECHT, Robert James 650 14 20 AOM1c, V6, (CA) USNR
KOENIG, Harold Eugene 665 08 52 AMM2c, V6 USNR
LAMBERT, Duane Francis 372 42 08 ARM2c, (CA) USN
LATIMER, Lawrence Erastus, 837 25 68 AMM3c, SV USN
Jr.
LePAGE, David Pierre 204 75 07 S1c, (ARM), V6 USNR
LEWIS, Rex Royal 356 17 68 ARM1c, (CA) USN
LINDGREN, Glenn Edward 662 26 60 ARM2c, V6, (CA) USNR
LONDO, Warner Clarence 868 16 05 AMM3c, SV USN
MATTHEWS, John Walter 817 39 27 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR
McCOY, Benny Eugene 386 33 20 AOMB3c, V6 USNR
McKIDDY, Marion Walter 356 52 60 AMM1c, (CA) USN
MELANSON, Golden Joseph 311 80 93 AOM1c USN
MESCAL, Bernard Daniel 710 22 98 ARM3c, V6 (CA) USNR
MONELL, Arnold Scott 207 37 82 AMM1c, (CA) USN
MOOREHOUSE, Wesley Willard 372 44 22 Sic, (AOM) USN
MORRIS, Thomas "M" 660 01 33 AMM2c, V3, (CA) USNR
MORRISON, Pheter John, Jr. 623 24 19 AOM2c, V6, (CA) USNR
NANNEMANN, Cletus Henry 300 44 29 AOM2c USN
NELSON, Philip Virgil 316 79 38 AOM1c, (CA) USN
OAKLEY, Reuben Chastian, 837 30 12 AMM3c USN-I
Jr.
PECK, Merrill Chadwich 660 06 91 ARM2c, V6, (CA) USNR
PIETZEL, Edwin Curtis, Jr. 872 62 83 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR
PODHYSKI, William Joseph 224 05 14 AOM2c, (CA) USN
PROCK, Lee McFarland 630 79 44 AOM3c, V6 USNR
REBER, James A. AMM3c USNR
RICHARDSON, Harry Joseph, 709 17 75 AOM3c, V6 USNR
Jr.
ROACH, Roger Rouel 617 73 93 AMM2c, V6 USNR
RUSSELL, Glenn Clayton 878 02 83 AOM3c, V6, SV, USNR
(CA)
SAMS, Fred James 268 85 66 AMM1c, (CA) USN
SATTERLEE, Robert Louis 859 10 69 AMM3c USN-I
SCHULTZE, Richard Emil 244 64 55 AMM3c, V6 USNR
SCHWABE, Louis Francis 381 82 60 AOM3c, (CA) USN
SHAW, Joseph Blum, Jr. 624 99 76 AMMP1c, V2 USNR
Page - 105
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
PATROL SQUADRON FIFTY-FOUR
1 AUGUST, 1944 ROSTER OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL 1 AUGUST, 1944 NAME SERVICE NO. RATE BRANCH OF SERV. SHINEBARGER, Robert Roland 608 89 24 AOM3c, V6 USNR SMELLEY, Grover Cleveland, 604 29 02 AOM1c, V6, (AB), USNR Jr. (CA) STALLCUP, Walter Thomas 553 68 78 AMM2c, V6 USNR STAUDAHER, Frederick 554 73 29 ART2c, V6 USNR Michael, Jr. STOREY, Jack Weston 382 26 49 ARMlc, (CA) USN SULLIVAN, Marion Ray 604 94 19 AOM3c, V6 USNR SYNAN, Robert Edward 810 06 89 S1c(ARM), V6, (CA) USNR TAYLOR, Harold Orvice, Jr. 202 82 97 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR TEUBERT, Richard Allyn 382 71 70 ARM2c, (CA) USN THOMAS, Gerald