VPNAVY VP-5 Mercury Capsule Recovery
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

HistoryVH-3 HistoryHistory

Circa 1945

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Squadron "...Lieutenants Darcy and Sam Davis outside VH-3 Summer 1945. My father, Edgar "Bud" Stanford was a pilot with VH-3 from May 1945 through September 1945..." Contributed by Martin Stanford mtstanford@adelphia.net [23SEP2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Squadron "...Enlisted of VH-3, NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas Islands, June 1945. My father, Edgar "Bud" Stanford was a pilot with VH-3 from May 1945 through September 1945..." Contributed by Martin Stanford mtstanford@adelphia.net [23SEP2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Squadron "...Officers of VH-3, NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas Islands, September 1945. My father, Edgar "Bud" Stanford was a pilot with VH-3 from May 1945 through September 1945. He is back row, #8 from the left..." Contributed by Martin Stanford mtstanford@adelphia.net [21AUG2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Squadron "...VH-3 Squadron Headquarters, Saipan, August 1945. My father, Edgar "Bud" Stanford was a pilot with VH-3 from May 1945 through September 1945..." Contributed by Martin Stanford mtstanford@adelphia.net [21AUG2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VPB-208 CruiseBook Circa 1945. Page 42 and 43 - USS Hamlin (AV-15) 'Believe following a day's record in Tender maintenance X at 0645. Hoisted out C-11 (VPB-208 and took aboard F-5 (VH-3) a strike plane and removed both engines X at 1300 hoisted out F-5 and brought aboard F-4 ((VH-3) for engine change X latter completed just too late to hoist out before nightfall..." Contributed by DAUM, F. David (Deceased) and forwarded by Drake A. Daum Drake.Daum@wpafb.af.mil [03MAR2005]

History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailCamera "...VPB-208 CruiseBook Circa 1945. Page 45 - From the Task Force Commander to VPB-208 and VH-3, June 14, 1945..." Contributed by DAUM, F. David (Deceased) and forwarded by Drake A. Daum Drake.Daum@wpafb.af.mil [03MAR2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VH-3 History ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Squadron "...Japan - Circa 1945 - photo's taken by my father Gordon C. PETERSEN (Deceased)..." Contributed by PETERSEN, Gordon C. (Deceased) c/o His Son Gordon B. Petersen mpandgp@msn.com [14AUG2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VH-3 History ThumbnailCameraVH-3 Japan "...Japan - Circa 1945 - photo's taken by my father Gordon C. PETERSEN (Deceased)..." Contributed by PETERSEN, Gordon C. (Deceased) c/o His Son Gordon B. Petersen mpandgp@msn.com [14AUG2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VH-3 Picture ThumbnailCamera "...My dad served on the USS Bering Strait (AVP-34) from commissioning thru the end of the War. I recently met an old gentleman who served with VP-21, I believe, and we were sharing stories and pictures. He drug out his log book and we discovered that his aircraft as well as the USS Bering Strait (AVP-34) were at Kerama Retto on March 28, 1945. I have attached a picture of the USS Bering Strait (AVP-34) and part of her flock of PBMs from VH-3 at Keramo Retto, circa March 28-April 1, 1945..." Contributed by Wayne Tudor a.w.tudor@worldnet.att.net [E-Mail Updated 05JUL2001 | 31DEC98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Rescue Squadron - THREE [VH-3} departed Tanapag, Saipan late on the evening of 28 March 1945 enroute to Kerama Retto, Okinawa along with VPB-21, VPB-18, & VPB-27 or VPB-28. Ours was the first seaplane (PBM-3R) to land the following morning 3 days prior to the invasion of Okinawa. The Retto had just been secured the day before and bands of enemy troops still eluded the 77 Inf. Div. until early june. VPB-21 was based aboard the USS Chandeleur & VH-3 aboard the USS Bering Strait. On 11 May I was on plane watch when we received word that a crew from -21 had been shot down that afternoon. We were standby SAR and were airborne at 0500 on 12 May. The weather was terrible with low hanging black clouds and a worsening sea. We sure did not want to have to land in these conditions but knew what was expected of us. We arrived about 80 miles ESE of Kyushu around 0800 and began a square search. On the 10th & most northerly leg we sighted smoke 8 miles north. We landined in 15-18 foot swells, broke of the pilot's seat, the main spar behind the engines gave way, port inboard flat gave way, tail section crumpled, and the hull buckled. All 13 survivors were brought aboard & although we were badly damaged we were able to take off with 4 JATO units & return to base. Lt Simms was their pilot and John DiGulio had been the radioman that vectored in carrier planes on 7 May against the Yammato suicide Task Force. Our PPC was Lt. Wallace D. Eddy formerly of VP-102 during the defense of the Philippines. He was an NAP with VP-102..." Contributed by Lee Way ex-VH-3 LEEWAY104@aol.com [24FEB2000]


Circa 1944

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Contributed by John Lucas john.lucas@netzero.net [16MAR2002]
VH-3 History

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Contributed by John Lucas john.lucas@netzero.net [16MAR2002]
VH-3 History