Joseph 666 30 91 ARM3c, V6 USNR THOMPSON, Robert Elliott 632 21 50 ARM2c, V6, (CA) USNR TODD, Elmer Luther, Jr. 378 09 57 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR TOPALIAN, Abraham (n) 860 88 63 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR TOWNSLEY, Norris Earl 638 12 98 AMM2c, V2 USNR TRAVERSA, August Emillo 283 55 97 ARM3c USN TROUT, John Henry 382 37 36 AMMlc, (CA) USN WALTER, Freddie William 346 61 75 AMM1c, (VA) USN WATSON, Eugene Joseph, Jr. 725 82 45 AMM3c, V6 USNR WEEKS, Robert Lawrence 758 52 63 AOM3c, V6 USNR WHISNANT, Johnnie Ray 262 83 69 ARM3c USN WHITAM, Charles Leroy, Jr. 722 02 47 AOM3c, V6, (CA) USNR WOODRUFF, Billy Joe 351 01 82 ARM2c, (CA) USN ZABROWSKI, Hubert Martin 300 62 42 ARM2c, (CA) USN NOTE: There are people who appear on the crew list below who are not listed above leading me to believe that there were several additions (and possibly some deletions) between 1 August, 1944, the date of the above list, and 9 August, 1944, the date of the Crew list. Two additions to list above was provided by Ernest L. Kendall as members of his crew (#7) as replacements for Ferguson and Prock. These names are Hawkins and Reber (R. O. B.)
Page - 106
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
AIR FORCE
PATROL SQUADRON FIFTY-FOUR
9 AUGUST, 1944
VP-54 FLIGHT CREW ORGANIZATION
Crew #1:
Lt. Cmdr. L.R. Geis Walter, F.W., AMM1C
Brown, J.H., ARM2c
Lieut. T.T. Dunlop Londo, W.C.,
AMM3c Whisnant, J.R., ARM3c
Lieut. C.E. Sager Pokhyski,
W.J., AOM2c
Nelson,
P.V., AOM1c (AB)
Crew #2:
Lieut. H.G. Sharp, Jr. Bruce, E.M., AMM1c Blair,
R.B., ARM1c
Lieut. T.L. Griffin Morris T."M",AMM2c
Barnes, W.J., ARM3c
Ensign W.S. Chapman Pietzel,
E.C., AOM3c
Fox,
C.E., AOM1C (AB)
Crew #3:
Lt.(jg) R.E. Johnson Sams,
F.J., AMM1cs Teubert, R.A., ARM2c
Ensign M.K. Martin Altic,
J.M., AMM2c Jones, J.H., ARM3c
Lt.(jg) F.C. Peabody Morrison,
P.J., AOM2c
Henry,
J.P., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #4:
Lt.(jg) A.E. Wilson McKiddy, M.W., AMM1c
Lewis, R.R., ARM1c
Lieut. M. DesGalier,Jr. Busch, R.L., AMM3c Boyle,
T.R., ARM3c
Ensign H.F. Saunders Russell,
G.C., AOM3c
Fox,
J.C., AOM1c (AB)
Crew #5:
Lt.(jg) J.A. Love Ewing,
C.G., AMM1c Storey, J.W., ARM1c
Lieut. W.C. Sharpe Bennett,
W.W., AMMP2c Baird, D.T., ARM3c
Lt. Cmdr. L.H. Norcott Taylor,
H.O., AOM2c
Keene,
G.E., AOM1c (AB)
Crew #6:
Lt.(jg) K.F. Brissette Ford, J.E., AMM2c Dusatko,
W.N., ARM3c
Ensign L Castro Abbott,
F.W., AMM3c Thomas, G.J., ARM3c
Lt. (jg) Fontrier Weeks,
R.L., AOM3c
McCoy,
B.E., AOMB2c (AB)
Crew #7:
Lt.(jg) M.H. Brown Kendall,
E.L., AMM1c Peck, M.C., ARM2c
Ensign W.W. Watson Ferguson,
D.L., AMM3c Dunson, B.C., ARM3c
Ensign W.G. Mundt Caster,
W.F., AOM3c
Prock,
L.M., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #8:
Lt.(jg) Bonnet Shaw,
J.B., AMMP1c Bowers, R.E., ARM3c
Ensign A.R. Catlow Satterlee,
R.L., AMM3c Traversa, A.E., ARM3c
Ensign A. Sally Allen,
L.B., AOM3c
Brown,
G.R., AOM3c (AB)
Page - 107
Crew #9:
Lt. (jg) P. Maravich Stalcup, W.T.,
AMM2c Humbarger, J.B., ARM2c
Ensign R.J. Marguerite Carr, R.J., AMM3c
Baker, J.R., ARM3c
Ensign D.A. Goodrich Todd,
E.L., AOM2c
Dini,
J.J., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #10:
Lt. (jg) W.J. Sneed Trout, J.H.,
AMM1c Gonzales, L.J., ARM2c
Ensign H. Johnson Latimer,
L.E., AMM3c Csutoras, A.J., ARM3c
Ensign A.M. Christ Topalian,
A., AOM3c
Smelley,
G.C., AOM1c (AB)
Crew #11:
Lt. (jg) D.R. Badger Monell, A.S., AMM1c
Lindgren, G.E., ARM2c
Ensign C.R. Heatherly Fitchpatrick, L.H., AMM3c Armour, D.J.,
ARM3c
Ensign J.C. Smith Nannemann,
C.H., AOM2c
Sullivan,
M.R., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #12:
Lt. (jg) W.W. Dootson Roach, R.R.,AMM2c Woodruff,
B.J., ARM2c
Ensign D.C. Smith Glaubig,
G.F., AMM3c Jones, J.W., ARM3c
Ensign T.R. Fleeman Dayton,
W.T., AOM3c
Bell,
J.F., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #13:
Lt. (jg) H.D. Miner Townsley, N.E., AMM2c
Lambert, D.F., ARM2c
Ensign R.E. White Keene, B.R.,
AMM3c Synan, R.E., S1c(ARM)
Ensign R.J. George Richardson,
H.J., AOM3c
Combs,
R.D., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #14:
Lt. (jg) R.P. Pinckney Graef, L.E., AMM2c Barnes,
D.0., ARM1c
Ensign A. Garmhaus Begley, R.C., AMM3c
Mescal, B.D., ARM3c
Ensign D.E. Clinton Schwabe,
L.F., AOM3c
Healy,
J.E., AOM2c (AB)
Crew #15:
Lt. (jg) D.R. Fagerburg Koenig, H.E., AMM2c Heavener,
R.J., ARM2c
Ensign W.F. Goeppinger Flournoy, L.M., AMM3c Blankenship,
R.0., ARM2c
Ensign R.F. Thornton Matthews,
J.W., AOM3c
Decker,
A.J., AM1c (AB)
Crew #16:
Lt. (jg) R.S. Peckham Baber, J., AMM2c Zabrowski,
H.M., ARM2c
Ensign C.E. Davis Schulze, R.,
AMM3c LePage, D.P., Slc(ARM)
Ensign B.W. Dawson Melanson,
C.J., ACOM(AA)
Shinebarger,
R. R., AOM3c (AB)
Crew #17:
Lt. (jg) J.F. Beuttler Ball, S.H., AMM2c Hall,
R.M., ARM3c
Ensign R.F. Truax Watson, E.J.,
AMM3c Fraser, T.A., ARM3c
Ensign J.H. Martin Whitam,
C.L., AOM3c
Davis.