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Just a few comments on the 6 VH Rescue Squadrons. Each unit when formed consisted of 6 PBM-3Rs & 6 R4D-5s land-planes. The dual mission would be: PBMs as SAR & R4Ds as Medical Evacuation. However instead of R4D-5s, VH-1 were utilizing PB2Y-3s. The 4 engined flying boats. This dual mission looked good on paper. But, having 2 separate commands at different bases proved unfeasable. Around 15 December 1944 the land plane & PB2Ys from VH-1 and VH-2 were formed into VE-1. Likewise VH-3 and VH-4 formed VE-2 & VH-5 and VH-6 formed into VE-3. These 3 Evacuation squadrons operated from newly won airstrips and seadromes under intense enemy fire oftentimes to remove the wounded to the rear area where they could be operated on. An amazing feat of VE-1s PB2Ys was accomp- lished when they flew many severly wounded men from the forward area Islands back to San Francisco. Only making stops for fuel & provisions and landed at NAS Alameda, California 48 hours later. Words fail describe the role these unsung heroes played in getting these men out of harms way. For decades the exploits of the VH rescue squadrons & the VE Evacuation squadrons have been one of the best kept secrets of WW2. Every pilot and aircrewman can stand tall who has set down on a tempestuous sea or braved enemy fire in order to rescue airmen or sailors and footsloggers who would have possibly died from lack of attention..." Contributed by Lee Way ex-VH-3 LEEWAY104@aol.com [17FEB2000]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...VH Rescue Squadron (existed) from 1944-1946..." http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/squades.htm [10JUL98]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "15APR44--Air-Sea Rescue Squadrons (VH) were formed in the Pacific Fleet to provide rescue and emergency services as necessary in the forward areas. Prior to this time the rescue function was performed as an additional duty by regularly operating patrol squadrons." http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/avchr5.htm [10JUL98]


Circa Unknown
Can you identify the Month and or Year?

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCamera "...These photos were taken from the personal collection of Raymond Lutz. Raymond was a crew member aboard VH-3. This shows a VH-3 search and rescue base on NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas Islands. Shown is "The Creeper", the only type of bus moving on Saipan, thus named because it never stopped, if you wanted a ride you had to run along and get on while it was moving or you were out of luck..." Contributed by John Lucas JohnLucas@netzero.com [16APR2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCamera "...These photos were taken from the personal collection of Raymond Lutz. Raymond was a crew member aboard VH-3. This shows a VH-3 search and rescue base on NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas Islands. In the foreground A "Colored" Engineer outfit working on the runways. (This was in the recent dark ages when the black americans, or african americans were segregated into their own outfits and called "Colored")..." Contributed by John Lucas JohnLucas@netzero.com [16APR2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...These photos were taken from the personal collection of Raymond Lutz. Raymond was a crew member aboard VH-3 out of NAS Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Marianas Islands..." Contributed by John Lucas JohnLucas@netzero.com [20MAR2005]

History - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge ThumbnailHistory - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Air-to-Air Shoot Downs by Navy and Marine Corps Patrol Type Aircraft During World War II - This Squadron Mentioned...Naval Historical Center ADOBE Download File: http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/Appen4.pdf [12FEB2004]
Get Adobe Reader
Open VP History Adobe FileAir-To-Air Shootdowns 118KB

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Patrol Aviation in the Pacific in WW II - Part 2 - By Capt. Albert L. Raithel, Jr., USN (Ret.)...This Squadron Mentioned...Naval Historical Center ADOBE Download File: http://www.history.navy.mil/download/ww2-20.pdf [25MAY2003]
Get Adobe Reader
Open VP History Adobe FilePatrol Aviation in the Pacific in WW II - Part 2 2049KB

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VH-3 History Contributed by John Lucas john.lucas@netzero.net [16MAR2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VH-3 History Contributed by John Lucas john.lucas@netzero.net [16MAR2002]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Other USN squadrons that operated R4D=92s included Air Transport Evacuation Squadrons One, Two and Three (VRE-1, -2 and -3); Rescue Squadrons Two, Three, Five and Fourteen (VH-2, VH-3, VH-5 and -14); Utility Squadrons Four and Seven (VJ-4 and -7); Utility Transport Squadron Two (VRJ-2); Air Ferry Transport Squadrons One to Four (VRF-1 to -4); and Air Ferry Service Squadron One (VRF-1)..." http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/r4d_gooneybird.htm [18MAY2000]

Waiting for permission to post entire article.

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The rest of the war we flew with VH3 , picking up survivors, and giving support to Planes Bombing Japan, right on up til both ATOMIC BOMBS. We moved up as Islands were taken, living in the PBM 5 most of the time. Sea Pane tenders, the Berring Straits, The Gardeners Bay, and at Okinawa - The Pine Island, supplied us. Day and Night we were under attack by Kamikazis. Thank the Lord the pickett planes and ship's guns knocked them down...We had to leave the planes and go to sea during the Typhoon, then to Saipan and then to NAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii where they "surveyed" our planes. I asked out and was sent to San Diego on the Destroyer Escort, The USS Slidel. Then to the New Orleans Separations Center. My highest rate was ACCMF...There were a number of PBM's that were lost or BLEW UP ON TAKE OFF when JATO ROCKETS ignited the loads of 100 Octane Fuel..." Contributed by William E. "Bill" Lavinghousez MPTM38B@Prodigy.com [10JUL98]


Return
"VH-3 Summary Page"