S. W., AOMB2c (AB)
Page - 108
Crew #18:
Lt.(jg) McCracken Bradley, E.R., AMM2c
Thompson, R.E., ARM2c
Ensign W.J. Raczynski Oakley, R.C., AMM3c Doty,
D.E., ARM3c
Ensign O.R. Palmquist Alyea,
P.S., AOM3c
Knecht,
R.J., AOM1c (AB)
Supernumeraries
Commander K.J. Sanger - C. O. Doull R.D., ACMM(T) - Leading Chief
Lt Comdr. C.C. Couhig Black,
L.G., ACRM(AA) - Radio Chief
Lieut. L.P. Moore, (MC) Kimmell,
T.E., ACMM(T) - Asst Leading Chief
Lieut R.W. Johnson Ensslin,
E.Q., Ylc
Lieut A.A. Bliss Feder,
C.J., Y3c
Lt.(jg) J.T. Robinson Moorehouse,
W.W. S1c
Ensign S.D. Zemansky McDuffy,
J.M., PHM2c
Lieut. R.E. Crist
Lieut. C. Wiles Hallock, Jr. Staudaher, F.M., ART2c
Gunner L.J. Schutty
Bilda, Frank E. Ammonette,
Arnold P.
Kelly, H.L. Morsby
Posey, Roy W. Dutton,
William C.
Isely
Hawkins, Elvis O. AOM3c Reber,
James A. AMM3c
Page - 109
Part Three Appendix:
Biography:
I. COMMANDING OFFICER:
1. Commander Kenneth J. Sanger, USN, 75078 Born 19 March, 1914,
New York City, New York
Grammar School - St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor, Long Island, 1927
High School - Dwight School New York City, 1931.
Naval Academy -1935
1935-1937 - U. S. S. RALEIGH, Signal Officer, Ass 't Navigator,
Interpreter for Commander Squadron 40-T in Mediterranean during
Spanish Civil War.
1937-1938-U. S. S. DAHLGREN, First Lieutenant Communications Officer.
1938-1939 - Flight Training, U.S.N.A.S. Pensacola, Florida.
1939-1942 - U. S. S. BARKER, Asiatic Fleet Gunnery Officer 2 1/2 years,
Executive Officer and Navigator 9 months - Commanding 1 month
1942-1943- Flight Training.
August 1943- December 1943- Instructor Operational Training, U. S. N. A.
S. Jacksonville, Florida.
1944- Commanding, Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTY-FOUR
II AWARDS:
1. The Navy Marine Corps Medal was awarded to Lieut.(jg) Milton H. Brown, USNR, for rescuing a Marine fighter pilot Lieut. W. E. Garrett USMCR, at Midway Island on 16 June, 1944. Lieut (jg) Brown made an open sea landing under difficult conditions to effect the rescue.
2. Letters of commendations were awarded the following members
of Lieut (jg) Milton H. Brown's crew for meritorious and efficient
performance of duty during the rescue noted in paragraph two above:
Ensign Walter W Watson, 321201,A(1), USNR
Ensign William G. Mundt, 347383, A(1), USNR
DUNSON, Buster C., 356 93 14, ARM3c, V6, USNR
FERGUSON, Dale L, 627 22 99, AMM2c, V6, USNR
KENDALL, Ernest L, 600 08 54, AMM1c, V3, USNR
PECK, Merrill C., 660 06 91, ARM2c, V6, USNR.
3. A letter of commendation was awarded to Commander K.J. Sanger, USN, by the Commander Forward Area, Central Pacific for his meritorious and efficient performance of duty during the period From about September 1, 1944 to November 15, 1944, as commanding officer of the squadron. During this period Commander Sanger and a VPB-54 detachment were engaged in providing Dumbo Escort and weather plane service in staging the Marine Garrison Squadrons from Espiritu Santo to Peleliu, Palau Islands.
Page - 110
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
AIR FORCE
PATROL BOMBING SQUADRON FIFTY-FOUR
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
19 March, 1945
"SUMMARY"
Patrol Bombing Squadron FIFTY-FOUR operated outside the continental
limits of the United States for a little more than nine months. During
this period the squadron operated throughout the central, south, southwestern
Pacific and Philippine waters. Squadron planes or personnel landed on every
major island base in the Pacific except in the Aleutian Islands. Operations
were primarily "Dumbo" escort and air-sea rescue duties but included
some "Postal" runs, the ferrying of Army, Navy and Civilian personnel,
including Assistant Secretary of the Navy Artemus Gates and Admiral Fraser
of the Royal Navy. In addition a few "Black Cat" missions were
undertaken during its air-sea rescue operations.
The Squadron picked up two hundred and twenty five persons and assisted
in the rescue of thirteen others for a total of two hundred thirty eight.
One hit was scored on a Japanese heavy cruiser, and five bombing missions
were carried out against enemy installations in the Palau Group of Islands.
During the entire period the squadron was together at one base for only one and one-half days and planes and personnel were sometimes scattered from the Fiji Islands to the Marianas.
The squadron returned to the United States without the loss or serious injury of a single crew member and without the loss of a plane,. even though rescue operations were frequently conducted under conditions which were entirely too rough for the safe operation of PBY5A aircraft.
/s/ K. J. Sanger
K. J. SANGER,
Commander, U. S. Navy,
Commanding.
Page - 111
The following narrative was included in the information provided by Ernest Kendall and is not signed by or attributed to anyone. I will attempt to find out who wrote it prior to going to press on the history.
This covers both deployments and I assume it was compiled and written by someone who made both tours.
PATROL SOUADRON 54
VP-54 was commissioned on November 15, 1942 and was organized and trained at the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, T.H. A nucleus of experienced officers and men was assigned from existing squadrons but the majority of the pilots were drawn directly from advanced flight training units.
As much training as facilities afforded was carried out in gunnery, bombing, navigation, communications, flight operations, and plane and ship recognition during the period from November, 1942 to March, 1943. During that time, the squadron also furnished three crews daily for daylight patrol of the Hawaiian Area.
On the twelfth of February, 1943, VP-54 received orders to convert to a night-flying unit and to be ready to leave for the South Pacific within two weeks. In that short time as much training as possible was given to the inexperienced pilots and crews. Flights were scheduled for night landings, torpedo drops and bombing and gunnery runs. Needless to say, the program was rather limited and it was not until the Squadron reached Guadalcanal did it gain any significant experience in night search and attack operations. Fortunately, the first three months of such operations were far less taxing than the succeeding six-month's period and the pilots thus had time to build up experience in night take-offs and landings, to learn their search areas thoroughly and, most important, to develop confidence in themselves, their planes and their crews; all under unfavorable weather conditions.
The first contingent, consisting of nine planes and ten crews, departed Kaneohe Bay for Espiritu Santo on the first of March, arriving on March seventh. The balance of the squadron arrived at Espiritu during early April. A three-plane section that left Kaneohe March 24th, was bombed at Canton. One Black Cat was completely destroyed and another, riddled by shrapnel, was flown back to Hawaii for repairs. The third plane proceeded to its scheduled destination.
The first VP-54 Black Cat landed at Henderson Field, March 11, 1943 and its crew made the first squadron night patrol in the Solomon Islands area the following night The remaining planes and crews arrived in quick succession, temporarily relieving those of VP-12. Patrol Squadron 54 operated jointly with VP-12 until approximately June 1 after which the Black Cats consisted solely of VP-54 planes and personnel.
The Squadron's operations may be divided into several distinct periods, corresponding to the changes which occurred in the general tactical situation. The first period, March 11 to June 15, saw the consolidation and defense of Guadalcanal The Black Cat's part in that period was to conduct night patrols, which were known as the "mike search", day and night anti-submarine patrols, special weather flights, rescue missions, bombing and harassing missions over the Jap held airfields at Villa and Munda, radar detection flights and flights involving the transportation of officers and materials to advanced bases. The Mike Search was an anti-shipping patrol designed to cover the channel and southern approaches to Guadalcanal and the track included the Russell Islands, the southern two-thirds of the southwest coast of Santa Isabel, the northern tip of Malaita and Savo Island. The patrol required approximately 13 hours of night flying and was distinctive largely from the standpoint of monotony. Convoy and anti-submarine patrols were ordinarily flown to the southeast of Guadalcanal or between Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, the most advanced Allied base during this period. The Munda and Villa harassing missions consisted of flying over these bases at periodic intervals
Page - 112
during the night and dropping a single bomb on each run. The objective was of course to keep the Japs awake and in their fox holes. If the Black Cat was as successful as was "Washing Machine Charlie" over Guadalcanal the missions were well worth the effort.
On June 1, 1943 Patrol Squadron 12 left the area and all Black Cat
missions were assumed by Patrol Squadron 54. From approximately that date
to August 5th, the end of the Rendova and Munda campaigns, or the second
period, the Black Cats were extremely active. At the Squadron's suggestion
the Miko search was discontinued. A number of more useful night patrols
were substituted which took the Black Cats far into enemy territory to
hunt for Jap shipping at the top of the "slot" and off the southwest
and northeast coasts of Bougainville. At the inception and during the 32-day
Rendova and Munda campaigns the Japs attempted to land reinforcements,
to shell our land positions and to oppose Allied task forces. Four to six
Black Cats were sent out nightly to search for, report and attack Jap warships.
Contacts were numerous and the Black Cats were frequently able to guide
Allied warships to the Jap forces and to illuminate after the enemy had
been engaged. The Squadron took pride in the fact that virtually every
major contact with Jap surface forces were first developed by search planes
of VP-54. Black Cat contacts led to each of the several battles of Kula
and Vella Gulfs. ID nearly every instance the Black Cats dropped their
four #500 bombs on the ships contacted or, in the event of no contact,
bombs were dropped on the Villa airfield.
The number of other types of missions was also increased. Numerous convoys
were escorted to Rendova and Munda, special bombing and harassing missions
were undertaken, a considerable number of pilots were rescued and a large
number of spotting, weather and transportation flights were undertaken.
The third period, from August 5th to October 31, saw the occupation by Allied forces of Arundel and Vella Lavella Islands, intense bombardment of Jap positions on Kolombangara and, during the latter portion, the attempted evacuation of Japanese troops from New Georgia area. Several Jap task groups were used during those operations but the bulk of the shipping consisted of barges and small auxiliary vessels. The Black Cats regularly searched the approach areas to our New Georgia positions locating, reporting, bombing and strafing numerous enemy task groups, barge convoys and single troop-carrying ships. A considerable increase in transport, rescue, and anti-submarine missions, also, occurred during this period.
October 31 marked the beginning of the Bougainville campaigns; the final period of VP-54 operations. Black Cats again increased their operations with search areas extending as far as Rabaul on New Britain. Six Black Cats spotted and searched for the Task Force that shelled Buka, Bonis, Kahili and the Shortland-Faisi area and the planes of VP-54 contacted a number of Jap task forces dispatched to oppose our landings on Treasury Island and at Empress Augusta Bay. The Cats also provided air cover for the numerous large convoys which carried men and equipment to advanced Allied Positions, and served as transports for officers and urgently needed supplies. Many searches during that period were flown from Munda but despite this, patrol missions often required 14-17 hours of continuous flying. When the crews of VP-24 were grounded because of Pilot fatigue, the Black Cats took over a portion of their night patrols in the St. George's Channel area between New Britain and Rabaul. The Black Cats brought to the Solomons Islands were the best available, but they had put in a high number of hours and were not in the most desirable condition for combat operations. A great deal of credit will always be due the officers and men who kept the Black Cats flying. Operating without adequate facilities, equipment or supplies PATSU-1 allowed very few flights to be rejected by VP-54 for lack of aircraft.
The pilots and crews of VP-54 flew and fought the Black Cats, primarily at night, under any conceivable weather condition. They successfully completed all assigned missions and pressed home bombing and strafing attacks despite the inadequacies of the old cats for attack operations. VP-81 was a welcome sight in December 1943.
Page - 113
In summary, during a period of nine months, VP-54 distinguished itself in combat operations while amassing 3922 hours in 491 missions. The records show that 40,900 lbs of bombs were dropped on 107 surface targets in the course of 260 contacts. 89,000 pounds of bombs were dropped on Munda and Villa airstrips; plus an unknown number of beer bottles. 52 persons were rescued and losses were only 34.
The 1944 Squadron was formed in February at North Island N.A.S. San Diego with many pilots of the old 54 Squadron of 1943 fame as P.P.C's. Combat experienced enlisted personnel from the '43 Squadron also volunteered to go out again as crew chiefs and 1st Radio men. Intensive training started immediately with part of the crews located at North Island and part at Sandy Beach N.A.S., Salton Sea During the months of March and April, all personnel trained vigorously in Navigation, Instruments, Gunnery, Bombing, Torpedo, Full-stall and power landings on smooth water, as well as night flying. We all knew it wouldn't be long before we would be heading overseas for combat duty again.
In early May, all crews began flying simulated transpac flights via Alameda and return. By the 25th of May, the entire squadron, leaving in groups of three, flew from San Diego to Kaneohe Bay in the Hawaiian Islands - a distance of over 2000 miles. This was the first time that an entire squadron of PBY5A's crossed the Pacific from the mainland to Hawaii with their landing gear without the loss of men and planes. All other squadrons previous to this had their 1100 extra pounds of landing gear carried over by ship. The weather was generally fine until after we passed the point-of-no-return and then storm fronts were encountered requiring higher altitudes causing extra gas to be burned up and planes being blown off course. Some planes, due to this foul weather, required over 20 hrs. to make this crossing to Kaneohe Bay N.A.S., Territory of Hawaii.
May 29th, VP-54 was transferred to the Midway Islands for search and rescue missions. During off-duty hours, Gooney Birds provided entertainment. To stir-up interest and competition between crews designated dally for rescue stand-by, each crew tried to achieve the shortest possible time from "May-Day" call in until the rescue plane was airborne. Many of you pilots can vividly recall these cold-engine take-offs. Some of these Catalina Hot-Rodders taking off on rescue missions wouldn't bother to fly the plane normally off the landing strip to get airborne - they would build up air speed and then raise their landing gear.
VP-54 returned to Kaneohe Bay by the end of June. New thrills awaited these crews when they had to practice simulated carrier take-offs and landings on marked-off landing strips. Somebody had the idea that Catalinas could operate from the decks of aircraft carriers.
The squadron was transferred July 15th via Palmyra Island, Canton Island, Funafuti Island, Espiritu Santos Island in New Hebrides to Carney Field, Guadalcanal thereby relieving VP-81 of its duties.
Many anti-sub inshore patrols at dusk were flown during the months of August and September. Some crews operated from Segond Seaplane Base and Luganville Field on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Island on anti-sub patrols.
In mid-September, Squadron Headquarters was moved to Emirau Island, Saint Matthews Group off the northern tip of New Britain Island. Patrol Squadron 54's designation was changed to Patrol Bombing Squadron 54. Again flew many search and rescue missions. Several planes made a special flight to Peleliu Island, Palau Group of Islands via Hollandia, New Guinea. Carrying 3000 # food. Typhoon weather along with no natural harbor prevented supplies from being landed from ships off-shore. 1st Marine Division would were flown back on the return trips to the Admiralty Islands. VPB-54 had the distinction of being the first plane to land on Peleliu since the invasion started. other crews ferried planes back to Espiritu Santo for repairs and engine changes to ready the squadron for the Lalan Island campaign.
Page - 114
VPB-54 split in November, one-half of the squadron remaining at Emirau and the balance moved to Peleliu, Palau Islands. Many air strikes were flown by Marine Corsair fighter pilots against the Jap Islands of Yap and Babelthorpe. Squadron planes flew many Dumbo missions during the months of November and December. The 1st Marine Division was cleaning up Bloody Nose Ridge along the air strip when VP-54 landed her planes. Sniper fire from Japs in caves killed men daily on the airstrip near our planes.
We posted our own guards nightly for a month to protect our planes from being blown up due to Japanese infiltration through the lines on Bloody Nose ridge. The 81st Army infantry Division finally relieved the battlescarred 1st Marine Division.
January, 1945, the Peleliu group flew to Woendi Island, Biak Group of the Admiralty Islands, the new Headquarters of VPB-54. One week later, the squadron went to Leyte Gulf Philippine Islands. The Luzon, Philippine Island Invasion on January 10th saw the planes of VPB-54 operating from a converted DE the U.S.S. Orca (AVP-49) to act as our seaplane tender in Lingayen Gulf. The Orca took us on Navy night patrols into the China Sea. Several times the Japanese tried to blow up the U.S.S. Orca by planting explosives under the fan-tail of the ship. Refusing to surrender, they were destroyed with 20mm cannon fire from the ship. Between January 10th and February 15th, many flights were made throughout the northern part of Luzon ferrying food supplies, guns and ammo to the Guerrillas. Dumbo missions were flown for the 5th Air Force strikes on Formosa. Several invasions were covered around the Corregidor and Manila Bay area. Dumbos were flown to LaPaz; Subic Bay, and Polillio Island.
Patrol Bombing Squadron 54 secured its operations in the Philippine Islands on the 18th of February, 1945. Skeleton crews flew the squadron planes to Manus, Admiralty Islands. Top priority was given these crews and they were flown back to John Roger's Airport in Honolulu. Gregg McDonough, of the 1943 Squadron, was Commanding Officer of John Roger's Airport and met us upon return from the far-Eastern waters. Several days later, we were flown by Coronado flying boats to Alameda N.A.S. on the mainland. The balance of the crews that remained in the Philippines came home aboard ship.
VPB-54 successfully completed the Palau Island and the Luzon, Philippine Island Campaigns without losing any men or planes.
Page - 115
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET AIR FORCE -1943
Patrol Squadron Fifty-Four - Black Cat Command
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands.
Bureau
Planes
PBY5A Plane No. Number Surveyed
54-P-14 Unknown Bombed
by enemy on Canton Island
(Plane
and wounded men returned to Kaneohe Bay, T. H.)
54-P-S 04413 Crash
landing at "Buttons" - Espiritu Santo Island
54-P-9 02488 Missing
in Action (SCHALL's Crew) (13 men killed)
04982
Given to VP-2
02475
46 02948
47 05016
48 08034
Nose wheel collapsed on landing
49 08035
50 08038
Nose wheel and port side mount collapsed on landing
due to engine trouble
51 08050
52 08051
Engine trouble (fire) down at sea in enemy territory
near Vella LaVella. "Evan's" crew.
Crew
chief "Evans" killed by enemy patrol
Remaining
crew members rescued after dodging enemy
patrols
for 3 weeks.
53 08052
Engine trouble - crash landing on the mat with wheels
up. "Doull's" crew and all radiomen aboard.
54 08070
Caught fire and crashed at sea.
55 08075
Destroyed by bomb on Henderson Field through
enemy
night bombing.
56 08076
Engine trouble (Broken oil line) - down at sea in enemy
territory - Schiff's crew - all saved.
57 08098
58 08108
59 08115
60 08116
Shot down in enemy territory - "Schall's" crew saved
- some wounded.
New 52 05045
Note: Lt Carter had wounded aboard from one of his daylight missions. (Scotty Monell wounded from 20mm. shrapnel)
Remaining
planes flown back to Kaneohe Bay N.A.S.,T.H.
- D-57 brought back to San Diego by ship.
This list of planes, bureau numbers and cause of survey copied from my
Flight Log Books. It might be of interest to some.
1944
D-51-48400 D-56-48401
D-61-48409
D-52-48407 D-57-48394
D-62-48408
D-53-48442 D-58-48402
D-63-48444
D-54-48395 D-59-48399
D-64-48443
D-55-48393 D-60-48403
D-65-48445
Above information furnished by Ernest L Kendall and there are some apparent discrepancies which we need to resolve. Take it as is for the time being and we will try to take care of it later. (ROB)
Page - 116
[End of Diary]
Back Next
Webpage created by Thomas Doty
